McNair Student Handbook Formatted Draft SY23

Field Trips
Field trips are a valuable part of the student experience. Students, with parental permission, should
participate in field trip opportunities presented to them.

With planning and communication, students can make plans to make up any missing work or
assignments with their classroom teachers. According to District policy, students attending a field trip
have within one (1) week of the trip, to make up class work and homework missed due to
participation.

If a student has a field trip opportunity, a permission slip will be provided to students with information
on departure and return times and meet points, locations, appropriate dress, lunch plans, and any
related costs or fees. Students must have the slip signed by guardians first, and then obtain the
signatures of the classroom teachers they will have on the day of the trip (these blocks will be listed
on the permission slip).

Students must return completed slips to the sponsoring faculty member as soon as possible. No
student can attend a trip without a completed slip. A trip roster will be sent to faculty from the faculty
member sponsoring the trip.

Photo Release Form
A photo release / permission to publish form will be provided to students in their homeroom at the
beginning of each year. The form should be signed and returned as soon as possible. This grants
permission to be photographed and/or to have student work published as part of contests and
competitions. McNair receives frequent media inquiries and opportunities for students to submit
student work. Students will need parent permission on file if they wish to be included in these
opportunities.

A copy of the form is here:
https://4.files.edl.io/3390/03/15/22/135754-b6663eaa-cfd9-4e57-993b-1b406865989f.pdf

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Safety and Security Procedures

In addition to routine security procedures, McNair Academic also conducts regular safety and security
drills throughout the school year. Procedures are posted in each classroom. These procedures are
created at the State and District-level. Students should follow verbal instructions during a drill, pay
attention to their surroundings, and always stay with their class and teacher in the event of an
emergency procedure that requires leaving the building.

Metal Detectors / Security Desk

Upon entrance to the building, all students must walk through the metal detector and consent to a
quick bag search. All students and their backpacks, purses, etc., are subject to search. Students
should PUT THEIR MOBILE DEVICES IN THEIR BAGS when going through security.

It is required that all students wear their identification cards in order to enter the building.

If the student has a medical condition which may be affected by electronic metal detection equipment
(i.e., a pacemaker, implantable cardioverter/ defibrillator (ICD), spinal cord stimulator, etc.) they
should notify the principal/nurse immediately. Every students’ full cooperation is expected to ensure
the safety and welfare of everyone in the school.

Fire Drills
The signal for a fire drill is a repeated sounding of the fire bell. When this signal sounds, all work
should stop and students should follow their teachers' instructions. Classes are to remain with their
teachers during the entire drill. Students should rejoin their teacher once outside the building.

Order, speed, safety, and silence are essential. A student not in class when the alarm sounds must
leave the building by the nearest exit with the nearest teacher. When given a signal, students should
then return to their classroom, entering the building through the same door they used to exit.

Attendance will be taken by the classroom teacher(s) upon returning to the classroom as well as
during the fire drill.

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Fire Department regulations require the school to conduct periodic fire drills in order that students
learn to evacuate the building in a safe, rapid, and orderly manner. During fire drills, students must
observe the following rules:

1. Close classroom doors and windows; turn off lights.
2. Do not talk, listen for directions from the teacher.
3. Follow the teacher out of the building.
4. Walk; do not run.
5. Do not block doors; walk away from the building.
6. Do not go to your locker before exiting on the fire drill.

FALSE ALARMS ARE AGAINST THE STATE LAW and subject to criminal penalty.

Code C

In the event of an unaccounted for person in the building, a “Code C” is announced over the intercom.

Teachers will ensure the door to the classroom is locked and windows are covered. The door will be
checked by security to ensure it is locked, so students should not be alarmed by a noise at the door.

Any student not in a classroom when a “Code C” is called should report to the nearest classroom
immediately. During the “Code C,” students should stay away from windows and doors, remain quiet,
and shelter out of sight in the most secure area in the classroom until the end of the “Code C” is
announced.

Evacuation

There are two evacuation drills a year which will be announced in advance. In the case of a true
evacuation scenario, students will need to exit the building immediately and will not have time to
gather belongings, visit lockers, etc. Our receiving schools are P.S. #37 and P.S. #5. There are
various reasons why students could be called to evacuate the building. For example: a power outage,
a pipe breaking, smoke in the building, or a fire nearby.

When an evacuation is called, all work should stop and students should follow their teachers'
instructions. Classes are to remain with their teachers during the entire drill. Students should walk in
an orderly manner towards the evacuation site and should rejoin their teacher once at the receiving

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school.

A student not in class when the alarm sounds must leave the building by the nearest exit with the
nearest teacher. When given a signal, students should return to their classrooms, entering the
building through the same door they used to exit.

Attendance will be taken by the classroom teacher(s) upon returning to the classroom as well as
during the drill.

Lockdown

Given our location in a densely-populated urban area, a lockdown unfortunately might be called, and
is an important procedure to ensure students are not released into an unsafe situation. Often if there
is an evolving situation outside the school building or in the neighborhood (an accident, active crime
scene, a health emergency in the building, etc.), a lockdown will be called to keep everyone safe until
the school / District gathers further information from local agencies.

While in a lockdown, students will not be dismissed from the building and must remain supervised in
their classrooms. The school and District will communicate with families regularly via robocall/email
updates and posts to social media on developments.

Lockdowns commence once “Lockdown Drill“ is announced over the intercom. The building is then
locked and all students should remain in their classrooms until the lockdown has ended.

Code 105

In the event of a suspicious package is found in the school or bomb threat is called in, “Code 105 –
Stay in Place” will be announced on the intercom. A police safety team will then be called to perform
a sweep of the building.

Immediately upon hearing that announcement, students and staff must stop all activities, stay in their
rooms, and await further instructions. If an evacuation is deemed necessary, an alarm will sound.
Students and staff should then exit the building following normal evacuation drill procedures.

FALSE ALARMS ARE AGAINST THE STATE LAW and subject to criminal penalty.

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Lab Agreement

The McNair Academic science department offers a wide range of hands-on experiences for students
eager to supplement their theoretical knowledge of scientific principles with actual experimentation.
While laboratory work can be thrilling, it can also be very dangerous if not done properly. All students
will be required to read and agree to the following safety agreements and general rules and
procedures before being allowed to conduct experiments both for required classes and after school
independent research.

LABORATORY SAFETY CONTRACT AGREEMENT

I,__________________________(student’s name) have read and agree to follow all of
the safety rules set forth in this contract. I realize that I must obey these rules to ensure
my own safety, and that of my fellow students and instructors. I will cooperate to the
fullest extent with my instructor and fellow students to maintain a safe lab environment. I
will also closely follow the oral and written instructions provided by the instructor. I am
aware that any violation of this safety contract that results in unsafe conduct in the
laboratory or misbehavior on my part, may result in being removed from the laboratory,
detention, receiving a failing grade, and/or dismissal from the course.

Questions :

Do you wear contact lenses? Yes No

Are you color blind ? Yes No

Do you have any allergies? Yes No

List specific allergies ___________________________

Do you have any known Medical conditions? Yes No

List specific medical conditions ______________

Student Signature Date________________

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Dear Parent or Guardian:
We feel that you should be informed regarding the school’s effort to create and maintain
a safe science classroom/laboratory environment.With the cooperation of the teachers,
parents, and students, a safety instruction program can eliminate, prevent, and correct
possible hazards.You should be aware of the safety instructions your son/daughter will
receive before engaging in any laboratory work. Please read the list of safety rules
above. No student will be permitted to perform laboratory activities unless this contract
is signed by both the student and parent/guardian and is on file with the teacher.Your
signature on this contract indicates that you have read this Student Safety Contract, are
aware of the measures taken to ensure the safety of your son/daughter in the science
laboratory, and will instruct your son/ daughter to uphold his/her agreement to follow
these rules and procedures in the laboratory.

Parent/Guardian Signature ________________ Date _________________

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JERSEY CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
LABORATORY SAFETY MANUAL

Science classes are all hands-on. During the year, you will be doing many investigations in which
safety will be a factor. Safety is the number priority in the science classroom. To ensure the safety of
everyone, the following rules will be followed. These rules MUST be followed at all times. After
reading the rules, you and your guardian/parent MUST sign the safety contract and the Safety rules
be kept in your science notebook to remind you of the safety rules.

