School Hours

School starts at the first bell at 7:30 a.m. The second bell rings at 7:35 a.m. and students should be in their academic classrooms or career and technical programs at that time. At 7:40 a.m., students should be seated and ready to work. Failure to do so will cause the student to be marked "Tardy" for school. The school day ends at 3:00 p.m. Students who have completed all of their assignments and fulfilled all other obligations may leave at 2:30 p.m. Students must stay on school grounds from the time they arrive until the end of the school day unless they have been authorized to leave the school early.

Discipline

Discipline is an important aspect of education. While it does not appear as a subject, it underlies the whole educational structure. Students need to develop self-control, character, orderliness, and efficiency.

Basic School Rules

Following are some basic rules at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School. They list examples of conduct that is prohibited and which will result in discipline. However, it is important for students and parents to recognize that we cannot possibly list every offense that may lead to disciplinary action. Even if not listed in the Student Handbook or in one of the basic school rules below, any conduct that disrupts the educational environment of the school may lead to discipline. Following are some of the basic rules at our school:

1. Students must wear their school-issued I.D. cards at all times so that the I.D. is clearly visible.
2. Student appearance must conform to the Dress Code.
3. Inappropriate displays of affection are prohibited. Such displays include fondling, passionately embracing, or illicitly caressing another while in school or on school grounds. Displays of affection should be limited to holding hands or to taking an arm while walking to class.
4. Use of obscenity is prohibited. This includes the act of using language in verbal or written form, pictures or caricatures, or gestures which are offensive to the general standards of the school and/or the community.
5. Fighting is prohibited. Fighting means hostile, bodily contact with another person in or on school property, or while going to or from school. This includes any activity under school sponsorship (e.g., school dance, athletic event or the like.)
6. Bullying, harassing, assaulting, intimidating, or injuring another person will not be tolerated. Harassment includes annoying, threatening, or demanding behavior causing fear and / or preventing another’s behavior or actions. Assault is intentionally engaging in conduct that places another in reasonable danger of bodily harm or injury. This includes verbal threats.
7. Disruptive behavior is prohibited. This includes behavior that interferes with the rights and privileges of other students in their attempt to learn or the act of disregarding the suggestions and corrective efforts of an educator or administrator. Disruptive behavior includes yelling and use of obscenities, whether or not such language is directed at a specific individual.
8. Disrespect to any school personnel by words or action is prohibited. Disrespect includes the act of being insulting, calling derogatory names, dishonoring or verbally abusing another.
9. Visitors to the school are to be treated with respect and courtesy. Visitors are considered our guests.
10. Insubordination and defiant behavior are prohibited. Insubordination includes the failure to obey the reasonable, fair, and proper directions or instruction of any duly authorized adult school personnel. Defiant behavior includes intentionally provocative behavior or attitude; a challenge to authority.
11. All firearms, including BB guns, pellet guns, and paint ball guns, as well as knives and other dangerous objects are prohibited in school.
12. All explosives, including “hoax bombs,” are prohibited in school.
13. Possession or use of pyrotechnics (fireworks, ammunition, stink bombs, etc.) is prohibited.
14. Drugs, drug paraphernalia and intoxicants are prohibited in school or while attending school functions. Persons may not possess or be under the influence of drugs or intoxicants while in school or attending school functions.
15. Tobacco may not be used in the school building or on school grounds at any time.
16. Leaving school grounds without permission is prohibited.
17. On in-service days or other days when students are dismissed early, they may not visit other schools which are still in session.
18. Forgery is prohibited. Forgery is the act of fraudulently using in writing the name of another person, or falsifying times, dates, grades, addresses, or other data on school forms or records.
19. Theft of school property or the property of other persons as well as the possession of stolen property is prohibited. Theft and possession of stolen property include the act of taking, possessing, or acquiring the property of others without their consent.
20. Marking and defacing or willfully damaging school property or the property of others is prohibited.
21. School forms must be returned within the required time and signed by a parent or guardian, unless specifically designated by a Principal.
22. Chewing gum or eating candy is not allowed in school.
23. Food, beverages, and lunch must be consumed in the cafeteria. Drink containers brought to school for lunch or school activities must be sealed and made of materials other than glass.
24. Restroom use during class time is allowed with the teacher’s permission and students must have a corridor pass in their possession.
25. Textbooks must be covered. Students are expected to replace the book cover if it becomes worn during the school year. If a textbook is lost or misused, restitution must be made.
26. Beepers, pagers, cellular phones, portable audio/visual devices, and similar items may not be carried by students or used in school or on school grounds during school hours. Such devices must be kept in a student’s locker or in their car. Emergency messages can be given through the switchboard.
27. Video cell phones may not be used in school, in restrooms, in the field house or in locker rooms.
28. Radios, headsets, and audio appliances are not to be used in school and will be confiscated.
29. Laser lights are not allowed in school.
30. Flowers, balloons, and gifts will not be accepted if delivered to school.
31. Skateboarding is not allowed on school property.
32. Throwing snowballs is not allowed on school property.

