Student Handbook of Excel High School

• Stephanie Sibley... Headmaster
• Imogene Drummer... Dean of Students
• Susan Maday... Senior Curriculum Access Coordinator
• Maura McCormack... Student Development Counselor
• Esmirna Soto... Parent Coordinator
• Mrs. Downs... Secretary

The mission of Excel High School is to foster academic achievement and creative expression. Excel High School seeks to cultivate well-rounded students who are prepared for success in college and careers, and to be productive members of a culturally diverse society.

We recognize each member of the school community as an individual, and that each member may have a different style of teaching and learning; however, we do hold high expectations for teaching and learning. We believe that a well-ordered and disciplined school guarantees a safe and comfortable instructional environment for students, teachers, and staff. We believe that all members of the school community have the right to this safe environment. We believe in a strong code of ethics that upholds the highest standards of honesty, dignity, and integrity. We believe that our school is committed to the development of knowledgeable youth who are also critical thinkers. We believe that each student should have full access to books and supplies that will enhance their learning experience. We believe that each member of the school community should have full access to information technology. We believe that a well-ordered school offers the same set of rules for everyone, and provides fair and equitable application of those rules. We believe that ALL students can learn.

Students at Excel High School will…

• Write and speak knowledgably and effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences.
• Reason logically, applying diverse methods of data collection in order to improve analysis, to answer questions, and to solve problems.
• Employ technology to gather, analyze, synthesize, and convey information, as well as to express themselves creatively.
• Read, evaluate, and interpret various materials and apply what they have learned to their academic and personal lives.
• Listen and participate actively in a variety of academic and nonacademic forums.

Students at Excel High School will…

• Develop social habits essential to student success, consideration and compassion for others, collaboration, perseverance, self-direction, initiative, and responsibility.
• Act with integrity and be accountable to themselves, to the school, and to the community at large.
• Learn to make appropriate, healthy choices for their physical and emotional wellbeing.

Students at Excel High School will…

• Adhere to community standards as defined by the Code of Conduct.
• Practice ethical decision making and understand the impact of individual actions on the larger community.
• Behave in a respectful and ethical manner.

In order to create a healthy and productive learning environment while ensuring their success, all students at Excel High School MUST:

• Be on time for school and all classes.
• Come to class prepared to learn with all of your supplies. See individual teachers’ syllabus for required supplies.
• The following items are prohibited in school during school hours, 7:25 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.: all electronic devices, radios, walkmans, beepers, cell phones, IPods, MP3 players, headphones, ear buds, any form of “headgear,” sports equipment, cards, or games. These items will be confiscated.
• Respect the school dress code by wearing proper attire at all times. This means that hats, head-coverings, sport bandanas, sunglasses, halter tops, shirts exposing portions of the midriff, short-shorts, short skirts, tank tops, visible undergarments, or any other clothing that is inappropriate (due to material printed on clothing or inadequate coverage of skin) are not allowed in the school or classroom. Inappropriate material printed on clothes includes: alcohol, cigarettes, weapons, sexually explicit images, and drugs. Short Shorts, Skirts, and Dresses must be 4 inches from knee. Clothing should not let any of the following B body parts be visible: back, breast, belly, and bottoms.
• Refrain from defacing any part of the building. Keep the building, classrooms, desks, hallways, stairwells, and bathrooms clean at all times.
• Eat only in the cafeteria; gum, candy, and all other food and drink, including Dunkin Donuts, are prohibited outside the cafeteria.
• Refrain from engaging in verbal or physical violence, including the use of foul language.
• Do not ask for or take a hall pass during the first 10 minutes or the last 10 minutes of class.
• Follow all classroom instructions given by teachers.
• Learn to respect and appreciate human differences.
• Respect teachers, staff, and each other.