General Rules
*** Aprons, close toed shoes, gloves and goggles must be worn in the laboratory at all times. Do not
wear bulky, loose-fitting clothes or dangling jewelry.***

1. Never work in the lab unless your teacher or an approved substitute is present.

2. You must follow all directions carefully and use only materials and equipment provided by your
teacher. Only experiments approved by your teacher may be carried out in the classroom. 3.
Do not start work on an experiment until told to do so by your teacher.

3. Identify and know the location and proper use of a fire extinguisher, fire blanket, emergency
shower, eyewash, and other safety equipment.

4. Eating, drinking, chewing gum, or applying cosmetics is strictly prohibited.

5. All spills and accidents must be reported to your teacher immediately.

6. Be aware of what other groups are doing when you move about in the lab area. Some lab
experiments will overlap lab stations at times.

7. If using any kind of flame, use extreme caution. Keep your hands, hair, and clothing away from
flames.

8. Long hair must be tied back at all times. No loose clothing/sandals are allowed in the
laboratory; long sleeves must be rolled up, bulky jackets, as well as jewelry, must be removed.

9. Contact lenses may be worn provided adequate face and eye protection is pro vided by
specially marked, non-vented safety goggles. The instructor should know which students are
wearing contact lenses in the event of eye exposure to hazardous chemicals.
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10. If any equipment appears defective or breaks while in the lab, report it to your teacher
immediately.

11. There will be no running, jumping, pushing, or other behavior considered inappropriate in the
science laboratory. You must behave in an orderly and responsible way at all times.

12. Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times. Bring only the lab instructions,
worksheets and reports to the lab area. Other materials MUST be kept in the classroom area.

13. Keep aisles clear. Books, backpacks , purses, etc should be under the desk/table.
14. Be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the laboratory. Notify the instructor

immediately of any unsafe conditions you observe.
15. Dispose of all chemical waste properly. Never mix chemicals in sink drains. Sinks are to be

used only for water and those solutions designated by the teacher.
16. Handle all living organisms used in a laboratory activity in a humane manner. Preserved

biological materials are to be treated with respect and disposed of properly.
17. When using knives and other sharp instruments, always carry with tips and points pointing

down and away. Always cut away from your body. Never try to catch falling sharp
instruments. Grasp sharp instruments only by the handles.
18. Students are NEVER permitted in the science storage rooms or preparation area without
specific permission from the teacher.
19. No personal electronic devices ( cell phones, laptops, tablets, etc..) are to be used in the
laboratory area without permission from the teacher.
20. When doing computer-assisted experiments, make no changes to the computer programs
without specific instructions/permission of the teacher.

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Chemical Handling
All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered harmful and dangerous. do not touch, taste, or
smell any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so.

1. Never return unused chemicals to their original containers.
2. Never use mouth mouth suction to fill a pipet or transfer any liquid.
3. When transferring reagents from one container to another, hold containers away from your

body.
4. Acids must be handled with extreme care. You will be shown the proper method for diluting

strong acids. Always add acid to water, swirl or stir the solution and be careful of the heat
produced, particularly with sulfuric acid.
5. Handle flammable hazardous liquids over a pan to contain spills. Never dispense flammable
liquids anywhere near an open flame or source of heat.
6. Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area.
7. Take great care when transporting acids and other chemicals from one part of the laboratory
to another. Hold them securely and walk carefully.

Handling Equipment & Glassware
All equipment must be checked out and returned properly.

1. Do not touch any equipment until you are instructed to do so.

2. When working with electric circuits of any kind, do not plug in or energize the apparatus until
the instructor has inspected your circuit and approved the connections and safety
considerations.

3. Whenever changing electric connections, always unplug or de-energize the circuit
beforehand.

4. Assume all electric circuits are dangerous.

5. If any piece of equipment falls on the floor, immediately pick it up and secure it to the table. If
working with apparatus that is to be used on the floor, make certain that no other students will
walk in that area.

6. Notify your teacher immediately if you observe any unsafe condition.

7. Never stand where a body part is directly below a suspended mass of any kind, or any

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position where a mass might fall.

8. Some material may become very hot during use. Be aware of these objects and safeguard
them so that they can not be touched inadvertently.

9. Carry glass tubing, especially long pieces, in a vertical position to minimize the likelihood of
breakage and injury.

10. Never handle broken glass with your bare hands. Use a brush and dustpan to clean up
broken glass. Place broken or waste glassware in the designated glass disposal container.

11. Inserting and removing glass tubing from rubber stoppers can be dangerous. Always
lubricate glassware (tubing, thistle tubes, thermometers, etc.) before attempting to insert it in
a stopper. Always protect your hands with towels or cotton gloves when inserting glass
tubing into, or removing it from, a rubber stopper. If a piece of glassware becomes “frozen” in
a stopper, take it to your instructor for removal.

12. Fill wash bottles only with distilled water and use only as intended, e.g., rinsing glassware
and equipment, or adding water to a container.

13. When removing an electrical plug from its socket, grasp the plug, not the electrical cord.
Hands must be completely dry before touching an electrical switch, plug, or outlet.

14. Examine glassware before each use. Never use chipped or cracked glassware. Never use
dirty glassware.

15. Report damaged electrical equipment immediately. Look for things such as frayed cords,
exposed wires, and loose connections. Do not use damaged electrical equipment.

16. If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment, ask the instructor for help.

17. Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water; it may shatter.

Heating Substances
Extreme caution must be exercised when using any heating source.

1. Do not put any substance into the flame unless specifically instructed.
2. Never reach over an exposed flame.

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3. Light gas or alcohol burner when instructed.

4. Never leave a heating device ( burner or hot plate) unattended.

5. Always turn off the burner or hotplate when not in use.

6. Do not point the open end of anything you are heating to anyone.

7. Use tongs or any protective device to hold any object that has been heated.

8. Do not place hot apparatus directly on the laboratory table. Always use an insulating pad.

IN CASE OF ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES REPORT ANY ACCIDENT TO THE TEACHER IMMEDIATELY.
*** Inspired by Flinn Laboratory Safety contract and Activ Physics

Athletics

McNair Academic High School strongly believes that participation in team sports provides an abundance of
opportunities and experiences that assist students in their personal growth and development. Lessons in
sportsmanship, teamwork, and competition are vital parts of our athletic program, and will help our
student-athletes as they transition to college and beyond. It is the school’s goal to maintain a program of high
quality focused on furthering each student’s educational, athletic, and personal well-being.

The athletic program is conducted in accordance with existing District policies, rules and regulations. While
the school takes great pride in winning, it does not condone “winning at any cost.” The school discourages
any and all behaviors which might be interpreted as poor sportsmanship or that might compromise a
student’s physical or mental health. Infractions are all-inclusive for disciplinary purposes no matter the nature
of the offense.

Responsibilities of a McNair Academic Athlete

Responsibilities to Yourself: The most important of these responsibilities is to broaden yourself and develop
strength of character. You owe it to yourself to get the greatest possible good from your school experiences.
Your studies, your participation in other extracurricular activities as well as in sports, prepare you for life as an
adult.

Responsibilities to your Team: Being a member of a McNair Academic High School athletic team is the
fulfillment of an early ambition for many students. The attainment of this goal carries with it certain traditions

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and responsibilities that must be maintained. A great athletic tradition is not built overnight. It takes hard work
from many people over many years. As a member of an interscholastic squad, you have inherited a wonderful
tradition, a tradition you are challenged to uphold.

We desire to win, but only with honor to our athletes, our school, our opponents, and our community. Such a
tradition is worthy of the best efforts of all concerned. Over many years, our squads have achieved numerous
county, league, and state championships. Many individuals have set records and won All-Conference and
All-State honors.

It will not be easy to contribute to such a great athletic tradition. When you wear your school colors, we
assume that you not only understand our traditions, but also are willing to assume the responsibilities that go
with them. However, the contributions you make should be a satisfying accomplishment to you and your
family.

Responsibilities to your School: A final responsibility you assume as a squad member is to your school.
McNair Academic High School cannot maintain its position as having outstanding programs unless you do
your best in whatever activity you wish to engage in. By participating in athletics to the maximum of your
ability, you are contributing to the reputation of your school.
It is important for an athlete to understand that they become a more visible representative of the school when
becoming a student-athlete. The student body and citizens of the community know you. You are on the stage
with the spotlight on you. The student body, the community and other communities judge our school by your
conduct and attitudes, both on and off the field. In light of this leadership role, you can contribute greatly to
school spirit and community pride. Conversely, negative behavior can diminish the standing of the school in
the community.

