WHAT PJHS EXPECTS OF YOU
The staff at PJHS will do everything they can to help you make your two years here pleasant and academically profitable. As a student, you have definite responsibilities to yourself and towards your school. We like to keep our classrooms and campus neat and clean. You share in this responsibility by not marking on the buildings, lockers, or books you work with, and not dropping paper and litter around the school. You should make sure that you, as an individual, are doing all that you can to keep our school attractive. If the school looks sharp, so do its students! In your contacts with our teachers and fellow students, the following should be kept in mind:
- GOOD WORKMANSHIP : Each student at PJHS should strive to earn the reputation of being a good student, thereby developing self-pride and school pride.
- COURTESY : Respect for the rights of others and their property constitutes a courteous attitude. The courteous person avoids rudeness, tries to be agreeable and helpful in all dealings with others, and never attracts negative attention to him/her through rude or boisterous behavior.
- FRIENDLINESS : A friendly attitude is the expected behavior between teachers and students, among pupils, and toward new students entering the school.
PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS
Petaluma Junior High School policy requires that students successfully complete a minimum of 110 credits (out of a possible 120 credits attempted during two years at PJHS) in order to be promoted.
While in junior high school, students must pass classes in the following areas:
English 2 years (20 credits) Science 2 years (20 credits)
Mathematics 2 years (20 credits) Physical Education 2 years (20 credits)
Social Science 2 years (20 credits) Other Electives 2 years (20 credits)
Students who fail classes must attend summer school and/or remediation classes, offered before and after school, in order to meet the requirements to promote. Failure to do so could result in retention. Students who fail three or more semester classes (during 7th and 8th grade) without making them up are not eligible for participation in the 8th grade promotion exercise ceremony, promotion dance, and Marine World field-trip.
If you have any questions concerning any of the above information, please contact your student’s counselor at PJHS.
REPORTING TO PARENTS
REPORT CARDS/GRADES
Report cards will be mailed home on the dates noted in the school calendar. (Every 6 weeks)
Scholarship grades are:
A - Denoting superior achievement
B - Above average achievement
C - Average achievement
D - Barely passing
F - Not passing/ No credit
Teachers will review the grading policy in their classes with students during the first week of school. At “Back-to-School Night” the policy will be explained to parents. Written copies of the policy will be provided.
TEACHER VOICE MAIL, WEB PAGES AND HOMEWORK HOTLINE
Each teacher has a Voicemail and Homework Hotline extension listed on the inside front cover of this Handbook. Use the Hotline whenever your student is absent or when you want to check on the current assignments. Many teachers also have class WebPages. Lists of these webpages are located on the school’s webpage, www.petalumajuniorhigh.org
STUDENT PLANNERS/WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORTS
Each year students are given agenda planners to write their daily homework assignments in. Parents, please check the planner regularly to see that your child is using it. The planner is an excellent way to get and stay organized. You can also require that your student have his/her teacher(s) sign the planner each day to verify that what the student has written is correct. It is the student's responsibility to ask for the teacher's signature.
Weekly progress reports are and excellent way of checking on your student's progress in between grade reports. Weekly progress reports are available in the counseling office for students to pick up. It is the student's responsibility to route the progress report to all his/her teachers. The yellow copy goes to the appropriate counselor. Call your child's counselor if you have any questions.
PARENT/COUNSELOR RELATIONSHIP
The counselor plays a vital role during a child’s junior high school years. You and your child should communicate with the counselor concerning areas such as these:
- Promotion requirements
- STAR test results (State Tests)
- Summer School/Remediation Classes
- Special Education Program RSP/LH
- Family Issues
- Peer Issues
The counselor provides additional details concerning Child Development, Progress Reports, discipline referrals, areas of eficiency, Project “TUFF” (group counseling offered by Petaluma People Services Center), and district or community psychological services.
Direct phone numbers for the counselors are:
Ms. Horwitz (7 th Grade: A-L) 778-4730
Mr. Podbereski (7 th Gr: M-Z & 778-4729 8 th Grade)
SPECIAL STUDENT RECOGNITION
RENAISSANCE ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS PROGRAM
The Renaissance Program is designed to recognize students for outstanding academic achievement, through incentives and awards. This program honors student academic achievement and students who demonstrate appropriate LIFE SKILLS. A Renaissance Rally will be held each semester to honor these students with certificates for two levels of achievement (Silver and Gold). This recognition program has three major goals:
- To focus on and emphasize academic excellence and improvement
- To reward such excellence and improvement
- To recognize and reward staff achievement and contributions.
