School profile

Each Department has its own guidance counselor. Guidance counselors work with the registrar to ensure that all students have the necessary classes and meet graduation requirements. Guidance counselors are responsible for all class changes. The registrar makes the appropriate changes on student schedules. Guidance Counselors will have college and scholarship information. They assist students with the college application process, SATs, selection of alternative schools, and transfers.

City regulations require that a fire drill be held periodically during the school year. Each exit in the school is clearly indicated. The exit to be used is clearly indicated in each classroom.

The sound of the Fire Alarm is the signal to leave the building immediately by the designated exit. Move rapidly, two by two, and maintain silence and good order in the corridors.

1. 
   Every fire drill is to be regarded as a real fire.
   
2. 
   Fire drills will take place at any time, whether the students are in the gymnasium, in
   

3. 
   All students should vacate the building immediately during a fire drill. They must not go
   

follow their teachers to the designated area outside the building.

4. 
   Students must not run during a Fire Drill.
   

The Student Council at Madison Park Technical High School is composed of representatives from each of the three clusters. The Council members are elected by their classmates within the cluster (number elected to be determined by each cluster). Five of these students will be on the School-Wide Student Council. The School-Wide Council meets monthly with the Headmaster/Director and advisors to discuss school-wide issues and to plan school-wide activities. These students work diligently to promote spirit and pride among the students. The Junior Class has an elected body of students who focus on social activities. The elected body consists of a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. The Senior Class has an elected body of students who focus on senior activities. The elected body consists of a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. Class dues are requested of each senior.

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  Students are required to enter only through the Madison Park Technical High School main entrance at 75 Malcolm X Blvd.
  
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  Students must allow sufficient time to go through a security check at the main entrance and arrive at homeroom no later than 7:40 AM. All students entering Madison Park Technical High School are subject to being searched at the time of entry and/or at other times as outlined in the School-Based Rules.
  
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  Students who come in between 7:40 and 7:50 will:
  

- Sign In

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  Students who come in after 7:50, with or without an ID, will:
  

• 
  Students who arrive at the front door after 8:47 AM, with or without an ID must be accompanied by a parent or must have a note signed by a parent or guardian, including a phone number where that person can be reached. Students without a note or without a responding phone number may be sent home at the discretion of the school. After Period 1, late students must report to the front door and then to their Department Office for admission.
  
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  Students who are tardy more than five times in a calendar month may be assigned to after-school detention or a suspension hearing may be held for multiple offenses. Students who, due to excessive tardiness, are failing a course, must make up all work and time within two weeks.
  

Attendance Committees will review the records of students who are tardy more than two times in a single week or five times in a calendar month and at the discretion of a Department Director be assigned after school detention, or a suspension hearing may be held for multiple offenses. Students who are tardy must make up the work that they missed. After first period, late students must report to their Department Office for admission into school. These students should have a note signed by a parent or guardian, including a phone number where that parent can be reached. Students without a note or without a responding phone number may be sent home at the discretion of the school.

Teachers will use discretion, on an individual basis, to determine if the student should be marked tardy or if any other consequence needs to apply. Excessive tardies may not equal an absence.

Students, who during class time, circulate from one area to another for a legitimate reason must have a pass from a teacher or administrator. Passes must include date, time, student's name, destination and signature of teacher/staff. No passses will be given during the first 10 minutes or the last 10 minutes of classes. Any student who is in the hallways during class time without a pass is subject to being searched.

The teacher will dismiss students from class. The bell is only a signal for the teacher. The bell does not dismiss the students.

All students, including those 17 and older, seeking an early dismissal must have a note from their parent/guardian of record. The note must contain a parent/guardian’s signature, telephone number, and requested time of dismissal. The information contained in this note must be verifiable by the Department Director, School Nurse or Department Secretary.

Class cutting is prohibited. Students must attend all classes. Class cutting and/or leaving the school building without permission may result in disciplinary action.

