Student Handbook

2004 - 2005

 

Hall-Dale High School, 97 Maple Street

Farmingdale, Maine, 04344

Main Office: 1-207-622-6211, Ext. 200   Fax: 1-207-626-0355

Guidance Office and Fax: 1-207-622-6221, Ext. 204

Fax.  1-207-622-1735

Attendance Office: 1-207-622-6211, Ext. 203

Athletic Director’s Office:

1-207-622-6211, Ext. 209

 

High School Web Page Address

http://www.halldale.org

 

Mascot:  Bulldog           

School Colors:  Black and White with red accent

 

Table of Contents

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Academic Expectations      

Extracurricular Activities

Senior Privileges

Administrative

Food in Classrooms

Special Education Services

Athletics

Harassment Policy

Student Health Protocol

Attendance

Hazing Policy

Student Recognition

Bibliography Format

Internet Use Policy

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Cheating/Plagiarism

Lockers

Study Hall Guidelines

Code of Conduct

Messages and Telephone Use

Visitors 

Daily Schedule

Mission Statement and Expectations

Walkmans, Beepers, CD players, MP 3 Players

Disciplinary Procedures

National Honor Society

Weapons, Violence, School Safety

Dress Code

Nondiscrimination Policy

Work Permits

Driving Privileges

Public Displays of Affection

Writing Exemplars

Drug and Alcohol Use

Release of Student Info Procedure (FERPA)

Writing Guidelines for Revision

Extracurricular Eligibility Policy        

School Cancellation

Writing Rubric and Guidelines

 

 

MISSION

 

The mission of Hall-Dale High School is to help all students develop the skills necessary to become lifelong learners.   Students will work successfully both as individuals and as team members to arrive at possible solutions to a variety of problems.  By seeking meaning and understanding beyond simple facts, students will make connections and apply what they know to real-life situations.  At Hall-Dale High School learning is at the center of all we do.  

 

Expectations for Student Learning

Hall-Dale High School expands upon these and focuses on the following critical skills that all graduates are expected to achieve upon certification:

 

Clear and effective communicator:

A Hall-Dale High School graduate reads effectively when he/she:

·          Uses reading, viewing and listening strategies to experience, understand and appreciate literature and culture.

·          Uses the skills and strategies of the reading process to comprehend, interpret, evaluate and appreciate what has been read.

 

A Hall Dale High School graduate speaks effectively when he/she:

·          Demonstrates understanding of how words and images communicate.

·          Develops skills in oral presentation for one-way communication with an individual or a group.

·          Develops communication skills for direct conversation.

·          Creates and/or performs to express ideas and feelings.

 

A Hall-Dale High School graduate writes effectively when he/she:

·          Demonstrates the ability to use the skills and strategies involved in the writing process.

·          Writes correctly using conventions of standard written English.

·          Writes effectively in connection with research in all content areas.

 

A Hall-Dale High School graduate listens effectively when he/she:

·          Develops listening skills in order to obtain and interpret information.

 

Self-Directed and Life-Long Learner:

A Hall-Dale High School graduate effectively employs learning skills when he/she:

·          Applies inquiry and problem solving approaches in all classes.

·          Learns to formulate and justify ideas and to make informed decisions.

·          A Hall-Dale High School graduate continues to learn beyond their high school career when he/she:

·          Understands how media techniques, cultural perspectives, and peers influence behaviors that affect health.

·          Understands that economic decisions are based on the availability of resources and the cost and benefits of choices.

 

Creative and Practical Problem Solver

A Hall-Dale High School graduate observes situations objectively to clearly and accurately define problems

 when he/she:

·          Understands and applies concepts of data analysis.

·          Understands the historical, social, economic, environmental and ethical implications of science and technology.

·          Learns to formulate and justify ideas and to make informed decisions.

 

Responsible and Involved Citizen

A Hall-Dale High School graduate demonstrates a sense of community by:

·          Understanding the rights and responsibilities of civic life and employs the skills of effective civic participation.              

·          Understanding the constitutional principals and the democratic foundations of the political institutions of the United States.

 

A Collaborative and Quality Worker

A Hall-Dale High School graduate takes personal responsibility for their future by:

·          Demonstrating leadership and membership skills necessary to succeed as a member of a team.

·          Demonstrating job-seeking skills.

·          Demonstrating an understanding of the integration and application of academic and occupational skills in school learning, work, and personal lives.

 

An Integrative and Informed Thinker

A Hall-Dale High School graduate is able to make connections across the curriculum by:

·          Reflecting upon and assessing the characteristics and merits of art works.

·          Analyzing subtle and complex meaning in visual art from various historical periods and cultures and is able to find similarities and differences.

·          Recognizing the connections that link people, countries, and historical periods such as cultural and religious traditions, historical events, political thought, or geography.

                               

 

Hall-Dale Code of Conduct

 

Members of the Hall-Dale High School community, adults and students, will strive to act with honesty, compassion, respect, responsibility, and courage.

