A.H.S. Student Handbook - General Information

Announcements and Bulletins
The announcements for the day are made over the public address system during homeroom.  Morning vocational students should obtain the announcements in vocational homeroom/office.  If you wish to have an announcement made regarding school activities, you must have the announcements initialed by the teacher or advisor and by an administrator.

Auditorium Assembly Procedure
Before any auditorium assembly, all students will report directly to their announced classroom.  The classroom teacher will accompany his/her students to the auditorium in the order as indicated on that day.  Students and their classroom teachers are to enter the auditorium and be seated in the order indicated on the day of the assembly.  Students are to move as far forward as possible in the seating section indicated and fill in all seats.  Teachers are to sit with their classroom groups and STUDENTS ARE TO STAY IN CLASSROOM GROUPS.  Disruptive students will be sent to the In-School Suspension Room and/or referred to the administration for disciplinary action.  (See Discipline Policy for additional measures.)

Bus  Regulations
While riding the school bus, students are expected to be quiet and orderly, to remain in their assigned seats, and to refrain from hanging out of the bus windows.  The students are expected to follow the instructions of the driver.  Absolutely no smoking is permitted on school buses.  Students may only ride their scheduled bus.  This is due to the insurance regulations covering our transportation system.  There is to be no eating or drinking on the buses.

Penalties for Infractions of Bus Regulations
Students who become a serious disciplinary problem on the school bus may have their riding privileges suspended and receive appropriate demerit points.  In such cases, the parents become responsible for seeing that the students get to and from school safely.

It shall be the responsibility of the parent to provide supervision until such time as the student boards the bus in the morning, and after the student leaves the bus at the end of the school day.

The Board of Education requires students to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with established standards of classroom behavior and will suspend the riding privileges of students who fail to do so.

Allentown High School staff is on duty outside the bus pick-up and drop-off areas to assist with any difficulties.

The following guidelines shall apply in carrying out this policy:

A.        First Offense

The administration may decide that the student receives a warning or receives a demerit.  However, the student will be told the procedures that may be followed if there are future infractions.

B.         Second Offense

The student may be excluded from the bus for a period of three (3) school days pending a parent conference.  It shall be the responsibility of the parents to provide transportation during this period.  The student will also be issued demerit points
.
C.        Third Offense or Any Single Major Offense

The student may be excluded from the bus for a period of up to thirty (30) school days.  It shall be the responsibility of the parents to provide transportation during this period.  A parent conference must be held prior to the student regaining bus privileges.  The student will also be issued demerit points.

If the student commits offenses after the 30-day suspension and parent conference, a certified letter will go home to the parent/guardian which will indicate that the student in question will be suspended from the bus for the remainder of the year.

Absences from school during this period of suspension will always be unexcused under the attendance policy.

Bus drivers are to report all disciplinary infractions to the building principal and the coordinator of transportation at once.

Late Bus Pass Guidelines

  • Students are required to have a late bus pass signed by their activity advisors in order to ride the 4:30 or 5:45 p.m. activity bus.  It is the student’s obligation to secure the bus pass from the advisor before leaving the scheduled activity.  Failure to have the late bus pass signals to the bus driver that the student is not to be permitted on the bus.
  • A student staying after school for academic reasons (tutoring, extra help, make-up tests, etc.) must secure a late bus pass from his/her teacher.
  • Students staying after school to attend an athletic event must secure a late bus pass from an administrator or the athletic director prior to the event.
  • Athletes will be provided with permanent late bus passes (by season).
  • Students staying after school for detention (either teacher detention or general detention) will receive a late bus pass from the detention monitor.
  • Students with official school business (#1-5 above) will be permitted to ride the late bus.  In an emergency, students who lose or fail to obtain a pass from the appropriate teacher may obtain one in the main office.  Students who obtain and use late bus passes for reasons other than those stated above, will be subject to the penalties listed in the student handbook for loitering.
  • Bus passes will be checked and collected by the bus driver.  Students will not be permitted to board the bus without an appropriately signed and dated pass.

