SOUTH GLENS FALLS HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENT HANDBOOK

September 2023

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:

This handbook is designed to provide you with essential information regarding the policies and procedures of South Glens Falls High School. One of our primary goals is to create a safe and orderly environment that is conducive to learning. Therefore, it is imperative that you carefully read the contents of this handbook. By doing so, you will have a better understanding of our school community’s expectations.

After you have read this handbook, please sign this page, remove it from the handbook, and return it to the homeroom teacher by the end of the first week of school. Your signature is required, because it is an indication that you have read the handbook and are familiar with its contents. Completion and submission of the Student Emergency Information Form is also required. Should you need further information on the items covered, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Mr. Richard Murphy
Interim Principal
South Glens Falls HS

2023-24 SCHOOL CALENDAR
Please see www.sgfcsd.org/calendar for calendar updates!

Sept. 6: Freshman Orientation
Sept. 7: Classes Begin
Oct. 9: Columbus/Indigenous People’s Day Observance
Oct. 26: South Glens Falls HS Open House
Nov. 9: Emergency Release Day
Nov. 10: Veterans Day Observance
Nov. 22 - 24: Thanksgiving Recess
Dec. 22 - Jan. 2: Winter Recess
Jan. 15: Dr. Martin Luther King Day Observance
Jan. 23 - 26: Regents and Local Exams
Feb. 19 - 23: Mid-Winter Recess
March 1 and 2: South High Marathon Dance
March 4: Superintendent’s Conference Day
March 29: Good Friday Observance
April 1 - 5: Spring Recess
May 27: Memorial Day Observance
June 19: Juneteenth Observance
June 14 - 25: Regents and Local Final Exams
June 27: Class of 2024 Graduation

BELL SCHEDULE

First Bell: 7:45 a.m.

Block 1: 7:50 – 9:11 a.m.
Announcements: 9:11 - 9:14 a.m.

Ten Minute Break: 9:14 – 9:24 a.m.

Block 2: 9:24 – 10:45 a.m.

Block 3*:

● Lunch 1: 10:52 -11:32 a.m.

● Lunch 2: 11:35 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

● Lunch 3: 12:19 -12:59 p.m.

Block 4: 1:04 – 2:25 p.m.

Extra Help/Activity Period (M, W, Th): 2:30 – 2:55 p.m.

*For lunches:

● Lunch 1: Students will eat lunch and then report to their Block 3 class for 81 minutes.

● Lunch 2: Students will report to their Block 3 class for 41 min, eat lunch, then return to Block 3 class for 40 min.

● Lunch 3: Students will report to their Block 3 class for 81 minutes and then will eat lunch.

For digital access to all bell schedules (including one and two hour delays), click here

SECTION I: STUDENT BEHAVIOR AND RESPONSIBILITY
The following policies and rules are designed to create and maintain a school climate in which all can work and learn effectively. They summarize items of law, Board of Education policies, administrative regulations, etc. It is our goal to ensure each student has the opportunity to achieve as much as possible, that the program is free of interruptions, and that the rights and property of everyone in the building are respected.

A. ATTENDANCE
The Board of Education recognizes that regular school attendance is a major component of academic success. Through implementation of this policy, the Board expects to minimize the number of unexcused absences, tardiness, and early departures (referred to in this policy as “ATEDs”), encourage full attendance by all students, maintain an adequate attendance recordkeeping system, identify patterns of student ATEDs and develop effective intervention strategies to improve school attendance.

NOTICE
To be successful in this endeavor, it is imperative that all members of the school community are aware of this policy, its purpose, procedures and the consequences of non-compliance. To ensure that students, parents, teachers and administrators are notified of and understand this policy, the following procedures shall be implemented. 

• A plain language summary of this attendance policy will be included in student handbooks and will be reviewed with students at the start of the school year, which is also to be shared by students with their parents/guardians.

• When a student is absent, tardy, or leaves early from class or school without excuse, designated staff member(s) will contact the student’s parent(s) of the specific ATED, remind them of the attendance policy, and periodically review ATED intervention procedures with them.

• A school event (e.g. class assembly) will be held at the beginning of each school year to explain this policy and stress the parent/guardian's responsibility for ensuring their student’s attendance.

• School newsletters and publications will include periodic reminders of the components of this policy.

• The District will provide a copy of the attendance policy and any amendments thereto to faculty and staff. New staff will receive a copy upon their employment.

• All faculty and staff will meet at the beginning of each school year to review the attendance policy to clarify individual roles in its implementation.

• Copies of this policy will also be made available to any community member, upon request.

• The District will share this policy with local Child Protective Services (CPS) to ensure a common understanding of excused and unexcused ATED’s and to work toward identifying and addressing cases of educational neglect.

EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
Excused ATEDs are defined as absences, tardiness, and early departures from class or school due to personal illness, illness or death in the family, impassable roads or weather, religious observance, quarantine, required court appearances, attendance at health clinics, approved college visits, approved cooperative work programs, military obligations, or such other reasons as may be pre-approved by the grade level assistant principal. 

All other ATEDs are considered unexcused absences. 

All ATEDs must be accounted for. It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the school office within 24 hours of the ATED and to provide a written excuse upon the student’s return to school. Written excuses will not be accepted after 14 days from the date of the absence. Only a doctor’s note will be accepted for absences whose written notice comes outside of the 14 day window. 

GENERAL PROCEDURES/DATA COLLECTION

• Attendance will be taken during each class block, including in the event learning is virtual due to shutdown (e.g. Google Meets) as required by NYS Law.

• At the conclusion of each class block or school day, all attendance information shall be compiled and submitted on the District student information system.

• The nature of an ATED shall be coded on a student’s record.

• Student ATED data shall be available to and should be reviewed by the designated school personnel in an expeditious manner.

• Where additional information is received that requires corrections to be made to a student’s attendance records, such correction will be made immediately. Notice of such a change will be sent to appropriate school personnel subject to applicable confidentiality rules.

• Attendance data will be analyzed periodically to identify patterns or trends in student absences. If patterns emerge, District resources will be targeted to understand and eliminate barriers to attendance.

• Where consistent with other school practices, teachers and staff shall detain students in the hallways who are absent from a class without excuse and refer the students to the appropriate assistant principal.

• Continuous monitoring will be conducted to identify students who are absent, tardy or leave class or school early. A student will be considered chronically absent if they miss ten or more days of the school year. Satisfactory attendance is missing five or less days of school over the course of the year. If a pattern of ATED’s for an individual student is identified, a designated staff person(s) will follow-up in accordance with this policy

ATTENDANCE INCENTIVES
The District will design and implement systems to acknowledge a student’s efforts to maintain or improve school attendance. Each school shall make available incentives to promote student attendance, such as additional privileges for excellent attendance. These incentives are suspended while CDD and NYSDOH COVID-19 protocols are in place.

 CONSEQUENCES OF EXCESSIVE ATEDS
A designated staff member will contact the student’s parents and the student’s guidance counselor in the event that a student’s record reveals excessive ATED’s, excused and/or unexcused. Excessive ATED’s is defined as: 5 consecutive absences and/or 10 total absences or tardies. Staff member(s) shall remind parents of the attendance policy, explain the ramifications of excessive ATEDs, stress the importance of class attendance and discuss appropriate intervention strategies to correct the situation. Students who have unexcused tardies to school will face escalating consequences as per administration.

Unexcused ATEDs may result in disciplinary action consistent with the District’s code of conduct. Those penalties may include, for example, detention or denial of the privilege of participating in or attending extracurricular events. Students who are not in school for at least half of the day on the day of an event (or on Friday for a Saturday event) may be denied attendance at that event (e.g. a student who is absent on Friday cannot participate in a Saturday dance). This will be determined by building administration.

 In addition, the designated staff member will contact local Child Protective Services (CPS) if they suspect that the child is in an educational neglect situation. The designated staff member will provide CPS with the information necessary to initiate a report. If other staff members suspect educational neglect, they must follow the procedures outlined in Board policy and regulation 5460, Child Abuse in a Domestic Setting, and advise the Building Principal.

 ATTENDANCE/GRADE POLICY
The Board of Education recognizes an important relationship between class attendance and student performance. Consequently, each marking period a student’s final grade may be based on classroom participation as well as the student’s performance on homework, tests, papers, projects, etc. 

Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. Consistent with the importance of classroom participation, unexcused ATEDs can have a negative effect on a student's class participation grade for the marking period. 

In implementing the policy set forth above, students who are unable to attend school or a class on a given day due to their participation in a school-sponsored activity (i.e., music lessons, field trips), may arrange with their teachers to make up any work missed. This also applies to any student who is absent, tardy or leaves early from school or a class due to illness or any other excused reason. All students with an ATED are expected upon their return to consult with their teachers regarding missed work.

All students with an excused ATED will be given the opportunity to make up a test or other missed work and/or turn in a late assignment for inclusion in their final grade. Make up opportunities must be completed by a date specified by the student’s teacher for the class in question.

ANNUAL REVIEW
The Board shall annually review building-level student attendance records and, if such records show a decline in student attendance, the Board shall revise this comprehensive attendance policy and make any revisions to the plan it deems necessary to improve student attendance.

Adoption date: July 13, 2015 

SECTION II:  SOUTH GLENS FALLS CODE OF CONDUCT SUMMARY
The Board of Education (“Board”) recognizes the need to clearly define expectations for acceptable conduct on school property, to identify the possible consequences of unacceptable conduct, and to ensure that discipline when necessary is administered promptly and fairly. To this end, the Board adopts this Code of Conduct. 

The Board is committed to providing a safe and orderly school environment where students may receive and District personnel may deliver quality educational services without disruption or interference. Responsible behavior by students, teachers, other District personnel, parents and other visitors is essential to achieving this goal.

 The District has a long-standing set of expectations for conduct on school property and at school functions. These expectations are based on the principles of civility, mutual respect, citizenship, character, tolerance, honesty and integrity. 

