FPHS Handbook

Welcome to Franklin Pierce High School

Welcome to FPHS! We are glad you have become a Cardinal! “The Cardinal Way” encompasses our core values — Academic Success, Campus Safety, Determination and Community. These values guide all students and staff as to how we behave, treat each other, and keep focused on academics. We strive to ensure every student meets his or her academic goals and graduates with the skills necessary to be successful beyond high school. We have a dedicated and professional staff who are committed to assisting you in making your high school experience enjoyable, successful, and rewarding. This handbook has been developed to inform you of rules and procedures at our school. Knowing our procedures and expectations will help you succeed her at Franklin Pierce High School.

Our long-standing tradition of excellence extends from the classroom to activities and athletics. Thus, we urge each student to take advantage of our excellent academic and co-curricular programs. Your effort, interest, and enthusiasm will enable you to realize your full potential and have a well-rounded high school experience.

Please take time to review this handbook. You are responsible for the information within the student handbook. It is designed to answer many of your questions and help you enjoy a successful year. If you have questions that are not answered, please ask your teachers, counselors or administrators. Move forward the Cardinal Way!

School Information and Schedule

General Academic Information

Cardinal Connections is the program we have designed to support your success throughout high school and the development of your high school and beyond plan over the four years of your high school careers. Each teacher is assigned a grade level team. These Cardinal Connections teams meet every week, primarily to work on tasks related to the development of your portfolios. The portfolio is used in the Student Led conferences and Senior Presentations. Student-led conferences are held every year. Senior Presentations are held during the spring of your senior year, when you will present your completed portfolio to a community panel.

Portfolio: Your portfolio will be your record of the next four years. By the time you graduate, it will include the following: samples of your work (your best work and works that shows how you have improved); grades, test results, four-year plan, transcript and credit checks; your self-assessments about how you’re doing and how you can improve academically; career goals and post-secondary plan; High School & Beyond Plan (a Washington State graduation requirement); a financial plan for your future; a record of your jobs, internships and volunteer service; and honors or awards you’ve received. The completion and presentation of the portfolio is an FPHS graduation requirement. One-quarter (.25) credit will be granted for each school year a student completes all necessary grade-level portfolio requirements.

Semester: Franklin Pierce High School operates on a semester schedule. Students take a given schedule of classes for a period of 18 weeks. If a student successfully completes the class requirements, one-half credit (0.5) is earned. There are two semesters in a year.

Credits: The State Board of Education has established the definition of a credit as a full year of instruction in a course. A one-semester course receives one-half (0.5) credit upon completion. The total number of credits required for graduation depends on a student’s graduating class requirements.

Class Schedule: Students are expected to register for eight (8) classes each semester and to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available at Franklin Pierce High School. Freshmen, sophomores and juniors must take a full schedule of eight (8) classes. All students are assigned to a Cardinal Connections class/advisor.

Choosing Classes: Students and their parents use the Course Description and Planning Guide, published yearly, as a means of exploring the curriculum to select classes that will be the most useful to the individual student. During the spring, students are asked to indicate all the classes they expect to take the next school year. This information is needed to generate a master schedule of classes for the following school year. Please take this process seriously. Your choices determine what classes you will be taking. Be sure to check the prerequisites for each class to insure you will be allowed to register for the course. Selecting a class indicates a commitment to that course. You will be expected to remain in any course you select. If you do not understand a course description, ask your counselor or teacher for further explanation. Be sure you sign up for classes required for graduation.

Changing classes: Student withdrawals from a class may only occur during the first six (6) school days of the semester. A student must remain in the registered class until an official change has been made through counselors and the administration. Failure to attend classes for which a student is officially registered will result in an “F” grade on the transcript.

Withdrawal from Class: A student who drops a class after the tenth (10) instructional day will receive a grade of F in that class.

Grading System: Franklin Pierce Schools has established the following grades and corresponding points to be used by all high schools in the district:

4.0

B+

3.3

C+

2.3

F = 0.0

A-

3.7

3.0

2.0

INC = 0.0

B-

2.7

C-

1.7

P = Pass (a credit but not figured into GPA)

Franklin Pierce Schools utilizes Standards Based Grading, wherein students’ proficiency is assessed in course specific standards. Students may receive the following: 1 = Below Basic, 2 = Basic, 3 = Proficient, 4 = Advanced. Grades are based, in large part, on summative assessments.

