minford middle school “home of the mighty

MINFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL
“HOME OF THE MIGHTY FALCONS”
STUDENT HANDBOOK
2012-2013
Check our website: www.minfordfalcons.net
Student Handbook Table of Contents and
Addendums
I. Welcome from Principal
II. Native American parable of good
behavior.
III. MMS Student Expectations Code
IV. MMS Standard Student Handbook
V. NEOLA legal updates and policy
addendums
VI. MMS Student Technology Acceptable
User Policy
VII. MMS/MES Administration
*Our school handbook and the NEOLA updates
reflect the legal opinions of the ORC (Ohio
Revised Code)
Welcome to Minford Middle School!! This booklet of school
information is sent with the best wishes of the staff at Minford Middle
School.
We feel it will provide a quick and handy reference to potential
questions that you may have concerning the operation of the school.
Please feel free to contact the office at any time concerning questions
you may have. When parents and teachers work together, the child
receives the maximum benefit of the middle school education.
We are looking forward with our excellent staff in providing you the
best education possible.
In this handbook you will find many of items that you need to be aware
of in order for your child to be successful in school. We pride ourselves
at Minford Middle School in having a well disciplined safe, school
environment in which students can grow and thrive as individuals. We
always encourage parents to familiarize themselves with the various
routines, school rules and philosophy in order to better understand your
child’s needs at school.
Thanks for taking time to read this booklet.
Sincerely,
Kevin C. Lloyd, Principal
A Native American elder
once described his own inner struggles in
this manner: “Inside of me there are two
dogs. One of the dogs is mean and evil.
The other dog is good. The mean dog
fights the good dog all the time. When
asked which dog wins, he reflected for a
moment and replied, the one I feed the
most.”
MMS STUDENT BEHAVIOR CODE
1. ALWAYS BE CORTEOUS AND POLITE. TREAT OTHERS AS
YOU WOULD WANT TO BE TREATED.
2. BE RESPONSIBLE. DON’T MAKE EXCUSES ON WHY YOU
CAN’T DO SOMETHING. ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR
YOUR ACTIONS. DO YOUR BEST.
3. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION AND THE TEACHING STAFF
WILL ALWAYS ASSUME WHEN YOU SAY SOMETHING
THAT YOU ARE SPEAKING THE TRUTH! DON’T MAKE
THREATS OF VIOLENCE OR ASSAULT WITHOUT
EXPECTING US TO TAKE YOU ON YOUR WORD. AND
THAT INCLUDES WITH YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS!!
MAKING THREATS WILL GUARANTEE YOU TROUBLE IN
MANY WAYS IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL.
4. DRESS APPROPRIATELY FOR SCHOOL. DON’T ATTRACT
ATTENTION BY YOUR STYLE OF DRESS. SCHOOL IS
CONSIDERED A PLACE OF BUSINESS AND WORK. WHAT
IS APPROPRIATE IN A SOCIAL SETTING MAY NOT BE
APPROPRIATE AT SCHOOL. CHECK YOUR STUDENT
HANDBOOK AS A REFERENCE GUIDE.
5. AVOID PEER GROUPS THAT DRAW YOU INTO TROUBLE.
SOME STUDENTS NEED TO GRAVITATE AWAY CERTAIN
STUDENTS AND PEER GROUPS THAT ENCOURAGE
NEGATIVE LIFESTYLES IN ORDER TO “BE COOL” LIKE
US. BE YOUR OWN MAN OR WOMAN! DON’T CHANGE
YOUR BEHAVIOR JUST TOO SIMPLY “FIT IN”.
6. “KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE”. MANY STUDENTS
THAT FALL BEHIND IN SCHOOL DO SO DUE TO POOR
HABITS AND A LACK OF URGENCY WITH THEIR
STUDIES. THE FUTURE WORLD THAT YOU WILL ENTER
AS A GRADUATE WILL REQUIRE THAT YOU WILL HAVE
EITHER A COLLEGE DEGREE OR SOME TYPE OF
EXTENSIVE TECHNICAL TRAINING BEYOND HIGH
SCHOOL. THE “GOOD OLE DAYS” OF YESTERYEAR
WHERE STUDENTS COULD GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL
INTO GOOD PAYING MANUAL LABOR JOBS ARE GONE!
MINFORD STUDENTS ARE COMPETING WITH OTHER
OHIO STUDENTS AS WELL AS OTHER STUDENTS IN THE
USA AND THE WORLD. STUDENTS NEED TO BE ABLE TO
ARTICULATE, COMMUNICATE AND UNDERSTAND
COMPLEX ISSUES (TO BE ABLE TO THINK!). STUDENTS
NEED TO BE ABLE TO USE TECHNOLOGY, AND USE
VOCABULARY THAT MANY OTHER STUDENTS
THROUGHOUT THE WORLD ARE DOING AT AN EARLY
AGE.
FOCUS ON THINGS THAT MATTER. DEVELOP YOUR SELF
MENTANTLY, PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY. AVOID
ISSUES AND PEER GROUPS THAT PROMOTE NEGATIVE
BEHAVIORS THAT FOCUS ON TOPICS SUCH AS DRUGS,
ALCOHOL ABUSE, AND POOR BEHAVIOR. WORRY
ABOUT ISSUES THAT WILL MATTER NEXT YEAR, FIVE
YEARS FROM NOW AND MANY YEARS FROM NOW!
7. SET GOALS FOR YOURSELF. DEVELOP LONG TERM
AND SHORT TERM GOALS FOR YOURSELF NOT ONLY AS
A STUDENT, BUT ALSO AS A PERSON. USE YOUR
PARENTS, COUNSELORS, ADVISORS AND SIGNIFICANT
OTHERS TO HELP YOU COMPLETE THIS TASK. ASK
POINTED QUESTIONS SUCH AS “WHERE WILL I BE IN 5
YEARS, 10 YEARS, and 25 YEARS?” ENJOY YOUR SCHOOL
YEARS AT MMS. YOU CAN ONLY GO THROUGH THESE
YEARS ONCE. YOUR ATTITUDES, HABITS AND VIEWS
WILL DETERMINE HOW WELL YOU WILL ACHIEVE AS A
PERSON IN LIFE.
I.
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
The all-inclusive goal of the Minford School System shall be the perpetuation and improvement of the
democratic way of life. Since democracy recognizes the worth of each individual, it is the responsibility of
the school to try to develop in each person the attitudes, knowledge, skills, understanding, habits, and
character traits essential for rich personal living, for sound selection of and participation in a vocation for
effective human relations, and for worthy citizenship.
The middle school student is searching for truth of self and seeking recognition as an individual. Through
implementation of an effectively articulated curriculum, which has been designed to meet needs, interests,
and problems of pre- and early adolescents, we feel we can aid in the development of a more positive selfimage. We will strive to educate each student to the best of his/her ability, making allowances for
individual differences in the rate of learning, comprehension, retention, and abstract reasoning.
The educational program of the Minford Middle School will be to accept each child as an individual,
determine his/her present level of development, helping him/her for continued progress in a democratic
society.
II.
SAFE & DRUG FREE SCHOOL
Minford Middle School is a safe and drug free school. It is important for each child’s growth to experience
a feeling of well-being while at school. While it is impossible to curtail every incident, the faculty, staff,
and administration strive to make this a reality at MMS. Students who experience any type of harassment,
peer pressure, or other behavior detrimental to them can report these incidents to any staff member,
counselor, or administrator who will take appropriate action.
III.
ATTENDANCE, ABSENCE, AND TARDINESS
You will be expected to be present and punctual for all classes throughout the year. The school day for
grades 6-8 begins at 7:40 am and at 8:45 am for grades 4 & 5. Students in grades 6-8 will not be permitted
in the building prior to 7:20 am and students in grades 4-5 will not be permitted in the building prior to 8:30
am. Due to limited school parking facilities, Minford Middle School students will not be permitted to drive
to school.
Only the following are valid reasons for an absence:
1. Illness-personal
2. Illness in the family
3. Quarantine of the home
4. Authorized religious holidays
5. Death of a relative
6. Needed at home to perform necessary work directly and exclusively for parents or legal
guardians (applies to students over 14 years of age only)
7. As determined by the Superintendent
A)
Steps to follow when absent from school:
1. Have your parent or guardian notify the school before 9:30 a.m. on the day you are absent.
This may be done in person or by telephone.
2. Upon returning to school after an absence, the student must bring a WRITTEN NOTE from
the parent or guardian stating the reason for such absence. The student must immediately
make arrangements with his/her teacher to make up missed work.
3. Students who are absent for three days or more and/or are going to have a long-term absence
may request teachers to make assignments for the 3 day absence, and for each 5 day period
following, provided the absence is excused.
B.)
C.)
D.)
E.)
F.)
G.)
H.)
Students must be present at least ½ a day to participate in extra-curricular activities or after school
functions.
Missing the bus, shopping, babysitting, working, hunting trips, etc. are not considered excused
absences.
Tardiness- After 5 unexcused tardies per semester, each tardy thereafter will result in an after
school detention.
Absence- After ten excused absences, a doctor’s excuse is necessary. After five unexcused
absences, a letter will be sent to the County Truant Officer.
Arriving to school tardy
1. Students arriving after 8:25 a.m. in grades 6, 7, & 8 will be considered absent ½ day.
2. Students arriving after 10:30 a.m. in grades 4 & 5 will be considered absent ½ day.
3. Students arriving after 12:15 p.m. in grades 6, 7, & 8 will be considered absent a full day.
4. Students arriving after 1:30 p.m. in grades 4 & 5 will be considered absent a full day.
Early dismissals
1. Students leaving before lunch in grades 4-8 will be considered absent a full day.
2. Students leaving before 1:25 p.m. will be considered absent ½ day.
3. Departing and returning to school in the same day:
a. Students, who depart and return, having been gone for 1 ½ hours will be considered
absent ½ day.
b. Students who depart and return, having been gone for 3 hours will be considered
absent a full day.
4. Only custodial parents can pick children up from school unless permission has been
obtained from that custodial parent in the form of a written note.
Vacation
Board Policy 8.05 addresses vacation days for students. Such an absence is unexcused and the
parents’ request may be accommodated by the Principal if:
1. The parent informs the Principal or Assistant Principal at least one week in advance of the
proposed absence.
2. The absence does not jeopardize the student academically or exceed the maximum absences
allowed to receive academic credit.
3. The parents will sign a form indicating they will assume responsibility for seeing that their
children will complete their assignments.
If approved by the Principal or Assistant Principal, the student is responsible for contacting his/her
teachers at least three (3) days prior to obtaining assignments to be completed during his/her
absence. These assignments shall be accepted by teachers for grading upon the student’s return to
school.
I.)
Persistent absence or tardiness
Attendance laws require students to be in school all day or to have a legitimate excuse for their
absence. Penalties for unexcused absences can range from detention, ISS, denial of extracurricular activities to referral in court.
IV.
CLOTHING
The Middle School’s dress code has been established to promote pride in personal appearance and to
encourage responsible decisions in matters of dress. Any clothing, grooming (which includes hair coloring
& styles that distract from the educational process), or hygiene that is considered disruptive to the
educational process is counterproductive and is discouraged.
Infractions of the rules will result in disciplinary actions. Students will be required to change, with parents
bringing suitable clothing. Time missed from class waiting on a change of clothing will be unexcused.
Below is a list of inappropriate clothing that should not be worn to school:
1. Clothing that promotes alcohol or tobacco products.
2. Clothing with images or messages that pertain to drug abuse, sex, violence, or any vulgarities.
3. Sunglasses.
4. Tight fitting, revealing, immodest, or distracting clothing.
5. Tops which expose bare midriffs.
6. Tank tops, fishnet shear tops, muscle shirts, or spaghetti straps.
7. Shorts or skirts shorter than mid-thigh level or are deemed inappropriate by school personnel.
8. Ripped, torn, cut, or sheered clothing.
It is important for students to learn that clothing worn to school should be “school appropriate,” and that
clothing in general must be appropriate for the occasion.
Students should consider the following questions when dressing for school:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
V.
Does my clothing expose too much?
Does my clothing advertise something that is prohibited to minors?
Is there obscene, profane, drug-related, gang related, or inflammatory messages on my clothing?
