INTRODUCTION

This is the Student Handbook for the school. Students are responsible for being thoroughly familiar with its contents. By attending Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, students are bound by the provisions contained in the Student Handbook. The school reserves the right to alter or amend these provisions, upon reasonable notice to the student body. Please note that the Student Handbook often contains somewhat shortened versions of school policies. Complete policies are included in the School Policy Manual which is maintained in the administrative office and is available for review.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL

Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School is a four-year vocational / technical high school serving the communities of New Bedford, Dartmouth and Fairhaven. The school’s roots date back nearly a century, to the creation of the New Bedford Independent Industrial School in 1908. Over the years, the school built a reputation for excellence by providing quality vocational and academic programs. In 1918, its name was changed to New Bedford Vocational School. In 1946, it became New Bedford Vocational High School. In 1972, voters in New Bedford, Dartmouth and Fairhaven approved the establishment of a regional vocational school district and construction of a regional vocational school. In 1977, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School was opened.

ACCREDITATION STATUS

GNB Voc-Tech is an accredited member of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the regional accrediting body for secondary schools in New England.

TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS

Members of the school’s faculty are licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Education. Parents have a right to request information regarding the qualifications of their children’s classroom teachers.

SCHOOL MISSION

Our mission at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School is to provide education that is rigorous, relevant, and meaningful to each student in a safe and supportive environment, resulting in academic, career, and technical excellence. This experience encourages lifelong learning, fosters mutual respect, and instills social responsibility, respect for diversity, and responsible citizenship.

PHILOSOPHY

In pursuit of our mission, the faculty, administration, school committee, parents, and students have a responsibility to create and contribute to a school environment in which:

1. Students can achieve mastery in reading, writing, speaking, reasoning, computing, investigating, problem-solving, and creating in all core academic subjects according to the standards set by the Massachusetts Curriculum Fireworks.
2. Students can achieve mastery in career and technical education that reflects current industry standards and is aligned to the Massachusetts Technical Frameworks.
3. Students can engage in responsible citizenship with integrity, commitment to the common good, and with respect for others and their environment.
4. Students exhibit respect for diversity through participation in programs and curricula dedicated to creating a culture of understanding of race, ethnicity, family configuration, sexual orientation, gender, religion, and socioeconomic status.
5. Students’ self-esteem and self-confidence are nurtured through healthy social interaction with peers and adults in and outside of the school.
6. Students are instilled with a commitment to lifelong learning and flexibility to adapt to social, political, and economic change.
7. Students feel safe to attend and participate in all curricular and extracurricular activities without threats to their physical or emotional well-being.

SCHOOL GOALS

1. To Recruit and employ highly qualified teachers, administrators, and staff from diverse backgrounds, reflective of our student population, whose knowledge, skills, and instructional strategies foster high achievement in students of all abilities.
2. To regularly and systematically evaluate the performance of all administrative and instructional personnel to ensure high standards of professional practice, to identify areas of need for professional development, and to remediate instances of below-standards performance.
3. To provide a dynamic curriculum, developed with faculty members, advisory committees, and the community at large, that is aligned with state academic and technical standards.
4. To provide students with a range of experiential learning in on-site and off-site environments.
5. To provide current textbooks, equipment, and technology in sufficient quantities for use by students and teachers to enhance implementation of the curriculum frameworks in all school programs.
6. To regularly assess student performance relative to state and local performance standards, and to review and programs based on those assessments.
7. To provide curriculum that prepares students for postsecondary education and/or employment after graduation.
8. To have a clean, well-maintained school facility with appropriate security personnel who assist in maintaining a safe environment conducive to learning.
9. To implement codes of conduct and school safety practices that foster student participation in a safe learning environment.
10. To provide quality career and technical education within a safe and healthy environment with clearly defined safety standards that are taught and enforced in each career and technical program.
11. To employ certified counselors and health care professional to assist students and their families in identifying and resolving academic, social, medical, and emotional issues that impact students; participation in the learning environment.
12. To provide students with programs and activities beyond the regular curriculum that strengthen students’ intellectual and social development.
13. To increase attendance and graduation rates through closely monitored policies and a mentoring program designed to promote students achievement and student/parent accountability.
14. To promote respectful behavior through policies, programs, and instructional methods that tech mutual respect, social consciousness and responsible citizenship.
15. To implement employment practices, discipline policies, and curriculum choices that demonstrate respect and understanding for diversity.
16. To provide instruction that teaches flexibility, ignites curiosity, and creates the desire for lifelong learning and growth.