2007-2008
Student Handbook - Middle and High Schools

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STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

All persons residing in the Commonwealth between the ages of 6 and 21 have the right to a free and full education in public schools.

It is the responsibility of the student to:

1. Be honest and ethical.

2. Assist in matters relating to the health, safety, and welfare of the school community and the protection of school property.

3. Dress and groom to meet standards of safety, health, and minimal disruptions to the educational process.

4. Learn all rules and regulations for student behavior and conduct himself/herself in accordance with them.

5. Recognize that until a rule is waived, altered, or repealed, it is in full effect.

6. Comply with local, state and federal laws.

7. Exercise proper care when using public facilities and equipment.

8. Attend school daily, except when excused, and report to all classes on time.

9. Make all necessary arrangements for making up work when absent from school.

10. Treat all people with dignity and respect.

11. Refrain from indecent, obscene, and abusive language.

12. Avoid deliberate inaccuracies in student newspapers or publications.

13. Refrain from public displays of affection in the school.

The Board of School Directors has the authority to make rules governing the conduct of students providing that the rules are reasonable and fair. Such rules are assumed to be "reasonable" until they are rescinded or waived. Students should obey such rules while working through channels to help change those of which they do not approve.

No student will be suspended or expelled without being informed of the reasons for the action and being given a chance to respond to the charges.

WEAPONS BAN POLICY

The Weapons Ban Policy was adopted by the Board of School Directors of the Mifflin County School District on May 23, 1994, revised February 19, 1996, and became effective March 18, 1996.

It is the intent of the Board of School Directors to provide a safe and secure school environment and to comply with provisions of Act 26 of 1995 prohibiting weapons on school property, in school vehicles, in student vehicles, at school-sponsored activities on or off school property, when walking to and from school and at school bus/van stops.

1. Weapons and replicas of weapons shall include, but are not limited to, firearms, knives (regardless of blade size), metal knuckles, chains, razors, razor blades, explosives, cutting tools, pistols, shotguns, rifles, nunchaku, noxious, irritating or poisonous gases, or any other tool or instrument capable of inflicting bodily injury as determined by school officials.
     
2. Weapons, as described in this policy, are forbidden on school property, in vehicles driven to school by students and parked on or off school property, at school-sponsored activities anywhere, when walking to and from school, at school bus/van stops, and in school busses and vans or other vehicles.
     
3. Students who violate this policy will be expelled from school for a minimum of one year from the date the student was found guilty. Disabled students found guilty will be disciplined in accordance with provisions of the Individuals with Disability Act and Basic Education Circular I-95, Pennsylvania Department of Education.
     
4. The Superintendent will review each alleged violation of this policy and will exercise discretion for expulsions on a case-by-case basis.
     
5. All acts of violence and possession of weapons, as defined in this policy, shall be reported to parents of the violator, appropriate law enforcement agency, and the Office of Safe Schools, Department of Education. Such reporting requirements for individual schools and the District shall be made twice per year as mandated in Section 1303-A of Act 26 of 1995.
     
6. Prior to admission to the Mifflin Country School District, the parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of a student shall, upon registration, provide a sworn statement or affirmation stating whether the pupil was previously suspended or expelled from any public or private school of the Commonwealth or any other state for an act or offense involving weapons, alcohol or drugs, or the willful infliction of injury to another person or for any act of violence committed on school property. The registration shall be maintained as part of the student's disciplinary record. Any willful false statement made under this section (1304-A) shall be a misdemeanor of the third degree.
     
7. Whenever a pupil transfers to another school entity from the Mifflin County School District, a certified copy of the student's disciplinary record shall be transmitted, upon request, to the school entity to which the pupil has transferred. The school entity to which the student has transferred should request the record. The sending school entity shall have ten (10) days from receipt of the request to supply a certified copy of the student's disciplinary record.
     
8. A student's disciplinary record, as well as records maintained under Section 1307-A (Maintenance Records), shall be available for inspection to the student and his parents or other persons having control or charge of the student, to school officials, and to State and local law enforcement officials, as provided by law. Permission of the parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of the student shall not be required for transfer of the individual student's record to another school entity within this Commonwealth or in another state in which the student seeks enrollment or is enrolled.
     
9. The Mifflin County School District shall maintain updated records of all incidents of violence, incidents involving possession of a weapon, as described in this policy, and convictions or adjudications of delinquency for acts committed on school property by students enrolled therein on both a district-wide and school-by-school basis.

