Absences...
If your teenager is going to be absent from school, please notify the school by calling the attendance office at 356-8315. A note explaining the reason for the absence is also required within three days of the time your child returns to school. Students should bring the note to the attendance office at the high school. In grades 9-12, students may not be awarded course credit in any class that is required for graduation if they miss more than 15% of class time due to unexcused absences, tardiness or early dismissals. Read more on Mohonasen's attendance policy...

Absences and homework...
It is the responsibility of each student to find out and complete homework assignments -- even when absent from school. With a little planning and follow through, students can avoid falling behind. For example:
n Find a reliable friend in each class that you can call if you have a question about the homework, need to copy missed notes, etc. (Offer to the same for him or her, too!)
n With a block schedule, students actually have two nights to complete homework in most subjects. So if you're absent on "A" day, use the next day ("B" day) to get the homework assignment for your "A" day classes and in most cases you'll still be able to able to turn work in on time when the class next meets!
n Know each teacher's rules (including deadlines) for making up missed homework.

Band program...
High school students who are members of the band can earn one unit of credit per year. However, it is important to know that membership in Mohonasen's band involves a significant "extracurricular" commitment of time and energy beyond the school day. Band membership requires participation in both:
n Marching Band -- where students gain experience in marching techniques, preparation and performance at all home football games, pep rallies, parades, and competitive field shows. Students are required to attend "Band Camp" (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) the last two weeks of August.
n Concert Band -- where students study and experience repertoire and performance, preparation and presentation at assemblies and concerts. Students with outstanding musical abilities will be selected for placement in the following groups on a non-credit extracurricular basis: select band; stage band; ensembles; participation in NYSSMA solo competition; area all-state and all-state bands. 
n There are also "select" groups offered for the orchestra and choir programs. For more on the entire music program, see Mohonasen's High School Course of Study Guide, in the Counseling and Career Center.

Bus notes...
In the event that a student wants to ride an alternative bus than he or she is scheduled to ride, (i.e., to go to a friend's house after school) parents are asked to send in a note that must be approved at the front office. Bus drivers will often ask students to produce the approved note before allowing them to board a bus they are not schedule to ride.

Classroom rules...
1. Students will arrive to class on time.
2. Students will bring all necessary materials to class.
3. Students will complete all assignments to the best of their ability.
4. Students will behave in a manner which is NOT disruptive.

Contacting us...
If you have a concern about your child's progress, homework, discipline or some other issue, please contact us right away. Your child's guidance counselor, in particular, can be extremely helpful in this regard. Here are just a few of the many ways to reach teachers and other staff at our school.

Directions to our school(s)...
Print out these directions and you'll find us with no trouble!

Driver education...
Mohonasen offers Driver Education during the summer recess to students who will be 16-years or older as of July 1. The program is offered in conjunction with the summer school program and advance registration is required. No credit is given for this course. However, those who register (a student must have either their driver's permit or license to participate) and complete the course will receive a Department of Motor Vehicles certificate which fulfills their required six-hour prelicensing class and may qualify for a discount on auto insurance. Because the demand almost always exceeds the number of students that can be accommodated, preference is given to seniors, then juniors and then sophomores, in that order. Within the grades, selection is first-come/first-served. Classes begin right after the 4th of July holiday and run for five weeks, Monday through Friday. If a student misses any scheduled classes or driving sessions they will not be eligible for the motor vehicles certificate.

Dropping a course...
Students should plan their courses carefully since dropping courses after school begins is discouraged and school permission may be difficult to obtain. Withdrawal from a required course is never permitted. 
n To drop a course, a special add/drop form must be secured from the teacher, completed and signed by the student, teacher, counselor, department administrator, principle, and parent(s) in the order listed on the form.
n A student dropping a course prior to 15 weeks of a full year course and 7-1/2 weeks of a semester course will have no indication on their permanent record that they ever enrolled in the course. After that time, a notation of either "drop/pass" or "drop/fail" will appear on their report card and stay on their permanent records.
n No student will be allowed to drop a full-year course after 22 weeks or a half-year course after 11 weeks.

Extracurricular activities...
Extracurricular activities are a great way for students to meet new friends, learn new things or give something back to their community. Best of all, studies show that students who are involved in after school activities earn higher grades and are more successful -- both academically and socially. Details about meeting dates and times are generally provided over the morning announcements and via notices posted around the school. Parents and students should also feel free to contact their guidance counselor or club advisor for more information. Get information on all extracurricular activities at Mohonasen High School here.

Graphing calculators...
Graphing calculators are now used regularly in high school math classes, on tests and for homework. The State Education Department allows students to use graphing calculators on the Math A Regents and requires their use on the Math B Regents.
n Mohonasen provides graphing calculators for students to use in classroom and on tests. However, homework will also be assigned that requires their use to reinforce concepts and complete assignments.
n Toward that end, the math department strongly recommends that all students purchase the Texas Instruments TI-83 PLUS graphing calculator which retails for about $85-95 dollars. It is a worthy investment that can be used in high school math and science classes -- as well as in college.

Homework expectations...
Homework helps students practice and reinforce what they learned in class. It also teaches self-discipline, time management skills and responsibility. Depending on the course, homework can account for up to 20% of a student's grade. Students who regularly complete their homework will do better in class and on the Regents exams that the state now requires for graduation. According to Mohonasen's district guidelines, high school students should be spending, on average, one to two hours on homework and reading daily -- with certain advanced-level classes demanding more. Visit our high school Parent Spot for some helpful articles on homework and organization.

