Assemblies are an important part of the curriculum and are designed to be educational and to provide students the opportunity to learn courteous, formal audience behavior. Appropriate behavior at assemblies includes the following:

• Proceeding to an assigned area (which is necessary for attendance purposes) in an orderly fashion.
  
  
• Giving immediate attention to whoever is leading the assembly.
  
  
• Applauding in appreciation of the performance. Whistling, hooting, and hollering, or stamping of the feet is considered inappropriate behavior.
  
  
• If entering or leaving during the performance, doing so on applause and taking the least visible route.
  
  
• Exiting the performance when dismissed by a teacher or administrator.

If you are not in your advisory when the late bell sounds, you are tardy. If you arrive after advisory has ended, you must report to the office to get a tardy slip. Failure to check into advisory or office will automatically result in an appropriate school consequence. If the student is receiving their third tardy, they will be assigned a detention that day. Being prompt to school represents an important part of your education. Consistent tardiness to school results in the loss of valuable class time that cannot be made up. Excessive tardiness represents a poor preparation for the reality of life as a responsible person.

You are allowed a reasonable amount of time to get to your classes. All students are expected to be in class on time. See A/B Infractions under “Discipline/Student Behavior - Code of Conduct/Code of Discipline.”

Permission to leave school during the school day will be granted if a note from a parent/ guardian is brought to school in the morning and presented at the main office. Students should check with the main office upon leaving and re-entering. Students are responsible for any work missed or assigned in classes from which they are absent. Without presenting a note in the morning, dismissals should only be initiated through administration, guidance, or health office.

For every student to reach their potential, there needs to be a strong partnership between the family and the school. We welcome the involvement of parents/guardians and the community in our school. There are many ways for parents/guardians to be involved in our school. The purpose of this section is to list some of the opportunities that are available to you:

• Attend special events at the school, such as “Meet the Teacher” Night or other activities that invite families into the school.
  
  
• Visit the school website to view teacher websites and current events.
  
  
• Stay in communication with your child’s teacher and set-up conferences where you and the teacher can share insights about your child.
  
  
• Visit the school website to view teacher websites and current events.
  
  
• Join the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and attend monthly meetings or help with the programs that it supports, such as fundraising for field trips and other enrichment activities for the students.
  
  
• Attend School Council meetings. The School Council is an advisory group to the Principal at each school. Issues are discussed at the School Council that impact that particular school. To learn more, please contact the Principal.

Falmouth Public Schools will obtain criminal offender record information (CORI) for all volunteers and others who wish participate in school activities. This includes classroom volunteers and field trip chaperones. The CORI process must be completed before any involvement in the schools and the results of the CORI, based on the discretion of the Superintendent or designee, will determine one’s eligibility to participate in school activities.  All CORI information is confidential, and privacy will be maintained. In addition, individuals may be asked to submit state and national fingerprint-based criminal background checks at the expense of the individual. The requirement to submit state and national fingerprint-based criminal background checks will be made by the Superintendent or designee. All volunteers must complete the CORI form. For information regarding how to become CORI’d, you may contact the Lawrence School main office at 508-548-0606 ext. 500 or 501, or you may visit the Office of Falmouth Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) at Falmouth High School, 874 Gifford Street, Falmouth MA, or call VIPS at 508-548-1621.

Students are cautioned not to bring large amounts of money or items of considerable value to school. Students who wear glasses or watches or have musical instruments need to keep track of them at all times. The students, not the school, are responsible for their personal property. All items should be marked with the student’s name. Found articles will be placed in the cafeteria. At the end of the year, unclaimed items will be donated to a charitable organization.

Parents/guardians and other visitors are invited to visit the school as long as it does not interfere with the normal school or class routine.

• If you wish to visit the school, please contact the principal at least forty-eight (48) hours before your planned visit. You must sign in and obtain a Visitor's Pass at the Main Office.
  
  
• If you want to visit your child’s classroom, please make arrangements with your child’s teacher at least 48 hours before your planned visit.

When entering the school, all visitors must enter the front door and check in at the office. All other doors will be locked during the school day. Students visiting from another area or school are not allowed to visit Lawrence School or attend classes with Lawrence School students.

Video cameras may be used by school personnel on school property and on all school buses on a random basis.

If a tragic event occurs during school hours, students will not receive any information from the school. We will not use Internet or television that confronts students with such disastrous events as they are taking place or in the immediate aftermath. Principals and administrators are responsible for monitoring these situations. In all schools, when such tragedies or disasters stimulate emotional reactions on the basis of national origin, race or religion, or any categorical grouping, the schools will take appropriate steps to discuss the dangers of stereotypical statements. All schools will work to assist parents/guardians with information on how to help respond to student’s reactions.