Bus Accident Procedures
In the event a school bus is involved in an accident, and the bus driver is conscious and coherent, students are instructed to do the following:

  • Students must listen to all directions given by the bus driver.
  • Students must not call friends and family to visit the scene.  Additional spectators and participants will complicate emergency/police efforts.
  • Students must not accept rides from passersby.  Understanding student location and health status is essential. 
  • Parents/Guardians will be notified by school personnel about proper procedures for picking up their children.

In the event a school bus is involved in an accident, and the bus driver is unconscious or incoherent, students are instructed to do the following:

  • Students should immediately call 911 and Allentown High School.  (609) 259- 2160.  Ext. 0.
  • Uninjured students should identify injured students to the emergency responders.  Masking tape will be available for student names to be written and placed on injured students.
  • If known, uninjured students should be able to inform emergency responders of specific injuries to their schoolmates and the bus driver.

Bus evacuation drills must be taken seriously and practiced throughout the school year.  If questions arise, please ask your bus driver or a school administrator for clarification.

Cafeteria
The school cafeteria is maintained as a vital part of the health program of the school.  To encourage good nutrition, a well-balanced lunch is offered at a reasonable price.  In the cafeteria, there will be a choice of hot and cold platters, salad bar, sandwiches and snacks. A menu will be published monthly.

The lunchroom management and your fellow students will appreciate your cooperation in:

  • Depositing all lunch litter in wastebaskets.
  • Returning all trays and utensils to the designated area.
  • From 7:15 am until 10:30 am and 12:30 pm until 2:00 pm, only water may be purchased in the vending machines.
  • Leaving the table and floor around your place in a clean condition for others.
  • Not taking food/drink out of the cafeteria.
  • Breakfast items may be purchased and consumed in the cafeteria between 6.45 am and 7:15 am
  • During lunches, students should use 3rd Hall bathrooms only.

Failure to follow the above will result in disciplinary action (see Discipline Policy for additional measures).  The pass system is in effect during a student’s lunch period. If a student leaves any of the following areas for another part of the building and/or grounds without obtaining a pass, he/she will be disciplined for being out of bounds: the cafeteria, the third hall lavatories or the outside supervised area behind the gym locker rooms.

Care of School Property
Students are responsible for the proper care of all books, supplies and furniture supplied by the school.  Textbooks should be covered.  Students who disfigure property, break windows, or do other damage to school property or equipment will be required to pay for the damage done, to repair the damage through work, or replace the item.  In addition, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken (see Disciplinary Policy for additional measures).

Change of Address
Inform the Guidance Office if you change your address or telephone number.

Drink/Food Within the Building
Each student is asked to have pride in Allentown High School and, as such, is asked to act responsibly in all areas of the school campus.  Eating should only be done in the cafeteria.  The cafeteria is closed at 7:15 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.  No one may enter without a pass from the nurse.  All food and drink containers should be disposed of properly and areas cleaned up after use.  Food or drinks are forbidden around computers.  Glass containers (bottles) are not allowed in the school building at any time.

Distribution of Literature
These guidelines outline responsibilities, freedoms, and restrictions governing responsible journalism and distribution of publications:

School Sponsored Publications

The school newspaper, the Nutshell, shall be distributed in homeroom periodically throughout the school year.

Based on the standards of acceptable journalism listed below, the principal reserves the right to review all school publications prior to printing and distribution.

Acceptable:

  • All school publications will be free from policy restrictions according to the normal rules for responsible journalism.  Such publications will be as free from such restrictions as other newspapers in the community.
  • Constructive criticism of organizations, procedures and policies will be acceptable.
  • Students who are not on the school newspaper staff may also have access to its pages.  Students should be encouraged to write and submit any material for publication.  Such material would be reviewed for approval by the editorial staff.
  • The staff should choose topics wisely, develop editorials carefully and consider the possible outcome of any printed matter.
  • All statements and editorials must be substantiated by fact.  (An editorial column is defined as a persuasive column expressing only the opinion of the writer as indicated by his/her name or initials.)
  • All completed editorials should be reviewed and approved by a cross-section of the editorial staff and reflect the opinions of  the newspaper staff.
  • The staff should refrain from criticizing individuals.
  • Materials submitted to school sponsored publications will be subject to evaluation by the “editorial staff” and the advisor.
  • All published letters to the editor will bear the writer’s name(s) or initials.

