Includes personal, group, educational and career counseling.  Specialized counseling is available to student/parents on request or referral.

Representatives from colleges/universities, military service, technical schools and various career fields visit Oakwood High School regularly to talk with interested students.  These visits are designed to provide information about various colleges, curriculum, entrance requirements, costs, financial aid, and major areas of study. 

A sign-up process (through Naviance) is necessary to talk with these representatives.   Naviance is a college and career readiness platform that helps connect academic achievement to post-secondary goals for students.  Naviance is also used to communicate important information to students (to their oakwoodschools.org email accounts) and to parents if they have added their email address to their student’s profile. 

Includes orientation meetings, career exploration, curriculum planning sessions, career education opportunities, post-secondary educational opportunities/planning, financial aid sessions for colleges and universities and other post secondary training programs and test interpretation.

Individual records are maintained by the assigned counselor and are available to students/parents upon request.  Records include courses taken and credit earned, attendance record, testing record and activity participation.  Requests for transcripts or copy of records to be sent to colleges, employees, private schools, technical schools, etc. are handled through the guidance department.  (Please note: the school will withhold transcripts and permanent grade information until all debts are settled.)  

The relationship between the student and counselor is a confidential one.  The student client is entitled to privacy about personal matters.  However, there are limits to confidentiality, which include situations where there is risk of danger.  If there is suspicion that the student could harm him or herself, is in danger of being abused or neglected, or could be of risk to others, the counselor is legally and ethically bound to report this to the proper adults to investigate and take protective action if warranted. Because many of our students are minors, parents or legal guardians are entitled to general information about the nature of the problem and counseling interventions.  Since many of the concerns brought to counseling by a student relate to situations where teacher or caring adults in the child’s life need to be involved in making changes to benefit the student, permission to involve these adults is frequently requested and received. 

Kelly Owens         Guidance Dept. Chairperson
                                School Counselor, students with last names R-Z
                                Coordinator of Educational Options

Paige Lumpkins        School Counselor, students with last names A-G
                                   Data/Test Coordinator

Adam Woessner          School Counselor, students with last names H-Q
                                        CCP and ACT/SAT Coordinator

Joan Bline                    Prevention/Intervention Counselor
                                    Special Programs/Leadership Coordinator

Beth Johnson               Guidance Administrative Assistant and Registrar, College Representative Coordinator

Melissa Tinker             Mental Health Therapist

The guidance office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  To schedule an   appointment with a school counselor, students must sign up on their counselor’s clipboard before school or between classes.  A pass to the guidance office will be issued during first period on the day of the scheduled appointment.  Students are not to report to the guidance office without a pass.

The attendance office and the principal are responsible for attendance matters and conduct follow-up work regarding all attendance discrepancies, including class cuts, truancies, and excessive tardiness. The attendance secretary maintains attendance records and assists with attendance matters and contacting parents/guardians.

ATTENDANCE LINE (937) 297-5330

• It is the obligation of the parent/guardian to report the child’s absence or tardy each day the student is absent.
• The parent/guardian should phone the high school attendance office before the beginning of the school day and before the start of the afternoon session each day the student is absent.  The attendance line is monitored throughout the day.
• A student who has been absent 38 or more hours in one school month for a non-medical and/or unexcused absence; or absent 65 or more hours in one school year for a non-medical and/or unexcused absence, will receive a letter stating the number of absences and explaining the truancy laws, guidelines and consequences.
• A school logged parent/guardian phone call received by the attendance office, on each day of the student’s absence, for any excused absences below, is sufficient to excuse the student’s absence. A student who is absent 38 or more hours in one school month for a non-medical and/or unexcused absence; or absent 65 or more hours in one school year for a non-medical and/or unexcused absence shall provide written documentation from a treating physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant stating the day(s) absent and reason for such absence.   If within two (2) school days after returning to school following an absence, written documentation has not been received, the absence will be “unexcused.”
• The parent/guardian (and not the school) maintains responsibility to make certain the telephone call and/or absence note was submitted to the proper school attendance authority in a timely fashion.
• If the parent/guardian fails to contact the school and school personnel have to initiate contact with the parent/guardian via phone call and they DO NOT make direct contact with a parent/guardian the absence will be considered unexcused until a parent/guardian makes direct contact with the attendance office on the day of the student’s absence.  After that date, the student must submit a written parent note within two (2) days to excuse the absence. 
   

