FOSTER REGIONAL APPLIED
TECHNOLOGY CENTER
Farmington, Maine
Student & Parent
Handbook
2007-2008
Serving the schools of -
Jay
Livermore Falls
Mt Abram
Mt Blue
Rangeley
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Directors
Message
3
Contact
Information
... 4
Attendance
Policy
.. 5
Absences
5
Automobile
Rules
.. 6
Awards
and Scholarships
.
.. 7
Breakfast
7
Bussing
.. 7
Cancellation
of School
.
. 7
Cell
Phones
8
Course
Credit
8
Dress
Code
8
Emergency
Forms
.
8
Emergency
Procedures
. 8
Expectations
. 9
Grades
and Grading Periods
. 9
Guidance
Services
9
Illegal
Student Activity
.
10
Injury
and Accidents
10
Internet
Use
.. 10
Legal
Policies
.. 10
Leaving
School Grounds
.
. 11
Loitering
... 11
Medication
.. . 11
Safety
Standards
.
.. 11
School
Records
...
.. 11
Sending
Schools
.. 11
Smoking
Regulations
12
Student
Harassment
.. 12
Student
Organizations
.. 12
Non-Discrimination
.. 13
Parent
Conferences
13
Recognition
Night
.
13
Suspension
13
Tools
and Equipment
.. 13
Visitors
.... 13
FTC
Student Calendar
... 14
Sending
School Bus Schedule
.. 15
DIRECTORS
MESSAGE
This
Foster Technology Center handbook is provided to help students and parents
understand the policies and practices of the Technology Center. It is meant to
supplement the guidelines given by the students sending schools.
Foster
Regional Applied Technology Center (FTC) will provide students with applied
learning opportunities in their chosen occupation using a variety of teaching
strategies to accommodate a wide range of learning styles. The Technology
Center is dedicated to maintaining quality programs that reflect the current needs
of industry and community. Students are encouraged to utilize their vocational
education to gain immediate employment or to pursue post-secondary education or
training.
FTC Mission Statement
Foster Regional Applied Technology Center will
prepare students in a friendly, safe, non-threatening, professional environment
conducive to learning the occupational, academic, social, and individual skills
necessary to become productive, confident members of the workplace and/or
society.
FOSTER REGIONAL APPLIED
TECHNOLOGY CENTER
173 Seamon Road, Farmington,
Maine 04938
Telephone: 778-3561 FAX:
778-5811
Email: gkapiloff@msad9.org
Director Glenn Kapiloff
Student
Services Coordinator Melissa
Williams
Office
Manager Sherry
Robbins
Secretary Jill
Orcutt
FTC
Custodian Jon
Karkos
Teaching
Staff
Automotive Technology Scott Vining
Business Education Regina
Voter
Building Construction Mike Fogg
Composites John MacDonald
Culinary Arts Sean Minear
Computer Networking and Repair Rich Wilde
Commercial Arts and Photography Jan Allen
Digital Graphics and Video Nick OBrien
Diversified Occupations Denise Correll
Drafting Kelly Sabin
Early Childhood Education Leilani Gordon
Emergency Medical Technician Carol Pillsbury
Fire Fighting John Churchill
Forestry / Wood Harvesting Ron Hodgdon
Dean Merrill
Health Science Careers Traci Yeaton
Metal Fabrication Rob
Olsen
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Compulsory
education is essential to the preservation of the rights and liberties of the
people and continued prosperity of our society and our nation. Maintaining
regular student attendance is necessary to achieve the goal of an educated
citizenry (M.R.S.A title 20A section 5001A).
Foster
Technology Center prides itself in providing students with hands-on applied
learning courses. Because of the nature
of these programs, it is vital that students make every attempt to attend all
classes. The learning opportunities that are available to students on one day,
may not be readily available on another. The class time lost for missing one
day at Foster Technology Center can be equal to missing three days of a
standard high school course.
ABSENCES
Excused:
All
absences for personal illness, an appointment with a health professional that
must be made during the regular school day, observance of a recognized
religious holiday, family emergency or a planned absence for a personal or
educational purpose which has been pre-approved are considered to be excused
absences. These absences must be documented by a parent or guardian phone call
the day of the absence OR by a note from a parent/guardian OR a doctors note
the first day the student returns to school. Make-up work for excused absences
should be arranged with the students instructor. It is the students
responsibility to make-up any missing work.