 

An honest person

·          Tells the truth.

·          Gives truthful, quality feedback.

·          Is true to him or herself.

·          Expects to be trusted.

·          Gives 100% effort or is truthful with self and others about effort.

An honest person does not cheat, steal, lie, hide the truth, plagiarize, or spread rumors.

 

A compassionate person

·          Cares about the well-being of all.

·           Helps those in need.

·          Supports the best efforts of others.

·          Works to forgive and not hold grudges.

·          Honors the strengths in other people.

A compassionate person does not tease, ridicule, bully, taunt, or use hateful language.

 

A respectful person

·          Is considerate of self, others, and property.

·          Recognizes and tolerates differences.

·          Recognizes and honors personal boundaries.

·          Treats others the way he or she would like to be treated.

·          Approaches a situation with an open mind.

·          Accepts the balance between individual and group needs and desires.

A respectful person does not participate in self-destructive activities, intentionally cause physical or emotional harm to others, or take advantage of others for personal gain.

 

A responsible person

·          Accepts the consequences of his or her actions or failures to act.

·          Follows established school policies and rules.

·          Speaks up when he or she sees the need for change.

·          Meets their commitments.

A responsible person does not make excuses for unacceptable behavior, or blame others.

 

A courageous person

·          Admits mistakes.

·          Is willing to seek advice or assistance when making difficult decisions, or when in a dangerous or troubling situation.

Does the right thing even if it is not popular

 

*Presented to MSAD #16 Board of Directors June 5, 2003

ACADEMICS

 

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from Hall-Dale High School, a student must have twenty -three Carnegie units or sixty-nine credits.  Each student must carry a minimum of six courses per trimester.  Seniors must have five classes each trimester.

 

Required Courses for Graduation:

English                                  4 years                   (12 credits)

Math                                       3 years                   (9 credits)             

Science                                  3 years                   (9 credits)             

Social Studies                       3 years                   (9 credits)             

U. S. History                         1 year                     (3 credits)             

Physical Education              2 year                     (6 credits)*

Wellness/Health                 1 year                     (3 credits)             

Fine Arts                               1 year                     (3 credits)

Technology                           must demonstrate computer proficiency

Senior Seminar                    1/3 year                 (1 credit)

Senior Project                       1/3 year                 (1 credit)

*Starting with the Class of 2006, PE will be 6 cr./Wellness will be 3 cr.

               

Diplomas                                           

Diplomas will be awarded at HDHS graduation ceremonies to only those students who have met all the state and local requirements for graduation. For students who have been home schooled or those connected with a foreign exchange program, it will be the responsibility of those individuals to provide evidence that our requirements have been met.  Students who have not met all school requirements are not permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony.   Students who attain GED’s or complete schooling through adult education do not participate in the graduation ceremony.

 

Grade Promotion                             

Students must earn enough credits by the end of each year to be promoted to the next grade level.  Completing an approved academic program will normally qualify students for promotion.  However, unsatisfactory work or excessive absences can result in insufficient credit and remaining in the same grade as the previous year. Retained students can catch up with their original class by taking enough credits to meet these minimum requirements either through additional trimester courses, adult education, or summer school.

Below are the minimum credit requirements for grade promotion:

                Grade 10                                18 credits                                                               Grade 11                                36 credits                 

                Grade 12                                54 credits

Grading System                                              

                93 - 100                   A: High Honors

                85 - 92                     B: Honors

                76 - 84                     C: Average

                70 – 75                    D: Passing, but unsatisfactory

                69 - 0                       Failing, credit not awarded

                INC:                       Incomplete

                W/P                       Withdraw/passing

                W/F                       Withdraw/failing

 

Honor Roll                                         

The Hall-Dale High School honor roll is published three times a year to recognize the accomplishments of students who meet high academic standards.  Only trimester grades count towards honor roll. If you receive an incomplete grade, you are not eligible for honor roll status until the incomplete is made up.  Students qualify for honor roll status in one of two categorizes:

 

                High honors:          all grades 93 or above

                Honors:                   all grades 85 or above

 

Incomplete Grades                         

Incomplete grades must be completed within ten (10) school days after the close of the trimester.   At the end of the two week period all incompletes will be replaced with the earned grade at that time. The Director of Guidance must approve all extensions beyond this deadline.  This will be permitted only under extenuating circumstances.

 

Make-up Work                                 

A student must use his/her own initiative in seeing that missed work is made up.  When a student is absent for several days, it is recommended that he/she call a reliable classmate for assignments.  This work must be handed to the teacher upon returning to class or the student should request from the teacher a definite day for the missed work to be completed.  If a student missed a test but has covered the test material before he/she was absent, he/she must take the test when he/she returns to class.  Projects assigned in advance will be handled in the same manner.

