| Table of Contents |
BEHAVIOR AND DISCIPLINE35.
BEHAVIORAL CODE OF CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE POLICY AND PROCEDURES Purpose
of Behavioral Code of Conduct The
administration has broad discretionary authority to enact disciplinary
policies and procedures for the purpose of maintaining safety, order and
discipline within the school environment, during school sponsored activities
and at extra-curricular events. The
behavioral code of conduct is designed to provide students with specific,
clear, and consistent expectations regarding the behaviors that they are
expected to engage in across all educational environments and during all
school sponsored activities and events. All
educational environments are defined as, but not limited to bus stops, school
buses, district transportation, school grounds (including but not limited to
the football field, the practice field, the tennis courts, the parking lot and
the sports complex), and within the physical structure of the school
buildings, (Ridgway Area Middle/High School).
All school sponsored activities and events are defined as, but not
limited to athletic events, social events, dances, assemblies, concerts, field
trips, class trips, plays, and graduation ceremonies. The
behavioral code of conduct is based on carefully considered behaviors that are
necessary for students to engage in, to ensure the safety, security, and
welfare of all individuals within the Ridgway Area Middle/High School.
Discipline policies and procedures are reviewed annually and updated as
necessary. The
administration, faculty, and staff acknowledge that situations will occur that
have not been specifically addressed in either policy or procedures.
Situations that occur, which have not been specifically addressed in
either policy or procedures will be dealt with on an individual basis by the
respective administrator or the administrative designee. Ridgway Area
Middle/High School Discipline Procedures Classroom
Management Procedures When
a student engages in inappropriate behavior within the educational environment
and/or during school sponsored activities and events the individual
instructor, who is responsible for the student at the time the student engages
in the inappropriate behavior, will implement his or her classroom management
procedures. Each
individual instructor’s classroom management procedures will include
specific, clear, and consistent expectations regarding students’ behavior in
their classroom, that are reflective of the expectations identified in the
Behavioral Code of Conduct, and the consequences for the students’
inappropriate behavior.
An instructor’s classroom management procedures will be implemented
at the discretion of each individual classroom instructor, prior to utilizing
the behavioral code of conduct and discipline procedures.
The
following inappropriate behaviors may be addressed via classroom management
procedures, prior to the instructors utilizing the discipline procedures. ·
Minor Class Disturbances ·
Disrespectful to Teacher ·
Insubordination ·
Major Class Disturbance ·
Unprepared for Class Discipline
Procedures When
a student engages in inappropriate behaviors, across the educational
environment and/or during school sponsored activities and events, that are a
clear violation of the Ridgway Area Middle/High School discipline policy, the
following discipline procedures will be implemented depending upon the nature
of the student’s violation. Administrators reserve the right to
implement alternative disciplinary procedures based upon the frequency,
intensity and duration of a student’s behavior. This determination
may be made based on, but not limited to, any one of the following:
results of a disciplinary investigation, a review of the student’s school
records, a review of information from the student’s instructor and parental
input. 1. After an instructor has attempted to remediate the student’s behavior through his or her classroom management procedures and in the event that the classroom management procedures have not been effective in eliminating the student’s inappropriate behavior the instructor shall issue the student a discipline referral based upon the nature of the student’s behavior. Each discipline referral will indicate the number of strikes the student has earned as a result of his or her behavior. 2. Parent(s) or Guardian(s) will be notified via mail, after each discipline referral that their child receives. 3.
When a student earns six (6) strikes, one Saturday Remediation will be
assigned to the student. a.
Saturday Remediation is from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm and is supervised by a
faculty member of the Ridgway Area School District. b.
The student is expected to attend Saturday Remediation as it is
scheduled. Students may be excused
from Saturday Remediation in the event of a death in the family, the
student’s personal illness which would require a medical excuse, or a family
emergency. Athletic events,
hunting, and/or vacations are not legitimate excuses for a student being
absent from Saturday Remediation. c.
If a student is unable to attend a Saturday Remediation day as it is
scheduled, the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) must notify the Assistant
Principal prior to the student’s scheduled Saturday Remediation. d.
