Code of Student Conduct - Page One

Student Pamphlet
A Summarized Version of Students' Responsibilities, Expectations, and Discipline

  Statement of Policy

It is the policy of Norfolk Public Schools to encourage student conduct that will promote good health, reasonable standards of behavior, effective citizenship, and a favorable atmosphere for learning. Students shall be under the jurisdiction of the School Board of the City of Norfolk while going to and from school and while engaged in any school-sponsored activities. Students on school grounds or in places under school jurisdiction are required to follow the rules which are established to achieve these objectives.

Admission to any school requires that each student acts as a responsible member of the school community. Each student must obey the law, adhere to the policies of the school system, and comply with the rules and regulations implemented with these policies. Each student is required to safeguard school property and to respect the rights and privileges of others in the school community. Each student is also required to accept responsibility for his or her own conduct.

The school board has approved and the administration shall implement the rules, regulations, and procedures contained in this pamphlet. When a violation of these rules occurs, school officials are authorized and obligated to take appropriate action to ensure more responsible student behavior. Employees are authorized to utilize appropriate amounts of physical restraint to reasonably maintain order, to protect themselves and others from physical injury, to obtain possession of a weapon, or to protect school property. When conducting formal investigations, school officials will conference with students as part of the investigative process. School officials will review and consider a student's discipline history before issuing a disposition for inappropriate behavior. Thus, it is possible for two students to receive a different disposition for the same offense. When violations of the laws of the United States, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the City of Norfolk are also involved, school officials may refer such matters to parents, legal guardians, or appropriate civil authorities.

  Faculty/Staff Responsibilities

The classroom teacher has the major responsibility for classroom management. Each teacher should develop a positive climate for learning. To accomplish this goal, intervention to change student behavior should include methods to prevent or correct misconduct. However, teachers will refer a student for discipline when the situation warrants. Each public school operating in the City of Norfolk has in place a referral system for student discipline. The school principal and/or designee is responsible for addressing the student's behavior after the teacher/staff referral. Central office administrative support is provided through the department of pupil personnel services, the superintendent of schools or designee, and the school board.

  Student Rights

Student Expression

Students are entitled to present their personal opinions. Students who publish and/or distribute handwritten, printed, or pictorial material on the school premises are responsible for its content. Arrangements for publication and distribution of printed materials must be made in advance through the office of the principal. This is to ensure that the times, locations, and methods of publication and distribution are appropriate and do not jeopardize the mission of the school. Student expression must not cause disruption to the educational process nor present health or safety hazards.

Assembly

You have the right to:

• Meet with friends at a time that will not disturb the regular school activities.
• Meet at the school as long as you have prior permission from the principal or sponsor and all arrangements have been approved.

Locker Use

Lockers are available for use by all secondary students. The school retains the authority over each locker and may gain access at any time. You may use a lock to secure the locker, but the school principal or designee must be given a key or combination to that lock so as to allow access. Any lock to which the school does not have the key or combination will be removed.

Freedom from Discrimination

You are free from:

• Being treated differently from the way others are treated because of your race, religion, gender, or your ethnic, social, economic, or national origin.

Flag Salutes, Patriotic Ceremonies and Minute of Silence

You have the right to:

• Salute the flag, and repeat the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Remain quiet in the classroom should you elect not to participate in patriotic ceremonies. Your non-participation should be based on a sincere conviction and not disrupt others.
• Be treated fairly, free from intimidation, ridicule, and harassment because of your conviction.
• Participate in the established daily observance of one minute of silence.

School Records

You have the right to:

• Review your school record. Your parent/legal guardian also has the right to review your school record.
• Discuss your record with the principal/designee at a suitable time for all parties.

Administrative Inspection

You have the right to:

• Be safe and secure at school and pursue your education in a disciplined environment. Therefore, you and all your property will be subject to random administrative inspections including those with metal detectors. Students who leave school grounds without proper authorization are subject to inspection upon their return to a school campus. Refusal to cooperate with a reasonable request may result in disciplinary action.

Due Process

Your rights are protected:

• Your privileges cannot be taken away without a chance for you to present your side of the case.
• The due process procedure is outlined in the "Suspensions and Expulsion" section of this pamphlet.

  To the Student

This student pamphlet may, at first, seem complicated and detailed. However, you should always remember this simple and basic rule: success in school is usually a matter of making proper choices in critical situations. You may face circumstances and problems that will seem overwhelming to you, but if you use sound judgment, ask for help when you need it, and do your part to support the school rules, success can be yours.

You can begin by asking yourself four simple but essential questions: (1) What are my personal choices? (2) Who can help me? (3) What will happen if I fail to abide by the rules and regulations? (4) What will happen if I obey all rules and regulations?

(1) What are my personal choices?

You must accept the responsibility for your own behavior and respect the rights of others. The mastery of self-control is the single most important requirement for success in school. Once you have made these important personal choices, you can better appreciate how success is tied to attending all classes, to following directions, to refusing alcohol, tobacco and drugs, and refraining from weapon use.

(2) Who can help me?

