SUSQUEHANNATOWNSHIPSCHOOL DISTRICT
Harrisburg, PA 17109
CODE OF CONDUCT
IN THE
SUSQUEHANNATOWNSHIPSCHOOL DISTRICT
May 2008
CONTENTS
Committee ……………………………………
Philosophy......
Responsibilities Expected of Stakeholders......
Student Rights and Responsibilities......
General Discipline Procedures ………………….
Consequence Options and Levels......
Levels of Misbehavior and Consequence Options....
Discipline Categories (Rangeof Discipline)......
Guiding Principles Statement......
Guiding Principles......
Guiding Principle's Definitions......
Prevention Strategies......
Intervention Strategies......
STSD Board of School Directors Policies on Discipline
Policy 4031…..Acceptable Use Policy
Policy 5010...... Attendance
Policy 5010...... Student Discipline
Policy 5010...... Weapons
Policy 5010...... Tobacco Use
Policy 5010...... Drug Awareness
Policy 5012 ….Cell Phones
Policy 5013 ….Behavior Management of Special Education Students
Policy 5014..... Harassment/Improper Conduct
Code of Student Conduct Committee
District
Steven Houser – Assistant Superintendent
Gae Bradley – Supervisor of Special Education
Matthew Brelsford – School Psychologist
High School
Joseph Headen – Assistant Principal
Lorie DiClemente
Leslie Hagen
Ron Porter
Susan Shill
Vanessa Westrick
Middle School
Travis Waters – Principal
Christine Minch – Assistant Principal
Jessica Bronstein
Tiffany Clea
John Cutting
James Jones
Paula Zielinski
Thomas Holtzman
Michael Selvenis – Assistant Principal
Heidi Hayes
Megan Krot
Carrie Martin
Sean McCown
Lora Miller
Michelle Sowers
Sara Lindemuth
Sabina Grant Spencer – Assistant Principal
Christina Jorich
Cindy Miller
Heidi Sykes
Denise Whiting-Mirach
SUSQUEHANNATOWNSHIPSCHOOL DISTRICT
PHILOSOPHY
STUDENT DISCIPLINE
It is the belief of the SusquehannaTownshipSchool District that an effective instructional program requires a safe and orderly school environment. The efficacy of the educational program is, in part, reflected in student behavior. The District supports the parents/guardians, teachers, students and administration in their efforts to maintain a proper learning environment while abiding by the parameters established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and described within the "Student Rights and Responsibilities", of the regulations adopted by the State Board of Education. It is our goal to promote positive, responsible behavior through prevention, intervention, and accountability for unacceptable behavior. It is the belief of the District that "education is a right" and "acceptable student behavior is a responsibility".
This document is to be used to implement a proactive discipline program for the SusquehannaTownshipSchool District. The intent is to promote the development of self-discipline, a sense of responsibility and appropriate situation behavior.
RESPONSIBILITIES EXPECTED OF STAKEHOLDERS
SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Demonstrate a supportive attitude toward education.
2. Communicate regularly with all stakeholders.
3. Promote a climate of mutual respect.
4. Report to the administration those situations which violate the health, safety and/or welfare of an individual or the school community.
5. Work to develop an attitude of mutual respect for the school.
PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provide for the health, safety and welfare of your child.
2. Work with the school team to meet your child's educational needs.
3. Support and encourage good attendance habits.
4. Provide an environment conducive to study and the completion of assignments.
5. Review student handbook with your child.
TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Develop cooperative relationships with parents/guardians.
2. Distinguish between minor misconduct which is best handled by the
teacher and major problems requiring the intervention of the schooladministration.
3. Understand and teach to the learning styles and students' needs.
4. Enforce the discipline in all areas of the school.
5. Ensure fairness, reasonableness, and consistency.
6. Provide appropriate and effective consequences and individual reinforcement.
ADMINISTRATOR RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Develop a code of conduct which prevents rather than fosters student misconduct.
