Transcription
Long Beach Public SchoolsCode of d: June, 2012i
Long Beach Public SchoolsCode of ConductTable of ContentsI.Introduction. 1II.Definitions . 1III.Student Rights and Responsibilities . . 4IV.Essential Partners . 5V.Student Dress Code . 13VI.Prohibited Student Conduct . 14VII.Reporting Violations . 19VIII.Disciplinary Penalties: Procedures & Referrals . 20IX.Alternative Instruction . 31X.Discipline of Students with Disabilities. 31XI.Corporal Punishment. 38XII.Student Searches and Interrogations . 38XIII.Visitors to Schools . 41XIV.Public Conduct on School Property . 42XV.Dissemination and Review . 45Updated: June, 2012i
Long Beach Public SchoolsCode of Conductii
Long Beach Public SchoolsI.Code of ConductIntroductionThe Long Beach Board of Education recognizes the need to clearly defineexpectations for acceptable conduct on school property, to identify the possibleconsequences of unacceptable conduct, and to ensure that discipline when necessaryis administered promptly and fairly. Further, the Long Beach Board of Educationrecognizes the need to incorporate the NYS “Dignity for All Students Act” (“DASA”)and relevant provisions of NY Education Law. To this end, the Board adopts thisCode of Conduct ("code").Unless otherwise indicated, this code applies to all students, school personnel,parents and other visitors when on school property or attending a school function.II.DefinitionsFor purposes of this code, the following definitions apply.“Disruptive student” means an elementary or secondary student under the age of21 who is substantially disruptive to the educational process or substantiallyinterferes with the teacher’s authority within the classroom. The definition of"disruptive student" is from §3214(2-a)(b).“Parent” means parent, guardian or person in parental relation to a student."School property" means in or within any building, structure, athletic playing field,playground, parking lot or land contained within the real property boundary line ofa public elementary or secondary school, or on a school bus, as defined in Vehicleand Traffic Law §142."School function" means any school-sponsored extra-curricular event or activity.(NY Education Law § 11.2)“School Bus” means every motor vehicle (a) owned by a public or governmental agencyor private school and operated for the transportation of pupils, children of pupils,teachers and other persons acting in a supervisory capacity, to or from school or schoolactivities, or, (b) privately owned and operated-for-compensation for the transportationPage 1
Long Beach Public SchoolsCode of Conductof pupils, children of pupils, teachers and other persons acting in a supervisory capacityto or from school or school activities. (NY Vehicle and Traffic Law § 142)“Violent student" means a student under the age of 21 who:1. Commits an act of violence upon a school employee, or attempts to do so.2.Commits, while on school property or at a school function, an act ofviolence upon another student or any other person lawfully on schoolproperty or at the school function, or attempts to do so.3.Possesses, while on school property or at a school function, a weapon.4.Displays, while on school property or at a school function, what appearsto be a weapon.5.Threatens, while on school property or at a school function, to use aweapon.6.Knowingly and intentionally damages or destroys the personal propertyof any school employee or any person lawfully on school property or at aschool function.7.Knowingly and intentionally damages or destroys school districtproperty.The definition of "violent student" is from §3214(2-a)(a); however, it has beenmodified slightly in two respects. This code includes “attempts to commit acts ofviolence, and a more inclusive definition of “weapon”. The definition of "weapon"in the code is much broader than the definition used in the federal Gun-FreeSchools Act. The term is broadly defined to keep all types of objects that cancause serious injury or death out of schools, and thereby enhance school safety.Federal and state laws mandate those students who possess a weapon as definedin federal law (18 USC §921) be suspended from school for a minimum of onecalendar year."Weapon" means a firearm as defined in 18 USC §921 for purposes of the Gun-Freeschools Act. It also includes but is not limited to any other gun, BB gun, pistol,revolver, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, disguised gun, dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto,knife with a blade whose length is at least 2.5 inches, switchblade knife, gravityknife, brass knuckles, sling shot, metal knuckle knife, box cutter, cane sword,electronic dart gun, Kung Fu star, electronic stun gun, pepper spray or othernoxious spray, explosive or incendiary bomb, or other device, instrument, materialor substance that can cause physical injury or death when used to cause physicalinjury or death.Page 2
Long Beach Public SchoolsCode of Conduct“Disability” means (a) a physical, mental or medical impairment resulting fromanatomical, physiological, genetic or neurological conditions which prevents theexercise of a normal bodily function or is demonstrable by medically accepted clinicalor laboratory diagnostic techniques or (b) a record of such an impairment or (c) acondition regarded by others as such an impairment, provided, however, that in allprovisions of this article dealing with employment, the term shall be limited todisabilities which, upon the provision of reasonable accommodations, do not preventthe complainant from performing in a reasonable manner the activities involved in thejob or occupation sought or held. (NY Executive Law § 292.21)“Employee” means any person receiving compensation from a school district oremployee of a contracted service provider or worker placed within the school under apublic assistance employment program, pursuant to title nine-B of article five of thesocial