INTRODUCTION

Roxbury Central School has again planned for a nine (9) period day for the 2004-05 school year. School will operate on a five day schedule.

School policy manuals are available for parents and students for reference in the Superintendent’s office.

Problems - Questions - Who to see - Where - When

If a student or adult is annoying or harassing you - informal reporting begins with the Teacher, Guidance Counselor, Psychologist, Nurse, Principal. Formal complaints occur at the Superintendent’s Office.

STUDENTS RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

All students at Roxbury Central School will:

1. Be on time.

2. Be prepared for class.

3. Respect the rights of others.

4. Take responsibility for keeping a safe and clean environment in their school.

5. Respect the authority of teachers and staff.

All students have the right to:

6. A free and appropriate education.

7. Personal health and safety.

8. Due process.

9. Confidentiality.

10. Participate in school clubs and organizations (subject to eligibility).

May school officials search student lockers?

Student lockers, desks and other such storage spaces remain the exclusive property of Roxbury Central School, and students have no expectation of privacy with respect to these areas.

(NYSBA School Law Section 12:88)

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is taken at 8:19 a.m. in the first period class. A student must be in his/her first period class by 8:19 a.m. No student should be in the classroom prior to 8:00 a.m.

Notice is made to the health office of any pupil not present in any class at the beginning of each period as expected. A student is to report to his/her assigned class or study hall before going to the office, nurse, library, locker, etc. and receive permission to leave first, so he/she will not be marked late. Students who stop at the bathroom between classes must be on time to class.

A student who arrives late to school is to report, immediately, to the health office before going to any other location to notify the nurse, and receive a pass to class. When a student has been absent for any reason, New York State law requires that he/she brings a note to the nurse, as soon as possible, signed by the parent/guardian stating the reason for the absence.

School dismissal is at 3:00 p.m. At the close of school, a student is to leave the building unless the bus is late, he/she is staying for a regularly scheduled event, a co-curricular meeting, or extra help with a teacher. Students assigned to after school detention must report there immediately.

Parents of students who “skip” school or are illegally absent will be contacted and are expected to confer with the principal regarding the circumstances and actions to be taken. All students who are absent assume all responsibility for getting all assignments and making up all work promptly. Students who miss a test due to an illegal absence may receive “zero”.

Parents are notified when a student is chronically absent, is frequently late, or continues to leave early. If the problem continues, one of the following measures may result:

a. A parental conference.

b. After-school detention, and/or In-School Suspension.

c. Or a referral to Family Court.

APPOINTMENTS AND EARLY DISMISSALS

No student may be released from school to anyone other than the parent, guardian or child protective services personnel and law enforcement officers pursuant to law, unless the individual’s name seeking release of the student appears on a list provided by the parent or guardian.

Parents are urged to make appointments with physicians, dentists, special tutors, etc., after school hours. If a request is necessary, parents should make note of the date, time and reason for the release. Children cannot be excused without a written request by parent or guardian, and must be released in the care of a parent or guardian, unless otherwise noted.

Early excuses for emergency reasons should be requested in writing by a parent or guardian. Medical releases are handled through the Nurse’s Office. All other reasons for release must go through the Main Office, and students must be picked up in the Main Office, by a parent or guardian. The person seeking the release must sign the register in the office.

LUNCH

Students in grades K-6 are not allowed to leave the building for lunch. The cost of school breakfast and lunch is as follows:

Kindergarten - Grade 6

Breakfast..................................................................................................................... $ 1.25

Lunch.......................................................................................................................... $ 1.50

Free and reduced lunches are available for those who qualify. The Secretary to the Superintendent has application forms. We hope students will use this opportunity to receive nutrition.

Only in emergency situations may lunch be charged in the cafeteria between 8:00-8:19, with special permission.

A student is not to bring any glass bottles to school. There is no eating or drinking of foods in the hallways.

STUDENT TRANSFER

A student knowing that he/she will be transferring from Roxbury Central to another school during the school year is to have a parent pick up a Transfer/Check-Out Sheet in the Guidance Office in advance. A student should allow one full school day for completing this form as many signatures are required. This is to be completed and returned to the Guidance Office before departure. All books must be returned to the teachers and all debts paid before leaving the district.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAW

All parents and guardians are permitted to view their individual student records located in the Guidance Office from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during regular school days. It is advised that interested parties call for an appointment to view student records.

STUDENT GRADE PLACEMENTS

The Board of Education believes that the district administrators should have final responsibility in determining the parameters for student grade placement. All student grade placements must conform to state requirements, and work to enhance student learning opportunities and improve individual academic achievement.

