Students not riding the bus to school should be dropped off at the High School front entrance between 8:30 and 8:55.  There is no adult supervision prior to 8:30 am.  Parents must not use the bus lane from 8:45 – 9:00 am and 3:10 – 3:45 pm.

Student pick-ups will meet by the elementary gymnasium doors at 3:15 and will then walk to the high school main doors for dismissal.  Parents are to stay in their vehicles as we dismiss students. Any parent who is not at the high school entrance by 3:30, your child will be brought back to the elementary office.

As students arrive at school, students need to proceed into the lunchroom for breakfast. Breakfast at Southern Local Elementary is free and offered to all students. 
Breakfast is served from 8:30AM to 8:55AM each morning. Students are responsible for being in their classroom by 9:00.

Lunch is free and offered to all students.  If a student wishes to purchase additional milk or a snack side from the cafeteria they must have money on their student accounts.  The money must be in an envelope clearly labeled with the student’s name, ID number, teacher’s name, and amount enclosed.  All checks are to be made too Southern Local School District.  

• There is to be no pop brought to school to be consumed during lunch time.  

As said above, Southern Local Elementary offers free lunch to all students but in order for us to qualify we must provide documentation of a Household Survey. These remain on file for documentation for our free lunch program.

Students are expected to show the same reserved behavior that would be used in any restaurant. Boisterous noise and/or displays or rowdiness shall not be tolerated. All students are expected to clean up after themselves, picking up dropped trash, using the refuse containers, and returning food trays.

We are fortunate to have many wonderful visitors and volunteers here at Southern Local Elementary. For your convenience and for the safety of our students, we have several steps al visitors and volunteers must follow. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

All visitors and volunteers must:

• report to the school office upon entering the school building with a valid driver’s license or state id
• sign-in and wear a visitor/volunteer badge while in the building.
• report directly to the room you are visiting/volunteering in.
• stay with the teacher/classroom during your scheduled time.
• return to the office at the end of your scheduled time to sign-out.

Close communication between parents and teachers is strongly encouraged.  The district offers two opportunities where teachers are available for extended times to meet with parents.  These regularly scheduled conference times create a better understanding between home and school, aid in reporting student progress, and help to meet the individual needs of each child.  Refer to the school calendar for these regularly scheduled times.  In addition, parents are encouraged to consult with teachers throughout the year.  To schedule a conference, contact the teacher directly either through phone call, note to teacher, or Class Dojo.

Except during an extreme emergency, neither teacher nor student will be called to the telephone during class time.  Students will not be permitted to call home when they forget to bring books, lunches or other related items. 

The use of cell phones for elementary students will be permitted on an as needed basis, with permission granted from the principal, only for contacting parents after school.  Cell phones must be turned off and kept in the student’s locker/book bag/cubby during the school day.  If a cell phone is found to be turned on causing a disruption to the academic day, the cell phone will be confiscated and turned in to the principal.  The student’s parent will be contacted to retrieve the phone.  The student who is in violation of the school’s cell phone policy may be subject to disciplinary action at the discretion of the principal.

Students are encouraged to carry their items to and from school in a book bag.  Students are not permitted to carry their book bags with them throughout the day.  They must remain in their storage area (locker or cubby).

Assigned lockers remain school property and are subject to inspection by school personnel.  Each student is responsible for his/her own assigned locker.  Locks are highly recommended for protection of belongings.  The school is not responsible for any items placed in or stolen from lockers, nor will time be spent investigating theft of items taken from an unlocked or shared locker.

At times, children will want to bring something to school that is related to the course of study or has some other educational value. Although we encourage this, items which are expensive, irreplaceable, or of great personal or family value should not be brought to school. The School is not liable for any loss or damage to personal valuables.

• Students are not permitted to bring cell phones, iPods, Game Boys, or other electronic devices to school.
• Toys should not be brought to school unless specified by your child’s teacher with a note on a special occasion.

Students’ academic success is based on numerous factors, and both promotion and retention are taken very seriously.  The decision to promote and retain is typically a team-based decision where many factors are taken into consideration, including but not limited to; overall academic progress, attendance, and overall classroom performance. 