• Personal illness
• Illness in the familyDeath of a relative
• Medical or dental appointment
• Observance of religious holiday
• Trips on which the student is accompanied by his/her parent(s) and about which advanced written notice has been given to the school
• An emergency or situation, which in the judgment of the administration constitutes a good and sufficient case.

If your child has a high fever and/or vomiting, allow 24 hours of normal temperature and no vomiting/diarrhea before sending the child back to school. Certain effects of illness remain after the temperature is normal.

Generally, a parent/guardian phone call may be used to document a student who is absent less than 38 or more hours in one school month with or without legitimate excuse; or absent 65 or less hours in one school year for a non-medical and/or unexcused absence.  Absences in excess of this may not be excused by a parent and shall require documentation by the child’s treating physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant – unless an absence is otherwise excused by the principal due to an unusual circumstance.

Application of these general guidelines may be waived by school officials where circumstances indicate that its application does not serve the student’s best interest. 

Nothing contained in this attendance regulation is intended nor should be construed as restricting the discretion of school officials to make such inquiries and request such verification/documentation as is reasonably necessary to determine if an absence/tardy is for any of the reasons identified in this regulation as “Excused Absences.” 

Truancy is defined by Ohio Revised Code, Section 3313.609, as “any absence that is not excused.” 

Whenever a proposed absence-for-vacation is requested, parents must discuss it with the building administrator in advance. The length of absence should be made clear, and those involved should have an opportunity to express their views on the potential effects of the absence.

The District will only excuse a student’s absence for a vacation when the principal has been informed in advance and the student will be in the company of his/her own parent or other family relatives, or if there are extenuating circumstances deemed appropriate by the principal.

If the principal does not excuse the absence, the student’s absence will be considered unexcused and subject to truancy regulations.

If the absence is excused, the student may be given approximate assignments and materials and pages to be completed, based upon applicable due dates (per student handbook).

If your child/student has a dental, medical, or other professional appointment, he should report to the attendance office with a parental note before the morning or afternoon session of the absence. He/she will be given an excuse slip, which will excuse him/her from classes at the appropriate time. Please make prior arrangements for pick up location.  Alternatively, feel free to call the attendance line, or leave a message, throughout the day if your student needs an early dismissal for an appointment.

If a student must leave the school premises for any reason prior to the regular dismissal of school, the student must receive approval of the principal, a counselor, the attendance office or the school nurse. In such cases, parents will be contacted so that they may give permission for their child to leave the premises early.

Seniors may elect to be excused from school if they have a study hall during period 1, 4, 5 or 7.  This privilege requires permission from the parent and principal.  Permission forms are available in the guidance office and must be completed for the first and second semester.  This privilege can be revoked if a student is not in good academic standing.

Seniors are obligated to perform three six-hour days of community service prior to graduation. These are considered school days for our seniors.  These follow the last official class day for our seniors.

Students in all activities are required to be present at least one-half of any day in which they will be performing or participating in an event after school hours. A senior sign out counts as being in attendance. Exceptions to this rule require advance administrative approval.

Excused absences and tardies allow students to make-up all missed class work, tests, and assignments.  The general rule is the length of make-up opportunity is equivalent to the length of the absence.  Students may not make-up class work, tests, and assignments due to unexcused absences or tardies.

However, if a student is absent when an assignment is due for which the student had prior knowledge, and for which the reason for the absence would not preclude completing it, the assignment is due on the day the student returns to school.

If your child is out three or more days sick, work can be collected for pick up by contacting teachers via email or contacting their guidance counselor.  If your child is out less than three days we ask that they do what they can by checking the teacher websites.

General Statement: All Oakwood High School students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner reflecting a basic belief in the worth and dignity of every person. Therefore, any behavior which could reasonably be expected to result in harm to one’s self or to another person, which is destructive of property or any school employee’s personal property, which disrupts school activities, or which tends to conflict with the respect inherent in this basic principle, is prohibited.