HONOR ROLL

To qualify for the Honor Roll, the following requirements are to be met at the end of each marking period:

11. A student whose quarter average is 90% or more, without a “U” (unsatisfactory) obtains High Honors (Superintendent’s List).

2. A student whose quarter average is 85-89.9%, without a “U” (unsatisfactory) earns Honor Roll status.

Students on the Honor Roll and Superintendent’s List are publicly acknowledged at our assembly programs.

REPORT CARD MARKING PERIODS

END OF MARKING PERIOD REPORT CARDS ISSUED

1st November 5, 2004 November 12, 2004

2nd January 28, 2005 February 4, 2005

3rd April 8, 2005 April 15, 2005

4th June 15, 2005 June 24, 2005

REPORT CARDS AND ENVELOPES

A student’s report card envelope is to be signed by his/her parent/guardian and returned to the classroom teacher within one week to signify its receipt at the home. Parents who want a teacher conference should call the Guidance Office for an appointment.

INTERIM REPORTS TO PARENTS - FIVE WEEK REPORTS

Reports are sent home at frequent intervals during each marking period to parents of all students.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Bus Students

A student riding the bus to school is to return home on his/her assigned bus. To do otherwise, the parent/guardian must sign and submit a written note to the Main Office in the morning before such a change is to occur. This request must state the alternate destination (if requested) and the duration of the change. A phone request will be considered when extenuating circumstances occur if the request is made before 1:45 p.m. by the parent, guardian, or emergency contact person on file in the nurse’s office. Phone requests will be verified before a change is granted. The district will not grant changes which incur any additional transportation costs or when there is not sufficient seating space on the bus.

A student may not leave the grounds illegally during the day and take a bus home at 3:00 p.m.

Clothing

The clothing regulations are in effect from 7:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. daily.

Name identification should be placed clearly on all wearing apparel to designate ownership. Indelible ink may be used on sneakers, boots, and gym clothing so that it is visible.

Heavy outside clothing is not to be worn to classes. Coats will be kept in lockers or cubbies.

Barefootedness is never allowed. Students should dress appropriately according to the seasons.

A student is not to be dressed in the following manner as to cause disruption:

1. Wearing clothing with inappropriate statements or pictures or advertisements (especially concerning cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, drugs, or sex).

2. Wearing short shorts, halters, and attire which causes disruption including any attire that allows for bare midriffs, bare backs, or the displaying of any cleavage.

3. Clothing which is profane or sexually suggestive or explicit will not be worn in school. Violators will receive disciplinary action.

4. No hats will be worn in classrooms, unless it is okayed by that teacher.

5. The wearing of heavy chains hanging from clothing or around the neck is prohibited.

Gym Clothes-K-3-All students must wear appropriate and dirt free sneakers for Physical Education. Platform and backless/slip-on sneakers are not considered appropriate.

4-6-All students must change into acceptable clothing for Physical Education. Acceptable clothing includes proper footwear, ie: clean, dirt free sneakers, shorts, sweat pants, and/or wind pants, and t-shirt as described acceptable per the school dress code. Students must change both before and after classes. Students who are not changed for Physical Education will not be able to participate and will not receive a grade for that day. Personal hygiene is encouraged including the use of showers, deodorant, etc.

Radios, C.D. Players, Cassette Players, Cell Phones, Cameras or Camcorders

Radios, cassette players, cell phones, C.D. players and cameras or camcorders of all types are not allowed in the halls or classrooms from 8:15 a.m.-2:59 p.m. They will be confiscated, and held in the Principal’s office. They will not be used by students indiscriminately, nor taken from lockers to study halls, assemblies, or athletic contests.

Bicycle and Recreational Vehicle Use

A student riding a bicycle to school is to leave it in the bicycle rack, locked. The unauthorized use of someone’s bicycle is considered theft. Bicycles are personal property and the school is not responsible for their security.

To ensure the safety of all people, the school cannot allow snowmobiles or motorized two, three, or four wheelers to be operated on school grounds at any time.

Visitor’s Pass

A student may bring a visitor to school after obtaining permission, at least three days in advance, from the Principal’s office. The visitor may attend classes and is expected to obey all school rules. Visitors’ passes are not available during mid-year or final exams or weeks immediately preceding exam weeks.

Hazardous Items Prohibited

The following items must not be brought onto any school property, including buses:

1. Firearms, bullets, weapons, firecrackers, or explosives of any type or any fake, look-alike, facsimiles.

2. Knives, sharpened instruments, any glass containers, or pointed objects.

3. Any fluid or substance that might cause skin, eye or nose irritation or cause injury internally or externally (i.e. some perfumes, stink bombs, etc.)

