School Policies

Please review these important school policies/procedures:

Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices

  • The Marion County Board of Education and its employees are not responsible for personal electronic devices brought to school by students.
  • Cell phones and other electronic communication devices (including watches that connect to the internet or cell phones) are to be OFF and OUT OF SIGHT during the school day and when being transported to and from school on school buses.
  • Cell phones and personal communication devices should be stored in a secure location, such as a vehicle, pocket, purse, locker, backpack, etc.
  • Students participating in extracurricular activities and athletic events must follow the rules of the coach or sponsor involving cell phone use after school hours or on activity bus trips.

            1st Offense-Phone/device will be confiscated for the remainder of the day.            

            2nd Offense- Phone/device will be confiscated for the remainder of the day. Parent/Guardian will be notified and required to pick up phone.  Student will receive a warning.

            3rd Offense- Phone/device will be confiscated for the remainder of the day. Parent/Guardian will be notified and required to pick up phone.  Student will receive one day of ISS.

            4th Offense-Phone/device will be confiscated for the remainder of the day. Parent/Guardian will be notified and required to pick up phone.  Student will receive three days of ISS.

            5th Offense- Phone/device will be confiscated for the remainder of the day. Parent/Guardian will be notified and required to pick up phone.  Student will receive five days of ISS.


DRESS CODE

       The Board and administration recognizes the importance of personal rights and privileges of each individual student in the school system. However, the Board equally recognizes that individual rights stop where the rights of the group (the school) begin and no student has the right to dress or appear in such a manner that becomes disruptive to the teaching learning process.

         The Board strongly believes it is the responsibility of students and parents or guardians to use reason, good judgment, and common decency in the choice of dress and physical grooming in the school setting.

         Therefore, the following dress and appearance standards are applicable in all schools of the School System. Local school personnel are expected to enforce the standards with firmness and fairness in an effort to foster the orderly operation of the schools. The standards are as follows:

1.      Head coverings, and sunglasses must be removed and placed in the locker or designated area and remain during the school day, except for a medical purpose, unless it is a special dress-up day. Hoodies must be worn DOWN at all times during the school day.

2.      No hairstyle, body piercing, clothing, or other article which is disruptive to the learning environment or which identifies a student as being a member of a gang or any subversive or unlawful organization will be allowed.

      3.      Jewelry that may be considered safety hazards (such as nose rings) may not be worn in any visibly pierced areas of the body.

      4.      Students are to wear clothing in the manner for which it is designed. No clothing shall be worn inside out; suspenders/braces shall  be fastened and belts buckled. Pants must be worn at the waist and may not be excessively baggy or sag excessively in such a way  as to reveal any type of undergarment or flesh. Pants may not have writing or graphics on area of the buttocks. Tops must be long enough to tuck in and stay tucked in. School administration may require that coats be removed upon entering the building.

5.      Sun dresses and backless dresses or tops cannot be worn to school.

6.      Cut-off tops, tank tops, and mesh tops can be worn if a T-shirt with sleeves is worn underneath or another shirt is worn over the top.

7.      Students must wear proper undergarments.

8.      Halter tops, tube tops and midriff tops are not allowed.  Midriffs, sides, and bust lines must be covered.

9.      Bracelets, belts, and other clothing and accessories with spikes, studs, or chains are not allowed.

10. Insignias, buttons, and clothing which are suggestive of wine, beer, whiskey, tobacco, vulgarities and violence, or drug-related, or are demeaning to other persons may not be allowed.

11. Jeans and other articles of clothing must be clean with absolutely no rips, holes, or ravels in jeans, slacks, or shorts above the knee.

12.  Sweat pants and jogging pants are allowed as long as they are properly fitted. Leggings may be only worn if shirt covers the hips.

       Pajamas may not be worn to school unless it is a special “dress-up” day.”

13. Articles of clothing must be appropriate for school wear. Students in grades K-4 may wear shorts, skirts, and dresses appropriate for school.  Any apparel worn by students in grades 5-12 must be worn at the waist and to the knee cap.

14. Clothing shall not be so tight or so loose as to be overly revealing, a disruption to the school environment or a safety concern.

15. Shoes appropriate to the school setting must be worn at all times. No wheeled shoes allowed.

16. Book bags with rollers will be allowed with the size requirement of 20 inches by 15 inches for those students having a doctor’s statement showing a need.

Any student who fails to dress appropriately will not be allowed to attend class until proper clothes can be secured.  If necessary, parents will be called to bring proper clothes to school.  Until proper clothing can be secured, the student will be isolated and will be responsible for all class work missed.  Nonconformity to the dress code is a Class I.


Exams and Exemptions Grades 7 - 12

Final Averages:  The final grades for students in grades 7-12 shall be based on a yearly average. The yearly average shall be calculated by averaging the first and second semester averages. Semester averages will consist of two nine-week grades plus a comprehensive exam given at the end of the semester. The two nine-weeks’ grades will account for two-fifths of the semester average with the semester exam accounting for one-fifth.

Semester Exams:   All students will take first semester exams and exams for one semester courses.

Exemption Policy:

  • Students with an “A” average (90 and above) and no more than four absences may exempt the final exam.
  • Students with a “B” average (80 and above) and no more than three absences may exempt the final exam.
  • Students with a “C” average (70 and above) and no more than two absences may exempt the final exam.
  • Students with a “D” average (65 and above) and no more than two absences may exempt the final exam.
  • Students with an average below 65 OR with more than four absences will be required to take the final exam for that class.
  • Students who have had disciplinary incidents that resulted in ISS or OSS will required to take ALL final exams.

Students shall NOT be exempt from taking nine weeks tests (1st and 3rd nine weeks).

*A special education student’s IEP may or may not require nine-week or semester exams.

NOTE:  Three tardies to a class will result in an absence toward exam exemption.