MONMOUTH COUNTY VOCATIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

CAREER CENTER

STUDENT HANDBOOK

2014 - 2015

Affirmative Action 4

Attendance Policy 4-6

Bus Arrival –Entrance & Dismissal Procedures 7

Clubs and Organizations 7-8

Customer Services 8

Dress Code Guidelines 9

Driving Privilege 9

Emergency School Closing 9

Field Trip Guidelines 9

Fire Drills 10

Fundraisers in School 10

Grading Procedures 10

Grievance Policy 11

Guidelines for Student Conduct 11-13

Hall Passes 14

Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying 14

Health Policy 14-15

Lockers 15

Lost and Found 15

Student Programs 15-17

Recycling 17

Safety Glasses 17

Support Services 17

Telephone 18

School Year Calendar 19

Parent Letter 20

Parent Involvement Policy 21-22

Notice of Nondiscrimination 23

Student Sign Off 24

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Welcome to the Career Center. We hope that your experience at the Career Center will prove to be both enjoyable and beneficial. Our goal is to provide you with the preparation and foundation for your future career direction.

The foundation and success of public school education is based on the concept of self-discipline. The development and exercise of self-discipline is the cooperative responsibility of students, parents, guardians, teachers, and administrators. Standards of student conduct are necessary to assure that students seeking to express their own individual rights do not violate the rights of others.

It is our intent that all students achieve success at the Career Center. Staff will assist you in your efforts. This handbook will help you understand the guidelines and policies of our school. If you have any questions, please call me.

We are looking forward to a wonderful year!

Thomas Sansevero, Ed.D., Principal

Monmouth County Career Center

1000 Kozloski Road

Freehold, NJ 07728

732-431-3773

Monmouth County Career Center

1000 Kozloski Road

Freehold, New Jersey 07728

732-431-3773

Fax 732-409-7292

Principal

Thomas Sansevero, Ed.D.

Assistant Principal

Nathan Kraemer, M.Ed.

Guidance Counselors

Kaitlin Candiano

Alexandra Biancosino

Learning Disabilities Teacher/Consultant

Maureen Nettis

School Nurse

Lisa Franciosi

Social Worker

Dana Sopko

3

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

The Monmouth County Vocational School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, lack of English language skills, affectional or sexual orientation, gender, religion, disability, or socioeconomic status. The District Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX and Section 504 Handicapped Coordinator is Anthony J. Schaible, Assistant Superintendent, 4000 Kozloski Road, P.O. Box 5033, Freehold, New Jersey 07728-5033, 732-431-7942.

A grievance arising from alleged discriminatory practices may be made in the following manner:

§  Any person-student, parent, employee, employee-candidate, etc. may submit a grievance, in written form to the immediate supervisor of the action that caused the alleged inequity.

§  If a satisfactory settlement is not reached, the grievant may then submit the grievance in writing to the Superintendent/Designee.

§  In the event a settlement is not obtained at this level, the grievant may submit the grievance in writing to the Board of Education.

§  An aggrieved party may be self-represented or may elect to have representation.

Either party to a grievance may have the right of appeal in accordance with the Legislative Statute N.J.S.A. 18A: 6-9 by appeal to the Commissioner of Education pursuant to the procedures set forth and specified in N.J.A.C. 6:24.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

The Board of Education has an obligation to require that the pupils of the district be present in school in order that they be taught. This policy is for the benefit of the pupils, their parents, and the community at large.

Pupil participation in all regularly scheduled classroom-learning activities in each area of study is essential in order for each pupil to receive the maximum benefits of a thorough educational program.

The entire process of education requires a regular continuity of instruction, classroom participation, learning experiences, and study. The regular contact of pupils with one another in the classroom and other participation in a well-planned instructional activity under the direction of a competent teacher are vital to this purpose. Therefore, the school district policy allows students to be absent twenty (20) days over the course of the school year.

