Attendance
A student shall not be allowed more than five (5) absences per semester, excused or unexcused. Any student accumulating a sixth (6) absence will not receive credit for that course. If the student is failing the course, he/she will receive a failing grade of "F." The student will be allowed to remain in the class to establish continuity for the next semester providing he/she does not become disruptive. Students who are uncooperative or cause disruption to the learning environment may be removed and will receive a grade of "F." If the course is a prerequisite for other courses, it will need to be retaken for credit. The "no credit" will be issued by giving an "NC" at grading time indicating that the loss of credit is due to attendance problems. Students who participate in school-sponsored or school-sanctioned activities will not be considered absent from that class or from school that day.
An Attendance Review Committee will be provided to review any extenuating circumstances surrounding absences. The decision of the Attendance Review Committee shall be final for Mehlville Senior High School.
A review of the specific conditions relating to individual cases will be granted upon written parent/guardian or student appeal. The Attendance Review Committee will have the power to waive the loss of credit. In reviewing an appeal for a waiver of loss of credit, the Attendance Review Committee considers the reasons of all absences, not only those above the five days allowed.
A request for the Attendance Review Committee for a waiver is not automatic. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian or student to submit the appeal for waiver within ten (10) days of the date of the letter notifying the student/parent or guardian that the credit has not been earned.
Students and parents/guardians submitting a request for a waiver of the loss-of-credit to the Attendance Review Committee should not expect a waiver when some of all of the reasons for the absences are due to one or more of the following:
A. Truancy (all day absence)
B. Skipping classes
C. Personal vacation
This is a shortened version of the active Attendance Policy for Mehlville High School.
Student absences are recorded as unexcused until a parent phone call is received. Students may not be allowed to make up missed work if their absences are unexcused. Parents should call Mehlville High on the day of the absence to indicate the reason for the absence. Please contact the Attendance Office at (314) 467-6020 to report an absence.
Breakfasts & Lunches
The cafeteria is an excellent area in which to eat your breakfast and lunch while socializing with your peers. Breakfast items are available prior to the start of school. If students need to eat breakfast, they must be early & must complete eating in a timely manner so as to be to their class on time. A menu for both breakfast and lunch is readily available on the Mehlville High School webpage. Payment for all meals (including grab-and-go and Pawnera Coffee Bar) is through MySchoolBucks. To register for MySchoolBucks, please click HERE. For more information regarding meal programs, please call the School Food and Nutrition office: (314) 467-6050.
Counselors
The Counseling Center offers a wide array of services for students. Counselors assist with class scheduling, graduation requirements and college exploration. They provide services for testing (including college entrance exams, aptitude testing & interest inventories), employment opportunities, and mental health strategies. Scholarship information and college applications may also be obtained through the Counseling Center. Along with these resources, the Counseling Center sponsors various activities throughout the year such as financial aid workshops and college planning workshops. For more information on College and Counseling Events click HERE.
Discipline
A complete list of policies and procedures regarding school discipline may be found by clicking HERE.
Any questions regarding discipline policies of Mehlville High School may be referred to your student's assistant principal. All policies are approved & subject to change per the Board of Education. A quick (but not complete) list of school discipline policies is below:
Electronic Devices will be permitted before/after school, during passing times and during lunch periods. During lunch periods, use will be restricted to the cafeteria and commons only - not in the hallways. Devices may be used within the classroom for instructional purposes at the discretion of the teacher.
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Fighting: Students will be suspended from school. Students who say or do things which cause fights are also subject to discipline. Physical or verbal abuse will not be tolerated.
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Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. This includes loud and/or inappropriate language.
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Secret organizations/gangs: Any verbal and non-verbal behaviors, clothing, paraphernalia, etc. pertaining to secret organizations and/or gangs are not permitted on campus at any time and may result in suspension.
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Theft: Students who steal or who have in their possession or in their lockers, items which are not theirs, may be suspended and possibly referred to authorities. If a student "finds" an item, they should bring it to the front office or give it to a teacher immediately. Students should not bring items of great value to school or carry large amounts of money. Students who have physical education classes or participate in athletics should bring locks to be used for P.E. lockers. Sharing lockers is not allowed.
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Weapons and "look-alike weapons": Weapons and look-alike weapons are not allowed on campus at any time. Possession or use will result in suspension, referral to authorities, and possible expulsion. Any statement (written or verbal) of bringing weapons or of intent to harm any person, will be addressed in a serious manner; this may involve the authorities.
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Deliveries: In order to prevent disruption during the school day, the school will accept NO deliveries for students without prior principal approval.
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In-School Suspension (ISS): ISS is a possible consequence for inappropriate actions. Students assigned to ISS will be permitted to make-up a percentage of their classwork that they miss. ISS is not assigned as a student choice for discipline, but at the discretion of the administrator, in compliance with discipline guidelines.
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Alcohol, tobacco products, drugs drug paraphernalia, etc.: Students who possess, use, sell, or transfer these items on campus at any time are subject to suspension and referral to authorities. This also pertains to look-alike or "kiddie" drugs.
Dress Code
Mehlville High School follows the Dress Code outlined by the Mehlville School District Board of Education:
The Board of Education expects student dress and grooming to be neat, clean and appropriate for school, so that each student may share in promoting a positive, healthy and safe atmosphere within the school district. No procedure will impose dress and grooming rules based on gender in violation of Title IX.