A student’s failure to attend two (2) or more Saturday Remediation
days as schedule and without an excuse may result in the student being
required to participate in a Behavioral Committee Meeting. e. A student’s failure to attend Saturday Remediation and/or failure to provide the Principal with an excuse prior to the student’s scheduled Saturday Remediation will result in the student earning an additional Saturday Remediation, which would require them to attend two Saturday Remediation days. 4. When a student has earned a cumulative of twenty-four (24) strikes or four (4) days of Saturday Remediation, high school student will be referred to the Behavior Committee for disciplinary review and middle school students will be required to participate in a Principal’s Hearing. Based upon the results of the Behavior Committee Review or Principal’s Hearing, the student may be required to participate in disciplinary contracting, comply with specific discipline guidelines, may be referred to psychological services for a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA), may be recommended for a psychiatric evaluation and/or may be required to participate in alternative education. 5. After the student has participated in a Behavior Committee Review or Principal’s Hearing and in the event that the student continues to engage in inappropriate behaviors in the educational environments and/or during school sponsored activities or events that accumulates to 36 strikes, the student will be referred to the Superintendent of the Ridgway Area School District for an Administrative Council Hearing. At such time the Superintendent may present additional disciplinary recommendations, these recommendations may include but are not limited to a referral to the Ridgway School Board for possible expulsion from the Ridgway Area School District. 6. It should be noted that the disciplinary consequences a student is required to participate in is dependent upon the nature, intensity and frequency of the disciplinary infraction. Disciplinary infractions that threaten the safety, security, and welfare of students, staff and visitors and/or disrupt learning and teaching may result in an immediate Behavior Committee Review/ Principal’s Hearing or Administrative Council Hearing. 7.
Students must complete all
Saturday Remediations, as scheduled, by the end of the school year.
Failure to do so will result in the student’s report card or diploma
being withheld until such time as the student has attended an in-school.
Students have the right to appeal all disciplinary sanctions enacted by faculty, administration and the Superintendent. Students disagreeing with the disciplinary sanctions enacted by a faculty member should appeal the sanction to the Princiapl. Students disagreeing with disciplinary sanctions enacted by the Principal should appeal the sanction to the building Principal. Students disagreeing with the disciplinary sanctions enacted by building Principal should appeal the sanction to the Superintendent. Students disagreeing with the disciplinary sanctions enacted by the Superintendent should appeal the sanction to the School Board or the Courts of Elk County. Suspensions and Expulsions Students who engage in: significant violations to the
discipline policy (level III or level IV on discipline referrals form); who
engage in behaviors that endanger the safety, security, health and/or welfare
of students, staff, or visitor; and/or who engage in serious acts of vandalism to
school property may be suspended (out of school or in school) and/or may be
referred the School Board for expulsion. For additional information
regarding suspensions and expulsions, please refer to school board policy
#233, "Suspension and Expulsion". 36. HOMEROOM BEHAVIOR/CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR At
the 7:42 bell, students are to clear the halls.
By the 7:45 bell, all students should be seated quietly and be prepared
for the opening exercises and announcements. As a sign of respect, students
are to stand during the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance and
remain standing for a moment of silence.
Quiet should be maintained so that the students and teachers can hear
the announcements. Loud talking,
whistling, or scuffling is not permitted in the halls or classrooms. Students
should go to their assigned seats when they enter the classroom.
Students should not sit on the ventilators, windowsills, bookcases, and
desktops, etc. Students are not
permitted to wander around the room or visit friends.
The
consumption of gum/ food in a classroom by the students is left to the
discretion of the individual teacher. If
this privilege is abused, the teacher or building administrator will take
appropriate action. No public display of affection will be permitted in school. School is a public place and appropriate manners and modesty are expected. 38. HALL CONDUCT All movement between classes shall be orderly and reasonably fast. Students in the halls during the playing of the National Anthem are to stop and remain silent until its conclusion. There shall be no loitering in the halls or outside of the classrooms and other areas of the building at any time--before school, after school, during changing of classes, etc. Students are to move directly to scheduled areas, enter, and be seated. A
three (3) minute interval is provided at the end of each class period.
Students may go to the restrooms and drinking fountains during this
time. They
should go directly to their next class and should not loiter or congregate in
the hall during class change. HIGH
SCHOOL STUDENTS are not to be in the Middle School hallway or Middle School
restrooms at any time.
