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SECTION IV - RULES. REGULATIONS AND POLICIES Any student who arrives at Period One after the 7:25 bell will be considered late to school and will be sent to the appropriate house office for a late pass. Those students who are on school grounds or in the school building and do not report to period ONE will be marked as skipping class. For the purpose of clarification, a student must be present for at least half the period in order to be counted as present for that day. Presence for less than half the class will be considered an absence. ATTENDANCE Attendance is the responsibility of the student and parent/guardian OR student who is absent from a full year full-time course for nineteen (19) days, from a half year full-time course for ten (10) days will not receive any credit for that course. Credit for individual classes on a student's schedule is dependent on a student's presence in the class. Tardy to school and early dismissals can affect a student's absence total for a specific class. Note: If a student enters Ludlow High School after September, the above days will be prorated. In addition, parents/guardians of students who are absent will receive a courtesy call through the Connect-Ed system on that evening informing them of their child's absence. Eleventh (11) and twelfth (12) grade students will be denied credit from physical education if they accumulate eight (8) absences during the course of the school year. Ninth (9) and tenth (10) grade students will be denied physical education credit if they accumulate twelve (12) absences. Monthly notification will be sent out to all students who are at risk of losing credit due to the attendance policy by the House Administrator. Loss of credit in individual courses due to violation of the LHS attendance policy will be reflected on the report card. Denial of course credit because of excessive absence will not affect course grades, which will be awarded as earned. For example, a student may earn a grade of "D" in sophomore English despite accumulating 35 absences. His/her final report card will indicate "DNC"; a grade of D and no credit. The student will have to take an additional English course to meet the four year five credit graduation requirement for English although he/she passed sophomore English with a grade of "D". Please refer to page 30 in regard to summer school guidelines. Students absent from school for a period of four consecutive days or more must bring a note from home to their house office upon their return. If a student is going to be out of school due to a family vacation, parent/ guardian must send in a letter with the dates of absence to the house office. An Administrative Approval form will be given to the student for teacher acknowledgement. Any tests must be made up within one week's time. NOTE: These dates are not appealable. See page 4. Once on school property, students are not allowed to leave until the scheduled end of that day. The following will be exempted from the attendance policy. Teachers should record the absence as exempted and shall not accumulate said absences toward this policy.
According to state law, (Chapter 76, Section 1) parents/guardians have the legal responsibility to ensure that their children are in attendance each day school is in session. Please review the LHS attendance policy. Excessive absences, tardiness, and early dismissals have a negative effect on test scores, class participation, and other criteria used by the classroom teacher to establish satisfactory performance. Parents will receive notice when their child is absent or tardy seven (7) days cumulative. When a student is absent or tardy for a total of twelve (12) days, a meeting may be held with administration. Excessive absences may jeopardize a student's promotion and/or successful course completion. Absences due to circumstances other than illness are considered unexcused. Classroom teachers are under no obligation to provide work for unexcused absences. The school reserves the right to request a doctor's note in the case of excessive absences. Students who are absent are considered ineligible for participation in any after-school activities on the day of the absence. A note from a parent or guardian must accompany the student upon his/her return from any absence. Arrangements should be made with the classroom teacher to clarify when and how work needs to be completed. It is the responsibility of the student to make up class work missed during any absence. Failure to complete class work will negatively impact a student's grade. Consult the table below to be sure that your child is on time and in school for a full day.
There are NO appeals regarding the attendance policy with the exception of documented hospitalization under the care of a physician for three or more consecutive days or long term illness requiring continuing medical treatment, resulting in continual absences (i.e. chemotherapy, dialysis, etc.). In such cases an attendance waiver must be requested through the Assistant Principal in a timely fashion. No attendance waivers will be processed after June 30. If a student is receiving continuous treatment by a counselor/psychiatrist, and the treatment prevents the student from attending school, the student's counselor/ psychiatrist must submit on his/her office letterhead a diagnosis of the medical condition along with a prognosis and suggested timeline. If the medical condition can be treated with medication and/or appointments after school, no waived days may be granted. (Please note that regular doctor visits for illness are considered part of your 18 allotted sick days.) Any and all notes requesting a waiver for missed school days must be brought to the house office within five days of the student's original doctor's appointment. These notes will be stamped with the date received and placed into the student's file. Any notes received after the five day requirement will not be valid and cannot be used to waive missed school days. All requests for waivers will be reviewed at the end of each marking term.
