Expectations & Code of Conduct
Byron Center High School's greatest asset is our amazing students. If it weren't for the leadership of our students, our school would not be what it is today. In order to maintain a safe and orderly environment, it is important to abide by the expectations set before us. Keep in mind, each expectation has a specific purpose, so if a student or parent struggles to understand the rationale behind an expectation, we encourage you to contact the main office to discuss the situation.
It is also important for students to keep administration informed of what is happening, so if there is something happening that is inappropriate, we encourage you to use our silent observer tip line where you can remain 100% anonymous. Even the administration will not know the identity of the "tipster." Call 616.774.2345 or download the P3tips mobile app.
All students are required to read the 2022-2023 Student Handbook. Please be aware of the expectations. Our referral system is located here:
Referral System Overview
PER STATE LAW - YOU CAN BE DISCIPLINED BY SCHOOL IF YOU ARE INAPPROPRIATE ONLINE (FACEBOOK INCLUDED) BY BULLYING, THREATS, OR OTHER INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR. BE CAREFUL OF WHAT YOU POST ONLINE!
Thank you and we look forward to a great year!
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Unexcused Absences
Unexcused absences are any absence not excused within 24 hours. Student discipline results.
Any student who is absent from school for all or any part of the day without a parent excusing the absence shall be considered truant and the student and his/her parents shall be subject to the truancy laws of the State. An unexcused absence will result in a Friday School detention. Repeatedly truant students are subject to suspension. No credit shall be given for schoolwork missed when the student is truant. This policy is renewed on a semester basis. Each time a student is unexcused he/she will be assigned a Friday School. Failure to serve Friday School will result in an In or Out-of-school suspension.
Attendance Requirements
Students are encouraged to be at school every day. However, circumstances do hinder this at times, and so students who have extenuating circumstances are allowed 12 absences per semester per course. Upon the 13th absence, a student loses credit in his/her course. This means 0.0 G.P.A. will be given upon 13th absence from class. A student who is absent more than 12 days (excluding school-related absences) in a class during a semester requires medical documentation for every day past 12, or the student will forfeit his/her grade in a class, and be forced to pass the final exam for credit. Excused absences do count against the daily attendance requirement. A parent excused absences does not remove the absence. If a class is missed for any reason, including a school-related activity or field trip, it is the student’s responsibility to get and make up assigned work or tests upon return. A student may still receive credit in a course by demonstrating proficiency in that course on the semester exam. If a student with 13 or more absences passes the course and passes the exam with a 65% or higher, that student will receive an E with credit in the course. If the student’s absences do not exceed 15, and the student receives a 78% or higher on the semester exam, the student will receive the full grade for the course.
Excused Absences
Students are encouraged to be at school every day. However, circumstances do hinder this at times, and so students who have extenuating circumstances are allowed 12 absences per semester per course. Upon the 13th absence, a student loses credit in his/her course. This means 0.0 G.P.A. will be given upon 13th absence from class. A student who is absent more than 12 days (excluding school-related absences) in a class during a semester requires medical documentation for every day past 12, or the student will forfeit his/her grade in a class, and be forced to pass the final exam for credit. Excused absences do count against the daily attendance requirement. A parent excused absences does not remove the absence. If a class is missed for any reason, including a school-related activity or field trip, it is the student’s responsibility to get and make up assigned work or tests upon return. A student may still receive credit in a course by demonstrating proficiency in that course on the semester exam. If a student with 13 or more absences passes the course and passes the exam with a 65% or higher, that student will receive an E with credit in the course. If the student’s absences do not exceed 15, and the student receives a 78% or higher on the semester exam, the student will receive the full grade for the course.
Tardies
Regular and prompt school attendance is necessary both in the development of student’s responsibility and in the achievement of academic success. It is believed, responsibility and self-discipline can be assimilated as a lifelong trait for the student. Each student is expected to be in his/her assigned location throughout the school day. If a student is late in arriving at school, he/she is to report to the School office to sign in before proceeding to his/her first assigned location.
Students will be considered tardy if not in the assigned seat at the start time of each class and tardies cannot be excused by parents. Students arriving at school more than 10 minutes late for their first class will be marked absent. Students arriving in subsequent classes more than 5 minutes late will be marked absent. Teachers will not allow late students to enter their classroom without a pass. Students have a right to learn without being interrupted by tardy students who disrupt the educational process. Teachers will keep a record of accumulated tardies for each student per nine-week period. At the 5th tardy, the student will serve detention as assigned by the school administration. Tardy detentions of 45 minutes or less shall be served on Friday morning at the designated location in the high school. Accumulated tardies will reset at the end of each semester.
