Handbook Table of Contents Mission Statement 1 Extra-Curricular Attendance 11 School Rules 1 Daily attendance 12 Skipping 2 Driver’s Licenses 12 Controlled Substance Abuse 2 Bus Notes 12 Student Use of Technology and the Sign-In/Sign-Out Policy 12 Internet 5 Extended Absences 13 Electronic Devices 5 Homework Requests 13 Nonviolent Restraint 5 Make-Up Work 13 Food, Drinks, Flowers, Gifts 6 New Student Enrollment 13 Weapons Policy 6 Important Numbers and Websites 14 Dress Code 6 Emergency Numbers 15 Student Code of Conduct 7 Closed Campus 15 Disciplinary Actions 8 Fire Drills 15 Detention (ASD and Lunch Detention) Good Manners and RSP 16 8 Student Bills 16 In-School Suspension 8 Visitors 16 Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) 8 Textbooks 16 Parking/Driving Restriction 9 Valuables 16 Transitional Program 9 Assembly Days 17 Social suspension 9 Cafeteria: Breakfast and Lunch 17 Expulsion 9 School Improvement Council 18 Attendance 9 School Library 18 Tardiness 10 Musselman Sports by Season 19 Athletic Extra/Curricular Attendance Musselman Clubs 20 11 Student/Parent Agreement 21 Musselman High School Once An Applemen, Always An Applemen Mission Statement: The mission of Musselman High School is to provide educational excellence for all students in an academically challenging, positive, and safe atmosphere. SCHOOL RULES AND REGULATIONS School rules are set up to provide everyone an opportunity to attend school and gain the most from their educational opportunity. No one may interfere with the safety, the security, or the opportunity of another person to learn or to teach. All school rules and regulations are in effect at extra-curricular or, co-curricular after-school events and trips as well as during the school day, regardless if the events are held on school or off school property. 1 Rules are in effect at bus stops and on school busses. School Officials have the authority to search students' lockers and their vehicles parked on school property at any time. They also have the right to search a person or property if it is believed to contain contraband or illegal items. Lockers and vehicles are subject to searches by police and police dogs. Penalties for certain offenses may be more severe than those listed here due to the new Safe School's Act. Please refer to the Highlights of the West Virginia Safe Schools Act for more information. 1. Smoking and tobacco use in any form including chewing, smokeless tobacco, vapes, e-cigarettes (regardless if the liquid contains nicotine or not) is prohibited. Any teacher has the authority to take tobacco in any form from a student. Use of tobacco is defined as having tobacco in your hand, mouth, or possession, (lit or unlit). No form of tobacco can be used on State property by students or guests at any time. This is a State Law and they may be subject to fine, suspension, and tobacco cessation classes. See County Policy. 2. Skipping class or school, including James Rumsey, and Driver's Ed. or any other program, is prohibited. This includes leaving school without properly signing out. Once you set foot on school property, you must sign out properly in order to leave. 3. Controlled Substance Abuse. Controlled substances within the policies meaning shall include all those legally classified as “controlled substance narcotics” or “dangerous substances.” Also included are any stimulants, depressant, or mood altering chemicals (hallucinogenic chemicals, marijuana, alcoholic beverages, etc.) Students shall not use, posses, or distribute any controlled substances at any time on school property, on school buses, or at any school-sponsored event. Intent to use, sell, or distribute “look alike drugs” and various instruments and materials commonly known to be intended for the use of, or preparation of controlled substances is in violation of this policy (Berkeley County Fil: JCDAC) and may be subject to expulsion. First Offense: Student who has in his/her possession and/or is using any of the above stated substances in the school shall be suspended from school for ten (10) days and be required to enroll in and successfully complete a substances abuse program approved by the Department of Pupil Services. The student may be recommended to the transitional school. Student will be recommended for expulsion if this is the second offense. A juvenile petition will be filed by the police and the student will be placed on a 90-day social suspension. Second Offense: For two or more offenses, the student shall be immediately suspended, recommended to the Board of Education for expulsion, and referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Prescription drugs and medications are to be checked into the front office upon arrival to school. CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ABUSE (Berkeley County File: JCDAC) See County Policy 2 4. Fighting has no place at school and will not be tolerated. Any student who fights or who participates in fights at school will be suspended. See Safe School Highlights. First Offense-- OSS and a letter sent home to parents, and possible expulsion and police report. (Juvenile petition.) The number of days will be up to the administrator’s discretion. Second Offense--10 days OSS, a letter sent home, and a parent conference with administration, and possible expulsion or recommendation to transitional school placement and juvenile petition. Third Offense--Immediate 10-day suspension and a recommendation to the Board of Education for expulsion. All offenses carry a 90-day social suspension and a possible juvenile petition. Any students who encourage fights or violence will be subject to disciplinary measures. 