Student Handbook Handbook 2012-2013 PRJVSD 1 Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center 895 Crouse Chapel Road Chillicothe, OH 45601 Chillicothe: 740 …

Student Handbook

School Year 2012-2013

Intentional Blank Page

Student Handbook 2012-2013

Changes/Updates

Page Number Heading Comments

Student Handbook Format New

1 PRJVSD Board of Education Members Added

2 Pickaway-Ross Secondary Instruction and Support Staff Added

7 PRJVSD Vision, Mission, and Core Values Added

11 Step 4 - Ohio Civil Rights contact information Updated

12 Student Enrollment/Transfers Updated

13 School Supplies/Student Fees Updated

14 PRCTC Lunch Procedures Added

20 Attendance Procedures & Policy Updated

25 Homeless Students – Board Policy 5111.01 Added

33

Bullying & Other Forms of Aggressive Behavior – Board Policy 5517.01 Added

38 Safety & Dress - #3 Added


Table of Contents Pickaway-Ross JVSD Board of Education and Administrative Staff ............................................. 1 Pickaway-Ross Instructional and Support Staff ........................................................................... 2 PRJVSD Vision, Mission, Core Values ........................................................................................... 7 Ohio Graduation Testing Dates 2012-2013 ................................................................................. 8 PRCTC 2012-2013 School Calendar and other Important Dates ................................................. 8 Annual Notification Policy of Non-Discrimination ..................................................................... 10 Title IX and Section 504 Grievance Procedures ......................................................................... 10 Informal Complaint Procedure ...................................................................................... 10 Formal Complaint Procedure ......................................................................................... 10 Step 1 ................................................................................................................. 10 Step 2 ................................................................................................................. 11 Step 3 ................................................................................................................. 11 Step 4 ................................................................................................................. 11 Student Information .................................................................................................................. 12 Student Enrollment/Transfers ....................................................................................... 12 Extra-Curricular Activities .............................................................................................. 12 Transportation ............................................................................................................... 12 Bus Days ......................................................................................................................... 12 Student Vehicles ............................................................................................................ 12 Home School Closings .................................................................................................... 13 Pickaway-Ross School Closings ...................................................................................... 13 School Supplies/Student Fees ........................................................................................ 13 Job Placement ................................................................................................................ 13 Advanced Placement ..................................................................................................... 13 Guidance ........................................................................................................................ 14 Breakfast/Lunch/Cafeteria ............................................................................................. 14 PRCTC Lunch Procedures ............................................................................................... 14 Free and Reduced Lunch Applications ............................................................... 14 Lunch Charge Limitations ................................................................................... 14 Year End Lunch Procedures ............................................................................... 15 Hall Conduct/Passes ....................................................................................................... 15 Announcements ............................................................................................................. 15 Telephone Calls .............................................................................................................. 15 Visitors ........................................................................................................................... 15 Emergency Medical Authorization ................................................................................ 16 Administration of Medicine ........................................................................................... 16 Lockdown Drills .............................................................................................................. 16 Fire/Tornado Drills ......................................................................................................... 16 Lockers ........................................................................................................................... 16 Searches ......................................................................................................................... 16 Statement of Cooperation ............................................................................................. 17


Student Insurance .......................................................................................................... 17 Program/Academic Achievement/Credits ................................................................................. 18 Grading Scale ................................................................................................................. 18 Mid-term Progress Reports............................................................................................ 18 Credit Flexibility ............................................................................................................. 18 Diplomas, Career Passports, Certificates of Completion and Senior Ceremony ........... 19 Certificate of Completion Requirements ....................................................................... 19 Attendance Procedures & Policy ................................................................................... 20 Absences ............................................................................................................ 20 Excused Absences .................................................................................. 20 Unexcused Absences ............................................................................. 20 Anticipated Absences ............................................................................. 20 Bus Days ................................................................................................. 21 Home School Closings ............................................................................ 21 Student Vacation with Parents .............................................................. 21 Job Interviews or College Visitations ..................................................... 21 Deer Hunting .......................................................................................... 21 Tardies ................................................................................................................ 21 Early Dismissals .................................................................................................. 22 Make-Up Work ................................................................................................... 22 Credits ................................................................................................................ 22 Chronic Truant ....................................................................................... 22 Habitual Truant ...................................................................................... 22 School Month ......................................................................................... 22 Breakdown to Receive Credit ................................................................ 23 Second Semester Early Release/Job Placement ................................................ 23 Missing Child Policy ............................................................................................ 24 Notice of Referral to Parent Education Program ............................................... 24 Homeless Students – Board Policy 5111.01 ...................................................... 25 Student Code of Conduct ........................................................................................................... 28 Drug/Alcohol Policy ........................................................................................................ 30 Tobacco Use by Students ............................................................................................... 30 Sexual Harassment ......................................................................................................... 31 Anti-Harassment Procedures ......................................................................................... 31 Sexual Harassment ............................................................................................. 31 Race, Color, National Origin and Disability Harassment.................................... 31 Bullying & Other Forms of Aggressive Behavior – Board Policy 5517.01 ...................... 33 Complaints ......................................................................................................... 35 Privacy/Confidentiality....................................................................................... 35 Reporting Requirement ..................................................................................... 36 Wireless Communication Devices .................................................................................. 37 Safety & Dress ................................................................................................................ 38


PRJVSD 1

Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center 895 Crouse Chapel Road Chillicothe, OH 45601

Chillicothe: 740-642-1200 Circleville: 740-474-3331

Fax: 740-642-1399

www.pickawayross.com

Pickaway-Ross Joint Vocational School District Board of Education Members

Mr. Bob Bower Mr. Jeff Hartmus, Vice-President Mr. Daniel Bradhurst Mr. Byron Lloyd, President Dr. Marilyn Carnes Mr. Steve Mullins Mr. Darrell Cottrill Mr. Todd Stevens Mr. Randy Drewyor Mr. Byron Welch Mr. Richard Everman Mr. Ben Vanhorn, District Treasurer

Pickaway-Ross Administrative Staff

Mr. Dennis Franks, Superintendent

Mrs. Carrie Fife, Director Adult Education Mr. Steve Winegardner, Director Secondary Education

Mrs. Dana Anderson, Supervisor Career & Technical and Special Services

Mrs. Shara Cochenour, Principal and Academic Supervisor Mr. Gary Robinson, Supervisor Career & Technical Education

Mr. Linda Trimmer, Supervisor Off-Campus Programs

http://www.pickawayross.com/


PRJVSD 2

Pickaway-Ross Secondary Instructional and Support Staff

Construction & Manufacturing Academy Carpentry 1 Mark Johnston Carpentry 2 Steve Mapes Custodial Services 1 & 2 David Dyer Electrical Technologies 1 Kirk Hewitt Electrical Technologies 2 Scott Brohard Machining & Manufacturing Technologies 1 & 2 Brent Ebert Precision Welding Technologies 1 & 2 Tommy Collier

Human Services Academy Career Based Intervention Kim Graves Career Based Intervention – Career Exploration Amy Ervin Commercial Food Careers 1 & 2 Kevin Krebs Cosmetology 1 & 2 Kathy Marriott Criminal Investigation & Police Science 1 & 2 Ed Ryan Early Childhood Education 1 Melissa Brown Early Childhood Education 2 Constance Page Medical Careers 1 & 2 Jennifer Payne Medical Careers 1 & 2 Kristi Tway Option IV Michelle Seeling

Information & Marketing Academy General Merchandising & Warehousing 1 & 2 Nick Anderson Media Design Technologies 1 & 2 Holly Wagoner Network Support Technologies 1 & 2 Tony Eallonardo

Transportation Academy Automotive Technologies 1 & 2 Roger Page Collision Repair Technologies 1 Brian Morrison Collision Repair Technologies 2 Robert Detty High Performance Automotive Technologies 1 & 2 Bob Edwards Medium Heavy Duty Truck Technologies 1 & 2 Scott Patrick Power Equipment Technologies 1 & 2 Danny Morris

Academic Instructors English Marianne Miele English Hope Parks English Angela Saxton English Clara Williams English Joshua Younge


PRJVSD 3

American History & Government William Anderson American History & Government Darren Plessinger American History & Government Katie Siers American History & Government Tim Vollet Individualized Academics Jody French Individualized Academics Tracy Kawasaki Individualized Academics Elizabeth Kolb Mathematics Jerry Copley Mathematics Cara Peecher Mathematics Anthony Tsitroulis Mathematics Verdie Williams Science Tom Gillespie Science Ryan Holbrook Science David Pentecost Science Ashlee Schiff