GOLD* 4.0 GPA
SILVER*
3.0-3.9 GPA--NO “D”s**
*Students must maintain satisfactory citizenship and may not receive more than two referrals or 3 demerits during a semester. Remember that tardies will impact your Renaissance status.
Monday Morning Assembly
The Monday morning assembly is another way students are recognized. Teachers nominate students that have recent success in the classroom or in the community. Students are recognized and given a simple reward in honor of their achievement.
ATTENDANCE REGULATIONS
Attendance Office Phone Number: 778-4726 (24 hours)
- Students are required by law to attend school each day unless ill or excused for other explained absences. Student attendance is our most important source of funding. When a student is absent, for any reason, we lose funding. Students with excellent attendance records usually do well in school. Please do all you can to get your kids to school on time to help them succeed. Awards are given to students with perfect attendance. *Please note that all absences excused or unexcused count against a student’s “perfect attendance.” A student absent more that 14 days will be notified by mail that all absences that follow must be excused by a doctor’s note.
ABSENCES
- EXCUSED ABSENCE - illness
- EXCUSED ABSENCE - non-illness
- A. Bereavement due to death in the immediate family
- UNEXCUSED/ACCEPTABLE
- A. Religious Holiday
- B. Work with Parent Day
- ALL OTHER ABSENCES - are NOT considered legal by the Education Code of the State of California.
- CHECKOUTS - No student may leave campus during the day without authorization. A note from the student’s parent or guardian is required, and s/he must check out from the office before leaving. Upon return the student must first report to the attendance window.
- TRUANCY - is a very serious offense. Disciplinary action will be taken through the school district and the District Attorney’s office for truancy.
- EXCESSIVE ABSENCES will be referred to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB) and the District Attorney.
ABSENCE NOTES
1. ALL ABSENCES MUST BE VERIFIED. A parent/guardian must call the office (778-4726) or send a note or a doctor’s verification. Unverified absences will be recorded as cuts or Truancies. (See “Cuts” on the Discipline Grid).
Please include the following information:
a. Exact number of days and dates absent b. Include the specific reason for the absence
- Signature of parent/guardian d. Date the note is written
2. Upon returning to school, students must take their absence notes to the attendance desk.
3. Absence notes are considered confidential, and are kept on file in the attendance office.
4. A student who has been absent during the school day is not eligible to participate in any student activity that occurs after school on the same day, unless s/he is cleared by the administration.
5. Absences which are not cleared in the office within 3 days will be considered “cuts,” and will be referred to the Assistant Principal for consequences including Detention.
6. Doctor notes are required for extended absences (More than 5 days).
7. Please notify the office of any change of address or phone numbers during the school year.
CLOSED CAMPUS
PJHS maintains a closed campus. This means that once students arrive at school, they may not leave the school grounds during the day for any reason unless they have an off-campus pass approved by the office. Once a student has left campus, they cannot return the same day without a note from their parent/guardian or unless they are accompanied by a parent/guardian.
TARDY POLICY
Students are expected to be seated and ready to work when the bell rings. Tardies are only excused for illness or doctor appointments (see “excused absences” above). Habitual tardiness will result in disciplinary action.
Tardies 1-2: Handled by teacher. Consequences include: warning, detention, and negative citizenship marks.
Tardy 3: Students receiving three tardies in one class will be placed on the TARDY LIST and will receive an after-school detention for that tardy and all subsequent tardies in any class. Students remain on the Tardy List for the remainder of the semester (see discipline grid). Habitual tardiness may result in additional discipline.
If a student arrives up to 15 minutes late to school, they are to report directly to class where the teacher will mark them tardy (see policy above for consequences). If a student is more than 15 minutes late, they need to check in at the Attendance Desk before going to class.
HOMEWORK POLICY DURING ABSENCE
If a student is absent for one or two days, please use the homework hotline (see teachers’ extensions inside the front cover of this handbook) to obtain homework assignments. If a student is absent three or more days please call the office early, preferably before 9:00am to make a homework request. Work can then be available in the office between 3:00pm and 4:00pm that day.
VACATION POLICY
We realize that sometimes parents’ vacation schedules and school breaks don’t coincide. In order for your student to stay on top of his/her assignments, we offer parents the opportunity to do independent study contracts. The minimum number of days absent for the contract is five (5) days. You must notify the attendance office at least 5 school days in advance of your leaving and we will prepare contracts and gather homework for you. Completed Independent Study work allows PJHS to receive much needed funding. Please call Ms. Stockham in the attendance office at 778-4726 for more information.
TRANSFER TO ANOTHER SCHOOL
When transferring to another school, students must bring a note from a parent or guardian. Please include your new address. The note is to be taken to the office the day before the last day of attendance. Students must obtain a “Check Out/Transfer” form from the office and have all of their teachers and the librarian sign the form. All charges and/or fines must be paid before clearance from the school will be given.
