The ultimate goal of the student code of conduct is the creation of a safe environment conducive to a quality educational experience and equal access to that experience for all students. The following guidelines are designed to assure that every student has the opportunity to contribute to the creation of such an environment.
Philosophy
All members of the school community have the right to work and learn in an environment that is physically and psychologically safe and is free of harassment and/or discrimination.
Parents have the right to be fully informed of the school’s procedures for encouraging responsible behavior, and they have the responsibility of supporting it.
Parents and school staff members are responsible for teaching children appropriate behavior consistent with their developmental level.
Prohibited Student Conduct
Students will be subject to disciplinary action that may result in a suspension from school, when they:
- Engage in conduct that is disorderly. Examples of disorderly conduct include:
- Running in hallways.
- Making unreasonable noise.
- Using language or gestures that are profane, lewd, vulgar, or abusive.
- Obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
- Engaging in any willful act which disrupts the normal operation of the school community.
- Trespassing. Students are not allowed in any school building, other than the one they normally attend, without permission from the building administrator.
- Computer/electronics misuse, including any unauthorized use of computers, software, or internet/intranet account; accessing inappropriate websites; or any other violation of the District’s acceptable use policy.
- Engaging in conduct that is insubordinate. Examples of insubordinate conduct include:
- Failing to comply with the reasonable directions of teachers, school administrators, or other school employees in charge of students, or otherwise demonstrating disrespect.
- Lateness for, missing, or leaving school without permission.
- Skipping detention.
- Use of a cell phone when prohibited.
- Engaging in conduct that is disruptive. Example of disruptive conduct include:
- Failing to comply with the reasonable directions of teachers, school administrators, or other school employees in charge of students.
- Engage in conduct that is violent. Examples of violent conduct include:
- Committing, or attempting to commit an act of violence (such as hitting, kicking, punching, and scratching) upon a teacher, administrator, or other school employee, or attempting to do so.
- Committing, or attempting to commit an act of violence (such as hitting, kicking, punching, and scratching) upon another student or other person lawfully on school property, or attempting to do so.
- Possessing a weapon. Authorized law enforcement officials are the only persons permitted to have a weapon in their possession while on school property or at a school function.
- Displaying what appears to be a weapon.
- Threatening to use any weapon.
- Intentionally damaging or destroying the personal property of a student, teacher, administrator, other District employee or any person lawfully on school property, including graffiti or arson.
- Intentionally damaging or destroying school District property.
- Engage in any conduct that endangers the safety, morals, health, or welfare of others. Examples of such conduct include:
- Lying to school personnel.
- Stealing the property of other students, school personnel, or any person lawfully on school property or attending a school function.
- Defamation, which includes making false or unprivileged statements or representations about an individual or identifiable group of individuals that harm the reputation or the person or the identifiable group by demeaning them including using electronic means such as Facebook, texting, etc..
- Discrimination, which includes the use of race (including those traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture, protective hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists), color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability as a basis for treating another in a negative manner.
- Harassment, which includes a sufficiently severe action or a persistent, pervasive pattern of actions or statements directed at an identifiable individual or group which are intended to be or which a reasonable person would perceive as ridiculing or demeaning.
- Intimidation, which includes engaging in actions or statements that put an individual in fear of bodily harm.
- Hazing. See section on Hazing.
- Selling, using, or possessing obscene material.
- Using vulgar or abusive language, cursing or swearing.
- Smoking a cigarette, electronic cigarette (vapor cigarettes), cigar, pipe, or using chewing or smokeless tobacco.
- Possessing, consuming, selling, distributing, or exchanging synthetic cannabinoids [synthetic marijuana]
- Possessing, consuming, selling, distributing, or exchanging alcoholic beverages or illegal substances, or being under the influence of either.
- Inappropriately using or sharing prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
- Indecent exposure, that is, exposure to sight of the private parts of the body in a lewd or indecent manner.
- Initiating a report warning of fire or other catastrophe without valid cause, misuse of 911, or discharge of a fire extinguisher.
- Engage in misconduct on a school bus. It is crucial for students to behave appropriately while riding on District buses to ensure their safety and that of other passengers and to avoid distracting the bus driver. Students are required to conduct themselves on the bus in a manner consistent with established standards for classroom behavior. Excessive noise, pushing, shoving, and fighting will not be tolerated.
- Engage in any forms of academic misconduct. Examples of academic misconduct include:
- Plagiarism.
- Cheating.
- Copying.
- Altering records.
- Assisting another student in any of the above actions.