Students must report to all assigned detentions. Students may request a morning or afternoon detention or that the detention be postponed (waiver). Keep in mind that to obtain a postponement of the detention, you must submit a request prior to the end of the school day in which the detention was given. This request needs to be approved by an administrator.

Homeroom teachers or vocational instructors assign lockers to students. Lockers are assigned as close to the students' homeroom/shop areas as possible. Students are responsible for buying locks for the locker.

Students may go to their lockers during the following times:

1. 
   Before homeroom
   
2. 
   Before and after lunch
   
3. 
   After dismissal from school
   

Each cluster implements its own lock policy. According to the Deputy Superintendent's Memorandum, students who supply their own locks must provide the school with the key or the combination. Any lock that is unauthorized may be cut as soon as it is noticed.

1. 
   Warning
   
2. 
   Detention by the teacher and parental contact
   
3. 
   Referral for disciplinary action
   

Controlled substances and weapons are prohibited on school premises, at school sponsored or school-related events, and on school or MBTA property. We define weapons as any object or instrument that, due to its nature or use, has the potential to inflict bodily harm or cause serious injury to a person. Laser lights fall into this category. Any student who is

found selling, distributing, or possessing with intent to sell or distribute any controlled substance, shall be subject to expulsion from the school district.

Consequences for violation of Rule 9

1. 
   Automatic suspension
   
2. 
   Criminal charges may be sought
   
3. 
   Referral to BPS Counseling and Intervention Center
   
4. 
   Possibility of expulsion from the school district
   

Boston Public Schools Policy states that possession of inappropriate but not dangerous property, such as radios, recording equipment, pagers, cellular phones, and other personal audio and electronic equipment (cameras, sidekicks, IPODs, and etc.) are not allowed in school.

If a student is seen with, or found using, one of the above devices, the school may confiscate the item the first time and return it to the student after school. After the first time, the school may confiscate the item and return it to the guardian. After the second time, the student may be prohibited from bringing a cellular phone or other electronic device to school for the remainder of the school year. The school is not liable for confiscated items.
RULE 11 … HEAD COVERS

As per Boston Public Schools Policy, head covers of any style (hats, bandanas, and/or wave caps) are not to be worn by male or female students anywhere in the building, except for medical or religious reasons, or specifically required at designated shop areas for safety reasons. The head cover may be confiscated. The school is not liable for confiscated items.

The following items are considered dangerous objects because of their potential to create dangerous situations for students or personnel at Madison Park Technical High School and to be disruptive to school activity.

1. 
   Studded belts/necklaces/bracelets/rings (including those rings that cover three fingers
   

2. 
   Walking sticks, canes (unless prescribed by a physician).
   
3. 
   Large link chains
   
4. 
   Balls, cards, dice, magic markers, firelighters, firecrackers, and fire works
   
5. 
   Masks, sunglasses, or any other items that may help to conceal the identify of an
   

All food and beverages are to be consumed in the cafeteria. Students must eat breakfast in the first floor cafeteria or the third floor cafeteria of Building 7. Vending machines must be used during lunch and after school. Food is not to be taken out of the cafeteria.

1. Confiscation

   
   
2. 
   Confiscation and referral for disciplinary action
   

The following clothing is prohibited at Madison Park Technical High School because of its potential to be disruptive to the school related activity:

1. 
   Mini-skirts, shorts, tank tops and any attire determined to be inappropriate or
   

2. 
   Clothing that exposes the midriff
   
3. 
   Clothing with obscene/gang/violence/drug-related graphics or messages are not
   

4. 
   Gang-related clothing or colors are not permitted
   

1. 
   For 1 and 2, cover up or be sent home.
   
2. 
   For 3, turn inside out, cover up or be sent home
   
3. 
   For 4, may put other clothes on or parent will be contacted and student sent home to
   

The following areas are off-limits to students, unless they have been assigned to the area or in a case of emergency:

1. 
   Athletic field and courts,
   
2. 
   Grounds around the school
   
3. 
   Loading docks
   
4. 
   Parking lot
   
5. 
   Fire exits (stairways and doors)
   
6. 
   Any area of the building to which the student has not been assigned
   

Students are expected to keep the school neat and clean by depositing trash in the proper receptacles and not defacing or destroying school property.