The State Content Standards provide a curriculum guideline for student learning.  Teachers may utilize a variety of sources and activities to enhance and compliment student learning.  These resources may include textbooks.  Students are responsible for the textbooks assigned to them.  When the books are collected at the end of the school year, they should reflect normal usage.  Students could be charged for books that receive excessive wear, damage or are lost. Report cards will be held until borrowed books are returned.  

Field Trips are educational experiences that teachers can use to enhance student learning. Field trips are to be relevant to the Content Standards and Indicators being taught. Parents please be aware of the following:

o Parent/helper chaperones will be selected by the teacher.
o The only children permitted on Field Trips are those students in the participating class.
o Children whose parents act as chaperones will not be dismissed from school prior to the regular dismissal time.
o Parent permission and an emergency medical form must be on file in the principal’s office before a child will be permitted to attend.
o Board Policy concerning Student Field Trips and chaperones will be strictly enforced.
o Field trip participation is not mandatory nor is it reflective on pupil grades. Field trips are considered a privilege and not a right. The administration reserves the right to deny field trip participation, if based on previous behavior or excessive absences, participation is not in the best interest of the student or his or her classmates.

Students in grades Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade are assessed using a standards based report card. Each grade level will send parent information home regarding their standards and student progress rating scales towards mastery of skills. These standards based report cards will be sent home four times a year.

Our grading system for grades 3rd-5th utilizes a percentage scale with alphabetical equivalence with the following description:

NINE WEEKS GRADES are determined by averaging a minimum of nine (9) grades. Attendance and class participation are integral parts of student’s grades. Students failing the 3rd and 4th nine (9) week grading periods may or may not be granted credit at the discretion of the teacher and principal.

SEMESTER GRADES are determined by averaging two nine weeks grades. Example: 98% + 76% divided by 2 = 87% or a B. FINAL YEARLY GRADES are determined by averaging 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th nine weeks percentages.

Students are considered tardy if they arrive to school after 9:10.  Students missing 60 minutes to three (3) hours are considered to be absent for ½ day.  Any absence of more than 3 hours will be considered a full-day absence.

When it is necessary for students to be dismissed early from school, a written note must be provided requesting permission to leave and stating the reason and time for the early dismissal.  Parents/Guardians must report to office and sign their student out.

If someone is going to pick your child up at school, please send a note with the child or call the school. *Without a note or parent/guardian call, your child will be put on the bus they were initially assigned. Please make every effort to call before 12:00 p.m. for a change of plan. Parents must request the change of plan.

Parents/Guardians picking up their child/children after school (3:15 pm) must send a written notice to the school prior to the end of the school day.  Students will be dismissed with other car riders at the high school entrance.

In order to attend school-sponsored activities/extracurricular activities (weightlifting, basketball, baseball, volleyball, basketball, softball, etc.) after regular school hours as a spectator or participant, the student must be in school at least one-half of the school day.

Excusable absences include personal illness, death in the family, quarantine, religious holidays, doctor or dentist appointments, court dates, or other emergency reasons deemed just cause by the school district. Parents should make every reasonable effort to make medical appointments outside of the school day. Family Vacations during non-school time is encouraged to avoid prolonged student absences. Please notify the principal in writing at least one week in advance of your planned family vacation so the absence can be submitted to the Superintendent for approval. Arrangements to make up class work must be made in advance of the intended vacation.

Please be aware of the following procedures in place regarding student excused absences:

1. Please make every effort to call off students between 8:00 – 9:00 am
2. All absences must be verified with a written excuse.
3. Medical excuses cannot be backdated and the school requires that the physician or medical staff actually see/examine the student in order to provide a valid excuse.
4. Five (5) excused absences will result in written/verbal communication to the parent.
5. Ten (10) excused absences will result in written communication to the parent.
6. After twelve (12) excused absences the student must provide the school with a medical excuse or the days will be unexcused.

Unexcused absences are defined as any absence where the above named conditions have not been met.

