ABSENCE EXCUSES
On March 10, 1985, the St. Marys City Board of Education in accordance with Senate Bill 321 passed the following policy as part of an effort to decrease the numbers of missing children:

“The primary responsibility for supervision of a student rests with his/her parent(s) or guardians. The school district staff will provide the assistance it can to parents and guardians with this responsibility.
Parent(s) and guardians must notify the school on the day a student is absent unless previous notification has been given in accordance with school procedure for excused absences.
Parents or other responsible persons shall provide the school with their current home and/or work telephone numbers and home addresses, as well as emergency telephone numbers.”

To help us carry out our responsibilities under this policy, we would ask you to do the following:
I. If you know that your child will be absent the following day, please give the school prior notice either by means of a telephone call or by sending a note with your child or another student the day before.
2. If your child is absent on a particular day, please notify your child’s school during the time listed below.
McBroom Junior High School: 7:15 - 9 a.m. 394-2112
-- If your child comes home unexpectedly, please notify McBroom School immediately.
-- If you do not have a telephone, please try to call the school from a neighbor’s phone or from a pay station or send a note to school with another student in order that we know that your child will not be in school on that particular day.
-- If there is no telephone call by 9 a.m., the school will attempt to contact the parent. Parents who have not had contact with the school should send a written excuse when their child returns to McBroom. Students must check in the office before returning to class. Students are never to leave the building without checking in at the office. Students leaving the building without permission will be counted truant. Parents desiring a student’s early release must sign the student out in the office before leaving.

ABSENCE POLICY
This policy will set forth the number of absences that can be accumulated by a student before credit in the course is lost. It will also indicate the procedures to be followed so that a reduction in grade for a course can be prevented for each type of absence.

The following absences may occur:
1. An illness or death in the immediate family. These by their nature cannot require prior arrangement. The absences of this type which will not count toward the accumulated total will be hospitalization and doctor statements indicating illness. Death in the immediate family not exceeding three days will not count in the total accumulation. Failure to notify the school by phone or have a written excuse from parents on the day following an absence will result in a 4% grade reduction.
2. The absence with parental and school approval regardless of the reason will be counted toward the total permitted before there is a loss of credit.
3. An absence without both a parent and school’s approval is considered truancy. There is a 4% reduction in grade for each class missed, a day is counted toward the total permitted before there is a loss of credit, Saturday School could be assigned, or detention equal to the amount of time out of school could be assigned. Additional instances may result in charges being filed in Juvenile Court, suspension from school, Saturday School, or additional detention. Continual truancy may result in expulsion from school.
4. Students at school-planned activities are considered present - no day is added toward the total permitted before there is a loss of credit. There is no grade reduction. If the school is in session, even though the school bus fails to serve, the pupil is still absent for the record. A pupil coming late or leaving early must attend at least one-half of the day session to be counted present for that morning or afternoon session.
5. Tardies to class can be assessed at 1% reduction on the second instance of tardiness during a six week period. Tardies from the lunch period and to study halls and classes could be assessed detention.
6. Loss of credit will take effect upon the 8th absence of a semester course and the 15th absence of a year course for subjects that meet 5 days a week. In courses meeting less than 5 times a week, the loss will occur upon the 6th absence of a semester course and 12th absence of a year course. If the student misses the number of days that result in loss of credit, the instructor will determine if it is possible to earn the credit back and what means may be used during the remainder of the year. If the credit cannot be made up, the student may make arrangements at the end of the school year with the administration to make up the credit during the summer months by summer school or having a tutor. Costs of the make up are the responsibility of the student and parent.
7. After a student reports for school in the morning, he “must” notify the office if he leaves the school for any reason. Parents are required to “sign out” their students in the office when taking them from school.
8. Parents are requested to plan all vacations to correspond with the school calendar. All family vacation days will count in the total accumulation of absence days. The parent must secure permission in writing from the principal of the school. If no request is made or permission is not granted, the teacher of the student is to record a 4% reduction for those days.
9. Attendance at school during the last 10 days of each semester is especially important. For this reason parents are strongly encouraged to schedule vacations at times that will not conflict with end-of the semester activities.
I0. The student absentee and tardiness record will be kept in the office. Students and parents are encouraged to keep track of their own individual absence accumulation. Students tardy to school may receive a detention after the fifth time and a Saturday School after the tenth time.
11. Babysitting or staying home to help is an unexcused absence even though the student brings a note from home.
12. We do not excuse students to go hunting. Any person who misses school to go hunting is credited with an unexcused absence.
13. Students suspended out of school receive a 4% grade reduction of the final 6 weeks grade for each day suspended. Suspended students are encouraged to make-up missed work.
14. Students must be in school all day in order to participate in extra curricular activities, including attendance at dances or athletic contests.

ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY

Recently the St. Marys Board of Education adopted a new interscholastic athletic eligibility policy, which will be in effect beginning with the 1998-99 school year. In order to be eligible to participate in any interscholastic extracurricular activity, students in grades 7-12 must meet the following requirements:

1. Students in grades 7-8 must have passed 75% of those subjects taken the preceding grading period in which the student was enrolled. This includes incoming freshmen. (A student enrolling in the 7th grade for the first time is eligible for the first grading period regardless of previous academic achievement.)
2. In addition to the above requirements, students must have achieved a minimum of a 1.000 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) during the previous grading period and maintain a cumulative GPA of 1.500 in order to be eligible. A student whose cumulative GPA is below 1.500 will be considered eligible providing the student attained 1.75 GPA (1.50 in 1999-2000) during the preceding grading period.
3. A student who receives an “F” maintains his/her eligibility providing all of the above requirements are met.

-- Also if a student in grades 7 or 8 attains the age of 15 before August 1st of a given year, that student is ineligible to compete. Students must be present “all day” to participate in practice or games.
-- McBroom student athletes will be subject to Memorial High School Athletic Training Rule Policy in all interscholastic sports programs.

BICYCLES AND MOTOR BIKES
Pupils are not to ride bicycles or motor bikes to school unless they live more than four blocks from school. Bicycles should always be locked and placed in the racks provided for them. All pupils are to stay away from the bicycle racks except when they are placing their own bicycle in the rack when they come or taking it out when they leave school. Bicycles or motor bikes are not to be used at noon. The school is not responsible for damage done to bicycles.

BUS RIDING
A. The school bus driver shall be in charge of the bus at all times and shall be responsible for order. This also applies to transportation to athletic events and student activities even though, in such case, the adult chaperones, coaches, and advisors are expected to assist the driver in maintaining order on the bus.
B. The bus driver or administrator may exclude a pupil from the bus immediately when the pupil’s presence poses a danger or threat of danger to the safe operation of the school bus.
C. All school administrators are authorized to discipline, suspend, or remove pupils from school bus riding privileges using the following Board of Education procedures:

1. In the event of misbehavior, a Bus Pupil-Conduct Infraction Report will be completed by the bus driver. The white copy will be given to the pupil as soon as possible. The other copies will be given to the principal.
2. The pupil will be called to the principal’s office to discuss the incident. The administrator will mail the pink copy to the parents/guardian.
3. The seriousness of the offense may warrant a verbal reprimand, bus probation, or exclusion from the bus for the number of days determined by the administrator.
4. Repeated offenses will result in exclusion from bus riding privileges.
5. The superintendent may expel a pupil from riding privileges in compliance with Divisions (B), (D) and (E) of Section 3313.66 of the Ohio Revised Code.

D. Whenever it becomes necessary to refuse a pupil transportation, the school authorities shall notify the parents/ guardian in writing of such refusal with a full explanation. The parents must then assume the responsibility for getting the pupil to and from school until allowed back on the bus.
E. Bus Riding Behavior

1. Pupils shall arrive at the bus stop before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
2. Pupils must wait in a location clear of traffic and away from the bus stop.
3. Behavior at school bus stop must not threaten life, limb or property of any individual.
4. Pupils must go directly to an available or assigned seat.
5. Pupils must remain seated keeping aisles and exits clear.
6. Pupils must observe classroom conduct and obey the driver promptly and respectfully.
7. Pupils must not use profane language.
8. Pupils must refrain from eating and drinking on the bus except as required for medical reasons.
9. Pupils must not have alcohol, tobacco, or drugs in their possession on the bus except for prescription medication required for a student.
10. Pupils must not throw or pass objects on, from or into the bus.
11. Pupils may carry on the bus only objects that can be held in their laps or stored under their seats. These objects must not block any exit aisles.
12. Pupils must leave and board the bus at locations they have been assigned unless they have parental and administrative authorization to do otherwise.
13. Pupils must not put head or arms out of the bus windows.
14. All medical information, related to pupils known to have medical problems which may require driver attention, must be given to the driver.
15. All dogs, cats, and other animals are not permitted on a school bus.
16. Any damage done by a pupil to a school bus such as a cut cushion, broken window, etc., will be paid by the pupil doing the damage.
17. Your student’s bus should arrive at McBroom between 7:45 - 7:50 a.m. daily; bus departure time is approximately 3:12 p.m.

CANCELLATIONS/SCHOOL DELAYS
Students and parents are reminded to please listen to the radio for school delays and cancellations. The following stations will be announcing this information as soon as any weather-related decisions are made:
WCSM 96.7 FM; WKKI 94.3 FM; WZOQ 92.1 FM; WOWO 1190 AM; WIMA 102 FM, I150 AM

CANDY AND GUM
Candy is permitted at lunch time only. Chewing gum is not permitted at all on school grounds during school hours. Students breaking this rule should expect detention. Repeated violations will be dealt with under Rule 8, Serious Conduct Report. All lunch items purchased in the cafeteria are to be eaten in the cafeteria and are not to be taken to other parts of the building or outside.

CHILDREN’S SERVICES
School employees are required by law to immediately report cases of suspected child abuse or neglect to the County Children’s Services Agency or to a municipal police officer or county sheriff’s deputy. In cases involving Children’s Services, the principal shall provide the official with prompt access to the student and an appropriate setting for the interview.