Student dress and grooming will be the responsibility of the individual and parents/guardians, within the following guidelines:
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Dress and grooming will be clean and in keeping with health, sanitary and safety requirements.
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All students must wear shoes, boots or other types of footwear.
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Dress and grooming will not disrupt the educational environment.
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Brief clothing with undue exposure of the body is not permitted; see-through clothing worn without proper undergarments will be considered inappropriate.
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Articles of clothing that contain vulgar, profane, suggestive or otherwise inappropriate messages or images, or that depict or refer to illegal substances, drug paraphernalia, or alcoholic beverages are not permitted. This also includes clothing and accessories that display marijuana leaves (or other illegal drug paraphernalia) and gang-related paraphernalia.
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Class activities that present a concern for student safety may require the student to adjust hair and/or clothing during the class period, in the interest of maintaining safety standards.
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Additional dress regulations may be imposed upon students participating in certain extracurricular activities.
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No clothing, coloring, insignia or other symbol or combinations of symbols indicating membership in, affiliation with, or support for any gang or similar organization associated with violence, drugs, intimidation or other criminal activity is allowed.
Exceptions to the dress code for health or religious reasons will be considered on a case-by-case basis. When, in the judgment of the principal, a student's appearance or mode of dress constitutes a threat to health or safety, or of disrupting the educational process, the student may be required to make modifications. No employee or volunteer shall direct a student to remove an emblem, insignia or garment, including a religious emblem, insignia or garment, as long as it is worn in a manner that does not promote disruptive behavior. Additional requirements may be detailed in building handbooks.*
*Mehlville High School does not outline additional requirements; the District Dress Code is the standard.
Emergency Procedures
The Mehlville School District website provides a complete outline of safety and emergency procedures; to view, please click HERE. If an emergency situation should arise at Mehlville High School, students are to stay with their teacher and follow the instructions given. For more information on school safety, please call Mrs. Cordes: (314) 467 6014.
Grading
Questions about academic grades should be directed to the individual teacher or counselor of your student's class. Progress Reports are issued to students at various times throughout the year. Each progress report will list the student's actual grade as earned since the beginning of the semester.
School grading scale is:
A) 90-100 B) 80-89 C) 70-79 D) 60-69 F) 0-59
Health Services
A registered nurse is on duty every day in the Health Office. Emergency forms must be kept on file should family notification be required. Students should keep documentation of health concerns with the nurse.
Students must have permission from teachers and have a pass in order to see the nurse. In case of leaving school early due to illness, students must sign-out at the Attendance Desk. Health concerns should be addressed to the school nurses: Ms. Madison Siman, (314) 467-6030, or Ms. Stephanie Beaven, (314) 467-6031.
Library (LMC - Learning Media Center)
The Learning Media Center (LMC) is available for student use from 7:00 AM to 2:40 PM, Monday - Friday. Certified Librarians are always on duty to assist students. Questions regarding the LMC should be addressed to Mrs. Henthorn, Librarian, (314) 467-6040 or Mr. Wright, Librarian, (314) 467-6042. Click HERE for more information on the Library.
Lockers
If a student elects to use a locker, they must understand that their locker may not be shared with any other student and that only school-provided locks may be placed on their lockers. Students should remember that lockers are subject to search at any time. If you have questions or need assistance with lockers, please contact Mrs. Cordes: (314) 467-6014.
Lost and Found
Currently, there is a Lost and Found closet in the front office. Items found by students and staff must be turned in to the front desk, to be placed in the lost and found. At the end of each semester, any unclaimed items will be removed from the building.
Make-Up Work Requests
The school will request homework for students out due to illness only if they will be out longer than 3 days. When out less than this time, students may request homework from their individual teachers upon their return to school (if absences were excused). Adequate time will be given for completion. To request homework for extended absences, please call Ms. Auer, (314) 467-6108, by 8:30 a.m. It takes approximately 24 hours to gather homework.
**In-School Suspension (ISS) Classwork
Students attending ISS will be credited fully for completed assignments. The ISS instructor will secure class work from the student's teachers. Students are required to bring necessary materials (books, paper, pens, etc.) to ISS each day assigned. Due to the nature of certain class activities, it may not be possible to make up all activities done in the class. Therefore, modified work assignments will be provided for the student.
**Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) Classwork
The counseling office will request assignments for students on OSS longer than 2 days. Students/parents are responsible for picking up the work from the guidance office. Students may only be on campus to pick up work after securing permission from the principal. Work will be gathered in weekly increments & additional work will be collected only after initial assignments are returned to the guidance office.
Students suspended out of school will be allowed to complete assignments and tests for full credit. Due to the nature of certain class activities, it may not be possible to make-up all work missed (lab classes).
Snow Days
In the event of inclement weather, information will be posted immediately on the Mehlville School District website. Families are encouraged to check Mehlville School District social media as well: Facebook (@MehlvilleSchoolDistrict), Twitter (@MehlvilleSD), and Instagram (@mehlvillesd). The District has also implemented a phone-call system to send a 30 second message explaining school cancellation.
Student Parking
We have a limited number of parking spaces for Senior and Juniors at Mehlville High School. Parking spots are given on a priority system, according to grade level and GPA. All vehicles parked on campus must be registered with the front office. Vehicles not properly registered or not driven in a prudent/safe manner on campus may subject the driver to fines, discipline, and even suspension. Any unauthorized vehicles parked on campus are subject to towing at the vehicle owner's expense. Any questions regarding student parking should be directed to Mrs. Raney: (314) 467-6013.