STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT - the Ravenna School District

Ravenna School DistrictSTUDENT CODE OF CONDUCTfor Elementary School ChildrenSchool Year - 2012-13This Code of Conduct belongs to:Name of School:Teacher’s Name:Room Number:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

RAVENNA SCHOOL DISTRICTStudent Code of ConductFor Elementary School Children- Revised 4/28/08 -PURPOSEThis document contains regulations governing the conduct of students. It has as its central purpose theprevention of actions interfering with the school program. Every staff member of the Ravenna School District isrequired to enforce this code. Individual schools may develop additional provisions governing school discipline.STUDENTS WITHDISABILITIESConsideration of the Individual Educational Plan (I.E.P.) and the disability shall be made prior to takingdisciplinary action against a special-education student. This does not preclude exclusion from school as a resultof a crisis or an emergency.THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS AND PARENTSStudents and parents have rights that schools must observe, but they must also understand that personalresponsibilities accompany individual rights. Furthermore, the rights of students must be viewed in relationship tothe safety and welfare of all students in the schools. Above all, schools must maintain adequate discipline toconduct a quality educational program. Students do not have the right to interfere with the learning of others.THE RIGHT TO DUE PROCESSThere are occasionally circumstances where violation of the Student Code of Conduct are major, and the studentmay be suspended from regular classes for a period of up to ten days. In these cases students and parents willbe afforded those rights as prescribed under due process of law as required by HB421, State of Ohio.EXPECTATIONSStudents have certain responsibilities, both as citizens and as members of the school community. Theseresponsibilities are present whether the student is in the school building or traveling to or from school viatransportation provided by the school district. In order to guarantee these rights, each person must assumeresponsibility for his or her own behavior, and refrain from infringing upon the rights of others.1. Active Participation:Students have the responsibility of actively engaging in the serious business of learning. For example, theymust attend school regularly and be on time. They must remain in class until excused, pay attention toinstructions, complete assignments to the best of their ability, and exert every effort to achieve mastery of thelessons.2. Obedience to Laws and Rules:The laws of society and school rules have been created to guarantee every person's rights. Students mustassume personal responsibility for obedience to these laws and rules.

3. Responsible Exercise of Free Speech and Expression:Students must express opinions in a manner which is not offensive, illegal, obscene, or inconsistent with theeducational goals of the school. The rights of others must be respected, and there can be no interferencewith the orderly educational process.4. Avoidance of Illegal or Dangerous Items:Students must not bring materials or objects prohibited by law or school policy to school or school activities.PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES1. Support school officials in their efforts to develop and maintain well-disciplined schools.2. Teach the child socially acceptable standards of behavior.3. Teach the child to have respect for law, authority, and the rights and property of others.4. Teach the child to be accountable for his/her own actions and help the child to grow and develop into a selfcontrolled,self-disciplined citizen.5. Share the responsibility for student conduct with the school.6. Maintain an active interest in the student's schoolwork and activities.7. Require prompt and regular attendance at school.PHILOSOPHY OF STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINEDiscipline is training which produces a positive and safe learning environment through self-control, positiveinterpersonal relationships and a shared valuing of all individuals. Discipline develops the highest personalstandards of courtesy, decency and honesty. These qualities are modeled by the staff, students and community.Effective disciplinary practices promote self-discipline through logical and consistent consequences.Schools must be places where effective learning can occur. Schools must maintain standards of conduct anddiscipline because students and school personnel have a right to a safe and orderly learning environment.Therefore, students are prohibited from engaging in behaviors, which endanger the safety of others, damageproperty, or interfere with the school program. Unacceptable behaviors are defined in this document as Level 1,Level 2 or Level 3 behaviors. Prompt and effective disciplinary action must be taken to correct these behaviors.When disciplinary actions are necessary, the Ravenna Schools will strive to maintain a constructive approach thatfocuses on positive behavior change and minimizes any interruption of the educational process. (Age andmaturity levels require different types of disciplinary actions. These factors will be considered when correctivemeasures are necessary.)The following are examples of disciplinary options, which may be used:1. Time OutTemporary removal of the student from the classroom to another supervised setting within the school.

2. Saturday SchoolAssignment of a student to a supervised location in the Ravenna School District for a Saturday morning. (Thedistrict will not provide transportation to the Saturday school assignment. Students will be responsible fortheir own lunch.)3. Referral to In-School RestrictionReassignment of the student from the classroom. The recommended period of assignment shall be from oneto five days (depending on the infraction). During the in-school restriction opportunities to continue theeducational process will be continued. Students under in-school restrictions will be excluded fromextracurricular activities.4. Out-of-School SuspensionRemoval of students from school for a period of one to ten days. While the student is suspended from schoolhomework assignments may be completed.5. ExpulsionRemoval of a student from school for a period of up to eighty school days.LEVEL 1 BEHAVIOR (CONDUCT WHICH IMPEDES ORDERLY OPERATION OF CLASSROOM OR SCHOOL)Administrators and school staffs have the option to establish additional building regulations and disciplineprocedures for Level 1 behaviors, post such regulations, and make written copies of such regulations available toparents and students. Building regulations must at all times be consistent with the Student Code of Conduct.Examples of behaviors which can be addressed by building regulations include, but are not limited to, thefollowing:BEHAVIORAbsenteeism/TruancyCheatingDress CodeForgeryGamblingInsubordinationLitteringOther Illegal or Inappropriate BehaviorsTardinessTobacco ProductsDEFINITIONLack of regular school attendance.Using, submitting, or attempting to obtain data or answersdishonestly, by deceit or by means other than thoseauthorized by the teacher.Dressing or grooming in a manner which disrupts theteaching and learning of others as determined by theschool community.Writing the name of another person or altering times,dates, grades, passes or permits.Playing any game of chance or skill for money or items ofvalue.Failure to respond to a request.Throwing of paper, trash, or other materials on the floorinside school building or grounds.Behaviors specifically mentioned in other sections may bedealt with as insubordination.Arriving at school or class after the designated time.Using or processing any tobacco product on or near schoolproperty.

