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SUMTER SCHOOL DISTRICT

2012-2013

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CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

It is the opinion of the board that acceptable student behavior, including the following criteria, is to be expected from all students.

Respect to peers, faculty and staff exhibited through actions and speech

Pride in personal and school property exhibited by taking care of the physical building and respecting the property rights of others

Desire and effort toward educational achievement are to be priorities as exhibited by following teacher/staff direction; reporting to class promptly and consistently; and being prepared to work without interfering with instruction

Obedience to all laws, discipline code, rules and community norms

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The board believes that all students should receive fair

and consistent discipline when school rules are violated.

Therefore, this definitive code on student discipline was

developed with the assistance of parents/legal guardians,

students and administrators from Sumter School District.

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Category I OffensesAggravated assault Alcohol/liquor law violationArsonBomb threatBriberyBurglaryComputer violationContrabandContract violationDisturbing schoolDrug distributionDrug possessionDrug violation

EmbezzlementExtortionFire alarm FireworksForced sexual offenseFraudGang activityHarassmentHomicideIndecent exposureIntimidationKidnap/abductionNon-forcible sexual

offenseOther offense

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Category I OffensesPornographyProbation violationProstitutionRobberySexual harassmentSimple assaultThreatVehicle theftWeapons

Category I Actions – Grades Pre-K - 12Referral to the hearing officerSuspension until the hearing before

the hearing officer (which is usually scheduled within 10 school days and no more than 5 school days after parent/legal guardian notification

See administrative actions addendum

Students with identified disabilities—notify school psychologist; see discipline for students with identified disabilities addendum

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Category II OffensesBite/pinch/spitBullying*Computer violationContrabandCyberbullying*Driving violationFighting*FireworksForgeryGang activity*Hit/kick/push Inappropriate physical

contactLarceny/theftLeaving schoolLoitering

Obscene gestureOther offensesPossession, sale, distribution

or electronic transmissions of obscene writings, drawings, photographs or videos—all media (e.g. CD/DVD, cell phones or external USB drives)

ProfanityProperty misuseRefusal to obeySimple assault*Stolen property ThreatVandalism

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Category II Actions Grades Pre-K - 121st offense: 1-5 class days out-of-school suspension and

an intervention agreement

2nd offense: 3 - 5 class days out-of-school suspension

3rd offense: 5 - 7 class days out-of-school suspension 4th offense: recommendation for expulsion

The following aggressive offenses: *Bullying, Cyberbullying, Fighting, Gang Activity and Simple Assault and any combination of these five offenses MAY result in a Recommendation for Expulsion with the 2nd Offense.

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Category III OffensesAiding othersBite/pinch/spitBus violationsBullyingCheatingConfrontation/

altercation ContrabandCutting activityCutting classCutting schoolDetention violationDishonestyDisrupting class

Dress code Failure to comply with

disciplinary actionForgeryGamblingHit/kick/pushHorse playID violationInappropriate affectionLarceny/theftLeaving classLoiteringMajor disruption

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Category III OffensesObscene gestureOff limitsOther offenseParking violationPhone violationProfanityRefusal to obeyRunning

Stolen propertyTardyThrowing objectsTobaccoUnauthorized deviceUrinationVandalism

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Category III Actions Grades 6 - 121st and 2nd offenses: in-school suspension and

guidance referral3rd offense: 1 - 3 class days out-of-school

suspension and Intervention Agreement4th offense: 3 - 5 class days out-of-school

suspension5th offense: 5 - 7 class days out-of-school

suspension6th offense: recommendation for expulsion

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Category IV Offenses Category IV ActionsBus violationDetention violationExcessive noiseFailure to complete school work Inappropriate affection Inappropriate language Inappropriate materialsLeaving classLitteringNo form returnedOff limitsOther offensesUnauthorized device

