STAFF HANDBOOK
STURGIS HIGH SCHOOL
216 Vinewood Avenue
STURGIS, MICHIGAN 49091
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
Mr. Robert Olsen
Superintendent
Mrs. Julie Evans
Assistant Superintendent
Mrs. Vicki Watson
Director of Finance
STURGIS HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
Mr. Rusty Stitt
Principal
Mr. Curtis Meek
Assistant Principal
Mr. Mark Adams
Athletic/Student Services Director
BOARD OF EDUCATION
LeAnn McConnell - President
Geoffrey D. Smith -Vice President
TomRobertson - Secretary
Ann Bird - Treasurer
Kerri Millett Trustee
Frank J. Kalasky – Trustee
Ray Sterling - Trustee
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
STAFF
Board of Education 10
District Administration 9
Education Philosophy 10
Jr/Sr High School Administration 9
Mission Statement 10
Telephone numbers 9
BUILDING MAP
SCHEDULES
2003-2004 School Calendar 11
Advisors and Sponsors 14
Duties of Extracurricular Advisors 14
Half-Day Schedules AM Classes 12
Half-Day Schedules PM Classes 12
Time Schedules 12
Two-Hour Delay Schedule 13
ATTENDANCE
Attendance Policy 15
Excused Absences 15
Expulsion for excessive absence 17
Loss of credit because of absences 16
Make-up work 17
Procedures in the event of an absence 16
Sending work home for absent students 17
Unexcused Absences 15
DISCIPLINE
Classroom management Procedures 20
Classroom Management 20
Corporal Punishment 18
Detentions 18
Dismissal of Students 18
Guidelines for Food for Students 18
Uniform Code of Discipline 21
Student Behavior Contract
GUIDELINES
Administering Medicine to Students 38
Assemblies 24
Building Use and Maintenance 24
Child Abuse & Neglect Policy 31
Class Record Book Keeping 24
Classroom and Office Aides 29
Community Relations 34
Controversial Issues 38
Daily Announcements 28
Department Chairs 35
Educational Conferences 25
Eligibility Lists 35
Emergency Lesson Plans 27
Examinations 32
Excusing Students from Class 36
Field Trips 29
Financial Procedures 30
First Aid and Accident Reports 37
Hall Passes 36
Hazardous Material in the Workplace 38
Lesson Plans 27
Location of Classes 38
Mileage 31
Outside Speakers 38
Parent/Teacher conferences 33
Participants in Trips, Contests, Etc. 29
Payroll Deductions 34
Professional Advancement Info. 30
Protection of School Property 27
Role of Supervision Teacher 37
Sexual Harassment Policy 38
Smoking Areas 25
Staff Conduct and Ethics 26
Student Conferences 33
Student Dress and Grooming 40
Student Driving 33
Student Illness and Accident 28
Substitute Teacher Plans 27
Supervision of Students
Teacher Absence 26
Teacher Hours 26
Teachers’ Meetings 25
Telephones 28
Textbooks 33
Title IX 34
Universal Precautions 39
Use of Copy Machines 29
Workmen’s Compensation 34
GRADING AND REPORTING
Cheating 43
Dropping a Class 42
Grading System 41
Sample Cheating Letter to Parents 43
Seniors in Danger of Not Graduating 42
Syllabus 41
GUIDANCE
Correspondence Course Deadline 45
Guidance Services 44
Honor Roll 45
Intervention Team 47
Program Elements 44
Progress Reports/Deficiency Notices 48
Report Card Distribution 48
Special Grades 45
Teacher/Guidance Cooperation 45
EMERGENCY 49
Fire Drill Instructions
Fire Drill Procedures
Tornado Drill Procedures
EVALUATION 59
Assistant Principal’s Evaluation
Classroom Observation
Dean of Student’s Evaluation
Principal’s Evaluation
MEDIA CENTER 67
Distance Learning
Media Center
FORMS 69
Bus Transportation Request
Check Request
Classroom Behavior Report
Detention Notice
Disciplinary Referral
Expense Voucher
Field Trip Notice and Permit Slip
Intervention Candidate Review Team
Intervention Referral Form
Intervention Team Plan
Intervention Team Plan Follow-Up
Leave Request/Verification
Notice of Four of More Absences
Notice of Loss of Course Credit
Request for Conference Approval
Request for Loss of Credit Review
Requisition Form
Schedule of Class
School Vehicle Use Form
Teacher Office Supplies
Warning Concerning Maximum Absences
» PREFACE »
The Faculty Handbook has been refined over the summer to provide a useful and effective tool for teachers and other building personnel. It is comprised of sections in order to speed referencing.