Disciplinary actions short of out-of-school suspension/expulsion which can be used to correctmisbehavior include, but are not limited to, include:verbal reprimandspecial assignments (constructive)notifying parent by phone or letter of student's misbehaviorstudent mediationcontractstime-out for limited periods of timedetentionconference with student and/or parentsadministrative referralparent following student's schedule for a daytemporary separation from peersloss of class or school privilegesrestitutionassignment to in-school restriction or Saturday School.LEVEL 2 BEHAVIOR (ILLEGAL AND/OR SERIOUS MISCONDUCT - NOT LIFE OR HEALTH THREATENING)A student charged with behavior which is classified as Level 2 may be subject to one of the followingdisciplinary actions:restitutionin-school restrictionshort-term suspensionassignment to Saturday Schoollong-term suspension or recommendation for expulsionThis means that lesser penalties may be assessed depending upon the facts and circumstances, butno greater penalty than shall normally be applied.BEHAVIORComplicityExtortion/CoercionFightingGross InsubordinationIntoxicationProfanity/Verbal AbuseSchool DisruptionSexual MisconductTheftTrespassingVandalismDEFINITIONInvolvement as an accomplice in a crime, wrong-doing or misconduct.Obtaining or attempting to obtain money or property from an unwilling personor forcing an individual to act by either physical force or intimidation (threat).Physical conflict, threats or challenges between pupils, including, but notlimited to occurrences on school property, school buses, or any schoolsponsoredactivity.Knowingly refusing to comply with reasonable rules or with reasonableinstructions of school authorities.Being under the influence of any alcoholic beverage, narcotic, drug, or othercontrolled substance while on school property, including buses, or anyschool-sponsored activity.Willfully intimidating, insulting, using profanity or obscene language, writtenor verbal, directed toward others. This shall include use of obscenegestures.Acting in a disorderly manner that disrupts the peace of the school, or in anyschool-sponsored activity.Any sexual harassment, unauthorized touching, verbal or written sexuallyoriented actions or any act of indecent exposure.Stealing or attempting to steal the money or property of another person.Being in a school building or on school grounds without permission, orrefusing to comply with a request to leave school grounds.Destruction or defacing of student, school, staff property or equipment.

LEVEL 3 BEHAVIOR (ILLEGAL AND/OR SERIOUS MISCONDUCT - LIFE OR HEALTH THREATENING)A student charged with behavior which is classified as Level 3 may be subject to removal from theschool immediately, and subject to a recommendation for expulsion.BEHAVIORArsonAssault/BatteryBomb Threats/False AlarmsOther Illegal or Inappropriate ActsPossession or use of WeaponsSale, use, or possession of drugsSexual offensesVolatile actsDEFINITIONSetting fire, or attempting to set fire, to a schoolbuilding or property located on school grounds orany property belonging to, rented by, or on loan tothe school district, or property (including automobiles)of persons employed by the school or inattendance at the school.Intentionally or accidentally causing or attemptingto cause physical injury, or intentionally behavingin such a way as could reasonably cause physicalinjury to a student, staff member, or any otherperson. Such behavior shall include, but notlimited to, occurrences on school property, schoolbusses, or at any school-sponsored activity.Making a knowingly false statement regarding thepossession or location of explosive or incendiarymaterials or activating the fire alarm system orreporting a fire when no fire exists.Any other offenses, which constitute criminalconduct under federal, state, or city laws andwhich are life or health threatening.Possessing, transmitting, or using any kind offirearm, knife, razor, look-alike weapons or club,chains or other look-alike or replica object or itemwhich can be a dangerous instrument or beconsidered a weapon or used as a weapon. Thisincludes bringing such items into the school, or toa school-sponsored activity for another person. Italso includes having such items at one's desk orplacing them in a locker or hiding place on schoolproperty.Selling, using, or possessing drugs, mood-alteringsubstances look-alike drugs or alcohol (includingcounterfeit or look-alike substances), distributingany narcotics, drugs, controlled substances of anykind, or alcoholic beverages or other intoxicant onschool property or at any school functions. Thisincludes bringing such items into the school foranother person, to a school-sponsored activity, orhaving such items at one's desk, or placing themin a locker or hiding them on school property.Any willful and/or deliberate act committed withthe intention of gaining sexual favors or furtheringacts lewd or lascivious in nature.Disruption of school by use of violence, force,coercion, threat, or disorderly conduct. This shallinclude use of same to incite others toward acts ofdisruption (individual or group related).