OAKMONT REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Student Handbook
The Committee feels that homework is intended to complement classroom instruction and stimulate student interest. Teachers should post assignments and their due dates so that parents and students can access the schedule of assignments and ensure that they are completed in a timely fashion. Homework, like the daily curriculum, should be grade and class appropriate. This means that homework in any given class or subject may vary in level of difficulty and/or quantity based on individual student differences. Generally, homework should be able to be completed independently and promote individual responsibility while being structured so that motivated students can successfully achieve high rates of completion in a timely manner. Homework that requires references and/or resources that are not readily available should never be given.
Homework should also take into account that students need both family and play (free) time for their social and physical development. School projects or homework may be given over a weekend or school vacation and should be assigned so that adequate time is given beforehand so that long-term assignments/projects can be completed before the vacation. Long-term assignments should not be due on the first day back from vacation. Homework assignments of reasonable length may be given over weekends.
Homework that is incomplete shall be graded so that either partial credit is given or the student is given an opportunity to redo the assignment within a reasonable period of time, with the understanding that full credit will not be given after the assignment due date. In no case shall a student receive a zero on an assignment that contains one or more questions that are completed correctly. Lastly, homework should never be given for disciplinary reasons as this would be counterproductive.
Each grade level school (elementary, middle, and high school) should develop its own homework procedures that reflect this policy.
The Committee believes that complaints are best handled informally and resolved as close to their origin as possible and that the professional staff should be given every opportunity to consider the issues and attempt to resolve the problem prior to involvement by higher levels of administration or the Committee.
Complaints should go first to the person most directly involved with the substance of the complaint. All involved will listen courteously and will try to resolve the difficulty by explaining the background and/or educational purpose involved. If the complainant remains unsatisfied, the employee will refer the complainant to the building Principal or other immediate supervisor to have their views considered further. Whether the complaint terminates with the individual staff member involved or seems likely to go further, the staff member will immediately inform their supervisor of the complaint.
Complaints referred directly to the Superintendent and/or School Committee must be in writing and should be specific in terms of the action desired. Such complaints will be referred through proper administrative channels for resolution before investigation or action by the Superintendent and/or Committee. Exceptions will be made when the complaint concerns Superintendent or Committee actions or operations.
If it appears necessary, the administration, the person who made the complaint, or the employee involved may request an executive session of the Committee for a formal hearing and decision. Statutory restrictions on executive sessions will be observed.
The Committee expects all complaints to be respectfully acknowledged at each level of discussion, including a summary of resolution or next steps. Deliberations rising to the level of Superintendent and/or School Committee requires that a report of the final disposition be made to the Committee and then be placed in official files.
The proper channeling of complaints involving instruction, discipline or learning materials will be as follows:
Complaints about school personnel will be investigated fully and fairly. The following procedures are established if the complaint is a criticism of a particular school employee that includes, or implies, a demand for action by school authorities.
If the complainant has already met with the person criticized and remains unsatisfied, the supervisor should invite the complainant to file their complaint in writing and offer to send him/her the appropriate form regarding a school employee's behavior, character, or qualifications.
The Principal will document all complaints and report them periodically to the Superintendent.
The School Committee may consider the matter in Executive Session subject to Open Meeting and Meeting Posting law requirements.