Special Services/Instructional Support/Educational Aides Academic Specialist/OGT Susan Schwalbauch Career Assessment Specialist Cherie Justus Career Development Counselor/Scholarships Christine Pritchard Curriculum Specialist Vickie Rickey Educational Aide – PRCTC Preschool Robin Mummert Educational Aide – PRCTC Preschool Betty Pettit Educational Aide – PRCTC Preschool Tara Williams Guidance Counselor Kathy Goins Guidance Counselor Shay Steele In-school Restriction Monitor Tambra Sutherland Library/Media Center Aide Rhonda McGuire Library/Media Center Technician Roberta Morrison Option IV Coordinator Michelle Seeling Preschool Bus Driver Kelly Duarte Resource Officer Brad Parrett


PRJVSD 4

School Nurse Mindy Frejkowski SCOCA Technician Colin Ankrom SCOCA Technician Charles (C. J.) Davis VOSE/Special Education/Tutoring Services Scott Snyder VOSE/Special Education/Tutoring Services Tracey Willis

Administrative Support Staff Accounting Clerk, Treasurer’s Office Susan Buchanan Administrative Assistant-Technician/EMIS Mark Moss Administrative Office Manager – Off-Campus Programs Robin Bussey Administrative Office Manager – Payroll – Treasurer’s Office Tracey Eyre Administrative Office Manager – Secondary Polly Compher Assistant Treasurer Kym Yeager Clerk Typist, Attendance Office Janie Bradbury Clerk Typist, Guidance Lorie Bethel Clerk Typist, Job Placement Mark Moss Clerk Typist, Secondary Office Beth Tackett Clerk Typist, Special Services Linda Atwood Clerk Typist, Reception Desk Jan Thomas Office Manager/Executive Assistant to Superintendent Laura VanCuren

Cafeteria Staff Cafeteria Manager Christopher Seyfang Cashier Karen McDowell Cook Assistant B (part-time) Angela Blanton Cook Assistant B (part-time) Darla Cryder Cook Assistant B (part-time) Joyce Moody

Custodial and Maintenance Staff Custodial Supervisor Claudia Ramsey Custodian Terry Brooks Custodian Tom Clary Custodian Mark DiSantis Custodian Chris Johnson Custodian David Riehle Custodian (summer only) Jan Thomas Maintenance Foreman Marty Lambert Maintenance Worker Matt Clifton Maintenance Worker Craig Jones


PRJVSD 5

Satellite Instructors Adena – Family and Consumer Sciences Pamela Cormany Adena – Production Agriculture – College Tech Prep Jim Skinner Chillicothe – CBIP Ann Bozick Chillicothe – CBIP Bruce Hurst Chillicothe – Family and Consumer Sciences Amy Groff Chillicothe – Family and Consumer Sciences Susan Stidham Chillicothe – Health – College Tech Prep Cheryl Vranicar Chillicothe – Marketing Education Andrew Meister Chillicothe – Marketing Education – College Tech Prep Steve Semancik Circleville – CBIP Robert Lombardo Circleville – Family and Consumer Sciences Amy Kirby Circleville – Family and Consumer Sciences Kathryn Ream Circleville – Marketing Education – College Tech Prep Patricia Barber Circleville/Berger – Health – College Tech Prep Mindy Fox Circleville/Mound Street Campus – Health Info Mgt Tech – College Tech Prep Mary Wingett Everts MS – CBIP Eddie Sims Everts MS – Family and Consumer Sciences Catherine Steinhauser Huntington – Family and Consumer Sciences Kelly Barnett Logan Elm – Agri-Science – College Tech Prep Bret King Logan Elm – CBIP Jason Shepherd Logan Elm – CBIP Doug Stiverson Logan Elm – Family & Consumer Sciences Mary Cooper Logan Elm – Industrial Tech Foundations Gary Mitchel McDowell MS – CBIP Jeff Holbert McDowell MS – Family and Consumer Sciences Marcy Happeney Paint Valley – Family and Consumer Sciences Susan Pauley Paint Valley – Interactive Media – College Tech Prep Kim Litter Paint Valley – Production Agriculture – College Tech Prep John Peters Southeastern – Production Agriculture – College Tech Prep Susan Metzger Unioto – CBIP Jeff Metzler Unioto – Family and Consumer Sciences Nancy Kinsey Unioto Middle School – Family and Consumer Sciences Nancy Thornsberry


PRJVSD 6

Westfall – CBIP Allen Koker Westfall – CBIP Amy Noltemeyer Westfall – Production Agriculture – College Tech Prep Rick Metzger Westfall – Production Agriculture – College Tech Prep Rachel Scior Zane Trace – Agri-Science – College Tech Prep Jennifer Johnston Zane Trace – CBIP Dwane Hall Zane Trace – Family and Consumer Sciences Jan Ramsey Zane Trace – Production Agriculture – College Tech Prep Gary Peters Zane Trace Middle School – CBIP Kevin Prickett


PRJVSD 7

PICKAWAY-ROSS COUNTY JOINT VOCATIONAL

SCHOOL DISTRICT

Vision

Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center is an innovative professional educational community delivering quality services.

Mission

The Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center delivers unique and progressive academic and career educational opportunities that empower individuals to achieve their goals.

Core Values We realize our vision and accomplish our mission by:

Providing career oriented services responsive to community needs;

Maintaining a highly qualified staff engaged in student needs and success;

Offering flexible and hands-on training opportunities;

Accepting individual differences through personalized attention;

Creating safe, positive and nurturing learning environments.


PRJVSD 8

Ohio Graduation Testing Dates 2012 – 2013

Fall Testing Dates: October 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 2012 Fall Make-up Testing Dates: October 29, 30, 31, November 1, 2, 2012

Spring Testing Dates: March 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 2013

Spring Make-up Testing Dates: March 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 2013

PRCTC 2012-2013 School Calendar and Other Important Dates

August 2012 17 – New Teacher/Staff Day 20 – Staff In-service Day 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 20 – Fall Student Orientation – 5:30-7:30 p.m. 21 – First Day for juniors 22 – First Day for seniors 30 – School Picture Day

September 2012 3 – Labor Day Holiday – No School 7 – Annual Battle of the Bands 21 – Progress Reports given to students 22 – Community Day 27 – Waiver Day – No School for Students

October 2012 4 – School Picture Make-up Day 10 – Early Dismissal – 12:30 p.m./Teacher In-service 19 – COTA Day – No School for Teachers and Students 22-26 – Fall OGT 26 – End of First Nine Weeks

November 2012 1 – Fall Senior Citizens Day 8 – Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences – 5:00-8:00 p.m. 9 – Morning Parent/Teacher Conferences – No School for Students 12 – Veterans’ Day Holiday – No School 21-26 – Thanksgiving Holiday Break – No School


PRJVSD 9

December 2012 7 – Progress Reports – given to students 11-12 – Sophomore Tours – No School for Students 13 – Open House 21-Jan 1 – Christmas Holiday Break – No School

January 2013 1 – New Year’s Day Holiday – No School 2 – School Resumes 17 – End of Second Nine Weeks/First Semester 28 – Teacher Work Day – No School for Students 21 – Martin Luther King Day Holiday – No School

February 2013 18 – Presidents’ Day Holiday – No School 22 – Progress Reports – given to students

March 2013 6 – Early Dismissal – 12:30 p.m./Teacher In-service 7 – Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences – 5:00-8:00 p.m. 8 – Morning Parent/Teacher Conferences – No School for Students 11-15 – Spring OGT 28 – End of Third Nine Weeks 29 – Easter Break – No School

April 2013 1 – Easter Break – No School 11 – Spring Senior Citizens Day 25 – New Student & Parent Night 26 – Progress Reports – given to students

May 2013 21 – Annual Awards Ceremony – 9:00 a.m. 13 – Senior Ceremony – 7:30 p.m. 27 – Memorial Day Holiday – No School 30 – Last Day for Students 31 – Last Day for Teachers


PRJVSD 10

ANNUAL NOTIFICATION POLICY OF NON-DISCRIMINATION The Pickaway-Ross Joint Vocational School District hereby gives notice that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, age, sex and disability in the educational programs and activities operated by the district and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. To carry out these policy statements the following procedures are provided:

TITLE IX AND SECTION 504 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES (Alleged Discrimination and Harassment Grievance Procedures) In accordance with the U.S. Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) guidelines, any student, support staff, teachers, counselors or administrators who believe that the Pickaway-Ross JVSD or any school official has inadequately applied the principles and/or regulations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (race, color, natural origin) Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972 (gender), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (disability) or the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as a mended, 20, U.S.C. etc. Seq., which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in educational programs receiving financial assistance, she/he may file a complaint which shall be referred to as a formal discrimination/harassment complaint. It is recommended the grievant attempt to resolve the alleged discrimination or harassment complaint informally at the principal/supervisor level within five (5) days of the date the incident occurred. Informal Complaint Procedure Depending on the circumstances and severity of the behavior, a student who believes she or he is being harassed by a fellow student may elect to pursue an informal resolution of the matter. The district Title IX Coordinator encourages such individuals to notify (in the presence of the Title IX Coordinator) the student offender firmly and promptly that his or her behavior is unwelcome. However, all cases of employee-student harassment should be resolved according to the formal complaint procedures. Formal Complaint Procedures If the alleged discrimination/harassment complaint cannot be resolved informally, the following procedures shall be followed: Step 1 A student who believes she or he has been or is being sexually harassed may report the alleged harassing behavior to any teacher, administrator, or counselor. Such persons receiving a complaint must report the incident in writing to the Title IX Coordinator or the Principal within 24 hours.


PRJVSD 11

Step 2 An individual who believes that he or she is being harassed or have been harassed should file a complaint (complaint forms are available in the Student Services Office) with the Title IX Coordinator or the Principal including the following information, if known: the name of the complainant; a brief but clear description of the offending behavior, including the times, places, and names; the name of the alleged harasser; and he names or description of any witnesses. The Title IX Coordinator will maintain all records of the investigation. The Title IX Coordinator will conduct an investigation of the complaint, and will convene a formal conference to determine the solution. Stated complaint will be resolved within five (5) working days. The Principal will determine the consequences as needed. Title IX Coordinator 504 Coordinator Staff Social Worker Dana Anderson, Supervisor Student Services Office Pickaway-Ross CTC Pickaway-Ross CTC 895 Crouse Chapel Road 895 Crouse Chapel Road Chillicothe, OH 45601 Chillicothe, OH 45601 740-642-1227 740-642-1229 Step 3 If the issue is not resolved at Step 2, the decision may be appealed to the district’s Superintendent who functions as the final mediator at the local level. Step 4 If the alleged issue is not resolved at Step 3, the decision, at any time during the process may be forwarded to the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, OCR, if you’re a student. If you’re an employee, use the address shown below for the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. Ohio Civil Rights (Students) Bank One Center 600 Superior Avenue, East Suite 750 Cleveland, OH 44114-2611 Telephone: 216-522-4970; Fax 216-522-2573; TDD: 216-522-4944; E-mail: [email protected]; Web: http://www.ed.gov/ocr. PLEASE NOTE: Parent(s) or guardian(s) do not have to be present at the informal complaint meeting with the principal/supervisor. However, the parent(s) or guardian(s) must be present at all levels of the formal alleged discrimination process for youths under the age of 18 years.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.ed.gov/ocr


Student Information 12

STUDENT INFORMATION

STUDENT ENROLLMENT/TRANSFERS Once a student is enrolled at Pickaway-Ross, he or she commits to attend during a ten (10) day trial/probationary period. Transfers between programs will take place during the second week of school. Students will be permitted to return to their home high schools during the second week of school also. A student wishing to return to his or her home school must have a personal conference with one of the Career & Technology Center Counselors. Once the probation/trial period has passed, students will not be allowed to return to their home schools until the end of their junior year.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Individual students are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities whenever their schedule permits. At the request of the home school principal, students may be released as a group to attend events at the home school. TRANSPORTATION Each home school provides bus transportation for students. Students who have parental permission and register their vehicle may drive to school as specified above.

BUS DAYS No bus student will be recorded as absent when the respective home school does not provide transportation. Co-op or other students who normally drive will not be excused when the home school does not provide transportation.

STUDENT VEHICLES Parents/guardians who grant permission to students to drive to school and students who drive to school must be aware that violation of rules and regulations governing parking and driving on school property will result in revocation of the right to park on school property. Students are required to register their vehicle and display the parking permit on the rear view mirror of their vehicle. To obtain and keep a student-parking permit, students must provide a copy of their valid Ohio driver's license and show proof of car insurance at random and meet all other legal requirements as established by the State of Ohio. Students are to enter the student parking lot upon arrival to school and must park in their assigned parking space and enter the building immediately. The student parking lot is a restricted area and students are not to enter it during the school day.



At the end of the day, students are required to exit the parking lot safely and through the direction of the guard. Driving on school property is a privilege and can be revoked at the discretion of Administration for violating any rules or policies in the Student Code of Conduct. Students must obey all traffic laws on school property by following the posted 5 MPH speed limit, carefully crossing the speed bumps and remembering that pedestrians always have the right of way. No loitering, students must leave immediately. Vehicles parked on school property are subject to search by canine units of local and/or state law enforcement agencies.

HOME SCHOOL CLOSINGS When the home school closes because of weather conditions the students from that district, including co-op and other students who drive to Pickaway-Ross, will not be required to attend Pickaway-Ross. Students should be in school all other days when we are open. Home school closings, except for bad weather, do not excuse you from school attendance here.

PICKAWAY-ROSS SCHOOL CLOSINGS The Career & Technology Center will close when, in the judgement of the Superintendent, weather conditions in the area are such that they pose a clear danger to the welfare and safety of both staff and students of Pickaway-Ross. Announcements of the Career & Technology Center closing will be made on local radio stations. Listen to the radio for all closings.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES/STUDENT FEES Tools will be furnished for all students to use at no cost to the student. Upon completion of a student’s career and technical program, the student will have the option to purchase his or her tool kit as long as all outstanding balances are paid-in-full. The purchase price will be based on depreciation and usage of the tool kit. Students will receive an invoice for the cost to be paid to the Pickaway-Ross Treasurer before taking possession of the tool kit. If a student who completes the program and earns a career technical certificate is eligible for a free and reduced lunch, student assistance may be available to purchase the tools. The student must apply for this assistance. Student organization membership dues must be paid by all students. These dues are $50. Grades/credit and passports will be withheld until all outstanding balances are paid.

JOB PLACEMENT The Job Placement Office will assist instructors, students, and administrators to help students make a smooth transition from school to work. Job training and job interview early dismissals must be initiated in the Job Placement Office. Hours the Job Placement Office is open are posted on the door.



ADVANCED PLACEMENT During the last semester, qualified senior students may have the opportunity to participate in advanced placement. The Director shall annually establish the criteria and guidelines for advanced placement.

GUIDANCE The Guidance Office offers a variety of student services including maintaining student records, assisting in meeting academic requirements, testing, counseling services, and arranging military testing, and physical exams. Student credit checks are handled in the fall and again at the end of the year and are scheduled by the counselor. Any student wishing to make an appointment with their counselor must complete a Guidance Services request form available in the Guidance Office. Emergencies will be handled as quickly as possible.

BREAKFAST/LUNCH/CAFETERIA The Career & Technology Center operates a cafeteria that provides balanced, nutritious meals. Lunch periods are closed and students enrolled in full-day programs cannot leave the campus. Students may purchase lunch or bring it, but all food and drink must be consumed in the cafeteria. Students/parents may prepay for lunch in weekly increments at the Career & Technology Center's Dining Hall. Free or reduced price lunches are available to students who qualify. Breakfast is provided each day free to all students.

PRCTC LUNCH PROCEDURES Free and Reduced Lunch Applications: students returning to Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center who were approved for free or reduced lunch at the end of the previous school year will be temporarily qualified for the same status for the first thirty (30) days of the new school year. Returning students must submit a new free or reduced lunch application within the first thirty (30) days of school to avoid changing to paid status. New students must immediately complete a free or reduced lunch application for PRCTC as their previous year’s status at their home school WILL NOT qualify them at PRCTC. Applications are to be turned in to the PRCTC Dining Hall. New students, regardless of previous year’s status at their home school, will be permitted to charge up to the maximum limit ($20) until an application is processed. Approval of free or reduced status WILL NOT forgive any charges incurred before or during the approval process. Lunch Charge Limitations: students qualifying for free lunch will not be permitted to charge additional items unless permission is given from a parent/guardian or if the student is 18 and an independent student. Reduced and paid status students’ charge limit will be set at $20 maximum. Once the maximum is reached, the student will receive a standard “Type A” lunch, which contents will be determined by the dining services team, theme meals will not be made available. Students assigned to In-school Restriction (ISR) may choose from the Café Cuisines or Pizzeria with a special beverage, other menu options are not available.