If a high school student needs to report to the office area, he/she is
to use the middle stairs or the stairs by the library. 39. HALL PASSES Middle
School Only ·
A
student must sign out of his or her designated classroom and be provided with
a pass from the supervising instructor, prior to leaving the designated
classroom. High school students
who leave designated classroom areas without a pass will be subject to
disciplinary consequences. ·
Middle
school students who leave designated classroom areas without a pass will be
subject to disciplinary consequences. ·
A
student must obtain prior approval and a pass from the instructor to whose
classroom they intend to go. The
pass must be presented to the student’s instructor, prior to leaving the
designated classroom. ·
Students
must secure passes at least one (1) period in advance from the teacher they
are going to visit during the activity or studyhall period. ·
Under
no circumstances are students to be given passes to go to their lockers during
class time. · Students must secure a pass from the instructor whose classroom they are designated to be in, prior to going to the nurse. · Middle school students will be issued a hall pass, which they are responsible for maintaining through the duration of the school year. High School Only Students who are leaving their assigned class (to go to the restroom, another classroom, the office, the nurse’s office, etc.) must have a RIDGWAY HIGH SCHOOL PASS. At the beginning of each new nine-week grading period and at the mid point of each nine-week grading period, students will be issued a RIDGWAY HIGH SCHOOL PASS. If a student loses his/her pass OR fills his/her pass before receiving a new pass he or she will be given one free pass per school year. Students who request their free pass and find themselves in need of an additional pass because it has been lost or filled may purchase a hall pass from the high school office for $1.00. Proceeds from the hall pass sales shall be deposited into the FAST account which supports the Student Success Assemblies. Students who do not have a hall pass will not be permitted to leave the classroom that they are assigned to (according to their schedule). Students may utilize their hall pass to use the restroom OR students may use the restroom when the teacher initiates a class break. Most instructors initiate a class break one time during the 74-minute instructional period. During these breaks the students are permitted to use the restroom and get a drink from the water fountain. It is the student’s responsibility to make appropriate choices (based on necessity) regarding whether or not they need to leave a scheduled class. RIDGWAY
HIGH SCHOOL PASS procedures:
1. The students are directed to write their names/grades/homeroom in
pen upon receipt of the pass.
2. When a student needs to leave class for any reason, the student asks
the teacher’s permission.
3. With teacher permission, the student completes the first four
columns of his/her pass. The
student 4. The sending teacher briefly reviews the pass and signs his/her name. 5. The student signs out of class on the sign out sheet and reports directly to the area that he/she requested to go.
40. LOCKERS Student
Responsibilities: Every
student at the Ridgway Middle-High School is assigned a locker, in which they
are permitted to keep books, bags, coats, hats and other belongings. In your
locker, you are permitted to store only those items that are necessary for you
to complete your schoolwork and those items that are necessary for you to
participate in extracurricular school sponsored activities.
You are not to keep valuables in your locker.
You are to keep your locker neat and orderly. Decorating
the inside of your locker is permitted provided that you follow these rules: *
you are not permitted to write directly on the locker surface; use paper for
signs and notes, etc. *
you are not permitted to use profanity and vulgarity either written or
pictorial *
you must remove all decorations at the end of the school year *
you must use magnets and/or putty when decorating your locker; you are not
permitted to use tape of any sort. You are not to give your combination/key to other students. You are not to share your locker with other students. You are not to store items of contraband in your locker. You are not to permitted to jam your locker for easy access. If your locker becomes jammed or the lock no longer functions properly, it is your responsibility to report the malfunctions to the high school office immediately. A locker that does not work/lock is NOT AN EXCUSE FOR CARRYING YOUR CELL PHONE ON YOUR PERSON DURING THE SCHOOL DAY. Each locker has a combination lock. Your combination lock is given to you and you are responsible for keeping that combination confidential. It is your responsibility to keep your locker locked. You are not to keep valuables in your locker. All valuables and large sums of money should be left at home. The RASD will not be held responsible for any item(s) of value that is stolen from or damaged, while it is being stored in the locker. Administration’s
Responsibilities: Your
locker is the property of the RASD. Administrators
of the RASD have the broad discretionary authority to maintain safety, order
and discipline in the school environment and therefore the administration
reserves the right to conduct periodic random searches of student lockers.
A school wide locker search may be done by the administration and by
trained canine units and their handlers, at any time during the school year.
An
individual locker search may be conducted on the basis of the administration
having reasonable suspicion that the contents of the locker may include
contraband that is detrimental to the health, safety, security and welfare of
the student body, faculty and staff. The
following personnel are permitted to search your locker:
school principal, assistant to the superintendent
for special education, school psychologist, guidance counselor and/or school
personnel designated by the administration may search your locker if they have
reasonable suspicion. Prior to individual locker searches, the student may be
notified and given the opportunity to be present; however, if there are safety
issues, the student will not be present.