2. Assist and support staff members as they work to resolve problems.
3. Develop cooperative relationships with parents/guardians.
4. Insure fairness, reasonableness and consistency.
5. Enforce the discipline in all areas of the school.
6. Comply with state and federal regulations.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
The students need to know the Regulations of the State Board of Education of Pennsylvania, Chapter 12, Section 2: Student Responsibilities:
(a) Student responsibilities include regular school attendance, a conscientious effort in classroom work and homework, and conformance to school rules and regulations. Most of all, students are responsible to share with the administration and faculty a responsibility to develop a climate within the school that is conducive to wholesome learning and living.
(b) No student has the right to interfere with the education of his/her fellow students. It is the responsibility of each student to respect the rights of teachers, students, administrators and all others who are involved in the educational process.
(c) Students should express their ideas and opinions in a respectful manner.
(d) It is the responsibility of the students to conform to the following:
(1) Be aware of all school rules and regulations for the student behavior and conduct themselves in accord with them. Students should assume that, until a rule is waived, altered or repealed in writing, it is in effect.
(2) Volunteer informationin matters relating to the health, safety and welfare of the school and community and the protection of property.
(3) Dress and groom to meet standards of safety and health and not to cause substantial disruption to the educational process.
(4) Assist the school staff in operating a safe school for all students enrolled therein.
(5) Comply with Commonwealth and local laws.
(6) Exercise proper care when using public facilities and equipment.
(7) Attend school daily and be on time to all classes and other school functions.
(8) Make up work when absent from school.
(9) Pursue and attempt to complete, satisfactorily, the courses of study prescribed by local school authorities.
(10) Report information accurately in student media.
(11) Not use obscene language in student media or on school premises.
The teachers need to know the essence of Chapter 12, Section 3, School Rules (authority to make reasonable and necessary rules governing the conduct of students in-school).
GENERAL DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES FOR ALL STUDENTS
A. Introduction
It is the intent of the School District that student behavior in all schools be exemplary and conducive to learning. Under no circumstances will any misbehavior that will detract from the educational activities of the students who do want to learn be accepted.
Although disciplinary procedures will vary for individual cases and individual buildings, the following general procedures will be followed:
1. Any misbehavior in a classroom resulting in a student’s need toleave the classroom can result in conference with the parent and teacher.
2. Misbehavior in the school, other than in the classroom, can result in a meeting between the parent and school authorities.
B. Exclusions from School (Suspensions and Expulsions)
Exclusions from school may be effected by temporary suspensions, full suspensions, or expulsion.
1. A “Temporary Suspension” shall mean exclusion from school for anoffense for a period of up to three school days.
2. “Full Suspensions” shall mean exclusion from school for an offensefor a period of up to ten days.
3. Suspensions may be given by the principal or assistant principal.
a. No student shall be suspended until the student has beeninformed of the reasons for the suspension and given anopportunity to respond. Prior notice of the intended suspensionneed not be given when it is clear that the health, safety orwelfare of the school community is threatened.
b. The parents/guardians and the superintendent of the district shall benotified immediately in writing when the student is suspended.
c. When the suspension exceeds three school days, the studentand parent shall be given the opportunity for an informalhearing.
d. Students shall have the responsibility to make up exams andwork missed while being disciplined by exclusion. The workshall be made up within one week. The procedure for makeupwork is given to each student at the beginning of a term ineither the syllabus or course outline, and the student shallfollow said procedure.
4. “Expulsion” shall mean exclusion from school for an offense for aperiod exceeding ten school days, and may be permanent expulsionfrom the school rolls.
a. All expulsions require a prior formal hearing.
b. During the period prior to the hearing and decision of the boardof school directors in an expulsion case, the student can besuspended in accordance with paragraph 3 above.
c. If it is determined after an informal hearing that a student’spresence in his normal class would constitute a threat to thehealth, safety, morals or welfare of others and it is not possibleto hold a formal hearing within the period of a suspension thestudent may be excluded from school for more than 10 schooldays, if the formal hearing is not unreasonably delayed. Anystudent so excluded shall be provided with alternativeeducation, which may include home study.
