GENERAL INFORMATION

An effective Advisory Program provides students the opportunity to meet in small groups with a consistent cohort and assigned adult(s) periodically over the course of the year. The purpose of these meetings includes but is not limited to: team-building, discussions on various school-related issues, working on Safe School Climate goals, debriefing assemblies, etc. OSHS will institute an Advisory Program throughout the academic year. Some Advisory activities may be communicated to parents and guardians in order for them to offer further support from home.

Attire and Appearance

Administrators may modify these regulations at any time in order to ensure the safety of students and staff or to address weather-related concerns or student behaviors as long as the changes are not arbitrarily enforced.

Smaller jackets and sweaters that can easily be kept in the wearer’s personal space or hung on the back of a chair without impeding travel between and among student desks may be worn. Hoodies, sweatshirts, fleeces, and pullovers may be worn although the wearing of hoods is not permitted inside the school buildings because of concerns about campus security.
For security and safety purposes, only head coverings that allow others to see the wearer’s face may be worn as long as they are not large enough to obstruct the view of others around the wearer. Costume masks or any item that covers the face are prohibited. Hats may not be worn while masks are required at schools since too much of the wearer’s face would be covered. Administration reserves the right to prohibit any student from wearing a hat if not being worn in a manner that shows a student’s face.
Items that do not fit the definition of allowed items in A. and B. of the policy or added here in the regulations must be secured in the student’s locker or other storage areas before school. Items not stored will be confiscated by the administration.
Backpacks and/or book bags are permitted to be carried between classes, but shall not obstruct safe passage in the classroom or in the corridors so as not to pose a tripping, fire or emergency egress passage hazard.

Bus Transportation

Transportation to Old Saybrook High School is provided for all students who qualify by Board of Education guidelines. Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately while waiting for and riding the bus.

Cafeteria Services

Old Saybrook Public Schools Food Services offers well-balanced meals for both breakfast and lunch. Milk, a la carte items, ice cream, etc. are sold daily, in addition to the hot lunch program. If a family situation is such that it is a hardship to pay for lunch, parents may request free and reduced lunch forms that are available in the main office.

While in the cafeteria students are consistently expected to:

Deposit all lunch litter in wastebaskets/recycle containers.
Keep eating areas clean.
Keep voices and noise at a reasonable level.
Remain in the cafe until the lunch period ends.

Cell Phones and other Personal Electronic Devices

1. Students will use their cell phones appropriately

Students who use their cell phones inappropriately will be subject to disciplinary consequences and potential legal charges. Examples of inappropriate cell phone use include, but are not limited to: sending threats, cheating and/or plagiarism, taking inappropriate or unwanted photographs, copyright violations, etc...

2. Cell phone use is not permitted in the classroom setting

When students attend class, personal devices should not be accessed from the beginning-of-the-class-period bell to the end-of-the-class-period bell. In general, a cell phone should never be out during class time.

Classroom Expectations

If students choose to carry their cell phones with them during the school day, they must be stored out-of-sight during instructional time.
Each classroom is equipped with a caddy to store phones and is installed in a location that provides for limited access if students are found to be using a device during instructional time.
Students will store and retrieve devices on their own and at no point will a teacher or staff member store, retrieve, access, or otherwise handle student devices.
Students will silence devices before they are stored.
In the event of a building evacuation, students should leave their personal device in the designated storage area rather than take time to retrieve it before evacuating.

Students who are dishonest about their cell phones and/or refuse to comply with our expectations will be considered non-compliant. The following are guidelines for disciplinary consequences:

First non-compliance = Warning (direct students to classroom phone storage).
Second non-compliance = Student’s device is given to administration and the student picks it up at the end of the day.
Third non-compliance = Student’s device is given to administration and the student picks it up at the end of the day, office detention is assigned.
Subsequent non-compliance = Student turns in device to administration and parent picks it up. Continued non-compliance could result in a student dropping their cell phone off to administration at the start of school and picking it up at the end of the school day.

Cell phones are NOT an approved alternative to a Chromebook. This applies to students who elect not to receive a Chromebook, students who fail to bring their Chromebook to school, or for students who do not have their Chromebook charged. Teachers may use their discretion in enforcing this practice.

Earpods are NOT to be used or left one’s ear during class time. Some exceptions, including a teacher-approved activity, could apply.

Challenging Behavior

Challenging behavior is behavior that negatively impacts school climate or interferes, or is at risk with interfering, with the learning or safety of a student or the safety of a school employee. This form should also be used to report alleged bullying incidents, meaning: unwanted and aggressive behavior among children in grades pre-kindergarten to twelve, inclusive, that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.

Food Delivery Services

Student use of food and beverage delivery services such as DoorDash, UberEats, etc... is strictly prohibited. OSHS is not responsible for the refunding of the money lost by students who attempt to use these services during the school day.

Lockers

Lockers, provided for the temporary convenience of the students, are the property of the school. School officials have the right to inspect lockers assigned to students at any time without notice. This is done to safeguard students, their property and the property of the school.

Majority Age and Emancipated Minors

An Emancipated Minor is a child who has been released (by court decree) from the control of parents or guardians. Emancipated minors are subject to the rules and regulations just as any student at Old Saybrook High School. Appropriate legal papers must be signed and on file in the Administration Office before the above status is recognized.

Marking Periods

There are four grading terms each year. The opening and closing dates are below. Dates are subject to change because of school closings due to inclement weather.

First Quarter: August 28 – October 29, 2025
Second Quarter: October 30, 2025 – January 15, 2026
Midterm Exams: January 16 – 22, 2026
Third Quarter: January 23 – March 31, 2026
Fourth Quarter: April 1 –June 5, June 15, 2026
Final Exams: June 9 –12, 2026

Progress Reports

Parents are notified of the midpoint of each quarter so they can take notice of student progress.

First Quarter Midpoint: September 29, 2025
Second Quarter Midpoint: December 5, 2025
Third Quarter Midpoint: February 25, 2026
Fourth Quarter Midpoint: May 8, 2025

Media

Members of the media are only permitted to be on school grounds with the express approval of the Superintendent of Schools. Media will not be given permission to speak with students on school grounds or during school operations unless invited to be present by administration, and with permission from parents.

Murals at Old Saybrook High School

The following guidelines are employed for students wanting to paint a mural: Art Teachers and administration will meet to review applications.

Original designs: Murals should be original in design and should reflect a creative effort.
Theme: Theme must be appropriate for display in a public building where all age groups have access to viewing.
Procedure for submitting: A full color sketch of the mural must be submitted to the O.S.H.S. Enhancement Committee for approval.
Time and materials: One month will normally be allowed for the completion of the mural.
Display duration: The mural is not to be considered a permanent display. Murals may be done on canvas to allow for changing the display from one area of the building to another area.

Petitions, Leaflets, Flyers, Etc.

Students desiring to distribute handbills, leaflets, petitions, or other printed material in the school must receive prior approval from the principal. After presenting such material to the principal, students will receive a decision regarding the distribution thereof. The following limitations apply:

The time and location of such activity shall be limited to periods deemed appropriate by the administration.
The place of such activity shall be reasonably restricted to permit the normal flow of traffic within the school and at exterior doors.
The manner of conducting such activity shall be restricted to prevent undue levels of noise and/or to prevent the use of coercion in obtaining signatures on petitions.
Student identification shall be required on all printed matter and petitions distributed or circulated on school property.
The school shall prohibit the distribution of material identified within the restricted categories of Bulletin Board

The administration must approve the posting of signs, posters, and display material. Posters should display administration initials indicating approval.

Schedules

Click here to view the Daily, Two- Hour Delay, Half Day/Early Dismissal schedules

Flex is a 30 minute period during the day in which students learn the responsibility of scheduling productive time for themselves to foster independence. A different focus area for students, by grade level, to concentrate on rotates through the week. Students must be at the location for which they’ve been assigned or must utilize our flex software to sign up for other activities. To ensure student safety and that they are meeting expectations, attendance is taken at the beginning of every flex period.

Climate/Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) A time for students to focus on their emotional well-being, to build social skills, and to build positive relationships which foster a healthy school climate. This is facilitated by their flex teacher.

SAT Prep A time for students to log into IXL software to engage in personalized SAT prep. The program adjusts based on individual student need, tracks progress and provides feedback.

Academics A time for students to work on assignments, study, or get extra-help with the flex teacher or by signing up to seek assistance directly from one of their other academic teachers.

Open Students can use this time to work on their own individual priorities. It can also be a time for students to congregate in designated communal areas, such as the cafe, gym, or LMC.

Student Intervention Team

The Student Intervention Team (SIT) is comprised of members of faculty and staff who meet weekly to focus on students referred for academic or behavioral issues. The goal of the team is to provide support and assistance for struggling students and to monitor interventions as they are implemented. We work in partnership with students, parents, teachers and staff. For more information about SIT or to learn about the referral process, please contact administrators or your school counselor. Referral forms are located in guidance and the main office. The SIT is part of OSHS MTSS.

Student Parking

Juniors and Seniors who hold a valid driver’s license are permitted to park at school after completing the procedures below. Parking is free for students, but students must not have any outstanding financial obligations in order to be assigned a parking space.

1. Complete a Student Parking Registration form (signed by student and parent/guardian). See Main Office Staff or the School Resource Officer.
2. Attend a 30-minute presentation on Safe and Responsible Motor Vehicle Operations presented by School Resource Officers from the Old Saybrook Department of Police Services. Presentation happens in August. Classes are also offered over the course of the year.
3. Register your automobile in the main office. You will need the following to complete registration:

Completed, signed Student Parking Registration Form
Copy of vehicle registration
Copy of student driver’s license

Students are expected to drive cautiously in the parking lot, park only in assigned spots, and lock vehicles. Students must maintain positive behavioral standards and arrive to school on time in order to keep the privilege of parking at school. Students who drive must follow all school-assigned end times in weather-related conditions. Excessive tardiness to school may result in suspension or loss of parking privileges. Students parking on campus without proper registration will face consequences that might include suspension of future parking privileges. Student vehicles parked are subject to search if the criteria necessitating a search is met (see student search and seizure policy).

Visitors and Guests

All visitors must report to the office upon entering the school building and may be asked to present their driver’s license for processing through our security system. Visitors will receive a guest pass that must be visibly worn during the visit. Only students currently enrolled in Old Saybrook High School will be permitted to be in the building during the school day. Those who wish to host a potential OSHS student for shadowing purposes must complete an Old Saybrook High School Visitor Form, which can be obtained in the main office. Completed forms should be submitted for administrator approval at least five (5) days prior to the planned visit. Old Saybrook Public Schools adheres to a safe campus philosophy and requires all visitors to enter through the main school entrance. Students and staff should never allow access into the school building by another individual, known or unknown, through any outside door.

Withdrawal Procedures

It is expected and desired that all students graduate from high school. Connecticut legislation requires that any student 17-years of age wishing to withdraw must be signed out of school by a legal parent/guardian. Students under the age of 17 are not permitted to withdraw from school. Making the decision to withdraw from school is an extremely high stakes endeavor and should be discussed with various school personnel prior to making a final determination. Any student who is considering a withdrawal from high school should meet with his/her school counselor to discuss options. Any student ultimately withdrawing from school will be required to meet with the school principal and/or his/her designee. During this meeting, the student will be expected to articulate a plan for the future. Documents will be forwarded to appropriate receiving institutions only if all obligations are met.

Working Papers

Process for obtaining working papers:

Obtain a “promise to employ” letter from the prospective employer.
Return the letter with a birth certificate to the Guidance Department. Unless the law prohibits, working papers are then issued to students.
Carefully read directions on the back of working papers.

If you change employment, a new “promise to employ” form must be completed by the new employer and brought to the Guidance Department. A copy of the original working papers is kept on file in the Office. A new copy will be issued.

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