Steele High School Newsletter

August 2020

Principal's Message

Hello Comet Nation,

As principal of Marion L. Steele High School, it is my pleasure to welcome everyone back for another great year in Amherst. This year will be interesting to say the least, but we are excited to offer both eCampus and onCampus options to our students and families. I encourage you to view the Amherst School's District Restart Plan by visiting our Restart Webpage.

Our faculty and staff have been planning for this school year and we will do everything in our power to make sure everyone remains as safe as possible no matter what option you have decided to pursue this year.

Please feel free to contact me at 440-988-4433 or joseph_tellier@amherstk12.org if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

Joseph R. Tellier

MLS Principal

Returning Student Registration

All emergency, medical, and contact information for all K-12 students will be collected through the Returning Student Registration process in your PowerSchool Parent Portal account.

This information must be completed by parents/guardians as soon as possible because students will not be able to view their schedule, pick up their Chromebook, or attend school until this information is updated. If we do not have your child's updated information by the first day of school, then your child will not be permitted to start school regardless of campus option.

To complete the process, please go to your PowerSchool Parent Portal account, click on the Returning Student Registration link in the left menu, and follow the prompts. For step-by-step directions, please refer to this Online Returning Student Registration Directions document.

If you completed this process last year, most of your child's emergency and contact information will be pre-filled on this year's form. You will simply need to check, verify, and update any changes. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the main office at 440-988-4433.

Thank you in advance for updating your returning student's information as soon as possible.

Student Schedules

Student schedules are now live on the ParentPortal website! To view your schedule, log into your ParentPortal account via the website (schedules are not available to view in the ParentPortal app) and click on “Next Year Schedule”. Please note a student’s schedule will only be changed to correct an incomplete schedule or to meet graduation requirements. If you have any questions about your schedule, please contact your school counselor.

School Counselors:

Mrs. Loushin, Last Names A-G

Ms. Rigda, Last Names H-O

Mr. Harcula, Last Names P-Z

Returning Student Registration must be completed in order to view your schedule. If you are unable to view your schedule because you need to complete the Returning Student Registration process, please go to your PowerSchool ParentPortal account, click on the Returning Student Registration link in the left menu, and follow the prompts. For step-by-step directions, please refer to this Online Returning Student Registration Directions document. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the main office at 440-988-4433.

Once you complete the Returning Student Registration process, please email Mrs. Jones at susan_jones@amherstk12.org.

Parking Permits

All student drivers parking on Amherst Exempted Village School District property must obtain a parking permit and follow the student parking rules outlined on page 26 of the Marion L. Steele Student/Parent Handbook.

Parking Permits will be available to purchase on the following dates for certain groups of students. Returning Student Registration must be completed in Parent Portal in order to purchase a parking permit.

Please print and complete the Parking Permit Application and Informed Consent Agreement before coming in the front doors to buy a parking permit.

August 24th, 8:00 - 3:00: Seniors only

August 25th, 8:00 - 3:00: Seniors and Juniors only

August 26th(and beyond), 8:00 - 3:00: Open to any Student Driver

Chromebook Distribution

All MLS students should pick up their Chromebook during our Chromebook Distribution Days on August 24th and 25th. Please see below for exact times.

Returning Student Registration must be completed in Parent Portal in order to pick up a Chromebook.

Monday, August 24, 8:30 - 10:30: Last Names A - F

Monday, August 24, 12:30 - 2:30: Last Names G - L

Tuesday, August 25, 8:30 - 10:30: Last Names M - S

Tuesday, August 25, 12:30 - 2:30: Last Names T - Z

Tuesday, August 25, 5:00 - 6:30: Anyone!

Chromebook distribution will be completed via a drive-thru set up. Please enter the South Lot off of Washington Street and form a line in the lane closest to the street. You will remain in your vehicle as a staff member brings a Chromebook and charger to you. There will be stations for families who need to complete the Returning Student Registration in Parent Portal before getting a Chromebook.

Late Arrival/ Early Release Application

Late Arrival or Early Release is a special privilege for juniors and seniors with at least five credits for the year and who have an opening in their schedule. Please review all the information on the application before applying.

