Student Handbook
All official changes in the Student Handbook may not be included here.
This listing is for general information only. Contact Martinsville High School if you have questions or concerns.
SCHOOL'S RESPONSIBILITY
Martinsville High School does not discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or handicap, nor does it deny services to any of its students for such a reason.
STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY
Students are held responsible for knowing the contents of this folder, all its inserts, all school rules, and any announcements, written or oral, made throughout the school year.
GUIDANCE SERVICES
Guidance services are available for all students at Martinsville High School. Counselors advise students on concerns such as career information and occupational information, in addition to helping students interpret test scores. The counselors are willing to help the students with concerns whether they are social, school, or home problems.
The counseling department maintains a library of information on colleges, financial aid opportunities, and vocational information for student and community use. Detailed information on most post-secondary institutions in Indiana is available.
The counseling department maintains and distributes information on current financial aid available in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans for post-secondary education.
Career information is also available in the Guidance area.
EMANCIPATED STUDENTS
Students who feel they are emancipated must meet specific stipulations. Proper forms must be completed and signed by the student and his/her parent/s. The completed forms must be filed with the principal's office before a student will be recognized as emancipated. Emancipation forms may be obtained from any administrator or guidance counselor.
CLINIC
Health service is available to all students. Screening tests for vision and hearing deficiencies are administered. Referrals may be made by teachers or parents. Parents will be contacted when medical care or correction are indicated. If a student becomes ill at school, the student may be sent to the nurse's clinic located in the administrative area.
In case of accident or injury at school, the parent and the family will be contacted. Any time a student injures himself/herself on school grounds, he/she should report to the clinic.
A school nurse is on duty in the clinic to help any student having a health problem. All students must have an immunization record on file with their other school records.
Any student needing to take medication while at school should take the medicine directly to the clinic and make arrangements with the nurse for dispensing it.
FIRE DRILLS
Fire drills and other emergency related drills are required by state law, and must take place at specific times during the school year. Students are requested to be attentive and follow instructions in an orderly manner. Activating fire alarms by students is against the law and will be dealt with by strong disciplinary action.
TARDIES
After-school detentions will be issued for second and third tardies to a given class. In-school suspension will be issued by an administrator for a fourth tardy, Saturday School for a fifth, and out-of-school suspension for a sixth. Loss of credit may occur after six tardies to a given class.
HOMEWORK
When a student is ill and out of school three or more days, he/she may ask for homework and books to be seat home. If the books are not in the locker assigned to that student, they will not be sent. We will not get books that have been left in a locker assigned to another student.
HONOR ROLL
In order to qualify for the honor roll, a student must be enrolled full time. Additionally, a student must be taking a minimum of six hours of class - five hours of which must be in classes that are for a full credit; students may earn a place on one of three honor rolls at the end of the first and third nine weeks and at the end of each semester.
The honor rolls are:
STRAIGHT "A" HONOR ROLL - All grades in full credit classes must be an "A".
A- B HONOR ROLL - All grades in full credit classes must be an "A" or a "B" and the student must have a grade point average of 3.500 or above.
HONOR ROLL - The student's grade point average in full credit classes must be 3.0 or above with no grade lower than a "C".
LOCKERS
Combinations on every locker are changed each year and are given out only to the person assigned to that locker. Students are not to reveal to others their combination in order to insure the safety of items left in the locker. In case of the lock or locker malfunctioning, the student should report this problem to the front office. Students must not trade lockers or put their books and belongings in someone else's locker. Food and drinks are absolutely forbidden to be kept in lockers. consequences will be given for violations of these policies.
STUDENT COUNCIL
The Student Council is one of the most important organizations in the school. The council is made up of elected representatives and serve as your link to the administration.
PHYSICAL CONTACT POLICY
The school setting is a place to exhibit proper manners and appropriate respect to and for others. Touching students in a rude or discourteous way is not acceptable. Likewise, showing affections by kissing, hugging, and similar forms of touching is not acceptable. Violators of this policy will receive an office referral.
STUDENT CONDUCT CODE
The entire foundation and success of public school education depends on the basic concepts of self-discipline -- a self-discipline which will allow all individuals to exist in a world of change and with the individual rights afforded them by our Federal and State constitutions. Certain standards of student conduct are necessary to assure that students seeking to express their own individual rights do not, at the same time, infringe upon the rights of others. The responsibility for the development and maintenance of self-discipline falls to the cooperative efforts of students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community.
Some behavior is much more serious than other behavior and requires different approaches and clearly defined actions. Reprimand, corporal punishment, probation, referral to special personnel in the schools (Counselor, assistant principal, principal), parent conferences, suspension, referral to special central office personnel (pupil personnel or psychological), and expulsion are devices available to school discipline problems. Any or all of the techniques will be used; however, certain acts of misconduct will subject the students to suspension or expulsion from school. Please refer to the insert form for specific rules of conduct and more information.
SATURDAY SCHOOL
Students must be able to attend one or more sessions of Saturday School for disciplinary problems such as excessive tardies or truancies, smoking and other rule infractions. Saturday School will begin at 8:00 A.M. and run until 11:00 A.M Proper conduct and work must be exhibited at all times during Saturday School. Failure to serve or refusal to serve will result in suspension or expulsion. The maximum number of assignments to Saturday School is three per year. Each student will be required to do a writing assignment in addition to school work.
DETENTIONS
Students can be assigned to serve an after-school detention and will be allowed three days to serve the assigned detention/s. Failure to serve a detention will result in a Saturday School assignment, out-of-school suspensions, or community service. A writing assignment must be completed during detention in order to get credit.