Please be aware of the following procedures in place regarding student unexcused absences:

1. Five (5) days or 30 hours of unexcused absences will result in written communication to the parent.
2. Seven (7)days or 42 hours of unexcused absences will result in an informal meeting with the school attendance team, court liaison officers and parents/guardians.
3. Twelve (12)days or 72 hours of unexcused absences will result in the activation of school policy related to "habitual truancy". Students may lose privileges such as but not limited to: (non-educational field trips, attendance at extracurricular and non-curricular activities)

Truancy is defined as habitual unexcused absences.  In an effort to deter chronic absences the district’s attendance/truancy policy will be strictly enforced by school personnel in accordance to district attendance policy and House Bill 410. 

When students are withdrawn from school, parents should notify the school office several days in advance.  Students’ records will not be released without parental consent.  All outstanding fees must be paid and all books and materials returned upon withdrawal from school.  Records, grades, and credits may be withheld for failure to pay fees.

The key to our dress code is that we all accept certain standards for ourselves, our school, and our community at large. The administration and staff feel that there is a definite correlation between student dress and student conduct. In general, school dress should be such that it insures the health, welfare, and safety of the members of the student body and enhances a positive image of our students and school.

• Clothing with inappropriate language and symbols is not to be worn or displayed in any way.
• Clothing shall be worn in the manner for WHICH it is designed.
• No clothing with holes that reveals skin above the knees is appropriate for school. No undergarment may be shown at any time.
• During school hours, all shirts must have shoulders and sleeves. Attire that displays cleavage, and see through garments will not be allowed. No sleeveless shirts, cut off shirts, or spaghetti straps are permissible. No arm pit or torso skin may be visible when arms are held out.
• Undergarments are not to be seen, including boxers and bra straps. An undergarment constitutes anything worn under clothing.
• Clothing should not be shorter than the child’s finger tips when arms are held at each of their body.
• Pajamas are not permitted.
• Proper gym shoes must be worn on physical education days.
• Open toed sandals without a back strap, slides, and flip flops are not permitted at any time.
• Shoes with wheels (skates) are not permitted at any time.
• No distracting makeup or piercings on the body and/or face is acceptable.
• Hair must be neat, clean and well groomed and no extreme colors. Hair must not cover the face and or eyes. The eyes must be seen at all times.
• Upon entering the school students are to remove all forms of headwear (caps, hats, hoods, sunglasses, etc.). Headwear is not to be worn in school unless as part of a sponsored activity and prior approval by administration.
• During winter months students should dress in warm clothing such as hats, mittens/gloves and winter coats. We will have outdoor recess whenever conditions allow and the temperature is above 30 degrees.

Any form of dress or grooming that attracts undue attention or violates the previous statements is obviously unacceptable. The principal has the final jurisdiction in interpreting and enforcing this policy.

All parents are required by Ohio Law to have an emergency notification form completed and on file for each child enrolled.  The Emergency Medical Authorization Form is on the Final Forms website and must be completed at the beginning of each school year.  Parents are responsible for keeping the office informed of changes in telephone numbers and other pertinent information; any change should be reported immediately to the school office.

The Board of Education may require students of the district to submit to a periodic health exam to:

a. Protect the school community from the spread of communicable disease;
b. Verify that each student’s participation in health, safety, and physical education courses meets his/her needs.

Listed below are common illnesses and the appropriate guidelines for treatment and/or school attendance:

o Chicken Pox: a skin rash consisting of small blister, which leave scabs. A slight fever may or may not be present. There may be blisters and scabs all present at the same time. Your child should remain home until all the blisters have scabbed over, usually 5-7 days after appearance of the first crop of blisters.
o Common Cold: Irritated throat, watery discharge from the nose and eyes, sneezing, chilliness, and general body discomfort. Your child should remain home if the symptoms are serious enough to interfere with the youngster’s ability to learn. Medical care should be obtained if symptoms persist beyond 7-10 days, fever develops, or discharge becomes yellow to green.
o Fever: If your child’s temperature is 100 degrees F or greater s/he should remain home until s/he has been without fever for a full 24 hours. Remember, fever is a symptom indicating the presence of an illness.
o Flu: Abrupt onset of fever, chills, headache, and sore muscles. Runny nose, sore throat, and cough are common. Your child should remain home from school until symptoms are gone and the child is without fever for 24 hours.
o Head Lice: Lice are small grayish-tan, wingless insects that lay eggs call nits. Nits firmly attach to the hair shafts, close to the scalp. They are small white specks usually found at the nape of the neck and behind the ears. After receiving treatment from pediculicide shampoo and nits have been removed; the school nurse must see your child before returning to school. Parents must accompany their child on the day s/he returns to school. A call to 330.679.2343 ext 4016 must be made and an appointment set up before the child is readmitted. If there is still lice or nit evidence, the child will go back home with the parent. If readmitted, the child will assume normal activities which include bussing privileges.
o Impetigo: Blister-like lesions that later develop into crusted, pus-like sores. Your child should remain home from school until receiving 24 hours of antibiotic therapy and sores are no longer draining.
o Pain: If your child complains, or behavior indicates, that s/he is experiencing persistent pain, s/he should be evaluated by a physician before attending school.
o Pinkeye: Redness and swelling of the membranes of the eye with burning or itching, matter coming from one or both eyes, or crusts on the eyelids. Your child should remain home from school until receiving 24 hours of antibiotic therapy and discharge from the eyes has stopped. Please note that viral conjunctivitis does not have drainage from the eye. Until conjunctivitis is ruled out by a physician, the child per The Ohio Department of Health, will be excluded from school in order to prevent additional spread of the virus. Spread of the infection can be minimized by keeping the hands away from the face, good hand washing practices, using individual washcloths and towels, and not touching any part of the eyes with the tip of the medication applicator while administering antibiotic ointment.
o Skin Rashes: Skin rashes of unknown origin should be evaluated by a physician before your child is sent to school. If a contagious is suspected, the student will be sent home until seen by a physician. When the physician approves a return to school, please send a physician’s note with your child to the office.
o Strep Throat: Strep throat begins with fever, sore and red throat, pus spots on the back of the throat, and tender swollen glands of the neck. Antibiotics ordered for strep infections are to be taken for ten days or until all medications are gone. Students can return to school after being on the antibiotic therapy for 24 hours. Only when these directions are followed correctly is the strep germ completely eliminated from the body, no matter how well your child feels after the first few days of receiving treatment.
o Vomiting and Diarrhea (Intestinal Viral Infections): Stomachache, cramping, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea, possible fever, headache, and body aches. Your child should remain home until vomiting, diarrhea, or fever has ceased for 24 hours. **If your child has any of these symptoms during the night, s/he should not be sent to school the following day.

Please keep these guidelines for future reference. Consult your physician for the most accurate diagnosis and treatment.

The District may provide or request parents to provide:

a. general physical examinations for athletics
b. tests for communicable disease
c. vision and/or audiometric screening
d. scoliosis tests

Providing medical care to a student is the responsibility of the parent and should not be assumed by the school. Whenever possible, it is preferred that students not be expected to take medication during school hours. If it is absolutely necessary that medication be administered during school hours, these procedures must be followed:

o Written permission for dispensing medication (prescription or over the counter) must be obtained from the student’s parent and physician. The administration of any medication without the order of a physician and the permission of the parent/guardian is interpreted as practicing medicine and is prohibited by medical law.

o The parent/guardian and the physician must complete the School Medication Permit and Administration of Prescription Drugs Form. These forms are provided during the first week of the school year. If you will need additional forms, please contact the school office. This form provides parent permission, medical information, and the physician order required by Ohio Law. A separate form is required for each medication. New forms must be submitted each school year as well as for each change in medication or dosage. No medication will be administered unless this parent permission, medical information and physician order is provided.

o The student is responsible for reporting to the clinic on time for medication(s).

o Students are not permitted to carry medications to, from, or during school. Consequently, the parent is advised to deliver medication directly to the school nurse or office. School personnel are not responsible for medication prior to delivery of them. Students with life-threatening critical needs verified by a physician are permitted to carry medication.

o All medications must be delivered in the original container, properly labeled with directions for administering. The student’s name must be clearly visible on the container. The parent must supply the school with the exact dosage. Parents are responsible for being aware of the quantity of medications supplied to the school and when additional medication may be needed. Only parents/guardians are permitted to bring medications to school.

o The school nurse or designee will administer the medication as prescribed by the physician.

o When prescription medications have been discontinued, the parent/guardian must pick up any remaining medications within one week or it will be disposed of by the school nurse.

