Code of Conduct Advisory Review Acknowledgement Student Code

Code of Conduct Advisory Review

Acknowledgement: Student Code of Conduct This Student Code of Conduct is a document designed to provide rules, expectations, and consequences for student behavior. We ask that you review the Student Code of Conduct with your child (ren) and have a discussion regarding school expectations. In addition, Appendix IV is a copy of the Appoquinimink School District’s Educational Technology – Acceptable Use Policy. In order for your child to use educational technology, this policy must be reviewed and the parents must sign below. Please sign below and have your child sign to acknowledge that you have received a copy of the Student Code of Conduct. Return the signed sheet to your child’s homeroom teacher by September 12, 2008. ________________________________________ This is to confirm that I have received a copy of the Appoquinimink School District Student Code of Conduct _________________________ Student Name (Please Print) Student Signature / Date ___________________ Parent Signature / Date This is to confirm that I have received a copy of the Appoquinimink School District Acceptable Use Policy (See Appendix IV) _________________________ Student Name (Please Print) Student Signature / Date ____________________ Parent Signature / Date

The Code of Conduct Is used by EVERY student, parent and staff member in our district. It is YOUR responsibility to know it, (we’ll get you started).

Why does it exist? To establish and maintain a “positive school environment” See p. 12

When is it in force?

ALL Times? On school property p On the bus p To, from, and at the bus stop p At district events p On field trips p Even when behavior out of school presents ANY TYPE of threat to ANY student and/or staff member p

Important to Note Any student who hinders an investigation or any student who aids, is involved with the planning, or helps another student in any way that violates the Code may be subject to the same disciplinary action as the student who committed the violation. Page 11

Reminder Pages: Attendance 14 -15 p Bus Privileges 15 -17 p Harassment/Bullying 19 -21 p Dress Code 21 -22 p Search & Seizure 22 p

Violation Basics Four, 4, yes IV Levels p Consequences range from a reprimand parent/guardian notification to expulsion and police notification p

PREVENTION by following School Expectations p Be Respectful p Be Responsible p Be Safe p Be a Good Citizen p Be There – Be Ready to yourself, others, and the space and belongings around you by following the rules, knowing your limits, and maintaining integrity by sharing physical and emotional space with your fellow Cavaliers and not only treat everyone well but actively promote and encourage good behavior your best every day by being prepared to do

Level I Disruptive Behavior p Inappropriate Language p Loitering p Minor Vandalism p Possession of Non-school Items p Unexcused Tardy p p. 29 -31

Level I cont’d First Offense Consequences Can Include: Teacher reprimand p Parent/guardian notification p Detention p Conference p Grade Penalty p Suspension p

Level I cont’d Subsequent Level I Consequences: All of the previous PLUS n n Detention Suspension Parent conference Referral to administration

Misunderstood Level I Terms p Disruptive Behavior includes ANY behavior p Non-school items are anything “deemed by that interferes or disturbs ANY part of an effective learning environment. building staff as disruptive or having the potential for causing disruption. ”

Level II p p p Abusive language Careless or reckless behavior Cheating/Plagiarism Class cut School cut/Truancy Defiance Failure to serve detention Forgery Gambling Inappropriate sexual behavior Intimidation p p p p p Leaving school without authorization Major vandalism Misuse/Abuse of substances Misuse of cell phones Misuse of technology Smoking Stealing/Possession/ Transferring of stolen goods Trespassing Violation of medication policy RED=has a “Severe Clause”

Level II cont’d First Offense Consequences Detention and/or suspension is likely as early as the first offense,

Level II cont’d Terms to Clarify p Abusive Language is any “written or spoken language p Careless and Reckless Behavior is seen as p Defiance is a “verbal or nonverbal refusal to comply with or gestures that are considered offensive, obscene, or vulgar”. “unintentional behavior that threatens to or causes injury, property damage OR intentional behavior that [has the same result]”. reasonable request from school personnel, including refusal to identify oneself”. p Cheating/Plagiarism is “…preparing or presenting…assignments as a student’s own work when it is not. ”

Level III p p p Bullying Disorderly Conduct Extortion Fighting Harassment Inappropriate Sexual Acts p p Offensive Touching n Student on student n Of a staff member Reckless Driving Sexual Harassment Terroristic Threatening and/or Behavior

Level III cont’d EVERY offense presents a threat to others p Detention and/or suspension are REQUIRED for every Level III offense: up to 5 days p

REMINDER! p Prevention is the best way p If all else fails… Be a responsible witness/bystander n Know that keeping our school safe is NOT snitching p n Defuse the situation by NOT promoting it p n Report what you see/know to a school adult Cheering on a fight or bullying is as bad as doing it yourself Ask questions and seek guidance from a trusted adult p Any staff member or responsible family member counts!

Level IV p p Arson Assault n n p p On Student On Staff Member Possession, Use, Sale, Purchase, or Transfer of Alcohol, Drugs, Illegal Substances, Paraphernalia, or Counterfeit Substances p p p Distribution of Alcohol, Drugs, a Drug-Like Substance, a Look-alike Substance and/or Paraphernalia Possession of any Weapon/Explosive Device Rape or Attempted Rape Security Threat

LEVEL IV Every offense requires a minimum of a 5 day suspension AND Police notification

Misunderstood Level IV Terms p Assault n Sometimes horseplay causes physical injury. It then becomes assault, which is “Intentionally or RECKLESSLY causing physical injury to another…” p. 50 p Look-alike Substance n “Any non-controlled substance…packaged so as to appear to be, or about which a student makes [ANY] representation that the substance is, a drug or a non-controlled substance capable of producing a change in behavior or altering a state of mind or feeling. ” p. 51

Reporting school Crime p Delaware law requires mandatory reporting to the police of certain crimes. The principal or designee must report the following: (p. 54) n n Student, school volunteer, or school employee has been the victim of violent felony, assault III, unlawful sexual contact III; or School employee has been the victim of offensive touching, terroristic threatening; or Student under 18 has been victim of sexual harassment; or Person on school property has drugs or weapon or bomb.

Grievance procedures p If a student believes that he or she has been treated unfairly or has not been afforded due process – follow the process outlined on page 55.

Other Important Information Page 56 -57: Suspension (in school and out of school) p Page 57 -61: Expulsion information p Page 57: Unsafe school choice p Page 61: Definitions p Page 73: Educational Technology – acceptable use agreement p

A Few New Procedures

P. 23: Property (Search & Seizure) Students have the right to privacy in their person and property. When school authorities have reasonable suspicion to believe that a student possesses an illegal item or an item determined to threaten safety and security, the school administration may search a student and his/her property. Items deemed to disrupt or interfere with the educational process may be temporarily removed from student possession. Student lockers, desks, cubbies, etc. are the property of the school and may be searched at any time. The school district shall not be responsible for lost or stolen personal property that is brought to school without permission of school officials. Returning to school after leaving without permission may be considered reasonable suspicion to conduct a search.

P. 17 : Prearranged Absences Prearranged Absence: A prearranged absence is a student's absence from school for one or more days to visit a college or university or for other educational activities approved by the principal. The absence should be prearranged by writing the principal, giving the full particulars of the absence. Approval for such absences should be sought, where practicable, at least two (2) weeks prior to the date on which the absence is to occur. Upon the development of a plan by student and teacher for making up the assignments to be missed, the principal may then define the absence as excused. Prearranged absences will not be approved during the DSTP, PSAT, AP exams, midterm exams, and final exams.