SELLING CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES OR ALCOHOL
A. That any student engaging in the selling or possession of a controlled substance or alcohol on school grounds shall be expelled from school for a period of one year. Students recommended for expulsion by the building principal shall be implemented within the terms and processes of P.L. 162.
B. That any student engaging in the selling of a controlled substance or alcohol be reported to law enforcement officials. School officials are directed to submit evidence pertaining to the matter to said law enforcement officials upon request.
C. That any student found guilty of selling controlled substances or alcohol, and who is subsequently expelled, be notified of the trespass laws of the State of Indiana and informed that he/she will be prosecuted in the event that he/she enters school grounds before, during or after school hours for the full period of the expulsion. "School ground" is defined as property belonging to the school corporation.
STUDENTS DRIVING TO SCHOOL-STUDENT VEHICLES
Driving to school is a privilege; not a right. In order to retain this privilege students must abide by the following rules:
1. Students who drive to school must register their vehicle in the bookstore.
2. Students are to park in the lot located to the west of the school.
3. Student drivers must give the right-of-way to pedestrians and school buses at all times. You are NOT to leave the parking lot after school until all school buses have cleared the parking lot.
4. Once a student has entered the building, he/she will not be permitted to return to his/her vehicle during the school day. Only in extenuating circumstances with permission from the main office will this rule be waved.
Procedure for the Registration of a Student Vehicle
1. Student drivers must obtain a student parking permit through the bookstore.
2. A driver's license and/or student I.D. must be shown in order to obtain a parking permit.
3. Registration forms must be completed in full.
4. Parking permits are to be displayed on the vehicles rear view mirror.
5. Failure or refusal to register a vehicle will result in the loss of driving privileges.
6. Vehicles illegally parked, parked in the wrong area, etc. will be issued a warning sticker. Repeated parking violations will result in the vehicle being towed at the owner's expense.
FIGHTING
Any student involved in a fight at Martinsville High School may be suspended out of school for five (5) days. Involvement in a second fight will result in a recommendation for expulsion.
STUDENT DRESS CODE
All students attending Martinsville High School are expected to dress neatly and appropriately in order to maintain the proper educational atmosphere. Clothing that can be considered disruptive to others is prohibited.
The following guidelines are to be followed:
1. Clothing with rips or tears above the knees are not permitted.
2. Dresses, skirts, shorts, or similar clothing must be within four (4) inches of the kneecap when standing.
3. Writing, pictures or other messages on clothing that could be interpreted as being suggestive or vulgar in nature will not be tolerated. It is strongly suggested that students limit the messages on their clothes to school names, acceptable business or brand name, or clothing sold at Martinsville High School.
4. Any clothing that reveals fully or partially any areas of the chest, back, or midriff is not permitted.
5. Caps or any head wear covering most of the hairline is not permitted during school hours.
6. Any coat, jacket or other outerwear that has pockets in not permitted during school hours.
RESPECT FOR FACILITIES
Our facilities are seen by many people. The appearance of these buildings reflects upon the student body. Students involved in destruction of school property are expected to pay for the damages. Intentional vandalism in considered to be very serious and will be dealt with accordingly.
TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Cigarettes: Students are not permitted to smoke cigarettes on school grounds at any time or to have cigarettes in their possession on school grounds at any time. Repeated violation is grounds for suspension.
Skoal, Snuff, Chewing Tobacco and other similar products: Any student found using any of these products on school grounds or during any school function or activity will be suspended from school. Possession of any of these products on school grounds or during any school function or activity could also result in the student being suspended from school.
ABSENCES
When a student is absent from school, a parent of guardian should call the Attendance Clerk _________ and report the following (A) Student's name and grade. (B) Relationship of caller to student. (C) Reason for absence, and (D) Dates covered by current absences. Parents should call before 1:00 P.M on the day of the absence. The call will serve the purpose of a written note. If the absence is not reported by telephone, the student may give a written note signed by his/her parents or physician to the Attendance Clerk. Call within a reasonable time.
ATTENDANCE
It is the policy of the Board of School Trustees that parents are responsible for the attendance of their children in school. Corrections of absenteeism are the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian, but the school will assist in all possible ways.
Absences for any class are not to exceed six (6) days per semester. Students are guaranteed the opportunity to earn credit in any course in which six (6) or fewer absences have occurred. Students who miss more than six (6) days per semester in any class will lose credit unless those absences past six (6) days are due to illness verified by a doctor's statement, death of a family member, or any preapproved absence by an administrator. After a total of twelve (12) absences from any class, credit will not be given unless an attendance committee determines credit can be given. It is the responsibility of the student and/or parent to request such a hearing/review. Any student who has lost credit in half or more of his/her classes due to absenteeism may be recommended for expulsion. Students who have lost credit in any class are expected to fully participate and behave in these classes until the end of the semester when a schedule change can be made. Doctor's statements will be required after a total of twelve (12) absences for the school year. If a student is sent home from school via our school clinic, this will serve in place of a doctor's statement.
CLOSED LUNCH HOUR
Students are not to leave the building during lunch time unless prior arrangements have been made. (See Leaving School.) Students are to remain inside the building from time of arrival until dismissal. Violators can be suspended from school.
LEAVING SCHOOL
* Before granting permission for a student to leave school, there must be either written or verbal approval from the parent or guardian. If the student has a doctor or dental appointment, he/she should bring a note to the Attendance Clerk before school and obtain an our-of-school pass. At the time indicated on the pass, the student should then report to the Attendance Clerk and sign out. If the student returns to school that same, he/she is to report back to the Attendance Clerk with the original pass signed by the doctor or dentist, and obtain a permit slip to class. If the student cannot return to school until the next day, he/she must bring the pass signed by the doctor or dentist back to the Attendance Clerk.