Year End Lunch Procedures: Students who qualify may charge lunch items up until the last two weeks before their last day of school. These dates will differ for juniors and seniors since the last day of school is not the same. Students are required to have all lunch charges paid before the last day of school or grade cards will be held. Seniors are required to have all fees, including lunch charges, paid before the completion ceremony to receive their career passport.

HALL CONDUCT/PASSES Students outside of their assigned areas must have a hall pass and have been signed out of class. Students are expected to complete their business and return to class in a timely fashion. No passes will be issued during lunch times. Students will not be issued passes to the parking lot; report to the Attendance Office for an escort to your car.

ANNOUNCEMENTS A bulletin board is provided for each participating school. Home school announcements will be posted when received only after having been cleared through the Director's Office. Any Career & Technology Center announcements that are to be made over the public address system must be given to the Director's secretary before 8:30 a.m.

TELEPHONE CALLS Students will not be permitted to use office telephones except in emergencies and with permission of office staff. In-coming calls to students will be forwarded only in emergency situations. Parents are requested to co-operate in the control of telephone calls directly to students during school hours. Students are permitted to make outside calls from laboratory office phones only when authorized by the instructor. All telephone calls pertaining to student illness and other related matters must be placed from the School Nurse and Attendance Office.

VISITORS Adult visitors must check-in with the Receptionist and then report to the Attendance Office before seeing any one in the building. Due to safety concerns, young children and babies are not permitted in some areas of the school building without special permission of the appropriate supervisor or school administrator. INDIVIDUAL STUDENT VISITORS FROM OTHER SCHOOLS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED unless prior permission has been granted by both the home school administration and the Director of the Career & Technology Center or his/her designee. All student visitors must go through the Guidance Office to arrange program visits on an individual basis. ALL visitors must wear a visible visitor's pass attained at the welcome station or receptionist desk. All visitors must sign in with the receptionist.



EMERGENCY MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION An Emergency Medical Authorization Form is required for every Pickaway-Ross student. A form will be provided to each student during his or her first week of attendance that is to be completed and returned for filing during the second week of attendance. Students not fulfilling this responsibility will not be permitted to participate in shop or lab activities.

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINE A student under a doctor's care and required to take prescribed medication during school must notify the Director or his/her designee and provide written documentation from the parent/guardian. Over the counter oral and topical medications may be administered if authorized by the parent/guardian on the Emergency Medical form. Students not following this procedure may be considered in violation of the drug/alcohol policy. Medicine must be submitted and stored in the Director's Office Complex to be administered by a person designated by the Director of Secondary Education.

LOCKDOWN DRILLS When a call over the P. A. is made, “Lockdown – lockdown- gather students and lockdown,” go to the nearest room supervised by a staff member. Procedures for practice are established as part of the school safety plan.

FIRE/TORNADO DRILLS Fire and tornado drills will be held at irregular intervals throughout the school year. Students should follow the directions of their instructor or other school employee during a drill or an actual emergency. Procedures are posted in every classroom and laboratory.

LOCKERS Student lockers are provided for student convenience. Pickaway-Ross is not responsible for any lost or stolen articles. Protect your combination and do not leave valuables in the lockers. Lockers are the property of Pickaway-Ross and may be inspected or searched at the discretion of the Career & Technology Center Administration.

SEARCHES Pickaway-Ross has the right and duty to conduct searches of person and/or personal property, lockers, or vehicles when the administration receives information or evidence that a student may be in possession or control of any of the following: 1. any substance dangerous to persons or property 2. a weapon 3. an item believed to be stolen 4. drugs, drug paraphernalia or drug related items 5. other contraband, controlled or prohibited item In all cases the search will be witnessed by another staff member and will be conducted within the guidelines of the Ohio Revised Code and court rulings. Searches of vehicles and/or lockers may also be conducted by the Sheriff's Department canine units unannounced.



STATEMENT OF COOPERATION All students and their parent(s) are required to sign a "Statement of Cooperation". In essence, this is an agreement on the part of the student, parent, and instructor on major items of concern, which affect the quality of the educational experience offered at the Career & Technology Center. It is important that each student and his/her parent(s) understand the role expected of them in making this agreement. The "Statement of Cooperation" will be given to each student by his/her career & technical program instructor.

STUDENT/INSURANCE It is mandatory that each student furnish evidence of enrollment in accident insurance through the Career & Technology Center's insurance program or evidence by parental signature that the student's parents already have accident coverage and will be responsible for all costs for any accident or injury incurred at the Center.


Program/Academic Achievement/Credits 18

PROGRAM/ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT/CREDITS As determined by the student’s specific program, up to seven credits may be earned by a student successfully completing his/her course of study. A student who drastically fails the second semester shall fail the subject for the year. In the case of academics (block scheduling/semester credits), a last nine-week failure will be considered a drastic failure. First year students who fail laboratory requirements shall not continue instruction in the same program the second year, and may re-apply in another program.

GRADING SCALE 93% to 100% - A – Outstanding work 85% to 92% - B – Above average work 77% to 84% - C – Average work 70% to 76% - D – Below average work 60% to 69 % - F – Failing work I – Incomplete (Attendance will be a factor in calculating grades.)

MID-TERM PROGRESS REPORTS Parents of all students will receive a mid-term progress report at the mid-point of the grading period. Mid-term progress reports will be given to the student to take home. Parents are requested to contact the instructor and discuss the student's progress. Parents may also preview their student’s grades via Progress Book through the Pickaway-Ross website. After the first nine-week grading period, students who have an outstanding balance of any kind will not be able to access Progress Book.

CREDIT FLEXIBILITY The credit flexibility initiative is part of a state wide effort to increase learning and

engagement and help students graduate ready for success in college and careers. In addition to earning credit by successfully completing traditional courses, the credit flexibility program provides new options for students including:

Earning credit by demonstrating mastery of the essential content of a traditional course by “testing out”, presenting a portfolio documenting mastery, or a combination of these.

Successfully completing a mentorship, internship, educational travel, or service learning program aligned to the academic curriculum.

Successfully completing an online course or academic summer or after-school program aligned to the school curriculum.

Successfully combining any of the options above as well as units of traditional courses.



Students must obtain prior approval of student-proposed educational options plans to be

eligible for credit. Students considering this option should obtain a Credit by Educational Options Proposal packet from the high school Guidance Office. Students’ families may be asked to contribute to the cost of educational options plans.

Credit flexibility is another example of how our district is working to prepare students for the 21st century by striving to address their unique needs and talents.

DIPLOMAS, CAREER PASSPORTS, CERTIFICATES OF COMPLETION, AND SENIOR CEREMONY

Diplomas are awarded by the home school to Pickaway-Ross students who have completed the home school’s requirements.

Certificates of Completion will be awarded to students who have completed their course of study with at least a 77% grade point average and 93% or better attendance. (All absences count toward a certificate of completion.) Eligible students who successfully complete their two-year program and seniors completing one year of a career and technical program will receive a Career Passport containing information that will assist potential employers in assessing a student's skills. Individual competencies attained by the student will be included. A ceremony honoring senior students receiving passports will be held the evening of the seniors’ last day of school.

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

Requirements: 77% GPA 93% Attendance

Two-Year Program Attendance: Year 1 180 days possible Year 2 180 days possible 360 days total 360 days total 360 days possible X 93% -335 days due 335 days due 25 absences max



ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES & POLICY

Absences Positive attendance is critical to school success. Thus, attending school every day is strongly emphasized. Students who have been absent are to report directly to their first period class and will fill out a report form prior to beginning lab activities or classes. Written validation must be attached to the report. When a student is absent because of parental or self-discretion, the absence will be determined by the Principal or his Designee as "excused" or "unexcused" in compliance with attendance policies. Ordinarily, students will have one school day after the absence to fulfill the requirements for receiving an excused absence; however, under appropriate circumstances, the Principal may extend this time limitation. Excused Absences*: To be classified as an excused absence, the student must present a written excuse signed by the parent/guardian when returning to school following an absence. (*An excused absence means work may be made up.) Excuses must be received within the same number of days that the student was absent (i.e. the student missed three consecutive days, the valid written excuse must be received within three consecutive school days after the student returns).

