General Information Rules, Procedures, and Guidelines Part 1

ATHLETICS

ATHLETIC SCHOLASTIC ELIGIBILITY AND ADMITTANCE

Athletic Eligibility: Student athletes participating in athletic competition shall meet the criteria below. For additional rules, guidelines, policies, etc. please contact the Athletic Director at 734.532.1123.

Student athletes must:

1. Possess a minimum 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) as stipulated by the Athletic Department to be eligible to participate. This GPA is based on the cumulative overall academic progress.
2. Incoming Freshman (9th Grade) student-athletes are initially automatically eligible. Future eligibility will be determined after they have established an end-of-trimester GPA.
3. Transfer student-athletes' eligibility is determined by the cumulative GPA from the transcript from their previous school.

ADMITTANCE RULES TO SPORTS EVENTS

1. All Romulus students with a current Romulus ID will be admitted to a sporting event for the discounted rate of $2.
2. Community members and alumni of both Romulus and the visiting school will be admitted.
3. The price of admission is $5 for students and adults.
4. Once you leave for any reason, you may not re-enter.
5. As a courtesy, cellular phones may not be used in the gymnasium. If you are going to make or receive a phone call, please step into the lobby area.
6. Spectators are expected to be seated in the gymnasium and to watch the contest. Anyone loitering i the parking lot or in the hallways during or after the game will be asked to leave, and may be excluded from attending other school sponsored events.
7. All school rules apply to all athletic contests. Persons involved in any behavior that disrupts the scheduled activities will be banned from further activities for at least the remainder of the season.
8. All spectators will be asked to immediately exit the building at the conclusion of the game.

Good sportsmanship is expected of fans as well as players. Attendance at athletic contestsis a privilege and not a right.

ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

Parents/Guardians are now required to provide documentation for ALL of their child’s absence within 3 days of returning to school for the absence to be considered excused. Students with a health condition that requires extended periods of absences should also provide documentation from a child's doctor.

As a safety procedure, parents should report their child’s absence by calling the main office for elementary and middle schools and the attendance office for the high school. A call does not excuse the absence. In the event that an excused absence is going to be prolonged, the parent should contact the school and arrange for assistance to complete coursework.

Attendance is one of the most critical success factors in your child’s academic career at Romulus Community Schools. A student who is present every day, on-time, for the entire day develops strong ethics for education and career aspirations. Chronic absenteeism has a significant impact on a student’s education. Students in early elementary grades who are frequently absent struggle to read proficiently and experience difficulty in other subjects. Chronic absenteeism in middle school grades is a key predictor that a student will drop out of high school. High school students with a history of truancy are far less prepared

for the responsibilities of adulthood. As a community, we can help students build habits to enjoy and appreciate learning and graduate them to a world of possibilities.

The attendance policy for Romulus Community Schools is a communication line between home and school that keeps everyone involved in the student’s education informed and proactive. Please review the following guidelines and procedures, so your child has the best opportunity for a quality education.

TYPES OF ABSENCES:

Excused absences are legitimate reasons for a student to not be in school and can be documented. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

● Student illness/injury with doctor’s note
● Medical appointment
● Funeral/death of an immediate family member
● Court appearance
● A celebration of a bona fide religious holiday
● Professional appointments such as medial, college visits, or military
● Extreme family emergencies
● Other reasons approved by the building’s administrator

Unexcused absences are missing any part of the school day without a legitimate reason. Unexcused absences are considered truant and should be avoided. Students and parents shall be subject to the truancy laws of the State. Examples of unexcused absences include, but are not limited to, the following:

Transportation problems

● Missing the bus
● Oversleeping
● Bad weather
● Vacations
● Babysitting
● Caring for relatives
● Willful truancy
● Missing school-sponsored activity, such as a field trip
● Skipping class periods

Vacations should be planned during the District’s scheduled holidays and breaks outlined in the school calendar. Being absent for part of the school day will accumulate to a full day’s unexcused absence resulting in a truancy action.

Suspensions are authorized absences that are not categorized as excused or unexcused. However, suspensions have negative consequences on a student’s academic success. A student’s suspension absence will reflect as an unexcused absence until the office discipline referral is processed.

TRUANCY

Truancy is defined as having any unexcused absences from school during a period of time. Michigan Compulsory Attendance Law (MCL 380.1561) states, in summary, that children must attend school every day, be on time, and attend every class every day as determined by the school’s attendance policy. The District’s truancy actions are in place as supports to help parents and students improve attendance. These actions include:

● 5 absences - Elementary teacher or office staff will call home. Secondary attendance personnel will mail a letter home. Email should be used if parent/guardian cannot be reached by phone.
● 8 absences - Elementary teacher or office staff sends a letter sent home by U.S. mail informing of accumulating absences and proceeding steps for chronic absenteeism.
● 10 absences - Referred to the building administrator for intervention support.
● 15 absences - Referred to the school resource officers and/or 34th District Court.

BEVERAGE CONTAINERS

BULLYING AND CYBERBULLYING

COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

A student who believes that he/she has been the victim of bullying or cyberbullying must immediately report the incident(s) to the building principal. A student's parent or guardian must also report any such incident(s) on behalf of the student. Upon receipt of a report (complaint), the principal or his/her designee (the investigator) will conduct a prompt investigation. At the request or with the permission of the complainant, the investigator may first attempt to resolve the matter informally. Informal steps will not, however, cause a substantial delay in the investigation. The complainant may, at any time, request that the matter moves to a formal investigation. Where the bullying activity is alleged to have been based on the protected classifications of race, color, sex, national origin or disability, the incident(s) instead investigated by the School District's designated Coordinator pursuant to Board of Education Policy, 2006.

Step 1: Formal Investigation

The investigator will interview the complainant and document the interview. Generally, the complainant will be asked: to reduce the complaint to writing; to provide the names and contact information, if known, of any persons who witnessed and may be able to substantiate the allegations of the complaint; and, to produce any documents or other things supporting the complaint. The complainant will be directed not to discuss the complaint with other students while the investigation is pending.

The investigator will interview the accused and document the interview. Generally, the accused will be asked: to reduce his/her response to writing; and, to produce any documents or other things supporting his/her response. The investigator should not disclose the identity of the complainant unless this is necessary to enable the accused student to respond to the allegations. The accused will be directed not to contact the complainant if the complainant’s identity is known or suspected, or retaliate or threaten to retaliate in any way against the complainant or any potential witnesses.

In the event of a significant discrepancy between the complainant and the accused, the investigator will interview other persons reasonably necessary to resolve the discrepancy.

Step 2: Decision

Complaint Found Valid

If the investigator concludes that the complaint is valid (i.e., bullying or cyberbullying in violation of School District policy has occurred), the following actions will be taken: the parent or guardian of both the complainant and the accused will be notified of the results of the investigation; the results of the investigation will be reported to the Superintendent; the Superintendent will consider whether restorative practices may be appropriate and, if so, invite the complainant and the accused to participate in a restorative practices team meeting; the Superintendent, or his/her designee, will consider whether disciplinary action may be appropriate and, if so, initiate disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct; and, the Superintendent, or his/her designee, will determine whether relief to the complainant is feasible and available.

Complaint Found Not Valid

If the investigator concludes that the complaint is not valid (i.e., no bullying or cyberbullying in violation of School District Policy has occurred, or can be substantiated), the following actions will be taken: the parent or guardian of both the complainant and the accused will be notified of the results of the investigation; the complainant and the accused will be reminded the School District prohibits retaliation or threats of retaliatory action; the results of the investigation will be reported to the Superintendent; and, any references to the complaint will be removed from the education records of the accused. The investigator will retain the investigative file for at least three years.

ANNUAL REPORT

BUS TRANSPORTATION

Riding the bus is a privilege; therefore, it is imperative that the following regulations be reviewed and thoroughly understood. It is the intention of this notice to provide consistent safeguards in the transportation of Romulus Community Schools’ students to and from their respective schools. It is deemed necessary and imperative that these measures be affirmed as well as enforced to meet these safety standards. It is also important that the school, the community, the students and the parents recognize both that RIDING A BUS IS A PRIVILEGE and that order and discipline ensures the safe arrival and departure of students to and from school. The cooperative effort of the bus drivers and students is imperative in minimizing infractions of bus regulations and their resultant hazards. Revoking a student's privilege of bus transportation may occur when there is an abuse of this privilege. Any student's bus privileges that have been revoked is suspended from all Romulus Community Schools transportation services.

Rules and Responsibilities for all students being transported on school buses

1. Students are to be seated at all times while the school bus is in motion.
2. Students will observe classroom conduct while waiting for and riding the school bus.
3. No part of the body shall be allowed to protrude from the school bus window.
4. Students are not to engage in horseplay or roughhousing on the school bus.
5. No loud talking, shouting, fighting, or throwing of any objects will be allowed on the school bus.
6. Any damages to the school bus shall be paid by the rider who inflicted the damages.
7. No eating or drinking is permitted on the school bus.
8. No profane or obnoxious language or gestures may be used on the school bus.
9. Students are to be at their scheduled bus stop five minutes before pickup time. The bus will not wait for students who are late.
10. Students should not move toward the school bus until it has come to a complete stop.
11. Students must keep quiet, particularly at railroad crossings, so that the driver can hear if a train is approaching.
12. Students who must cross the street after leaving the school bus should walk at least 10 steps in front of the bus before crossing, the Stop! Look! And Listen!
13. Per state law, smoking on school buses is prohibited.
14. Students should be courteous and obedient to the driver.
15. Students may only ride assigned bus, unless given specific permission to ride another bus by their school administrator

Responsibilities of parents whose child ride school buses

1. Parents will ensure that their children arrive at the bus stop on time in the morning.
2. Parents will provide necessary protection for their children as they go to and from the bus stop.
3. Parents accept joint responsibility with the school authorities for the proper conduct of their children.
4. Parents will make a reasonable effort to understand and cooperate with those responsible for pupil transportation.

LEVEL I - Violation of Safety Rules

1. Students are to be seated at all times while the bus is in motion.
2. No part of the body shall be allowed to protrude from the school bus window.
3. Students are not to engage in horseplay or roughhousing on the school bus.
4. Throwing of any objects will not be allowed on the school bus. Any object hitting the driver, whether intentional or not, will be treated as a Level 2 infraction.
5. No eating or drinking is permitted on the school bus.
6. Students should not move toward the school bus until it has come to a complete stop.
7. Students must keep quiet, particularly at railroad crossings, so that the driver can hear if a train is approaching.
8. Students, who must cross the street after leaving the school bus, should walk at least 10 steps in front of the bus before crossing, then STOP! LOOK! and LISTEN!
9. Students must be respectful and follow the directions of the Bus Driver at all times.

First Offense Warning/Probation
Second Offense 1 Day Suspension from the bus only
Third Offense 3 Day Suspension from the bus only
Fourth Offense 4-6 Day Suspension from the bus only
Fifth Offense 10 Day Suspension from the bus only
Sixth Offense 20 Days or Rest of Semester, whichever is greater, from the bus only
Seventh Offense Rest of Year or 25 Days, whichever is greater**

LEVEL 2 -Conduct on the bus thatis against Romulus Code of Conduct and would resultin out-of-school Suspension.
1. Assaultive behavior –physical or verbal
2. Throwing objects on the bus (any object that is thrown and hits the driver will result in an out of school suspension)
3. Profanity – Level 2 grades 4-12, Level 1 for K-3 and parent contact.
4. Fighting
5. Smoking
6. Substance abuse
7. Destruction or defacing of a school bus (Possible extension to Police Report) *

First Offense Minimum length of time concurrent with School Suspension.
Second Offense Bus Suspension minimum of 3 days, concurrent with Out-of-School Suspension.
Third Offense 4-6 Day Bus Suspension and concurrent with Out-of-School Suspension.
Fourth Offense 10-Day Bus Suspension and concurrent with Out-of-School Suspension.
Fifth Offense 20 Days or Rest of Semester, whichever is greater.
Sixth Offense Rest of the year or 25 Days, whichever is greater. **

*Will include reimbursement for labor and replacement parts, will be off the bus until the fine has been paid.
** Bus Suspensions will carry over into the next school year if not fulfilled in the current school year.

Students that ride the bus and wish to get off at a different stop or ride another bus must get a form from the Main Office that the parent/guardian fills out and returns to the Main Office for approval by the Transportation Department. Failure to follow this procedure will result in denial of the request. These types of requests will be approved in emergency cases only. These requests should be made at least 24 hours in advance when at all possible.

Bus stops that are set up for one child/family, will be eliminated if there is no student at the stop for three consecutive days. The stop will not be reinstated until the Transportation Office receives a call from the parent/guardian requesting that the stop be resumed.

Day Care Provider Forms – If it is necessary for a student to go to a Daycare Provider, this form can be obtained from the school Main Office. It must be filled out and returned by the parent/guardian five days prior to the start of the effective date. All information on this form must be completed before approval will be granted by the Transportation Department. The Day Care Provider must be located within the school boundaries.

After school activity buses: Students are to have appropriate bus passes. Bus passes will change color every school year. Students will be dropped off at the nearest corner. Students are to inform the driver where they live.

KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS must be met at the bus stop for the afternoon drop off. If there is no parent or guardian at the bus stop, the child will be returned to the school or the Romulus Police Department and the parent or guardian must pick the child up that those locations.

CANCELLATION OF SCHOOL AND EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSINGS

Cancellation of school takes place only during circumstances such as extreme weather, equipment failure, or public crisis. The School Board and administrators are aware of the hardship that can be caused by an abrupt cancellation. Therefore, a school will not be canceled unless unusual circumstances have created a significant safety risk. Every practical means is used to notify parents of a school cancellation or early dismissal, including District’s Automated Phone Call, District’s Website, Facebook, radio, and T.V.

CHILD ABUSE REPORTING

The Child Protection Act requires that school personnel report when there is a “reasonable cause to suspect” child abuse or neglect. The Child Protection Law requires mandated reporters to make an immediate verbal report to DHS upon suspecting child abuse and neglect, followed by a written report within 72 hours. The law further states that the information in a CPS report needs to be provided by the individual who actually observed the injuries or had contact with the child regarding the report. The law guarantees that the identity of the reporting person shall remain confidential and presumed to be acting in good faith. Immunity is granted from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred. A person who knowingly fails to report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be civilly liable for damages caused by that failure to report.