Consideration of a student being present during a locker search will be
given on a case-by-case basis. Any
student who is found to be in possession of contraband either on his or her
person and/or in his or her locker will face disciplinary consequences in
accordance with the student handbook, school board policy and PA school code. A
locker assignment is a privilege. In
order to access such a privilege, you must be willing to accept these terms.
Since textbooks are furnished free, pupils are requested to take care of assigned textbooks. Textbooks are to be covered. Lost or defaced books will be charged to students. Students will be assessed the value of replacing the book. Report cards will be held and a senior diploma will not be issued until all debts are paid. 42. COMPUTER NETWORK VANDALISM AND MISUSE All students of Ridgway Area Middle-High School are required and
expected to abide by the Acceptable Use Agreement (AUA) which must be signed
by both the student and his or her parent/legal guardian.
Acceptable Use Agreements are distributed to students on the first day
of school and are promulgated by Board Policy #815. Purpose:
All use of the Internet and computer network must be in support of
education, instruction, and research and it must be consistent with the
purposes of the Ridgway Area School District. The Internet and computer
networks will be used to support the district’s curriculum, the educational
community, communications and research
conducted by the District’s students, faculty, staff,
and administrators for legitimate purposes that relate directly to the
purpose of the Ridgway Area School District. Authority:
The Ridgway Area School District reserves the right to log internet
use, to monitor fileserver space utilization, to review files and
communications by District users while respecting the privacy rights of both
School District users and outside users.
The Ridgway Area School District reserves the right to permit the
unblocking of blocked sites for legitimate educational, instructional, and/or
research purposes when requested by a faculty member.
A blocked site is a site that contains content that could possibly
expose the user to obscenities, pornography, and/or other material that is
deemed harmful to the user. However, many blocked sites are of significant educational
value and are also blocked when taking these security measures.
For example, if a health teacher wanted students to conduct research on
breast cancer, all breast cancer sites would be blocked simply because of the
reference to the word “breast”. The
Ridgway Area School District reserves the right to deny the unblocking of
blocked sites as requested by a faculty member when the blocked site is
determined to be a security risk to the District’s network and technological
infrastructure and/or is determined to potentially have a detrimental affect
on our students, faculty, and/or administration (for example those sites
containing obscenities/pornography and/or other material that is deemed
harmful to the user). The Ridgway
Area School District reserves the right to remove a user account from the
network to prevent further unauthorized or illegal activity. Procedures:
Only the authorized owner of
the account will use network accounts for authorized purposes.
Network users shall respect the privacy of other users on the system
and all communications and information accessible via the network should be
assumed to be private property and shall not be disclosed except for District
purposes which are consistent with the objectives of this and related
policies. Use of Ridgway School
District’s computer hardware, software, network, Internet or e-mail requires
the signing of the UAU form by all users.
If the user is under the age of 18 and/or is a student living with a
parent or guardian, the signature of the parent or guardian is also required. The district, at its sole discretion, may waive the signature
of young users or those unable to read or fully comprehend these policies and
the AUA. (Parent or guardian is
still required. Prohibitions:
The use of the Internet and computer network for illegal, inappropriate
or unethical purposes by students, employees or other authorized users is
prohibited. More specifically: ¨
Use of the network and/or the
Internet to facilitate illegal activity is prohibited. ¨
Use of the network and /or the
Internet for commercial or for-profit purposes is prohibited. ¨
Use of the network and/or the
Internet for non-work or non-school related communications is prohibited. ¨
Use of the network and /or the
Internet for product advertisement or political lobbying is prohibited. ¨
Malicious use of the network
and/or the Internet to develop or install programs that harass other users or
infiltrate a computer system and/or damage the software components of a
computer or system is prohibited. ¨
The creation, use or sharing of
computer viruses is prohibited. ¨
Hate mail, harassment,
discriminatory remarks, and other antisocial communications on the network
and/or the Internet is prohibited. ¨
The illegal installation,
distribution, reproduction or use of copyrighted software on district
computers is prohibited. ¨
Use of the network and/or the
Internet to access obscene, pornographic or socially unacceptable material is
prohibited. ¨
Use of the network and /or the
Internet to transmit material likely to be offensive or objectionable to
recipients is prohibited. ¨
Use of the network and/or the
Internet intentionally to obtain or modify files, passwords or data belonging
to other users is prohibited. ¨
Use of the network and/or the
Internet to misrepresent other users on the network and/or the Internet is
prohibited. ¨
Use of school technology, the
network and/or the Internet for fraudulent copying, communications or
modification of materials in violation of law is prohibited and will be
referred to appropriate authorities. ¨
Loading or use of unauthorized
games, programs, files or other electronic media is prohibited. ¨
The network and/or the Internet
shall not be used to disrupt the work of others; and the hardware or software
of other users shall not be destroyed, modified or abused in any way. ¨
Use of the network and/or the
Internet that results in any copyright violations is prohibited. ¨
Students are not permitted to
have open beverage containers near computers. ¨
The use of computer floppy disks
is strongly discouraged by the district. Students, teachers, and staff are to store data in their
personal user files – not on floppy disks.
