Emergency Closing of School
Decisions about school closings, late starts or emergency closings are normally announced via our phone/email/SMS mass messaging system, are posted on our school web site (www.GovernorMifflinSD.org) and social media, and are forwarded to local radio/television stations (WEEU 830 AM, WFMZ Channel 69, WGAL Channel 8) by 6:00 a.m. The stations request that you do not call them. On occasion, an announced delayed school start may change to school being closed. Therefore, another mass messaging call will be made, our web site will be updated and the media will be alerted. The Governor Mifflin School District’s automated phone message will also be updated to announce the change in schedule. Should school close early, secondary students are dismissed first, then elementary students. All early dismissals are announced via our phone/email/SMS mass messaging system, posted on our web site and social media, and announced on local radio/tv stations. Please refrain from calling the schools during these situations, as telephones are needed for emergencies. Please be alert to the possibility that school may close early, and if you are not home during the day, make sure your children know what to do if they are dismissed early. Secondary students are encouraged not to drive on days when bad weather is forecasted.
Smoke-Free Schools Policy
The Governor Mifflin School District is a smoke-free campus. In September 1997, the Governor Mifflin Board of School Directors approved a policy that will make all grounds of the Governor Mifflin campus smoke-free. In order to protect students, employees and community members from an environment that may be harmful to them, the Board of School Directors prohibits smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco in any form on or in school facilities by all district employees, contractors, visitors and community members.
• School facilities include all district buildings, school district vehicles and school grounds.
• “Smoking” means all uses of nicotine/tobacco related products including but not limited to cigars, cigarettes, pipes, smokeless tobacco, electronic, or vaporizing devices.
• Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco and/or tobacco “look-alike” products and related paraphernalia on or in school facilities or in school district vehicles will be considered a violation of this policy.
Visitors
All visitors are required to show a photo ID and receive a visitor’s badge at the high school main office. Any person picking up a student must be listed in Skyward and show proper identification. Student visitors must obtain prior permission from the administration. No student visitors will be permitted during the school day.
Video Surveillance
In order to keep Governor Mifflin High School students safe and secure and to protect individual property from harm, the school has been equipped with a video surveillance system.
Permission to Leave School During Regular Hours
1. No student is allowed to leave school during the day without permission from the attendance office. If such permission is necessary, the student must submit a written request to the attendance office prior to 7:45 a.m. The note must state the exact time of dismissal request and the reason for leaving school early. If the request is approved, the student will be issued an early dismissal pass which must be presented in the office before signing out.
2. All appointments, if possible, should be scheduled before or after school. A parent’s note must be presented to the associate principals’ office before 7:45 a.m. on the day of the appointment, and a special excuse will be issued, which must be presented to the teacher in charge before leaving. A physician’s note is required for medical appointments upon return to school.
3. Except as approved by the principal or associate principals, students will not be permitted to leave the building during the school day for personal reasons such as errands or returning home for forgotten work.
Students Signing In or Out
Students entering or leaving the building for any special reason during regular school hours are required to sign the attendance roster in the attendance office. Students requesting to leave school without a pre-approved note must receive permission from an administrator.
Building Security Measures
Students are restricted from opening any exterior doors to allow the entry of another person(s) into the building. Those found to be in violation will receive disciplinary action for safety and security breach.
Students are reminded of their responsibilities to do their part in assuring our building is safe from any unauthorized entries into the building during the school day.
Respect for Property
Governor Mifflin High School is your school. Since the school is yours, you should have a certain pride in ownership. Those students who follow you in the years to come will appreciate your care and courtesy.
The boys and girls’ lavatories should be kept exceptionally clean. Our school pride is exemplified in the way we maintain our lavatories. Keep paper from the floor; do not deface walls and keep voices as low as possible. Persons causing damage to school property will be required to pay for the damages.
Respect for Others
Students are expected to be respectful of others. We recognize all students as individuals representing our diverse cultural heritage. We believe schools should provide all students with surroundings in which they can feel comfortable to express their opinions, ideas and beliefs without harassment regardless of age, race, color, national origin, sex or handicap. Students harassing others may be charged with a summary or criminal offense under the PA Crimes Code Section 2709.