Unexcused:
Unexcused
absences include being absent from school for reasons other than mentioned
previously or any absence not excused by a parent/guardian note.
MAKE-UP
WORK:
1.
It is the responsibility of the student who has been absent to arrange with the
instructor for missed work to be made up.
2.
All work must be completed by a deadline assigned by the teacher and no later
than two weeks after the close of the quarter in which the absences occurred.
3.
In the event a student misses an applied learning opportunity, the instructor
may assign alternate work for make up.
NOTIFICATION
PROCEDURE
Parents
and students will be notified of attendance problems at the following
intervals:
1.
One absence student meets with instructor and makes a plan to make-up work.
2.
Two absences student completes an Attendance Report and then may be required
to meet with the Director of FTC. A letter is sent home and to the students
sending school.
3.
Three absences meeting with sending
school representative, parents and Director.
4.
Four or more unexcused absences may result in removal from the program.
LATE ARRIVAL /
EARLY DISMISSAL
All
students that arrive after 7:55 need to check in with the Foster Technology
Center Office upon arrival. All requests for early dismissal should be cleared
with the students sending school and then brought to the Office at Foster
Technology Center. Students that are repeatedly tardy will fall under the same
procedures as with absenteeism.
AUTOMOBILE RULES
Parking
is limited at Foster Technology Center and students are encouraged to ride on
the sending school transportation system when possible. If a student requests
permission to transport themselves to school, he/she must bring in written
permission from parents and sending school officials and fill out a student
parking permit form at the Foster Technology Center Office.
Any
student not following the student driver rules and observed driving unsafely or transporting unauthorized
passengers, will lose his/her driving privileges. Students must park only in
designated areas and obey all traffic laws or they will lose their privilege to
drive to Foster Technology Center.
All
Mt Blue students must go through the Mt Blue High School parking request
procedures. Any student that brings an automobile on school property is
responsible for any items or passengers inside the automobile.
If
students find themselves in a situation in which they need to unexpectedly
transport themselves to Foster Technology Center, they need to check-in with
the Technology Center Office.
AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
A
variety of academic and vocational awards are given by Foster Technology
Center. Individual teachers and/or a committee determine the recipients of the
awards given by the Center. These awards will be presented at awards assemblies
and during our annual Recognition Night Ceremony at the end of the year (see
calendar for listed date).
All
high school juniors and seniors at Foster Technology Center will be asked to
fill out a scholarship/award application with the Student Services Coordinator.
This application makes students eligible, during their senior year, for
consideration of numerous monetary awards and scholarships which will be chosen
by a committee. Students will be notified at Recognition Night if they have
been selected.
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
is available for students of Foster Technology Center from the cafeteria at Mt.
Blue High School. Any student that is eligible for free and reduced lunch at
their sending school is also eligible for free or reduced breakfast.
BUSSING
Transportation
from sending schools to Foster Technology Center can involve a long ride on the
bus. Students are expected to use the provided transportation from their
sending school unless other arrangements have been made in advance. The
Director of Foster Technology Center, along with the administration from the
sending school, will handle discipline issues on the bus. Attached is a
schedule of bus arrival and departure times.
CANCELLATION OF SCHOOL
Foster
Technology Center will cancel classes on any day that schools are closed in
MSAD #9. Students are not expected to come to Foster Technology Center on any
day that their sending school is closed due to inclement weather, even if the
Center is open.
CELL PHONES
Cell
phones are to be shut off in all areas of
FTC unless the student is given permission by an instructor.
COURSE CREDIT
Foster
Technology Center awards course completion. It is the students sending school
that awards credits. Any questions concerning graduation requirements or
credits obtained should be directed to your schools guidance office.
DRESS CODE
Appropriate
dress is an important component of learning at Foster Technology Center. It
will prepare students to successfully enter the work force and/or continue
their education. In addition to dress code policies from the students sending
school, clothing must be worn that is appropriate to the program that the
student is enrolled in at Foster Technology Center. This includes clothes that are sufficiently warm for programs
that go outside, clothing that is clean when working around food, not having
loose clothing around machinery and the wearing of appropriate safety
equipment. The instructor of each program will outline specific guidelines that
apply to their program.
