BHS Student Handbook - Beachwood High School

Principal's Welcome

Dear Students and Parents:

Welcome back to another school year! Please take the time to read this handbook thoroughly. It contains information that is important to your success as a Beachwood High School student. Many portions of the handbook are explanatory and intended to assist you and your family with useful information. Other portions of the handbook contain important rules and regulations that all students must follow. The rules and regulations in this handbook support a safe, respectful environment for everyone.

Safety and wellness for all are hallmarks of a successful school, and with your assistance, we will continue to adhere to that high standard. It is important that you (both students and families) sign (through Infinite Campus) the acknowledgment of the handbook indicating that you have received, read, and agree to abide by the rules and regulations in this handbook.

As always, please contact us with any questions or concerns. We look forward to a successful school year for each of you.

Sincerely,

Paul R. Chase III
Principal

Contact Information

Beachwood High School

bhs.beachwoodschools.org
25100 Fairmount Boulevard
Beachwood, OH 44122
Phone: 216-831-2080
Fax: 216-292-4169

Administration

Paul R. Chase, Principal
Aubrei B. Erkins, Assistant Principal
Ryan M. Peters, Director of Athletics
Amy Schulte, Principal’s Secretary
Casey DeMay, Secretary to A.P. and Dir. of Athletics
Rebecca Fleischmann, Attendance Clerk

Counseling Department

Liz Osicki, School Counselor
Meghann Sullivan, School Counselor
Sherri Williams, School Counselor
Chris Weyn, School Psychologist
Keyonna Hughley, Counseling Secretary

District Compliance Officer

India Jackson
Director of HR/Anti-Harassment Coordinator/Title IX Coordinator
Email: ijackson@beachwoodschools.org
Telephone: 216-464-2600

*All other staff contact information can be located in the Faculty & Staff Directory.

General Information

School Day

The school building opens for students at 7:45 a.m. with the first class bell at 8:20 am. The school building closes for students every day at 3:40 p.m. unless the student is required to be in the building for other school purposes such as co-curricular or extra-curricular activities.

Visitors

A person wishing to visit a school or observe a classroom or other school activity must comply with Board Policy 9150 and Administrative Guideline 9150 that are posted in the school and available from the school office. Every visitor to a school must first register at the main office with appropriate identification. Sign-in lists showing name, time, person visiting, and time departing shall be maintained by the school office. Any person who does not first register with the school office is on school property illegally and shall be asked to identify himself/herself properly or to leave the school grounds. If the visitor refuses to leave the school grounds or creates any disturbance, a building administrator may request aid from the Beachwood Police Department.

A person wishing to visit a school for the purposes of observing a student, a class, or other school activity must make arrangements in advance through the principal of that school. The principal reserves the right to decline the requested observation where the requested visit may result in an undue disturbance of the educational process or for other good cause. Teachers contacted by a person wishing to observe a classroom shall not make any arrangements for the requested observation but instead refer the person to the principal. The District reserves the right to have a school representative present during the observation.

Building Volunteers

The District recognizes that certain programs and activities can be enhanced through the use of volunteers who have particular knowledge or skills that will be helpful to the staff and students. All volunteers who work or apply to work unsupervised with children on a regular basis must
display appropriate behavior at all times. All such volunteers shall be required to provide a set of fingerprints so that a criminal records check can be conducted. When the criminal records check is a condition of continued service as a volunteer, it will be conducted at the District’s expense.
Interested parties should contact the Principal for more information regarding volunteer opportunities.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

Overview
In our efforts to establish Beachwood City Schools as a safe, welcoming and purposeful learning environment, we have implemented a program called Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). PBIS actively encourages students to achieve their academic potential and behave with good character. At Beachwood, the focus is on teaching and encouraging appropriate behavior in all areas of the school through five main behavior expectations: Be Honorable, Be Encouraging, Be Accountable, Be Respectful, and Be Determined. Students who are honorable, encouraging, accountable, respectful, and determined act appropriately to maximize learning for themselves and their classmates. Students take an active role in learning what the expectations mean and look like in all areas of our school through activities, lessons, demonstrations, videos, and role-playing. In addition to learning the expectations, teachers and staff will recognize and reward students for better-than-expected behavior.

Behavior Matrix
The Beachwood High School behavior matrix indicates the expected behaviors in all areas of school. This framework ensures consistency across learning environments, whether students are on the bus, in the classroom, or in the hallway. Please take time to review this matrix with your child. You will see that our expectations are simple and respectful of other human beings. We continually reinforce our expectations in preparing the students for life. Beachwood Schools staff believes that schools can only be successful when they help students grow academically, socially and emotionally. It is our goal to create an atmosphere for learning by setting clear expectations and directly teaching students about our expectations. By teaching students the necessary social skills for future success, we set our students on a course to be lifelong learners and successful citizens.