 A. STUDENT RIGHTS
The District is committed to safeguarding the rights given to all students under state and federal law and District policy. In addition, to promote a safe, healthy, orderly and supportive school environment, all District students have the right to: 

1. Take part in all District activities on an equal basis regardless of race, weight, color, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, gender, sexual orientation or disability.

2. Present their version of the relevant events to school personnel authorized to impose a disciplinary penalty in connection with the imposition of the penalty either in-person or in writing.

3. Access school policies, regulations and rules and, when necessary, receive an explanation of those rules from school personnel.

B. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
All District students have the responsibility to:

1. Contribute to maintaining a safe and supportive school environment that is conducive to learning and to show respect to other persons and property.

2. Be familiar with and abide by all District policies, rules and regulations dealing with student conduct.

3. Attend school every day (including if/when school is being conducted virtually), unless they are legally excused, and be in class, on time, and prepared to learn, including Google Meets/virtual class experiences.

4. Work to the best of their ability in all academic and extracurricular pursuits and strive toward their highest level of achievement possible.

5. React to direction given by teachers, administrators and other school personnel in a respectful, positive manner.

6. Work to develop mechanisms to manage their anger.

7. Ask questions when they do not understand.

8. Seek help in solving problems that might lead to disciplinary action.

9. Dress appropriately for school and school functions.

10. Accept responsibility for their actions.

11. Conduct themselves as representatives of the District when participating in or attending school-sponsored extracurricular events and hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct, demeanor, and sportsmanship.

12. Refrain from public displays of affection.

13. To respect one another and treat others fairly in accordance with the District Code of Conduct and the provision of the Dignity For All Students Act (DASA). Our expectations are that all students choose kind first and act in a way that allows all people on campus to attend to their school experiences without negativity or interference from others.

 C. ESSENTIAL PARTNERS
The Board recognizes the essential roles of all members of the school community, including parents, students, administrators, principals, teachers, guidance counselors, support staff and other school personnel in promoting a positive, healthy and harassment free environment. Collaboration is essential in promoting and fostering a school environment that promotes tolerance, respect and dignity for all personnel within the school community. School administrators, teachers, staff and other school personnel are charged with providing an age appropriate and timely response to discourage and respond to incidents of discrimination and/or harassment on school property or at a school function.

 D. DISCIPLINE CODE OF STUDENT BEHAVIOR
The Board of Education expects all students to conduct themselves in an appropriate and civil manner, with proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students, District personnel and other members of the school community, and for the care of school facilities and equipment.  

The most effective consequences are self-imposed, and students must learn to assume and accept responsibility for their own behavior, as well as the consequences of their misbehavior. District personnel who interact with students are expected to use disciplinary action only when necessary and to place emphasis on education so that they may grow in self-discipline, focusing on repairing harm wherever feasible. 

The Board recognizes the need to make its expectations for student conduct while on school property or while engaged in a school function specific and clear. The rules of conduct listed below are intended to do that and to focus on safety and respect for the rights and property of others. Students who will not accept responsibility for their own behavior and who violate these school rules will be required to accept the consequences for their conduct.

Students may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension from school, when they:

 Engage in conduct that is disorderly. Examples of disorderly conduct include but are not limited to:

1. Running in hallways.

2. Making unreasonable noise.

3. Using language or gestures that are profane, lewd, vulgar or abusive.

4. Obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

5. Engaging in any willful act which disrupts the normal operation of the school community.

6. Trespassing. Students are not permitted on any school campus, other than the one they regularly attend, without permission from the administrator in charge of the building.

7. Computer/electronic communications misuse, including any unauthorized use of computers, software, internet/intranet account; accessing inappropriate websites; or any other violation of the District’s acceptable use policy. A student whose actions off campus affects the safety and well being of students in school will be subject to disciplinary action by school authorities. 

Engage in conduct that is insubordinate. Examples of insubordinate conduct include but are not limited to:

1. Failing to comply with the reasonable directions of teachers, school administrators or other school employees in charge of students and/or otherwise demonstrating disrespect towards them.

2. Lateness for, missing, or leaving school without permission.

3. Skipping assigned consequences (e.g. detentions/Alternate Learning Area).

4. Tardiness to or cutting class. 

Engage in conduct that is disruptive. Examples of disruptive conduct include but are not limited to:

1. Failing to comply with the reasonable directions of teachers, school administrators or other school personnel in charge of students.

2. Use of any personal device (e.g. smartphones, iPads, music players, etc.). Such use is prohibited unless it is in compliance with the Handheld Electronic Devices Acceptable Use Policy. 

Engage in conduct that is violent. Examples of violent conduct include but are not limited to:

1. Committing or attempting to commit an act of violence (including but not limited to hitting, kicking, punching or scratching) upon a teacher, administrator or other school employee.

2. Committing or attempting to commit an act of violence (including but not limited to hitting, kicking, punching or scratching) upon another student or any other person lawfully on school property.

3. Possessing a weapon. Authorized law enforcement officials are the only persons permitted to have a weapon in their possession on school property or at a school function.

1. Displaying what appears to be a weapon.

2. Threatening to use any weapon.

3. Intentionally damaging or attempting to damage the personal property of a student or District employee or any person lawfully on school property, including graffiti or arson.

4. Intentionally damaging or attempting to damage school District property.

5. Engaging in harassing conduct, verbal threats, intimidation, or abuse that reasonably causes or would reasonably be expected to cause a student to fear for his or her physical well-being.

Engage in any conduct that endangers the safety, physical or mental health or welfare of others. Examples of such conduct include, but are not limited to:

1. Lying or misrepresenting the truth to school personnel.

2. Stealing the property of other students, school personnel, any other person lawfully on school property or attending a school function, or stealing school property.

3. Defamation, which includes making false or unprivileged statements or representations about an individual or identifiable group of individuals that harm the reputation of the person or the identifiable group by demeaning them.

4. Discrimination, which includes the use of race, color, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, sex, gender (identity and expression) sexual orientation, weight or disability, to deny rights, equitable treatment or access to facilities available to others or as a basis for treating another in a negative manner on school property or at a school function.

5. Harassment, which includes a sufficiently severe action or a persistent, pervasive pattern of actions or statements directed at an identifiable individual or group which are intended to be or which a reasonable person would perceive as ridiculing or demeaning. Harassment is also the creation of a hostile environment. This is inclusive of engaging in acts of sexual harassment as defined in the District’s sexual harassment policies.

6. Intimidation, which includes engaging in actions or statements that put an individual in fear of bodily harm.

7. Bullying, which is defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. To be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include BOTH an imbalance or perceived imbalance of power and happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally inducing fear through the threat of further aggression and/or creating terror.

8. Hazing, which includes any intentional or reckless act directed against another for the purpose of initiation into, affiliating with or maintaining membership in any school sponsored activity, organization, club or team.

9. Selling, using, distributing or possessing obscene material.

10. Using vulgar or abusive language, cursing or swearing.

11. Smoking a cigarette, cigar, pipe or using chewing or smokeless tobacco, possession of tobacco products or lighter, including vaporizer devices and/or paraphernalia.

12. Possessing, consuming, selling, distributing or exchanging alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, drug paraphernalia (e.g. syringe, rolling paper, pipe, etc.) or being under the influence of either alcoholic beverages or illegal substances. “Illegal substances” include, but are not limited to, inhalants, marijuana, synthetic marijuana, cocaine, LSD, PCP, amphetamines, heroin, steroids, look-alike drugs, and any substances commonly referred to as “designer drugs.”

13. Inappropriately using or sharing prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

14. Gambling.

15. Indecent exposure, that is, exposure of the private parts of the body in a lewd or indecent manner.

16. Initiating a report warning of fire or other catastrophe without valid cause, misuse of 911, or discharging a fire extinguisher.

17. Taking actions to initiate, encourage, or promote physical violence or illegal activity on school property or at school functions. This includes instigating fights between other students or facilitating the sale, trade, or delivery of any prohibited item of a substance. 

Engage in misconduct while on a school bus. It is critical for students to behave appropriately while riding on District buses to ensure their safety and that of other passengers and to avoid distracting the bus driver.    Students are required to conduct themselves on the bus in a manner consistent with established standards for classroom behavior. Excessive noise, pushing, shoving, harassment, discrimination and fighting will not be tolerated.

Engage in any form of academic misconduct. Examples of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to:

1. Plagiarism

2. Cheating

3. Stealing (theft of exams, grades, or testing and instructional materials)

4. Lying (misrepresentation of academic work and/or records)

5. Copying

6. Altering records

7. Assisting another student in any of the above actions

Engage in off-campus misconduct that interferes with, or can reasonably be expected to substantially disrupt the educational process in the school or at a school function. Examples of such misconduct include, but are not limited to:

1. Cyberbullying (i.e., inflicting willful and repeated harm through the use of electronic text).

2. Threatening or harassing students or school personnel over the phone or other electronic medium.

E. STUDENT DRESS CODE
All students are expected to give proper attention to personal cleanliness and to dress appropriately for school and school functions. Students and their parents/guardians have the primary responsibility for acceptable student dress and appearance. Teachers and all other school personnel should exemplify and reinforce acceptable student dress and help students develop an understanding of appropriate appearance in the school setting. 

A student's dress, grooming and appearance shall:

1. Be safe, appropriate and not disrupt or interfere with the educational process.

2. Recognize that extremely brief garments are not appropriate.

3. Include footwear at all times. Footwear that is a safety hazard will not be allowed.

4. Not include items that are vulgar, obscene, libelous, or denigrating to others on account of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, disability, or weight.

5. Not promote or endorse the use of alcohol, tobacco (including vaping products), or illegal drugs.

6. Not encourage illegal activities or violence.

7. Not have the purpose to be inflammatory toward other people or groups. This includes symbols and language that has an established association with prejudice and/or hate groups (e.g. the Confederate Flag).