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY AND NETWORK CODE OF CONDUCT
1. Files stored on school computers and disks are restricted to school related assignments only. Personal Files may not be stored.
2. Students may not use other student’s user id codes to log on to any computer network.
3. Students shall not copy (without authorization), damage, or alter any hardware or software.
4. Students shall not use or alter another person’s files.
5. All non-school software and diskettes must be checked for viruses and approved for use by a network administrator before being used on any computer and are subject to inspection and approval by school personnel at any time.
6. Use of all telecommunications is restricted to school related projects and must be supervised by the teacher or network administrator.
7. Students may use or establish links only to programs listed by their instructor. Students may not open or establish a link to unauthorized programs.
8. Students must be supervised at all times while using school equipment.
9. Students must obtain permission before using the printer. Printer use is limited to school assignments only.
-- Penalties: Penalty for minor infractions may be applied as determined by the teacher and/or network administrator. First Offense: 2 weeks loss of privileges Second Offense: 9 weeks loss of privileges Third Offense: Loss for remainder of year
-- Administrators and Teachers reserve the right to go immediately to step 3 based on severity of offense. Severe offenses may also result in Suspension/Expulsion. Notification to parents at every penalty level.

CONDUCT OF PUPILS AT THE SCHOOL
1. There is to be no throwing snowballs on school property. School property includes the sidewalks around the building.
2. Pupils are not to loiter at the end of the halls during class change.
3. Water guns and other children’s toys should not be brought to school. Pupils who bring the items can expect to have them collected by the teachers.
4. There is to be no food brought into the building other than noon lunches brought from home.
5. There is to be no form of tobacco on school property. Tobacco will be confiscated if found on school property.
6. No shouting or whistling out the windows. No sitting on window ledges, bookcases, desk; tops, etc.
7. No pagers, radios or cassette-type players are permitted at school. Pupils who bring such items can expect to have them collected by the teachers.
8. Students may not bring lighters or matches to school.
9. Students are expected to enter/leave McBroom by one of the junior high or cafeteria doors. Junior
high students are prohibited from being in the high school, except with permission from a McBroom staff member.
10. Students should not loiter across the street from the junior high and/or high school.
Possession/use of tobacco across the street from McBroom/Memorial High School is prohibited.

CONDUCT CODE FOR PUPILS
A. In schools throughout the country, disorderly conduct and vandalism on the part of a small number of persons have caused fear and concern on the part of many students, teachers, and parents. As a consequence, there has developed in many schools an unhealthy climate for the education of those who want to learn.
-- Responsibility for proper behavior lies with the whole community, but more specifically:

1. The family traditionally has responsibility for the discipline of children. Therefore, fighting and
other violations of school regulations are sufficient cause for the school to notify parents and send pupils home.
2. The pupil has a responsibility to respect the rights of his peers to pursue education without interference, intimidation, or injury, and to observe school rules. He shall pursue his just grievances through established procedures.
3. Students who feel that they are being harassed by others by threats of personal violence. vandalism or destruction of their property are to feel free to report this to the school authorities. The school
authorities will do all they can to stop such actions and will advise the students as to what legal procedures they may use to stop such actions.
-- The school reaffirms the authority of principals, teachers, student teachers, substitute teachers, and other authorized personnel to maintain the discipline essential to academic progress. In our society, however, authority derives from justice, and every effort will continue to be made to assure that fairness accompanies firmness. This right of discipline extends not only to all areas of the buildings by all teachers, but at school activities as well.

SERIOUS MISCONDUCT CODE - resulting in possible suspension and/or expulsion or other means of punishment. A violation of the following rules may result in disciplinary action, including suspension and expulsion:
Rule 1 -- Disruption of School
A student shall not by use of violence, force. coercion, or threat or in any way cause or conceal information related to the material disruption or obstruction in the daily routine operation of the school or any of its curricular or extra curricular activities.
Rule 2 -- Theft of School and other Property
A student shall not steal any equipment, materials, books, computer programs, or property while on
school property or involved in school activities. Cost of the damage or replacement costs will be assessed. The St. Marys Police will be called and charges filed in the appropriate court.
Rule 3 -- Damage of Property
A student shall not cause or attempt to cause damage to the property of others on school premises (including computer files) or during school activities or school events off of the school grounds. The St. Marys Police will be called and charges filed in the appropriate courts.
Rule 4 -- Assault
A student shall not strike or assault anyone at anytime or behave in any manner that could cause physical harm or injury to any person at any time under the jurisdiction of the school.
Rule 5 -- Dangerous Weapons and Instruments-Gambling-Cheating-Fire
A student shall not possess, handle, transmit, or conceal any object or other weapon/look- alike weapon capable of inflicting bodily harm. (Subject to Board Policy JFCJ)
A student shall not set or use any unauthorized fire.
A student shall not gamble between and among students on school property.
A student shall not use any means of cheating in any class or activity.
Rule 6 -- Alcoholic Beverages and Other Drugs
A student shall not possess, use. transmit, conspire to buy, or conceal alcoholic beverages, other drugs, or substances which are thought to be drugs or inferred to be a mind or mood altering substance or illegal drug. This rule applies during and immediately before and after school hours, and while in school vehicles, on or off school property, when going between school and home, and while attending any school sponsored activity either on or off school property. (Including, but not limited to, dances, field trips, athletic events, programs.rehearsals, meetings, etc.)
-- Violation of Rule 6 will result in a suspension of up to ten (10) days on the first offense. The principal, at his discretion, may permit the student to attend a substance abuse referral treatment program in lieu of all or part of this suspension. Prior to any such determination, however, written verification of the student’s enrollment in a satisfactory substance abuse program must be submitted. Upon completion of this program, the student. must submit to the principal written verification from the program’s director that the student has satisfactorily completed the substance abuse program. If the student fails to submit written verification of satisfactory program completion, the full suspension will be reinstated immediately. Any subsequent violation of Rule 6 within a school year will result in a ten (10) day suspension and a request for expulsion.
-- Any student who sells or otherwise distributes alcoholic beverages, other drugs, or substances thought to be drugs as described above. will be removed from school in accordance with O.R.C. 3313.66 (C) and immediately recommended to the superintendent for expulsion from school. The appropriate local law enforcement agency will also be notified.
Rule 7 -- “Look Alike” Drugs
In accordance with O.R.C. 2929.01 and 2925.37, no student shall make, sell, conspire to buy, or possess counterfeit drugs or related tools during school hours, immediately before or after school hours, or at any school sponsored activity. A counterfeit drug is defined in the following ways:
1. Any drug or drug container or label that bears a trademark without the authorization of the owner of the rights to such trademark; or
2. Any unmarked or unlabeled substance that is represented to be a controlled substance that is manufactured, processed, packed, or distributed by a person other than the person with a legal right to manufacture, process, pack, or distribute; or
3. Any substance that is represented to be a controlled substance but is not a controlled substance or is a different substance; or
4. Any substance which a reasonable person would believe to be a controlled substance because of its similarity in shape, size, color, markings, labeling, packaging, distribution, or price.
5. Penalties for violation of Rule 7. “Look Alike” Drugs, are the same as the penalties for Rule 6,
Alcoholic Beverages and Other Drugs.
Rule 8 Use of Tobacco
A student shall not smoke or use tobacco in any form during or immediately before or immediately after school hours while on school property (possession/use of tobacco across the street from McBroom/Memorial High School is prohibited) or while attending school sponsored activity as a participant either on or off school property, before, during, or after school hours (dances, field trips, athletic events, picnics, contests, etc.) The first offense will result in a suspension for two days. A second offense will resuit in a five day suspension. A third offense will result in a ten day suspension and a recommendation to the superintendent for expulsion from school for the remainder of the semester. Having an unlighted cigarette in the student’s hand will also be considered as smoking.
Rule 8B -- Possession of Tobacco
In accordance with the Ohio Revised Code possession of tobacco products by pupils is prohibited in areas under the control of the school district or at activities supervised by the school district. First offense will result in confiscation of the tobacco product and notification of the parents/guardians. Second offense will result in confiscation, parent notification and detention; on the third offense the suspension process will begin as for use of tobacco. Also included in the progression of the possession policy will be any violation of the use of tobacco policy.
Rule 9 -- Repeated Violations
A student shall not repeatedly fail to comply with directions of authorized school personnel during any period of time when the student is properly under the authority of the school personnel.
Rule 10 -- Language/Gestures/Disrespect/Sexual Harassment
A student shall not use abusive or offensive language or gestures in a disrespectful or harassing manner or conduct himself/herself in a disrespectful manner.
Rule 11 -- Failure to Comply with McBroom Jr. High Standards of Discipline, Attendance and Dress
A student shall not fail to subject himself to the reasonable control of the teachers and administrators, or fail to follow policies found in the Student Bulletin. Students may not in any manner disrupt the educational process of McBroom Junior High School.

CHEATING
Students who are caught cheating, or who help others to cheat, will receive a zero on the assigned work. They may also receive detentions or Saturday Schools. A serious offense or repeated occurrences could result in suspension. In all cases, parents will be notified.

DANCES
At various times throughout the school year, McBroom will sponsor dances for our seventh and eighth graders only. Dances are usually held on Fridays or Saturdays from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Students who continually misbehave may be restricted from dances and other school functions. Students who are absent from school on the day of a dance are not eligible to attend.

DESTRUCTION OF SCHOOL PROPERTY
Pupils are expected to aid in maintaining the building, equipment and supplies in the best possible condition. Unnecessary damage will not be tolerated. Repair or replacement of the damaged items will be charged to the negligent pupil. If damages are made, the student must also pay the janitor’s time for working.

DETENTIONS
Any staff member at McBroom can give a student a morning/noon/after-school detention. A student will be given a day’s warning if he is to serve an after-school detention. Bus riders are not exempt from detentions; students must walk or find their own ride home from an after-school detention. Students who skip a detention will be assigned an extra detention. Students who regularly receive detentions should expect more serious punishment as the school year proceeds.

