PORTSMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
GENERAL REGULATIONS
Almost every high school student realizes that every organization needs rules and regulations and that acceptance of these rules and regulations is necessary if the organization is to achieve its stated objectives.
If we get up a vacant lot football game or basketball game, we accept certain rules and regulations, which restrict our behavior. All of our clubs write a constitution and adopt rules of parliamentary procedure. So naturally, Portsmouth High School has rules and regulations, which every student is expected to accept and live by.
Automobiles.
.
Because of space, students are not permitted to park on school parking lots between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
ATTENDANCE - TARDINESS
Regular attendance is a most important factor in the establishment of a good scholastic record. Work missed through absence from school is difficult to make up. There is no substitute for the actual participation in the daily classroom discussion and work.
No student is allowed a certain number of days to be absent - every student is expected to be in school every day unless the student is ill, a member of his/her family is ill, death of a relative, or observance of a religious holiday. These are the only excuses that an excused absence will be given approval.
There seems to be some misconception that seniors or others are permitted to take a day or days off school. THERE IS NO SUCH PRACTICE SANCTIONED BY THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT PERMITS “SKIP DAYS” FOR ANY STUDENT.
EXCUSED ABSENCE. A student who has been absent from school shall, upon his/her return, bring a written excuse from his/her parent/guardian, stating the length of time and reason for his/her absence, or shall provide this information to the principal or his designee.
1. TARDINESS has reference anytime after the tardy bell
rings. (A student is tardy when he/she comes to school
up to one hour late.)
2. ABSENCE. A student not present at least one-half the
school day in schools operating on the daily session plan
will be counted absent for the period of absence.
Cutting a class or classes is considered a form of
absence. If a student comes in tardy after the first hour,
he/she will be counted a half day absent up until 11:30
a.m. If a student signs out prior to 12:00 p.m., he/she is
absent half a day.
3. TRUANCY is when a student is not in attendance and the parent/guardian is not aware of the student’s absence.
This includes absence from class, study hall or activity
during the school day for which the student is
scheduled. It also includes any after-school special help
session or disciplinary session which the student has
been directed to attend.
4. After 5 unexcused class absences in a nine-week grad-
ing period, students will fail that nine-week grading
period. Students will have the opportunity to make up
missed time in After School Placement during the nine-week
period the absences occurred. After-school Placement meets after regular school hours from 2:45-5:45. Students will be re-quired to stay the entire time. A student’s grade is
determined by adding the 4 nine week grades plus the
final. any combination of three F’s fails a student for
the entire year.
A total of 29 or more excused and/or unexcused
absences will result in failure.
After 3 unexcused tardies, students will be assigned
detention. After 5 unexcused tardies, students will be
assigned ISS. After 8 unexcused tardies, students will
be assigned After-school placement for each unexcused tardy
thereafter.
ABSENCE BEFORE PLAYS, CONCERTS,
ATHLETIC CONTESTS, ETC.
If a student is absent the day of an activity, he/she may not participate in the activity unless the dean of boys, dean of girls, or principal have given special permission. This policy also applies to SATURDAY events.
APPROVED TRAVEL
A student should have the request submitted five (5) days prior to the planned activity.
LEAVING SCHOOL
A student is not permitted to leave school property during the school day unless he/she has permission from the principal, dean of boys or dean of girls.
If you become ill during the day, secure permission from your teacher to leave the room. You then report to the dean’s office.
TEXTBOOKS
The Board of Education supplies all textbooks for the student. All books issued must have a number. The student signs the receipt, which the teacher keeps, and the label in the text. This should be done with ink.
Each student is responsible for his/her textbooks. Any student losing or damaging a text will be required to pay for the same.
Precautions need to be taken against theft, as this does not relieve the student from responsibility.