Students wishing to be dismissed during the school day must bring in a written note from a parent/guardian stating the time of the requested dismissal. Students will not be dismissed over the phone or by fax. Students who are picked up for early dismissal without a note will only be released to a person named on the contact list. ADMISSION
TO LHS SPONSORED/SUPERVISED EVENTS Students must be in school to attend any after school activities. Students are advised that a Passive Alcohol Screener (PAS) will be used as a requirement for admission to selected school events. The screener will be administered only by members of the high school staff and is considered non-invasive because it does not use anything that must be placed in the mouth. Any student or guest accompanying the student who refuses to take the screening will not be allowed to attend. If alcohol is detected, the student will be detained until a parent/guardian comes for him/her and he/she will be subject to disciplinary consequences described in the Ludlow High School Handbook. ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGES/CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES The possession of, serving of, selling of, or consumption of any alcoholic beverages or controlled substance on school property, on school busses or at any school sponsored function is prohibited. Further, students and their guests will not be permitted to attend school or any school sponsored activity regardless of where the activity is held if he/she displays conduct or physical characteristics leading the school's teachers/ administration to believe that he/she has consumed either an alcoholic beverage or a controlled substance. Violation of this policy will result in a five (5) day external suspension from school, plus a five (5) day ED and the police will be notified. Parents will be notified of the incident. On the second or subsequent offense, the incident(s) may result in a further suspension from school and/or expulsion and a report being filed with the police department. Student athletes may be subject to further disciplinary action through MIAA regulations or specific team policy. Nonparticipating students of a field trip are required to attend school. DISCIPLINE, APPEALS, AND DUE PROCESS PROCEDURES GUIDELINES-SHORT TERM SUSPENSIONS OF TEN (10) DAYS OR LESS
IF A DETERMINATION IS MADE THAT THE ACTIONS OF A STUDENT WILL RESULT IN A LONG TERM SUSPENSION OF MORE THAN TEN (10) DAYS, OR AN EXPULSION
AUTHORIZED LEAVES FROM DIRECTED LEARNING TIME Under no circumstance will a student be permitted to leave a study hall until such time as the following requirements are met: A student desiring to meet with his/her guidance counselor or visit the library during an assigned study period must obtain a pass from the counselor or classroom teacher indicating the exact day and time of departure. This is to be done before school, during lunch or after school prior to the school day. The student will report to his/ her assigned study hall and present the pass to the teacher. After attendance has been taken, the teacher will record the time the student leaves the study hall. The counselor/library personnel will countersign the pass indicating the time the student left to return to the study hall. If the block ends, the student has the responsibility of seeing that the pass is returned to the study hall teacher. Failure to comply with these procedures will be treated in the same manner as an unexcused absence from class. DISCIPLINARY ACTION REGARDING SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS All students are expected to meet the requirements for behavior as set forth in this handbook and to abide by Ludlow's Code of Conduct. The individual with Disabilities Education Act 20 U.S.C. s1400, et seg.,s300.519, et seg., and Massachusetts General Lawac.71B require that additional provisions be made for disciplining students who have been found by an evaluation TEAM to have special needs and whose program is described in an Individual Educational Program (IEP). The IEP for every special needs student will indicate whether the student can be expected to meet the regular discipline code or if the student's handicapping conditions require modification. Any such modification will be described in the IEP. The Principal or designee will notify the Director of Student Support Services of the suspendable offense of a special needs student and a record will be kept of such notices. In making a determination to discipline a student with a disability, school personnel may consider any unique circumstances on a case by case basis. Special needs students who violate the school district's disciplinary standards may be subject to removal from the current placement for up to ten (10) cumulative school days to the same extent that such removal would be applied to students without disabilities. For exclusion longer than ten (10) cumulative school days, the TEAM must meet to conduct a manifestation determination (i.e., make a finding as to the relationship between the student's misconduct and his/her disability). If the TEAM determines that there is no relationship between the misconduct and the disability, the student may be disciplined to the same extent as a student without a disability. (However, the school must continue to provide services that enable the student to continue to participate in the general education curriculum and progress toward the goals contained within the IEP.) If the TEAM determines that the conduct is a manifestation of the student's disability or resulted from the school's failure to implement the IEP, the TEAM must conduct a functional behavior assessment, or if one already exists review and modify it as necessary. The student will then return to the original setting unless the TEAM agrees to a new placement. Under the following special circumstances, school personnel may change the placement of a special needs student to an interim alternative educational setting for up to forty-five (45) days if a student:
If a parent disagrees with the result of a manifest determination hearing, or if school personnel are concerned that the student's placement may result in injury to others, they may request a hearing with a Bureau of Special Education Appeals hearing officer. The annual school calendar is adopted by a duly elected school committee in accordance with the General Laws of the State of Massachusetts, Chapter 76, Section 1. All staff members will maintain all classes and activities as usual in the case of school disruption. There will be no exceptions! If any students should leave a class without authorization to engage in any activity disruptive to school operations, they shall be requested verbally by the school officials to return to class immediately. Students who do not comply with this request will be asked to leave the school grounds and parents will be notified. Disciplinary action in accordance with the school handbook will follow. Any student found guilty of setting off a fire alarm, or forcing evacuation of the building, will result in 10 days external suspension with possible expulsion. Police/fire department will be notified and legal action may be taken. The possession of, selling of, or consumption of any drug and/or controlled substance on school property, on school bus, or at any school function is prohibited. Further, students and their guests will not be permitted to attend school, or any school-sponsored activity, regardless of where the activity is held, if he/she displays characteristics leading the school's teachers/administrators to believe that he/she has consumed a non- prescriptive drug or controlled substance. REPORTING POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION Students are strongly encouraged to report information which might prevent a dangerous situation from developing. This includes, but is not limited to: talk of hurting oneself or another; talk of having or obtaining a firearm, explosive or other dangerous weapon; any plan which would put someone in jeopardy; any threat to harm an individual in any way. Any student who is aware of a potentially dangerous situation in school, on school premises, or at a school sponsored event is obligated to inform a school administrator or staff member immediately. Students should also report the presence of any individuals not authorized to be at Ludlow High School. The crisis team will convene to assess any reported potentially dangerous situation. OFFICE DETENTION - 2:00 PM - 2:50 PM/MONDAY - THURSDAY The following offenses constitute sufficient cause for a student being assigned office detention:
Students tardy after 8:20 AM, unless accompanied by a doctor's note, will be issued detention.
The above list is not all inclusive. Students may be assigned office detention for committing any other acts that interfere with the learning opportunities of other students or interfere with the operation of the school. Students who violate the discipline policy of the detention room will be immediately removed and given Extended Detention up to a maximum of Six (6) days. Accumulation of six hours of detention at anyone time - two days Extended Detention (ED). The school day ends for those students who have been assigned office detention at 2:50pm when detention has been completed. Permission to postpone detention may only be granted by the assistant principal or the dean of students. Detention is issued as a punishment, not a convenience; consequently, after school obligations such as jobs, babysitting, etc. are not acceptable excuses for not attending. Doctor's appointments are excused if a note is brought in from the doctor's office the next day. Students are responsible for making their own arrangements for transportation home. Failure to serve detention will result in one hour of detention being added to the original number of hours. Failure to serve a second time for the same offense will result in the detention turning into 2 extended detentions. NOTE: THE DAILY OFFICE DETENTION BEGINS PROMPTLY AT 2:00 P.M. IN THE CAFETERIA AND WILL END AT 2:50 P.M. ON MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. LATE TO DETENTION WILL BE TREATED AS LATE TO CLASS. AND ONE HOUR OF DETENTION WILL BE ADDED TO TOTAL. ONLY STUDENTS WITH A PASS ARRIVING AFTER 2:00 P.M. WILL BE EXEMPT FROM FURTHER DETENTION. ALL STUDENTS MUST EXIT THE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY AFTER BEING DISMISSED FROM DETENTION OR EXTENDED DETENEITON. EXTENDED
DETENTION - 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM/MONDAY - THURSDAY The following offenses constitute sufficient cause for a student's Extended Detention:
Students will be required to attend and complete the smoking cessation program during their DLT in the Health Office. The above list is not all-inclusive. Students may be assigned Days of Extended Detention for committing any other acts that interfere with the learning opportunities of other students or interfere with the operation of the school. Any student who accumulates more than six (6) days of extended detention will be externally suspended for two (2) days. A student who refuses to serve extended detention will have an additional ED added. A student who fails to serve a second time will then be externally suspended for two (2) days. Students are responsible for their own transportation and must leave the high school grounds immediately after Extended Detention is released. Failure to serve ED will result in another day of ED being assigned to the original number of days. REMOVAL OF A STUDENT FROM THE EXTENDED DETENTION Students who violate the discipline policy of the in-house suspension room will be immediately removed and placed on external suspension from school. Parents of the student(s) will be notified of the suspension the following day. DETENTION CONDUCT