Requirements for Student-Athlete Participation

In order to be eligible to participate in a school sport, student-athletes must be in good standing in
each of the following categories:

● Academic

○ A student is ineligible to compete if he/she is failing two or more courses at the midpoint of a
marking period. This student will become eligible when he/she is no longer failing two or more
courses in that marking period.

○ A student is ineligible to compete if he/she receives two or more failing marking period
grades. This student will become eligible if he/she is no longer failing two or more courses at
the midpoint of the following marking period.

○
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● Medical

○ The athlete must have a physical examination by their medical doctor 365 days prior to the first
eligible date of practice determined by the NJSIAA. This date will be announced by the Athletic
Department when registration information is posted for each season.

○ The Athletic Trainer will then submit the physical for review and certify the student is eligible to
participate.

○ All forms in the physical packet must be completed for an athlete to be eligible to practice.
● Attendance

○ An athlete is expected to be in school each day.
○ If a student arrives at school after 11:35 AM on a regular school day or after 9:25 AM on a

shortened school day, they are ineligible for involvement in athletics that day.
● Behavioral

○ If a player violates a team code of conduct that was distributed by the coach at the beginning
of the season, the coach has the right to bench or limit the playing time of the offending player.

○ Any athlete who grossly casts a negative light on the Athletic Department and/or high school
may be subject to benching or removal from his or her team.

○ This action will be at the discretion of the Athletic Director after a consultation with the
coaching staff and approval from the Principal.

During the academic year, squads will compete in the following interscholastic competitions:

● Fall Season – Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Boys Cross Country, Girls Cross Country, Girls Tennis,
and Girls Volleyball.

● Winter Season – Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Boys Bowling, Girls Bowling, Boys Fencing,
Girls Fencing, Boys Indoor Track, Girls Indoor Track, Boys Swimming, Girls Swimming.

● Spring Season – Baseball, Softball, Boys Tennis, Boys Track & Field, Girls Track & Field, Boys
Volleyball

Student Athletics Handbook will be distributed electronically, they will receive it either by email or it will be
posted on their teams Google Classroom Page. The Handbook will also be on the school’s website. In the
handbook it goes in more detail of all rules and regulations for McNair Athletics.

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Clubs and Activities

https://mhs.jcboe.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=2662712&type=d&pREC_ID=2278392v - Link
to club list
Propose clubs from website
Working with your adviser
Approval and Posting of Flyers
School Publications

The Cougar Chronicle
Student Council

Peer Leadership
At the end of the school year, Sophomores get the opportunity to sign up to become a peer leader.

National Honor Society

The McNair Academic High School Chapter of the National Honor Society was chartered in 1977.

Membership in the organization is based upon four tenets: academic achievement, character,
community service, and leadership.

Juniors or newly qualified seniors in the top 20% of the class will be invited to submit an application in
the Fall. Candidates will submit a completed application with a brief personal statement on their
adherence to the pillars of the NHS. Applicants will compile a list of community service, employment,
extracurricular clubs and activities, athletics, programs, summer activities, etc. that show their
development of service, leadership, character and knowledge. Candidates must be nominated for
consideration by faculty members. Applications are reviewed by a Faculty Council. Students must
adhere to application instructions and due dates to be considered.

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After one year of candidacy, in which the participation requirements are met (including 30 hours of
community service within the academic year) students will then be formally inducted into the Society.
Graduating members in good standing have the distinction of wearing the regalia of the National
Honor Society at commencement (stole and tassel).

Any member in violation of the code of conduct, academic requirements, or participation requirements
of the National Honor Society will receive disciplinary review, and possible suspension or dismissal
from the National Honor Society in compliance with Article X of the National Constitution.

National Honor Society Pledge:

I pledge to uphold the high purposes of the National Honor Society
to which I have been selected; I will be true to the principles for which it stands; I will be loyal to my
school; and will maintain and encourage high standards of scholarship, leadership, service, and
character.

Chinese Honor Society

Our Chinese Honor Society is currently run by Ms. Si Lam. McNair’s mission is “Aiming to Spreading
Cultural Awareness through Diversity, Inclusion, Education, and Collaboration”. The Chinese Honor
Society is exclusively for students excelling and currently taking a Mandarin class in McNair. An
Induction ceremony takes place at the beginning of June.

Other Honor Societies

JROTC

Our JROTC program is currently run by Sergeant James Long. McNair’s JROTC program mission is
to “Motivate young people to be better citizens''. The U.S. Army Junior ROTC Program is one of the
largest character development and citizenship programs for youth in the world. As JROTC students
(Cadets) progress through the program, they experience opportunities to lead other Cadets.Our

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JROTC program has a rich history, and gives students the opportunity to compete in different
competitions if they choose to join the “Raiders”.

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Student Conduct and Responsibilities

The following section was based on the most-recent available Jersey City Student Code of Conduct
(2021-22). Students should consult the current version at https://www.jcboe.org for any updates to
policy.

Dress Code

Pride, tradition, and spirit are synonymous with McNair Academic High School. The traits are fostered
by communal as well as individual actions. Students should live up to these standards with pride. The
dress code follows tradition, while still allowing for individuality.

When do I have to be in dress code?
All students must be in dress code when they enter the building to the end of his/her scheduled day.
Students must change their clothing for physical education classes. Students are to be in dress code
when exiting the building for lunch and should be in dress code when they enter the building after
lunch.

Acceptable Dress FOR ALL STUDENTS
● Suit or jacket (with a lapel, aka blazer, sport jacket) with collared shirt and tie with dress slacks
● Collared shirt and tie, with dress slacks, with or without jacket
● Collared shirt and tie, with sweater, cardigan or SCHOOL-ISSUED McNair gray ¼ zip
● Dresses, jumpers
● Sundresses, if worn with a topper such as a blazer or cardigan sweater
● Blouse and/or sweater or SCHOOL-ISSUED McNair gray ¼ zip with dress slacks
● Blouse and/or sweater and/or skirts (knee length or lower)
● Cotton knit or polo shirts (with collar) with dress slacks or skirts (female identifying)
● Dress shoes, dress boots, or loafers

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Unacceptable Dress FOR ALL STUDENTS
● T-shirts and/or sweatshirts
● Hoodies
● Outerwear while in the classroom
● Camouflage and/or Cargo pants
● Work boots or sneakers
● Warm-ups, sweatsuits and/or shorts (except for Physical Education activities)
● JEANS of any type
● Hats or caps in the building (except for medical or religious reasons)
● Sunglasses (except for medical reasons)
● Midriff, halter, and/or spaghetti strap tops
● Skirts and dresses (mid-thigh or higher)

What happens if I violate the dress code?

A student in violation of the dress code may be asked to:

● Change their clothing (if that is not possible – a parent will be called to bring in appropriate
clothing)

● Serve a detention
A student who continues to violate the dress code will receive additional consequences including but
not limited to:

● Serve multiple detentions
● Conference with parents
● Loss of privileges/Social probation
Subsequent offenses will result in a required meeting with school administration to determine further
action. Action may include in-school or out-of school suspension or may result in the student
returning to their home school.

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School-Issued McNair gray ¼ zips will be available for purchase throughout the school year.

Dress Down (Jean) Days

The school hosts various dress down days throughout the school year. Some are sponsored by the
District in support of charitable initiatives (such as Breast Cancer Awareness, or in response to a
national current event). Student groups within McNair can also request a dress down day fundraiser
which must be approved by administration (there is a limited number of these opportunities).

Dress Down Day Attire
● Jeans only. No ripped, frayed, shredded, torn, distressed or low-hanging jeans.
● Shirts, no low-cut, revealing or midriff baring, no compression shirts.
● Shoes, no flip-flops, slippers, open-back shoes.
● Clothing Not Permitted: Cargo pants, leggings, jeggings, joggers, track pants, sweat pants,
jogging pants, spandex, tights, stretchies, compression pants.

Failure to adhere to the jean day dress code will result in a dress code detention.

Physical Education Attire
Students actively participating in a physical education class must adhere to the following dress code
guidelines:

● Appropriate athletic attire must be worn.
● Tops must cover the stomach and not reveal undergarments. T-shirts (with sleeves) and

sweatshirts are acceptable. Wear a McNair PE shirt, if it is provided.
● Shorts, sweatpants, leggings/yoga pants that are below the knee are acceptable.
● Sneakers with non-marking soles worn with socks.