VIOLATIONS OF SCHOOL POLICIES
1. Apology
2. Detention
3. Conference with school official
4. Conference involving student, parent/guardian and school
official(s)
5. Short Term Alternative Placement
6. After School 3 Hour Placement
7. Long Term Alternative School
8. Referral to legal authorities
9. Police Report
10. Recommendation for expulsion
11. Denial of school privileges
12. Saturday School (if available)
A student may receive only a total of five (5) general detentions for disciplinary behavior. The next step will be a maximum of five (5) after school placements. After that, short term alternative placement, long term alternative school or expulsion will occur. A student can be given alternative school or expulsion at any time if the offense warrants it.
LOCKERS
Each student is assigned a locker. Lockers are the property of the school district, and no locker fee is charged. As property of the school, school officials may inspect lockers. Since lockers may be randomly checked, students should NOT expect total privacy. Students should keep a lock on their locker.
WHO MAKES THE RULES
Portsmouth High School’s general code of behavior is determined for the most part by those duly constituted by law to make these rules, namely, the Board of Education, the school administration and faculty.
CHANGING CLASSES
When changing classes, stay to the right side of the corridor, move without rushing; but there is no time to loiter with only three (3) minutes between classes.
Students are permitted to visit their lockers before homeroom, between classes and after school. If a student finds it necessary to visit his/her locker at any other time, he/she must have his/her teacher’s permission and his/her permission book signed.
ATHLETIC EVENTS
Students who cause problems at any athletic event will not be permitted to attend athletic events for the remainder of the school year.
IMPORTANT RULES OF SAFETY TO BE OBSERVED
Sidewalks and Crosswalks. Occasionally, complaints have been made that some of our students “hog” the sidewalks, do not use the crosswalks, walk on people’s lawns, etc. We expect our students to observe the traffic laws made to ensure our safety and to respect the property of others.
Visitors. All visitors must register in the main office and obtain written permission to remain in the building. Students are discouraged from inviting friends and relatives to school. All requests to talk to a student must have the approval of the appropriate dean’s office.
PROFANITY/VERBAL ABUSE
Profanity or obscene language, written or verbal, directed toward school personnel or any member of the school community shall not be tolerated. This shall include use of obscene gestures and signs.
LUNCH POLICY
Portsmouth High School practices a closed lunch policy. Students may not leave school property during their scheduled lunch. It is also not acceptable for students to order food to be brought to the school.
TARDINESS & ABSENCES
Tardy bell rings at 7:55 a.m. Boys reporting to school after 7:55 a.m. are to report to the dean of boys’ office and girls are to report to the dean of girls’ office to be checked in.
Students who were absent from school or need to be signed out of school are to report to Mrs. Novinger or Mr. Poage between 7:45 a.m. and 7:55 a.m.
All students should be in first period class by 7:55 a.m.
SIGN OUT - SIGN IN
A student is not permitted to leave school property during the day unless he/she has permission from the principal, dean of girls or dean of boys.
If it is necessary to leave school before the end of the school day, bring a note from a parent/guardian to the dean’s office during homeroom. You will be signed out unexcused in your permission book, which you must present to your teacher when you leave. Upon returning to school, bring your permission book to the dean’s office with a note from the dentist, physician, etc., verifying you kept your appointment to have it stamped excused.
All sign-outs will be unexcused until verified by an authorized excuse. Students leaving school before 11:30 a.m. and do not return, will be counted absent all day.
COUNSELING SERVICES
All students in high school need help from each other and from teachers with special knowledge about special things. P.H.S. offers the individual student a chance to help himself/herself and to help others. In addition, it offers the student the help of the entire teaching staff as well as several specialists as he/she attempts to make plans for his/her education, for the life work he/she will choose, or for help in solving some personal problem.
Such help may begin in the classroom with the classroom teacher. A student may request time with the principal, deans or with the counselors. A student must be signed by a classroom teacher or make previous arrangements before or after school. Contact a counselor if you need assistance in: (1) educational planning, (b) vocational planning, (c) personal problems, (d) any other important matter.