Who’s Who
This is the quickest reference to who does what. Teachers are encouraged to consult this chart to determine who can help with a specific problem. By starting with the listed person, the time needed to deal with the problem can be made as short as possible.
Student Concerns
This section deals with what the faculty has expressed a need to know about student policies. It is intended to give an adult interpretation to student policies. It is also made as brief as possible.
Teacher Concerns
This section deals with policies/practices about the job of being a teacher here at the Sturgis High School. It is a ready reference to the how-to of your job.
Forms
Whenever possible, we have posted forms mentioned in this handbook onto the “intranet” drive. You may retrieve a copy of the form by going to the “intranet” drive under the Shared directory.
Counseling
This section addresses grading practices, career and counseling curriculum, and policies and procedures regarding the counseling program.
Safety
This is a quick reference to the procedures and protocols that are in place relating to all school safety practices.
Quality
This section addresses the importance of running an effective quality school and how each and everyone of us can assist to make this the best instructional institution.
Forms
Whenever possible, we have posted forms mentioned in this handbook onto the “intranet” drive. You may retrieve a copy of the form by going to the “intranet” drive under the Shared directory.
SPS DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT
THE MISSION OF STURGIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS AND COMMUNITY IS TO ENSURE EACH STUDENT HAS THE KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND BEHAVIORS NECESSARY FOR A PRODUCTIVE AND SATISFYING LIFE.As participants in the Sturgis Public Schools, we believe:
A. / life-long learning is vital in our rapidly changing and diverse world;B. / it is important to understand and appreciate other cultures and ethnic groups;
C. / everyone needs to be able to use and adapt to changing technology;
D. / everyone can learn;
E. / education is a shared responsibility involving student, family, school system and community;
F. / personal excellence is a worthy and attainable goal;
G. / all individuals deserve to be treated with dignity and respect by themselves and others;
H. / enjoyment and a strong sense of hope are important elements of successful education.
Together, in support of our mission and beliefs, we will:
A. / utilize teaching methods and materials that:1. / stimulate each student to learn at his/her best rate, style and ability;
2. / are relevant to the life experience of the student;
3. / meet student and community goals for educational accomplishment;
4. / model the excellence expected of the student;
5. / emphasize higher order thinking skills.
B. / provide appropriate facilities;
C. / have high expectations of ourselves and each other;
D. / be open, positive, empathetic and honest with each other and with ourselves;
E. / be active listeners;
F. / work together to assure a safe and orderly learning environment;
G. / reach out to one another, as student, family, teacher, staff, support person or community, to support and strengthen learning opportunities.
VALUE STATEMENTS FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF
The Board of Education believes that good citizenship and ethical behavior are two important manifestations of an effective education. Both are based on values that have been traditionally held by Americans, regardless of background, religious belief, or political persuasion.
The Board adopts the following value statements as guides to ethical behavior and strongly encourages all members of the staff to do likewise, as a means of setting an example for District students. It also recommends that each student be given the opportunity to pledge himself/herself to demonstrating these ethical behaviors.
Statement of Values for Board Members and Educators:
A. / I will accept responsibility for all my actions.B. / I will respect the dignity and property of my fellow workers and will never seek to do them harm.
C. / I will keep all the promises I make, fulfilling the trust that other people place in me.
D. / I will complete projects which I have begun.
E. / I will strive for excellence in all my work and will respect achievement in my fellow workers.
F. / I will discipline myself to continue to listen, learn, and study, recognizing that long-run achievement is more important to my happiness than short-run pleasure.
G. / I will not abuse any substance which will destroy my health and undermine my dignity.
H. / I will respect duly-constituted authority, because that authority is necessary for the welfare of my family, School District, and community.
I. / I will train myself to be useful to others.
J. / I will work together with others to improve my School District, community, and world.
STURGIS HIGH SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT
Believing that all students can learn and be successful, the staff of Sturgis High School accepts the responsibility of continuing to create and teach an effective, broad based curriculum, in order that students may become responsible and productive citizens. The staff will foster a desire for learning and, with community and parental support, will provide the opportunity and environment to challenge students to reach their potential.
