Expectations

 

A school must provide a safe and comfortable environment for students to learn effectively.  Consequently, certain rules and regulations are necessary to ensure our school is a safe place where each student has the opportunity to maximize his/her learning potential.  Policy 503 of the Nova Central School District states, “the code of behavior expected from our students rests on three basic rules:  respect for themselves, respect for others, and respect for their own and other’s property.”  The intent of this Student Code of Conduct is to provide a positive and secure environment in accordance with district policies.

 

 

Expected Behaviors

1.   Students will conduct themselves with honesty and integrity in all aspects of school life, especially academic work and their     relationship with others.

2.   Students will conduct themselves with respect and due regard for the personal safety and well-being of other students, staff, and the general public.  They will exercise respect for others with regard to movement and gathering.  Intimidation, fighting (physical assault), bullying, and reckless behavior endangering others will not be tolerated.

3.   Students will address staff, and each other, in a respectful and courteous manner.

4.   Students will be in class during the time allocated for instruction.  They shall be punctual and properly prepared with all books and materials.

5.   Students will comply with any reasonable request from a teacher or administrator.  These requests may include issues of behavioral order or school work.

6.   Students will remain at the school for the duration of the school day unless they are signed-out at the office by a parent-guardian.

7.   Students will, at all times, conduct themselves in a manner reflecting respect and due regard for school and individual property.

8.   Students will not engage in illegal activities on school grounds.  Students are encouraged to be non-smokers, but those who choose to smoke must do so in a designated area off school property.  They must also leave their smoking area in time to not be late for registration and classes.

9.   Students will be on time for their buses, remain in their seats until bus stops, refrain from distracting the bus driver, and adhere to all safety rules.

 

 

 

 

 

Discipline Procedure

 

The first level of discipline, unless it is deemed serious/extreme, is the responsibility of the teacher.  Steps 1-3 outline the procedure for dealing with minor infractions.  In the event of serious or extreme behavior, the incident must be reported immediately to an administrator and a written report should be submitted as quickly as possible.  The administration reserves the right to immediately discipline students in accordance with school board policy whenever a serious breach of school policy occurs.  The nature of the discipline administered in such serious cases will be determined by school administrators in consultation, if necessary, with District Office Staff.

 

Step 1:  Teacher/Student Conference

The first step will involve an informal meeting of student and teacher that addresses the expectations and misconduct of the student.

 

Step 2:  Parental Contact

If a student-teacher conference does not produce desirable results, then teachers will inform parents of the inappropriate behavior and solicit their support.  This action can be taken in conjunction with Step 1 or following a second incident.

 

Step 3:  Detention (teacher-administered)

A.   Recess and lunch – arranged and supervised by the teacher.  During lunch break, students must be given the opportunity to get/eat their lunch.

B.   After school, “when detention is used, notice will first be given to the student’s parents/guardians to inform them of the reason for the detention and permit suitable alternative arrangements for the student’s transportation to be made.

       

Consultation with the administration needs to be made once Steps 1-3 have been followed.  One of the first methods of               administration consultation will be in the form of discipline reporting forms.  The office will monitor infractions for high school students through the assistance of a demerit system as outlined below:

 

 

Upon the accumulation of ten demerits, high school students may be issued a one-day suspension from school.  Further accumulations will result in lengthier suspension.

 

 

 

 

      Step 4:  Removal from Class

 

If a student’s behavior is serious to the point that classroom instruction cannot take place while the student is present, then a teacher may suspend a student from attendance at his/her class for one period.  In the event that a teacher removes a student from a class, the student must be directed to the office and the teacher must inform the school administration of the suspension in the most expeditious way possible (intercom).  A written report must be submitted not later than the end of the school day, and teachers must inform parents of the behavior that has prompted such action.

 

Step 5:  Administrator/Student Conference

 

A meeting with the administration will take place in situations where teacher intervention has failed to produce the desired behaviors.  This meeting could necessitate one or more of the following: contact with parents, a parent meeting, detention, guidance counselor intervention, or a one-day suspension.

 

Step 6:  One-Day Suspension

 

In some cases the administration may deem it necessary to issue a student a one day suspension from school.  General non-compliance, accumulation of ten demerits, smoking on school property or other serious breaches of the Code will necessitate such action.  Parents will be contacted by phone/voice message and a letter will be given to the student if time permits.  Otherwise, the letter will be mailed.

 

Step 7:  Three-Day Suspension

 

If a student continues to be in breach of school policy a three-day suspension may be necessary.  If a student’s behavior necessitates this action, parents will be requested to attend a meeting regarding the conditions under which the student returns to school.

 

Step 8:  Five-Day Suspension

 

This action will take place after a review of the proceedings in Steps 4-8 indicate that further action is necessary.  If it is determined that school officials and parents are unable to attain the desired behaviors, district involvement will be requested in order to fully implement the Schools Act.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Testing Policy

 

A.  The evaluation outline for each course will detail the testing procedure as well as the percentage assigned to assignments, labs, projects, presentations, etc.

 

B.   In order for a student to be permitted to write a make-up exam or a test he/she missed due to absence, it must be for one of the following reasons:

(i) illness (ii) death in the family (iii) some other reason deemed valid by the teacher in consultation with the administration.  In each of the above cases, it is the responsibility of the parent, within two school days, to make contact with the school.  If a test is missed for an unacceptable reason a zero grade will be entered.

 

C.   If acceptable procedure has been followed, a teacher may give a make-up test at his/her earliest convenience.  However, no more than one make-up test will be given to any student in a particular course.

 

D.  In cases where a student has legitimately missed a number of tests or assignments, e.g., due to prolonged illness, a teacher may require that student to complete other forms of evaluation or have increased value placed on the final exam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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