Nothing in this policy shall be construed to discipline or limit the ability of students to wear clothing that allows them to express their gender identity.

Students who violate the student dress code shall be required to modify their appearance by covering or removing the offending item and, if necessary or practical, replacing it with an acceptable item. Any student who refuses to do so shall be subject to discipline, up to and including restorative practices and in-school suspension for the day. Any student who repeatedly fails to comply with the dress code and not cooperate with restorative practices shall be subject to further discipline, up to and including out-of-school suspension.

F. REPORTING VIOLATIONS
All students are responsible for promptly reporting violations of the Code of Conduct to school personnel. Any student observing a student possessing a weapon, alcohol or illegal substances on school property or at a school function shall report this information immediately.

All District staff who are authorized to impose disciplinary sanctions are expected to do so in a prompt, fair and lawful manner. District staff who are not authorized to impose disciplinary sanctions are expected to promptly report violations of the Code of Conduct to their supervisor, who shall in turn impose appropriate disciplinary sanctions, if so authorized, or refer the matter to a staff member who is authorized to impose an appropriate sanction. 

Any weapon, alcohol or illegal substance found shall be confiscated immediately, if possible, followed by notification to the parent of the student involved and the appropriate disciplinary sanction if warranted, which may include permanent suspension and referral for prosecution. 

G. DISCIPLINARY CONSEQUENCES PROCEDURE SUMMARY
As a general rule, discipline will be progressive, meaning that a student’s first violation will usually merit a lighter penalty than subsequent violations (e.g. a student who is in his or her third fight may face a different standard of consequence than one who is in his or her first fight).

If the conduct of a student is related to a disability or suspected disability, and the student’s out of school suspension days are nearing 10 days the student shall be referred to the Committee on Special Education and a Manifestation Determination hearing will be conducted. At the conclusion of the hearing an appropriate course of action will be determined.

H. DISCIPLINARY CONSEQUENCES
Students who are found to have violated the District’s Code of Conduct may be subject to the following penalties, either alone or in combination. The school personnel identified after each penalty are authorized to impose that penalty, consistent with the student’s right to due process. Wherever possible or feasible, students will be given the opportunity to participate in the Restorative Justice process, which is voluntary for all parties. 

Consequences may include:

I. DISCIPLINARY CONSEQUENCE PROCEDURES 

1. Detention - Teachers, the student conduct coordinator, principals and the superintendent may use detention during lunch, after school or on Saturday mornings as a consequence for student misconduct in situations where removal from the classroom or suspension would be inappropriate.

2. Suspension from transportation - If a student does not conduct himself/herself properly on a bus, the bus driver is expected to bring such misconduct to the building administration. Students who become a serious disciplinary problem may have their riding privileges suspended by the building principal or the superintendent or their designees. In such cases, the student’s parent will become responsible for seeing that his or her child gets to and from school safely. Should the suspension from transportation amount to a suspension from attendance, the District will make appropriate arrangements to provide for the student’s education.

   1.  A student subjected to a suspension from transportation is not entitled to a full hearing pursuant to Education Law 3214. However, the student and the student’s parent will be provided with a reasonable opportunity for an informal conference with the building principal or the principal’s designee to discuss the conduct and the penalty involved.

3. Suspension from athletic participation, extra curricular activities and other privileges - A student subjected to a suspension from athletic participation, extra-curricular activities or other privileges is not entitled to a full hearing pursuant to Education Law 3214. However, the student and the student’s  parent will be provided with a reasonable opportunity for an informal conference with the District official imposing the suspension to discuss the conduct and the penalty involved.

4. Alternate Learning Area - The Board recognizes the school must balance the need of students to attend school and the need for order in the classroom to establish an environment conducive to learning for other students. As such, the Board authorizes building principals/the superintendent to place students who would otherwise be suspended from school in an alternative environment outside the classroom. At the high school, this space is known as the Alternate Learning Area and is supervised by staff members. Where possible, these assignments will be limited to when a student has study hall or for the class(es) where the student could cause or did cause disruption in order to minimize that student from missing instructional class time.

   1. A student subjected to an in-school suspension is not entitled to a full hearing pursuant to Education Law 3214. However, the student and the student’s parent will be provided with a reasonable opportunity for an informal conference with the District official imposing the in-school suspension to discuss the conduct and the penalty involved

5. Teacher disciplinary removal of disruptive students - A classroom teacher may remove a disruptive student from class for up to two classes. The removal applies to the class of the removing teacher only.

   1. If the disruptive student does not pose a danger or ongoing threat of disruption to the academic process, the teacher must provide the student with an explanation for why he or she is being removed and an opportunity to explain his or her version of the relevant events before the student is removed. Only after the informal discussion may a teacher remove a student from the classroom and give the student a chance to present his or her version of the relevant events within 24 hours.

   2. Within 24-hours after the student’s removal, the principal or another District administrator designated by the principal (e.g. assistant principal) must notify the student’s parents, in writing, that the student has been removed from class and why. The notice must also inform the student that he or she had the right, upon request, to meet informally with the principal or the principal’s designee to discuss the reasons for the removal.

   3. If at the informal meeting the student denies the charges, the  principal or the principal’s designee must explain why the student was removed and give the student and the student’s parents a chance to present the student’s version of the relevant events. The informal meeting must be held within 48 hours of the student’s removal. The timing of the informal meeting may be extended by mutual agreement of the parent and principal.

   4. The principal or the principal’s designee may overturn the removal of the student from class if the principal finds any one of the following:

      1. The charges against the student are not supported by substantial evidence.

      2. The student’s removal is otherwise in violation of law, including the District’s Code of Conduct.

      3. The conduct warrants suspension from school pursuant to Education Law 3214 and a suspension will be imposed.

   5. The principal or his or her designee may overturn a removal at any point between receiving the referral form issued by the teacher and the close of business on the day following the 48-hour period for the informal conference, if a conference is requested. No student removed from the classroom by the classroom teacher will be permitted to return to the classroom until the principal makes a final determination, or the period of removal expires, whichever is less.

   6. Any disruptive student removed from the classroom by the classroom teacher shall be offered continued educational programming and activities until he or she is permitted to return to the classroom.

   7. Removal of a student with a disability, under certain circumstances, may constitute a change in the student’s placement. Accordingly, no teacher may remove a student with a disability from his or her class until he or she has verified with the principal or the chairperson of the Committee on Special Education that the removal will not violate the student’s rights under state or federal law or regulation.

6. Suspension from school - Suspension from school is a severe penalty, which may be imposed only upon students who are insubordinate, disorderly, violent or disruptive, or whose conduct otherwise endangers the safety, morals, health or welfare of others.

   1. Short-term (5 days or less) suspension from school - When the superintendent or principal (referred to as the “suspending authority”) proposes to suspend a student charged with misconduct for five days or less pursuant to Education Law 3214(3), the suspending authority must immediately notify the student orally. If the student denies the misconduct, the suspending authority must provide an explanation of the basis for the proposed suspension. The suspending authority must also notify the student’s parents in writing that the student may be suspended from school.

      1. The notice shall provide a description of the charges against the student and the incident for which suspension is proposed and shall inform the parents of the right to request an immediate informal conference with the principal. At the conference, the parents shall be permitted to ask questions of complaining witnesses under such procedures as the principal may establish.

      2. The notice and opportunity for an informal conference shall take place before the student is suspended unless the student’s presence in school poses a potentially continuing danger to persons or property or an ongoing threat of disruption to the academic process. 

         1. If the student’s presence does pose such a danger or threat of disruption, the notice and opportunity for an informal conference shall take place as soon after the suspension as is reasonably practicable.

      3. After the conference, the principal shall promptly advise the parents in writing of his or her decision. The principal shall advise the parents that if they are not satisfied with the decision and wish to pursue the matter, they must file a written appeal to the superintendent within five business days, unless they can show extraordinary circumstances precluding them from doing so. The superintendent shall issue a written decision regarding the appeal within 10 business days of receiving the appeal. If the parents are not satisfied with the superintendent’s decision, they must file a written appeal to the Board of Education with the District Clerk, Kevin Fottrell, within 10 business days of the date of the superintendent’s decision, unless they can show extraordinary circumstances precluding them from doing so. Only final decisions of the Board may be appealed to the Commissioner within 30 days of the decision.

   2. Long-term (more than 5 days) suspension from school - When the superintendent determines that a suspension for more than five days may be warranted, he or she shall give reasonable notice to the students and the student’s parents of their right to a fair hearing. At the hearing the student shall have the right to be represented by counsel, the right to question witnesses against him or her and the right to present witnesses and other evidence on his or her behalf.

      1. The superintendent shall personally hear and determine the proceeding or may, in his or her discretion, designate a hearing officer to conduct the hearing. The hearing officer shall make findings of fact and recommendations as to the appropriate measure of discipline to the superintendent. The report of the hearing officer shall be advisory only.

      2. An appeal of the decision of the superintendent may be made to the Board that will make its decision based solely upon the record before it. All appeals to the Board must be in writing and submitted to the District Clerk within 10 business days of the date of the superintendent’s decision, unless the parents can show that extraordinary circumstances preclude them from doing so. The Board may adopt in whole or in part the decision of the superintendent. Final decisions of the Board may be appealed to the Commissioner within 30 days of the decision.

   3. c. Permanent suspension - Permanent suspension is reserved for extraordinary circumstances such as where a student’s conduct poses a life-threatening danger to the safety and well-being of other students, school personnel or any other person lawfully on school property or attending a school function. 

J. MINIMUM PERIODS OF SUSPENSION

1. Students who bring a weapon to school - Students found guilty of bringing a weapon onto school property will be subject to suspension from school for up to one calendar year.