Hats
can be worn in programs that meet outside or off school campus as well as in
the shop area or when directed by the instructor. Hats need to be removed when
entering Mt Blue High School area.
Clothing
that promotes drugs, alcohol and/or is offensive or inappropriate for school
will not be allowed at Foster Technology Center.
EMERGENCY FORMS
All
students must complete the appropriate emergency data forms and submit these
forms to the Technology Center office. Any student that does not return his/her
emergency data forms by the second class day will not be allowed to participate
in certain activities within the program which may result in a reduction of
grade.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Each
program will have listed procedures for dealing with emergencies within their
program. Students must learn and understand these procedures and know their
role in the event of an emergency. Should it become necessary to evacuate the
building, students should stay a safe distance from the building-out of the way
of emergency vehicles. Students need to report to the directed area with their
instructor and await further guidance. During fire drills all personnel will
exit the building in an orderly fashion and will remain outside until directed
to return to the building.
EXPECTATIONS
The
majority of the students that attend Foster Technology Center are juniors and
seniors. Because we deal with young adults, we expect students to behave
accordingly. Whether at the Center or at the job site, Foster Technology Center
takes pride in the mature, responsible way our students represent our programs.
Please help continue this tradition.
GRADES AND GRADING PERIODS
The
basis for the academic achievement mark is the teachers evaluation of the
quality of the students performance in the subject. A student must achieve a rank
of at least 60 (D-) in order to receive satisfactory completion of a course.
GRADE
SCALE:
A+ (98-100) C+
(77-79)
A (95-97) C
(74-76)
A- (90-94) C-
(70-73)
B+ (87-89) D+ (67-69)
B (84-86) D (64-66)
B- (80-83) D-
(60-63)
F (59 and below)
This
grading scale might be different from that of your sending school. Students
should see their guidance counselor if they have any questions on how the grade
was converted on their report card.
GUIDANCE SERVICES
Guidance
services are available to all students through his/her sending school guidance
department. Career education, scholarship information, post secondary program
information and independent study information is available through the Student
Services Coordinator at Foster Technology Center.
ILLEGAL STUDENT ACTIVITY
All students should be aware that any illegal
actions on their part will result in the information and the individual being
turned over to the police with a request for court action. Maine School
Administrative District #9 employs a School Resource Officer (S.R.O.) that is
available to assist with issues with students.
INJURY AND ACCIDENTS
Any
accidents or injuries occurring during a school activity must be reported
immediately to the staff member in charge. Students must complete all emergency
data forms and show proof of insurance before being allowed to participate in
programs at Foster Technology Center. Any student that does not have insurance
coverage needs to notify the office at Foster Technology Center as soon as
possible for assistance.
INTERNET USE
Any
students at Foster Technology Center that use the internet, must first read and
sign the MSAD 9 internet use policy. The computer is a tool and like any tool
it must be used appropriately. Any misuse of computers or internet will result
in disciplinary action.
LEGAL POLICIES THAT AFFECT YOUR RIGHTS
AFFIRMATIVE
ACTIONS STATEMENT
1.
It is the policy of Maine School Administrative District No. 9 and Foster
Technology Center to insure equal employment and educational opportunities and
affirmative action regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, marital
status, age, handicap, or religion in accordance with all federal and state
legislation relative to discrimination.
2.
Inquires can be made to the Foster Technology Center Director, the Affirmative
Action/Title 1X/Section 504 Coordinator, Maine State Administrative District
#9, New Sharon, Maine 04955, telephone 778-9517, or the Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Washington D.C.
3.
Grievance procedures are available which provide for prompt and equitable
resolution of complaints alleging violations of Affirmative Action/Title
1X/Section 504 guidelines and may be obtained from the Coordinator.
LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS
Students
must sign-out in the Foster Technology Center office if they need to leave the
school grounds at any time during the school day.
LOITERING
There
will be no loitering in the corridors, office or outside the facilities before,
during or after school hours. Students from other sending schools should not go
into Mt. Blue High School without permission. Any students that are delayed in
their departure need to check in with the Foster Technology Center Office.
