PARENT-STUDENT HANDBOOK

2007-2008

 

COMMACK HIGH SCHOOL

1 Scholar Lane

Commack, New York 11725

 

Telephone: (631) 912-2100

www.commack.k12.ny.us/chs

 

 

Board of Education		Administration
Mrs. Deborah Guber		Dr. James A. Feltman,   Superintendent of Schools Ms. Laura Newman   Assistant Superintendent for Business
Mr. Allen Leon
Mrs. Mary Jo Masciello		Dr. Adrienne Robb-Fund   Asst. Superintendent Elementary Ed. Mr. David Weiss   Asst. Superintendent Secondary Ed.
Mr. Joseph Pennacchio
Mr. Thomas Torneé		Mr. Ronald O. Grotsky   Asst. Superintendent for Personnel Ms. Amy Ryan   Asst. Superintendent for Pupil                  Personnel Services.

 

COMMACK HIGH SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT. PAGEREF _Toc174029075 \h 1

WELCOME. PAGEREF _Toc174029076 \h 3

Fall Schedule. PAGEREF _Toc174029077 \h 4

Spring Schedule. PAGEREF _Toc174029078 \h 4

DIRECTORY. PAGEREF _Toc174029079 \h 17

SUMMARY OF COMMACK UFSD CODE OF CONDUCT. PAGEREF _Toc174029080 \h 19

Introduction. PAGEREF _Toc174029081 \h 19

Students Rights and Responsibilities. PAGEREF _Toc174029082 \h 19

Students Rights. PAGEREF _Toc174029083 \h 19

Student Responsibilities. PAGEREF _Toc174029084 \h 19

Student Dress Code. PAGEREF _Toc174029085 \h 20

Prohibited Student Conduct PAGEREF _Toc174029086 \h 21

Reporting Violations. PAGEREF _Toc174029087 \h 23

Disciplinary Penalties, Procedures & Referrals. PAGEREF _Toc174029088 \h 23

Penalties (see official text for complete information) PAGEREF _Toc174029089 \h 23

Minimum Suspensions (see official text for complete information) PAGEREF _Toc174029090 \h 24

Alternative Instruction. PAGEREF _Toc174029091 \h 24

Discipline of Students with Disabilities. PAGEREF _Toc174029092 \h 24

Corporal Punishment PAGEREF _Toc174029093 \h 24

Interrogations and Searches. PAGEREF _Toc174029094 \h 24

Visitors to the Schools. PAGEREF _Toc174029095 \h 24

Public Conduct on School Property. PAGEREF _Toc174029096 \h 25

DISCRIMINATION POLICY. PAGEREF _Toc174029097 \h 25

SEXUAL HARASSMENT. PAGEREF _Toc174029098 \h 25

ADDITIONAL RULES & REGULATIONS. PAGEREF _Toc174029099 \h 25

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY: PAGEREF _Toc174029100 \h 27

TECHNOLOGY USAGE. PAGEREF _Toc174029101 \h 29

COMMUNITY SERVICE & INVOLVEMENT GRADUATION REQUIREMENT. PAGEREF _Toc174029102 \h 31

ACADEMIC AND COUNSELING CENTER INFORMATION. PAGEREF _Toc174029103 \h 31

GRADUATION & TRANSCRIPTS. PAGEREF _Toc174029104 \h 31

ATTENDANCE POLICIES. PAGEREF _Toc174029105 \h 37

Summary of District Attendance Policy (5100) PAGEREF _Toc174029106 \h 37

Excused and Unexcused Absences. PAGEREF _Toc174029107 \h 38

General Procedures and Data Collection. PAGEREF _Toc174029108 \h 38

Disciplinary Consequences. PAGEREF _Toc174029109 \h 38

Attendance and Grade Policy. PAGEREF _Toc174029110 \h 39

STUDENT INFORMATION. PAGEREF _Toc174029111 \h 41

LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER. PAGEREF _Toc174029112 \h 44

CLUBS, SPORTS & ACTIVITIES. PAGEREF _Toc174029113 \h 47

EXTRA CURRICULAR ELIGIBILITY.. PAGEREF _Toc174029114 \h 47

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES  PAGEREF _Toc174029115 \h 47

STUDENT COUNCIL. PAGEREF _Toc174029116 \h 48

SENIOR CLASS. PAGEREF _Toc174029117 \h 49

JUNIOR CLASS. PAGEREF _Toc174029118 \h 49

SOPHOMORE CLASS. PAGEREF _Toc174029119 \h 49

FRESHMAN CLASS. PAGEREF _Toc174029120 \h 50

HONOR SOCIETIES. PAGEREF _Toc174029121 \h 50

CLUBS, ACADEMIC TEAMS & PERFORMING GROUPS  PAGEREF _Toc174029122 \h 53

SPORT PHYSICALS. PAGEREF _Toc174029123 \h 65

CHS COUGAR ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. PAGEREF _Toc174029124 \h 66

ATTENDANCE. PAGEREF _Toc174029125 \h 68

ATHLETIC ATTIRE. PAGEREF _Toc174029126 \h 69

APPEALS. PAGEREF _Toc174029127 \h 71

 

 

COMMACK HIGH SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT

The Mission of Commack High School is the development of the mind, character, and physical well being of our students through the creation of an environment that fosters academic excellence, maturity, and mutual respect.

 

 

WELCOME

From the moment you enter the doors of Commack High School as a student, you make a silent commitment to yourself, your parents and to our school to do your very best in all you encounter. During your four years at Commack High School you will be shaping your future through academics, co-curricular activities, athletics and the Arts. Everything you contribute to our school and all you accomplish personally creates a portrait of you as a person.  Please keep in mind the following quote:  “The quality of an individual’s life is a full measure of that person’s commitment to excellence, regardless of their vocation.”

Commack High School is your community.  You are expected to become a positive contributor to its continued success. Our school and its staff provide tremendous opportunities for all students. It is your task to take advantage of these opportunities and to be thoroughly committed to your own growth by accomplishing the goals you set to achieve. Given your spirit and enthusiasm, the Commack High School Community will continue its quest for excellence.

This Agenda Book is an important and valuable tool for you and your parents. It contains specific information related to the academic program, the expectations of the school, and a general description of co-curricular activities.  Suggestions and techniques about study skills, methods of organization, goal setting and note taking are included in these pages. Additionally, it offers a yearly calendar so you may plan your activities and manage your time, as well as recording your individual assignments.

We urge you to utilize the Agenda Book to your advantage, and share it with your parents so that, with their support, your performance will continue to improve. We encourage parents to become thoroughly involved in the High School programs, always motivating and encouraging students to do their very best.

We offer the following suggestions to parents:

·          REVIEW ALL daily assignments to ensure that your youngster is meeting their responsibilities.

·          CHECK HOMEWORK as listed by your child and compare the assignments with the work completed.

·          ENCOURAGE your child to keep up with their assignments and not to procrastinate.

·          COMMUNICATE with teachers and seek their suggestions for improvement.

·          USE THE SCHOOL CALENDAR and keep abreast of activities.

 

There is no reason why every student at Commack High School cannot achieve his or her individual goals and dreams.  All it takes is a strong commitment to success, a diligent effort to accomplish individual responsibilities, and to be present in the classroom every day. Our staff is always here to assist both parents and students. If the need arises do not hesitate to call any of us. We wish you the very best for a successful high school career.

 

Good luck  -- Russell Stewart, Principal

   Carol A. Bertolotti, Catherine Nolan, Susan Shapiro 

                              Assistant Principals