DRESS CODE
We feel that each student should realize that how he or she dresses has an affect on his or her behavior. Proper clothing can add to the learning climate while attention-getting clothes may detract. For this reason a dress code becomes necessary as a few students fail to realize that certain clothes are worn only for the attention they may receive.

The St. Marys Board of Education has the following policy:
“It is the opinion of the Board of Education that appropriate dress, hair arrangements and make-up are desirable factors in the conduct of pupils and a contribution factor to the learning atmosphere. The school authorities are expected to insist on appropriate standards of dress and conduct in the school and at school activities. Pupils failing to conform, after due warning, may be suspended from school.”
--It is the opinion of the school that the following points on dress and grooming are true:
1. It is necessary to have a code of dress and grooming as indicated by a substantial majority of students, parents, and faculty.
2. Rules established for dress and grooming must be fair, reasonable and justifiable.
3. The main responsibility for dress and grooming of a student rests with the parents or guardian.
4. The school becomes involved in determining dress and grooming when the style of such dress and grooming permitted by the parents becomes a distraction or hindrance to the learning process by affecting either the teacher or fellow students.
5. It is necessary to establish rules to protect the health, safety and welfare of the pupils.
6. It is necessary to establish reasonable rules in order to maintain order and a proper learning climate.
7. It is necessary to establish rules in order to teach proper grooming and etiquette.
8. Clothing, patches, etc., that encourages, promotes, or advertises the use of tobacco, drugs, and/or alcohol are prohibited.
-- The following should not be construed as a suggestion of school administrators that parents allow their children to go to the limits herein defined, but rather as an explanation of the general and specific details of the dress and grooming code within which we expect to operate during the school year.
-- A continual evaluation of the dress and grooming code will be made during the school year. If dress and grooming permitted by the code and parents and worn by the students have an adverse effect upon the learning and educational atmosphere at McBroom School, adjustments and changes still may be made to alleviate the problem. The code of dress and grooming leave many things unsaid. Parents and students are trusted to remember that the school is a place of learning and not a showroom for extremes of dress and grooming. Good judgement, maturity, and responsible action are expected.
-- It is important to devise a code of dress and grooming that would be acceptable to all concerned. The code must attempt to serve the common good of all and be based upon the above stated justifications and the school board policy. Therefore, the specifics for the 1999-00 school year will be as follows:
1. Shoes or sandals for the feet must be worn at all times.
2. Hair length will be specified by any department where safety and the educational process is involved. A student’s vision must not be impaired with hair over the eyes.
3. School apparel with figures or lettering that is vulgar or distasteful is not to be worn.
4. Skirts, dresses and other clothing that is excessively short and would affect the learning atmosphere or the class are prohibited. Blouses must have shoulder straps. Undergarments should not show.
5. Pants must be worn at the hip at all times.
6. Clothing with metal or plastic parts that might damage floors and furniture are not permitted.
7. Hats or caps are not to be worn in the building.
8. Non-prescription sun glasses are not to be worn in the building.
9. Shorts of appropriate length are permitted throughout the school year. Athletic shorts and other similar length shorts continue to be prohibited.
10. Bare midriffs are not permitted.
11. Chains dangling from one’s body &/or clothing are not permitted.
(The principal reserves the right to make judgments concerning other questionable modes of dress.)
-- Students in violation of the above will be sent to the principal’s office for a conference. The parents of the student will be notified. A reasonable time will be given to correct the violation. Failure to correct the violation will result in the suspension of the student from school.
-- In the many areas of dress and grooming that are not mentioned above, if it is determined by the teacher that the dress or grooming is a distraction or a disturbance to the educational process of the class, the teacher will discuss the matter with the student. If the teacher and the student do not agree, the matter will be brought to the attention of the principal. If the principal agrees that the learning atmosphere is being affected, a conference will be held with the parents of the student. Continual violation will result in suspension until the situation is corrected.

DROPPING/CHANGING SUBJECTS
A change in a student’s schedule after school begins can be made only with the consent of the teacher and approval of the principal. The time to decide if a course is wanted or not is during the registration process, not after classes begin. A course, once begun, carries with it the responsibility of being completed.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Students are not to bring radios, headphones, tape/CD players, pagers, beepers, portable phones or any other electronic communication equipment to school.

FIELD TRIPS
Students wishing to be eligible for field trips must have good attendance passing grades. and exhibit proper behavior throughout the school year. Also, school fees must be paid in full.

If a student exhibits behavior that shows he is not meeting the above requirements, then the principal may decide the student is ineligible to attend the field trip.

GANG ACTIVITY
Gang activities create an atmosphere of intimidation in a school community. Both the immediate consequences of gang activity and the secondary effects of such are disruptive and obstructive to the process of education. In accordance with the Safe Schools Act of 1994, no student shall:
1. Wear, possess, use, distribute, display, or sell any clothing, jewelry, emblem, badge, symbol, sign or other item that evidences or reflects membership in, or affiliation with, any gang.
2. Engage in any act, either verbal or nonverbal, including gestures, handshakes, demonstration of membership, or affiliation with any gang.
3. Engage in any act that furthers the interests of any gang or gang activity, including, but not limited to soliciting membership or affiliation with any gang.