services law, and consistent with the provisions of such title for the provision ofservices to such district, its students or employees, directly or through contract,whereby such services performed by such person involve direct student contact. (NYEducation Law § 1125.3)“Sexual Orientation” means actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, orbisexuality. (NY Education Law § 11.5)“Gender” means actual or perceived sex, and shall include a person’s gender identity orexpression. (NY Education Law § 11.6)“Harassment” means the creation of a hostile environment by conduct or by verbalthreats, intimidation or abuse that has or would have the effect of unreasonably andsubstantially interfering with a student’s educational performance, opportunities orbenefits, or mental, emotional or physical well-being; or conduct, verbal threats,intimidation or abuse that reasonably causes or would reasonably be expected to causea student to fear for his or her physical safety; such conduct, verbal threats, intimidationor abuse includes but is not limited to conduct, verbal threats, intimidation or abusebased on a person’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnicgroup, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex. (NYEducation Law § 11.7)Page 3
Long Beach Public SchoolsCode of ConductIII. Student Rights andResponsibilitiesA.Student RightsThe district is committed to safeguarding the rights given to all studentsunder state and federal law. In addition, to promote a safe, healthy,supportive, orderly and civil school environment, all district students havethe right to:1.2.3.4.5.6.B.Participate in all district activities on an equal basis regardlessof their actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin,ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexualorientation, gender or sex.Present their version of the relevant events to school personnelauthorized to impose a disciplinary penalty in connection withthe imposition of the penalty.Request the presence of a pupil personnel staff member as anadvocate when being questioned on a disciplinary issue.Be provided with school rules and, when necessary, receive anexplanation of those rules from school personnel.Proceed in a safe, supportive and orderly school atmospherewithout the fear of threat to their well-being.Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA),parents and students who are over 18 years of age have theright to inspect and review the student’s educational records andhave the right to request the amendment of the student’seducation records believed to be inaccurate or misleading. Theyalso have the right to consent to disclosure of personallyidentifiable information in a student’s education record, exceptto the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.Student ResponsibilitiesAll district students have the responsibility to:1. Promote a safe, supportive and orderly school environment that isconducive to learning and to show respect to other persons and toproperty.2. Be familiar with and abide by all district policies, rules andregulations dealing with student conduct.3. Attend school every day unless they are legally excused and be inclass on time, and prepared to learn.Page 4
Long Beach Public SchoolsCode of Conduct4.Work to the best of their ability in all academic andextracurricular pursuits and strive toward their highest level ofachievement possible.5. React to direction given by teachers, administrators and otherschool personnel in a respectful, positive manner.6. Work to develop mechanisms to control their anger.7. Ask questions when they do not understand.8. Seek help in solving problems that might lead to discipline.9. Dress appropriately for school and school functions within theguidelines of school dress code.10. Accept responsibility for their actions.11. Conduct themselves as representatives of the district whenparticipating in or attending school-sponsored extracurricularevents and to hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct,demeanor, and sportsmanship.IV.Essential PartnersA critical component of all codes of conduct is the shared beliefs of all stakeholders.Implementation without belief will be unsuccessful. Understanding, support,participation and belief of all members of the school community are needed forsuccessful implementation of this code of conduct. All essential members are tomaintain a climate of mutual respect and dignity towards each other. All essentialpartners are expected to:A.Parent(s)/Guardian(s)1.2.3.4.5.6.7.Recognize that the education of their children is a jointresponsibility of the parents and the school community. Theymust communicate with their child’s teacher and other schoolpersonnel, and where possible attend all school functions.Send their children to school ready to participate and learn.Ensure their children attend school regularly and on time.Ensure absences are excused in keeping with state law. If a childis ill and cannot attend school, it is the parent’s responsibility toarrange for alternate supervision. Accurate emergency contactsmust be provided to the schools.Insist their children be dressed, groomed, and maintainappropriate hygiene in a manner consistent with the studentdress code.Encourage compliance with the Dignity for All Students Act(DASA) mandatesHelp their children understand that in a democratic societyappropriate rules are required to maintain a safe, supportive andorderly environment.Page 5