5. Threatening a teacher, administrator, or other school staff personnel will not be tolerated. Students will be subject to extensive suspension or possible expulsion along with police charges. (See Safe Schools Act.) 6. Defiance of or profanity directed toward a student, teacher, administrator, or other school staff personnel will not be tolerated. First Offense–Up to 10 days OSS and possible recommendation to the Board of Education for expulsion Second Offense--10 day OSS and possible recommendation to the Board of Education for expulsion. Third Offense--10 day OSS and recommendation to the Board of Education for expulsion. Additional offenses may carry a 90-day social suspension. See Safe Schools Highlights. 7. Physical assault of a teacher, administrator, or other school staff personnel will not be tolerated. As a part of the emergency procedures in place in our schools, any student who poses an imminent risk of injury to him/herself or to others may be physically poses an imminent risk of injury to him/herself or to others may be physically restrained by school staff in accordance with School Board policies. These could occur along with other emergency actions such as calling the police. Significant violations of the law including assaults on students and staff will be reported to the police. As soon as possible after any such incident the parents or guardian will be informed when any of the actions have occurred (Peterson, 2010). See Safe School Highlights 8. The following activities are expressly prohibited at school: gambling , displays of affection (LIMITED TO STUDENTS HOLDING HANDS ONLY), being in an off-limits area , conduct unbecoming a student at Musselman High School, the carrying, or wearing of ammunition of any kind, cigarettes lighters, matches, water guns, firecrackers, noise makers, and/or other dangerous items are prohibited. 9. Stairwells and restrooms are provided for students to use. They should not be used as meeting places. Students must have a pass or signed planner to leave the classroom area. 3 10. Violations involving vehicles--including but not limited to improper parking, no school registration, speeding, reckless driving, racing, etc. Transporting students off school property without permission may result in loss of driving privileges without a refund for the parking permit or fines. Students could also be charged by the police. Repeated violations may result in the towing of the vehicle. In addition, excessive unexcused sign-in/sign- outs, excessive tardies, skipping and/or transporting students who are skipping, excessive disciplinary referrals, may result in the loss of the student's parking permit. Parking permits are purchased at the discipline office and must be displayed in cars to avoid fines and/or towing expenses. 11. Students are not to arrive before the building opens at 7:15am. Upon arriving, students must immediately enter the building through the designated entrances which will be communicated to students the first few days of school. They will report immediately to the cafeteria. All students are to have left the school grounds by 3:00pm every day unless they are under the direct supervision of a staff member. Students are not to remain after school hours unsupervised. This includes evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Once school is over students are to leave and not return until the next school day. 12. Off-limits areas to students: Students are not allowed outside the school building except during emergencies (fire drills, etc.), authorized outside class activities. Loitering on the concrete walkways will not be permitted. 13. Bullying/Harassment/Intimidation/Cyber Bullying: We are committed to providing a caring, friendly, and safe environment for all of our students so they can learn in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our school. Bullying is defined as a repeated exposure over time to negative actions on the part of one or more students with the intention of hurting another student. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim. Cyber-bullying refers to bullying and harassment of others through the use of the Internet or other technology. Cyber-bullying involves sending or posting harmful material or engaging in other forms of social aggression using e-mail, instant messaging, text messages, blogs, cell phones, pagers, personal websites, etc.