STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Fort Hamilton High School’s procedures are based on the following rights and responsibilities:

 

1. Students have the right to:
1. a meaningful learning experience
2. an appropriate curriculum
3. an educational environment that is safe from physical, emotional, sexual or verbal abuse
4. a discipline policy based on developmental and progressive responses to inappropriate behavior
5. consistent and fair discipline based on due process
6. supportive services to help a student develop self-discipline

 

1. Students have the responsibility to:
1. be accountable for their own behavior
2. be active learners by taking responsibility for their learning
3. respect the rights of fellow students and school officials
4. be supportive of the learning environment
5. obey school rules
6. attain the best possible level of academic achievement
7. respect school and community property
8. seek support, if needed, from appropriate school personnel

 

1. Students are expected to:
1. respect the teachers, and their fellow classmates and school property
2. attend school every day, be on time, have the proper materials with them, and be ready to learn
3. seek additional help or tutoring when necessary

 

Students must meet their promotion/graduation requirements in June to participate in their school’s June graduation ceremony.  Students who are already on suspension at the time of graduation may be prohibited from attending. 

 

Students may be prohibited from attending prom or graduation when they pose a real threat of violence or disruption to the event.  It may also be possible to bar a student from a prom or graduation when his/her conduct has been particularly egregious and where the student has previously been advised in writing.

STUDENT RULES AND REGULATIONS 

Fort Hamilton High School belongs to us all, students, staff and graduates alike.  We are all Fort Hamilton.  How you behave while here is a reflection of you and your parents’ values.  We hope that you will take PRIDE in your environment.  Listed below are guidelines for how students should conduct themselves in and around the school.

 

1. Not attending or being late for school or class without authorization is forbidden and can affect your grades.  Students must be out of the hallway by the late bell.  Students cannot loiter in the hallways or staircases at any time.  Students found repeatedly late to class or in the hallway after the late bell will have their homes contacted and a parent conference held.
2. Leaving the building is permitted only by obtaining an early excuse pass.  Students may not leave the building during their lunch period even if it is their last period of the day unless they have written permission from their parent or guardian.  In limited situations, an early excuse pass may be issued by the attendance office.  Students must leave only through supervised exit doors ONLY.  Students leaving the school prior to the start of 9th period must use the CAASS machine located in the main lobby for approved exit.  All doors are alarmed and setting off a door alarm will result in a parent conference.  Loitering on or near the campus is also prohibited.  
3. Medical problems requiring excuse from physical education classes must be reported to the Assistant Principal, Physical Education in room 246 and to the health aide in room 256.  Canes are not permitted in school unless accompanied with a doctor’s note.  Students requiring the use of the school elevator must provide medical documentation to the nurse in room 256, where an elevator pass may be obtained.
4. Accidents involving personal injury must be immediately reported to the nurse in room 256 and an accident report filed.  Emergency home contact cards with emergency telephone numbers must be on file for all pupils.  Utility bills or an equivalent must be shown to verify addresses.  Change of address and home telephone number must be reported to the attendance office in room 149.   
5. Friends, siblings or other relatives may not visit the school, unless special authorization is given.  Trespassers will be arrested.  Likewise, bringing trespassers into the building will result in suspension.
6. Personal property is the responsibility of the owner.  Do not bring valuables to school.  During physical education classes, clothing must be placed in a gym locker and secured with a school lock.  Students are only permitted in the locker room during their physical education class.  Students cannot use classroom lockers at any other time.
7. Students will not be permitted into the building from the athletic field, or other outside class location, whether used for books or personal effects.  These bags should be secured in the locker room or locked in a classroom or other pre-determined location prior to going outside for class.  Students cannot use classroom lockers at any time.
8. Proper attire for students is required and expected, at all times. Revealing, lewd, or and/or clothing that does not provide coverage of torso, undergarments, or private parts, including see-through clothing are not permitted.  Additionally, sleeveless undershirts, pajamas, and clothing that is potentially dangerous, are also prohibited. 
9. Hats are not permitted to be worn in the building and will be confiscated for repeated offenses. Hoods are also not to be on students’ heads while in the building and ski masks, sunglasses, and exotic contact lenses are also prohibited while in the school building. Sweatbands, do-rags and other headgear is likewise not permitted to be worn while in school.
10. Cell phones and other electronic devices are permitted in the building per Chancellor’s Regulation A413.  These items may only be used as outlined below and FHHS is not responsible for their loss or theft. Students are not permitted to have cell phones or media electronics, headsets, ear buds out, visible, or audible outside of the non-instructional times outlined as follows:
1. Cell phones must be turned off and out of sight during all instructional time and may not be turned on or used during instructional time, except for instructional and educational purposes with the explicit approval of the teacher.
2. Headphones may be used during the following non-instructional times of the school day: at the student’s scheduled lunch time while in the cafeteria and/or library and during the allotted 4 minutes of passing between each period.
3. Cell phones, headphones and portable music and entertainment systems may not be turned on or used during the administration of any school quiz, test or examination.
4. Computing devices may not be turned on or used during the administration of any school quiz, test or examination, except where such use has been explicitly authorized by the school or is contained in an Individualized Education Program or Section 504 Accommodation Plan.
5. Cell phones, computing devices, headphones and portable music and entertainment systems may NOT be turned on or used during school fire drills or other emergency preparedness exercises.
6. Cell phones, computing devices, headphones and portable music and entertainment systems may not be used in locker rooms or bathrooms.
7. Students who use cell phones, computing devices, headphones and/or portable music and entertainment systems in violation of any provision of the DOE’s Discipline Code, the school’s policy, Chancellor’s regulation A-413, and/or the DOE’s Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy (“IAUSP”) will be subject to discipline in accordance with the guidance interventions and disciplinary responses set forth in the Discipline Code.
8. These items, when used inappropriately, may also be subject to confiscation and will be returned based on the following progressive discipline policy:

• first offense - warning, disciplinary referral, signing a behavioral contract, parent phone call, confiscation of the item and return at end of the school day.
• second offense – disciplinary referral, parent phone call, confiscation of the item, and return at end of the school week or to a parent.
• third offense – disciplinary referral, parent phone call, confiscation of the item and return following a parent conference.  In the case that a student fails to comply with this school policy a parent conference will be held to discuss the matter.

Items are available for return only during regular school hours. Repeated violations or refusal to cooperate may result in an escalated disciplinary response.

Parents who need to contact their children during the school day in emergency situations can do so by calling the Attendance Office (718-748-1537 Ext. 1471) or their child’s Guidance Counselor. 

 

1. Every student must always have a student I.D. card with them. I.D. cards must be scanned in order to enter the building, café, library, locker rooms and for reentry into the building for after school activities.  I.D. cards or temporary day passes must be handed over whenever asked by a staff member.  New I.D. cards can be obtained daily in the student cafeteria, room B77, during the student’s lunch period only.   Temporary I.D. passes must be obtained upon entry if student does not have their I.D. card and be carried for the entire school day.   Students found in the building without an I.D. card or program card are subject to disciplinary action.  
2. OMNY Cards will be distributed at the start of each semester in the student cafeteria.  Students must have a school I.D. in order to receive a OMNY Card and their name written on the card, as well.  Student’s losing three or more OMNY Cards in a semester must have a parent come up to obtain additional OMNY cards.  All lost or stolen cards must be reported immediately and can only be replaced during the student’s lunch period in room B77.
3.  Students must scan their school I.D. card in order to enter the student cafeteria.  Students may not leave the cafeteria once inside without authorization.  Food and drink may not be taken out of the cafeteria.  Students are not permitted in the teachers’ cafeteria.  Students found cutting in the student cafeteria and causing a disruption will face disciplinary action including possible suspension.  Likewise, students must follow their program and cannot go to other classes. 
4. Students must have an official school laminated room pass in order to be in the hallway during class time.  If the laminated room pass is not available, a written pass from the teacher with the date, time, student’s name, destination, room number and teacher signature must be used.  Student bathrooms are closed the first ten and final five minutes of each period.  Students must have a pass in order to gain entrance into the bathroom.  Students are not permitted to use staff bathrooms.  Students are encouraged to use the bathrooms located in the locker rooms and cafeteria. 
5. Guidance counselors and grade advisors may be seen either before or after the student’s school day, lunch periods or by a pre-arranged appointment.  Students may not visit support staff unless a pass is obtained from the classroom teacher.
6. Tampering with safety measures or devices such as alarm systems, surveillance cameras, fire extinguishers, lights, exit signs or the telephone system will result in suspension and possible arrest.  Students are not permitted to use office or classroom telephones unless it is an emergency and permission has been given by a staff member and the staff member is present while the call is being made.  
7. Evacuation and soft lock down drills are held regularly and require silence, good order, and obedience to the instruction of staff members.  Misbehavior during drills will lead to disciplinary action.  The use of cellphones, headphones, and other electronic devices is strictly prohibited during all drills.
8. Cheating, plagiarism, and giving false information are prohibited.  Grades can suffer greatly when you cheat on an assignment or exam.  Fraud on state exams will result in cancellation of any future state exams until proper citizenship is demonstrated.
9. Participation in all extracurricular activities, clubs, school trips and after school events, as well as athletic team eligibility, both varsity and junior varsity, depends upon the regulations of the P.S.A.L. and strict adherence to school and NYCPS rules and regulations.  Serious infractions, fraud or a pattern of misbehavior will result in suspension from the activity or a period of probation.  Additionally, students must also be in good academic standing as outlined by the PSAL and/or Fort Hamilton High School and NYCPS guidelines.