Long Beach Public Schools8.9.10.1112.13.14.15.B.Code of ConductKnow school rules and help their children understand them sotheir children can help create a safe, supportive schoolenvironment.Convey to their children a supportive and respectful attitudetoward education and the district.Build good relationships with teachers, other parents and theirchildren's friends.Accept responsibility and accountability on behalf of theirchildren and encourage their children to be accountable andresponsible for their actions.Help their children deal effectively with peer pressure.Inform school officials of changes in the home situation that mayaffect student conduct or performance.Provide a place for study and ensure homework assignments arecompleted.Model civil and respectful behavior at all timesTeachers1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.Maintain a climate of mutual respect and dignity for all studentsregardless of actual or perceived race, color, weight, nationalorigin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexualorientation, gender or sex which will strengthen students' selfconcept and promote confidence to learn.Be prepared to teach.Demonstrate interest in teaching and concern for studentachievement, health and well being.Know school policies and rules, and enforce them in a fair andconsistent manner.Communicate to students and parents:a. Course objectives and requirementsb. Marking/ grading proceduresc.Assignment deadlinesd. Expectations for studentse.Classroom discipline plan.Communicate regularly with students, parents and other teachersconcerning growth and achievement.Model civil and respectful behavior at all times.Address issues of discrimination and harassment, or any situationthat threatens the emotional or physical health or safety of anystudent, school employee or any person who is lawfully on schoolproperty or at a school function.Address personal biases that may prevent equal treatment of allstudents in the school or classroom setting.Report incidents of discrimination and harassment that are witnessedor otherwise brought to their attention in a timely manner.Page 6
Long Beach Public SchoolsC.Dignity Act Coordinator (DAC)1.2.3.4.5.6.7.D.Code of ConductPromote a safe, supportive, orderly and stimulating schoolenvironment, supporting active teaching and learning for allstudents regardless of actual or perceived race, color, weight,national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability,sexual orientation, gender or sex;Oversee and coordinate the work of the district-wide and buildinglevel bullying prevention committees;Identify curricular resources that support infusing civility inclassroom instruction and classroom management and provideguidance to staff as to how to access and implement thoseresources;Coordinate with the Professional Development Committee trainingin support of the bullying prevention committee;Be responsible for monitoring and reporting on the effectiveness ofthe district’s anti-bullying, harassment and discrimination policyand regulations (DASA policy);Address issues of discrimination and harassment, or any situationthat threatens the emotional or physical health or safety of anystudent, school employee or any person who is lawfully on schoolproperty or at a school function.Address personal biases that may prevent equal treatment of allstudents and staff.School Counselor/School Psychologists/Social Workers1.2.3.4.56.7.8.Maintain a climate of mutual respect and dignity for all studentsregardless of actual or perceived race, color, weight, nationalorigin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexualorientation, gender or sex.Assist students in coping with peer pressure and emergingpersonal, social and emotional problems.Initiate teacher/ student/ counselor conferences and parent/teacher/student/counselor conferences, as necessary, as a way toresolve problems.Regularly review with students their educational progress andcareer plans.Provide information to assist students with career planning.Encourage students to benefit from the curriculum andextracurricular programs.Model civil and respectful behavior at all timesAddress issues of discrimination and harassment, or any situationthat threatens the emotional or physical health or safety of anystudent, school employee or any person who is lawfully on schoolproperty or at a school function.Page 7
Long Beach Public Schools9.10.E.Code of ConductAddress personal biases that may prevent equal treatment of allstudents.Report incidents of discrimination and harassment that arewitnessed or otherwise brought to their attention in a timelymanner.Principals and Building Level Administrators1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.Promote a safe, supportive, orderly and stimulating schoolenvironment, supporting active teaching and learning for allstudents regardless of actual or perceived race, color, weight,national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice,disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.Ensure that students and staff have the opportunity tocommunicate regularly with the principal and approach theprincipal for redress of grievances.Evaluate on a regular basis all instructional programs to ensureinfusion of civility education in the curriculum.Support the development of and student participation inappropriate extracurricular activities.Provide support in the development of the code of conduct, whencalled upon. Disseminate the code of conduct and antiharassment policies.Be responsible for enforcing the code of conduct and ensuringthat all cases are resolved promptly and fairly.Model civil and respectful behavior at all times.Address issues of discrimination and harassment, or any situationthat threatens the emotional or physical health or safety of anystudent, school employee or any person who is lawfully on schoolproperty or at a school function.Address personal biases that may prevent equal treatment of allstudents and staff.Report incidents of discrimination and harassment that arewitnessed or otherwise brought to their attention in a timelymanner.F. Deans1.2.Assist students in coping with peer pressure and emergingpersonal, social and emotional problems.Promote a safe, supportive, orderly and stimulating schoolenvironment,and support active teaching and learning for all studentsregardless of actual or perceived race, color, weight, nationalorigin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability,sexual orientation, gender or sex.Page 8
