Rules and Procedures Table of Contents
GENERAL INFORMATION
Except under special circumstances, such as school trips, sports and social events, the school is limited in its enforcement jurisdiction of school rules from 7:30 am. to 3:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, when school is in session. All school rules apply at all times to the school building and grounds, such as all school- sponsored activities, and in all other places where students are in the official charge of MPHS staff. Consideration for others will guide personal conduct. The rights, privileges, dignity, and safety of other people will serve as criteria by which appropriate personal behavior will be evaluated -- so too will acts which place the individual in present or future danger. If behavior fails this test of propriety or is in violation of the law, it shall not be condoned at Morgan Park.
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PROPER SCHOOL ATTIRE
All students are expected to dress appropriately for school. In keeping with this requirement the following dress code will be enforced:
- All clothing must extend from the shoulders to the knees.
- Shirts and tops must cover chest and midriff areas. Tank, tube, spaghetti-strap, cropped midriff, cutout, and see- through tops are not allowed.
- Pants and jeans must be worn at the student's natural waistline.
- Skirts must be of an appropriate length. Splits in skirts should help assure personal modesty and dignity.
- Shorts are not allowed.
- Pajama-like clothing is not allowed. House slippers are not allowed.
- No headgear, including headbands and headscarves, may be worn by males or females in the school building. (Religious exceptions to this rule must be on file in the Deans' Office.)
- Any clothing interpreted as symbolic of a gang or gang activity is not permitted.
- The wearing of sunglasses is not permitted unless a medical exception is on file.
Students in violation of these dress code requirements will be sent to the Deans' Office for disciplinary action. Final authority for interpretation of dress code requirements will rest with the Deans' Office.
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BOOKS
Students are responsible for all books issued to them and must pay for damaged or lost books. It is the student's responsibility to return books to the classroom teachers and to retrieve the green book cards as a receipt of return. At the end of each school year, book cards for non-returned or damaged books will be attached to the student's permanent record file and a debt for the book(s) will be entered in the student's record.
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RULES OF PERSONAL CONDUCT
Consideration for others must guide personal conduct. The rights, privileges, dignity, and safety of other people will serve as criteria by which appropriate personal behavior will be evaluated�so too will acts which place the individual in present or future danger. If behavior fails this test of propriety or is in violation of the law, it shall not be condoned at Morgan Park.
Except under special circumstances such as school trips, sports, or social events, the school is limited in its enforcement of jurisdiction of school rules from 7:00 am. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, when school is in session. All school rules apply at all times to the school building and grounds, all school-sponsored activities, and in all other places where students are in the official charge of Morgan Park staff.
- All students are expected to be aware of and comply with all rules, regulations, and policies outlined in the Student Handbook and the Chicago Board of Education Uniform Discipline Code.
- All students must wear a valid MPHS ID on a lanyard or chain or clipped to outer clothing. The picture should be visible at all times.
- Students coming to school before 7:15 a.m. must go to the lunchroom or be under the direct supervision of a teacher. Likewise, no student may be in the building after 4:00 p.m. unless under the direct supervision of Morgan Park staff.
- Students participating in after-school activities must go to their division lockers before the activity takes place to obtain any materials they may need. Return to division lockers after an activity is not permitted.
- No students are permitted to remain in any area of the building unless under the direct supervision of a teacher. Students in willful violation of this regulation are subject to disciplinary action.
- Smoking, or the possession of lighted smoking materials is forbidden on school property. Likewise, the use, possession, or exchange of drugs or alcohol is forbidden.
- Profane language or obscene literature is strictly forbidden.
- Nothing may be sold at Morgan Park without the written permission of the principal.
- Food and drink are to be consumed in the lunchroom area only. Students are expected to help keep the school and community clean by placing litter in the appropriate waste receptacles.
- Radios, CD players, electronic games, video cameras, and tape recorders are not permitted in the classroom without dated authorization from a class teacher. These items are prohibited in all corridors. These items will be confiscated and returned only to parents. At the end of the school year, all unclaimed items will be donated to charity.
