📘 Philomath Academy Student Handbook Overview

👉 Full Handbook Available Here: Handbook

🎓 Academic Progress & Attendance

Daily Requirements: Students must engage in assigned coursework and follow their daily plan to be marked present. Progress is essential to success and necessary to be considered present in classes.
Attendance Expectations: Students are expected to attend school each day per the school calendar—either in person or by meeting digital attendance criteria. This includes logging into classes and completing daily academic tasks. *Attendance will be based BOTH on time spent in class as well as work completion.
Oregon Law: Parents/guardians must ensure children ages 7–18 attend school regularly (at least 90% of the time). Attendance is a shared responsibility between school, student, and family.
Absences: Always call (541) 929-8729 to report an absence.
Online school day (Grades 6–8): Daily attendance is required beginning online at 8:15 am unless a remote learning plan has been pre-approved by administration. Middle school students may come in the afternoon Mon-Thur 12:30-3:00 to work with their teacher.
Loss of Privileges: Repeated tardiness or early departures may result in being required to make up missed time at school.
Withdrawals: Students who are absent for 10 consecutive days without approval will be withdrawn.

🔄 Check-In / Check-Out Procedures

Students must check out at the Academy office with parent/guardian verification before leaving campus.
Check in is required upon return.
Failure to follow procedures may result in unexcused absences.

🚪 Visitors & Volunteers

Visitors must have a legitimate reason to be on campus.
All visitors and volunteers must sign in at the Academy Office.
Student-age visitors are generally not allowed.
Call ahead for appointments.
Volunteers must have a completed background check and approved district form.
Students should never open doors for others. Doors are locked and monitored at all times.

📜 Student Conduct

Students are expected to follow all district policies and behave respectfully in all school-related settings.
Violations may result in consequences ranging from suspension to expulsion

🔴 Assault & Fighting

Includes physical assault or encouraging others to fight.
Involved parties may be suspended during investigation.
May result in suspension, expulsion, or law enforcement involvement.

📱 Electronic Devices

Cell phone use is not allowed during class time; headphones are allowed if needed for an academic purpose.
Misused phones may be held by staff until the end of class.
Repeated misuse may result in disciplinary action.
Need to make a call? Ask a staff member or use the office/classroom phone.

🚫 Disruptive Behavior

Actions that disrupt learning are prohibited. Students attend school to receive an education, any action that interrupts that is not tolerate and may lead to removal from classroom.
No inappropriate content related to drugs, alcohol, hate speech, sexual content, or discrimination in any format (in-person or online)

👗 Dress Code

Permitted:

Clothing must include shirts, pants/skirts, and shoes.
Shirts/dresses must cover the front and sides.
Undergarments must not be visible.
Headwear must not obstruct visibility.
Clothing must suit specific class activities (e.g., PE, labs, shop).

Prohibited:

Clothing referencing drugs, alcohol, hate speech, nudity, gang symbols, or anything threatening.
Sunglasses indoors.

🍽️ Food & Drink

Permitted on campus, but students must clean up after themselves.
Privilege may be revoked if cleanliness becomes a problem.

❗ Prohibited Behavior Includes:

Hazing, harassment, intimidation, bullying (including cyberbullying)
Teen dating violence
Retaliation or false accusations

Consequences: Suspension, expulsion, law enforcement referral, and possible loss of driving privileges (if 15+ years old).

🍔 Lunch & Open Campus

Grades 9–12: May leave campus during lunch (12:00–12:30 p.m.).
Misconduct during lunch may result in loss of privilege.
Leaving campus at other times requires admin approval and proper check-out.

🗣️ Language & Behavior

Profanity, obscene gestures, or abusive language are prohibited.
Excessive PDA or sexual conduct on campus is unacceptable and may lead to suspension or expulsion.

🚭 Substance Use

PA is a drug- and alcohol-free zone.
Possession or use of drugs, alcohol, nicotine, or vape products is prohibited on or near campus and at school events.
Violations may result in suspension or expulsion.

🛠️ Vandalism & Theft

Theft, vandalism, or destruction of property may result in disciplinary action, expulsion, law enforcement referral, and/or restitution.

💻 Technology Use

School tech access is a privilege, not a right.
Students must follow the Acceptable Use Policy.
No expectation of privacy—email and files may be reviewed.
Misuse may result in limited or revoked access.

🚌 Transportation

Students must follow bus rules to retain transportation privileges.
Violations may lead to suspension from bus services.
Rules and expectations are shared annually; parent signature required.

❌ Truancy

Unexcused absences may lead to loss of credit and ineligibility for sports/activities on the day of the truancy.

🚗 Vehicles & Parking

Bike riders under 16 must wear helmets.

🧾 Student Rights & Responsibilities

Students have legal rights and responsibilities, including:

Freedom of expression
Due process
Privacy of records

School Board policies can be viewed at:
👉 Philomath School District Policies

🤝 Behavior Expectations

Treat others with respect.
Use appropriate academic language.
No sleeping, gaming, or excessive social media during school hours.
Music must be listened to with headphones only.

✍️ Academic Integrity

Cheating or plagiarism may result in:

Loss of assignment credit
Failing grade
Loss of honors/valedictorian status
Removal from athletics or activities