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Attendance

Consult the JCPS Student Code of Conduct for further details on the following policies.

A student must be in compliance with the attendance policy that day in order to participate in
extracurricular activities, athletics or school events (games, clubs, performances, prom, etc).

162 Day Attendance Rule / Seat Time
By state law, the academic school year is 180 days. A student must be in attendance for 162 or more
school days in order to be considered to have successfully completed the instructional program
requirements of the grade/course to which they are assigned. Students in grades 9 - 12 who are
absent 18 school days from a full-year course; 9 school days from a semester course; or 5 school
days from a marking period course may be considered ineligible for promotion to the next grade and
participation in extracurricular activities, athletics, and/or magnet programs.

Seat Time Violations
Time recovery is an opportunity that will allow students to gain missed class time due to an
unexcused absence(s). A student is eligible to recover time for unexcused absences as described in
the Time Recovery Program to avoid loss of credit. The limits for recovery of class time are:

● Semester-long courses: students can recover up to 5 unexcused absences.

● Full-year courses: students can recover up to 10 unexcused absences.

● Recovery must be completed within the marking period of the unexcused absences.

Excused Absences
Students may be legitimately absent from school for the following reasons (paper documentation
must be provided):

● Student illness: provide written medical documentation on letterhead or prescription

● Death in the immediate family, three days; funerals of other relatives, not to exceed one day if
in the locality, or three days if outside of the state. Provide a copy of the obituary, funeral
card/program or funeral home letter

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● Requirements of a student's individual health care plan or individualized education program
(IEP)

● Alternate short or long term accommodations for students with disabilities.
● Quarantine
● State-approved religious observances: https://www.nj.gov/education/holidays.shtml
● Approved and documented college visits (no more than three during the school year)
● Suspensions
● Court Appearance: provide documentation or note from the court
● Necessary and unavoidable medical or dental appointments that cannot be scheduled at a

time other than the school day
● Other individual absences as determined and approved by the school administration
● New Jersey State Agencies' mandated appointments
Students with special circumstances should have their parents/guardians contact the school. In some
instances, this may enable the student to receive a permissible excuse to do the work assigned in
advance.

Please note that students who are excused for any of the above reasons are required to complete
any missing work for their classes. Documentation for excused absences from parents/guardians is
required within three (3) days of returning to school after an absence.

Unexcused Absences

Any absence that does not fall into one of the excused absence categories will be considered
unexcused.

The school district's attendance policy provides for normal and usual illnesses. The 162 Day rule
should not be considered a permissive rule establishing or licensing a limit of days that may be

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missed with no harm. Rather, it assumes absences could occur for illness or serious personal or
family problems.

A waiver of these attendance requirements may be granted for good cause by the school principal
upon recommendation of a review committee, appointed by them, and consisting of representative
staff, including pupil service personnel and classroom teachers. In recommending the granting of a
waiver of this attendance requirement, the review committee shall consider the nature and causes of
all absences.

Attendance Calls Home

When a student is absent, a member of the staff such as the community aide or crisis intervention
teacher will call their household to notify their parents/guardians of their child’s absence.

If a student’s absence is known in advance, parents may email or call the community aide, Ms.
Morales to notify her of the absence. She may be reached at either [email protected] or
201-418-7638.

Class Attendance

Teachers take attendance within the first fifteen (15) minutes of each class session in Infinite
Campus. If a student is not present in class, they will be marked absent from that class meeting.
Teachers will make a best effort to include a note describing the student’s absence, if known.

A roster of students participating in an activity during class time will be shared with teachers by the
sponsoring faculty member. A documented, approved class absence is not a cut and does not
necessarily count against school attendance, or perfect attendance. However, teachers will document
individual class absences for their own records.

Passes, Signing-In and Out of Class

Students will sign out whenever leaving a classroom using the log provided by the teacher. Students
will record their time leaving and returning. Students should not leave classrooms without a pass

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provided by their teacher. Students can and should attend to their physical needs (e.g., use the
restroom, hydrate) but should avoid excessive time outside of class.

Cutting Class

A student who has been in school for any part of the day is expected to report on time to their
assigned schedule.

Students in the building but outside of class must:
1. Obtain a pass from their teacher in advance to be out of class.
2. Be formally signed out of school with the medical office or attendance office.

If a student is more than 15 minutes late to a class without any documentation (pass, nurse return to
class RTC note, etc.), it is considered a class absence as well as a cut. The absence will be recorded
in Infinite Campus. The attendance officer will maintain a record of the cut, and the parent/guardian
on record will be contacted regarding the cut. The student will also be subject to the following
consequences:

● Cutting (first offense): 2 detentions
● Cutting (second offense): 5 detentions, parental conference required
Additional instances of cutting are subject to other disciplinary actions including, but not limited to:
● Loss of eligibility for senior privileges such as exam exemptions
● Suspension
● Return to home school
Lateness

Students should arrive at the building no later than 8:30 a.m. Classes begin promptly at 8:35 a.m.
Students entering the building after 8:35 a.m. are considered late. Students arriving late to the
building will receive a late pass from the crisis intervention teacher (CIT). A student reporting to
Period 1 late without a pass will be sent to the security desk to obtain a late pass. A detention will be

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assigned when the pass is issued. Lateness to school/class will be counted on a cumulative basis
throughout the course of the school year.

Specific updated detention policies (location, times) will be distributed to students in their homerooms
upon the opening of school and posted to the “Daily Announcements” page on Google Classroom.
Students who are issued late passes will be subject to the following rules and procedures:

● Lateness will be documented by the CIT
● Time arriving to class will be recorded by teachers in Infinite Campus
● Detention will be served as assigned by the CIT
● Four (4) instances of lateness in a month will trigger a parental notification
● Teacher and/or administrator may contact parent/guardian for a meeting
Repeated violations may trigger loss of privileges, Saturday detention or other disciplinary measures.

All students are expected to report to school on time, and report to their classes on time. Students
with an IEP / 504 plan are not exempt from lateness violations.

During the course of the day, students have five minutes of passing time between classes. Students
arriving after the late bell without a pass will be issued a lateness by their classroom teacher which
will result in a detention.

During lunch time, it is the students’ responsibility to watch the clock and budget enough time to
complete all necessary lunchtime activities (e.g., the security process, use lockers, restrooms, etc.)
during the passing time built into the lunch block. Students reporting to class after the late “bell”
(12:15 pm, 1:10 pm) will be issued a lateness by their classroom teacher which will result in a
detention.

Academic Integrity - Plagiarism and Cheating

Plagiarism can be defined as submitting another person’s ideas, words, images, or data without
giving that person credit or proper acknowledgment. Plagiarism, a form of academic dishonesty, is
equivalent to stealing and will not be tolerated.

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In order to clarify what constitutes plagiarism, and cheating, you should be aware that you have
committed plagiarism when you: (this list is NOT all-inclusive)

● Use phrases, quotes, or ideas not your own without proper attribution (MLA, Chicago, or APA)

● Paraphrase the words/wording of another student(s), even though you may have changed the
wording or sentence structure

● Submit a paper or assignment written for another class (academic dishonesty)

● Submit a paper or assignment from an essay service or agency, even though you may have
paid for it

● Submit a paper or assignment by another person even though he or she may have given you
permission to use it

● Directly copy an assignment or test from another student, either with or without permission

● Using a paraphrase, translation, or scrambling site to change the original text

Be aware that plagiarism may be applied to ALL assignments in class, not just papers. This includes
(but is not limited to) worksheets, tests, quizzes, and class work. Students are expected to complete
their own work.

Be aware that participation in some extracurricular activities entails taking an oath (National Honor
Society, JROTC). Students should enter into these oaths as serious social contracts. Violations of
academic integrity may jeopardize their continued participation in such oath-bearing activities.

If a violation of the plagiarism policy is suspected, the teacher will flag the violation, and report it in
writing to administration. Students will receive the right to due process, and the violation will be
investigated by administration. Violations are subject to disciplinary action according to the Student
Code of Conduct.

Cheating can be defined as any practice that gives a student an unfair/unearned academic advantage
or violates the educational purpose of the task. Students are expected to be honest, develop
academic skills to allow them to complete tasks effectively, and complete assignments in good faith.

