Welcome to John Dewey High School. We are happy that your child chose to join our family in what we hope will be a most exciting and rewarding educational experience.

John Dewey High School represents an innovative concept in education, which is, in many ways, unlike the organization and structure of the traditional large city high school.

We at John Dewey are committed to individual progress and enrichment, the stimulation of greater individual effort through independent study and a de-emphasis of the concept of failure. Our adventure in learning is based on the principle that each student may advance at his/her own rate; some may merit graduation in three years, while some may require more. Graduation, therefore, takes place whenever a student masters the prescribed curriculum. The responsibility for learning is yours. We will provide the tools, a stimulating, unique setting and the support and understanding to enable students of all levels of ability to achieve academic success. Our staff will always be available to help you achieve your educational and career goals.

The philosophy and objectives of John Dewey High School are inherent in the organization, procedures and regulations outlined in this handbook. They will become more obvious as you face the variety of new approaches and ideas in our courses of study, facilities and methods of instruction. Our aim is to develop thinking, questioning, reasoning and responsible individuals. We hope to achieve our objectives through individualized instruction, the use of resource centers for accelerated and reinforced learning, independent study opportunities, a non-graded curriculum and the establishment of behavioral goals that are reasonable and open to assessment by both student and teacher.

We believe you should review the contents of this handbook with your child so that you too may become thoroughly familiar with it and will be able to fully understand our school program.

Sincerely, Barry Fried Principal

1. All students must choose an area to be in at the beginning of their independent study or lunch bands and REMAIN THERE FOR THE ENTIRE BAND. This can be a resource center, library, cafeteria or the campus. All locker bays will be off limits throughout the entire day.

2. NO STUDENTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE CAFETERIA, LIBRARY, OR RESOURCE CENTERS UNTIL THE END OF THE BAND.

3.UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MAY ANY STUDENT WANDER THE HALLS. STUDENTS FOUND WANDERING THE HALLS WHILE CLASSES ARE IN SESSION WILL BE ESCORTED TO THE DEANS' OFFICE. STUDENTS WILL HAVE HIS/HER PARENTS CALLED. *FREE BAND LOITERING MAY RESULT IN SUSPENSION.

4.Students wishing to use a bathroom during a class must obtain a bathroom pass from the teacher. NO ONE IS PERMITTED TO WALK THE HALLWAYS DURING ANY BAND WITHOUT A PASS. No student will be permitted to leave class during the first and last 10 minutes of the band. NO MORE THAN ONE STUDENT MAY BE ALLOWED OUT OF CLASS AT A TIME.

5. A photo I.D. must be shown every morning upon entering school through the CAASS System. All students must enter through the main doors. Doors open at 7:45 A.M. Doors open at 7:30 A.M. for breakfast students only.

6. When Official Class is scheduled, students must remain in official class during the entire period.

7. Possession of beepers,walkman,cellphones,cards,dominos,Ipods,and balloons are not allowed. They will be confiscated and returned only to a parent.

8. Students found cutting a class will have their parents called by a counselor and/or Dean. Chronic cutting will result in a suspension.

9. Students are not allowed off campus during the day. This is for your own protection. Students found off campus by Security, Deans or Truancy Patrol will be processed for truancy.

10.Students wishing to use the campus facilities must enter and exit the building through the main entrance by the auditorium. No other exit doors may be used. Students may only enter or exit the building at the beginning of a band. Students are limited to using the front campus only. All other campus areas are off limits. Students will be required to show program cards upon leaving the building.

11.At dismissal, students must use the Stillwell Avenue gate. No other gates are permitted to be used to leave the campus.

12.There is NO SMOKING permitted anywhere in the building or on campus.

13.No food or drinks will be permitted to be brought into the building.

14.No hats or head wear are allowed to be worn in the building. They will be confiscated. All gang paraphernalia such as du-rags, headbands and bandannas will be confiscated and discarded.

15.No card or game playing anywhere in the building. They will be confiscated.

16.Balloons are not permitted in the building.