In compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, THE WESTPORT PUBLIC SCHOOLS shall exclude no person from participation in, denied benefits of, or be otherwise discriminated against in employment or in educational opportunity on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, disability, past or present history of mental disorder, mental retardation, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age or marital status.

Complaint Procedures

File complaint with principal; copy to coordinator (see below)

If not satisfied, you may appeal to the Assistant Superintendent

Next level is appeal to Superintendent

Next level appeal is to Board of Education

Title VI, Title VII

and Title 504 Coordinator Title IX Coordinator

Cynthia Gilchrest Joyce Losen, Ass’t. to the Sup’t.

Director of Pupil Services Westport Town School Office

Staples High School Westport Town Hall

70 North Avenue 110 Myrtle Avenue, Room 302

Westport, CT 06880 Westport, CT 06880

341-1250 341-1012

Dear Students, Parents, and Staff:

The primary mission of Staples High School is to promote the development of academic excellence in all students. It is to this end that teachers and support staff work diligently to develop daily experiences that challenge students to ignite their intellectual and creative energies while at the same time fostering positive relationships both in and out of the classroom.

As members of the Staples High school community we all have a responsibility to promote a just and caring learning environment. It is important that we all treat each other with respect and that students exhibit pride in themselves and in all that they say and do.

Indeed, only when we exhibit respect for property, individuals and groups with similar and diverse interests will we become a "functional" family. As a Staples family participant each student will have the opportunity to achieve success in academic pursuits and social interactions. We prize activities which will engage students in the exploration of real-life experiences, and understanding more about their character and make-up as a result of such an examination.

An important part of this year’s program will be designing a plan for the effective use of space which will support our instructional programs. Student enrollment in our school will nearly double over the next decade and we all will be faced with the enormous challenge of constructing the Staples High School of the future. The Student Assembly and Leadership Council will be asked to participate in this collaborative process of imagining the years ahead. But while you are here take advantage of all Staples has to offer. Become involved.

The main responsibility of every student is active engagement in the learning process. If I can help you in any way to fulfill this goal, please know that I am available to talk with you about such concerns. My door is open. Have a wonderful year!

Cordially,

Gloria Rakovic

Principal

STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL PAST AND PRESENT

ADMINISTRATION, FACULTY & STAFF

FACILITIES

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

ATTENDANCE POLICY & PROCEDURES

STANDARDS OF STUDENT CONDUCT

GUIDANCE

SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

HEALTH

STAPLES LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

STUDENT ASSEMBLY

GRADUATION ACTIVITIES

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

WESTPORT CONTINUING EDUCATION

INDEX

Staples High School was originally built in 1884 by a savvy Yankee trader, Horace Staples. Believing in the value of education, Horace determined Westport should be a progressive town and have its own high school.

As a young boy, Horace attended the local district school until he was 10 years old. At that age, farm boys were expected to forego schooling and go to work full time on the farm, though a determined boy might continue his studies during the four or five months of winter. Despite these limitations, Horace Staples completed his education and embarked upon a successful business and banking career.

Having unsuccessfully offered land for a school to the town of Westport in 1866, Staples decided to build the school himself. Some of the businessmen feared that education would make the boys lazy, but Mr. Staples did not believe this.

Opening on October 31, 1884, Staples High School was a three-story red-brick building on Riverside Avenue located on the land now occupied by Bedford Middle School. Beginning with 60 students who paid an annual tuition of $16 to $20, the school had one high school classroom, one grammar school classroom, a library and a laboratory. School lasted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as students studied a variety of subjects including English, German, Latin, Greek and algebra.

On June 24, 1887, the first graduating class of six young women was handed the first Staples’ diplomas. Made of genuine sheep skin, these diplomas bore a picture of the school’s donor, Horace Staples. On July 1, 1903, control of Staples High School was transferred from Staples’ estate to the Town of Westport. Fifty years after the first graduating class of six, 88 young men and women graduated.

In 1958, Staples High School was moved to its current location on North Avenue in order to respond to the expanding needs of the community. Today’s Staples includes an Olympic-size indoor pool and a radio station, WWPT-FM (90.3 FM).

Staples is a front-runner in the state and nation for its broad range of extracurricular activities, its rich curriculum and its outstanding program of professional development for teachers and administrators.

Town and Country Magazine cited Staples as one of the best schools in the country. The New York Times stated that parents consider it to be a "pearl of the school system". For more than five years, more than 91 percent of the Staples graduating class have continued their education. Over 82 percent have gone on to four-year colleges and universities.

During the 1997-98 school year, Commissioner Sergi of the State Education Department cited the excellence of our Advanced Placement program as one of the top five schools in the state. Many Staples students were awarded "AP Scholar" designations for exceptional achievement as well. Students also received commendations as National Merit Scholars and 25 students were inducted into our National Honor Society. Recently, Governor Rowland also awarded Staples students the Citizenship Challenge Award for outstanding contributions to school and community. Our graduates continue to gain admission to colleges with rigorous academic standards. Our athletics program and extra-curricular activities have encouraged students to excel in related areas of expertise and interests.

Academic honors and awards are only part of the Staples perspective. Staples students are known for their humanitarian concerns, as well as their art, drama and music abilities. It is evident that Horace Staples’ dream of quality education lives on.

PHILOSOPHY

Education is by its very nature a contradictory affair. On the one hand, its purpose is to conserve what society thinks is best and to pass on that information and those skills to the next generation. On the other hand, education must enable people to question tradition, to enhance and even change society. With this in mind, the role of a good school is to establish a balance between the conservative and the radical; it is to promote questioning and change as well as an understanding of and reverence for the past. Staples High School recognizes its central responsibility as an intellectual one; to teach students to use their minds and to stimulate their intellectual curiosity.

Staples High School is the active environment in which entering middle school adolescents become young adults whose future choices and decision swill influence, not only their own lives, but indeed our world. We at Staples help our students develop skills to communicate, calculate, create, research and reason. We encourage our students to build a foundation of responsibility, respect, cooperation and sensitivity to the needs and contributions of others. We recognize that the process of thoughtful choice and change can best occur in a nurturing environment, one in which students schooled in a shared body of knowledge come to possess a lifelong passion for learning.

Democracy is a way of life filled with paradox. The freedom of the individual must be sensitively balanced by responsibility and responsiveness to a community of individuals. Staples High School, as a center for education in a democracy, honors and promotes that freedom, that responsibility and that responsiveness.

The Staples community commits itself to a firm belief in the worth and dignity of each human being. We believe in the pursuit of knowledge and value the process of learning as highly as the product of learning. We are dedicated to the fostering of democratic principles and to the promotion of excellence.

CORE VALUES

• Cherish the attainment of academic excellence

• Act with respect and speak with kindness to one another

• Respect each person’s right to a safe and productive learning environment

• Protect personal and school property

GOALS

• Beyond the curriculum requirement mandated by the State of Connecticut and the Schools of the Future goals adopted by the Westport Board of Education, we must actively continue to:
• Provide all students an excellent foundation of knowledge in academic, athletic, artistic, creative and civic education;
• Respond to student needs that can be addressed through a variety of curriculum offerings, instructional methods and counseling;
• Support the non-college-bound student as well as the college-bound student and educate all students about career options;
• Address the emotional and social needs of adolescents growing up in a volatile and vulnerable world;
• Challenge each student to attain a level of academic excellence that corresponds to his or her ability and interests;
• Build on an understanding and appreciation of diversity in learning and teaching;
• Encourage staff development through interdisciplinary conversations, traditional course work and teacher-developed programs;
• Assess and advance both the process and products of learning;
• Invite community participation in our everyday life; and
• Promote responsible and courteous behavior as it relates to our planet, our town, our school and ourselves

ACCREDITATION

Staples High School is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., a non-governmental, nationally recognized organization whose affiliated institutions include elementary schools through collegiate institutions offering post-graduate instruction.

Accreditation of an institution by the New England Association indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically applied through a peer group review process. An accredited school is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.

ADMINISTRATION, FACULTY & STAFF

The following is a listing of staff members, as of the date of publication: July 1, 1998

ADMINISTRATION

Principal Gloria Rakovic

Assistant Principal Lee Littrell

Dean of Students Amedeo Cannone

FACULTY

Division Coordinators:

Athletics & Physical Education Mary Martinik

English, Literacy/Reading & Writing Specialist Lisabeth Comm

Fine & Performing Arts Adele Valovich

Foreign Language Rose Daily

Guidance Services Robert Hanf

Mathematics, Computer Frank Corbo

Science, Technology Ed. Stanley Rhodes

Social Studies, Family & Consumer Science Elliot Kraut

Special Education

Art:

Janet Garstka Lorraine O’Grady James Wheeler Joseph Zieghan

Chinese Culture

Ye Ningqing Kang Xia

Computer Science:

Chris Fray James Honeycutt

English:

Jamie Baldwin Joseph Ball Jerry Brooker Calvin Burwell

John Chiappetta Karl Decker Gillian Gottlieb Todd Kalif

Gerald Kuroghlian Judy Luster James Quinn Christina Richardson

Heather Subik

E.S.O.L.:

Christina Guzzetti

Family & Consumer Sciences:

Cynthia Grisa Nancy Kienzle

Foreign Language:

Horatio Ballesteros Ann Friedman Christina Glidden Carol Kochefko

Jeffrey Lea Raquel Leib Stephanie Platt Cassandra Sandor

Dan Sullivan

Library-Media Center:

Stacie Raffaele

Literacy/Reading:

Michelle Cota

Mathematics:

Karen Campe Marguerita Carlucci Sal Cassano Alan Jolley

Janet Kirchner Roberta Lee Suzanne McKenna John Pepe

Richard Sauvageau William Walsh

Music:

Alice Lipson Nicholas Mariconda

Physical Education & Health:

Bruce Betts Robert Byiteck John Lawrence Lisa Paglialunga

Marcellino Petroccio Judy Punshon Janet Zamary

Science:

John Bachyrycz William Brookes David Goby Ernest Harrington

Arlene Johnson Michael Lazaroff Bruce McFadden David Scrofani

Deborah Sowinski Kaye Sullivan

Social Studies:

Jacquelyn Boland Justin Cosell David Harrison David LaPonsee

Eric Meyer Richard Mott Stephanie Muson Todd Parker

Special Education:

Carmen Arciola Sal Cassano Patricia Conlin Karen DeFelice

Kate Dickstein Diann Drenosky Johanna Driscoll Richard Elliott

Deborah Green Mary Lou Huisking Pat Lane Karla Massiello

Robert May Tom Owen Liza Paglialunga Dennis Rizzo

Larry Sementini

Special Education Related Services:

Karen Mizrachi Mary Kay Novak

Technology Education:

Clayton Seelgen

Television:

Jim Honeycutt

Theater:

Judy Luster Joe Ziegahn

Writing Specialist:

Kerry McKay

GUIDANCE

Counselors:

Edward Huydic Paul King Carol Medinger Cynthia Rivera

Counselors/School Psychologists:

Mary Bernhardt Barbara Fischetti Janet Silk Carol Taney

Social Workers:

Sandy Dressler Sharon Goan

STAFF

Nurses:

Carol Burgess Diane Bosch Virginia Neville

Secretaries:

Asst. Principal - Lyn Birkmaier Athletics Dept. - Sandy Forehand

Attendance - Judy Nelson Bookkeeper - Pat Jensen

Bookkeeper-Std.Activ.- Mari Carroll Deans’ Office - Jyl King

English Dept. - Camile Rando Guidance Office - Karen Romano

Guidance/Transcripts - Missy Ketley Principal - Tricia Partin

Special Education - Sandy Atwood

Security:

Asst. to Dean Alice Addicks

Asst. to Dean Ned Batlin

Security Officer Jeff Meier

Other Support Staff:

Athletic Trainer Janet Zamary

A.V. Technician George LaCava

TOWN SCHOOL OFFICE:

Superintendent of Schools John Brady

Asst. Supt. of Curriculum Lynne Shain

& Staff Development

Director of Pupil Services Cynthia Gilchrest

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Chairman Mr. Steve Halstead

Vice-Chairman Mrs. Deborah Rath

Secretary Mrs. Cheryl Bliss

Mr. Eugene Cederbaum Mrs. Caren Gagliano

Mrs. Linda Merk-Gould Mrs. Sandra Urist

FACILITIES

In 1958, Staples High School was built on its current site of 23 acres on North Avenue. Over the years, the buildings and grounds have continued to be improved, modernized and updated. The campus, not visible from the road, has many "hidden" features.

ATHLETIC FACILITIES

Baseball Field Field Hockey Field Fieldhouse Fitness Center

Football Field Olympic-size Pool Outdoor Track Soccer Field

Softball Field Tennis Courts Wrestling Room

AUDITORIUM

The newly renovated 1.6 million dollar Staples auditorium seats approximately 950. The auditorium is used primarily for student productions put on by the Theater Department and Staples Players. Non-profit, Westport organizations may also use of this facility.

CAFETERIA - STUDENT CENTER

The Student Center/Cafeteria is open throughout the school day from 7:15 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. serving both breakfast and lunch.

COMMUNICATION TIME

This is a fifteen minute time period on Tuesday mornings in which announcements for the week are read and discussed. This is an opportunity for any activity to inform the whole student body of upcoming events.

ENTRANCES

• The Main Entrance: on the right as you face Staples front; upon entering, the Principal’s and Summer School offices are located to the left.
• Cafeteria/Public meeting Entrance: to the left of the Main Entrance (closer to the auditorium); this entrance is closest to the Cafeteria, where many public meetings are held.
• Auditorium: furthest to the left when facing Staples front.
• Fieldhouse: (Lou Nistico) at end of left driveway.
• Natatorium (Pool): to the left of the Fieldhouse Entrance.
• Drop-off Area is between the Main and Cafeteria entrances.

