Choice Guide Brochure Your Rights
Suspension is a serious step. If it happens, you have specific rights:
Hearings
You have the right to an informal hearing with the principal before a suspension starts.
Learning
You have the right to make up any schoolwork or tests missed during your time away.
Communication
Your parents or guardians will be notified by phone and letter immediately.
Refer to Page 29 of the Student Handbook for full legal details.
Need to Talk?
If you are struggling or feel unsafe, reach out to an adult you trust.
School Principal
Visit Main Office
School Counselor
Confidential Support
Bus Drivers
Safety on the move
Handbook Location
This guide summarizes the 2025-2026 Parent-Student Handbook for Methuen Public Schools.
Methuen Public Schools
STAY IN THE ZONE
Your Guide to Positive Choices & Success
2025 - 2026
Making the right choices keeps you in school and on the path to graduation.
The PBIS Way
Our school uses PBIS to help you succeed. It means we focus on teaching the behaviors that help everyone learn safely.
Key Expectations:
Be Responsible
Show Respect
Act with Integrity
Why Stay in School?
Being present helps you build skills, maintain friendships, and improve your future career prospects.
Safety & Respect
The following behaviors can lead to suspension:
Fighting
Physical violence or hurting others intentionally.
Bullying & Harassment
Repeatedly hurting someone’s feelings or body.
Insubordination
Directly refusing to follow directions from staff.
Plagiarism & AI
Cheating, stealing ideas, or using AI (like ChatGPT) as your own work.
Leaving Grounds
Leaving school without permission or truancy.
Critical Offenses
Substances
Possessing, using, or selling alcohol, tobacco, vapes, or controlled drugs.
Weapons
Carrying items meant to cause harm, including toy weapons or sharp objects.
Property
Theft, gambling, or intentional destruction of school property.
On the Bus
Serious misbehavior at bus stops or while riding the bus.
Remember:
This list serves as a guideline. The Principal can impose suspension for other acts of misconduct too.
Stay in the Zone Slides Methuen Public Schools
STAY IN THE
ZONE
Understanding Our Expectations for a Successful School Year
Why are we here?
Our goal is to provide a safe, challenging, and rewarding environment for every student.
We want you to stay in class, stay focused, and stay on the path to graduation .
Every choice
you make
counts!
The PBIS Approach
Respect
Treating others with kindness and value.
Responsibility
Owning your actions and doing your part.
Integrity
Doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
Academic Integrity
Your Work is Your Own
Plagiarism: Stealing another person's ideas or words is cheating.
AI Policy: Using ChatGPT or other AI to generate work and calling it your own is considered plagiarism.
Consequences:
"Plagiarism is a serious offense. Parents will be contacted and progressive discipline will follow."
Causes for Suspension
Safety Risks
Fighting or violence
Bullying/Harassment
Possession of weapons
Drugs or alcohol
School Order
Insubordination
Plagiarism & AI Misuse
Theft or destruction
Leaving school grounds
Knowing Your Rights
1
Right to a Hearing: Before an out-of-school suspension, you meet with the principal to tell your side.
2
Right to Learn: You are allowed to make up all work and tests missed during your suspension.
3
Parent Notification: Your family is always kept in the loop through phone calls and letters.
Make This Year Count!
Review the brochure with your teacher and parents. If you have questions, just ask!
Stay Positive
Stay Engaged
Stay Successful
Success Strategies Teacher Guide Success Strategies
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Lesson Topic
School Rules & Rights
Learning Objectives
Identify at least 5 causes for suspension from the student handbook.
Explain the 3 core values of the PBIS framework (Respect, Responsibility, Integrity).
Define plagiarism and the school's policy regarding AI-generated work.
Materials Needed
Stay in the Zone Slides
Choice Guide Brochure (1 per student)
Choice Reflection Exit Ticket
Instructional Pacing
10 min
Introduction & Hook
Start with the "Stay in the Zone" slides. Discuss the "Why" (Slide 2). Ask students: "What does it mean to be 'in the zone' for school success?" Bridge to the PBIS values of Respect, Responsibility, and Integrity.
20 min
Academic Integrity Discussion
Use Slide 4 to address Plagiarism and AI. This is a critical new area in the 2025-26 handbook (p. 27).
Discussion Prompt: "If a student uses ChatGPT to write a story for English class and hands it in as their own work, is that plagiarism according to our handbook? Why?"
15 min
Deep Dive & Brochure Exploration
Hand out the Choice Guide Brochure . Guide students through the categories. Have them highlight the "Plagiarism & AI" section under Safety & Respect.
Teacher Reference
Common Student Questions
"Can I use AI to help me research?"
Answer: The handbook (p. 27) states that AI-generated work submitted as your own is plagiarism. Always check with your specific teacher for their classroom rules on research tools.
"Why is plagiarism under suspension causes?"
Answer: It is considered cheating and a violation of school integrity. While progressive discipline is usually used, repeated or serious plagiarism can disrupt the academic environment.
Differentiation
For EL Students: Use the term "Copy-Paste" to explain plagiarism. Use the brochure icons to bridge language gaps.
For Advanced Learners: Discuss the ethics of AI in the workplace and how school rules prepare them for professional standards.
Key Takeaways
AI is treated as "someone else's work" in plagiarism cases.
Integrity means doing your own work.
Choice Reflection Exit Ticket Exit Ticket
Staying in the Zone
Student Name
Date
1. Which of the following is a core value of our school's PBIS framework?
A) Competitive Spirit
B) Responsibility
C) Speed and Agility
D) Personal Style
2. Name one thing you have the right to do if you are facing a suspension.
3. Why is it important to "Stay in the Zone" (follow school rules)?
Think about your goals for this school year.
"Success is a series of small wins every day."
Office Success Poster Methuen Public Schools
STAY IN THE ZONE
Our Framework for Student Success
The Success Core
Respect
Value yourself and others.
Responsibility
Own your actions and work.
Integrity
Do right, even when alone.
Protecting Our Community
Suspension is a measure used to keep our school safe. We work together to avoid:
Physical Violence
Bullying & Harassment
Direct Insubordination
Dangerous Items
Keep It Real
Academic Integrity Policy
Plagiarism: Stealing ideas or words is cheating.
AI Policy: Using AI (like ChatGPT) to generate work and calling it your own is prohibited.
"Your voice matters most. Make it heard."
Every Choice You Make Counts Toward Your Future