PJHS NEWSLETTER
With the support of the PTSA, we mail home our newsletter every six weeks, which allows us to provide information concerning programs, upcoming events, testing, counseling services, student activities and staff articles. If you have comments regarding the newsletter or would like to volunteer help with the newsletter, please call the school office. It is also on our website. http://www.petalumajuniorhigh.org
PJHS PHONE DIALER
Important information is sent directly to your homes on a regular basis. These recorded phone messages contain useful information about important upcoming dates and events.
SPECIAL SCHOOL PROGRAMS
E.C.I.A. TITLE I
PJHS receives federal funds to provide additional support for 7th and 8th grade students who are below or far below basic proficiency on the STAR tests. Elements of support include instructional assistants, before and after school tutoring, computer use, and leveled grouping in English and Math classes.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (SIP)
State funding enables PJHS to provide a support program designed to serve all students and improve the total school curriculum and learning environment. Examples of such programs are small math classes and zero hour PE. Parents, students, and staff fill out a school-wide survey in the spring. You may wish to participate on our School Site Council (SSC). If interested, please call Mr. Lehmann in the main office at 778-4724.
RESOURCE SPECIALIST (RSP) AND LEARNING HANDICAPPED (LH)
Resource Specialist and Learning Handicapped programs are available for students who qualify. Students placed in the Resource Specialist Program are there for one to three periods, usually in Math, Reading, Social Science or English. Students may be placed in the “special day” class for four periods (one elective and P.E. would be outside of class).
BILINGUAL EDUCATION
Our school provides classes utilizing bilingual assistants and specially trained teachers to assist our English Language Learners (ELL) students.
LIBRARY
The library is open one hour before school, during lunch and break, and at least one-half hour after school. It contains approximately 10,000 books specially selected for junior high students. Ms. Andresen, the Library Media Teacher, is available to help students with book selection, homework assignments, use of the Internet and the library’s computers. In addition to the library’s resources, school textbooks are available for students doing homework. The purpose of the library is to provide a place for students to read and do homework, so students who interfere with the quiet atmosphere will be asked to leave.
The library subscribes to three newspapers and over a dozen magazines. Students are encouraged to check out up to five books and magazines at a time for the school’s Sustained Silent Reading time (SSR) and for other pleasure reading. The checkout period is three weeks, and materials can be renewed.
The library does charge fines of ten cents per day on overdue items. Students will receive overdue notices in their homeroom class, but they we expect students to take responsibility for remembering to return their items on time so that other students can use them. We send letters home if students don’t respond to overdue notices, and revoke privileges for students who don’t return books or pay fines. We greatly need parent help to remind students to return library materials instead of leaving them in their rooms or backpacks.
MAGAZINE DRIVE
The Associated Student Body (ASB) sponsors a school-wide magazine drive as the primary fundraiser for student activities. Held early in the fall, the drive encourages participation by the entire student body, because all students will benefit by its proceeds. The drive is a fun way to contribute to the school, and students earn a variety of individual prizes. Details of the magazine drive will be discussed in an assembly and homerooms during the first weeks of school. Hang on to your renewal slips for this drive!
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
AFTER-SCHOOL SPORTS
All students are welcome to tryout* for any the following sports - FALL: Girls basketball. WINTER: Girls Volleyball, Boys Basketball SPRING: Co-ed wrestling, Co-ed Track. In order for any student to tryout and/or participate in any sport they must first have all of the athletic paperwork/clearance completely filled out and must submit proof of a current physical exam to the main office. Athletic paperwork/clearance forms may be picked up anytime from the main office.
STUDENT ATHLETE EXPECTATIONS
Student athletes must understand that they are representing themselves, their team, and their school at all times and should serve as positive role models to other students. With this in mind, the expectations for our student athletes include:
- Responsibility
- Respect
- Sportsmanship
- Work ethic
- Commitment
*Note: Prior to trying out for a sport, all participants are required to turn in a current physical exam and insurance form. This paperwork must be turned in to the office. No student will be allowed to try out without a release form from the office. Grade checks will be done periodically to determine academic eligibility.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to participate in extra-curricular activities (including athletics and Leadership) a student must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.00 with no “F”s and no unsatisfactory “U” citizenship marks for the previous grading period. Students who drop below a 2.00 GPA will be placed on probation; athletes on probation may not participate in any games and may not miss class to travel to away games until their grades are brought back up to a 2.00 GPA. Follow up grade checks will be used to determine eligibility; if at the follow up grade check the athlete is still below a 2.00 GPA they will be removed from the team and ineligible for the remainder of that season.
