Brookline High School • The Handbook i Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students, The stated mission of Brookline High is “to develop capable confident life-long learners who contribute to their community, participate thoughtfully in democracy and succeed in a diverse and evolving global society.” We do that by striving to meet the learning needs of all students through offering a thoughtful and broad course of study and appropriate supports. To achieve our mission, we are also committed to creating a safe and respectful learning environment for all students, faculty, and staff. This high school has high expectations for students, but it also highly trusts them to behave in ways that create that respectful learning environment. The philosophy is that if we adults respect students, give them freedoms, but also expect them to be responsible members of the school community, then students grow more and we have a better school. In addition, it is crucial that we have clear and consistently held expectations, guidelines, and consequences for infractions that are applied fairly. All communities try to strike the delicate balance between freedom and responsibility. Students at BHS are given freedoms, but they also need to know and understand their rights and their responsibilities. This Handbook and Code of Conduct describe and explain the rules, regulations, consequences, and procedures for infractions. It does not detail all possible infractions, however students are expected to behave responsibly and with good judgment, and you can be held accountable if your behavior does not meet BHS standards. The Handbook and Code of Conduct will be made available and reviewed in student advisory. Once it is available for review, students are expected to know what is in it. Having said that, I know that BHS students take to heart the trust we have in them. I know I will see daily examples of students caring for the school community, taking care of the buildings, and respecting the diversity of this great place, which is something that all people who have gone before you really value and treasure. I look forward to a great school year. Sincerely, Deborah Holman Brookline High School • The Handbook i THE HANDBOOK TABLE OF CONTENTS THE BROOKLINE SCHOOL COMMITTEE ..........................................................................................................................1 PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF BROOKLINE: CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION ....................................................................................1 BROOKLINE HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION ...............................................................................................................1 DEPARTMENT CHAIRS ....................................................................................................................................................2 PTO CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2012-2013 .........................................................................................................................5 TESTS FOR COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS .......................................................................................................................6 BROOKLINE HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE EVENTS – 2012-2013 ........................................................................................8 THE CORE VALUES OF THE BROOKLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ............................................................................................9 BROOKLINE HIGH SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT .........................................................................................................9 EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT PERFORMANCE ............................................................................................................. 10 THE CONSTITUTION .................................................................................................................................................... 11 ARTICLE 1 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 11 SECTION 1: THE HEADMASTER ........................................................................................................................... 11 SECTION 2: THE GOVERNMENT'S LIAISON ......................................................................................................... 11 SECTION 3: EXECUTIVE COUNCILS ..................................................................................................................... 12 ARTICLE 2 .................................................................................................................................................................. 12 SECTION 1: THE LEGISLATURE ............................................................................................................................ 12 SECTION 2: THE FACULTY COUNCIL .................................................................................................................. 15 SECTION 3: THE STUDENT COUNCIL.................................................................................................................. 15 ARTICLE 3 .................................................................................................................................................................. 17 SECTION 1: THE JUDICIARY ................................................................................................................................ 17 SECTION 2: APPOINTMENT OF NEW MEMBERS ................................................................................................... 17 SECTION 3: BRINGING A CASE TO JUDICIARY ...................................................................................................... 18 SECTION 4: GUARANTEED RIGHTS...................................................................................................................... 18 ARTICLE 4 .................................................................................................................................................................. 19 ARTICLE 5 .................................................................................................................................................................. 19 SECTION 1: RATIFICATION .................................................................................................................................. 19 SECTION 2: AMENDMENTS .................................................................................................................................. 19 BILL OF RIGHTS ....................................................................................................................................................... 19 Brookline High School • The Handbook ii THE ORGANIZATION OF BROOKLINE HIGH SCHOOL'S GOVERNMENT................................................... 20 SECTION 1: STUDENTS' RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES .............................................................................. 21 SECTION II: THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT ........................................................................................... 26 II. A. SUSPENSIONS AND EXPULSIONS .................................................................................................................. 26 II. B. SEARCH AND SEIZURE ................................................................................................................................ 28 II. C. SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGS ON DISCIPLINING STUDENTS WHO HAVE INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAMS (IEP'S) .............................................................................................................................................. 28 II. D. THE CODE OF CONDUCT .......................................................................................................................... 31 II D. SECTION 1. RESPECT FOR SELF: ............................................................................................................. 31 RULE 1.1: THE POLICY ON STUDENT ATTENDANCE ................................................................................ 31 RULE 1.2: ZERO TOLERANCE FOR DRUGS AND ALCOHOL IN SCHOOL OR AT SCHOOL SPONSORED ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................................................................. 33 RULE 1.3: NO CHEATING OR PLAGIARISM ................................................................................................ 37 RULE 1.4: THE POLICY ON ELECTRONIC DEVICES ................................................................................... 38 RULE 1.5: THE POLICY ON SMOKING ....................................................................................................... 39 RULE 1.6: NO TARDINESS TO MID-YEAR AND FINAL EXAMS .................................................................... 39 RULE 1.7: NO GAMBLING ........................................................................................................................ 39 II D. SECTION 2. RESPECT FOR OTHERS ...................................................................................................... 39 RULE 2.1: NO FIGHTING OR USE OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE ....................................................................... 39 RULE 2.2: ZERO TOLERANCE FOR WEAPONS ........................................................................................... 40 RULE 2.3: NO DISRUPTION OF SCHOOL OR CLASSES ..............................................................................