Worthington Schools District Discipline Code

Student Name: ______(please print)

Grade:______

WORTHINGTON SCHOOLS’ DISTRICT DISCIPLINE CODE

PHOENIX MIDDLE SCHOOL BEHAVIORAL GUIDELINES

The Phoenix Middle School staff wishes to create a positive and supportive environment for our students. Staff members are expected to respect the rights of our students and to be “student advocates” as they help students to learn and grow as individuals. We believe that an orderly atmosphere is conducive to learning and that students have a role to play in making Phoenix an orderly and effective learning environment. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their behavior at school. Please carefully review with your child the Phoenix Student Planner and the Worthington Schools’ discipline code/Phoenix guidelines.

The Worthington Board of Education has established student behavior policies which are applicable to all Worthington students. In addition, the Phoenix Middle School staff has established Phoenix Guidelines, an expansion of the Board of Education Discipline Code, to explain in greater detail the staff behavioral expectations and discipline code violations that apply more specifically to middle school-aged students attending Phoenix.

After reviewing the attached material, please sign below indicating your awareness and understanding of the disciplinary expectations held by the district and by the school. Students are asked to sign as well indicating they understand what is expected of them as presented in this document. This form must be returned by August 22, 2014.

STUDENT SIGNATURE ______DATE ______

PARENT SIGNATURE ______DATE ______

RETURN THIS COVER SHEET

BY AUGUST 22, 2014

GUIDELINES

TEACHERS HANDLEINDIVIDUAL TEACHER HANDLESOFFICE STAFF HANDLES

LEVEL I OFFENSESLEVEL II OFFENSESLEVEL III OFFENSES

GUM, CANDY, FOODSKATEBOARDS, HATSHARASSMENTFIGHTING

SKATEBOARDS, HATS, CHAINS, DARK GLASSESPROFANITYDRUGS/ALCOHOL/TOBACCO

ELECTRONICS, WALKMAN, RADIO, BEEPERDISRESPECT TO PEERS OR ADULTSVANDALISM

TARDINESS TO CLASS OR SCHOOLPDA (KISSING & GROPING)WEAPONS

BOOK BAGS IN CLASS (LEAVE IN LOCKERS)CHEATING (CLASSROOM TEACHER’STHEFT

RUNNING IN HALL - HORSE PLAYINGCONSEQUENCES & OFFICE)THREATENING/HARASSING

DRESS CODE INFRACTIONS INCLUDING:INSUBORDINATIONBREAKING THE LAW

HALTER TOPS, TANK TOPS, SHORTUSE OF EXPLOSIVE DEVICES

SHORTS, SHORT SKIRTS OR MIDRIFF SHIRTSINTIMIDATION

DRUG, ALCOHOL, & TOBACCO PROMOTIONSCHOOL DISRUPTION

GAMBLING

TRUANCY

CUTTING CLASS

LASER DEVICE

CONSEQUENCESCONSEQUENCESCONSEQUENCES

1ST - 3RD OFFENSE - DEALT WITH BY TEACHERALL 1ST OFFENSES - CALL TO PARENT BYALL OFFENSES SHOULD BE

INCLUDES PARENT CONTACTSTUDENTREFERRED TO THE OFFICE

4TH - 6TH OFFENSE - BEFORE SCHOOL DETENTIONALL 2ND OFFENSES - REFER TO OFFICE

6TH OFFENSE - PARENT CONTACT BY TEAMINFORM OFFICE VIA DISCIPLINE

FORM

SUBSEQUENT CONSEQUENCESSUBSEQUENT CONSEQUENCES

COMMUNITY SERVICECOMMUNITY SERVICE

SATURDAY DETENTIONSSATURDAY DETENTIONS

ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTERALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTER

IN SCHOOL SUSPENSIONIN SCHOOL SUSPENSION

OUT OF SCHOOL SUSPENSIONOUT OF SCHOOL SUSPENSION

ONLY THIS LEVEL WILL BE HANDLED BY THETHIS LEVEL WILL BE HANDLED BY THE

TEAMS AND TURNED OVER TO THE OFFICE WHENINDIVIDUAL TEACHER FIRST AND THEN

A STUDENT REACHES THE LEVEL OF COMMUNITYREFERRED TO THE OFFICE

SERVICE AND BEYOND OR 2ND SITUATION OCCURS

GUIDELINES

AT PHOENIX MIDDLE SCHOOL, WE ARE CONSTANTLY STRIVING TO CREATE A POSITIVE AND A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF. STAFF MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO BE STUDENT-CENTERERD AND WILLING TO DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO HELP STUDENTS TO LEARN AND GROW. BECAUSE AN ORDERLY ATMOSPHERE IS CONDUCIVE TO LEARNING AND STUDENTS HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN MAKING OURS AN ORDERLY AND EFFECTIVESCHOOL, WE HAVE CERTAIN EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT BEHAVIOR AND ASK THEM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS. THE FOLLOWING “GUIDELINES” SHOULD PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF OUR EXPECTATIONS AND THE PROBABLE CONSEQUENCES FOR FAILING TO MEET THEM: STUDENTS WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ADHERENCE TO ALL BOARD OF EDUCATION STUDENT CONDUCT POLICIES AND CAN VIEW THEM INTHE OFFICE.

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EXPLANATION

1. Show respect for yourself in the way you dress and behave.

2. Show respect for your peers and their right to an education in a safe, supportive environment.

POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES

1. Come to school prepared to learn.

a. Dress appropriately.

-Inappropriate dress includes:

1) Suggestive or immodest clothing.

2) Halter tops, tank tops, short shorts, midriff blouses or shirts.

3) Wearing gym clothes to class.

4) Clothing or jewelry that promotes or advertises violence, obscenity, drugs, alcohol or tobacco through pictures or words.

5) Wearing hats in the building.

6) Wearing of metal chains.

7) Wearing dark glasses in the building.

8) Pants worn below the waist line.

b. Come to school with the appropriate supplies and materials for each class.

-Inappropriate items include:

1) Radios, walk man or other types of electronic games or toys.

2) Skateboards.

3) Beepers, laser devices.

c. Come to school free of the influence of drugs, alcohol or tobacco products.

1) Use of drugs, alcohol or tobacco products at school is strictly prohibited.

2) Possession of drugs, alcohol or tobacco products at school is prohibited.

d. Use appropriate language and behavior in your interactions with others at school.

1) Vulgar or profane talk.

2) Vulgar or profane gestures.

2. Behave so as to allow others to live and learn in a non-threatening environment.

a. Interact positively with others

-Inappropriate interactions include:

1) Disrupting the work of others.

2) Threatening with words or gestures.

3) Fighting.

EXPECTATIONS

1. In most cases, students can expect the following consequences depending on the severity of the situation.

a. Students dressed inappropriately will be asked to change clothes or will be sent home to change.

b. Students will be warned about bringing radios, skateboards, toys, electronic games, etc. and those items will be held on the office for parent pick up if brought to school.

c. Students under the influence of or in possession of drugs or alcohol, or those arranging for the sale or transference of drugs/alcohol are subject to the district regulations on drug and alcohol printed in the student handbook. Suspension or expulsion will result. Use of tobacco products on school grounds and/or at school events will result in suspension. Possession of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products at school will be considered a violation of the district policy.

d. Students using inappropriate language or displaying inappropriate behavior could expect a range of consequences depending on the situation including:

1) Verbal warning.

2) Teacher conference.

3) Detention.

4) Parent conference.

5) Saturday school.

6) Suspension

2. In most cases, students can expect the following consequences depending on the severity of the situation:

a. Disrupting or “hassling” others could result in detention or Saturday school assignments.

b. Fighting or physical abuse will result in Saturday school or suspension.

3. Show respect to the teachers and the school staff and their right to do their jobs without interference.

4. Show respect for the teaching-learning process and the teacher’s leadership role in that process.

5. Show respect for the school schedule.

4) Abusing others physically or verbally.

5) Invading the privacy of member of the opposite sex.

6) Expressing affection in ways not suitable for public.

7) Any form of harassment or intimidation.

8) Inappropriate language.

3. Accept the authority of those in charge by:

a. Following directions.

b. Complying with safety regulations and reasonable requests.

c. Behaving respectfully

-Disrespectful behavior includes:

1) Using disrespectful language.

2) Using disrespectful tone of voice

3) Using disrespectful gestures or actions to express displeasure or disagreement.

4. Allow teachers to conduct their classes without interruption or interference.

-Inappropriate interruption or interference includes:

a. Being late to classes or assigned areas.

b. Interrupting or disrupting classroom activities in assigned areas.

c. Presenting someone else’s work as your own.

d. Gambling.

e. Unauthorized use of fire, i.e. matches, lighters, butane.