STUDENT INSURANCE
Student insurance is available at a reasonable cost. Parents are urged to buy this insurance coverage for their student if personal insurance is not available.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Students at PJHS play a very important roll in developing the school climate. This is accomplished through our student council that operates within the framework of a constitution to plan activities, decide on school projects, plan assemblies, purchase equipment, recommend rules and regulations, and attend to other student matters. We encourage students to use this forum for expressing their views on various matters.
Student council is comprised of the elected student body officers and representatives from homerooms. Every candidate must have a minimum 2.0 GPA, no “U”s in citizenship, no “F”s in any marking period, and must have good school attendance. Students who are already in office and do not meet this criteria, will be put on probation for one marking period. If they do not improve, they will be removed from office. Homeroom Reps are elected in September. Officer elections are held each spring.
CLUBS
All clubs are organized on the basis of interest on the part of the students. Whenever a group of students wishes to start a club, they may contact the Director of Student Activities who will help them find a sponsor and get organized. A minimum of ten students is required to start a club.
DANCES
Each year PJHS ASB will sponsor dances for the students attending PJHS. Dances are limited to 400 students on a first come, first served basis; cost $5.00. Tickets are sold for the five days prior to the dance at lunch. Absolutely no tickets will be sold at the door.
All school rules apply at dances, including the dress code, and students are expected to act in a safe and appropriate manner. All students are eligible for the dance unless they are on the Loss of Privilege list (Pg.17). Students must attend school for at least half the school day in order to be eligible to attend after school or evening activities. Once students enter the dance, they are to remain for the entire dance unless a parent picks them up. Students are to arrive at the dance within the first half hour or will not be admitted. Students are to be on their way home within 15 minutes after the end of the dance. Students, who are not picked up by that time, may lose their next dance privilege.
Attendance at any PJHS dance requires the student to sign a dance contract reviewing these and other expectations. Students who do not meet these expectations while at the dance, may have their parents phoned in order to pick them up, and will lose their eligibility for the next dance as well.
STUDENT BODY CARDS
All students receive an associated student body photo I.D. card (ASB card). These cards are used for entrance to Tri-School dances, purchase of food at school, and other events requiring Photo I.D.
INTRAMURALS
A co-ed intramural program will be held the last 20 minutes of lunch (weather permitting) Monday through Thursday. This is a voluntary program in which students may participate in such activities as flag football, basketball, volleyball, and softball.
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE
TRANSPORTATION/BUSES
All school rules apply at bus stops as well as on the bus. A calm manner on your part is expected on our buses. The lives of many children are the responsibility of the driver; one of those lives is yours. We insist upon good behavior on our buses and at bus stops. Our drivers have the authority to enforce the rules for your safety. Students may only ride their designated bus unless they show the bus driver written permission from a parent or guardian. Students are to get off the bus only at their designated stop when the red lights have been activated. Motorists are required by law to stop until the red lights are turned off. Safety is the most important reason for these rules.
PARENT/GUARDIAN DROP OFF & PICKUP
Students are to enter and exit at the Front Foyer or by the lower path only. Only drop students off on the curbside of the traffic circle. All students waiting for parents are required to wait in one of two places: 1) the sidewalk of the traffic circle or 2) the south parking lot by the entrance to the front circle.Students may also walk down the path to Webster Street. For the safety of your children do not use the staff parking lot. The bus zone is off limits while buses are entering, loading and exiting. All students are to be off campus by 3:00PM unless participating in an after-school activity or waiting for a school bus.
BICYCLES/SKATEBOARDS
Bicycles and skateboards must be parked and locked in the racks provided. All bicycles and skateboards must be locked individually; students may not share locks. Damage to or loss of a bike or skateboard is solely the concern of the owner. The school will investigate and report theft and vandalism but will not assume any responsibility or liability for bicycle/skateboard damage/loss. Due to safety concerns, bike riding, skating and skateboarding are not permitted on the campus. Bikes and skateboards must be walked to and from Webster Street and from the front of school. For safety reasons (to students, bus drivers, and parents), students are not permitted to ride bikes or walk on Western Avenue between Bantam Way and Webster Street.
STATE LAW REQUIRES BIKE HELMETS FOR BIKES AND SKATEBOARDS.
GENERAL INFORMATION
VISITORS
All visitors must report to the office to obtain a visitor’s pass before going to any area of the campus. Parents are always welcome to visit school and are encouraged to do so. Please call in advance for an appointment. Only parents, guardians, or other appropriate adults will be allowed to visit. Students may not bring friends from out of town or other schools to visit classes. Students who encourage non-PJHS students to come on to campus are subject to disciplinary action and are responsible for the actions of such unauthorized visitors.