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Cheating includes, but is not limited to:
● accessing other students’ work/materials without their permission
● copying homework or other assignments
● providing answers to another student on tasks appearing on a quiz, exam, report or essay
● disclosing, sharing, posting tests or test questions
● gaining unauthorized access to secure class or test materials
● changing grades or class records wherever they are recorded
● taking credit or accepting credit for work that was not completed by the student
● impersonating another student in Google Classroom, submitting assignments under another
student’s account
● using a calculator or other electronic device to store data or graphics as an unauthorized aid
● stealing another student's work and passing it off as your own
● or copying text without documentation from any published or Internet source
● using banned technology or study aids (cameras, screen caps, Internet searches, working
outside of a designated browser)

Furthermore, students who store school assignments on electronic devices must take responsibility
for the security of their own work. Allowing or providing the opportunity for other students to access
one’s electronic files containing schoolwork may be considered cheating.

If cheating or academic dishonesty is suspected, the teacher will flag the violation, and report it to
administration. Students will receive the right to due process, and the violation will be investigated by
administration. Violations are subject to disciplinary action according to the Student Code of Conduct.

Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB)

Harassment, intimidation and bullying means any gesture, written, verbal, physical act, or any
electronic communication, as defined in N.J.S.A. 18A:37-14. Whether it be a single incident or a

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series of incidents that:

● Is reasonably perceived as being motivated by either any actual or perceived characteristic,
such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender
identity or expression, or a mental, physical or sensory disability or by any other distinguishing
characteristic; and that

● Takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, on a school bus, or off
school grounds, that substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school
or the rights of other pupils, and that

● A reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, that the act(s) will have the effect
of physically or emotionally harming a pupil or damaging the pupil’s property, or placing the
pupil in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm to his/her person or damage to his/her
property; or

● Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any pupil or group of pupils; or

● Creates a hostile educational environment for the pupil by interfering with a pupil’s education
or by severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm to the pupil.

“Electronic communication” means a communication transmitted by means of an electronic device,
including, but not limited to, a telephone, a cellular phone, computer, or pager, whether personal or
district-provided. See the Student Code of Conduct for the investigation procedure for HIB incidents.

Sexual Harassment Policy

The Jersey City Public Schools explicitly forbids any conduct or expression that may be construed as
the sexual harassment of any member of the school community by any student or employee of the
district.

Sexual harassment includes all sexual advances or suggestions, requests for sexual favors, wearing
of clothing bearing slogans that are sexually offensive or demeaning in their innuendo, and verbal or
physical contacts of a sexual nature whenever such conduct has the purpose or effect of intimidation
or tends to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.

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Everyone is encouraged to report any incident of sexual harassment to the building administration or
any teaching staff member. Any employee who receives such a report should notify the building
principal, who shall notify the district’s Affirmative Action Officer. After investigation, appropriate
disciplinary action will be taken.

Sexting and Other Inappropriate Uses of Technology

The Jersey City Public Schools prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation, or exploitation of a student.
The Board of education has determined that the phenomenon of "sexting" falls under such prohibited
acts. The board of education has determined that "sexting," like other disruptive behaviors, is conduct
that disrupts both a student's ability to learn and a school's ability to educate its students in a safe and
disciplined environment and may be considered a police matter.

Accordingly, sexting will not be tolerated because such conduct is repugnant and can lead to more
serious violence. Also, such conduct is gravely inconsistent with district efforts to create a safe and
civil environment conducive for student learning and high academic achievement. In addition,
students shall not engage in improper communication with District staff through the use of electronic
communications. While its definition varies, "sexting" in this school district is defined as the
production, possession, or dissemination of sexual materials, including sexually suggestive text
messages and nude or semi-nude photographs via cellular telephone or any other technological
device.

● A reasonable person, under the circumstances, has the effect of insulting, intimidating,
harassing, demeaning, or exploiting any student, or placing a student in reasonable fear of
physical or emotional harm to his person, and/or;

● Has the effect of insulting, intimidating, harassing, demeaning, or exploiting any student in
such a way as causing any disruption or interference with the orderly operation of the school.
Sexting shall not be tolerated on school property or at any school-sponsored function.
Consequences for a student engaging in sexting shall be varied and graded according to the
nature of the behavior, the developmental age of the student, and the student's disciplinary
record, history of problem behaviors and performance, and must be consistent with the
district's Student Code of Conduct.

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See the Student Code of Conduct for disciplinary action regarding sexting.
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Banned and Restricted Items

Smoking Policy

The Jersey City Public Schools forbids smoking, the use of tobacco products or the use of electronic
cigarettes/vaporizers anywhere in the school building, on school grounds or at school-sponsored
events. Students will be subject to the following consequences for tobacco/other products along with
application of Jersey City Public Schools Substance Abuse Policy, found in the District Code of
Conduct.

Substance Abuse Policy

Please refer to Jersey City Public Schools Substance Abuse Policy, found in the District Code of
Conduct for more information about the student substance abuse policy. “Substance” means alcoholic
beverages, controlled dangerous substances, including anabolic steroids as defined at N.J.S.A.
24:21-2 and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-2, any chemical or chemical compound which releases vapors or fumes
causing a condition of intoxication, inebriation, excitement, stupefaction, or dulling of the brain or
nervous system, including, but not limited to, glue containing a solvent having the property of
releasing toxic vapors or fumes as defined at N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10.4 and over-the-counter and
prescription medications which are improperly used to cause intoxication, inebriation, excitement,
stupefaction, or dulling of the brain or nervous system, Juuls, (electronic cigarettes), which may be
used for consuming illegal substances.

Any violation of District rules prohibiting the use, possession and/or distribution of a substance is a
serious offense, and the student who violates a substance abuse rule will be disciplined accordingly.
Repeated violations are more severe offenses and warrant stricter disciplinary measures that will be
concurrent with other support and counseling/intervention services.

Weapons Policy

The Jersey City Public Schools prohibits the possession and/or use of firearms, toy guns, other
weapons, or instruments that can be used as weapons on school property, on a school bus, at any
school function, or while enroute to or from school or any school function. Please see the Guns and
Other Major Offenses section of the District Code of Conduct for more specific information pertaining

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to policy and consequences.

Zero Tolerance

Students who bring weapons or drugs to school or commit any act of violence against a student or
staff member will be removed from the school building immediately, pending a hearing before a
designee of the Board of Education.

In all cases involving violence, vandalism, substance abuse, or weapons, the Electronic Violence and
Vandalism Reporting System (EWRS) must be submitted to the Zero Tolerance assessment team
within 24 hours. The police will be called, a report filed, and the parent notified if a student is found to
be in possession of a weapon or drugs, assaults a staff member, or if a terroristic threat has been
made.

Depending on the incident, the age of the student, and a recommendation by the Zero Tolerance
assessment team, the student will be assigned to an Interim Alternative Educational Setting (IAES),
subject to a hearing before the Board of Education, designee.

Theft, Vandalism, and Violence

It is the responsibility of students to take care of their personal property. Avoid leaving backpacks,
gym bags, purses, wallets or valuables unsupervised. Students should NOT share their locker
combinations. Valuables should be secured in the lockers during physical education and athletic or
co-curricular participation. Students should not bring large amounts of money or valuable items to
school. The school is not responsible for the replacement of personal property.

If students see questionable or suspicious behavior regarding possible theft of personal or school
property, it should be reported to a staff member immediately. If a student is a victim of a theft, the
student should report it to an administrator as soon as possible. Administration will investigate the
theft to the best of their ability.

Students who are responsible for thefts of personal, intellectual/artistic or school property will face
disciplinary action up to and including suspension and may result in a student’s return to their home

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school. If the incident warrants, families may choose to file a police report.

Violent behavior or speech, whether directed at a person or upon a person, or school and personal
property, will not be tolerated in any way. Willful destruction of school property will not be tolerated.
Students who destroy or deface school property will be disciplined accordingly and assume financial
responsibility for any and all damages. The police will be called for major violence or vandalism
incidents.

Disciplinary Procedures

In order to maintain an environment which is safe, respectful and conducive to learning, students are
expected to follow the District-mandated Student Code of Conduct.

Conduct Overview

● Physical or verbal violence, any form of harassment, intimidation or bullying, and/or
threatening behavior will not be tolerated and may result in suspension from school or the
return of the student to their home school.

● Students are expected to use courteous and proper language at all times. Inappropriate
gestures or language toward staff or fellow students will not be tolerated.

