School Information
School Information
School Accessibility
Accessibility of our facility is very important to our school community. People who have difficulty accessing public buildings should feel encouraged to contact the school administration for assistance (746-4167).
For the gymnasium – please park in the handicapped spaces behind the gym. Enter through the rear entrance.
For the auditorium – please park in the handicapped spaces near the teachers’ entrances (bordering the Hopkinton Fairgrounds) Enter through the teachers’ entrance. Please follow the signs to the elevator.
Communication
Please feel encouraged to contact any staff member. They are expected to return phone calls and emails within 24 hours. The weekly email/blog newsletter the "Hawk News” is another excellent way to learn about what is happening in the school.
One can sign up to receive the Hawk News by going to the following web site.
Attendance
It is essential that students attend school every day in order to grow as learners. Absences have an adverse effect on learning. Since students will, from time to time, be ill or have other unavoidable commitments, we ask that these limited number of absences be minimized as much as possible (see below for specifics related to absences and loss of class credit). If it is necessary for a student to be absent, parents should notify the main office by 8:30 am on the day of the absence. Student absences may be reported before school hours by calling 746-4167. Students who miss a class for any reason must make arrangements for completing missed work within forty-eight (48) hours of their return to school.
Unexcused Absences
At the high school level, unexcused absences may result in loss of credit. Ten unexcused absences are allowed in a year-long course; five unexcused absences will be allowed in a semester course; two unexcused absences will be allowed in a quarter-long course. In order not to be marked absent, the student must be present for 60 minutes or more of the class.
Exceeding these attendance limits will result in loss of credit for the course. (Please see "Tardy to School" for related information.)
Letters will be sent home when a student reaches five unexcused absences from school and when the student is one absence away from losing credit for a course. NCA (identified in the key code as "no credit attendance") will appear in the "absences" column of the report card to indicate no credit for those students who have lost credit due to absences. Students may appeal a loss of credit decision to an administrator.
An administrator will confer with parents after 10 unexcused absences from school. After 20 absences, the superintendent will be notified.
Excused Absences
Excused absences include officially documented medical appointments (notes from a parent/guardian are not sufficient), legal obligations that can be documented, family loss, school related absences, pre-arranged absences for extended leave or vacation, and pre-approved college visits. Students returning to school must bring a note from the appropriate party (for example, the doctor’s office) in order for that absence to be excused. All other absences are considered unexcused.
Dismissal from School
If a student is to be dismissed during the day for any reason, s/he must bring a note to the main office prior to or on the morning of the dismissal.
The note should explain the reason for the dismissal and the time of dismissal, along with the approximate time of return to school if applicable.
If, for any reason, it becomes necessary for a student to be excused from school during the day, the student must get permission from the office. In case of illness, the student must see the nurse for permission to leave school. It is imperative that students who are dismissed sign out in the main office.
Tardy to Class
Students who are late to class three times will be assigned a detention by the teacher. The teacher will also notify the parent of the detention, which must be served within 48 hours of the third tardy or at a time agreed upon with the teacher. In addition, three "tardies" to class in one semester will equal one unexcused absence. If a student is 20 minutes late for a class, that student will be assessed one unexcused absence. Upon the sixth tardy to class, the parents will be called and administration will issue a Saturday Detention. Once the Saturday Detention is served, three "tardies" are essentially "bought back" and one unexcused absence will be officially removed from the student's record. Multiple Saturday Educations can be served to “buy back” more than one unexcused absence.
Tardy to School
Students who are late to school must sign in at the office and receive an admit slip. Students who are habitually late ( 6 or more times) will receive office detentions, Saturday Education and/or will lose parking privileges (progressively). Upon the sixth tardy to school, the parents will be called.
Building Hours
Hopkinton Middle High School is open for general use, Monday - Friday between the hours of 7:30 AM and 3:30 PM. Students who arrive on early busses must report to the cafeteria. Students who walk or drive should plan to arrive between 7:45 AM and 8:00 AM.
Prior to 7:45 AM, students (other than seniors with privileges) are not allowed in areas other than the cafeteria unless they are involved in a supervised activity and have a pass from the supervising adult. When this is the case, students must check-in with the teacher on duty at the top of the stairs and must show their pass before continuing on into the school.
During the school day, all areas outside the school building except the assigned outdoor area behind the performing arts wing are out-of-bounds. This includes the skate park, automobiles, and the parking area. If a student needs to go to their car, permission must be obtained from the office first.
Morning Routine
Each morning the Hopkinton Middle High School community begins the Pledge of Allegiance. (Please pause if the pledge is announced while walking in the hall.) Students who choose not to participate should abstain courteously. Morning announcements will follow the pledge and are used to convey important information to the school community. Students should give them their full attention.
Assemblies and Special Programs
Assemblies and special programs represent an important part of the curriculum and are designed to both educate and to entertain. Attendance for ALL students is mandatory. Assembles, special programs, and other performances also provide the opportunity for students to learn and practice appropriate formal audience behavior.
Regardless of the type of program, common courtesy expects a respectful and appreciative audience. Students should give their full attention to the program and exhibit positive behaviors: hats and hoods are removed upon entering the auditorium; applause is appropriate in keeping with the occasion.
When reporting to the gymnasium or auditorium, students should proceed quickly and quietly. Students should leave their belongings in the classroom (to be locked by the teacher), will be accompanied by a designated teacher, will sit with their group, and will remain seated until formally dismissed.
Lockers
At the start of the school year, students will be assigned a locker. Sadly, each year, unlocked lockers are opened and items are taken from the owner. To thwart this behavior, students are encouraged to keep their lockers secured at all times with a school lock. For the safety and security of all involved, school locks must be used on school lockers (any foreign locks will be removed). These school locks can be obtained from the Main Office.
The cost of a new lock is $5.00 per lock. If available, recycled locks can be purchased at a cost of $2.00 per lock. Once purchased, the lock can be used for one’s entire middle and high school career. These locks are “master keyed” in case of emergency.
Students should not attach anything to the front of their locker. Students will be financially responsible for any loss or damage to their locker if it is left unlocked. The replacement cost of each individual locker is $230.00. Students should consider themselves as occupants of school-owned lockers. In the case of an emergency or threat to school security, the school district reserves the right to open lockers.
Passes
Students are not expected to be in the halls other than during passing times. If a student does need to leave class for a destination such as the office or nurse, a pass is required. Students who have made arrangements with a teacher to get extra help during a study hall or Academic Advisory should obtain a pass from that teacher which should then be presented to the study hall teacher or Academic Advisor. Students who are chronically leaving class will be monitored by the administration.
Rest Rooms
Students are not to loiter in the bathrooms. Everyone is expected to help keep our rest rooms clean. Students should use the rest room facilities closest to their classroom.
Messages to Students
Each student in grades 9-12 has an assigned mailbox. It is imperative that students check their mailbox and their school issued email accounts for messages. The messages will be placed in these boxes as soon as they are received. Failing to check may result in the student missing an important meeting or failing to learn important information.
Student Center
The Student Center (cafeteria) offers breakfast, snacks and drinks at break, and a full lunch. The cost of the snack and a la carte items varies, breakfast is $1.50, and a full lunch is $3.25 for students and $3.50 for adults. Please note, during the 2021-2022 school year, breakfast and lunch are available to all students at no cost.
Recycling
Students are encouraged to dispose of paper and other recyclables in the appropriate container.
Biking and Skateboarding
Biking and skateboarding are not allowed on school property. Bike helmets are required for those under 18 years of age according to RSA 265:144.
Parent/Guardian Before School Drop Off
In order to improve the safety of morning drop off procedures, parents and guardians are required to drop off their students along the side of the school by the gym. Parents are expected to pull in between the school and the traffic cones to drop off their child. Please move your car forward to allow other parents to drop off their child.
Parent/Guardian After School Pick Up
In order to improve parking lot safety, parents and guardians are required to pick up their students at the ‘Teachers’ Entrance, fairground side of the school. Please move your car forward as to not block the bus through way.
Hopkinton High School Parking Policy
The opportunity to park on school grounds is a privilege not a right. In order to park on school property, students must have a parking permit. In order to receive a permit, students must register their vehicles in the main office and sign the parking agreement.
Students should register any vehicle they will drive to school. Any new vehicles must be re-registered. Hopkinton High School administration has the right to revoke the privilege to park on school grounds at any time.
Parking lots are considered public ways. The Hopkinton Police will ticket unauthorized or illegally parked vehicles. All areas not specifically designed as parking spaces are considered FIRE LANES. Students who are ticketed for parking in a fire lane will also receive a two-hour Saturday detention. All state and local driving standards apply to those using the lots. Parking spaces are allocated as follows:
• White Lined: Staff members and visitors
• Green Lined: Seniors
• Yellow Lined: Juniors
• The back, unpaved portion is for freshmen, sophomores and any overflow from other areas.
Students are not permitted in cars or to congregate in the parking lot before school, during school hours or after school. Loitering in the parking lot will lead to consequences similar to reckless driving and parking in unlined or unauthorized spaces (see consequences listed below).
Once students arrive to school in the morning, they are expected to leave vehicles in their assigned area for the entire school day. Students are prohibited from parking on any public street adjacent to the school, or on private property without specific permission.
Students who gain and maintain the privilege of parking at school are expected to drive in a way that is safe for themselves, others, and respectful of property.
Failing to abide by these expectations may result in the revocation of parking privileges and the filing of a report with the Hopkinton Police Department. Repeated offenses of reckless driving or parking in unlined or unauthorized spaces will result in the following escalation of consequences:
First offense: Warning
Second offense: Suspension for parking privilege for 15 school days
Third offense: Suspension for parking privilege for 30 school days
Electronic Devices (MP3 players, iPods, video games, etc.)
Students may use electronic devices in the cafeteria before or after school, during break, and during lunch only. Failure to follow this guideline will require the student to forfeit the electronic device to a staff member. The staff member will turn the electronic device over to the administration.
A student’s failure to comply with a teacher’s request to turn over an electronic device will receive a Saturday Education. The parent/guardian will be notified, the parent/guardian will be asked to pick up the electronic device at their earliest convenience.
Violations:
For the first offense, the student may pick up their electronic device from the office at the end of the school day. A second offense will require that a parent or guardian pick up the electronic device from the main office. For a third offense, a parent or guardian will pick up the electronic device from the main office and the student will serve an office detention. On the fourth offense, a parent or guardian will pick up the electronic device from the main office and the student will serve a Saturday Detention.
Communication Devices (cell phones, etc.)
Students are not permitted to use cell phones/devices while in the classroom unless they receive permission from a faculty member. If a student has a cell phone out during class or in any other unauthorized area, the teacher will confiscate it. The staff member will turn the cell phone over to the administration. Students will be able to use their cell phone in the cafeteria during lunches and breaks. Students who need to use a cell phone to make a call during the course of the school day may ask a faculty member for permission for the cell phone to be used in the office -- permission will be granted by faculty members on a case-by-case basis.
A student’s failure to comply with a teacher’s request to turn over the cell phone/device will receive a Saturday Education. The parent/guardian will be notified, the parent/guardian will be asked to pick up the cell phone / device at their earliest convenience.
Violations:
For the first offense, the student may pick up their cell phone from the office at the end of the school day. A second offense will require that a parent or guardian pick up the cell phone from the main office. For a third offense, a parent or guardian will pick up the cell phone from the main office and the student will serve an Office Detention. On the fourth offense, a parent or guardian will pick up the cell phone from the main office and the student will serve a Saturday Detention.
Videotaping
Videotaping of students and staff is only permitted if permission is granted. Publishing a video to a web site is only allowed with written permission from a teacher and administrator.
Senior Privilege Contracts
Privileges and requirements for privileges are distributed to each eligible senior. All seniors start the year eligible for privileges. (Seniors are students in their fourth year of high school with at least 18 credits.) Eligibility for the Senior Privilege program is determined by grades at the issuance of progress report and report card grades. Each senior and a parent/guardian must sign a "Senior Privilege Contract" in the main office that will be kept on file for the entirety of the school year. Blank copies of this contract are available in the main office.
Use of Facility
Students or community groups wishing to use the facility for activities must complete the "Notification of Maintenance Facility Use Form" available in the main office. Completing the form at least two weeks prior to the event would be appreciated.
Contact Information/Emergency Form
All students are required to have current emergency information on file in the main office. Parents are asked to verify current information at the beginning of the school year when a form will be mailed home for that purpose.
Work Release
Juniors and seniors in good academic standing may take advantage of the Work Release program. This program allows students to leave school to go to work during unscheduled time, usually after lunch. To take advantage of this program, your employer must fill out a form that you can obtain from the School Counseling Office. You do not earn academic credit for participating in this program.