Unacceptable:

  • Materials that do not reflect responsible journalism such as publications that make libelous or obscene statements, create hostility, promote violence, are pornographic or make attacks on ethnic, religious, and racial groups will be unacceptable.  Libel has been defined as “false publication that humiliates a person and degrades one in the estimation of others and subjects a person to loss of social prestige.”
  • The distribution of partisan political literature supporting or opposing candidates or public questions in any general, municipal or school election is prohibited on school property.
  • Any item which the advisor or the principal is convinced would materially disrupt classroom work or involve substantial disorder or invasion of the rights of others will be deemed unacceptable.

Non-School Sponsored Papers and Leaflets

Place 
The place of distribution will be the school sidewalks which encompass any of the school buildings.  Under no circumstances will the distribution of said literature take place in any school building without specific approval from the building principal.  The principal will designate procedures for distribution of posters and leaflets.

Time
All distribution of approved non-school sponsored newspapers and leaflets will take place fifteen minutes before the start of the school day and fifteen minutes after the conclusion of the school day.

Acceptable
Non-school publications will not be prohibited assuming that they observe normal rules for responsible journalism.

Unacceptable

  • Materials that do not identify the publisher or editor.
  • Materials designed for commercial purposes or to advertise a product or service for sale or rent.
  • Materials which are designed to solicit funds.
  • Items described as “unacceptable” in school-sponsored publications.

Appealing Distribution of Literature
Any pupil denied approval to distribute printed materials may appeal to the principal who, with a student advisory committee of one representative from each class appointed by the class president, will review the matter.  Should the petition be denied, the petitioner may still appeal to the superintendent, then to the Board of Education, etc.

Cell Phones
Cell phones are not permitted to be turned on or used from 7:20 am until 2:00 pm.  They should be kept in the student's locked hall locker.  The District is not responsible for lost or stolen cell phones.  Parents are reminded to please not call your child's cell phone during the school day.  If you need to speak to your son/daughter, call the main office, (609) 259-2160, press 5 for the high school, and we will call him/her to the office to speak with you.

E-Mail and Student Network Directories
The school reserves the right to inspect student computer files where there is reason to believe that those files are inappropriate or being used to pose a hazard to the safety and good order of the school.

Field Trips
The Board of Education recognizes that field trips, when used as a device for teaching and learning integral to the curriculum, are an educationally sound and important ingredient in the instructional program of the schools.

For purposes of this policy, a field trip shall be defined as any journey by a group of pupils away from the school premises and under the supervision of a teacher, which is an integral part of an approved course of study and conducted for the purpose of affording a first-hand educational experience not available in the classroom.

The Board of Education shall consider field trips that are included in curriculum guides to have received prior Board approval; however, established field trip procedures must be followed.  The Board authorizes the building principal to assess the parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s) all or part of the reasonable cost of those field trips that are included in the curriculum guides.

All field and out-of-state trips not listed in the curriculum guide and/or overnight trips must be individually approved by the Board.   Students' luggage will be searched prior to overnight trips.

A pupil’s travel to compete in a State, regional or national school-related contest or learning activity that has been approved by the school principal will be deemed to be an approved field trip and will be considered an official school activity for the purposes of insurance.

The Board may authorize field trips for which all or part of the costs are borne by the pupils’ parent(s) or legal guardian(s), except that no pupil in a special education class or pupil unable to pay the cost assessed shall be prohibited from attending a field trip. (N.J.S.A. 18A: 36-211)

The Board does not endorse, support or assume liability in any way for any staff member or student of this district who takes trips not approved by the Board or Superintendent or designee.  No staff member may solicit pupils of this district for such trips within the facilities or on the school grounds of the district without permission from the building principal.

The Board, by written policy, does not endorse, support, or assume liability in any way for any staff member or student of this district who takes trips sponsored by an outside agency.  In this, Upper Freehold follows the practice of the majority of New Jersey School districts regarding tours by outside agencies.  Therefore, EF Tour trips or any other outside tour agencies are not affiliated in any way with the Upper Freehold Regional Board of Education.

The Board does not endorse, support or assume liability in any way for any staff member of this district who takes pupils on trips not approved by the Board or Superintendent, and shall not be liable for the welfare of pupils who travel on such trips.  No staff member may solicit pupils of this district for such trips within the facilities or on the school grounds of the district.

