School Policies

Attendance & Absences 

Students are required to attend school every day. By Ohio state law, absences can be excused for only three reasons: a religious holiday, illness, or a death in the immediate family.

Students will only be allowed to make up missed work if they present a note from a parent/guardian following the absence. Absences for any other reason will be considered unexcused, and consequences will be determined on an individual basis.

If a student is absent for three consecutive days (unexcused absences), Edguenity courses will be locked until they return to school.

Cell Phones & Personal Devices

Like all other Cincinnati Public Schools high schools, and in accordance with CPS Board Policy and Ohio Senate Bill 158, Virtual High School maintains a no personal electronic communication device (ECD) use policy during instruction, in full compliance with state law. All students adhere to using a Yondr Pouch for cell phones upon arrival to the building each day. This means no personal devices, Bluetooth headphones, iPads, or similar devices may be used during the school day.

At Arrival
At the security checkpoint, students will receive a Yondr pouch. Students should turn off their phone, place it inside, and have it locked in front of staff. Other personal devices (tablets, personal laptops) must be turned off and placed in a telephone locker.

During the Day
The locked Yondr pouch should stay with the student (for example, in a backpack) for the entire session.

Dismissal
Students unlock their pouches at designated stations located at building exits.

Dress Code

Within broad limits, dress and appearance are considered matters of personal taste. Appropriate clothing and shoes are required at all times, generally relating to health, safety, modesty, and avoiding educational disruption. Parents have the primary responsibility for their student's appearance; when a student's appearance is deemed detrimental, the student will be removed from class and a parent-administrator conference will be arranged.

Examples of inappropriate clothing and shoes include:

• Underwear worn as outerwear (bras, briefs, boxer shorts, thongs, teddies, slips, mid-length underwear)
• Swimwear or beachwear (swimsuits, thongs, bare midriffs)
• Clothing with profane slogans, cartoons, illustrations, or promotion of illegal activities or products
• See-through outerwear, or immodest rips or tears exposing breast, buttocks, or genital area

Gang attire and activity — including hand signals and any apparel, jewelry, accessory, book, or manner of grooming that, by its color, arrangement, trademark, or symbol, denotes membership in such a group — is not permitted. The principal or a designee determines whether a student's attire constitutes a threat to safety or campus order, or is unduly distracting to the educational process.

Early Dismissal

Students seeking early dismissal must bring a signed note with a phone number for verification. A parent/guardian will be contacted. There are no exceptions.

Leaving Campus

No student is to leave school grounds at any time during the school day without prior approval from the administration. Students who remain on campus past dismissal must be involved in an authorized, staff-supervised activity — no student is to be on campus without adult supervision.

Leaving the Classroom

When leaving the classroom during a bell, students must use the laminated hall pass located near the door of each classroom, and sign out and back in with the time and date on the clipboard.

Tardiness

To avoid being marked tardy, students should arrive early enough to be in class and seated by 8:00 a.m.

• If a student arrives after 8:15 a.m. (morning session) or 12:15 p.m. (afternoon session), they should sign the Tardy Sign-in Binder located in each classroom and record the reason for the tardy. A tardy is defined as arriving less than 30 minutes late.
• Any student arriving after 8:30 a.m. (or the equivalent afternoon time) will be sent to the Tardy Center and held for the remainder of that bell. A parent notification will be sent.

Consequence Ladder for Tardiness:

• 1st – 3rd tardies: warnings
• 4th tardy: one-day removal
• 5th tardy: three-day removal, pending a parent conference
• 6th tardy: referral to A2S

Transportation

Transportation to and from school is provided through a contract with Queen City Metro. Each eligible student will receive a bus card for daily transportation to and from school. Drivers are responsible for all conduct on the buses, and students may be removed from a bus for misconduct. Incident reports are filed by Metro drivers with both the Transportation Office and the school. Ms. Vida Cooper is the transportation liaison for VHS. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Cooper at 513-363-2067.

Visitors

All visitors must sign in using the Raport Kiosk in the Main Office lobby.