CLASS CUTTING

• Students will be considered absent for any class in which a cut is confirm.  

• Studentsare not entitled to make-up opportunities as a result of class cutting or truancy.

• Three (3) cuts in a full-year course or two (2) cuts in a semester course will result in removal from the course with no credit earned for the class.

• Students removed from a class will be assigned to a study hall.

• Because of the rules governing summer school, students who are removed from a course for excessive cutting are not eligible to make it up in summer school.

LEAVING SCHOOL WITHOUT PERMISSION

Any student who leaves the school building or school grounds without permission will be assigned to Saturday detention on the first offense. This includes students who want to go to their cars to retrieve a lunch or homework. All students must have permission to leave the building for any reason.  Permission to leave the building can be requested at the Attendance Office or with the student's vice principal.  Students who feel ill must report to the nurse, who will make arrangements for the student to go home, if necessary.

Note:  Students with parking privileges may face additional consequences in keeping with the requirements outlined in the parking contract.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

The use of electronic devices, including cell phones/smart phones, laptop computers, tablets, e-readers, etc., can provide unique and important access to educational resources during the school day and assist in the effective management of school work.

The use of the district’s 1:1 device (Chromebook) provides unique and important access to educational resources during the school day and assists in the effective management of school work.  Students are expected to manage the use of this device responsibly in accordance with the student code of conduct and the acceptable use policy of HTPS (Board of Education Policy- 5516) for educational purposes only and at the direction and discretion of the supervising staff members at all times. Additional guidelines for specific types of devices are outlined below. Misuse of such equipment in any manner that is disruptive or distracting to the learning environment may result in immediate confiscation of the device and referral to the administration for disciplinary action that may include suspension of this privilege or other consequences in keeping with the school’s code of conduct.

Failure to surrender a device upon request of a staff member is considered an act of insubordination and will result in Saturday detention, although stronger consequences may be assigned depending upon the nature of the incident itself. Confiscated items will only be returned to the child’s parent or guardian who may retrieve the item during school hours (7:00 AM – 3:00 PM). Students who are 18 years old or older may claim their devices from their vice principals no sooner than dismissal time on the day in which the device was taken, with the express permission of the vice principal. Repeat offenses will result in additional disciplinary consequences.

Use of any device to intentionally cause emotional harm, to discredit another person, or to harass, intimidate, or bully someone is strictly prohibited. Strict consequences will be imposed for hurtful behavior in accordance with the school’s code of conduct and the law on harassment, intimidation, and bullying. Students are also reminded that electronic devices cannot be used to transmit or store inappropriate images (nudity, etc.) of minors and that doing so may constitute possession or distribution of child pornography, an illegal act with harsh penalties and lifelong repercussions. In addition, audio or video recording or taking pictures without the knowledge and permission of all involved is prohibited and potentially illegal.

Personal Responsibility in Protecting Belongings and Guarding Against Theft

Students are encouraged to take extra care in securing these valuable items in locked lockers or keeping these items on one’s person at all times to proactively avoid an opportunity to have the devices stolen or damaged. While every effort is made to keep the building free from theft, items such as these are often lost or stolen. If students wish to have these items at school, please be aware that they do so at their own risk. Hillsborough High School will not be held responsible for any items that are lost, stolen, or damaged.

Etiquette

Often, a person using an electronic device becomes somewhat oblivious to what is happening around him/her. When using any electronic devices in the school building, students are reminded to be polite, cognizant of their surroundings, and safe at all times. Phone conversations should be quiet enough not to disturb others. Care should be taken when moving through the building so that you do not cause injury to self or others or cause a delay to the normal traffic patterns in the building. Passing time is limited so it is important to keep the hallways moving freely. While in the classroom, electronic devices should be used only for educational purposes, and it is critical that one person’s use of a device does not inhibit the learning environment for other students or the teacher’s ability to teach without interruption.

Additional guidelines for the use of electronic devices in school are as follows:

Cell Phones/Smart Phones/iPods/Smart Watches/MP3 Players/Portable Game Devices/ Ear buds and other personal electronic devices

All cell phones/smart phones and other personal devices are to be silenced during the school day (7:30 AM–2:25 PM). Students are permitted to use phones for making calls and texting during passing time, lunch and study hall. Phone use must comply with appropriate student code of conduct and must not disrupt or distract from the school learning environment.

