Hinsdale Central School

Student

Code of Conduct

2015-2016

Larry Ljungberg, Superintendent

Laurie Cuddy, Principal

Committee

Judi McCarthy

Jennifer Bergstrom

Tracy Carey

Valerie Caskey

Laurie Cuddy

Andrea McLaughlin

Lisa Morrow

Hinsdale Central School
Student Code of Conduct 2015-2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Alternative Instruction………………………………………………………..………………….25

Corporal Punishment………………………………………………………….…………………31

Definitions……………………………………………………………………..………………..4-6

Disciplinary Penalties, Procedures and Referrals………………………………..…...... 17-25

Discipline of Students with Disabilities…………………………………………..………….26-31

Dissemination and Review………………………………………………..………...... 37

Emailing Teachers and Administrators……..………………………………………..……………9

Essential Partners……………………………………………………………………...... 7-11

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………..…………4

Prohibited Student Conduct…………………………………………………………………..12-16

Public Conduct on School Property or School Functions……………...…………………….35-36

Reporting Violations……………………………………………………….………….……...16-17

Student Dress Code…………………………………………………………………………..11-12

Student Rights and Responsibilities……………………………………………….……………6-7

Student Searches and Interrogations………………………………………………...... 31-34

Visitors to the School……...………………………………………………………...... 34

I. Introduction

The Hinsdale Central School Board of Education (the “Board”) 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 on school property and at school functions. These expectations are based on the principals of civility, mutual respect, citizenship, character, tolerance, honesty, and integrity.

The District recognizes the need to clearly define the long-standing set of expectations for acceptable conduct on school property, to identify the possible consequences of unacceptable conduct, and to ensure that discipline, when necessary, is administered promptly and fairly. To this end, the Board adopts this Code of Conduct (“Code”).

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

II. Definitions

For purposes of this Code, the following definitions apply:

“Disruptive student” means an elementary or secondary student under the age of 21 who is substantially disruptive of the educational process or substantially interferes with the teacher’s authority over the classroom.

“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 of a public elementary or secondary school, or in or on a school bus, in a school vehicle, as defined in Vehicle and Traffic Law §142.

“School function” means any school-sponsored extra-curricular event or activity.

“School day” means the time when a student leaves their home to attend school until their return home.

“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 of violence upon another student, or any other person lawfully on school property or at the school function, or attempts to do so.
  3. Possesses, while on school property or at a school function, a weapon. A “weapon” is any instrument, which appears capable of, or used with the intent of causing physical injury or death.
  4. Displays, while on school property or at a school function, what appears to be a weapon.
  5. Threatens, while on school property or at a school function, to use a weapon.
  6. Knowingly and intentionally damages or destroys the personal property of any school employee, student or any person lawfully on school property or at a school function.
  7. Knowingly and intentionally damages or destroys school district property.
  8. Commits verbal assaults, threats, bullying, or uses any form of harassment. This will not be tolerated.

“Weapon” means a firearm defined in 18 USC SS921 for the purpose of the Gun-Free Schools Act. It also means any other gun, BB gun, pistol, revolver, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, disguised gun, an imitation gun, loaded or blank cartridges or other ammunition, dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto, switchblade, knife, gravity knife, brass knuckles, sling shot, slung shot, metal knuckle knife, box cutter, cane sword, electronic dart gun, Kung Fu star, ninja star, nin-chuck, shirken, electronic stun gun, air gun, spring gun, billy club, blackjack, bludgeon, chukka stick, a sandbag, a sandclub, an explosive, including but not limited to a firecracker or other fireworks, mace, pepper spray, or other noxious spray, explosive or incendiary bomb, or other device, instrument, material or substance that can cause physical injury or death when used to cause injury or death. (In addition, a firearm is also regarded as any part of a firearm by the Hinsdale Central School District.)

“School Bus”means every motor vehicle owned by a public or governmental agency or 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 school activities, or, privately owned and operated for compensation for the transportation of pupils, children of pupils, teachers and other persons acting in a supervisory capacity to or from school or school activities.

“Disability”means (a) a physical, mental or medical impairment resulting from anatomical, physiological, genetic or neurological conditions which prevents the exercise of a normal bodily function or is demonstrable by medically accepted clinical or laboratory diagnostic techniques or (b) a record of such an impairment or (c) a condition regarded by others as such an impairment, provided, however, that in all provisions of this article dealing with employment, the term must be limited to disabilities which, upon the provision of reasonable accommodations, do not prevent the complainant from performing in a reasonable manner the activities involved in the job or occupation sought or held.

“Employee” means any person receiving compensation from a school district or employee of a contracted service provider or worker placed within the school under a public assistance employment program, pursuant to title nine-B of article five of the Social Services Law, and consistent with the provisions of such title for the provision of services to such district, its students or employees, directly or through contract, whereby such services performed by such person involve direct student contact.

“Sexual Orientation”means actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality,or bisexuality.

