General Rules and Regulations

Academic Dishonesty

Westwood Regional High School is committed to the promotion of intellectual and moral development. The fulfillment of these goals depends largely on the personal integrity of each student and on the bond of mutual trust that exists between faculty and students. All course requirements are expected to be fulfilled by work that is the exclusive product of one’s own effort without unauthorized help from any other source. In keeping this trust, the student advances his/her own academic growth and maturity.

The assumption of academic honesty is an essential element of the educational process. Sanctions do exist, however, for those who would betray this trust.

Breaches of academic honesty are dangerous to both the morale and reputation of the school. They undermine the principles upon which Westwood Regional High School was founded. The academic integrity of every student is important so that Westwood Regional High School may continue its proud tradition of excellence.

Cheating is an act of deception by which a student misrepresents his/her mastery of material on a test or other academic exercise. Some examples of cheating are:

1. Copying from another student’s work

2. Allowing another student to copy your work

3. Using unauthorized material such as a textbook or notebook during an assessment

4. Using specifically prepared material such as notes written on clothing or other unauthorized notes, formula lists, et., during an assessment

5. Collaborating with another person during an assessment by giving or receiving information without authority

To avoid a charge of plagiarism, a student should be sure to include an acknowledgement of indebtedness by citing the source from which the information came. Students may be required to submit their work to an online plagiarism checking database service. This may result in evidence of plagiarism. This would be then further investigated and result in the policies regarding plagiarism as stated by school policy.

Plagiarism is defined as, ‘the presentation of the ideas of writing of someone else as one’s own work.’ It includes the following:

1. Reproducing another person’s work, whether published or unpublished, including using materials from companies that sell research papers

2. Submitting as your own any academic exercise prepared totally or in part by another

3. Using another’s written ideas or words without properly acknowledging the source. If a student uses the words of someone else, he or she must put quotation marks around the passage and add indication of its origin. Simply changing a word or two while leaving the organization and content substantially intact and failing to cite the source is plagiarism. Students should also take note that failure to acknowledge study aids such as Cliff Notes or common reference sources constitutes plagiarism

4. All sources, including the sources of ideas, must be acknowledged and cited in ways appropriate to one’s discipline. Electronic sources, such as found in the Internet or on the World Wide Web, must also be cited

5. Failure to acknowledge sources is plagiarism, regardless of intention

In most cases a zero (0) will be imposed as a consequence of cheating/plagiarism and notice will be sent home. In the case of a long written assignment, such as a term paper, any students involved in the copying may receive an “F.” Students may lose eligibility or member status in academic clubs/organizations, including honors societies, if found guilty of academic dishonesty. These consequences occur after an investigation has occurred and are given by the school’s disciplinarian.

Cell Phones/Radios/Electronic Devices

Students and parents understand that such items are brought to school at the student’s own risk, and the school will not be responsible for lost or stolen items. It is expected that students will put their device away when asked by a staff member.

School Activities

School sponsored activities and other events are provided for students so that they may better enrich the experience had at Westwood Regional High School. It is expected that all students will conduct themselves in accordance with school policies at all times while participating in or attending such events. Behavioral expectations include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Under normal circumstances, all spectators will have to purchase tickets and enter the facility where the event is to take place

2. No one will be permitted to loiter outside the gym during sporting events and dances or outside the auditorium during stage presentations (intermissions not included)

3. No one will be permitted to loiter in parked cars or parking lots

4. Individuals causing disturbances will be removed

5. Individuals drinking alcoholic beverages, using illegal drugs, or under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs will be removed from the activity and may be subject to prosecution. This applies to activities held out of school as well (i.e., proms, field trips)

6. Students who are placed on suspension may not participate in or attend school sponsored activities during the period of time their suspension is in effect

7. When no school-sponsored activities are scheduled, no one is permitted to be on school grounds except those individuals who have permission to be there

Fire and School Security Drills

In general, the four (4) safety drills are evacuation, shelter-in-place, lockdown, and code blue (cardiac event). New Jersey State Education Law requires that one (1) fire drill and one (1) school security drill per month be held throughout the school year to prepare students for a safe and secure environment should an emergency arise. During a fire drill, all students and personnel will be directed to leave the building with their classes and assemble on the lawn or parking lot.

When students hear the fire alarm they must assume it is real and not a practice drill. Every precaution is made to prevent fires and students are expected to do what is necessary and prudent to cooperate. This includes reporting any unsafe conditions that may lead to fire. The simple rules to follow during a fire drill are as follows:

1. No noise of any sort is permitted so emergency directions can be heard if needed

2. Students should stay with their teacher and class at all times

3. Pushing, shoving and horseplay are strictly forbidden

4. If an exit is blocked, proceed in an orderly manner to the nearest available exit

5. Be familiar with all the fire exit procedures posted in each assigned room attended daily

School security information is posted in in every room in the building.

Parking at School

Parking is a privilege for senior students eligible to drive. Parking is limited and will be assigned to seniors only. Seniors will be permitted to park on school grounds provided:

1. A valid driver’s license and registration card is presented and photocopied for office files.

2. The student’s car is parked only in the parking spots assigned at the time of registration.

3. The vehicle is registered in the Main Office and displays a current school registration tag.

The parking lot is off limits to students while school is in session. Permission from the office is required in order for a student to go to the parking lot during classes, except when accompanied by a teacher. (Seniors who have permission to leave school grounds for lunch may go to their cars only during their lunch periods and study halls, but only for the purpose of leaving school grounds. Seniors may not eat lunch in their cars.)

The flow of traffic in the parking lot is one way coming in to the student parking lot from Ellen Place. No one should exit school rounds via Ellen Place.

The speed limit in the school parking lot is ten (10) miles per hour. Anyone exceeding the limit or operating a motor vehicle in a careless or reckless manner will be reported to the police and will automatically lose parking privileges.

Students must comply with all regulations governing driving privileges as set forth by Westwood Regional High School. Any cars which are illegally parked will be towed at the owner’s expense and/or a summons will be issued by the Township of Washington Police. No person should park a motor vehicle in a parking space or area upon the premises of Westwood Regional High School unless assigned that space by the principal or designee (Ord.#97-12). Failure on the part of a student to abide by the rules and regulations regarding driving privileges and the use of the parking lot may also result in the loss of the privileges. Please be advised that utilizing a parking space on school grounds allows for any such motor vehicle to be searched by school administration with reasonable suspicion.

Any underclassmen found parking on school grounds will be subject to the discipline outlined in the code of conduct.

Personal Property

Each student is responsible for his/her personal property while in school and care needs to be taken to ensure minimum risk of loss. Students are also responsible for textbooks and other materials issued to them. Textbooks and other personal property should not be left unattended. Students are urged not to place money and other valuables in their lockers and to lock their hall and physical education locker at all times. Students are urged to place their names in all personal property and clothing brought to school.

Prohibited Items

It is forbidden to bring knives, weapons, controlled dangerous substances (such as tobacco/vape devices, illegal drugs, and alcohol), and incendiary devices (such as firecrackers and smoke bombs) to school. School authorities are required to report to the police department any incident involving these items.

School Property

Students are expected to keep the school neat and clean. Pride in the school and the property belonging to it will produce a better school in which to work and live. The physical condition of the campus reflects the character of the student body.

Any school property lost or damaged by a pupil must be paid for by the student. Accidental damage is one thing; but malicious destruction of school property will be dealt with severely. Significant fines may result in a “freeze” of the student’s academic record.

Textbooks are the property of the Board of Education for students’ use. These books must be returned at the close of the school year in good condition. In the event of unreasonable wear, a fine will be assessed. Any lost book must be paid for based on the current cost of replacement. It is the student’s responsibility to have all books covered at all times. Students’ names must be placed in the appropriate place on the stamp in the book.

Student and Locker Searches

Each student in attendance in school is protected against illegal, or unreasonable, personal searches or seizures of property by both federal and state constitutions. However, school officials have the right to conduct a search of any person and/or locker if there is a “reasonable suspicion” that materials are being concealed, the possession of which, is prohibited by law or by the rules of this school (this includes stolen items). Westwood Regional High School reserves the right to search a student’s locker, other storage facility, or person. This will serve as the written notice to that effect for students and parents/guardians. Students and parents/guardians are informed herein that inspection may occur at any time at the discretion of the school administration.

Study Hall Standards

1. Study halls are to have an academic atmosphere. They are not to be used for socializing.

2. Students are to use the time to complete class assignments or to read.

3. Students will not be excused from their study hall by the teacher unless a pass is presented to the study hall teacher. If a student requests permission to go to the Main Office, Guidance Office, or to see another teacher, a pass must be obtained by the study hall teacher.

4. Students may receive a pass to go to the Media Center at the discretion of the study hall teacher. Those then leaving for the Media Center are to remain in there for the entire period.

5. Seniors who have Senior Privilege Cards may leave the building during lunch and study hall periods. Seniors are not required to report to study hall before leaving the building and are expected to return to school on time for the next class. Failure to do so will result in the loss of this privilege.

6. Check-in is necessary for any student having a 9:00 am study hall.