School Policies
Lockers / Locker Search
The homeroom teacher will assign each student a locker at the beginning of the year. Lockers are on loan to students for storage purposes. The student assigned to a locker should be the only student using the locker. If other students have access to the locker, chances of theft are increased; therefore, combinations should not be share with others.
Specific times to use lockers are BEFORE homeroom, BEFORE lunch and AFTER school. Since having a locker is a PRIVILEGE, students who ignore rules and damage lockers will lose their rights to a locker AND assume responsibilities of replacing and/or paying for replacement. Any locker malfunction or damage by others should be immediately reported to the Student Activities’ Coordinator.
All lockers will have a final inspection at the end of the year. After the designated time for removal of contents, all items remaining in lockers will be discarded. In accordance with a recent Supreme Court decision, school authorities may search a locker if it is suspected to contain stolen goods, weapons, drugs or any item(s) that may endanger the health, safety, or welfare of others.
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Cafeteria / Lunch Program
Lunch is available for the student ONLY at the ONE period designated on his/her schedule. Students will have a CLOSED LUNCH. Students who choose to use the library during lunch should secure a pass from their classroom teacher prior to their lunch period and report to the library within the first ten minutes of the period. Lunch applications for free or reduced price meals are distributed to all students during the first week of school and are available at all tines in M211. ALL STUDENTS must return a lunch application; those who choose not to apply will check the appropriate space on the form. If an application is denied, parents will be notified. Students who qualify will be issued monthly lunch tickets.
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Home Instruction
Home instruction is provided when a student cannot attend school for an extended period of time because of illness or injury. Request for home instruction must include initial verification by a physician and the school may request periodic updates from the doctor. If a student can project that he/she will miss school for a period of two weeks or more, the student should immediately present a doctor’s note to the Health Services Division of the Board of Education.
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Parent Conferences
Parents may request a conference with their child’s teacher at any time during the school year. Call the guidance office to schedule an appointment. Preferably, these conferences should be held at times, which do not interrupt instruction. Likewise, teachers at times may find it necessary to request a special conference with a parent and an administrator. Parents are encouraged to make every effort to meet with your child’s teacher if you receive such a request.
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Early Dismissals
Early dismissals for students under the age of 18 are granted only when the parent or guardian reports to the attendance office and signs his/her child out of school. Parents may also send a note for early dismissal that will be verified before approval is granted.
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Parent Conference / Report Card Distribution
Report card distribution and conferences are held in cooperation with the P.T.A. to provide an opportunity for teachers to share class expectations and procedures with parents as well as to provide parents with a personal progress report.
These conferences are usually scheduled twice a year at the conclusion of the first and second marking periods. Report cards as usual, will be issued at the end of each marking period. If your child does not receive a report card, please contact the school. Parents may request a progress report at any time by contacting the Guidance Office.
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Parent/Teacher Association (P.T.A.)
All parents of Camden High School pupils are invited to attend the P.T.A. meetings that are held each month. Parents should contact a Home/School Coordinator at the high school for meeting dates and times.
The P.T.A. is composed of parents, community members and high school staff who serve as a liaison between the community and the high school, functioning as an advisory group to provide suggestions and recommendations for improvement of school programs and providing volunteer services for school activities.
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Excuses From Class
Students are excused from attending a class or classes only under the following situations; principal’s request, counselor’s request, or an approved field trip. A teacher cannot excuse a student from attending another teacher’s class. All valid excuses from class should be recorded in your rollbook. Students should make every attempt to address personal needs before first period, during lunch or after school.
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Passes
Students who are in the halls during any class period must have an official hall pass issued by school personnel. Loitering in the halls is not permitted and is subject to disciplinary action. Repeated offenses may result in suspension.
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Bus Tickets
Free or reduced bus fare tickets are available to those students who qualify. Students must first apply for the bus tickets to determine eligibility. Applications are available in the Main Office.
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Homework Procedures
Homework encourages and measures the development of self-discipline and associated good working habits. It is the policy of the Camden City Board of Education that homework will be assigned on a DAILY basis.
To be satisfying and beneficial, homework should address learning goals. It should be given to practice and re-enforce learning, to challenge critical thinking, to apply knowledge and skill, and to foster new knowledge. Most importantly homework should provide opportunities for students to use originality and creativity.
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Field Trips
The Camden City District encourages its teachers to utilize field trips in planning the course of studies for their particular discipline. These trips, tours and visitations constitute a vital part of a student’s educational and social process. No student will be permitted to leave on a field trip unless he/she has submitted a parental permission form. All students must return to the destination of their departure along with the group and chaperones.
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Fire Drills
Pursuant to New Jersey State Law, all schools are required to have fire drills to ensure the expedient evacuation of buildings and to ensure the safety of all personnel in case of an actual emergency. When the fire alarm sounds, please adhere to the following procedures:
- Exit the building QUICKLY and QUIETLY following the fire drill exit signs that are posted in each room.
- Teachers should have an assigned student who will secure each room by closing all windows, turning off lights and closing the classroom door.
- Teachers must ensure accountability for all their students by checking to see if all students have left the classroom and by securing their rollbooks.
- As all students and staff exit, they will move away from the building. Do not sit on the ledges or leave the school grounds.
Academic Eligibility
The Board of Education has established policy that requires any student participating in an extra-curricular activity to achieve a minimum grade point average of “C”. These guidelines must be followed:
- A list of participants in each activity must be submitted to the Coordinator of Student Activities.
- Each student’s academic eligibility will be checked using the grade point average of the proceeding marking period.
- Advisors will be notified if a student is not eligible to participate in the activity that marking period.
- Students will be informed of their ineligibility and will be encouraged to improve their grades by participating in tutorial classes and devoting more time to their studies.
- After the next marking period, if an ineligible student has acquired a “C” average, then the student will be allowed to participate in any activity.
- In addition to the Board of Education Policy, individual activities may have additional academic requirements, such as the National Honor Society.