If disk material is absolutely necessary, the disk must be scanned for
viruses prior to being introduced to network files. Consequences:
Ridgway Area School District
may implement disciplinary consequences and/or may terminate accessibility to
the Internet and/or network at its sole discretion.
Additionally, criminal charges may be pursued. Inappropriate
Use- The network and/or the Internet user, whether student, employee or
other user, shall be responsible for damages to the equipment, systems or
software resulting from deliberate or willful acts. 44. USE/POSSESSION OF DRUGS/ALCOHOL/TOBACCO (board policy #227 & #222) Being
under the influence, consuming, using, or possessing alcohol, drugs, drug
paraphernalia, and/or tobacco products in school or at any school sponsored
function home or away, by any student whether a spectator or member of an
extracurricular or co-curricular group is prohibited.
Students should be aware that discussions with faculty, staff, and/or
peers, within the school setting, that are specific to an individual’s
substance use/abuse may meet the standard of reasonable suspicion and may
result in the administration conducting a thorough investigation of the
subject(s) of such discussions. Students
in violation of this rule risk suspension/expulsion from school,
suspension/expulsion from their extracurricular group, (such as but not
limited to sporting events and competitions, awards ceremonies, dances (Prom,
etc), graduation and fieldtrips) as well as referral to the appropriate law
enforcement agencies. Repeat
offenders will be referred to the Board of Education for expulsion from
school. Alcohol
abuse, underage drinking and substance abuse are community problems that
affect individuals without regard to age or economic status.
We call upon the entire community to realize the insidious and
destructive nature of the inappropriate use of alcohol or substances.
The
administration defines drugs and drug paraphernalia as the following.
Drugs include but are not limited to any illegal substances,
unauthorized substances and/or prohibited substances.
Illegal
substances are defined as those substances that cannot be obtained via a
prescription. Illegal substances include, but are not limited to, marijuana,
heroin, club drugs (ecstasy), cocaine, crack, crystal meth, crank, hash,
Special K, inhalants (chemical solvents and glue), air dusters, whip its, dxm,
hallucinogens (acid, pcp, mushrooms), capsule, and methamphetamines.
Students found to be under the influence of, in possession of, using,
and/or consuming illegal substances during the school day, on school property,
during school sponsored activities or events will face a disciplinary
investigation that includes the involvement of school administration and local
law enforcement. Unauthorized
drugs are substances that are prescribed by a physician and/or health care
professional AND are being used by a student(s) inappropriately (not as
prescribed) and/or by a student(s) who is not the intended recipient (as
indicated by the prescription) of the substance.
Students who use unauthorized substances are essentially using illegal
substances. Unauthorized
substances include, but are not limited to, anti-anxiety medication (xanax,
Valium, benzodiazepines), amphetamines/stimulants (Ritalin, ephedrine),
narcotics (opium, opiates, oxycotin, morphine, codeine, heroin, darvon,
Demerol, methadone, and fentanyl), barbiturates (Seconal, Amytal, Nembutal),
anti-depressants (Wellbutrin, lexapro, prozac), buprenorphine, asthma
medication, and epi pens. If a
student must take a prescription medication during the school day, the
student’s parents must contact the school nurse regarding the appropriate
procedures or consult school board policy #210, “Use of Medication”.
Students found to be under the influence of, in possession of, using,
and/or consuming unauthorized substances during the school day, on school
property, during school sponsored activities or events will face a
disciplinary investigation that includes the involvement of school
administration and local law enforcement.
Prohibited
substances are defined as substance that can be obtained over the counter
(OTC) from local pharmacy and grocery stores.