CARE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY
School equipment and property (books, etc.) are provided to enhance and help students learn. Students marking or damaging school equipment or property in any way will be required to clean the article or to pay for damage done. The law specifically provides that parents and students are responsible for these items. Students may be suspended for vandalizing school property.
TEXTBOOKS
Textbooks and library books are the property of the Petaluma School District and should be handled carefully. All textbooks must be kept clean and covered. Issued texts are the direct responsibility of the student. If textbooks or library books are lost or damaged, the student must pay for them before a new textbook will be issued. Report cards and records will be withheld until the books or materials are paid for or returned. Textbooks must be returned the day before the 8 th grade Marine World trip/7 th Grade Fun Day or the student loses eligibility for the event.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION ATTIRE/INFORMATION – www.pjhspe.com
The required clothing for Physical Education is purple PE shorts, PE T-shirt and athletic shoes that must be tied tightly. Sweats are optional but if worn must be plain grey or purchased from PJHS. PE Clothing (shorts, shirts, and sweats) is sold at orientation and in the locker rooms throughout the school year. Students will be assigned a PE locker to be used for valuables and should always be kept locked.
P.E. lockers are to be used for valuables and should always be kept locked.
Check www.pjhspe.com for more information.
LOCKER ROOMS
The locker rooms are closed before school, at break, at lunch time, and after school. The only exceptions are for students who have zero period PE or for students participating in after school sports. Athletes may drop off their athletic bags in the mornings after the 8:23 am passing bell and have until 3:00 pm after school to dress in the locker rooms for their practices/games. Students are not allowed to pass by or hang out behind the locker rooms at lunch time.
PE MAKE-UPS/PE MAKE-UP SCHEDULE
Physical Education class hours are state mandated and students must accumulate regular hours in Physical Education. Therefore missed classes must be made up in order to receive PE credit for that day. Generally two PE make-up sessions are required for each class missed but it is the responsibility of the student to check with his/her PE teacher after returning from any absence to see exactly what work they missed. PE absences must be made up by the end of each grading period. Students must bring a PE make-up form (available at www.pjhspe.com) to be admitted to PE make-ups.
PE make-up times are as follows (subject to change):
Tues/Thu after school from 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Wed/Thu/Fri before school from 7:45 am – 8:15 am
HALL and PE LOCKERS
Each student is assigned a locker as a privilege. Lockers are used to store books and personal material such as jackets, sweaters and lunches, so that students don’t have to carry them throughout the day. Improper use of the locker may result in loss of this privilege. Do not tell anyone your locker combination. Do not share or trade your locker with anyone. PJHS is not responsible for, and will not replace, items stolen from school lockers. The lockers are owned by the school and are subject to search at any time with reasonable cause.
LOST AND FOUND
Lost and found articles may be picked up in the office. Your name should be put on all coats and jackets so they can be identified. The bus garage should also be checked from time to time for lost articles. P.E. lost and found is in the P.E. locker rooms. Clothing remaining unclaimed will be given to a charitable organization on a monthly basis.
HEALTH ROOM
A room is available in the Main Office for students who are ill. If you need to go to the Nurse’s office, be sure you go to class first to get a pass from your teacher. Students are to sign in when they come to the office to verify attendance. Do not bring books and purses to the Health Room.
Immunizations-Students are required to have up-to-date immunizations prior to enrollment in PJHS. If Immunizations are against personal beliefs or medically contraindicated you may sign a wavier.
MEDICATION
If it becomes necessary for a student to take any medication, at school, the doctor and the parent must sign an Authorization for Administering Medication Form. The form must be signed annually or if changes occur in the medication. All medication, including aspirin and over-the-counter medications and herbal remedies, must be kept and dispensed through the main office unless the doctor and the parent sign permission for the student to keep it with them. Asthma inhalers can be carried by students if they have written permission from parent and doctor. A school nurse is provided two days per week. The school secretary will handle medical problems at other times.
OFFICE TELEPHONE: 707-778-4724
The office is open from 7:30am to 4:00pm. We are here to assist you with any questions or problems. Only students with business are allowed in the office. When you know you will be staying after school for an activity, make your transportation arrangements in advance. If you have an important message for a student (example is transportation home from school), please leave a message with the office and it will be delivered to your student by the end of the day.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT TITLE IX
Both state and federal laws and regulations prohibit sexual harassment. Complaints will be filed with the appropriate state and federal agencies. Detention, suspension and expulsion may result. Our school district policy provides an educational environment free of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment should be reported immediately to the following Title IX Coordinators:
John Lehmann, Principal or Ninotchka Horwitz, Counselor
Petaluma Junior High School *Please note complete policy on inside back cover.
