ABSENCE
Parents must call the school by 8:00 A.M. on the day of the student's absence. When returning, a student should have a note that indicates the date(s) of the absence. If a physician was consulted due to the student's illness, it should be noted. This note should be presented to the homeroom teacher and will be screened by the school nurse. If the absence was due to a prolonged or contagious illness, the student may be asked to report to the school nurse for medical clearance. Parents are urged not to make dental or medical appointments for students during school hours. Family vacations should be planned to coincide with the school calendar.

ABSENCE (EXCUSED)
Excused absences are recognized for illness, religious holidays, as defined by the State of New Jersey directive, and certain types of family emergencies.

In accordance with Policy #5410, a PRM student may be retained at grade level when he or she has been absent more than 20 school days, whatever the reason for the absence, except that absences for the observance of religious holidays and during a pupil's suspension will not count toward the total. Exceptions to this rule may be made for a pupil whose absences are excused and who has demonstrated, through completion of home assignments and/or home instruction, that they have mastered the proficiencies established for the assigned courses of study.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
Academic honesty promotes learning. Dishonesty interferes with the learning process, therefore, students must submit work that is wholly and truly their own. Students who permit another student to commit academically dishonest acts are equally responsible. The penalty for academic dishonesty is a zero, or a failure for the piece of work, and detention.

ACADEMIC HONORS
Students who have maintained a 90 average (for grade 7 - marking periods 3 and 4, and for grade 8 marking periods 1 and 2) and have received a minimum of 85% in math or reading on their N. J. ASK score will receive the President's Award for Educational Excellence at graduation.

ACTIVITY NIGHTS
A number of activity nights are sponsored during the year. The activities are chaperoned by parents. Students are required to sign a Behavioral Contract at the beginning of the school year. Unless otherwise specified, hours for the dances are from 7:00 to 9:30 P.M. Parents must pick up their children on time. Parents who are late will find their students waiting in the office. Students, whose parents are repeatedly late, will not be able to attend future activity nights.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT
The Board of Education, shall, in accordance with law, strive to overcome the effects of any previous patterns of discrimination in school and classroom practices and shall systematically monitor district procedures to insure continuing compliance with anti-discrimination laws and regulations.
The Kinnelon Board of Education has adopted an Affirmative Action Plan for Personnel and Contracts, and Affirmative Action Plan for School and Classroom Practices.
1. Affirmative Action Officer for Personnel and School and Classroom Practices, Mr. Louis Caruso, Pearl R. Miller School, 117 Kiel Avenue, Kinnelon, New Jersey 07405, 973-838-5250, ext. 309.

AFTER SCHOOL PROCEDURE

• All students must board their bus at the end of each school day. (Students may not board a bus other than their assigned vehicle even with a parental note.)
• Students staying for extra-help, after school clubs or an enrichment program must report immediately to their class.
• Students being picked up by someone other than their parents must have a note from their parents, which should be brought to the office during homeroom, or they must have a current student release permit on file listing those adults eligible to pick up their child. Children will not be permitted to be picked up by minors under the age of 18.
• No student is permitted to stay after school and then try to contact their parents.
• Students cannot remain in the building after school unsupervised.
  

ASSESSMENTS
Each grade level team may plan a maximum of two assessments per day in which students are required to prepare the night before. Students may have additional assessments that do not require preparation.

During the second half of eighth grade, the number of assessments per day may increase. This is to prepare our students for the more rigorous requirements at the high school level.

ASSEMBLIES
Assemblies are usually held in the gymnasium and students are expected to follow the passing and seating directions announced via the PA system. Students remain as a homeroom or class and should be quiet and orderly at all times.

ATHLETICS
PRM is a member of the Morris County Athletic Association and competes in the following areas: baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, wrestling, track, cross-country, and volleyball. Any student who has maintained satisfactory scholastic progress, meets the standards of citizenship and passes a physical examination is eligible for interscholastic sports. These standards must be maintained throughout the athletic season. Intramural sports are also offered throughout the school year.

BEDSIDE INSTRUCTION
When an absence for a legitimate reason occurs for an extended period of time (ten consecutive school days), students may receive instruction at home or in the hospital. Such bedside instruction will be provided by and according to the regulations of the Board of Education of Kinnelon. A physician's statement should include the illness and the length of recuperation.

BEHAVIOR
The rules of behavior apply in all school-related activities.

RULES FOR SCHOOL BEHAVIOR

• Walk carefully up and down the stairs.
• Use a normal tone of voice when talking in the halls and cafeteria.
• Protect public property, books, lockers, building grounds, etc.
• Be responsible for personal and school property.
• Lockers must be opened and shut properly.
• Keep your lockers locked. Don't give your combination to anyone.
• Gum chewing is not permitted at any time.
• Arrive at school after 8:15 A.M. and leave immediately after school unless involved in a supervised activity.
• Backpacks, book bags and brief cases are not to be brought to class.
• No coats are to be worn in school.
• Writing on walls, desks or lockers is prohibited.
• Food and drinks are only permitted at lunch in the cafeteria.
• All students must report to their bus at the end of the day.

HALL WAY BEHAVIOR

• Do not run, push or shove.
• Speak quietly to your friends.
• Keep moving to prevent crowding.
• Clear corridors promptly after the end of the day dismissal.

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR

• Be on time for class.
• Be ready to work when the bell rings.
• Be courteous; raise your hand for permission to speak.
• Have homework completed punctually.
• Keep your textbooks covered.
• Keep your classroom neat and orderly.
  
