ASSIGNMENT ORGANIZER

All students are required to purchase an OLHMS Assignment Organizer. This organizer must be used daily and carried with each child though out the school day. The assignment organizer is used as a student’s primary organizational tool to list daily assignments and responsibilities, as well as serve in communicating written information from school to home. Organizers are also used for teachers to write washroom and hallway passes.

BACKPACKS, PURSES, JACKETS, AND OVER SIZED CLOTHING

Backpacks, purses, handbags, jackets, over sized clothing, and the like must be stored in lockers during the school day. Students are not permitted to carry backpacks and/or purses from class to class, or wear jackets during the school day. Backpacks must be of reasonable size to fit inside the locker and allow the locker to close. There are no provisions available for larger-sized backpacks or any type of luggage with attached wheels.

BICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS, SCOOTERS, AND ROLLERBLADES

Non-bus riding students may ride their bicycles to and from school. All bicycles must be securely locked to the bike rack provided outside Door #13 on the west side of the building. As a matter of safety, students should wear a helmet if riding a bicycle to and from school. Skateboards, scooters, rollerblades, and the like are not permitted at school. These items cannot be stored in lockers or be locked outside. Use of these items anywhere on school property is prohibited.

BOOKS

Each student will be provided textbooks to help compliment classroom instruction and have the opportunity to check books out from the OLHMS library. Students must be responsible with any textbooks brought to and from home, and make sure library books are returned in a timely fashion. Students are encouraged to take care of their textbooks by using book covers. Fines will be assessed for any late library books, and/or lost, destroyed, or damaged textbooks.

CLASSROOMS

Students are not permitted to leave the classroom unless granted permission by a teacher. Desks and other instructional materials are not to be misused by students. Teacher permission must be obtained to use chalkboards, bulletin boards, pencil sharpeners, etc.

COMPUTER USE

OLHMS students will have access to various modes of computer technology. The use of district computers, computer networks, and related technology is a privilege, in exchange for which students are expected to abide by all rules with regard to such use. Specific acceptable use policies are found in the Oak Lawn Hometown School District 123 Disciplinary Policy Handbook and will be defined in an Acceptable Usage Policy agreement sent home for parents/guardians to sign. Any student found in violation of District policy may be subject to disciplinary action.

DISCIPLINARY EXPECTATIONS

Behavior is a matter of choice. Students are expected to behave in an orderly and appropriate manner with regard to respecting the rights of others, the rules and regulations of the school district, the directives of school personnel, and all existing laws. Any conduct that prevents teaching, hinders learning, causes a disruption to the educational environment, or endangers the safety/well-being of others will be subject to disciplinary action. In all matters relating to the discipline and conduct of the school and its students, school personnel stand in relation with parents and guardians to the students. This relationship extends at all times while students are on school property, traveling to and/or from school, and engaged in school-related activities.

Several degrees of disciplinary intervention exist at OLHMS. Consequences will vary depending on the infraction and frequency of occurrences. The purpose of assigning consequences is to change problematic behavior for the better. Consequences may include, but are not limited to conferences, written misconduct referrals, classroom removals, loss of privileges, behavioral reflections, after school and lunch detentions, or internal/external suspensions for one to ten days.

A Mustang Pride Behavior Matrix has been developed to further assist students in understanding school-wide behavioral expectations. Copies of the behavior matrix are posted through out the school in common areas, and available to students in classrooms and the main office.

Generally, when a student follows directions, accepts adult decisions, and is compliant to school rules there is little need to extend further disciplinary intervention. Please refer to the Oak Lawn Hometown School District 123 Disciplinary Policy Handbook for more specific information regarding school district disciplinary expectations.

DRESS STANDARD

OLHMS expects students to be dressed appropriately for academic performance. Any dress, groom, or accessories that have a distracting effect on the educational environment and/or compromise the safety or welfare of others will be prohibited. Disciplinary action will result for students whose appearance violate the safety, decency, or consideration of others. The building principals are the final authority for judging the appropriateness of student appearance.