2. Students who commit violent acts other than bringing a weapon to school - Students found to have committed a violent act, other than bringing a weapon onto school property, shall be subject to suspension from school for at least five days.

3. Students who are repeatedly substantially disruptive of the educational process or who repeatedly substantially interfere with the teacher’s authority over the classroom - Students who repeatedly are substantially disruptive of the educational process or substantially interfere with the teacher’s authority over the classroom will be suspended from school for at least five days after they have been removed from the class by a teacher on four or more occasions during a semester.

K. RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PRACTICES

1. Restorative Justice is an intervention philosophy that is valued at South Glens Falls High School. It is part of the principles and practices employed by high school staff to respond to student misconduct with the goals of repairing harm and restoring relationships between those impacted. Both the theory and practice of restorative justice emphasize the importance of:

   1. identifying harm

   2. involving all stakeholders at their desired comfort level

   3. true accountability for all involved

   4. taking steps to repair the harm and address its causes to the highest degree possible

2. School-based restorative justice includes prevention, intervention and reintegration. Restorative practices as a whole are used in a variety of ways and are not limited to disciplinary matters. South Glens Falls HS uses it to: build community, celebrate accomplishments, intervene in offending behavior, to transform conflict that may occur between adults or young people, and to rebuild relationships that have been damaged. They can also be used to re-integrate students who have been excluded through suspension and expulsion. Restorative practices help schools create and maintain a positive school culture and climate.

3. Restorative practices help to create a positive and inclusive school culture and enhance teaching and learning. In this way it is a prevention method: the school community becomes better equipped to resolve issues before they escalate into real problems. These skills can be employed when differences or conflict first appear.

4. In terms of discipline, restorative justice takes incidents that might otherwise result in only punishment and in them finds opportunities for students to recognize the impact of their behavior, understand their obligation to take responsibility for their actions, and take steps towards making things right. In this process students learn how to interact and manage their relationships with adults and peers; they become better equipped to understand how their behavior impacts others. In doing so restorative practices encourage accountability, improve school safety, and help to develop skills so students and the school community can succeed.

L. REFERRALS

1. Counseling -The Guidance and Counseling Office or school administration shall handle all referrals of students to counseling.

2. PINS Petitions - The District may file a PINS (Person In Need of Supervision) as well as a Diversion to Family Court on any student under the age of 18 who demonstrates that he or she requires supervision and treatment by:

   1. Being habitually truant and not attending school as required by part one of Article 65 of the Education Law.

   2. Engaging in an ongoing or continual course of conduct which makes the student ungovernable, or habitually disobedient and beyond the lawful control of the school.

   3. Knowingly and unlawfully possesses marijuana in violation of the Penal Law 221.05. A single violation of 221.05 will be a sufficient basis for filing a PINS petition.

   4. Juvenile Delinquents and Juvenile Offenders -The superintendent is required to refer the following students to the County Attorney for a juvenile delinquency proceeding before the Family Court:

      1. Any student under the age of 17 who is found to have brought a weapon to school, or

      2. Any student 14 to 16 years old who qualifies for juvenile offender status under the Criminal Procedure Law 1.20 (42).

      3. The superintendent is required to refer students age 16 and older or any student 14 to 16 years old who qualifies for juvenile offender status to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.

M. ALTERNATIVE INSTRUCTION
When a student of any age is removed from class by a teacher or a student of compulsory attendance age is suspended from school pursuant to Education Law 3214, the District will provide alternative means of instruction for the student.

N. DISCIPLINE OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
The Board recognizes that it may be necessary to suspend, remove or otherwise discipline students with disabilities to address disruptive or problem behavior. The board also recognizes that students with disabilities may be entitled to certain procedural protections whenever school authorities intend to impose discipline upon them. The board is committed to ensuring that the procedures followed for suspending, removing or otherwise disciplining students with disabilities are consistent with the procedural safeguards required by applicable laws and regulations.

The Code of Conduct affords students with disabilities subject to disciplinary action no greater or lesser rights than those expressly afforded by applicable federal and state law and regulations. Please see a copy of the complete Code for details on the Board’s policy for disciplining students with disabilities.

O. CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
Corporal punishment is any act of physical force upon a student for the purpose of punishing that student. Corporal punishment of any student by any District employee is strictly forbidden. However, in situations where alternative procedures and methods that do not involve the use of physical force cannot reasonably be used, reasonable physical force may be used by District employees.  

P. STUDENT SEARCHES AND INTERROGATIONS
The Board of Education is committed to ensuring an atmosphere on school property and at school functions that is safe and orderly. To achieve this kind of environment, any school official authorized to impose a disciplinary penalty on a student may question a student about an alleged violation of the law or the District Code of Conduct.

1. Students are not entitled to any sort of “Miranda” type warning before being questioned by school officials, nor are school officials required to contact a student’s parent before questioning the student. However, school officials will tell all students why they are being questioned.

2. In addition, the Board authorizes the superintendent, building principals, assistant principals, and District security officials to conduct searches of students and their belongings (including vehicles on campus) if the authorized school official has reasonable suspicion to believe that the search will result in evidence that the student violated the law or the District Code of Conduct. 

3. An authorized school official may conduct a search of a student’s belongings that is minimally intrusive, such as touching the outside of a book bag, without reasonable suspicion, so long as the school official has a legitimate reason for the very limited search

4. Whenever practicable, searches will be conducted in the privacy of administrative offices and students will be present when their possessions are being searched. 

Q. STUDENT LOCKERS, DESKS, PARKING LOTS & OTHER SCHOOL STORAGE SPACES
The rules in the Code of Conduct regarding searches of students and their belongings do not apply to student lockers, desks, and other school storage places. Students have no reasonable expectation of privacy with respect to these places, and school officials retain complete control over them. This means that student lockers, desks and other school storage places may be subject to search at any time by school officials, without prior notice to students and without their consent. 

R. POLICE INVOLVEMENT IN SEARCHES AND INTERROGATIONS OF STUDENTS

District officials are committed to cooperating with police officials and other law enforcement authorities to maintain a safe school environment. Police officials may enter school property or a school function to question or search a student or to conduct a formal investigation involving students only if they have:

1. Search or an arrest warrant; or

2. Probable cause to believe a crime has been committed on school property or at a school function; or

3. Been invited by school officials.

S. CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICE INVESTIGATIONS

Consistent with the District’s commitment to keep students safe from harm and the obligation of school officials to report to child protective services when they have reasonable cause to suspect that a student has been abused or maltreated, the District will cooperate with local child protective service workers who wish to conduct interviews of students on school property relating to allegations of suspected child abuse, and/or neglect, or custody investigations.

T. VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL

The complete Code of Conduct outlines the District’s expectations of visitors and other members of the public who participate in District activities or visit District buildings. As a general rule, members of the public who attend a school function or visit a school building are expected to act in a respectful and orderly manner. In addition, all persons on school property or attending a school function are expected to be properly attired for the purpose they are on school property. Failure to follow District rules may result in the removal of the individual from the school function and/or District property.

 SECTION III: DIGNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS ACT (DASA)

The Board of Education recognizes that learning environments that are safe and supportive can increase student attendance and improve academic achievement. A student’s ability to learn and achieve high academic standards, and a school’s ability to educate students, is compromised by incidents of discrimination or harassment, including but not limited to bullying, taunting and intimidation. Therefore, in accordance with the Dignity for All Students Act, Education Law, Article 2 the District will strive to create an environment free of discrimination and harassment and will foster civility in the schools to prevent and prohibit conduct which is inconsistent with the District’s educational mission.

The District condemns and prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment of students based on actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex by school employees or students on school property and at school-sponsored activities or school events that take place at locations off school property. In addition, any act of discrimination or harassment, outside of school sponsored events, which can reasonably be expected to materially and substantially disrupt the education process may be subject to discipline. This includes the use of hate speech and slurs, either in person, in writing or online.

 Please refer to the District’s complete Code of Conduct, located at www.sgfcsd.org for detailed information.

SECTION IV: ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS

A. DRUG-FREE CAMPUS
We are all interested in ensuring that our school remains drug free. On May 3, 1999, the Board of Education approved the use of law enforcement canines to help reach this goal. The police will work cooperatively with school administrators to conduct searches on school property; this includes lockers, as well as vehicles parked on school property. In the event that a canine search provides reasonable suspicion, school administrators will follow-through with appropriate action. Should illegal items be discovered via these searches, the responsible student(s) is/are subject to all school consequences, as well as civil and criminal penalties and consequences.

B. TOBACCO-FREE SCHOOLS
If a student is found smoking/chewing or in possession of such products, including vaporizers or their associated parts and paraphernalia, the student will be assigned a consequence which may include up to five days of external suspension. If suspended, when the student returns, he/she/they may be scheduled to meet with the Student Assistance Counselor. 

• NOTE: For repeat offenders, the high school administration may request a Superintendent’s Hearing, which may result in a suspension greater than five days.

C. LOCKERS

• Students are reminded that lockers are the property of the school and, as such, may be searched at any time by school officials. 

• Students may request a locker if they would like one at any point in the school year. This request can be completed by going to www.bit.ly/SGFHSLocker. 

• Each student who is assigned a locker is responsible for this locker and its contents throughout the year. Some lockers now have built-in combination locks. If a student loses his/her/their combination lock prior to graduation, replacement locks are available through the Guidance and Counseling Office at a cost of $5.00. 

• Only school-provided combination locks may be used on lockers; all others will be removed. 

• Sharing lockers and/or combinations is prohibited.

• Students should keep their lockers locked at all times. All valuable items should be left at home. The District is not responsible for lost or stolen items. School officials will not investigate situations that involve items that were stolen from lockers that were left unlocked. 