Food and Drink Restrictions
1. Large drink containers/glass bottles are not permitted during school.
2. Food is permitted in the individual classrooms at the teacher’s discretion.
3. Food purchased from an outside food venue will not be permitted beyond the attendance office without administrative approval.
Other School Building Regulations
School grounds are maintained for the benefit of our students and community members. Please help us by adhering to the following regulations:
• Use of the grounds by organized, non-school teams must be pre-approved in writing.
• Vehicle traffic is restricted to paved roads.
• Parking on grass is prohibited.
• Litter is to be placed in trash containers.
• Golf clubs, skateboards and in-line skates are prohibited.
• Dogs are not permitted on school grounds.
• The entire campus is a smoke and drug-free zone. As such, tobacco, nicotine, alcohol and controlled substances are prohibited.
• The use of laser pens/pointers is prohibited.
• All acts of vandalism and disorderly conduct will be referred to the local police
Pledge of Allegiance
The US Supreme Court upheld a ruling that students cannot be forced to participate in or stand during the flag salute (Pledge of Allegiance) if they do not wish to do so. We ask that students who do not wish to participate in the Pledge remain seated and quiet as to not be a distraction to those that Pledge. Additionally, staff will not ask why the student(s) do not want to stand/participate for the Pledge.
Posting of Information
Any outside group or organization wishing to post information must receive authorization from the administration. The information will be posted on the bulletin board located in the hallway near the main office. The information should contain dates, times, locations and a contact person. Posters, flyers or general postings should be removed in a timely fashion.
Evening Activities
All practices, rehearsals and meetings involving high school students held on evenings preceding a school day shall end no later than 9:30 p.m. unless prior approval is given by the administration. Students are not to be in the building for evening activities unless accompanied by a teacher or adult supervisor.
Lost and Found
If you find an article or have lost anything of value, bring it or report its loss, to the associate principals’ office. Lost articles may be claimed from the “LOST AND FOUND” located in the associate principals’ office.
Homework Request Procedure
When a student is sick three days or more, he or she should request work from his/her teachers. Thanks to modern technology, this process is easier than ever. Students and parents may e-mail their work requests directly to their teachers.
How? Students or parents can go to the Skyward web site where grades are reviewed. This information is presented to students on the first day of school. To access this site:
• Go directly to Skyward Parent log-in web site. Enter your user name and password.
• Feel free to call the technology office at 610-775-1461, ext. 1124 for more information or help.
Where? As in the past, if books or other materials need to be delivered to the students, they can be picked up in the attendance office before or after school. When the teacher has been emailed, at least 24 hours should be given to allow the teacher to respond.
If you have any problems contacting the teacher, feel free to call your guidance counselor at 610-775-5089.
School Sponsored Trips
All school rules and policies are in full effect on school trips. Written permission slips by parents or guardian must be submitted by the student to the teacher in charge prior to the trip date. Students may be restricted because of previous poor behavior on trips or current academic or discipline problems.
Financial Obligations
1. Students shall be held responsible for all outstanding financial obligations to the school.
2. Any student with an outstanding financial obligation or debt to the school will not be permitted to:
a. attend any extra-curricular field trip
b. participate in any interscholastic event
c. order class rings
d. purchase yearbooks
e. purchase dance, homecoming and/or prom tickets
f. receive graduation tickets and/or participate in graduation ceremonies
g. attend non-curricular related field trips
3. Students shall be responsible for the cost to repair and/or replace all school property that may be lost, damaged or destroyed as a result of their acts or activities. In particular, students who severely damage or lose a textbook or piece of school equipment are obligated to pay the full replacement price. Failure to pay for any lost, damaged or destroyed items can result in the filing of a civil suit against the student and/or the student’s parent/guardian.
4. Students shall return, or make restitution for, all borrowed books, materials, equipment and any monies or property collected by them through fundraising events.