4. Any flammable material or flame-producing items, such as paints, aerosol cans, matches, lighters, etc.

5. Wire, rope, or chains of any type.

6. Squirt guns and water devices and propellants of fluids or solids.

7. Special equipment, such as ski poles and umbrellas with pointed ends, requires prior permission to have in school and should be stored in a designated area.

Violations will be subject to disciplinary action with possible police involvement and/or school suspension.

Tobacco - Drug - Alcohol Use

The school will not tolerate any use, possession, or sale of tobacco, drugs or alcohol at the school or for a student to consume or come to school under the influence of alcohol or any drugs. A student found in violation of these areas will be disciplined and police may become involved. Roxbury has established a Drug Free School Zone of 1000 feet away from school grounds. Drug and alcohol violations occurring in this zone can receive double the normal punishment by N.Y.S. law. This zone is for the safety of all students.

No adults may smoke in the K-12 instructional school building, or on school grounds, or in school vehicles at any time when students are on the grounds or in vehicles traveling to and from school.

*Students caught smoking or consuming any of these prohibited substances will be subject to out-of-school suspension.

Jewelry/Laser Pointers

Jewelry is prohibited from being worn during sporting events, physical education classes and/or recess for all students, grades K-12, to prevent injury to fingers, ears, etc. Laser pointers are prohibited for eye safety reasons.

Telephone

Elementary students may use the office telephone on an emergency basis only. The teacher must send a written note with the student requesting telephone use. There is a pay phone in the front foyer available for student use.

Student Checklist (end of year)

All materials pertaining to school must be turned in at the completion of the year. All student obligations must be met prior to the issue of his/her report card, including instrument rentals and return of sports’ uniforms. Students may pay fines for damage to school property.

Building Use

No students will be allowed in the building after school hours except those involved with school activities or other approved activities. All students who have a late activity must report to where the activity is taking place.

Trip Permissions

Students participating in field or co-curricular trips must present a permission note signed by the parent/guardian the day prior to the trip or by the deadline date determined by the trip leader. The advisor, coach or teacher managing this activity is responsible for this coordination. On trips, students are to obey all school rules at all times.

Textbooks

Textbooks are supplied by the school, and they are the student’s responsibility to be properly covered and appropriately treated. Lost or misused books must be reported immediately to the teachers and principal’s office. Students are responsible for the repair or replacement of books.

HEALTH ISSUES

Medications

Any medication that a student is required to take is to be stored in the Nurse’s Office, and dispensed by the nurse. Students are absolutely forbidden to self-medicate. Medications must be sent with a note from the prescribing doctor with the prescription container, and a detailed message of its proper use or the school CANNOT administer them to students. This is New York State Education Law. Parents and students should give full cooperation with the school nurse. All medications must be in a labeled bottle from the pharmacy. No injectable medication is administered.

Physicals

Physicals are required for all students in grades K, 1, and 3.

Injury

Any injury occurring at school or in a school activity must be reported to the nurse and person in charge IMMEDIATELY. Parents will be notified as soon as possible.

A student who is temporarily disabled, as with crutches or cast, is given ample time to go from one class to another. It is advisable not to negotiate the stairs while classes are passing. If a doctor restricts a student’s activity, a release from the doctor is required before the student is allowed to resume full activity, including sports and physical education classes.

Insurance

The school provides insurance for all students. This plan covers all students while they are participating in school-sponsored activities. This insurance is of the excess-coverage type. Claims must first be submitted to the parent’s primary insurance carrier. The Insurance Plan will aid in the payment of residual costs. The following procedure must be followed to expedite payment of claims:

1. The teacher of the activity must be advised, by the student or parent, that an injury occurred. The school must make a report to the insurance company within 20 days of the injury.

2. Students and/or parents should inform the physician, hospital and/or dentist involved to submit a claim to the parent’s insurance carrier.

3. After a claim has been filed, and students have been informed that their parent’s insurance will cover only part of the claim, the students then should request a claim form from Mrs. Serrie for the balance of the bill.

4. The completed form should be sent to the insurance company.

5. All claims must be filed within one year of the date of injury.

Immunizations

New York State law requires that all students must be immunized with 3 DPT’s, 3 OPV/IPV, 2 MMR’s, 3 Hepatitis B’s and 1 Varicella before entering school. Public Health Law 2164 requires that all children be immunized with the Hepatitis B Vaccine prior to entering seventh grade. A transfer student is required to show proof of immunizations prior to admission.

Emergency Information

The school nurse must have updated information on file with a backup number to be called in case of sickness, accident, or injury. The emergency forms are sent home the first week of school. It is very important that these forms be filled out and returned within 24-48 hours. Your child’s safety depends on the accuracy of these forms. Should the information change during the school year, the school nurse should be notified immediately of these changes (i.e., change of telephone number, address, etc.).

