Teachers, school counselors, social workers, deans, secretaries, the school nurse, and administrators are available and committed to supporting students. We invite any student who has a question or concern to meet and confer with any of these staff members before or after school, during lunch or during a study hall. Unless a concern is truly urgent, a student should make an appointment with a staff member, and plan to meet during times other than scheduled class time. If you schedule an appointment during a study hall, report first to the study hall teacher for attendance purposes with your appointment pass before you attend your appointment.

Attendance Policy

Absences add up! Missing just two days a month leads to gaps in learning and lower graduation rates. That is why we believe EVERY DAY MATTERS.

Regular and punctual school and class attendance are essential to a student’s success. We expect students to attend school every day unless they have an “explained” absence. Excused/explained absences are defined by Maine law and School Committee policy as follows:

1. Personal illness;
2. An appointment with a health professional that must be made during the regular school day;
3. Observance of a recognized religious holiday when the observance is required during the regular school day;
4. A family emergency;
5. A planned absence for a personal or educational purpose that has been approved;
6. Education disruption resulting from homelessness, unplanned psychiatric hospitalization, unplanned hospitalization for a medical emergency, foster care placement, youth development placement or some other out-of-district placement that is not otherwise authorized by either any individual education plan or a superintendent's’ student transfer agreement. “Education disruption” does not apply to a student who is out of school for 10 or more consecutive school days as a result of a planned absence for a reason such as a family event or a medical absence for planned hospitalization or recovery.

Upon returning to school following an absence, a student must report directly to the Main Office, with a note from their parent or guardian providing a reason for the absence. Parents or guardians may also call the campus or email via Reach My Teach. Students with a note explaining a legitimate absence will be marked “EXPLAINED” (EA) for attendance records. Absences without a note will be marked “UNEXPLAINED” (UA) and will count towards truancy.

Truancy

Students younger than 17 years of age with more than seven consecutive unexcused absences, or 10 cumulative unexcused absences, are considered truant under Maine State Law. Any student with a truancy record will be referred to Student Support Team (SST) to determine the cause of the truancy and assess the effect of the student’s absences. SST shall then develop an appropriate intervention plan, which may include (but is not limited to):

1. Frequent communication between the teacher and the family
2. Changes in the learning environment
3. Mentoring
4. Student counseling
5. Tutoring, including peer tutoring
6. Placement into different classes
7. Consideration of multiple pathways as described under section 4703
8. Attendance contracts
9. Referral to other agencies for family services
10. Other interventions, including, but not limited to, referral to the school attendance coordinator, student assistance team or dropout prevention committee

Should this intervention plan fail to correct the habitual truancy, the school shall follow the procedure outlined in Title 20-A, 5051-A of Maine State law, which includes serving a notice by mail to parents or legal guardians, and referring the truant student to local law enforcement.

Tardiness

Students are expected to be on time and in class when the block begins. Students arriving late cause disruptions to the educational environment both in class and by lingering in areas outside of class. In an effort to curb continued tardiness on the part of students, the following procedures – which are linked to the school attendance policy - will be in place:

Students coming to school late must report directly to class. If a student has already been marked absent, it is the student’s responsibility to – with verification from a parent – have the attendance code changed from absent to tardy. A parent note is required to change an attendance code.

Students that are present at the start of the school day and do not report to class promptly will be considered tardy to class. Support is available for students who are repeatedly tardy.

Any student who misses more than half of the class time will be considered absent from that class. This is not an excuse to remain in the hallways or outside of the class, as the student is still responsible for doing the work for that class.

It is at the teacher’s discretion to allow a student to make up missed work from an unexplained absence.

Late Arrival/Early Dismissal

The Deering High Administration approves student schedules providing for late arrival and early dismissal based on the following criteria. The student must:

• be a member of the Junior or Senior Class (barring an approved extenuating circumstance),
• meet academic and behavioral expectations,
• be enrolled in at least 6 courses (3 every semester)

Students are responsible for being aware of all notices and other business that is communicated during advisory. They may always check with their advisor about any announcements they missed.

Dismissals

Students are asked to check out with a secretary prior to leaving the building and to have parent permission for dismissal. As a reminder, any student who misses more than half of a class will be considered absent from that class.