5. Students are encouraged to resolve financial obligations as they are incurred. Any student who fails to honor and fulfill his/her financial obligations shall be subject to any and all authorized actions available to the District, including the institution of legal actions that may, to the extent allowed, include collection actions against the student’s parent/guardian.
Textbook Return Policy
Students are responsible for the textbooks assigned to them at the beginning of the school year. Textbooks damaged, destroyed, lost or stolen must be paid for by the student. Students are expected to personally return their books to their teachers during the scheduled times.
Late to Class
If tardy for class, the student will be admitted by the classroom teacher, who will record his/her name and time of entrance. Unless the student is in class by the time the bell rings, he/she is considered late to class.
Late to Class Consequence Chart
6-12
Teacher referral to the office/Administrative Detention
13+
Saturday detention, OSS
Study Hall Procedure
1.Regular Study Areas (cafeteria, auditorium, classroom) – A quiet study atmosphere will be provided for students to study individually. Students are expected to report before the late bell with materials for study or leisure reading. Students who find it necessary to work together on an assignment or project must obtain prior permission from their teacher.
Pledge of Allegiance
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a ruling that students cannot be forced to participate in or stand during the flag salute (Pledge of Allegiance) if they do not wish to do so. We ask that students who do not wish to participate in the Pledge remain seated and quiet as to not be a distraction to those that Pledge. Additionally, staff will not ask why the student(s) do not want to stand/participate for the Pledge.
Fire Drill Procedures
In order that we may safely vacate the building, the following rules will be enforced:
1. All students will leave the room in an orderly fashion without talking.
2. Do not close windows or turn off lights.
3. The teacher shall be the last to leave the room and shall close the door.
4. Students will re-enter the building when all-clear is given to them by an administrator.
5. Consult posters in each room designating proper exits and routes.
6. Report to designated areas in the stadium and multipurpose field. Areas must be clear so that emergency vehicles have access to all routes to the building.
7. The teacher shall have crisis response booklet and take attendance once his/her students reach the designated safe area.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the failure to acknowledge someone else’s words or ideas. All of these following constitute plagiarism.
1. Failure to document with quotation marks any material copied directly from other sources.
2. Failure to acknowledge paraphrased material (someone else’s ideas).
3. Failure to provide a bibliography.
4. Use of others’ work as one’s own, particularly in the arts.
5. Use of others’ ideas as one’s own for themes, poems, musical compositions or artwork. 1
6. Use or copying of any computer storage device.
7. Use of an electronic device for any assessment.
Governor Mifflin’s procedure on plagiarism is as follows: Students who plagiarize will receive a “0” for their work for the first offense. A second offense could result in a failure for the quarter. This procedure applies to all forms of media including the use of computers and on-line services.
1 “The Research Paper.” (Illinois: McDougal, Littell) 1989. p. 13
Students may be asked to submit their papers to www.Turnitin.com to check for any suspicion of plagiarism.
Cheating
Cheating is a very serious infraction and GMHS is committed to establishing the highest levels of academic integrity. To maintain these high standards, honesty in all assignments is crucial. Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to the following: copying of another’s work or assignment, handing in another person’s schoolwork, assisting another student in his/her efforts to cheat, the use of or possession of exams, use of or possession of other unauthorized materials, use of or possession of aides during testing or the facilitation of cheating (i.e. disclosing test questions, sharing writings that are intended to be graded, etc…)
Consequences for cheating include contacting the student’s parent(s), a “0” for their work for the first offense, and removal from consideration for the National Honor Society or other scholarly organizations sponsored by the District. A second offense could result in a failure for the quarter. Each offense will include a discipline referral for the purposes of recording the student’s action(s). In addition, theft and/or the dissemination of a test may result in consequences up to and including out of school suspension.
Acceptable Use Policy for Digital Technology
The Governor Mifflin School District’s goal in providing access to the Internet and other digital technologies to employees and students is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation and communication. (Please refer to the Governor Mifflin School District Acceptable Use Policy for Digital Technology, Policy No. 815.) If a Governor Mifflin School District user violates any of these provisions, his/her account will be terminated, suspended and future access could be denied.