All students should demonstrate the following attitudes and behaviors:

• Do your best in all classes and take the appropriate measures to remain enthusiastic about learning.
• Do your homework nightly and seek assistance with homework on days determined by teachers.
• Be respectful of all members of the Excel community including yourself.
• Be responsible and accountable for your own actions and academic work.
• Follow all school and classroom rules and regulations.
• Demonstrate good audience behavior.
• Develop a sense of honesty and integrity towards your work, words, and relationships.
• Seek to improve yourself.

• School hours are 7:25 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Teachers start class immediately at 7:25 a.m. In order to be on time for learning, students should arrive to school no later than 7:20 a.m. Any student arriving after 7:25 a.m. will be marked tardy for that day.
• The 1993 Massachusetts Education Reform Law requires high school students to be engaged in 990 hours of structured learning time per year. Students who arrive later than 10:23am will be marked absent for the day. At Excel High School, we expect students to attend all their classes and to be on time.
• Students who arrive late to any of their classes will have points deducted from their term grade. Every 3 tardies will result in 1 percentage point off of the term grade. For example, if a student was late 27 times in a term, his/her term grade would be reduced by 9%.
• Students who arrive late to any class will lose hall pass privileges for that day.

Early dismissals are given only in emergencies. On the day before the early dismissal is needed, students must give a note to Ms. Wilson, who will verify by a telephone call to the parent or guardian. No credit for the day’s attendance will be given to students leaving before 10:23am. Early dismissal for health reasons is honored only if the school nurse authorizes them. There should not be early dismissal for medical/dental appointments, except for emergency cases as certified by a note from a physician or dentist. Request for the second early dismissal for routine appointments will be denied; these must be schedule for after school hours. All students leaving early must report to the main office for an early dismissal slip.

When a student is absent and has seen a doctor, had a court appointment, or other official business, parents/guardians should send a note from that doctor or other professional. If a student is absent for minor illness and needs to remain at home, the parent/guardian must send a note to the Headmaster explaining the reason for the absence. Only 3 parent/guardian notes will be accepted per year.The Headmaster will decide if each absence is excused or unexcused. Notes from either parents/guardians or professionals sent after 5 days of the absence will NOT be honored. If your child is very sick and cannot get an appointment to be seen by a doctor please bring him/ her to the school to be seen by the nurse. Excel High School will follow BPS policy when students have exceeded the allowed number of unexcused absences in a term or for a school year.

When a student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to get all of the missed work and to arrange make up tests with his/her teachers. This must be done within one week of the student’s return to school. Students can only make up work, turn in homework, and make up tests with an excused absence. Students with unexcused absences cannot make up any or turn in any missed work from the date of their unexcused absence.

It is the student’s responsibility to fill out the excused absence form. Students should attach their note to the form and turn it into the Office Manager. Once it is approved by the Headmaster, it is the student’s responsibility to take that form to each of his/her teachers for signatures. Once every teacher has signed the form, it is the student’s responsibility to return the form to the office.

• Students with 4 or more unexcused absences in a term will be given No Credit (NC) in lieu of a grade for that term.
• The NC indicates that the student has a passing grade in the course, but is receiving an NC for the term due to their unexcused absences.

Changes to a letter grade:

• If the student has not exceeded more than 3 unexcused absences by the end of the next term, the teacher will replace the NC of the previous term with the original earned grade.
• If the student has earned 4 or more unexcused absences again, an F (Fail) with a value of 59% will replace the NC.
• NCs will not be given for 4th term. If a student is receiving an NC for any class during term 4, that class’ term grade will be calculated as a 59%
• Final exam grades cannot replace any NCs.

No passes are to be issued during the first and last 10 minutes of each period. Students must have a blue color-coded pass. No other forms of passes are accepted. Students without blue color-coded passes will be subject to the BPS Code of Discipline. Students who abuse the number of times outside the classroom with a pass or without it will be placed in the “No Hallway Pass” list, which means that students lose the privilege to leave the classroom on their on.

Excel High School students may only use Excel’s designated staircases. Excel students are not allowed in Monument High School and Odyssey High School before, during, or after school. Students found in off-limit areas will be suspended.