State law prohibits smoking in a public building and/or on school grounds. Possession of tobacco products and related paraphernalia (rolling paper, pipes, lighters) is prohibited and those items will be confiscated.

Technical vocational programs will establish rules to address each program's safety needs.

Students are not allowed to bring visitors to school without written approval from their Department Director and/or the Headmaster.

Students are required to wear uniforms in their technical vocational programs.

Boston Public Schools Policy prohibits students cheating. Cheating is defined as copying another’s work (whether or not permission has been given), either partially or completely, and presenting it as one’s own. Plagiarism is also considered cheating.

1. 
   Failing grade on assignment and parental contact
   
2. 
   Referral to Guidance Counselor
   
3. 
   Referral for disciplinary action
   

Students must have an identification card with them at all times when attending school or a school function. ID cards should be visible at all times. ID cards will be required to make use of the library and cafeteria services, and for attendance. Students must present their identification card when requested by a staff member. It is not transferable. Any lost card must be reported immediately to the Department Director. Cards are obtainable in early September or after the time of admission. If a student loses or forgets the identification card, she/he must speak to her/his Department Director. The student will be charged a $1.00 replacement cost. If a student refuses to show his/her identification card, he/she may be suspended or arrested as a trespasser.

Students and their parents/guardians are responsible for all issued textbooks and library books. If books are not returned the following consequences will occur:

1. 
   The student’s report card will not be released
   
2. 
   The student’s school records will not be released for school transfers, college
   

3. 
   Student will not be permitted to participate in graduation ceremonies
   

Students are expected to maintain proper conduct while in the school library. Library computers are for research only. A Special Library Pass is necessary to visit the library.

Students’ records are legal documents. They may not be tampered with. Grade changes may only be submitted by the teacher who assigned the grade. The “Grade Change Form” will need to be completed and submitted by the teacher to the Department Director for approval.

When students transfer or request that a copy of their transcripts and/or other student records be sent to another school, school district, potential employer, or any outside agency, a Release of Information must be submitted prior to any information being sent. The Release of Information must state which records should be released, to whom, and be signed by the parent/guardian.
RULE 26 …TRANSPORTATION

Any student who rides on Boston Public Schools or MBTA vehicles, and/or is on Boston Public Schools or MBTA property, while traveling to and from school, is under the jurisdiction of the Boston Public Schools and therefore subject to all Boston Public Schools and School-Based Rules during such times.

Any student who assaults an administrator, teacher, teacher’s aide, or other educational staff or who assaults another student with intent to injure, including but no limited to sexual assault, whether on school property or MBTA property, or at school sponsored or school-related events, including athletic games, may be subject to expulsion from the school district by the headmaster/principal.

Students are expected to maintain proper conduct and refrain from any action or speech that contributes to, promotes, or results in a hostile or discriminatory environment. Accordingly, derisive statements made regarding a person’s race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, disability, or age, including statements made in person or by telephone, postal, or electronic mail, or any other means of communication, if sufficiently severe, passive, or persistent that they (a) interfere with or omit an individual’s ability to participate in or benefit from education in the Boston Public Schools or from any Boston Public Schools program or activity, or (b) create an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment, will not be tolerated by the Boston Public Schools.

1. 
   Referral for disciplinary action and parental contact
   
2. 
   Notification of School Police
   

Any senior who is expelled or removed from Madison Park Technical High School for disciplinary reasons, during the school year, will not be eligible to cross Madison Park Technical High School’s stage for graduation. S/he will not be eligible to receive the technical vocational proficiency certificate.