5. The following types of offenses are designated by the Board ofSchool Directors of Susquehanna Township School District asoffenses which subject a student to exclusion fromschool(suspension up to 10 days or expulsion, which may be permanent):
a. Flagrant or persistent misbehavior on school property, at school events or in-school vehicles or buildings, including but not necessarilylimited to, fighting, stealing, excessive tardiness, ignoringdetention hall, leaving school grounds without permission,disorderly conduct, violation of this Code of Student Conductand any other school regulations, interfering with the rights ofothers and/or the orderly administration of the schools.
b. Misbehavior with respect to school property, including, but notnecessarily limited to, entering a school building withoutproper authorization, and defacement or destruction of schoolproperty. Repair costs for damage caused by vandalism ormisconduct shall be paid by the person(s) causing the damage.
c. A criminal act, as defined in the Pennsylvania Crimes Code,committed on school property, vehicles or buildings.
C. In-School Suspensions
1. Disruptive students may be removed from the regular program andassigned to an in-school suspension.
2. Students are required to complete academic assignments from theirsubject teachers while on in-school suspension.
3. Students shall be informed of the reason(s) for suspension and givenan opportunity to respond before the suspension becomes effective.
4. Communication to the parents or guardian shall follow thesuspension action taken by the school.
5. When the in-school suspension exceeds ten (10) consecutive schooldays, an informal hearing with the principal shall be afforded to thestudent and the student’s parent or guardian prior to the eleventh(11th) school day.
D. Hearings
1. A formal hearing is required in all expulsion actions. This hearing may be held before the board of school directors or a duly authorizedcommittee of the board, or a qualified hearing examiner appointedby the board. Where the hearing is conducted by a committee of theboard or a hearing examiner, a majority vote of the entire schoolboard is required to expel a student. The following due processrequirements are to be observed with regard to the formal hearing:
a. Notification of the charges shall be sent to the student’s parentsor guardian by certified mail. At least three day notice of the time andplace of the hearing must be given.
b. The hearing shall be held in private unless the student or parentrequests a public hearing.
c. The student has the right to be represented by counsel.
d. The student has the right to be presented with the names ofwitnesses against the student and, upon request, copies of anyexisting statements and affidavits of those witnesses.
e. The student has the right to request that any such witnessesappear in person and answer questions or be cross-examined.
f. The student has the right to testify and present witnesses on hisor her own behalf.
g. A record must be kept of the hearing, either by a stenographeror by tape recorder. The student is entitled, at the student’sexpense, to a copy.
h. The proceeding must be held within fifteen days of the notification of charges unless mutually agreed to by both parties.
i. Where the student disagrees with the results of the hearing,recourse is available in the appropriate court of theCommonwealth. If it is alleged that a constitutional issue isinvolved, the student may file a claim for relief in theappropriate Federal District Court.
2. In those instances where an informal hearing is required, an informalhearing with an appropriate school official will be held to enable thestudent to explain the circumstances surrounding the event for whichthe student is being suspended or to show why the student should notbe suspended. The informal hearing is meant to encourage thestudent’s parents or guardian to meet with the principal to discussways by which future offenses can be avoided. The following dueprocess requirements are to be observed in regard to the informalhearing:
a. Notification of the reasons for the suspension shall be given inwriting to the parents or guardian and to the student.
b. Sufficient notice of the time and place of the informal hearingshall be given.
c. The student has the right to question any witnesses present atthe hearing.
d. A student has the right to speak and produce witnesses on hisor her own behalf.
e. The district shall offer to hold the informal hearing within the firstfive (5) days of the suspension, and if said hearing is postponedat the request of the student or parents/guardians, or if the student fails toattend, the suspension may be continued.
CONSEQUENCE OPTIONS AND LEVELS
The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to provide an environment that is conducive to learning and to help students develop a sense of citizenship and social responsibility. Conduct not exemplifying these qualities is addressed through a system of prevention, intervention and consequence strategies which...
...relate in kind and degree to the infraction.
