Section 8: HHS Student Policies and Responsibilities
Behavior Expectations – General
Hanover High School expects students to conduct themselves as responsible citizens. Students are expected to pick up trash without being told and certainly if they are told. Abusive or foul language is unacceptable; Hanover High School is a public place. Behavior in corridors, atrium, and other common areas that disrupts instruction or harms the school's generally positive atmosphere will not be permitted.
Open ridicule and verbal threats to other students and adults are considered harmful to the school’s generally positive atmosphere. We do not tolerate physical intimidation or fights as a satisfactory means of settling disagreements. Students who do not meet these expectations or who violate other school rules run the risk of having severe disciplinary sanctions imposed.
The administration and staff recognize that the contents of this document will not address all situations that may occur. When circumstances arise that are not specifically addressed in this document, the administration and staff reserve the right to determine an appropriate response. Any individual who does not agree with chosen actions or responses of administration or staff members may pursue an appeal process through the Judiciary Committee of Council.
Refusal to Follow the Reasonable Instructions of an Adult
Failure to follow the reasonable instructions of an adult presumes refusal to do so unless it is determined that there was legitimate confusion or misunderstanding.
Consequence:
1. May result in a suspension of up to three days. Parents will be notified.
2. When substantiated, a schedule-up to last not less than 10 school days and no more than the remainder of the school year, depending upon the nature of the offense.
Unscheduled Time (Misuse of)
(Particularly disruptive behavior)
Consequence: Generally, one week’s loss of choice during unscheduled time. The response to second offenses will depend on the circumstances, but generally will result in a loss of choices for a longer period of time.
Use Of Outside Areas During Unscheduled Time
On-campus outside areas may be used for rest, recreation and studying. Outside use, however, cannot interfere with students and staff working within the school. On-campus areas for students are listed below:
The soccer field
The football field
The front lawn
The following regulations govern the use of outside areas:
In front of the school, pedestrian ways, parking lots: playing ball, Frisbee, lacrosse, skateboarding, etc. are not allowed. These activities are allowed on athletic fields not in use by the P. E. programs of HHS.
“Hacky-sack” is permitted in front of the building so long as that activity does not interfere with pedestrians.
Athletic equipment is off-limits.
Fire escapes may only be used as an emergency exit.
Automobiles, motorcycles, etc., are off-limits (i.e., no sitting on or in cars, etc.) This includes student visitors as well.
Parking lots: should not be used for unscheduled time activities.
Students should keep all areas free of litter, particularly the front lawn.
Locks and Lockers
Lockers belong to the school. Lockers are “on loan” to students for personal use in direct connection with attending school. Each student is assigned a locker for storing clothing, books and school supplies; students provide their own locks. The school reserves the right to search lockers but will do so only when there is specific information related to illegal drugs, alcohol, stolen property or dangerous substances.
Each year a number of students report that personal belongings were taken from their lockers. Invariably, the lockers have been left unlocked or locker combinations have been shared. Students are strongly encouraged to do the following:
Use a lock at all times.
Keep the lock combination confidential.
Use only the assigned locker. A student is financially accountable for all schoolbooks and responsible for messages delivered to his/her locker.
Never leave valuables or large amounts of money in a locker even with a lock.
Leave any valuables in the Main Office for safekeeping.
Report the loss of any property immediately to the Office.
Locker Clean-Out
Lockers must be emptied by the last day of school in June. Items left in lockers will be removed and placed in the Cafeteria Lost and Found.
Political Campaign Materials
HHS prohibits the display of political campaign materials in any non-personal location in the school, except those specifically designated for that purpose. This does not include any political campaign materials used for educational purposes or for Council elections.