700 Bantam Way
Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 778-4724
FIELD TRIPS
At PJHS we realize the importance of out-of-class educational field trips, as well as extra-curricular events during the school day. Students are expected to be on their best behavior while on field trips and must meet due dates and make-up all missed work while attending field trips and extra curricular events. It is the student’s responsibility to get the assignments before the trip. Some students may be excluded from certain field trips if their classroom behavior has been poor.
FIRE AND DISASTER DRILLS
Fire and disaster drills are held in the fall and spring. Remember these basic rules:
- Check the instructions for emergency routes from each classroom (posted near door of classroom).
- Walk
- No talking
- Move quickly and quietly to designated areas
PJHS DISCIPLINE PHILOSOPHY
We believe that student discipline is an integral part of a successful junior high school experience and a shared commitment between students, staff, and parents. We believe:
- All students have human dignity and worth
- Influence is greater than control
- Appropriate behavior is maintained by appropriate consequences
- School is a comfortable and safe place
- All members of our community are responsible for promoting an atmosphere for learning.
Our discipline policies are marked by the following assumptions:
- Instructional practices enable students to make appropriate choices in a climate of support
- School rules and classroom limits are clearly defined
- Consequences will increase in severity for repeated misbehavior
- Consequences will be consistently applied
- Effective communication techniques will be utilized to encourage positive relationships
- Positive behaviors will be reinforced through recognition and reward
- Students will be given many opportunities to develop positive behavior.
Our discipline system is based on five basic standards that encompass our entire community’s beliefs and expectations for making our school a safe and supportive place to learn and teach. It is the responsibility of students and staff to uphold these standards in their daily conduct and interactions with others. Failure to uphold these standards will result in increasing levels of consequences as outlined in the discipline grid, which follows this section.
STANDARD 1: RESPECT YOURSELF
Every student can develop respect for self by applying his or her best efforts at school. By taking pride in and responsibility for your education you can gain knowledge and skills that will enable you to have continued success in the future. Come to school prepared by bringing your materials and completed homework and projects and your self-respect will grow.
STANDARD 2: RESPECT EACH OTHER
In an attempt to maintain a safe and supportive educational environment, all members of our community are expected to demonstrate a respectful attitude toward those around them. Examples of such behavior include: treat others as you wish to be treated, be cooperative, be courteous, use proper language, no foul language, no name calling, no spitting, no rough contact.
STANDARD 3: RESPECT LEARNING
All students are to be in their seats ready to work with all necessary materials when the bell rings. Students must respect all direct requests by teachers. If they feel such a request is unreasonable, they are to schedule a time to discuss their concern outside of class time. Failure to follow teacher directions may result in a disciplinary referral for defiance. Students are to remain in their seats until the teacher (not the bell) dismisses the class. Physical contact and horseplay are prohibited. Students who throw any object at anytime are subject to disciplinary action. Individual classroom expectations and procedures are to be followed at all times.
STANDARD 4: RESPECT OUR SCHOOL
The entire PJHS community is proud of the school and its high standards. This includes the overall appearance of our school, which is maintained through the hard work of a great many people. Students must remember that they enjoy the benefits of, and share the responsibility for, keeping PJHS as neat and clean as possible. Ways they can help include:
- Pick up trash and encourage others to keep our campus clean.
- Keep walls and desks clean and graffiti free.
- Use books and materials with care. Take care of all school property as if it were your own.
- Eat all food in the cafeteria, courtyard or other designated areas. No food is allowed in classrooms without teacher approval.
- Never bring gum to school.
- Do not bring sunflower seeds or other nuts to school, as they are messy.
STANDARD 5: RESPECT AND OBEY STATE AND LOCAL LAWS
Laws and rules are put in place to ensure that schools are safe for children and adults. California State Law forbids tobacco, firecrackers, theft, lighting fires, alcohol, drugs and drug paraphernalia, gang related clothing or items, vandalism, and possessing dangerous items (lighters, bullets, knives, etc.), and other disruptive devices (radios, laser pointers, games, permanent markers, etc.) on all school campuses.
The following are some of the rules and guidelines we use at PJHS. They cannot cover every possible situation, but these rules help us maintain a safe environment at PJHS. The District and school discipline guidelines that follow these rules help us maintain consistent discipline on our campus. Please note that these rules apply while students are at school, on their way to or from school, or participating in any school-sponsored activity.
