Student Handbook
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- Academic Dishonesty
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- Discipline Philosophy & Restorative Practices
- Code of Discipline Overview – Code of Conduct
- Due Process
- School Safety
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- Technology Responsible Use Policy
- Bullying, Cyber-Bullying, and Retaliation
- Protection for Students with Disabilities
- Discipline of Students Whose Eligibility for Special Education is Suspected
- Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use by Students Prohibited
- Incidents of Alcohol and/or Drug Use
- Personal and School Property
- Affirmative Action – Complaint Procedure
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Appendix A: Telecommunications Guidance
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- Appendix C: Student Discipline
- Falmouth High School
- Athletics and Co-Curricular Activities
Release of Liability
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Students participating in voluntary athletic, extracurricular, co-curricular, and/or other before or after school activities sponsored by the Falmouth Public Schools are required to return a signed Release of Liability to the school prior to engaging in the activity, event, or the commencement of the athletic season. As these activities are voluntary, the student’s participation in an event, activity, or athletic season is conditioned upon receipt of the signed and returned Release of Liability. Massachusetts law permits use of such Releases for such school-related voluntary activities, including but not limited to athletics. The Release of Liability Form will be distributed by the School District to all families at the start of the school year.
The student’s participation in any athletic, extracurricular, co-curricular, and/or other before or after school activity is conditioned on compliance with all applicable laws, district policies (including but not limited to policies relative to student conduct and discipline, bullying, hazing, harassment, and discrimination), all MIAA policies, and district values and behavioral expectations. In the interest of student safety and compliance with these laws, policies, values, and expectations, coaches and/or other school staff will routinely monitor locker room activities. Such monitoring may include physical presence by coaches or other staff in locker rooms. While monitoring students in locker rooms, all coaches and staff will give appropriate consideration to student privacy. Students seeking increased privacy when changing clothes/uniforms may utilize individual stalls and/or privacy curtains or screens where available, and are encouraged to address any privacy related concerns with the coach and/or building principal.
Eligibility for Athletics and Co-Curricular Activities
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During the last marking period preceding the contest, a student must secure a passing grade and full credit in the equivalent of four (4) traditional, year-long major English courses. A transfer student may not gain academic eligibility if the student was not, or would not be, eligible at the sending school, unless transfer was necessitated by a move of parents/guardians and then eligibility would be determined by the receiving school’s eligibility standards. A student cannot at any time represent a school unless that student is taking courses which would provide Carnegie Units equivalent to four (4) traditional, year-long major English courses. To be eligible for the fall marking period, students are required to have passed and received full credits for the previous academic year’s equivalent of four (4) traditional, year-long major English courses. Academic eligibility of all students shall be considered as official and determined on the published date when the report cards for that reporting period are to be issued to the parents/guardians of all students within a particular class. An athlete who meets the minimum standard after the start of a season is not eligible to participate during that season; exceptions may be allowed for non-cutting teams with the approval of the principal, athletic director, coach, and guidance counselor.
Rules of Co-Curricular and School Sponsored/Sanctioned Activities
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During the school year, students shall not, regardless of the quantity, use or consume, buy, possess, sell, knowingly be in the presence of, or give away any beverage containing alcohol or any controlled substances as defined under Massachusetts General Laws, Ch. 90D, or inhale vapors of any intoxicating substance such as glue, nitrous oxide, and the like, sometimes referred to as “huffing”.
Members of clubs and/or any other school-sponsored activity will be suspended from participating in that school activity for two (2) weeks. At the end of the two-week period, a review board consisting of the Assistant Principal and club advisor will assess the eligibility of the student’s membership.
If a student officer of a class or school-sponsored activity is found to have violated any of the above rules, the student may no longer be eligible for that position.
Athletes: Any student involved in an athletic activity will follow the rules of the FHS Athletic Handbook.
Unified Sports
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Falmouth High School offers a Unified Sports Program through the partnership of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) and Special Olympics of Massachusetts. Our program is designed to use sport as a catalyst for social inclusion, attitude and behavioral change, and empowerment of individuals with and without intellectual disabilities.
