School Procedures

When a student returns to school after an absence, a parent or guardian must provide a written excuse. This excuse must be for one of the permissible reasons for absence in order for the absence to be excused. Excuses must include the student’s full name, grade, absence date, reason of absence, and the parent/guardian signature. Parental excuses are to be submitted to the attendance office from 7:20 until 7:40 a.m. each day. If a student does not turn in a parental excuse by the third day following an absence, the absence will be coded unexcused/unlawful.

All Technical Career Center students must present parental excuses to SAHS and to the Career Center.

Students wishing to use the library must secure a pass from a classroom teacher. The study hall proctor must sign the pass and designate the time leaving the study hall. The number of students sent to the library from any study hall may be limited due to library crowding. The study hall proctor will send a complete list of students using the library to the librarian. 

The Board of School Directors of the Souderton Area School District recognizes that attendance is an important factor in educational success, and supports a comprehensive approach to identify and address attendance issues. Consistent with Pennsylvania law and regulations, will not condone nor permit absences from school for an unlawful reason. The educational program offered by this district is predicated upon the presence of the student and requires continuity of instruction and classroom participation. Regular contact of students with one another in the classroom and participation in the planned instructional program under the tutelage of the teacher are vital to this purpose.

Therefore, it is the responsibility of every student enrolled in the public schools of the Souderton Area School District to be in daily attendance except for the following reasons:

1. Personal illness.
2. Quarantine of the individual or home.
3. Recovery from an accident.
4. Obtaining professional health care or therapy services rendered by a licensed practitioner of the healing arts in any state, commonwealth or territory.
5. Death in the immediate family (five days maximum).
6. Exceptionally urgent or safety reasons--must pertain to the individual student as determined by the principal or designee.
7. All absences occasioned by observance of the student's religion on a day approved by the Board as a religious holiday shall be excused, and no student so excused shall be deprived of an award or eligibility to compete for an award or the opportunity to make up academic work and assessments given on the religious holiday.
8. The Board shall, upon written request of the parents or guardians, release from attendance a student participating in a religious instruction program acknowledged by the Board. Such instruction shall not require the child's absence from school for more than thirty-six hours per school year, and its organizers must inform the Board of the child's attendance record. The Board shall not provide transportation to religious instruction.
9. Suspension from school.
10. Required court appearance.
11. The Board shall permit a student to be excused for participation in a project sponsored by a statewide or countywide 4-H, FFA or combined 4-H and FFA group upon written request prior to the event.
12. Those students in an approved program of homebound instruction.

Dental and Medical Appointments 
Attempts should be made to schedule medical and dental appointments at times other than during the school day. Students who wish to leave school for dental or medical appointments shall be required to bring a note from the parent/guardian prior to the appointment time. The district reserves the right for an administrator to require parents to obtain verification of dental and medical appointments from the medical provider. Students should not expect to be excused a full day for such appointments unless necessary because of travel time, other medical/dental appointments scheduled for the same day, or reasons that are medically excusable. A student who has an excused medical or dental appointment during school hours is to attend school until the time of dismissal and to return to school after the appointment, unless medical reasons prevent the student from returning to school. Attendance need not always be within school facilities. A student will be considered in attendance if present at any place where school is in session by authority of the Board; the student is receiving approved tutorial instruction or health care; the student is engaged in an approved and properly supervised independent study, work-study or career education program.

Non-Immunized Children 
No child may be admitted or permitted to attend the public schools unless the child has received immunizations as required by the Department of Health at 28 PA Code Chapter 23, Subchapter C (relating to exemption for immunization) or has received from the school district's Superintendent a medical or religious exemption from immunization under 28 PA Code Section 23.84 (relating to exemption for immunization). A child who has not received all doses of the required immunizations or has not been exempted for immunization, but who has received at least one (1) dose of each of the required immunizations, may be provisionally admitted and may attend public school for a period of up to five (5) days.