PUPIL ATTENDANCE

Definition

Regular attendance is defined as being present for all classes and activities in his/her individually approved instructional program. Absences from school are defined as non-attendance in regular classes and assigned locations for the entire school day. There are currently five types of absences students could earn:

Excused absences: Requires the student to bring in a note from a doctor or from his/her parent/guardian acknowledging and explaining the reason for the absence. Examples of excused absences are: personal illness, medical appointments, death in the family and court appearances. Notes from parents, doctors and schools are required to be handed upon the students return.

Unexcused absences: Any reason not listed above and including the following: babysitting for younger children, shopping, working, vacations, hunting, oversleeping and faulty private transportation.

Home School Functions: Any activity being sponsored by the high school, such as field trips, assemblies, pep rallies, IEP meetings and testing. All require notes from the high school.

Transportation: When district transportation is not provided. Missing the school bus does not count. Whenever transportation is provided to the Career Center, students are required to attend. This includes days that the high school is closed but transportation to the Career Center and home are provided by your district. Valid transportation issues are not counted towards the Twenty-day policy.

Suspensions

Excused and unexcused absences count towards the twenty (20) days provided by the district. All other absences do not count towards the twenty (20) days.

Truancy is defined as any unexcused absence from school or classes assigned for a portion of the school day.

Tardiness to class or school is defined as not being in an assigned location by the time class is scheduled to start.

Rules and Regulations

  1. Disciplinary action may be taken for any unexcused absences.
  2. Students absent from school for any reason are responsible within reasonable period of time (within 2 days of the absences), for the completion of the work missed.
  3. Students who are tardy to school must report to the office to sign in and obtain a pass to class. Students who are excessively tardy are subject to disciplinary action by the school administration.
  4. Students who are absent from school for the day are not eligible to participate in any after school, evening or other school sponsored activities. Any exceptions must be submitted in writing and cleared through the administration.
  5. Students who request an early release, by the parent or legal guardian (note or phone) must be cleared beforehand by the administration 24 hours in advance. The District recognizes that emergencies occur that may necessitate early release of a student. All early releases must be approved by the administration.
  6. The total number of student absences (excused or unexcused) will be scrutinized regularly and notification to students and parents will be made on the following basis:

a.)  On the fifth (5), tenth (10), and fifteenth (15), absence from school the student and parent will be given formal written notification of the problem and the eventual consequence of excessive absences.

b.)  On the twentieth (20) absence from school, the student and parent will receive written notification that the student may not be eligible to receive a certificate or advancement into a Level II Program. The parents and students will also be informed of the appeal procedure. (The administration may not issue grades to students who violate the attendance policy).

c.)  Where class participation is a factor in the learning process, absences will be considered in marking period grades, except absences for religious holidays and suspensions.

  1. In addition to notification of parents by an administrative official, teachers will make every effort to inform the parents via progress reports and/or telephone calls when absences from their particular classes indicate impediment to the student’s instructional program.
  2. Generally, notes from parents or guardians are acceptable to explain student absences and tardiness. However, this does not exclude the fact that a physician’s note or other type of verifications may be required at the request of the school administration. If a note is not received by the school’s office within two days of the pupil’s return to school, the absence

shall be considered unexcused. All notes will be dated and placed in the student’s file in the building office.

  1. Make-up Work:

All students are responsible for arranging for make up work with their teachers when absent. If the student is expecting to be absent for an extended period (3 or more days) he/she may call the guidance office and arrangements will be made to obtain assignments from the student’s teacher. It is the responsibility of the student to pick up and return these assignments to the guidance office or teacher. It is the student’s responsibility to complete make up work. If extra help is needed, the student should make arrangements with the teacher. If help is needed to coordinate a meeting time, feel free to seek assistance from the guidance counselor.

Avenues of Appeal

  1. An Administrative review of the student’s attendance record will be conducted.
  2. If a student’s appeal is denied, the student may appeal the decision directly to the

Principal.