GRAPHICS CENTER

The graphics center serves as a hands-on laboratory using computer technology to augment training for students in the graphic design and publication industry. School and community projects are often produced as part of the curriculum and learning process.

LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER

Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.; Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Students, staff and community members are encouraged to access and use the information resources and fictional materials available in the Staples LMC. The LMC holdings include over 46,000 volumes, 130 periodicals and a variety of electronic information media. Our fully automated card catalog and networked system of periodical data bases puts this vast resource of information at our students’ fingertips. Students may use online computer facilities and video technology to extend their research beyond the wall of the LMC. Students may use video to gather data on location and to tape interviews with primary sources. The Library media Center regularly showcases student produced video on Cablevision public access channel 28. Our staff of one full time Library Media Specialist and five full time paraprofessionals are committed to providing quality information services and instruction. Staples students become confident and competent researcher as they are instructed in information problem solving skills that enable them to develop a strategy for selecting and managing information. The LMC is an Information Center and often runs programs that hosts speakers to encourage thoughtful discussion and future inquiry.

All Westporters are entitled to library cards and are welcome to use the facility during normal hours of operation.

PUBLIC TELEPHONES

The public telephones are in three locations: outside in front of the school, by the drop-off area; inside near the Main Office; and inside the main entrance to the Fieldhouse.

RADIO STATION WWPT 90.3 FM

Staples students broadcast live from 3:00 p.m. to midnight on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to midnight on weekends; tapes are played from midnight to 7:00 a.m. From 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sacred Heart University broadcasts.

SPECIALIZED CLASSROOMS

In addition to the 29 general purpose classrooms, Staples has 30+ special purpose rooms including: science labs, art rooms, music rooms, industrial arts rooms, a greenhouse and a photography dark room.

THE AL PIA STUDIO THEATER

This small "Black Box" theater is a drama workshop studio. Laboratory productions are held here throughout the school year and students function as directors and producers and coordinate every aspect of the performances.

TV PRODUCTION STUDIO

The studio is used primarily as workshop for students enrolled in TV Production courses. It also is available as a production center for student-run shows that are aired on cable television. Facilities can also be used for student projects in all academic subjects or independent study.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

We expect ourselves - students and staff - to practice high ethical standards. Honesty, respect for the process of learning, and concern for others are essential to the proper functioning of our community. In an educational setting such as Staples, academic cheating is not tolerated, and when discovered, the student faces appropriate school discipline.

ACADEMIC YEAR

The year is comprised of 4 quarters with an exam period after each semester (2^nd and 4^th quarters).

ACADEMIC DAY

An Academic Day runs from 7:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. with 8 periods (A-H) of varying lengths based on a 5 day cycle. The cycle rotates periods to insure 8 classes meet 4 times a week with a daily lunch period. See appendix: Daily Schedule.

Three Alternative Schedules (X, Y, or Z), allowing for 5, 60 or 20 minute meetings, were developed to allow for time to discuss important school issues, distribute report cards, hold concurrent class meetings, elect officers, etc.

ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE

Teacher Help

According to a teacher’s schedule, teachers are accessible for extra help. Students are encouraged to communicate this need with each specific teacher.

Staples Learning Center

Students in need of reading and writing skill development can receive such support from teaching specialists located in the Staples Learning Center. Contact these teachers directly or obtain more information from your guidance counselor.

Tutoring Program: Learning Support Center

Staples offers a Learning Support Center for students who are having academic difficulties. Students who are interested in receiving tutorial assistance should contact their counselor or the Learning Support Center.

Child Study Team

This is a team of professional staff which work together to help problem-solve student’s academic emotional needs.

The procedure for referral is: student, parent, teacher request the student’s counselor to make a referral to the child Study Team. A parent is informed of a student’s referral to the team and the outcome of the team’s work.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Area No. of Credits

English (1.0 each year) 4.0

Social Studies 3.5

Distribution:

Western Humanities 1.0

US History 1.0

Area Studies .5

American Government .5

Additional Elective .5

Mathematics 3.0

Science 2.0

Computer .5

Phys. Ed and Health 3.0

Distribution:

Freshman year 1.0

Sophomore year 1.0

Junior year 1.0

Senior year Seniors must enroll

COURSE LOAD REQUIREMENTS

Students must enroll in a minimum number of classes in each quarter as follows:

Grade 9: 7 classes each quarter;

Grades 10-12: 6 classes each quarter.

CREDIT EARNED OUTSIDE OF WESTPORT PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The following guidelines have been established regarding credits earned outside of the Westport Schools:

• All credit awarding courses in the Westport Summer School will be given credit.
• All makeup courses at an accredited secondary school or college will be honored if the school certifies credit on a transcript.
• All courses taken to accelerate placement, meet prerequisites, or graduation requirements must have both:

1. prior approval of the program/course and syllabus, by the appropriate division coordinator.

   Approval will be granted based on the match to our curriculum. Approval will not be denied for small differences, but the student will be informed of the missing content. To monitor learning, we think it is important for the student to have regular contact with a teacher.

1. post completion approval of the program/course, by the appropriate division coordinator.

• If a student chooses to appeal a decision, he or she may ask for a review by the Staples Academic Placement team chaired by the Coordinator of Guidance.
• Only courses earned at Staples or the Westport Summer School during the high school years will appear on the student’s transcript and be counted toward grade point average.

External transcripts will be attached to the Staples transcript.

GRADUATION, EARLY/LATE

A student may, by special application, alter the duration of his/her stay at Staples. In some cases, this may mean graduating as much as a full year early, and in other cases, this may mean postponing graduation while continuing to take courses at Staples.

GRADUATION WITH HONORS

Certain students graduate from Staples High School with "High Honors" or "Honors" . In addition to other criteria noted below, Class Rank, calculated at the end of the first semester of the senior year, is the determinant as to whether a student is graduated with or without formal honors.

HIGH HONORS

A student will be designated as graduating with "High Honors" if his/her quality point average falls in the top group of the graduating class as indicated by the table below:

Students also earn quarterly grades that do not become part of the student’s transcript, but serve as an interim report on the student’s progress in semester and full year courses.

CLASS RANK

Based on the grades earned at Staples High School, two class ranks are calculated for all students:

Academic Class Rank: Based on the average of grades earned in English, Foreign Languages, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies classes are weighted by their instructional levels as in the following Quality Points per Credit chart:

Overall Class Rank: Based on the unweighted average of grades earned in all subjects using the numerical grade value used for computing the Honor Roll.

Class Rank is calculated at the end of the sophomore and junior years, and at the end of the first semester of the senior year. Classes taken on "Independent Study" basis are not included in the computation of class rank.

DROP/ADD DEADLINES

Students wishing to drop and/or add courses during the 1998-99 school year may do so during the following dates:

*Note: Students dropping a course after the drop deadline, will receive a grade of "WF" (Withdrawn Failing) and that grade will be recorded on the student’s transcript.

*Note: Students dropping a course being taken Pass/No Record, after the drop deadline, will receive a grade of "WF" (Withdrawn Failing) and that grade will be recorded on the student’s transcript.

EXAMS

All classes are scheduled for a two hour examination at the end of each semester. Exam days begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m. Make-up exams are administered on a designated date (after the last scheduled exam date). Bus transportation is provided before the first and after the last exam of the day. All students with a State of Connecticut drivers license may drive during exam week providing that they park only in student parking spaces. Parents must call the Attendance Office if the student is going to be absent.

FINAL GRADES

Students earn a final grade in all of their classes. The final grade becomes part of the student’s official transcript. Students also earn quarterly grades that do not become part of the student’s transcript, but serve as an interim report on the student’s progress in semester and full year courses.

GRADE CARDS

Grade cards are distributed quarterly in "homerooms" approximately eight school days after the end of each quarter. Students are expected to share their grade cards with their parents. The final grade card of the year is mailed home.

GRADE APPEAL

All grade appeals should be made in writing clearly stating the reason for the appeal. Documentation should be attached which supports each case. The line of appeal should be followed in this order:

1. Teacher
1. Division Coordinator
1. Principal

Note: No case will be heard unless the teacher involved has been contacted.

GRADES EARNED

Grades that may be earned in the Staples’ marking system are:

• A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, F (fail)
• P (pass): any student may elect up to one (1) credit per year to be graded as "P". In the case of failure, neither the grade nor the title of the course is reported on any records (No Record). See Attendance Policy & Procedures: Consequences to Unexcused Absences
• I (incomplete): a grade given if a faculty member believes the student deserves additional time to complete a test, assignment, project, etc. Incompletes must be satisfied within one (1) quarter or the grade becomes an "F".
• WF (withdrawn-failing): the final grade received if a student drops a course after the drop deadline.

HONOR ROLL

We publish the honor roll each quarter in the local newspapers.

INSTRUCTIONAL LEVELS

INTERIM PROGRESS REPORT (IPR)

Interim Progress Reports are mailed home approximately halfway through each quarter. These reports should serve as a progress report, i.e., a report of the student’s progress to that point in that quarter.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY AFTER IPR AND GRADE CARDS ARE ISSUED

• If a comment or grade indicates academic difficulties, the student should see the teacher and ask what he or she can do to improve his or her work in the class.
• The student should initiate, with the teacher’s advice, a plan to improve which could include: extra time
• on homework and studying, extra help sessions with teachers, or tutoring the Learning Support Center.
• The student may also see his or her counselor for assistance in approaching a teacher, developing an improvement plan, or exploring issues or pressures that may be affecting his or her performance. It is your responsibility as high school students, to actively seek to improve your school performance.

PARENT RESPONSIBILITY AFTER IPR AND GRADE CARDS ARE ISSUED.

• It is important for parents to know when the IPR and Grade Cards are issued.
• It is important to review the IPR and Grade Cards with your son or daughter. If progress is less than satisfactory, talk to your child about what is happening with that class and what his or her plans are to improve performance. Encourage your son or daughter to talk with his or her teacher. Follow up on what teacher conference determined as a plan to improve.
• If your child needs your support or you have a serious concern, please call the teacher for suggestions for a plan for improvement.
• If a second report indicates no progress, please call the teacher. You may also want to call the counselor for advice, particularly if there is difficulty in more than one class.
• It is important that you are aware of your child’s academic performance and maintain a dialogue with your child and school staff as appropriate.

CAREER AND VOCATIONAL PREPARATION

Students have many opportunities for acquiring vocational skills and experiences, both at Staples and in other publicly supported programs. Within the Family and Consumer Sciences and Technology Departments, specific job-related preparation is offered for students interested in employment after graduation from high school. In addition, the following programs may be of particular interest:

Work Experience

Approximately 10-15 students are engaged in work-experience programs which allow them to receive credits and to work for a minimum of 15 hours/week at a paying job.

Regional Vocational-Technical Programs

Four regional schools, supported largely by state funds, provide both high school and post-high school opportunities in a wide variety of skill trades. These trades include carpentry, masonry, beauty culture, plumbing printing, food services, fashion design, dressmaking, landscaping, nursery management, farm management, and many others. Additional information may be received from your counselor or by contacting the school directly.

COMMUNITY SERVICE CREDIT

Students have an opportunity to earn credit for contributing their time and talent to school and commodity programs. Activities might include: tutoring in the Learning support Center or working in Special Education Program, Town Recreation Department, YMCA, Red Cross, etc. Students may make their own arrangements with a volunteer agency. Credits can be earned by enrolling by arrangement with a counselor via an Independent Study Contract. Second semester seniors seeking to earn community service credit must do it through the Senior Option course.

SENIOR OPTIONS

Twelfth graders have the opportunity to participate in unique learning experiences during the fourth quarter of their senior year. Working with a teacher mentor, they can work in the community; perform independent research; and demonstrate knowledge through a final exhibition.

STATE AND LOCAL TESTS

PSAT/SAT Tests - 1998-99 Given at Staples High School

These tests are administered to students seeking college entrance or diagnostic evaluation.

CAPTests

The Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) is a statewide test administered to all tenth graders in May. Students are tested in five areas: Response to Literature, Editing, Mathematics Science, and Interdisciplinary. Students earn certificates upon reaching state levels of excellence. Eleventh and twelfth graders may retake the sections of the test they did not master.

Local Tests

Ninth graders are tested each September in reading and writing skills as part of the Westport standardized testing program.

Advanced Placement Tests

A.P. tests are administered each May for students enrolled in AP classes. There is a fee involved.

THE WILTON-WESTPORT ALTERNATIVE NIGHT SCHOOL

This is a program which allows students at least sixteen years old to complete their education at night. Students must be fully employed during the day. Available for students of Westport and Wilton, this meets in Wilton four nights per week. See your counselor for information.

THE CENTER FOR JAPANESE STUDY ABROAD SCHOOL

This is a regional program based at Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk. Students may attend for the full year or one semester. Students take three classes at the Japanese Center (history, language, and culture) and other courses at Brien McMahon. There is a two week trip to Japan. Additional information is available in the Guidance Office or at Brien McMahon, 852-9488.