All FAMILY AND EDUCATIONAL TRIPS with a family member or guardian must have prior approval of the grade level Assistant Principal. Please state the student's name and grade in the request. Approval may be granted for requests for educational trips to a maximum of ten (10) school days per year. The Superintendent will review exceptions on a case-by-case basis. It is the student's responsibility to acquire assignments from each of his/her teachers prior to leaving on the trip.

Students in the 11th and 12th grades may be excused for COLLEGE VISITATIONS provided that they present the Attendance Office with a note or e-mail from their parent/guardian requesting permission for the visit. This request must be on file prior to the visit and must indicate the name of the post-secondary school they are visiting. If the above procedure is not followed, the absence will be unexcused unless the student provides verification from the school visited, including time and date of their presence.

Parental Notice of Absence
Absences shall be treated as unlawful until the district receives a written excuse or e-mail explaining the absence, to be submitted within three (3) days of the absence.

A maximum of ten (10) days of cumulative lawful absences verified by parental notification shall be permitted during a school year. All absences beyond ten (10) cumulative days may require an excuse from a doctor (licensed practitioner of the healing arts).

A doctor's excuse may also be required for each single period of absence exceeding three (3) consecutive days.

In cases of excessive tardiness or early dismissals, a letter may be sent to the parent(s)/ guardian(s) indicating that the student will be required to furnish a doctor's note for any days absent, tardy, and/or dismissed early from that point. Tardies and early dismissals may accumulate towards unlawful/unexcused days of absence. Absence not covered by a doctor's note will be charged as unexcused or unlawful (if under 18).

In some cases, chronic illness may result in excessive absence from school. As these situations arise, in order to ensure consistency of care, the school nurse may request permission to communicate with a student's physician.

Truancy
When a student has been absent for three (3) days during the current school year without a lawful excuse, district staff shall provide notice to the person in parental relations who resides in the same household. The notice will include description of the consequences if the student becomes habitually truant. If the student incurs additional unexcused absences after the issuance of the notice a School Attendance Improvement Conference will occur. Students that are habitually truant may be referred to the local children and youth agency and/or have a citation filed with the appropriate judge.

Additional information concerning attendance can be found in Policy 204 – Attendance.
 

• Students should be at their designated school bus stops five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
• The driver may assign each student rider a seat.
• Never tamper with the bus or any of its equipment. Damage to seat, etc. must be paid for by the offender.
• Do not throw anything out of the bus windows. Arms and heads must be kept inside the bus at all times.
• Food shall not be consumed on the bus.
• Smoking is prohibited.
• The use of profane or immoral language will not be tolerated.
• Portable radios, i-pods, and CD players without headphones will not be played on the bus.
• While students are on the bus, they are the driver’s charge and they must obey him/her.
• If a student persists in violating any of these requirements, the bus driver will notify the Administration.

A bus referral constitutes an infraction of the Discipline Code. If the problem persists thereafter, the student may be denied the privilege of riding the bus until the student can provide the Administration with assurance of the student’s willingness to fulfill his/her responsibilities on the bus. In cases of misconduct on the bus, parents will be notified. A video monitoring device has been installed in each bus and is operated and maintained by TSI. It may be used at any time.

Periodically, or as the situation warrants, a trained dog may be used to sniff the area around vehicles, lockers, desks, bags, book bags, purses, or other items that are on district property or at a district sponsored event. The dog may be used to conduct a random sniff search of any or all student’s possessions, including, but not limited to the student’s locker, desk, vehicle parked on school property, purse, pocket, clothing, or other items.

It is the student’s responsibility to attend all classes for which he/she is scheduled. The faculty, staff, and administration assume the responsibility for the supervision of all students during the day.

A student who fails to attend a scheduled class is considered to be in violation of school regulations. Attendance at all scheduled classes (unless legally excused) is a requirement for successful completion and credit award for that course.

All absences from class will be considered unexcused until cleared by the student. Students are not permitted to make up work missed due to an unexcused absence. A student must clear an absence from class with the teacher upon returning to class in order for the absence to be considered excused. If an absence from class is anticipated, it is the responsibility of the student to obtain prior permission from the teacher of the class affected.