Expected Behaviors: Students are expected to (1) act courteously to adults and fellow students; (2) be prompt to school and attentive in class; (3) work cooperatively with others when involved in accomplishing a common goal regardless of the other’s ability, gender, race, or ethnic background; (4) complete assigned tasks on time and as directed; (5) help maintain a school environment that is safe, friendly, 22 and productive; (6) act at all times in a manner that reflects pride in self, family, and in the school. 

Code of Conduct Violations:

1. Fighting or assaulting another person while under the jurisdiction of the school; i.e., from the time students leave their home for school until they return home after school, is prohibited. This includes the entire lunch period.
2. While under the jurisdiction of the school, any behavior, which could result in harm to one’s self or another, damage of school property, or damage to the property of another, is prohibited.
3. Bomb threats or similar kinds of threats are forbidden and will be treated as most serious violations of school rules.
4. All forms of cheating are forbidden. This includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, copying or downloading information without crediting the source, copying from another person or any circumstance in which academic credit is obtained dishonestly. No credit will be given for an assignment for which a student is found to have violated this rule. In addition, other academic and/or disciplinary penalties may be imposed.
5. The writing of graffiti on corridor walls, student lockers, classroom desks, walkways, trees, vehicles, or other school property is prohibited.
6. No student may cause another to be intimidated, bullied, pestered, harassed, or hazed (including “initiations”). No student shall use racial, religious, sexual orientation, or other derogatory slurs.
7. Students may not possess articles, e.g., guns, knives, chains, explosives, fireworks, etc., which would clearly have an adverse effect on the welfare of the school.
8. Students may not use, possess, transmit, buy, sell, or be under the influence of any mood-altering chemical, nor possess any drug paraphernalia while under the jurisdiction of the school, including any activity, function, or event, whether on or off campus. 9. The possession or use of tobacco products including e-cigarettes on the school premises or at any school-related activity is prohibited.
10. Stealing in any form and by whatever name is prohibited.
11. Extortion is prohibited. No student may, through use of force, suggestion, or threats, take items from another person.
12. No student shall knowingly cause harm to an Oakwood School District employee in any manner. This prohibition applies at all times and in all places.
13. No student may verbally or physically threaten or show disrespect to another student or staff member, disobey a staff member’s legitimate directive, flaunt the rightful authority of a school official, use profanities and/or obscenities, either verbal or non-verbal, or repeatedly violate school rules.
14. Truancies from school and unauthorized or unexcused absences from classes are in violation of the compulsory attendance laws and are not permitted.
15. Disruption of any class or school activity or any inappropriate behavior that could have an adverse effect on the welfare of the school is prohibited.
16. Running, roughhousing, throwing objects (including snowballs), or any other potentially dangerous behaviors are prohibited on school property at all times.
17. Public displays of affection are inappropriate on school premises and are not permitted.
18. During the time that school is in session, students may not leave the school premises without specific permission from the principal or his designee.
19. The sale of any commodity during school hours and upon school property without prior permission of the principal is prohibited.
20. Distribution or posting of non-school printed material while on the school premises without permission of the principal is prohibited.
21. The consumption of foods and beverages is limited to the student cafeteria area at noon and at other times, except when such consumption is a part of a recognized class activity under the direct supervision of the teacher. Students may eat lunch in other locations permitted by the school administration as long as the students clean up after themselves.
22. Gambling on school property is prohibited.
23. For the purpose of supervision, all sidewalks and streets adjacent to school property are considered under the supervision of school employees during school and extracurricular activities.
24. Unauthorized entry to school premises, including athletic facilities, is prohibited.
25. All school regulations shall apply to students during any school activity, function, or event, regardless of location.
26. The use of headphones is prohibited in the classroom during the school day, unless requested by the teacher for educational purposes.
27. Wireless communication devices are permitted in the building and may be used in the classroom when requested by the teacher for educational purposes. If not approved by the teacher, wireless devices should be turned off in the classroom.
28. Spraying of perfumes, colognes and body sprays in hallways or classrooms is prohibited.
29. “Sexting” is prohibited at any time on school property or at school functions. Sexting is the electronic transmission of sexual messages or pictures, usually through cell phone text messaging. Such conduct not only is potentially dangerous for the involved students, but can lead to unwanted exposure of the messages and images to others, and could result in criminal violations related to the transmission or possession of child pornography. Such conduct will be subject to discipline and possible confiscation of the WCD.
30. “Cyberbullying” is prohibited at any time on school property or at school functions. Cyberbullying includes, but is not limited to the following: (1) posting slurs or rumors or other disparaging remarks about a student or school staff member on a website; (2) sending email or instant messages that are mean or threatening, or so numerous as to drive up the victim’s cell phone bill; (3) using a camera phone to take and send embarrassing photographs/recordings of students or school staff members or post these images on video sharing sites such as You Tube; (4) posting misleading or fake photographs of students or staff members on websites. To the extent permitted by the First Amendment, instances of cyberbullying off school grounds that disrupt the school environment or interfere with the learning process will be considered violations of the Student Code of Conduct.