ATTENDANCE POLICY & PROCEDURES

EXPLANATION OF ATTENDANCE POLICY

A Statement Of Belief

It is our belief that there is a clear and positive correlation between student learning and consistent and prompt attendance in class. Much of what is presented in courses is sequential. Therefore, learning requires a continuity of attendance and effort. We also strongly believe that what occurs in class is vital to student learning. The richness of class discussions, the exchange of ideas with peers and teachers, the opportunity to defend one’s ideas, the viewing of films and videos, mean that even if students make up the missed work, they have forever lost an opportunity for increased learning and skill development. In addition, a great deal of work in class is done cooperatively and a lack of attendance makes it difficult, if not impossible, for peers to successfully complete the work required. Lack of consistent attendance means that students will not get the full benefit of the courses offered at Staples High School and thus attendance should be and will be a significant factor in the determination of a student’s grade as determined by the individual teacher.

Purpose Of The Attendance Policy

The purpose of the Staples High School Attendance Policy reflects our desire to have each student attend all classes and arrive on time. Students and parents should familiarize themselves with the provisions and procedures of the policy. It is expected that parents will support the intent of the policy and encourage their children to have good attendance. The SHS Attendance Policy has been approved by the Board of Education and reviewed by the attorney for the Board of Education. Any questions should be directed to the administrators responsible for attendance.

The Attendance Policy

The number of absences permitted for each course before credit is lost is listed below:

Full-year course: 20 absences

Semester course: 10 absences

Quarter course: 5 absences

Special courses (other than above): Prorate absences

Absences beyond this number will result in loss of credit for the course or courses in which the student has been absent. For seniors, loss of credit in a course may result in failure to meet graduation requirements.

Absences which count towards the loss of credit include the following:

Excused Absences: (equals ONE absence per occasion)

• Student illness
• Death or critical illness in the family
• Response to a legal process
• Medical appointment (which cannot be scheduled outside of the school day)
• College visit
• Early dismissal or late arrival for other than school related activities
• An absence deemed "excused" by the administrator responsible for the student

Two (2) unexcused late arrivals to a class equal one (1) excused absence

Unexcused Absences: (equals TWO absences per occasion)

• All absences not identified above are considered UNEXCUSED
• Absences that are not explained by a Pre-Planned Absence form, a note and/or a telephone call from a parent within 48 hours after the student’s return to school from an absence, are considered UNEXCUSED
• An absence deemed "unexcused" by the administrator responsible for the student

Absences which do not count towards the loss of credit include, but may not be limited to, the following:

• School related activities
• Suspensions: in-school or out-of-school
• Homebound instruction
• "Special" absences
  • Class meetings
  • Field trips
  • Sports or other school approved extracurricular activities
  • Scheduled office and guidance appointments - Normally, scheduled office and guidance appointments should occur during non-class time.
• Religious Observance

Communications From Parents

It is the responsibility of parents to communicate to the school the reason for all absences. Parent notes or telephone calls to excuse an absence must be received no later than 48 hours following the student’s return to school. Parent notes to request an early dismissal must be presented to the office before the student is dismissed in order for dismissal to be considered excused.

Content of Parent Notes

All parent notes for any reason must include the following: (1) the student’s name, (2) the date(s) of the absence(s), (3) the specific reason for the absence, lateness or dismissal, (4) the signature of the parent and (5) a daytime phone number where a parent can be reached to verify the note.

Communications To Student and Parents

Students and parents will be notified when one-half of the number of permitted absences has been accumulated in a class. When a student loses credit, the student and parent will again be notified. When a student appeals a loss of credit, the decision of the appeals Board will be communicated to the student and parent.

Anticipated Absences

Any anticipated absence, such as college visitations, family vacations, etc., which conflict with the school calendar, must be arranged in advance by a phone call or a Pre-Planned Absence form or the absence will be considered unexcused and make-up privileges will be forfeited.

Dismissal During The School Day

Once students have reported to school, they are expected to remain in school and attend classes all day. Under the following conditions, a student may have an excused dismissal:

1. A written request from a parent must be presented or a phone call must be received in the attendance office prior to dismissal. A parent may come to the attendance office and personally request dismissal.
1. The student must sign-out in the attendance office. If the student returns to school, the student must sign-in at the attendance office to verify the time of his/her return.

Failure to meet the above two conditions will cause any class absences to be considered unexcused. Such absences will be counted towards loss of credit and make-up privileges will be forfeited.

In case of illness while in school, the student must report to the health office. The nurse, with parental permission, will make the decision to dismiss the student from school. Once the nurse has obtained permission to dismiss the student, the student will be issued a dismissal pass.

Lateness To Class

Students are expected to be on time to class. Lateness to class will count towards loss of credit. Students arriving up to 10 minutes late will be considered "tardy". Four (4) unexcused tardy arrivals will be counted as one (1) excused absence. Students arriving later than 10 minutes but less than half way through the class, will be considered "late". Two (2) late arrivals will be counted as one (1) excused absence. Students arriving more than half way through the class will be considered absent and a note will be required to excuse the absence.

Appointments With Staples High School Staff

Upon arrival for an appointment, it is the student’s obligation to immediately inform the counselor, dean, etc. if a test or major graded assignment is planned for that period. The student should then request that the appointment be rescheduled. Failure to do so will result in the absence being considered unexcused. Such an absence will count towards loss of credit and make-up privileges will be forfeited.

Monitor the Number Of Absences In Each Class

Throughout the school year, it is the responsibility of the student and parent(s) to monitor closely the number of absences which have been accumulated in each course. When a student anticipates an absence from school or from a particular class for any reason, it is very important that the student and the parent consider carefully the necessity of the absence, taking into consideration the current number of accumulated absences and their potential impact on loss of credit in the course. Students and parents should contact the attendance office about questions regarding the current number of accumulated absences in a specific class.

Certification Of Chronic Illness

During an appeal for reinstatement of credit, the Appeals Board may request confirmation from a doctor to explain frequent absences which occurred due to medical reasons. Students and parents are advised to monitor the number of absences which have accumulated because of medical reasons. When absences for medical reasons are frequent, it may be advisable to seek documentation from a doctor that a chronic illness exists. Presentation of verified information regarding chronic illness will strengthen a student’s case in an appeal for reinstatement of credit.

Attendance Warning

When a student has accumulated one-half of the number of permitted absences, the attendance office will notify the teacher and the parent. The purpose of that notification will be to inform the teacher, the parent and the student of the possibility of loss of credit if the student’s attendance does not improve.

Loss Of Credit

A student will lose credit in a course when the number of accumulated absences exceeds the number of permitted absences. When a student has lost credit, the administrator responsible for the student will review the record with the student and the parent. The student and the parent will receive a written copy of the appeals procedure. At this time. the student will be instructed to attend class, and the procedure to appeal the loss of credit will be explained.

When credit is lost the student is expected to attend the class. In addition, consistent attendance following loss of credit strengthens a student’s appeals case. A letter grade will appear on the transcript even though credit is lost. All courses require a passing grade for the student to move to the next level.

Excessive "Class Cutting" Following Loss Of Credit

Students who flagrantly disregard the intent of the Staples High School Attendance Policy and continue to cut a class(es) after loss of credit, may be removed from that class with a final grade of Withdrawn (W). The administrator responsible for the student, after consultation with the teacher, will determine under what circumstances this action will be taken.

Right Of Appeal

The Attendance Policy is not designed to deny credit to students who, through no fault of their own, were unable to attend school or a class due to a legitimate illness or other condition beyond the student’s/parents’ control. In January and June, students who have lost credit will have an opportunity to appeal to have credit reinstated. A student’s decision to appeal must take into consideration the student’s total attendance record. Any absences, other than excused absences will weaken the student’s case. Absences which remain unexcused and undocumented as well as chronic absences will weaken the student’s case. Students wishing to appeal must follow the appeals procedure. If students do not have valid reasons for appealing loss of credit, they should contact their counselor to identify what options are available.

The Appeals Board will be composed of three teachers and the administrator responsible for the student. The Appeals Board will hear the student’s case and make a decision on whether to reinstate credit. An Appeals Board decision is final. The decision will only be reviewed by the Principal as a result of the introduction of additional information which was NOT presented to the Appeals Board. A request for review must state the intention of the review, and any new evidence in a written statement by the student and the parent(s). Students wishing to appeal to the Principal must do so within two (2) schools days following the receipt of the decision of the Appeals Board.

LIMITED OPEN CAMPUS

Students are not required to be on campus until their first class of the day, and they may leave campus only after their last class of the day. Exceptions must be approved in advance by the Administrator and require a pass.

Leaving at any other time without permission, will result in at least the immediate loss of the parking sticker and possibly suspension.

STANDARDS OF STUDENT CONDUCT

Students, teachers and administrators have the right to expect mutual courtesy, and fair and equitable treatment, and to be informed of their rights and responsibilities. The goals of the Westport Schools are to assist students in developing the ability for self-direction and self-discipline and to provide opportunities for decision-making. However, in the pursuit of these goals, those students who infringe on the rights of others, or who violate school policies and regulations, will be subject to corrective action including without limitation transfer to another class, transfer to another school, suspension and/or expulsion.

• Students are expected to show courtesy and consideration for all members of the school community;

• Students are expected to behave in a manner that is not disruptive to the educational process;

• Students are expected to comply with school rules, classroom procedures and requirements as designed for their individual needs.

• Students are expected to respect and assume responsibility for school and personal property.

• Students are expected to dress in a manner that does not interfere with the work of the school or create a safety hazard to themselves or others.

• Students are required to comply with state, local and school health, safety and attendance regulations.

• Students are required to comply with statutes and local laws and regulations.

• Effective August 25, 1997, students are not permitted to smoke or be in possession of tobacco products or non-tobacco smoking products in school buildings, on school grounds, on school buses, vans or any school provided transportation, or at any school-sponsored activity at any time.

When anyone’s rights are violated or someone is not acting according to school rules and regulations, the school administration will take firm action.

Students who are accused of committing an infraction have the right of to an informal hearing; be informed of reasons for disciplinary action; and be given an opportunity to explain the situation. In the event of an emergency, the informal hearing shall be held as soon after the suspension as possible. Parents will be notified of the suspension and cause as soon as feasible.

Breaches of discipline generally fall into four broad categories depending upon whether the behavior (a) disrupts a teacher-learning situation, (b) injures oneself or others, (c) damages personal or public property, or (d) violates school regulations or civil laws. These categories are not mutually exclusive since the same act can conceivably fall into all four areas. Infractions within each category can range from very minor to very serious. An infraction in one category may or may not be more serious than that in another. Therefore, individual circumstances must be considered in every case and disciplinary procedures must be flexible.

Disciplinary procedures used at Staples High School range from an informal conferencing to expulsion from school. The procedure to be used depends upon the seriousness of the violation, the specific circumstances of the situation and the individual’s overall pattern of behavior. A series of minor infractions committed by the same student can also constitute a major infraction; as in time it has a demoralizing effect on the general student body and staff. In addition to the usual school procedures, criminal infractions must also be reported by the school administration to the police and other officials.

EXCLUSION OR TRANSFER CONSEQUENCES

A student is subject to transfer or exclusion for major violations of conduct standards including but not limited to those described below:

• Intentionally causes or attempts to cause damage to school property or steals or attempts to steal school property; or
• Intentionally causes or attempts to cause damage to private property or steals or attempts to steal private property; or
• Intentionally causes or attempts to cause physical injury to another person; or
• Knowingly possesses, uses, sells, offers for sale, distributes, or is under the influence of any controlled drugs or controlled substances, mood altering substances, chemical solvents, other illegal substances, pills, capsules, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind; or
• Intentionally defies the valid authority of supervisors, teachers or administrators for example:
  • displays lack of respect for staff (i.e., by the use of vulgarity or profanity);
  • fails to attend assigned classes, study halls or detention;
  • leaves school building or grounds without permissions;
  • smokes on school grounds; or
  • brings a weapon or any facsimile of such to school, or, is in possession of fireworks, explosives or other incendiary devices.

Violates other publicized policies of the Board of Education.

Engages in conduct which is seriously disruptive of the educational process or, which endangers persons or property.

If such misconduct occurs, the teacher, the principal, or his/her designee is to follow the regulations set out in the Student Exclusion Policy. The consequences or such violations may ultimately result in exclusion from school.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Whenever a conflict or concern arises, problems can best be resolved if a clear line of referral is maintained. All such issues should be taken directly to the staff member involved for immediate resolution. The administrator in charge of a department will not hear a case unless a discussion with the staff member (teacher, counselor, support personnel) involved has first been held. Parents and students will experience the most satisfaction by following the communication steps outlined below:

MAJOR DISCIPLINARY POLICIES

Prohibited Behaviors

Students are subject to disciplinary action by school authorities if they engage in conduct that endangers persons or property, is seriously disruptive of the educational process or is violative of a publicized policy to the Board of Education. The offenses listed under Subsections A, B, C and D are illustrative of such actions, but are not exhaustive, and students remain subject to discipline for any such conduct as outlined above.

Infractions

A student charged with any of the following infractions and others on school property, school transportation, or at any school sponsored activity shall be subject to the imposition of corrective and/or disciplinary measures.

• Disobedience to staff members;
• Actions with a potential for injury to others;
• Fighting between or among students;
• Destruction of school property;
• Tardiness to school or to classes;
• Class cutting;

• Cheating and plagiarism;
• Smoking in unauthorized areas;
• Cheating or plagiarism;
• Refusing to identify self or to give correct identification;
• Wearing attire which endangers the safety of health of the student or others, is destructive to school property, fails to comply with the health code of the State of Connecticut, is not clean, modest and appropriate to the school situation, is contrary to law, or disrupts the educational process;
• Littering on school property;
• Card playing, body piercing, roller blading, use of skateboards, gambling; or
• Driving motorcycles or cars on surfaces other than roadways.