PROHIBITED AREAS
1. The faculty parking lot and access points from G and H wings are out of bounds to students.
2. Please head straight to and from school. This means students are not to loiter in and around local businesses or private residences.
3. The tree and shrub area around the tennis courts, along Western Avenue, and surrounding the lower fields are off limits.
4. The corridors during lunch hours, including in front of the A and C buildings, the PE steps, and behind the PE locker rooms are to be kept clear at all times. Students may not linger in these areas.
5. The front lawn is prohibited, unless directed there by a staff member.
BEFORE SCHOOL , Students report directly to the courtyard or Cafeteria.
All food is to remain in the cafeteria in the morning. Students may sit on benches or in the risers (big stairs) to socialize. Students are not to sit on the cables, backs of benches or railings. Students are to conduct themselves in a safe and orderly manner at all times. This means running, pushing, grabbing, sliding, wrestling, play fighting or any other horseplay is strictly prohibited.
Please keep hallways clear to allow safe travel. Students are to remain behind the yellow lines in the entrances to hallways and in front of the library and office until the passing bell rings at 8:27 AM.
HALLWAYS
Students are not to be in the halls before 8:27 AM without a pass. Students are to go directly to the destination stated on their pass, and should present the pass to any staff member upon request without question or argument. Signed passes are also needed to go to their locker or the bathroom during class periods. As a matter of safety and courtesy, running in the halls, pushing, grabbing, sliding, wrestling, play fighting or any other horseplay is strictly prohibited.
LUNCH TIME
Students are to line up in the appropriate lines for the snack bar and school lunch program. Cutting or asking for money in line is not allowed. Students may sit in the cafeteria or in the courtyard to eat.
To help maintain the cleanliness of our school, students are expected to pick up and throw away all trash before being excused from lunch. If you have left your lunch or lunch money at home, please come to the office. The throwing of any objects is prohibited. Failure to obey this rule will result in campus clean up being assigned and/or an immediate detention/suspension. Students are to respect the authority of the noon supervisors at all times. After eating students may stay in the courtyard to socialize, go to the library/G-wing area or go to the blacktop/field for play.
BLACKTOP/FIELD
Students are to conduct themselves in a safe and orderly manner at all times. No food is allowed on the blacktop or field. . Teams are limited to 11 per side for flag football (No tackling is allowed) and 5 per side for basketball. Numbers larger than this are unsafe. Equipment is checked out for the first few minutes after lunch dismissal. The person checking out the equipment is responsible for its return. Students are not to interfere with any PE equipment or any games in progress, walk around P.E. instructional areas.
RAINY DAY
Before school , students are to go directly to the multi-use room, and remain inside or under the covered walkways until excused by the 8:27 AM bell. No running, pushing, horseplay, etc is allowed.
At lunch , all students sit and eat under cover and stay under cover while it is raining. If open, students may go to the Library, Gym, teachers’ classrooms, (with passes) or the Game Room. Students are not to walk across the courtyard in the rain.
NUISANCE ITEMS
Those items that are deemed a nuisance to the educational process and tend to disrupt others are to be left at home. Such items, if brought to school, will be confiscated and returned only to the parent of the student. Repeated offenses will be viewed as acts of defiance and subject to further disciplinary action. Damage to or loss of a nuisance item or cell phone is solely the concern of the owner. The school will investigate and report theft and vandalism but will not assume any responsibility or liability for nuisance item or cell phone damage/loss.
Nuisance items include, but are not limited to, the following items: gum, sunflower seeds, skates, roller shoes, toys, firecrackers, snappers, poppers, water guns, balloons, radios, tape/cassette/CD/ Ipod/ MP3 players, cameras, rubber bands, sling shots, electronic games, large sums of money, glass bottles, tech decks, balls, “Sharpies”/ permanent marker, spray colognes/perfumes and misters, etc.
NO GUM at school at any time.
CELL PHONES must be OFF AND PUT AWAY from when you arrive at school to 2:45pm everyday.
DANGEROUS BEHAVIORS
The following behaviors are of such a serious nature that they will result in serious discipline, including suspension from school. They include:
- Fighting/Assault
- Extortion/Hazing, Pushing or Bullying in the halls
- Horseplay leading to the injury of another person
- Spitting on another person
- Pantsing of another student (may be considered sexual harassment)
DRUGS-Students in possession of, under the influence of, or selling drugs, including alcohol, will be suspended for five days and face a discipline hearing at school with a possible recommendation to the Board of Education for expulsion. The police will also be notified of such instances with the possibility of arrest.
CIGARETTES/TOBACCO-Students possessing, distributing or using tobacco will be suspended. The police will also be notified of such instances with the possibility of arrest.
