POLICIES

 

DISCIPLINARY POLICY

The disciplinary policies of Peoria Heights High School are in effect on school grounds at all times and off school grounds during any school-related activity.  The expected standards of behavior apply whenever the student is on school property, such as athletic events, dances, or field trips, or during other school-related activities at any other location.

 The disciplinary policy of Peoria Heights High School is a progressive step system.  Upon the third consecutive detention, a Saturday Detention is assigned.  Upon the third consecutive Saturday detention, an out-of-school suspension is assigned, and upon the third out-of-school suspension, an expulsion hearing is called.  Upon each offense, the student’s disciplinary report will be mailed to parents.  On the report, the student’s current step will be highlighted.  

The appropriate disciplinary action will be dependent on:

1. The nature and seriousness of the offense

2. Whether the offense is a repeat offense

3. The overall disciplinary history of the student for the year.

(the step he/she is currently on) 

When a student repeats the same unacceptable behavior in spite of disciplinary measures, inquiries may be made to teachers, parents and the counselor about the reasons and motivations behind these behaviors with the intent to provide effective behavioral intervention.  Recommendations such as additional counseling, mentoring programs, or other measures may be considered in addition to the prescribed disciplinary measures.

 Disciplinary records are renewed at the beginning of each school year or upon enrollment.

TARDIES

Students are tardy when they come to class late without a valid excuse or pass.  Tardies are recorded by the classroom teacher.  Every third tardy in any class will result in lunch detention.  Students over 5 minutes tardy to a class will be given a detention, and students over 20 minutes late with no excuse are considered absent.

 LUNCH DETENTION

Lunch detention is assigned during a student’s lunch period for tardiness or lunchroom behavioral problems.  Students must eat in an assigned area and not communicate with others during that time.  Properly served, lunch detention is not a part of a student’s disciplinary record.

CONFERENCES

A teacher may assign a student a conference for various reasons, such as minor disciplinary issues, failing to do assigned tasks, or failing to bring required materials.  Conferences may be arranged with students with 24- hour notice and must not exceed 30 minutes.  Conferences are intended for minor first offenses, and when served by students, do not become part of their disciplinary record.  Failing to attend an assigned conference will result in detention or suspension, depending on the current step.

 AFTER-SCHOOL DETENTIONS

After school detentions are for more serious disciplinary issues.  Detentions are served from 3:05 until 4:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  A student must serve the detention during one of the next two detention days after it is assigned.  Failure to do so will result in another detention or Saturday detention.  Written warnings may be given for minor or first offenses.  Any staff member may assign a detention for the following reasons:

  • Failure to serve teacher’s conference  

  • Failure to turn in equipment, supplies, or money

  • General misbehavior and classroom disturbances

  • Insubordination or disrespect

  • Profanity or inappropriate gestures

  • Throwing objects

  • Being in unauthorized areas

  • Tardy (over 5 minutes late)

  • Displays of affection, other than hand-holding

  • Littering or misuse of facilities

  • Being in the halls without a pass

  • Leaving class or the building without permission

  • Improper parking or driving

  • Having food or drink in unauthorized areas

  • Dress code violations

  • Sleeping in class

  • Any behavior deemed worthy of such punishment by the principal

According to the progressive step policy, every third after-school detention will result in a Saturday detention or suspension.

VOLUNTEER WORK

At the principal’s discretion and upon approval of the student, students may volunteer their labor and be released early from detention.  Volunteer labor may involve cleaning the school or grounds, moving equipment, or any other school-related project.  Volunteering will not change a student’s disciplinary status, merely the duration of detention. 

SATURDAY DETENTION

Saturday detentions are served from 8 am until 10 am or until noon , depending on the step, during one of two Saturdays each month.  Students are assigned to serve during the next available date, provided that 24-hour notice is given.  Depending on the circumstances, the detention may be accompanied by a referral to the Board of Education for expulsion.  Students assigned to Saturday detention may not participate in any school activity on that day until it is served. 

Saturday detention may be assigned for the following reasons:  

  • Failure to serve after-school detention

  • Academic dishonesty and giving false testimony

  • Insubordination

  • Gross classroom disturbance

  • Use of profanity or gestures

  • Disrespect toward staff or students

  • Behavior that risks harm or injury to others or the facility

  • Forging or having someone forge a name on a pass or other document

  •  Sexual harassment

  • Hazing or other harassment

  • Unexcused absences  (4 hour detention assigned if absent all day)

  • Possession (1st offense) of tobacco or paraphernalia (lighter, matches)

  • Inappropriate use of computers or the internet

  • Aiding others in the violation of a school policy

  • Reckless driving on school grounds

  • Third consecutive after-school detention, according to the step policy

  • Any repeated behavior that resulted in a prior after-school detention

  • Any other behavior deemed worthy of such punishment by the principal

According to the progressive step policy, every third Saturday detention will result in an out of school suspension.

IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION

In-school suspension can be used as needed according to the discretion of the principal and is considered equivalent to a Saturday detention with respect to disciplinary seriousness and the disciplinary step.

OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSION

An out-of-school suspension may last from 1 to 10 days and may be immediate.  Depending on the circumstances, the suspension may be accompanied by a referral to the board of education for expulsion.  Make up work or tests during the suspension period will only be worth 80% of the obtained score and are due upon returning to school.  P.E. makeup must be completed within two days of returning to school.  It is the responsibility of the student to request assignments.  Suspended students are not permitted to attend any school functions or be on school grounds while suspended.  For the purposes of extracurricular eligibility, out-of-school suspensions end at midnight on the last suspension day.  Therefore, if a student’s suspension ends Friday, he/she may participate in that weekend’s school activities.

  • The following behaviors may result in suspension and possible expulsion:

  • Failure to serve a Saturday detention or removal from Saturday detention

  • Threatening, bullying*, or harassing a student or staff member

  • Gross use of profanity or gestures

  • Use of the “F” word in any context

  • Gross disrespect toward staff or students

  • Possession (2nd offense) or use of tobacco products or paraphernalia

  • Possession of electronic communication device without permit. (3 days)

  • Violation of electronic communication permit guidelines.  (1 day)

  • Defacing or destroying the facilities or school property

  • Fighting or assaulting another student

  • Stealing from school, staff, or other students

  • Intentionally setting off the school fire alarm system

  • Any repeated behavior that resulted in a prior Saturday detention

  • Any behavior deemed worthy of such punishment by the principal

  • Third consecutive Saturday detention, according to the step policy

* Bullying is using any form of aggressive behavior that does physical or psychological harm to someone else and/or urging other students to engage in such conduct.  Prohibited aggressive behavior includes, without limitation, the use of violence, force, noise, coercion, threats, intimidation, fear, bullying, or other comparable conduct.  Efforts, including the use of early intervention and progressive discipline, shall be made to deter students, while at school or a school-related event, from engaging in aggressive behavior that may reasonably produce physical or psychological harm to someone else.  The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the parent(s)/guardian(s) of a student who engages in aggressive behavior are notified of the incident.  The failure to provide such notification does not limit the Board’s authority to impose discipline, including suspension or expulsion, for such behavior.

According to the progressive step policy, the third out of school suspension will result in an expulsion hearing before the Board of Education.

IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION
 AND
REFERRAL FOR EXPULSION

The following behaviors will result in an immediate suspension and referral to the Board of Education for expulsion. 

  • Behaviors include, but are not limited to:

  • Possession, use, or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages on school property or during school functions

  •  Possession, use, or being under the influence of non-prescription narcotics, marijuana, or other possibly harmful substances on school property, including look-alike drugs 

  • Possession of drug paraphernalia

  • Possession of a weapon or look-alike weapon or any other object on school property or during any school sponsored activity, which, in the opinion of the principal, may appear to be used to inflict bodily harm or property damage

  • Possession of electronic communication device without permit. (2nd Off.)

  • Violation of electronic communication permit guidelines. (2nd Off.)

  • Gang activity

  • Assaulting a school employee

  • Bomb threats or other serious threats of violence

  • Third out of school suspension

  • Other behaviors deemed appropriate by the principal

Expelled students may not attend any school function or be on school property for the balance of the expulsion.

REMOVAL OF PRIVILEGES

Removal of student privileges for disciplinary reasons is at the discretion of faculty and administration.  Depending on the offense, privileges can be removed temporarily or permanently.  The following are some examples of removable privileges:

  • Driving to school and parking in the school parking lot  

  • Pass privileges to the library or other areas of the building  

  • Computer or internet use in the library, classroom, or labs  

  • Seating arrangement at lunch and access to activities and the soda and candy machines

  • Attendance at athletic or extracurricular events such as dances  

  • Participation in field trips or class projects

SEARCHES

The school lockers are considered school property, and they and the possessions in them are subject to search, without notice, by the administration.  Students and their possessions may also be searched if there is reasonable suspicion that an unlawful act has been or will be committed.