Definitions:
Computer(s) – shall mean desk tops, Chromebooks, laptops, iPads, tablets, workstations, servers and (Personal Digital Assistants) PDAs, data projectors, printers or any other digital device in the nature of a desk top, laptop, workstation, server or PDA, that is owned, leased or licensed by or to the District.
Digital Technology – shall mean all forms of DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING software, hardware and digital services of any nature and kind that is based on DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY, that is provided directly or indirectly by the District to its employees or students, and that is: owned, leased or licensed to the District; or that is accessed by or through DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY that is owned, leased or licensed to the District. DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY INCLUDES COMPUTERS; servers; networks; programs; software; digital files, folders, data and records of any nature; the Internet; cell phones; beepers; PDAs; modems; voice mail; e-mail; chat-rooms; instant messaging; user groups and such similar technologies.
Privacy
No employee or student using the District’s DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY shall have any right of privacy or expectation of privacy with respect to anything done with said DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY. The DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY belongs to, is licensed to or is accessible through DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY that is owned by or licensed to the District. The District retains all rights as an owner or licensee with respect to all DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY that it owns or licenses and has, unless restricted by an express agreement with a third party supplier, the rights of an owner or licensee, INCLUDING, the rights to use, transfer, inspect, examine, read or store any such DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY.
Permissible and impermissible uses of DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
1. DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY may be used only for legitimate educational purposes.
2. DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY is being provided or made available to students solely as part of the educational program, for the purpose of teaching students how to use and employ DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY and to further the teaching of the District’s curriculum and educational programs. The District is not, through DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY that is being made available by the District to students, creating a public forum, an open public forum or a limited public forum.
3. DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY may not be used by students for speech or expressive conduct:
a. That materially and substantially interferes with the education process.
b. That threatens immediate harm to the welfare of the school community or to any individual.
c. That is lewd, vulgar, indecent or obscene or which contains sexual innuendo, metaphor or simile.
d. That encourages unlawful activity.
e. That interferes with another individual’s rights.
f. That constitutes liable, slander or defamation.
g. That is sexually, racially or ethnically related, that is offensive, threatening or an affront to the sensibilities of others, and that is unlawful under the standards of the anti-discrimination laws of the United States.
4. All expressive conduct or material, whether verbal, written or graphic-created, downloaded, maintained, copied, pasted, harvested or otherwise obtained, used or transmitted by, to, from or with the District’s DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY, is required to be related to the adopted curriculum, assigned classroom activities or school programs, such as the development of writing skills, the learning of legal, moral and ethical restrictions imposed upon speech and the acceptance of criticism. Consequently, all expressive conduct by students shall be: age-appropriate; consistent with the rules of grammar, spelling, sentence structure and format being taught by the District and consistent with the abilities of the student.
5. No program, software, application or patch may be installed or placed in any District COMPUTER that is not licensed to and in the name of the District or that is not authorized in writing to be installed or placed in any District COMPUTER.
Provision of DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY Services
Students shall be provided with only the following DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY services, subject to the policies, limitations, exclusions and conditions established by the District and/or the programs in which they are enrolled:
1. Access to the Internet.
2. Access to software as provided from time-to-time by the District.
3. Digital files from which to access or save work.
4. Print servers.
The information available to students and employees through DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY does not imply endorsement by the District of the content or accuracy of the information received. The District shall not be responsible for any information that may be retrieved, lost, damaged or unavailable when using the Internet or other DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY. The District makes no warranties, either express or implied, for any of the digital services it is providing and will not be responsible for any damages suffered by the user of its DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY.
Prohibitions
Students and employees shall not:
1. Use any DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY for any purpose other than for the legitimate educational purposes of the District’s students or for purposes of advancing the legitimate business of the District.
2. Use any DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY for personal business or affairs, except as expressly provided in this policy or in administrative guidelines disseminated and adopted by the Director of Technology or designee.