School-related Offenses

A student charged with any of the following school-related offenses shall be subject to the imposition of corrective and/or punitive measures:

• Excessive absenteeism;
• Truancy; or
• Loss of school-loaned property (i.e. books, materials, equipment, uniforms, etc.).

Breaches of Conduct

A student charged with any of the following breaches of conduct on or off school property, on school transportation, or at any school-sponsored activity shall be considered for removal from class, in-school suspension, suspension, or expulsion, in addition to any other appropriate corrective or punitive measures:

• Deliberate refusal to obey a member of the school staff;
• Willful destruction of school property or personal property of others;
• Threatening, intimidating, or blackmailing school staff or other children;
• Use of obscene or profane language or gestures with a member of the school staff;
• Unauthorized leaving of classroom, building, or school grounds;
• Chronic and incorrigible truancy and/or class cutting;
• Bomb threats;
• Possession or use of fireworks or other explosive materials in school, or ignition of any flammable material in school;
• Forgery;
• Gambling;
• Pulling or attempting to pull a false fire alarm;
• Theft of school property or personal property of others;
• Any series of violations which make the presence of the student in school a serious impediment to the school operation;
• Disruptive behavior in the classroom;
• Violation of any local, state or federal laws;
• Hazing;
• Graffiti;
• Fighting;
• Computer tampering; or
• Throwing objects.

Serious Breaches of Conduct: A student charged with any of the following serious breaches of conduct on or off school property, on school transportation or at any school sponsored activity, shall be dealt with firmly, and strong consideration given to suspension and expulsion from the Westport Public Schools, in addition to any other appropriate corrective or punitive measures:

• Assault of student or any member of the school staff;
• Possession or use of any kind of weapon such as a pistol, knife, blackjack, razor blade, billy club, explosive device, or firearm, whether loaded or unloaded weapon facsimile and whether or not capable of firing a shot; possession of any dangerous martial arts weapon on school grounds or at a school sponsored activity, etc.;
• Unauthorized possession, selling or consumption of dangerous drugs, narcotics, or alcoholic beverages. Dangerous drugs or narcotics shall mean any controlled drug as defined in Connecticut General Statues 21a-240(8), as amended, classified generally as amphetamine-type, barbiturate-type, cannabis-type, cocaine-type, hallucinogenic, morphine-type, and other stimulant and depressant drugs an, in addition, those substances known as Methaqualone. Unauthorized possession or use of such substance shall mean use or possession without a valid prescription;
• Extortion;
• Arson;
• Inciting to riot;
• Any behavior, verbal, physical, and/or written, that harasses, threatens, intimidates or demeans certain individuals or groups on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, or handicap that creates a substantial and material disruption of the school’s operation or is likely to incite a breach of peace; or
• Conduct constituting a felony or Class A misdemeanor under state or federal law.

ACCOUNTABILITIES POLICY

Accountabilities include library fines, parking fines, lost books, lost uniforms, etc. When accountabilities are not settled promptly, the following actions may be taken until the account is settled: library sign-out privileges may be revoked, participation in extracurricular activities may be curtailed, preferred positions in registration proceedings may be forfeited, participation in the graduation ceremony may be denied, and/or report card and class schedules may be withheld and assignment to monitored study may be made.

DISCIPLINARY CONSEQUENCES

Monitored Study

This entails assigning a student to a supervised study room during some or all of his unscheduled school time. Students who cut, oversleep, or miss classes for other reasons categorized as "unexcused by the Administrators should expect to be assigned to one period of monitored study for each unexcused absence from class, as a primary consequence. Additional consequences in keeping with Board of Education policy may be assigned at the Administrator’s discretion.

In-School Separation (ISS)

ISS is used as an alternative to out-of-school suspension; it entails separation from the regular school operation. Under constant supervision, students are held accountable for completion of academic assignments. ISS is a serious disciplinary measure and includes parental notification. Repeated placement of ISS in any one year is a signal for concerted attention, including review by the Staples Planning and Placement Team (PPT).

Suspension

This entails the denial of the right of a student to attend school and all school extra-curricular activities for the duration of the suspension. Suspension is limited to a maximum of ten school days at one time. It is expected that a parental conference with the Administrator is held in cases of suspension. Repeated suspensions in any one school year is a signal for concerted attention, including review by the Staples Planning and Placement Team. Students have the right and responsibility to make up work missed while on suspension.

Expulsion

"Expulsion" shall be defined as an exclusion from school privileges for more than ten (10) consecutive school days and shall be deemed to include, but not be limited to, exclusion from the school to which such pupil was assigned at the time such disciplinary action was taken, provided such exclusion shall not extend beyond a period of one hundred eighty *180) consecutive school days. Such period of exclusion may extend to the school year following the school year in which such exclusion was imposed.

Loss of Campus Privileges

This may include any or all of the following:

• Loss of parking permit;
• Denial of access to school functions and activities;
• Suspension from extracurricular activities;
• Loss of preferred position in the registration process;
• Loss of "unscheduled" time during unscheduled class periods.

School and Community Service

This entails restitution to benefit Staples or the community. Examples of such service include but are not limited to: cleaning lunch tables, painting school property, giving time to non-profit agencies and repairing damage to school building.

DRUG/ALCOHOL POLICY

We believe students who use or abuse alcohol, drugs or other intoxicating substances are seriously at risk. While preventing substance abuse is primarily the responsibility of the home and the community, the schools endorse prevention and remediation through education and appropriate intervention, and work in many ways to teach students the serious medical, social, personal and legal consequences of alcohol and drug use. Recognizing the importance of good role models, the Board encourages all adults, including parents, to set positive examples for students and to exercise prudent judgment in their own conduct.

As defined by section 21a-140 of the Connecticut General Statutes, our policy forbids students to possess drug paraphernalia, mood-altering substances, chemical solvents and other illegal substances, or to possess, use, distribute, sell or be under the influence of alcohol and/or controlled drugs, anywhere on school property, on school buses or other vehicles, or at off-campus school’s or school-related activities such as proms, homecoming or athletic events.

Definitions: The term drug paraphernalia means any object or device used, intended for use, or designed for use in ingesting, inhaling, injecting, or otherwise introducing controlled or restricted substances into the human body, including but not limited to: bongs, pipes, roach clips, miniature cocaine spoons, crack vials, tobacco rolling papers or any object or container used, intended for use, or designed for use in storing, concealing, or distributing controlled substances.

Penalties for Violations: An important way to help students involved with substances is to teach them that their behavior has consequences. Therefore, the penalty for violation of the Drug/Alcohol Policy will always entail the following:

• Suspension of parking privileges

• Loss of privilege of participation in athletic & co-curricular activities: (at minimum) for the remainder of the season/semester. Reinstatement subject to review by the administration.

• Students are prohibited from being on school ground at any time during the suspension period. They may not participate in or attend any extra-curricular activities.

Procedures for enforcement of this policy will safeguard due process and the rights of students while giving due consideration to the protection of the health, safety and well-being of the school population. Success in implementing this policy requires the cooperative efforts of teachers, administrators, students, parents and the entire Westport community.

In addition to invoking penalties as described above, if a student violates this policy we will notify parents and assist them in getting students the help they need. Reentry to Staples after a suspension for use or possession of an illegal substance/alcohol requires a treatment plan for recovery. This assistance will include furnishing the name and telephone number of an agency licensed to assess and treat alcohol/drug related problems and providing the name of a contact person at the agency. Follow up will be made by the Guidance Department.

DRESS POLICY

Appropriate dress DOES NOT include:

• T-shirts or other items displaying references or advertising pertaining to drugs or alcohol or cigarettes.
• T-shirts or other items displaying any form of gender objectification or obscenity.
• Any clothing, or lack of clothing, which may distract from the educational process. Halter tops and other revealing types of clothing are not considered acceptable.
• Gang-associated apparel.

Parents are responsible for checking their son or daughter’s T-shirt or sweat shirt for appropriateness prior to school. Students will be asked to change if their attire is considered inappropriate.

Teachers may ask students to remove their hats during class time.

ELECTRONIC RESOURCES INTERNET POLICY

All students must sign a "computer use" agreement form before they will have access to the districts electronic resources. Computing and information systems serve a large number and variety of users - students, faculty, staff members and outside clients. Every member of the school community has two basic rights regarding computing - privacy and a fair share of the resources. It is unethical for any person to violate these rights. All users are expected to use common sense and decency with regard to our computing resources. The District reserves the right to monitor use to assure that the systems are being used responsibly and in compliance with Board policies.

Unacceptable uses of these resources are:

• Using the network for illegal activities
• Degrading or disrupting equipment or system performance
• Vandalizing the data of another user
• Gaining unauthorized access to computer files
• Invading the privacy of others
• Using the account owned by another user
• Destruction of computer hardware or software
• Using the network for pornographic material
• Altering files
• Introducing a virus
• Transmitting any material that is pornographic, obscene or libelous, or material that attacks ethics, religious and/or racial groups.

Computer Vandalism

Students may be suspended from the use of the equipment, the use of the specific facility (i.e. computer labs, Library, classroom, etc.) and/or Staples High School. Any violation of this policy will warrant severe disciplinary action including monetary compensation for damage to equipment and/or the service required.

LIBRARY POLICIES

Reserve Materials

This includes such items as equipment and books, magazines, kits, etc. and is requested by a classroom teacher for a predetermined period of circulation - three day, seven day):

• All materials are due by 9:15 a.m.
• Materials returned after 9:15 a.m. but before 2:15 p.m. are fined $.10 per day for each item up to a $4 maximum per item.

Circulating Materials

This includes items such as two-week books, pamphlets, magazines, records, cassettes, filmstrips, kits, slides, etc.

All materials are due as indicated on the borrowed item.

Overdue materials are fined $.10 per day for each item up to $4 maximum per item.

Students with library accountabilities are not allowed to borrow additional materials until the accountability is cleared.

Library Use Violation

Abuse of library computers and circulated material is a serious matter and will result in disciplinary action. It can even result in the possibility of disciplinary consequence including suspension. A student may also be denied the privilege of using the library.

OFF SCHOOL GROUNDS MISCONDUCT POLICY

The following off-campus misconduct requires that the Board pursue an expulsion hearing, in accordance with the regulations set forth herein, if there is reason to believe that the pupil, off school grounds:

• Possessed a firearm in violation of Connecticut General Statues 29-35 or used a firearm, instrument or weapon in the commission of a crime; or
• Offered for sale or distribution a controlled substance (as defined in Connecticut General Statute 21a-240 (a)) whose manufacture, distribution, sale, prescription, dispensing, transporting or possession with intent to do so is subject to criminal penalties.

In the event of such off school grounds misconduct, a pupil may be expelled for one calendar year, provided the Board of Education or the hearing board may modify the period of expulsion for a pupil on a case to case basis.

PARKING REGULATIONS POLICY

Note: The school is not responsible for damage to or theft from cars.

Policy

Since student parking at Staples is very limited, the rental of parking spaces is a senior privilege. If any spaces remain, they are offered to students in grade 11 and rental of the spaces is determined by a lottery system. Sophomores and Freshmen are not permitted to have automobiles on campus. Students are not permitted to take their cars off campus until after their last class for the day. Campus security monitors student parking and traffic. Students are permitted to drive to school during exam week, provided they park in unnumbered spaces, the student parking spaces. Students are not permitted to park in Visitors, Fire Lanes, Handicap or Bus Lanes.

Automobiles and the parking lots are not loitering areas for students. Irresponsible use of a motor vehicle while a student is under school jurisdiction results in (at least) immediate loss of parking privileges and possibly suspension.

Parking Stickers, Fee & Violations

Student parking assignments are made once a year. Applications should be completed and returned to Mrs. King in the Dean’s Office prior to the 1^st day of school. There are not shared parking spaces or stickers; students are not assigned a specific parking space but have student parking areas. There is no transferring of stickers. A valid car registration and a valid driver license must be shown when picking up stickers. Stickers may not be moved from car to car, and must be properly adhered to the auto registered with the office. After September, seniors may have a parking sticker immediately, juniors if space is available.

Stickers are $20.00 per semester, payable to "Staples Parking". Tickets are issued daily to anyone violating the parking rules and regulations. The Notice of Violation carries a fine of $7.00 for improper parking and $7.00 for parking in a restricted area. Any student failing to pay the fine within 7 days of the violation will be fined an additional $5.00 for the violation. If the fine is not paid it is considered a Staples Accountability and students do not receive their report cards, class schedules, or diploma. Payment for tickets should be made to the Dean’s Office.

Emergency Parking

Emergency Parking is reserved for juniors and seniors who do not have a parking permit. Use of emergency parking is limited to a total of 5 times per semester, per student or per car; the cost is $2 per use. Students must register in the office by 9:30 a.m. (no exception). Freshmen and sophomores are not eligible to use emergency parking.

Visitor Parking

All visitors should park in the row nearest the drop off area marked "visitor parking".

If all spaces are taken, visitors should park in any available student parking space (unnumbered space). Visitors should register their car with the Staples’ Receptionist in the Main Office.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY

Sexual harassment violates both federal and state laws and is insulting and demeaning to the victim. It is the policy of the Westport Board or Education to condemn and prohibit all forms of sexual harassment directed at male or female students or employees by other male or female students or employees, or by those doing business with the Board of Education, or by volunteers under the control of the Board of Education. Supervisory personnel are responsible for assuring that all students and employee enjoy the right to work and learn in an environment free of all forms of sexual harassment.

Definition: Sexual harassment is generally defined under state and federal law as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature where:

Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of any individual’s employment or academic award;

Submission to or rejection of such conduct by any individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual; or

Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or ability to learn or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.

