New Britain High School

CORE VALUES

The New Britain High School learning community is guided by five 21st century core values that provide the foundation for our curricula, and the teaching and learning that occurs in our classrooms. Our core values are: Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Civic and Social Responsibility.

COLLABORATION As a 21st century learning community we demonstrate our ability to work effectively and respectfully. Our collaborative work exhibits our willingness to value each other’s views and contributions and the ability to compromise in order to achieve common goals.

COMMUNICATION At New Britain High School we value the ability to articulate our thoughts through a variety of oral, written, and non-verbal forms. We also value the use of a variety of media and technology to disseminate our ideas, beliefs, and values. Finally, as a 21st century learning community, we use our communication skills to inform, instruct, plan, persuade, and motivate.

CREATIVITY Our learning community appreciates creativity. We promote the use of a wide range of thinking techniques that display originality, innovation, inventiveness, and inclusion of multiple perspectives in order to be successful and productive 21st century community members.

CRITICAL THINKING The New Britain High School learning community recognizes the ability to reason as a fundamental skill for all. Developing and perfecting the ability to analyze and evaluate evidence effectively, think critically, and to construct well-founded arguments based on developed claims and beliefs are essential skills for the 21st century.

SOCIAL AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY The New Britain High School learning community is deeply rooted in a sense of civic and social responsibility to one another, the nation, and the global community. We use our interpersonal skills and our leadership skills to promote ethical decision-making in order to achieve common goals and advance the democratic process.

LEARNING EXPECTATIONS Academically, the NBHS student: 1. Reads and responds critically for a variety of purposes. 2. Utilizes listening, speaking, and writing skills to communicate effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences. 3. Thinks critically in order to deduce, analyze, and solve abstract and real-world problems across disciplines. 4. Selects and employs a variety of resources-including media and technology-in order to find, organize, and communicate ideas effectively. Socially and civically, the NBHS student: 5. Takes responsibility for his/her education and demonstrates the ability to be an independent, reflective, and creative learner, who is capable of generating his/her own ideas and willing to learn from mistakes. 6. Respects cultural and linguistic diversity; 7. Learns to work collaboratively and creatively with others to achieve common objectives; and 8. Understands and demonstrates a sense of community, democracy, and constitutional principles.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

The New Britain Board of Education is committed to the elimination of discrimination and racial imbalance and to the provision of equal educational opportunity for all students regardless of race, color, religious creed, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, mental retardation, learning disability, including, but not limited to, blindness in accordance with all applicable federal and state law.

AFFILIATIONS

New Britain High School is a member of: New England Association of Schools and Colleges Connecticut Association of Schools Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference

PART I – SCHOOL ORGANIZATION NBHS Telephone: 860-225-6300 NBHS Web Site: www.nbhs.ct.org

Administration

Principal Mr. David Chambers Vice Principal Mrs. Liz Crooks Associate Principal Mr. Mark Fernandes Associate Principal Mrs. Kerri-Lynn Major Associate Principal Mr. Joseph Pinchera Supervisor of Special Ed Ms. F. Taina Amaro

REGISTRATION OFFICE

860-225-6300 x 610 or 665

Guidance Director: Stan Glowiak Registration Secretary: Mrs. Linda Toczko Registration Paraprofessional

GUIDANCE SERVICES AND CAREER CENTER

The NBHS guidance department consists of 11 counselors, including a guidance director, a career counselor, and a transitional counselor. The guidance department provides a comprehensive guidance program that involves both an individual and group approach to guidance services. Guidance lessons are taught to students at grade appropriate levels throughout your four years of high school. The counselors have a collection of resources to help students explore post-high school opportunities. The career center is now located in room 123. College catalogs, resource books, pamphlets on careers, technical schools, SAT I and II preparation resources, business schools, financial aid, and a comprehensive career education and counseling database on computers are a few of the available services.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM

In order to make it easier for you and your family to get in touch with us, we have added voice mail to our telephone system. You are now able to reach any extension 24 hours a day and talk to someone directly or leave a message in the voice mailbox of any staff member. Our main number is 225-6300. The switchboard is open from 7:15 to 3:15 if you would prefer to speak to the operator. Just press 0.

PART II – ACADEMIC INFORMATION

Expectations for Learning

Your academic success is the result of a partnership among you, your family, and your teachers. As a faculty, we want you to succeed and will work hard to help you do so. In order to clarify what you have a right to expect from us and what you have a responsibility to do for yourself, we have formulated the expectations that follow.

As a New Britain High School student, you can expect:

a curriculum that challenges your abilities and makes you think. to receive a full period of meaningful instruction in every class. to receive a syllabus that explains clearly what is expected of you. to receive written feedback on all graded work to help you learn from

your mistakes. to have teachers available at least once a week after school for extra help to be treated with civility and respect. As a New Britain High School student, you have a responsibility:

to take courses at the level that challenges your abilities. to come to school every day that you are well enough to do so. to attend all of your classes on time every day. to be prepared for and participate in every class every day. to study for all of your tests and quizzes. to turn in all of your written work on time. to do your homework every day. to stay after school for extra help when you need it. to make up missed tests, quizzes, and other work promptly. to follow your teachers’ directions and classroom rules. to treat your teachers and classmates with civility and respect.

GRADUATION COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Students are responsible for meeting all graduation requirements and all course requirements outlined in this Program of Studies. Guidance counselors are available for explanation and clarification of the graduation requirements. New Britain High School graduation Requirements, beginning with the freshman class entering NBHS in 2012-13, scheduled to graduate in 2016. I. Credit Distribution Requirements The Board Of Education credit requirements meet state regulations: English 4 credits (one credit American Literature, one credit World

Literature and two English elective credits) Mathematics 3 credits (one credit in Algebra I, one credit in Geometry

and one credit in Math elective/Algebra II) Science 3 credits (1 Physical Science, 1 Life Science and 1 Science

elective) Social Studies 3 credits (one credit in U.S. History, one credit in

World/International Studies, .5 credit in American Government and .5 credit in Social Studies elective)

Physical Education 1 credit Fine Arts 1 credit Health .5 credit Electives 6.5 credits Capstone Experience 1 credit Total 23 credits Students are assigned to grades 9-12 based on the number of credits earned. Students need to earn five credits to progress to grade 10, 10 credits to progress to grade 11, and 15 credits to progress to grade 12. Graduation eligibility of students classified as seniors (grade 12) can be found in the Connecticut General Statutes Section 10-221a and the New Britain High School Student Handbook II. District Performance Standards The New Britain High School graduate: A. Is literate, as demonstrated by reading presented text and responding to a posted question in writing that is focused, organized, elaborated and edited for standard English conventions. The standard may be met by:

1. Achieving a minimum score of 475 on the critical reading section of the SAT I and a score equivalent to the national average on the SAT II composition test

OR

2. Achieving a score of 20 or better on the English and Reading sections of the ACT

OR

3. Producing an essay that responds to presented text, is focused, organized, elaborated and edited for standard English conventions, recorded in the SSP

B. Is proficient in mathematical problem solving in the areas of number and quantity, geometry and measurement, statistics and probability, and algebra and functions. The standard may be met by:

1. Achieving a minimum score of 475 on the mathematics component of the SAT

OR

2. Achieving a score of 20 or better on the mathematics section of the ACT

OR

3. Achieving an acceptable score on a multi-response, assessment that demonstrates proficiency in mathematical problem solving recorded in the SSP.