All classroom teachers will have specific rules regarding cell phones. Cell phones are NOT to be accessible to students in any class during the class period (including restroom access). Violations of the cell phone policy will result progressive disciplinary consequences.

Chromebooks

Students are expected to use the district’s portable computing device for instructional purposes during class time and to act in accordance with the directions of the supervising staff member at all times. The use of the computing devices during lunch periods and study hall is at the discretion of the supervising staff member.

 Use of any other technology devices requests will need expressed permission by high school administration. 

STUDENT DRESS CODE

 Careful selection in the choice of clothing and proper grooming set the tone for a good high school. Although it is not within the province of the school to dictate styles, it is our responsibility to strive for an appropriate learning atmosphere. Anything which might distract from that must, in fairness to all, be discouraged. In an effort to assist our students and their parents, the school has established the following dress code, to which all students are expected to abide:

Allowable Dress & Grooming
 
-Students must wear clothing including both a shirt with pants or skirt, or the equivalent, and footwear.
-Shirts and dresses must have fabric in the front and on the sides.
-Clothing must cover undergarments and waistbands (excluding bra straps).
-Fabric covering all private parts must not be see through.
-Hats and other headwear must allow the face to be visible and not interfere with the line of sight to any student or staff. Hoodies must allow the student’s face and ears to be visible to staff.
-Clothing must be suitable for all scheduled classroom activities including physical education, science labs, wood shop, and other activities where unique hazards exist.
-Specialized courses may require specialized attire, such as sports uniforms or safety gear.


Non-Allowed Dress & Grooming
-Clothing may not depict, advertise or advocate the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or other controlled substances.
-Clothing may not depict pornography, nudity or sexual acts.
-Clothing may not use or depict hate speech targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation or any other protected groups.
-Clothing, including gang identifiers, must not threaten the health or safety of any other student or staff.
-If the student’s attire or grooming threatens the health or safety of any other person, then discipline for dress or grooming violations should be consistent with discipline policies for similar violations.
-Although hats may be worn in school, they must be removed upon teacher request and during tests/exams.

Procedures for Dress Code Violations
- The student will be discreetly referred to the office as soon as possible.
- The administrator will explain the inappropriateness of the student’s attire.
- The parent/guardian will be contacted and given an explanation of the violation.
- The student will be allowed to change clothes if clothing is available.
- The student will not be permitted to return to class until the inappropriateness is remedied.
- Subsequent offenses will result in progressive disciplinary interventions. 

IDENTIFICATION CARDS

Students are issued ID cards within the first month of school. They are expected to have these cards with them each day that they come to school. Students must present their ID cards to their classroom teachers when requesting permission to leave the room for any reason. If unable to produce the ID card, permission to leave will not be granted. In an emergency, an administrator will be contacted.

These cards can be used when students report for SAT testing, among other uses. Students should also have ID cards when attending any school activity and to gain admission to all school dances. For those who choose to do so, ID cards can be utilized for the prepayment (debit card) cafeteria program run by the food services provider.

Students must present ID cards when asked to do so by a staff member. Students who cannot produce the card upon request will be assigned and Administrative Warning.  Students who refuse to produce the card and/or display defiance will be deemed insubordinate and assigned to Saturday detention or suspension.  There is a $5.00 charge for replacement ID cards.

DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR
Students who, because of negative behavior, impede the progress of class are to be considered disruptive. There is no excuse for depriving classmates of the right to an education. Therefore, students referred to the office for disruptive behavior will be assigned Saturday detention. If the problem continues, the student will again be referred to the office and assigned In-School suspension for that class for three days. If the behavior continues, the student will then be WITHDRAWN FROM THE CLASS WITH NO CREDIT.  Because of the rules governing summer school, students who are removed from a course are not eligible to make it up in summer school.

