SCHOOL CLIMATE

In order to maintain a school climate that is safe, orderly, and conducive to learning, the following expectations are necessary.

Dress Code

Student’s individual dress is primarily a parental responsibility that should reflect concern for health and safety of students, staff and others. When the dress of an individual student constitutes a health problem, is unsuitable for school wear, is a danger to any person, or causes a substantial and material disruption or substantial disturbance, administration will take appropriate action to correct the situation.

The following are examples of apparel that is not to be worn during the school day:

• Clothing with offensive, vulgar, or racist language or pictures

• Tops that do not cover the mid-section or sides

• Camisole or lingerie type clothing

• Clothing that glorifies, encourages or promotes the use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs

• Skirts and shorts length must be of an appropriate length such as mid-thigh, or with arms down to the side, skirts and shorts must be as long as the ends of the student's fingertips).

• For safety reasons, spiked items such as collars, wristbands, hats or jackets are not permitted.

Students who violate this policy will be given an opportunity to correct the situation by either changing the clothing, removing the clothing (if appropriate), wearing it inside-out, or other means as determined by the administration so the student is in compliance with this dress code.

It is the faculty’s right and duty to determine if one’s dress is appropriate for an activity. It is also the teacher’s right to require that hats or hoods be removed in that teacher’s classroom. If a student feels that a teacher has made an unjust request, the student should comply with that request in class and confer with that teacher after class. If an agreement cannot be reached, a conference may be scheduled with an administrator.

Violations of the dress code policy will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Students who repeatedly violate this dress code may face additional discipline including: corrective action, parent notification, administrative action which could include but not be limited to holding a parent conference, an office detention, assigning a Saturday Detention, and/or suspension.

Violations that suggest a pattern of behavior or lead to disrespectful conduct will be handled according to our code of student conduct outlining respectful behavior.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are to be removed upon entering the building.

Smoking

It is against the law for anyone under the age of 18 to possess or to use tobacco or tobacco products. In addition, Hopkinton High School/Hopkinton Middle School is a smoke-free environment and "Drug Free School Zone." Students who smoke or who are found to be in possession of tobacco or tobacco products will receive a Saturday Education for a first offense. Subsequent offenses will lead to automatic suspension. A student with smoking offenses may also face legal action in addition to being required to attend a smoking cessation class.

Utility Tools (Leatherman, Gerber, etc.)

These tools contain a blade that is not permitted on campus, and therefore will be confiscated. The administration appreciates students volunteering tools that are brought to school by mistake.

Public Displays of Affection

School is not a proper time or place for acts of intimacy. Students should not make it necessary for staff members to embarrass them with a request to cease. The need for more than one reminder will result in disciplinary action.

Student Center Behavior

During lunch, high school students may go outside into a supervised area. Students may visit the library, the School Counseling Office or a teacher with have a pre-signed pass.

While in the cafeteria, students are expected to speak in normal tones, to be respectful of the space by picking up after themselves, and to remain seated while eating.

Food and Beverages

Food and beverages (with the exception of water) are to be confined to the Cafeteria/Student Center, and are NOT to be carried to other parts of the building. Students may expect that food or beverages outside of the designated area will be confiscated.

Corridors

All students, except seniors with privileges, are required to have a pass in order to travel the halls during the school day. Classes are in session; therefore, students need to pass quietly from area to area. Students are not allowed to loiter in the halls. Middle School students need to use the appropriate corridors to pass from class to class in order to minimize disruption to high school classes; high school students are expected to do the same.

Complying with Requests of Staff

Students are expected to comply with requests made of them by staff members in the building and to do so without argument.