Planned Absence Form

The Planned Absence Form is used for students who know they will be out of school for a planned length of time. This form will allow the student to have the absence explained ahead of time and will also serve as notice to the teachers that the student will be out. The form can be picked up in the Main Office.

Social Workers

In alignment with Portland Public Schools Promise and the Social Work Code of Ethics, the Portland Public Schools Social Work Department provides advocacy and clinical expertise to enhance the wellbeing and educational success of all students./

Melissa McStay (she/her/hers), LCSW, works with students with last names beginning with L through Z. Contact Ms. McStay at 874-8260 ext., mcstam@portlandschools.org , or via a school cell phone at 207-272-8586. Book an appointment: https://mcstay.youcanbook.me/

Zoe Eiber, LCSW, works with students with the last names beginning with A through K. Contact Ms. Eiber at 874.8260 ext. 56728 or eiberz@portlandschools.org or school cell phone 956.1174. You can also book an appointment at https://eiberz.youcanbook.me/

Jack Grande, LCSW, works with students in the Alternative Education Program, Functional Academics, and Functional Life Skills. Contact Jack at 207-874-8261 or grandj@portlandschools.org.

Ms. McStay, Ms. Eiber, and Mr. Grande work with students individually and in groups to provide evidence-based behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health support. They also work as part of the school team to reduce barriers to school success, promote a safe and equitable school culture, and empower students to reach their full potential. Look for links to resources at our website.

Ramily Market

The market has free donated clothes and food for anyone in our school community. The market is open daily during lunch. Please take advantage of this resource!

Health Services

It is very important that parents/guardians promptly return the Emergency Information Forms so that school staff is aware of a child’s medical information and knows how to contact you during the school day. Let us know as soon as possible whenever you have a change in address, telephone number, place of employment or emergency contact person.

School Nurse 

Our school nurse is available on a full-time basis. Students who wish to see the nurse should obtain a pass from their classroom teacher and have that pass signed when they return to class. Students and parents/guardians can also call or email the nurse to discuss non-acute health needs or to set up a time to talk.

Administration of Medication

It is the policy of the Portland Public Schools that when possible all student medication be administered by a parent at home. Whenever possible, the schedule of medication administration should be changed to allow a student to receive all prescribed doses at home.

If the schedule makes it necessary for medication administration to occur, it is necessary during school hours and the parent cannot be at school to administer the medication, the nurse or designee will administer the medicine. If this is the case, a medication authorization form must be completed and returned to the school nurse. = Please see Portland Public Schools policy JLCD.

Illness and Injury at the School

Students who become ill or are injured during the school day should report to the main office, guidance office, or nurse’s office. If it becomes necessary for a student to go home, a parent/guardian will be notified and regular dismissal procedures will be followed. If a student leaves school without permission, the student will be given an unexcused absence for classes missed and will need written verification of the absence.

If the elevator is required, the nurse can give a key to students. If the key is not returned, students will be charged $10.

Immunizations

Portland Public Schools follows all state laws regarding the immunizations of students. Maine law requires all students to receive the following immunizations: three polio (one after the first birthday); three DPT (diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus); rubella (German measles); mumps and measles. Nonimmunized students are not permitted to attend school unless the parent/guardian provides a medical exemption from a physician. Philosophical and religious exemptions are not recognized under LD 798. The Superintendent and/or public health officials may exclude non-immunized students from school if there is a health threat to the student or others. Questions concerning these requirements may be addressed to the Principal or school nurse.

Deering High School-Based Health Center

The School Based Health Center is a medical clinic in partnership with Greater Portland Health which provides accessible physical, dental and mental health care to students. A parent or guardian-signed enrollment form is required each year to be seen at the Health Center: enrollment forms are part of yearly paperwork for parents or guardians to fill out, and can also be obtained from the school nurse.

The School Based Health Center is located on the first floor, next to the drama classroom. Please complete the enrollment form and return to the Health Center or the school nurse, who coordinates scheduling.

Health Screenings and Physical Examinations

Students must have a physical examination every two years in order to participate in school-sponsored athletic programs. Evidence of a physical exam must be signed by a healthcare provider and given to school staff before a student will be allowed to participate. Physical examinations can be scheduled at the Deering High Student Health Center. Please see the school nurse to check enrollment status and to make appointments.

Vision screening is conducted in grade 9.