SMOKING

Smoking/Vaping and chewing tobacco are prohibited for all persons on school grounds, in school vehicles, and in school athletic stadiums. Smoking is defined as “the burning of, inhaling of, exhaling the smoke from, or the possession of a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or any other matter or substance which contains tobacco or any other matter that can be smoked, or the inhaling or exhaling of smoke or vapor from an electronic smoking device” (N.J.S.A. 26:3D-57).  Any student seen with a cigarette, electronic/vaping device, cigar, cigarillo, pipe, chewing tobacco, snus, snuff or cigarette lighter on his/her person whether lit or not, including inhaling or exhaling smoke from a device which contains tobacco or any other matter shall be in violation of the Student Smoking Policy Board of Education Policy – 5533 of the school district, and the State of New Jersey (New Jersey Public Law, 1981, Chapter 320, Smoking in Institutions Providing Education or Training). Further, any student who attempts to impede the enforcement of the policy by serving as a “lookout” for violators or in any way hinders enforcement, will also be subject to disciplinary consequences including Saturday detention or suspension.

Consequences for smoking/vaping, possession of vaping paraphernalia and tobacco products:

• Any student smoking/vaping, seen with or in possession of tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices or their cartridges/oils/waxes/chargers or other components, and/or smoking/vaping while on school grounds will be subject to a three (3) day in-school suspension and, where permissible by statute, will have a complaint filed against them with the municipal court. 

• Violators are subject to fines of not less than $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second offense, and $1000 for each subsequent offense (N.J.S.A. 26:3D-62(b).  

• Also, since the contents of an electronic smoking device cannot be determined through casual observation or easily tested to determine if the contents are tobacco or controlled dangerous substances, students in possession of electronic smoking devices/components may also be considered under suspicion of being under the influence of drugs while at school as would a student in possession of anything that would constitute drug paraphernalia. Therefore, the school may contact a parent/guardian, who must immediately take the student for a drug screen and physician’s clearance. 

• A positive screen or verified possession of drugs/alcohol will result in five (5) days of in-school suspension for a first offense (ten (10) days for each subsequent offense), five (5) mandatory drug counseling sessions with an HHS Student Assistance Counselor, as well as loss of parking privileges / ineligibility for all school activities for a minimum of 30 days pending completion of the required counseling sessions. Should a student test positive for a controlled dangerous substance or be in possession of verified drugs/paraphernalia, the suspension for that offense will replace the lesser suspension for a smoking violation, although a municipal complaint will still be filed with the potential for escalation to criminal charges as a drug offense.

FIGHTING

Students are subject to suspension or expulsion from school for a physical assault upon another student,  teacher, or any other employee of the Board of Education. This liability includes threats of violence directed toward another member of the school community. Students who commit such acts of violence run the risk of criminal charges being brought against them. They and/or their parents could be sued in a court of law by the victim of an assault.

Any student involved in a fight will face a minimum three (3) day suspension, and the incident will be referred to the police. If any staff member is hurt while attempting to stop a fight, depending on the circumstances involved, a more serious penalty will be imposed.

SATURDAY DETENTION

Saturday detention is held for three (3) hours on Saturday mornings from 9:00 to 12:00 and may be assigned for a variety of serious disciplinary infractions.

SATURDAY DETENTION RULES

1. The detention must be served on the assigned Saturday.

2. Students must arrive on time. Detention starts at 9am and ends at 12pm.

3.  Students must bring sufficient school work or appropriate reading materials to occupy three hours.

4. Students are not permitted to communicate with each other, listen to music, snack, sleep, or use any non-school issued electronic devices.

5. Chromebooks may only be used for school work and will be allowed at the discretion of the proctor.

 Students who do not comply with Rules 2 and 3 will not be admitted to Saturday detention. Students who break Rule 4 will be dismissed from the detention and their parents notified immediately.
Students who fail to satisfactorily complete the assigned Saturday detention will report to school on the next regular school day. Students will then be assigned two (2) days of in-school suspension, as well as a makeup Saturday detention.

In either case, a two-day in-school suspension, parent notification, and a subsequent Saturday detention makeup will be required.

A maximum of three Saturday detentions will be assigned per student per year. Subsequent violations will result in being assigned to in-school suspension.