GRADES AND EXAMS
A grade of “D” indicates below average but not failing work. A grade of “D” often indicates that unless there is improvement in the subject the next grade in the subject will be an “F.” A grade of “F” is a failing grade. If a pupil rather consistently receives “F’s” in two or more subjects, he or she has a very good possibility of being retained in the same grade for another year. Steps to improve low grades generally must be taken early in the school year in order to be effective.
-- No semester or end-of-year exams will be given at McBroom. Not giving exams will allow our teachers to increase instructional time with your son or daughter and eliminate several weeks of exam preparation and testing. With lowa Tests, Proficiency Tests, chapter/unit tests & projects there are several major tests for which students will continue to prepare.
-- In computing semester grade averages, a six week grade will count exactly 1/3 of the total. If two of the three grades are “F’s”, the student will receive an “F” for the semester. To determine yearly averages, add first semester 8: second semester grades and divide by 2. A failing grade for the second semester will result in a failing grade for the year.

GRADING SCALE
The St. Marys Board of Education approved the following grading scale for McBroom School: A+ 100; A 95-99; A 94; B+ 92-93; B 85-91; B- 84; C+ 82-83; C 75-81; C- 74; D+ 72-73; D 65-71; D 64; F Below 64.

GYM LOCKERS
Students are not to leave items of value or money in gym lockers or in the locker room. If a student has an item of value or a large amount of money, it should be given to the gym teacher for safekeeping during class. Students are not assigned gym lockers for any extended time because our shower rooms are used by physical education classes and various athletic teams many times each day.

HONOR ROLL
To be on the honor roll, a student must have an academic average or 3.0 or better for all subjects taken.

IMMUNIZATIONS
McBroom School students must have proper required immunizations to be enrolled as students as stated in Ohio Revised Code 3313.671 Required Immunizations-Exemptions. On August 1, 1990, an updated Immunization Law went into effect. The new law requires that prior to entering the 7th grade, students must have documentation of two doses of live measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. The first dose must have been received on or after the first birthday with a second dose at least 30 days after the first dose.
A. No pupil shall be admitted, at the time of his initial entry of each school year. to an elementary or high school for which the state board of education prescribes minimum standards in accordance with the provisions of division (D) of section 3301.07 of the Revised Code, unless such pupil has presented written evidence, satisfactory to the person in charge of admission, that he has received, or is in the process of receiving immunization against poliomyelitis, smallpox, rubella, diphtheria, rubella (German Measles), pertussis, and tetanus by such means of immunization as may be approved by the department of health pursuant to the powers granted by section 3701.13 of the Revised Code, or unless such pupil has presented a written statement of his parent or guardian objecting to the immunization of such pupil against poliomyelitis, smallpox, rubella, diphtheria, rubella (German measles), pertussis and tetanus. A pupil who has had natural rubella is not required to be immunized as required by this section if he has presented a written statement to this effect signed by his parent or guardian. Any immunization required by this section shall be waived if a physician certifies in writing that such immunization is medically contraindicated. The provisions of this section shall not limit or impair the right of a board of education of a city, exempted village, or local school district to make and enforce rules or regulations to secure vaccination or immunization against poliomyelitis, smallpox, rubella, diphtheria, rubella (German measles), pertussis and tetanus of the pupils under its jurisdiction.
B. Boards of health legislative authorities of municipal corporations, and boards of township trustees and application of the board of education of the district or proper authority of any school affected by this section, shall provide at the public expense, without delay, the means of immunization against poliomyelitis, smallpox, rubella, diphtheria, rubella (German measles), pertussis, and tetanus to such pupils as are not provided therewith by their parents or guardians.
C. This section does not apply to immunization against rubella (German measles) for females who have reached puberty. Pupils shall not be required to be immunized against smallpox if the health commissioner of the city or general health district in which the school such pupils attend determines that such immunization is no longer medically indicated to protect the public health.

INJURIES AND SICKNESS
Pupils should know which doctor to see is they are injured at school or become ill. School officials do not wish to send pupils to the doctor unless the parent has discussed with the child under what conditions a visit would be justified. Pupils should know who to call in case of illness or should their parents not be at home. Work and emergency phone numbers should be included on enrollment forms for the safety of the students.

INTERIM PROGRESS REPORTS
Report cards are given six times a year at six week intervals. During the six weeks period, interim reports are often sent to parents. These reports indicate a concern on the part of the classroom teacher about a student’s progress. The purpose of this report is to provide direct contact between the classroom teacher and the parents. Please contact the school for an appointment with the teacher who sent the report. If a student is having a problem, the earlier the situation is corrected, the better for the student. All report card envelopes are to be returned the day after they have been distributed. Students may be asked a 15 cent replacement fee for lost envelopes.