● Students should respect their own property and the property of others. Stealing will not be
tolerated. Disciplinary action will be taken and the police department may be contacted.

● Classroom behavior should always be courteous, respectful and attentive. Students should be
prepared on a daily basis.

● Cheating, in any form, is unacceptable and will be met with loss of credit and disciplinary
action.

● Running, shouting, and any forms of disorderly conduct will not be permitted in the building.
The throwing of snowballs at people or vehicles is prohibited.

● Inappropriate dress is unacceptable. Attire should be appropriate for the educational
environment. Students will be asked to change, sent home, or articles will be confiscated
congruent with Board policy in this area.

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● Smoking, the use of electronic cigarettes or vaporizers, or the use of illegal substances is not
permitted on school grounds or at any school event. Specific disciplinary action will be taken
for violation of this policy.

Detention

Detention procedures have been established in order to deal with minor infractions of the disciplinary
code. Detentions may be a first line of disciplinary action, or escalate in cases of chronic infractions.

Conduct violations that can trigger a detention include but are not limited to: being out of dress code,
lateness, disrespectful behavior, using cell phones or earbuds inappropriately as outlined in the
Student Code of Conduct. Detentions may be assigned by various staff members (CIT, classroom
teachers, administrators, etc.) and will include specific information on the date and type of conduct
violation.

Students who have received a detention will abide by the following rules and procedures:

● Students will receive a pass stating the specific date and time to serve the detention.
● Students are to use the restroom and go to lockers prior to reporting to the detention room.
● Students will not be admitted into the detention room late.
● Students will be assigned an additional detention for every detention missed.
● Students must be in dress code.
● No food or drink is permitted inside the detention room.
● Students may complete written or reading assignments, but no headphones, mobile devices,

calculators or laptops allowed.
● No talking or socializing is permitted during detention.
● No sleeping or heads down on desks is permitted during detention.
● Only students serving detention are allowed in the detention room.
● Detention must be served before participating in extracurricular, after school or athletic

activities.

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Suspension

A suspension procedure has been established in order to deal with more serious infractions of the
disciplinary code. Suspensions from school are issued by administrators and their length will vary
according to circumstances. The following offenses make a student liable for suspension:

● Continued and willful disobedience or open defiance of authority.
● Conduct that constitutes a danger to other students.
● Physical assault upon fellow students, teachers or other school employees.
● Taking personal property or money from another student by force or threat.
● Willfully causing damage to school property.
● Possession of illegal drugs or alcohol.
● Repeated use of profanity or obscene language.
● Repeated offense regarding smoking rule.
● Chronic truancy including cutting of classes.
● Acts that are considered by law to be misdemeanors.
● If an assigned detention is missed, a case of reference will be sent to the administrator. If the

student is absent on the day of an assigned detention, they are required to serve that detention
on their first day present in school.
● Chronic lateness (5 or more in a month) will result in an in-school suspension and/or
out-of-school suspension.

Students should keep in mind that some of the suspension-bearing actions named above are also
criminal acts which may result in arrest by the Jersey City Police Department. These include:

● Setting false alarms

● Possession of drugs or alcohol

● Possession of weapons

● Graffiti

● Stealing

● Destruction of school property or vandalism

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● Criminal trespass (including trespass by suspended students who are present in school)
The police may enter school if requested by school officials or if a crime has been committed.
Lockers may be searched with proper authority and students may be questioned by police.
Return to Home School
Repeated and/or excessive violations of school/district policy may result in a student having to
resume their education at their home school.

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School Counseling

Role of School Counselors

The school counseling program provides support services that promote academic, social, and
emotional growth for all students. Guided by the ASCA National Model, school counselors’ seek to
help students identify their interests and abilities, enhance their productivity, and develop other
essential core competencies needed for them to maximize their achievement. Each student is
assigned a school counselor who, through direct one-on-one communication, provides assistance to
them in all matters that may affect their performance at school. More specifically, school counseling
services include academic progress, arranging parent-teacher conferences, individual and small
group counseling, course scheduling, review of transcripts, and post secondary school planning.

Counselor Assignments

Students are assigned a school counselor at the beginning of their freshman year and that counselor
will be responsible for them for the duration of their time at McNair. Assignments are determined
according to student surnames with each cohort of incoming freshmen evenly divided by last name
among the school counselors. Assignments can be found on the McNair school website.
https://mhs.jcboe.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1535609&type=d&pREC_ID=1666607

Parent, Teacher, and Counselor Communication

Regular communication between students, parents, faculty, and school counselors is essential to
ensuring the success of all students. There are multiple avenues for parents and students to engage
in dialogue with representatives from the school.

Students and parents are welcome to correspond via email with their teachers and school counselors
at any time. Please note that all parent emails directed to teachers must also be cc'd to their child’s
assigned school counselor. This is to ensure that all parent and student concerns are promptly and
fully addressed and to keep school counselors informed of any circumstances that may be affecting a
student’s performance at school.

The School Counseling Office is open to all students from 8:30 a.m. until dismissal each school day.
Students do not need to make an appointment to see their school counselor. They need only have a
pass from their teacher granting them permission to come to the office during class time.

The Jersey City Public Schools mandates that each school host four Open Houses/Report Card
Nights annually, one for each marking period. Special announcements advertising these dates will be
sent out by the school via email and robocall several days in advance. These evenings offer parents
the opportunity to meet with their child’s teachers to discuss any concerns they may have.

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Parents may also arrange special meetings (Monday through Friday / during school hours) with
teachers and school counselors although these are by appointment only. Unscheduled meetings with
teachers and counselors are strictly prohibited. Parents must contact their child’s school counselor to
make an appointment.

Naviance

Naviance is a web-based career and college readiness platform that all students and their parents
can access. Students take strengths and career assessments, identify careers of interest, explore
college options, and complete other tasks to prepare them for post-secondary life. Students are
assigned tasks that are aligned with career and college readiness. Student Naviance accounts are
created by the district and are linked to their Clever accounts. Parent Naviance accounts are created
by the school counseling department. Parents must provide one email address to be linked to their
child’s account.

Naviance Student / Family Usage Contract

1. Regular Use: I understand that a student account and parent access to Family Connection
has been provided for me by McNair Academic High School. I will be accessing Naviance as
part of certain classroom activities during the school day, or independently within a clearly
stated time frame when directed to do so at school.

2. Compliance: I understand that generally, if McNair makes a request through Naviance, I must
complete it through Naviance. I understand if I do not fulfill these requests through Naviance, I
risk that the things I need the school to do for me will be delayed because of my lack of
compliance. I understand things that used to be done by paper or verbally will now happen
through Naviance, such as: submitting forms (such as the Resume/Brag Sheet), making
requests for official school materials (such as transcript requests, teacher recommendations,
etc) and giving information (often via surveys).

3. Access: I understand Naviance is a web-based tool and I can access from any location with a
web connection. I understand if I do not have reliable computer access at home, I should make
arrangements to use school computer labs, classroom computers, or computer time at a
branch of a JC Public Library to complete necessary tasks in Naviance.

4. Transparency: I understand that 100% of my actions on Naviance can be viewed by parents,
faculty and administration. I also understand that any communication between teachers and
myself can be seen by administration and guidance.

5. Student Use: I understand that Naviance is a resource that is primarily for the student.
Parents or other family members should not complete information designed to be completed
by the student, such as Game Plan, Resumes, etc. SHARING YOUR LOG-IN WITH
OTHERS IS PROHIBITED. ATTEMPTING TO ACCESS ANOTHER STUDENT’S ACCOUNT
OR A STAFF ACCOUNT IS PROHIBITED. Parents will have their own access tied to the
student account.
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6. Ethical and Acceptable Use: I understand Naviance is an extension of school and the
conduct that governs the school day also applies to my behavior on the site. My usage of
Naviance is governed by the JCPS Student Code of Conduct and I will be held responsible for
my actions and activities while accessing the Naviance site. The school reserves the right to
cancel my ability to participate at any time. Examples of prohibited conduct include, but are not
limited to:
● Vandalizing, altering, accessing, or distributing the data of another user.
● Posting anonymous messages, posting as another user, or posting as a staff member.
● Posting, publishing, or uploading information to the site/Family Connection without
approval or permission.
● Degrading, disrupting, altering or tampering with software, configurations, or system
performance.
● Harassing another person - i.e., persistently acting in a manner that annoys another
person.
● Bullying, posting false or defamatory information, or advocating violence or hatred
towards a person or group.
● Using the site for any illegal activity, including violation of copyright or other contracts.