Academic Integrity

GNB Voc-Tech insists on academic honesty. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. It is the policy of GNB Voc-Tech that each student must:

1. Submit his or her own work, not that of another person
2. Not falsify data or records
3. Not engage in cheating (e.g., using someone else's work or material on any test or assignment; giving or receiving help during an exam; or acquiring and/or transmitting test questions prior to an exam.)
4. Not receive or give aid on assigned work that requires independent effort
5. Properly credit the words or ideas of others
6. Not use term paper writing services or consult such services for the purpose of obtaining assistance in the preparation of materials to be submitted in courses
7. Not commit plagiarism (e.g., stealing or passing off ideas or words of another as one’s own.)

Rights and Responsibilities

The Federal and Massachusetts Constitutions, statutes, and court decisions in the United States ensure each high school student certain rights. However, these rights have limitations. For example, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of speech, but some restrictions accompany this basic right. Forms of expression may be limited to the extent that they:

1. Disrupt the work and discipline of the school in a material or substantial way
2. Incite other people to disrupt the work or discipline of the school or disobey the law
3. Are obscene
4. May violate the civil rights of another member of the school community (such as racial or ethnic name-calling, insults, or taunts)

Statements known to be false can be considered as slander or libel. The rules and regulations at GNB Voc-Tech are established for the purpose of guaranteeing the equal rights of students and teachers to live and learn in a clean, safe, fair and reasonable environment. To this end, teachers may make additional rules for the conduct of their individual classes. These requirements will be explained to students and posted in the appropriate classroom. All rules and regulations are subject to review. Students and teachers are encouraged to discuss the rationale and enforcement of our rules which are intended to make the high school a humane and rational institution.

Bullying

GNB Voc-Tech recognizes that bullying, harassment and intimidation have a negative effect on school climate. Students who are intimidated and fearful cannot give their single minded attention they need for success. Bullying can also lead to more serious violence.

1. Definition of bullying - Bullying is a pattern of abuse over time and involves a student being "picked on." Bullying includes conduct such as physical intimidation or assault; extortion; oral or written threats; teasing; putdowns; name-calling; threatening looks, gestures, or actions; cruel rumors; false accusations; and social isolation.
2. Bullying is prohibited. The GNB Voc-Tech School District and staff shall not tolerate any bullying on school property or at any school activity, either on or off campus.
3. Staff intervention - The district expects staff members who observe or become aware of an act of bullying to take immediate, appropriate steps to intervene - unless intervention would place the safety of the staff member at risk. If there is reasonable basis to believe that the staff member has not been able to resolve the matter, or of the bullying persists, the staff member shall report the bullying to the principal for further investigation.
4. Students and parents shall report bullying. The district expects students and parents who become aware of an act of bullying to report it to the principal for further investigation. Any student who retaliates against another for reporting bullying may be subject to any consequences listed below in paragraph 6.
5. Investigation procedures - Upon receiving a report of alleged bullying, the principal or designee shall investigate the matter. This investigation may include, but is not limited to, interviews with students, parents, and school staff and review of school records.
6. Intervention/Consequences - If bullying is substantiated, the principal or designee will take reasonable steps to stop it and to prevent its recurrence. These steps may include separating and supervising the students involved; providing staff and in-school counseling support for students as necessary; coordinating a supervision plan with the assistance of parents; or involuntary transfer of the offending student to another vocational-technical program/career major. Students who have bullied others will also be subject to discipline, including warnings; parental conferences; detention; suspension and/or expulsion. If an incident of bullying involves suspected criminal activity, the matter may be referred to the police.