If an evacuation is necessary, students will obey their teachers’ directions and proceed quickly and quietly to safety outside the building. After a fire drill or an actual emergency, all students will re-enter the building only after instructed to do so by the Headmaster. Attendance will be taken as soon as students return to class. If students do not return, it will be considered a cut and will result in disciplinary action.

All Excel High School students will be issued an ID card within the first month of school. Students must scan their ID cards when entering the building. These cards must be with students at all times. Students must present them upon request by any building staff. The first card is issued at no cost to the student. If the card is lost or stolen, the student will be expected to pay $3.00 for a new card.

Weather related school closings are announced over the radio and early news channels. If school must be closed for any other emergency during the school day, the school administration will make the announcements.

Vandalism and Graffiti are considered destruction of school property. Students found damaging or writing on any school property are subject to suspension, arrest, and prosecution. Violators will also be required to provide financial restitution and community service hours.

In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 71, Section 2A, and school board policies, all schools are smoke-free facilities. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the building or on school grounds or at school-sponsored activities.

Any substances found on school property will be confiscated and not returned. An administrator will follow the BPS and State Law.

No Bullying
In accordance with Massachusetts State Law, there will be zero tolerance for any type of bullying and any instances of bullying will be reported to the Boston Police.

Dress Code
In order to maintain a comfortable and productive learning environment for students and for faculty/staff, and to comply with the sexual harassment policy, sometimes overrides individual rights. For example, undergarments, including boxer shorts or basketball shorts, should not be visible, and an excess of skin should not be revealed. Footwear must be worn to comply with health codes.
All members of the community may address concerns about the dress code directly to the Dean of Students or other administrators.

No Sexual Touching
This includes touching of breast, buttocks, crotch, stomach, and inner thighs. Such touching can constitute “Indecent Assault and Battery,” a felony under Massachusetts General Law (e.g. G.L.c.265, 13B).

No kissing

No Inappropriate and Intimidating Physical Contact
This includes hitting, punching, pinching, restraining a person or blocking a person’s pathway, grabbing, slapping, inappropriate lap sitting, or pulling hair. Such behavior can constitute “Assault and battery” a felony under Massachusetts General Law (G.L.c265, 13A).

No Pulling Off or Lifting Your Own or Another’s Clothing
Such exposure can constitute a felony under Massachusetts Law.

Students must have an assigned locker. Only one student per locker. Students may NOT share lockers. If you share lockers you will lose your privileges. Students are allowed to use their assigned lockers before school, during the 3 minute passing time, before lunch, and upon dismissal. On any given day/time, random searchers of any student locker can occur. Any searches and seizures will be conducted solely for the safety and wellbeing of students and adults in the Excel High School.

The best advice for students is not to store anything in his/her locker that he/she would not want school officials or police to know about.

The use of any electronic devices such as cell phones, I Pods, MP3 players, CD players, headphones, and electronic games and texting devices in classrooms is strictly prohibited.

1. Students are permitted to use cell phones only during the following times:
   • before and after school hours outside or inside the school building;
   • at after-school or sports activities, only with the permission of the coach, instructor or program director;
   • at evening or weekend activities inside the school building.
2. The use of cell phones – including calls, text messaging and other functions– is not permitted at any other time on school grounds.
3. Cell phones must not be visible during the school day and must be turned completely off (not simply on silent or vibrate mode) during the school day.

If a phone rings or a student takes out a phone in class, the following consequences will be enacted:

First offense: Student’s cell phone will be confiscated and given to the office. At the end of the school day, students must go to the office to pick it up and sign it out.

Second offense: Parent or guardian must come to school to get the cell phone or other electronic device. Repeated offenses may result in loss of cell phone and/or other electronic devices privilege for the year.

Third offense: The Headmaster will take the phone. The student may pick up the phone on the last official day of the school year.

• Excel High School follows the BPS technology policies and State and Federal laws .
• Students may only use technology equipment and facilities for instructional purposes.
• Students must be authorized by a faculty member to use the technology resources offered in the school.
• Students must not use Excel’s technology equipment to gain or download unauthorized access to computing facilities of other institutions, organizations, or individuals.
• Students may not print assignments after 7:15 a.m. on any computer on Excel’s floor. Computer labs are open after school for printing needs. The library is also open for printing before school for a small fee.