Attendance

Select a topic to learn about Beachwood High School's attendance policies and procedures.

General Attendance

Contacting the Parent/Guardian of an Absent Student

Excessive Absences

Absence Intervention Team

Homebound Instruction

Make-Up of Tests and Other School Work

Suspension from School

Truancy

Tardiness

Vacations During the School Year

Early Dismissal

Withdrawal from School

Safety and Security

The safety and security of the building and students are of utmost importance. Everyone involved with the School has the responsibility to notify the administration of anything that is unsafe or insecure including any suspicious behavior or situation that makes them uncomfortable. The outside doors to the school building are locked during the day. All visitors must enter the school building through the front doors and report to the main office where they will be requested to submit their state-issued photo ID in order to be scanned for a background check, and will be issued, and required to wear, a building pass. Staff are expected to question people in the building whom they do not recognize and who are not wearing a building pass, and to question people who are in the area of the building after hours. Portions of the building that will not be needed after the regular school days are closed off, and students not involved in after-school activities are expected to vacate the building at the end of the school day.

Student Wellbeing

Student safety is the responsibility of both students and staff. Staff members are familiar with emergency procedures such as evacuation procedures, fire and tornado drills, safety drills in the event of a terrorist or other violent attack, and accident reporting procedures. State law requires that all students have an emergency medical authorization completed and signed by a parent or guardian on file in the School office. Students with specific health care needs should deliver written notice about such needs, along with physician documentation, to the School office.

Duty to Report

If a student is aware of any dangerous situation or accident, they must notify a staff person immediately.

Beachwood High School is committed to maintaining an educational environment that is free from all forms of unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. This commitment applies to all Beachwood High School operations, programs, and activities. All students, administrators, teachers, staff, and all other school personnel share responsibility for avoiding, discouraging, and reporting any form of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. This applies to conduct occurring on school property or at another location if such conduct occurs during an activity sponsored by the Board.

Fire, Tornado, and Safety Drills

The School complies with all safety laws and will conduct drills in accordance with State law. The School will provide specific instructions on how to proceed in the case of fire or tornado and will oversee the safe, prompt, and orderly evacuation of the building in such cases. Safety drills will be conducted at least once per school year. The School will provide specific instruction on the appropriate procedures to follow in situations where students must be secured in their building rather than evacuated. These situations can include a terrorist threat, a person in possession of a deadly weapon on school property, or other acts of violence.

Parent Communications

Grades

For real-time access to grades, students and parents can access the Infinite Campus grade book. Parents are encouraged to check grades with their child at least one day per week. Report cards will be released to Infinite Campus at the end of each quarter.

Emergency Closing and Delays

If the School must be closed or the opening delayed because of inclement weather or other conditions, the School will notify local radio and television stations. Information concerning school closings or delays can also be found on the School's website at www.beachwoodschools.org.

Parents will also be notified of school closings or delays via a pre-recorded telephone message or text alert delivered to the phone number on file. Parents and students are responsible for knowing about emergency closings and delays.

Student Valuables

Students should not bring valuable items to school. Items such as jewelry, expensive clothing, electronic equipment, and the like, are tempting targets for theft and extortion. The School is not liable for any loss or damage to personal valuables.

Medical

Select a topic to learn more about Beachwood High School's Medical policies and procedures.

Emergency Medical Authorization

A complete Emergency Medical Authorization Form must be on file with the School in order for a student to participate in any activity off school grounds, including field trips, spectator trips, athletic and other extracurricular activities, and co-curricular activities. The Emergency Medical Authorization form is provided at the time of enrollment and must be resubmitted at the beginning of each school year. If a student participates in athletics they must complete the OHSAA physical examination form prior to the first day of practice. This must be updated yearly.

Injury and Illness

All injuries must be reported to a teacher or the office. If the injuries are minor, the student will be treated and may return to class. If medical attention is required, the office will follow the School's emergency procedures and attempt to make contact with the student's parents. A student who becomes ill during the school day should request permission to go to the office. An appropriate adult in the office will determine whether the student should remain in school or go home. No student will be released from school without proper parental permission. In the event of an accident, the student will be requested to complete an Accident-Incident Form.

Control of Direct Contact Communicable Diseases

Because a school has a high concentration of people, it is necessary to take specific measures when the health or safety of the group is at risk. The School's staff may remove or isolate a student who has been ill or has been exposed to a communicable disease or highly transient pest, such as lice. Specific communicable diseases include coronavirus, diphtheria, scarlet fever, strep infections, whooping cough, mumps, measles, rubella, and other conditions indicated by the Local and State Health Departments. Any removal will be limited to the contagious period.