Honor Rolls...
Four times each year, after report cards are issued, an honor roll is released based upon grades received during the preceding quarter. All grades -- excluding physical education -- are counted when computing honor roll standings.
n High Honor Roll is awarded to students who achieve a grade point average of 89.5 or higher.
n Honor Roll is awarded to students with a grade point average of 84.5 to 89.4.

Honor Societies...
Mohonasen High School students are encouraged to pursue membership in one or more of the following honor societies at the school:
n National Honor Society 
n French National Honor Society 
n Science Honor Society 
n Spanish Honor Society 
n National Business Honor Society
Each group has specific eligibility requirements. These are listed in the Parent-Student Survival Guide. Students can also contact the honor society advisor directly or ask their guidance counselor for more details.

Medications during the school day...
The following is the New York State and the school policy regarding medication during the school day:
n The nurse must have a written request from the physician on file, which indicates the frequency and dosage of a prescribed medication.
n The nurse must have a written request from the parent on file in order to administer the medication as specified by the physician.
n The medication is to be delivered directly to the nurse by the parent. (Between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.) Under NO circumstance should the medication be delivered by the student.
n The medication should be in a properly marked pharmacy container. The label should include:  student’s full name, address, name and strength of medication, dosage, and frequency of medication.

Parent conferences...
Parents may make appointments for conferences with teachers and/or their child's guidance counselor by calling the Counseling and Career Center (356-8320) any time they have questions or concerns. School officials may also call parents to request a conference as needed.
n If a parent or student is unhappy with an interim report or report card, a conference can help get at the root of the problem.
n A conference is also a good opportunity to set up an improvement plan. In almost all instances high school students will be expected to participate.
n Guidance counselors can set up and facilitate a group conference involving one or more teachers. The focus is always on problem-solving -- not playing a "blame game."
n Most people, including students, say they feel relieved at the end of a conference. That's because once the nature of the problem is clearly understood, it's much easier to address it -- particularly when everyone is working together.
n Keep in mind things don't have to be desperate before parents step in. Any drop in grades is a good reason to call the school.

Passes...
Student assignment notebooks also serve as their hall passes. When traveling the halls during instructional periods, students need to get the "pass page" in their assignment book signed by a teacher or other school official. Students are required to have this notebook with them at all times and be ready to present their "pass" whenever asked by a staff member.

Picking children up during the day...
When picking high school students up early for doctor appointments, etc., parents are asked to send in an early dismissal note for their child to bring to the attendance office the morning of the appointment. This note should state the student's full name, reason for having to leave early, and the time he or she will need to leave school. The office will then issue an early dismissal pass which students simply need to show their teacher at the time of dismissal.

Requests and non-requests for teachers...
A student or parent may relay a preference for a particular teacher but this in no way guarantees that the match will work out when student schedules are created in August. Quite simply, there are too many variables when it comes to scheduling students, courses and teachers to be able to assure a particular teacher. Students or parents may put in a NON-request for a particular teacher if the student and/or a sibling has had the teacher before. However, there is no guarantee that a non-request can always be honored, for the same scheduling issues outlined above.

School supply lists...
Due to the fact that student schedules are not finalized until late August, the high school is not able to provide students with a supply list in advance of the start of the new school year. A list of the supplies required for each course will be provided by each teacher when classes meet for the first time.

Student schedules...
Student schedules are not finalized until late summer each year. In general, high school schedules are mailed home a few days before the start of the new school year.

Student transfers...
If a student is going to transfer to another school district, parents are asked to notify the child's school counselor as far in advance as possible. Early notice will help make the transition smoother for all concerned. School records need to be transferred and processed and schedules need to be adapted when students leave one school for another. Whenever possible, it's best to try to time the move so that it coincides with the end of a marking period or the beginning of a new school year. 

Summer reading...
All students entering grades 9-11 are required to complete a summer reading assignment. Details about the assignment are generally sent home in June and will also be posted on the Draper homepage from mid-June until the start of the new school year. 

Telephone calls...
n To contact your child's teacher(s), call the office at 356-8300 and ask to be connected to his or her voicemail. For obvious reasons, calls will not be put through directly to classrooms during instructional time. Teachers are generally good about returning phone calls to parents in a timely fashion.
n For student convenience, there are two pay phones in the high school. One is located near the auditorium and the other is in the main lobby. There is also a non-pay phone in the high school office that students may use in an emergency. Cell phones are to be turned off during school hours and no student should be making social phone calls while in school.
n In the event of an emergency, parents should contact the school office or attendance office if they need to get a message to their child. But please limit such requests to emergencies only to avoid disruptions to classrooms.

Tutors...
Students or parents who wish to obtain a private professional tutor can call their guidance counselor for the names of qualified tutors in various subjects. The cost generally runs between $20 and $30 per hour. Another option -- that has NO cost -- is to request a peer tutor. This request is generally limited to students who have already been staying for activity period/period 10 help from their teacher and still feel that they need the help of a tutor. For more information, contact the guidance department.

Unplanned early dismissals...
Information about early dismissals is quickly posted on Mohonasen's school closings and delays page. It is also released to all local TV stations and major radio stations. Parents are urged to make sure their children know what to do if they arrive home unexpectedly and no adult is there.

Visitors...
For security reasons, all visitors during school hours are required to first report to the high school office for a visitor's pass. This includes parents.

Working papers...
Any student under the age of 18 who wants to work must first get working papers from the Counseling and Career Center. This requires a parent's written permission to work, proof of age and a certificate of physical fitness. "Blue Cards" are issued for students under the age of 16. When students turn 16 they must reapply for "green card" working papers. Teens and parents should be mindful that while working offers a number of clear benefits, studies show that working 15 hours or more each week during the school year often requires students to sacrifice sleep, homework and family time. Bottom line? School should be the number one priority.

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