Please see the draft Code of Conduct Policy which is set for revision and adoption at the August Board of Education meeting:

Code of Conduct - Plain Language Version

                                             Prohibited Student Conduct

A student may be subject to disciplinary action when he/she behaves in a manner which is:

1. Disorderly, that is:

a.     Fighting, assaulting, or behaving violently

b.     Threatening another with bodily harm

c.      Harassment, bullying, or intimidating students or school personnel (see also Bullying/Harassment, Hazing and Sexual Harassment policies)

d.     Making unreasonable noise

e.     Being untruthful with school personnel or making false reports

f.       Possessing electronic devices such as, but not limited to:  video/audio players and recorders, remote controls, electronic games, cellular phones

g.     Obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic

h.     Driving recklessly

i.       Creating a hazardous or physically offensive condition by an act which serves no legitimate purpose

j.       Loitering or trespassing

k.      Being present on or entering into any school property, function or vehicle without authorization

l.       Disrupts or is reasonably likely to disrupt the education process or school operations; or is

2. Insubordinate, that is, failing to comply with the lawful directions of teachers, school administrators or other school employees in charge of the student; bus drivers, bus monitors and bus aides, law enforcement officers or

3. Engages in any of the following forms of academic misconduct:

a.     Tardiness

b.     missing or leaving school or class without permission or excuse

c.      cheating, plagiarism, copyright/trademark violations or assisting another in such conduct

d.     violation of the Board of Education policy on Student Publications, #7420, Web Page Publishing Policy #3142, and Use of Computer and information technology policy

e.     improperly altering documents or records

4. Endangers the safety, health, morals, or welfare of themselves or others by any act, including but not limited to:

   1. Fighting, assaulting, or behaving violently, threatening another with bodily harm

   2. Harassment of illegal discrimination, which includes the use of race, color, weight, creed, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, sex, gender, sexual orientation or disability as a basis for treating another in a negative manner (reference policies on Sexual Harassment, Anti-Bullying, Hazing)

   3. Bullying, Including over social media

   4. Sexting

   5. Making unreasonable noise

   6. Possession, use, distribution, transfer or sale of tobacco products, alcohol, drugs or other controlled substances, drug paraphernalia or synthetic cannabinoid products including but not limited to incense herbal mixture potpourri, vaping, (see #7320 “Alcohol, Drugs, and Other Substances” policy),

   7. Possession, use, or sale of weapons, fireworks, or other dangerous or prohibited objects or contraband.  Dangerous objects includes, but are not limited to:  guns, starter pistols, knives of any kind (including all types of pocket knives and/or box cutters), other bladed weapons of any kind, explosives, and any instrument, article, or substance, which under the circumstances in which it is used, or other attempted to be used or threatened to be used, is really capable of causing death serious physical injury.  Any object that resembles a dangerous object (such as a fake gun) will be considered a prohibited object

   8. Using obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar or abusive language or behavior

   9. Possession, sale distribution, transfer or use of lewd or obscene materials

   10. Gambling

   11. Hazing

   12. Extortion

   13. Theft

   14. Vandalism, willfully defacing, damaging or destroying school property or vehicles used by entities under contract with the district to provide services for the district.  Willfully defacing, vandalizing, damaging or destroying the property of others on school premises, at school functions or on school buses under contract to the district, or

   15. Misuse of school information technology or other school property

5. Engages in conduct that violates Board’s rules and regulation for the maintenance of public order on school property in the Public Conduct on School Property section or Federal, State or local laws

Off Campus and Non-School Day Misconduct

Students may be disciplined for violations of school district policies and the Code of Conduct when there is a connection to or impact, effect on school students, personnel, activities, functions, or property. Examples of misconduct include but are not limited to: cyber-bullying, sexting, threatening or harassing students or school personnel through the use of electronic devices.

Disciplinary Penalties, Procedures and Referrals

In determining the appropriate 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

Penalties

Students who are found to have violated the district’s code of conduct may be subject to the following penalties, either alone or in combination:

1. Oral warning

2. Written warning

3. Oral and written notification to parent

4. Detention

5. Suspension from transportation

6. Suspension from athletic participation

7. Suspension from social or extracurricular activities

8. Suspension of other privileges

9. In school suspension or exclusion from a particular class

10. Removal from classroom by teacher or principal

11. Short-term (five days or less) suspension from school

12. Long-term (more than five days suspension from school

13. Permanent suspension from school

Remedial Consequences

Remedial responses which may be utilized for, but not limited to, instances of discrimination and harassment of students by students and/or employees may include:

1. Corrective instruction or other relevant learning or service experience

2. Supportive intervention

3. Behavioral assessment or evaluation

4. Behavioral management plans, with benchmarks that are closely monitored

5. Student counseling and parent conferences

Minimum Periods of Suspension

1. Students who bring a weapon to school will be subject to suspension for one calendar year unless otherwise determined by the Superintendent.

2. Students who commit violent acts other than bringing a weapon to school shall be subject to suspension from school for at least five days unless otherwise determined by the Superintendent.

3. Students who are repeatedly, substantially disruptive of the educational process or repeatedly substantially interferes with the teachers’ authority over the classroom will be suspended for at least five days.  For purposes of the code of conduct, “repeatedly, substantially disruptive” means engaging in conduct that results in the student being removed from the classroom pursuant to education law 3214 (3) (a) and this code on multiple occasions.

Student Dress Code

All students are expected to give proper attention to personal cleanliness and to dress appropriately for any and all school functions where they are representing the Unadilla Valley School District

A students dress, grooming, and appearance, including accessories and make-up shall:

1. Be safe

a.               Students may not wear spiked dog collars,spiked bracelets,wallet chains that can be harmful to themselves or others, or any other items that are deemed dangerous by school administration

1. Students may not wear oversized draping items that cover the entire body (trench coats, blankets etc)

2. Ensure that under garments are completely covered with outer clothing

3. Include footwear at all times. Footwear that presents a safety hazard will not be allowed

4. Not include items that are vulgar, obscene, profane, or pornographic in nature

5. Not include items that are libelous or denigrate others on the account of race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex.

6. Not promote and/or endorse the use of alcohol, tobacco, and or illegal drugs including marijuana.

7. Not include items promoting violence or violent language, activities, or images.

8. Not include items promoting gang identifiers.

Use of Electronic Devices

The Building Principal will work with teachers and students to determine where and when the use of electronic devices is appropriate during the school day. Some examples of electronic devices include but are not limited to:  iPods, radios, cellular phones, tablets, laser pointers, electronic games, personal computers, and cameras. Students may never use an electronic device to interfere with instructional activities or to inappropriately message.

In the event a student violates this, the school may take the electronic device and make it available in a reasonable amount of time. Further, discipline can be imposed upon the student. Any videotaping or recording of staff or students (including in the locker room or bathroom) could result in disciplinary action.