Student schedules will not be changed to accommodate Late Arrival or Early Release privileges. Late Arrival and Early Release privilege is by parental permission only. It is the responsibility of the student and parent/guardian to ensure athletic eligibility and credit status prior to applying for Late Arrival or Early Release.

This year the Late Arrival/Early Release Application will be done electronically. Eligible students must submit the Late Arrival/ Early Release Application and be granted approval before starting Late Arrival or Early Release. Approval will be sent via email from Steele Administration and the student's schedule will be changed to reflect the Late Arrival or Early Release.

Staggered Arrival

Marion L. Steele High School will have a staggered arrival for students this school year.

7:35 am: Doors will open to Freshman, Sophomores, all Bus Riders, and Breakfast Buyers

7:40 am: All Juniors, Seniors, and Student Drivers may enter

Upon entering the building, students must report directly to their first-period class.

Students will only be permitted to enter the building through the front doors, south lot doors, or the cafetorium courtyard doors.

Students should not congregate outside the building before the doors open.

Student drivers should remain in their vehicle until the doors open.

Open Campus During Lunch

Marion L. Steele will be instituting an Open Campus during lunch periods. Students are permitted to leave the school building during lunch periods and return to their second-period class. Open Campus is a privilege for all students and is by parent permission only.

Students must complete the Open Campus Lunch Application and be granted approval before starting. Approval will be sent via email from Steele Administration and the student's schedule will be changed to reflect Open Campus Lunch.

The following guidelines must be adhered to by all students who are participating in Open Campus.

Students granted Open Campus will be expected to sign out correctly using the correct QR code in the main lobby before exiting the building.
Students granted Open Campus will be expected to sign in correctly using the correct QR code upon returning from lunch.
Students must have access to transportation and not loiter in the building or outside of school. Students may eat in their vehicles.
Open Campus is a privilege and may be revoked at any time by school administration.

Please complete the MLS Open Campus Lunch Application to apply for Open Campus Lunch.

Staggered Dismissal

Marion L. Steele High School will conclude its staggered dismissal at 2:00 pm. Students must exit the building immediately upon dismissal and should avoid congregating in large groups outside after dismissal.

Bus riders and any student who does not have a ride at dismissal will wait for 2:45 pm in the cafetorium.

Any student-athlete staying at the school until practice must wait in the cafetorium until the 2:45 bus dismissal.

Meningitis Vaccine Requirement for 12th Grade Entry

The Ohio Health Department, under Ohio Revised Code 3701.13 and 3313.671, requires all students entering the 12th grade to provide written proof that they have received a dose of the Meningococcal (meningitis) vaccine after age 16.

Please ensure the school has proof of your child’s vaccine on file by September 15th. Students without proof of the meningitis vaccine may be subject to exclusion from school.

Updated Attendance Procedures

Marion L. Steele High School has updated our Attendance Procedures for the 2020 - 2021 school year.

Attendance will be classified under 2 categories:

• Excused Absence: an absence where parent and/or guardian properly provides a phone call or note within 48 hours of the absence. The following reasons will be classified as an excused absence per Ohio Revised Code and district policy:

1) personal illness (a written physician's statement verifying the illness may be required)

2) illness in the family necessitating the presence of the child

3) quarantine of the home

4) death in the family

5) medical or dental appointment (with proper documentation)

6) observation or celebration of a bona fide religious holiday

7) college visitation (up to 3 visits with proper documentation)

8) emergency or other set of circumstances in which the judgment of the Superintendent of Schools or designee, constitutes a good and sufficient cause for absence from school

• Unexcused Absence/Truant: an absence where a parent/guardian does not make contact with the school to verify absence for one of the eight excused absence reasons per Ohio Revised Code. Excessive unexcused absences may result in a court referral per House Bill 410.

If the student has more than 65 hours of absences, every absence thereafter will be considered truant, unless it is a school-authorized field trip, suspension, or medically certified absence.

Please take a moment to review our Attendance Procedures by clicking here. We thank you in advance for your compliance with our new attendance procedures.

Event Information

Virtual Open House

Virtual Open House videos will be posted on Friday, August 21st.

When?

Friday, Aug 21, 2020, 05:00 PM

Where?

Virtual

Event Information

First Day of School

Doors open for students at 7:45 am. Please report directly to your first period class upon arrival. Please do not congregate around entrances and maintain social distance when entering the building.

When?