2022-2023 Student HandbookAcknowledgement Form

from Baxter Academy Student Handbook 2022-2023

$Major Infractions$

Major Infractions

activity.

Possessing or using articles commonly employed or designed to inflict bodily harm and/or to intimidate other persons will result in an out of school suspension for 10 consecutive school days and a recommendation to the executive director for an expulsion hearing. Examples of such articles include, but are not limited to: firearms, ammunition, explosives, “brass knuckles” , switchblades, butterfly knives, chains, clubs, and kung fu “stars” .

Use of any object as a weapon, although not necessarily designed to be a weapon, to inflict or to threaten bodily harm and/or to intimidate, coerce or harass will result in a suspension and possible expulsion. Examples of such objects include, but are not limited to: belts, other articles of clothing, combs, pencils, files, compasses, scissors, paintball guns and realistic replicas or “trainers” of weapons (including some toys).

Students found in possession of a firearm on school property (including in storage areas, book bags, school buses or vehicles parked on school property) will be recommended to the Baxter Board of Directors for an expulsion hearing in accordance with state and federal statutes.

Potentially dangerous multi-tools such as “Leathermans” , and other similar items, must be stored in a school designated tool room and may only be used under supervision by a teacher. Under no circumstances can a student have these types of tools in their possession in the school except when working in a supervised work area such as that in the fablab. Students are not permitted to bring such tools into the building.

Items, equipment, or software designed or capable of circumventing, damaging, disabling, or otherwise reducing the efficacy of school safety equipment are considered to be weaponized tools under this policy and are explicitly prohibited. Examples include but are not limited to lockpicks, bolt cutters, RF signal disruptors, etc. These items are not permitted within the facility under any circumstances.

Any individual who finds, sees, or hears of a weapon on school property must notify the nearest staff member immediately.

Searches

The Board of Directors seeks to maintain a safe and orderly environment in the school. While students have the Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches, this right is diminished in the school environment however, because of the unique need to maintain a safe atmosphere where learning and teaching can occur. Schools must strike a balance between the student's right to privacy and the need to maintain school safety. BaxterAcademy administrators are authorized to question or search students in accordance with this policy and accompanying administrative procedures.

Students may not bring, possess, or store at school any items or substances which are prohibited by law, Board policies, or school rules, or which interfere with the operations, discipline, or general welfare of the school. Student use of all school storage facilities, including but not limited to lockers, desks, and parking lots, is a privilege granted by the school.All storage facilities are school property and remain under the control, custody, and supervision of the school.

185 Lancaster St. Portland, Maine 04101 207-699-5500

Students have no expectation of privacy in school storage facilities or for any items placed in such storage facilities. BaxterAcademy administrators have the authority to inspect and search storage facilities and their contents on a random basis, with or without reasonable suspicion, and without notice or consent. Note that during the school day, the school grounds include areas accessed by students using their Open Campus privilege.

Aschool official may conduct a legal search of a student’s person or a student’s possessions on school property if that school official has reasonable suspicion of an infraction that has been, is being, or soon to be anticipated. Such searches on school property may be conducted without notice, consent or a search warrant. If a student does not consent to a search, they will be assumed in possession of what is being searched for and the requisite discipline will be followed.Any illicit object substance discovered will be confiscated and the school resource officer and/or proper authorities will be contacted. BaxterAcademy procedures on student questioning and searches are further detailed within our school board policies. Restraint and Seclusion Policy

The State of Maine requires school districts to follow a policy on restraint and seclusion. Please see board policies within the school website for more information. Code ofAcademic Integrity2

Baxter students are mindful of the values underlying an honest and true education, and the challenges posed by a continuously evolving world and, in particular, the immediate access to resources found on the Internet. Baxter students agree to accept personal responsibility for honorable behavior in all of their academic endeavors, to assist one another in maintaining and promoting personal integrity and ethical standards and to follow the principles and standards set for in this Code ofAcademic Integrity.

Violations of the Code ofAcademic Integrity may take several forms. Plagiarism and cheating are two examples of violations of the Code ofAcademic integrity. Plagiarism is typically described as duplication of another’s work without full acknowledgement of the debt to the original source, however it also includes any of the following: ● Direct duplication by copying (or allowing to be copied) another’s work, whether from a book, article, website, another student’s assignment, etc. ● Duplication in any manner of another’s work during an exam. ● Paraphrasing of another’s work closely, with minor changes but with the essential meaning, form and/or progression of ideas maintained. ● Piecing together sections of the work of others into a new whole. ● Submitting one’s own work which has already been submitted for assessment purposes in another subject. ● Producing assignments in conjunction with other people (e.g. another student, tutor), which should be your own independent work. Cheating results in a loss of integrity on the part of the individual committing the act and on the educational process that is undermined by the act of cheating; and it is a violation of the Code ofAcademic Integrity. If you are unclear about an assignment or its methodology, or the permissible bounds of assistance for completing your work, please speak to your teacher(s) and ask for clarification. Consequences for violating the Code OfAcademic Integrity:

2 Baxter has adopted principles and procedures for academic integrity from other educational institutions, in particular High Tech High Science and Technology Charter Schools.

185 Lancaster St. Portland, Maine 04101 207-699-5500

● First Offense: Student will receive a zero on the assignment, teacher will notify parents and make a report to theAssistant Principal. ● Second Offense: Student will receive a zero on the assignment, teacher will notify parents and file a report with theAssistant Principal. The student will face further disciplinary action including possible suspension. ● Third Offense: The student meets before the Head of School andAssistant Principal to consider expulsion or other lesser penalties.