C. Is a responsible and contributing member of both the school and New Britain city communities. The standard may be met by:

1. Completing all sections of the SBAC (or state approved alternative forms of the SBAC) with demonstrated serious intent as defined in the New Britain High School Handbook

AND

2. Demonstrating the ability to work in a team environment by successfully participating in at least one club, sports team or school activity or community activity that involves working collaboratively to accomplish a task or complete a project as documented by the advisor, coordinator or coach. The activity must be pre-approved by the student’s guidance counselor.

D. Maintains a Student Success Plan (SSP) that demonstrates the competencies associated with College and Career Readiness (CCR) built around three core components: academic development; career development; social , emotional development and physical development:

1. Complete one of the following: a. Complete a career interest survey (hard copy or web-based) using resources identified by the Guidance Career Center (GCC)

OR

b. Research, develop, organize and apply – within the framework of the individualized Student Success Plan (SSP) – correlation between interest survey outcomes and post-+6secondary planning, including financial planning

AND

2. Complete at least one application

a. Job b. Scholarship c. Financial aid d. ASFAB (military)

AND

3. Prepare a formal cover letter and resume, including a list of appropriate references (maintained within the SSP)

AND

4. Complete at least one of the following: (must be pre-approved)

a. Job shadow experience b. School to career work-study program c. Internship d. Accredited off-site college course/program e. Hold a job for a minimum of 150 hours f. Reflection on this experience is presented in the SSP.

AND

5. Take at least one of the following

a. PSAT b. SAT c. ACT

AND 6. Complete an application for an accredited post-secondary

program. III. Implementation Students will have the opportunity to meet performance standards (for section A and B) through the. SBAC or district performance standard. Students not meeting the performance standard in reading/writing or mathematics through the SBAC or other standardized tests specified will have other opportunities to demonstrate proficiency as determined by the BOE. IV. Options if Requirements Are Not Met

A. Students who have not met the District’s performance standard in reading and writing may enroll in a designated writing course the summer following their junior or senior years. A rubric scored performance assessment will be administered at the conclusion of the summer course. Students meeting the standard in the summer following their senior year may meet requirements for an August graduation.

B. Students who have not met the District’s performance standard in mathematics may enroll in a designated mathematics course the summer following their junior or senior years. A rubric scored performance assessment will be administered at the conclusion of the summer course. Students meeting the standard in the summer following their senior year may meet requirements for an August graduation.

C. Other options may be made available dependent on District resources.

V. Exemptions

A. Special Needs: Students with special needs may be exempt from the District performance standards for graduation described in this policy if so indicated in their Individual Education Plans.

B. English Language Learners: students enroll in a bilingual or English as a Second Language program for less than 30 months may be exempt from the District performance standards for graduation described in this policy if so recommended by the Bilingual/ESL/Foreign Language department chairperson in collaboration with the District Coordinator of Bilingual Education, ESL and World Languages at the student’s annual review.

C. Transfers: if a student transfers into New Britain High School after completing at least three years in a high school in another state or country, he/she may be exempted from the District performance standard. If a student transfers into New Britain High School from another Connecticut district, NBHS will accept completion of reading/writing and mathematics performance standards from that district as demonstrated through SBAC scores or the District’s locally designed performance assessment. If the student has not met these standards in his/her previous district, he/she must successfully complete a NBHS assessment in these areas.

Legal References Connecticut General Statutes 10-16 (1) Graduation Exercises (as amended by Public Act 96-26, An Act Concerning Graduation Requirements and Readmission and Placement of Older Students and Public Act 96-108, an act concerning student use of telecommunication devices and the establishment of graduation dates) 10-221a High School Graduation Requirements (as amended by Public Act 00-156, an act requiring a Civics course for high school graduation) 10-221a High School Graduation Requirements (as amended by Public Act 01-166, an act concerning high school graduation and the Connecticut Academic Performance Test Public Act 11-135 An Act requiring each local Board of Education to create a student success plan for each student enrolled in a public school, beginning in grade six. State Reference: The Connecticut Plan

COURSE CREDITS BY THE SEMESTER You earn ½ credit each semester in every class that you pass (D- or better). There is no semester credit for AP courses. One full credit is earned in June.

NOTES ABOUT HEALTH CLASSES Although you must earn ½ credit in Health and Wellness, your parents have the right to request that you be excluded from the teaching of the human sexuality portion of the Health course. Requests should be made in writing to the principal.

NOTE ABOUT JUNIOR ROTC Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) is a high school course given during regular school hours but includes many out-of-classroom activities. JROTC covers the basics in history, government, technology awareness, and current events. We also teach leadership and personal skills (e.g. motivating others, how to study, take tests, and interview for jobs). In addition, the program offers extracurricular activities like drill team and color guard. You might even have a chance to go to a JROTC summer camp where you will train in confidence courses, play team sports, and learn land navigation and water safety techniques. No JROTC cadet is under any obligation to join the military. JROTC is simply interested in giving you an opportunity to develop and improve yourself in ways schools generally don't offer. A military lifestyle is not promoted, but the use of military skills to teach self-discipline, confidence, and pride in a job well done are used.

COURSE SELECTION PROCESS

You will be asked to make your course requests for next year in late January. Your teachers will make recommendations in PowerSchool to help you decide which classes are appropriate and at which level. Talk to your parents and your counselor about your choices. In the spring you will receive a copy of what you’ve requested and will have the opportunity to make changes. In early August you will receive your final schedule, representing our best effort to get you into every course you asked for. At that point you will have until school starts to come in to see any counselor to make any changes (except dropping an advanced placement course) you and your parents want to make. However, once school begins, no more changes are allowed. That’s why it’s so important to make your changes before the first day of school. It’s your personal responsibility to make sure that what you leave in your schedule is really what you want to take, because those will be your classes until January.

SCHEDULE CHANGES ONCE SCHOOL HAS BEGUN

The first opportunity to add or drop a class will come at the end of the first semester. Students will have limited options mid-year due to class size issues. Level changes are a separate category. Take courses at the highest level that will challenge you. If a student has been misplaced, the student will be able to move down one level after the first quarter grade report, as long as the student is doing the work and demonstrating effort, and the teacher can attest to that effort. Moving down a level from an Advanced Placement course

is contingent on the above conditions, and the student must meet with the Advanced Placement Committee. Students may move up a level at any time. Carefully consider the courses chosen since students will not be able to change or drop them at the beginning of the school year in the fall. Students may, of course, make changes during the summer, except for Advanced Placement, but the later students wait to finalize their choices, the greater the chance that the class desired will be closed.

AUDITING A CLASS

You may audit a class for enrichment purposes with no credit value. You must attend regularly, adhere to all rules, participate in class activities, and complete all assignments and assessments. AUD will appear on your transcript with 0.00 credits. All audits must be approved by the associate principal. See your guidance counselor for an audit form.

AFTER-SCHOOL HELP

You are urged to seek after-school assistance if you are having difficulty in an academic subject. Your teachers' after-school schedules and locations will be posted in each room.