STUDENT DRESS CODE

All students and their parents/guardians are responsible for presenting an appearance, which is conducive to the learning process.  The following guidelines shall be observed:

Dress attire must not interfere with the educational process or with the rights of others. Students must, however, be covered from shoulders to mid-thigh.  Attire which is likely to interfere, and which is therefore prohibited, includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  1. Hats or bandanas of any kind, bare midriffs, see-through garments visible undergarments, bare backs, muscle shirts (tank tops), white undergarment T-shirts, halter tops, low-cut blouses, short shorts, mini-skirts, clothing that is too tight, clothing which displays inappropriate words or pictures, for example, sexual or vulgar insinuation, drug, alcohol, or tobacco lettering, hair rollers, clothing or jewelry that display obscene and/or profane language or provocative pictures.  Students must wear clothing that covers them from shoulder to at least mid-thigh, and no undergarments may be visible.

  2. Dress attire must always be neat and clean, and must not be destructive of school property.  Unless otherwise prohibited, clothing shall be worn in the manner in which it was designated.

  3. Dress attire must always comply with existing state health and safety codes.  For example, footwear must be worn at all times and sunglasses and contacts may only be worn when so prescribed by a licensed physician or optometrist.

  4. Any extremes in dress that cause distractions in the school will cause the professional staff to request that this distraction be corrected immediately.  Students will be sent home to get proper clothing.

  5. Hair length and style is personal with each individual.  Students may wear their hair as they please if it is kept clean, and does not present a safety hazard or a distraction.

  6. Athletic equipment issued to a student athlete or cheerleading equipment issued to a cheerleader may not be worn in or out of school for other than the activities they were designed for; except by the direction and approval of the principal or athletic director.

  7. Students may wear shorts all year if they so desire.  Shorts must be mid-thigh in length.

Students failing to adhere to the dress code policy will be dealt with according to the disciplinary policy.

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES

Students may not use or possess electronic communicating devices on school property at any time, unless a usage permit is granted by school administration.  Students possessing such devices without a permit will have the device confiscated and serve a three-day, out of school suspension.  To receive a permit the student must submit a completed request form to the principal and meet to discuss the policy thoroughly.  A permit may then be presented allowing the use of a cellular phone only after school hours and only outside of the building.  Violation of the policy by permit holders will result in a one-day suspension, loss of permit, and confiscation for the first offense.

USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS

The Peoria Heights Community Unit School District #325 Board of Education will prohibit the use of tobacco on school property when such property is being used for any school purposes.  Students will not be allowed to possess or use tobacco on school property.  Use of tobacco will result in an out of school suspension, and a 1st offense of possession will result in Saturday detention, depending on the step.  A second offense will result in suspension.  Any student acting as a lookout in an effort to help others avoid disciplinary action will be subject to the same penalty.

CONFISCATION

Lighters, cigarettes, personal radios, stereos, laser pointers, pagers, phones, two-way radios, unregistered prescription drugs, food, drinks, and other inappropriate or disruptive articles can be confiscated.  Communication devices, tobacco paraphernalia, and other unlawful items may not be returned.  Parents may be required to pick up other returnable items.

STUDENT DRIVING AND PARKING

Student parking is a privilege, not a right.  Under no circumstances may students park vehicles on the drive, in the visitor's parking lot, or in the faculty parking area.  Driving privileges may be removed if students park improperly or drive in an unsafe manner on school grounds.  Students must obtain and display a parking permit and must park in the third row and beyond. Improperly parked cars may be towed at the owner’s expense.  The school administration has the right to search a car while on school property if they believe that there is a dangerous or illegal item or substance in the car.  Students will not be allowed to return to cars during the school day without permission from the principal.

GANG ACTIVITY PROHIBITED

Gang activity is prohibited on or around school grounds, on school buses or off school grounds at any school activity.  A "gang" is any group of 2 or more persons whose purpose includes the commission of illegal acts.  No student on or around school grounds, on school buses, or off school grounds at a school activity shall engage in any gang activity including, but not limited to:

  1. Wearing, using, distributing, or selling any clothing, jewelry, emblem, gang symbol/sign, or other things that are evidence of membership of affiliation in any gang.

  2. Committing any act or omission, or using any speech, either verbal or non-verbal (such as gestures or hand-shakes) showing membership to a gang.

  3. Using any speech or committing any act or omission in furtherance of the interests of any gang or gang activity, including, but not limited to:

  • soliciting others for membership in any gangs

  • requesting any person to pay protection otherwise intimidating or threatening anyone

  • committing any other illegal act or other violation of school district policies

  • inciting other students to act with physical violence upon any other person.