Personal Illness/Injury. Three (3) or more consecutive days of absence may require written medical verification.

Death in Immediate Family

Family Illness

Quarantine of the home

Medical or Dental Appointment. Requires prior approval.

Court Appearance

Buses cannot reach a student

Emergency situations, which in the judgment of the Superintendent or his/her designee constitutes a good and sufficient reason for absence from school.

Observance of Religious Holiday. Requires prior approval. Unexcused Absences*: Absence from school for any reason other than the foregoing enumerated excused absences will be considered UNEXCUSED. Appropriate action will be taken against offenders of the compulsory school attendance law. (*An unexcused absence means work cannot be made up except for major tests and quizzes.) This also includes Out-of-school Suspension days. OSS is considered unexcused when determining credit and/or completion criteria.

Anticipated Absences: If a student is to be absent due to circumstances other than those listed above, a parent or guardian must make a request prior to the absence.



Bus Days: Considering overall fairness and the safety of our students, there will be no bus student recorded as absent when transportation is not provided by respective home schools. In all cases, students will have the opportunity to make up missed work and should contact their teachers for assignments immediately upon returning to school. Co-op students or other students who normally drive will not be excused when transportation is not provided by respective home schools. Home School Closings: When the home school closes because of weather conditions, the students from that district including co-op and other students who drive to Pickaway-Ross will not be required to attend Pickaway-Ross. Students should be in school all other days when we are open. Home school closings, except for bad weather, do not excuse the student from school attendance here if they drive. Student Vacation with Parents: Students going on a family vacation will receive an excused absence provided the student and/or his/her parent have obtained prior administrative approval for such absence. Family vacations may total no more than five (5) days. The academic and career & technical teacher will make arrangements for the student to make up written tests or quizzes that have a direct bearing on the student's grade. Only one vacation will be approved per year and never during scheduled testing such as Ohio Graduation Testing (OGT). If a student has missed over 12 days, the request will be denied. Job Interviews or College Visitations: Job interviews and college visitations are considered curricular in nature, similar to a field trip. Pre-approval and documentation upon return are required. This will be limited to three (3) days of college visits. Student attendance shall be a factor in determining final grades. Credit may be withheld for poor attendance based on item II criteria of this section, and item XV definition.

Deer Hunting: Student absences for deer hunting may be excused as long as the student has not been absent over 12 days and the student must turn in a note to the Attendance Office from a parent or guardian stating the days he/she will be absent while hunting and it should state whether or not the student will be hunting on your family farm.

If the student is not hunting on the family farm, a parent note and hunting license must be turned brought to the Attendance Office.

Students are allowed three (3) days to hunt in-state and five (5) days to hunt out-of-state.

Tardies Students reporting to school tardy between 8:34 a.m. and 9:15 am will report directly to building receptionist for a tardy pass. Students reporting late at any other time of the day MUST report to the Attendance Office to sign-in and secure a pass admitting them to class. A student arriving after 9:15 am will incur a half-day (1/2 day) absence. Written validation of an excusable reason from a parent/ guardian is required for a tardy to be excused. Students leaving before 11:51 a.m. will receive ½ day a.m. absence. Students leaving after 11:51 a.m. will receive ½ day p.m. absence.



Students who drive or ride to school should understand that car trouble; speeding tickets, late rides, etc. do not constitute excused tardies or absences. Tardies to school will be tracked and appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken. Driving privileges could be revoked as a consequence for excessive tardies.

Early Dismissals Early Dismissals will be issued in the Attendance Office between 8:10 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Written verification of a justifiable reason must be presented to the Attendance Office for an early dismissal. Students who become ill will be sent home only when a parent or designated adult has been notified by a person designated by the Director of Secondary Education or Attendance Office personnel. No student may leave the building without reporting to the Attendance Office and receiving an early dismissal pass to present to the guard as they leave. Last period early dismissals will be treated as a tardy when the student submits a written medical or legal excuse the following day. Last period early dismissals will only be issued for legitimate reasons.

MAKE-UP WORK It will be the student’s responsibility to request make-up work for days absent. Make-up work is only allowed for excused/medical-legal absences and will be allotted the same timeline to make up the work as the number of days absent. Special projects may be assigned in lieu of laboratory work. Except for major tests and quizzes, no daily make-up work is permitted for grades when a student is suspended. Work completed during In-School Restriction assignments may be counted.

CREDITS To receive credit, a student must be in attendance at least 85% of the days due. Absences of more than 12 days during the school year must be validated by a written medical excuse from medical personnel or court document. Students 18 years old or above who are absent more than 15 % of the days due in a semester or year, may be withdrawn and/or expelled. As defined by Ohio law: Chronic Truant = child of compulsory school age who is absent without a legitimate excuse for seven or more consecutive days, ten or more days in one school month, or fifteen or more school days in a school year. Habitual Truant = child of compulsory school age who is absent without a legitimate excuse for five or more consecutive school days, seven or more school days in one school month, or twelve or more school days in a school year. School Month = twenty consecutive days that school is in session.



Breakdown to Receive Credit: Must have 85% Attendance

Year-long academic class (40 minutes) 180 possible 180 possible x 85% -153 153 days due 27 absences

Semester academic class (80 minutes) 90 possible 90 x 85% -76.5 76.5 days due 13.5 absences

*NOTE – excused absences are defined as medical, legal or parental excuses with documentation. After 12 days of absences, ALL absences require formal medical or legal documentation to be excused. Out-of- School-Suspension days may be counted when determining withholding course credit due to attendance at the end of first semester and at the end of the school year. Total days out of class/labs must not exceed the maximum listed above, or credit may be withheld.

SECOND SEMESTER EARLY RELEASE/JOB PLACEMENT Second year students who have met all the following requirements may be released from academic course work during the second semester: 1 – have met all the student’s home school graduation requirements, including OGT, correspondence total credits, and state department standards. 2 – have applied for and been accepted into either an apprenticeship position or advanced placement for a minimum of 15 hours per week in the field of current program placement. 3 – have received a recommendation from the following: parent program instructor program supervisor employer home school counselor administrator 4 – have received final approval from the Director of Secondary Education of Pickaway-Ross CTC 5 – junior students who are eligible for graduation will not be eligible for second semester early release.



MISSING CHILD POLICY The Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center requests that a parent/guardian call the school when his/her child is known to be absent. When notification is not received the school will attempt to contact the parents/guardians by our automated phone system or by letter.

NOTICE OF REFERRAL TO PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM Parents of a truant student may be assigned to the Parent Project in Pickaway or Ross

County for a period of 10-weeks for failing to comply with compulsory Ohio attendance laws. Attendance in the Parent Project is mandatory. Failure of the parent to attend this program may result in a complaint of Parental Education Neglect being filed in the Juvenile Court that has jurisdiction based upon the location of the school. A parent found guilty of this charge may be fined up to $250.00 and may be incarcerated up to 30 days in the Pickaway or Ross County Jail. A truant student as used in this section is a habitually truant student as defined in the Ohio Revised Code (2151.011 (A) (17) which states, “any child of compulsory school age who is absent without legitimate excuse for absence from the public school the child is supposed to attend for five or more consecutive school days, seven or more school days in one school month, or twelve or more school days in a school year.” Parents are requested to call the Attendance Office between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. when they know their child will be absent. In accordance with Sections 3321.13 and 4507.06 of the Ohio Revised Code and the Pickaway-Ross Joint Vocational School District’s Board of Education Policy, Section J:JECE, any student who:

1. is a child of compulsory school age and has withdrawn from school for a reason other than a change of residence and is not enrolled in and attending an approved program to obtain a diploma or its equivalent;

2. is a child of compulsory school age and has been absent without legitimate excuse for more than ten consecutive school days or at least fifteen total school days;

3. is suspended or expelled from school pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 3313.66 and the reason for the suspension or expulsion is the use or possession of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or alcohol and a drug of abuse;

may be recommended for suspension of his/her driver’s license.