Incomplete Grades: Students may be granted a MAXIMUM of 20 days (4 weeks) into the next grading period to make up any class in which they received an INC+. Incompletes that have not been made up within twenty (20) days will AUTOMATICALLY BECOME “F” GRADES.

Athletic Eligibility: A student must have passed seven (7) academic courses (out of a 8-period day) from the previous term and be passing in seven (7) academic courses during the sports season to be eligible to participate in athletics. In addition, the student must maintain a 2.0 grade average during the preceding term and during participation.

Checking grades & assignments: Students and parents will be able to view grades and assignments online through our gradebook program TeacherEase. Students (and parents) will be able to see their teachers’ gradebooks to check on grades, see missing assignments, etc. In order for parents to create a TeacherEase log-in, they must have a current email address listed in Skyward.

Grade reports will be mailed home at both the quarter and semester. This year’s major grading dates are as follows:

1^st Semester	Grading Periods	2^nd Semester
November 4, 2022	End of Quarter	April 7, 2023
January 26, 2023	End of Semester	June 21, 2023

Attendance

Attendance

excused Daily Absence

WAC 392-400-325 STATEWIDE DEFINITION OF EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED DAILY ABSENCES

Absences due to the following reasons must be excused:

· Illness, health condition or medical appointment (including, but not limited to, medical, counseling, dental, optometry, pregnancy, and in-patient or out-patient treatment for chemical dependency or mental health) for the student or person for whom the student is legally responsible;
· Family emergency including, but not limited to, a death or illness in the family;
· Religious or cultural purpose including observance of a religious or cultural holiday or participation in religious or cultural instruction;
· Court, judicial proceeding, court-ordered activity, or jury service;
· Post-secondary, technical school or apprenticeship program visitation, or scholarship interview;
· State-recognized search and rescue activities consistent with RCW 28A.225.055;
· Absence directly related to the student's homeless or foster care/dependency status;
· Absences related to deployment activities of a parent or legal guardian who is an active duty member consistent with RCW 28A.705.010;
· Absences due to suspensions, expulsions or emergency expulsions imposed pursuant to chapter 392-400WAC if the student is not receiving educational services and is not enrolled in qualifying “course of study" activities as defined in WAC 392-121-107;
· Absences due to student safety concerns, including absences related to threats, assaults, or bullying;
· Absences due to a student's migrant status; and
· An approved activity that is consistent with district policy and is mutually agreed upon by the principal or designee and a parent, guardian, or emancipated youth.

Requiring Third-Party Documentation

If a student has missed seven (7) days of school during a school year, our district requires third-party documentation to excuse all future absences, late arrivals, and early dismissals. Qualified third-party documentation includes a note from a doctor, dentist, therapist, psychologist, etc. which lists the specific dates of absence to be excused.

If the parent/guardian cannot take the student to the doctor, the student may go to the school health room. If the school nurse determines that the student is too ill to stay at school, the absence will be excused. If a parent or guardian chooses to take a student home after the school nurse determines the student should stay, the absence will be considered unexcused.

Unexcused Daily Absences

Any absence from school is unexcused unless it meets one of the criteria above for an excused absence. When teachers take attendance and mark a student absent, the student’s attendance record will contain a U for the missed time period.

TARDIES

Tardy Definition: Arrival in class after the class period has begun.

All tardies will be monitored by the attendance office, and consequences for tardies will be immediate. Progressive discipline will apply. Tardies are cumulative. Students may have four (4) tardies in a quarter without consequence; however, discipline will occur with the fifth tardy.

Discipline is as follows:

Tardy 5: Meeting with Admin Intern w/phone call home
Tardies 6-7: Required Homework Center; failure to attend results in automatic conference with Assistant Principal
Tardy 8: Parent conference with Attendance Administrator

DEFINITON OF TRUANCY

Students are considered truant by FPHS when they are either absent from school or class without the knowledge and consent of the parent/guardian, or absent from school or class once arriving on campus without the knowledge and consent of the school.