The State of Ohio and The Southern Local Board of Education require that all students be immunized as follows:

According to Ohio Law, persons whose duties bring them into contact with children are expressly required to immediately report instances of suspected child abuse or neglect.  This includes teachers, school employees, and school administrators.  Failure to report is a fourth degree misdemeanor.

All students and staff regularly practice building lockdown and evacuation procedures for a variety of circumstances including; unknown intruder, fire, severe weather, and tornados.

The Board of Education believes that the students of this District are entitled to an education free from undue disruption. Students who willfully disrupt the educational program shall be subject of the discipline procedures of the District.

Violation by a student of one (1) or more of the following rules on school grounds or at school activities and events off school grounds may result in one or more of the following disciplinary actions such as, loss of privilege, lunch detention, before or after school detention, in-school suspension, out of school suspension, emergency removal from class or school, and/or expulsion. These rules are not meant to be all-inclusive; a building administrator may use other options if they are deemed more appropriate to the infraction of the rules.

• Disruption in school: A student will not, by use of violence, force, coercion, threat, harassment, insubordination or repeated acts of misbehavior cause disruption or obstruction to the educational process, including all curricular and extracurricular activities.

• Destruction of School or Private Property: a student will not cause or attempt to cause willful destruction or defacement of school or private property (including vehicles owned by the Board).

• Fighting, Assault, and/or Threat There of: A student will not physically attack or threaten to attack any person.

• Dangerous Weapons, Instruments, and Objects: A student will not possess, handle, transmit, or conceal any object that might be considered a dangerous weapon or instrument capable of harming another person.

• Narcotic, Alcoholic Beverages, and Drugs: A student will not possess, use, transmit, conceal, or be under the influence of any alcoholic beverage, dangerous drug, narcotic, or any substance that causes physical or mental change.

• Smoking: Students will not be permitted to possess or use tobacco in school buildings or on school grounds.

• Profanity and/or Obscenity: A student will not, by written, verbal, gesturing, or other means, annoy or humiliate others or disrupt the educational process by using profanity and/or obscenity

• Truancy and Tardiness: A student will comply with the compulsory school attendance laws. When a student is absent from school without a legal excuse, it constitutes truancy or tardiness. This includes unexcused absences from study hall, class, or any other properly assigned activity. Repeated tardiness is also considered a serious offense.

• Insubordination: A student will comply with the directions of authorized school personnel during any period of time the student is properly under the authority of the school.

• Inappropriate Dress: A student will not dress or appear in a fashion if it interferes with student’s health or welfare or that of others; or cause disruption or directly interferes with the educational process.

• Theft: A student will not take or attempt to take into possession the public property or equipment of the School District or the personal property of another.

• Extortion: A student will not obtain or attempt to obtain another person’s property either by implied or expressed threat.

• Forgery: A student will not falsify, in writing, the name of another person, or times, dates, grades, addresses, or other data on school forms, or correspondence directed to the school.

• Trespassing or Loitering: A student will not be present in a school building or on school grounds at unauthorized times.

• Breaking and Entering: A student will not break and enter, or attempt to break and enter, school or private property either on school grounds or at any school activity function or event off school grounds.

Students must also abide by other rules that may be established from time to time by the Board, Superintendent, or Principal.

It is the policy of the Southern Local School District Board of Education that hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with the educational process and shall be prohibited at all times. No administrator, faculty member, or other employee of the School District shall encourage, permit, condone, or tolerated any hazing activities. No student, including leaders of student organizations, shall plan, encourage, or engage in any hazing.

Hazing is defined as doing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to do any act of initiation into any student or other organization that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to any person. Permission, consent or assumption of risk by an individual subjected to hazing does not lessen the prohibition contained in this policy.