Keeping Your Child at Home

There are times when it is difficult to tell if your child is too ill to go to school. Sometimes there is the worry that they will miss important school work. Like adults, children will have different tolerances for discomfort and illness. Even with common colds, some are able to function fine while others are miserable. If you decide to send your child to school when he or she is on the "borderline" of being ill, it is a good idea to have a "back up" plan if your child's condition worsens at school. Please call the school or send a note to the teacher to let them know. Make sure the school knows where you can be contacted. Do not send your child to school if any of the following symptoms or conditions were present in the last 24 hours. You will be called and asked
to take your child home if any of the following conditions exist.

A temperature of 100 degrees F or more. Your child should be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school
Vomiting and/or diarrhea two or more times during the previous evening or night. Call your child's doctor if symptoms continue for more than 48 hours or worsen
Blistery, draining rash. Also, any undiagnosed rash must be evaluated by a physician.
Diagnosed with a bacterial infection like strep throat. Your child may return to school after taking prescribed antibiotics for 24 hours
Thick mucus or pus draining from the eye or "pink eye." Your child can attend school 24 hours after the start of treatment
Severe headache. Your child will be too uncomfortable in school if they have a severe headache
Ear pain with fever or drainage. Your child can attend school after receiving medical treatment for an ear infection
Live lice or the presence of nits (lice eggs). Must be cleared by the school nurse before returning to class
Sore throat, especially with fever or swollen glands in the neck
Unusually tired, pale, difficult to wake, confused or irritable, lack of appetite.
Long term nasal discharge and/or chronic cough. Continuous cough. It will be difficult for your child and other students to concentrate.

Medications

Prescribed Medications

Ideally, medication should be administered to children at home by parents/guardians. However, in some situations, medication must be administered during the school day to attain optimal health. Parents should determine with the counsel of their child's prescriber whether the medication schedule can be adjusted to avoid administering medication during school hours.

Students, who must take prescribed medication during the school day, must have the appropriate form on file with the School Nurse before the student will be allowed to begin taking any medication during school hours or to use an inhaler to self-administer asthma medication. Such forms must be filed annually and as necessary for any change in the medication. Forms must be completed every year via your Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

All medications must be delivered to school in the original containers in which they were dispensed by the prescribing physician or licensed pharmacist, labeled with the date, the student's name, and the exact dosage to be administered.

The School will maintain a log noting the personnel designated to administer medication, as well as the date and the time of day that administration is required. This log will be maintained along with the prescriber's written request and the parent's written release.

Medication that is brought to the School will be properly secured. Except as noted below, medication must be delivered to the Nurse’s Office by the student's parent/guardian or by another responsible adult at the parent/guardian's request. Except as noted below, students may not bring medication to school.

Students may carry emergency medications for allergies and/ or reactions, or asthma inhalers during school hours provided the student has written permission from a parent or physician and has submitted the proper forms. In the case of epinephrine autoinjectors ("EpiPens"), in addition to written permission and submission of proper forms, the parent or student must provide a backup dose to the school nurse. Students are strictly prohibited from transferring emergency medication, EpiPens, or inhalers to any other student for their use or possession.

A student may possess and use a metered-dose inhaler or a dry powder inhaler to alleviate asthmatic symptoms or before exercise to prevent the onset of asthmatic symptoms, at school or at any activity, event, or program sponsored by or in which the student's school is a participant if the appropriate form is completed and on file in the Nurse’s Office. A student who is authorized to possess and use a metered dose or dry powder inhaler may not transfer possession of an inhaler or other medication to any other student.

Use of Medications

If, for supportable reasons, the Principal wishes to discontinue the privilege of a student self-administering a medication, except for the possession and use of asthma inhalers, the parent(s) shall be notified of the decision in sufficient time for an alternative means of administration to be established.

Any unused medication unclaimed by the parent will be destroyed by school personnel when a prescription is no longer to be administered or at the end of a school year. The parents shall have sole responsibility to instruct their child to take the medication at the scheduled time.

Any student who distributes medication of any kind or who is found in possession of unauthorized medication is in violation of the Student Code of Conduct and will be disciplined in accordance with the drug-use provision of the Code.

Non-Prescribed (Over-the-Counter) Medications

No staff member will dispense non-prescribed, over-the-counter (OTC) medication to any student without prior parent authorization. Parents may authorize administration of a non-prescribed medication on forms that are available from the Nurse’s Office. Physician authorization is not required in such cases. By written notice, parents may also authorize that their child may self-administer non-prescribed medication and may keep non-prescribed medication in their possession. If a student is found using or possessing a non-prescribed medication without parent authorization, the student will be brought to the Principal's office while the student's parents are contacted for authorization. The medication will be confiscated until written authorization is received.