5. Be on time and in the proper place according to the schedule.

-Inappropriate behaviors include:

a. Skipping school.

b. Coming late to school or leaving early without permission.

c. Skipping classes.

d. Leaving the school building or grounds without permission at any time during the day.

e. Moving through the halls without a pass when you are assigned to be in class.

c. Inappropriate advances to members of the opposite sex or inappropriate expressions of affection will result in a parent conference and could lead to suspension in serious cases.

d. Breaking the law will result in police involvement.

3. In most cases, students behaving disrespectfully can expect the following consequences depending on the severity of the situation:

a. Verbal warning.

b. Teacher/Principal conference.

c. Detention.

d. Parent conference.

e. Saturday school.

f. Suspension.

4. In most cases, students can expect the following consequences depending on the severity of the situation:

a. Tardiness to class (after the first week) will result in appropriate warnings followed by detention assignments.

b. Class disruptions could bring consequences ranging from reprimands to suspension.

c. Cheating will be considered a serious offense and parents will always be involved in the discipline responses to cheating which include:

1) Failing grades for work in question.

2) Saturday school or suspension for most serious incidents.

5. In most cases, students can expect the following consequences depending on the severity of the situation:

a. Skipping school is truancy and will result in an appropriate number of Saturday school assignments and eventually referral to court.

b. Tardiness to school without parent excuse will result in detention or Saturday school assignments after three times per semester.

c. Skipping classes will result in detention or Saturday school assignments and a parent consultation.

d. Leaving school grounds without permission is truancy and will be treated the same as in “a” above.

e. Not having a pass with you when in the halls during assigned class periods could result in:

1) Verbal warning.

2) Teacher/Principal conference.

6. Show respect for the property rights of others.

7. Show respect for the school building and facilities.

6. Showing respect for the property of others means not doing the following:

a. Handling, abusing or removing personal property including property issued by the school to others (such as uniforms, textbooks, equipment, etc.)

b. Opening or abusing lockers assigned to others.

c. Tagging or putting graffiti any place on the school.

7. Help take care of the school and school facilities that you use.

-Inappropriate behaviors include:

a. Littering.

b. Damaging or defacing school property.

c. Consuming food, candy or drinks in the classroom, IMC, halls, or common area unless in a supervised activity.

d. Chewing gum in the school.

e. Leaving your area in lab classes, in the cafeteria, and where you may be working without cleaning up after yourself.

6. In most cases, students can expect the following consequences depending on the severity of the situation:

a. Theft and/or vandalism will result in Saturday school or suspension assignments.

b. Improper entry to another student’s locker will result in Saturday school or suspension assignments.

c. Tagging or putting graffiti on a public building is a felony and could result in police involvement.

7. In most cases, students can expect the following consequences depending on the severity of the situation:

a. Littering could result in an after school “clean up” detention.

b. Vandalism will require restitution and result in Saturday school or suspension assignments.

c. Instances of improper use of food or drink in restricted areas of the building will result in “clean up” detentions after school.

d. Chewing gum creates such a maintenance problem that students are not to chew in school and could draw “clean up” after school detentions for repeated violations.

CODE OF CONDUCT

EXAMPLES OF MISCONDUCT:

Unexcused AbsencesHazing or Intimidating

Truancy or TardinessGambling

Abuse of Computer Hardware/SoftwareInsubordination

Possession of Drugs or AlcoholLeaving School Premises

Use of Drugs or AlcoholMisrepresentation

AssaultPlagiary or Forgery

CheatingSexual Misconduct

Misconduct on BusesSexual Harassment

Damage to Private PropertyTheft

Damage to School PropertyUnauthorized Use of Fire

Possession of Dangerous WeaponsFalse Calls to 9-1-1

Frightening or Degrading ActsMaking False Alarms/Threats

DisruptionFireworks

Disruptive DressUse of Profanity or Vulgarity

FightingUse of Tobacco

Unauthorized Sale or DistributionLaser Devices

A complete copy of this code is available in the office.

CODE OF CONDUCT

DISCIPLINARY OPTIONS:

Teacher-Student ConferencesMorning Detention

Parent-Teacher ConferencesMorningSchool

Referral to Guidance CounselorNoon-rec Detention

Referral to Student Service SpecialistIsolation (Time Out)

Conference with PrincipalIn-School Suspension

Phone Call to ParentsSaturdaySchool

Home VisitEmergency Removal

Referral to Outside AgencySuspension

Community ServiceExpulsion

Referral to Police

A complete copy of this code is available in the office.