3. Use any COMPUTER unless and until a confidential USER ID and password have been assigned to the student or employee; students in primary grades are not required to have a unique USER ID for the District network.
4. Connect any unauthorized wireless device or device using wireless technology to the District network.
5. Terminate use of any COMPUTER without logging off the COMPUTER.
6. Disclose their USER ID or password to any other individual.
7. Use or utilize the USER ID and/or password belonging to or assigned to any other individual.
8. Open or log onto any COMPUTER, software, program or application using, utilizing or inputting the USER ID and/or password of any other individual or entity.
9. Misrepresent their identity when using the District’s COMPUTERS.
10. Bypass CIPA COMPLIANT SOFTWARE or any other blocking software that may be used or installed by the District.
11. Intentionally, willfully, maliciously or through reckless indifference damage or corrupt the functioning of any DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY or any data stored, either temporarily or permanently, on any DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY.
12. Visit or access pornographic web sites.
13. Violate any applicable Code of Student Conduct.
14. Use any COMPUTERS unless and until the individual has signed an acknowledgment, in the form prescribed by the District, attesting to the individual’s understanding of the rules governing the use of DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY.
15. Intentionally enter any secure or confidential area of the District’s systems or COMPUTERS without proper authority.
16. Violate any copyright laws or the ownership or license rights of any person or entity.
17. Violate the legal rights of others.
18. Knowingly infect any COMPUTER with any virus or spyware.
19. Use any software or Internet site in violation of any applicable licensing agreement or applicable terms of use.
20. Use any DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY to hack into anyone else’s COMPUTERS or networks in any way or manner that is not authorized.
21. Use any data mining, robots, or similar data gathering and extraction methods in violation of any person’s or entity’s rights.
22. Use DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY to violate any applicable law, INCLUDING the Wiretap and Electronic Surveillance Control Act.
23. Install any software program onto or in, or download any software program onto or in, any COMPUTERS without the express approval of the Director of Technology or designee.
24. Fail to report to the Director of Technology or designee any time when s/he inadvertently visits or accesses a pornographic site.
25. Violate any applicable work rule when using the District’s DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY.
26. Alter or change the desktop or the look or operation of any desktop of any COMPUTER.
27. Alter or change the screen saver, or the look or operation of any screen saver, installed by the District.
28. Delete, disable, change, create or remove any program, application, security feature or virus protection from any District COMPUTER.
29. Abuse equipment. No person shall vandalize, destroy, alter or use equipment in a way that is not recommended by either the District or manufacturer of the equipment.
Lockers
Each student is furnished with a hall locker with a compartment for clothing and another for books. The individual student is responsible for the articles in the lockers, and the school cannot assume responsibility for any loss. Students should not bring large sums of money or valuable articles to school. Students are required to clean out their lockers by the last day of school. Any personal items left in lockers after the last day of school will be discarded.
Each student is provided a school combination lock for his/her hall locker. This is to be used to keep lockers locked at all times. No other lock will be permitted on hall lockers. Only school-purchased combination locks equipped for the master key control system will be permitted on gym lockers at times other than during the student’s gym class. However, locks other than school specified locks, may be used on lockers during gym class only. Students are encouraged to secure/lock personal belongings in their school locker.
Problems with hall lockers should be reported to the main office. Problems with gym lockers should be referred to the gym teacher. Replacement locks cost $4.50 and can be purchased in the main office.
School authorities may search a student’s locker and seize any illegal materials. Such materials may be used as evidence against the student in disciplinary proceedings. Prior to a locker search, students shall be notified and given an opportunity to be present. However, where school authorities have a reasonable suspicion that the locker contains materials which pose a threat to the health, welfare and safety of students in the school, student lockers may be searched without prior warning. Students shall not expect privacy regarding items placed in school lockers. School lockers are considered school property and are subject to search at any time by school officials. Random, periodic or sweeping searches may be conducted by school officials. Searches may also be conducted with police and police dogs.