SUMMER SCHOOL NBHS’s summer school program begins in early July and runs for four or five weeks. There is a fee to participate in the summer school program. Its purpose is to give you a chance to make up for failing one or both semesters of a required class that you took during the regular school year. It’s not for taking a class you’ve never taken before. There are two sessions each day, one from 8 to 10 and the other from 10 to 12. One semester’s worth of work (either the first or second semester of a full-year course) is completed in each session. If you pass one session, you’ll receive ½ credit for the half of the course that you had failed previously. By attending both sessions you have the opportunity to earn one credit for a full-year course in which you failed both semesters, or ½ credit in each of two different courses. You may attend summer school in another town, but at your expense. You may earn no more credit than you would have earned in New Britain for a class that meets for a similar number of hours. You must have the course approved by your guidance counselor before you take it; otherwise, it won’t be accepted for transfer credit. A word of warning – because summer school is so short, there is a strict attendance and tardy policy. You are allowed only three days of absence of any kind. Being more than ten minutes late counts as a half-day’s absence. If you accumulate more than three days, you will be dropped from summer school, so come every day and be on time.

PROMOTION TO THE NEXT GRADE

Each year you will be assigned to a grade level as follows: Freshman: 0 to 4.9 credits

Sophomore: 5 to 9.9 credits Junior: 10 to 14.9 credits Senior: 14.9 credits and a schedule that will enable you to earn the required 23 credits by June.

Please remember that while you will be moving automatically through the first three years of high school, you still need to be earning credits toward graduation. In order to graduate with your class you would need to earn at least 5-6 credits per year. Students in the class of 2016 will need a minimum of 6.5 credits per year.

GRADING SYSTEM

The grading system in each course will be consistent with the goal of encouraging all students to master the standards of the course. The grading will be fair and easily understood by students and parents. The calculation of grades must be clearly defined in each course syllabus and must be consistent in all sections of the same course and level. Students’ grades will be recorded on report cards and transcripts in letter form as A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D- and F. Note: We do not use the A+ because it creates a 4.33 GPA system. This causes your GPA to be adjusted downward by many college admissions offices in order to make comparisons with students whose schools use the standard 4.0 system.

REPORT CARDS and PROGRESS REPORTS The school year is divided into four marking periods. You will receive a progress report midway through each quarter and a report card at the conclusion of each quarter. Quarter 1 + Quarter 2 + mid year exam = Semester 1 grade (1/2 credit) Quarter 3 + Quarter 4 + final exam = Semester 2 grade (1/2 credit)

POWER SCHOOL Power School is our computer based information system that allows you to monitor your child’s grades and class attendance. This program enables you to access a detailed progress report on how your child is doing from any computer with web access. You can also find all staff e-mail addresses on our NBHS web-site so you can easily communicate with teachers if you have questions.

SEMESTER EXAMS

Semester exams are given in January and June in all subjects. Exams make up 20 per cent of your grade for the semester.

SENIOR EXAM EXEMPTION

These guidelines are to be used to determine the eligibility of seniors to be considered exempt from taking a semester examination in any course in January or June. Exemption from the exam will be determined for each course by the classroom teacher of that particular course based on the criteria outlined below. If you are a senior you will have the option to take a semester exam in

any course in an effort to improve a final-average grade. Once an exam is taken, it will become a part of your final average, even if the exam grade has a negative impact on that average.

You must meet the definition of a senior, i.e. 13 credits at the beginning of the year, and community service.

You must have a B+ average or better based on the average of the two marking periods of the semester.

The B+ average will be based on assignments and tests completed no later than five school days prior to the beginning of exams.

If you are exempt from taking an exam, your semester grade will be the average of the two marking periods.

Your teacher will inform you of your exemption eligibility by the last day of regular classes.

Note: There are no mid-year exam exemptions in AP courses.

CLASS RANK

Many colleges and employers request the student's standing or class rank. Some scholarships are awarded according to rank in class. The rank is based upon your performance during the first three years. Your final high school rank is determined in your senior year. The status of both valedictorian and salutatorian will be determined at the end of the first semester of the senior year. A new registrant must be in attendance at New Britain High School at least four grading periods in order to qualify for valedictorian or salutatorian. In order to establish rank, the total value of your grades is calculated. Each course and letter grade has a value - the values are determined by the level of the course. See the weighted course value chart below. When compiled, the rank-in-class list will give you a numerical standing among all members of your class.

WEIGHTED COURSE VALUES

1 credit in: AP/Co-op Honors Accelerated Standard

A 23 18 14 11 A- 22 17 13 10 B+ 21 16 12 9 B 20 15 11 8 B- 19 14 10 7 C+ 18 13 9 6 C 17 12 8 5 C- 16 11 7 4 D+ 15 10 6 3 D 14 9 5 2 D- 13 8 4 1 F 0 0 0 0

HONOR ROLL The honor roll is intended to recognize all students who have achieved at their maximum academic capacity. We hope that it will serve as an incentive for you to take more challenging classes by rewarding you with special recognition when you do. Student achievement will be calculated at the end of each quarter. Based on the scale below, if you earn an average of 4.0 or better in all subjects, you will receive High Honors. If you earn an average of 3.0 or better in all subjects, you will receive Honors. A grade lower than C+ will automatically disqualify

you from the honor roll. Also, if you receive two or more C+'s in any quarter, you are disqualified. The Honor Roll point system is: AP/Co-op Honors Accelerated Standard A 5 4.5 4 4 B 4 3.5 3 3 C+ 3 2.5 2 2

ACADEMIC AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Upon graduation, honors are awarded to graduates who have honor grades for all New Britain High School courses completed in grades 9 through 12 except for physical education. Additional opportunities for academic recognition can be gained through: National Honor Society in grades 11 and 12. Honor societies in math, science, world languages, and music. Top Ten Percent Senior Class Dinner based on class rank. High Scoring Student Breakfast for SAT and AP tests. Society for Young Scholars in Grades 9 and 10.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY The National Honor Society is the most prestigious organization to which you can be selected as a high school student. You are eligible during your junior and senior years. There are several criteria that you must meet in order to be eligible for membership. They are: 1. Quality Point Average: Based on the weighted course values, you must

have an average of 12.5+ quality points for further consideration for selection. Eligible juniors are invited to fill out a candidate form at the beginning of the first semester; eligible seniors are invited to fill out a candidate form the first marking period of their senior year.

2. Service: You must show evidence of being actively involved in at least one ongoing school and one ongoing community activity within one year of the date you are require to submit the NHS candidate form. Activities for which you are paid do not count. Also, the required 20 hours of community service for graduation cannot be used and these must be fulfilled prior to completing your candidate form. However, it may be included if you have completed an additional 30 hours at the same site and if it has been a continuous activity. At the time of submitting your school and community activity forms, you must complete the provided forms signed by the advisor or manager of the service activity verifying that you actively participated. Contact numbers will be expected. Your school service activity and community activity cannot be the same.

3. Citizenship and Character: Each subject teacher that you’ve had at NBHS is asked to fill out a character reference form regarding all candidates for the National Honor Society. If you have been suspended within one year prior to the date of eligibility of candidacy, you are automatically eliminated from

consideration for membership, unless you can show mitigating circumstances and/or evidence of reform. More than three detentions or a continuing pattern of inappropriate behavior within a time period of one year prior to the date of eligibility of candidacy may also be grounds for non-admission. Evidence of cheating or dishonesty eliminates you from consideration for membership in a particular school year.

4. Promptness/Attendance: Honor students are expected to be present in school and prompt. This means that you may have no more than 13 unexcused tardies by the spring of your junior year and 15 by the fall of your senior year. Also, students are expected to comply with school regulations on attendance in order to be eligible for membership in the National Honor Society. In addition, students cannot have more than 10 unexcused absences per year or 25 unexcused absences by the spring of your junior year and 30 by fall of your senior year. The NHS Faculty Council will consider mitigating circumstances. You must return the completed candidate form by the deadline date to be considered for selection.