If hazing or planned hazing is discovered, involved students shall be informed by the school employee discovering the hazing of the probation contained in this policy and shall be required to end all hazing activities immediately. All hazing incidents shall be reported to the Superintendent immediately.

Students who fail to abide by this policy may be subject to disciplinary action and may be liable for civil and criminal penalties in accordance with Ohio law (R.C. 2307.44, 2903.31).

1st offense- verbal warning, call to parents

2nd offense- Lunch/Recess Detention, call to parents

3rd offense- office referral

Unless it’s a major offense (physical fighting, inappropriate language, hitting, etc.) an office referral and a possible emergency removal for 48 hours.

The following is a list (not meant to be inclusive) of unacceptable student behavior on school grounds, during school hours, or at school activities which may require detention, night school, suspension, expulsion, legal action or a combination thereof.  The building administrators may use other options if they are deemed more appropriate to the infraction of the rules, or to address discipline problems not concerned by this discipline plan.

An infraction of the following rules may result in immediate referral to the principal, a minimum 10 day suspension from school, referral for expulsion, and/or legal referral.

An infraction of the following rules may result in detentions, in school suspension, out of school suspension and/or expulsion.  (All violent acts accumulate in numerical order: Fighting, physical harassment, and sexual harassment.)

1st Offense – 1-3 days of In School Suspension (DRA) or 1-3 Out of School Suspension.

2^nd Offense –3-5 days In School Suspension or 3 days Out of School Suspension

3^rd Offense – will result in 1-3 days out of school suspension

An infraction of the following rules may result in the assignment of detention, in school suspension, or out of school suspension.

1st Offense – After School Detention or In-school suspension

2^nd Offense – In-school suspension 

3^rd Offense – Out of School Suspension

Any infraction in this level of student handbook shall result in one or more of the following:

1^st Offense - After school Detention or In-school Suspension

2^nd Offense - In-school Suspension

3^rd Offense –Out of School Suspension 

A. Students shall be on time for the bus.

B. Students shall cross a road only when instructed by the driver.

C. Students should look carefully, both ways, before crossing a road.  Students should walk quickly, crossing ten feet (10’) in front of the bus and there should be no running.

D. Students will not be permitted to bring pets or other animals on the school bus.

E. All toys, equipment, radios, headsets, electronic devices, etc. are not to be brought on busses.  Glass containers will not be permitted on the bus.  Non-approved items will be kept on the bus until the end of the day when students may remove them.  Bus drivers will not be responsible for items left on the bus.

F. Students should be orderly and wait their turn to get on and off the bus.

G. Students should wait until the bus is stopped and the door is open before stepping near the bus.

A. Students will be respectful and obey the bus driver at all times.

B. Students may talk quietly.  

C. Loud, vulgar, or unacceptable language and whistling or excessive loud noise are prohibited.  Students will be completely quiet as the bus approaches and crosses a railroad and at any other time the bus driver may deem it necessary.

D. Students will not eat or drink on the bus, unless the bus driver gives authorization. Students will promptly be seated after entering the bus and remain seated with feet on the floor and facing front, keeping hands, feet and other objects to themselves and not extending them out of the window.

E. Students will keep aisles and seats free from books and materials.  Throwing or spitting of objects is prohibited.  Squirt guns, water containers, water pistols, etc. are prohibited and will be confiscated.

F. Pupils must sit only in their assigned seats and are not permitted to change seats unless by driver request. Pupils must also remain seated at all times and are required to wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before leaving their seat to unload.

G. There must be ABSOLUTE QUIET railroad crossings and other places of danger as specified by the driver.

H. Noise on the bus should be kept to a minimum. The same behavior is expected on a school bus as in a classroom. Pupils may talk quietly if the driver permits.

I. Any child who insists on misbehaving shall be denied the privilege of riding the bus by the proper authority.

J. Pupils are required to load promptly on the bus when dismissed from school. When discharged from the bus, they must go directly to their point of safety.

K. Transportation Procedures require pupils use a Point of Safety to wait for pick up and return to after drop off. Pupils are required to obey the Driver's hand signal. Pupils crossing are to cross at least ten (10) large steps in front of the bus; residence-side pupils are to wait for the hand signal to approach the bus.