Sexual harassment can include conduct that is verbal (including sexual innuendoes, suggestive comments, jokes of a sexual nature, sexual propositions or threats, sexual insults and put-downs); non-verbal (including use or display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures, suggestive or insulting sounds or whistles, leers, obscene gestures, etc.); or physical (including unwanted physical contact such as touching, pinching, kissing, brushing the body, fondling, assault or coerced sexual intercourse).

Communication: A copy of this policy will be distributed to all current employees and to all new employees at the time of hire. It will also be distributed annually to all employees and students. Moreover, a copy of this policy will remain posted at all times in each Board of Education facility.

The Board encourages victims of sexual harassment to report such claims and no reprisals or retaliation will result from good faith reporting.

Complaints: all complaints of sexual harassment will be investigated promptly and discreetly. If investigation reveals the complaint to be valid, prompt action will be taken to stop the harassment and prevent its recurrence.

Violations: Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action op to and including suspension (students) and discharge (employees).

SMOKING POLICY (Revised)

Effective August 25, 1997, smoking is banned, at any time, by students, visitors or other adults in the school building, on school grounds and in school vehicles. Smoking is also prohibited in personal vehicles on school property. This policy is in effect twenty-four hours a day. Also banned is possession by students of tobacco products or non-tobacco smoking products (including but not limited to chewing tobacco and herbal cigarettes.) Smoking is not permitted at any school function (including dances, proms, extra-curricular activities and athletic events.) In addition to the consequences described below, failure to follow this policy can lead to barring a students offender from school activities where such an infraction has occurred.

Definition: "smoke" or "smoking" means the lighting or carrying of a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe or similar device.

Visible cigarettes found on students while in the school building will be confiscated to promote our smoke-free environment. Repeat offenders will be suspended, required to perform community service and required to attend substance abuse counseling as a condition of attendance at Staples.

Failure to attend the clinic once committed to it will cause the suspension consequence to be A student may choose to attend a smoking cessation clinic as an alternative to suspension only once. implemented immediately.

STAFF-STUDENT NON-FRATERNIZATION POLICY

Adults who have contact with children and adolescents through school activities have the responsibility not to betray or misuse their privileged position. Students develop a special trust in school staff by virtue of the school system’s authority and the important role the school plays in their lives. Adults must never take advantage of students’ vulnerability or of their confidence that adults in school will behave appropriately in relationships with them.

It is the policy of the Westport Board of Education to prohibit any sexual relationship, contact or sexually unwanted behavior or communication (verbal or non-verbal) between a staff member and a student, while the student is enrolled in the school system. The prohibition extends to students of the opposite sex or the same sex as the staff member, and applies regardless of whether the student or the staff member is the initiator of the behavior and whether or not the student welcomes or reciprocates the attention.

Definitions:

• Staff Members: part-time and full-time employees, substitutes, consultants, coaches, tutors, bus drivers, bus monitors, student-teachers, interns, volunteers and others who work with or have contact with children under the auspices of, or through contract with, the Board of Education.
• Prohibited Behavior: includes, but is not limited to: flirting and bantering with sexual overtones, dating, courting or engaging in a personal relationship on or off campus that is sexually motivated or unwanted, having any physical sexual contact or sexual intercourse with any student.
• Complaints: should be reported to the principal, who will investigate to determine whether a violation has occurred. The principal will inform the Superintendent that the investigation is being conducted.
• Violations: will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Employees’ due process rights will be safeguarded.
• The principal : will consult with the assistant superintendent for pupil personnel to determine whether any alleged violation falls into the category of sexual harassment and/or child abuse or sexual abuse; if so, it might need to be addressed according to those policies and/or also reported to the police or another agency.
• Procedures: procedures for filing complaints and for conducting investigations will be developed by the Superintendent.

UNASSIGNED PERIOD POLICY

When students are not assigned to a class, they are expected to be in the Cafeteria, library, courtyards or working with a faculty member. Students are not permitted in halls, the parking lot or around entrance ways to the school, during class periods. Students are not permitted to leave campus during unassigned ("free") period in the middle of their school day. Consequences of such infractions will be given, including, but not limited to the loss of parking privileges.

WEAPONS POLICY

Expulsion proceedings are required when there is reason to believe that a pupil possessed or used a firearm, deadly weapon, dangerous instrument or martial arts weapon on school grounds or at a school-sponsored activity; or off school grounds possessed a firearm or used or possessed a firearm, instrument or weapon in the commission of a crime.

Students have the right to attend school without fear of violence to themselves and others. Possession and/or use of firearms (defined as any weapon that can expel a projectile by an explosive action as well as other explosive devices, incendiaries and poison gasses) or deadly weapons, including but not limited to the following:

sawed-off shot gun, machine gun, rifle, shotgun, pistol, revolver or other weapons, loaded or unloaded from which a shot may be discharged, facsimiles, knife, box cutter, billy club, black jack, bludgeon or metal knuckles, martial arts weapons -on school grounds or at school-sponsored activities, requires that the student be expelled for one school year.

Prohibition Of Weapons

• While in school, on school grounds, on a school bus or other school transportation, or at a school-sponsored activity, students are expressly prohibited from having in their possession, or causing or assisting to be brought on school grounds, a school bus or a school-sponsored activity: firearm, knife, weapon, switchblade, razor blade, firecracker, explosives, chains, club, blackjack and other dangerous objects, instruments or any facsimile of such.
• No student shall possess off school grounds a firearm in violation of Section 29-35 of the Connecticut General Statutes, or possess and use such a firearm, instrument or weapon in the commission of a crime under Chapter 951 o the Connecticut General Statutes.
• Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the Board’s policy regarding Exclusion of Pupils.

BEEPERS and WALKMANS

Possession of a beeper by students is expressly prohibited on school premises by state law. Beepers will be confiscated and may only be retrieved by a parent after one month’s time. Walkmans may not be worn on the school campus except in the school cafeteria.

CAFETERIA

The Cafeteria is both a cafeteria and a student socializing area. Students are permitted to eat only at the tables in the Cafeteria or in the North courtyard. No food or drink is permitted outside of the Cafeteria area, except for lab lunches. Offenders may be required to perform community service, including washing tabletops or cleaning up after lunch during free periods. Students are expected to be seated, pick up their own litter (including food trays, milk cartons, paper, etc.) and generally behave in a non-disruptive manner. Radios and tape players, with earphones, are permitted in the Cafeteria only, but not in hallways or classrooms. No food or drink is allowed in carpeted areas of school.

FIRE DRILLS

Fire drills are conducted under the supervision of the faculty and administration. Each student should become familiar with exit directions from each room scheduled during the day. The fire drill directions should be followed quickly and quietly. All students, faculty, and other adults must promptly leave the building and not return until an all clear signal is given.

IN THE EVENT OF A SCHOOL BUS ACCIDENT

• Police, school system representatives and bus company representatives respond to ALL bus accidents no matter how MINOR they are.
• Fire and emergency medical services respond to all accidents when necessary.
• A complete assessment of any possible injury is done at the scene by medical services personnel.
• Investigation of the accident is done by the police, fire and public safety personnel.

PLEASE REMAIN AWAY FROM THE ACCIDENT SCENE, SO ROADS REMAIN PASSABLE FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND PERSONNEL!

PARENT/GUARDIAN: YOU NEED TO REMAIN AT HOME TO RECEIVE INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS, IF IT IS NECESSARY.

• All parents/guardians of children on the bus(es) involved in an accident will be notified by the principal and transportation coordinator as soon as possible.
• Parent’s/guardian’s) of children transported to a medical facility will be notified immediately.
• No child will be released to anyone but a parent/guardian or written specified designee.
• Students who proceed to school after a minor bus accident:
• Parent/guardian of all children on the bus will be notified by the principal and transportation coordinator.
• All students will be medically assessed by the school nurse. The nurse will notify the parent/guardian of those children in need of further medical treatment or at home observation.
• Children will be medically observed throughout the day in consultation with their teacher(s).

OUR PRIMARY CONCERN IS THE SAFE TRANSPORTATION OF OUR STUDENTS

LEAVING CAMPUS

Students are not required to be on campus until their first class of the day, and they may leave campus only after their last class of the day. Exceptions must be approved in advance by the student’s Administrator and require a pass.

LOCKERS

Lockers are school property, subject to reasonable search and seizure with probable cause. All physical education students and athletes must use a locker and provide their own lock when using the locker room. Students should not bring valuables to the locker room.

LOST AND FOUND

Lost and Found is located outside the Dean’s Office, in the hall leading to the Cafeteria - Student Center.

GUIDANCE

FOCUS

The emphasis of the Staples Guidance Department is to assist the student in having a successful high school experience and in preparing for post high school education or vocation. Counselors work with students in the areas of their academic, interpersonal and personal development.

ROLES AND SERVICES

The following roles and services exist to actively help students reach their goals:

Counselors and Counselor/Psychologists

Counselors and the counselor/psychologists for the Special Education students provide students: academic counseling about programs and courses at Staples; post-high school planning for further education and career; liaison to special services in the school and community; counseling for personal or interpersonal concerns; and consulting with administrators, teachers, and parents in areas of student’s learning or adjustment. Each student has a counselor assigned to him/her.

College Consultant

College consultant arranges programs in the area of post-high school planning for parents and students, coordinates application procedures, and serves as a consultant to other counselors on college issues.

School Psychologist

A school psychologist is available to evaluate students who are experiencing learning or adjustment difficulties. Individual and/or group counseling is provided to students for personal or interpersonal concerns. Consultation is provided to administrators, teachers, and parents for a student’s learning and/or adjustment.

Social Worker

Social Worker provides services to the school and the community, e.g., family, individual and group counseling, interpretation of social work findings to school personnel dealing with the student/s involved, referral and liaison to community agencies, and consultant service to school personnel and community agencies.

Support Staff

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

The Guidance Department designed the following programs to give students support when most needed.

Freshman Center

The center, located adjacent to the Cafeteria, is an area dedicated to the well-being of "Freshmen only". It is staffed by a full-time counselor and aide. Students are encouraged to drop in and talk in an informal setting.

Job Bank

The Guidance Office receives requests from local employers needing part-time help; private individuals also place requests for jobs such as baby-sitting and yard work. Information, such as brief description of the job, hours needed, wages and contact person, is compiled and posted at four different locations in the school. If the job request is not filled in 30 days, it is removed from the list. Students may also drop in the Guidance Office and talk with the receptionist or Learning Support Center aide concerning specific job requirements. Working papers are available through the Guidance Office, if needed.

Juniors - Post High School Planning Meetings

Counselors meet with juniors during the school day and with their parents in the evening to orient them to the post high school planning process. Each junior is presented with a booklet, A Guide To Post High School Planning. These meetings are held in January and February.

Seniors - College Panel and Financial Aid Workshop

These two activities are provided for students and their parents to share information about the college admission process and availability of financial aid. They are held in the evening in the fall.

College Freshman Panel

This is an opportunity for seniors to discuss college life with Staples graduates who are freshmen at college. This meeting takes place near the Christmas vacation.

Learning Support Center

This program provides short term tutorial support by matching students needing tutoring with veteran Staples students who have volunteered to be tutors. Sign up in Guidance with the Learning support Center aide.

Ninth Grade Advisor Program

Volunteer ninth graders meet with a faculty advisor in small groups of eight to twelve students. The goals of the program are to increase a sense of caring at Staples and teach and reinforce in students the habits of being successful students. Topics discussed in sessions include getting to know how Staples works, study skills, students’ goals, and issues of concern the students may raise. The program usually operates for one semester but may continue for the full year if students and advisors agree.

Peer Advisor Program

The Peer Advisor Program focuses upon the development of leadership and communication skills in its participants. Students focus on adolescent issues such as alcohol and drug abuse, student advocacy and health issues among others. Applications are available in Guidance.

Smoking Clinic

Smoking Clinics are offered after school monthly to review information relative to the harmful effects of tobacco use. Students who are interested in quitting tobacco use are referred to outside agencies to pursue this.

SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

The Staples Special Education Department offers support services for students who require additional assistance outside the regular educational program. Individual educational programs are designed to meet the educational, physical or emotional needs of the student.

ELIGIBILITY

Special Education should be considered only after several adjustments and remedial strategies have been tried in the regular educational program. There is a formal referral, assessment, and placement process for special education which must conform to state law.

Parents who believe their child may require special education services should contact their child’s guidance counselor for a referral to the Child Study Team.

STAPLES/WESTPORT REGIONAL CENTER (WRC)

The WRC, which is part of the Staples Special Education Department, accepts students from surrounding towns on a tuition basis if they are severely learning disabled, hearing impaired, mentally retarded, physically handicapped and have been referred by their local school districts. See Facilities: Handi-press.

HEALTH

SCHOOL NURSES:

Carol Burgess, Diane Bosch, Virginia Neville

Staples has the full time service of a nurse during school hours. In addition to seeing all sick and injured students, the nurse administers or supervises tests for vision and hearing. Parents are notified when any deviation from the norm is found. Complete and confidential health records are maintained by the nurse for each student.

HEALTH ASSESSMENTS - PHYSICALS

Health Assessments (physical examination and immunization update) are required for:

• all new students
• all students entering preschool
• all students entering 7^th grade
• all students entering 11^th grade (including a tine test)
• students participating in athletics

The Health Assessment must be performed by a legally qualified physician, advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) or physician’s assistant (PA) who works with an MD, in the twelve (12) months prior to the student’s enrollment. In Connecticut, a "legally qualified physician" includes MD’s and OD’s. It does not include chiropractors, naturopaths, or homeopaths. Students may not enter school without a completed health assessment.