5. Transfer Students: If you are a member of the National Honor Society at another high school, you will be admitted to membership in the New Britain High School Chapter upon transfer to NBHS and receipt of proof of membership from the former school. Thereafter, you must maintain the standards of continuing membership required of all NBHS members of the National Honor Society.

6. Procedure: Once you have been given an invitation letter and candidate form, you will have approximately two weeks to complete and submit. The candidate forms will be reviewed by the NHS Faculty Council for completeness, service hours, recommendations, and character reference checks from all teachers the student has had. This process will take approximately two weeks. The NHS Faculty Council will meet to determine final selection that is based on evidence gleaned from all the submitted information. Letters of selection and non-selection will be sent to each candidate who submitted a candidate form. If non-selected, a reason will be given. While a non-selected candidate does not have the right to appeal a decision, one certainly will have the option to fully discuss the situation, if desired. These guidelines are based on the National standards of the NHS. Feel free to search the NHS website.

7. Members in Good Standing: If you do not follow the rules and by-laws of the National Honor Society, you can be placed on probation as members not in good standing, subject to removal from the society.

PART III - ATTENDANCE AND DAILY SCHEDULES

ATTENDANCE CARDS

At the beginning of the school year you will be issued a red, gold or green attendance/lav card. You need to have this card with you at all times.

Replacements are available in the central attendance office and house offices for 50 cents. This will be used to document your excused absences and to use the bathroom during the school day.

MAKING UP MISSED WORK You may make up any work missed during an excused absence documented on your attendance card. If your absence is unexcused, you may not make up the work you missed.

EXCUSED ABSENCES

The first 9 absences are considered excused when the parent/guardian approves of the absence and submits written documentation for the reason of the absence with ten days of the student’s return to school. The tenth and all absences thereafter will be considered excused when the school receives appropriate and timely documentation of one of the following reasons: Student illness Student observance of a religious holiday A death in the student’s family Mandated court appearance A lack of transportation that is normally provided by the district Extraordinary educational opportunities pre-approved by district

administrators All other absences are considered unexcused, including work, vacations, baby-sitting, and interviews. Upon return from an absence, you must bring appropriate documentation to your house office explaining the reason for the absence. All absences that are not explained will be recorded as unexcused.

ATTENDANCE FOR EXTRACURRICULAR PARTICIPATION

You must be present in school for at least four full periods in order to be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities that day. In general, attendance on Friday determines eligibility to participate in weekend activities. If you are dismissed for illness, you are not eligible for participation regardless of the number of periods attended. A student who has 5 or more unexcused absence per quarter will not be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities for the remainder of that marking period. For the purposes of calculating extracurricular participation, any student who is tardy to school three times will have one unexcused absence added to their attendance record.

TARDINESS

Being on time to school or to class maximizes your opportunity to learn and reduces the disruptions allowing others to learn. Punctuality is also a life skill that is invaluable in being able to obtain and keep a job. For these reasons, it is essential that you make every effort to arrive on time. Late to School – Students who arrive at school after the first class has begun must sign in at the designated sign in area. Your absence from the classes you miss will be considered unexcused unless you have a note as explained in the excused absence section above.

Late to Class – If you are late to a class, you will be assigned an after- school teacher detention. If you don’t stay after school for your teacher, you will be referred to your dean.

DISMISSALS

We cannot dismiss you from school without a written request from a parent/guardian and telephone verification of the note. You must go to your house office for dismissals and out-of-bounds passes before first period. Your associate principal will sign your lav card and write the dismissal time on it. When that time arrives, go to the house office, show them your lav card, and sign out. If you become ill during the school day, you may ask for a pass from your classroom teacher to see the nurse. If the nurse dismisses you from school, she will report the dismissal to the house office, where it will be recorded.

REPORTING ABSENCES TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS We will make every effort to keep your parents/guardians informed of your attendance and assist whenever possible. To this end and to comply with state law, we will do the following: 1. Our automated phone calling system will call home each day that

you are not present in homeroom. In addition, your homeroom advocate will also make periodic calls home.

2. On the 5th and 10th day of absence, the house office will send a letter that will include a list of community resources available to your family.

3. On the 15th day of absence, the house office will send another letter, a warning will be given that you are in danger of being referred to court as a habitual truant, and your parent will be asked to meet with your associate principal. If your parent fails to contact the school, the attendance officer will visit your home.

4. On the 20th day of absence, you will be referred to Juvenile Court. Your parent will be notified of the referral. We will keep the court informed of your current attendance record.

BELL SCHEDULES

There are three bell schedules that we use, depending on the length of the school day.

REGULAR BELL SCHEDULE

7:25 Warning Bell

7:30 – 8:18 Period A – 1 8:23 – 9:09 Period B – 2 9:14 – 10:00 Period C – 3 10:05 – 10:51 Period D – 4 10:56 – 11:42 Period E – 5 (Lunch 1) 11:47 – 12:33 Period F – 6 (Lunch 2) 12:38 – 1:24 Period G – 7 (Lunch 3) 1:29 – 2:15 Period H – 8

EARLY DISMISSAL SCHEDULE

7:25 Warning Bell 7:30 – 8:03 Period A – 1 8:07 – 8:37 Period B – 2 8:41 – 9:11 Period C – 3 9:15 – 9:46 Period D – 4 9:50 – 10:21 Period E – 5 (No lunch served) 10:25 – 10:56 Period F – 6 (No lunch served) 11:00 – 11:31 Period G – 7 (No lunch served) 11:35 – 12:05 Period H - 8

ADVISORY PERIOD SCHEDULE

7:25 Warning Bell 7:30 – 8:13 Period A – 1 8:17 – 8:57 Period B – 2 9:01 – 9:41 Period C – 3 9:45 – 10:30 Advisory 10:34 – 11:15 Period D – 4 11:19 – 12:00 Period E – 5 (Lunch 1) 12:04 – 12:45 Period F – 6 (Lunch 2) 12:49 – 1:30 Period G – 7 (Lunch 3) 1:34 – 2:15 Period H - 8

TWO-HOUR DELAY BELL SCHEDULE

9:25 Warning Bell 9:30 – 10:04 Period A – 1 10:08 – 10:39 Period B – 2 10:43 – 11:15 Period C – 3 11:19 – 11:51 Period D – 4 11:55 – 12:27 Period E – 5 (Lunch 1) 12:31 – 1:03 Period F – 6 (Lunch 2) 1:07 – 1:39 Period G – 7 (Lunch 3) 1:43 – 2:15 Period H – 8

ONE-HOUR DELAY BELL SCHEDULE

8:25 Warning Bell 8:30 – 9:11 Period A – 1 9:15 – 9:54 Period B – 2 9:58 – 10:37 Period C – 3 10:41 – 11:20 Period D – 4 11:24 – 12:04 Period E – 5 (Lunch 1) 12:08 – 12:48 Period F – 6 (Lunch 2) 12:52 – 1:32 Period G – 7 (Lunch 3) 1:36 – 2:15 Period H – 8

SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS/DELAYED OPENINGS

In the event of school cancellations or delayed openings due to severe weather or an emergency, an automated call through the ConnectEd messaging system will be made to your home. Announcements will also be made over the following radio and television stations:

Radio Stations:

WDRC-AM 1360, WTIC-AM 1080, WPOP-AM 1410, WKSS-FM 95.7, WWYZ

92.5, WPLR, WRCH-FM 100, WCNX, WHCN-FM 105.9 Television Channels: CHANNELS 3, 8, 30

PART IV: EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Participation in extracurricular activities is a great way to build connections between you and your school. They give you opportunities outside the classroom to explore other interests and meet new people.