Cheating includes but is not limited to acts of plagiarism, copying from a student, using someone else’s work and claiming it as your own, talking and bringing unauthorized items such as books, written essays, and notes to a testing session or classroom testing. Students may not plagiarize the words, ideas, images, or other work offered in published sources. All quotes, paraphrases, ideas, and images must be properly cited in the MLA format.

Individual teachers will determine consequences for infractions of this policy, up to and including issuing a failing grade for the work in question.

The first time a student cheats or plagiarizes, it will result in a zero on that assignment and it will be reported to the Dean of Students and Headmaster A disciplinary letter will go in the student’s permanent record and that student may face suspension.

If a student is caught cheating and/or plagiarizing, it could jeopardize their class standing.

When a student receives a suspension-hearing letter, it means:

1. 1. There has been a violation of the Code of Discipline.
2. 2. A parent/guardian must accompany the student to school for the hearing on the scheduled date, and then a decision will be made to determine if he or she may be suspended.
3. 3. If a parent/guardian is unable to attend the hearing by the scheduled date, a phone call to the school should be made to reschedule the appointment prior to the date on the hearing letter.
4. 4. The student will not be allowed in school until a parent/guardian has either:
   • Accompanied the student for the hearing
   • A phone conversation with an administrator has been made
5. 5.The student will have one week to make up the work.

If there are any questions, feel free to contact Mrs. Drummer, Dean of Students at 617-635-9870 ext. 2115

Students on suspension are not permitted in the building or on school grounds. They may not participate in any school programs, athletic, events, extracurricular activities, the Prom, or any fieldtrips.

Excel High School prides itself on providing a rigorous academic atmosphere. In order to graduate, all students must take and pass the following courses:

• 4 years of English Language Arts
• 4 years of Mathematics
• 3 years of History
• 3 years of Science
• 2 years of the same Foreign Language
• 2 years of Technology
• 1 year of Wellness / Health/ Physical Education
• 1 year of Art

Additionally, students must pass the MCAS in English, Math, History and one Science Course. Students must also fulfill the requirements stated in their state mandated Education Proficiency Plan (EPP). Students must apply to 2 post-secondary institutions and must also give a copy of every acceptance and financial aid letter to the senior advisor. Seniors applying to 2 year or 4 year colleges must apply to at least 1 state school.

Excel High School offers Honors sections of certain courses and Advanced Placement in ELA, Calculus, Biology, and Economics for students who are willing to take advantage of this academic enrichment program.

The University of Massachusetts Boston’s Admission Guaranteed Program guarantees admission to the University for students enrolled at the South Boston Education Complex. Recruitment for the program is focused primarily on ninth and tenth graders.

The goals of Admission Guaranteed are:

• To help students and their parents formulate clear educational goals and the steps necessary to achieve them.
• To provide concrete incentives for students to achieve at a higher level.
• To increase student's awareness of available opportunities for post-secondary education.
• To raise the level of student's preparedness for higher education.

All 9^th & 10^th grade students are encouraged to apply. Any student in the 12^th grade that is enrolled in the program is automatically offered admission to UMASS Boston as long as they achieve a 2.75 GPA or higher and a combined score of at least 800 on the Critical Reading and Math sections of the SAT. Students who are not enrolled in this program are expected to achieve a 3.0 GPA or higher and a combined score of a 1000 on the Critical Reading & Math sections of the SAT.

Teachers assign a minimum of one half hour of homework per night. Students are responsible for writing down assignments and turning them in by the established deadlines. Homework is an important part of the grading criteria for each marking term.

If you need more help, you can also call COPE Homework Hotline – Mondays-Thursdays, 4-8pm at 1-800-646-2673. This hotline is run by Harvard students for any subject and any grade.

Students can also set after-school appointments with the Headmaster to receive additional support or if they need to discuss any other issues.