It is a student’s responsibility to be on time and in his / her seat at the beginning of each class. 

There are only two (2) excusable reasons for tardiness to class: 1. being detained by a teacher or an administrator, and 2. an emergency requiring immediate attention. If a teacher or an administrator has detained you, he or she must sign a pass before you return to class. In the event of an emergency, students should report to the office before returning to class.

Any student who is tardy to class for reasons other than those listed above shall be considered in violation of school regulations.

Teachers are responsible for informing students of each lateness. Upon the third (3) lateness to class, the student will be assigned a teacher detention. The fourth (4) and subsequent infractions should be referred to the appropriate assistant principal for an administrative detention.

Upon arrival, students are permitted in the following areas: the Main Concourse, Cafeteria, the library, the first floor lavatories, and student parking lots. At 7:25 students will go to their lockers and then directly to their first block classes at 7:40. No student is permitted to wander through the halls prior to 7:25.

Once a student arrives on school grounds, he/she may not leave without permission from the office until the end of the school day.

Bus students are expected to enter the building immediately upon exiting the bus.

Lateness to School (Tardiness)
A student's late arrival to school will be excused for the following reasons only:

• Personal illness.
• Death in immediate family.
• Exceptionally urgent or safety reasons--must pertain to the individual student as determined by the principal or designee.
• Religious holiday/event.
• Required court attendance.
• In the case of an exceptional student, where tardiness is caused by or directly related to student's exceptionality.
• In the case of a doctor or dental appointment that is accompanied by a note from the doctor's or dentist's office verifying the visit.

Consistent lateness to school because of personal illness may necessitate providing a medical excuse. Students who arrive late to school must report immediately to the designated office in order to be admitted to class. Student tardiness and early dismissals may accumulate towards unlawful/unexcused days of absence.

A student who arrives to school late at the beginning of his/her school day must report to the Main Office / Attendance Office for a late pass.

If during the school year a student is late to school up to the start of 2nd block more than 10 times unexcused, the student will begin being assigned detentions.

• Students are permitted to be unexcused tardy 10 times during the school year with no consequences
• After the 10th unexcused tardy and subsequent unexcused tardies, detentions will be assigned.

Students arriving between the start of 2nd block and the start of 3rd block will be marked absent for one half day. Students arriving after the start of 3rd block will be marked absent for a whole day.

Half-time NMTCC students, who miss more than one block, or its equivalent, will be marked absent for the time period (a.m. or p.m.).

Students are not permitted to remain in the building after school unless under the direct - supervision of a teacher, coach, or "adult in charge" of an after-school activity.

Attempts should be made to schedule medical and dental appointments at times other than during the school day. Students who wish to leave school for dental or medical appointments shall be required to bring a note from the parent/guardian prior to the appointment time. The district reserves the right for an administrator to require parents to obtain verification of dental and medical appointments from the medical provider. Students should not expect to be excused a full day for such appointments unless necessary because of travel time, other medical/dental appointments scheduled for the same day, or reasons that are medically excusable. A student who has an excused medical or dental appointment during school hours is to attend school until the time of dismissal and to return to school after the appointment, unless medical reasons prevent the student from returning to school. Attendance need not always be within school facilities. A student will be considered in attendance if present at any place where school is in session by authority of the Board; the student is receiving approved tutorial instruction or health care; the student is engaged in an approved and properly supervised independent study, work-study or career education program.

The school laws of Pennsylvania give the school the right to regulate the use of the motor vehicles during school hours. Since the school district provides transportation for all students, student driving is considered a privilege extended to those deemed responsible.

Any Junior or Senior wishing to drive to school shall submit an online application to the Student Services Office in the manner prescribed by the assistant principal. Because of the limited number of parking spaces, not all students who submit an application will be given parking privileges. Freshmen and sophomores are not permitted to drive to school under any circumstances.