The rules of the Student Code of Conduct listed above apply to all school sponsored activities, on and off campus. The list of school sponsored activities will include, but not be limited to, the following: band camp; all band, choir, and orchestra trips and contests; all athletic events, camps, and games; all dances; graduation rehearsal and ceremony; all banquets sponsored by school organizations; all intramural contests and practices; and all field trips – including extended overnight and overseas trips sponsored by the school.

The following represents the range of responses available to school personnel in dealing with violations of rules and regulations. Disciplinary actions will be at administrative discretion. Depending upon severity/frequency, suspension may occur immediately.

1. Teacher-student counseling
2. Referral to counselor
3. Verbal reprimand and/or logical consequences consistent with the infraction
4. Detention before or after school
5. Written reprimand
6. Referral to principal
7. Conference with parent(s)
8. In-school isolation from a class
9. Removal from a class or activity
10. Lunch restriction
11. Saturday School
12. Suspension from school for as many as ten days
13. Referral to Oakwood Safety Department
14. Referral to Montgomery County Juvenile Court
15. Referral to other community resources
16. Expulsion from school for a maximum of 80 school days
17. Permanent expulsion from all Ohio public schools
18. Expulsion from school for one calendar year for bringing a knife or firearm to school, or being in possession of a knife or a firearm

Saturday School is a three (3) hour detention on Saturday morning from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Students assigned to Saturday School will be required to study during the three (3) hours of Saturday School. Basically, a student could be assigned to Saturday School for the following offenses:
1. Excessive Tardiness
2. Truancy
3. Failure to serve school detentions 25
4. All offenses of the misconduct code as outlined in the student handbook with the exception of those offenses that will result in automatic out-of-school suspension.

Students will be automatically suspended out-of-school for the following offenses:
1. Possession, use, transmission, and/or concealment of narcotics, alcoholic beverages, and/or drugs.
2. Transmission, concealment, creation, handling, and/or use of dangerous weapons and/or instruments.
3. Disruption and/or obstruction of the educational curricular or extracurricular process by use of violence, force, coercion and/or threat, or excessively disruptive behavior.
4. Repeated violation of school rules and policies including failure to serve assigned Saturday Schools and detentions.
5. Serious misconduct in violation of any school rule.

Please refer to Oakwood City Schools Policies 5610 through 5611 for expanded definitions and due process rights regarding suspensions, expulsions, and permanent exclusion.

Emergency Removal shall be the exclusion of a student who poses a continued danger to District property or persons in the District or whose behavior presents an ongoing threat of disrupting the educational process provided by the District.

Suspension shall be the temporary exclusion of a student by the school principal, superintendent, or other designated administrators of the District from the District's program for a period not to exceed ten (10) school days. A school day is defined as a day school is in session. If school is cancelled during a suspension, the suspension will be applied to the next day school is in session. Students suspended from school shall incur the loss of credit for all classes missed during the days in which a suspension has been imposed. Major tests and/or projects may be made up for full credit. Any assignment or assessment that constitutes 10% or more of a student’s grade during a quarter may be made up.