ATHLETICS

Eligibility is determined by the school’s C- rule and the CIAC rule that a student must be passing four subjects that meet five times a week. Each coach makes an eligibility check every ten weeks in accordance with conference regulations. Coaches make weekly progress checks for students at risk. You may participate in athletics or practice sessions only when parent consent cards have been completed and signed, and the school doctor has given medical approval. You may participate in interscholastic athletics only during your first four years in high school, grades 9-12.

NBHS SPORTS TEAMS Fall Winter Spring Cross-country B, G Basketball B, G Baseball B Football B Track B, G Golf B, G Soccer B, G Wrestling B, G Softball G Volleyball G Cheerleading C Tennis B, G Cheerleading C Track B, G Cheerleading C C: Co-ed team B: Boys’ team G: Girls’ team.

“C”-RULE FOR EXTRACURRICULAR PARTICIPATION

You must maintain a C- average or you are ineligible for participation for the marking period. When you raise your grades to the C- average as shown on your next report card, you will regain your eligibility.

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

African-American Club Asian-American Club Band J-Crew Bible Club Café Tempo Cane-ettes Concert Choir/Choralaires Debate Club Drama Club Freshman Class Future Business Ldrs. of America Gay/Straight Alliance Health Occupations Students Interact Club Junior Class Karate Club Key Club Latin Hurricanes

Madrigal Singers Math Team Math Honor Society Music Honor Society National Art Honor Society National Honor Society Orchestra Polish Club Robotics Club Science National Honor Society Senior Class Show Choir Society of Young Scholars Sophomore Class Student Government Yearbook Young Educators’ Society Youth & Government

PART V – GUIDING CORE VALUES & SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING

The primary objective of the Consolidated School District of New Britain (CSDNB) is to enhance each student’s potential for learning and to foster positive interpersonal relationships. The CSDNB supports the concept that students who possess personal, academic, civic, and occupational competencies will become effective and productive citizens. The CSDNB Core Values and Responsibilities are the practices that create an optimal learning environment for a safe and supportive community. The “reculturing” of the school to a positive school climate supports academic achievement and promotes fairness, civility, acceptance of diversity, and mutual respect. The District promotes the following beliefs:

All students are valuable and can make worthy contributions to society.

All students are responsible and accountable for their choices and decisions.

In order to grow and thrive, individuals need caring relationships and a nurturing environment.

Supportive family relationships are the foundations of the community.

High expectations lead to higher performance that empowers individuals and strengthens society.

Continuous learning is a life-long process that is essential to a productive and enriched life.

CSDNB CORE VALUES: CITIZENSHIP: Fostering a society based upon democratic values including rules of law, equality of opportunity, due process, reasoned argument, representative government, checks and balances, rights and responsibilities and demographic decision-making.

Following classroom and school rules. Being cooperative; working together towards goals by

being a member of a team. Being fair; treating people with respect

INTEGRITY: Dealing truthfully with people, including being sincere and honest; not stealing from others; not deceiving others; not cheating.

Doing your own work when taking a test or working an individual assignment.

Learning and internalizing a moral code and helping others internalize and act in accordance to our core values.

Pursuing excellence; putting forth your best effort at all times.

RESPECT: Living respectfully includes three major perspectives: respecting oneself, respecting other people, and respecting all forms of life and the environment.

Showing regard for the worth and dignity of someone or something

Being courteous and polite Judging all people on their merits Being kind; acting with sympathy, helpfulness,

compassion, benevolence, gentleness toward all people and living things.

RESPONSIBILITY: Emphasizes our positive obligations to care for each other.

Thinking before you act and being accountable for your actions.

Paying attention to others and responding to their needs.

Being safe; making smart choices Creating a safe environment for all

SOCIAL SKILLS and EXPECTATIONS: (Well Managed Classroom) FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Look at the person. 2. Say “Okay”

3. Do what you’ve been to do right away. 4. Check back. MAKING an APOLOGY: 1. Look at the person. 2. Use a serious, sincere voice. 3. Say “I’m sorry for …..” or “I want to apologize for…” 4. Explain how you plan to do better in the future. STAYING on TASK: 1. Look at your task or assignment. 2. Think about the steps needed to complete the task. 3. Focus all of your attention on the task. 4. Stop working only when instructed. 5. Ignore distractions and interruptions from others. ACCEPTING CRITISM or a CONSEQUENCE: 1. Look at the person. 2. Say “Okay” 3. Stay calm. ACCEPTING COMPLIMENTS: 1. Look at the person. 2. Use a pleasant voice. 3. Say “Thank you.” SHARING SOMETHING: 1. Let the other person use the item first. 2. Ask if you can use it later. 3. When you get to use it, offer it back to the other person after you have used it. ACCEPTING “NO” for an ANSWER: 1. Look at the person. 2. Say “Okay.” 3. Stay calm. 4. If you disagree, ask later. HAVING a CONVERSTATION: 1. Look at the person. 2. Use a pleasant voice. 3. Listen to what the other person says. 4. When there is a break in the conversation, ask a question or share your thoughts. WORKING with OTHERS: 1. Identify the task to be completed. 2. Assign tasks to each person. 3. Discuss ideas in a calm quiet voice and let everyone share their ideas. 4. Work on tasks until completed.

GREETING OTHERS: 1. Look at the person. 2. Use a pleasant voice. 3. Say “Hi” or “Hello.” ASKING for HELP: 1. Look at the person. 2. Ask the person if they have time to help you. 3. Clearly explain the kind of help that you need. 4. Thank the person for helping. APPROPRIATE VOICE TONE: 1. Listen to the level of the voices around you. 2. Change your voice to match. 3. Watch and listen for visual or verbal cues and adjust voice as needed. GETTING the TEACHER’s ATTENTION: 1. Look at the teacher. 2. Raise your hand and stay calm. 3. Wait until the teacher says your name. 4. Ask your question.

ASKING PERMISSION: 1. Look at the person. 2. Use a calm and pleasant voice. 3. Say “May I ….?” 4. Accept the answer calmly. DISAGREE APPROPRIATELY: 1. Look at the person. 2. Use a pleasant voice. 3. Tell why you feel differently. 4. Give a reason. 5. Listen to the other person. As a New Britain High School student, you have the right to a quality education in a safe, orderly setting. Along with this right comes the responsibility to conduct yourself in a way that does not deprive your fellow students of that same right. In order to ensure you understand what is expected of you, we have developed a Code of Conduct that is rooted in three virtues.

THE THREE VIRTUES AND THE CODE The Three Virtues of New Britain High School are: RESPECT – treating others with the dignity with which you want to be

treated RESPONSIBILITY – doing the right thing and taking ownership of your

actions when you don’t CIVILITY – using words and behaviors that are appropriate to the

situation The Code, quite simply, is:

As a member of the New Britain High School community, I will exhibit the virtues of respect, responsibility, and civility.

Listed below are examples of breaches of the Code of Conduct. The examples given are not all-inclusive and there are many other behaviors that would be inconsistent with the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct applies in school, on school grounds, on school transportation, and at all school events. Some breaches of the Code of Conduct can occur in the community as well.