File: AC

NONDISCRIMINATION/HARASSMENT

Nondiscrimination

The Board will not permit discriminatory practices and views harassment and bullying as a form

of discrimination. To assure compliance with this policy the Board will:

1. promote the rights and responsibilities of individuals as set forth in the state and federal Constitutions, pertinent legislation and applicable judicial interpretations;

1. encourage positive experiences for children, youth and adults;

1. work toward a more integrated society and enlist the support of individuals, as well as

private and governmental groups and agencies, in such an effort;

1. use communication and action techniques to air and reduce the grievances of

individuals and groups;

1. consider the potential benefits or adverse consequences that the Board’s decisions

might have on the human relations aspects of the school community and

1. initiate a process of reviewing policies and practices of this school system in order to

help achieve the objectives of this statement.

The Board’s policy of nondiscrimination will extend to students, staff, third parties, the general

public and individuals or entities with whom it does business and will apply to race, national

origin, citizenship status, religion, sex, economic status, age, disability and other human

differences.

Harassment

The Board is committed to the creation and maintenance of a learning and working environment

in which all persons who participate in school programs and activities can do so in an

atmosphere free from all forms of prohibited harassment. Harassment on the basis of race, color,

national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, disability, age, sex or sexual orientation is

prohibited.

Prohibited harassment includes, by way of example, slurs, unwelcome sexual advances and

requests for sexual favors, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, solicitation of sexual

activity or reference to sexual themes in a manner which the offender knows or should know is

Worthington City School District, Worthington, Ohio

File: EDE

Electronic/Network Acceptable Usage Policy

Technology can greatly enhance the instructional program as well as the efficiency of the

District. The Board recognizes that careful planning is essential to ensure the successful,

equitable and cost-effective implementation of technology-based materials, equipment, systems and networks. Computers and use of the District network or on-line services support learning and enhance instruction, as well as assist in the administration. Computer networks allow people to interact with many computers; the Internet allows people to interact with hundreds of thousands of networks. All computers are to be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical and legal manner. Failure to adhere to this policy and the guidelines below will result in the revocation of the user’s access privilege or other discipline action. Unacceptable uses of the computer/network include but are not limited to:

1. violating the conditions of the Ohio Revised Code dealing with students’ and

employees’ rights to privacy;

2. using profanity, obscenity or other language which may be offensive to another user;

3. reposting (forwarding) personal communication without the author’s prior consent;

4. copying commercial software in violation of copyright law;

5. using the network for financial gain, for commercial activity or for any illegal activity;

6. accessing and/or viewing inappropriate material and

7. downloading freeware or shareware programs.

8. hacking or other processes to disrupt or provide unauthorized access to any network or network devices.

The Board recognizes the increasing impact of new and emerging technologies on our society and ultimately its students. To this end the Board believes the District must provide the opportunity for students, staff and the community to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to function effectively in this increasingly technological world. The Board believes these opportunities are necessary and best realized through the development of a systematic and evolutionary plan for the continued integration of technology into instruction. The Board recognizes that the purpose of such a plan will be to provide the best possible educational opportunities, while determining future changes necessary in order to remain current with evolving technologies having educational potential. The Board recognizes the importance of these opportunities through its continued support, encouragement and commitment to provide the necessary physical and human resources to accomplish the task.

The Superintendent/designee develops a plan to address the short- and long-term technology needs and provide for compatibility of resources among school sites, offices and other operations. As a basis for this plan, he/she examines and compares the costs and benefits of various resources and identifies the blend of technologies and levels of service necessary to support the instructional program.

Worthington City School District, Worthington, Ohio

Because access to on-line services provides connections with other computer systems located all over the world, users (and parents of users who are under 18 years old) must understand that neither the school nor the District can control the content of the information available on these systems. Some of the information available is controversial and sometimes offensive.

The Board does not condone the use of such materials. Employees, students and parents of students must be aware that the privileges to access on-line services are withdrawn from users who do not respect the rights of others or who do not follow the rules and regulations established. A user’s agreement is signed to indicate the user’s acknowledgment of the risks and regulations for computer/on-line services use.

[Adoption date: July 22, 2002]

[Revised: February 13, 2012]

LEGAL REFS.: U.S. Const. Art. I, § 8

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; 20 USC 1232g et seq.

ORC 1329.54-1329.67

3313.20

3319.321

20 USC 1232g; 34 CFR, § 99.1 et seq.

CROSS REFS.: IB, Academic Freedom

IIBG, Computer-Assisted Instruction

JFC, Student Conduct/Zero Tolerance

Electronic/Network Acceptable Usage Policy