D. MEDICATION

New York State Law requires that all prescription and nonprescription medications be stored and administered in the Health Office. It is the student’s responsibility to report to the Health Office for the administration of medication. When it is necessary for a student to take medication during school hours, the RN or LPN may administer the medication if the parent submits a written request accompanied by a physician’s written request that indicates the frequency and dosage of the medication. Such medication is to be brought to the school Health Office in its original container by the parent (New York Sate Bureau of Health).

School Health Offices need written permission from both physician and parent in order to administer acetaminophen, ibuprofen, Bactine, first aid cream, Caladryl, and antibiotic ointments. Medication permission forms are available in the Health Office for your convenience.

 E. HOMEWORK REQUESTS

A homework request can be made by contacting the Guidance and Counseling Office. In order to initiate this request, the student must be out of school for three (3) consecutive days. If there are extenuating circumstances, i.e., serious medical condition, death in the family, etc., the Guidance and Counseling Office will immediately honor the request and students shall not be subjected to the three day absence period.

 F. EMERGENCY DRILLS

For bus drills, fire drills and comprehensive emergency management situations, students are expected to give their complete attention, cooperation and promptly obey all directions in order to ensure the safety of all concerned, including directives to not use mobile devices, where applicable.

G. STUDENT TELEPHONE CALLS/MESSAGES

Parents should inform their children of transportation arrangements, doctor/dentist appointments, etc., before coming to school. It is difficult and inappropriate to interrupt instruction to deliver a message, unless it is an emergency (such as a death in the family or medical crisis). In the event of an emergency, the main office will immediately take appropriate action. 

 Students are permitted to use the main office phone during their lunch, in between classes or when they have a signed pass. Students will not be allowed to utilize the phone during classes (unless it is an emergency). 

Parents should avoid texting/calling their students while they are in academic classes.

H. MOBILE PHONES AND OTHER HANDHELD DEVICES

According to the District’s Policy #5695 regarding Personal Electronic Devices, “The Board of Education recognizes that there are personal electronic devices that have educational applications such as calculators, voice recorders, digital cameras and music listening devices.

• The board acknowledges that cellular phones and other two-way communication systems can be a positive means to facilitate communication; however, the display and/or use of such devices can cause disruption to the educational process. Therefore, to prevent such disruption, the display and/or use by students of cellular phones, two-way communication systems and/or other electronic devices shall follow the individual school procedures for electronic devices.

• Cellular Telephones and Testing: in order to ensure the integrity of testing, in accordance with state guidelines, students are not allowed to bring cell phones or other electronic devices into classrooms or other exam locations (state assessments) and test proctors, monitors and school officials shall have the right to collect cell phones and other prohibited electronic devices prior to the start of the test and to hold them for the duration of the test taking time. Admission to the test will be prohibited to any student who has a cell phone or other electronic device in their possession and does not relinquish it.

South Glens Falls HS Cell Phone/Electronic Device Procedures - Adopted September 1, 2022

With the understanding that the increased student use of cell phones has had a damaging effect on learning, school culture and climate, and mental health, South Glens Falls High School is adopting what will be known as the Off and Away Procedure for student cell phone use starting September 8, 2022.  

1. All student cell phones will be turned off and put away at all times during academic instruction and study halls.  This includes when students are out of the classroom during class time (e.g. signed out of class to go to the bathroom, walking in the hallways, the library, etc.).

   1. Off is defined as powered fully off.  Not in airplane mode.

   2. Away is defined as out of sight and not easily accessible.  Examples include in a backpack or bag, in a pocket, locked in a locker, etc.  This does not mean turned over on the desk.

2. As per SGF Board of Education Policy #5695, teachers may allow student cell phone use with specific, acceptable purposes.  The use of the phone should be for instructional purposes in connection with student learning or for immediate, necessary communication.  

   1. There are no “cell phone breaks” during academic classes or study hall.

   2. Teachers may allow appropriate, monitored cell phone use where necessary (e.g. contacting a parent when it can’t wait, ChromeBook malfunction etc., not to for entertainment, communication with peers, or social media, etc. )

3. Student cell phones may be accessed during passing times between classes, during lunch, during the ten minute morning break, and before and after school.

4. Students who are serving consequences during the school day or after school will not have access to their cell phones until their consequences have been served (e.g. detention, internal suspension, etc.).

5. Students can contact parents for non-emergency communication through the phone in the attendance office.

6. Students are not permitted to use earbuds, earphones, or smart watches unless for use in a teacher approved activity.

7. This applies to all students at South Glens Falls High School.  Students who attend outside programming (e.g. BOCES, New Visions, PTech, ECCA, etc.) will follow the procedures for each of those programs, provided their use does not impact learning at South Glens Falls High School.   

8. Students who have specific accommodations for access as part of a 504, IEP, or Health Care Plan will be allowed access based on the wording of their individual plan. 

Please see BOE Policy #5695 on the District website for further details. 

I. PASS SYSTEM 

1. Teachers must sign a pass in order for a student to leave during class.

2. A pre-signed pass will be required in order for the student to leave a study hall or the cafeteria.

3. Students requiring bathroom use will be presented with a designated bathroom pass from the teacher. The student is required to sign out and sign in upon return.

4. Students must have a pass with them at all times while in the halls.

5. If a student does not have a signed pass, he/she/they will be sent to the office for possible disciplinary action.

 J. BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS DURING STUDY HALLS 

1. The purpose is for students to have the opportunity to engage in academic activities. Students may read newspapers and magazines.

2. No one may leave the study hall until attendance has been taken by the teacher or the study hall monitor.

3. Only pre-signed passes will be honored to leave study hall for the Library, Guidance & Counseling Office, or to meet with a teacher, etc.

4. Students may study together with the permission of the teacher or study hall monitor.

5. Teachers or study hall monitors will allow one or two students at a time to go to their lockers, use bathroom, etc.

6. No one may leave study hall during the last 10 minutes of the block (unless it is an emergency and with staff permission).

7. Students may use electronic devices with staff permission for the purpose of completing school work and other activities focused on education (e.g. completing college applications, researching jobs).

8. Students in good academic and behavioral standing may engage in other quiet activities with staff permission. Study hall staff may ask either building administration or school counselors for a student’s academic standing as being acceptable or unacceptable for this explicit purpose.

K. FOOD AND DRINKS
Students are not to possess or consume either food or beverages in any classroom, hallway, or other instructional areas (including the cafeteria when it serves as a study hall) during school hours. Students are permitted to drink bottled water. All food and beverages (other than water) must be consumed in the cafeteria. Exceptions to this rule may be permitted:

1. with appropriate medical documentation;

2. due to exceptional scheduling issues;

3. for special group instructional purposes as determined by faculty/staff.

 Under no circumstances will food or beverages be permitted in the science/laboratory areas at any time.

We do not allow drop off of food or beverages for students. Students are not allowed to schedule food delivery to the high school.

L. ON-CAMPUS PARKING FOR STUDENTS

PARKING ELIGIBILITY

Student motor vehicle parking on campus is a privilege granted to twelfth- grade students first and then to juniors based on the provisions below. Please note: In order to be a senior, a student must have met the criteria outlined in SGFHS’s Promotion and Retention Policy (see page 30). Seniors who wish to apply for a permit must follow these procedures:

1. Report to the main office during the initial sign-up dates in the summer. If there are additional parking permits available at the opening of school, students may request a permit application (during study hall, lunch, or before/after school).

2. Complete the application and return it to the main office, with a copy of your driver’s license, registration and a $10 fee.

3. Pending administrative approval, you will be asked to report to the main office to pick up your permit. If the application is not approved, you will receive notification specifying the reason for denial.

4. Hang the permit on the rearview mirror. The permit cannot be carried by the student.

5. Students will park in the front of the high school building.

6. All unpaid fines (e.g. lost books, calculators, lunch balances, Chromebook repair fees) must be paid in full prior to receiving a permit.

 PARKING EXPECTATIONS

1. Parking permits will be given to all seniors in good standing and with proof of a valid driver’s license and registered vehicle. In October and March, the building will hold a parking lottery for juniors based on the number of available spots left after seniors have been given parking permits.

   1. Administration will determine the number of “hold back” permits for seniors who may get their licenses or vehicles later during their senior year. 

   2. Priority is given to seniors in good standing for all parking permit decisions. 

   3. Once the “hold back” number has been determined, the number of available spots for the October junior parking lottery will be announced. This process will be repeated in March.

2. If students are found to be parked in an unauthorized space or without a permit, they may be subject to towing at the owner’s expense.

3. Students who do not have a permit may be denied that privilege as seniors for up to one month per violation (or be barred from the parking permit lottery as juniors for the semester). If underclassmen continually refuse to follow directives about not parking on campus, they will lose parking privileges as a senior for the year.

4. Parking privileges will be denied or rescinded for a period of time determined by administration for the following reasons:

5.  

   1. out-of-school suspension;

   2. unexcused absences, tardies or early departures;

   3. going off-campus without authorization;

   4. irresponsible/dangerous driving; 

   5. transferring parking permit to other cars or students;

   6. failure to follow parking rules;

   7. operating sound systems that are audible outside the vehicle and disturb classes or other activities;

   8. excessive tardies resulting in disciplinary action;

   9. driving to WSWHE BOCES for CTE programs without official permits/permission;

   10. repeated poor behavior in school

5. Students may not loiter in or around vehicles at any time.

6. While driving, students should enter/leave the parking lot in an orderly fashion and in a way that does not disrupt classes in session (late arrival/early dismissal), traffic or the safety of other drivers and pedestrians.

7. There is no expectation of privacy if cars are parked on campus. Administration reserves the right to search any car on campus belonging to a student without prior notification.

• NOTE: Skateboarding and rollerblading on school grounds are strictly prohibited. Students are expected to obey all signs posted on school property. 

M. SCHOOL DANCES 

1. Only South Glens Falls High School students will be allowed to attend dances with the exceptions of the Homecoming Dance, the Snowball Dance, and the Junior Prom.