Examples of inappropriate dress and/or appearance include, but are not limited to the following:

• Clothing/accessories that contain or promote illegal substances, violence, profanity, vulgarity, negativity, or sexually explicit wording or symbolism.
• Pants/shorts/skirts with writing on the backside.
• Pants that are torn or distressed with holes.
• Unusually long pants that sag lower than waist level or pants with straps, buckles, zippers, or frays that create a safety hazard when walking.
• Flannel pants or pajama bottoms.
• Coats, gloves, hats, head coverings, which include but are not limited to sweatbands, headbands, rubber bands, wristbands, and/or bandannas will not be worn in school.
• No spiked, dangerous, or excessively heavy jewelry including wallet chains, large necklaces/medallions, metallic belts, grills, or loop earrings. Any jewelry with a diameter greater than that of a school ID card will be deemed excessive.
• Boys may not wear sleeveless shirts without a t-shirt underneath.
• All tops/blouses must cover midriff and maintain a reasonable neckline.
• Short-shorts and/or mini-skirts are not allowed. Skirts and shorts must cover mid-thigh and be at least “fingertip” length.
• All tops must have straps at least “three fingers” in width. Spaghetti straps and tank tops are not allowed.
• Excessively tight or revealing clothing that exposes undergarments.
• Drawing, writing, or tattooing on skin is prohibited. Students may not write on themselves or others.
• All footwear must be secure and safe on stairs. No backless or slip on type of footwear will be worn. No flip-fop or beach-like sandals, or shoes with wheels will be allowed.
• Gym shoes with multicolored shoelaces.
• Excessive make-up, shaved eyebrows, and/or hair hairstyles that cause a disruption to the educational climate will not be permitted. This will include, but is not limited to unusual designs, shapes and/or words that are cut into hair, extreme hair coloring, or hairstyles that restrict vision.
• Body piercings that impede communication, disrupt the educational process, and/or present a safety or health hazard are not permitted.
• Students must remain symmetrical in appearance. No tilted/reversed caps, uneven pant legs or shirtsleeves, etc.
• Fingernails must remain reasonable trimmed.

Not adhering to the OLHMS dress standard may result in an office referral. Students will be given the opportunity to call home for a change of clothing, or wear a P.E. uniform for the remainder of the day. Repeated dress code violations will result in further disciplinary action.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES/CELL PHONES

We strongly discourage the possession of any electronic device that emits sound and/or can potentially cause a distraction to the educational environment. Students who bring cell phones to school must abide by the following guidelines:

1. Have the device turned off and stored their locker during regular school hours.

2. Only use the device after 3:30 p.m. in designated areas.

Students violating these guidelines will have the device confiscated by the school and be subject to disciplinary action, which may include a loss of privilege. Cell phones/cameras are prohibited in washrooms and/or hallways. Electronic pagers, laser pointers, cameras, and/or video games are not allowed in school.

GRADUATION ACTIVITIES

Eighth grade students who display poor behavior, or those who do not meet minimum academic standards may be excluded from the privilege of participating in graduation activities including the commencement exercise, end of the year party, and Great America trip.

GUM & CANDY

Gum and candy are NOT allowed in school. Students who consistently disobey this rule will be subject to disciplinary action.

HALLWAY CONDUCT

There are no passing bells at OLHMS. Teachers determine classroom dismissal and commencement times. When students are dismissed from one class the next class begins. Students must move to their classes in a reasonable, safe, and quiet manner, following the most direct route. Students are not allowed to make washroom stops without permission from a teacher. Locker stops are designated for specific times during the school day. Students must carry a teacher provided hall pass or signed organizer when traveling in the hallways during class times.

ID CARDS – STUDENT INDENTIFICATION

Every individual in the building is required to wear a visible school issued ID card and lanyard. ID cards serve a variety of important safety purposes:

• Identifying students/teachers by grade level.
• Entrance into building/school sponsored events.
• Debit card for hot lunch program.
• Library checkout card.
• Bus or walker identification.

ID cards/lanyards are not to be destroyed, cut, or defaced. A replacement fee of $5.00 will be charged for lost, defaced or destroyed ID cards. One-day temporary ID cards will be produced for a fee of $2.00 if ID’s are forgotten at home. Please encourage your child to be responsible with their ID card. Establishing a central location at home to daily store the ID and lanyard will help students with this responsibility. Consequences will be issued for students who routinely neglect bringing or visibly wearing their ID.

LOCKERS

Each student is assigned a locker for the school year. Lockers are property of the school, however students are responsible for keeping their locker clean and secure at all times. Lockers as well as combinations should not be shared. The school is not responsible for missing items. Large sums of money or valuables should not be brought to school and stored in lockers. Any types of decoration on the outside or inside of the locker including stickers, tape, magnets, and/or balloons are not allowed. Inappropriate or unsafe items may not be stored in lockers. Lockers can be opened and inspected at any time by school administration.

Students will also be assigned a P.E. locker and asked to purchase a school issued combination lock at registration. Students can use this combination lock for P.E. class each year at OLHMS.

LOST AND FOUND

Each grade-level team has designated one area on each floor to hold lost and found items. Students may also check the main office for items lost. Following each trimester, unclaimed items will be donated to charity.