Students receiving parking privileges must register every vehicle they drive to school. Students must furnish a valid driver’s license and current vehicle registration(s) to receive a parking decal for the vehicle(s). The charge for each parking spot is $125.00. Students may waive their seat on a bus and pay a reduced fee for parking; however, this must be completed before a predetermined calendar date. Decals must be affixed to the inside, bottom right hand corner of the windshield of the registered vehicle(s). Parking decals are non-transferable. Giving or transferring a parking decal to another student will result in the denial of parking privileges and a fine of $25. Cars with laminated, taped-on or improperly affixed stickers are subject to being ticketed. Such an offense may lead to the revocation of parking privileges. To purchase a sticker for a new vehicle or new windshield, the student must hand in the old sticker. If the old sticker was destroyed in an accident, the student must supply proof of the damage. Only a police report or a report from the repair garage will be accepted.

Students driving to school must follow all regulations of the school and Motor Vehicle Code of Pennsylvania. Failure to do so will result in the loss of parking privileges. Depending upon the nature of the violation, there may be other disciplinary consequences.

Students driving to school are not permitted to use their car (whether parked on school property or not) during the school day without expressed permission from the office and their parents. Students are not permitted to drive other student(s) to North Montco Technical Career Center without permission.

Students are not permitted to go to any of the student parking lots during the school day, except when permission to do so has been obtained from the Student Services Office or security.

Students are not permitted to drive through the Halteman gate entrance / exit. Only parents dropping off students are permitted. Failure to follow this rule will result in a suspension of driving privileges.

Students with outstanding obligations will not be permitted to purchase a parking tag until all outstanding obligations have been rectified.

Cars parked on school property illegally or without authorization, are subject to fine and/or will be booted. The boot will be removed at the driver’s expense. The fine or fee for removal is $15.00.

Students, who damage or attempt to remove a boot will lose parking privileges, and be required to make restitution, and be suspended from school.

The fee structure for parking violations is as follows:

• 1st offense $10.00
• 2nd offense $15.00
• 3rd offense - Privileges may be revoked
• Boot Removal $15.00

Unpaid parking tickets will be held as obligations. All obligations (cafeteria balance, detentions, lost books, etc.) must be rectified before purchasing a parking pass.

Students driving to school should also be aware that school attendance laws of Pennsylvania do not consider impassable roads or a disabled vehicle as a valid excuse for being absent or late. In addition, please note that parking is a privilege subject to revocation for violation of school policies and procedures.

• 10 unexcused tardies = 1 week driving suspension
• 12 unexcused tardies = 2 week driving suspension
• 15 unexcused tardies= suspension of driving privileges for remainder of the school year

Students must bring a written request from the parent or guardian to the Attendance Office in order to secure an early dismissal from school. These request notes must contain the student name, grade, and a telephone number for confirmation purposes.

Every attempt should be made by the parents and students to schedule routine medical appointments after school hours. Early dismissals will be categorized excused or unexcused using the criteria contained in the SAHS attendance policy.

To be credited with a full day’s attendance, a student must be in school at least three entire instructional blocks or their equivalent (a block is considered to be 90 minutes long). Students who miss between one and two blocks will be marked absent one half day. Students who miss more than two blocks will be marked absent for a full day. For the purposes of this policy, 11:00 a.m. will be used as day’s “mid-point.” Therefore, if the bulk of a student’s half-day of absence falls before 11:00 a.m., he or she will be marked absent in the a.m.; and conversely for the p.m.

Early dismissals for school-sponsored activities (e.g. prom) will be allowed only after students have completed three (3) instructional blocks.

Electronic devices- cell phones (for texting only) and other handheld electronic devices are permitted to be used at designated times and in designated areas during the school day. Acceptable use of these devices is limited to the cafeteria, hallways during passing periods, and study halls. Cell phones should not be brought to school on Keystone Exam testing days or Final Exam testing days. Phone calls are prohibited during the school day (7:40 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.).