2. If a student wishes to bring a guest to a dance, he/she/they need(s) to complete and submit the “Guest Attendance” form no later than one week before the event. This form is available upon request in the main office.

3. All guests (including SGF alumni) must meet with a building administrator prior to approval. If approved, the guest will be added to the approved list for check-in by dance chaperones.

4. The student will be responsible for the conduct of his/her/their guest.

5. Behavior at school District sponsored dances is governed by the District’s Code of Conduct, regardless of whether the dance occurs on or off District property. 

6. Faculty members/chaperones and administrators reserve the right to search any student before he/she/they enter(s) the building.

7. Students under the influence of drugs/alcohol will be detained until the police and/or a parent/guardian accompanies them out of the building. Code of conduct penalties will be enforced. 

N. DETENTION INFORMATION

• Detention will be after school from 2:30 to 3:10 p.m. Students are always encouraged to seek after-school assistance from teachers and other staff members; however, staying after school for assistance is not a substitute for detention.

• School transportation is available Monday, Wednesday & Thursday following the afternoon detention session. Students who attend the afternoon BOCES programs are not excused from any detention expectations. It is recognized that BOCES transportation schedules may not allow students to begin detention promptly at 2:30 p.m. Nonetheless, these students should report to the detention room as soon as transportation drops them off at the high school.

• After-school responsibilities do not excuse students from detention. This includes out-of-school commitments as well as school-related activities. Students who choose not to serve an assigned detention will move to the next more severe consequence as determined by the principal and/or assistant principal.

• Please note the following rules for detention:

  1. Students should bring work to complete;

  2. Students need to remain silent; 

  3. No pre-signed passes will be honored;

  4. No personal electronic device use is permitted;

  5. Food and/or beverages are not permitted. 

O. Alternate Learning Area (ALA)

Assignment to the Alternate Learning Area (ALA) is a consequence for those students who do not comply with school rules and expectations. It is a highly structured environment where the Alternate Learning Area supervisor works cooperatively with teachers and staff to monitor a student’s completion of class work. It also serves as a place for restorative practices to be engaged to aid students in avoiding poor conduct and decision making going forward. 

 Please note the following rules for the Alternate Learning Area:

1. Students are expected to use their time in ALA to complete the academic work that is provided to them and work through any restorative practices that have been arranged by either administration, the School Conduct Coordinator, or the restorative justice facilitator as part of their assignment to ALA.

2. Students are to follow all directives by the ALA supervisor during the duration of their assigned time.

3. Unless permission is given by the ALA supervisor, there is no talking while in ALA. Students must remain in their seats unless directed otherwise by the ALA supervisor.

4. Students will fulfill their ALA obligation if they complete their assigned work and comply with all the rules.

5. If a student is removed from the Alternate Learning Area due to poor conduct, they will be assigned additional consequences commensurate with the Code of Conduct violation. This may include Saturday Detention or Out of School Suspension.

SECTION V: ACADEMIC GUIDELINES

A. PROMOTION AND RETENTION POLICY

The following chart outlines the courses and units of credit required for grade level promotion. 

B. GRADING

Students in grades 9-12 receive numeric grades. Academic recognition listings are determined from grade records for each marking period. All courses will be considered in selecting High Honors, Honors, and Honorable Mention students. 

 C. UNWEIGHTED/WEIGHTED GRADES AND CLASS RANK

1. South Glens Falls HS uses sealed transcripts that allow for communication of student performance with both an unweighted and a weighted grade point average (GPA) and class rank. South Glens Falls HS recognizes courses that culminate in the potential for college credit (e.g. Advanced Placement, SUPA, PLTW, ECHS, etc. ) with a “weighting factor” of 0.02 on this sealed transcript. 

2. Starting with the Class of 2023, the Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and “Top Ten” designations were replaced by a Latin Honors System (i.e. Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Cum Laude) that recognizes students for their academic excellence.  The overall GPA designations for these honors align with our existing academic recognition benchmarks.  Any student who has reached the required high school GPA (calculated at the end of the third quarter of senior year) will be recognized at graduation.  These levels are as follows:

• Summa Cum Laude: 95 to 100

• Magna Cum Laude: 90 to 94.9

• Cum Laude: 85 to 89.9

D. ACADEMIC RECOGNITION LEVELS

1. Academic recognition listings are as follows:

• High Honor Roll: 95 to 100

• Honor Roll: 90 to 94.9

• Honorable Mention: 85 to 89.9

 E. MARKING PERIOD SCHEDULE 

MARKING PERIOD #1

• Marking period begins - September 8, 2022

• Marking period ends - November 10, 2022

• Report Cards - November 18, 2022 

MARKING PERIOD #2

•  Marking period begins - November 14, 2022

•  Marking period ends - January 27, 2023

• Report Cards - February 3, 2023

MARKING PERIOD #3

• Marking block begins - January 30, 2023

• Marking period ends - April 4, 2023

• Report Cards - April 6, 2023 

MARKING PERIOD #4

• Marking Period begins - April 5, 2023

• Marking period ends - June 23, 2023

• Report Cards - June 28, 2023

F. COURSE ADJUSTMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURES

It is expected all students in grades 9 -12 enroll and maintain a minimum of 5.5 courses each semester including physical education. A student’s academic progress is consistently monitored to ensure appropriate placement. South Glens Falls High School’s teachers and counselors encourage students to challenge themselves with a rigorous and appropriate academic program.

1. ADDING A COURSE: A student may add a semester course to his/her/their schedule within the first two weeks of the semester. A student may add a full-year course within the first three weeks of the school year. Any additions after the stipulated time period must have the approval of the instructor and the school counselor.

2. DROPPING A COURSE: In the event that a student desires to drop a course, he/she/they must first make an appointment to speak with his/her/their school counselor. During this meeting, the following items will be discussed.

   1. Coursework completed to date

   2. Student’s effort to seek the teacher for extra assistance

   3. Reasons for dropping the course

   4. Appropriateness and consequences of dropping the course

• In most situations, a student is advised not to drop a course, and the counselor may schedule a meeting involving the student, the teacher, and the parent. Often, an informal “work contract” is set up to help the student become more successful.

• If the above steps are not successful, the student needs to begin the formal Course Drop Request process. This includes the completion of a “Course Change Request” form by all parties involved: student, teacher, counselor, and parent. If at any point, one of the parties indicates his/her/their disagreement with the drop, the process will be suspended until a parent conference is scheduled. A final decision will be made at this meeting. NOTE: Students cannot drop a course, if as a result, they will be carrying less than 5 credits after the drop. For seniors, cases will be reviewed on an individual basis. 

• Students eligible for Late Arrival or Early Release and who drop a Block 1 or a Block 4 academic class will not be eligible for LA/ER for a period of no shorter than five weeks.

• A student may drop a semester course within the first five weeks of the semester. He/she/they may drop a full-year course within the first 10 weeks of the school year. This timeframe allows students and parents to make a more informed decision by reviewing progress report information and report cards. All drops must have the approval of the instructor and the school counselor.

3. LEVEL ADJUSTMENT: If it is determined a student is enrolled in a course level that is not appropriate, the student may make a level adjustment, .i.e., English 10 Honors to English 10. This change must be initiated within the first 10 weeks of the school year. 

   1. If a level adjustment is requested after this time due to extenuating circumstances, an appeals process must be initiated. This process includes a meeting with the student, parent/guardian, teacher and school counselor.

G. COURSE ADJUSTMENT DATES FOR 2022-23

Add a semester course

Within the first 2 weeks of the semester
By Friday, September 16, 2022 (1st semester)
By Friday, February 10, 2023 (2nd semester)

Add a full-year course

Within the first 3 weeks of the school year
By Friday, September 23, 2022

Drop a semester course

Within the first 5 weeks of the semester
By Friday, October 7, 2022

Drop a full-year course

Within the first 10 weeks of the school year
By Thursday, November 10, 2022

Level Adjustment

Within the first 10 weeks of the school year
By Thursday, November 10, 2022

H. BOCES (CTE) PREREQUISITE POLICY
In order to qualify for admission to Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses at WSWHE BOCES, a student must have a 90 percent attendance rate beginning with grade 9 and must have passed the following courses:

• English 9 and 10

• Global 9 and 10

• Two years of Math

• Two years of Science

• Two years of Physical Education 

Students and parents are reminded the New York State Regents Assessments and Graduation Requirements may create scheduling and/or credit situations that prevent a student from attending the CTE programs.  Students must maintain a 90 percent attendance rate in order to continue with a second year of CTE at BOCES. Please note: Due to limited availability, application to a CTE program at BOCES does not guarantee placement.

 With regards to transportation, all students attending a CTE program will ride school transportation to and from their vocational programs. Students may not drive their personal vehicles, unless they are seniors who have been granted a parking permit by both SGFHS & BOCES Administration for extreme extenuating circumstances.

SECTION VI: ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

1.  MISSION

   1. To provide South Glens Falls High School with a policy that promotes honesty, academic integrity and respect for individual achievement.

2. DEFINITIONS

   1. Assessment: Tests, quizzes, projects, papers, labs, reports, etc.

   2. Cheating: Being dishonest or deceptive in your academic work

   3. Plagiarism: Stealing or using another person’s words or ideas.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES 

   1. Students: Complete your own work and honor its integrity by not allowing anyone to copy and by citing all materials.

   2. Parents: Encourage academic honesty, discussion, and support the Academic Integrity Policy.

   3. Teachers/Administrators: Educate and uphold academic integrity. Outline individual expectations and outcomes.

4. CONSEQUENCES

   1. Academic consequences will be imposed as outlined in the course syllabus.

   2. Parents will be notified.

   3. Upon subsequent violations, students will be referred to administration.

SECTION VII: SUMMER SCHOOL
If a student has failed a core course, he/she/they may need to attend summer school to stay on track for graduation. 

