CHS - District Code of Conduct

• Connetquot Central School District Code of Conduct 2021-2022 (Tri-Fold)

CODE OF CONDUCT

2021-22

Academic Excellence, Creativity,

 Mutual Respect and Self-Reliance

INTRODUCTION

The Board of Education is committed to providing a safe and orderly school environment where students may receive and district personnel may deliver quality educational services without disruption or interference.  Responsible behavior by students, teachers, other district personnel, parents and other visitors is essential to achieving this goal.

The district has a long-standing set of expectations for conduct for students and all essential partners. These expectations are based on the principles of civility, mutual respect, citizenship, character, tolerance, honesty and integrity.

The Board recognizes the need to clearly define its expectations for acceptable conduct on school grounds, school buses and engaging in  school-sponsored activities or events and to identify the possible consequences of unacceptable conduct, and ensure that discipline, when necessary, is administered promptly and fairly.  To this end, the Board adopts this Code of Conduct.

The Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) requires the District to prohibit harassing actions that occur on or off school property and that have the potential to create substantial disruption in school.

Unless otherwise indicated, this code applies to all students, school personnel, parents and other  visitors when on school property or attending a school function.

 STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Board of Education’s goal is to provide an environment in which a student’s rights and freedoms are respected.  The Board therefore assures district students that they shall have all the rights afforded them by federal and state constitutions, statutes and regulations.

The Board also recognizes all federal, state and local laws in connection with these rights, and reminds students that certain responsibilities accompany these rights.

It shall be the right of each district student:

1. to have a safe, healthy and orderly school environment;

2. to take part in all district activities on an equal basis regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or disability;

3. to attend school and participate in school programs unless suspended from instruction and participation for legally sufficient cause as determined in accordance with due process of law;

4. to have school rules and conditions available for review and, whenever necessary, explanation by school personnel;

5. to be suspended from instruction only after his/her rights pursuant to Education Law 3214 have been observed; and

6. in all disciplinary matters to have the opportunity to present his/her version of the facts and circumstances leading to imposition of disciplinary sanctions to the professional staff member imposing such sanction.

It shall be the responsibility of each district student:

1. to be familiar with and abide by all district policies, rules and regulations pertaining to student conduct;

2. to work to the best of his/her ability in all academic and extracurricular pursuits and strive toward the highest level of achievement possible;

3. to conduct himself/herself, when participating in or attending school-sponsored extracurricular events, as a representative of the district and as such hold himself/herself to the highest standards of conduct, demeanor, and sportsmanship, and accept responsibility for his/her actions;

4. to seek help in solving problems that might lead to discipline procedures;

5. to be in attendance as per the Attendance Policy;

6. to contribute to the maintenance of an environment that is conducive to learning and to show due respect to  other persons and to property;

7. to dress in accordance with standards promulgated by the Board and the Superintendent;

8. to make constructive contributions to the school, and to report fairly the circumstances of school-related issues; and

9. to bring to the attention of the appropriate   administrator(s) any action that might be harmful to students including, but not limited to, bullying behaviors, drug use in buildings or during school events/activities, students carrying inappropriate objects or weapons or anything that might cause harm to another.

ESSENTIAL PARTNERS have an important role in helping to maintain safe and orderly schools.  They include:

          A.       Parents

          B.        Teachers

          C.        Student Support Services Personnel: Guidance Counselors, Youth

                    and Family Services Coordinators and/or Psychologists

          D.      Other School/ District Staff

          E.       Coaches and Advisors

          F.       Principals and other building Administrators

          G.      Superintendent and other district-wide Administrators

          H.      Board of Education

STUDENT DRESS CODE

The responsibility for student dress and general appearance rests with individual students and parents.  However, the Board of Education requires students to attend school in appropriate dress that meets health and safety standards and does not interfere with the learning process.  The Board also requires students to wear appropriate protective gear in certain classes (e.g. family & consumer science, science labs, technology, physical education) and during athletic events.

The Superintendent of Schools and all administrative personnel shall have the authority to require a student to change his/her attire should it be deemed inappropriate according to the guidelines herein.

All students are expected to give proper attention to personal cleanliness and to dress appropriately for school and school functions.  Teachers and other district personnel should exemplify and reinforce acceptable student dress and help students develop an understanding of appropriate appearance in the school setting.