STURGIS HIGH SCHOOL VISION STATEMENT
As the faculty and staff of Sturgis High School, we believe all students deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and to know they will be provided with every opportunity to reach their full potential. They deserve to be treated fairly in a safe, clean, and nurturing learning environment by competent, caring and compassionate adults who are concerned with meeting the emotional and academic needs of all students. Students deserve to know that we have high expectations for each of them, as students and as humans, and they will be provided with a well-rounded offering of curricular and extra-curricular opportunities that celebrate student success and help them in achieving their goals. All will be provided with access to technology that advances their learning experience and exposes them to relevant, real-world experiences.
As a caring community, we believe it is our job to provide all students with a quality educational experience that promotes a passion for learning, self-confidence in students’ abilities, and equal and consistent treatment. They should be exposed to a rigorous and relevant curriculum, knowing and mastering the content expectations at every level. It is our responsibility to challenge all students to remain life-long learners who will become responsible adults, strong leaders and productive citizens.
STURGIS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT VISION STATEMENT
As the students of Sturgis High School, we believe all students, regardless of our areas of interest, deserve a learning environment that embraces our unique qualities and pushes us to reach our full potential. We desire a safe and exciting atmosphere-one where we are encouraged, respected, and equipped to think independently. Students deserve the resources and technology available to pursue our areas of study with exposure to relevant, real-world experiences that will prepare us for life after high school. It is also of great importance for the staff and students to have an open line of communication. Students should feel comfortable in knowing that the staff cares about our success and well-being. Ultimately, we believe that school should not only be a place of intellectual growth, but also a place where we can cultivate social skills and develop stronger character.
WHO’S WHO AT STURGIS HIGH SCHOOL
This section is a quick reference. Usually the person indicated is the first one to see regarding problems/questions, which relate to the topics listed.
FRONT OFFICE
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Rusty Stitt, Principal
Math Department
L.A. Department
Special Education Department
ESL program
Vocational programs
Applied, Visual, and Performing Arts
Foreign Language Department
Technology
Media Center
School Budget & Requests
Field Trip Requests
Curriculum
- Development
- Supervision
- Trends/Evaluation
- Test Results
New Teacher Induction
School Improvement
- NCA
- Department Chair Meetings
- Strategic Plan
- Executive Council
- Principal’s Advisory Council
- District Curriculum Council
QPD and Professional Development
Staffing/Master Schedule
Student Government
Student Teachers
Staff Handbook
Teacher Evaluations
Special Events
- Graduation Ceremony
- AB Honor Roll Breakfast
- Honors Convocation
- Senior Honors/Breakfast/Luncheon
Summer School
Curt Meek, Assistant Principal
Social Studies Department
Science Department
Business Department
Physical Education Department
Business Department
Family & Consumer Science
Student Discipline
Special Education IEP’s/504 Plans
Attendance
Surveys
Student Assistance Team Chair
Tiers of Intervention
Student Handbook
Keys
Para-pro Supervision & Evaluations
Teacher Supervision & Evaluations
Press Releases/Publications
- School Newsletter
- School Newspaper
- All letters/notes sent home/community
- Daily Announcements
- Press Release Forms
Lunch Supervisor
Lost and Stolen Items
Maintenance Concerns
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
- Drills
- Comprehensive Safety Plan
- Building Security
Dual Enrollment
Nova Net/MI Virtual/Ind. Studies
Guest Passes
Substitute Teachers
Opening/Closing of School Procedures
Supervision (During/After School)
Mark Adams, A.D./ Student Services
Athletics/Intramural
- Hiring and Evaluating Coaches
- Scheduling
- Officials
- Crowd Control and workers
- Supervision Events
- Budget
- Pool
- Student Eligibility
- Press Releases for Athletics
- Coaches and Student Athletic Handbook
- Inventory of Supplies
- Transportation
- Summer Programs
Athletic Boosters
Transportation & Bldg. Usage Requests
Fundraising
Events Coordinator/Student Activities
- Building-wide calendar
- Assemblies
- Prom
- Dances
- Homecoming/WinterFest
- Open House
Guidance Department
- Supervision and Evaluation
- Comprehensive Guidance Curriculum
Student Advocate Room and Services
Career Pathways
Student Transitions
- Freshman Focus
- New Student Orientation