It is still recommended that electronic devices not be brought to school.

• 1st Offense - Teacher detention
• 2nd Offense - Administrative detention
• 3rd Offense - Saturday detention
• 4th Offense or greater - ISS

All FAMILY AND EDUCATIONAL TRIPS with a family member or guardian must have prior approval of the grade level Assistant Principal. Please state the student’s name and grade in the request. Approval may be granted for requests for educational trips to a maximum of ten (10) school days per year. The Superintendent will review exceptions on a case-by-case basis. It is the student’s responsibility to acquire assignments from each of his/her teachers prior to leaving on the trip (see Procedures for Make-Up Work). Educational/Family trips for juniors will not be excused during PSSA testing days.

• Students in the 11th and 12th grades may be excused for three COLLEGE VISITATIONS provided that they present the Attendance Office with a note from their parent/guardian requesting permission for the visit. This request must be on file prior to the visit and must indicate the name of the post-secondary school they are visiting. If the above procedure is not followed, the absence will be unexcused unless the student provides verification from the school visited, including time and date of their presence.
   
• Upon written parental request, and with approval of the principal, a pupil may be excused during school hours for the purpose of receiving tutorial instruction in a field not offered in the District’s curricula only if the following requirements are met:
  • The excusal does not preclude satisfactory completion of pupil’s regular program of study.
  • The District Superintendent approves the qualifications of the instructor.
  • Any additional conditions for excusal that are deemed reasonable within the sound discretion of the Superintendent.
     
• Those children who are less than eight (8) years of age or older than seventeen (17) years of age are not subject to compulsory school attendance requirements.
   
• If a student ‘s number of absences reaches 10% of the days school has been in session, the parents/guardians will be notified that the absences are becoming excessive. Further absences may result in notification that the student will be required to furnish a doctor’s note for any days absent from that point on. Absence not covered by a doctor’s note will be charged as unexcused or unlawful (if under 17) and will be used in filing a citation with the magistrate. An administrative meeting can be requested to appeal this decision within ten (10) school days of the receipt of this letter.
   
• A doctor’s excuse may also be required for each single period of absence exceeding three (3) consecutive days.
   
• In cases of excessive tardiness or early dismissals, a letter may be sent to the parent(s)/ guardian(s) indicating that the student will be required to furnish a doctor’s note for any days absent, tardy, and/or dismissed early from that point. Tardies and early dismissals may accumulate towards unlawful/unexcused days of absence. Absence not covered by a doctor’s note will be charged as unexcused or unlawful (if under 17).

In some cases, chronic illness may result in excessive absence from school. As these situations arise, in order to ensure consistency of care, the school nurse may request permission to communicate with a student’s physician.

When the fire bell rings all windows and doors are to be closed. When students leave the building, they are to report to their designated 5th Block locations on the football field / bus circle and check in with their teachers. The purpose of these drills is to learn how to evacuate the building in an orderly manner in case of fire.

Students are not permitted to possess or consume food or beverages in classrooms during class hours. Food or drink may be permitted in the classroom setting for curricular purposes only.

Thanks to waivers for the USDA National School Lunch Program (NSLP) during the height of the pandemic, all school districts who participated in the NSLP were able to offer free meals to all students. These waivers expired at the end of school year 2021-2022, so schools must return to charging for breakfast and lunch and can only offer free or reduced-priced meals to students who qualify for those benefits. All students, regardless of meal status are offered the same nutritious meal options and are encouraged to dine in the cafeteria together. 

To learn about breakfast and lunch meals provided at schools, and how to apply for free or reduced cost meals, please visit the Food Services Web site.

In order to be successful in school, students must be in their classes and participating in the classroom activities. Hall passes are not routinely issued because they are a disruption to the entire class. On the rare occasion that it would be necessary for a student to leave class, students must have a hall pass signed by the teacher, which includes the time leaving and their destination.