Each employee in the school system is committed to doing everything possible to make your learning environment comfortable and productive. School personnel are available to help you through meaningful instruction, to give effective guidance in making social and career choices, to keep your building clean and functioning, to keep unwanted people and materials out, and to provide services such as transportation, nutritional programs, and extra curricular activities. This help is available to you. All you need to do is ask for it.

(3) What will happen if I fail to abide by the rules and regulations?

Failing to abide by the rules will result in some form of disciplinary action. Depending on the seriousness or frequency of the violation, the discipline may vary from simple teacher detention to suspension or recommendation for expulsion. A list of both rule and law violations begins on page 6. Be sure you understand and avoid these rule and law infractions. Suspensions and expulsions are also thoroughly explained on page 11 along with procedural provisions. Remember, failing to abide by the rules may have serious and far-reaching consequences, including losing the opportunity to receive an education.

(4) What will happen if I obey all rules and regulations?

The ability to start and finish something successfully is a very positive character trait. Not only does it say to you that you are rational, mature, and dependable, but it says that to prospective employers and recruiters as well. Remember, successful graduation with a record as clean as possible is your goal. It is the stepping-stone to gainful employment or post secondary education. If you lack self control, you will not graduate on time or at all. In addition to jeopardizing your future, being in trouble takes the fun out of going to school.

  Disciplinary Rules

Enforcing The Rules

Based on the official policy of the School Board of the City of Norfolk, certain types of student actions are prohibited. The listed rules, regulations, and procedures will be enforced before, during, and after school hours, as well as while traveling to or from school. These rules are applicable in school buildings, on school grounds, in school parking lots, on school athletic fields, on board buses, in areas immediately adjacent to the school, and in all other places where school functions are being carried out or where school activities normally take place. The rules are also applicable throughout the course of any school field trip or other officially sponsored school activity. These rules are also applicable to any behavior, during or after school and on or off school grounds, that disrupts any school program or activity, threatens the health, safety or welfare of any pupil, faculty or staff of the Norfolk Public Schools or otherwise compromises the ability of the Norfolk Public Schools to provide a high quality education to all its students.

Most importantly, appropriate sanctions may be imposed on students as a result of rule misconduct wherever they occur if such misconduct disrupts the performance of the school's mission or tends to jeopardize the accomplishment of that mission.

Violations are divided into rule violations and law violations. Law violations may also result in court action.

  Rule Violations

Unexcused Absences

Unless excused on the written request of their parents or guardians, students shall be on time to school and to all classes, shall attend all classes in full, and shall not leave the school grounds during the course of the school day. Students shall be subject to discipline for all unexcused absences, whether for the entire school day or any part of it.

Attendance

If a high school student has (10) days excused or unexcused absences in a semester, the student will fail. Students assigned to a block schedule who are absent seven (7) or more days (excused or unexcused) in a semester course, or fourteen (14) or more days (excused or unexcused) in a school year, will not be promoted or granted course credit regardless of their grades. If an elementary student has twenty (20) excused or unexcused absences, the student will not be promoted to the next grade. An elementary school student must attend a minimum of three (3) hours to be considered in attendance for the day. A secondary student must attend a minimum of 75% of any class to be considered in attendance in that class for the day. We discourage early release, except for medical reasons, as it may effect the academic performance of students. Under extenuating circumstances, parents and legal guardians may request an administrative review of a student's attendance record.

Computer Access

Students are to follow acceptable use procedures when accessing information on the computer. Norfolk Public Schools provides Internet access for many students for information and research which enhances approved educational goals and objectives. The Internet Access Agreement, available at the school, requires both student and parent signatures and must be signed before access to Electronic Information systems is granted.

Disrespect

Students are to show the proper respect to each other and to school staff members at all times.

Disruption

Students are not to engage in conduct which causes disruption or obstruction of any school activity. This includes, but is not limited to, chronic talking, throwing objects, horse playing, teasing, making rude noises, and running.

Electronic Devices

Students are not to carry or to have in their possession during the school day any laser lights, radio, tape recorder, television, beeper, cellular phone, toy look-alike, or any similar device. Students who attend after school extra-curricular activities as spectators may have a cellular telephone in their possession. Students may use their cell phones when they are not in the vicinity of the school-related activity.

Fighting

Students are not to engage in any physical contact with another student.

Gangs

Students are not to engage in gang affiliation or gang activity.

Harassment

Students are not to make derogatory statements (racial slurs, name calling), gesture, bully, push, hit, kick, touch, throw anything at anyone, or encourage fighting.

Insubordination

Students are to comply with proper and authorized directions of a staff member.

Misrepresentation

Students are not to falsify any document, forge any name nor make any false statement, written or oral. Students are not to cheat on any test or assignment.

Personal Property

Students are not to possess any object that disrupts or distracts from teaching and learning such as, but not limited to, toys, food, and beverages.

Profanity

Students are not to use profanity or obscenity in words or actions.

Repeated and Continued Violations

When taking disciplinary action for any particular violation, the student's entire disciplinary record shall be considered. A past history of repeated and continued violations may justify strict disciplinary action even if the current violation is a minor one.