No employee may, on school premises, advertise, recruit or finance trips for pupils other than those expressly approved by the Board of Education.  School property may not be used as the point of departure or arrival for any such privately arranged trip.

While field trips are an integral part of various courses, students should realize the impact of missing other classes due to field trips.  As such, students are responsible for making up all class work and homework missed while on a field trip.  Students who have tests or projects that are due must be careful to meet their obligations prior to participation in a field trip.  The student must have each of his/her teachers sign the field trip permission form granting permission to miss the teacher's class.

Students are expected to dress according to the nature of the field trip.  Teachers will advise students on appropriate clothing and footwear for the day’s activities.

Students are expected to travel with their class to and from the destination on the bus.  Students will not be permitted to drive or ride in private vehicles.

Field trips are an extension of the school day.  As such, behavior must be in line with the student code of conduct.  Failure to follow school rules will incur administrative action which can include refusing permission to attend any other trip.

If a student has a detention assigned for the day of a field trip, he/she must see an administrator to discuss the case.

Students who are assigned in-school suspension or out-of-school suspension on the day(s) of a scheduled field trip will not be permitted to attend (see Discipline Policy for additional measures).

If a student has any serious discipline issues while on a trip, he/she will be prohibited from attending any further field trips.

Smoking regulations and Code of Conduct are in effect on all school-sponsored trips
The Board of Education reserves the right to cancel or postpone any scheduled field trip if events warrant the concern over the safety of the students or faculty.  The Board is not responsible for the refund of money due to cancellation of trips.

Fire Drills
Fire drills at regular intervals are required by law and are an important safety precaution.  It is essential that, when the first signal is given, everyone obeys orders promptly and clears the building by the prescribed route as quickly as possible.  The teacher in each classroom will give the students instructions.

Gymnasium Locker Security Procedures
Preventive Measures:

  • Students are not to enter the locker rooms during the course of a period without permission of a physical education instructor.
  • DO NOT KEEP VALUABLES IN YOUR LOCKER OR IN THE GYM  – All personal belongings must be in a locked locker in the locker room.  If something is of value, please leave it in the main office for safekeeping.  No items may be left on the locker room floor.  The school is NOT responsible for items missing from the locker room that are not in a secured locked locker.
  • Students are asked to bring their padlock with them to class, to lock their locker when changed and to take all possessions with them after each gym period.  No student may leave items in a locker after each gym class.
  • The school does reserve the legal right to have immediate access to the locker.

Punitive Measures:

  • Anyone caught stealing in the Locker Room will be suspended immediately pending a parent conference and other actions to be determined by the administration.
  • Students found in the locker room without permission during the course of a period will be subject to disciplinary measures.

Hall Lockers
Each student will be assigned a locker.  Use only the locker assigned to you and KEEP IT LOCKED AT ALL TIMES.  All personal items and books, when not in use, are to be kept in lockers.  Do not tamper with another locker or give your combination to another person.  Valuables and money should not be kept in lockers.  If your locker is not working properly, report it to the main office and complete the “locker problems” form.  Lockers are the possession of the school district and are subject to search.

Hall Passes
Students are not permitted in the halls during class periods unless they are accompanied by a teacher or have a hall pass from an authorized staff member.

The office will not issue passes for tardiness to class unless the student has been detained for legitimate reasons by office personnel.

Hall Traffic
Traffic in the corridors should keep moving and keep to the right side.  It is important that students move steadily, yet calmly, so that there be no delay in getting to class.  Proper conduct is expected at all times.

Hazing (Intimidation)
Hazing of any student on or off school property is prohibited.  Any student or group of students intimidating another student or group of students on or off school property is liable for disciplinary action.

Any form of initiation into any group or organization is prohibited unless approved by the advisor.

Headsets/Walkmans/I-Pods/Portable Listening Devices:
Headsets are not permitted between 7:20 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.  Headsets are not to be used in the classroom unless specified by a member of the Child Study Team.  In addition, headphones are not to be used during any school-wide testing which would include Standardized Testing and HSPA.  All electronic devices must remain in lockers or backpacks during school hours.  If seen or used, the device will be taken by the staff, given to the Administration and must be picked up by parents.