LAWN AREAS
Students are to stay off the front lawn at all times. There are enough sidewalk areas that students need not be on these lawn areas. Students are expected to help maintain the beauty of McBroom School by not littering, damaging shrubs or trees, and by keeping off the lawn.

LEAVING SCHOOL
After a student is on school property in the morning, he must notify the office if he leaves for any reason. Parents are required to “sign out” their students in the office when taking them from school.

LOCKER INFORMATION
Each student is assigned a locker close to his or her homeroom. This locker is theirs to use and no other student is to use or open it at any time without their permission. Students are to deposit $2 for a locker key; it is their obligation to keep it locked. This deposit will be returned to the student when the key is returned at the end of the school year. If the key is lost or damaged, there will be no return of the deposit. If a lost key is found after a duplicate has been made, no refund will be given because of the cost of replacement. Never put things of great value in an unlocked locker. If a student decides to try his key in a lock other than the one for which it was intended, this can be a serious problem. It often damages the lock, which means that it must be replaced. The cost of this will be borne by the student causing the damage. If a student is found opening another student’s locker without permission, this will be considered a serious offense and the punishment will be severe.
-- Your locker is your responsibility. It should be kept neat and orderly. No papers should be sticking out around the doors. Make certain the locker door is closed properly each time. If a locker is kept neat and orderly, there will be no need to slam the door or kick it shut. The damage to locker locks come from locking doors before they are closed. Please close the door properly and then lock your locker. If the locker door is damaged, the student will be responsible for the cost of the repairs or cleaning. Lockers will be inspected by the principal, homeroom teacher, or librarian if there is any need to look for books or other school property.
-- Students are to go to their lockers only in the morning, at noon, and at the end of the day. The exceptions are. students going to P.E., art, music, home economics, and industrial arts. No student is to go to their locker during class time.
-- Some pupils tend to leave miscellaneous papers in their lockers which make a mess in the hall as they fall out when the locker door is opened. Parents can help us with this problem by asking pupils to bring papers home. Students are encouraged to have locker keys and to use them each day. Improperly working Locks should be reported to the office.

LOST AND FOUND
When something is stolen at school usually there are two guilty parties. Obviously, most of the guilt must be borne by the person who steals. It is most unfortunate that we have such people in our midst, but it is also very difficult to catch those people in order to stop the thefts. The other guilty party, of course, is that person who does not take the proper precautions to guard against any theft taking place. Experience has shown most “stolen” items show up in the “found” collection. Always check the office and/or the “lost & found barrel” for items.

LUNCH
The lunch period for all students will be a closed period. This means all students must remain at school during the lunch period. Students may bring a lunch from home or eat in the cafeteria. When finished eating, students should go outside or to the gym — depending upon the weather. Under no circumstance is any student to be permitted during the lunch period to leave school grounds for any reason.

LUNCH REGULATIONS
1. Students carrying their lunch from home may go directly to the dining room without getting in the serving line.
2. There are two serving lines that offer two separate menu choices.
3. Students should not drink pop at lunch time.
4. Places in the line may not be saved for friends for any reason.
5. Students should have money ready (if possible, the correct change) so that the cashier can be paid without undue delay of serving line.
6. Students must practice good table manners while eating.
7. After eating, if any food has been spilled on the table. make certain that you remove it before leaving the table.
8. Push the chair up to the table before leaving.
9. Trays are to be returned to the kitchen through the tray return window.
10. Do not loiter in the dining room after eating.

MAKE UP WORK
Students who have excused absence are required to make up the work missed in each class. It is the responsibility of the student to get the assignments he has missed from each individual teacher. The teacher will decide the length of time needed to make up the work.
-- If a student makes no attempt to do makeup work or does not complete the work within the time allotted by the teacher, he will receive a failing grade for the work missed.
-- Parents who call the school to get assignments for an absent student should wait three days before requesting make up work. Students absent a day or two should contact a fellow student to find out what work they need to do.

MEDICATION
It is the policy of the Board of Education that all children’s medication be administered in the home by a parent. However, when exceptional circumstances occur, any parent/guardian requesting the district to administer any medical procedures to their child during regular school hours must comply with the following procedures:
-- Provide either a signed “Physician’s Prescribed Medication Request Form” or signed “Parent/Guardian Non-Prescribed Request Form” identifying:
1. The student, birth-date, address, and school
2. The diagnosis, the medication, and dosage or procedure required
3. The times required

SATURDAY SCHOOL
In some cases Saturday School will be offered as an option when a rule violation occurs that requires a suspension from school by the principal. Saturday School may also be assigned for attendance-related violations.

SCHOOL PICTURES
School pictures will be taken at McBroom School early in the school year. Normally it takes about six weeks for the pictures to be processed and returned to us. The package this year will be approximately the same as that of last year. Parents will have the choice of packages. The school class book will be sold in a separate sale later in the year.