Students engaging in any gang-related activity will be subject to one or more of the following disciplinary actions:

  1. Conference with parent(s)/guardian(s)

  2. Referral to appropriate law enforcement agency

  3. Suspension for up to ten days

  4. Expulsion for the remainder of the school term

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE OF DUE PROCESS

  1. The student and/or the parents/guardians should discuss the matter with the person(s) directly responsible for the grievance.

  2. If this does not resolve the issue, the matter should be directed to the building principal and then to the district superintendent.  If the grievance is against the principal, the district superintendent should be contacted after talking with the principal, if the matter has not been satisfactorily resolved.

  3. If the matter is still not solved, the student or parents/guardians may request the permission of the school board president to speak on the matter at the next meeting of the local board of education.

  4. Unless otherwise provided by local board rules and regulations, the next step would be through the judicial system.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular school attendance is one of the most important determining factors of academic success.  It is the responsibility of each student and his/her parents or guardians to ensure consistent attendance.  Poor or irregular attendance can result in disinterest, lower grades, and failure.  Student attendance records are kept in each student’s permanent record file.  This information can be requested by a prospective employer to determine a student’s level of dependability.

EXCUSED ABSENCES

It is the responsibility of the parents to call the school before 9:00 a.m. regarding the absence of a student.  The attendance phone number is 686-8806.  Parent calls or notes do not automatically excuse students if the reason is not excusable and credibility is in question.  The following reasons constitute an excused absence:

  •  Personal illness

  • Funeral or death in the family

  • Other reasons deemed excusable by the principal.  Check with the principal in advance whenever possible.  

Upon returning to school the student should present a parent or doctor’s note describing the absence.  To be excused, medical or dental appointments must be cleared with the attendance secretary 24 hours in advance, and students must return with official documentation showing the time, date, and place of the appointment.  An absence of five or more school days out of ten successive school days due to illness will be considered an excused absence only if a note from a licensed physician is provided, attesting to the illness.

It is the student’s responsibility to get missing assignments and make up work or tests.  Students that are excused are allowed two school days for each day missed to complete work for full credit.  Approved college days and school related trips are not counted against a student’s attendance.  Parents should make every attempt to schedule medical and dental appointments, personal business, and vacations outside of regular school days or hours.

An absence for family vacations or other reasons may be considered excused only if a note from the parent/guardian is received by the school no less than 5 days in advance.  The student must get assignments prior to leaving.  All work is due when the student returns to school.  Participating in “take your child to work day” may be considered an excused absence provided that a parent has contacted the school in advance.  

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

  • Oversleeping

  • Personal appointments  

  • Court appearances (unless subpoenaed or not at fault)  

  • Driver’s license exams or physical exams  

  • Unauthorized trips  

  • Failure to check out in the office  

  • Truancy  

  • Car trouble  

  • Other reasons as determined by the principal

The penalty for an unexcused absence is Saturday detention or suspension, according to the step on the student’s disciplinary record.  The truancy officer may also be involved in cases of truancy and may fine parents according to ordinances in the village of Peoria Heights.

Students absent without excuse will not be allowed to make up any missed work or tests.  The scores for missed work will be zeros.  Students summoned to court, and at fault, may make up work and tests in advance for 80% credit.

BUILDING HOURS

The school will be open from 7:30 a.m. until 4:15 p.m.   The school day begins at 7:55 a.m. and ends at 3:00 .  Plan to arrive no earlier than 7:30 a.m.   Students attending after school activities or athletics must go to their lockers before the activity begins.  Students are not permitted to linger in the halls or be in the main part of the building after practice.             

LUNCH

Students are expected to behave in an orderly manner and clean their lunch areas of debris.  The lunchroom supervisors have the authority to limit lunch privileges according to the behavior of the students.

SIGNS AND POSTERS

All signs and posters must be approved by the principal before being posted.  No tape is to be used to hang posters anywhere in the building with the exception of the gym and the deck.  All posters in the main part of the building are to be hung on the bulletin boards only.  

ILLNESS AND INJURY

If a student is ill and wishes to go home, he or she should be sent to the guidance secretary.  The secretary will then contact the parents/guardians to secure permission for the student to leave the building.  The parent / guardian will pick the student up or see that someone does.  The student will not be allowed to walk home or drive him/herself home unless there are extenuating circumstances.  In such a situation, the parents/guardians must give permission, and the student must call the school and his/her parents when he/she arrives home.  The school will not take responsibility for driving the students home unless the situation warrants.  There is no place in the school to lie down and rest.