10. Racial, ethnic, sexual or religious defamation is forbidden and will result in a home contact or a guidance conference or suspension.  Physical or verbal abuse, harassment, intimidation, or conduct, which threatens the well-being of any student or staff member inside/outside the school or on the internet is forbidden and will result in disciplinary action and possible arrest.  Sexual harassment of staff or students is strictly prohibited and may result in suspension and arrest.
11. Bullying of any kind in and out of school or on the internet is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action. 
12. Smoking of any kind is not permitted anywhere in the school or on school grounds.  Students found smoking in the school or on school grounds will result in disciplinary action.  Cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, vapes, and lighters are prohibited in school. 
13. Graffiti, defacement, vandalism or destruction of school property (books, computers, desks, windows, walls, etc.) is strictly prohibited and will result in community service, suspension and possible arrest.
14. Glass bottles are not permitted in the building.  No plastic bottles/containers larger than 20 oz. will be permitted in the building.  Skateboards and scooters are not permitted on school grounds or in the school.  Balloons are also prohibited.  Any of these items found in the building will be confiscated.  Basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, etc. cannot be carried openly in the building and will be confiscated if doing so.  These items may be picked up at room 143 at the end of the student’s school day.
15.  Students are prohibited from selling unauthorized items in the school building.  Any students found selling any food stuffs or drinks (i.e.:  soda, chips, candy, chocolate, etc.) in the building without authorization from school staff will receive a disciplinary referral and have said items confiscated and returned only to a parent or guardian.
16.  Posting or distributing of non-authorized literature or fliers inside the school or on school property is prohibited.
17. Fighting in school or on the way to or from school is prohibited and all parties involved will be suspended.  Peer mediation is available in the school and should be used in order to avoid any confrontations.
18. Possession of any weapons, narcotics, alcohol or other contraband is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate suspension and possible arrest.  Laser pointers are strictly prohibited and if found in the school may result in suspension.
19. Refusal to comply with a staff member’s request during the school day or during any after school activity, will result in appropriate penalties which include notification to parent, referral to the dean, annotation of record and other appropriate penalties which will be decided by the dean, assistant principal or principal.   
20. Any student accessing or using the internet through the Department of Education connections or equipment, whether from a DOE location or from a remote location using DOE hardware, software or accounts are prohibited from using such connections or equipment for other than educational purposes.  Violators to this policy may be subject to disciplinary and legal action.  Posting of inappropriate materials on the internet, which negatively impacts the school community is prohibited and can result in suspension.  Using the FHHS logo or name for personal use is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action. 
21.  Students, who are on suspension, have been suspended, have a disciplinary record, or are otherwise not in good academic or behavioral standing, may be prohibited from participating in or attending any extracurricular activities such as games, dances, shows, senior activities, etc.
22. Students participating in any trip, day or overnight, are subject to all school rules and regulations, as well the Chancellor’s Regulations outlining expectations for student behavior while on school trips and any potential disciplinary action as outlined in the NYC DOE Disciplinary Code.
23.  Anything, which is punishable by city, state and federal law, inside or outside the school building can result in possible arrest and suspension or expulsion from school (i.e., possession of alcohol, narcotics, drug paraphernalia, explosives, weapons, assault, gambling, vandalism, tampering with fire alarm) if a nexus to school community is established.  If any crimes are committed relating to school, a parent or guardian and the Department of Education will be notified.
24.  Students who feel that any of their rights are being violated should speak to elected officers of the student government.  Unauthorized student petitions are strictly prohibited.  More information on student government may be obtained in the student leadership room, located in B64.