School Policies

Mott Hall II · M.S. 862

Here is a list of our current school policies. Families may also refer to the Scholar Handbook for day-to-day information.

Scholars must arrive by 8:10 AM; school begins at 8:20 AM.
Scholars arriving after 8:20 AM are considered late.
Parents/guardians must notify the school by phone or email for all absences.
Scholars have 2 school days to submit missed work upon returning.
Chronic lateness or absences may result in loss of privileges and eligibility for trips.

Mott Hall II is a cell phone-free school following NYC DOE Regulation A-413.
All phones, earbuds, and smartwatches must be placed in a Yondr pouch upon arrival and remain locked for the school day.
Pouches are unlocked at dismissal. A replacement pouch costs $25.
Unsecured devices will be confiscated and require parent pickup.
Scholars may use the main office telephone with an Office Pass.

Undergarments must not be visible. No bare midriffs or low-cut tops.
Pants must not fall below the waistline. Shorts and skirts must be mid-thigh or longer.
No sleeveless undershirts worn as shirts or strapless tops.
No flip flops, slides, or Crocs (unless in sport mode).
No hats or head coverings inside the building (except for medical or religious observance).
Scholars out of dress code will be asked to change or call home.

Scholars must sign out laptops/Chromebooks when using them.
No downloading apps or software on school-issued devices.
Damage from misuse is the financial responsibility of the family.
No accessing blocked websites, bypassing filters, or unauthorized recording.
Using AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) to complete work without teacher approval is considered plagiarism.

Copying homework, classwork, or projects from another scholar is not permitted.
Using online resources without proper citation is plagiarism.
Submitting AI-generated work without teacher approval results in a grade of 0.
Repeated incidents may result in disciplinary action and loss of privileges.

Scholars are expected to be polite, attentive, and prepared for class daily.
Prohibited items include portable games, vapes, laser pointers, and illegal substances.
No soda, candy, energy drinks, or gum on school grounds.
Stealing, vandalism, cheating, cursing, littering, or graffiti are strictly prohibited.
Detention will be assigned for violations; excessive detentions result in additional penalties.

Mott Hall II has a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of bullying, harassment, and discrimination.
Cyberbullying — including spreading rumors or posting harmful content — is strictly prohibited.
Scholars may report incidents to any trusted adult, including teachers, counselors, or administrators.
Anonymous reports can be made directly to the principal or assistant principal.
All reports will be investigated promptly.

Breakfast is served in the cafeteria from 7:30 – 8:10 AM.
Scholars report to the cafeteria at the start of their assigned lunch period.
No soda, candy, energy drinks, or gum are permitted.
Lunch-out boundaries: 116^th–125^th Street, Frederick Douglass Blvd to Lenox Ave. Scholars must return with at least 5 minutes remaining in the lunch period.
Lunch out is a privilege, not a right. Scholars who violate school rules will have their lunch out passes revoked.
All school forms must be completed in order for a lunch out pass to be issued. Scholars with missing forms will not be eligible.
Scholars must always show their lunch out pass to be eligible to leave the building for lunch. No pass, no lunch out.
If a scholar loses or misplaces their pass, they must sign up for a new one on Google Classroom. Replacement passes are only printed on Wednesdays at the start of lunch.

Mott Hall II follows NYC DOE Citywide Behavioral Expectations for all suspension decisions.
Physical fighting of any kind will result in a suspension, no exceptions.
Filming or being present during the filming of school violence may also result in suspension.
Repeated violations may result in loss of prom, senior trips, internships, and extracurricular eligibility.

Visitors must call the school in advance for all business, including early pickups.
All visitors must show photo ID and sign the logbook with the School Safety Officer.
Parents/guardians must be screened by the school safety agent upon entry.
Early pickup requires a parent/guardian listed on the emergency contact card.

Participation in field trips is a privilege, not a right. Good behavior and academic standing are required.
Signed permission slips must be returned by the stated deadline — no verbal or phone approvals will be accepted.
Scholars with excessive detentions, suspensions, or failing grades may lose eligibility for trips.
Scholars without a completed form will remain at school and complete an alternate assignment.

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