After 1 unexcused absence within any month (30-day period)	Parent/Guardian notified in writing or by phone
After 3 Unexcused absences within any month (30-day period)	Conference with parent/guardian, student, and administrator. Purpose is to identify barriers and supports/ resources
Between 2 and 5 unexcused absences in a school year.	Washington Assessment of Risks and Needs of Students If the student has an IEP or 504 Plan, the team is required to meet to address absences.
5^th unexcused absence in a month (30-day period)	Community Truancy Board OR File Stay Petition
7th unexcused absence in a month (30- day period)	Truancy Petition filed with Office of Juvenile Court AND Community Truancy Board

Automated Attendance Calls

Unexcused absence calls are made each morning (after periods A2/B6) and each evening (after period A4/B8) to families of students who have missed all periods for that day without excuse.

Rules & Consequences

ALL RULES APPLY TO ALL STUDENTS

On the school grounds or within reasonable proximity to school grounds during and immediately before or after school hours.
On school grounds at any other time when the school is being used by a school group.
Off the school grounds, on school buses, at a school activity, function or event.
Off the school grounds when the prohibited behavior is a consequence of, or directly related to, causes or events which occurred or originated on school grounds.
Whenever the misconduct has a real and substantial relationship to the lawful maintenance and operation of the school district, including the health and safety of students and employees, and what is conducive to the process of learning.

RULES & DEFINITIONS

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Students are not to plagiarize (physically or electronically) by using another person’s ideas in words, artwork, computations, projects, models, etc., and indicating it was their own; use notes, texts, electronic devices, or memory aids during tests when instructed otherwise; theft of test master copies or teacher answer keys; or knowingly allow another person to use their work as if it were the other person’s work. Electronically refers to the use of the Internet or other computer-accessed digital reference sources. Any violations of academic dishonesty will be subject to disciplinary action.

ASSAULT: A student shall not physically attack another person.

CLOSED CAMPUS: Students shall remain on school ground from scheduled time of arrival to departure, unless officially excused or dismissed. Students are not to remain at school after normal dismissal time unless they are participating in a schedule activity or under teacher or school supervision.

Any student leaving the high school campus between 8:15 am and 2:45 pm must have permission from a parent or guardian and must sign out through the attendance office (for more information on early dismissals, see page 16). Students who leave the campus during the school day without permission are considered to be in violation of the closed campus rule and will be searched by security and/or administration. Student and staff parking lots and behind 1300, 1700 and the gym are considered off campus during school hours.

CRIMINAL ACTS: The following actions are among those defined as criminal under the laws of Washington State or Pierce County:

a) Arson — the intentional setting of fire

b) Bomb Threats — telephone or otherwise

c) Extortion, Blackmail or Coercion — obtaining money or property by violence or threat of violence

or forcing someone to do something against his or her will by force or threat of force

d) Fire Alarms — any false fire alarms (mechanical or voice)

e) Fire Extinguisher — tampering with fire extinguishers

f) Trespass — being present in an unauthorized place or refusing to leave when ordered to do so

g) Unlawful Interference with School Authorities — interfering with administrators, teachers or other school staff (employee or volunteer) by force, violence, intimidation or threat

h) Any other act which violates any State or Pierce County law (under FPS policy 3241P 2.5 or WA

state law RCW Title 9).

DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY: If a student injures or defaces property belonging to a school, contractor, employee or another student, restitution may be required.

DRESS AND APPEARANCE: Students are encouraged to observe modesty, appropriateness and neatness in clothing and personal appearance. Students may express individuality in their dress and grooming, within reasonable bounds. Students are not appropriately dressed or groomed if their appearance causes a disruption for themselves or to others, or if their appearance presents a health or safety concern.

Social or secret clubs and/or gangs are prohibited in Franklin Pierce Schools. In keeping with this policy, students shall not be permitted to wear clothing, insignia or markings that identify them as members of such organizations, or any combination of apparel that law enforcement agencies currently consider to be gang related (which is subject to change).
Students are not permitted to wear clothes, belts, hats, pins, buttons, patches, other insignia, or any other article of clothing that is profane, lewd, or would cause disruption or interference with school operation.
Students are not allowed to wear clothes, belts, hats, pins, patches, buttons or any other article of clothing that advertises alcohol, tobacco products, weapons and/or illegal drugs.
Students shall not wear anything that bares or exposes traditionally private parts of the body including, but not limited to, the buttocks and/or breasts.
Students shall be required to wear shoes, except as specified in certain school activities.
Teachers have the right to establish specific dress expectations during class time (i.e. hats, hoods, sunglasses, etc.) These expectations are stated in every teacher’s syllabus/classroom management plan.
Students are not allowed to display bandanas in a fashion that would suggest gang activity at school or school activities.
Students are not allowed to wear clothing displaying the confederate flag, Nazi swastika, or any symbols or language that may be considered offensive or negatively target other individuals or groups.
Acceptable dress and appearance for students is that which does not endanger their health or safety, is not offensive to others, and is not disruptive or detrimental to the educational process.