7. Help: I understand if I find errors in my information within the site, I will report the specific
problem in writing to my school counselor. If I have trouble figuring out how to complete an
assigned task, or use the site, I will seek help, first from the source of the request (classroom
teacher, guidance, class adviser, etc), then from my guidance counselor. After attempting to
resolve my issue, I can email [email protected] for help.

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Document Requests

Letters of Recommendation

Students applying for summer programs and internships may need a letter of recommendation. If
students require a letter from a teacher, it is their responsibility to contact their teacher directly to ask
if they are willing and able to write a letter on their behalf. Students that need a school counselor
letter of recommendation should contact their school counselor directly and also fill out a Brag Sheet
on Naviance.

As a courtesy and gesture of respect, make requests as far in advance as possible, provide
recommenders with all of the necessary information, and give at least 10 business days notice to
complete the letter. It is also courtesy to update your recommenders on the status of your acceptance
to the opportunity when you receive the decision.

Transcript Requests

A transcript is a document presenting the complete cumulative record of a student’s academic
performance, including course credits and final grades for all classes that a student has taken during
their time in high school. There are two different versions of the transcript: unofficial and official. Both
contain a full record of credits and grades. However, only official transcripts contain the school
counselor's signature and the school seal and are placed in sealed envelopes. Official
transcripts are given directly to colleges/universities and post-secondary programs, they may
never be given to students or parents. Unofficial transcripts are available to students and parents
and are for viewing purposes only (they will not be accepted by colleges and post-secondary
institutions).

Transcripts (official & unofficial) may only be issued by the school counseling department and clerical
personnel. Teachers may not issue transcripts. Students and parents must provide school counselors
at least 2 business days’ notice to receive unofficial transcripts. For official transcript requests,
students and parents must provide school counselors at least 10 business days' notice and they must
also provide all of the following information:

1. Name of the program/college/university the transcript is to be sent.

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2. How you are applying: online or by mail.
3. Does the program require the school counselor to submit school/student statistical

information? If so, how is it to be sent (e.g., via email or online portal)?
4. Any relevant links, contact email addresses, and/or full mailing addresses.
5. The deadline date (be sure to factor in the required 10 business day notice requirement).
6. How the transcript is to be sent (e.g., upload to a website, mail to institution).
7. Are school counselor recommendation letters needed? (Again, factor in the required 10

business day notice for letters of recommendation).

College Visits

As per the District attendance policy, students may be granted up to 3 excused absences to conduct
college visits, such as for admissions interviews, Fly-In programs, campus tours, open houses, etc.
Please be sure to get official documentation from the college verifying your presence on campus. (A
note on college letter head signed by an admissions rep, for example).

See your School Counselor for more information.

Financial Aid Meeting for Parents

The School Counseling department hosts an evening Financial Aid workshop for students and
families each year to go over the process for applying for financial aid and to answer any questions.

Academic Program

Bell Schedules

McNair operates on a modified rotating block schedule. Although each student is required to maintain
a minimum of eight courses on their schedule, they will only attend six classes each day.

The following table illustrates how classes rotate according to each schedule day during a normal
school day. Note that lunch times are determined by a student’s scheduled fourth block class.
Students with fourth block classes on the first and second floors take Lunch A while students with

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fourth block classes on the third and fourth floors take Lunch B (it is possible to have alternating lunch
times, so students should be sure to pay close attention to their individual course schedules).

Rotating Full Day Schedule

Time Day 4 Day 3 Day 2 Day 1

8:35 – 9:35* 4321
9:40 – 10:30 1432
10:35 – 11:25 2143
11:30 – 1:05
Lunch / Subject LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH
Subject / Lunch 8765
1:10 – 2:00
2:05 – 3:05 5876
6587

The following table illustrates how classes rotate according to each schedule day during a half-day:

Rotating Half Day Schedule

Time Day 4 Day 3 Day 2 Day 1

8:35 - 9:15 4 3 2 1
9:17 - 9:57 1 4 3 2
9:59 - 10:39 2 1 4 3
10:41 - 11:21 8 7 6 5
11:23 - 12:03 5 8 7 6
12:05 - 12:45 6 5 8 7

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Monthly Calendar

A full calendar of all scheduled school days, holidays, Open Houses / Report Card Nights, Board of
Education meetings, and other special events is available on the district website. ​
https://4.files.edl.io/481a/07/08/22/141635-16438bee-6004-4d6e-9fff-859c0b998b92.pdf

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from McNair Academic, students must satisfy all curricular, extracurricular, and testing
mandates set by the New Jersey Department of Education, the Jersey City Public Schools District,
and the school.

Credit Requirements

All McNair Academic students must complete 160 credits of coursework in our rigorous
college-preparatory program which is aligned with the New Jersey Department of Education’s
requirements (https://www.nj.gov/education/cccs/grad.pdf). Credits must be accumulated in
accordance with the following schedule:

English Language Arts (25) credits
Mathematics (20) credits
Science (20) credits
Social Studies (20) credits
Health & Physical Education (20) credits
World Language (15) credits
Fine Arts (10) credits
21st Century Learning (5) credits
Financial Literacy (2.5) credits
General Electives (22.5) credits

Community Service Requirement Total: 160 credits for graduation

Historically, the District has had a 50 hour Community Service requirement for graduation, to be

completed at the end of the student’s Junior Year. Students must submit documentation from the

institution granting the hours, on a full-size page, with one page for each individual student. The letter

should list the student’s name, hours earned and a brief description of the task. Students should

always keep a copy of their Community Service hours for their records.

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Many clubs and extracurricular activities offer community service opportunities, particularly (but not
only) JROTC, Key Club, Student Council, National Honor Society, Peer Leadership, and the
Environmental Club. It is not hard to earn the requirement if students commit themselves to service
consistently throughout their time at McNair.

Due to COVID restrictions, the hour requirement was reduced to 25 hours for the Class of 2022. Your
School Counselor will notify you if/when the requirement returns to the pre-pandemic level.
Underclassmen should do their best to stay on track with consistent community service, regardless of
a formal requirement.

Standardized Testing Requirement

The New Jersey Department of Education requires all high school students to demonstrate
proficiency on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) for English Language Arts
(ELA) and Mathematics in their freshman and sophomore years. These assessments are
administered annually each spring.

Students in their junior year must score 750 or higher on both the ELA and Mathematics sections of
the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA) to be eligible for graduation. In the
event a student does not demonstrate proficiency, they must meet the requirements of one of the
following in order to graduate:

● Second Pathway: Meeting the designated cut score on a substitute competency test such as
other high school-level NJSLA/PARCC assessments, the SAT, ACT, or ACCUPLACER; or

● Third Pathway: Submitting, through the district, a student portfolio appeals to the New Jersey
Department of Education.

McNair Academic also requires its students to sit for the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT)
in their freshmen, sophomore, and juniors years.

Students applying to post-secondary institutions may be required by those schools to take the official
SAT or the American College Testing (ACT) exam. Students are recommended to take the SAT/ACT
in the spring of their junior year and/or fall of their senior year. Students must register themselves for

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the SAT/ACT through the College Board and pay the requisite fee. Students who receive free or
reduced lunch are eligible for fee waivers. To qualify for free or reduced lunch, students must
complete the online Jersey City School Lunch form application to receive free/reduced lunch status
during their first week of school.

The testing schedule for the College Board SAT can be viewed on their website.
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration/dates-deadlines.

Similar information about registration and testing schedules for the ACT can be viewed on their
website. https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration.html.

Advanced Placement Graduation Requirement for McNair Academic

All MAHS students must enroll in at least one CollegeBoard Advanced Placement (AP) subject
before graduation. They are also required to complete the corresponding exam at the end of the
year. All AP Exams are administered annually by the College Board during the first two weeks of May.

The school will cover all fees in order for students to take the exam. However, in the event that a
student willfully misses their scheduled exam without a legitimate excuse communicated to their
school counselor in advance, that student will be responsible for reimbursing the school the full cost
of the exam and they will be ineligible for an exam makeup. That student will also receive a failing
grade in that course for the fourth marking period.