Student Attire

In order to ensure that the educational process is conducted in an environment where safety risks, disruptions, and distractions are minimized, all students will adhere to: (1) the standards set forth in the Norfolk Public Schools' Dress Code; and, (2) any requirements imposed at individual schools that have properly adopted a uniform policy.

Generally, student dress should be appropriate for the age, grade level, stage of development and physical facility. Students are not to wear or carry items of apparel to school that may interfere with the instructional process or present a health or a safety hazard to the student wearing or carrying them, or to others.

The Norfolk Public School dress regulation states that students shall not wear the following items:

1. Clothing, pins, jewelry, accessories or other items of adornment displaying obscene, profane, derogatory, violent or gang-related messages, themes, designs or pictures
2. Clothing, pins, jewelry, accessories or other items of adornment conveying messages related to or promoting the use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco products, or messages that promote illegal activities
3. Clothing, pins, jewelry, accessories or other items of adornment depicting bawdy, salacious or sexually suggestive messages
4. Clothing that is transparent or exposes the midriff, navel or cleavage
5. Pants, skirts and/or shorts that sag below the waistline or must be held in place with the hands
6. Underwear as outer garments or clothing that exposes underwear; and items not appropriate for a classroom setting including, but not limited to, stretch lycra, spandex or nylon tights, leotards, biker pants, biker shorts, bathing suits, or pajamas
7. Tank tops, halter tops, garments with spaghetti straps, tube tops, fishnet tops, strapless dresses, or other clothing that is not appropriate because of slits, rips or holes in the garment
8. Shirts/blouses as well as T-shirts. Designed to be worn outside trousers, shorts and skirts may be allowed provided the length of such clothing does not extend below the wrists when both of the student’s hands are at his/her side
9. Accessories which could in some way pose a danger to the wearer or others; and/or could be used as weapons (including, but not limited to, two-or-three finger rings, chains hanging from clothes, picks, or hair chop sticks)
10. Clothing that is too tight and/or is inappropriate in length as measured by any of the following measuring methods, as determined by the building principal/designee:
    1. shorter than six (6) inches above the student's mid-knee; or,
    2. fingertip length as determined when both of the student's hands are at his or her side; or,
    3. Length must pass Flamingo Test (Stand with both feet flat on the floor. Lift one foot and bend the leg backward at a 90-degree angle; the other leg must remain straight. If the back of the skirt touches the calf of the bent leg, the skirt is long enough. If the skirt does not touch the calf, the skirt is too short)
11. Inappropriate footwear (including, but not limited to, shower shoes and beach shoes, such as thongs, bedroom slippers, and unfastened shoes or shoes missing appropriate closures)
12. Head coverings or accessories that are not related to or required by student's bona fide religious practices (including, but not limited to, stocking caps, dew rags, wave caps, scarves or bandanas); and
13. Items that are intended for outdoor use (including, but not limited to, hats, caps, and similar head coverings; scarves; jackets and coats)

  Law Violations

Alcohol

Students are not to use, possess, or distribute any alcoholic beverage, nor come to school after drinking alcohol.

Assault and Battery

Students are not to attempt or engage in any unlawful force or violence against another person.

Arson

Students are not to start a fire nor attempt to start one for any reason.

Bombs

Students are not to bring to school a bomb or any other combustible material. Students are not to make bomb threats.

Burglary

Students are not to unlawfully enter nor attempt to enter a school building.

Disorderly Conduct

Students are not to act in a manner that disrupts the school environment.

Drugs

A student shall not possess, use, transmit, or be under the influence of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, alcoholic beverage or intoxicant, look-alike/imitation, controlled substance, or drug paraphernalia. Students shall also not wear clothing or jewelry depicting drugs, the use of drugs or plants used to derive illegal drugs. All prescribed medications and over-the-counter drugs should be administered by the school nurse or in his/her absence, the principal's designee.

Extortion

Students are not to use threats or intimidation to obtain money or something of value from another person.

Inciting A Riot

Students are not to create, attempt, or cause others to create public violence or disorder.

Miscellaneous

Students are not to engage in any unlawful act such as, but not limited to, gambling, obscene phone calls, false alarms, or satanic activity.

Sexual Harassment Offenses

Students shall not engage in unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, other physical or verbal conduct or communications of a sexual nature, and any other gender-based harassment. Students who believe that they have been the object of such behavior, whether initiated by another student, an employee of the Norfolk Public Schools or some third party (while under the jurisdiction of the Norfolk Public Schools) should report such behavior immediately to a teacher, security guard, school resource officer or any other adult member of the School Administration.

Stalking

Students are not to engage in conduct with the intent to cause emotional distress to another.

Theft

Students are not to steal, or attempt to steal, anything belonging to another.

Threats

Students are not to verbally, or in writing, threaten to strike, attack, or harm another person or facility.

Tobacco Products

Students are not to use or have in their possession any tobacco product. All tobacco products will be confiscated.

Trespassing

Students are not to be on school property illegally.

Vandalism

Students are not to willfully or maliciously destroy property. (This includes graffiti.)

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