HOMELESS STUDENTS – Board Policy 5111.01

Children who meet the Federal definition of "homeless" will be provided a free appropriate public education in the same manner as all other students of the District. To that end, homeless students will not be stigmatized or segregated on the basis of their status as homeless and will be assigned to the school serving those non-homeless students residing in the area in which the homeless child is actually living. The District shall establish safeguards that protect homeless students from discrimination on the basis of their homelessness.

Homeless children and youth are defined as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, and include those who meet any of the following criteria:

A. share the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason

B. live in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to a lack of alternative adequate accommodations

C. live in emergency or transitional shelters

D. are abandoned in hospitals

E. are awaiting for foster care placement

F. have a primary night time residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings, or

G. live in a car, park, public space, abandoned building, substandard housing, bus or train station, or similar setting

Additionally, pursuant to Federal and State law, migratory children who are living in

circumstances described in A-G above are also considered homeless. Homeless preschool-aged children and their families shall be provided equal access to

the educational services for which they are eligible, including preschool programs administered by the School District.

The District shall remove barriers to the enrollment and retention of homeless students in schools in the District. Homeless students shall be enrolled immediately, even if they do not have the necessary enrollment documentation such as immunization and health records, proof of residency or guardianship, birth certificate, school records, and other documentation.

Homeless students will be provided services comparable to other students in the District including:

A. transportation services;

B. educational services for which the homeless student meets eligibility criteria including services provided under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act or similar State and local programs, educational programs for children with disabilities, and educational programs for students with limited English proficiency;



C. programs in vocational and technical education;

D. programs for gifted and talented students; and

E. school nutrition programs;

F. before- and after-school programs.

Homeless students have the right to remain in their school of origin or the local

attendance area school, according to the child's best interest. The school of origin is the school that the student attended when permanently housed or last enrolled. The local attendance area school is any public school that non-homeless students who live in the attendance area in which the student is actually living are eligible to attend.

Homeless students have the right to dispute their school assignment, if their assignment is other than their school of origin. In determining the best interest of the student, the District shall, to the extent feasible, keep the student in the school of origin, except when doing so is contrary to the wishes of the homeless student's parent or guardian or the unaccompanied youth. If the student is sent to a school other than the school of origin or a school requested by the parent or guardian, a written explanation, including a statement regarding the right to appeal, will be provided to the homeless student's parent or guardian or the unaccompanied youth.

The Board of Education requires that these rights and the dispute process be communicated to the parent or guardian of the homeless student or unaccompanied youth. In addition to notifying the parent or guardian of the homeless student or unaccompanied youth of the rights described above, the District shall post public notice of educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness in each school.

At the request of the parent or guardian, or in the case of an unaccompanied youth, the local homeless liaison, transportation shall be provided for a homeless student to and from the school of origin as follows:

A. If the homeless student continues to live in the School District in which the school of origin is located, transportation will be provided in accordance with District policy/administrative guidelines.

B. If the homeless student moves to an area served by another district, though continuing his/her education at the school of origin, the district of origin and the district in which the student resides must agree upon a method to apportion responsibility and costs for transportation to the school of origin. If the districts cannot agree upon such a method, the responsibility and costs must be shared equally.

The Superintendent will appoint a Liaison for Homeless Children who will perform the

duties as assigned by the Superintendent. Additionally, the Liaison will coordinate and collaborate with the State Coordinator for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth as well as with community and school personnel responsible for the provision of education and related services to homeless children and youths.



The homeless liaison will assist, to the extent feasible, the homeless students and their parent(s) or guardian(s) or unaccompanied homeless students in their efforts to provide documentation to meet State and local requirements for entry into school.

All records for homeless students shall be maintained so that they are available in a timely fashion and can be transferred promptly as necessary.

No Board policy, administrative procedure, or practice will be interpreted or applied in such a way as to inhibit the enrollment, attendance, or school success of homeless children. 42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq. (McKinney - Vento Homeless Act) Adopted 3/17/11 © Neola 2011


Student Code of Conduct 28

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT The matter of student conduct and discipline is one that directly affects the total mission and achievement of the school. A well ordered atmosphere in the school is essential if students are to learn to the maximum of their capacity. To protect each student's rights to an education, the Ohio Legislature has given each Board of Education the authority to "make such rules and regulations as are necessary for its government and the government of its employees, pupils of its schools, and all other persons entering upon its school grounds or premises." The Pickaway-Ross Board of Education has established the following regulations in the interest of maintaining order at the Career & Technology Center: (ZERO TOLERANCE) Students shall not:

1. possess, handle, transmit, or control any object that can be reasonably or legally considered a weapon.* a. weapons may include guns, knives, fireworks, spray irritants, explosives, detonating

devices, look a-likes, counterfeits, or tools used to cause or threaten physical harm. b. weapons may include lab tools possessed outside of the laboratory setting. Above

mentioned weapons will be confiscated. 2. physical assault on a Pickaway-Ross employee or visitor at the Pickaway-Ross Career &

Technology Center or school authorized function.* 3. threaten to cause personal harm to, or damage the property of any Pickaway-Ross

employee or visitor.* 4. be in a fight, confrontation, assault, threaten, coerce, intimidate, haze, or harass another

student.* 5. steal, attempt to steal, or be in possession of stolen property, in possession of school

tools without permission, or damage personal or school property.* 6. sexually harass or impose upon another student. 7. incite a riot in school or any school authorized function.* 8. create a school disruption or act in such a manner that disrupts the lawful mission of the

school. This could include, but is not limited to: a. blocking entrances b. throwing food and/or other objects c. giving false information d. being insubordinate or disrespectful e. displays of public affection f. violating safety and dress code g. being in an unauthorized area h. possessing or consuming food/beverages in an area other than the cafeteria i. failing to comply with the reasonable requests of school personnel. j. verbal threats k. horseplay



9. truancy, tardies or leaving school without permission 10. violate the Pickaway-Ross drug or alcohol policy.* 11. violate driving rules and regulations. 12. cheat on tests, homework, or other school assignments. 13. violate the "acceptable use" policy for computer/technology. 14. repeatedly or habitually violate the rules in the student code of conduct.* 15. possess or use tobacco, in any form, including non-nicotine tobacco on school property or

at a school authorized function. 16. communicate abusive, profane, unwarranted language, or gestures. 17. submit, cause to be submitted, a false fire alarm or bomb threat and or tampering with

safety system such as alarms, cameras, defibulator or eye wash stations.* 18. unauthorized possession or use of radios, cellular phones, beepers, pagers, laser pointers,

or other electronic devices. (Said devices will be confiscated. Repeated violations may result in disciplinary action.) We are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items. Administration will NOT investigate said loss.

19. use of picture phones or other recordable devices to take pictures of students or employees (with or without their permission).

20. No food or drink will be carried outside the lunchroom/cafeteria area. No outside bottles or cans are to be brought into the building.

21. fail to comply with all applicable Ohio Revised Codes and local ordinances. 22. withhold information from authorities concerning a violation or potential violation of the

code of conduct. *Students violating this rule may be recommended for expulsion. Possible criminal charges may occur depending on the severity of the offence. Penalties for violation of the student code of conduct include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. verbal or written warning 2. removal of privileges 3. detentions 4. parent/student conferences 5. counselling with guidance personnel 6. before, after, during school work assignments 7. in-school restriction 8. out-of-school suspension, withholding of credit if days exceed limits at end of semester and

at year end. 9. assignment to the Pickaway or Ross County Alternative Center 10. loss of driving privileges 11. emergency removal 12. expulsion 13. law enforcement/court referral 14. permanent exclusion



Students who violate the rules, policies, and/or regulations may be assigned any of the above listed consequences. Specific action depends upon the severity of the offence and number of times the student has been involved in school disciplinary problems (progressive discipline). All suspensions or expulsions will be in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Ohio Revised Code 3313-66. Students suspended or expelled by the home school or the Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center are not permitted to attend classes or activities at either school during suspension or expulsion period.

DRUG/ALCOHOL POLICY A student shall not possess, buy, sell, use, transmit, apply any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana tranquilizer, prescription drug, alcoholic beverage, intoxicant, counterfeit controlled substance, mood or behavior altering chemical of any kind, be in possession of any drug paraphernalia or drug related device, or be under the influence of any of the above mentioned substances on school property. This rule is in effect during school, at any school authorized activity, event, or program on school property, at any time when the school is being used by any school groups on or off school grounds at any school authorized activity, function, or event. Over the counter oral and topical medications may be administered if authorized by the parent/guardian on the Emergency Medical form. Students not following this procedure may be considered in violation of the drug/alcohol policy. Violation of this the drug/alcohol policy will result in suspension, recommendation for expulsion and/or appropriate law enforcement agencies will be notified.