  

BICYCLES
Students are not to ride their bikes to school. The roads in Kinnelon are not conducive for children to be riding to school, especially in the morning hours.

BOOK AND EQUIPMENT RESPONSIBILITY
Books and equipment distributed to students for their use are the property of PRM School. Students assume responsibility for these items and are expected to pay for any damage or loss. It is expected that students will have book covers on all books distributed to them.

CAFETERIA
It is the student's responsibility to make proper provisions for lunch by either bringing lunch or sufficient money to purchase lunch. Money or I O U's will not be provided by the school or cafeteria. Students are required to obey rules and procedures as stated by the supervising teachers. Students not conforming to cafeteria rules will be required to eat in an alternate location under greater restrictions.

Students are not permitted to bring to school treats or other food items to share with others in the classrooms or the cafeteria. These procedures are in accordance with the district's school nutrition policy. Our priority is the safety of the students, including those with food allergies.

CODE OF CONDUCT
Codes of conduct are in place in the Kinnelon School District for one express purpose: to define and to maintain an atmosphere of stability and order so that the educational experience is maximized on all levels. Codes are present to bring clarity to the expectations that govern the smooth operation of our schools. They are intended to form a framework of expected conduct; and they are conceived within a context of professional seriousness for the well being of all students.

The Kinnelon schools are grounded in the concept of mutual respect for all members of the school community. It is expected that all interaction among the members of the school community spring from that vantage point. Anything less is unacceptable. We believe that any successful system be it a business, a house of worship, an organization, or a family, embraces a set of regulations to frame its design; so
too, with the school system. The codes articulated here are in place not to inhibit, but rather to ensure a perspective of healthy structure, making clear the expectations of conduct, within our schools.

What follows are the guidelines that drive those expectations. Because schools have the privilege of dealing with people, situations are often accompanied by extenuating circumstances. Therefore, although we attempt to operate consistently in responding to conduct that may be deemed inappropriate, disciplinary procedures and consequences need to be determined by administration within a framework of
individualization. A "one size fits all" determination is often not prudent. Wherever possible, however, we have in fact stated the definitive consequence, especially those dictated by Board of Education policy, such as school attendance. These policies are common to all and will be followed as approved and adopted. Our goal is always to respond to common infractions with consistency, however, reality sometimes calls for individual assessment for the ultimate determination.

Below is an alphabetical list of behaviors that the Kinnelon Schools deem unacceptable and subject to disciplinary consequences. For any conduct that violates local, state or federal law, administrators will follow the appropriate procedures as required by law.
1. Academic dishonesty (cheating/plagiarism)
2. Assault of another student/staff
3. Causing a false alarm for fire, bomb or any other emergency condition
4. Cutting class - unexcused absence from a class
5. Disrespect to staff
6. Disrespect of class or school activities
7. Driving violation (KHS)
8. Entering/leaving school without permission
9. Failure to report to assigned detention/ICE
10. Fighting
11. Forgery/falsifying documents
12. Gambling on school property
13. Hazing of another student (Policy #5512)
14. Insubordination, defiance of authority, failure to follow teacher directive, disregard of school policy
15. Joining a secret society/organization/gang
16. Lateness to class
17. Lateness to school
18. Littering
19. Parking violation (KHS)
20. Physical harassment of another student
21. Possession of any type of explosive device on school property
22. Possession/use/sale of any controlled substance (Policy #5530)
23. Possession/use of a weapon
24. Possession of pager (NJ Statue 2C:33-19)
25. Reckless behavior that endangers the safety of others
26. Setting or causing a fire on school property
27. Smoking on school property
28. Stealing property belonging to another student, teacher or to the school
29. Threat toward staff
30. Threats toward another student
31. Truancy-unexcused absence from school
32. Use of intimidation
33. Use of personal electronic equipment (cell phones, laptops, hand-held electronic devices Walkman, Discman)
34. Use of vulgar, offensive or derogatory language
35. Vandalizing of or disrespect for property of school or persons
36. Verbal harassment of other students
37. Violation of Acceptable Use Policy


Unacceptable behavior may result in any of the following consequences. Consequences may not be applied in sequential order or progression. The severity of the incident being considered will determine the consequence applied.
1. Conference with student/teacher
2. Conference with student/teacher/administrator
3. Teacher detention
4. Student's temporary removal from class
5. Administrative detention
6. Conference with student/parent/administrator
7. ICE - Isolated Classroom Environment
8. Deprivation of privileges such as:

• Participation in any/all co-curricular activities
• Attendance at any/all school related/sponsored events
• Participation in graduation ceremony
• Moving freely around the school building
• Transportation by school bus

9. Restitution/restoration for any damages
10. Out of school suspension (Policy #5610)
11. Expulsion (Policy #5620)

COMMUNICATION
Parents are encouraged to call the school and speak with the teachers, school counselor and administrators concerning any phase of the school program. Since school personnel do not have immediate access to a telephone, teachers will return calls to parents as their assignments permit. The staff at PRM also encourages parent meetings whenever there is a need to discuss a student's progress.

COMPUTER POLICY
Students are to use computers under the supervision of staff as outlined by the Acceptable Use Policy.

CONFERENCES
Parents are asked to call the school with any questions or comments concerning individual students or to make appointments with a counselor, grade level team or a staff member. In the fall of each year, parent/teacher conferences will be held on two consecutive days and one evening.

CRISIS RESPONSE
The Kinnelon Board of Education has a comprehensive Crisis Response Plan, which includes a trained Crisis Response Team; Student drills are practiced throughout the school year.

.