Students not complying with the above standards of dress and appearance will be asked to change clothes or remain in the office for the remainder of the school day or shall be sent home from school until the matter is corrected. School discipline will apply to repeat offenders (see Consequence chart for more details). The decision to send a pupil home for such reasons will be made by the principal, assistant principal, or designee.

DRUG/ALCOHOL/PARAPHERNALIA POSSESSION; USE, SALE, DISTRIBUTION, TRADE AND/OR TRANSFER: A student shall not possess paraphernalia, be under the influence of, nor sell, distribute, trade or transfer alcoholic beverages, illegal and/or other mind-altering drugs or substances.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES & ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES: Our expectation at Franklin Pierce High School is that students personal electronic devices, such as cell phones, personal video games, laser pointers, headphones, are silenced, out of sight, and put away at all times during class – unless explicitly directed by the teacher. We know that personal technology can be an asset for students and learning, but it can also be a distraction. We want to ensure the learning environment at Franklin Pierce High School is conducive to deep thinking and a rigorous learning environment.

Music, games, video, and cell phones should be turned off during class time. Headphones and earbuds should not be worn during class and should be put away. Students are allowed to use their devices during lunch, between classes during passing period, and as directed by classroom and teacher policy. External Bluetooth speakers are not allowed on campus at any time and should not be used during passing periods or lunch.

In order to promote student safety and privacy, students are not permitted to use cell phones to take pictures or video in locker rooms, restrooms, or any location where privacy would be expected at any time for any reason. Students that do so will face disciplinary consequences and may be referred to Law Enforcement.

Disciplinary action may also be taken in situations where students use the internet, social media, or personal technology such as computers, smart phones, or other electronic devices — on or off school grounds — to engage in acts that create a hostile environment for staff or students, or when such actions are disruptive to the school environment. These actions include, but are not limited to, bullying, harassment, racist remarks or comments, intimidation, sexting, gang related behavior, threats of violence or harm, extortion or disruptive conduct using text messages, social media websites, gaming platforms/systems, email of other methods.

Students in possession of cell phones or other personal electronic devices, while on school property or while attending school sponsored or school related activities will observe the following conditions:

Students will not use electronic devices to harass other students or staff, to bully other students, or to disrupt the educational process, including, but not limited to, posing a threat to academic integrity or violating confidentiality or privacy right of another individual.
Students will not send, share, view, or possess pictures, text messages, emails, or other material depicting sexually explicit content, as defined in RCW 9.68A.011, or other pornographic material, in electronic or any other form on a cell phone or other electronic devices, while the student is on school grounds, at school-sponsored events or on buses or vehicles provided by the district.
Students are responsible for devices they bring to school. The district will not be responsible for loss, theft, or damage/destruction of devices brought onto school property or to school-sponsored events.

Parents and/or guardians can contact that main office at any time if there are questions and/or concerns about the electronic device policy at 253-298-3800.

FAILURE TO PURSUE COURSE OF STUDY: Students who fail to make a reasonable minimum effort in course work will be referred to the counselor and principal. The parents of those students will be contacted to help solve problems and encourage their students to engage in their work, and the students may be placed in an alternate setting to complete work. Continued refusal to work will be considered non-compliance, subject to discipline.

FIGHTING OR CAUSING PHYSICAL INJURY: A student shall not intentionally cause or attempt to cause physical injury or intentionally behave in such a way as could reasonably cause physical injury to any person.

FIGHTING—SUPPORTING: Students shall not move to view or watch a fight, congregate around to view or watch a fight, verbally support, promote/advertise a pending fight, encourage students who are fighting, or videotape a fight. Placing a video of students fighting on a social media site will be subject to immediate discipline.

FORGERY: Students will not sign another person’s name to any paper, absence note or other school document which requires an official signature.

GANG ACTIVITY: A student shall not knowingly engage in gang activity on school grounds. A gang is defined as a group of three or more people with identifiable leadership which, on an ongoing basis, regularly conspires and acts in concert mainly for criminal purposes.

HARRASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, OR BULLYING: Any intentional written, verbal or physical act, including, but not limited to, one shown to be motivate by any characteristic in RCW 9A.36.080 (3) (race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or mental or physical disability) or other distinguishing characteristics is strictly forbidden, when the act: (a) physically harms a students or damages the student’s property; or (b) has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; or (c) is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening environment; or (d) has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school. Harassment, intimidation and bullying complaints are taken very seriously. There are complaint forms available in every classroom and office throughout the building and completed forms can be turned in to any adult.

LITTERING: Littering or the willful discarding of pop cans, food containers, candy wrappers, etc., onto floors, grounds or other surfaces instead of into garbage cans will not be tolerated and will result in community service at the discretion of administration.

NON-COMPLIANCE: All students must follow the direct instructions of every staff member. When a staff member makes a reasonable request to ensure the safety of students, to keep the learning environment intact, or to have a student follow a school rule, the student must comply and follow the request. Students who understand the request and refuse to follow it will be considered non-compliant.

PERSONAL PROTECTION SPRAY DEVICES: Possession at school or at school-sponsored activities of a personal protection spray device is permissible by students 14 to 17 years of age only if they have the permission of their parent or guardian. Students ages 18 or over may possess a personal protection spray device without permission of a parent or guardian. Possession of such a device by a student under the age of 14 is not permitted.

A student in possession of a personal protection spray device assumes responsibility for its control. To help minimize the risk of accidental discharge, unauthorized use, theft and/or disruption, a student is expected to keep the device out of sight in a purse, backpack, etc., during the school day.

Unauthorized possession of a personal protection spray device and/or use of such a device for any purpose other than its intent of protection from personal attack is not permitted.

PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION: Students may not show overt public displays of affection during the school day or at any school event. Kissing, extended hugging, sitting on laps, groping, etc., are prohibited.

REQUIREMENTS TO IDENTIFY SELF: All persons must, upon request, identify themselves by name to any school district personnel or authorities in the school building, on or adjacent to school grounds, at school-sponsored events or on school buses.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT: Any unwanted sexual attention which makes a student uncomfortable or interferes with his or her educational opportunities or ability to do work. More specifically, sexual harassment includes any unwanted sexual attention, both verbal and nonverbal. Be aware that sexual harassment may be treated as a criminal act.

Every report of sexual harassment will be investigated in a sensitive manner. In determining whether the alleged conduct constitutes sexual harassment or the more severe sexual misconduct, the totality of the circumstances, the nature of the harassment and the context in which the alleged incidents occurred will be investigated.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT: Any exploitive act with or to another student including, but not limited to the following: handling or touching the clothing of others to cause an exposure, indecent exposure as defined in RCW 9A.88.010, sexual contact, i.e., intentional touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of a student. Sexual misconduct may be treated as a criminal act.

Sexual misconduct will be investigated in a sensitive manner. In determining whether the alleged conduct constitutes sexual misconduct, the totality of the circumstances, the nature of the conduct and the context in which the alleged incidents occurred will be investigated.

SLURS, PROFANITY OR VULGARITY: Racial, ethnic or religious slurs and profane, vulgar or lewd language are not allowed.

THEFT/POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY: A student shall not steal school or personal property. Nor shall a student be in possession of stolen school property or stolen personal property. Students who have had items stolen should report the theft to the head of security, who will make reports to the School Resource Office. The school is not responsible for stolen personal property.

THREATENING: A student cannot verbally or physically threaten harm to another student. This includes verbal arguments that include invitations to fight, as well as electronic communications. Any threat of violence or harm that creates fear of physical harm to a specific individual or an intent to cause damage to a school building or property, or to harm students, employees, volunteers, patrons, or visitors is forbidden.

TOBACCO PRODUCTS: The district prohibits the use and/or possession of tobacco products. Electronic cigarettes and vapes will be considered a tobacco product and are prohibited as well.

USE OF MOTOR VEHICLES: any student driving a motor vehicle to school must register the vehicle with the school and purchase a parking permit. Students driving vehicles to school must comply with all provisions governing the use of motor vehicles in the state of Washington.

All student vehicles must be parked in the southwest parking lot, adjacent to 112th Street to the side of buildings 12 & 13, and vehicles should not be entered during the school day without written permission from the principal or his designee.