Attendance

Poor attendance is the leading cause of failing grades. Students are expected to be present – and on time – every day that school is in session. School starts at 7:30 a.m. sharp. The state expects a 95% student attendance rate. Students with more than three (3) unexcused absences in a single quarter or a total of nine (9) or more unexcused absences for the school year will receive a grade of “Incomplete” until they make up that time with their assigned mentor. Students who are absent (unexcused) from school are not allowed to participate in athletics or school activities on the day of their absence. Parents or guardians are required by law to send their children to school. We follow state laws on attendance. The General Laws of Massachusetts include the following:

Dismissals

Students should not be dismissed from school except in the case of an emergency. Routine dentist appointments, doctor appointments, driving lessons, and driver’s license testing should be scheduled for days when school is not in session. Students who miss more than three (3) hours of school due to a dismissal will be counted as "Absent" for the day.

Reporting A Student Absence

If a student must be absent, his or her parent or guardian must call the school by 11:00 a.m. on the day of the absence and state the reason for the absence. The telephone number is (508) 998-3321, extension 734. This number may be called 24 hours per day. Failure to notify the school may result in the student being considered truant. Truancy is being absent without permission.

1. Illness or quarantine, verified by a doctor’s note.
2. Bereavement or serious illness in family
3. Court appearances
4. Jury duty
5. Hospitalization
6. School-sponsored activity
7. Observance of major religious holidays

1. Family vacations
2. Truancy
3. Illness not verified by a doctor’s note
4. Failure to notify the school of the absence
5. College visits that are not pre-arranged with the Guidance Office
6. Employment interviews that are not arranged with the Co-Op Coordinator

Absence Appeals

Students lose one (1) participation point from each academic class and two (2) participation points from shop if they are late, dismissed early, or are absent. These points are deducted directly from the student’s report card grade. Therefore, if students have a valid reason for an absence, they should appeal the loss of participation points. For an absence to be eligible for an appeal, it must be due to one of the following reasons: doctor’s orders (not routine office visits), bereavement (immediate family, up to three days), court summons, jury duty, hospitalization, school business, observance of major religious holidays, or college visits that have been arranged through the guidance office. Documentation from a medical, civil, or school official must be submitted at the time of appeal. Academic Appeals Procedure:

1. The student obtains an “Absence Appeal” form from the Guidance Office and completes the top portion.
2. The student returns the form, with proper documentation, to the Guidance Office. The form must be submitted within three (3) days of the student’s return. If an appeal is submitted without documentation, it will not be approved, even if resubmitted after the three days. Altered or edited documents will not be accepted.
3. The Appeals Committee reviews the appeal.
4. The student is notified of the Appeals Committee’s decision.
5. If the decision is favorable, the student must take the form to academic and related teachers for initialing. This notifies the teachers that a grade point is not to be deducted.
6. Teachers will make necessary grade changes and notify the Guidance Office.
7. The student returns the form to the Guidance Office for filing.
8. If an unfavorable decision is reached, the form is returned to the student for his / her disposal. The reason for the denial will be explained on the form. A denied appeal does not mean an absence is unexcused. Please see the definitions of excused and unexcused absences listed above.

Career/Technical Appeals Procedure:

For a missed day of shop, an “Absence Appeal” form is not used. The student should take his or her documentation concerning the absence to the Attendance Office and then to his/her Coordinator. Ninth graders must submit documentation to the Dean of Freshmen instead of the Coordinator.

Tardiness

Arriving on time to school is very important. Being late disrupts other students and teachers who have begun the school day on time. Please refer to "School Hours" for specifics. Three tardy arrivals will count as one absence.

Long Term Illness

Students absent from school for more than ten (10) consecutive days must obtain a written statement from a doctor indicating he / she is well enough to return. The student must present this medical statement to the nurse on the day he or she returns to school. Upon returning to school, students and their parents / guardians will meet and discuss re-entry into class or shop with their respective administrators and school personnel. Parents are to notify the attendance officer with the date of return. Students are required to stay after school until they make-up all missed work.

Replacement Indentification Cards

Students will be issued the first I.D. card free of charge. A fee of $5.00 will be charged for replacing an identification card.