Am I dressed appropriately for the weather?
Do I feel comfortable with my appearance?
HOMEWORK POLICY
Homework provides an opportunity for students to extend their intellectual, emotional, social, and moral
growth. In addition, it also provides practice to reinforce school instruction and expand the application of
knowledge and skills through independent work. Most often, work that students bring home is work that
was assigned as class work. Students who choose not to use their class time effectively must take their
work home to complete. This work is not considered homework, but unfinished class work.
To serve as a guide to regulate the amount of homework assigned by teachers, the following homework
times have been established as daily maximums.
Grades 4, 5 & 6 – 60 minutes
Grades 7 & 8 – 90 minutes
Students who continually fail to complete homework assignments may be scheduled for after school
tutoring to complete missing work. Tutoring will be from 2:20 – 3:00 and students will be permitted to ride
the late bus home.
*It should be noted that some “projects” may require more than the allotted times and will be considered
acceptable. Also, as stated above unfinished class work will not be considered part of the times noted.
VI.
STUDENT DISCIPLINE CODE
Each of the behaviors and/or types of misconduct described below are prohibited and may subject
the student to disciplinary action including, but not limited to, student conference,
parent/guardian notification, parent/guardian conference, detention, in-school discipline,
suspension and/or expulsion from school. Furthermore, any criminal acts committed at or related
to the School will be reported to law enforcement officials as well as disciplined at school.
Certain criminal acts may result in permanent exclusion from school.
1.
Possession/use of drugs and/or alcohol
Possessing, using, transmitting or concealing, or being under the influence of any alcoholic beverage,
controlled substance including, but not limited to, narcotics, mood altering drugs, counterfeit controlled
substances, look-alikes, over the counter stimulants or depressants, anabolic steroids, or drug-related
paraphernalia.
If a building principal has a reasonable individualized suspicion of drug or alcohol use, s/he may request
the student in question to submit to any appropriate testing, including but not limited to, a breathalyzer
test or urinalysis. In such circumstances, the student will be taken to a private administrative or
instructional area on school property for such testing with at least one other member of the teaching or
administrative staff present as a witness to the test. If a student refuses to take the test, s/he will be
advised that such denial leaves the observed evidence of alcohol or drug use unrefuted thus leading to
possible disciplinary action. The student will then be given a second opportunity to take the test.
2.
Possession/use of tobacco
Possession, consumption, distribution, purchase or attempt to purchase, and/or use of tobacco products in
school, on school grounds, on school buses, and at any interscholastic competition, extra-curricular event,
or other school-sponsored event. Tobacco products include, but are not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipe
tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff or any other matter or substance that contains tobacco. Smoking clove
cigarettes is also prohibited.
3.
Use and/or possession of a firearm
Bringing a firearm (as defined in the Federal Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994) onto school property or to
any school-sponsored activity, competition, program, or event, regardless of where it occurs, will result in
a mandatory one (1) year expulsion under Ohio law. This expulsion may be reduced on a case-by-case
basis by the Superintendent.
[]
Firearm is defined as any weapon (including a starter gun) that will or is designed to or may
readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such
weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or any destructive device (as defined in the Federal GunFree Schools Act of 1994). Firearms include any unloaded firearm and any firearm that is inoperable but
that can be readily operated.
[]
Students are prohibited from knowingly possessing an object on school premises, in a school or a
school building, at a school activity or on a school bus that is indistinguishable from a firearm, whether or
not the object is capable of being fired, and indicating they are in possession of such an object and that it
is a firearm or knowingly displaying or brandishing the object and indicating it is a firearm.
4.
Use and/or possession of a weapon
A weapon is any device that may be used for offensive or defensive purpose, including but not limited to
conventional objects such as guns, pellet guns, knives, or club type implements. It may also include any
toy that is presented as a real weapon or reacted to as a real weapon. Possession and/or use of a weapon
may subject a student to expulsion and possible permanent exclusion.
A knife is defined as any cutting instrument consisting of a sharp blade fastened to a handle, a razor blade
or any similar device that is used for, or is readily capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.
[]
Pocket knives with a blade of less than two and one-half (2 1/2) inches are acceptable ONLY
with the prior approval of the student’s parents and teachers.
5.
Use of an object as a weapon
Any object that is used to threaten, harm, or harass another may be considered a weapon. This includes
but is not limited to padlocks, pens, pencils, laser pointers, and jewelry.
6.
Knowledge of dangerous weapons or threats of violence
Because the Board believes that students, staff members, and visitors are entitled to function in a safe
school environment, students are required to report knowledge of dangerous weapons or threats of
violence to the Principal. Failure to report such knowledge may subject the student to discipline.
7.
Arson
Intentional or purposeful destruction or damage to school or district buildings or property by means of
fire. Anything, such as fire, that endangers school property and its occupants will not be tolerated. Arson
is a felony.
8.
Physically assaulting a staff member/student/person associated with the District.
Acting with intent to cause fear in another person of immediate bodily harm or death, or intentionally
bullying, inflicting or attempting to inflict bodily harm upon another person. Physical assault of a staff
member, student, or other person associated with the District, regardless of whether it causes injury, will
not be tolerated. Any intentional, harmful or potentially harmful physical contact or bullying initiated by
a student against a staff member will be considered to be assault. Assault may result in criminal charges [
] and may subject the student to expulsion.
9.
Verbally threatening (either orally, in writing or otherwise expressed) a staff
member/student/person associated with the District.
Any oral or written statement or otherwise expressed action that a staff member, student, or other person
associated with the District reasonably feels to be a threat will be considered a verbal assault. Profanity
directed toward a staff member in a threatening tone may also be considered a verbal assault.
Confrontation with a student or staff member that bullies, intimidates, or causes fear of bodily harm or
death is also prohibited.
10.
Misconduct against a school official or employee, or the property of such a person,
regardless of where it occurs.
The Board prohibits misconduct committed by a student against a school official or employee, including,
but not limited to, harassment (of any type), vandalization, assault (verbal and/or physical), and
destruction of property.
11.
Misconduct off school grounds
Students may be subject to discipline for their misconduct even when it occurs off school property when
the misconduct is connected to activities or incidents that occurred on property owned or controlled by the
District. Students who threaten bodily harm to other students, staff or district personnel may be punished
under the school discipline code. This includes also through electronic measures such as texting,
Facebook, and other modern forms of electronic transmissions.
Misconduct is defined as any violation of the Student Discipline Code.
12.
Extortion
Extortion is the use of threat, intimidation, force, or deception to take, or receive something from
someone else. Extortion is against the law.
13.
Gambling
Gambling (i.e., playing a game of chance for stakes) includes casual betting, betting pools, organizedsports betting, and any other form of wagering. Students who bet on any school activity in which they are
involved may also be banned from that school activity.
14.
Falsification of school work, identification, forgery
Falsifying signatures or data, or refusing to give proper identification or giving false information to a staff
member. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, forgery of hall/bus passes and excuses, as well
as use of false I.D.’s.
Plagiarism and cheating are also forms of falsification and will subject the student to academic penalties
as well as disciplinary action.
15.
Bomb Threats, and other false alarms and reports
Making a bomb threat (i.e., intentionally giving a false alarm of a bomb) against a school building or any
premises at which a school activity is being held at the time the threat is made may result in expulsion for
a period of up to one (1) school year. Additionally, intentionally giving a false alarm of a fire, or
tampering or interfering with any fire alarm is prohibited. It should be remembered that false emergency
alarms or reports endanger the safety forces that are responding to the alarm/report, the citizens of the
community, and the persons in the building. What may seem like a prank, is a dangerous stunt that is
against the law and will subject the student to disciplinary action.
16.
Terroristic Threat
Threatening, directly or indirectly, to commit a crime of violence with the purpose to terrorize another or
with reckless disregard of the risk of causing terror in another.
17.
Possession and/or use of explosives and/or fireworks
Possessing or using any compound or mixture, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by
explosion, with substantially instantaneous release of gas and heat (including, but not limited to
explosives and chemical-reaction objects such as smoke bombs and poppers). Additionally, possessing or
offering for sale any substance, combination of substances or article prepared to produce a visible and/or
audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation.
18.
Trespassing
Although schools are public facilities, the law allows the Board to restrict access to school property.
Being present in any Board-owned facility or portion of a Board-owned facility when it is closed to the
public or when the student does not have the authorization to be there, or unauthorized presence in a
Board-owned vehicle; or unauthorized access or activity in a Board-owned computer, into district, school
or staff computer files, into a school or district file server, or into the Network. When a student has been
removed, suspended, expelled, or permanently excluded from school, the student is prohibited from being
present on school property without authorization of the principal.
19.
Theft, or knowingly receiving or possessing stolen property
Unauthorized taking of property of another person or receiving or possessing such property. Students
caught stealing will be disciplined and may be reported to law enforcement officials. Students should not
bring anything of value to school without prior authorization from School Administration. The School is
not responsible for personal property.
20.
Insubordination
Students are expected to comply with the reasonable directions of staff. Willful refusal or failure to
follow or comply with an appropriate direction given by a staff member, or acting in defiance of staff
members.
21.
Damaging property (Vandalism)
Defacing, cutting, or otherwise damaging property that belongs to the school, district, other students,
employees or others) and disregard for school property.
22.
Persistent absence or tardiness
Attendance laws require students to be in school all day or to have a legitimate excuse for their absence.
Penalties for unexcused absences can range from detention to a referral to court and/or revocation of the
student’s driver’s license.
23.
Unauthorized use of school or private property
Students must obtain permission to use any school property or any private property located on school
premises. Any unauthorized use of school property, or private property located on school premises, shall
be subject to disciplinary action.
24.
Refusing to accept discipline (Insubordination)
Students failing to comply with disciplinary penalties may face enhanced penalties for such action.
25.
Aiding or abetting violation of school rules
Assisting other students in the violation of any school rule. Students are expected to resist peer pressure
and exercise sound decision-making regarding their behavior.
26.
Displays of affection/sexual activities
Affection between students is personal and not meant for public display. This includes touching, petting,
or any other contact that may be considered sexual in nature. Sexual activity of any nature is prohibited
and will result in disciplinary action.
27.
Possession of electronic equipment
The School will supply any electronic equipment or devices necessary for participation in the educational
program. Students shall not use or possess any electronic equipment on school property or at any school
sponsored activity without the permission of School Administration. Examples of prohibited devices
include but are not limited to radios, “boom-boxes”, headphones, CD/MP3 players, portable TV’s,
electronic games/toys, pagers, cellular telephones, beepers, other paging devices and other electronic
communication devices, and the like. Unauthorized electronic equipment will be confiscated from the
student by school personnel and disciplinary action will be taken. School administration may deem
certain types of electronic equipment (ex. I Pod, Kindle) allowable for a particular academic endeavor
with Building Principal/Teacher consent.
28.
Violation of individual school/classroom rules
Each learning environment has different rules for students. These rules are for the safe and orderly
operation of that environment. Students will be oriented to specific rules within each learning
environment, all of which will be consistent with this Code.
29.
Violation of bus rules (See section on XI Bus Transportation)
30.
Interference, disruption or obstruction of the educational process
Any actions or manner of dress that materially and substantially disrupts or interferes with school
activities or the educational process, or which threaten to do so are unacceptable. Such disruptions
include, but are not limited to, delay or prevention of lessons, assemblies, field trips, athletic and
performing arts events.
31.
Harassment and/or Aggressive Behavior (including Bullying/Cyber-bullying)
The Board encourages the promotion of positive interpersonal relations between members of the school
community. Harassment and/or aggressive behavior (including bullying/cyber-bullying) toward a
student, whether by other students, staff, or third parties is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.
This prohibition includes physical, verbal, and psychological abuse, and any speech or action that creates
a hostile, intimidating, or offensive learning environment. The Board will not tolerate any gestures,
comments, threats, or actions which cause or threaten to cause bodily harm or personal degradation.
Individuals engaging in such conduct will be subject to disciplinary action.
Conduct constituting sexual harassment, may include, but is not limited to:
A.
verbal harassment or abuse;
B.
pressure for sexual activity;
C.
repeated remarks with sexual or demeaning implications;
D.
unwelcome touching;
E.
sexual jokes, posters, cartoons, etc.;
F.