- Throwing snowballs on school property is strictly forbidden. Ball throwing, field hackey-sac hockey, skating, hurling or kicking of any objects, skateboarding, bicycling and all similar activities are prohibited between the north and south buildings.
- Students may park in the student parking lot only. Students who park in the faculty parking lot will face disciplinary action.
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SAFETY
The personal safety of each Morgan Park student is of utmost concern. To help assure the personal safety of themselves and others, students are expected to abide by the following safety guidelines:
- Entry to the school buildings may be gained between the north and south buildings. Entry through any other doorways by students or visitors is strictly forbidden.
- All visitors must obtain a visitor's pass at the main entrance of the old and new buildings.
- The fire alarm is a warning device intended to save lives, minimize injuries, and reduce property damage. Students are expected to follow the directions of the teachers and the outlined procedures for building evacuation. Furthermore, the sounding of a false alarm on the Street or in a public building is a criminal act and is subject to prosecution.
- Student parking is restricted to designated student-parking areas. The vehicles of students parked in staff-designated areas will be ticketed and towed.
- Drivers delivering students to school or picking them up should do so in the designated drop off areas on Monterey Avenue or in the cul de sac on the northwest corner of the school building. Drop off in the staff parking lot is prohibited designated areas will be ticketed and towed.
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CLOSED CAMPUS
Morgan Park High School has established a closed campus policy for seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth grade students. These students will be permitted on campus grounds during lunch periods; however, students who leave campus without permission will face disciplinary action.
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ATTENDANCE
General
- Every child has a right to a free and appropriate education. In order to exercise that right, the child and parent accept the responsibility of regular attendance.
- Article 26 of the Illinois School Code outlines responsibilities related to the Compulsory Attendance Law. All children between the ages of 7 and 16 must be in regular attendance in an accredited school unless exempted by a physician's certificate that indicates that the child is physically or mentally unable to attend.
- While Article 26 indicates the age limits of compulsory attendance, the Chicago Public Schools require the regular attendance of all students enrolled, regardless of age.
- Division teachers maintain the legal records of attendance in school. Division records provide the attendance reports used for the funding of schools. Absences from division are considered all day absences.
- Class teachers maintain records of attendance in class.
- All students coming to the Attendance Office during a class period must have a pass completely filled out (for that period) by a staff member.
- Services of the Attendance Office are not available without the presentation of a valid I.D.
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ABSENTEEISM
School absence and readmission
- Upon return to school after an absence, the student must bring a note signed by a parent or guardian to the attendance office giving the dates of absence and the reason. Student will then receive a reinstatement. Absences for illness that extend five days or more must be explained by a doctor's note. The note must be presented to the attendance office on the student's first day back in school.
- Parental contact will be attempted by phone for all absences that have not been explained. Division teachers will make the initial attempt to contact parents. The Attendance Office will investigate all illegal absences and any excessive absences that have detrimental effects on school progress.
- Teachers are encouraged to contact parents at any time to establish rapport or for further understanding of student problems, but this does not supercede responsibility to report absences on a daily basis.
Class Absences (Cutting)
- The class teacher will make initial parent contact.
- If a student continues to cut the class after the teacher has contacted the parent, the teacher will write a Misconduct Report. A parent conference will be scheduled and the student could face disciplinary action.
- If a student compiles 18 or more unexcused absences, the student could face adjudication. Adjudications are conducted by the Chicago Board of Education's Law Department.
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TARDINESS
All students should calculate an additional twenty minutes for travel time to school. This is to ensure that students have time to clear the metal detector search and visit their locker. Excessive tardiness is a violation of the Chicago Board of Education's Uniform Discipline Code.
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HALL SWEEPS
Hall Sweeps will be conducted to ensure students arrive to class on time throughout the day. Students with five or more hall sweep violations will face disciplinary action.
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TRANSPORTATION DELAYS/BUS DELAYS
The Attendance Office will determine when Transportation Delays are issued. Students taking yellow school buses must provide identification and report to the main office for a school bus delay when arriving late. Students should not be marked tardy if they have obtained a bus delay.
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EARLY DISMISSAL
- To obtain an Early Dismissal, students must have a pass from the scheduled class or division to the Attendance Office. A pass is not needed during the student's regular lunch period.