Falmouth Public Schools is dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared participation, training, and competition in athletic experiences. Our offerings are inspired by the foundational Special Olympics Unified Sports principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding. At its core, this Unified strategy is about unifying all students.
Student Clubs and Organizations
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The following student clubs and organizations are offered each year at Falmouth High School. Students are encouraged to join clubs and organizations and should contact the student activities office for more specific information:
- All School Play/Musical (Drama Productions)
- Art Shows (Student Art Gallery)
- Best Buddies (Students Helping Students)
- Civic Leadership Project (Learning about Social Issues)
- Clipper Compact (Yearbook)
- Clippers for Change (Celebrating Different Cultures)
- Ecology Club (Environmental Education/Conservation
- French Club (French Language and Culture)
- Gay Straight Alliance (Endorsement of a Safe/Positive Environment)
- Gifford Street Writers (Creative Writing)
- Latin Club (Latin Language and Culture)
- Math Team (Problem Solving and Math Competition)
- Mock Trial (Learning about the Judicial Process)
- Model U.N. (Learning about the United Nations and International Relations)
- National Art Honor Society (Awareness of Quality Art Education)
- National Honor Society (Academic Services Organization)
- National Math Honor Society (Academic Honors in Mathematics)
- National Science Honor Society (Academic Honors in Science)
- National French Honor Society (Academic Honors in French)
- STEAM Fair
- Science/ROV Club
- Student Government (Class Officers, Class Representatives, School Council, and Student Advisory Board)
- Student Volunteers (School and Community Service)
- Tri-M (Music Honor Society)
Interscholastic Athletic Programs
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Fall Sports
The fall season runs from the Monday before Labor Day through Thanksgiving Day. Practice and tryouts for fall sports begin in late August. Athletic practice will begin at 3:15 each afternoon. This will allow students the opportunity to seek extra help and participate in a variety of school activities such as student government and clubs.
Boys’/Girls’ Cross Country, Varsity
Cheerleading Varsity
Field Hockey Varsity, Junior Varsity
Football Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshmen
Boys’ Golf Varsity
Boys’ Soccer Varsity, Junior Varsity
Girls’ Soccer Varsity, Junior Varsity
Volleyball Varsity, Junior Varsity
Winter Sports
The winter sports season begins the first Monday after Thanksgiving and may extend to the Saturday preceding the third Monday in March for the purpose of competing in state tournaments and championships. Athletic practice will begin at 3:15 each afternoon. This will allow students the opportunity to seek extra help and participate in a variety of school activities such as student government and clubs.
Boys’ Basketball Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshmen
Girls’ Basketball Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshmen
Boys’ Ice Hockey Varsity, Junior Varsity
Girls’ Ice Hockey Varsity
Boys’/Girls Winter Track Varsity
Gymnastics Varsity
Spring Sports
The spring sports season begins the third Monday in March and may extend through the third week in June for purpose of competing in state tournaments and championships. Students in the senior class may continue to participate after graduation until the end of the season. Athletic practice will begin at 3:15 each afternoon. This will allow students the opportunity to seek extra help and participate in a variety of school activities such as student government and clubs.
Baseball Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshmen
Boys’ Lacrosse Varsity, Junior Varsity
Girls’ Lacrosse Varsity, Junior Varsity
Softball Varsity, Junior Varsity
Boys’ Tennis Varsity
Girls’ Tennis Varsity
Boys’/Girls’ Spring Track Varsity
Girls’ Golf Varsity
Boys Golf Varsity
Sailing Varsity
Game schedules and directions to away games are available through the Athletics Office and on our website.
Additional Information
Cheerleading – The Cheerleaders are part of the Athletic Department. Try-outs are in the spring. Please contact the Athletic Director for more information.
Intramural Athletic Program – An intramural program is available throughout the year. Information on these programs is announced in the school notices. The program is under the direction of the Athletic Director.
Eligibility and Athletic Codes – An Athletic Handbook has been published and is available to every team member at the beginning of each season. The handbook states expectations and penalties for infractions.
MIAA policies regarding the use of drugs and alcohol are in effect from the first day of fall practice through the end of the school year.