WEAPONS/EXPLOSIVES-The possession, use, sale, or involvement with firecrackers, ammunition, pyrotechnics, knives, guns, martial arts items, or any other injurious objects, or the use of any object in a deliberately or potentially injurious manner is prohibited and students will be suspended. Police may also be notified if the incident warrants.
GAMBLING/THEFT-Students caught gambling or stealing will be suspended.
VANDALISM-Students who are caught vandalizing or deliberately damaging school property will be responsible for the replacement or repair of that property and subject to suspension and/or expulsion.
DRESS STANDARDS
The PJHS staff feels that appropriate school attire contributes to a positive learning environment. PJHS standards have been established to create an atmosphere and attitude in which students perform well, feel comfortable, and do not distract others. We appreciate the cooperation from each family in helping to maintain appropriate standards of appearance.
Offensive articles of clothing, jewelry or adornment are not allowed. This includes, but is not limited to, items with safety pins, expressions, pictures, or words that are obscene, profane, pornographic, representative of a clear and present danger of illegal behavior, disparaging or demeaning to others (such as racial, religious, sexist, or ethnic epithets, or advocating pain, violence, death, suicide, or use or advertisement of drugs and/or alcohol).
Immodest clothing is not allowed. This includes, but is not limited to bare midriff, strapless shoulders, or low cut, revealing necklines, half T-shirts, crop tops, halter tops, see-through shirts or blouses, short skirts or shorts (shorter than their fingertips when arms are at their sides), un-hemmed cutoffs, jogging shorts or extremely tight clothing. Bicycle shorts may be worn under another appropriate garment. Shirts/blouses should be tucked in or cover the top of the pants, even when bending or reaching. Sleepwear is not allowed. Underwear must not show.
TANK TOPS are allowed. The straps must be larger than 1 ½ inches and no underwear may show.
Inappropriate public displays of affection are not allowed. No kissing, hugging, or handholding.
HATS may be worn for sun protection before school, during P.E., at lunch, and after school. They are to be worn with the bill straight forward and must be taken off when indoors. Bandannas and other head apparel are not allowed at school.
Attire that is worn or altered in such a way to identify students with gangs is not allowed. This includes but is not limited to, sagging pants, over-sized pants, hanging belts, socks pulled to knee with shorts, clothing with area codes on them, and gang symbols on belt buckles. Clothes primarily red or blue depicting gang affiliations are not permitted. Any symbol, sign or numbers related to gangs are not allowed. Students are not allowed to dress in all red or all blue and may not accessorize in red or blue: red hat, sweatshirt, belt, wristband, shoestrings, etc.
Shoestrings must match the primary color of the shoes, but shoes and shoestrings must not be blue or red.
Shoes that completely cover the toes and that are secure at the heel must be worn at all times. NO FLIP FLOPS OR SLIPPERS.
Inappropriately dressed students will be asked to leave class until a change of clothing is received from home or borrowed from school. The Principal or the Assistant Principal shall determine final judgment of appropriateness.
Eighth graders participating in the end-of-the year promotion dance and ceremony should wear dressy but not formal clothing. Tuxedos, long gowns, and limousines are not allowed. DRESSES MUST NOT BE STRAPLESS. Boys are to wear a collared shirt, nice pants and no hat. It is our intention that all students be able to attend these events with a feeling of “peer appropriateness.” All students should dress in a neat and appropriate manner.
CONSEQUENCES FOR MISBEHAVIOR
Students who choose to break the rules will be issued a referral. The referral will outline the misbehavior and list the consequence(s). The discipline grid will be used as a guide for determining the appropriate response for a given behavioral offense. Referrals are to be signed by the parent and returned the next day to school. Any student who has received ten referrals in one year may receive a same day suspension for excessive referrals. Parents will be contacted and a parent conference will be set. At the conference a discipline contract and support plan will be developed.
After Spring break, referrals for 8th graders start counting towards loss of 8th grade promotion activities. A notice will go home in the spring explaining the specifics.
Loss Of Privilege (LOP) List
Students who receive any home suspensions, full days of In School Suspension (ISS), or referrals of any type during a six-week period prior to an event are placed on the LOSS OF PRIVILEGE list, and are not eligible to attend that activity. The Loss of Privilege list is based on a demerit point system. Four demerit points will put a student on the Loss of Privilege list.
Demerits are calculated as follows:
At home suspension 4 demerits
Full day of In School Suspension 2 demerits
Lunch or after school detention 1 demerit
Class suspension 1 demerit
School rules apply at school, as well as coming to and leaving from school. PJHS reserves the right to handle discipline on a case-by-case basis, depending on severity.
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