Expulsion shall be the exclusion of a student from the schools of this District for a period not to exceed eighty (80) school days or the number of school days remaining in a semester or term in which the incident that gives rise to the expulsion takes place, unless the incident involves a knife or firearm. If a student brings a knife or firearm to school or onto any other property owned or controlled by the Board, including a school vehicle, he shall be expelled for one (1) year unless the Superintendent reduces the punishment for reasons related to the specific circumstance. (See Board Policy 5610 for complete definition) Permanent Exclusion - See Board Policy 5610.01 for definition.

Refer to Oakwood City Schools Policy 5611 about due process rights regarding:
1. Verbal notice that student may be suspended/expelled.
2. Written notice of intent to suspend
3. Hearing with building administrator
4. Written notice of suspension
5. Verbal/written notice of right to appeal

Because students in leadership positions are expected to model and practice exemplary levels of responsibility and maturity, a suspended student may forfeit any leadership position and any opportunity to hold a leadership position in an extracurricular, co-curricular activity for one (1) calendar year for a first suspension, and for the remainder of the student’s tenure at OHS for a second or subsequent suspension.

All members of interscholastic athletic squads (boys and girls), cheerleading squads and manager must meet specific eligibility requirements.  In order to be eligible, a student in grade 9, 10, 11 or 12 must be currently enrolled and must have been enrolled in school the immediately preceding grading period (six weeks, nine weeks, twelve weeks, semester) and received passing grades during that grading period in subjects that earn a minimum of 5.0 credits per year toward graduation.

The eligibility or ineligibility of a student continues until the start of the next grading period at which time the immediately preceding grading period grades become applicable. EXCEPTION: At the start of the fall sports season, the first grading period is considered to have started insofar as this bylaw is concerned.

A student enrolled in the first grading period after advancement from the 8th grade must have passed a minimum of five of all subjects carried the immediately preceding grading period in which the student was enrolled. 

A student enrolling in the 7th grade for the first time will be eligible for the first grading period regardless of previous academic achievement. Thereafter, in order to be eligible, a student in grade 7 or 8 must be currently enrolled and must have been enrolled in school the immediately preceding grading period and received passing grades during the grading period in a minimum of five of those subjects in which the student received grades.

Summer school grades earned may not be used to substitute for failing grades from the last grading period of the regular school year. Grades received during the final grading period (not semester averages or yearly average) will determine a student athlete’s eligibility/ineligibility for the first grading period of the next school year. 

If a student’s failure to meet the requirements of this bylaw are due to an “incomplete” given in one or more courses which the student was taking during the grading period in question, the student may have his/her eligibility restored by the Commissioner’s office once the “incomplete” has been changed to a passing letter grade. Tutoring or examinations to complete the preceding grading period requirements is permissible provided that privilege is accorded to every student and the inability to complete required work on time is due to illness or accident verified by a physician.

The Commissioner’s office may waive the enrollment requirements of this by-law provided the student has been withdrawn or removed from school because of circumstances due to personal accident, illness or family hardship.  An appeal for such a waiver must come from the principal of the school and be in writing. The appeal for waiver shall contain documents with school and medical supporting evidence.

A student in grades 7-12 must receive a minimum GPA of 1.75 for each grading period in order to be eligible for an “interscholastic extracurricular activity” for the ensuing grading period.  “Interscholastic extracurricular activity” means a pupil activity program that the school sponsors or participates in and that includes participants from more than one school or school district.  “Interscholastic extracurricular activity” does not include any activity included in the school district’s graded course of study.  A student who fails to achieve the 1.75 minimum GPA requirement will be placed on academic probation for the next grading period.  During academic probation, the student will be permitted to participate.  Academic probations are limited to one per school year.  A student enrolling in the 7th grade for the first time is eligible for the first grading period regardless of previous academic achievement.  A student who receives a failing grade may participate if he/she otherwise meets eligibility requirements.  Students in interscholastic athletics must also meet the minimum Ohio High School Athletic Association requirements in order to be eligible for participation.  No students can be exempted from this policy.