Suggesting or demanding sexual involvement, accompanied by implied or explicit
threats concerning one’s grades or safety. This includes
G.
A pattern of conduct, which can be subtle in nature, that has sexual overtones and
is intended to create or has the effect of creating discomfort and/or humiliation to
another person.
H.
Remarks speculating about a person’s sexual activities or sexual history, or
remarks about one’s own sexual activities or sexual history.
I.
Posting slurs or rumors or other disparaging remarks about a student or school
staff member on a web site or on weblog.
J.
Using a camera phone to take and send embarrassing photographs/recordings of
students or school staff members or post these images on video sharing sites such
as YouTube.
K.
Posting misleading or fake photographs of students or school staff members on
websites.
L.
Sending e-mail or instant messages that are considered mean or threatening or so
numerous as to drive up the
Note: An inappropriate boundary invasion by a District employee or other adult member of the School
District community into a student’s personal space and personal life is sexual harassment. Further, any
administrator, teacher, coach, other school authority who engages in sexual or other inappropriate
physical contact with a student may be guilty of criminal “child abuse” as defined in State law.
Conduct constituting harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, or disability may
take different forms, including, but not limited to, the following:
A.
Verbal:
The making of offensive written or oral innuendoes, comments, jokes, insults, threats, or disparaging
remarks concerning a person's race, color, national origin, religious beliefs, or disability.
B.
Nonverbal:
Placing offensive objects, pictures, or graphic commentaries in the school environment or making
insulting or threatening gestures based upon a person's race, color, national origin, religious beliefs, or
disability.
C.
Physical:
Any intimidating or disparaging action such as hitting, pushing, shoving, hissing, or spitting, on or by a
fellow staff member, students, or other person associated with the District, or third parties, based upon the
person's race, color, national origin, religious beliefs, or disability.
Aggressive behavior is defined as inappropriate conduct that is repeated enough or serious enough, to
negatively impact a student's educational, physical, or emotional well -being. This type of behavior is a
form of intimidation and harassment, although it need not be based on any of the legally protected
characteristics, such as sex, race, color, marital status, or disability. It would include, but not be limited
to, such behaviors as stalking, bullying/cyber-bullying, intimidating, menacing, coercion, name-calling,
taunting, making threats, and hazing.
Any student who believes that s/he is the victim of any of the above actions or has observed such actions
by another student, staff member, or other person associated with the District, or by third parties should
contact the School Administration.
32.
Hazing
Performing any act, or coercing another, including the victim, to perform any act of initiation into any
class, team, or organization, that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm.
Permission, consent, or assumption or risk by an individual subjected to hazing shall not lessen the
prohibitions contained in this rule.
Hazing by any individual, school group, club, or team is not permitted. This includes any form of
initiation that causes or creates a risk of causing mental or physical harm, no matter how willing the
participant may be. Hazing activities are prohibited at any time in school facilities, on school property,
and/or off school property but connected to activities or incidents that have occurred on school property.
All incidents of hazing must be reported immediately to any of the following individuals: the building
principal or other administrator; teacher; coach; student club advisor/supervisor, and/or Superintendent.
Students who engage in hazing may also be liable for civil and criminal penalties.
33.
Violent Conduct
Students may be expelled for up to one school year for committing an act at school, on other school
property, at an interscholastic competition, extracurricular event, or any other school program, or
directing an act at a Board official or employee, regardless of where or when that act may occur, or their
property that would be a criminal offense if committed by an adult and results in serious physical harm to
person(s) or property.
34.
Improper Dress
Clothing may not include words or visuals that are lewd, obscene, disruptive, abusive, or discriminatory,
or that advertise drugs, alcohol or tobacco. Dress or grooming that is disruptive of the classroom or
school atmosphere is not allowed. Shoes must be worn at all times for health and safety reasons.
35.
Careless or Reckless Driving
Driving on school property in such a manner as to endanger persons or property.
36.
Burglary
Entering a building or a specific area of a building without consent and with intent to commit a crime, or
entering a building without consent and committing a crime.
37.
Fighting
Engaging in adversarial physical contact (differentiated from poking, pushing, shoving or scuffling) in
which one or the other party(s) or both contributed to the situation by verbally instigating a fight and/or
physical action.
behavior).
38.
Promoting or instigating a fight (i.e., contributing to a fight verbally or through
Lighting Incendiary Devices
Unauthorized igniting of matches, lighters and other devices that produce flames.
39.
Possession of Pornography
Possessing sexually explicit material is prohibited on school property. This includes any type that may
include but not limited to magazines, cd’s, pictures on I-phones, websites, etc. The Scioto County Sheriff
may be notified of serious matters or offenses as deemed by School Administration.
40.
Unauthorized use of vehicles
Occupying or using vehicles during school hours without parental permission and/or school authorization.
VII. DISCIPLINE
It is important to remember that the School’s rules apply going to and from school, at school, on school
property, at school-sponsored events, on school transportation, and on property not owned or controlled
by the Board but that is connected to activities or incidents that have occurred on property owned or
controlled by the Board. Furthermore, students may be disciplined for conduct that, regardless of where
or when it occurs, is directed at a Board official or employee, or the property of such official or employee.
In some cases, a student can be suspended from school transportation for infractions of school bus rules.
The School is committed to providing prompt, reasonable discipline consistent with the severity of the
incident. The consequences for misbehavior are designed to be fair, firm and consistent for all students in
the School.
Because it is not possible to list every misbehavior that occurs, misbehaviors not listed above will be
responded to as necessary by staff.
Two (2) types of discipline are possible, informal and formal.
Informal Discipline
Informal discipline takes place within the School. It includes:
[]
[]
[]
[]
writing assignments;
change of seating or location;
pre-school, [ ] lunch-time, [ ] after-school detention;
in-school discipline;
Detentions
A student may be detained after school or asked to come to school early by a teacher, after giving the
student and his/her parents one day’s notice. The student or his/her parents are responsible for
transportation.
Lunch detention is assigned during the regularly scheduled student lunch and will be assigned for the
following days:
Grades 4-6 will be assigned Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Grades 7-8 will be assigned Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
After school detention is assigned as follows:
Grades 4-5 will be on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:15 – 4:00
Grades 6-8 will be on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 2:25 – 4:00
In-School Discipline
The following rules apply to [ ] Detention [ ] In-School Discipline [ ] Saturday School:
[ ] Students are required to have class assignments with them.
[ ] Students are not to communicate with each other unless given permission to do so.
[ ] Students are to remain in their designated seats at all times unless permission is granted to do
otherwise.
[ ] Students shall not be allowed to put their heads down or sleep.
[ ] No electronic communication devices, radios, CD/MP3 players, cards, magazines, or other
entertainment/recreational articles or devices shall be allowed in the room.
[ ] No food or beverages shall be consumed.
[]
Any student who has not passed all of the State-mandated assessment tests will be required to
work on a study packet for one or more of the unpassed tests.
Formal Discipline
Formal discipline involves removal of the student from school. It includes emergency removal for up to
three (3) school days, suspension for up to ten (10) school days, expulsion for up to eighty (80) school
days or the number of days remaining in a semester, whichever is greater, and permanent exclusion.
Suspensions and expulsions may carry over into the next school year. Any student who is expelled from
school for more than twenty (20) days or for any period of time if the expulsion will extend into the
following semester or school year will be provided with information about services or programs offered
by public and private agencies that work toward improving those aspects of the student’s attitude and
behavior that contributed to the incident that gave rise to the student’s expulsion. The Superintendent at
his/her discretion may require/allow a student to perform community service in conjunction with or in
place of an expulsion. The Superintendent may impose a community service requirement beyond the end
of the school year in lieu of applying the expulsion to the following school year. Removal for less than
one (1) school day without the possibility of suspension or expulsion may not be appealed. Suspension,
expulsion, and permanent exclusion may be appealed.
Students being considered for suspension are entitled to an informal meeting with the building
administrator prior to removal. Also, students being considered for expulsion are entitled to an informal
meeting with the Superintendent or designee prior to removal. During the informal meeting, the student
will be notified of the charges and given the opportunity to respond.
Students involved in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities such as band and athletics can lose their
eligibility for violation of the School rules.
If a student commits a crime while under the School’s jurisdiction, s/he may be subject to school
disciplinary action as well as action through local law enforcement.
SUSPENSIONS
The local Superintendent, Building Principal, or Assistant Principal may suspend a student from school
for a period of not more than ten days per offense. The student must be given the opportunity of an
informal hearing to explain his or her position for out of school suspension. The student will be notified in
writing by the school administrator when he or she has the intent to suspend that student which will be
based upon his or her findings and evidence obtained during an investigation. Evidence and reasons for
suspension will be discussed by both parties during a student hearing. A progressive discipline scale will
be used in each successive student offense. Such factors as severity of actions taken by student, frequency
of offenses, and cooperation during the investigation may affect the number of days to be served by the
student for the suspension. School administration will have the discretion to determine the appropriate
number of days of each suspension. Generally speaking, the progression scale listed below may be
adhered to, but not limited to the following:
First suspension 1-3 days
Second suspension 3-5 days
Third suspension 5-6 days
Fourth suspension 7-10 days
Fifth suspension 10 days and possible recommendation for expulsion
* Bear in mind this scale above is for similar like offenses! (Progressive scale).Very serious offenses
could result in a ten (10) day suspension and/or expulsion at any time!
* Students may be recommended to be placed in the Scioto County Alternative Center in lieu of
suspension or expulsion.
EMERGENCY REMOVAL
School Administrators or designees may remove the student from curricular or extracurricular activities
or from school premises. A teacher may remove the student from curricular or extracurricular activities or
from school premises. If a teacher makes an emergency removal, the reasons for the removal must be
submitted to the principal or designee as soon as possible. A hearing must be held shortly thereafter to
determine if additional measures need to be taken.
EXPULSION
An expulsion is any removal of a student of more than ten days and up to 365 days in duration. Only the
superintendent of schools may expel a student. The superintendent must give written notice to the pupil
and his/her parent, guardian, or the custodian. The notice must include the written reason(s) for the
intended expulsion, and inform the pupil and his/her parent, guardian, custodian, or representative that
they have the opportunity to appear before the superintendent or his designee to challenge the expulsion
or explain the pupil’s action(s). The notice must state the time and place to appear, which must be no later
than five days after the notice is given. An extension of time may be granted if both parties agree. The
superintendent is required to notify the pupil and his/her parent, guardian, custodian, or representative of
the new time and place of the expulsion hearing.
APPEAL OF SUSPENSIONS, AND EXPULSIONS
A student and his/her parent, guardian, or a custodian may appeal an out of school suspension.
Parents or guardians should first appeal the suspension to the Building Principal. If the parent or
guardian still disagrees with the decision of the Building Principal, then they need to appeal
directly to the Superintendent. In cases of appealing an expulsion, the parent or guardian needs to
appeal the expulsion rendered by the Superintendent to the Board of Education or their designee.
The board or their designee may either review the case itself or appoint a hearing officer to act in
its place. The student has the right to “representation” at the hearing. The meeting may be held in
executive session with the Board of Education or with their designee if both parties agree. The
decision will be rendered by the Board of Education or their designee. If the parent, guardian, or
representative disagrees with the official decision of the Board of Education or designee, then the
next step would be to appeal by filing with the Scioto County Common Pleas Court.
VIII. ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY
It is the policy of the Minford Local Board of Education to provide and maintain a safe,
productive, and educational atmosphere free of negative behavior which is violent, disruptive,
and/or inappropriate to the school setting.
Any behavior exhibited by a student that is considered violent, disruptive, and/or inappropriate in
nature is strictly prohibited and will result in student discipline which may include suspension,
expulsion or removal from school. This provision will be applicable during regularly scheduled
school hours as well as other school-related events such as field trips, athletic functions, class
trips, etc. where school personnel or representatives have jurisdiction over students.
As stated above, the Minford Local Board of Education has “zero tolerance” for violent,
disruptive, and/or inappropriate behavior. Examples of these offenses listed below are of
examples of the types of behaviors that may lead a student to be prohibited entirely from the
educational setting. Bear in mind these lists are purely examples of the types of severe behaviors
that may lead to suspensions and/or expulsions. This list by no means should be considered all
inclusive in nature.
