Career & Technical Education (CTE): Lab & Safety Policy

Welcome to Middle School CTE General Career Exploration! In our class, students gain hands-on experience across multiple career pathways—ranging from design and construction to culinary arts and prototyping.

Because our learning modules involve real-world tools, electronics, heat sources, and equipment, maintaining a safe, respectful, and responsible environment is our top priority. This policy outlines our expectations to ensure every student can explore safely.

1. Safety & Hand-On Equipment Rules

When working in active modules or handling equipment, students are expected to follow these safety non-negotiables:

• Tool & Equipment Safety: Tools, equipment and resources may only be used as instructed and for their designated learning activity.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Required PPE (eye protection, heat-resistant gloves, apron, etc.) must be worn whenever specified by the curriculum or instructor before starting any hands-on task.

• Focus & Horseplay: Horseplay, running, distracting others while they use equipment, or misusing tools will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

2. Classroom Routines & Clean-Up

• Preparation & Focus: Students must listen attentively to all pre-lab safety demonstrations and instructions before beginning work.

• End-of-Class Clean-Up: Clean-up begins approximately 5 minutes before the dismissal bell. All tools, materials, and equipment must be returned to their designated storage locations, workstations cleaned, and safety stations checked before students are dismissed.

3. Safety Certification & Prerequisite Contract

Before participating in any hands-on module students must:

1. Complete the required safety instruction and the corresponding safety quiz/demonstration.

2. Sign and submit the CTE Student Safety Contract (signed by both the student and a parent/guardian).

Students will not be permitted to handle tools, heat sources, or machinery until their signed contract is on file.

4. Behavioral Expectations & Progressive Discipline

We hold high standards for student conduct to mirror real-world professional environments. Violations of classroom rules or safety protocols will be handled as follows:

• T-Infractions: Minor or persistent non-safety behavior issues (such as electronic device use, off-task behavior, or failure to cleanup) result in a T-Infraction, which involves a discipline referral to the administration.  This can have an impact on your ability to participate in school sponsored rewards trips and multiple infractions may result in consequences as outline in the student handbook. 

• Immediate Removal & Serious Violations: Any action that directly endangers the safety of the student or others—such as, but not limited to, intentional misuse of high-risk tools, severe horseplay, or defiance during equipment operation—will result in immediate removal from the classroom/module area, parent notification, and an administrative referral.