Students should not request to be excused from any class work for a different teacher or subject area. A student may leave study hall to report to another teacher, if the teacher requesting the student’s presence provides the student with a pass in advance to show to his/her study hall teacher.

Students feeling ill or requiring medication must first acquire a pass from their classroom teacher to visit the nurse. All students must sign in on the nurse’s log upon entering and leaving the health center. If a student feels too ill to remain in school, they must report to the nurse to be evaluated. The nurse will contact parents.

Medical Examinations: Students must have physical examinations in the Eleventh Grade, either by their family physician at their own expense or by the school physician. Special forms for private physicians’ exams are available in the Nurse’s Suite. If the forms are not returned completed to the school medical personnel before the scheduled deadline for such examinations, the school physician, with parent permission, may give students their physical exams in school. All students in all grades have their height and weight measured, and their vision tested annually.

Any student may be referred to the school physician or dentist by a teacher, school nurse, or administrator for examination when, in their opinion, the student’s physical or dental health is failing.

First Aid: Procedures used for students who become ill or injured at school are as follows:

• Immediate first aid
• Notification of parents or guardians
• Transportation in an emergency
• Direction of parents to further help , if indicated

Only immediate care can be provided. Parents and guardians are expected to assume responsibility when they are notified.

Administration of Medication:

• A written order from the doctor on his prescription stationary must be provided listing the drug, dosage and time interval that the medication is to be taken. A new order from the doctor is needed when the dosage is changed.
• The parent /guardian must fill in a school medication permission form. A new form is needed for a change in dosage.
• Medication must be in the original prescription bottle from the pharmacy. A new labeled bottle is needed for a dosage change.

Asthma Inhalers:
Before a student may possess or use an asthma inhaler during school hours, the parent/guardian must submit the following:

• A written request from the parent/guardian that the school complies with the order of the physician, certified registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
• A statement from the parent/guardian acknowledging that the school is not responsible for ensuring the medication is taken and relieving the district and its employees of responsibility for the benefits or consequences of the prescribed medication.
• A written statement from the physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant that states:
  • Name of the drug.
  • Prescribed dosage.
  • Times medication is to be taken.
  • Length of time medication is prescribed.
  • Diagnosis or reason medication is needed, unless confidential.
  • Potential serious reaction or side effects of medication.
  • Emergency response.
  • If child is qualified and able to self-administer the medication.

The student shall be made aware that the asthma inhaler is intended for his/her use only and may not be shared with other students.

The student shall notify the school nurse with each use of an asthma inhaler. Violations of this policy by a student shall result in immediate confiscation of the asthma inhaler and medication and loss of privileges.

The district reserves the right to require a statement from the physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant for the continued use of a medication beyond the specified time period. Permission for possession and use of an asthma inhaler by a student shall be effective for the school year for which it is granted and shall be renewed each subsequent school year. A student whose parent/guardian completes the written requirements for the student to possess an asthma inhaler and self-administer the prescribed medication in the school setting shall demonstrate to the school nurse the capability for self administration and responsible behavior in use of the medication.

To self-administer medication, the student must be able to:

• Respond to and visually recognize his/her name.
• Identify his/her medication.
• Demonstrate the proper technique for self-administering medication.
• Sign his/her medication sheet to acknowledge having taken the medication.
• Demonstrate a cooperative attitude in all aspects of self-administration.

Epi-pens may be carried and self-administered following the same documentation and procedures as asthma inhalers.

Students who anticipate missing more than ten (10) consecutive school days due to physical, mental, or other urgent reasons may be eligible for homebound instruction. Parents, guardians, or legal custodians requesting homebound instruction for a student must submit form PS-HB10, PS-HB11, and PS-HB12 completed in their entirety. Likewise, if the extended absence is a result of a mental health issue, a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist must complete form PS-HB11. Homebound instruction is subject to approval by the District Office.

Student Identification Cards are issued to students at the beginning of the school year. They are essential to the efficiency of many school functions and to school safety.

ID cards are required to purchase school lunches utilizing our point of sale system.