1. Possessing, transmitting, concealing, consuming, or offering for sale any alcoholic beverage,
illegal drug, non-prescribed drug look-like drugs, or mind-altering substance. (Disruptive,
Inappropriate)
2. Committing arson on any school property. (Violent)
3. Committing or attempting to commit assault and/or sexual assault on a teacher, administrator,
school employee, student, or school visitor. (Violent)
4. Contributing to or being an accomplice with another student in a violation of Zero Tolerance
Policy. (Disruptive)
5. Possessing, handling, transmitting, or concealing any form of a dangerous weapon, explosive
instrument or dangerous chemical. (Violent)
6. Attempting to cause or inflict damage upon school property or equipment. (Violent)
7. Excessive displays of affection to/with other students, visitors, or school employees.
(Inappropriate)
8 Failing to comply with directions of authorized school personnel during a school sanctioned
activity or event. (Disruptive)
9. Intentionally causing the substantial and material disruption or destruction of any lawful
mission, process, or function of the school. (Disruptive)
10. Participation, involvement, planning, or initiating a false alarm. (Disruptive)
11. Committing forgery. (Inappropriate)
12. Participating in, involvement with, or initiating in gambling. (Inappropriate)
13. Initiating, participation or becoming involved with bullying, hazing, or harassment of other
student or school employee. (Violent, inappropriate)
14. Dressing or appearing at a school function in improper attire as deemed inappropriate by
school administration, staff, or activity supervisor. (Inappropriate)
15. The use of foul, vulgar language, gestures, or noises directed toward other students, visitors,
or school personnel. Any behavior that threatens the safety or well-being of a school related
event, classroom or activity can and will be dealt with. (Inappropriate, disruptive)
16. Possessing, selling, concealing, disseminating and the distribution of pornographic material.
(Inappropriate)
17. The use of tobacco products in any form. (Inappropriate)
18. Operating a vehicle in a dangerous, reckless manner. (Inappropriate, violent)
19. Theft of school property or any property that is located on school property. (Violent,
inappropriate)
20. Making, directing of any verbal and/or written threats toward school personnel, visitors, or
persons. (Violent)
21. Excessive truancy from school (Inappropriate)
H. WEAPONS
ORC policy # 8.43
In accordance with the Gun-Free Act, students are prohibited from bringing, possessing, or using
any weapon on school property, in school, vehicles, or at any school-sponsored activity. Students
who violate this policy will be subject to expulsion or removal from school for a period of not
less than one calendar year. The School Superintendent will have the authority to modify this
expulsion on a case by case basis.
The definition of a weapon will include, but is not limited to firearms, rifles, shotguns, knives,
explosives, poisonous gas, or any forms, look alike or paraphernalia associated with such
weapons. Legal reference: 20 U.S.C. 3351, 18 U.S.C. 951, ORC .3313.66, ORC. 3313.662
IX. GROUP BEHAVIOR
Due to the changes in the nature of our society, new problems arise at school which potentially
can disrupt the educational atmosphere. With that in mind, Minford Middle School insists in
maintaining the safe, disciplined environment that our schools have enjoyed and that our
community demands.
Maintaining a positive educational environment requires school officials, parents and guardians
to support each other. Maintaining a quality school climate does at times require all students to
abide in rules which regulate group behaviors.
They include:
1. Students will not possess a paging device or electronic communication equipment, other than a
cell phone while on school property, or attending a school-sponsored activity on or off school
property. A “paging device” is a telecommunications device that emits an audible signal, vibrates
a message or otherwise summons or delivers a communication to the possessor. Students are
permitted to possess a cell phone, but they should not have them in their possession during the
day. Students should keep cell phones in their respective lockers turned off during the day. Any
use during the school day is strictly prohibited. If an emergency family situation were to arise,
then the student needs to inform or contact a staff member for permission for use. Any other use
is strictly prohibited and will constitute a violation of school policy and will result in appropriate
disciplinary action.
Students who choose to have a cell phone at school are responsible for its safety. Minford
Schools will not be responsible for lost or stolen phones. It is strongly advised that students
not bring a phone to school unless it is absolutely necessary. School Administration will assist
students who need to make emergency phone calls.
2. Groups that initiate, advocate or promote activities which threaten the safety, school climate or
well-being of persons or property on school grounds are forbidden. Groups that disrupt the
school environment which a particular style of group dress or symbolism that threatens the peace
and security of the building, or generally disrupt the educational process are also forbidden.
Ex.) Gang dress codes and symbols, outlandish body piercing, hair styles, etc.
3. The use of hand graffiti, jewelry, manners of grooming, accessory, or dress apparel which by
virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark, symbol, or any other attribute which indicates or
implies membership or affiliation with such a group is prohibited and subject to disciplinary
actions. Building Principal may deem a student’s jewelry excessive if it constitutes a disruption
to other students and staff. Students should not wear an unusual amount of jewelry, piercings,
eye and body makeup that results in an unusual amount of attention being brought to that
individual as a result of the above mentioned items. Continuous infractions of this policy may
result in disciplinary action including removal from school. (Suspensions/expulsions)
4. Group behavior that subjects individuals to intimidation, threats whether verbal or written are
forbidden. Groups that engage in bullying, intimidation, and/or threatening behavior are subject
to the school discipline policy.
X. Extra-Curricular Activities
This extracurricular plan is in addition to the regular school rules and regulations governing such
action or actions. We at Minford Middle School feel that is a privilege, not a right for a student
to attend any extracurricular activities. If a student does not represent themselves accordingly at
school, or school activities, then the privilege of participating in an extracurricular activity may
be subject to disciplinary actions. Students participating in sports programs must abide by all the
rules and regulations of the OHSAA. Below are examples of offenses but not limited to the
following:
1. Unsportsmanlike conduct, obscene gestures, profanity, fighting, stealing, destruction or
damage to persons or property, etc.
2. Improper behavior at school and/or community
3. Ejection by game officials will result a student being suspended two games as per required by
the OHSAA rules. Further ejections during an athletic contest may result in the student being
permanently being removed from the team.
4. Improper behavior at extracurricular activity
Removal or suspension from games, dances, assemblies, or suspensions from school will
prohibit students from attending pep assemblies, dances or out of school functions during the
nine weeks grading period. Depending on the severity of the infraction, students may be banned
for more than a nine weeks grading period up onto a calendar year as stated in the Zero
Tolerance Policy adopted by Minford Local Schools
Minford Middle School students are not permitted to operate a motor vehicle while on school
property. Any middle school student found in violation of this rule may be subject to punishment
by the MMS Discipline Code, and/or notification to law enforcement authorities.
XI. BUS TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT
The responsibility to maintain control of students on the school bus is that of the bus driver.
Therefore, the bus driver has the authority and right to make reasonable requests of the students as
a teacher would in the classroom. (Section 3319.41 of the Ohio Revised Codes)
Bus transportation rules as follows:
1. Students will arrive at the bus stop before the bus arrives
2. Students must wait in a location clear of traffic and away from bus stops
3. Students must act in a responsible fashion at bus pickup/drop-off points
4. Bus drivers should assign students to an assigned seat
5. Students must remain seated, keeping aisles and exit areas free
6. Students will abide by the drivers bus safety rules which are posted in the front of the bus
7. Students must not use profanity
8. Students should NOT eat and drink aboard the school bus unless a medical condition requires a
student to do so
9. Students should not use any tobacco products aboard the bus
10. Students will not use alcohol, drugs, drug look alike, or medicine of any kind aboard the bus
11. Students must not throw, pass or toss objects aboard the bus
12. Students must board or leave to the bus at the location to which they have been assigned
unless they have both parental and school administrative permission
13. Students must not put any arms, legs, and head out of bus windows
14. Students that cause any damage to the bus may be required to pay for the damage
15. Students may not get off the bus at the high school and ride with high school students and/or
persons
16. Students should not use any electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, iPod’s/MP3players without bus driver approval. All electronic equipment needs to be placed in a book bag or
a secure area during the bus ride. Students also should not videotape any other student or bus
driver with a camera phone during the bus ride. Any violation of this policy may result in the
student being subject to the MMS Discipline Code on electronic equipment. If an emergency
family situation where to arise, then the student needs to inform or contact a bus driver for
permission for usage
A student who violates the MMS Bus Transportation Policy will be subject to the following
disciplinary actions as suggested by the code. The frequency and severity of the offense (s)
committed will determine if the student is placed higher or lower on the Bus Transportation Code
The discipline code listed below is to be considered as generally followed suggestions based upon
a progressive scale of discipline
1st Offenses........Warning, or 3 days lunch detention and/or alternative assignment
2nd Offense ......1 day bus suspension or removal
3rd Offense .......3 day bus suspension or removal
4th Offense....... 5 day bus suspension or removal
5th Offense……10 day bus suspension or removal
6th Offense……Expulsion/Hearing with Superintendent or designee
XII.
BUILDING PROCEDURES
We, as a staff at Minford Middle School, seek to develop a well-rounded student who is respected by his
or her peers, as well as shows respect to others. To this end we expect students to:
1. Be courteous.
2. Have respect for themselves and others, including both private and public property.
3. Abstain from using tobacco products and profanity in school and at ALL school functions.
4. Conduct themselves in such a manner that will reflect honor upon us and our school.
5. Assume responsibility without constant supervision.
6. Be aware of their safety and the safety of others.
7. Not wear hats or sunglasses, bring toys, jam boxes, tape machines, etc. to school.
A.) CLASSROOMS
1. Make it to your classes on time (e.g. before the tardy bell).
2. Be prepared. Make sure you have pencils, paper, books, and assignments.
3. Have respect for the teachers and their substitutes.
4. Conduct yourself properly at all times.
5. Refrain from cheating.
B.) CORRIDORS
1. Walk in the halls. Running or horseplay is dangerous and can cause serious accidents.
2. Junior High students should not be on the second floor unless they are going to and from the office.
3. After finishing lunch, go to the gym or outside, depending on the weather.
4. Keep corridors clean and free of waste paper.
5. Please walk on the right side of the hallways and on the stairs.
6. When changing classes, refrain from pushing, shoving, and making unnecessary noise.
C.) PLAYGROUND – Safety Rules
1. Sit on the swings.
2. Only one person in each swing.
3. Play with the appropriate equipment on the playground (not the handrail, etc.).
4. Refrain from crossing the road unless you have permission from the playground teacher.
5. Come in QUIETLY and WALKING from recess.
6. Never throw rocks or objects that can hurt someone.
7. Never bring knives to school.
8. Squirt guns are not permitted on school property.
D.) AFTER SCHOOL
If you are staying after school for class work or club meetings, etc., report to the room promptly.
Otherwise, leave the school building as soon as your bus is called. After you finish your business, leave
the building promptly and quietly. No students are allowed to go off school property into Minford
unless they have written permission from their parent/guardian or direct permission from the building
principal.
E.) Fire drills will be conducted at intervals throughout the year. The main rules to follow during the drill
are:
1. Stay in single file.
2. Move quickly, but do not run or push.
3. DO NOT talk.
4. Move at least 75 feet away from the building.
5. Return to the building when given the proper signal by a faculty member. The exit for each room is
posted. ALWAYS USE THE PROPER EXIT IF IT IS NOT BLOCKED.
F.) TORNADO DRILLS
1. Stay in single file.
2. Move quickly, but do not run or push.
3. DO NOT talk.
4. Return to classrooms when given the proper signal by a faculty member.
G.) EMERGENCY CLOSING, DELAY, & DISMISSALS
In the event of inclement weather & other emergencies that may necessitate a school closing, delay, or
early dismissal, the Minford Local School District will communicate with parents and students by radio. Please
listen to the local radio stations for this information. Please do not call the radio stations. Arrangements
must be made in advance for students in case of early dismissal. Make arrangements for your child to go to
a relative or neighbor’s house if no one is going to be home. Students will NOT be permitted to call home,
in most cases, and parents may not be able to reach the school because of a busy phone.
XIII.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT
In order to handle emergency situations, the school must know how to reach parents quickly. For this
reason, every parent must fill out an EMERGENCY MEDICAL FORM for each child as required by state
law. This is kept on file. When a child becomes ill (vomiting, fever, or symptoms of communicable
disease) or injury, the school will get in touch with the parent or person indicated on the EMERGENCY
MEDICAL FORM as soon as possible. Parents or the person designated by the parents, who are contacted
because of a child’s illness, are required to pick up the child immediately. ONLY THOSE PERSONS
LISTED ON THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL FORM ARE AUTHORIZED TO PICK UP THAT
STUDENT.