MIFFLIN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
MEDICATION POLICY

The Medication Policy of the Mifflin County School District is motivated solely by concern for the health, safety, and welfare of the students of the Mifflin County School District.

In the past, the Board of School Directors of the Mifflin County School District has endeavored to maintain a reasonable Medication Policy.  This policy primarily dealt with children whose physical conditions required that they have prescription medication administered during the school day.

Over the years -- with the exposure of school children to the massive amounts of advertising purchased by manufacturers of proprietary drugs and other medications -- the use of self-medication and reliance upon non-prescription substances have become so wide spread as to create a potential hazard to the physical and emotional health and well-being of school children.

The problem has become further complicated not only by the availability of hard drugs and other controlled substances, but also by the recently available non-prescription medication substances whose distribution is unregulated, and whose form and color resemble hard drugs and other controlled substance (popularly called “look-alikes”).  These substances are sold by manufacturers indiscriminately and in bulk.  As a result, many of these are distributed to those who would sell them on the street to young people (to whom they are presented as hard drugs and other controlled substances).

Among the risks to the lives of the victims of this pernicious “look-alike” medication trade is that users of a relatively harmless substance (even if taken in relatively small quantities) may, perchance, stumble upon a hard drug or other controlled substance of identical appearance which, taken in the same quantity, could cause serious illness, permanent physical or emotional disability, or death.

There are also young people whose health and emotions may be adversely and seriously affected by the ingestion of these “look-alikes” whose constituent elements, though legally manufactured and marketed on a non-prescriptive basis, normally cause nervousness, irritability, and sleeplessness.

The problem has become so pervasive as to have penetrated even the elementary school.

The problem is especially acute in Mifflin County, within whose confines are located an inordinate number of manufacturers, distributors, and surveyors of such “look-alike” medicative substances.

The Board of School Directors of the Mifflin County School District is further frustrated by the difficulty in obtaining chemical-analysis of these “look-alikes” in order to ascertain whether the substances are non-prescription medicative substances or, in fact, hard drugs or other controlled substances.  Analytical laboratory facilities known to do this type of work are not available in this geographical area.