Long Beach Public Schools3.5.6.7.8.9.Code of ConductMaintain a climate of mutual respect and dignity for allstudents regardless of actual or perceived race, color, weight,national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice,disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex which willstrengthen students' self-concept and promote confidence tolearn. 4.Know school policies and rules, and enforce them ina fair and consistent mannerCollaborate with student, teacher, administrator, and parentorganizations, school safety personnel and other schoolpersonnel to develop a code of conduct that clearly definesexpectations for the conduct of students, district personnel andvisitors on school property and at school functions.Model civil and respectful behavior at all timesAddress issues of discrimination and harassment, or any situationthat threatens the emotional or physical health or safety of anystudent, school employee or any person who is lawfully on schoolproperty or at a school function.Address personal biases that may prevent equal treatment of allstudents and staff.Report incidents of discrimination and harassment that arewitnessed or otherwise brought to their attention in a timelymanner.G. Teachers in Charge1.2.3.4.5.6.Assist students in coping with peer pressure and emergingpersonal, social and emotional problems.Promote a safe, supportive, orderly and stimulating schoolenvironment, supporting active teaching and learning for allstudents regardless of actual or perceived race, color, weight,national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice,disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.Maintain a climate of mutual respect and dignity for allstudents regardless of actual or perceived race, color, weight,national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice,disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex which willstrengthen students' self-concept and promote confidence tolearn.Know school policies and rules, and enforce them in a fair andconsistent mannerCollaborate with student, teacher, administrator, and parentorganizations, school safety personnel and other schoolpersonnel to develop a code of conduct that clearly definesexpectations for the conduct of students, district personnel andvisitors on school property and at school functions.Model civil and respectful behavior at all times.Page 9
Long Beach Public Schools7.8.9.Code of ConductAddress issues of discrimination and harassment, or any situationthat threatens the emotional or physical health or safety of anystudent, school employee or any person who is lawfully on schoolproperty or at a school function.Address personal biases that may prevent equal treatment of allstudents in the school or classroom setting.Report incident of discrimination and harassment that arewitnessed or otherwise brought to their attention in a timelymanner.H. Superintendent and District Level Administrators1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.I.Promote a safe, supportive, orderly and stimulating schoolenvironment, supporting active teaching and learning for allstudents regardless of actual or perceived race, color, weight,national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice,disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.Review with district administrators the policies of the Board ofEducation and state and federal laws relating to schooloperations and management.Inform the Board about educational trends relating to studentdiscipline.Work to create instructional programs that minimize problemsof misconduct and are sensitive to student and teacher needs.Work with district administrators in enforcing the code ofconduct and ensuring that all cases are resolved promptly andfairly.Model civil and respectful behavior at all timesAddress issues of discrimination and harassment, or any situationthat threatens the emotional or physical health or safety of anystudent, school employee or any person who is lawfully on schoolproperty or at a school function.Address personal biases that may prevent equal treatment of allstudents and staff.Report incidents of discrimination and harassment that arewitnessed or otherwise brought to the Superintendent’s attention ina timely manner.Board of Education1.2.Promote a safe, supportive, orderly and stimulating schoolenvironment, supporting active teaching and learning for allstudents regardless of actual or perceived race, color, weight,national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice,disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.Address issues of discrimination and harassment, or any situationthat threatens the emotional or physical health or safety of anyPage 10
Long Beach Public Schools3.4.5.6.7.J.Code of Conductstudent, school employee or any person who is lawfully on schoolproperty or at a school function.Address personal biases that may prevent equal treatment of allstudents and staff.Report incidents of discrimination and harassment that arewitnessed or otherwise brought to a Board member’s attention in atimely manner.Collaborate with student, teacher, administrator, and parentorganizations, school safety personnel and other schoolpersonnel to develop a code of conduct that clearly definesexpectations for the conduct of students, district personnel andvisitors on school property and at school functions.Lead by example by conducting Board meetings in aprofessional, respectful, courteous manner.Model civil and respectful behavior at all times.Bus Drivers1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.Maintain a climate of mutual respect and dignity for allstudents regardless of actual or perceived