Homeroom
Students will report to homeroom immediately upon entering school (no later than 7:20 a.m.).  Homeroom is part of the Period 1 class.  First period will begin at 7:35 a.m.  During homeroom, students may view the Channel 1 Newscast and A-Town Live.  It is expected that students be quietly seated and attentive during this telecast.

Inspection of Lockers/Cars
All lockers are and shall remain the property of the school district.  No student may use a locker as a depository for a substance or object which is prohibited or which constitutes a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the occupants of the school building or the building itself.

Any vehicle parked on school property may be subject to inspection by school administration.  The school reserves the right to inspect a student’s locker or car parked on school property when there is reason to believe that the locker/car is improperly used for the storage of contraband, a substance or object the possession of which is illegal, or any material which poses a hazard to the safety and good order of the school.

As part of a weekly and/or monthly process, school officials will randomly select a bank of student lockers to search.  This action reflects the responsibility of the school to provide a safe environment for learning.

Leaving the Classroom
If a student is sent out of the classroom, he/she must be given a pass from his/her teacher.  The time and destination is to be noted on the pass.  Frequent use of passes by students will result in loss of privileges to leave the classroom. 

Lost and Found
Students who find lost articles are asked to take them to the main office where they can be claimed by the owner.  Notice will be given at the end of the year to check lost and found.  Items not claimed by June 30 will be discarded.

Recycling
Recycling procedures for paper are in effect.  All paper (except carbon and tissue paper) goes into the recycled paper container.  This includes paper cups (empty ones), newspapers, envelopes, paper towels, etc.  Any paper that has food products in/on it should go in regular trash containers.  (The coffee stain in an empty, used coffee cup is not considered food.)

School Store
The school store is located in the cafeteria next to the Snack Shack.  It will be open from 7:00 – 7:20 a.m. and during all lunch periods each day.  If students would like to see additional items sold in the school store, see Mr. Wicks.

Student Valuables
Students are cautioned not to bring radios, cameras, or large amounts of money to school, and if they wear glasses or watches, to keep track of them at all times.  Students, not the school, are responsible for their personal property.  If it is necessary to bring more money than needed to pay for lunch, leave it at the office for safe keeping.  Do not leave it in your hall locker or gym locker.  If any item is missing, you must complete an incident report in the main office immediately.

Study Halls
Students are expected to arrive at study hall to work on school related assignments. 
Students are to work quietly.  To help students better concentrate and to allow the study hall teacher to better supervise students, there will be assigned seats in all study halls.  Students will be required to stay in the study hall room unless a pass has been obtained that morning from a subject teacher or guidance counselor to permit the student to use the library or go to Guidance.  It is at the discretion of the librarian if students will be able to use the library on any given day, depending on library use.  No food or drink is allowed in the study hall, nor are students permitted to visit the cafeteria during that period.

Telephones
The office telephone is a business phone and may be used by students to contact home/parents.  Parents should call school to speak to their child.  Do not call their cell phones between 7:20 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  Public pay phones are located outside the auditorium and the cafeteria.

Students must have a pass to use the telephone when classes are in session.  This includes lunch periods.  Students are prohibited from using cellular phones (see Discipline Policy).

Theft
Students who have had clothing, books, money, etc., stolen should report this fact immediately to the main office where an incident report form must be filled out.  I-Pods and cell phones should be kept in the student's locked hall locker during school hours.  Allentown High School and the Board of Education are not responsible for lost or stolen property.

Visiting Classrooms
No student is permitted to visit a classroom during class time.  This is a distraction and is considered out of bounds.

Visitors
The school policy is to accept only those visitors who have legitimate business to attend to at the school.  Guests and visitors must register at the Security desk and receive a visitors’ badge.  Parents are always welcome.  Visitors are expected to leave promptly when their business is completed.  A student is not permitted to have a visitor accompany him/her to class.

Working Papers
To obtain working papers, bring the following to the Guidance Office:

  • Birth certificate
  • “Promise of Employment” form (completed by your potential employer).
  • Medical form signed by your doctor (unless you’ve had a recent physical by the school doctor).