RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR STUDENTS

Student Code of Conduct   (Summary.  For complete policy, see JICDA)

The Windham School committee is committed to maintaining a supportive and orderly school environment in which students may receive and staff may deliver a quality education without disruption or interference and in which student may develop as ethical, responsible and involved citizens.

Windham has established a set of expectations for student conduct, based on the values identified by the community.  The Core Values are:  Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Compassion, Courage, Honesty. 

The Board believes that each member of the school community should take responsibility for his/her own behavior.  The Board recognizes the need to define unacceptable student conduct, identify the possible consequences for it, and ensure that discipline is administered fairly, promptly and appropriately.  This applies to students on school property, in attendance at school or at any school-sponsored activity, or whose conduct at any time interferes with the operations, discipline or general welfare of the school. 

Personal Belongings

 Personal belongings such as electronic devices, toys, etc. interfere with the educational atmosphere and should not be brought to school. Backpacks are to be used in the building with administration permission only.  Head sets, or personal listening or viewing devices may be used before or after school, but may not be used during the school day.  Students should keep these devices in their lockers during the school day.  The school will not take responsibility if they are lost or stolen.  Students who have headphones or these devices on during classes will be assigned disciplinary action.  Beepers and cellular phones should be placed in the student’s locker during the school day. 

Please call the school office at 892-1820 between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. if your child is to be absent from school for any reason. In case of absence, a note, signed by the parent and stating the reason for the absence, must be presented to an attendance secretary by the student on returning to school. A doctor's statement should be supplied if the student has been absent for five days or more. A student who returns after an absence without a note will be given a "Reason for Absence " form to have completed and signed by the parents and returned the next day if the absence is to be legally excused. A detention will be issued if the "Reason for Absence" form is not returned the next day. Notes from home concerning absence should contain the following information: (1 ) Date, (2) Full name of Student, (3) Dates of absence, (4) Reason for absence, (5) Signature by parent or guardian. If a student is absent for the first part of the day, the student must bring a written excuse to the Main Office. The student will then receive a pass admitting the student to class.

The following provisions may be accepted as reasonable excuses for non-attendance:

                A.  Legitimate illness;

                B.  Court appearances;

                C.  Driver’s examination;

                D.  Medical or dental appointments;

                E.  College interviews for seniors;

                F.  Work interviews for seniors; and

                G.  Observance of recognized religious holidays.

Students who are tardy to school must report to the office before proceeding to homeroom or class. Students should bring with them a note from home explaining why they are tardy. If a student receives 3 unexcused tardy slips, they will be given a detention. If a student accumulates 13 unexcused tardies, they will then receive a detention each time they are tardy.

Early Departure

Students who wish to be excused from school at any time during the school day must present a note to the secretary prior to the beginning of the first class. The note must state the student's name, the reason for leaving, the time of leaving, and parent's signature. Students may not leave school grounds before the end of the school day without such permission from the office. All such students are to be signed out in the Main Office by the parent or guardian prior to leaving the building.

The School Board encourages the active interest and involvement of parents and citizens in the public schools.  In order to avoid interruption of the instructional program and to promote the safety of students and staff, building principals shall institute administrative procedures concerning visitors to the schools.  Such procedures shall be subject to the approval of the Superintendent.  It is understood that procedures may vary from school to school due to differing considerations such as the age of the students and building layout and location.

Fire Drills

Fire drills provide serious preparation of students and teachers to assure safety in emergency situations. Fire drill instructions are posted in every classroom. Teachers will explain the alarm system and procedures to be followed during fire drills. During the drills, there is to be no talking. Students should follow the direction of the teachers and move quickly without running to the designated area. When a drill is conducted during the change of classes, all students should leave the building through the nearest exit. They should then report to the designated area to meet with their next period teacher for an attendance check. Drills will be conducted periodically throughout the school year.

Student Dress

It is the responsibility of parents and students to agree upon a manner of dress and grooming which is not disruptive to the classroom proceedings. The following guidelines are suggested to assist parents and students.