TOBACCO USE BY STUDENTS Scientific evidence indicates that the use of tobacco products is detrimental to one’s health. For the health and safety of the student, together with the protection of the facilities, students are not permitted to possess or use tobacco in any form anywhere on school property or at any school-related activity. The Director or his/her designee is authorized to deal with violations as deemed appropriate for the offence. Administrative staff shall develop appropriate procedures to promote good student health and welfare. Effective in March 2001, it is now prohibited by Ohio law for a minor to “use, consume, or possess cigarettes, other tobacco products, or papers used to roll cigarettes.” It is also now prohibited for a minor to assist, pay for or share in the cost of such products. Consequences (in addition to school discipline) that could follow from a violation of this law may include: a. mandatory attendance at a smoking education program (if available) and/or b. a fine of up to $100. Upon any subsequent violations the court may: a. increase the fine b. impose up to 20 hours of community service c. suspend driving privileges for up to 30 days. Legal Refs.: Ohio Revised Code 2151.87



SEXUAL HARASSMENT Students are to refrain from any act of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other unwanted or unwelcome verbal, visual, or physical contact. Any student feeling he or she is a victim of sexual harassment should seek help as specified in the Title IX and Section 504 Grievance Procedures. (as outlined below)

ANTI-HARASSMENT PROCEDURES For the Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center/Joint Vocational School District student: sexual/racial and all forms of harassment by school employees, other students, or third parties (regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age and disability). Conduct constituting harassment may take different forms, including but not limited to the following inappropriate behaviors: Sexual Harassment

a. Verbal: the making of written or verbal sexual innuendoes, suggestive comments, jokes of a sexual nature, sexual propositions, or threats to or by a fellow student, staff member, or other person associated with the district, or by third parties.

b. Non-verbal: causing the placement of sexually suggestive objects, pictures, or graphic commentaries in the school environment or the making of sexually suggestive or insulting gestures, sounds, leering, whistling, and the like to or by a fellow student, staff member, or other person associated with the district, or by third parties.

c. Physical Contact: Threatening or causing unwanted touching, contact, or attempts at same, including patting, pinching, brushing the body, or coerced sexual activity to or by a fellow student, staff member, or other person associated with the district, or by the third parties.

d. Harassment, intimidation, or sexual innuendo developed on personal (such as computers or picture phones) or on school district technology will be subject to disciplinary consequences. Any use of materials or pictures developed for the purpose of posting embarrassing, sexual or harassing messages is prohibited and also subject to disciplinary procedures.

Race, Color, National Origin and Disability Harassment

a. Verbal: written or verbal innuendoes, slurs, comments, jokes, insults, threats, email transmissions, or disparaging remarks concerning a person’s race, color, national origin, sex/gender, disability, religious beliefs, etc., to or by a fellow student, staff member, or other person(s) associated with the district, or by third parties.

b. Non-verbal: placing objects, pictures, or graphic commentaries in the school environment or making insulting or threatening gestures to or by a fellow student, staff member, or other person associated with the district, or by third parties. This includes symbols that are recognized hate symbols in today’s society.



c. Physical: any intimidating or disparaging action such as hitting, hissing, cussing, spitting, hazing, bullying on or by a fellow student, staff member, or other person(s) associated with the district, or by third parties.

Any student who believes that he/she is the victim of any of the above actions or has observed such actions taken by another student, staff member, or other persons associated with the district, or by third parties should promptly take the following steps:

a. If the alleged harasser is a student, staff member, third parties, or other person(s) associated with the particular school in the district other than the Principal, the affected students or their parents/guardians should, as soon as possible after the incident, contact the Principal. (The Principal must immediately send to the Title IX Coordinator a copy of the alleged harassment complaint.)

b. If the alleged harasser is the Principal, the affected student or their parents/guardians should, as soon as possible after the incident, contact the district’s Title IX Coordinator or if the student is disabled their Section 504 Coordinator at the schools administrative board office.

The student or parents/guardians may make contact either by a written report or by telephone or personal visit. During the contact, the reporting student should provide the name of the person(s) who he/she believes to be responsible for the harassment and the nature of the harassing incident(s). Each report received by the district’s Title IX Section Coordinator as provided above, shall be investigated in a timely, and confidential manner. While a charge is under investigation, no information is to be released to anyone who is not involved with the investigation, except as required by law or is in the contact of a legal administrative proceeding. No one involved is to discuss the subject outside of the investigation. The purpose of this provision is to: a. protect the confidentiality of the student who files a complaint; b. encourage the reporting of any incidents of sexual, racial, or other forms of harassment; c. protect the reputation of any party wrongfully charged with harassment. Investigation of a complaint will normally include conferring with the parties involved (if under 18 years of age, may include parents), and any named or apparent witnesses. All students and others involved are to be protected from coercion, intimidation, retaliation, or discrimination for filing a complaint or assisting in an investigation. The district recognizes that determining whether a particular action or incident is harassment or, conversely, is reflective of an action without a discriminatory or intimidating intent or effect must be based on all of the facts in the matter. Given the nature of harassing behavior, the district recognizes that false accusations can have serious effects on innocent individuals. Therefore, all students are expected to act responsibly, honestly, and with the utmost candor whenever they present harassment allegations or charges against school employees, other students, or third parties.



BULLYING AND OTHER FORMS OF AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR – Board Policy 5517.01 The Board of Education is committed to providing a safe, positive, productive, and

nurturing educational environment for all of its students. The Board encourages the promotion of positive interpersonal relations between members of the school community.

Harassment, intimidation, or bullying toward a student, whether by other students, staff, or third parties is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition includes aggressive behavior, physical, verbal, and psychological abuse, and violence within a dating relationship. The Board will not tolerate any gestures, comments, threats, or actions which cause or threaten to cause bodily harm or personal degradation. This policy applies to all activities in the District, including activities on school property or while enroute to or from school, and those occurring off school property if the student or employee is at any school-sponsored, school-approved or school-related activity or function, such as field trips or athletic events where students are under the school's control, in a school vehicle, or where an employee is engaged in school business.

This policy has been developed in consultation with parents, District employees, volunteers, students, and community members as prescribed in R.C. 3313.666 and the State Board of Education's Model Policy. Harassment, intimidation, or bullying means:

A. any intentional written, verbal, graphic, or physical act that a student or group of students exhibits toward another particular student(s) more than once and the behavior both causes mental or physical harm to the other student(s) and is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for the other student(s); or

B. violence within a dating relationship.

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, national origin, 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.

Harassment, intimidation, or bullying also means electronically transmitted acts (i.e., internet, e-mail, cellular telephone, personal digital assistance (PDA), or wireless hand-held device) that a student(s) or a group of students exhibits toward another particular student(s) more than once and the behavior both causes mental and physical harm to the other student and is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for the other student(s).



Any student or student's parent/guardian who believes s/he has been or is the victim of aggressive behavior should immediately report the situation to the building director or assistant director, or the Superintendent. The student may also report concerns to teachers and other school staff who will be responsible for notifying the appropriate administrator or Board official. Complaints against the building director should be filed with the Superintendent. Complaints against the Superintendent should be filed with the Board President. Every student is encouraged, and every staff member is required, to report any situation that they believe to be aggressive behavior directed toward a student. Reports may be made to those identified above.

All complaints about aggressive behavior that may violate this policy shall be promptly investigated. The building director or appropriate administrator shall prepare a written report of the investigation upon completion. Such report shall include findings of fact, a determination of whether acts of harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying were verified, and, when prohibited acts are verified, a recommendation for intervention, including disciplinary action shall be included in the report. Where appropriate, written witness statements shall be attached to the report.

If the investigation finds an instance of harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying has occurred, it will result in prompt and appropriate remedial and/or disciplinary action. This may include up to expulsion for students, up to discharge for employees, exclusion for parents, guests, volunteers, and contractors, and removal from any official position and/or a request to resign for Board members. Individuals may also be referred to law enforcement officials. Retaliation against any person who reports, is thought to have reported, files a complaint, or otherwise participates in an investigation or inquiry concerning allegations of aggressive behavior is prohibited and will not be tolerated. Such retaliation shall be considered a serious violation of Board policy and independent of whether a complaint is substantiated. Suspected retaliation should be reported in the same manner as aggressive behavior. Making intentionally false reports about aggressive behavior for the purpose of getting someone in trouble is similarly prohibited and will not be tolerated. Retaliation and intentionally false reports may result in disciplinary action as indicated above.