1. Athletic participation forms for high school participants shall be signed by a physician, the participant and by a parent or guardian and must be on file with the administrative head before any candidate for a team may participate in a practice. These forms necessitate the physician’s certification of the individual’s physical fitness no less than once each year.

2. If a student-athlete transfers to another school, the physical examination forms shall be transferred to the new school.

3. Section 3313.712 of the Ohio Revised Code reads in part as follows: “This section does not require any school child to receive a medical examination or receive medical treatment whose parent or guardian objects thereto.” A form certifying this objection shall be signed by the parent or guardian and attached to the Parental Approval Form.

4. Students participating in the interscholastic athletic program are protected by the OHSAA catastrophic insurance policy.

5. Parents/Guardians are required to sign an acknowledgement of receipt of the Ohio Department of Health Concussion Information Sheet for interscholastic athletics and have on file with the athletic office.

6. Any new student to Oakwood should meet with the Director of Athletics and Student Activities upon enrollment to determine if additional paperwork is necessary to establish eligibility.

Please Note:  Scholastic Eligibility Requirements must be followed per Board of Education Policy noted above. The following activities as well as all Interscholastic Athletics fall under this policy: Academic Team, Cheerleaders, Debate Team and NFL members.

School-related information is announced (sent out) each morning to inform the students, faculty, and subscribers of upcoming meetings, events, dates, etc. Announcements must be approved by the moderator of the respective activity and emailed to announcements@oakwoodschools.org by 8:00 am.  You may register to receive our daily announcements via the link on our high school web page.

Various books and school supplies required for the classroom may be purchased at the bookstore. At the beginning of the year students are given the opportunity to purchase books during English classes. For the remainder of the year students may purchase books or pay fees/fines between the hours of 8:00 and 3:15.

OHS has an open lunch policy, so students are free to pack a lunch, purchase food from the cafeteria, and/or leave campus during the lunch hour. Our food service provides an a la carte menu during the lunch hour each school day. Lunch accounts are managed through EZ Pay, so please make sure your account has money available for purchase. Options for payment include online through the EZ Pay system or providing cash or personal check to the cafeteria (which will be loaded to your account). Limited lunch options may  be available for students with outstanding unpaid balances, but charges are not permitted as a general practice.  The school office additionally has applications for Free and Reduced Lunch as well as take-home food supplies for students who may need them.

Following are guidelines for students attending dances at OHS:

1.  Dances are open to students in grades 10-12 and pre-approved guests who are at least in 10^th grade. Only designated dances are open to freshmen.
2.  When purchasing a ticket, the student must give both his/her date’s name and grade accurately.  Students from another school, attending our dance as a date, must complete our Dance Guest Form and obtain the proper signatures. This form is turned in when purchasing a ticket.
3.  Students needing to purchase a ticket after the normal sales period is over should contact the faculty advisor responsible for the dance.
4.  No refunds will be made after the dance has taken place.
5.  Students should contact the administrator or faculty advisor in charge of the dance prior to entering the dance if unforeseen problems have developed requiring special consideration.
6.  The Student Code of Conduct is in effect at all dances.
7.  Sexually suggestive dancing involving two or more dancers and includes the touching or rubbing of the buttocks or genitalia of one dancer against the body of another dancer is not permitted.  Any student who violates this rule will be banned from the dance and may be banned from future dances.  The administration reserves the right to impose further school discipline as deemed appropriate.
8.  The Oakwood High School or District administration reserves the right to require dance attendees to submit to a breathalyzer/saliva drug test both as a condition for admission and at any other time during the activity.

Use of the elevators is limited to students with permanent or temporary disability. Unauthorized use may result in disciplinary action.

Seniors may be exempt from 2^nd semester final exams providing:
1.  A cumulative grade of A or B has been maintained or is attained by the last full day of school for seniors.
2.  The teacher grants permission for exemption.

All underclass students are to be given exams regardless of their cumulative grade. There are no exemptions from 1^st semester exams.