XIV.
UPDATING FAMILY AND MEDICAL INFORMATION
Parent should immediately notify the school when there are any changes in a student’s address, phone
number, or any other information which should be included on the Emergency Medical Form.
If the family status changes because of divorce or legal separation, or if the child lives with someone other
than his/her natural mother/father, proof of custody or guardianship must be provided to the school office.
XV.
MEDICATION AND DRUG POLICY
Many students are able to attend school regularly only through effective use of medication in the treatment
of chronic disabilities or illness that will not hinder the health and welfare of others. We strongly
recommend that medication be administered in the home. Parents should ask their doctor to arrange the
time medication is given to avoid school hours if possible. If this cannot be done, any pupil who is
required by a physician’s order to take medication during the regular school day must comply with the
following policy:
1. Prescription drugs to be taken at school must be accompanied by a doctor’s order, labeled with the
student’s name, the date, the name of the drug and the time intervals to be taken.
2. Medication must be brought to school in a container appropriately labeled by the pharmacy or physician.
3. Students should NOT have in their possession ANY form or type of medication, at any time. This
includes over the counter medications, such as aspirin, Ora-jel, cold pills, etc.
XVI.
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS
In compliance with the Ohio Compulsory Immunization Law, no pupil shall be admitted to school unless
such pupil presents written evidence that he or she has received the required immunizations by such means
as may be approved by 3701.13 of the Revised Code.
Beginning with the 2010-2011 school year, all 7th graders will need to have the Tdap booster (tetanus,
diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccination. This requirement can be found in Ohio Revised Code (ORC) from 3313.67
and 3313.671. Please contact our School Nurse if you have any additional questions.
XVII.
SCREENING TESTS
Minford Middle School provides the following screening tests to help identify possible health problems:
Scoliosis or Postural Screening – Grades 5, 6, 7, & 8
XVIII. STUDENT GROUP INSURANCE
Student group insurance is offered each year to all students at a nominal cost. It is not mandatory unless
you participate in sports.
XIX.
INTERSCHOLASTIC EXTRACURRICULAR ELIGIBILITY
Interscholastic extracurricular activities are defined as those school-sponsored student activities which
involve more than one school or school district and which are not included as a portion of the school
districts graded course of study. As a condition for participation in any interscholastic pupil activity
program
in the Minford School District grades 7 & 8, a student must pass 75% of his/her classes for the
immediately
preceding grading period. A student enrolling in the seventh grade for the first time is eligible
during the first
grading period regardless of previous academic achievement.
In case of interscholastic athletics, the student must also meet all of the requirements of the Ohio High
School Athletic Association.
The Minford Local Board of Education permits any student who has received a failing grade for any class
or course of study for the previous grading period to be eligible to participate in interscholastic
extracurricular activities provided he/she meets all other requirements as outlined by the school district.
Failure to comply with the eligibility requirements contained in this policy will result in extracurricular
ineligibility for the succeeding grade period.
XX.
ACADEMICS/REPORTING STUDENT PROGRESS
A.) GRADING SCALE
Report cards are issued at nine (9) week intervals during the school year. The district grading scale is as
follows:
A = 93-100%
B = 84-92%
C = 70-83%
D = 60-69%
F = 0-59%
B.) PLUSES & MINUSES
Pluses and minuses may be used by teachers in order to help parents and students better understand
student progress. However, pluses and minuses will not affect overall GPA.
C.) INTERIM REPORTS
Students experiencing problems in specific academic areas will receive progress reports during a
particular grading period. If a student is experiencing a problem, the Interim Report will be used as a
basis for conferencing and working out solutions for your child.
D.) FINAL EXAMS
All sixth, seventh, and eighth grade core classes are required to give a final exam. The exam will count
as one-ninth of the student’s final grade. Fourth and Fifth grade classes will have the option of giving a
final exam and weighing it however staff deems appropriate. Final exams should be comprehensive in
nature, in other words contain items that reflect course material from the entire school year. It is highly
recommended that final exams follow the pattern of “short cycled assessments”, where students are
assessed quarterly to determine academic strengths and weaknesses. Final exams should reflect four
quarters of instructional items that are derived from the Ohio Model curriculum. Final exams should
reflect benchmarks and grade level indicators as per the Ohio Model curriculum.
E.) HONOR ROLL
The honor roll for grades 4th through 8th will be based upon the student’s grade point average (GPA)
A average honor roll- 3.57-4.00
B average honor roll- 2.57-3.49
No student will be on the honor roll if they receive a “D” on their report card.
F.) YEARLY CORE CLASS EXAMPLE
A= 4 X 3 = 12
B= 3 X 3 = 9
A= 4 X 3 = 12
B=3X3=9
A=4X1=4
TOTAL
46
1st nine weeks
2nd nine weeks
3rd nine weeks
4th nine weeks
Final Exam
divided by 13 = 3.5 = A
The final course grade for core classes will be the average of the five weighted grades. The nine weeks
grades are valued three (3) times more than the value of the final exam grade. An A will count as 4 points;
a B will equal 3 points; a D will equal 1 point; an F will equal 0 points. Pluses and minuses will not count
mathematically.
A= 3.57-4.00
B = 2.57-3.49
C = 1.57-2.49
D = .57-1.49
F = less than .57
G.) PROMOTIONS AND RETENTIONS
The promotion/retention of a student in any grade level should be in the best interest of the student.
The first consideration for student retention is failure to meet at least minimum requirements in the
classroom. However, the academics will not be the sole factor in the determination of retention. The
student’s age, attendance, maturity level, and emotional status may also be considered. Retention shall
occur only if it prevents the possibility of allowing the student to function successfully at a grade level
in these areas. Placement is for a student who has not met the requirements for promotion. He/she may
be placed in the next grade by the principal when the principal feels that placement in the next grade
would be more beneficial than retention.
* Any parent and/or guardian requesting that their student to be retained with passing grades needs to
have solid evidence that is based upon professional data from a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. Reasons to
retain a student other than having failing grades should consist of results and reasons based upon strong
psychological and emotional needs. All requests must be in writing to the Building Principal, or Guidance
Counselor no later than June 15th of that school year. It is also highly recommended that parents consult our School
Psychologist in this matter as well as consult your child’s teachers, Guidance Counselor and Building Principal
before the end of the school year. Retention for reasons other than academic should be considered.
XXI.
BUILDING VISITORS
We welcome visitors into our building ONLY after they have received permission and obtained a pass from
the office. (This includes volunteers, college students, etc.) No visiting of students is permitted during
school hours. Any person coming to the building for any reason needs to first check in with the building
principal or his designee before conducting any business at the school. Appointments may be scheduled
through the front office.
XXII.
FUND-RAISING PROJECTS
All fund-raising projects must be approved by the principal before they are begun. A description of the
project, as well as its goals and purposes, must be forwarded to the central office for clearance with the
district superintendent. Any non -school fund raisers are prohibited.
XXIII. GUIDANCE SERVICES
The counselor will be available at assigned times for all students who wish to discuss a particular situation.
Areas may include:
1. Personal problems
2. Vocation information
3. Attendance, tardiness
4. School problems, etc.
XXIV. LOCKER ASSIGNMENTS
Minford Middle School provides assigned lockers for students in grades 6-8. The Minford Board Policy
Manual states “A student shall not place, keep or maintain any articles or materials in school-owned lockers
which are of non-school nature, and that may cause or lead to cause a disruptive activity on any school
property or at any school-sponsored activity, function, or event. Unannounced locker searches may be
conducted at any time by the Principal or his/her designee, and one of the staff members.” Each locker has
its own lock. Student purchased locks are not necessary. Students should not give out their locker
combinations to anyone.
Students are to use lockers before homeroom, before and after lunch, and at the end of the school day.
Seventh and eighth grade students may have access to their lockers immediately prior to and after P.E.
class. Any student using a locker at any other time needs to have permission from a school official.
Students should not change lockers for any reason unless they have permission from the building principal
to do so. If your locker has any problems of any kind, report it to the office.
XXV.
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
Breakfast and lunch will be served each day school is in session. No student will be permitted to leave the
school grounds without permission from a school official. Free or reduced cost breakfast and lunches are
available to students who qualify. Applications, which will be made available to families at the beginning
of the school year, must be returned to determine eligibility.
Children may purchase lunch in the cafeteria or they may bring a sack lunch. Meals can be prepaid by
purchasing them at the cafeteria.
Minford Schools have no provision for lunch charges. However, on an emergency basis, a child may
charge a lunch. Payment for this charge is expected as soon as possible.
CAFETERIA RULES
All students eat their lunch in the cafeteria and are expected to conduct themselves in a quiet, mannerly
fashion. The following rules will be enforced:
1. Students will remain seated until they are dismissed.
2. No throwing of food.
3. No loud, harsh behavior.
XXVI. LOST ARTICLES
When you lose anything at school, check immediately with your teacher first and then with the principal’s
office. Any article thought to be stolen should be reported to your teacher, who will report it to the
principal.
XXVII. CHANGING ADDRESS
Student should report any changes in address or phone number to the guidance office.
XXVIII. USE OF TELEPHONE
Students must obtain written permission from their supervising teacher to use the phone. The phone is
NOT for social calls – BUSINESS ONLY. Three minutes per call is the maximum.
XXIX. USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS
State law prohibits any students from using tobacco products such as cigarettes, snuff, etc., at any time on
school property. Students found in possession of tobacco products are subject to suspension.
XXX.
ENRICHMENT CLASSES
1.
2.
3.
Students enrolled in enrichment classes will have the opportunity to improve themselves as a student
during this block of time.
Staff and students should not view this block of time as a “Study Hall”.
Students need to be involved in activities that will improve their academic standing. Activities such as
research on the internet, writing across the curriculum and intervention with problem areas are highly
encouraged.
XXXI. TRANSFERRING AND WITHDRAWING
If a student learns that he/she will move, or withdraw from school before the end of the year, he/she should
come to the office and secure a withdrawal slip. Verification from parents will be checked. All textbooks
issued to a student must be personally returned to the appropriate teacher, who will sign his/her withdrawal
slip. Any student who leaves a particular grade level will placed back to that grade level if they return back
to Minford Local Schools in the same school year.
XXXII. TEXTBOOKS
Students are responsible for the care of textbooks issued to them, and for any loss or damage to them.
Unreasonable wear, abuse, or misuse, will result in textbook fines, which will be assessed at the time the
books are lost or returned.
XXXIII. LIBRARY
1. All students in the school are entitled to use the library and to check out books (Unless they have library
charges)
2.Reference books, such as encyclopedias and dictionaries, are to be used only in the library.
3. All books, other than reference, may be checked out for two weeks and may be renewed for another two
weeks. OVERDUE books may not be renewed.
4. Two cents a day is charged for books kept overtime.
5. Students may check out one book at a time.
6. Students are responsible for damage done to books and for losses. Any student willfully destroying
library property will be punished and will lose library privileges. He/she will also have to pay for
damaged materials.
7. Student library workers are to be treated with respect.
8. Books may not be checked out from the library during the last two weeks of school.
XXXIV. COMPUTERS
The Minford Local School District allows students to use its computers for various academic instruction
and utilization. Only those students whose parents sign the separate computer usage agreement will be
granted access to internet services. Cyber-bullying has become more prevalent in today’s computer literate
world. Any attempt by a student to bully, intimidate, harass, or threaten another student will be dealt with
in the same manner as any other type of bullying behavior. Misuse of the computers may result in loss of
computer privileges, or assignment of detention, suspension, or expulsion as determined by the degree of
misconduct. Each student is responsible for their own technology account and its privileges. Students under
NO circumstances are to share their passwords, email accounts, internet rights, etc. as they will be held
responsible for any action committed by someone else while logged on to their account. Remember, the use
of school technology is a privilege and should be treated as such. Students are not to use personal staff
passwords to access any internet, e-mail or academic site for any reasons unless warranted for exceptional
occasions.