EXAMPLES OF LACK OF RESPECT

1. Bullying or harassment 2. Stealing or being in possession of stolen property 3. Vandalism (includes graffiti) 4. Fighting, or assaulting another person, or inciting others to fight 5. Insubordination (not following the reasonable directions of a staff

member) 6. Using racial or ethnic slurs

EXAMPLES OF LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY 1. Poor attendance due to tardiness, class cutting or leaving school. 2. Possessing, using, or selling illegal drugs or alcohol 3. Possessing any kind of weapon, including knives, guns, or martial arts

devices 4. Pulling a fire alarm or tampering with fire protection equipment 5. Smoking

EXAMPLES OF LACK OF CIVILITY

1. Using profanity, abusive or threatening language 2. Engaging in disruptive behavior

ADDITIONAL NOTES Weapons: Students found to be in possession of weapons which is any material, instrument or item that can be used or attempted to be used to cause bodily harm, will be suspended, may be expelled and may be referred to the police. Possession of a “toy gun” or other fake weapons in school will lead to out-of-school suspension. Students found to be in possession of a firearm or other dangerous weapons shall be expelled from school and the police will be notified. Drugs: Students found to be in possession of an illegal substance and or alcohol will be suspended and may be referred to the police and may be expelled. Students found to offer for sale and or distribution of a controlled substance shall be expelled from school and the police will be notified. Fighting: Getting into a fight has the potential to cause an unsafe situation on a large scale. Don’t settle your differences with others by resorting to violence. We have guidance counselors, social workers, deans and administrators who are willing to get involved. Engaging in a fight will result in significant disciplinary action and possible arrest. Smoking: Smoking is not permitted by any student on school property, at school-sponsored activities, on transportation provided by the Board of Education. Gang Displays: Gang displays will result in suspension or possible expulsion.

CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATING THE CODE OF CONDUCT

Teacher Detention: You may be kept after school for infractions of school rules as determined by a teacher. You must stay after school on the date determined by the teacher. If you don’t, your teacher will refer you to your dean. House Detention: You may be assigned a half-hour detention through your house office for a variety of minor infractions. House detentions are held daily from 2:20 to

2:40. You be will released in time to catch the 2:45 late bus. You will not be excused from detention because of early dismissal, work, or extracurricular activities. Two-hour Detention: More serious or repeated infractions can lead to a two-hour detention Two-hour detentions are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:25 to 4:00. You won’t be admitted for detention after 2:25, so be on time. You will be released in time to catch the 4:15 late bus. You will not be excused because of early dismissal, work, or extracurricular activities. You must have two hours of school work to complete during this detention. Saturday Detention: Saturday detention will be held from 8:15 to 11:15. You will not be admitted after 8:15, so be on time. You must provide your own transportation. You will not be excused because of work or extracurricular activities. You must have three hours of school work to complete during this detention. In-school Suspension (ISS): ISS may be assigned for all or part of a day. If you are assigned to ISS, you will spend the day in your house’s ISS room and will not attend classes. You will be provided a bag lunch in the ISS room. You should bring work with you and use the day as a long study hall. You may not talk, put your head on your desk, or bring in food or sleep. Out-of school Suspension (OSS): OSS is reserved for serious violations of the Code of Conduct. As the name implies, you may not come to school while on OSS. However, you can keep up with your work by asking your guidance counselor to request work from your teachers. You may make up any work you miss without penalty. While on OSS, you may not come on school grounds or attend or participate in any school events. This restriction begins when your associate principal sends you home and remains in place until the first school day on which you are eligible to return to NBHS. Alternative Center School (ACS): The Alternative Center is designed for students who repeatedly violate the Code of Conduct and whose behavior does not change in response to interventions and lesser consequences. You may be assigned involuntarily to the Alternative Center School. Expulsion: Expulsion is the most serious consequence that you can receive for violating the Code of Conduct. Expulsions may range from one to 180 school days and involve your complete removal from the school and all its activities. The principal may request your expulsion in a case where he has cause to believe that your conduct constitutes a danger to persons or property, or is seriously disruptive to the educational process, or violates a publicized policy of the New Britain Board of Education. The decision to expel is made by the Board of Education and you are entitled to a formal hearing with legal counsel before the board makes its decision.

Arrest: Police involvement is not a direct consequence of violating the Code of Conduct; it is the consequence of breaking the law. If you commit an illegal act, you might be arrested, just as you might be outside of school. Please keep in mind that the law doesn’t stop at the school door. All of us are obligated to obey the law wherever we are.

CONDUCT ON SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

Your safety is our primary concern in providing you with transportation to and from school. For that reason, the Code of Conduct applies on school busses and at bus stops. Here is a list of additional guidelines for riding the bus: Wait for the bus at your designated stop. Respect private property by keeping off lawns, fences, etc. Stay out of the road while waiting for the bus and approach the bus only

after it has stopped. Be courteous by not pushing or crowding. Stay in your seat until the bus reaches its destination and comes to a stop. Play a radio/CD player only with headphones Don’t throw anything out of the window. Keep your arms and head inside the bus. Use only the front door of the bus except in an emergency. If you need to cross the street, cross only in front of the bus. Carry your bus pass with you and show it to the driver when requested.

If you don’t have your pass, you won’t be able to ride the bus. Note: In addition to consequences that are possible under the Code of Conduct, misbehavior on the bus can lead to a loss of your riding privileges.

NOTES REGARDING BULLYING

New Britain High School is committed to creating and maintaining an educational environment free from bullying. All students have a fundamental right to attend school in a safe and orderly environment in which they can learn and be free from fear. Any form of bullying behavior on school grounds: at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, function or program, whether on or off school grounds: at a school bus stop: on a school bus or other vehicle owned, leased or used by a local or regional board of education; or through the use of an electronic device or an electronic mobile device owned, leased or used by the Board of Education is strictly prohibited. Bullying behavior outside of the high school is also prohibited if such bullying (i) creates a hostile environment at school for the student against whom such bullying was directed, (ii) infringes on the rights of the student against whom such bullying was directed at school, or (iii) substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school. Discrimination and/or retaliation against an individual who reports or assists in the investigation of an act of bullying is likewise prohibited. For purposes of this policy, “Bullying” means repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic communication, such as

cyberbullying, or a physical act or gesture directed at another student attending school in the same school district that:

1) causes physical or emotional harm to such student or damage to such student’s property;

2) places such student in reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself, or of damage to his or her property;

3) creates a hostile environment at school for such student; 4) infringes on the rights of such students at school; or 5) substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation

of a school. Bullying shall include, but not be limited to, a written, verbal or electronic communication or physical act or gesture based on any actual or perceived differentiating characteristics, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, socioeconomic status, academic status, physical appearance, or mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability, or by association with an individual or group who has or is perceived to have one or more of such characteristics. For purposes of this policy, “Cyberbullying” means any act of bullying through the use of the Internet, interactive and digital technologies, cellular mobile telephone or other mobile electronic devices or any electronic communications. Students and families should report any acts of bullying. Any adult staff member can take such report from students and/or families and forward it to the appropriate safe school climate specialist for immediate investigation. Students who engage in bullying behavior shall be subject to school discipline, up to and including expulsion, in accordance with the Board’s policies on student discipline, suspension and expulsion, and consistent with state and federal law.

PART VI – GENERAL INFORMATION

ALMA MATER Hail Alma Mater! New Britain High With joy and with pride do we hail thy Red and Gold Banners unfurled on high, thou shall prevail Hail Alma Mater! Hail, all Hail!

CAFETERIA, FOOD, & LUNCH PERIODS

You must report to the cafeteria when assigned lunch and cannot leave during your lunch period unless excused by a staff member on duty in the cafeteria. The cafeteria is the only room in the school in which you may eat and drink at any time during the day. Food may be removed from the cafeteria only with the permission of your associate principal. You are responsible to clear your area after eating and to use the trash receptacles in accordance with our recycling program. You should remain seated until the

bell rings. If you are on a special diet or under medical care, you should confer with the school nurse. Cafeteria assignments are by house. If you are in the Red House, you will eat in the west cafeteria. If you are in the Gold House, you will eat in the east cafeteria. Freshmen seating is assigned by their team. Facilities are duplicated so that snacks, salads, and menu items are identical in both cafeterias. We have a cashless pay system in the cafeteria in order to speed up the serving lines at the cash registers. If you pay cash for your lunch, you will have to go to a designated register and put a certain amount of money on your I.D. card, which will serve as a debit card. You’ll be able to “swipe” it when you buy lunch and the cost will be deducted from your balance. The cafeteria does not give change; the total amount of cash given will be applied to your ID/debit card.

CELL PHONES & OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES Cell phones and personal electronic music devices are not allowed in school. All devices must be turned off and put away before entering the school in the morning. There are two exceptions to this rule. One is that teachers may permit students to use a specific function of a cell phone as a tool in order to complete a designated academic task. Second student may use their electronic device to listen to music during their café period. This use is restricted to the classroom under the direct supervision of the teacher. If you have this equipment in sight, it will be confiscated by school staff. All electronic may be retrieved from the Red House office. For a second offense, it will be returned only to your parents. The school is not liable for electronic devices that are stolen or lost.

COMPUTER USE

All students will be required to sign and comply with the District’s Electronic Information Systems Use Agreement. Violation of this policy and administrative procedure will result in appropriate consequences, which may include disciplinary measures and legal action Students will be issued school Google email accounts. Detailed guidelines for use will be issued in school. These guidelines are similar to those you will encounter in college or the workplace. Understanding these guidelines and mastering online skills will help you become college and workplace ready. Students should ONLY use student email accounts for tasks, activities and assignments that are class or school-related.

DEBTS

You are financially responsible for your books and other school property lent to you, as well as for the cost to repair or replace anything you intentionally or negligently damage. The value of lost books and repairs is recorded on an indebtedness list in your house office. You are expected to pay your debts or you will lose certain privileges.

DRESS CODE

You must dress in an appropriate manner while attending school. Your attire should be neat, clean, and appropriate. You should dress in accordance with the following guidelines: Outerwear (such as coats, jackets, windbreakers, hats) should not be

worn in school. You should put your coat and hat in your locker upon entrance to school in the morning. You may wear sweaters and sweatshirts for extra warmth. Hooded apparel may not be worn with the hood up. Students who are seen wearing the hood during the day will be asked to put the hooded apparel in their locker. All hats must be placed in a locker or a book bag before homeroom. Hats that are visible will be confiscated. All hats may be retrieved from the Red House office. For a second offense, it will be returned only to your parents. The school is not liable for electronic devices that are stolen or lost.

Footwear should be appropriate. All tops must have straps that are at least 3 fingers wide. Tops that are

low cut, transparent or reveal the mid-section are not permitted. Tank tops are also not permitted. Shorts and skirts should be no more than 3 inches above the knee. Leggings are permitted only when they are worn with an outer garment that reaches at least 3 inches above the knee.

Ripped jeans and pajamas are not considered appropriate school attire. Any attire that reveals undergarments is not permitted. Students should not wear any garment that depicts OR is suggestive of

violence, weapons, drugs, alcohol, gang affiliation or any other message inconsistent with the school’s vision statement will be asked to remove the garment. Further violations will result in significant disciplinary action up to and including recommendation for expulsion.

Backpacks with graffiti suggestive of violence or gang affiliation and bandannas will be confiscated immediately.

Students who are not in compliant with the school dress code will be sent to their house office. They will be given an opportunity to obtain a change of clothing. If they are unable to obtain appropriate clothing, they will be placed in ISS for the remainder of the day.

FIGHT SONG (“BINGO”)

Bingo, bingo, bingo, bingo, bingo, that’s our lingo. Our boys are out to win, if there’s to be a victory, Then let the games begin. Bingo, bingo, bingo, bingo, bingo, that’s our cry. Fight, fight, fight with all your might For good old New Britain High.

FIRE DRILLS

To comply with the fire laws and ensure safety of all students and staff, fire drills are held at regular intervals. You are to follow the directions posted in each classroom. During the exit from the building, you are to move into designated areas and away from the building (regardless of weather conditions) to allow free access for firefighting equipment. You must remain with your class and teacher. Do not go to your locker.

GRADUATION CEREMONY PARTICIPATION

Graduation is a right. Participation in the ceremony is a privilege. In order to earn that privilege, you must do the following: Have at least 19 of 20 credits by the end of the last day of June exams and

be registered and have paid for the necessary additional credit to be earned in summer school. However, summer school students are not officially graduates until they pass their summer school course(s) and will not receive a diploma in their diploma case in June.

Have passed your CAPT English and math proficiency requirements by the first day of June exams.

Have your community service completed by the first day of June exams. Have no financial obligations to the school. Have attended all graduation rehearsals.

IDENTIFICATION CARDS

You are required to have your I.D. at all times while you’re in school. The I.D. must be unaltered in any way. You are also required to give your I.D. card to any staff member who asks for it. Remember, the I.D. belongs to the school, not you. You need your I.D. to get lunch. If your I.D. is lost, damaged, or defaced, you will be charged a fee of five dollars for a new one.

LATE ARRIVAL/EARLY DISMISSAL PRIVILEGE

If you are a junior or senior and don’t have a scheduled class the first few or last few periods of the day, you may apply for late arrival or early dismissal instead of attending a study hall. The following requirements apply: You must meet the C- rule as recorded on your most recent report card.

(If you fall below the C- standard on any report card, you automatically lose this privilege and will be assigned to a study hall until you meet the C- standard again.)

You must have a parent or guardian sign a permission form that can be obtained from and must be returned to your house office.

You are responsible for your own transportation to or from school, as applicable, and may not return to the school at 2:15 to ride a bus.

You may not be on school grounds or in the building without permission during your late arrival or early dismissal periods.

If you have late arrival privileges, you must sign in at your house no 5 to 10 minutes before your first scheduled class. This is for attendance purposes.

Please note that if you don’t leave school properly at the time you are released, you will lose your early release privilege.

LATE BUSES Late buses are provided to allow you to remain after school for extra help with teachers, to attend meetings, and to participate in school activities. Late buses are available Mondays through Thursdays at 2:55 and 4:15, and on Friday at 2:55. In order to board the bus, you must receive a bus pass from the teacher with whom you stayed after school.

LIBRARY/MEDIA CENTER The library/media center is located on the second floor and contains over 25,000 books. In addition, the center has a wide variety of tapes, videos, transparencies, slides, computers and other audio-visual materials for student and teacher use. It subscribes to a large number of periodicals and newspapers. Other services include copiers. Passes to the library/media center are issued by a subject teacher. They may be issued to you only when you have a legitimate purpose for using the library/media center, e.g. research, reference, or recreational reading. You must remain in the media center the entire period unless specified on the pass. You must arrive at the library/media center before the bell rings with your pass from a subject teacher. The media center will take attendance and report your presence to your study hall teacher. You will need your I.D. card in order to check out books or other materials from the library/media center.