1. A student should always be neat and clean.

2. Students and parents should consider the following factors when selecting apparel:

(a) The activity in which the student will participate or attend

(b) The functional design of the garment.

3.Shoes must be worn at al times.

4.No hats will be worn in school.

5.No coats or jackets will be worn in school except when entering or leaving the building or at teacher discretion.

Appropriate Clothing

The wearing of clothing (such as T-shirts) with graphic illustrations or printed statements that are of a suggestive or profane nature (i.e., Co-ed Naked/Wrestling T-shirts), or which is considered inappropriate for a school environment and, in the opinion of the school principal, disrupts the educational mission of the school, or interferes with the rights of others, shall be prohibited. T-shirts illustrating drug, alcohol, or tobacco products are also prohibited. Clothing that reveals undergarments is prohibited. Clothing that does not cover the body appropriately, i.e. midriff, tops, legs, is prohibited.

On the first offense, the principal shall contact the home and/or notify the parent in writing explaining the policy and request substitute clothing and/or provide the student with substitute clothing such as the student's gym T-shirt or uniform.

On the second offense, the student will be suspended for a period of three days and a conference with parents shall be held prior to the re-admittance of the student to school.

Students will receive an explanation of this policy and its purpose shall be explained on an annual basis, either orally or in writing.

Medications

According to state and local policies, the school may not administer aspirin or non-aspirin products; we may administer first aid in the case of injury.

It is the policy of the Windham School Department to DISCOURAGE the dispensing of prescription medications at school.

If your child requires a medication at school for a permanent or chronic condition such as asthma, convulsive disorder, bee sting allergy, etc., please contact the school nurse so that safe arrangements can be made. This includes inhalers for asthma.

If your child has a prescription for acute or short illness (i.e. ear or respiratory infection), please alter the medication schedule so that the medication can be received at home. If this is not possible, one day's supply may be brought to school in a durable, clearly labeled, container with written instructions signed by the parent. The instructions must include the date, the child's full name, the name of the medication, the dosage and time to be given, and the purpose of the medication. The child must bring the medicine to the office at the beginning of the school day.

NO MEDICATION OF ANY KIND MAY BE KEPT IN A STUDENT'S LOCKER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

Lost and Found

All found articles should be returned in to the main office. All books found should be turned in to the library. If you have lost an article, check in the main office or the custodian's work area.

Bathroom Privileges

Students may use the bathroom facilities during class time. They are NOT to use the bathrooms between classes. Students who abuse bathroom privileges will have to make special arrangements for bathroom use with the main office.

No School Announcements

These will be made on the following radio stations:

WPOR
WGME 
WBLM 
WCSH-TV (Channel 6) and
WGME-TV (Channel 13)

The administration does its best to check conditions and call the radio stations by 6:00 AM. There is sometimes a delay between the time we place our call and the time the announcement is made. However, by listening to one of the above stations, you will be notified of "No School".

In an effort to ensure a safe environment for students and employees, all persons are prohibited from the following conduct at all times on school premises, in any school vehicle or at any school-sponsored activity:

A. Knowing possession or use of articles commonly used or designed to inflict

bodily harm and/or to intimidate other persons. Examples of such articles

include, but are not limited to: firearms, ammunition, explosives, "brass"

knuckles, knives, chains, clubs and Kung Fu "stars". An exception may be

made by the school administrator in the event that any of these objects are

necessary for job performance or approved student activities.

B. Use of any object as a weapon, although not necessarily designed to be a

weapon, to inflict or to threaten bodily harm and/or to intimidate, coerce or

harass. Examples of such objects include, but ate not limited to: belts, other

articles of clothing, combs, pencils, files, compasses, scissors, and realistic

replicas of weapons (including some toys).

Administrative Implementation Procedures

The superintendent shall be responsible for the development and dissemination of appropriate regulations and procedures to implement relevant law, board policy and good practice that shall include these basic components:

A. Administrators shall take appropriate action against any individual violating this policy, including but not limited to student discipline and/or action by law enforcement officials as appropriate.

Students who violate this policy may be expelled under the Title 20-A MRSA Section 1009(9) (1993) which p