1. This policy is essentially predicated upon the following principles:
   1. Ideally, all medication should be given at home.  It is recognized, however, that many students are able to attend regular school classes because of the effectiveness of medication in the treatment of both chronic and temporary disabilities and illnesses.
   2. There is abroad in the land a tendency to the unrestrained use of self-medication, without medical supervision, encouraged by extensive advertising by manufacturers and dispensers of proprietary drugs and other substances.  The unsupervised self-administration of these medicative substances may adversely affect not only the physical and emotional health of students, but may also create psychological dependence upon medication generally, and subsequent susceptibility to the use of hard drugs and other controlled substances.
   3. All of the foregoing is complicated by the unregulated distribution of non-prescription medicative substances -- substances which are manufactured and distributed to look like hard drugs and controlled substances which, in themselves, may be physically and emotionally harmful to the consumer and which may very well lead to the illegal, harmful, and self-destructive use of hard drugs and other controlled substances.
   4. An educational institution’s foremost responsibility to its students is to their health, safety, and general welfare.  The clear policy of the Mifflin County School District is that no medication, as hereinafter defined, shall be brought upon school property by any student other than in conformity with the regulations hereinafter set forth.
2. For purposes of this policy and the regulations adopted as part of the policy, medication shall be defined as a drug or other agency used to treat disease or other physical or emotional condition or injury, whether or not medically prescribed, or any other substance not usually marketed for ingestion, inhalation, or application by humans and not used in the treatment of disease or injury, but when is brought onto school premises for purposes of ingestion or inhalation, the direct result of which is apt to be harmful to the physical or emotional condition of the subject.  The foregoing shall include, without limitation, aspirin, antihistamines, decongestants, cleaning and other solvents, caffeine, phenylpropanolamine, ephedrine, cough drops and lozenges, steroids, proprietary drugs and medications, patent medicines and the like, and any combination of any of the foregoing, in liquid, solid, or inhalant form, irrespective of whether they are branded or unbranded and appear as pills, lozenges, capsules, liquid, cough drops, salves, unguents, lotions, or the like.
3. It is preferred that in the case of all medications, whether prescribed or otherwise, the same shall be administered by a parent to the student requiring the medication.  Where this is not possible, the following shall apply:
   1. Individually prescribed medication will be administered by school nurses or other authorized personnel under the following conditions:
      1. Upon written request from the physician to the school officials that medication be administered to the student.  Included in this request must be the name of the medication, dosage, frequency of administration, the period of time over which medication is to be administered.
      2. Signed written request from the parent, guardian, or person standing in the place of a parent that medication be administered as prescribed in the physician’s statement.
      3. All medication must be in appropriate containers which are properly labeled by the physician or pharmacy.
      4. All medication shall be removed from the school premises at the end of each school day, unless the principal approves an exception.
4. Non-prescriptive drugs and medication may be administered by school nurses or other authorized personnel only after the following conditions are met:
   1. Receipt of written request or authorization from parent, guardian, or person standing in the place of the parent.
   2. Included within the request must be the name of the student, name of medication, dosage, frequency of administration, and period of time over which medication is to be administered.
   3. All medication must be in an appropriate container which is properly labeled.
   4. All medication shall be removed from the school premises at the end of each school day.
5. Any medication to be administered during the school day will immediately be taken to the nurse’s office (or other area specified by the Principal) when the student enters the school.  Students will not be permitted to carry pills or any medication during school hours.  Exceptions are inhaler medications or medications for life-threatening conditions, provided the following requirements are met:
   1.  A written statement from the physician that provides the name of the drug, dose, times when the medication is to be taken and the reason the medicine is to be taken.
   2. The healthcare provider shall indicate via written statement that the child is qualified and able to self-administer the medication.
   3. A school district parental permission form for inhalers is completed.  Parents and students must sign the waiver on the permission form, relieving the district and its personnel of any responsibility for the benefits or consequences of the medication and that the school bears no responsibility for ensuring that the medication is taken.
   4. The school district reserves the right to withdraw permission at any time if the student is unable to demonstrate responsible behavior in carrying and/or taking this medication.
6. Necessary storage areas are available to store medication during the school day.
7. The use, possession (other than in conformity with this policy), sale, or distribution of medication on school property by students or to students is forbidden and is a violation of this policy.
8. This policy will not preclude the administration by authorized school personnel of medications approved by the school physician for administration in appropriate situations.
9. Violation of this policy and the regulations promulgated hereunder shall, in the discretion of the administration and the School Board, result in the same disciplinary measures being invoked against the offending student as would be invoked against one violating policy and regulations relating to drugs and alcohol, and may accordingly result in suspension and/or expulsion from school.
10. The administration shall be charged with the responsibility of designating authorized school personnel to administer this policy.
11. This policy shall be subject to ongoing re-analysis, from time to time, in order to deal with future problems as they develop.
12. The School District has implemented a Student Assistance Program in order to assess and possibly refer students with drug, alcohol, medication, or mental health problems.  Students will be referred to Student Assistance Teams for assessment and intervention recommendations.  Students may be directed to undergo counseling, rehabilitation, or therapy as a condition for returning or remaining in school.  Students who violate the Drug and Alcohol Policy are required to cooperate with assessment personnel and attend a drug and alcohol/medication education program or participate in appropriate group activities for each violation of the District’s policies.

PROCEDURAL AND MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

HALL PASSAGE

To make the best use of time, students are allowed a brief amount of time to go from class to class during the day.

Students should proceed to the next assigned area or room in the most direct route. If there is a need to go to the restroom, another room, the office, permission should be received from the teacher of the class to which the student is going.

FOR SAFETY OF ALL, ACTIONS SUCH AS RUNNING, PUSHING, SHOVING AND TRIPPING ARE NOT ALLOWED. IN ADDITION, KISSING, HUGGING AND EMBRACING ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIORS IN SCHOOL OR AT SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.

CARE OF BOOKS AND SCHOOL PROPERTY

Textbooks and school supplies are furnished to students at school district expense.

All textbooks are identified by a stamp and number on the inside cover. When a book is issued to a student, its number and condition are recorded by a teacher. The student is responsible for returning the same text at the end of the school year.

If the textbook is not returned, the student will be charged for the replacement cost.

STUDENT LOCKERS

A locker for books and clothing will be assigned to each student. Lockers are considered public property loaned to students for private school use.

School authorities have the right to inspect lockers at any time for general appearance and to conduct random drug searches.

If the principal has reasonable suspicion to suspect that a locker may contain materials which could endanger the health, safety or welfare of the pupil or others, the locker will be searched. The student and a witness will be asked to be present at these times. Items found that are violative of law or school policy may be used as evidence against the pupil(s) involved in any in-school or out-of-school disciplinary proceedings.