Grades 6 - 121st - 3rd offense :

administrative detention and third offense guidance referral

4th offense: in-school suspension and Intervention Agreement

5th offense: 1 - 5 class days out-of-school suspension

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ADMINISTRATIVE actions - Categories I-IVAdministrator must do the following: give rudimentary hearing

oral notice of charges to student explanation of evidence against student student given opportunity to tell his/her version

 

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ADMINISTRATIVE actions - Categories I-IV required notification to parent/legal guardians required payment of damages, if applicable make referral to guidance counselor or counseling program (required

for Category III and Category IV offenses) consider a possible referral to outside agency consider a possible referral to law enforcement agency require the student to make up class work missed while on suspension

in accordance with the district's make-up policy require conference with parent/legal guardian when student's

behavior results in suspension inform the parent/legal guardian that the hearing officer will conduct

hearings in accordance with state law and in compliance with board policies (JKE and JKE-R)

investigate alcohol or drug related offenses; see procedures for investigation (JICH and JICH-R); guidelines for drug/alcohol related offenses as provided by the school intervention program

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TRANSPORTATIONThe preceding student discipline code applies to student behavior en route from the bus stop to and from the school and back to the bus stop on a bus or other school vehicle.

  In addition to discipline procedures outlined in the code, principals may add or substitute the following sanctions: 3 class days suspension from buses 5 class days suspension from buses 7 class days suspension from buses 10 class days suspension from buses recommendation for permanent bus

suspension. Parent/Legal guardian notification is required for a bus suspension.

Grades 2 - 121st offense:

warning/parent/legal guardian conference

2nd offense: 3 class days bus suspension

3rd offense: 5 class days bus suspension

4th offense: 7 class days bus suspension

5th offense: 10 class days bus suspension

6th offense: recommendation for permanent bus suspension*

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TRANSPORTATION*At the end of the first semester, principals

may recommend strict probation if the student has been suspended from the bus for more than 45 days. If the student on strict probation receives one referral, the student will receive permanent suspension from the bus for the remainder of the school year.

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Electronic communication devicesThe board believes that the possession of electronic

devices by students during the school day may have an adverse effect on classroom instruction. Electronic communications devices are defined as a telecommunications device, to include mobile telephones, that emit an audible signal, vibrate, display a message or otherwise summons or deliver a communication to the possessor.

Therefore, any student who is in possession of a electronic communications device as outlined in the district’s policy and the guidelines as noted below is subject to discipline as provided under the district’s code of student conduct. 

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GUIDELINES FOR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES OFFENSESPossession of electronic communications devices including beepers, cell phones, digital phones, and laser lights (Category III) (Code 330)

 1st Offense: School personnel will confiscate the cell

phone and immediately turn it in to an administrator to be kept in a locked, secure place. The phone will be returned to the parent/legal guardian (no exception) pending a parent conference. The conference may be held as soon as the next school day. The student will receive a discipline referral. It will be written on the referral and verbally told to the parent/legal guardian that any cell phone taken a second time will be confiscated and returned one year from the date of confiscation. The discipline for the first offense will be temporary removal from class and/or in-school suspension.

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GUIDELINES FOR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES OFFENSES

2nd Offense - School personnel will confiscate the cell phone and immediately turn it in to an administrator to be kept in a locked, secure place. The student will receive a discipline referral with a written explanation on the referral and a verbal explanation to the parent/legal guardian reminding him/her that because it is the second offense, the phone will be returned one year from the date of confiscation. The phone will be kept at the school in a secure location by the principal or assistant principal with the student’s name and 2nd offense on a label on the phone. Neither school nor district personnel will be responsible if phone is lost or damaged. The discipline for the second offense will be temporary removal from class and/or in-school suspension.

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GUIDELINES FOR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES OFFENSES

NOTE: If a student’s behavior and actions result in a “refusal to surrender unauthorized items” to any school administrator or staff person, a Category II consequence will apply and be handled accordingly. The consequence will be an out-of- school suspension.

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Question & Answer

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