The formalized dress for success policy outlines acceptable attire:

• a collared blouse, polo, or oxford-style shirt with long or short sleeves in a solid color without emblems, logos, or designs;
  
  
• no shirt or blouse shall have more than two (2) top buttons unbuttoned; the only logo, emblem or design that is allowed on any shirt or non-hooded sweater, fleece, vest, or sweatshirt is a Lawrence School logo/emblem/design;
  
  
• any shirt worn under or over a collared shirt must be a solid color, as well, with no hoods, lace, patterns, or cutouts;
  
  
• shirts may not be tied at the waist, in either the back or the front;
  
  
• non-hooded sweaters, non-hooded lightweight fleeces or vests, and non-hooded sweatshirts in a solid color with no emblems, logos, or designs, worn over a collared shirt, are allowed;
  
  
• no tape, buttons, or scarves are allowed to cover logos, emblems or designs;
  
  
• cotton/blend chino-style pants, skirts, dresses, shorts, or capris in tan, navy blue, hunter green, grey, or black color;
  
  
• rivets are allowed;
  
  
• cargo shorts and pants are acceptable so long as they are tan, navy blue, hunter green, grey, or black;
  
  
• shorts, skirts, and dresses shall not be any shorter than the tips of the student’s fingers when the student’s arms are fully extended down by the student’s side;
  
  
• lace, tube, or skinny style skirts or dresses are not allowed;
  
  
• yoga pants, leggings, and sweatpants are not allowed;
  
  
• no sagging pants or shorts, and no jean, denim or, corduroy shorts, pants, skirts or dresses of any color are allowed. Also, no holes, rips, or tears;
  
  
• slippers and flip-flops are not allowed;
  
  
• no lace, cut-out, or sheer shirts are allowed, even if in a solid color;
  
  
• Cowl neck/turtleneck shirts in a solid color may only be worn over/under collared shirt;
  
  
• please see Physical Education Requirements in this Handbook and on our website for PE clothing requirements;
  
  
• guidelines are subject to change based on developing fashion trends.

The responsibility for the dress and appearance of the students will rest with individual students and parents/guardians.

They have the right to determine how the student will dress providing that attire is not destructive to school property, complies with requirements for health and safety, and does not cause disorder or disruption. The administration is authorized to take action in instances where individual dress does not meet the stated requirements.

This does not mean that student, faculty, or parent groups may not recommend appropriate dress for school or special occasions.  It means that students will not be prevented from attending school or a school function, or otherwise be discriminated against, so long as their dress and appearance meet the requirements set forth above.

Students will be asked to change clothing or will be asked to call home to request appropriate clothing. Repeat offenders may face additional consequence.

The school issues a locker for keeping books, backpacks, clothing and school related articles in a safe place. Your locker assignment will be shared by your advisory teacher. For student health and safety reasons, backpacks will be kept in lockers until dismissal time. Students are allowed to go to their lockers before school, at the beginning and end of their lunch period, after school, and at other reasonable times throughout the day.

Please remember that going to one’s locker is not an acceptable excuse for being late for class. Students are not to share lockers. The administration reserves the right to search all lockers, regular and gym, according to school policy. Lockers are to be kept clean and locked. No decorations are permitted due to fire regulations. Combination locks are on loan and must be returned at the end of the school year.  If the lock is lost, you will be charged a replacement cost. It is each student’s responsibility to lock their lockers. The school is not responsible for replacing items stolen or missing. Valuables should be secured in physical education lockers during physical education class.

At the Lawrence School, use of personal electronic devices, such as cell phones, laptops, iPods, smart watches, etc., is not permitted during the school hours and during detention unless under the direct instruction of a teacher and being used for instructional purposes. All such devices must be turned off while at school and kept in the student’s backpack in their locker.  Students bringing such devices to school do so at their own risk, and the school is not responsible for attempting to retrieve lost or stolen property. See also “Inappropriate Use of Technology” herein below under “Discipline/Student Behavior.”

Please note the following:

• Office phones are available to students.
  
  
• Cell phone use or visibility will result in confiscation of the cell phone with return only to a parent/guardian.
  
  
• Taking pictures/videos at school or any school function without prior permission of an administrator or student is strictly forbidden.
  
  
• Parents/Guardians are asked not text their children during school hours.
  
  
• Text messaging by students during the academic day is strictly prohibited. Any text messages, pictures, or videos taken or sent during the academic day will be reviewed by an administrator and result in confiscation of the cell phone.
  
  
• Any inappropriate messages, pictures or videos causing a disruption to the educational environment may result in administrative action up to and including suspension or expulsion.

For safety sake, walk to the right when passing in the corridors. Do not block traffic by standing in groups. Walk at all times. Do not run. Students must have a school pass to be in the corridors during class time.

Dances are always 7 – 9 pm sharp. Dances are chaperoned by Lawrence School staff members. Please do not leave your child at school prior to 6:50 pm and be here promptly at 9 pm to pick up. Student dances are held a number of times throughout the school year. In order for a student to be able to participate, they must meet the following guidelines:

• The student must be in attendance at school the day of the dance.
  
  
• The student must purchase a dance ticket at school during the time allotted for this purpose. No tickets will be sold at the dance.
  
  
• Only Lawrence School students in good standing are eligible to attend the dances.
  
  
• Any student who has been suspended (In-School or Out-of-School) will not be allowed to attend the next scheduled school dance. If a student has not been allowed to participate because of a suspension, they may attend the following school dance if their behavior is appropriate prior to the next dance. Ineligible students found at the dance will be suspended from school. Students furnishing a ticket to an ineligible student will be suspended.