If the budget allows, Excel High School offers the following programs to all students who need some support during the school day as well as after school.

• MCAS for students who have to re-take the exam in Math, English, or Science.
• MCAS for first time takers
• MCAS especially designed for English Language Learners

Excel High School offers a number of opportunities for students to recover any courses they may have failed while in high school. This is to help students graduate within four years. These programs will be offered each year if the school budget allows. These programs have strict attendance policies. Students are allowed only 2 absences (whether excused or unexcused). Students will be discharge from the program upon the third absence.

After School Tutorial Program (ATP)

This program is offered exclusively at Excel High School. This program is offered to 11^th and 12^th grade students. There are two semesters. During each semester, students are eligible to take one course, thus giving students the opportunity to make up two courses in one school year. The program is held twice a week from 2:00-4:00pm. If a student does not come to school during the day when their ATP course is scheduled or leaves school without permission, he/she will be marked absent from the program on that day. Students are not allowed to attend their ATP course after school if they did not attend school during the day.

Credit Skills Course Recovery (online)

This is a district-wide program offered to 12^th graders who need up to 4 additional courses to graduate. Students will be enrolled online and must attend the computer lab (in the SBEC library) at least twice a week. Students have the ability to work on these courses from home or anywhere they have internet access. Student are NOT allowed to work on these courses while they are supposed to be in school. If a student is caught working on their course while they should be at school they will discharged from the program. Log-in attendance is strictly monitored. Students are also required to take a Posttest in each course. Students must pass with a 75% or greater in order to pass the test. Posttests must be taken in person at the computer lab and students are allowed to use their notes from their course work. This program is designed for independent learning, so there is no time limit on the courses. It may take the students a few weeks to finish the course if they work steadily, however if the students procrastinate it may take them a few months.

Summer Scholars

This is a district-wide program offered to 9^th graders who may have failed English Language Arts and/or Algebra I or have failed one of the district benchmarks. To be eligible for this program, students must earn an F+ (50-59%) in their course and must not exceed 30 days absent (both excused and unexcused). The Summer Transition Program takes place at the South Boston Education Complex.

Summer Review

This is a district-wide program offered to 9^th, 10^th, 11^th and 12^th graders who have failed a course. To be eligible for this program, students must earn an F+ (50-59%) in their course and must not exceed 30 days absent (both excused and unexcused). 9^th grades who have passed English Language Arts and Algebra I, but need to recover credit for History or Science will be eligible to attend. 9^th and 10^th grade students will be eligible to sign up for one course, while 11^th and 12^th grade students will be eligible for two courses.

Academic Habits for all Students Grades 9^th-12^th:

• Come prepared to school with all materials.
• Be on time for all classes.
• Have minimal absences.
• Do all homework.
• Seek help from teachers.

Additionally, 9^th graders should:

• Begin to plan for future standardized exams-MCAS, PSATs, etc.

Additionally, 10^th graders should:

• Prepare for the April and May MCAS by seeking outside help from teachers and agencies.
• Be a role model for 9^th graders.
• Begin to think about the SAT and other standardized exams.

Additionally, 11^th graders should:

• Make sure you have passed the MCAS. If you haven't, seek assistance to prepare for the retest.
• Take the SAT.
• Make a plan for college and/or future career.
• Be a role model for 9^th and 10^th graders.
• Fill out the Common Application for college.
• See student development counselor to ensure that you are on track to graduate next year.

Additionally, 12^th graders should:

• Take the SAT in October.
• See student development counselor to ensure that you have taken ALL required courses to graduate.
• Make a plan for college and/or future career.
• Be a role model for 9^th, 10^th, and 11^th graders
• Be sure you have turned in everything for your next year plans.
• Second half of the year - begin to think about what you can give back to the Excel School Community.

Individual teachers will designate specific supplies for their classes. Students should plan, however, on needing the following supplies for every school year:

• 5 blue or black pens
• 5 number 2 pencils
• 1 ruler
• 1 graph calculator
• index cards
• binders
• single subject notebooks
• folders
• dividers
• loose leaf paper
• flash drive

Students and their parents/guardians will need to sign a book contract for EVERY textbook issued. That contract explains that the textbooks are property of Excel High School and that the student is responsible for that textbook. The contract also states that students MUST present their course specific textbook or pay for lost books in order to take both Mid Year and Final Exams. If a student comes to take the test without the book or payment receipt they will be allowed to take that day’s portion of the test, but their score on that portion will automatically be reduced by 50%. If the student does not return the book the next day, the entire test score will be voided. There will be NO make up exams for students who do not bring in their textbooks or payment receipt. At the end of the year, textbooks and all paperbacks will be collected and rescanned. Students who do not turn in any book or do not pay for any missing book will NOT be promoted to the next grade.

In order for students to be promoted to the next grade or for seniors to graduate, students are required to sign-out. This process happens at the end of each year. During the last week of school students will receive an orange card in home room with their schedule listed on it. Attached to the orange card is a student elective blank. Students will be instructed to fill out the elective blank and go around to their teachers throughout the day to have the teachers sign off that the student has returned their books and does not owe the teacher and/or school any other materials such as athletic equipment or uniforms. Student must also see the Dean of Students to obtain her signature to verify that they have cleaned out their locker and returned their lock.

Each grade level will be assigned a certain time and place when they are to report to sign-out with their guidance counselor. Students are to follow their class schedule except for their designated sign-out time. No student will be allowed to sign out except during this time. Students are to continue coming to school even after they have signed out their books and other materials. Faculty and staff will have other activities planned for the students for the remainder of the week.

• Prom is a regular school day.
• Any student who leaves early on Prom day without an approved excused absence from the Headmaster will lose 5% from the final exam of each class they miss.
• Students who are absent on Prom day and then attend the Prom will not get to make up any missed work or tests or turn in any work that was due on that day.
• Any student whose suspension falls on the date of the Prom may not attend Prom that evening.

Seniors who fall under any of the following conditions will not be eligible to participate in the graduation/commencement ceremony: They can pick up their diploma the day after graduation.

• Seniors with 50 or more tardies and/or more than 12 unexcused absences.
• Seniors with 5 or more official suspensions within their senior year.
• Seniors who have not returned or paid for all their textbooks, locks, athletic equipment, JROTC equipment, Senior Dues, or any other fees owed to the school, and/or were not officially signed-out by their Student Development Counselor.

In order for seniors to participate in all senior week activities and events, they must pay their senior dues to the Excel Senior Advisor by the designated date. If there are extenuating circumstances regarding payment, the student must see the Senior Advisor.

Seniors with 30 or more absences will not be eligible for summer school and will have to repeat the course at Excel High School.

Students are encouraged to participate in the following extra curricular activities:

*Students MUST maintain a GPA of 1.7 to be eligible for athletics.

South Boston Community Health Center Boston Medical Center

South Boston Collaborative Center
Peer Health Exchange
Boys and Girls Club of Boston
Boston Centers for Youth and Families
Home for Little Wanderers
Laboure
MSPCC
Neponset Health Center
Vietnamese-American Civic Association
Geiger Gibson Community Health Center
Facing History and Ourselves
Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
In-Tec Scholars Program
Classroom at the Work Place Paid Internships
After school Reading Club for Boys and Girls
NFTE Classes
Eze Castle Software
Boston Private Industry Council, Inc
Job Shadowing
Summer Internships
Part-time job placements

Note that the schedule is subjected to change during the second half of the school year.

Period	Time
1	7:25 A.M. - 8:20 A.M.
2	8:33 A.M. - 9:28 A.M.
3	9:31 A.M. - 10:26 A.M.
4-Part 1	10:29 A.M. - 10:57 A.M.
Lunch 10:57 A.M. - 11:22 A.M.
4-Part 2	11:25 A.M. - 10:50 A.M.
5	11:53 A.M. - 12:48 P.M.
6	12:51 A.M. - 1:45 P.M.