Revisions to Orange Guide

PLYMOUTH – During the April 20 School Board meeting, Dan Mella, Plymouth High School principal, outlined the revisions to be made in the 2010-11 Orange Guide, the PHS student/parent handbook.

The first revision regards personal searches. Students are subject to searches of purses, backpacks, coats and clothing, when reasonable suspicion indicates such a search may be necessary to protect the health and safety of that student or any other student or staff member.

Such searches will be authorized by the administration and carried out without exposing the student’s body. In the event of physical resistance by the student, law enforcement may be asked to assist with the search.

If illegal materials are found as a result of any search, parents will be notified and requested to meet with an administrator to discuss the situation and any follow-up action taken. Students may be questioned by administrators, separately from law-enforcement questioning.

Police will be notified of any illegal material, and the student may be referred for legal action. This action may include detention, suspension or expulsion.

The second revision is in regard to college-credit courses. It states, “Reference is made on page 10 to the possibility of earning up to 63 credits at colleges and technical schools. The school counseling Web site address is provided for a complete listing and explanation, due to its length.”

Class rank and tie-breaking procedures are the topic of the third revision.

“An update has been added on pages 18-19 to include those classes now offered for college credit or at an accelerated level. The effective dates have been added for the engineering classes.”

The final revision deals with extracurricular activities, privileges and honors of the school.

“An updated listing of available activities is found on page 44 for the purpose of administering the activity and athletic code. This list is periodically changing and as such, it is stated that we are not limited to those activities as an exclusive list.”

Following his presentation, School Board members voted unanimously to adopt the 2010-11 Orange Guide with its revisions. Board members Jerry Prahl and Jeff Tauscheck were absent from Tuesday’s meeting.