Emergency Epinephrine Administration Policy

Beachwood Schools has implemented a new policy that allows the schools to stock supply Epinephrine and administer it to any person within our district who is displaying signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction that would require emergency administration. For more information, contact your school nurse.

Fees

Course Material Fees

Students will be provided necessary textbooks for courses of instruction without cost. In accordance with law, the School charges specific fees for a variety of materials used in various courses of instruction. The chart below outlines course fees for each course at the high school. Course fees will be activated in Infinite Campus on September 10. Parents will pay these fees using the Infinite Campus Portal. Course fees will not be reimbursed under any circumstance.

If a student’s course material fees are not paid by the end of the school year for which the course material fee was assessed, the School will withhold that student’s grades and credits for the fourth quarter of that school year until such time as the course material fees are paid in full. Students could be prohibited from participating in extracurricular activities and attending field trips if school fees are not paid. If you have a situation that warrants special consideration, please bring the situation to the principal or the principal’s designee.

All students participating in a performing arts class (Band, Choir, or Orchestra) will be required to purchase formal concert attire during their first year in that class. Students may re-use this attire in following years if it still fits, but will need to re-order formal concert attire when new sizes are needed. Information about the group purchase of these items will be shared during the fall with all participating students and the total cost will be determined based on the prices of the items and added shipping costs. View Course Fees

Fines for Lost, Damaged, or Destroyed School Property

If a student damages a device or uniform/equipment or loses a device or uniform/equipment, repair costs will be collected from the student (for the replacement cost.) Charges may also be imposed for loss, damage, or destruction of school apparatus, equipment, uniforms, musical instruments, library materials, textbooks, and for damage to school buildings or property. Students using school property and equipment can be fined for excessive wear and abuse of the property and equipment. Fees may be reduced or waived in situations where there is documented financial hardship. Students can avoid late fees by promptly returning borrowed materials. Parents will pay these fines using the Infinite Campus Portal.

If a fine for lost, damaged, or destroyed school property is not paid by the end of the school year during which the fine was assessed, the School will withhold that student’s grades and credits for the fourth quarter of that school year until such time as the fine is paid in full.

Computer Technology and Networks

The District provides Internet services to its students. The District's Internet system has a limited educational purpose, and has not been established as a public access service or a public forum. Student use of the District's computers/equipment, network and Internet services/connection ("Network") are governed by the following principles and guidelines, and the Student Code of Conduct. Users have a limited privacy expectation in the content of their personal files and records of their online activity while on the Network.

Parents and students are advised that the District may not be able to limit technological access through the Network to only those services that have been authorized for the purpose of instruction, study and research related to the curriculum. Because it serves as a gateway to any publicly available file server in the world, the Internet opens classrooms and students to electronic information resources that have not been screened by educators for use by students of various ages. The District utilizes a Technology Protection Measure, which is a specific technology that attempts to protect against (e.g., filter or block) access to visual displays/depictions that are obscene, pornographic, and materials that are harmful to minors, as defined by the Children's Internet Protection Act. At the discretion of the Board or the Superintendent, the Technology Protection Measure may be configured to attempt to protect against access to other material considered inappropriate for students to access.

Nevertheless, it is impossible to guarantee students will not gain access through the Internet to information and communications that they and/or their parents/guardians may find inappropriate, offensive, objectionable or controversial. Parents/Guardians assume risks by consenting to allow
their child to participate in the use of the Internet and/or on District issued devices.

Students are encouraged to use the Network for educational purposes. Use of the Network is a privilege, not a right. The Student-Parent Handbook’s Code of Student Conduct applies to behavior involving the Network. Unauthorized or inappropriate use of the Network, including any violation of these rules, may result in cancellation of the privilege, disciplinary action consistent with the Student Code of Conduct, and/ or civil or criminal liability. Prior to accessing the Network, students must sign the Student Network and Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Agreement. Acknowledgement of the Parent-Student Handbook simultaneously provides acknowledgment of the Acceptable Use and Safety Agreement.

Smooth operation of the Network relies upon users adhering to the following guidelines. The guidelines outlined below are not exhaustive but are provided so that users are aware of their general responsibilities.

Meal Service

Lunch Program

The School participates in the National School Lunch Program and makes lunches available to students for a fee. Students may also bring their own lunch to school to be eaten in the School's cafeteria. Applications for the School's Free and Reduced-Priced Meal program are distributed to all students. Additional benefits of the lunch program for those students who qualify include the Sharing of Information form, which allows the Treasurer to exempt academic fees for the school year. If a student does not receive an application form and believes they are eligible, contact the Principal's Office.

Food Delivery/Food Consumption

Students are not permitted to use food delivery services such as DoorDash or GrubHub. It is permitted for a parent to drop off lunch in the main office. It is the student’s responsibility to pick up their food at the front desk.