Whether locked or not, one student's locker is off limits to others. Opening another student's locker without permission is a violation of privacy laws.

In some cases, two students may be assigned the same locker. Sharing lockers is not a right of students, and only the principal may assign lockers or approve changes. Students are not permitted to share their locker with another student unless assigned by the principal.

If padlocks are rented from the school, and the student fails to turn in the padlock at the end of the school year, a charge will be made.

FIRE DRILLS

At least nine fire drills are conducted in each school during the school year as required by state law. The purpose of the drills is to acquaint students with safe and proper procedures to follow if a fire or other emergency requires that students leave the building quickly.

Students should be aware of these factors:

1. In each room, a poster indicates the location of the emergency exit for persons in that room. If an assigned exit is blocked, the group's leader will turn to the next nearest exit.
2. Before leaving the room, opened windows must be closed by those seated closest to them.
3. The last person leaving the room must close the door.
4. Students must walk rapidly in pairs, keeping lines solid, to the assigned exit. The first two to reach the exit doors will hold them open until the line has passed.
5. Each group has an assigned location to walk to outside the building. Students must stay with their group during the fire drill procedure.
6. When the "all clear" is sounded, students will enter the school under the direction of the leader of the group.

BUS TRANSPORTATION

The Board of School Directors has granted the privilege of school bus-van transportation to pupils who live beyond 1-1/2 miles (elementary), 2 miles (secondary) from their assigned school. The privilege is conditioned upon certain behavior expectations which are listed below. The privilege of riding a bus or van may be removed by the school principal for improper conduct. When the bus-van privilege is removed, parents have the obligation of finding alternative ways to transport their child to and from school.

1. Students will be assigned to specific buses and, after two weeks of school, may be assigned seats.
2. Students bus stops are designated by the Board of School Directors and may not be altered unless approved by the School Board.
3. Buses and vans will stop to pick up and dismiss passengers at designated bus stops only. No other stops are permitted unless there is an emergency.
4. When students walk along a highway to their bus stop, they must walk on the shoulder of the road on the side facing traffic.
5. Students are expected to wait for their bus in an orderly manner. School officials have authority over students from the time they leave their home in the morning until they return in the afternoon.
6. Students will wait for their bus to come to a full stop before attempting to enter (or exit) the bus. The bus driver has the authority and is expected to regulate entry and exit of students on and off the bus.
7. The bus driver will not move the bus until all students are seated. Students must be seated when the bus is in motion.
8. Each bus has an emergency door to be used only in an emergency. Students may not use the emergency door for routine exit and entry.
9. he major responsibility of bus drivers is to complete their rounds between home and school safely and on time. Proper behavior of students is required at all times so that the drivers' attention is on the road.
10. The following behavior of students will result in disciplinary action: opening windows, throwing objects out of windows, tampering with or using the emergency exit, leaning or putting arms out of windows, eating, drinking, smoking, chewing tobacco or snuff, spitting, littering the bus, damaging or defacing property, roughhousing, using improper language or gestures, throwing objects, fighting and being out of your seat. In addition, any behavior not mentioned in this handbook that jeopardizes the safety of others is prohibited and will be cause for appropriate discipline.
11. Students must report to the bus driver any condition which needs attention to insure a safe trip.
12. The bus driver is in charge of students between pickup points at school and home. When problems arise, the bus driver will fill out a Bus Misconduct form and present it to the principal, assistant principal or teacher in charge. Parents will receive a copy of the misconduct and the consequent disciplines applied. Certain behaviors and repeated minor misconducts may result in the denial of the privilege of riding a school bus or van.
13. Students who walk to and from school are responsible for respecting private and public property along the route. Taking short cuts across private property, littering and creating disturbances are not behaviors condoned by the school district. Walking routes may be changed by the school administration when there is evidence that private and public property or persons are infringed upon by students.
14. Twice each year bus drivers in cooperation with the principal must conduct emergency bus evacuation drills to familiarize students with proper procedures to be used in the event of an accident or other emergency. Students are expected to be attentive and cooperative during these important drills.
15. Radios, tape players, cassette players and other similar audio equipment are not to be used on the bus. 

