Dohn Community High School’s Anti-Bullying Policy

This guide What Is Cyberbullying? An Overview for Students, Parents, and Teachers, provided by Maryville University Online, offers a plethora of information helpful for anyone concerned about cyberbullying, including how to spot it, handle it, and overcome it. 

To report experiences or witnessing of bullying contact Director Ramone Davenport rdavenport@dohnschool.org or call 513 2816100, x1002 3314.03(A)(11)(D)Harassment and bullying of students and employees are against federal, state and local policy, and are not tolerated by the Board. The Board is committed to providing all students with a safe and civil school environment in which all members of the school community are treated with dignity and respect. To that end, the Board has in place policies, procedures, and practices that are designed to reduce and eliminate bullying and harassment as well as processes and procedures to deal with incidents of bullying and harassment. Bullying and harassment of students by students, school employees, and volunteers who have direct contact with students will not be tolerated in the school. The Board prohibits harassment, bullying, hazing, or any other victimization, of students, based on any of the following actual or perceived traits or characteristics: age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political beliefs socioeconomic status, or familial status. Harassment against employees based upon race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, age or disability is also prohibited. This policy is in effect while students or employees are on property within the jurisdiction of the Board; while on school-owned or school-operated vehicles; while attending or engaging in school-sponsored activities; and while away from school grounds if the misconduct directly affects the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school or school district. If, after an investigation, a student is found to be in violation of this policy, the student shall be disciplined by appropriate measures up to, and including suspension and expulsion. If after an investigation, a school employee is found to be in violation of this policy, the employee shall be disciplined by appropriate measures up to, and including termination. If, after an investigation, a school volunteer is found to be in violation of this policy, the volunteer shall be subject to appropriate measures up to, and including, exclusion from school grounds. “Volunteer” means an individual who has regular, significant contact with students. Harassment and bullying mean any electronic, written, verbal, or physical act of conduct toward a student which is based on any actual or perceived trait or characteristic of the student and which creates an objectively hostile school environment that meets one or more of the following conditions:

• Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property
• Has a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health
• Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s academic performance
• Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school

“Electronic” means any communication involving the transmission of information by wire, radio, optical cable, electromagnetic, or other similar means. “Electronic” includes but is not limited to communication via electronic mail, internet-based communications, pager service, cell phones, electronic text messaging, or similar technologies. Harassment and bullying may include, but are not limited to, the following behaviors and circumstances:

• Verbal, nonverbal, physical or written harassment, bullying, hazing, or other victimization that have the purpose or effect of causing injury; discomfort, fear, or suffering to the victim
• Repeated remarks of a demeaning nature that have the purpose or effect of causing injury, discomfort, fear, or suffering to the victim.
• Implied or explicit threats concerning one’s grades, achievements,   property, etc. that have the purpose or effect of causing injury, discomfort, fear, or suffering to the victim;
• Demeaning jokes, stories, or activities directed at the student that have the purpose or effect of causing injury, discomfort, fear, or suffering to the victim; and/or Unreasonable interference with a student’s performance or creation of an intimidating, offensive, or hostile learning environment

Any person who promptly, reasonably, and in good faith reports an incident of bullying or harassment under this policy to a school official, shall be immune from civil or criminal liability relating to such report and to the person’s participation in any administrative, judicial, or other proceeding relating to the report. Individuals who knowingly file a false complaint may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. Retaliation against a person because the person has filed a bullying or harassment complaint or assisted or participated in a harassment investigation or proceeding is prohibited. An individual who knowingly files a false harassment complaint and a person who gives false statements in an investigation shall be subject to discipline by appropriate measures, as shall a person who is found to have retaliated against another in violation of this policy. A student found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including suspension and expulsion. A school employee found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, termination of employment. A school volunteer found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, exclusion from school grounds. The school or school district will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of bullying or harassment. The investigator or designee will be responsible for handling all complaints by students alleging bullying or harassment. The investigator or designee will be responsible for handling all complaints by employees alleging bullying or harassment. It also is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the investigator and principals, to develop procedures regarding this policy.

Graduation Guidelines for Parents and Students

Every graduate needs one of the following to graduate:

1. A letter of acceptance to a college
2. A letter of acceptance to a vocational school
3. A letter of acceptance from a branch of the military
4. A letter of verification of full-time employment

This new policy comes out of our care and concern for each student’s financial well-being post high school graduation.

In addition, each family will need 10 hours of engagement time on campus to meet graduation requirements.

What Dohn is Doing in Support of this new policy:

We know our students to be curious, engaged with life and eager to find their way in the world. It is our mission to support each student beyond the high school diploma. Toward that end, our part of this process includes:

1. We have increased our Career Connections staff to help establish viable vocational training options with local businesses and corporations
2. In late Winter or early Spring, we host the Scholarship Librarian from the Cincinnati Public Library to lead a workshop for students on how to search and apply for scholarships
3. We offer chaperoned field trips to tour area colleges
4. Our Counselors and teachers are available to talk with students about career options specific to their unique interests and talents
5. We hold Job Fairs at school
6. We have created a Family Advocacy department to support & assist families with challenges.