Gym Locker Rooms
Authorized students only are permitted in the locker room before, during, and after school hours. Students without permission from staff or faculty are subject to prosecution for trespass.
Student Dances
1. Students must submit guest requests for dances. Forms are located in the main office and must be filled out prior to the dance for administrative approval.
2. DRESS ATTIRE: Proper school dress shall be worn for dances. This will be the rule unless a special type of attire is requested in line with the dance.
3. As students enter a dance, each will be required to show their school ID along with their ticket.
4. Students will be able to place their coats and purses in a safe location but will not be able to access them until the end of the dance.
5. Student’s inappropriate dancing/behavior will not be permitted at the dance and will be addressed accordingly. “Inapproriate” will be at the discretion of the faculty member/chaperone of the dance.
6. Students leaving a dance early will be required to sign-out prior to leaving. Students will not be allowed to re-enter the dance.
7. Random alcohol and drug checks may be conducted.
8. All Governor Mifflin School District rules are in effect at the dances.
Electronic Devices
Electronic Devices shall include all devices that can take photographs; record audio or video data; store, transmit or receive messages or images; or provide a wireless, unfiltered connection to the Internet. Examples of these electronic devices include, but shall not be limited to, radios, walkmans, CD players iPods, MP3 players, DVD players, handheld game consoles, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), cellular telephones, BlackBerries, laptop computers and tablet technology, as well as any new technology developed with similar capabilities.
The Board prohibits use of electronic devices by students in grade levels 9-12 during any and all periods of
instruction; during detention, unless approved by the teacher and in locker rooms, bathrooms, health suites and other changing areas at any time. In grade levels 9-12, the use of electronic devices is permissible during non-instructional time. Non-instructional time is defined as before/after school, during the change of classes, during lunch time and study halls.
The use of electronic devices as a classroom tool is permitted district-wide under the supervision of the instructor and approval by the Building Administrator.
The Board prohibits possession of laser pointers and attachments and telephone paging devices/beepers by students in district buildings; on district property; on district buses and vehicles; and at school-sponsored activities.
The district shall not be liable for the loss, damage or misuse of any electronic device.
Electronic Images and Photographs
The Board prohibits the taking, storing, disseminating, transferring, viewing, or sharing of obscene, pornographic, lewd, or otherwise illegal images or photographs, whether by electronic data transfer or other means, including but not limited to texting and e-mailing.
Because such violations may constitute a crime under state and/or federal law, the district may report such conduct to local, state and/or federal law enforcement agencies.
School personnel may confiscate electronic devices. Confiscated property will be given to the associate principals. A parent or guardian will be required to pick up any confiscated item following the first offense.
The building administrator may grant approval for possession and use of a telephone paging device/beeper by a student for the following reasons:
1. Student is a member of a volunteer fire company, ambulance or rescue squad.
2. Students as a need due to the medical condition of an immediate family member
3. Other reasons determined appropriate by the building principal.
THE DISTRICT SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR THE LOSS, DAMAGE OR MISUSE OF ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICE BROUGHT TO SCHOOL BY A STUDENT.
Electronic Device Consequence Chart
Offense
Consequence
Device returned to:
1-2
Confiscation of device/Verbal warning and parent contact
Student at the end of the period
3-4
Confiscation of device by the office/1-3 Detentions
Student or parent (at the discretion of the administrator)
4 or more
Confiscation of device by the office/Saturday detention and parent contact, Progressive Discipline
Student or parent (at the discretion of the administrator)
Chromebooks
It is imperative that students have their Chromebooks each day, and that we have sufficient Chromebooks accessible with our technology department.
Chromebook rental policies and expectations:
· Students have a maximum of 5 Chromebook rentals each quarter. After those 5 rentals, students will NOT be permitted to rent again during the given quarter. Students will then need to complete any Chromebook assignments using pen and paper, and receive a consequence from their given teacher.
· Rented Chromebooks must be returned by 3:15 p.m. the day of the rental. Chromebooks turned in late will lead to a one week rental ban from the date the laptop is returned. This is to ensure that sufficient Chromebooks exist for students needing rentals.