“Gender”means actual or perceived sex and includes a person’s gender identityor expression.

“Harassment”means the creation of a hostile environment by conduct or byverbal threats, intimidation or abuse that has or would have the effect ofunreasonably and substantially interfering with a student’s educationalperformance, opportunities or benefits, or mental, emotional or physical wellbeing;or conduct, verbal threats, intimidation or abuse that reasonably causesor would reasonably be expected to cause a student to fear for his or herphysical safety; such conduct, verbal threats, intimidation or abuse includes butis not limited to conduct, verbal threats, intimidation or abuse based on aperson’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group,religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.

“Race”means a group of persons related by a common descent or heredity. For purposes of enumeration the U.S. Census Bureau uses terms such as: "White/Caucasian", "Black/African American/African-descent, "Asian", "Bi-racial", "Hispanics/Latinos" etc. to describe and classify the inhabitants of the United States.

“Color” means the term refers to the apparent pigmentation of the skin, especially as an indication or possible indication of race.

“Weight”means aside from the obvious meaning in the physical sciences, the word is used in reference to a person's "size".

“National Origin”means a person's country of birth or ancestor's country of birth.

“Ethnic Group” means a group of people who identify with each other through a common heritage including language, culture, and often a shared or common religion and or ideology that stresses ancestry.

“Religion” means specific fundamental beliefs and practices generally agreed to by large numbers of the group or a body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices.

“Religious Practice” means a term including practices and observances such as attending worship services, wearing religious garb or symbols, praying at prescribed times, displaying religious objects, adhering to certain dietary rules, refraining from certain activities, proselytizing, etc.

“Sex” means the biological and physiological characteristics that define men and women. (MALE and FEMALE denote "sex".)

“Gender”means the socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women. (MASCULINE and FEMININE denote “gender”)

“Sexual orientation”means the sex to which a person is sexually attracted. Someone attracted primarily or exclusively to members of the opposite sex is characterized as straight or heterosexual. Someone attracted primarily or exclusively to members of the same sex is characterized as homosexual. A person with a strong or viable attraction to both genders is characterized as bisexual or pansexual.

III. Student Rights and Responsibilities

A.Student Rights

The Hinsdale Central School District is committed to safeguarding the rights given to all students under state and federal law. In addition, to promote a safe, healthy, orderly and civil school environment, all district students have the right to:

  1. Take part in all district activities on an equal basis regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, or sexual orientation or disability.
  1. Present their version of the relevant events to school personnel authorized to impose a disciplinary penalty in connection with the imposition of the penalty.
  1. Access school rules and, when necessary, receive an explanation of those rules from school personnel.

B.Student Responsibilities

All district students have the responsibility to:

  1. Contribute to maintaining a safe and orderly school environment that is conducive to learning, to have self-respect, and to show respect to other persons and to property.
  1. Be familiar and abide by all district policies, rules, and regulations dealing with student conduct.
  1. Attend school every day unless legally excused. Be in class, on time, and prepared to learn.
  1. Each student will work to the best of their ability in all academic and extracurricular pursuits and strive toward their highest level of achievement possible.
  1. Make every effort to comply positively with directions given by teachers, administrators, and other personnel.
  1. Work to develop techniques to control anger.
  1. Ask questions when they do not understand.
  1. Seek help in solving problems that might lead to disciplinary action.
  1. Dress appropriately for school and school functions.
  1. Accept responsibility for their actions.
  1. Conduct themselves as representatives of the Hinsdale Central School District when participating in or attending school-sponsored extracurricular events and to hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct, demeanor and sportsmanship.

IV.Essential Partners

The Hinsdale Central School District Essential Partners have the following responsibilities:

1. Maintain a climate of mutual respect and dignity for all students regardless of actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex, which will strengthen students’ confidence and promote learning.

2. Confront issues of discrimination and harassment or any situation that threatens the emotional or physical health or safety of any student, school employee or any person who is lawfullyon school property or at a school function.

3. Address personal biases that may prevent equal treatment of all students in the school or classroom setting.

4. Report incidents of discrimination and harassment that are witnessed or otherwise brought to a teacher’s attention in a timely manner.

  1. Parents

All parents are expected to:

  1. Recognize that the education of their child(ren) is a joint responsibility of the parents and the school community.
  1. Send their children to school ready to participate and learn.
  1. Ensure their children attend school regularly and on time.
  1. Ensure absences are excused and send in a written excuse when their child is absent.
  1. Insist their children be dressed and groomed in a manner consistent with student dress code.
  1. Help their children understand that in a democratic society, appropriate rules are required to maintain a safe and orderly environment.
  1. Know school rules and help their children to understand them by reviewing and signing the Hinsdale Central School Student Handbook code.
  1. Convey to their children a supportive attitude toward education and the district.
  1. Build positive, respectful relationships with teachers, other parents and their children’s friends.
  1. Help their children deal effectively with peer pressure.
  1. Inform school officials of changes in the home situation that may affect student conduct or performance.
  1. Provide a place for study and ensure homework assignments are done on time and done well.