MEDICATION
Students
should not operate tools, equipment or machinery when taking some medications.
Any students that are taking any type of medications must notify their
instructor. Students need to have written permission from their parents and
sending school to have possession of any medications at Foster Technology
Center.
SAFETY STANDARDS
Safety
is the most important aspect of all our programs at Foster Technology Center.
If at any time a student feels uncomfortable performing any operations or using
any tools or equipment, they should notify their instructor immediately to
receive further guidance. Students must comply with all safety guidelines,
wearing of safety equipment and maintaining a safe working environment. Unsafe
acts including horse play maybe cause for dismissal from a program.
SCHOOL RECORDS
Foster
Technology Center subscribes to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
of 1974 as approved by the US 93rd Congress (PL 93-380). If you
desire to discuss your school records, please make an appointment with the Vocational
Director.
SENDING SCHOOLS
Students
come to Foster Technology Center from the following high schools: Jay High
School, Livermore Falls High School, Mt Abram High School, Mt Blue High School
and Rangeley Lakes Regional High School.
SMOKING / TOBACCO
REGULATIONS
The
MSAD #9 School Board and Foster Technology Center forbids student smoking or
carrying tobacco products on school property at any time. Students found using
or in possession of tobacco products on school property will be subject to
disciplinary action and if under the age of eighteen, will be reported to the
appropriate law enforcement agency.
STUDENT HARASSMENT
Foster
Technology Center recognizes the right of each student to perform in an
atmosphere which is free of intimidation, ridicule, hostility and
offensiveness. In order to ensure such atmosphere, Foster Technology employees
will not engage in harassment of students and students will not harass other
students. Harassment is abuse based upon race, color, sex, religion, age national
origin or handicap. Acts of this nature are not only a violation of this policy
but also constitute illegal discrimination under State and Federal laws and
will be dealt with through the suspension process.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Students
at Foster Technology Center are strongly encouraged to become involved with
Vocational Student Organizations. The following student organizations are
available:
Distributive Education Clubs
of America (DECA) a national organization for students in business or Cooperative
Education programs at Foster Technology Center. This program promotes the
principles of retailing and salesmanship.
Future Business Leaders of
America (FBLA)
a national organization for all students participating business and office
programs. It provides additional opportunities for students in the business
education programs at Foster
Technology
Center.
Health Occupations Students
of America (HOSA) A national organization for students in health occupations programs
in vocational schools. The club is designed to give students the tools for
developing good leadership skills, competition awareness, and to bridge the gap
between vocational students and the health industry.
Skills USA A national organization
for students in the trade, industrial, technical and health occupations
programs in vocational schools and colleges. The club is designed to give
students the tools for developing good leadership skills, competition
awareness, and to bridge the gap between vocational students and industry.
NON-DISCRIMINATION
It
is the policy of Foster Technology Center not to discriminate on the basis of
race, religion, national origin, sex or handicap and to comply with Section 504
of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Programs and procedures shall be reviewed
regularly to assure that equal access and equal opportunity are afforded to
students, employees, parents and the general public.
PARENT CONFERENCES
Parents
are encouraged to visit programs, meet with instructors or tour the Center at
any time. Please contact the main office at Foster Technology Center to arrange
a time if you choose to visit.
RECOGNITION NIGHT
Students
and families will be invited to an end of year celebration to honor the
successes of our programs and students. More information about this event will
be provided near the end of the school year.
SUSPENSION
If
any students are suspended from their sending school, they are also not allowed
to attend classes at Foster Technology Center. Any student that is suspended
from a program for disciplinary reasons at Foster Technology Center will also
be suspended from their sending school.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Students
at Foster Technology Center have the opportunity to use a variety of tools,
equipment and machines. These items are very expensive and can be very
dangerous if not used correctly. It is extremely important that students take
care of all equipment they are entrusted to use whether at school or at home.
If students bring in personal equipment or tools to use in class (like a
Leatherman or jack-knife) it is the students responsibility to secure it when
not being used. Students must keep in mind that these tools may not be allowed
at their sending school. Arrangements can be made for financial support for
purchasing equipment and supplies.
VISITORS
All
visitors to Foster Technology Center must first go to the Foster Technology
Center office to sign-in and receive a visitors badge.