Students with valid reasons for missing an exam (e.g., medically excused condition, multiple exams
at the same time) may be eligible for a make-up exam on an alternative date. The school’s AP
Coordinator will create the AP exam make-up schedule and notify those students who qualify to take
the make-ups.

In rare instances, a student who is unable to enroll in an AP course will seek to independently
arrange to take an AP exam on their own at an alternative test site outside of McNair. In these cases,
students assume full responsibility to cover any costs associated with this testing and they are also
responsible for handling all registration procedures on their own. Such students are welcome to
consult their school counselor for advice and assistance in this process.

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More information about the College Board AP program is available on their website.
https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/exam-administration-ordering-scores/exam-dates/2023-exam-dates

Block 0 and Mock Exams

In the interest of fully covering all required material in time before the AP exam period in May, some
AP courses may require students to be present for additional class time outside of the normal school
day. This is usually the case for science AP’s but may also occur in others as well. Students should
consult the teachers of the AP course they are interested in and/or the department coordinator for
details. These extra periods are usually arranged to occur prior to the first period of the day, between
7:30 am - 8:30 am and are known as Block 0.

In addition to Block 0, some AP teachers will arrange for their students to sit for full-length mock
exams in the weeks leading up to the actual AP exam. Given the length of these exams and the need
to mimic actual testing conditions, they are usually arranged outside of normal school hours and
usually on a Saturday.

Common Expectations of an Advanced Placement Student

1. Has positive conduct including a self-directed work ethic, good communication with peers and
faculty, and follow-through with class rules and deadlines.

2. Has effective time-management and organizational skills, including keeping up with work in
many environments. (AP Classroom, Google Classroom, Albert, Khan Academy, etc).

3. Shows initiative for learning beyond course requirements and assignments. Ex. Taking
advantage of enrichment, using supplemental materials, following current events, independent
reading, gaining background knowledge contained in course material.

4. Has a genuine interest in adopting new (and potentially unfamiliar or complex) reading, writing
and analytic strategies.

5. Active and productive participant in class discussion, group work, debates, and class activities.

6. Can tolerate ambiguity, open-ended questions, and multiple possible perspectives.

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7. Will take the journey past the level of paraphrase, literal meaning, or comprehension towards
analysis, elaboration and/or forming original defensible claims.

8. Enjoys repeated, sustained, deep-dive attention on their own writing or course products (labs,
problem sets, research questions) and the writing of others. (i.e. Close reading, multiple drafts,
re-reading, annotating, peer editing, reading scholarly writing.)

9. Is ethical in their use of resources and research, particularly in accessing secure controlled
materials, avoiding plagiarism, and working within guidelines set by the instructor.

10. Is accountable for their own progress in the course, including self-study and review for
teacher-created and College Board assessments.

Researching AP Courses

Students should visit the College Board Courses and Exams page to familiarize themselves with the
content and focus of the courses they wish to take.
https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/course-index-page

Youtube also has a wealth of AP Videos from College Board that demonstrate the topics and
approach of the AP Courses.
https://www.youtube.com/user/advancedplacement

Why AP?
https://blog.collegeboard.org/3-reasons-take-ap-exams

Earning College Credit

Every undergraduate program has different policies for accepting AP credit. For example, they may
award credits on the college transcript, giving students advanced standing (e.g. entering as a 2nd
semester freshman, or graduating in less than 4 years), placing students out of a required course
(e.g. not being required to take an Expository Writing course), or placing students into a higher level
(e.g. entry into 201 level courses). Some colleges do not accept AP credit and require students to

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complete all of their academic requirements within the college’s academic program. Students should
consult the Advanced Placement policies on the undergrad websites.

There are many reasons why students take AP courses, and while earning college credit is a valuable
benefit for students, that step comes at the end of your AP journey upon enrolling in a specific
undergraduate program.

Here is Rutgers’ AP Credit Policy for an example:
https://www.sasundergrad.rutgers.edu/degree-requirements/credits/pre-college-credits/advanced-plac
ement-ap

Here is Cornell’s AP Credit Policy for example:
https://courses.cornell.edu/content.php?catoid=31&navoid=7931

CLEP Exams

If graduating seniors wish to explore further credit-earning opportunities, some colleges offer credit for
CLEP Exams. Students would self-study and sit for a CLEP exam.

https://clep.collegeboard.org

AP Course Prerequisites

While all students must enroll in at least one AP course in order to be eligible for graduation, students
must note that some AP courses have strict prerequisites that students must fulfill in order to enroll.
Specific course prerequisites are indicated in the course catalog below and more specific detail may
be gained by consulting with a school counselor or department coordinator.

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Commitment to Academic Excellence

To maintain the high academic standards that are characteristic of McNair Academic High School and
to maximize the potential of every student to pursue post-secondary education, all students are
required to achieve passing grades in every course in every year.

In the event that a student fails one subject for the academic year, they will be required to attend
summer school (credit recovery) and achieve a passing grade for that course in order to continue
their enrollment at McNair Academic. Only credit recovery programs offered by the Jersey City Public
School district are accepted for credit. Due to the unique credit requirements of McNair Academic and
our specific course offerings (electives and Advanced Placement courses) not all McNair courses are
offered in credit recovery.

A student that fails two or more subjects during one academic school year will not be permitted to
return to McNair Academic in the following year. That student will be transferred to their district home
high school and they will be ineligible to apply for readmission.

Senior Privilege

To reward their outstanding performance and to celebrate the completion of a challenging four years
of coursework, McNair Academic seniors who obtain a final annual average in a course of 92 or
above may choose to be exempted from their final exam for that course. Instead of taking a final, the
student’s final annual average for the course will be recorded as their “final exam” grade.

Grade Point Average & Class Rank

McNair Academic does not rank its students except for internal purposes such as to determine the
top 20% of the graduates each year (i.e., to determine valedictorian and salutatorian and eligibility for
National Honor Society).

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A student's rank is calculated by considering the difficulty of their courses (weight) and the grades
achieved in each course (final average). A weighted average is calculated by multiplying the earned
credits times the weighted factor times the final average to provide a product called the quality points.
The sum of all quality points is then divided by the total number of credits earned to produce the
weighted final average which is used for ranking purposes.

A sample computation is listed below:

Earned Credits Credits Final Average Weight Quality Points

English 2 Honors 5 81 1.05 425.25
Geometry Honors 5 86 1.05 451.50
US History 2 5 85 1.05 446.25
Chemistry Honors 5 79 1.05 414.75
Spanish 2 Honors 5 80 1.05 420.00
World Literature 5 88 1.00 440.00
Intro to Art 5 90 1.00 450.00
Health Education 2 2.5 87 1.00 217.50
Phys. Education 2 2.5 81 1.00 202.50
Totals 40 3467.75

Quality Points / Earned Credits = Weighted GPA
3467.75 / 40 = 86.69

Course Scheduling

Course Weights

Although all coursework at McNair is structured to provide a more rigorous academic challenge than
might be available elsewhere, some courses can be much more challenging than others. Every
course offered at McNair is assigned a "weight" based upon its level of difficulty. The different types
of courses offered are as follows:

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Course Level Weight Description
Advanced
Placement (AP) 1.10 These are equivalent to freshman year, college-level courses. If enrolled in
an AP course, students are expected to take the AP exam for that course
Honors in May.

Standard 1.05 These courses are offered to students to better prepare them for college
level work. The curricular requirements are more rigorous than the
standard course.

1.00 These courses prepare students for standard college admission and may
also prepare them for entrance into specialized schools such as art or
music.

In addition to signaling the level of challenge a course will provide students, course weights also
factor into the calculation of student grade point averages.

Course Selection

Course selection occurs in the spring of each year during a conference between students and their
school counselor. All subject selection sheets must be signed by a parent or guardian, school
counselor, and student indicating their approval of the proposed program. It is important for students
to consider their interests, abilities, and time constraints when selecting courses. Students and their
parents should keep in mind that course selection must meet the requirements of both district and
state graduation requirements.

While students are generally free to select whichever standard or honors courses they are interested
in, there are specific criteria for AP courses that students must meet in order to be enrolled. Students
with an interest in an AP course and their parents should familiarize themselves with the
prerequisites, course descriptions, and specific AP-course criteria of that course prior to their
scheduling conference. Further information is always available from the teacher of the subject or the
relevant department coordinator.

Schedule Changes

After completing their course selection and submitting their signed subject selection form to their
school counselor, students have 10 business days to make changes to their schedule. Once course

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