BP 5131
Students
Conduct
The Governing
Board believes that all students have the right to be educated in a positive
learning environment free from disruptions which interfere with teaching and
learning activities. In order to promote
an atmosphere conducive to learning, it is imperative that the Board,
parents/guardians, teachers and administration be cognizant of their
responsibilities related to student conduct.
District
Responsibilities
The Board is
responsible for prescribing behavioral and disciplinary guidelines for
students. The Board shall give
certificated staff all reasonable support with respect to student conduct and
discipline.
The school
director shall establish and enforce school rules, in keeping with
district policy and regulation, which facilitate effective learning and promote
attitudes and habits of good citizenship.
The director shall
ensure that students are informed of these rules when they enroll and at the
beginning of each school year, or at the beginning of each class that starts
throughout the year.
Teachers shall
conduct a well-planned effective classroom program and initiate and enforce a
set of classroom regulations that facilitate effective learning.
On school
grounds and at school activities, students shall be expected to exhibit
appropriate conduct that does not infringe upon the rights of others or
interfere with the school program.
Behavior is
considered appropriate when students are diligent in study, careful with school
property, courteous, and respectful towards their teachers, other staff,
students and volunteers.
Students and parents/guardians
shall be notified of district and school rules related to conduct and shall
receive regular instruction regarding these rules. In addition,
parents/guardians and students may be provided information about early warning
signs of harassing/intimidating behaviors, such as bullying, as well as
prevention and intervention strategies.
Parents/guardians
are expected to comply with the laws governing the conduct and education of
their children. They shall also be
expected to cooperate with school authorities regarding the behavior of their
children. Parents/guardians shall be
held liable for misconduct of students which leads to death or injury to any
student or to any persons employed by or volunteering for the school
district. Parents/guardians are also
liable for the defacement, injury or loss of any district property belonging to
the district. Penalties shall be those
specified in law.
Students should
have the freedom and be encouraged to express their individuality in any way as
long as their conduct does not infringe upon the freedom of other students or
interfere with the instructional program or against school rules. Prohibited student conduct includes but is
not limited to:
1. Behavior that endangers other students
and/or staff
2. Behavior that disrupts the orderly
classroom or school environment
3. Harassment of students or staff,
including bullying, intimidation, hazing, or initiation activity or any other
verbal, written or physical conduct that
causes or threatens to cause bodily harm or emotional suffering
4. Damage to or theft of property belonging
to the district, staff or students
5. Possession or use of laser pointers,
unless used for a valid instructional or other school-related purpose. (Penal
Code 417.27)
Prior to bringing a laser pointer on
school premises, students shall first obtain permission from the principal or
designee. The principal or
designee shall determine whether the requested use of the laser pointer is for
a valid instructional or other school-related purpose.
6. Profane, vulgar or abusive language
7. Plagiarism or dishonesty in school work
or on tests
8. Inappropriate dress
9. Tardiness and unexcused absence from
school
10. Failure to remain on school premises in accordance
with school rules
11. Possession, use or sale of alcohol,
tobacco or other drugs
Possession of
Cellular Phones and Other Personal Electronic Signaling Devices
Based on
Education Code 48901.5, the Metropolitan Education
District Board of Education has established the following policy relating to
the use of pagers and/or cell/digital phones:
1. Students
in the Metropolitan Education District may possess electronic signaling
devices, including but not limited to pagers, and/or digital phones, cell
phones/camera cell phones, provided that such devices do not disrupt the
educational program or school activity. These electronic signaling devices shall
be turned off during class time and at all other times based on the school
rules established by site
administration. If disruption occurs,
any school employee shall direct the student to turn off the device and/or
confiscate it until the end of
the school day, or a future time as determined by site administration.
2. No
student shall be prohibited from possessing or using an electronic signaling
device that is determined by a licensed physician or surgeon to be essential for the student's health and the use of
which is limited to health-related purposes. (Education Code 48901.5) Reasonable
accommodation will be made for students with special needs based on available
resources.
Enforcement of
Standards
Employees are
expected to provide appropriate supervision to enforce standards of conduct
and, if they observe or become aware of a violation of these standards, to
immediately intervene or call for assistance. If an employee believes a matter
has not been resolved, he/she shall refer the matter to his/her supervisor or
administrator for further investigation.
Students who
violate district or school rules and regulations may be subject to discipline,
including but not limited to suspension, return to their home school program,
or drop from the school program in accordance with Board policy and
administrative regulation. In addition, when the conduct involves intimidation,
harassment, or other endangerment of a student or employee, the Superintendent
or designee shall provide appropriate assistance as necessary for the victim
and the offender or make appropriate referrals for such assistance.
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
32050 Hazing
35181 Governing board
policy on responsibilities of students
35291-35291.5 Rules
44807 Duty concerning
conduct of students
48900-48925 Suspension or
expulsion, especially:
48909 Duties of students
CIVIL CODE
1714.1 Liability of parents and
guardians for willful misconduct of minor
PENAL CODE
417.25-417.27 Laser scope
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
300-307 Duties of pupils
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 42
2000h-2000h6 Title
IX, 1972 Education Act Amendments
Adopted:
Revised: