West Middle School

    Library
    Lockers
    Lost and Found
    Passes
    Safekeeping of Money
    School Insurance
    Skateboards and Rollerblades
    Telephones and Messages
    Visitors
    Volunteers
Student Rights and Responsibilities
    Student Discipline: Creating a Safe Environment For All
    Student Tips For a Successful Year
    Dress Code
    Detention
    Suspension/Expulsion
    Disciplinary Procedures
        Short-Term Suspensions (1-9 Days)
        Long-Term Suspensions (10 Days or More) and Expulsions
        Discipline of Students Who Receive Disability Services
    harassment/Harassment Policy
    Harassment/Harassment Policy
    Non-Discrimination Statement
    Grievance Procedures For Discrimination Violations
    Search and Seizure
    Student Records
    Homeless Students
Appendices
    Expulsion for Possession of a Dangerous Weapon,
        Controlled Substance, or Assault of Educational Personnel
    Suspension/Expulsion For a Felony Charge or Conviction
    Hazing Statement
    Tagging
    Acceptable Use Policy

PHILOSOPHY AND VISION STATEMENT

PHILOSOPHY

We believe that the Middle School has established its own identity, serving as a bridge between elementary and high school. We recognize the uniqueness of students at this critical period in their lives and are responsible for nurturing them physically, emotionally, academically, and socially. Middle School students are exposed to a variety of disciplines offered through exploratory programs. Teaming and interdisciplinary teaching are used as vehicles for holistic learning. The staff is committed to serving the whole child, sharing in decision making and providing opportunities to develop professionally and personally.

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL VISION STATEMENT

The vision of Andover West Middle School is of a child-centered school in which students are actively engaged in a team format. They are taught the processes and consequences of decision-making, and are encouraged to take risks in a safe and supportive environment. Students, teachers, administrators, and other professional staff are empowered to make decisions in an atmosphere of mutual respect and acceptance. Parents and other community members are given the opportunity to become involved.

At West Middle we encourage active learning by students and adults. Teachers are mentors and models for students, inspiring lifelong learning. Teachers and students work in a collegial atmosphere, fostering risk-taking in a supportive environment. Students learn to make connections through interdisciplinary content and processes.

The intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and moral development of 10-14 year olds is the focus of our school's activities. West Middle School balances high expectations and self-esteem, inclusion and individual learning styles and abilities with the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of all members of the school community.

We work so that students will emerge as responsible members of a community who treat other people, our environment, and themselves with respect and dignity.

To email a faculty member: first initial, last name@aps1.net (e.g., jjones@aps1.net)

CURRICULUM ADVISORS

Curriculum Advisors are responsible for their department of study at West Middle School and are available to help students and parents with curriculum issues:

TEACHING FACULTY

Foreign Language Physical Education

Integrated Arts/Music

Specialists

ATTENDANCE, ABSENCES AND SCHEDULE

ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL

Whether you have taken a bus or have walked to school, once you have arrived at West Middle in the morning you are not to leave the school grounds.

DAILY ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance and promptness are two requirements for success in school. Experience shows that if you are careless about attendance, the consequences could lead to difficulties in your schoolwork. Daily attendance will be taken in homeroom, and it is important to be in your assigned homeroom seat prior to the bell.

TARDINESS

You are expected to report to your homeroom on time (7:45 a.m.) each morning. Students arriving in their homerooms after the 7:45 bell will be considered tardy by their homeroom teacher. Students arriving after homeroom (7:50 a.m.) must report to the Main Office to sign the tardy book before reporting to class. In either case, you will be excused if you have an explanatory note, or you are accompanied to school by a parent, or your parent excuses you by telephone. On your third unexcused tardy, you will be required to serve a detention. Each unexcused tardy beyond three will require additional detentions. Tardiness is educationally detrimental for you and your classmates. Excessive tardiness will necessitate a counselor/parent conference. Also, you should realize that the history of your tardiness (excused and unexcused) becomes part of your permanent record that follows you to your next school.

ABSENCE

Every effort should be made to limit absences from school to personal illness and emergencies only. If you are going to be absent your parent or guardian must call the school’s attendance phone by 8:00 a.m. The attendance telephone number is 623-8716 and is in operation 24/7. The first day upon returning to school after an absence, we require that parents send a note containing an explanation for your absence. The note should include the exact date(s) of the absence(s). Students should present absent notes to their homeroom teacher on the day that they return to school.

MISSED WORK

When you are absent from school, you miss work that must be made up when you return. Your teachers will help you with make-up work, but the responsibility for finding out your assignments and for completing them is yours. Seek out your teachers after an absence, and find out the requirements. It may involve reading, completing assignments, papers, attending after school sessions or taking tests and quizzes. You should make definite arrangements for make-up work within two (2) days after returning to school from an absence. Each teacher will grant you a definite length of time to complete your make-up work according to the length of your absence. A student who is absent for a prolonged period of time should contact his/her Guidance Counselor for assignments and advice.

VACATION

Please keep in mind that family vacations are not considered a valid reason for absence. While your teachers will let you make up missed assignments, tests, and quizzes, they are not required to prepare work in advance for a vacation-related absence. In addition, teachers are not required to reteach work or to tutor you when you return from a vacation.

EARLY DISMISSALS

Early dismissals from school should be requested as little as possible. If it becomes necessary to ask for an early dismissal, a written request, signed by a parent, must be turned in to the Main Office when you arrive at school. When you are dismissed early, you must go to the Main Office at the designated dismissal time to sign out.

PARENTS AWAY

Parents are asked to inform the school if they will be away and a student will be staying with someone else. The school should receive the name and contact information of the person and the dates involved. Please sent this letter to Ms. Sharon Taitz, our school nurse.

EMERGENCY CLOSINGS

In the event that the school will be closed because of bad weather or other emergencies, an announcement will be made on the following radio stations and television channels:

Please listen to your radio or watch a television news program on stormy mornings. The announcement will be broadcast as soon as a decision has been made.

In addition, parents may choose to receive a “no school” telephone call.

DAILY SCHEDULE

REGULAR DAY: *7:35 AM (enter school) – 2:05 PM

HOMEWORK

Ø To stimulate voluntary effort, initiative, independence, responsibility, and self- direction.

You should expect to receive homework assignments each day. Time needed to complete daily homework assignments will vary for each of you.

You should also plan to spend time studying and reviewing material for mastery of the subject content and adequate preparation for quizzes and tests. Plan ahead! Long-term reports or projects should not be left until the last minute. Learn to budget and organize your time. Your teams will coordinate assignments and projects to the best of their ability.

Experience has shown that time spent on homework results in greater academic achievement. Should you need help with your homework, you may to seek out your teachers for assistance. Students are expected to keep a record of all assignments in their Agenda Planner, an assignment book issued to all students at the beginning of the school year.

ACADEMIC PROGRESS

You and your parents will be informed of your progress through report cards, progress reports, personal notes, telephone calls, and team conferences. Report cards will be sent home three times a year. Progress reports will be issued midway through each term. Parent signatures are required for all report cards and progress reports. Your parents and you are encouraged to talk with your counselor, teachers, or the school administration if there are concerns about your progress or your adjustment to the middle school.

Your parents may arrange a conference with your teachers or your counselor by calling the Guidance Office (978-623-8702).

ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL

After each of the terms, our school recognizes academic achievement by publishing an academic honor roll based on grades in both academic and special subjects. Courses considered academic are language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and foreign languages. All other courses appearing on report cards are in the category of special subjects. Honor roll student names are printed each term in the Andover Townsman. There is an end of year recognition assembly for honor roll achievements and for other achievements as well.

All of your teachers want to help you to do well in your major job, which is learning. Having teams is a great way to do this. You will become a member of a team, just as you are a member of your family at home. Your English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Special Needs teachers are the teacher members of your team and meet regularly to plan your academic activities and to help you achieve to the best of your ability. Thus, your teachers will get to know you much better as you will get to know them, and from this you will have a sense of belonging to a family group at school. Teams will conduct many activities outside of class, such as field trips and special assemblies. These activities give you a greater opportunity to be with other students on your team.

EXTRA HELP

Your teachers will be glad to help you after school with work that may be causing you trouble. Please make an appointment with your teacher and be sure to keep it. Each teacher has at least one afternoon each week that is set aside for extra help. Sometimes teachers have duties and responsibilities after school is dismissed, so you will have to adjust your schedule to theirs if you wish to get extra help. Don't wait until you are hopelessly lost in a subject. Take advantage of the opportunity for extra help at the first sign that it is needed.

PROMOTION AND RETENTION

By School Committee policy, middle school students must pass both language arts and math to be promoted. Students failing to meet this requirement will be retained unless an approved summer study program is successfully completed. Parents should contact their principal or guidance counselor.

TEXTBOOKS

Each year you receive a number of books to be used in your various courses. The school department lends you these just as the library lends you books. You should be just as careful of your school textbooks as you are of library books. If you lose or damage a library book in any way, you are expected to make restitution. In the same manner, you are responsible for your schoolbooks.

All students are expected to cover textbooks and to replace the book cover if it becomes worn during the school year. Free book covers are available in the Main Office lobby throughout the year. If a book is misused, a fine will be imposed. If a book is lost or badly damaged, the student will be required to pay full replacement costs.

SCHOOL OPERATIONS AND SERVICES

ASSEMBLIES

Assemblies are a regularly scheduled part of the school program and as such are designed to be educational as well as entertaining. Some may be designed to celebrate national holidays while others explain school regulations and procedures to you or recognize you for outstanding achievements. These assemblies provide opportunities for you to learn formal audience behavior. Therefore, there are some expectations for this type of activity:

2. Give your full attention to the program. There should be no conversation once the program has commenced.

3. When the program is completed, remain seated and follow the instructions of the staff member in charge.

Students who do not behave properly at assemblies will be asked to leave. Further discipline may be imposed for severe misconduct.

BICYCLES

If you and your parents decide that you may ride your bike to school, your parents are encouraged to review bicycle safety with you, including the proper use of a helmet and the need to obey traffic laws. Your parents are responsible for your safety when you bike to school.

A bicycle rack is provided in the courtyard. Be sure to lock your bike to the rack. Andover Public Schools is not responsible for bicycles that are stolen or damaged on school property. Also, for everyone’s safety, please walk your bike on school grounds.

BUS TRANSPORTATION

The Andover School Department provides buses for your transportation to and from school. Grade six students receive free transportation if they live more than 1.5 miles from the school. Students in grade seven and eight may purchase bus transportation services if they live more than 2.0 miles from school. Each bus driver is an official of the school department and students riding the bus must comply with the requests of the driver. Pushing and shoving when boarding the buses is dangerous. Wait in line and get on quickly and quietly. All school rules regarding conduct are in effect as soon as you board the bus. School bus transportation is a privilege that may be withdrawn for inappropriate behavior. Bus drivers have a very tight schedule and they have been instructed not to wait for you if you arrive late at pick-up points in the morning. If you are a bus rider, you are allowed to ride your bus only.

There are two bus runs in the morning and afternoon. In the afternoon, buses on the first run leave the school eight minutes after the dismissal bell. Therefore, so that you will not miss your ride home, you must go directly to your locker, get your books, and go straight to your bus. If you are on the first run in the morning, you must come into the cafeteria or you may go outside to the recess area until the bell rings at 7:35 AM. If you are on the second run in the afternoon, you should report to the cafeteria after you visit your locker. You must remain in the cafeteria until your bus arrives.

CAFETERIA, RECESS, BREAKFAST

The cafeteria is a place where you can visit with your friends and eat at a table in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. However, disruptive cafeteria behavior will result in corrective consequences. Your meals in the cafeteria will be more pleasant if you observe the following rules:

· Students are expected to be in the cafeteria for lunch within the normal passing time.

· Pick up papers, food spills and trash when you have finished eating and dispose of them in the proper barrel. You are expected to leave your area as clean as you found it.

· Students may not change seats or leave the cafeteria without a teacher's permission.

Upon dismissal from the cafeteria, please walk in the designated pathway to the recess area. Stay on the paved surfaces, behind the painted safety line, unless you have permission from a teacher to use the baseball field. Sports equipment is available in the metal box next to the basketball courts. When recess is over, return all equipment to the sports box, and line up quietly at the back doors. Your teachers will supervise your quiet re-entry into the building. Please be courteous and quiet as you return to class; other classes may still be in session.

There is an option to purchase and eat breakfast every morning between 7:15 and 7:35. The same rules will apply. Students are expected to keep their area clean, and they may not leave the cafeteria carrying breakfast food or drink.

CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONICS

Cell phones, MP3 players, and other personal electronic devices are not to be worn or carried in or around the school. If you bring such items to school, they must be turned off and put in your locker at the start of the school day. Students may listen to MP3 players in the cafeteria before 7:35 AM and after school while waiting for buses. Be sure to put them away before entering the halls at 7:35. The administration may hold onto any cell phone or MP3 player being used without authorization, and parents will be asked to pick it up. Cell phones may be used only in the “cell phone zone” right after school, or with teacher permission. For more on phone use, see Telephones and Messages.

CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

School consists of much more than sitting in classes to gain knowledge. Because we know that all of you have a variety of hobbies and interests, we offer students many clubs and activities during the school year. Most of these meet after school, but some meet before school. Hopefully, one or more will appeal to you so that your school experience will be well rounded and lots of fun besides!

Offerings vary from year to year. Some examples from the past are as follows: Kids for Kids, Scrabble club, newspaper, writing club, art club, yearbook, math team, foreign language clubs, Adventure Club, drama, Student Government, ultimate Frisbee, Kids on the Block, and Zone activities. A booklet of fall offerings will be published early in the year. Please take it home and share it with your family.

In order for you to participate in our clubs and activity program, your family must take two steps:

1) Sign a yellow form that verifies that your family understands the district-wide policy on school liability; and

2) Pay a $75 activity fee, with a check payable to “Andover Public Schools.” This fee is necessary because our clubs and activities are not part of the regular School Department budget. Any issue regarding financial hardship should be brought to the attention of the principal, and it will be handled in confidence.

DANCE AND SOCIAL REGULATIONS

The Student Council sponsors dances and socials during the school year. Dances occur from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Grade 6 socials will be scheduled for after school, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Sixth graders may remain in a designated supervised area after school prior to the social.) Entrance to the evening dance is through the doors that lead into the auditorium lobby.

Behavioral Expectations

1. Individuals who seriously misbehave will be removed from the dance or social and their parents will be called to pick them up. Disciplinary consequences can be assigned for certain behaviors, consistent with the guidelines beginning on page 19 of this Handbook.

2. Excessive or habitually inappropriate behavior will lead to that student being barred from future dances or socials.

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips are like other school days except that you are learning in a different place. They are an important part of West Middle's educational program. Your teachers would like all of you to go on these trips. However, responsible behavior on field trips is especially important and expected. Serious misbehavior on field trips could result in a loss of field trip privileges or other disciplinary action (see Student Discipline).

FIRE/EMERGENCY DRILLS

Fire and emergency drills are conducted several times each year to prepare us to evacuate the building quickly and safely should this ever become necessary. A fire or emergency drill is a serious matter; when the alarm rings, neither you nor your teacher knows whether it is ringing for "just a drill" or for a real emergency. The rules and exit routes regarding drills are posted in each room.

The most important rule to remember and observe is WALK SINGLE FILE WITHOUT TALKING. After leaving the building for a fire/emergency drill, move off the walkways and onto the grassed areas as directed. It is important that the fire and emergency equipment have free access to the roads and walkways. Once you are outside, you should quietly remain with your teacher and your class, as attendance must be taken and teachers must be able to hear further instructions.

Lockdown drills are conducted several times each year also, to practice what to do if an intruder is in the building. During lockdown, students remain in (or return to) classrooms, following teachers’ directions. The lockdown signal is a long (3 second) tone.

GUIDANCE

The role of your guidance counselor is to help you to realize your needs and capabilities. We want you to get to know your counselor early in the school year so you feel comfortable talking about yourself and planning together for the appropriate middle and high school program.

To see your counselor please contact the guidance secretary before homeroom to arrange for an appointment. Except in an emergency, students should not go to the Guidance Office between periods without a pass. As usual, it is your responsibility to keep your teachers informed if you do not attend your assigned classes.

Parents are welcome to contact the guidance counselor on behalf of their child by calling the Guidance Department at 978-623-8702. We would also appreciate calls warning us of any unusual stress, upset, or problem that may affect a student. Students usually "self-refer" but are also referred to counselors by parents, administrators, and teachers.

HEALTH CLINIC

Of course you will not come to school if you know you are ill, but it is good to have a place to go if you should become sick or injured during school hours. The nurse will administer first aid for all minor injuries received at school. Should the injury be more serious, the nurse will notify your parents; if she cannot reach your parents, she will call the person listed on the emergency medical registration form. If no other course of action is possible the nurse will have you taken to the hospital. If you become so ill at school that you must go home, the nurse will call your parent to pick you up or arrange for another adult to do so. You can see that it is important to keep your emergency data up-to-date. You should also feel free to talk with the nurse about any health or related problems.

You should make every effort to take medication, including over-the-counter medication, at home. At school, you will not be allowed to take your own medication or carry medication without specific orders stating this fact from your licensed prescriber and the school nurse.

If you must take medication during school hours, please see our school nurse, Ms. Taitz, for the appropriate forms. (Parents should refer to information sheet mailed to them in August.)

LIBRARY

The library is an important part of your school life. A broad range of books is available to you. Many new books have been ordered and will be displayed throughout the school year. There are also hundreds of books to help you with your assignments, from reference sets, encyclopedias and atlases, to others dealing with specific topics. Magazines and periodicals are available as well. Several computers with Internet access are placed in the library to help you find the information you need to do a good job on your assignments.

The library is truly a center for learning and must be respected as such. Obviously, loud, inappropriate behavior has no place here. You are expected to treat the library with consideration by leaving it in good condition; one aspect of this is that food and beverages are not allowed at any time.

You are encouraged to sign out books for enjoyment or in conjunction with assignments. However, if you have books that are overdue, you must return them before more can be signed out. It is hoped that you will visit the library often throughout the school year.

LOCKERS

You will be assigned both a hall locker and a gym locker. Your hall locker will have a lock Since these are permanent parts of the building, they are only on loan to you, and you are expected to keep them in good, clean, and usable condition (free of stickers, pictures, or posters on the inside or outside). Because they are school property, you should have no expectation of privacy. They are subject to periodic inspection throughout the year. We want you to understand that consistent with state law, school personnel may open, search, and inspect a locker at any time. You should use only the lockers assigned to you and should not give your combinations to other students. It is your responsibility to be sure your hall locker is securely locked at all times.

LOST AND FOUND

If you find or lose articles (other than clothing), please take come to the Main Office. If you find or lose gym clothes, jackets, etc., please visit the yellow lost and found barrel, which is located in the cafeteria. Items that remain in the "lost and found" for a long period will be donated to a charitable organization. Also, it is not a good idea to bring valuables or large sums of money to school because the school cannot be responsible for lost items. Be sure to keep your locker locked, as well

PASSES

In order to run our school efficiently and safely, your teacher and other staff members need to know where you are during the day. Therefore, whenever you are out of your class for any reason, you must sign out and ask for a pass from your teacher. This includes visits to areas such as the clinic, Guidance Office, the Media Center, telephone, and the bathrooms. No one should be in the corridor during class time without a pass.

SAFEKEEPING OF MONEY

It is never fun to lose money. You should never bring more money to school than is needed for the day. However, if it should be necessary to bring a large sum of money, take it to the office to be placed in the safe until dismissal time. Students are not permitted to lend, give, or ask each other for money.

SCHOOL INSURANCE

As a service, the school allows an insurance company to make low-cost accident insurance available to students. The school, however, accepts no responsibility regarding the coverage of the insurance and is in no way connected to the company.

SKATEBOARDS AND ROLLER BLADES

TELEPHONES AND MESSAGES

During the school day, students are expected to be in class, learning and participating in class activities, and the school makes an effort to keep classroom interruptions to a minimum. Therefore, we ask parents not to expect the school to deliver messages during the school day unless it is an emergency. In some situations, the morning and afternoon announcement times can be used to have students report to the Main Office to pick up messages.

Students are to refrain from making phone calls during the school day. If a student needs to use a telephone (office phone or cell phone), students must have specific permission from their teacher or office to do so. Making phone calls during the school day without authorization from a faculty member may result in disciplinary action (see Student Discipline). Phone calls should be made only for emergencies. Calling a parent for permission to go home with a friend is not an emergency.

The office phone may be used only to call Andover land-line numbers (not cell phones), so that no charge is incurred. The office reserves the right to refuse access to “frequent flyers.”

VISITORS

West Middle School welcomes visitors for the purposes of observing classes, participating in assemblies, and meeting with faculty, among other reasons. A visitor can be a parent or other family member, a prospective student, a former student or any person who is not assigned to WMS.

For the security of students and staff, the WMS administration requires that all visitors register in the Main Office before going anywhere in the school, and wear Visitor’s Badge, as well. Unless an invitation by school staff has been extended, visits to observe classes, to visit teachers or to participate in assemblies must be scheduled with the principal at least one day in advance. The school administration has the discretion to grant or deny access to visitors.

VOLUNTEERS

Mass. Gen. L. c. 71, section 38R requires school districts to conduct criminal background checks on volunteers to the school department who may have direct unmonitored contact with students. Therefore, parents of students who wish to volunteer must complete a request for Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) form prior to volunteering (see aps1.net website). C.O.R.I. applications for volunteers must be renewed every year. Andover reserves the right to accept or reject volunteers. Questions about CORI may be directed to the Human Resources Dept. of Andover Public Schools or to the Criminal History Systems Board.

STUDENT RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

STUDENT DISCIPLINE: CREATING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL

Students are expected to behave in such a way that is conducive to learning. Considerate and caring behavior towards others, supports an appropriate school environment. Cooperation between home and school is an important component in achieving this outcome.

A Middle School Handbook that is consistent among the 3 Andover middle schools has developed as an outgrowth of parents, students, and teachers working together to design fair and consistent school-wide expectations. The school community will highlight and applaud positive attempts to uphold this code.

The list of behavioral infractions included in this handbook is not comprehensive; it offers examples of inappropriate or unacceptable behaviors. When school rules are abused or broken at school or at school-related and/or school-sponsored events, appropriate consequences will follow. These range from warnings to disciplinary actions to expulsion from school. While we have stated possible consequences for certain behavioral infractions, the staff and administration has sole discretion to determine the consequence of each behavioral infraction.

STUDENT TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL YEAR

Middle school students are learning responsibility, including responsibility for bringing necessary materials to school and keeping track of those materials. Teachers have the responsibility to support students through this process. We need to provide age-appropriate strategies, reminders and checkpoints, but some students will need more support initially than others. As time goes on, we need to raise the bar for all students. And we need to enlist parent support in raising the bar. The office is regularly called upon by parents to ferry left-home belongings to their children. While we can provide this support to a child on an occasional basis, this cannot include disrupting a class to call a student to the office. The office also has a responsibility to enlist parent support for age-appropriate expectations. This includes shifting the burden to the student to check the office for left-home belongings, etc.

DRESS CODE

It is expected that you will exhibit good taste, good grooming, neatness and modesty, and thus dress appropriately for school. Our intent is that students' dress and grooming will contribute toward a positive learning environment. We will work closely with our parent community to establish a clear, supportive and shared understanding of our community’s standards for appropriate school dress and grooming.

The school administration has the final decision on the appropriateness of dress for school. We cannot allow clothing to be worn that is disruptive to the educational process. Most middle school students have good common sense, so it should not be difficult for any of you, especially with the help of your parents, to realize that there are clothing items that are appropriate for jogging or for the beach which are not appropriate in school. In no case should you wear clothing displaying inappropriate language, advertising drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, or expressing inappropriate negative messages.

Hats are not to be worn in the school building. Students who wear hats to school must leave them in their lockers during the school day.

DETENTION

Detention, or keeping a student after school, is sometimes a necessary consequence for inappropriate actions. There are two kinds of detention: teacher and office. (l) A teacher detention is given for unacceptable behavior within the classroom, or for not meeting a classroom-deadline or team-deadline. The individual teacher will determine the procedure to follow for this kind of detention. (2) An office detention is given for disruptive behavior in the corridor, on the playground, in the cafeteria, at assemblies, or other school areas outside of the regular classroom - before, during or after school. Office detention can also be assigned to students who have repeatedly created disturbances in classrooms. Students will be given 24 hours notice for both teacher and office detentions. In some cases, detentions will be assigned during a student's lunch period and these detentions do not require 24 hours advance notice. It is the responsibility of the office to notify parents of office detention, and it is the responsibility of the teacher to notify parents of teacher detentions.

The following are examples of behaviors that can result in a student being assigned an office detention:

· possession of squirt guns and other toys which disrupt the educational process

SUSPENSION/EXPULSION

In accordance with the policies of the Andover School Committee, the following are examples of behaviors that may result in suspension (either in-school or out-of-school):

· Possession of a dangerous weapon including but not limited to a knife or a gun (see M.G.L. c. 71, §37H in Appendix)

· Assault (i.e., threatening assault, hitting, kicking, slapping, pushing) against fellow students or other members of the school community

· Possessing a controlled substance as defined in M.G.L. c. 94C including but not limited to illegal drugs (e.g. marijuana) and prescription medication (see M.G.L. c. 71, §37H in Appendix)

· Damaging, destroying or stealing personal or school property or attempting to do so

· Defacing of lockers, walls, or other objects in the school by writing names or messages, or drawing on them

· Hazing, violence, extortion or the threat of hazing, violence or extortion directed towards another student or school personnel (see appendix)

· Committing sexual, racial, or any form of harassment or intimidation or retaliation

· Behavior that endangers others or disrupts the educational process, or encourages others to do so

· Habitual misbehavior that has not been resolved after the assignment of school detentions

In addition to any of these infractions, any breaches of Federal law, Massachusetts State law, or bylaws of the Town of Andover, may be handled in cooperation with the local police department and may result in expulsion (see M.G.L. c. 71, §37H1/2 in Appendix)

Consistent with its Memorandum of Understanding, the Andover Public Schools, the Andover Police Department, and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office agree to coordinate their response to violent, delinquent, or criminal acts by students and to alcohol and other drug use which occur on school premises or at school-related events.

In accordance with the provisions of Chapter 71, section 37H and 37H-1/2 of the Massachusetts General Laws, only a principal and/or Superintendent can expel a student for the following offenses:

1. Possession of a dangerous weapon on school premises or at a school-sponsored or school related event, including athletic games;

2. Possession of a controlled substance, as defined in Chapter 94 C of the General Laws, on school premises or at a school-sponsored or school related event, including athletic games

Any student who is charged with a violation of any of 1-4 above shall be notified in writing of the opportunity for a hearing, provided, however that the student may have representation, along with the opportunity to present evidence and witnesses at said hearing before the Principal. After said hearing the Principal may decide to suspend rather than expel a student.

Any student who has been expelled shall have the right to appeal to the Superintendent.

Procedures for disciplining a student under M.G.L. c. 71, Section 37H and 37H-1/2 are prescribed by this statute. A copy of this statute may be found in the Appendices of this Handbook.

Expulsion for any offense, other than the four cited above, can only be done by the School Committee. Listed below are some reasons why the School Committee might expel a student:

1. The student’s continued presence in school represents a danger to the physical safety of others.

2. The student’s conduct constitutes a continual and substantial threat to or disruption of the educational process, and other appropriate disciplinary alternatives have been tried and deemed unworkable.

3. The student’s committing of an act that is, in and of itself, so heinous as to threaten to disrupt the education process despite the student's prior record or behavior.

Disciplinary Procedures

All students are entitled to due process and the type of process due depends on the number of days the student is going to be suspended, as discussed below.

Short-Term Suspensions (1-9 days)

When an infraction occurs, the student will be removed from class and will be sent to the Main Office, or another designated school location, following which the student’s parent or guardian will be notified of the incident by the school.

Unless a student presents a danger or risk of substantial disruption to the educational process, the student shall receive the following prior to being suspended:

· If the student denies the charges, an oral or written explanation of the evidence against him/her

In the case of danger or a risk of substantial disruption, this process will occur immediately after rather than before the suspension. The length of the suspension is at the discretion of the Assistant Principal and Principal. All short-term suspensions are subject to review if requested.

The parent or guardian may request a meeting with the Assistant Principal or Principal to review the charges and evidence. Every effort will be made to hold this meeting within 24 hours of the imposed suspension. This request will not ‘stay’ (postpone) the suspension as imposed by the administration.

The parent or guardian must attend a student re-admittance conference with the principal or designee as close as possible to the last day of the suspension. At the principal's discretion, the re-admittance conference may be held by telephone. Conditions for the student's reentry to school shall be outlined at this re-admittance conference.

Students who are suspended from school are not allowed to be in school or on school property at any time during the period of suspension and are not allowed to attend any school-sponsored activities. When the period of suspension includes a weekend or vacation period, the student is ineligible to participate in or attend any activities throughout the entire period. Students who do not fulfill outstanding disciplinary obligations by the last day of school must make arrangements with the principal or assistant principal to serve detentions and work details during the summer. A student serving a suspension will be required to complete these obligations at the beginning of the next school year. If a school-sponsored activity begins prior to the start of the school year, that time will be included as part of the suspension.

Long-Term Suspensions (10 days or more) and Expulsion

For expulsion or suspension longer than nine days, the following procedures will apply: