Principals for Centerville-Abington Community Schools’ four schools presented recommended updates for student handbooks, ranging from dress codes to metal detectors and cellphone use.
Board members will vote on the changes at their 7 p.m. May 10 meeting at Spencer Administration Building.
The upper grades aim to update dress code policies.
Junior high Principal Brian Bellew said because students are given plenty of information during a boot camp upon entering seventh grade, that they should receive a misconduct on the first offense instead of only a warning. Students cited for violations must go to the office and secure a change of clothes before returning to class. More serious punishments are given for additional offenses.
High schoolers also would be banned from wearing shirts or crop tops exposing their stomach or lower back.
CSHS Assistant Principal Jason Talbot also noted an update regarding use of mobile metal detectors to search students with probable cause for vaping paraphernalia or weapons. Metal detectors effectively find batteries for concealed vapes. Students also would need to submit incomplete work by five school days after a grading period ends before grades become Fs, unless administrators approve extenuating circumstances.
And, CHSH’s handbook wouldn’t include an in-school suspension option for behavior issues because it’s no longer offered.
Two schools also seek to update parent requests for their child’s teacher. Rose Hamilton Principal Sam Pritchard said parents must give two options for a teacher request, and they must give an educational reason why.
Centerville-Abington Assistant Principal Diana Hill said they’d like to eliminate parent requests for teachers. CAE also would require students to turn off phones when they enter school buildings at 7:30 a.m., instead of the current instructional start time. That would eliminate distractions during breakfast.
Donations: Business Professionals of America received gifts toward national competition expenses ($400, Larry and Susan Hamilton; $100, North Mechanical); athletic department, $1,000 (VFW Post 1108); baseball ($1,000, B & F Plastics; $500, Silgan); Class of 2026, $100 (Brian and Emilee Keiser); Class of 2024, $100 (DeMao Solutions, Inc.); auditorium, $150 (Michelle Myers and The Next Step Dance Studio).
Fundraiser: Rose Hamilton PTO received permission for a garage sale during Woodlawn neighborhood sales.
Recognition: Elementary school science fair grand champions and those qualifying for the regional fair received certificates. Centerville Senior High School plans to give new athletics awards called “Barkies,” voted upon by students, during a May 21 ceremony patterned after the national ESPYS.
Enrollment: So far, 111 kindergartners signed up for fall. Last spring, enrollment was in the 70s for a class reaching about 100 by fall.
Maternity leave: Following precedent, the board granted a full-year leave. Superintendent Mike McCoy said retention of a special-education teacher was especially important.
Committee: Member Todd Dooley agreed to join the search for a new volleyball coach.
A version of this article appeared in the May 3 2023 print edition of the Western Wayne News.