SEARCH AND INTERROGATIONS
The right of inspection of students’ school lockers or articles carried upon their persons and interrogation of individual students is inherent in the authority granted school boards and administrators. This authority will be exercised so as to assure parents that the school, in exercising its “in loco parentis” relationship with their children, will employ every safeguard to protect the well being of those children.
-- Principals and their designees are permitted to search the person and personal property (purse, knapsack, gym bag, etc.) of a student when there is reason to believe that evidence will be obtained indicating the student’s violation of either the law or school rules. Random locker searches could be held upon the discretion of the building administrator. St. Marys City Schools is a Drug-Free Zone and our Board of Education has “zero tolerance” for substance abuse or possession on school property. The school system will cooperate fully with police investigations including, but not limited to, the use of canine patrol programs.
-- At the same time, schools have the responsibility to parents for the welfare of the students while they are in the care of the school to carry out this responsibility, the school officials will try to observe the following:
1. When it is necessary for an officer to make a school contact with a student, the school authorities will bring the student to a private room and the contact will be made out of the sight of others as much as possible.
2. The school authorities must be notified before a student may be questioned in school or taken from a classroom.
3. If possible, a parent or a legal guardian of the student to be interviewed should be notified by the police before the student is questioned.
4. A school official could request to be present when an interrogation takes place within the school
5. When it is necessary to remove a student from school, after notifying the school principal, the police authorities should notify the parents. If the school circumstances make it impossible for the police to make this notification to the parents, the school should do so as soon as possible.
6. The school should not attempt to handle matters which are properly in the realm of the police department.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Harassment - Ohio and Federal Laws define sexual harassment as unwanted sexual advances, unwanted visual, verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Such offensive behavior includes, but is not limited to the following:

DEFINITION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
1. Unwanted sexual advances, including propositioning, repeatedly asking someone out for a date after it is clear that the person is not interested.
2. Making or threatening reprisals after a negative response to sexual advances.
3. Non-Verbal conduct: leering; making sexual gestures; displaying sexually suggestive objects: pictures, cartoons, or posters.
4. Verbal conduct: making or using derogatory comments, epithets, slurs, or jokes: making sexually based remarks about another person’s or one’s own body.
5. Verbal abuse of sexual nature, graphic verbal commentaries about an individual’s body, sexually degrading words used to describe an individual, suggestive or obscene letters, notes or invitations.
6. Physical conduct: touching, assault, impeding or blocking movement. This sexual harassment policy is intended to protect against sexual harassment before it becomes actionable sexual harassment. The term “sexual harassment” is intended to mean sexual harassment in the broadest meaning of that term in current popular as well as legal usage.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE SEXUALLY HARASSED
When unwelcome activities described above of a milder nature occur, the best thing to do is to say that you are uncomfortable with the behavior and ask that it cease. If the behavior does not cease, then recourse for students should be through the school counseling office or any school administrator.

SUSPENSION
1. Out of School
A 4% grade reduction of the final 6 weeks grade will be given for each day suspended. (Example - a 3 -day suspension would result in a 12% grade reduction.) Students are encouraged to make up the school work missed while suspended. A student suspended may not attend any school activity either as an observer or a participant while the suspension is in effect.
2. Alternative School
In accordance with St. Marys Board of Education, students suspended from McBroom will participate in the Auglaize County Alternative School. Those students who are suspended to the Alternative School will be transported to the Wapakoneta facility for the suspension. The student will not receive a grade reduction for the suspension, the day(s) will not accumulate as non-attendance dates and the work completed during the Alternative School format will count for credit at McBroom.
-- Students who refuse to attend the Alternative School risk multiple days of suspension and or unruly charges in Juvenile Court. The rules and regulations of the Alternative School will be explained at the student s suspension hearing.

TARDINESS
Continued tardiness to school or to class definitely has a negative influence on a student’s grades, study habits, and attitudes toward school. Students tardy to school may receive a detention on the fifth time, and a Saturday School on the tenth time. In addition, tardies to class can be assessed a 1% grade reduction on the second instance of tardiness during a six week period. Detentions can also be assigned after the second instance of tardiness during a six week period.

TELEPHONE CALLS
Pupils are permitted to use the telephone for emergency calls only. Parents should also limit phone calls with messages for students to emergency calls only. Generally, we take incoming messages and then deliver the message to the pupil between classes rather than call the student from the class to take the message.

TEXTBOOKS
Most of the textbooks now being used cost between $10. and $46. each. Pupils are to be assessed for undue damage or lost books. Writing in the books or rough usage will not be tolerated. Dropping books on the hall floor at the lockers, cramming books carelessly into untidy lockers and leaving books out in the rain are common causes for undue damage. At the end of the year grade cards are withheld until settlement of assessments is made. Lost books must be replaced so students must pay full price for replacement books. Students are responsible for books even if the books are lost or stolen.

VISITORS
Occasionally a student will request that a friend or relative of school age be permitted to visit the school day. Teachers are busy people with an important job in the classroom. There is little time to “entertain” visiting students. For this reason, student visitors are discouraged from attending McBroom.
-- All visitors entering McBroom are required to report immediately to the principal’s office.