XXXV. OTHER
It is the policy of the Minford Board of Education to provide and maintain a safe, productive, and
educational atmosphere free of behavior which is disruptive to the students’ environment. The following
are activities which are unacceptable in the Minford Local Schools and will be dealt with seriously:
BOMB THREATS
Inducing Panic - O.R.C 2917.31 (A) (1) & (C) (5)
“No person shall cause the evacuation of a public place, or cause serious public inconvenience or alarm, the
public place being a school, by initiating or circulating a report or warning of an alleged or impending fire
or explosion, knowing that such report or warning is false.” (F-4)
INDIRECT THREATS OF VIOLENCE/NON-BOMB
Inducing Panic – O.R.C 2917.31 (A) (2)
“No person shall cause…alarm, by…threatening to commit an offense of violence.”
(M-1)
Disorderly Conduct – O.R.C. 2917.11 (A) (1) & (E)
“No person shall recklessly cause…alarm to another, by…threatening harm to persons or property,…said
offense being committed in the vicinity of a school.” (M-4)
DIRECT THREATS OF VIOLENCE
Aggravated Menacing – O.R.C. 2903.21
“No person shall knowingly cause another to believe that the offender will cause serious physical harm to
the person.” (M-1)
Menacing – O.R.C. 2903.21
“No person shall knowingly cause another to believe that the offender will cause physical harm to the
person.” (M-4)
XXXVI.
SAFETY PLAN/EMERGENCY EVACUATION
If the building must be evacuated for any reason for an emergency situation, staff and students will
be notified by the use of the public address system with the use of the code word “Exodus”, or the
continuous ringing of the fire alarm (more than 4 minutes). If an evacuation is to occur, staff and
students will follow these procedures:
1.
2.
3.
Move quickly and quietly from the building. Follow your teacher’s commands and advice.
Keep noise and conversation to a minimum.
Three types of emergency plans will be used:
A. Exodus: This plan will be used when an intruder has been isolated in the building.
Students will report with their respective teachers to the designated spot of
safety.
B. Evacuation: This plan requires staff and students to move to the soccer field area.
The code word for this maneuver is simply, “Evacuate”.
C. Lockdown: If a violent person arrives in the building and cannot be isolated by any
means, the Safety Committee recommends that teachers lock their classrooms and
cover their windows (cardboard, paper, etc.). Students should assume a tornado
position in their respective classrooms. No students are to be permitted to leave the
room for any reason. The building principal or his designee will authorize the end of
the “lockdown” mode by voice commands at each staff member’s door or by use of
intercom. Staff members should try to remain as calm as possible in order to
maintain student control.
4. The Building Safety Team will assist school administration will all the necessary procedures to
be taken. Students will follow all necessary directives and precautions.
ZERO TOLERANCE
No form of violent, disruptive, or inappropriate behavior, including excessive
truancy, will be tolerated.
STUDENT DISCIPLINE CODE
Each of the behaviors and/or types of misconduct described below are
prohibited and may subject the student to disciplinary action including, but not
limited to, student conference, parent/guardian notification, parent/guardian
conference, detention, in-school discipline, suspension and/or expulsion from
school. Furthermore, any criminal acts committed at or related to the School
will be reported to law enforcement officials as well as disciplined at school.
Certain criminal acts may result in permanent exclusion from school.
1.
Possession/use of drugs and/or alcohol
Possessing, using, transmitting or concealing, or being under the influence of
any alcoholic beverage, controlled substance including, but not limited to,
narcotics, mood altering drugs, counterfeit controlled substances, look-alikes,
over the counter stimulants or depressants, anabolic steroids , or drug-related
paraphernalia.
If a building principal has a reasonable individualized suspicion of drug or
alcohol use, s/he may request the student in question to submit to any
appropriate testing, including but not limited to, a breathalyzer test or
urinalysis. In such circumstances, the student will be taken to a private
administrative or instructional area on school property for such testing with at
least one other member of the teaching or administrative staff present as a
witness to the test. If a student refuses to take the test, s/he will be advised
that such denial leaves the observed evidence of alcohol or drug use unrefuted
thus leading to possible disciplinary action. The student will then be given a
second opportunity to take the test.
© 2010 NEOLA, Inc.
2.
Possession/use of tobacco
Possession, consumption, distribution, purchase or attempt to purchase,
and/or use of tobacco products in school, on school grounds, on school buses,
and at any interscholastic competition, extra-curricular event, or other
school-sponsored event. Tobacco products include, but are not limited to
cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff or any other matter or
substance that contains tobacco. Smoking clove cigarettes is also prohibited.
3.
Use and/or possession of a firearm
Bringing a firearm (as defined in the Federal Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994)
onto school property or to any school-sponsored activity, competition, program,
or event, regardless of where it occurs, will result in a mandatory one (1) year
expulsion under Ohio law. This expulsion may be reduced on a case-by-case
basis by the Superintendent using the guideline(s) set forth in Board Policy
___________.
[]
Firearm is defined as any weapon (including a starter gun) that will or is
designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action
of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm
muffler or firearm silencer; or any destructive device (as defined in the
Federal Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994). Firearms include any unloaded
firearm and any firearm that is inoperable but that can be readily
operated.
[]
Students are prohibited from knowingly possessing an object on school
premises, in a school or a school building, at a school activity or on a
school bus that is indistinguishable from a firearm, whether or not the
object is capable of being fired, and indicating they are in possession of
such an object and that it is a firearm or knowingly displaying or
brandishing the object and indicating it is a firearm.
4.
Use and/or possession of a weapon
A weapon is any device that may be used for offensive or defensive purpose,
including but not limited to conventional objects such as guns, pellet guns,
knives, or club type implements. It may also include any toy that is presented
as a real weapon or reacted to as a real weapon. Possession and/or use of a
weapon may subject a student to expulsion and possible permanent exclusion.
A knife is defined as any cutting instrument consisting of a sharp blade
fastened to a handle, a razor blade or any similar device that is used for, or is
readily capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.
[]
Pocket knives with a blade of less than two and one-half (2 1/2) inches
are acceptable ONLY with the prior approval of the student’s parents and
teachers.
© 2010 NEOLA, Inc.
5.
Use of an object as a weapon
Any object that is used to threaten, harm, or harass another may be considered
a weapon. This includes but is not limited to padlocks, pens, pencils, laser
pointers, and jewelry.
6.
Knowledge of dangerous weapons or threats of violence
Because the Board believes that students, staff members, and visitors are
entitled to function in a safe school environment, students are required to
report knowledge of dangerous weapons or threats of violence to the Principal.
Failure to report such knowledge may subject the student to discipline.
7.
Arson
Intentional or purposeful destruction or damage to school or district buildings
or property by means of fire. Anything, such as fire, that endangers school
property and its occupants will not be tolerated. Arson is a felony.
8.
Physically assaulting a staff member/student/person associated
with the District.
Acting with intent to cause fear in another person of immediate bodily harm or
death, or intentionally bullying, inflicting or attempting to inflict bodily harm
upon another person. Physical assault of a staff member, student, or other
person associated with the District, regardless of whether it causes injury, will
not be tolerated. Any intentional, harmful or potentially harmful physical
contact or bullying initiated by a student against a staff member will be
considered to be assault. Assault may result in criminal charges [ ] and may
subject the student to expulsion.
9.
Verbally threatening (either orally, in writing or otherwise
expressed) a staff member/student/person associated with the
District.
Any oral or written statement or otherwise expressed action that a staff
member, student, or other person associated with the District reasonably feels
to be a threat will be considered a verbal assault. Profanity directed toward a
staff member in a threatening tone may also be considered a verbal assault.
Confrontation with a student or staff member that bullies, intimidates, or
causes fear of bodily harm or death is also prohibited.
10.
Misconduct against a school official or employee, or the property of
such a person, regardless of where it occurs.
The Board prohibits misconduct committed by a student against a school
official or employee, including, but not limited to, harassment (of any type),
vandalization, assault (verbal and/or physical), and destruction of property.
© 2010 NEOLA, Inc.
11.
Misconduct off school grounds
Students may be subject to discipline for their misconduct even when it occurs
off school property when the misconduct is connected to activities or incidents
that occurred on property owned or controlled by the District.
Misconduct is defined as any violation of the Student Discipline Code.
12.
Extortion
Extortion is the use of threat, intimidation, force, or deception to take, or
receive something from someone else. Extortion is against the law.
13.
Gambling
Gambling (i.e., playing a game of chance for stakes) includes casual betting,
betting pools, organized-sports betting, and any other form of wagering.
Students who bet on any school activity in which they are involved may also be
banned from that school activity.
14.
Falsification of school work, identification, forgery
Falsifying signatures or data, or refusing to give proper identification or giving
false information to a staff member. This prohibition includes, but is not
limited to, forgery of hall/bus passes and excuses, as well as use of false I.D.’s.
Plagiarism and cheating are also forms of falsification and will subject the
student to academic penalties as well as disciplinary action.
15.
Bomb Threats, and other false alarms and reports
Making a bomb threat (i.e., intentionally giving a false alarm of a bomb) against
a school building or any premises at which a school activity is being held at the
time the threat is made may result in expulsion for a period of up to one (1)
school year. Additionally, intentionally giving a false alarm of a fire, or
tampering or interfering with any fire alarm is prohibited. It should be
remembered that false emergency alarms or reports endanger the safety forces
that are responding to the alarm/report, the citizens of the community, and the
persons in the building. What may seem like a prank, is a dangerous stunt
that is against the law and will subject the student to disciplinary action.
16.
Terroristic Threat
Threatening, directly or indirectly, to commit a crime of violence with the
purpose to terrorize another or with reckless disregard of the risk of causing
terror in another.
© 2010 NEOLA, Inc.
17.
Possession and/or use of explosives and/or fireworks
Possessing or using any compound or mixture, the primary or common purpose
of which is to function by explosion, with substantially instantaneous release of
gas and heat (including, but not limited to explosives and chemical-reaction
objects such as smoke bombs and poppers). Additionally, possessing or
offering for sale any substance, combination of substances or article prepared
to produce a visible and/or audible effect by combustion, explosion,
deflagration or detonation.
18.
Trespassing
Although schools are public facilities, the law allows the Board to restrict access
to school property. Being present in any Board-owned facility or portion of a
Board-owned facility when it is closed to the public or when the student does
not have the authorization to be there, or unauthorized presence in a
Board-owned vehicle; or unauthorized access or activity in a Board-owned
computer, into district, school or staff computer files, into a school or district
file server, or into the Network. When a student has been removed, suspended,
expelled, or permanently excluded from school, the student is prohibited from
being present on school property without authorization of the principal.
19.
Theft, or knowingly receiving or possessing stolen property
Unauthorized taking of property of another person or receiving or possessing
such property. Students caught stealing will be disciplined and may be
reported to law enforcement officials. Students should not bring anything of
value to school without prior authorization from School Administration. The
School is not responsible for personal property.
20.
Insubordination
Students are expected to comply with the reasonable directions of staff. Willful
refusal or failure to follow or comply with an appropriate direction given by a
staff member, or acting in defiance of staff members.
21.
Damaging property (Vandalism)
Defacing, cutting, or otherwise damaging property that belongs to the school,
district, other students, employees or others) and disregard for school property.
22.
Persistent absence or tardiness
Attendance laws require students to be in school all day or to have a legitimate
excuse for their absence. Penalties for unexcused absences can range from
detention to a referral to court and/or revocation of the student’s driver’s
license.
© 2010 NEOLA, Inc.
23.
Unauthorized use of school or private property
Students must obtain permission to use any school property or any private
property located on school premises. Any unauthorized use of school property,
or private property located on school premises, shall be subject to disciplinary
action.
24.
Refusing to accept discipline
Students failing to comply with disciplinary penalties may face enhanced
penalties for such action.
25.
Aiding or abetting violation of school rules
Assisting other students in the violation of any school rule. Students are
expected to resist peer pressure and exercise sound decision-making regarding
their behavior.
26.
Displays of affection/sexual activities
Affection between students is personal and not meant for public display. This
includes touching, petting, or any other contact that may be considered sexual
in nature. Sexual activity of any nature is prohibited and will result in
disciplinary action.
27.