HEALTH ASSESSMENTS - SCREENINGS

School nurses are responsible for yearly screenings for:

Vision: Kindergartners through 6^th graders, 9^th graders and all new students

Hearing: Pure-tone hearing tests for students for kindergartners through 3^rd graders, 5^th graders, 9^th graders, all special education students, and other students who are considered at risk for hearing problems. An audiometric aide does impedance hearing tests for children to test middle ear function for kindergartners through 2^nd graders, all special education students, transfer students, and students who have been previously referred for ear problems.

Scoliosis: 5^th and 8^th graders

Lice: Kindergartners through 4^th graders - early in the fall, after spring recess, and as needed. 5^th through 12^th graders - as needed.

Parents will be notified by mail concerning students who need further evaluation by a physician. Parents should return the referral form to the school nurse after it has been completed by a physician.

Please notify the school nurse if you do not with to have your children participate in these screenings.

REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS

Diphtheria, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Tetanus dpt):

Dosage - 4; last dose after student’s 4^th birthday for a student entering school prior to student’s 6^th birthday; TD is administered instead of pertussis after age six.

Polio:

Dosage - 3; last dose after student’s 4^th birthday for a student entering school prior to student’s 6^th birthday.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (mmr):

Dosage - 2; On or after student’s 1^st birthday, & before student enters 7^th grade; in some cases, protection must be confirmed in writing based on specific blood test by certified laboratory. We strongly recommend that students entering 11^th grade receive a second measles vaccine at the time of their physical, to provide them with adequate protection against measles. Colleges and other institutions of higher learning require evidence of a second measles vaccine for admission

.

Hemophilus influenza type b (hib):

Dosage - 1; on or after student’s 15-month birthday; not required if student is 5 years old or older when entering; not required if student was infected with HIB on or after student’s 2^nd birthday, confirmed in writing based on specific blood test by certified laboratory.

Tine Test (Tuberculosis):

Dosage - within the 12 months before: initial enrollment, entering 7^th grade, and entering 11^th grade; students will not be admitted until 48 hours after the test is administered so that the test results can be observed.

Hemoglobin or hematacrit (Anemia):

Dosage - within the 12 months before: initial enrollment, entering 7^th grade, and entering 11^th grade.

STAYING HOME FROM SCHOOL

To safeguard the health of all students, we ask parents to monitor their children for possible communicable diseases.

Students must stay home from school if they:

• Have a fever of 100.5 degrees of more
• Have an undiagnosed rash
• Are vomiting
• Have more than one episode of diarrhea
• Have copious yellow/green mucus discharge from nose
• Complain of severe earache, with or without fever
• Have a severe sore throat with symptoms indicating possible strep throat
• Have conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Have head lice
• Have a communicable illness

Students must remain home:

• For 24 hours after their temperatures return to normal;
• Until a physician has determined the results of a throat culture for strep throat;
• For 24 hours after their first dose of medication with a diagnosis of strep throat to prevent the spread of infection to other students;
• For 24 hours after vomiting has ended;
• Until treatment for conjunctivitis is initiated;
• Until they are nit free after treatment for head lice.

LEAVING SCHOOL BECAUSE OF ILLNESS

The school nurse will ask a parent/guardian to pick up any student who becomes ill during school hours.

In addition, the school nurse may ask the parent/guardian to remove a student from school if the student suffers an illness or injury that, in the professional judgment of the school nurse, needs to be observed at home or by a medical doctor. Examples include:

• Seizures
• Severe asthmatic episodes with respiratory distress
• Head injuries
• A systemic allergic reaction
• Communicable illnesses
• Injuries requiring sutures
• Fractures
• Soft tissue injuries
• Dental injuries
• Any injury or illness that, in the professional judgment of the school nurse, requires transportation to an emergency room.

Students must not leave the building because of illness without authorization. Parents/guardians must sign students out of school.

COMMUNICATING WITH THE SCHOOL CONCERNING A STUDENT’S HEALTH

The school nurse should be notified of changes in the student’s status, illness, injury, or hospitalization.

• Parents/guardians should call the school office if their children are absent because of illness.
• The school requires a doctor’s note to excuse a student from gym for more than three days.
• Parents/guardian should consult the school psychologist if they anticipate a student may be absent for medical reasons for three weeks or longer. The school psychologist will help to arrange medical certification and appropriate home-based instruction by a qualified teacher. Please contact the psychologist in advance of the absence, if possible, or as soon as possible in an emergency situation.

MEDICAL EXCUSE

If a student is defined, by a doctor, as medically ineligible to participate in physical education for the quarter for which the student is enrolled, the student is Medically Excused from physical education for that period of time.

STUDENT MEDICATION

For students who must take medication during school hours - including medication prescribed by a physician for short-term use (antibiotics), daily medications, medication needed only occasionally, over-the-counter medication, and medication; for emergencies (epi-pens and inhalers) . The parents/guardians must provide the school nurse with written orders signed by the parents/guardians and by the physician, advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), or physician’s assistant (PA) authorizing the nurse to dispense the medication. The order must include:

• The name, strength, and dosage of the prescribed medication;
• Directions for administering the medication;
• The time the medication is to be administered;
• The duration of the order;
• Side effects, if any.

The parent/guardian is responsible for delivering the medication to the school nurse. Do not send any medication to school with a student. The medication must be in its original container, clearly labeled with the student’s name, the physician’s name, the prescription number, the date it was ordered, the name of the medication, its strength, and directions for administering the prescription. Parents must notify the nurse concerning any changes in the prescribed dosage. Forms are available in the nurse’s office. A new form must be provided each school year (including Summer School) for each medication.

Students are not permitted to carry medication at any time while in school. With the approval of the school nurse, middle and high school students may carry and self-administer epi-pens and inhalers if authorized to do so in writing by a physician, and with the permission of their parents/ guardians. Such medication should also be available in the nurse’s office to prevent a potential medical emergency. The nurse cannot keep more than 45 days’ supply of medication at the school at any one time.

The parent or a responsible adult must pick up unused medication within one week of completion or it will be disposed of by the school nurse.

STAPLES LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

The Staples Leadership Council is the body that each year sets goals that will improve the learning environment of the school community. The primary purpose is to improve the learning and teaching environment of Staples High School. It advocates for the necessary resources and funds to implement its goals. There are 17 members of the council: 4 students, (one per grade), 4 parents, 4 teachers, 1 administrator, 2 non-certified staff, the WRC Coordinator, and the Principal. Elections are held in the spring except for the Freshman, who is chosen in the fall.

STUDENT ASSEMBLY

The Staples Student Assembly has as its primary purpose the promotion of student affairs and interests and has its own budget. It serves as the student voice for the Leadership Council and the school. There are 40 members, ten from each class. Elections are held in the spring, except for the 10 Freshmen, who are chosen in the fall. The Assembly meets twice a month.

GRADUATION ACTIVITIES

AWARDS ASSEMBLY

Major awards are presented at an awards assembly in June. Some of the most prestigious awards are:

HIGH HONORS DINNER

This dinner is given in honor of the 10-11 seniors achieving the highest academic rank. Families and invited administrators attend.

BACCALAUREATE

This is an evening for seniors, their families and the community to come together to reflect. The Salutatorian and a chosen parent are keynote speakers.

GRADUATION

This is the ceremony held to award diplomas to those seniors who successfully complete all academic requirements. The class Valedictorian speaks.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Staples encourages its students to participate in the various extracurricular activities offered. Such participation assures the student’s emotional well-being, while discovering new talents and developing the whole person.

Participation is a privilege

In order to participate in all extra-curricular activities, students must exemplify good citizenship. Participation in such activities is a privilege not a right. Violation of the school’s code of conduct regarding the use of drugs or alcohol on or off campus will cause removal of the student from involvement in such activities (teams, clubs, players, etc.) for a quarter, semester or school year, whichever is warranted.

ATHLETICS AND INTRAMURALS

Purpose

The purpose of the athletic program is to stimulate boys and girls to develop mutual interests, promote motivations and improve their physical skills. Athletic contests involve considerable time for practices, games, strenuous physical effort and student travel. Each sport is a learning experience, and, as such, entails numerous responsibilities. Students who try out for nay sport should be aware of these responsibilities and be willing to assume them.

Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in extra-curricular activities, a student must receive a passing mark in at least three (3) courses for the preceding marking period. To be eligible for All activities, a student must have received credit in at least three (3) courses at the close of the preceding school year, or have made up that credit in summer school. Additionally, a student must be enrolled in at least six (6) courses to be eligible to participate. Individual teams or activities may establish eligibility requirements that go beyond these minimum standards. It is also necessary to meet the academic and eligibility requirements of both the school and the Connecticut interscholastic Athletic Conference, C.I.A.C.

Health Requirements

To participate in any sport, including try-outs, a student must have a current (within one year) health assessment. A completed health assessment form must on file in the Nurse’s Office.

Locker Use

Lockers are school property, subject to reasonable search and seizure with probable cause. All physical education students and athletes must use a locker and provide their own lock when using the locker room. Students should not bring valuables to the locker room.

C.I.A.C. Regulations

The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference governs all competitive sports of member schools. The following is a partial list of its regulations:

• An Athlete shall not have reached her/his 19^th birthday prior to September 1 of the current year.
• An athlete shall have passed three (3) academic credits or the equivalent at the end of the last regular marking period and must be carrying at least four (4) academic credits in the current year. She/he must also satisfy any local eligibility requirements.
• An athlete may not participate on any organized outside sports team in which she/he will compete in school during the school season.
• All Games in which an ineligible player competes shall be counted as defeats for her/his team, regardless of the true results.

Violations of the Athletic Standards

Violations will be treated with all due respect and consideration for the individual, the team, the school and the family. Penalties for violations may involve temporary suspension, permanent suspension for the remainder of the current season or year, ineligibility for future teams and/or the cancellation of awards.

Interscholastic Awards

All teams, unless otherwise noted, participate in FCIAC (Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference) and CIAC (Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference) competition.

The Staples Athletic Department offers a very competitive and comprehensive program for all students. The following is a breakdown by season, starting date and level:

Interscholastic Sports Events

Intramural Sports

For those students interested in less competitive sports, the Staples Athletic Department offers a very popular and successful intramural program. These activities are offered at Staples or other town facilities and are available to all students regardless of ability.

Fall Season: Winter Season Spring Season

Weight Training (M,W,F) Basketball Weight Training (M,W,F)

Ultimate Frisbee Weight Training (M,W,F) Girls Lacrosse

Boys Volleyball

HANDI-PRESS

Handi-Press is a non-profit graphic arts printing class operated by the students at Staples High School. These students are being trained for possible employment in the printing industry. We parallel the instruction to actual experiences they will encounter as active members of the graphic arts work force.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

Juniors and Seniors who maintain a 3.7 overall grade point eligible to apply for admission to the Staples National Honor Society. Citizenship, character and leadership are also criteria that is assessed by a Faculty Committee.

CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

Staples attempts to provide a wide range of clubs and activities. Students are strongly encouraged to become active in those clubs and activities that seem to appeal to their interests. If a group of students demonstrates an interest in establishing a new club or activity, they should take their request to one of the administrators for guidance as to the steps that should be taken. Participation in extra-curricular activities is contingent upon students maintaining good standing in the school community.

American Field Service (AFS) C. Kochefko

Best Buddies S. Dressler

Class Committees Class Advisors

Diversity A. Friedman, C.Fray

French Club C.Sandor

Gay/Straight Alliance Club A. Friedman,C.Burwell,C.Fray

Students discuss diversity issues and tolerance within the school community.

German Club C. Kochefko

Inklings (school newspaper J. Honeycutt

International Club H. Ballesteros

Jazz Band N. Mariconda

Key Club H. Ballesteros

Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club; it helps at community events.

Latin Club D. Sullivan

Law Club S. Muson

Argues cases in county and state competitions.

Math Club K. Campe

Mathematical problem solving in county and state competitions.

Orphenians A. Lipson

A Cappella singers, Juniors and Seniors by audition only.

Peer Advisor C. Rivera, M. Newman

QED (Academic Magazine) J. Ball

Q-TASCS S. Dressler

Quad Town Active Students in Community Service.

Soundings (Literary Magazine) J. Ball

Spanish Club H. Ballesteros, S. Platt

Staples Orientation Committee (SOC) C. Rivera

Assists students new to town. Applications available in Spring.

Stapleite (School Yearbook) C. Richardson, F. White

Hundreds of jobs available, application necessary.

Staples Players J. Luster

Acting and the technical aspect of theater (scenery, lighting).

Student Educators Program (S.E.P.) P. Pleas

Students Against Drunk Driving D. Scrofani

Students for Environmental Awareness J. Bachyrycz

Students Supporting AIDS Awareness (SSAA) C. Burwell,C.Fray,J.Cosell

Video Yearbook R. Mott

Youth Ending Hunger J. Brooker

Raises money for needy CT. organizations.

UN Club J. Chiappetta

Model of the real UN with weekly debates and attendance at many conferences.

Women’s Issues Group D. Sowinski

WWPT - FM Radio R. Mott

Staples own radio station.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

STAPLES PLAYERS PRODUCTION

This talented group of students offers two major productions per year in November and April. Previous performances have included "Chorus Line", "Godspell", "Cinderella", etc. Tryouts are held 6 weeks in advance and players are required to stay for after-school rehearsals. There is an audience admission fee.

STAPLES STUDIO THEATER

These are student organized and directed performances open to the public. The performances are held in The Al Pia Studio Theater rather than on center stage in the auditorium. There is an audience admission fee.