If a student or other individual believes there has been aggressive behavior, regardless of whether it fits a particular definition, s/he should report it and allow the administration to determine the appropriate course of action.

This policy shall not be interpreted to infringe upon the First Amendment rights of students (i.e., to prohibit a reasoned and civil exchange of opinions, or debate, that is conducted at appropriate times and places during the school day and is protected by State or Federal law).

The complainant shall be notified of the findings of the investigation, and as appropriate, that remedial action has been taken. If after investigation, acts of bullying against a specific student are verified, the building director or appropriate administrator shall notify the parent/guardian of the victim of such finding. In providing such notification care shall be taken to respect the statutory privacy rights of the perpetrator of such harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying.



If after investigation, acts of harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying by a specific student are verified, the building director or appropriate administrator shall notify in writing the parent/guardian of the perpetrator of that finding. If disciplinary consequences are imposed against such student, a description of such discipline shall be included in the notification.

Complaints

Students and/or their parents/guardians may file reports regarding suspected harassment, intimidation, or bullying. Such reports shall be reasonably specific including person(s) involved, number of times and places of the alleged conduct, the target of suspected harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying, and the names of any potential student or staff witnesses. Such reports may be filed with any school staff member or administrator, and they shall be promptly forwarded to the building director for review, investigation, and action. Students, parents/guardians, and school personnel may make informal complaints of conduct that they consider to be harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying by verbal report to a teacher, school administrator, or other school personnel. Such informal complaints shall be reasonably specific including person(s) involved, number of times and places of the alleged conduct, the target of suspected harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying, and the names of any potential student or staff witnesses. A school staff member or administrator who receives an informal complaint shall promptly document the complaint in writing, including the information provided. This written report shall be promptly forwarded by the school staff member and/or administrator to the building director for review, investigation, and appropriate action.

Students who make informal complaints as provided above may request that their name be maintained in confidence by the school staff member(s) and administrator(s) who receive the complaint. Anonymous complaints shall be reviewed and reasonable action shall be taken to address the situation, to the extent such action may be taken that (1) does not disclose the source of the complaint, and (2) is consistent with the due process rights of the student(s) alleged to have committed acts of harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying. When a student making an informal complaint has requested anonymity, the investigation of such complaint shall be limited as is appropriate in view of the anonymity of the complaint. Such limitation of investigation may include restricting action to a simple review of the complaint subject to receipt of further information and/or the withdrawal by the complaining student of the condition that his/her report be anonymous. Privacy/Confidentiality

The School District will respect the privacy of the complainant, the individual(s) against whom the complaint is filed, and the witnesses as much as possible, consistent with the Board’s legal obligations to investigate, to take appropriate action, and to conform with any discovery or disclosure obligations. All records generated under this policy and its related administrative guidelines shall be maintained as confidential to the extent permitted by law.



Reporting Requirement At least semi-annually, the Superintendent shall provide to the President of the Board a

written summary of all reported incidents and post the summary on the District web site (if one exists). The list shall be limited to the number of verified acts of harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying, whether in the classroom, on school property, to and from school, or at school-sponsored events.

Allegations of criminal misconduct and suspected child abuse will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency and/or to Child Protective Services in accordance with statute. District personnel shall cooperate with investigations by such agencies. Immunity

A School District employee, student, or volunteer shall be individually immune from liability in a civil action for damages arising from reporting an incident in accordance with this policy and R.C. 3313.666 if that person reports an incident of harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying promptly, in good faith, and in compliance with the procedures specified in this policy. Such immunity from liability shall not apply to an employee, student, or volunteer determined to have made an intentionally false report about harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying. Notification

Notice of this policy will be annually circulated to and posted in conspicuous locations in all school buildings and departments within the District and discussed with students, as well as incorporated into the teacher, student, and parent/guardian handbooks. State and Federal rights posters on discrimination and harassment shall also be posted at each building. All new hires will be required to review and sign off on this policy and the related complaint procedure. Education and Training

In support of this policy, the Board promotes preventative educational measures to create greater awareness of aggressive behavior, including bullying and violence within a dating relationship. The Superintendent or designee shall provide appropriate training to all members of the School District community related to the implementation of this policy and its accompanying administrative guidelines. All training regarding the Board’s policy and administrative guidelines and aggressive behavior and bullying, in general, will be age and content appropriate.

To the extent that State or Federal funds are appropriated for these purposes, the District shall provide training, workshops, and/or courses on this policy for school employees and volunteers who have direct contact with students. Time spent by school staff in these training programs shall apply toward mandated continuing education requirements. The Superintendent shall develop administrative guidelines to implement this policy. Guidelines shall include reporting and investigative procedures, as needed. The complaint procedure established by the Superintendent shall be followed. R.C. 3313.666, 3313.667 State Board of Education Model Policy (2007) Revised 3/17/11 © Neola 2011



WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES 1. Definition: a “wireless communication device” (WCD) is a device that emits an audible

signal, vibrates, displays a message, or otherwise summons or delivers a communication to the possessor. The following devices are examples of WCDs: cellular and wireless telephones, pagers/beepers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), Blackberry/Smart phones, WiFi-enabled or broadband access devices, two-way radios or video broadcasting devices, laptops, and other devices that allow a person to record and/or transmit, on either a real time or delayed basis, sound, video or still images, text, or other information.

2. The Board of Education prohibits use of wireless communication devices by students on

campus during normal school hours, excluding the student’s morning arrival until 8:30 a.m., the student’s individual lunch period and after school hours (including school activities), and student wireless communication devices may only be used in the student entrance area and the cafeteria.

3. Students may not use wireless communication devices on school property or at a school

sponsored activity to access and/or view internet web sites that are otherwise blocked to students at school.

4. If a wireless communication device is brought to school, any such device shall remain “OFF”

and stored in a locker, backpack, purse, pocket, or other place where it is not visible during school hours, and if such a device is observed by staff, excluding the student’s arrival until 8:30 a.m. or during the student’s individual lunch period and after school hours, it shall be confiscated until redeemed by a parent or guardian.



SAFETY & DRESS Rules governing safety and dress are established in the interest of the students and to comply with state and federal regulations. In general, program supervisors and instructors will determine appropriate dress and safety rules for their students. 1. All students will be required to wear their program uniform purchased by the school. The

cost of the uniform will be covered by the school and not the student. Student names will not be embroidered or placed on the uniform in a permanent manner.

2. Students must comply with the uniform regulations. Students must comply with the established safety regulations in their respective areas.

3. No student shall alter or deface the school uniform.

4. Jewelry may not be worn in labs, except with permission from the instructor when it does not pose a safety hazard.

5. Shoes and program shirts must be worn at all times in all areas of the Career & Technology Center. Work shoes that comply with lab safety rules (as established by lab instructor) and Ohio safety regulations are to be worn in labs only. Street shoes or other appropriate footwear are to be worn in the academic classrooms and common areas. Hats, caps, headbands, and bandannas are not to be worn outside of the student’s lab.

6. Unacceptable attire which distracts and interrupts the educational process or calls undue

attention to oneself includes but is not limited to, the following: cut-offs, short skirts, short shorts (no attire may be worn more than 3 ½” above the knee) extremely tight shorts, sleeveless tops, tank tops, tops exposing the midriff, clothing with tears or holes, shirts with oversized arm holes, chains, gang related clothing or accessories, clothing with symbols, words, or pictures that are sexually suggestive, drug, alcohol, or tobacco related, profane, obscene, racist, sexist, threatening or intimidating. This includes confederate flags in any form. The administration will determine the suitability of attire if a disagreement exists as to the appropriateness of specific clothing items. This decision will be final.

If a student changes programs or chooses to withdraw from Pickaway-Ross, the school uniforms/shirts must be returned to the Attendance Office to avoid being charged a replacement cost.

Documents

Student Handbook Handbook 2012-2013 PRJVSD 1 Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center 895 Crouse Chapel Road Chillicothe, OH 45601 Chillicothe: 740 …