• Students may have the option of enrolling in South Glens Falls High School Credit Recovery Program or the Regional Summer School Programs at Queensbury or Hudson Falls.

• SGF Summer School runs for six weeks in July and August each summer, including August Regents Exams

• Students are expected to attend two sessions per week for each class they are attempting to complete

• Failure to attend will result in removal from summer school as will poor conduct and behavior

Final Course Grade Policy: For those students who complete their summer school coursework at an acceptable level, they will earn a 65 as a final course average, as well as the appropriate number of credits.

SECTION VIII: ACTIVITIES, CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

The extracurricular program consists of a variety of experiences designed to appeal to diverse interests and talents. From the artist to the athlete, students may seek to participate in activities where he/she/they can further develop academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. All students are encouraged to participate in activities and are expected to exhibit a high level of school citizenship and scholarship.

 The various organizations foster community service, special interest activities and a sense of belonging. Groups wishing to meet for short term activities may do so with the permission of the administration. Those interested in starting a new club should see the Clubs and Activities Director (Mrs. Seelye) for information on how that process works. All clubs and activities are governed in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

A.K.T. Drama Club (Mrs. Stambach-Fuller): This is a group of students interested in all aspects of the theater. They produce and participate in annual performances.

After Prom Club (Ms. Perry): This club helps design, create, promote, and run the post-Prom party each spring. 

Anime Club (Mrs. Hammond): This club is designed to foster creative expression through the influences of Japan and its pop culture.

Class Council ( Mrs. Smith/Ms. Pedone; Mr. Van Wie/Mr. Bolesh; Mrs. Mann/Mrs. Hogan, Mrs. Anderson): Each class (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior) participates in and sponsors activities appropriate to its needs and interests.

Clay Target Club (Mr. Mars & Mr. Music): This newly formed club in the spring of 2022 supports the love and skill of clay target competitions, hosted at the Hudson Falls Fish and Game Club.

French Honor Society (Mrs. Nadi): This society aims to promote the knowledge of French culture and language, and it recognizes those students who have maintained excellent academic achievement in French.

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) - (Mr. Woodard): This club is affiliated with both the State and National F.B.L.A. and engages in a variety of activities each year, including state and national competitions. Emphasis on developing leadership skills.

Diversity Club: Students of Color Union (Ms. Perry): As part of the Diversity Club, the Student of Color Union aims to provide a safe, inclusive space to recognize and discuss the diverse cultures, races, backgrounds, and experiences within our school community. In doing this, we hope to build awareness, equity, and empowerment for all members of our student body. 

Diversity Club: Gay-Straight Alliance (Mrs. Walsh): As part of the Diversity Club, the GSA is a youth leadership organization that aims to educate the school community about sexual orientation issues and create a safe environment for all students by fighting discrimination, harassment and violence in schools.

Key Club (Mr. Birkholz): This service organization participates in a variety of school, community and State activities affiliated with the Glens Falls Kiwanis Club. 

Marathon Dance (SHMD) - (Mrs. Sheldon and Mr. Myott): This is a group of students from grades 9-12 who organize a 28 hour dance to provide financial aid for worthy causes in the community. Students can be elected chairpeople for the dance but may also contribute in numerous other ways to make it the successful event that it is each year..

Math League (Mr. Keller): This organization participates in problem solving exercises by competing interscholastically throughout the year.

National Honor Society (Mrs. Hogan): This is an organization which recognizes outstanding scholarship, leadership, character and service of students based on the regulations of the national organization.

No Place for Hate Club (Ms. Perry/Mrs. Walsh): This group of students works to promote strong school culture and inclusion within South High as an extension of the Anti-Defamation League.

Philosophy and Debate Club (Mr. Randazzo): Philosophy and Debate Club: a student-led discussion group to discover and dissect the big questions of the world: is humankind evil? Is there a meaning of life? How do politics affect our day to day life? Come join, all voices wanted!

Public Speaking Club (Mr. Daves): This is a newly formed club from the fall of 2021.  It promotes and encourages public speaking skills and opportunities for student members.  

Rapid Recall (Mr. Davies & Mrs. Thompson): This is a group of students, grades 9-12, interested in competitive trivia. The Rapid Recall Team competes against area schools throughout the year.

Students Against Destructive Decisions (Ms. Hogan): SADD’s mission is to “empower young people to successfully confront the risks and pressures that challenge students throughout their daily lives.

Ski Club (Mr. Bolesh): This club travels to West Mountain each week during ski season. Members are both avid, skilled skiers, as well as beginners.

Spanish Honor Society (Mrs. Blanco): The purpose of this society is to recognize the high achievement of students enrolled in Spanish and promote a continuing interest in Hispanic studies.

Student Government (Mrs. Gutheil & Mrs. Ketcham): This organization provides a democratic forum to address school-related issues.

Varsity Club (Mr. Birkholz & Mr. Hansen): This is composed of Varsity athletes who have been selected and inducted. Community service is performed by this group, such as the Varsity Reads Program.  The club also organizes the pep rally.

Yearbook (Mrs. Smith & Mrs. Anderson): This is a group of students working collaboratively to organize, finance, and publish the Arrowhead yearbook. 

eSports Club (Mr. Stark): Inaugural year of a competitive [electronic] gaming club at South High. The club hopes to provide an exciting opportunity for students interested in E-Sports and strategy-based competition.

Sources of Strength (Mrs. Fagle-Fedele): Sources of Strength provides evidence-based prevention for suicide, violence, bullying and substance abuse by training, supporting, and empowering peer leaders to impact their world through the power of connection, hope, help and strength.

SECTION IX: ATHLETICS

 Athletes are chosen by coaches on the basis of their athletic ability. Exemplary behavior is expected of them in the community, school, and athletic arena of competition. A special set of Athletic Training and Behavior Rules applies to those students who earn the privilege of representing South High on interscholastic athletic teams. Coaching assignments will be announced prior to the beginning of each season.

 A. SOUTH HIGH ATHLETIC CODE OF CONDUCT

The SGFHS Athletic Code of Conduct is available on the District’s Athletics web page. Please see Athletic Code of Conduct for a full list of interscholastic teams offered at South Glens Falls HS.

SECTION X: EXTRACURRICULAR ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY POLICY

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Board of Education has the authority to establish reasonable standards as prerequisites for eligibility for extracurricular activities. These standards apply to entry qualifications as well as to continued participation in such activities. Advisors/coaches must disseminate a copy of the expected standards of conduct to all students and parents at the start of each school year, and participating students should be individually informed of the application and scope of such standards.

Eligibility and continued participation in extracurricular activities are a privilege extended to students, as opposed to a right, and the behavioral standards set forth in the District Code of Conduct (policy 5300) apply to all students participating in any extracurricular activity. All student participants, including athletes, will be informed they have the obligation to act in a responsible manner because of the leadership roles they play in the school environment. As a result, they are expected to adhere to a ban on the consumption/use of alcoholic beverages, drugs (other than those prescribed), and/or tobacco products on or off campus.

“Training Rules” are generally accepted as a condition of participation in student athletics, and may include attendance at practices, individual training programs, etc. Similar rules of rehearsal attendance and practice may apply to other extracurricular activities, such as theater. Advisors/coaches will provide these expectations in writing at the beginning of the school year or season, as appropriate.

In addition, in order to participate or attend a school sponsored function, students must be in attendance by 8:30 a.m. the day of the activity. Exceptions will be granted to those who provide valid medical excuses on practitioner letterhead, a family emergency arises, vocational studies program, or applicable senior early Release days. Additional pre-arranged tardies/absences or situations that are beyond the control of the student will be considered on a case by case basis. Tardiness beyond 8:30 a.m. or early dismissal due to sickness or fatigue are not valid excuses and the student will not be allowed to participate in athletic activities that day. 

Although suspension from participation in an extracurricular activity does not require a full hearing pursuant to Section 3214 of Education Law, a student must be given the opportunity to appear informally before the disciplinarian and/or disciplinary committee and present his/her/their side of the story as part of a general discussion of the conduct under review.

 PROCEDURES (updated 7.7.16)

1. Designated officials from the main office and the athletic office and will review grades of all students who participate in extracurricular programs.

2. Interscholastic Athletics - Student eligibility will be reviewed based on the marking period immediately preceding the onset of the season (Initial Review) and every 4 weeks throughout the season once rosters are finalized.

   1. Note: At the beginning of the school year, for all extracurricular programs, officials will monitor students’ grades for the fourth marking period (from the previous year) in combination with summer school classes to determine initial Fall eligibility.

   2. Initial Review Clause - If a student failed three or more classes based on the initial review of their grades, they will spend the first two weeks of the season on Academic Probation. The mandatory two week probationary period will take effect once final rosters are submitted to the Athletics Office.

   3. School Administrators have the right to review grades and issue On Watch or Academic Probation status at any time.

3. With the exception of the Initial Review Clause stated above, if a student is failing two or more classes, they will be placed “On Watch.” During this period, the student will still be allowed to continue to practice and participate in competitions. However, the student will need to demonstrate evidence of academic improvement. At the end of two weeks, the student will submit a Student Academic Progress Report to the athletic director and or coach. If the student is no longer failing two or more classes, they will be removed from On Watch.

4. If the student, who is On Watch, does not return the Student Academic Progress Report to the designated official, or if  the student submits a report that shows no academic improvement, they will be placed on “Academic Probation.”

5. During Academic Probation, student-athletes will be allowed to practice, but not compete in competitions. Students on Academic Probation will need to demonstrate evidence of getting extra help in the classes they are failing. Extra help sessions are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Students can select which days they will attend in conjunction with their teachers. At the end of one week, the student must submit his/her Student Academic Progress Report to the designated official. If the student is no longer failing two or more classes, they will be removed from Academic probation.