VIOLATION OF STATE OR FEDERAL LAWS CAN RESULT IN PROSECUTION. The following offenses constitute sufficient cause for a student's suspension from school: -Any violation of General Law Chapter 269, Sec. 17, 18, 19, pg. (48-52)
The above list of infractions is not all-inclusive. A student may be externally suspended when it appears to be in the best interest of the school to do so. All students externally suspended from school will also be suspended from all school-related activities during the period of the suspension. Pursuant to our suspension/expulsion policy, a student is further prohibited from coming onto the property of any Ludlow Public School, including all of the district's elementary, middle and high schools. A student also may not attend or participate in any Ludlow Public Schools extracurricular or athletic event of any kind. If the suspended/expelled student is found on school property or at a school-sponsored event without permission, he/she will be considered a trespasser in violation of Mass. General Laws Chapter 266§ 123 and the Ludlow Police Department will be notified. Interrogation of students under the age of eighteen (18) in attendance at school shall not be conducted on school premises by outside agencies unless every effort has been made to obtain parental/guardian permission (see MIAA handbook at www.miaa.net or examples of possible violations). If a parent/ guardian cannot be reached to obtain permission, the interrogation will proceed at the discretion of the principal and then only in the principal's presence. INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY All athletic eligibility and policy is governed by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA). Ludlow High School may institute more stringent policies than that of the MIAA. The violation of any eligibility rule may result in forfeiture of a game won. A mistake could spoil a good season's record (see MIAA handbook at www.miaa.net for examples of possible violations). If, in your opinion, there is any doubt concerning your eligibility, consult the principal or athletic director. The rules apply to all teams. A STUDENT IS NOT ELIGIBLE IF:
All student athletes will travel to and from all athletic events with the coach and team when transportation is provided by Ludlow High School. Only the principal or athletic director may exempt a student athlete from traveling to or from an event by personal contact with the student athlete's parent or guardian. The Massachusetts Legislature has enacted a Physical Restraint Policy codified at 603 CMR 46.00, effective April 2, 2001. Parents and students are hereby notified that the Ludlow Public Schools will comply with the state Physical Restraint Policy in all of its schools. Physical restraint is defined as the use of bodily force to limit a student's freedom of movement. It will only be used in emergency situations when other less intrusive alternatives have failed or been deemed inappropriate, when needed to protect a student and/or member of the school community from imminent, serious, physical harm. In the event that physical restraint is required, Ludlow has enacted policies and procedures to ensure the proper use of restraint and to prevent or minimize any harm to the student as a result of the use of restraint. Ludlow's procedures will be reviewed annually, provided to school staff, and made available to parents of enrolled students. All staff/faculty will review Ludlow's Physical Restraint Policy, including interventions which may preclude the need for restraint, such as de-escalation of problematic behaviors. Certain staff members will be designated to participate in in-depth training on the use of physical restraint with students. Physical restraint will not be used as a means of punishment and will be limited to the use of such reasonable force as is necessary to protect a student or others from assault or imminent, serious, physical harm. The principal or his/her designee will inform the student's parents/guardians of the use of physical restraint pursuant to this policy as soon as possible and by written report postmarked no later than three school working days following the use of the restraint. Back to topRULES
AND REGULATIONS AT SCHOOL SPONSORED EVENTS All students attending or participating in a school sponsored event such as but no limited to athletic events, field trips, performances, or social functions are subject to all school policies and regulations. A student must be in school on the day of the event in order to participate or attend. Students wishing to participate in any after school activity must be in school for a minimum of four full class periods on the day of the event. Any student dismissed from school due to illness, regardless of the time, may not participate in any after school activity scheduled for that day. An administrator or teacher may deny a student presence at any school-sponsored event for violation of school rules. In addition, a student who violates, a school rule while attending or participating in the event may be denied access to any or all-future school sponsored events. RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR LUDLOW HIGH SCHOOL DANCES All students attending school dances must be present in school during the day the dance is held.
Ludlow strives to provide an environment focused on instruction and learning. Appropriate student dress has a positive impact on student learning, student behavior, and the overall educational environment. All students are required to be dressed in a manner that does not interfere with the health, safety, and welfare of themselves and other students. Dress that distracts from or disrupts the educational process and mission of the school is prohibited. The following are examples of standards that are designed to prevent disruption of the educational process. In order to prevent such disruption and ensure a safe and healthy learning environment, these standards must be observed at Ludlow High School and while representing Ludlow.