Possession of electronic equipment
The School will supply any electronic equipment or devices necessary for
participation in the educational program. Students shall not use or possess
any electronic equipment on school property or at any school sponsored activity
without the permission of School Administration. Examples of prohibited
devices include but are not limited to radios, “boom-boxes”, headphones,
CD/MP3 players, portable TV’s, electronic games/toys, pagers, cellular
telephones, beepers, other paging devices and other electronic communication
devices, and the like. Unauthorized electronic equipment will be confiscated
from the student by school personnel and disciplinary action will be taken.
28.
Violation of individual school/classroom rules
Each learning environment has different rules for students. These rules are for
the safe and orderly operation of that environment. Students will be oriented to
specific rules within each learning environment, all of which will be consistent
with this Code.
29.
Violation of bus rules
© 2010 NEOLA, Inc.
30.
Interference, disruption or obstruction of the educational process
Any actions or manner of dress that materially and substantially disrupts or
interferes with school activities or the educational process, or which threaten to
do so are unacceptable. Such disruptions include, but are not limited to, delay
or prevention of lessons, assemblies, field trips, athletic and performing arts
events.
31.
Harassment
and/or
Bullying/Cyberbullying)
Aggressive
Behavior
(including
The Board encourages the promotion of positive interpersonal relations between
members of the school community. Harassment and/or aggressive behavior
(including bullying/cyberbullying) toward a student, whether by other students,
staff, or third parties is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This
prohibition includes physical, verbal, and psychological abuse, and any speech
or action that creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive learning environment.
The Board will not tolerate any gestures, comments, threats, or actions which
cause or threaten to cause bodily harm or personal degradation. Individuals
engaging in such conduct will be subject to disciplinary action.
Conduct constituting sexual harassment, may include, but is not limited to:
A.
verbal harassment or abuse;
B.
pressure for sexual activity;
C.
repeated remarks with sexual or demeaning implications;
D.
unwelcome touching;
E.
sexual jokes, posters, cartoons, etc.;
F.
suggesting or demanding sexual involvement, accompanied by
implied or explicit threats concerning one’s grades or safety, ,;
G.
a pattern of conduct, which can be subtle in nature, that has
sexual overtones and is intended to create or has the effect of
creating discomfort and/or humiliation to another;
H.
remarks speculating about a person’s sexual activities or sexual
history, or remarks about one’s own sexual activities or sexual
history.
Note:
An inappropriate boundary invasion by a District employee or other
adult member of the School District community into a student’s personal space
and personal life is sexual harassment. Further, any administrator, teacher,
coach, other school authority who engages in sexual or other inappropriate
physical contact with a student may be guilty of criminal “child abuse” as
defined in State law.
Conduct constituting harassment on the basis or race, color, national origin,
religion, or disability may take different forms, including, but not limited to, the
following:
A.
Verbal:
The making of offensive written or oral innuendoes, comments,
jokes, insults, threats, or disparaging remarks concerning a
person's race, color, national origin, religious beliefs, or disability.
B.
Nonverbal:
Placing offensive objects, pictures, or graphic commentaries in the
school environment or making insulting or threatening gestures
based upon a person's race, color, national origin, religious beliefs,
or disability.
C.
Physical:
Any intimidating or disparaging action such as hitting, pushing,
shoving, hissing, or spitting, on or by a fellow staff member,
students, or other person associated with the District, or third
parties, based upon the person's race, color, national origin,
religious beliefs, or disability.
Aggressive behavior is defined as inappropriate conduct that is repeated
enough, or serious enough, to negatively impact a student's educational,
physical, or emotional well being. This type of behavior is a form of intimidation
and harassment, although it need not be based on any of the legally protected
characteristics, such as sex, race, color, marital status, or disability. It would
include,
but
not
be
limited
to,
such
behaviors
as
stalking,
bullying/cyberbullying, intimidating, menacing, coercion, name-calling,
taunting, making threats, and hazing.
Any student who believes that s/he is the victim of any of the above actions or
has observed such actions by another student, staff member, or other person
associated with the District, or by third parties should contact the School
Administration.
© 2010 NEOLA, Inc.
32.
Hazing
Performing any act, or coercing another, including the victim, to perform any
act of initiation into any class, team, or organization, that causes or creates a
substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm. Permission, consent, or
assumption or risk by an individual subjected to hazing shall not lessen the
prohibitions contained in this rule.
Hazing by any individual, school group, club, or team is not permitted. This
includes any form of initiation that causes or creates a risk of causing mental
or physical harm, no matter how willing the participant may be. Hazing
activities are prohibited at any time in school facilities, on school property,
and/or off school property but connected to activities or incidents that have
occurred on school property.
All incidents of hazing must be reported immediately to any of the following
individuals: the building principal or other administrator; teacher; coach;
student club advisor/supervisor, and/or Superintendent. Students who engage
in hazing may also be liable for civil and criminal penalties.
33.
Violent Conduct
Students may be expelled for up to one school year for committing an act at
school, on other school property, at an interscholastic competition,
extracurricular event, or any other school program, or directing an act at a
Board official or employee, regardless of where or when that act may occur, or
their property that would be a criminal offense if committed by an adult and
results in serious physical harm to person(s) or property.
34.
Improper Dress
Clothing may not include words or visuals that are lewd, obscene, disruptive,
abusive, or discriminatory, or that advertise drugs, alcohol or tobacco. Dress or
grooming that is disruptive of the classroom or school atmosphere is not
allowed. Shoes must be worn at all times for health and safety reasons.
35.
Careless or Reckless Driving
Driving on school property in such a manner as to endanger persons or
property.
36.
Burglary
Entering a building or a specific area of a building without consent and with
intent to commit a crime, or entering a building without consent and
committing a crime.
37.
Fighting
Engaging in adversarial physical contact (differentiated from poking, pushing,
shoving or scuffling) in which one or the other party(ies) or both contributed to
the situation by verbally instigating a fight and/or physical action. Promoting
or instigating a fight (i.e., contributing to a fight verbally or through behavior).
38.
Lighting Incendiary Devices
Unauthorized igniting of matches, lighters and other devices that produce
flames.
39.
Possession of Pornography
Possessing sexually explicit material.
40.
Unauthorized use of vehicles
Occupying or using vehicles during school hours without parental permission
and/or school authorization.
DISCIPLINE
It is important to remember that the School’s rules apply going to and from
school, at school, on school property, at school-sponsored events, on school
transportation, and on property not owned or controlled by the Board but that
is connected to activities or incidents that have occurred on property owned or
controlled by the Board. Furthermore, students may be disciplined for conduct
that, regardless of where or when it occurs, is directed at a Board official or
employee, or the property of such official or employee. In some cases, a student
can be suspended from school transportation for infractions of school bus
rules.
The School is committed to providing prompt, reasonable discipline consistent
with the severity of the incident. The consequences for misbehavior are
designed to be fair, firm and consistent for all students in the School.
Because it is not possible to list every misbehavior that occurs, misbehaviors
not listed above will be responded to as necessary by staff.
Two (2) types of discipline are possible, informal and formal.
Informal Discipline
Informal discipline takes place within the School. It includes:
[]
[]
[]
writing assignments;
change of seating or location;
pre-school, [ ] lunch-time, [ ] after-school detention;
[]
in-school discipline;
Detentions
A student may be detained after school or asked to come to school early by a
teacher, after giving the student and his/her parents one day’s notice. The
student or his/her parents are responsible for transportation.
Lunch detention is assigned during the regularly scheduled student lunch and
will be assigned for the following days:
Grades 4-6 will be assigned Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and
Thursdays.
Grades 7-8 will be assigned Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and
Thursdays.
After school detention is assigned as follows:
Grades 4-5 will be on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:15 – 4:00
Grades 6-8 will be on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 2:25 – 4:00
In-School Discipline
The following rules apply to [ ] Detention [ ] In-School Discipline [ ] Saturday
School:
[]
Students are required to have class assignments with them.
[]
Students are not to communicate with each other unless given
permission to do so.
[]
Students are to remain in their designated seats at all times
unless permission is granted to do otherwise.
[]
Students shall not be allowed to put their heads down or sleep.
[]
No electronic communication devices, radios, CD/MP3 players,
cards, magazines, or other entertainment/recreational articles or
devices shall be allowed in the room.
[]
No food or beverages shall be consumed.
[]
Any student who has not passed all of the State-mandated
assessment tests will be required to work on a study packet for
one or more of the unpassed tests.
Formal Discipline
Formal discipline involves removal of the student from school. It includes
emergency removal for up to three (3) school days, suspension for up to ten (10)
school days, expulsion for up to eighty (80) school days or the number of days
remaining in a semester, whichever is greater, and permanent exclusion.
Suspensions and expulsions may carry over into the next school year. Any
student who is expelled from school for more than twenty (20) days or for any
period of time if the expulsion will extend into the following semester or school
year will be provided with information about services or programs offered by
public and private agencies that work toward improving those aspects of the
student’s attitude and behavior that contributed to the incident that gave rise to
the student’s expulsion.
The Superintendent at his/her discretion may
require/allow a student to perform community service in conjunction with or in
place of an expulsion. The Superintendent may impose a community service
requirement beyond the end of the school year in lieu of applying the expulsion
to the following school year. Removal for less than one (1) school day without
the possibility of suspension or expulsion may not be appealed. Suspension,
expulsion, and permanent exclusion may be appealed.
Students being considered for suspension are entitled to an informal meeting
with the building administrator prior to removal.
Also, students being
considered for expulsion are entitled to an informal meeting with the
Superintendent or designee prior to removal. During the informal meeting, the
student will be notified of the charges and given the opportunity to respond.
Students involved in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities such as band
and athletics can lose their eligibility for violation of the School rules.
If a student commits a crime while under the School’s jurisdiction, s/he may be
subject to school disciplinary action as well as action through local law
enforcement.
Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy
Page 1
ACCEPTABLE USE AND INTERNET SAFETY POLICY
FOR THE COMPUTER NETWORK OF THE MINFORD LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Minford Local School District is pleased to make available to students access to
interconnected computer systems within the District and to the Internet, the world-wide network that
provides various means of accessing significant educational materials and opportunities.
In order for the Minford School District to be able to continue to make its computer network and
Internet access available, all students must take responsibility for appropriate and lawful use of this
access. Students must understand that one student’s misuse of the network and Internet access may
jeopardize the ability of all students to enjoy such access. While the School’s teachers and other
Staff will make reasonable efforts to supervise student use of network and Internet access, they must
have student cooperation in exercising and promoting responsible use of this access.
Below is the Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy (“Policy”) of the Minford School District
and the SCOCA Data Acquisition Site that provides Internet access to the School District. Upon
reviewing, signing, and returning this Policy as the students have been directed, each student will be
given the opportunity to enjoy Internet access at School and is agreeing to follow the Policy. If a
student is under 18 years of age, he or she must have his or her parents or guardians read and sign the
Policy. The School District cannot provide access to any student who, if 18 or older, fails to sign and
submit the Policy to the School as directed or, if under 18, does not return the Policy as directed with
the signatures of the student and his/her parents or guardians.
Listed below are the provisions of your agreement regarding computer network and Internet use.
If you have any questions about these provisions, you should contact the person that your School has
designated as the one to whom you can direct your questions. If any user violates this Policy, the
student’s access will be denied, if not already provided, or withdrawn and he or she may be subject
to additional disciplinary action.
I.
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
By signing this Policy, you are agreeing not only to follow the rules in this Policy, but are
agreeing to report any misuse of the network to the person designated by the School for such
reporting. Misuse means any violations of this Policy or any other use that is not included in the
Policy, but has the effect of harming another or his or her property.
II. TERM OF THE PERMITTED USE
A student who submits to the School, as directed, a properly signed Policy and follows the Policy
to which she or he has agreed will have computer network and Internet access during the course of
the school year only. Students will be asked to sign a new Policy each year during which they are
students in the School District before they are given an access account.
BE-36002
Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy Page 2 III.
ACCEPTABLE USES
A. Educational P urposes Only. The Minford School District is providing access to its
computer networks and the Internet for only educational purposes. If you have any doubt
about whether a contemplated activity is educational, you may consult with the person(s)
designated by the School to help you decide if a use is appropriate.