Vehicle speed in FP parking lots should not exceed 5 mph. Students may not transport other students off campus during the school day. Automobiles should be locked while parked. The school assumes no responsibility for damage or theft while cars are parked in the lot.

All student vehicles parked on the FPHS campus may be subject to search if school authorities have a reasonable cause to do so (for more on student searches, see page 29).

VERBAL AGRESSION: any kind of verbal transaction involving threatening to harm another individual or inviting a fight.

WEAPONS AND INSTRUMENTS: A student shall not knowingly possess, handle or transmit any object that can reasonably be considered a weapon or instrument that may create a danger to self or others, or cause a disruption of the learning environment. This rule applies to any object of no reasonable use to the pupil at school.

In accordance with RCW 9.41.280, it is unlawful for a person to carry onto public or private elementary or secondary school premises, school-provided transportation or areas of facilities while being used exclusively by public or private schools:

a) Any firearm, or instrument that appears to be a firearm, in a threatening or dangerous manner; or

b) Any dangerous weapon as defined in RCW 9.41.250, such as but not limited to, sling shot, sand

club, metal knuckles, spring blade knife or pocketknife capable of inflicting serious bodily harm; or

c) Any device commonly known as “nunchucks” consisting of two or more lengths of wood, metal,

plastic or similar substance connected with wire, rope or other means; or

d) Any device commonly known as “throwing stars,” which are multi-pointed, metal objects designed

to embed upon impact from any aspect; or

e) Any air gun, including any air pistol or air rifle, designed to propel a BB, pellet, or other

projectile by the discharge of compressed air, carbon dioxide or other gas; or

f) Ammunition or explosive devices; or

g) Any object used in a threatening manner and/or used as a weapon, which could reasonably be

perceived, given the circumstances, as having the ability to cause bodily harm even though not

commonly thought of as a deadly or dangerous weapon, such as a starter pistol, flare gun, laser

device, cayenne pepper, ice pick, elongated scissors, or straight razor.

Any violation of a – g above by elementary or secondary school students constitutes grounds for expulsion from the state’s public schools in accordance with RCW 28A.600.101. However, any violation of a by an elementary or secondary school students shall result in expulsion for not less than one year under RCW 28A.600.101. An appropriate school authority shall promptly notify law enforcement and the student’s parent or guardian regarding any allegation or indication of such violation.

At FPHS the following procedures & rules are also observed:

ACCIDENTS: Every accident in the school building, on the school grounds, at practice sessions or at any activity event sponsored by the school must be reported immediately to the person in charge and to the school office.

BATHROOMS: All students deserve the use of clean and controlled bathrooms. The condition of these facilities is largely dependent on the cooperative attitudes of those who use them. In order to be fair to all individuals, there is to be no loitering, socializing or grouping together in these rooms, which tends to restrict their use by other students.

CAFETERIA & COMMONS: Cooperation of all students in keeping the cafeteria & Commons clean and orderly is essential. Leaving a mess on the tables or floor will result in after school cleaning assignments and/or loss of cafeteria privileges. Throwing food or other willful acts of disruption will result in after school clean up assignments or other school discipline.

FINES: Students who owe fines may not participate in extracurricular activities such as dances, nor will they be allowed to purchase extracurricular supplies and materials (for example, yearbooks, T-shirts, CDs and so on), until all items listed on their fine statements have been paid for or returned to the school. Official transcripts and diplomas may also be held until fines are settled. The financial coordinator does not have the authority to dismiss fines; therefore, fine disputes must be taken up with the person who assessed the fine.

HALLWAYS: Students are asked to exhibit mature judgment and good taste regarding conduct in the hallways and breezeways. Rowdy behavior cannot be tolerated, and overt displays of affection are embarrassing and disconcerting to others. Mutual respect among students in hallways and about the campus contributes to a sense of pride and respect for the school in general.

Students are required to have hall passes any time they are in the hall during class time. During lunch, students are not to be in hallways of buildings. Lunches will be served in the kitchen. Lunch may be eaten in the cafeteria, student commons or courtyard. Eating in the courtyard is subject to students keeping it free from litter, and when it is not kept clean, the privilege of eating in the courtyard will be suspended. All other areas of campus are off limits during lunches.