ID cards are required for entrance into after school functions such as dances and activity nights. They are also required for signing books out of the library.  The school does not have replacement ID cards as they are created by an outside photography company.

Please refer to the District Health Services Web site for Illness Indicators/Sick Day Guidelines.

See Daily School Arrival for information regarding lateness to school.

Lockers are the property of the School District. Students should expect no rights of privacy in regards to their lockers. Administrators may search a locker at any time. Lockers are available at a student’s request.

The Student Services Offices and Main Office handle lost and found articles. Lost articles of clothing may be donated to charity after a period of 30 days.

Students must report to the cafeteria for lunch. As with any other assigned period, students are to arrive to lunch on time and depart upon the permission of the supervising staff members. Students must remain in the cafeteria or in the back courtyard area for the entire lunch period. While in the cafeteria or courtyard, students are to keep the areas clean and conduct themselves in a mature fashion. Yelling, making loud noises, or running is not permitted. All food and drink must be kept in the cafeteria or back courtyard areas. Violations of any of these policies will result in the loss of cafeteria privileges and possible disciplinary action.

See the Non-Immunized Children section of Attendance Information.

All permanent passes issued by teachers to students releasing them from their assigned study hall or lunch must be approved via application in the Guidance Office.

Towels are provided to students after each class. The fee assessed for towels is $2.00 per student. Students are prohibited from wearing piercing jewelry during Phys. Ed. classes.

For PE classes, students may wear any of the following:

• Plain white or grey T shirt
• Any former SASD PE uniform shirt/shorts
• Plain red or grey mesh shorts - must be long enough to meet student’s fingertips
• Any Souderton wear - includes T shirts/shorts supporting ALL SAHS activities - no mesh jerseys
• Sneakers that can be tied appropriately
• No jewelry (Including any type of body piercing)

All students are expected to do their own work when assigned individual papers and projects and when taking tests. The definition of plagiarize is “to use and pass off (someone else’s ideas, inventions, writings, etc.) as one’s own.” (Webster’s Dictionary) Whether you use someone else’s term paper, copy something out of a book, or take something off the Internet, you are plagiarizing if you do not cite your source and place quotation marks around anything taken word-for-word from a source. If you are not sure whether something you are doing is plagiarism, you should check with your teacher before you submit the assignment.

Cheating is also passing off someone else’s work as your own. It includes plagiarizing, but it also includes any type of fraud such as copying another student’s answers on a test or turning in a project as your own when it was really done by your parents or someone else.

When a student is referred to an administrator for a plagiarism/cheating incident, the following will occur:

• First Offense: the student receives a grade of ‘0’ on the assignment; parental contact
• Second offense: the student receives a ‘0’ on the assignment and a grade of ‘F’ in the course for the quarter; parental contact
• Third offense: the student fails the course for the year; parental contact

Students with excused absences or on out of school suspension must make up all missed work. Long-term assignments that are due during the absence or upon return from the absence must be submitted prior to the absence or on their due date following the absence. Tests that are given during the term of the absence or upon return from the absence must be taken prior to the absence or immediately upon return from the absence if no new information is presented during the term of the absence.

For each day of absence, a student will be allowed one day to make up missed work that was assigned during the absence.

Students must ask their teachers for deadlines for acceptance of work.

Most students and parents would agree that frequent absences from regular classroom learning experiences disrupt the continuity of the instructional process. The benefit of regular classroom instruction is lost and cannot be entirely regained.

Attendance at school is essential to achieve success in the classroom. Therefore, students are required to attend all classes. Should a student accumulate a total of ten (10) days of unexcused or unlawful absence during a full credit course, or five (5) days during a one-half credit course, he/she may not receive academic credit towards graduation. Classes missed as a result of unexcused/unlawful lateness to school are counted as part of these totals.

Therefore, students who are excessively absent from any given course may be denied academic credit for that course. Credit for semester courses will be denied if a student’s absenteeism is excessive. Naturally, special consideration will be given to those students who are seriously ill. If a student is denied credit for any or all of his/her courses, the student may appeal, in writing, to the principal. A decision to deny or restore credit will be handled on a case by case basis after reviewing the student's attendance record and any circumstances that have affected the student's ability to attend school.

Students absent or tardy as a result of truancy will be subject to immediate disciplinary action.

All lockers and other storage areas provided for student use on school premises remain the property of the school and are provided for the use of the students, subject to inspection, access for maintenance, and search pursuant to this section. No student shall lock or otherwise impede access to any locker or storage area except with a lock provided by the principal of the school in which the locker or storage area is located.

• The principal or his/her designee may search any locker, with or without the student being present, in the interest of health, welfare, and safety of all school students.
• The principal or his/her designee may search a desk or any other storage area.
• The principal or his/her designee may search the person of a student during a school activity. Searches of a student shall include, but not be limited to any object in the possession of the student such as a purse, book bag, duffel bag, etc.

The Board recognizes that students have the right to request redress of complaints. Further, the Board believes that the inculcation of respect for lawful procedures is an important part of the educational process. Accordingly, the individual and group complaints should be recognized and appropriate appeal procedures provided.

For purposes of this policy, a student “complaint” shall be any such that arises out of actions that directly affect the student’s participation in an approved educational program.

The Board or its employees will recognize the complaints of the students of this district provided that such complaints are made according to procedures established by Board policy.

The student should first make the complaint known to the staff member or a guidance counselor and both shall attempt to resolve the issue informally and directly.

For complaints that must move beyond the first step, the student shall prepare a written statement of his/her complaint, which shall set forth:

• The specific nature of the complaint and a brief statement of facts giving rise to it.
• The manner in which and extent to which the student believes he/she has been adversely affected.
• The remedy sought by the student.
• The reasons why the student feels he/she is entitled to the remedy sought.

The complaint may then be submitted, in turn, to the building principal, the Superintendent, and if not resolved, the Board. The following Guidelines will be followed:

• A five day period of time will be allowed at each level for the hearing of the complaint and the preparation of a response
• At each level, the student shall be afforded the opportunity to be heard personally by the appropriate school authority.
• At each step beyond the first, the school authority hearing the complaint may call in the student’s parent or guardian.
• The student may seek the help of a parent or guardian at any step.

In order to promote school safety and security, SAHS operates and maintains numerous surveillance video cameras throughout the school campus in hallways and exterior locations. These cameras are used to record video images 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Recorded images are reviewed in cases of risks to safety or security and may be used in investigations resulting in disciplinary action.

Textbooks are the property of the Souderton Area School District. The student is solely and totally responsible for the same numbered book, which was issued to him/her and must pay for its loss or damage. No diploma will be granted and all other high school records will be withheld from the student who does not make complete settlement. The same rule applies to all school items including, but not limited to band uniforms, athletic equipment, lab equipment, computers, library materials, AV equipment, etc.

School officials have a responsibility for the supervision of all students during school hours. For this reason, leaving school property during school hours is viewed as a serious offense. Parents rightfully assume that their own child is observing their assigned schedule and is remaining on school property unless dismissed for valid reasons. Unauthorized exit from the building will result in Privilege Suspension and In-School Suspension. Subsequent offenses will result in further privilege suspension and multiple days of out-of-school suspension.

NOTE: A student who misses a scheduled class(es) as a result of the above violation is also subject to the class cut policy, where appropriate.

For students who are of compulsory school age, three (3) days of unlawful absences will necessitate a warning notice to be sent in accordance with Section 1333 of the School Code. All subsequent unlawful absences will result in the filing of a complaint for court action. Truancy designates a student’s absence from school without advance consent from a parent or guardian. Students will be assigned one (1) Saturday detention for each day truant. An unexcused/unlawful absence from school cannot be made up and the student will receive no credit for work missed. 10 Successive unexcused/unlawful absences will result in the student being removed from the Souderton Area High School active roster.