- If a student is ill, s/he may be excused by the class teacher to seek help in the Attendance Office. However, no medicines of any kind may be dispensed ny school personnel. If an early dismissal is needed, a parent or a parent's designee must pick up the student.
- A parent or parent's designee must sign out all students.
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SCHOOL BUSINESS EXCUSALS
School Business Excusals are issued only at the request of the Principal (or his designee). These are requested when the school requires the student to be somewhere other than in class. For all other requests for excusals from class, prior permission of the class teacher must be obtained at least 24 hours in advance on a field trip and/or excusable from class request form.
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PROCEDURES FOR STUDENTS WHEN TEACHER IS ABSENT
All students report to their assigned classes at all times. If a class teacher is absent, there will be a substitute in the room. Students are to report to their regular classroom and remain with the substitute the entire period. Students must sign the attendance sheet provided by the substitute. In those instances where there is no substitute, a sign will be posted by the administration on the classroom door indicating where the students are to go. Students are usually directed to the auditorium. In these instances, it is also imperative that students sign the attendance sheet and remain for the entire period.
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I.D. PROCEDURES
To promote the welfare and security of the student body, each student must wear a valid MPHS ID. on a lanyard or clipped to the upper left shoulder area of outer clothing. Picture must be visible at all times. Anyone not in compliance with the above is considered to be trespassing. These students will be sent immediately to the Attendance Office for a temporary I.D. at the cost of $2.00.
- Temporary I.D.'s are dated and good for one day only and serve as a pass to return to class.
- The cost to replace a permanent ID. is $5.00.
- I.D. pictures are taken in room 105. Students who have had program changes will be given a new ID. to reflect all changes.
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LUNCHROOM PROCEDURES
- Students who bring their lunches may eat them in the lunchroom without any obligation to purchase anything. They may purchase milk, soft drinks, dessert, etc. if they desire. Complete lunches are also available. Students are reminded not to bring glass bottles to school.
- Students who wish to use the library during lunch must go into the library during the first twenty-five minutes of their lunch period.
- Students should use the facilities in the corridor outside the lunchroom (drinking fountains, washrooms, vending machines, telephones) in the first twenty minutes of their lunch period.
- Students who wish to leave the lunchroom the last ten minutes of their lunch period should leave by the north (outside) exit. There will be no reentry to the lunchroom or corridors until the end of the period.
- No food or drink may be taken outside the lunchroom.
- Dishes and bottles should be carried to the proper places; paper bags, bottle caps, etc. should be placed in trash containers. Keep the tables and floors clean and tidy.
- Students must show their I.D. to gain access to lunchroom facilities. Once I.D. pictures are taken, only picture I.D.'s will be valid in the lunchroom.
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CORRIDOR DISPLAY PROCEDURES
No materials may be displayed in the corridors unless authorization is given by an Assistant Principal who will initial each item to be displayed. This authorization indicates an honor agreement that the materials initialed will only be displayed in the north (old) building hung by thumb tacks or staples from the cork strips or in the south (new) building by masking tape on bricks only. It also indicates agreement that those who put up the materials will take them down when they are outdated.
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HALL PROCEDURES
- Students are allowed four minutes to travel between their classes.
- There is to be no congregating in the halls.
- There is to be no yelling or running in the halls.
- No students may walk through the halls during class periods without an All-Purpose or Teacher's Pass and his/her I.D. Staff members are posted throughout the halls and will send students without passes back to their classrooms.
- Students are not allowed to go to their lockers during a class unless they have a pass from their teachers that gives the locker location.
- Halls and school grounds are to be vacated within five minutes of the end of the student's last class period.
- Students are not to carry open cans or bottles containing beverages in the hallways.
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LOCKS & LOCKER PROCEDURES
- The Deans' Office is in charge of Division locker assignments. The Deans should be consulted regarding problems with lockers that the division teacher cannot solve.
- Only Morgan Park locks may be used on lockers. They are solO in the Main Office at school. A combination lock costs $5.00. An old Morgan Park lock owned by a brother or sister may also be used.
- Students may have only one locker assigned to them by their division teacher.
- Boys may not share lockers with girls.
- Combination locks should be carefully locked and the dial turned at least one full turn. Combinations should be known only by the assigned occupants of the locker.
- Do not leave anything in an unlocked locker.
- Athletic lockers are to be used ONLY during the time the activity takes place.
- Students are to report thefts from lockers to the Deans' Office (Room 114) immediately. Students are encouraged to report any person tampering with any locker other than their own.
- All locks and personal items MUST BE REMOVED from lockers by the end of the day before Records Day in June.
- With regard to locker searches, the Illinois Office of Education has advised: A student's school locker is the property of the school and must be used for the purposes intended: A storage area for nooks, school supplies, and outdoor garments. If school officials have a reasonable suspicion that the student has placed illegal or dangerous materials or substances in the locker, school officials may then search the locker, with or without the student's knowledge or consent. In brief, students should not keep anything in their lockers that they would not want anyone to find. Law enforcement officials should possess valid search warrants.
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LIBRARY
- The library is open from 7:30 am. to the conclusion of the school day. Students are permitted to use the library before school, after school and during lunch. No food or drink is allowed. ration on the classroom door indicating where the students are to go. Students are usually directed to the auditorium. In these instances, it is also imperative that students sign the attendance sheet and remain for the entire period.
- Students I.D.'s are retained at the front desk upon entering the library and ace returned at the end of the period.
- The library is a place for quiet study. Students using the library are subject to all library procedures and general rules.
- Books are loaned for a two-week period; renewals are permitted if materials are not in demand. Overnight books, magazines, and pamphlets must be returned by division of the following day.
- Fines on late books are ten cents per day. Fines on overnight materials are twenty cents per day.
- Students using the library during their lunch period must enter immediately after the tardy bell. No food or drink is allowed in the library and are subject to all library procedures.
- Students using the library during lunch must enter during the first 25 minutes of the period and remain in the library until the end of that period.
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FIRE ALARM
A continuous blast of the fire horn indicates a FIRE ALARM
As soon as the fire horn sounds, everyone (staff and students) must evacuate the building by the nearest available exit and remain outside until the all-clear sounds.
In some instances, such as when drills are held during inclement weather, directions for obtaining coats will be given over the PA. system.
A long, continuous ring on the regular bell system indicates all clear, and all groups are to return by the same route they left their classrooms and return to the classrooms they left regardless of the time.
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EMERGENCY WARNINGS/SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS
In the event of an emergency situation, directions will be given on the P.A. system. In the event shelter must be sought, students must be stationed in the safest possible places on the first and second floors. Teachers will direct students to these positions. All classroom doors are to be left open. Students should stay twenty feet away from outside doors and any windows, and maintain quiet and order. Stations are assigned to classrooms and instructions are posted in each classroom.
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$70.00 STUDENT FEES
There are many things involved in education besides the basic subjects. Among these are programs, services, and student activities for which boards of education cannot supply funds. It is for this reason that schools collect student fees, which spread the costs among the students.
We at EMPEHI offer many programs and activities that enrich the academic, social and cultural experiences of our students. As with all other schools, we must raise the money for these programs and activities through student fees. Although we have an extensive program, we have been able to hold these fees to a minimum in spite of spiraling costs. At this time, the fees will be distributed as follows:
| $10.00 |
"EMPEHI News" |
| $ 9.50 |
Student Grades- Report to Parents |
| $ 5.00 |
Student Handbook |
| $ 1.50 |
Student Activities |
| $ 3.00 |
Student programming, counseling materials, equipment and supplies |
| $ 1.50 |
Student expenses when required to represent school |
| $ 1.50 |
Publicity and public relations activities |
| $ 6.00 |
Security, activities supervision, ID. |
| $ 12.00 |
Miscellaneous expenses |
| $20.00 |
Yearbook |
This fee schedule has been discussed with and approved by the Local School Council, which represents parents, teachers, community members and students.
No student will be denied access to activities or services and no penalties will be imposed against a student because his/her parent is unable to pay a fee. If students are unable to pay a fee, parents must contact the Principal who will provide you with an application form for waiver of payment of fees and the definition of eligibility for waiver. Failure to pay a fee will be excused only if the application for waiver of fees is granted.
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CLASS FEES
There are certain activities, programs and classes which require specific items not provided by the Board of Education - science, art, physical education, graduation, field trips, etc. Students and parents will be notified of the expense involved in such cases.
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MEDICAL & DENTAL EXAMINATIONS
By state statute and Board of Education directive, all students of all ages in all Chicago Public Schools must have an official record of immunizations to enter school in September. The immunizations required are: DTPITD (Tetanus Diphtheria) series, Polio series, two regular Measles immunizations, one Rubella, one Mumps immunization, and the Hepatitis B series. Girls ten years of age and over are not required to receive Rubella. Students entering 9th grade as well as all new students must also have an updated physical examination to be admitted to school. Free immunizations and low cost physical exams are available at the Board of Health. Questions regarding clinics can be answered by the Chicago Department of Health at 312-747-9884. Students may be required to have additional physical examinations during the school years if deemed necessary.
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GANGS
If students know a gang crime or other crime has been committed, notify the Dean of Students or call 911. If students are threatened or gang recruitment is attempted or suspicious activity is seen, notify the Deans of Students or call 535-5990, Chicago Public Schools Gang Hot Line.
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BOARD OF EDUCATION
The Board of Education is the appointed governing body of the Chicago Public Schools and is responsible for establishing the policies under which the schools operate. Through The School Code of Illinois, the Rules of the Board of Education of the City of Chicago, and negotiated agreements with employee groups, the basic policy that firm discipline shall be maintained in all Chicago Public Schools is implemented. Through the Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Education holds members of the instructional staff responsible for the control of students while they are under the supervision of the school.
It is the policy of the Board of Education of the City of Chicago not to discriminate in educational programs or employment policies and practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex in educational programs or employment policies and practices. The MPHS Discipline Policy falls within the guidelines set by the Uniform Discipline Code.
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MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL DISCIPLINE POLICY
The Deans' Office and the Attendance Office staff members follow the Uniform Discipline Code when addressing discipline and attendance issues. The deans have discretion when issuing minimum and maximum consequences for offenses. The principal has the final decision when removing students from extracurricular activities for violations involving behavior and attendance. Additionally, the principal may decide to withhold prom or graduation privileges if a student has violated any of the Uniform Discipline Code's offenses (Groups 4, 5, or 6).
Students who are found to possess illegal drugs, firearms, or other dangerous weapons, or those who commit acts of misconduct which seriously disrupt the orderly educational process, will be suspended immediately and face possible expulsion.
- Cellular Telephones/Pagers
Pagers and cellular phones are not permitted at the school unless a formal request is made and the principal grants approval The principal may authorize a student to possess a pager or cellular telephone for medical emergencies. Unauthorized possession or activation of pagers/cellular telephones will result in disciplinary action as outlined in the Chicago Public Schools Uniform Discipline Code.
- Smart Program
A Saturday Morning Reach-Out and Teach Program (SMART) has been established to provide students with character building and conflict resolution skills as well as prevention, intervention, referral, and support services for remediation of alcohol or drug-related problems and general misconduct. Students can be referred to this program if they have excessive days of suspension or frequent misconduct violations. The Law Department of the Board of Education will determine all referrals to the SMART Program.
- Disposition of Misconducts
When students are sent to the Deans' Office, they must have a written explanation and/or be accompanied by security personnel. The student should remain in the Deans' Office until the end of the designated class period. Once the Deans' Office receives notification of the offense on a misconduct report, the parent will be contacted. During the parent conference, the Dean will determine the appropriate disciplinary action to be taken in accordance with the Uniform Discipline Code. All misconduct reports must be submitted to the Deans' Office within a twenty-four hour period of the incident.
School officials may suspend students with disabilities and cease educational services for up to 10 consecutive or 10 cumulative school days in one school year without providing special education procedural safeguards.
Student rights and responsibilities are outlined in the Uniform Discipline Code. Copies of the Uniform Discipline Code are distributed each year to every student.
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