L. Pupils are not permitted to transport animals, glass materials, weapons or anything that could be considered dangerous.

M. Pupils may carry on the bus only objects that can be held in their laps. All items (pens, pencils, & other sharp items) shall be places in and remain in book bags or back packs while on the bus.

N. Positively no smoking, vaping, or the use of any tobacco product is allowed on the bus.

O. Students must comply with drivers' instructions.

P. Students are permitted to have headsets and electronic games on the bus to be used at discretion of the bus driver. These items, however, are not permitted in the buildings.

Q. Cell phones are permissible it the following is observed: No audio unless headphones are worn, no phone calls, videos or photos are allowed on bus routes and trips.

R. Pupils must not use profane language.

S. In order to assure a safe departure from school, students are not permitted to talk until after the bus has left the loading zone. The bus driver will designate a location on the route for students to be allowed to talk quietly for the remainder of the afternoon run.

T. Behavior at school bus stops must not threaten life, limb, or property of any individuals. Pupils must stay off the roadways or streets, avoid horseplay, shoving, or fighting, and stand back from the bus stop away from traffic while waiting for the bus. (Students are not to cross the road for pick up prior to bus arrival.) Drivers are authorized to issue conduct reports if misbehavior is observed at the bus stop for unsafe actions to themselves or threatening to another student.

1st Violation - Verbal warning from the bus driver.

2nd Violation - Verbal warning and letter from the bus driver given to the building principal. The principal will give the letter to the student which must be signed by the parent and returned to the principal. The bus driver may reassign seats.

3rd Violation - Written referral to principal and denial of bus riding privileges for a period of two (2) days.

4th Violation - Written referral to principal and denial of bus riding privileges for a period of three (3) days.

5th Violation - Written referral to principal and denial of bus riding privileges for a period of five (5) days

6th Violation - written referral to principal and denial of bus riding privileges for the remainder of the semester.

All bus drivers will immediately provide a written report to the respective building principal of students who misbehave in a serious manner while riding, boarding, and disembarking from busses.

A serious problem includes:

• Behavior, which is dangerous to the student or to another person. (fighting, assault, possession of a dangerous weapon, etc.)
• Illegal behavior (civil or school) – use of possession of tobacco, possession of drugs or alcohol, vandalism, etc.
• Disrespect of school personnel – abusive or profane language or gestures to drivers or to other staff
• Insubordination –refusal to obey reasonable request of staff members

Or other behavior which materially or substantially interrupts or interferes with the safe and orderly operation of the school bussing process.

The following will result in a minimum of five (5) days to a maximum of ten (10) days suspension of bus riding privileges plus possible school suspension, referral for expulsion, and legal referral, and/or monetary responsibility for damages.

1. Use of tobacco
2. Fighting
3. Theft
4. Insubordination
5. Physical and/or verbal assault, harassment
6. Profanity
7. Vandalism

The following will result in a minimum of ten (10) days suspension of bus riding privileges plus possible school suspension, referral for expulsion, legal referral, and/or monetary responsibility for damages.

1. Sale, use, or possession of drugs or alcohol.
2. Possession or use of dangerous weapons.

NOTE: When bus transportation is denied, it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to provide transportation of the student to and from school.  Students failing to attend school will be declared truant and referred to the attendance officer.

Students will be referred to the superintendent for an expulsion/ejection hearing from the bus if the student has accumulated ten days of suspension of bus riding privileges.

According to State law (ORC 3313.661) the principals may suspend or remove a student and the superintendent may expel a student from bus riding privileges, provided that notice and opportunity for a hearing are given.

If appealing a bus suspension, requests for a hearing before the Board of Education will only be granted when the following have occurred:

1. A meeting with the staff member initiating the disciplinary action and the building principal has been concluded.
2. A meeting with the building principal and the superintendent has been concluded, (Board    of Education Policy 5610, Suspension and Expulsion).  All procedures, rules, and Consequences are taken from Administrative Code 3301.83.08, 3301.83.09, or 3301.83.20.