A student’s dress, grooming and appearance, including, but not limited to, hair style/color, jewelry, accessories, makeup, and nails, shall:

1.   be safe, appropriate and not disrupt or interfere

      with the educational process;

2.   recognize that extremely brief garments such

      as tube tops, net tops, halter tops, spaghetti

      straps, plunging necklines (front and/or back)             

      any see-through garments,  pajamas, any skirts,

      shorts and/or dress no shorter than one’s extended

      arm, with extended fingers, are not appropriate;

3.   ensure that  underwear is completely covered with

      outer clothing;

4.   shorts and pants should be worn appropriately;

5.   include footwear at all times; footwear that is a

         safety hazard will not be allowed;

6.   not include the wearing of head coverings in the

         classroom or hallways, except for a medical or

         religious purpose.;

7.   not include sunglasses;

8.   not include items that are vulgar, obscene, libelous,

        or denigrate others on account of actual or perceived         

        race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group,

        religion, religious practice, disability, sexual

        orientation, gender or sex;

9.  not promote and/or endorse the use of alcohol,

        tobacco or illegal drugs and/or encourage other

        illegal or violent activities;

 10.  not include gang related clothing or paraphernalia.

Each building principal or designee must be responsible for informing all students and their parents of the student dress code at the beginning of the school year and any revisions to the dress code made during the school year.  If a teacher believes that a student’s dress is inappropriate, he/she will contact a building administrator to seek a determination as to appropriate steps to be taken.

Students who violate the student dress code shall be required to modify their appearance by covering or removing the offending item, and if necessary or practical, replacing it with an acceptable item.  Any student who refuses to do so shall be subject to discipline, up to and including in-school suspension for the day.  Any student who repeatedly fails to comply with the dress code shall be subject to further discipline, up to and including out of school suspension.

EXPECTED STUDENT CONDUCT

The Board of Education expects all students to conduct themselves in an appropriate and civil manner, with proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students, district personnel and all members of the school community, and for the care of school facilities and equipment.

The Board recognizes the need to make its expectations for student conduct while on school property or engaged in a school function specific and clear.  The rules of conduct listed below are intended to do that and focus on safety and respect for the rights and property of others.

District personnel who interact with students are expected to use disciplinary action only when necessary.  Students must learn to assume and accept responsibility for their own behavior, as well as the consequences of their misbehavior.  Students who will not accept responsibility for their own behavior and who violate school rules will be required to accept the penalties for their conduct.

Students may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension from school, participation/removal from schools trips and/or activities, including parking privileges, grade level banquets or proms when they:

A.engage in conduct that is disorderly;

B. engage in conduct that is insubordinate;

C. engage in conduct that is disruptive;

D. engage in conduct that is violent;

E. engage in any conduct that endangers the safety, morals, health or welfare of others;

F. engage in misconduct while on a school bus;

G. engage in any form of academic misconduct.

DISCIPLINARY PENALTIES, PROCEDURES AND REFERRALS

Discipline is most effective when it deals directly with the problem at the time and place it occurs, and in a way that students view as fair and impartial. School personnel who interact with students are expected to use disciplinary action only when necessary and to place emphasis on the student’s ability to grow in self-discipline.

Disciplinary action, when necessary, will be firm, fair and consistent so as to be the most effective in changing student behavior. In determining the appropriate disciplinary action, school personnel authorized to impose disciplinary penalties will consider the following:

1.the student’s age;

2. the nature of the offense and the circumstances which led to the offense;

3. the student’s prior disciplinary record;

4. the effectiveness of other forms of discipline;

5. information from parents, teachers and/or others, as appropriate;

6. other extenuating circumstances.

As a general rule, discipline will be progressive.  This means that a student’s first violation will usually merit a lighter penalty than subsequent violations.  However, in the event a student’s behavior is judged to be a potential health or safety threat to self or others, a more severe penalty may be imposed.

If there is an out of school suspension in excess of 5 days for a student with a disability or suspected disability, the student shall be referred to the Committee on Special Education, and, if warranted, discipline shall be administered consistent with the separate requirement of this Code of Conduct for disciplining students with a disability. A student identified as having a disability shall not be disciplined for behavior if the Committee on Special Education determines there is a nexus between the child’s behavior and disability.