Certain courses require additional fees for consumables, workbooks, supplemental reading books and/or equipment specific to the course. In addition, fees are charged for a number of tests administered at Oakwood High School such as PSAT, Advanced Placement tests, etc.  Parents will have the opportunity to pay school fees (listed on your student’s schedule) through our online payment system, EZpay. Paying your fees online adds a layer of convenience and confidence that your money is getting where it needs to go. These fees may also be paid in the bookstore during normal school hours. Summer school fees are paid in the bookstore. 

Field trips are conducted from time to time under the direct supervision of a faculty member. However, no student may participate on such a school-sponsored field trip without the specific written permission of the parent. The permission form lists the destination of the field trip, the faculty sponsor who will accompany the group, the approximate time of departure and return, the mode of transportation, and any costs.

Fines are charged for overdue library books and lost or damaged textbooks or school equipment. Failure to pay fees and fines results in holding of grades as well as the refusal of the school to issue any transcripts and permanent grade information until all debts are settled. Students are reminded of their outstanding financial obligations and notices are included on report cards.  Payment can be made in the bookstore or through our online payment system, EZpay.

As required by law, periodic instruction and drills are given to the student body with regard to fire and severe weather and other dangerous situations.  These activities are coordinated with the Oakwood Safety Department.

Any family in need of financial assistance with student fees or supplemental materials should contact the principal. All requests for financial assistance will be confidential

Grades are available online in real time through our grading program (ProgressBook). Once registered, the Parent Access system provides the needed security between the viewer and the confidential teacher records. Parents can access student information as they create a unique user name and password. Through ProgressBook Suite, parents may view their student’s current grade average.  They may also view a variety of additional information in other reports such as individual class performance, assignments, and test scores.  Parents also have the ability to set up missing assignment alerts and low-grade alerts for their students, with the ability to specify alerts for particular subjects and grade averages. If you are having problems viewing this information, contact our technology department.

Please realize that it takes time for teachers to input grades into ProgressBook.  Allow up to 2 weeks for major assignments to be recorded. Formal grade reports will be mailed home during the school year.

Home instruction is a service provided by the Oakwood School system for students who are not able to attend school for an extended period of time due to an illness or an injury. After the student’s physician verifies that the period of absence is expected to be at least 20 days, the student then may be assigned a home instruction tutor. The tutor will work directly with him/her for up to an average of one hour per school day that he/she is absent.

If the parent believes that the period of absence may be at least 20 school days, he/she should contact the building principal, counselor, or school psychologist to obtain an application form that, in part, will be completed by the physician. The application for home instruction should be filed as soon as the parent realizes that the child may miss 20 days. Do not wait 20 days before filing. Once the application has been filed, special procedures will be followed to comply with federal and state special education rules.  These procedures will be explained in detail as soon as the parent requests an application

Oakwood High School’s Homeroom is a comfortable place where teachers and students work together to foster an environment of community.  Students come together to communicate ideas and connect with one another. As a team, students are encouraged to participate, be kind, include everyone, and grow as individuals.  Students are assigned to a homeroom in 9^th grade and stay in that homeroom throughout their high school career.

At the end of each nine-week grading period, an honor roll is published. All students earning a 3.50 to 3.749 average are included on the regular honor roll.  Students earning a 3.750 and above are on the high honor roll.  Students must take a minimum of 3 courses to qualify for honor roll. This information is displayed on the bulletin board in the senior hall. AP “add-on” points are not used in the calculation of honor roll.  Students earning honor roll status for the first three grading periods of the school year (regular or high) qualify for the yearly honor roll.  Students on the yearly honor roll will receive special recognition at the spring award programs.

A change in address, telephone, email address or parental custody must be submitted in writing to the guidance office.  Proof of residency is required when notifying the guidance office of an address change.

On the first day of school, hall lockers for the storage of books and other personal items will be assigned. Instrument cases, backpacks, athletic bags and all containers such as these may NOT be left in school halls during school days.  Gym locks and lockers will be assigned in gym class during the first weeks of school. Students having problems with lockers are to report the problem to the attendance office.  Please be reminded that the lockers are the property of the school and are to be used properly at all times.