Students are not permitted to have prohibited substances on their
persons and/or in their lockers. Students
are not permitted to use, consume, possess or dispense prohibited substances.
Prohibited substances include, but are not limited to, aspirin,
Tylenol, cold and cough medications, benadryl, and/or sinus medication.
If a student is in need of such medication he/she should seek medical
attention from the school nurse. Students found to be under the influence of,
in possession of, using, and/or consuming prohibited substances during the
school day, on school property, during school-sponsored activities or events
will face a disciplinary investigation that includes the involvement of school
administration. Drug
paraphernalia is defined as any mechanism, item, object and/or material that
is used by a student to consume and/or use any illegal, unauthorized, and/or
prohibited substance(s) while in school, on school property and/or while
participating in school sponsored activities or events.
Drug paraphernalia includes, but is not limited, to roach clips, bongs,
rolling papers, mirrors, razor blades, pipes, straws, syringes, eye droppers,
spoons, plastic tubing, and /or cards (credit, driver’s licenses, etc),
Students found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia during the school
day, on school property, during school sponsored activities or events will
face a disciplinary investigation that includes the involvement of school
administration and local law enforcement.
The
administration has broad discretionary authority to maintain safety, order and
discipline in the school environment, on school property and during school
sponsored activities and events. In
the event that the administration has reasonable suspicion that a student
(enrolled in the Ridgway Area School District) is present in school, is
present on school property and/or is present at school sponsored
activities/events AND is under the influence of, in possession of, using,
and/or consuming illegal, unauthorized, and/or prohibited substances and/or
drug paraphernalia a disciplinary investigation shall be conducted that will
involve school administration and may involve local law enforcement.
Students and parents should be aware that the investigative process may
include students being required to participate in a urine screen at a health
care facility. The first option
is Med Express facility in Ridgway and the second option is Elk Regional
Health Center in St. Marys. A
urine screen required as part of a disciplinary investigation that has
resulted from reasonable suspicion is separate from the mandatory random and
confidential urine screens required for students participating in competitive
extra-curricular activities. Parents
and students should also be aware that Ridgway Area School District’s
administration, faculty and staff recognize that substance abuse among the
student population is becoming increasingly more predominant as indicated by
the frequency of drug related policy violations, as well as the frequent drug
related crimes committed within the community.
A student’s abuse of illegal, unauthorized, and/or prohibited
substances prior to, during and/or after school hours adversely impacts their
academic, social, emotional, and physical well-being.
In addition, the Ridgway Area School District’s administration,
faculty and staff recognize the deleterious effects that substance abuse has
on the motivation, memory, judgment, reaction time, coordination, and
performance of students engaged in instructional activities within the school
environment. As
a result, the Ridgway Area School District’s administration has authorized
that the halls, lockers, restrooms, locker rooms, grounds, and parking lots
(including vehicles parked in school parking lots and/or on school property)
are subject to random, confidential searches by canines certified and trained
to detect narcotics and weapons. If any student, parent, and/or community member has any questions regarding the need for or the scope of the use of canines to conduct random and confidential searches within the Ridgway Middle High School, please contact the building principal. Thank
you for your continued cooperation with the Ridgway Area School District in
their ongoing efforts to make the Ridgway Middle/High School a safer and drug
free environment. Students
are reminded that the use of tobacco is prohibited within one thousand (1,000)
feet of school property. Possession/use
of tobacco products for the first offense subject the student to fines and
court costs of no less than $50.00, or to be assigned to an adjudication
alternative. Each subsequent offense will carry the same fine plus three- (3)
days suspension from school and referral to the S.A.P./R.E.A.C.H. program. Possession
or use of tobacco products or smokeless tobacco by a student in a school
building, van or other vehicles or on school property owned by, leased by or
under the control of a school district is prohibited and a summary offense.
Tobacco use or possession on buses, vans or other vehicles, owned by, leased
or under the control of a school district is also prohibited by teachers,
coaches and drivers. School districts must initiate prosecution. Conviction of
this offense can not be placed on a criminal record. We
call upon you to view alcohol and substance abuse in the same way they would
any disease or criminal activity. We
request government, parental, health services, clerical, and community
cooperation and collaboration by: The
Ridgway Area School District resolves to: 1.
Continue to support drug and alcohol programs within the school’s
curriculum activity agenda. Furthermore,
to provide the necessary resources to the school principals so that drug and
alcohol progress can be continued and expanded. 2.