...help the student learn to accept responsibility for his/her actions.
...are directed, when possible, to prevent any harm which may have been caused by the students' misconduct.
...hold parents or guardians accountable for the actions of their sons/daughters/wards.
Discipline is categorized into four levels of severity with corresponding consequence options. These are meant only as examples, not exhaustive listings.
It is understood that at no time will these guidelines replace a student's right to due process:
No student may be disciplined without notice of the reasons for which the discipline is prescribed and each student will have an opportunity to be heard on his/her own behalf before the school official who holds the authority to prescribe the discipline.
It is noted that corporal punishment is not authorized within the SusquehannaTownshipSchool District.
Reasonable force may be used by teachers and school personnel under the following circumstances:
- to quell a disturbance.
- to obtain possession of weapons or other dangerous objects.
- for the purpose of self defense.
- for the protection of persons or property.
The Administration reserves the right to involve the police with levels 2, 3 and 4 offenses. Building principals are also authorized to use their own judgment as to when to involve legal authorities in discipline situations.
What appears on the following pages are the District levels and consequence options of the Code of Conduct. This listing is not inclusive but is rather a sampling of offenses and consequences. Disciplinary action can vary and will be determined based on administrative judgment and the facts of a given situation.
It is noted that STSD complies with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Chapter 14 of the Pennsylvania School Code regarding the discipline of special education students.
SUSQUEHANNATOWNSHIPSCHOOL DISTRICT
CODE OF CONDUCT
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
LEVEL I
Misbehavior
Description
Minor misbehavior on the part of the student which impedes orderly classroom procedures or interferes with the orderly operation of the school.
These incidents can usually be handled by an individual staff member, but sometimes require the
intervention of other school support personnel.
Procedures
There is immediate intervention by the staff member who is supervising the student or who observes the misbehavior.
An anecdotal record of the offense and disciplinary action taken is maintained by the staff member.
The staff member may choose to involve the parent, administrator and/or support personnel.
Level I ExamplesDiscipline Options
Failure to comply with classroom and/orOne-on-One Talk with Student
school rules according to posted rules andNon-Verbal Warning
student handbook policiesVerbal Warning
Time-Out in Class
Recess Time (not first offense)
Stop Light/Detention Point(s)
Loss of Privilege(s)
Telephone Parent/Guardian
Teacher/Parent/Student Conference
SUSQUEHANNATOWNSHIPSCHOOL DISTRICT
CODE OF CONDUCT
ELEMENTARY
LEVEL II
General Misconduct
Description
Behavior whose frequency or seriousness tends to disrupt the learning climate of the school.
These infractions, which sometime result from the continuation of Level I misbehavior, require the intervention of personnel on the administrative level because the execution of Level I disciplinary options have failed to correct the behavior. Also included in this level is misbehavior which does not present a direct threat to the health and safety of others, but has educational consequences that are serious enough to require corrective action on the part of administrative personnel.
Procedures
A student is referred to an administrator for appropriate disciplinary action.
The administrator meets with the student and/or teacher to establish the most appropriate response.
Parents/guardians may be notified of the student's behavior and the school's response to it.
An anecdotal record of the offense and disciplinary action taken is maintained by the administrator.
Level II ExamplesDiscipline Options
Continuation of unmodified Level I misbehaviorany combination of Level I options
Unsafe BehaviorPink Slip - Parent Call
Improper LanguageBehavior Contract
Disruptive Classroom BehaviorX in Citizenship Accountability System
Lunch/Morning Detention
Pull Behavior Slips (SL)
Detention Points (TH)
Loss of Recess
Time Out in the Office
RemoveSchoolPrivileges
Temporary Removal from Class
SUSQUEHANNATOWNSHIPSCHOOL DISTRICT
CODE OF CONDUCT
ELEMENTARY
LEVEL III
Serious Misconduct
Description
Acts directed against persons or property, but the consequences do not seriously endanger the health and safety of others in the school.
These acts might be considered criminal, but most frequently can be handled by the disciplinary process in the school.