What Parents and Guardians Can Do:

1. Talk to your son or daughter about his or her dreams for career fulfillment. As a late teen or young adult, taking a first step toward the future is as significant a milestone as when they took their actual first steps. Support them as you talk about what will make them happy in life. Encourage them toward realistic approaches in their post-graduation plan.
2. Remind your student frequently that they need a post-graduation plan to graduate. Our 2017 graduation was a celebrated affair. Families, students, and staff raised the roof with joy. According to the Cincinnati Fire Marshall, 600 guests had to be turned away because we were already at the 2,400-person capacity at the Taft Auditorium. We anticipate an even bigger and more celebratory event for the 2018 graduation, and we want your graduating student to be on that stage. A follow-up post-graduation plan is necessary for that to happen.

What Students Can Do:

1. If you are graduating know that a post-graduation plan — either a letter of acceptance from a college or vocational training program, or a letter of acceptance of full-time employment, or a letter of acceptance into the military — is required for graduation. This requirement supports your entry into adulthood. You become financially responsible through using your unique gifts and talents.
2. Most people have many career paths throughout their lifetime. Making the first choice is hard. However, it is essential to get started. Talk with your family, your teachers, and your school counselors to help you narrow choices and choose a beginning path for your adult life.
3. If you are a freshman, sophomore or junior, know that this policy is coming with your graduation. Prepare now by exploring options for a path that interests you and maximizes your interests and skills. Call on your family, teachers, and counselors and do your own research.

We understand that this graduation requirement policy represents a significant change. Dohn Community High School is successful because we change with the times. We are in a world economy now. Each student has to prepare for life beyond high school.

Our graduation requirement policy is based on a national model, a new trend in high school education. With help from school and support from home and the student’s self-inquiry, every graduate can find his or her path to a fulfilled and financially stable future. This is Dohn’s mission, and our goal.

Dohn Academic School Calendar:

Click this link to find our school calendar

Students who are Sick or Late:
Please call Ms. Hinkston, Attendance 513-281-6100, x1028

Winter Notifications of Cancellations:
There is a phone blast; also watch local news, Channels 5, 9 & 12, for closings of Cincinnati Public Schools. Dohn Community High School is not always listed.

PLEASE NOTE: When Yellow Buses are Cancelled, Dohn Students do Attend School

The student Code of Conduct is based on the idea that learning takes placed in a disciplined environment and that students have a responsibility to use the services and facilities of the Dohn Community High School for the purpose of education. Rules that regulate student behavior have been adopted by the Dohn Community High School Board of Trustees in order to operate the school in an efficient and orderly manner. Other acts not listed may exist in disciplinary action if the behavior is disruptive, hinders other students’ learning, violates the right of others or is considered to be inappropriate.

Any student who engages in the following types of conduct is subject to disciplinary measures ranging from verbal reprimand, removal from school. Students found in violation of the weapons policy of the school are subject to a one-year expulsion from the school. 

School personnel will consider a variety of factors in deciding the discipline that should be administered to a student. Students who help other students violate the code of conduct will also be disciplined.

The Code of Conduct applies to any Dohn student in the custody or control of the school, in the school building or on school grounds, in the general proximity of the school building or school grounds, at a school-sponsored function or activity or on school sponsored buses. The Code also governs student conduct at any time, both on and off school grounds, when such conduct reasonably relates to the health, safety, or welfare of Dohn students, interrupts the educational process of Dohn Community High School or another school, or in the judgment of the school officials, is considered school related.

Listed are the steps to be followed by the administration when student misbehavior occurs:

Level 1: Under level 1 punishment, the misconduct will be addressed by the teacher, and the teacher may either: (a) verbally reprimand the student; (b) provide an oral or written notification to parents; (c) issue a classroom detention; (d) conduct a teacher conference with parents; (e) separate the student from peers; (f) issue a detention; and/or (g) deny the student classroom privileges. Repeated offenses may result in Saturday School, up to a 10 day suspension or possible expulsion, as deemed appropriate by the Superintendent or his designee.

Level 2: All the steps listed in Level 1, plus the following: Under level 2 punishment, if the same acts of misconduct continue or if serious acts of misconduct occur, a conference with the parent/guardian, teacher and/or principal is held in order to discuss the incident and develop an appropriate corrective incident and develop an appropriate corrective action plan and/or disciplinary action. Appropriate action may include suspension.

Level 3: All the steps in Levels 1 and 2, plus the following: The pupil may be suspended for up to 10 school days.

Level 4: All the steps in Levels 1, 2. and/or 3, plus the following: The pupil may be expelled for up to 80 days, unless one year is allowed or mandated by law.

Not all acts of misconduct can be itemized.  The following section is a list of some of the main areas of conduct which will lead to disciplinary action

If you wish to see the Student Code of Conduct, you may secure a copy by contacting the school at 281-6100, ext. 1010.