race, color, weight,national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice,disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.Maintain the highest degree of driving safety.Require proper behavior of students.Load and unload students correctly.Learn and practice defensive driving techniques.Obey all applicable state and federal laws, rules, andregulations.Follow district (and contractor) policies and procedures.Model civil and respectful behavior at all times.Address issues of discrimination and harassment, or any situationthat threatens the emotional or physical health or safety of anystudent, school employee or any person who is lawfully on schoolproperty or at a school function.Address personal biases that may prevent equal treatment of allstudents.Report incidents of discrimination and harassment that arewitnessed or otherwise brought to their attention in a timelymanner.K. Security Personnel1.Maintain a climate of mutual respect and dignity for allstudents regardless of actual or perceived race, color,Page 11
Long Beach Public Schools2.3.4.5.6.7.L.Code of Conductweight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religiouspractice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.Promote a safe, supportive, orderly and stimulating schoolenvironment, supporting active teaching and learning for allstudents regardless of actual or perceived race, color, weight,national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability,sexual orientation, gender or sex.Know school policies and rules, and enforce them in a fair andconsistent manner.Model civil and respectful behavior at all times.Address issues of discrimination and harassment, or any situationthat threatens the emotional or physical health or safety of anystudent, school employee or any person who is lawfully on schoolproperty or at a school function.Address personal biases that may prevent equal treatment of allstudents and staff.Report incidents of discrimination and harassment that arewitnessed or otherwise brought to their attention in a timelymanner.Additional Collaborative partnersThe intent of the “Code of Conduct” is to provide for a safe, supportive andorderly school environment. In order to accomplish this task, the entireschool community must participate. Pupil services staff, psychologists, socialworkers, nurses, teaching assistants, clerical staff, cafeteria aides, buildingand grounds personnel, and building aides must adhere to the philosophy andprocedures defined in this code of conduct.Page 12
Long Beach Public SchoolsV.Code of ConductStudent Dress CodeAll students are expected to give proper attention to personal cleanliness and todress appropriately for school and school functions. Students and their parents havethe primary responsibility for acceptable student dress and appearance. Teachersand all other district personnel should exemplify and reinforce acceptable studentdress and help students develop an understanding of appropriate appearance in theschool setting. A student's dress, grooming and appearance, including hair style/color, jewelry, make-up and nails, shall:1. Be safe, appropriate and not disrupt or interfere with theeducational process.2. Recognize that extremely brief or revealing garments such astube, tank, or net tops, spaghetti straps, racer backs, plungingnecklines (front and/or back) and see-through garments are notappropriate.3. Ensure that underwear is completely covered with outerclothing.4. Include footwear at all time. Unsafe footwear will not beallowed.5. Not include the wearing of headgear, mouth gear, sunglassesand/or chains in excess of 6” in any building except for a medicalor religious purpose.6. Not include items that are vulgar, obscene, discriminatory,libelous or denigrate others based on a person’s actual orperceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group,religion, religious practice, , disability, gender, sexualorientation or sex.7. Not include gang related clothing or paraphernalia.8. Not promote and/or endorse the use of alcohol, tobacco or illegaldrugs and/or encourage other illegal or violent activities.Each building principal or his or her designee shall be responsible forinforming all students and their parents of the student dress code at thebeginning of the school year and any revisions to the dress code made duringthe school year.Students who violate the student dress code shall be required to modify theirappearance by covering or removing the offending item and, if necessary orpractical, replacing it with an acceptable item. Any student who refuses to doso shall be subject to discipline, up to and including in-school suspension forthe day. Any student who repeatedly fails to comply with the dress code shallbe subject to further discipline, up to and including out of school suspension.Page 13
Long Beach Public SchoolsVI.Code of ConductProhibited Student ConductThe Board of Education expects all students to conduct themselves in anappropriate and civil manner, with proper regard for the rights and welfare of otherstudents, district personnel and other members of the school community, and forthe care of school facilities and equipment. The best discipline is self-imposed, andstudents must learn to assume and accept responsibility for their own behavior, aswell as the consequences of their misbehavior. District personnel who interact withstudents are expected to use disciplinary action only when necessary and to placeemphasis on the students' ability to grow in self-discipline.The Board recognizes the need to make its expectations for student conduct onschool property, on a field trip, or engaged in a sch
Long Beach Public Schools Code of Conduct i Updated: June, 2012 CODE OF CONDUCT 1. LONG BEACH PUBLIC SCHOOLS . . and thereby enhance school safety. Federal and state laws mandate those students who possess a weapon as defined in federal law (18 USC §921) be suspended from school for a minimum of one .