  1. If a student’s appeal is approved, the teacher may assign an alternate project. If all work is successfully completed, credit for the course will be reinstated.
  2. The student may successfully appeal a negative decision in the following order:

a.)  Principal

b.)  Superintendent

c.)  Board of Education

Religious Holidays

According to the Commissioner of Education, regarding student absences from school due to religious holidays, the law (Chapter 322, P.L./1951) provides:

§  No student who is absent from school because of a religious holiday may be deprived of any award of eligibility or opportunity to compete for any award because of such an absence.

§  If a student misses a test or examination because of a religious holiday, he must be given the right to take an alternate test or examination.

§  Any absence because of a religious holiday must be recorded in the school register or in any group or class attendance record as a legal absence, but it cannot appear on a transcript or employment form.

Attendance Counseling

The principal, vice principal, and support staff shall attempt to assist each student showing attendance difficulties to develop better attendance by counseling the student and/or by contacting parents/guardians for their support. Additional support services from home school district guidance counselors and child study team members may be requested. Cooperative services will be utilized in providing specialized assistance to focus upon individual attendance problems. The goal of the Career Center is to assist the student to develop the skills needed for successful academic and/or employment placements.

BUS ARRIVAL-ENTRANCE AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

Home school districts provide bus transportations for all vocational students attending the Career Center. Students may not drive to or from the Career Center. Only work-placed seniors may drive with special permission. (See Driving Privileges)

ENTRANCE PROCEDURES

Students entering or leaving the school will be expected to behave in a reasonable and responsible manner. Students arriving after the bell should sign in at the office and obtain a pass to enter class.

DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

  1. Please walk to the bus.
  2. Students will board assigned bus only.
  3. Students are to board buses from curb only. If a bus is parked elsewhere, students must wait until it comes curbside.
  4. Students may not ride on buses from other districts due to insurance restrictions.
  5. Students may be signed out by their legal parents/guardian only, otherwise they may not leave in private cars for any reason.
  6. Parents should call the school with special requests.

Leaving School Grounds

A student may not leave the building and/or school grounds without permission of the administration. Disciplinary referral will result.

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

Club/Organization Eligibility Criteria

Participation in Monmouth County Vocational School clubs and organizations is encouraged for all vocational students. However student involvement in related competitive activities is a privilege and subject to the student’s good standing (academic/attendance) as a member of the vocational program as well as the vocational organization. Student/team attendance at national competitions will be Board approved and financially supported by the Monmouth County Vocational School District only if the student/team qualifies via a first place finish in a qualifying competition directly corresponding to a Board approved curricular or extracurricular club/activity. Second and third place qualifiers will not be permitted to attend national competitions.

Club/Organization Fundraising

During the school year a variety of fundraising activities will take place. The school requests that if possible, parents support student fundraising efforts. Selling will be voluntary and minimum sales will be required. All fundraising projects are approved in advance by the Monmouth County Vocational School District administration.

FFA

The primary aim of the FFA is the development of agricultural leadership, cooperation, and

citizenship. Members work together on community service projects, educational displays, and the production and sale of horticultural products. Members also have the opportunity to exhibit skills acquisition in state and local competitions in the areas of floral design, landscaping, nursery, and horticulture.

DECA

DECA is a national youth program designed to develop future leaders in marketing and distribution. This club provides an avenue through state and national competition to exhibit vocationally acquired skills in the areas of marketing and distribution.

Health Occupations Students of America

Through HOSA activities, the local, state and national organization promotes and encourages the development of leadership abilities, citizenship responsibilities, personal growth, health career awareness and occupational skills. Members become involved in community health care and educational projects that promote the goals of HOSA.

SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is the nation’s largest organization for trade, industrial and technical students. The club promotes leadership, citizenship, character development program and activities to complement skill training on the secondary school level. Skills USA emphasizes respect for the dignity of work, high standards in trade ethics, workmanship, scholarship and safety, and assists students to better prepare themselves for the labor market. Skills USA conducts contests on the local, state and national level to demonstrate occupational and leadership skills.