LOCKERS & LOCKS

The Board of Education provides you with an unlocked locker in which to keep personal belongings and materials. You must provide your own lock. Since all lockers are school property, your use of a locker is a privilege. The school administration has the right to open and examine any locker. If you are not present, your lock may be cut off and will be replaced at school expense. You should not keep belongings in any locker other than your own and you may not share lockers. You are accountable for the contents of the locker assigned to you. You should keep your locker in an orderly and sanitary condition and free of contraband. We strongly advise that you not keep valuables in your locker, as the school is not responsible for stolen items. This advice is especially applicable to the lockers in the P.E. locker rooms.

LOITERING DURING AND AFTER SCHOOL A school is a place to learn and have fun, but it’s not a place for “hanging out.” During passing periods it’s your responsibility to go directly to your next class. Do not loiter in the cafeteria foyer, gym lobby, stairway landings, or any other area. Doing so causes unnecessary congestion and might make you (and others) late. If you stay after school, you should be with a teacher or coach.

PARKING

Student parking procedures will be determined and distributed at the start of the school year. Additional student parking is available at Beehive Stadium.

PASS PROGRAM

(Pupil Assistance and Support Services) This program is designed to identify regular education students who are having performance problems that may include present or future drug, alcohol, or mental health problems. Structured teams of school personnel, one in each house, work together to gather documentary information regarding school performance, work with the students (and often with the families) to develop a plan of corrective action and provide referrals for diagnostic and treatment services as appropriate

PLAGIARISM

Academic dishonesty can take many forms, including plagiarism (intentional and unintentional), fabrication of sources, purposeful misrepresentation of others’ ideas, purchasing and using work from a website or another source, or other fraudulent activities. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense which will result in a reduction of grade, requirement to redo the assignment, or parent-teacher-student conference. Many teachers, especially in AP classes, count this as a “0”.

RELEASE OF STUDENT INFORMATION

By an act of Congress, we are required to release your name, address, and telephone number to military recruiters and institutions of higher education. If your parents/guardians do not wish to have that information released, they should send a letter to the principal no later than October 1st stating their objection. If you are 18, you may do the same. Also, you may be photographed for publicity about school programs. If your parents/guardians do not wish to have your picture published, they must submit a letter to the principal stating their objection by October 1st. If you are 18, you may do the same.

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES & DANCES

All regulations pertaining to student conduct in school are in effect at all school activities. If you are on suspension, you are not allowed to participate in any school activity. (An out-of-school suspension ends on the morning of the first school day on which you can return to school. An in-school suspension ends at 2:15 that day.) Anyone suspected of drinking/drugs will not be admitted and is subject to disciplinary action. If you choose to leave a

dance, you will not be permitted to return. You won’t be admitted to dances more than an hour after the dance begins.

SCHOOL EMBLEMS

Colors: Red and Gold Team Name: Golden Hurricanes

SCHOOL SALES

The school principal must approve selling of miscellaneous items through class and extracurricular activities. Such sales must not disrupt educational activities or detract from the appearance of buildings and grounds. Students are responsible for merchandise and/or funds.

SCHOOL STORE Canes’ Corner, located on the west side of the first floor, is our school store. It offers school supplies, clothing with the school insignia, water, locks, ID lanyards, and other materials, and operates Canes’ Cafe. You may visit the school store at posted times.

STUDENT RECORDS

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) gives your parents several rights regarding your school records. These rights are outlined in the NBHS Parents’ Handbook. Once you turn 18, the rights belong to you. If you would like more details, a FERPA fact sheet is available in your house office.

STUDY HALLS

All school rules for behavior, attendance, passes, and responsibility apply to study halls. You should use this time quietly to complete assignments and take care of academic needs.

TRANSCRIPTS A transcript is a summary of your high school academic record. At your request, we will send copies to other schools and to colleges or give you a copy only if you have no financial obligations to the school.

VISITORS Your parents/guardians and residents of New Britain are encouraged to visit New Britain High School. Arrangements may be made through your associate principal. However, students from other schools, non-students, and younger brothers and sisters are not permitted to visit New Britain High School when school is in session unless they are participating in a recognized student exchange program and have received prior approval from the school administration. With the exception of presently enrolled students and staff members, everyone entering New Britain High School should first stop at the main office to receive a visitor’s badge.

DISCRIMINATION GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE If you or your parents believe you have been discriminated against, denied a benefit, or excluded from participation in any district education program or activity on the basis of race, color, age, religious creed, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, mental retardation, learning disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness, in violation of our non-discrimination policy, you may file a complaint with the compliance officer, who is the assistant superintendent for business and operations. The specifics of the procedure are outlined on a handout that is available to you in your house office as well as the main office.

HARASSMENT COMPLAINT PROCESS

Notice of Non-Discrimination The Consolidated School District of New Britain does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion or sexual orientation in any of its programs, activities and employment practices. Any student who feels he/she has been denied an equal opportunity to participate in or benefit from the activities, programs or courses of study offered by the school district in violation of this policy should immediately bring his or her complaint to the attention of a Guidance Counselor, Assistant Principal, Building Principal or the Director of Pupil Services. Prohibition of Unlawful Harassment Harassment is a form of discrimination. Is the policy of the Board of Education to maintain a working and learning environment that is free from all forms of unlawful harassment based upon a student’s race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by law. Students are also prohibited from harassing teachers, administrators or other school personnel on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law. Definition of Unlawful Harassment Unlawful harassment means unwelcome and offensive conduct that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a student’s performance and/or learning opportunities or that is sufficiently severe, pervasive or persistent so as to create an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment. All forms of harassment are prohibited whether verbal, written, visual or physical and regardless of the medium through which it occurs.

Definition of Sexual Harassment Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature including physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will or where a person is incapable of giving consent, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other inappropriate verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:

Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term

or condition of a student’s education;

Submission to or rejection of such conduct by a student is used as a basis for educational decisions affecting that student’s education;

Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with

a student’s educational performance, and/or is sufficiently severe, pervasive or persistent that it creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment.

A harasser may be a student, school employee, or any other person involved in or present for school-sponsored events or programs. All members of the school community are responsible for helping to assure that sexual, racial and other unlawful harassment is avoided. Any student who feels that he/she has been harassed should immediately report it to any of the following: Guidance Counselor, Assistant Principal, Building Principal, or Director of Pupil Services. Any person who has observed or otherwise become aware of conduct prohibited by this policy should bring the matter to the immediate attention of the building principal and Director of Pupil Services. Complaints of Discrimination and/or Unlawful Harassment The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries and receive complaints regarding discrimination and unlawful harassment:

Dr. Ann Carabillo Director of Pupil Services (Title IX Coordinator) 272 Main Street, P.O. Box 1960, New Britain, CT 06050 All complaints will be promptly investigated in as confidential a manner as practical and appropriate corrective action will be taken when warranted. Any employee, student, volunteer or other individual under the control of the school system who is determined after an investigation to have engaged in harassment in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline, including possible dismissal or expulsion. This is a summary of Board Policies and Administrative Procedures 3-25A, 3-25B and 11-6. Copies of these policies and procedures are available on the district’s website and Board of Education offices.