6. If a student, who is on Academic Probation, does not return their Student Academic Progress Report or if the student submits a report that does not demonstrate academic improvement, they will remain on Academic Probation. The review cycle will continue weekly until the student demonstrates academic improvement and is no longer failing two or more classes. Until then, they will not be allowed to fully participate in the extracurricular program and/or athletic competitions.

SECTION XI: STUDENT SERVICES

A. GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING OFFICE

The school counselors provide an organized program of counseling, instruction and consultation to all students. This includes an annual review of each student’s progress; college/career guidance and planning; advisement/counseling services; and opportunities for parental involvement. Each student’s class schedule provides the name of his/her/their school counselor.

B. HEALTH OFFICE

All staff members of the school District are responsible to obtain first-aid care for students who are injured or become ill while under school supervision. In most instances, first aid should be rendered and then the parent should be contacted to come to school and transport the student to the family physician. Beyond first aid, the medical care of the student is the parent’s concern, and it is the responsibility of school personnel to exercise good judgment and care under all circumstances. In the event of an illness or injury, an ambulance may be called if warranted. This solution will be used after other alternatives, including parent contact, have been made. There is a school nurse on duty in the Health Office during the school day. 

All accidents and/or injuries should be reported to the Health Office, and all medical notes must be handled by the Health Office. If a student is medically unable to attend school for a limited period of time, the family is responsible for having a physician sign the South Glens Falls High School’s Home Tutoring Eligibility Form. This form is available in the Health Office. Finally, if a student needs to use crutches in school, please provide the Health Office with a medical note from your physician.

IMMUNIZATIONS: Please remember to share any and all recent immunizations with the Health Office. This will enable us to keep your student’s permanent health record up-to-date and this is especially helpful when proof of immunization is requested for summer camp, college applications, military service, etc.

EMERGENCY CONTACT FORM: Parents need to complete and return the South Glens Falls Central School District’s Emergency Health Service Contact Form. This form will be distributed at the beginning of the school year. Please continue to notify the Health Office or the Guidance and Counseling Office with any changes.

C. ACADEMIC INTERVENTION SERVICES (AIS)

Academic Intervention Services (AIS) are designed to help students achieve the learning standards in English language arts, mathematics, social studies and science. There are two ways students become eligible for AIS. The first is when a student does not pass a commencement-level state assessment. The second is when the school District determines that the student is at risk of not meeting state standards.

SECTION XII. LIBRARY 

Our library media specialist welcomes students on a daily basis. Students must receive a pre-signed pass from the librarian in order to visit the library from a study hall. The library is a “quiet zone” so that all users are able to concentrate on their work and benefit from the facility. Students may sign books out for a two week period. At the end of that time, they should return the books or renew them.

 SECTION XIII. COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY
All learning spaces at South Glens Falls High School are equipped with computers, laptops or Chromebooks. All of these devices have network connectivity and Internet access. 

Any student found using this computer technology and Internet connectivity in an inappropriate manner will be subject to disciplinary action. Prohibited conduct includes:

1. Access, transmit, or retransmit material which promotes violence or advocates destruction of property including but not limited to access to information concerning the manufacturing of destructive devices such as explosives, fireworks, smoke bombs, or incendiary devices or the like.

2. Access, transmit, or retransmit any information containing pornographic or other sexually oriented material. Pornographic is defined as pictures or writings that are intended to stimulate erotic feelings by the description or portrayal of the nude human form or sexual activity.

3. Access, transmit, or retransmit material which advocates or promotes violence or hatred against particular individuals or groups of individuals or advocates or promotes the superiority of one racial group over another.

4. Use or possess bootleg software. Bootleg software is defined as any software in possession of a user which has been downloaded from the network or is otherwise in possession of the user without the appropriate registration of the software including the payment of any fees owed to the owner of the software.

5. Use encryption software within the school District.

6. Transmit credit card information or other personal information within the school District.

7. Transmit E-mail through an anonymous source.

8. Access the Internet from a school District using a non-school District Internet account. 

9. Commit or attempt to commit any willful act involving the use of the network which disrupts the operation of the network within the school District or any network connected to the Internet including use or attempted use or possession of computer viruses.

10. Any computer use/Internet site not related to the school’s curriculum and programming.

SECTION XIV: GENERAL INFORMATION 

A. FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA): This section is intended to advise parents, legal guardians and students of their rights with respect to the school records pursuant to the Federal  Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). You are notified that you have in relation to student records the right to:

1.  inspect and review a student’s education records;

2. seek to correct parts of the student’s education records which he or she believes to be inaccurate, misleading or in violation of the student’s rights. These rights include the right to a hearing to present evidence that the records should be changed.  If the District decides not to alter it according to the parent’s or an eligible student’s request;

3. report or file a complaint with the Department of Education if the school District violates FERPA;

4. exercise limited control over other people’s access to the student’s education records;

5. seek and correct the student’s education records, in a hearing if necessary;

6. be informed about FERPA rights.

 You are further advised:

1. The school District shall limit the disclosure of information contained in the student’s education records except: a) by prior written consent of the student’s parents or an eligible student, b) directory information or c) under certain limited circumstances, as permitted by FERPA.

2. If either a student’s parents or an eligible student desires to obtain copies of the policy pertaining to student records, notification should be presented to: 

Mr. Timothy Dawkins, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
South Glens Falls Central School District
42 Merritt Road, Suite 1
South Glens Falls, New York 12803

 All rights and protections given to parents under FERPA and this policy transfer to the student when the student reaches age 18 or enrolls in a post-secondary school if the student is no longer considered a dependent. The student then becomes an “eligible student.”

 Under the No Child Left Behind Act, names, addresses, and telephone listings must be released to military recruiters upon request. Parents have the right to request that information not be released to military recruiters without prior written consent. 

The school District proposes to designate the following personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records as directory information, and it will disclose that information without prior written consent:

• student’s name;

• student’s address;

• student’s telephone number;

• student’s date and place of birth;

• student’s class designation (e.g. first grade, tenth grade, etc.);

• student’s participation in officially recognized activities and sports;

• student’s achievement awards or honors;

• student’s weight and height to a member of an athletic team;

• dates of attendance;

• most recent educational institution attended before the student enrolled in the school District, and

• a photograph of the student.

B. ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

The South Glens Falls Central School District does not discriminate in employment or in the education programs and activities which it operates on the basis of sex, race or disability in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

 C. COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

•  Section 1

  • If any person believes that the school District or any of the District’s staff has failed to apply or has inadequately applied the principles or regulations of (1) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, (2) Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972, or (3) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, that person may bring forward a complaint, which shall be referred to as a grievance, to the District’s Compliance Officer.

• Section 2

  • The complainant shall discuss the grievance informally with the Compliance Officer, who shall investigate the complaint and respond in writing to the complainant. The complainant may thereafter initiate formal procedures according to the following steps:

    • Step (A):

      • A written statement of the grievance signed by the complainant shall be submitted to the Compliance Officer within seven days of receipt of the response to the grievance. The Compliance Officer shall further investigate the matters contained in the grievance and shall reply in writing to the complainant within seven days.

    • Step (B):

      • If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision of the Compliance Officer, the complainant may submit a signed statement of appeal to the superintendent within seven days after receipt of the Compliance Officer’s response. The superintendent shall meet with the complainant and any representative and make such other inquiries which the superintendent deems appropriate. Thereafter, the superintendent shall set forth a conclusion and respond in writing to the complainant within 14 days.

    • Step (C):

      • If the complainant is not satisfied with the conclusion of the superintendent, the complainant may appeal through a signed, written statement to the Board of Education within seven days of receipt of the superintendent’s response in Step (b). In an attempt to resolve the grievance, the Board of Education shall meet with the complainant and any representative within 30 days of receipt of such an appeal. The board’s written disposition of the appeal shall be sent to the complainant within ten days of this meeting.

    • Step (D):

      • If the grievance has not been satisfactorily settled at Step C, further appeal may be made to: The Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20201.

•  Section 3

  • The Compliance Officer, on request, will provide a copy of the District’s grievance procedure to any employee of the District. A copy of each of the Acts and Regulations upon which this notice is based will be made available upon written request directed to the District’s Compliance Officer. When used in this policy days shall mean calendar days. The words person and complainant shall include an employee as well as a student of the District.

  • Inquiries concerning the nondiscriminatory policy may be made to: Director, Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20201.

The South Glens Falls Central School District hereby advises students, parents, employees and the general public that it offers employment and educational opportunities, including career and technical education opportunities, without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, or handicap. Grievance procedures are available to interested persons by contacting the person(s) listed below:

Inquiries regarding this nondiscrimination policy may be directed to:

Title IX Coordinator (sex discrimination)
Central Office
42 Merritt Road, Suite 1
South Glens Falls, NY 12803
(518) 793-9617

D. REIMBURSEMENT FOR LOST OR DAMAGED TEXTBOOKS/SUPPLIES/EQUIPMENT
On occasion, students lose track of various items that have been signed out to them during the school year. The Main Office sends notices to parents identifying the items that are owed along with corresponding replacement costs. Seniors who owe money to the school cannot participate in the June Graduation Ceremony. Appropriate legal proceedings may be convened to recover any amount that is due to the school District. It is important to note when a student loses a textbook, the school District is forced to charge the original purchase cost because new replacement books are equal to, if not more than, the original price of the book.

 E. MEAL PRICES

The following secondary meal prices have been determined for the 2022-23 school year:

• Breakfast: $1.25

• Lunch: $2.50

• Milk: $0.50 

The District offers an online payment system through mySchoolBucks, accessible from myschoolbucks.com. Parents/guardians are able to make deposits directly into their child’s school meal account online using a credit card. The website allows parents to set low balance alerts, monitor account balances. Questions regarding the school lunch program may be directed to Robert DeFrancisco, School Lunch Director, at (518) 824-2225.

F. SCHOOL CLOSING

In the event of bad weather, please visit the South Glens Falls Central School District website at www.sgfcsd.org.

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