FIRE DRILLS

We are required to have twelve (12) fire drills per year. The purpose is to practice the orderly evacuation of the building. When the alarm is sounded, all students must walk in single file, rapidly and quietly to the doors and move at least twenty-five (25) feet from the building and remain with their teacher.

Activities Following Emergency Dismissal

When school is dismissed because of inclement weather or other uncontrollable situations, all activities of the school for that day and evening will be cancelled.

After School Activities, Field Trips, Etc.

A student who leaves an activity (dance, game, etc.) for any reason will not be allowed to re-enter the building for that activity.

A student who comes to school activities, such as plays and musicals, is to remain seated and quiet during the performance and is requested not to leave his/her seat except during intermission. Polite audience behavior is expected at all times, including no wearing of hats.

For athletic and field trips, students are expected to ride the bus to and from the event, unless the coach or teacher chaperone is personally approached by a parent/guardian requesting alternate transportation arrangements.

A student suspended out-of-school will not be allowed on school grounds for any activity until the time of suspension ceases.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Parents may contact the principal to request release time for religious education.

LOCKERS

At the beginning of the school year, each student in grade 4-6 is assigned a locker. For your own protection, the locker should be kept locked at all times and the combination should be divulged to no one. The locker should be kept neat and in good order at all times. Lockers are subject to inspection at any time. Lockers may not be decorated or defaced on the outside. This includes using stickers, pictures, cartoons, graffiti, etc. Gym lockers will be locked and are not to be used for books. All backpacks in grades 4-6 must be in or on the locker if not taken to class.

LOST AND FOUND

Lost items should be reported to the office. Found articles are to be turned into the office, immediately. Students are not to bring large sums of money or valuables to school. However, if they do, they must notify the office upon arrival to school or give the money immediately to the appropriate activity advisor.

ELEVATOR USE

Use of the elevator is by authorized personnel only. Custodians moving heavy or cumbersome items will need to have the elevator in proper working order. Therefore, the elevator will be used by those people who are unable to readily travel on the stairs. Please consult the Superintendent if you have a special need for this machinery, particularly if you are temporarily disabled. All other people should stay away from the elevator to ensure proper safety.

TITLE IX

In compliance with Title IX of federal regulations, the Roxbury Central School District will not discriminate in the employment of personnel, in the education of students or in the process of rendering services to the aforementioned on the basis of race, religion, national origin, disability, age and sex. It shall be stated further that no testing device or evaluation criteria shall be used in a way as to have a disproportionately adverse effect on persons on the basis of race, religion, national origin, disability, age and sex.

Anyone wishing further information or having inquiries on grievance procedures regarding the application of Title IX, Title VI, Section 504 or religion regulations may contact the Principal. Those with further questions may contact the Regional Office of Civil Rights.

Thomas O’Brien Director of Civil Rights

Principal 75 Park Place, Fourteenth Floor

Roxbury Central School New York, NY 10007

Roxbury, NY 12474

Phone: 607-326-4151 Phone: 212-637-6334

INTERNET USE

The Internet is an electronic communications network which provides vast, diverse and unique resources. Our goal in providing this service to teachers, staff, and students, is to promote educational excellence in the Roxbury Central School by facilitating resource sharing, innovation and communication. Student access to, and use of, the Internet will be available only through a teacher/staff account and, as such will be under direct teacher supervision and monitored as any other classroom activity. Internet use must be in support of educational and research consistent with district policy. Unauthorized use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Access to the Internet is a privilege and unacceptable usage will result in cancellation of account. Training will be provided for each individual applying for an account. When using the Internet, be polite, do not use vulgar or obscene language, use caution when revealing your address or phone number, and do not disrupt the network of other users. Electronic mail is not guaranteed to be private. For the user=s security, downloading can only be done to a dedicated directory. If a security problem arises, notify a system administrator immediately. Vandalism and/or harassment will result in the cancellation of the user=s account. Any user violating these provisions, applicable state and federal laws or posted classroom and district rules is subject to loss of network privileges and any other District disciplinary options, including criminal prosecution. A form must be signed by the student and parent/guardian before consent will be given a student. The Consent and Waiver Form is available from the Superintendent.

ALMA MATER

R.C.S. Let us always be loyal, Let us all to your dear name be true,

Give our all to your fame and your glory, Our strength and our love to you.

As the sun sets all aglow to the westward, There is never a doubt nor a fear;

That dear Roxbury High is the best school, Alma Mater we give thee our cheer!