HEALTH ROOM: Students who are ill should request a hall pass from the teacher for admittance to the health center. Minor first aid may be accomplished between classes and emergencies should report directly at any time.

LOST & FOUND: Unclaimed items found by students around the school may be turned in to the main office. Items will be held in the main office for not less than one month, after which unclaimed items may be donated to charity.

If a student believes he or she has lost something at school, it is the student’s responsibility to come to the office to report the loss and check the Lost & found. A student wishing to check the Lost & Found will be asked to identify the lost object by accurately describing it to a staff member, who will then check the Lost & Found storage.

Lost & Found items will only be returned to the owner of the item. If the owner has not claimed the item within a month, the item may be donated.

MATERIALS PUBLICATION & DISTRIBUTION: Students are entitled to express in writing their personal opinions. The distribution of such materials shall not interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Such written expressions must be signed by the authors.

Students who edit, publish or distribute handwritten, printed or duplicated matter among their fellow students within the school must assume responsibility for the content of such publication.

Libel, obscenity, lewdness, vulgarity, profanity and personal attacks are prohibited in all publications.

All publications intended to be distributed on school property must be submitted first to the building principal for approval and regulation regarding time, place and manner.

Commercial solicitation will not be allowed on school property at any time unless authorized by the building principal.

LOCKERS: It is high recommended that students sign up for a hall locker with the bookkeeper. Lockers are for your protection and the only person who should know the combination is you. Students are responsible for the care of lockers and locks. There should be reasonable cause for a search by school authorities of an individual locker, but a general locker inspection may be held at any time. Any changes of a locker must be cleared through the bookkeeper’s office. If your locker does not operate correctly, you should report the situation to the bookkeeper or the main office immediately.

Students are responsible for keeping their PE lockers locked at all times. Loss of items left unsecured or in unlocked lockers will not be investigated.

No student may use a locker, desk, or storage area as a depository for any substance or object which is prohibited by law or school rules, or which poses a threat to the health, safety or welfare of the occupants of the school building or the building itself.

ON/OFF CAMPUS EVENTS: Students are not to leave the building, athletic fields or grounds during dances, games or any school activity and ask for readmission to these activities. Misbehavior or rules violations at school-related, co-curricular or after school activities may result in school disciplines, including suspension from participation in after school activities for a specified period of time.

OUT OF DISTRICT STUDENTS: Students accepted at FPHS from outside our district or catchment area must maintain good attendance, behavior and grades in order to continue attending FP.

RIDING SCHOOL BUSES: Students shall observe all appropriate school rules while riding buses. Students riding the 5 pm activity bus will be required to present a pass.

SCHOOL DANCES: Various social activities, such as dances, are planned periodically throughout the school year. Generally, these activities are for the members of the Franklin Pierce High School student body only. For some dances approved guests will be admitted with a pre-arranged guest obtained from the office. Hosts must enter the dance with their guest and will be held responsible for the behavior of their guest.

The behavior standards that apply during the school day also apply at dances. The expectation is that students display appropriate behavior while at dances, either on the school premises or at off-campus locations. Inappropriate behavior is detailed in the Franklin Pierce High School Dance Expectation Form, which must be signed yearly by both student and parent prior to the purchase of dance tickets. The Dance Expectation Form is one of several forms provided for signature at the beginning of every school year, and completed forms are kept on file for one year by the bookkeeper. A student’s first violation of the schools’ dance expectations will be grounds for removal from the dance.

Students are also expected to dress appropriately. The dress code applies to school dances, and students may be required to fix dress code violations prior to being allowed into the dance.

All dances begin at 7 pm, and there will be no admittance after 8:15 pm. Dances end at 10 pm.

SPEECH AND ASSEMBLY: Students are encouraged to verbally express their personal opinions in such a manner and at such times as does not disrupt or interfere with the educational process or with the freedom of others to express themselves. The use of obscenities, lewdness, vulgarity, profanity or personal attacks is prohibited. All student meetings on school property may function only as scheduled and regulated by school authorities.

STUDENT SEARCHES: All students possess the right to be secure in their persons, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures. However, to maintain order and ensure that school policies and procedures are followed, school officials are authorized to conduct searches when a reasonable cause exists.

Reasonable Cause: Reasonable Cause exists when school employees have information, evidence or reason to believe that a student has or is violating a school rule, or that the student possesses contraband of other material that is or has the potential of being harmful to the school environment or school property.