B. Unacceptable Uses of Network.
Among the uses that are considered unacceptable and which constitute a violation of this
Policy are the following:
1. Uses that violate the law or encourage others to violate the law. Don’t transmit offensive
or harassing messages; offer for sale or use any substance the possession or use of which
is prohibited by the School District’s Student Discipline Policy; view, transmit or
download pornographic materials or materials that encourage others to violate the law;
intrude into the networks or computers of others; and download or transmit confidential,
trade secret information, or copyrighted materials. Even if materials on the networks are
not marked with the copyright symbol, you should assume that all materials are protected
unless there is explicit permission on the materials to use them.
2. Uses that cause harm to others or damage to their property. For example, don’t engage in
defamation (harming another's reputation by lies); employ another’s password or some
other user identifier that misleads message recipients into believing that someone other
than you is communicating or otherwise using his/her access to the network or the
Internet; upload a worm, virus, “trojan horse,” “time bomb” or other harmful form of
programming or vandalism; participate in “hacking” activities or any form of
unauthorized access to other computers, networks, or information systems.
3. Uses that jeopardize the security of student access and of the computer network or other
networks on the Internet. For example, don’t disclose or share your password with
others; don’t impersonate another user.
4. Uses that are commercial transactions. Students and other users may not sell or buy
anything over the Internet. You should not give others private information about you or
others, including credit card numbers and social security numbers.
C. Netiquette. All users must abide by rules of network etiquette, which include the following:
1. Be polite. Use appropriate language. No swearing, vulgarities, suggestive, obscene,
belligerent, or threatening language.
2. Avoid language and uses which may be offensive to other users. Don’t use access to
make, distribute, or redistribute jokes, stories, or other material which is based upon slurs
or stereotypes relating to race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion, or sexual
orientation.
BE-36002
Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy Page 3 3. Don’t assume that a sender of e-mail is giving his or her permission for you to forward or
redistribute the message to third parties or to give his/her e-mail address to third parties.
This should only be done with permission or when you know that the individual would
have no objection.
4. Be considerate when sending attachments with e-mail (where this is permitted). Be sure
that the file is not too large to be accommodated by the recipient’s system and is in a
format which the recipient can open.
IV.
INTERNET SAFETY
A. General Warning: Individual Responsibility of Parents and Users. All users and their
parents/guardians are advised that access to the electronic network may include the potential
for access to materials inappropriate for school-aged pupils. Every user must take
responsibility for his or her use of the computer network and Internet and stay away from
these sites. Parents of minors are the best guide to materials to shun. If a student finds that
other users are visiting offensive or harmful sites, he or she should report such use to the
person designated by the School.
B. Personal Saf ety. Be safe. In using the computer network and Internet, do not reveal
personal information such as your home address or telephone number. Do not use your real
last name or any other information which might allow a person to locate you without first
obtaining the permission of a supervising teacher. Do not arrange a face-to-face meeting
with someone you “meet” on the computer network or Internet without your parent’s
permission (if you are under 18). Regardless of your age, you should never agree to meet a
person you have only communicated with on the Internet in a secluded place or in a private
setting.
C. “Hacking” and Other Illegal Activities. It is a violation of this Policy to use the School’s
computer network or the Internet to gain unauthorized access to other computers or computer
systems, or to attempt to gain such unauthorized access. Any use which violates state or
federal law relating to copyright, trade secrets, the distribution of obscene or pornographic
materials, or which violates any other applicable law or municipal ordinance, is strictly
prohibited.
D. Confidentiality of Student Information. Personally identifiable information concerning
students may not be disclosed or used in any way on the Internet without the permission of a
parent or guardian or, if the student is 18 or over, the permission of the student
himself/herself. Users should never give out private or confidential information about
themselves or others on the Internet, particularly credit card numbers and Social Security
numbers. A supervising teacher or administrator may authorize the release of directory
information, as defined by Ohio law, for internal administrative purposes or approved
educational projects and activities.
BE-36002
Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy Page 4 E. Active Restriction Measures. The School, either by itself or in combination with the Data
Acquisition Site providing Internet access, will utilize filtering software or other technologies
to prevent students from accessing visual depictions that are (1) obscene, (2) child
pornography, or (3) harmful to minors. The School will also monitor the online activities of
students, through direct observation and/or technological means, to ensure that students are
not accessing such depictions or any other material which is inappropriate for minors.
Internet filtering software or other technology-based protection systems may be disabled by a
supervising teacher or school administrator, as necessary, for purposes of bona fide research
or other educational projects being conducted by students age 17 and older.
The term “harmful to minors” is defined by the Communications Act of 1934 (47 USC
Section 254 [h][7]), as meaning any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual
depiction that:
- taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex,
or excretion;
- depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is
suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or
simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals;
- taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to
minors.
V. P RIVACY
Network and Internet access is provided as a tool for your education. The Minford School
District reserves the right to monitor, inspect, copy, review and store at any time and without prior
notice any and all usage of the computer network and Internet access and any and all information
transmitted or received in connection with such usage. All such information files shall be and
remain the property of the School District and no user shall have any expectation of privacy
regarding such materials.
VI. FAILURE TO FOLLOW POLICY
The user’s use of the computer network and Internet is a privilege, not a right. A user who
violates this Policy, shall at a minimum, have his or her access to the computer network and Internet
terminated, which the Minford School District may refuse to reinstate for the remainder of the
student’s enrollment in the School District. A user violates this Policy by his or her own action or by
failing to report any violations by other users that come to the attention of the user. Further, a user
violates this Policy if he or she permits another to use his or her account or password to access the
computer network and Internet, including any user whose access has been denied or terminated. The
Minford School District may also take other disciplinary action in such circumstances.
VII. WARRANTIES/INDEMNIFICATION
The Minford School District makes no warranties of any kind, either express or implied, in
connection with its provision of access to and use of its computer networks and the Internet provided
under this Policy. It shall not be responsible for any claims, losses, damages or costs (including
BE-36002
Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy Page 5 attorney's fees) of any kind suffered, directly or indirectly, by any user or his or her parent(s) or
guardian(s) arising out of the user’s use of its computer networks or the Internet under this Policy.
By signing this Policy, users are taking full responsibility for his or her use, and the user who is 18 or
older or, in the case of a user under 18, the parent(s) or guardian(s) are agreeing to indemnify and
hold the School, the School District, the Data Acquisition Site that provides the computer and
Internet access opportunity to the School District and all of their administrators, teachers, and staff
harmless from any and all loss, costs, claims or damages resulting from the user’s access to its
computer network and the Internet, including but not limited to any fees or charges incurred through
purchases of goods or services by the user. The user or, if the user is a minor, the user’s parent(s) or
guardian(s) agree to cooperate with the School in the event of the School’s initiating an investigation
of a user’s use of his or her access to its computer network and the Internet, whether that use is on a
School computer or on another computer outside the School District's network.
VIII. UPDATES
Users, and if appropriate, the user’s parents/guardians, may be asked from time to time to provide
new or additional registration and account information or to sign a new Policy, for example, to
reflect developments in the law or technology. Such information must be provided by the user (or
his/her parents or guardian) or such new Policy must be signed if the user wishes to continue to
receive service. If after you have provided your account information, some or all of the information
changes, you must notify the person designated by the School to receive such information.
Students' pictures may be posted on the school's local website. If this is a problem, you must
contact the school to inform them that you do not want your child's picture posted.
Students are not permitted to upload any video clips or photos to hosting websites from school
computers.
A Zero Tolerance Policy is in place for e-mail and internet abuse. If a student is using the
district's e-mail system or internet access for anything other than educational purposes, their access
will be removed.
******************************************************************************
Legal References:
BE-36002
Children’s Internet Protection Act of 2000 (H.R. 4577, P.L. 106-554)
Communications Act of 1934, as amended (47 U.S.C. 254[h],[l])
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C.
6801 et seq., Part F)
Minford Local School District
AUP Addendum
On August 21, 2011, the Federal Communication Commission released an amendment to the Children
Internet Protection Act which includes an E-Rate provision of the Protecting Children in the 21st Century
Act of 2008. The FCC order (FCC 11-125) implements the “educating” requirements of the Protecting
Children Act effective FY 2012, meaning any school or school district applying for E-Rate discounts MUST
provide Internet Safety Policies that include “monitoring the online activities of minors and must
provide for educating minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other
individuals on social networking websites and cyber bulling awareness and response.”
We will continue to monitor and filter our internet content with our local filtering appliance, and pass
our local filtering through our regional ITC (SCOCA).
The Minford Local School District or designated representatives will provide age-appropriate training for
students who use the Minford Local School District’s Internet facilities. The training provided will be
designed to promote the Minford Local School District’s commitment to:



The standards and acceptable use of Internet services as set forth in the Minford Local School
District’s Internet Safety Policy;
Student safety with regard to:
 safety on the Internet;
 appropriate behavior while on online, on social networking Web sites, and in
chat rooms; and
 cyberbullying awareness and response.
Compliance with the E-rate requirements of the Children's Internet Protection Act ("CIPA").
Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy
STUDENT’S AGREEMENT
Every student, regardless of age, must read and sign below:
I have read, understand and agree to abide by the terms of the foregoing Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy.
Should I commit any violation or in any way misuse my access to the Minford School District's computer network and the
Internet, I understand and agree that my access privilege may be revoked and School disciplinary action may be taken
against me.
____________________________________________
Student name
(PRINT CLEARLY)
______________________________
Home phone
____________________________________________
Student Login
(Not Password – Please Print)
______________________________
Student Grade Level
____________________________________________
Student signature
______________________________
Date
______________________________________________________________________________
Address
User (place an "X" in the correct blank): I am 18 or older _____
I am under 18 _____
If I am signing this Policy when I am under 18, I understand that when I turn 18, this Policy will continue to be in full
force and effect and agree to abide by this Policy.
PARENT’S OR GUARDIAN’S AGREEMENT
To be read and signed by parents or guardians of students who are under 18:
As the parent or legal guardian of the above student, I have read, understand and agree that my child or ward shall
comply with the terms of the Minford School District's Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy for the student’s access
to the School District's computer network and the Internet. I understand that access is being provided to the students for
educational purposes only. However, I also understand that it is impossible for the School to restrict access to all
offensive and controversial materials and understand my child’s or ward’s responsibility for abiding by the Policy. I am
therefore signing this Policy and agree to indemnify and hold harmless the School, the School District and the Data
Acquisition Site that provides the opportunity to the School District for computer network and Internet access against all
claims, damages, losses and costs, of whatever kind, that may result from my child’s or ward’s use of his or her access to
such networks or his or her violation of the foregoing Policy. Further, I accept full responsibility for supervision of my
child’s or ward’s use of his or her access account if an when such access is not in the School setting. I hereby give
permission for my child or ward to use the building-approved account to access the School District's computer network
and the Internet.
___________________________________________
______________________________
Parent or Guardian name(s) (PRINT CLEARLY)
Home phone
____________________________________________
______________________________
Parent or Guardian signature(s)
Date
______________________________________________________________________________
Address
BE-36002
MINFORD MIDDLE/PRIMARY ADMINISTRATION
MES Principal Dennis Evans K-5 Principal
MES Building Secretary Joyce O’Dell K-5 (8am to 4pm)
Phone 820-2287 ext 1003
MES Guidance Counselor Brent Howard
MES Guidance Secretary Cheryl Rinehart
Phone 820-2182 ext 1013
MMS Building Principal Grades 6-8 Kevin C Lloyd
MMS Building Secretary Cindy Blackburn (7am-3pm)
Phone 820-2181 ext 2004
MMS Guidance Counselor Steve Cayton
MMS Guidance Secretary Cheryl Rinehart
Phone 820-2182 ext 2015
Minford Local Schools Curriculum Coordinator/Federal Programs
Amy O’Dell
Phone 820-4203
Minford Local Schools Psychologist Carrie Kyne
Phone 820-2181 ext 1024
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Please take time to read over and explain the rules and regulations in this Student
Handbook with your child. We at Minford Middle School firmly believe in maintaining a
safe school environment so your child can learn in a positive school climate. After you have
discussed the rules with your child, please acknowledge your support by signing the line
below. Have your child return the signed line to his or her homeroom teacher as soon as
possible.
_________________________________________________
Student’s name
__________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian signature
___________________________________________________
Homeroom teacher