Principal's Message

Dear Sailor Nation,  

Greetings from Newport Harbor High School! I hope your summer has been relaxing and fun, and that you’ll be making the most of the next two weeks.  

Here on campus, August is upon us, which means we’re gearing up for the new school year. Please read this entire email, as it includes essential information, important dates, and links to resources—including for ParentSquare, our new communication system. Also, please familiarize yourself with the NHHS Website and bookmark the Sailor Loop for the latest news on school events.    

In our May Newsletter, I previewed the new NHHS Academic Integrity Framework (AIF). As the school year approaches, I would like to share a few important details and policies. This is going to be a critical area of focus during the 2025-26 school year.  

 

1.     ROLL-OUT: We will introduce the AIF to students in August & September, and they will have the opportunity to read and ask questions about it. Students will sign a short pledge affirming that they understand the AIF. 

2.     ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: Students should only use artificial intelligence if the teacher has authorized it and the student cites their source, so the teacher knows how AI has been used. 

3.     ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT WILL BE COMMUNICATED TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS: If a teacher reports a violation, they will inform the student, the counselor, the Assistant Principal, and the parent. 

4.     VIOLATIONS ARE REPORTED ON THE STUDENT’S AERIES PORTAL: Discipline records cannot legally be removed once they’ve been reported, and all the student’s current and future teachers have access to these records. 

5.     CONSEQUENCES ACCUMULATE ACROSS CLASSES AND SCHOOL YEARS: Once a violation has been reported, another violation in any class at any later date is treated as a second violation. Third violations (and beyond) are treated likewise. 

6.     RECOMMENDATIONS ARE WRITTEN AT THE TEACHER’S DISCRETION: Many students need recommendations for scholarships, job & internship opportunities, college applications, on-campus organizations, etc. Teachers may consider the student’s record of academic integrity in deciding whether to write a letter. 

7.     PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT: No teacher wants to bust a student for cheating or plagiarism, but it is the teacher’s duty to uphold standards of academic integrity. Except in cases in which the school administration determines that an error has clearly been made, deference shall be given to the teacher’s professional judgement. 

8.     PARENT/GUARDIAN SUPPORT: We understand that it might be hard to hear that one's child has been dishonest; the consequences might feel dire. Still, we ask that all adults work together to do what’s best for the child. If ever a mistake or misunderstanding comes to light, we’ll correct the error. 

For those of you who want to read the specifics and see what we’ll be rolling out to students, we encourage you to read the full AIF: 

·        Academic Integrity - What it means and why it's important 

·        Value of Work - How we learn by engaging in our class assignments and lessons 

·        Violations - Explanation of unacceptable conduct 

·        Consequences - Disciplinary procedures for student violations 

·        PDF version of the NHHS Academic Integrity Framework. 

Along with academic integrity, we will be emphasizing a few other important areas of student conduct: timely attendance, campus cleanliness (students disposing of their waste at lunch and nutrition break), and mutual respect for everyone at NHHS.  

Thank you in advance for your support in these endeavors. 

We're setting up for another banner year in the storied history of Newport Harbor, and I’ll be eager to work with all of you along the way. I’ll be back in the office full time on August 8^th. Get in touch if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. And please read the updates following this message. 

As always, Go Sailors!  

Sincerely, 

Sean Boulton, Principal 

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