B. Teachers, Support and Service Staff

All teachers, support and service staffserving the district are expected to:

  1. Maintain a climate of mutual respect and dignity, which will strengthen students’ self-concept and promote confidence to learn.
  1. Be prepared to teach.
  1. Demonstrate interest in teaching and concern for student achievement.
  1. Demonstrate that the New York State Standards are being met in their discipline and in their classroom.
  1. Continually demonstrate teaching to a variety of learning styles.
  1. Know school policies and rules, and enforce them in a fair and consistent manner.
  1. Communicate to students and parents:
  1. Course objectives and requirements
  2. Marking/grading procedures
  3. Assignment deadlines
  4. Expectations for students
  5. Classroom discipline plan
  1. Communicate regularly with students, parents, administrators and other teachers concerning growth and achievement. *If you wish to reach a teacher by email, their address is their first initial and last name, then @hinsdale.wnyric.org such as:

C.Guidance Counselors

  1. Assist students in coping with peer pressure and emerging personal, social and emotional problems in a concerned and respectful manner.
  1. Coordinate any meeting(s) that involve teacher/administrator/student/parent and counselor as a way to resolve problems.
  1. Regularly review with students and/or their parents the student’s educational progress and career plans (AIS, eligibility, Progress reports and report cards, and schedule changes).
  1. Provide information to assist students with their career planning.
  1. Encourage students to benefit from the curriculum and extracurricular programs.
  1. Initiate and/or support programs to meet the emotional, social, behavioral and academic needs of students.
  1. Coordinate and review yearlythe college application and scholarship application processwith students.

D.Principals

1. Promote a safe, orderly, and stimulating school environment, supporting active teaching and learning.

  1. Ensure that students and staff have the opportunity to communicate regularly with the principal and approach the principal for redress of grievances.
  1. Evaluate on a regular basis all instructional programs.
  1. Support the development of and student participation in appropriate extracurricular activities.
  1. Be responsible for enforcing the Code of Conduct and ensuring that all cases are resolved promptly and fairly.

E.Superintendent

  1. Promote a safe, orderly and stimulating school environment, supporting active teaching and learning.
  1. Review with the building principal, school psychologist, guidance counselor and teachers the policies of the Hinsdale Central School Board of Education and state and federal laws relating to school operations and management.
  1. Inform the Board of Education about educational trends relating to student learning and discipline.
  1. Work to create instructional programs that minimize problems of misconduct and are sensitive to student, teacher and staff needs.
  1. Work with district administrators in enforcing the Code of Conduct and ensuring that all cases are resolved promptly and fairly.

F. Dignity Act Coordinator

  1. The Dignity Act also requires that at least one staff member at every school be thoroughly trained to handle human relations in the areas of race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, and sex.
  2. The Dignity Act Coordinator for 2015-2016Grades Pre-K-12 is:

Charanna Wise, 716-557-2227 extension 421

G. Board of Education

  1. Collaborate with student, teacher, administrator and parent organizations, school safety personnel, and other personnel to develop a Code of Conduct that clearly defines expectations for the conduct of students, district personnel, and visitors on school property and at school functions.
  1. Adopt and review school district policies and act as the fiscal oversight body.
  1. Lead by example by conducting Board meetings in a professional, respectful, and courteous manner.

V.Student Dress Code

All students are expected to give proper attention to personal cleanliness and to dress appropriately for school and school functions. Students and their parents have the primary responsibility for acceptable student dress and appearance. Teachers and all 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 hair style/color, jewelry, make-up and nails will:

  1. Be safe, appropriate and not disruptive or interfere with the educational process.
  1. Not be brief garments such as tube, net, and halter tops, spaghetti straps, plunging necklines (front or back), short shorts/skirts (an index card in length from the knee - or as long as your longest finger with your shoulder relaxed grades 5-12or longer is appropriate), and see through garments are not appropriate.All shirts for both boys and girls must contain a sleeve. No tank tops, razor backs or cut offs will be allowed.
  1. Ensure that underwear is completely covered with outer clothing.
  1. Include footwear at all times. Footwear that is a safety hazard will not be allowed.Footwear with wheels is not allowed.Grades Pre-K-4 are asked to wear sandals or clogs with heel straps. Flip flops are not allowed as a safety precaution.
  1. Not include wearing hats in the classroom except for medical or religious purpose.
  1. Not include items that are vulgar, dangerous, obscene, libelous, or denigrate others on account ofa person’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.
  1. Not promote and/or endorse the use of alcohol, tobacco, synthetic cannabinoids or other lookalike tobacco or drug products or illegal drugs and/or encourage other illegal or violent activities.
  1. Coats are to remain in lockers during the school day.
  2. All boots and shoes must be clean. All debris must be removed prior to entering the school building.

The Building Principal or his/her designee will 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.