A student must be signed to the nurse, principal’s office, dean of boys’ or dean of girls’ office by his/her classroom teacher.
Arrangements for appointments with the counselors may be made with them before or after school. These appointments should be scheduled during your independent study time. Students should not remain in the office during class time.
Counselors welcome the opportunity to talk with you and your parents. Encourage your parents to contact counselors and faculty for conference times.
No schedule changes will be considered during the opening week of school. You are to follow the daily schedule as outlined on the schedule given to you. If a schedule adjustment or change must be made, there is a definite procedure you are to follow.
(a) Check with your counselor for this material in the guidance
office.
(b) A slip signed by parent and teachers involved in the change must be filled out and returned.
There is no guarantee that the change requested will be made.
CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS
All students will proceed to the next grade level regardless of credit status with the exception of the senior year.
In order to advance to a senior homeroom, students in the classes of 2002, 2003, etc., must have 15 credits.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION FOR P.H.S.
1. Graduation requirements changed beginning with the Class
of 2002. The class of 2002 and beyond must have 21
credits to graduate (See chart below.) They must also pass
to graduate (See chart below.) They must also pass
Writing, Reading, Math, Citizenship and Science of the
Ninth Grade Proficiency Test or be exempted. Class of 2007 must pass all parts of the Ohio Graduation Test of be exempted.
Classes of
2004 (12)
2005 (11)
2006 (10)
2007 (09)
ENGLISH 4
AM. GOVERNMENT 1
AM. HISTORY 1
SOCIAL STUDIES 1
MATH 3
SCIENCE 3*
*-must include 1 credit in biological science and 1 credit in physical science
HEALTH 1/2
PHYSICAL EDUCATION 1/2
ELECTIVES 7**
** - must include 1 credit OR 2
half credits in business/
technology, fine arts or foreign
language
TOTAL CREDITS 21
2. No credit will be give for less than one whole year of a
subject unless the subject is designated as a half-year
subject or unless approved by the principal.
3. Students wishing to enroll or continue in college prep classes
must have a “C” average in that subject area the previous
semester/year unless prior approval is given by the principal.
HONORS DIPLOMA
The State Board of Education has set the criteria for an “honors” diploma. To qualify for an honors diploma, students must be in a college preparatory curriculum and meet eight of the following nine requirements:
1. Four (4) units of English
2. Three (3) units of Math
3. Three (3) units of Science
4. Three (3) units of social Studies
5. Three (3) units of one Foreign Language or two (2) units
each of two languages
6. One (1) unit of Fine Arts
7. A 3.5 grade average
8. Either one unit of business/technology and two additional
units in 1 through 7 above or earn three additional units, in
1 through 7 above.
9. Obtain honors level score(s) on four of the twelfth-grade
proficiency tests or obtain a composite score of 27 on the
ACT tests or an equivalent composite score on the SAT.
Students in the vocational education curriculum must meet seven of the following eight requirements:
1. Four (4) units in English
2. Two (2) units of Math
3. Two (2) units of Science
4. Three (3) units of Social Studies
5. Two (2) units of a foreign Language or two (2) units of
Computer Science
6. A 3.5 grade average
7. Completion of a career passport, including a demonstration
of high proficiency in their occupation course as judged by
at least two experts.
8. A composite score of 27 on the ACT or 1130 on the SAT or
an honors score on the 12th grade proficiency tests.
AWARD OF MERIT
The State Board of Education has also set the requirements for the “Award of Merit”. Students who meet the criteria specified in A and C or B and C below will qualify.
A. College Prep Requirements - complete the following mini-
mum requirements:
1. English - four (4) units (may include one (1) unit of Fundamentals of Speech.)
2. Mathematics - three (3) units (must include one (1) unit of Algebra and one (1) unit of Geometry.)
3. Science - three (3) units (must include two (2) units from among Biology, Chemistry and