Student Rights and Responsibilities

All students have the right to:

All students have the responsibility to:

♦ A safe, healthy, orderly, and courteous school environment

♦ Attend school in an alcohol, drug, and tobacco‐free environment

♦ Contribute to an orderly, learner‐centered environment

♦ Comply with adult directives

♦ Refrain from possession of any items prohibited in the COC

♦ Positively represent the District with good behavior and good sportsmanship

♦ See something, say something

♦ To have school rules and conditions available for review and, whenever necessary, explanation by school personnel

♦ Be familiar with and follow all school rules and policies outlined in the Code of Conduct

♦ Understand that the COC applies to all school activities including when on school transportation and at school events, and sporting events even when off campus

♦ Participate and stand to recite the Pledge of Allegiance

♦ Not make any disruptions or distract others who are reciting the Pledge

♦ Due process before suspension and all safeguards outlined in Education law 3214 that are part of a suspension

♦ Take advantage of the education offered by reporting to school and class on time, putting forth effort, completing assignments and attending school prepared to learn

♦ Report any impediments to achieving the above

♦ Express their opinions verbally as long as the expression does not interfere with the rights of others or disrupt normal school operation

♦ To present their version of facts leading to disciplinary sanctions to the person imposing the sanctions

♦ Understand that freedom of speech can be limited

♦ Show due respect and dignity for the rights of others

♦ Dress in accordance with the COC

♦ Express themselves without disrupting normal school operations

♦ To take part in all school activities on an equal basis, regardless of identity, and to be protected from bullying, intimidation, harassment, or discrimination

♦ Positively contribute toward establishing and maintaining an atmosphere that generates mutual respect and dignity for all

♦ Respect the rights of others

♦ Accept responsibility for their actions

♦ Demonstrate appropriate conduct as outlined in this COC and any other rules of classroom or school activities

The District is committed to safeguarding the rights given to all students under federal and state law and District policy. The District’s aim is to provide an environment in which a student’s rights and freedoms are respected, and to provide opportunities which stimulate and challenge the student’s interests and abilities to his /her highest potential. These opportunities will be available as long as the student pursues these interests and studies in an appropriate manner, and does not infringe upon the rights of others.

It shall be the right of each District student:

To have a safe, healthy, orderly, and courteous school environment
To take part in all District activities on an equal basis regardless of race, weight, color, creed, religion, religious practice, sex, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, ethnic group, political affiliation, age, marital status or disability or other protected characteristics
To participate and stand to recite the Pledge of Allegiance (students who decide not to recite the Pledge of Allegiance must remain either seated or standing quietly, not making any display that distracts or disrupts others who are reciting the Pledge of Allegiance)
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
To have school rules and conditions available for review and, whenever necessary, explanation by school personnel
To be suspended from instruction only after his or her rights pursuant to Education Law Section 3214 have been observed
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
To express his/her opinions verbally as long as his/her expression does not interfere with the rights of others or disrupt normal school operation
To be protected from intimidation, harassment or discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion or religious practice, sex, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics by employees or students on school property or at a school sponsored event, function or activity.

It shall be the responsibility of each student:

To be familiar with and abide by all District policies, rules, and regulations pertaining to student conduct
To work to the best of his/her ability in all academic and extracurricular pursuits and strive toward the highest level of achievement possible
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
To seek help to develop mechanisms to control anger and to solve problems that might lead to conduct referral
To be in regular attendance at school and in class unless legally excused
To arrive at school and class, on time, and prepared to learn
To contribute to the maintenance of an environment that is conducive to learning and to show due respect to other persons and property
To dress in accordance with standards as identified in the code of conduct
To make constructive contributions to the school and to report fairly on circumstances of school related issues
To react to direction given by teachers, administrators and other school personnel in a respectful, positive manner
To accept responsibility for his/her actions
To respect one another and treat others fairly in accordance with the District Code of Conduct and the Provisions of the Dignity Act
To conduct themselves in a manner that fosters an environment that is free from intimidation, harassment, or discrimination
To report and encourage others, to report any incidents of intimidation, harassment or discrimination

Responsibilities of Essential Partners in Education

Group

Behavior/Code of Conduct

Academics

Other

Parents/

Caretakers are expected to:

Know school rules and help their children understand and follow them

When concerns or questions occur with the implementation of the COC, share those questions and concerns with the school

Promote prompt and regular school attendance

Provide a place for study and ensure assignments are completed

Foster a feeling of pride in your child for their school

Work cooperatively with the school to alleviate any academic issues

Understand that education is a collaborative effort

Send their children to school appropriately dressed and ready to learn

Establish positive relationships with school staff

Help their children learn how to deal effectively with negative peer pressure

All Employees are expected to:

Have a working knowledge of and quick access to the COC

Enforce policies and rules in a consistent and fair manner

Report violations of the COC to an administrator

Promote pride in the district

Contribute expertise where appropriate

Exemplify and reinforce lifelong learning practices

Establish positive relationships with students and parents

Exemplify professionalism

Address personal biases

Interrupt issues of bullying, discrimination, and harassment

Building Administrators are expected to:

Provide COC training to staff

Assume responsibility for enforcing the COC

Provide annual feedback to the COC committee

Ensure that students are provided with fair and consistent interventions and discipline

Evaluate the program of instruction in their school;

Help their staff self-evaluate their procedures and attitudes in relation to the interaction within their classrooms;

Advocate for the academic needs of their students.

Provide the opportunity for parents, students and staff to speak with the principal about any problems;

Work with support staff and community agencies to find solutions to issues;

Maintain a climate of respect and dignity for all.

Superintendent is expected to:

Assist in the development of an effective COC

Fairly implement the Code

Provide each employee, student, and parent with access to the COC

Evaluate the program of instruction in their district to achieve a meaningful educational program

Help administrators be instructional leaders

Inform the board about educational trends relating to student discipline

Work with administrators in enforcing the code of conduct and ensure that all cases are resolved promptly and fairly

BOE is expected to:

Review the COC on an annual basis and revise if needed

Ensure that the COC contains clear behavioral expectations and consequences

Ensure the COC is implemented and enforced in an equitable manner

Review, update and adopt policies governing the District

Provide the support necessary to maintain intellectually challenging and relevant academic programming necessary to demands of the 21st century.

Review, update, and adopt the policies governing the District

Provide the support necessary to maintain research-based behavior intervention strategies