 

Extra Help                                          

The Hall-Dale faculty prides itself on being available to any student who asks for extra help.  Students should make arrangements with the teacher to meet at a mutually convenient time.  Teachers are in their classrooms at 7:30 AM – 7:55 AM and 2:25 PM - 2:55 PM to assist individual students (except when meetings conflict - meetings are normally scheduled for Wednesday).

 

Plagiarism & Cheating                  

Cheating and plagiarism (passing off as one’s own the ideas or words of another) will result in a grade of zero for the exam, quiz, or assignment in question.  Further disciplinary action will be taken by the teacher or school administration.

 

Class Rank & Grade Point Average         

Students’ class rank and grade point averages are determined at the end of each year for their first three years and their final class rank and GPA is calculated at the end of the second trimester their senior year. 

Grade point average is calculated each year by multiplying each final course grade earned by the number of credits the course is worth.  These amounts are then totaled and divided by the total number of credits attempted for the year.  Honor courses and Advanced Placement Courses are weighted with a factor of 1.05 to determine grade point average.  All other courses will be weighted at 1.00.  Each year’s average has equal weight in the final average regardless of the number of courses taken in any given year with the exception of the senior year when the average for the year is given a two thirds value.

 

External Credits                                               

Students interested in independent study courses or course offerings outside of Hall-Dale must receive approval in advance from the Principal and the Director of Guidance (see Guidance for contract details).  Students may take up to 9 credits through the external option.

 

Study Hall                                          

Students with free periods are assigned to study halls.  Students are expected to stay in school during study hall time.  Parents may not dismiss their son/daughter from school during study hall time unless he/she has a scheduled appointment or because of illness.

 

Students are encouraged to make maximum use of these periods for individual quiet study, research, guidance appointments, and administrative matters.

 

Pagers, Walkmans, MP3 Players, Laser Pointers

Pagers, walkmans, MP3 players, and laser pointers are not permitted in school.  Any student who is a volunteer for a town/city rescue or fire program must leave pagers with office personnel at the beginning of the day.  Walkmans (including radios, CDs and tape players) are not to be brought to school.  Students needing audio assistance in their classroom or with a project need to consult their teacher or the library.

 

Study Hall Guidelines                  

The following apply to students during study hall:

 

                1.   Students are to report to study hall on time and be                                prepared with sufficient work to occupy an 80 minute                               period.

                2.   A student may leave study hall only with the permission of                               the study hall monitor.

3.   When leaving study hall, you must sign out and note the           time and sign in upon return.

                4.   Students are to be quiet and work in a manner that is not                     distracting to others.

5.   Any student removed from study hall for uncooperative     behavior and sent to the office will receive an administrative detention.

6.   Repeated uncooperative behavior may result in a Saturday detention, suspension, and a parent conference.

7.   No games (cards, board games, or electronics), walkmans, or personal radios are permitted.

8.   If students have completed all assigned work, it is strongly                 recommended they bring materials to read for the remainder of the period.

9.   A student meeting with a specific teacher for extra help will present a pass from that teacher to the study hall monitor before the student is allowed to sign out.  The student will return from the help session with a pass from the teacher.

10.  Any student who signs out for a particular location is expected to be at that location.  Failure to do so may result in loss of sign-out privileges and/or detention.

 

Senior Privileges                             

The senior privileges program at Hall-Dale is a privilege and responsibility offered to members of the senior class only.  Senior privileges apply only to the first and last period class of each day. All students classified as seniors are eligible for senior privileges during the first half of the first trimester.  In order to maintain eligibility, seniors must be passing all classes with a 76 average or better.  Eligibility checks will occur mid trimester and at the end of each trimester.  Reinstatement will follow the same guidelines as stated in the Extracurricular Eligibility Policy. In order to qualify and apply for senior privileges, a senior must have attained fifty-four (54) credits at the end of their junior year.

 

 

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

Membership Criteria

The Hall-Dale High School chapter of the National Honor Society recognizes juniors and seniors who have demonstrated high academic achievement and show evidence of the qualities of leadership, service, scholarship, and character.  Some of the specific criteria of leadership, service, and character are as follow:

     

The student who exercises leadership:

·          proposes new problems, applying principles, and makes    suggestions

·          demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities

·          exercises influence on peers in upholding school ideals

·          contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school

·          is able to delegate responsibilities and is dependable in any

        responsibility accepted

·          inspires positive behavior in others and exemplifies positive     attitudes

·          successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility

·          is a forerunner in the classroom, at work, and in school or    community  activities.

 

The student who serves:

·          is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school     attitude

·          participates in some outside school activity (scouts, church,    etc.)

·          works well with others and is willing to take on difficult or    inconspicuous responsibilities

·          cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service    to the school

·          is willing to represent the class or school in inter-class and    interscholastic competition

·          does committee and staff work without complaint

·          shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students.                                    

         The student of character:

·          takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations    graciously

·          consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior

·          upholds principles of morality and ethics

·          cooperates by complying with all school regulations    concerning  property,  programs, etc.