CANDLELIGHT CONCERT

This holiday concert is held in mid-December for 2 nights with 2 performances. The Staples orchestra, band, choir, chorus and Orphenians perform. This concert is a gift to the community, and tickets are distributed by request through the mail.

FRESHMAN FINE ARTS NIGHT

Staples art, drama and music departments plan an evening to exhibit freshman work in these areas. Parents and the community are invited to attend for free.

SPRING CONCERTS

Single evening performances are planned by the instrument and choral groups. Refer to the Appendix Calendar and the PTA’s newsletter’s updates for dates for orchestra, band, choir, chorus, Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra and Orphenians. There is an audience admission fee.

TOWN-WIDE ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL

This is a March evening planned by all Westport schools’ music departments for the enjoyment of listening to the performance by children grades 5-12. In alternating years, the Festival is performed by the Band. There is an audience admission fee.

CULTURAL ARTS

Daytime performances for SHS students and faculty sponsored by the town-Wide PTA Cultural Arts Committee. Funds for performances are raised by PTA and individual donations. Past performances include Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, and the Young Artists Competition Winners. Free admission.

WESTPORT CONTINUING EDUCATION

SUMMER SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: MR. BLUDNICKI

The Westport Summer School offers a comprehensive program of enriching educational opportunities for students; kindergarten through adult. A brochure describing the program of studies is mailed to all Westport families in early Spring. Students may improve their academic skills, explore artistic or recreational interests and enjoy new challenges in small classes with personal attention. High school students may make up an incomplete or failed course, or advance their studies in courses which provide credit For additional information, call the Continuing Education/Summer School office at 341-1209.

SAT PREPARATION

These courses are designed to help students to be better prepared to take the SAT tests in the areas of mathematics and English. One phase of the course is designed to improve math scores by reviewing needed fundamentals, concepts in algebra, geometry and functions. Testing technique is also stressed. The English component is designed to help the student in the areas of vocabulary, sentence completion, word relationships, and reading comprehension.

CONTINUING EDUCATION PRINCIPAL: MR. BLUDNICKI

The Westport Continuing Education program, sponsored by the Board of Education, offers daytime and evening programs for adults, and after-school activities as well as vacation specials for school age children. A wide range of learning opportunities are available including: Adult Basic Education, Arts, Careers, Computer, Home Projects, Languages, Music, Dance, and more. Catalogs describing the program are mailed to residents for the fall, winter/spring, and summer programs. For further information, contact the Continuing Education Office at 341-1209.

DRIVER & TRAFFIC SAFETY EDUCATION AND BEHIND-THE-WHEEL INSTRUCTION

Two Driver Education courses are offered through Continuing Education. These are available during the school year and during the summer.

Driver And Traffic Safety Education

Consists of 30 hours of classroom instruction covering the highway system, vehicle laws, and motorcycle information and operation. The student is also prepared to take and pass the written section of the state license examination.

Behind-The-Wheel Instruction

Six hours of driving instruction are provided daily, including weekends, only for students who are at least 16. Instruction includes: local driving in commercial and residential areas and parking skills.

CALENDAR FOR STUDENTS

Note: This calendar was prepared to July 1, 1997. During the course of the year dates my be changed. If weather conditions or other emergencies cause cancellations, school will remain in session until students complete 182 days.

SEPTEMBER

Lunch Schedule: Bldg. 1,2,3 & Music=L3; Bldg. 5 & Art=L1; Bldg. 6=L2; Bldg. 9 & rooms 610,618,619,622,623=L3

8 Grade 9 Orientation Day; Grades 10-12, Mini-Arena

9 All grades, 7:30 a.m. Opening Assembly; Special schedule: All classes met Per. A-H

9 Freshman Parents, Cafeteria, 7:30 p.m.

11 Add deadline: full year, first semester, first quarter courses

16 Back-To-School Night, 7:30 p.m.

18 Drop Deadline: first quarter courses

21 Rosh Hashanah, NO SCHOOL

23 Senior Guidance meeting, period H

30 Yom Kipper, NO SCHOOL

OCTOBER:

Lunch Schedule: Bldg. 1,2,3 & Music=L3; Bldg. 5 & Art=L2; Bldg. 6=L3; Bldg. 9 & rooms 610,618,619,622,623=L1

3 Homecoming Weekend

9 End of I.P.R. period; Drop deadline - first semester courses

12 Columbus Day, NO SCHOOL

14 College Financial aid Workshop, Café 8:00 p.m.

16 I.P.R. letters mailed home

17 P.S.A.T., 8:00 a.m.

21 Freshman Parents, Cafeteria, 7:30 p.m.

28 College Panel, Cafeteria, 8:00 p.m.

30 Drop Deadline: full year courses

NOVEMBER:

Lunch Schedule: Bldg. 1,2,3 & Music=L3; Bldg. 5 & Art=L3; Bldg. 6=L1; Bldg. 9 & rooms 610,618,619,622,623=L2

2 Qtr. testing periods B & E

3 Election Day, NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

4 Qtr. Testing periods C & G

5 Qtr. Testing periods A & D

6 Last day Quarter 1; Qtr. Testing periods H & F

7 S.A.T., 8:00 a.m.

9 First day Quarter 2

13 Add Deadline: second quarter courses

13-14 Staples Players major production

18 Grade Cards distributed in H.R.

20 Drop Deadline: second quarter courses

20-21 Staples Players major production

22-23 Staples Players major production

25 Dismissal - 11:40 a.m.; Periods: D,C,B & F

26-27 Thanksgiving Recess, NO SCHOOL

DECEMBER:

Lunch Schedule: Bldg. 1,2,3 & Music=L3; Bldg. 5 & Art=L1; Bldg. 6=L2; Bldg. 9 & rooms 610,618,619,622,623=L3

5 S.A.T., 8:00 a.m.

9 Freshman Parents, Café 7:30 p.m.

11 End of I.P.R. period

6 S.A.T., 8:00 a.m.

18 I.P.R. letters mailed home

18 Candlelight Concert, 7:00 p.m.

19 Candlelight Concert, 7:00 p.m.

23 Dismissal - 11:40 a.m.; Periods: H, B, C & A

24-31 Christmas Recess, NO SCHOOL

JANUARY:

Lunch Schedule: Bldg. 1,2,3 & Music=L3; Bldg. 5 & Art=L2; Bldg. 6=L3; Bldg. 9 & rooms 610,618,619,622,623=L1

1 New Year’s Day & Christmas Recess, NO SCHOOL

5 College Freshman Panel, Periods E & G

13 Junior Parents Night, Cafeteria, 7:30 p.m.

14 Freshman Fine Arts Concert, 8:00 p.m.

18 Martin Luther King Day, NO SCHOOL 6 End of qtr. testing periods B & E

19 Qtr. Testing Periods B & E

20 Qtr. Testing Periods C & G

21 Qtr. Testing Periods A & D

22 Qtr. Testing Periods H & F

25 End of semester exams A (8:00) & B (10:30)

26 End of semester exams C (8:00) & D (10:30)

27 End of semester exams E (8:00) & F (10:30)

27 Freshman Parents, Cafeteria 7:30 p.m.

28 End of semester exams G (8:00) & H (10:30)

29 Make-up Exams

FEBRUARY:

Lunch Schedule: Bldg. 1,2,3 & Music=L3; Bldg. 5 & Art=L3; Bldg. 6=L1; Bldg. 9 & rooms 610,618,619,622,623=L2

1 Last day: First semester, all classes meet periods A - H

2 First day: Second semester, Homeroom 7:30 - 7:40; then a regular Tues. schedule

5 Add Deadline: third quarter, second semester courses

10 Grade Cards distributed in H.R

12 Drop Deadline: third quarter courses

15 Presidents Day, NO SCHOOL

MARCH:

Lunch Schedule: Bldg. 1,2,3 & Music=L3; Bldg. 5 & Art=L1; Bldg. 6=L2; Bldg. 9 & rooms 610,618,619,622,623=L3

5 End of I.P.R. period

5 Drop Deadline: second semester courses

12 I.P.R. letters mailed home

9 Townwide Orchestra Festival Rehearsal

10 Townwide Orchestra Concert

APRIL:

Lunch Schedule: Bldg. 1,2,3 & Music=L3; Bldg. 5 & Art=L2; Bldg. 6=L3; Bldg. 9 & rooms 610,618,619,622,623=L1

2 Good Friday, NO SCHOOL

6 Qtr. Testing periods: B & E

7 Qtr. Testing periods: C & G

7 Freshman Parents, Cafeteria, 7:30 p.m.

8 Qtr. Testing periods: A & D

9 Last day third quarter; Qtr. Testing Periods: H & F

12 First day fourth quarter

16 Add Deadline: fourth quarter courses

16-17 Staples Players major production

21 Grade Cards distributed in H.R

23 Drop deadline: Fourth quarter courses

23-24 Staples Players major production

29 Spring Music Concert, auditorium

MAY:

Lunch Schedule: Bldg. 1,2,3 & Music=L3; Bldg. 5 & Art=L3; Bldg. 6=L1; Bldg. 9 & rooms 610,618,619,622,623=L2

1 S.A.T., 8:00 a.m.

4 CAPTest administration

5 CAPTest administration

6 CAPTest administration

7 End of I.P.R. period

10 AP exams

11 AP exams; CAPTest administration

12 AP exams; CAPTest administration

13 AP testing

14 AP exams; .P.R’s. mailed home

17 AP exams

18 AP exams

19 AP exams; Combined Concert, 8:00 p.m.

26 Early dismissal: periods D,C,B & F; Eighth Grade Visitation

26 Freshman Parents, Cafeteria, 7:30 p.m.

28 Chamber Orchestra Concert, 8:00 p.m.

31 Memorial Day, NO SCHOOL

JUNE:

Lunch Schedule: Bldg. 1,2,3 & Music=L3; Bldg. 5 & Art=L1; Bldg. 6=L2; Bldg. 9 & rooms 610,618,619,622,623=L3

5 S.A.T., 8:00 a.m.

8 Jazz Ensemble Concert, 8:00 p.m.

9 Last day of regularly scheduled classes; Senior Class Trip

10 Exams A & B

11 Exams C & D

12 Senior Prom

14 Exams E & F

15 Exams G & H; Awards Night, 7:30 p.m.

16 Arena registration, grades 11 & 10; Make-up exams

17 Arena registration, grades 10 & 9; Make-up exams; High Honors Dinner, 5:30 p.m.;

Baccalaureate, 8:30 p.m.

18 Graduation, 2:00 p.m.

25 Report cards mailed home

"End of Year" activities, including the date for exams, arena registration, and graduation, will not be finalized until April 1, 1998.

DAILY SCHEDULE

NO SCHOOL/DELAY ANNOUNCEMENTS

The radio stations listed below carry announcements of delayed school opening or closing. If the station is not listed, it receives no information from the Westport Public Schools:

WAVZ New Haven 1300 AM WEBE Westport 107.9 FM

WEFX Norwalk 95.9 FM WELI New Haven 960 AM

WEZN Bridgeport 99.9 FM WICC Bridgeport 600 AM

WINE Brookfield 940 AM WKCI New Haven 101.3 FM

WKHL Stamford 96.7 FM WNLK Norwalk 1350 AM

WRKI Brookfield 95.1 FM WSTC Stamford 1400 AM

Or you may call: 341-1SNO (341-1766)

When We Have A One Hour Delay In Opening Staples High School:

Time: Monday Time Tuesday Time Wednesday

8:30-9:05 A 8:30-9:20 H 8:30-9:20 D

9:10-9:45 B 9:25-10:10 B 9:25-10:10 C

9:50-10:25 C 10:15-11:00 C 10:15-11:00 B

10:30-11:20 D 11:05-12:35 A 11:05-12:35 F

11:25-12:55 E 12:40-1:25 E 12:40-1:25 G

1:00-1:35 F 1:30-2:15 G 1:30-2:15 H

1:40-2:15 G

Time: Thursday Time Friday

8:30-9:20 A 8:30-9:10 A

9:25-10:10 E 9:15-9:55 B

10:15-11:00 D 10:00-10:40 C

11:05-12:35 G 10:45-11:20 H

12:40-1:25 F 11:25-12:55 D

1:30-2:15 H 1:00-1:35 E

1:40-2:15 F

Students and parents are asked NOT to call the school switchboard to obtain this information. Generally, cancellation and delayed opening information is broadcast by 7:00 a.m.

DIRECTIONS TO FCIAC SCHOOLS

Brien McMahon High School: Highland Ave. Norwalk, 852-9488

I-95 to Exit 14. Turn right off ramp to light at Post Rd. (Rt.1). Turn left onto Post Rd. to light (approx. 2 blocks). Turn left onto Scribner Ave. Cross over Thruway and follow to end of street. Turn right onto Flaxhill and left (approx. 2 blocks) onto Highland Ave. The school is on the left.

Rowayton School Field (softball): Continue past Brien McMahon to end of street. Turn right and go _ block to light. Run left. The field is to the right of the school just after turn.

Danbury High School: Clapboard Ridge Rd., Danbury, 797-4800

Merritt Pkwy. to Exit 40 (Rt.7) or Rt. 133 (Wilton Rd.) to Rt. 7. Go north on Rt. 7 to I-84. Go east on I-84 (toward Hartford) to Exit 5. Follow ramp and road down hill to first light (Main St.). Turn left onto Main passing under I-84 to Clapboard Ridge (road Y’s - follow to the right). Proceed up Clapboard approx. 1 mile. School is on the right.