Students are advised to keep lockers securely locked at all times. Lockers should always be locked when not in use. Do not give your combination to anyone. Do not leave money or valuables in your locker – it is not a safe.  All lockers remain the property of Oakwood City Schools. The school reserves the right to inspect lockers for reasonable cause.

Lost articles are turned in directly to the senior high office, the attendance office or the junior high office. Students who have lost items should check these offices several times.

A student who loses a textbook during the year may obtain a replacement book by paying its purchase price. If the student finds the original book, the full purchase price will be refunded. A student who desires to purchase a replacement textbook should contact the teacher.

All school or class monies are to be deposited with the school’s activity bookkeeper. Money can be withdrawn by proper requisition when signed by the club or class sponsor. The payment of all bills and mailing of checks will be done by the school treasurer upon request of the student officer and sponsor.

Located in the LMC and open seven periods a day, the Academic Lab is available to all students interested in receiving support in various academic subjects from a teacher assigned to the lab. Students will be assigned to meet regularly in the lab or may drop in for help.

Students are not permitted to park in the reserved faculty circle parking lot, the reserved faculty stadium parking lot, on Schantz Avenue across from the stadium, in front of the auditorium, nor anywhere on campus on school days before 3:30 pm.  Students who park in the faculty parking lots during school hours risk having their cars towed at their own expense and may subject themselves to disciplinary action.  Students are expected to be courteous when parking on neighborhood streets.

The doors by the junior high office and the doors by the senior high office will be unlocked at 7:00 a.m. and remain unlocked until 8:30 a.m.  The door by the computer lab and the door by the south staff parking lot on the second floor will be unlocked at 7:45 a.m. and locked at 8:15 a.m. Doors will be unlocked during the lunch hour, but locked when 5^th period begins.  All other doors will remain locked at all times.  All visitors to the building must check in to the junior high or high school office and wear a visitor badge. Staff members 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 “hanging around” the building after hours.  Students and staff are expected to immediately report to a teacher or administrator any suspicious behavior or situation that makes them uncomfortable.

Lockers and desks supplied by the school and used by the students are the property of Oakwood City Schools.  Student lockers, desks, etc., and their contents are subject to search at anytime and without warning if there is a reasonable suspicion that the student is in violation of school rules. Furthermore, a search may also be conducted to protect the safety of others.

Students are duly informed that their behavior may be monitored on school property and/or adjacent property by security cameras.

Visitors, particularly parents, are welcome at the school.  Visitors must report to the office upon entering the school to sign in and obtain a pass.  Visitors may be required to provide photo identification when entering the building. Any visitor found in the building without signing in or obtaining a pass shall be escorted to the office.  If a person wishes to confer with a member of the staff, they should call for an appointment prior to coming to the school in order to schedule a mutually convenient meeting time.  Students may not bring visitors to school without prior written permission from the principal. 

All student-based elections will be conducted in the following manner.  Each student will be assigned to a precinct location for voting purposes.  Voting will take place before school (8:00-8:15 am), during lunch (11:45-12:45 pm) or after school (3:15-3:30 pm) on the designated Election Day.  Precinct locations will be posted throughout the building.

Voting Procedures:
1.  Upon entering the polling location, students will be asked to sign next to their name on the voting role list.
2.  Students will be given a paper ballot and Scantron sheet.
3.  After casting their respective ballot, the ballot will be placed in the ballot box by the student.
4.  At the conclusion of the election, ballot boxes will be submitted by the polling supervisor (classroom teacher) to the designated advisor for processing.

Wireless communication devices are permitted in the building and may be used in the classroom when requested by the teacher for educational purposes. If not approved by the teacher, wireless devices should be turned off in the classroom.

“Sexting” is prohibited at any time on school property or at school functions. Sexting is the electronic transmission of sexual messages or pictures, usually through cell phone text messaging.  Such conduct not only is potentially dangerous for the involved students, but can lead to unwanted exposure of the messages and images to others, and could result in criminal violations related to the transmission or possession of child pornography. Such conduct will be subject to discipline and possible confiscation of the WCD.

Work permit application forms are available in the senior high office.  Once the proper paperwork is submitted, a work permit will be issued through the guidance office.