STUDENT USE OF 
SODA AND CANDY MACHINES

Students may use the soda and candy machines before school (prior to 7:50 ), during lunch, and after school.  No soda may be taken into the building from the lunch deck.  Students are prohibited from using these machines at times other than those mentioned above.  There will be absolutely no food or beverage allowed in the classroom during the school day.  Students are not to go to the cafeteria to purchase food or beverage other than during their lunch.

All food and drinks must be consumed on the deck only!  Students will not have food and open drinks of any kind inside of the building.  Open drinks are soda cans that have been opened, plastic bottles with seals broken and cups from commercial establishments with or without lids.  Students are allowed to have sack lunches and closed soda in their lockers for lunch.  

FINAL EXAM POLICY

A student may opt out of taking a final exam in any given class provided that both of the following two criteria are met:

  1. The student has 2 or fewer absences in that particular class during the semester.
    Exceptions include a death in the family or a court appearance (not at fault) to testify.

  2.  The student has passed both 9-week grading periods. 

This policy is implemented on a class-by-class basis.  Therefore, a student may be required to take an exam in one class and not another.  A student meeting the criteria may wish to take the final exam without the risk of lowering the student’s semester grade.  An exam grade that improves the semester grade will be counted.  Students transferring in after the first two days of the semester must automatically take exams in all classes.  

 TRANSFER POLICY

Graduation requirements of the sending school could affect the required credits to graduate from P.H.H.S.  The required credits will be determined by considering the sending school’s minimum requirements along with the prorated credits required at P.H.H.S.  All course requirements must be met in addition to the adjusted credit total. The principal and counselor will decide whether a transferring course may substitute for a particular required course.  

POLICY FOR MAKE-UP WORK

It is the student's responsibility to obtain any assignments he or she has missed while absent.  Make-up assignments must be completed during the student's free time within two days after he or she has returned to school to receive a passing grade for the assignments.  If a student is ill for an extended period of time, he or she will have two days for each day absent (up to a maximum of 10 school days) to complete his or her make-up work for a passing grade.  During this extended illness, a student is expected to complete as many of his or her assignments at home as he or she is capable of doing.  If the work is not completed within the required time, the teacher will not give a passing grade for the work, but will give the student credit for completing the assignments.

If a test, paper, or other major assignment was previously known by the students, he or she would be required to complete the assignment on the specified date if he or she is in attendance.  If the student is not in attendance on the date the assignment was due, the assignment will be due on the first day he or she returns to school.

REMEMBER:  At least 70% of all work assigned to you must be completed and turned in before you will receive semester credit for your classes.  

STUDENT USE OF BUILDINGS-EQUAL ACCESS

Non-curriculum related student groups may meet on school premises during non-instructional time if approved by the Building Principal.  If the meeting is student-initiated and not a part of a school sponsored activity, it must be conducted according to the following guidelines:

  1. Attendance is voluntary;

  2. The school will not participate in or sponsor it;

  3. School employees can be present at religious meetings only in a non-participatory capacity;

  4. It cannot materially and substantially interfere with the orderly  conduct of educational activities within the School;

  5. Non-school persons may not direct, conduct, control or regularly attend;    

  6. The school maintains its authority to maintain order and discipline.

The Superintendent or a designee shall develop administrative procedures that will implement this policy.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION ATTENDANCE POLICY

1.  Excuses from class:  

  • Parent Excuse - if a parent feels that their child should be excused from P.E. for a minor illness or injury, a parental excuse will be accepted for up to one week.

  • Doctor Excuse - Any reason that requires a student to miss more than one week of P.E. will require a doctor's excuse.  

  • Students will be required to dress and walk during the period while on medical excuse unless specifically stated by the doctor.  Then written assignments will be made.

2.  The P.E. requirement of Peoria Heights High School is 8 semesters.  If due to medical reasons, a student is only able to complete 7 or less of the required semesters during the four years in high school, the medical excuse will be attached to his/her transcript.

3. Any medical excuse involving the loss of a semester's credit must be given to the counselor for the files.  

PHYSICAL EDUCATION MAKE-UP POLICY

Students who miss a day of P.E. class with an excused absence will be required to make up the work within two school days for each day absent.  The make-up work will consist of running one mile for each class period missed.  If the work is not made up within a two-day period, it cannot be made up for academic credit.  Exceptions to this policy will be made only on the recommendation of a physician.  The make-up work will take place after school and will be closely supervised by a teacher.

Peoria Heights High School currently has a requirement that students must complete 70% of all work assigned during the 9 weeks grading period in order to be eligible to receive a passing grade for the 9 weeks.  The student will have to participate in or make up 70% of the physical education class periods during the 9 weeks in order to receive a passing grade.  Unexcused absences cannot be made up for credit.  

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