Broadview JHS: Hospital Ave. (9^th Grade Teams)

I-84 to Exit 5. Go straight at light. Turn right at 3^rd light (Union Savings Bank on right). Go to next light and turn right onto Tamarack Ave. Go to next light and turn left onto Hospital Ave. School is on right just past hospital.

Rogers Park JHS: ((9^th Grade Teams)

I-84 to Exit 5. Turn right at light onto Main St. Follow through town. Rogers Park is at end of street. Enter park. School is on right approx. 300 yards. Field is in the same area.

Darien High School: High School Lane, Darien, 655-3981

I-95 to Exit 10. Follow ramp to Stop sign and turn right onto Noroton Ave. Go approx. 1 mile and turn right onto High School Lane. School is on the left.

Greenwich High School: Hillside Rd., Greenwich, 625-8000

I-95 to Exit 4. Go north to Post Rd.. Turn left onto Post Rd. and go 2 short blocks to Hillside Rd. Turn right onto Hillside. School is on the left.

-or-

Merritt Pkwy. to Exit 31. Go south on North St. to Fairfield Rd. to Hillside.

Eastern JHS: (9^th Grade Teams)

Merritt Pkwy. to Exit 34. Go south on Long Ridge. Turn right on Stillwater. Stay on Stillwater until Palmer Hill Rd. Turn right (Hubbard Heights Golf Course on left). Take Palmer Hill Rd. to stop sigh. Turn left on Havemeyer Lane. Continue to Post Rd. ((Putnam Ave.) Turn right and go to Riverside Ave. (5 traffic lights). Turn left and go 5 blocks. Turn left on Hendrie Ave. School is short way on left.

Central JHS: (9^th Grade Teams)

I-95 to Exit 4. Turn right onto field Pt. Rd. Follow past Rt. 1 to Indian Rock. School is on left.

-or-

Merritt Pkwy. to Exit 31. Go south on North St. to traffic light at Fairfield. Turn left on Fairfield to Field Pt. Rd., Indian Rock, Stanwich Rd. (all come in together).

Western JHS: (9^th Grade Teams)

I-95 to Exit 2. Follow Frontage Rd. to 2^nd light and turn right onto Byron Rd. Go to 3^rd street and turn right on Richland. School on Richland.

Fairfield High School: Melville Ave., Fairfield 255-8534

I-95 to Exit 24 (Black Rock Tnpk). Pass under Turnpike following center lane to left. Turn right onto Black Rock Tnpk. Go to second light and turn right on Knapps Hwy. School is approx. 1 mile on left.

New Canaan High School: Farm Rd., New Canaan, 972-1852

Merritt Pkwy. to Exit 37. Go north on South Rd. approx. 1 mile. Turn left at light onto Farm Rd. School is on left.

Football Field: South Rd. on right before light at Farm Rd.

Conner Field (V. Soccer, Fr. Baseball): South Rd.. Turn right at light on Farm Rd. Field by Saxe JHS.

Mead Park (V. Baseball): Pass New Canaan H.S. to stop sign. Turn right on Old Stamford Rd. Go 1 mile to Park St. Turn left on Park St. for .3 miles. Mead park on left.

Waveny Park: (V/JV Softball) Merritt to South Rd. (Rt. 124). Go north as for high school. Approx. .4 miles from Merritt turn left into Park.

Norwalk High School: Strawberry Hill Ave. and County St., 838-4481.

Post Rd. to Strawberry Hill. Turn left 1 block to light. Turn left for school. Turn right (1 block) to football field.

Ridgefield High School: North Salem Rd., 438-3785.

Merritt Pkwy. to Exit 40 (Rt. 7) or Wilton Rd. to Rt. 7 North on Rt. 7 to Rt. 33 (Wilton Cntr.). Turn left following signs to Ridgefield. Turn right onto Mail St. passing through town to light at North Salem Rd. (Rt. 116). Turn left. School is approx. 4 miles north of town.

-or-

Weston Rd. to Rt. 57 into Georgetown. Turn right on Rt. 7. Left on Rt. 102 into Ridgefield. Turn right on Main St. and follow as above.

Stamford High School: Strawberry Hill Ave., 977-4223

I-95 to Exit 8. Turn right at end of ramp onto Elm. Continue straight onto Grove. At fork in road becomes Strawberry Hill. School is on right just after light at fork.

Boyle Football Stadium: behind high school.

Cubeta Stadium: Scalzi Park (Baseball). I-95 to Exit 8.

Go straight at light (Elm St.) on North State. Follow to Washington. Turn right on Washington. Go approx. 2 miles. Park is on left. Turn left at light (Bridge St.). Park entrance is on left.

-or-

Merritt Pkwy. to Exit 34. Go south on High Ridge Rd. approx. 2 miles. Turn right after passing Lord & Taylor onto Washington Blvd. Turn right at third light into Scalzi Park.

Stamford Catholic High School: Newfield Ave., Stamford, 322-3402

I-95 to Exit 8. Turn right onto Elm. Continue straight onto Grove which becomes Strawberry Hill for approx. 2 miles and then becomes Newfield Ave. School is another _ mile on the left.

-or-

Merritt Pkwy. To Exit 35. Go south on High Ridge Rd. approx. _ mile to Vine. Turn left onto Vine to Newfield Ave. Turn right on Newfield. School is on right.

Trumbull High School: Strobel Rd., Trumbull 452-5150.

Merritt Pkwy. to exit 49 North (Danbury, Rt. 25). Stay on Rt. 25 to Exit 9 (Daniels Farms Rd.). Turn right at end of ramp onto Daniels Farms Rd. Go to top of hill and take right after Hillcrest Middle School onto Strobel Rd. School is on right.

Hillcrest Middle School: as above

Madison Middle School:

Merritt Pkwy to Exit 49 North. Turn left Lake Ave. Go to end of Lake Ave. and turn left onto Madison Ave. School is on left approx. _ mile.

-or-

I-95 to Exit 27A onto Rt. 8-25. Follow Rt. 25 to left (Danbury). Exit 9 turn left onto Daniels Farms Rd. Turn right at light onto Churchill Rd. At next traffic light (Main St.) turn right. Go to next traffic light (Lake Ave.) and turn left. Follow Lake until it ends at Madison Ave. Turn left on Madison Ave. School is short distance on left.

Westhill High School: Roxbury Rd., Stamford 977-4927

Merritt Pkwy. to Exit 34. Go south on Long Ridge Rd. Roxbury is a sharp right.

Wilton High School: Danbury Rd., Wilton 762-0381

Merritt Pkwy. to Exit 40 (Rt. 7) or Wilton Road. To Rt. 7. Go north on Rt. 7 passing Wilton Cntr. School is approx. 1 mile past Center on left.

DIRECTIONS TO OTHER ATHLETIC LOCATIONS

Golf

Hap Halohan Tournament, Wee Burn Country club, 410 Hollow Tree Ridge Rd., Darien

I-95 to Exit 10. Turn right onto Noroton Ave. Turn right at second traffic light onto Middlesex Ave. After 1 mile, sigh on left "Wee Burn C.C." Turn left onto Hanson Rd. Clubhouse ahead on right.

-or-

Merritt Pkwy. to Exit 37. Turn toward Darien. Go 1 _ miles. Take Middlesex Rd. (on the right). Continue 1 mile. Turn right onto Hanson Rd. Club ahead on right (approx. _ mile).

Ice Hockey

Darien Ice Rink: Old Kings Highway, Darien

I-95 to Exit 13. Turn right off ramp onto Post Rd. Turn left on Post Rd. and left again onto Old King’s Highway.

Dorothy Hamill Ice Rank: Sherman Ave., Greenwich

I-95 to Exit 2. Turn right off ramp onto Byram Rd. Go approx. _ mile to top of hill. Turn right onto High School Lane. Rink is on left.

Terry Connors Ice Rink: Cove Island Park, Stamford

I-95 to Exit 9. Turn left off ramp over Turnpike. Go to bottom of long hill and turn right onto Weed Ave. Go to end of Weed Ave. Cove Island Park is facing end of Weed Ave. Take drive on the left into the Park. Terry Connors Rink and Troy Field in Park.

Wonderland Ice Rink: Glenwood Ave., Bridgeport

I-95 to Exit 27A. Go to Exit 5. Turn left at light at end of ramp, follow road up and down hill staying to left. Turn left at bottom of hill onto Glenwood. Follow signs to rink.

Swimming

Darien YMCA: I-95 to Exit 9. Turn left off ramp onto Post Rd. YMCA approx. 2 miles on right.

New Canaan YMCA: Merritt Pkwy. to Rt. 124, Exit 37. Turn left on South Ave. YMCA on right approx. .8 miles.

Ridgefield YMCA: Follow as for High School. Go approx. 2 _ miles on Rt. 116. Bear right onto Barlow Mountain Rd. At next fork stay left. YMCA on left.

Trumbull: See Hillcrest Middle School.

Wilton YMCA: Across from Wilton High School on Danbury Rd.

NON- DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES

Westport Schools Practice Non-discriminatory Practices In employment And In Educational Opportunity.

In compliance with Titles VI and VII of the civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, THE WESTPORT PUBLIC SCHOOLS do not discriminate in employment or in educational opportunity on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, disability, past or present history of mental disorder, mental retardation, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age or marital status.

Any complaints or inquiries should be directed to the above coordinators. Statute requires annual position of this statement of non-discrimination. Complainants are entitled to due process in terms of being heard and a timely response by the coordinators involved.

NOTIFICATION OF PARENTS’ AND STUDENTS’ RIGHTS ON STUDENTS’ RECORDS

Federal Government Legislation regarding Privacy Rights of parents and Students require each school system to annually inform parents of information on our student records policy. We are taking this opportunity to let you know some basic aspects of our student record-keeping procedures and policies.

Type Of Education Records Maintained - Who Has Access - For What Reasons:

The Westport Schools maintain three general types of records on students:

Test Papers:

Students are entitled to see and obtain, in a timely fashion, a copy of graded test papers administered by Staples teachers, unless the test is a closed, standardized, national or state examination.

Custodian, Procedures For Parental Access To Records, Cost of Reproduction, Location Of Policies:

The principal of each school is the legal custodian of all records in that school. The principal may be contacted regarding parental access to their child’s records.

In most cases, the counselor will be the person to contact to review the Permanent Record and Non-Permanent Student Record. It is customary to set up an appointment in advance to review the records. Parents are entitled to copies of their child’s records. If the record is extensive, there will be a charge for copying the records (actual reproduction cost).

Federal, State and Westport policies regarding student records are available at the Teachers’ Center as well as the Pupil Personnel Services and Special Education office at Staples High School.

Policies for Reviewing and Expunging Records (by School Officials):

All Permanent Records are reviewed thoroughly at transition from one level to the next, at graduation and/or a student/s withdrawal from school. They are updated yearly.

All Non-Permanent Records are reviewed yearly.

Permanent Records are maintained fifty years after a child has graduated or withdrawn from the Westport Schools.

Non-Permanent Records are maintained until three years after a student’s class has graduated from the Westport Schools. At that time, they are destroyed. Special Education Records are maintained six years after a student’s class has graduated from the Westport Schools and are then destroyed.

Policies For Challenging The Contents Of Records

Parent, legal guardian, or student, 28 years or older, may ask for correction or deletion of any incomplete, inaccurate, or inappropriate information in the student’s records. If the designee disagrees, the parent, legal guardian, or student, 28 years or older, has the right to appeal the decision.

A formal appeal procedure exists if a disagreement over content of a record cannot be resolved. The steps include:

• Custodian of the records (the principal in each building);
• Appropriate Assistant superintendent for that level (Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services and Special Education is available for consultation and is the System Custodian of Records);
• Superintendent of Schools and Board of Education attorney;
• A Hearing Panel appointed by the Superintendent with parental approval. (Detailed Hearing Rights are available at the Pupil Personnel Services and Special Education Office.)

If the resolution by the Panel is that the information is accurate and should remain in the file, the parents may insert an explanation into the file portraying their opinion.

If a parent is still aggrieved following a Hearing Panel decision, he/she may appeal the decision to the Court of common Pleas.

If you have any questions on Westport’s records policy or your child’s records, please contact your school principal or your child’s counselor.

SOURCES FOR ANSWERS:

Academic questions (in order): Student’s Teacher

Counselor

Division Coordinator

Principal/Assistant Principal

Accountabilities Mrs. Carroll, Main Office

Address/phone/etc. changes Mrs. Birkmaier, Main Office

Attendance, gr. 9 Mr. Littrell

Attendance, gr. 10-12 Mrs. King, Dean’s Office

Attendance issues Dean’s Office

College/Career Information Guidance office

Communication, Tuesday News Mrs. Birkmaier, Main Office

Driver Education Sign-up Continuing Education Office

Good Driver Insurance Discount Form Guidance Counselor

Independent Study Forms Guidance Counselor

Insurance Forms (student) Mrs. Partin, Main Office

Interscholastic questions (in order) Coach of Team

Athletic Director

Principal

Job Bank Guidance Office

Lockers Mrs. Birkmaier, Main Office

Parking , Student Mrs. King, Dean’s Office

Pass/No Record Forms Guidance Office

Pay Telephones Inside Hall 7-8; Fieldhouse, Front of school

Register concerns of a general nature Principal/Assistant Principal

Scheduling/Course Change Guidance Counselor

Scholarships, Summer programs Guidance Office

School philosophy and goals Principal

Student Activities Main Office

Tests: PSAT, SAT, ACH Guidance Office

Transcripts Mrs. Ketley, Guidance Office

Working Papers Guidance Office