SCHOOL FINANCIAL FACTORS

School officials have prepared these guidelines in reference to money in school:

1. STUDENTS SHOULD ONLY BRING ENOUGH MONEY TO SCHOOL TO PURCHASE NECESSARY SUPPLIES, LUNCH, ETC. OTHER SUMS OF MONEY SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE FOR SAFEKEEPING. SCHOOL OFFICIALS CANNOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR MONEY STOLEN FROM OR LOST BY STUDENTS.
2. Students and school employees are required to deposit all money collected for school-related activities on the day the money is collected. Such money may not be taken from the building or left in classrooms or lockers. This rule is enforced to reduce the possibility of funds being lost, misused or stolen.
3. Students must have written approval of the principal or faculty advisor before any purchase of goods or services on behalf of the school, a school function or school organization. Students who incur debts without prior written approval will be liable for payment of the unauthorized purchase.
4. No one may solicit funds from students or staff members without written approval of the principal. Even when solicitations are approved in writing by the principal, contributions are purely voluntary and there may be no "pressure" tactics to force giving.
5. Students who accumulate financial obligations to the school district during the school year must clear the obligations by the last day of school before diplomas (seniors) or report cards (all students) are awarded. Unresolved debts owed to the school district will accumulate if not cleared by the student. Students may check at the office if they have questions about debts.

INTRAMURALS

The purpose of the Intramural Program in Mifflin County School District is to provide more opportunities for physical activity. Encouraging the habit of exercise now through the pleasures of intramural activities could mean additional years of health and life later.

Intramural athletic activities are competitive and non-competitive physical activities conducted among individuals or groups of students within one school. Because participation is

not limited by skill requirements, intramurals give all students the opportunity to be physically active in an educational and recreational environment.

Programs will be established for students not involved in interscholastic athletics of the same sport.

Intramural Regulations

1. Intramural activities will be posted in all schools within the Mifflin Country School District.
2. All participants in the intramural program will be required to present a signed Parent Permission form for intramural activities.
3. School attendance is required for intramural participation in accordance with the same regulations that govern interscholastic activities.

Learning Objectives of the Intramural Program

1. Foster earnest, but friendly, rivalry.

2. Develop cooperative attitudes through group participation.

3. Develop a balanced perspective of athletic competition wherein enjoyment, and not winning, is central.

4. Develop athletic and other recreational skills which can be utilized for a lifetime of physical activity.

5. Teach leadership skills through officiating, managing, and being captain.

6. Develop game skills and strategy.

7. Promote student morale and loyalty to group and school.

STUDENT DRIVING OF PERSONAL VEHICLES

Because the school district provides transportation for students who qualify, driving personal vehicles to school is discouraged. Special circumstances may justify a student driving to school. Accordingly, school officials permit a limited number of students to drive to school and park on school property. Granting the privilege to drive to school is at the discretion of the school principal. Likewise, denial of the privilege of driving may occur when students do not comply with school regulations governing students' vehicles. Students who leave the grounds without permission in a vehicle will lose driving privileges for the year.

To apply for the privilege of driving a motorized vehicle to school, follow these directions:

1. Complete an application form available in the office.
2. Demonstrate a reasonable knowledge of the responsibilities of good driving and regulations imposed by the school for students who must drive.
3. If permission to drive a vehicle to school is approved, a fee of $30 will be charged for a vehicle identification sticker.  Students may be assigned a specific parking space in the parking lot which is the only valid place the vehicle may be parked during regular school hours.  Students may not park anywhere off-campus during school hours or during activities held at times other than regular school hours.
4. If parking stickers are required, they must be purchased and visibly displayed on the vehicle. If more than one car will be driven to school throughout the school year, each different vehicle must be registered at the office and an appropriate parking sticker purchased and displayed on the vehicle.
5. Student drivers must enter and exit the school properly in accordance with school regulations.
6. Students are not permitted to go to their vehicles during the school day.
7. Students are requested to lock their vehicles. The district will not be responsible for losses incurred due to vandalism, accidents, stealing or for any other reason. Students who park on school property do so at their own risk.
8. STUDENT DRIVERS MUST YIELD THE RIGHT-OF-WAY TO PEDESTRIANS AND SCHOOL VEHICLES.
9. All drivers are expected to adhere to speed limits on and around school property and safe driving standards. Citizen arrests may be filed against student drivers who do not comply with driving regulations.
10. The loss of driving privileges will result when students demonstrate ignorance of or disregard for safety.
11. School officials have the right to search cars parked on school district property if there is reasonable suspicion that the vehicle contains contraband or any materials violative of law and school policy. No search warrant is necessary.
12. Both the parent/guardian and the student driver of Indian Valley High School or Lewistown Area High School must consent to random drug testing during the year in which the student is driving. This was approved as a policy on August 26, 2004.