Motor Vehicles: Motor vehicles driven by students and parked on or immediately adjacent to school property during regular school hours or during school events are subject to being searched when school officials have reasonable cause to do so.

General Searches: School officials may do general searches of lockers or desks for purposes including but not limited to safety, cleanliness, retrieval of school material or violation of school rules. Such general searches shall not include personal items stored in lockers or desks such as clothing, bags or purses unless a reasonable cause exists. General searches of lockers or desks may also be conducted in situations such as a bomb threat, drugs or loss of school materials.

Physical Searches of Students: A limited physical search of a student or the student’s personal effects may be conducted when there is reasonable cause to do so. In such instances, a minimum of two school officials must be present of whom at least one must be the same sex as the students.

School officials are forbidden to conduct any type of “strip search” in which a student’s private body parts would be exposed or in which removal or rearrangement of clothing would expose the student’s undergarments.

Failure to permit searches and seizures as provided in this policy will be grounds for short term suspension, and law enforcement agencies may be contacted when appropriate.

Further information regarding searches and seizures is available in School District Policy No. 3230 and Procedure 3230P: Student Privacy and Searches.

VISITORS: All visitors to school buildings and grounds are to be authorized through the principal’s office only. Non-students who do not have a valid reason to be on campus will be requested to leave. If they refuse, enforcement of the request will be asked of police authorities. Parents are encouraged to visit the schools; however, they should check with the school’s principal before visiting classes (Policy 4200, 4200P). In an effort to maintain a safe campus, the policy of allowing student visitors has been discontinued.

Academic Supports

LEARNING LAB

(Mon/Fri during the Advisory block)

Learning Lab Options

Guided Learning
Choice Learning

All students remain in their Advisory class for Guided Learning Lab unless they:

Need to make up an incomplete course from previous term (first 20 days of semester only) and have a note to work with another teacher.
Earned Choice Learning at the time of the monthly school-wide grade check (passing all classes).
Have a note from another teacher to work with him/her during Learning Lab on a specific assignment/assessment.

Guided Learning Lab

All students stay with their Advisory teacher.
This is an opportunity for students to work on assignments, missing work, study for exams, complete assessments, etc. All normal school expectations apply. All students should be focused and on task. This is not “free time.” This is guided learning time and an opportunity during the school day to get caught up or get ahead.
Advisory teachers should regularly run a grade report for their Advisory students to help guide and direct them toward passing all of their classes.
Students may be allowed to go to other teacher’s classrooms if necessary to make up assessments and/or get help if they have a pass from the requesting teacher in advance.
Receiving teachers should notify the sending teacher (Advisor) in advance via email or written pass with the student before the Learning Lab occurs.
The student will stay with the requesting teacher for the entire Learning Lab time. If the student doesn’t show up, the teacher will notify the sending teacher as soon as possible.
Students not coming to Learning Lab with materials or refusing to meet expectations should receive normal Tier 1 interventions and then receive an ODR, if necessary.

Choice Learning

Students passing all classes at the time of the monthly school-wide grade checks (last Thursday of each month) will earn Choice Learning for the following month. Please, encourage this as an incentive and reward to students. Choice Learning lists will be provided monthly after the school-wide grade check.
Choice Learning may be revoked by the Advisor if a student is failing multiple courses during the month or Guided Learning is required for another reason.
Students who have earned Choice Learning should check in first with their Advisor for attendance and then report to the cafeteria for Choice Learning. Choice Learning will be supervised by the Support Team.

ASSESSMENT CENTER

The Assessment Center is available daily after school in room 901 from 3pm to 4pm. The Assessment Center is supervised by the Support Team. Students can make appointments for assessments and must coordinate with their teachers in advance. If a student is taking the Activity Bus home, s/he must report to the HW Center after s/he finishes in the Assessment Center.

HOMEWORK CENTER

The Homework Center is available in the library after school daily until 4:45pm. The HW Center is supervised by the Support Team. Students must come prepared with assignments and materials. Inappropriate behavior will result in removal from the HW Center and a Behavior Referral. Students must report to the HW Center no later than 10 minutes after the final dismissal bell. If students are riding the activity bus, they must remain in the HW Center for the entire time and receive a pass for the bus from the HW Center supervisor.

FPS Student Rights and Responsibilities

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