In addition to the non-exclusive listing above, any other clothing and attire found to be disruptive or distracting to the educational process or which may affect the safety of students will be a violation of the dress code. If a student's attire is in violation of this code, the students will be required to change attire and may be sent home to do so. Refusal to change attire will subject a student to immediate suspension. Further violations will result in additional disciplinary action. Due to safety issues all students will be issued identification badges. Student ID's are issued for student use and considered school property. Students who lose or deface their ID's must pay for the cost of producing a new one. Students must carry their ID's and show their ID's if asked to do so by any staff member. All students, whether identified as having special needs or not, may be removed from school for up to 45 days if the student is involved with causing serious bodily injury, bringing in and/or possessing and/or using a dangerous weapon at Ludlow High School and/or knowingly possessing, using, selling, or soliciting drugs or other controlled substances at Ludlow High School, on school premises, or at school sponsored activities, including athletic or extracurricular events. Incidents involving violations of the law may be referred to the Ludlow Police Department for investigation and prosecution. A formal complaint may also be filed with the Hampden County Juvenile Court or Hampden County District Attorney's office. A student's conduct after hours and/or off school grounds, which directly or indirectly impacts on fellow students or school personnel, or is disruptive to the educational process or environment may be subject to disciplinary action. A student may be removed from school immediately if his/her conduct disrupts the educational process, causes serious bodily injury, endangers fellow students, teachers, school officials, or damages property. Suspension may also be delayed until the next school day following the conduct. Parents will be notified of a suspension or expulsion by written notice within 24 hours of the decision to suspend. Suspension/ Expulsion hearings will be conducted pursuant to state and federal law. Expulsion is defined in this Handbook as a permanent exclusion from the school and school district. The following conduct may carry the penalty of expulsion by the principal, subject to appeal to the Superintendent:
In all of the above situations, the conduct will be reported in writing to the Ludlow Police Department. The expulsion is imposed by the principal, subject to an appeal to the Superintendent within ten (10) days from the date of the expulsion (the date of receipt of the principal's decision). An appeal to the Superintendent does not stay the exclusion of the student from school or the school district. You are hereby notified that the Massachusetts Drug Free Zone Statute, set forth at Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 94C Section 32J, prohibits possession with intent to distribute or distribution of drugs within 1000 feet of a school. Any individual, 17 years or older, convicted under this statute will be subjected to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of two years and a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of two years and a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000. TRANSPORTATION
RULES FOR STUDENTS Students living one and a half miles or more from Ludlow High School will be provided transportation as measured on a traveled bus way. No exception will be made.
Truancy is defined as any unexcused absence from school as per State Law. A school committee appointed attendance officer shall make every effort to call each absent student's home to validate his/her absence. Parents will be contacted and a letter will be sent home.
Possession of Tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco etc.) on school busses, on school grounds, in the school building and at school functions is prohibited at all times by Massachusetts state law and Ludlow School committee policy. Those students reported using and/or in possession of tobacco products will be subject to the disciplinary actions listed on page 19 of this handbook and the student will be mandated to attend and complete the smoking cessation program during his/her DLT in the Health Office. Possession of tobacco-related paraphernalia such as cigarette lighters, matches, pipes, paper, cigarette holders, etc. on school property will result in the confiscation of these items and will be returned only to the parents of the students. Back to topViolence, especially in connection with any weapons, will not be tolerated. In accordance with Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993, any student found on school premises or at a school sponsored event in possession of a weapon may be expelled by the principal. In addition to guns, knives, and other commonly known weapons, please be advised that Massachusetts Laws Chapter 269,Section 10 further defines a weapon as any stiletto, dagger or a device or case which enables a knife with a locking blade to be drawn at a locked position, any ballistic knife, or any knife with a detachable blade capable of being propelled by any mechanism, dirk knife, any knife having a double-edged blade, or a switch knife, or any knife having an automatic spring release device by which the blade is released from the handle, having a blade over one and one-half inches, or a slung shot, blowgun, blackjack, metallic knuckles, nunchaku, zoobaw, also known as klackers or kung fu sticks, or any similar weapon consisting of two sticks of wood, plastic or metal connected at one end by a length of rope, chain, wire or leather, a suriken or any similar pointed star like object intended to injure a person when thrown or any armband, made with leather which has metallic spikes, points or studs or any similar device made from any other substance or a cestus or similar material weighted with metal or other substance and worn on the hand, or a manrikigusari or similar length of chain having weighted ends.
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