Prosecute to the fullest extent of the law any individual that brings
drugs or alcohol onto or into the facilities of the Ridgway Area School
District. 3.
Prohibit the use of alcohol by any adult engaged in a banquet activity
sponsored by the Ridgway Area School District. Furthermore, request all
booster clubs to consider alcohol free banquet activities.
We believe that this request can be accomplished in our local
restaurants, however, if not, we offer our facilities at no charge. 4.
Require school principals, and support their efforts, to enact policies
that prohibit student absence for reasons other than illness or personal
necessity. 5. Require school principals to immediately notify the police and parents when student absentee patterns suggest possible gathering of minors engaged in the consumption of alcohol or inappropriately using substances. 45.
UNLAWFUL HARASSMENT (board
policy #248) Harassment
shall consist of verbal, written, graphic or physical conduct relating to an
individual’s race, color, national origin/ethnicity, gender, age,
disability, sexual orientation or religion when such conduct: 1.
Is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it affects an
individual’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational
program or activity or creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive
educational environment. 2.
Has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonable interfering
with an individual’s academic performance. 3.
Otherwise adversely affects an individual’s learning opportunities. Sexual
harassment shall consist of unwelcome sexual advances; requests for sexual
favors; and other inappropriate verbal, written, graphic or physical conduct
of a sexual nature when: 1.
Submission to such conduct is made explicitly or implicitly a term or
condition of a Student’s academic status. 2.
Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for
academic or work decisions affecting the individual. 3.
Such conduct deprives a student of educational aid, benefits, services
or treatment. 4.
Such conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it
has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with the student’s
school performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive
educational environment. Sexual
harassment includes but is not limited to : 1.
Sexual flirtations, advances, touching or propositions. 2.
Verbal abuse of a sexual nature (teasing, jokes, remarks, or gestures). 3.
Graphic or suggestive comments about an individual’s dress or body
(pin-ups; calendars; objects; graffiti). 4.
Vulgar statements; abusive language; innuendoes; references to sexual
activities. 5.
Pressure for dates. 6.
Letters, phone calls, or material of a sexual nature. 7.
Sexually explicit or suggestive gestures. 8.
Deliberate touching, fondling, cornering, or pinching. 9.
Pressure for sexual favors. 10.
Actual or attempted rape or sexual assault. 11.
Being a victim of sexual rumors. 12.
Having one’s clothes pulled off or down. 13.
Overt sexual conduct; or any conduct that has the effect of
unreasonably interfering with a student’s ability to work or learn or
creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive learning or working environment. Consequences of Unlawful
Harassment
Socially
Other
students may laugh at sexual harassment, but for the most part they will avoid
people who participate in such behavior.
At the very least they usually consider harassers perverted or crude. Educationally
It
will be the policy of the Ridgway School District that any student involved in
the sexual harassment of another student shall receive no less than a
seven-day out-of-school suspension. Depending
on the severity of the incident perpetrators may be recommended for expulsion. Criminally
When
the victim or their family presses criminal charges a court case will ensue.
If found guilty, punishments range from large fines to incarceration.
Whatever the result the convicted harasser carries a criminal record
for life. Civilly
Sexual harassment
lawsuits have resulted in settlements in the millions of dollars. Any suspected incident of unlawful harassment must be reported to the administration immediately. All complaints must be referred to one of the following administrators:
*For
further clarification of the unlawful harassment policies of the Ridgway
School District log on to www.ridgwayareaschooldistrict.com.
Go to “Office of the Superintendent” then “Policies of the
Ridgway Area School District”. Reference
policies 103, 104, 248, 348, 448, and 548. Bullying is defined as any kind of ongoing physical
or verbal mistreatment where there is an imbalance of power.
It can also be defined as the repeated aggression, verbal,
psychological or physical conduct by an individual or groups against others.
Bullying is usually deliberate and repetitive. Types of bullying behavior include, but are not
limited to:
Teasing, name-calling, mocking, taunting, threats, spreading false
stories or notes, gestures, hitting, taking belongings, touching
other’s belongings, shoving, slapping, grabbing, physical intimidation,
choosing to exclude students from a
group. Students should not retaliate to bullying.
Report it to the teacher and/or principal. The consequences of bullying may be a warning,
discipline referral, Saturday Remediation, suspension, student conference,
parent conference, and/or police report depending upon the severity of the
behavior(s). *Please note that this is not an all-inclusive list 47.
WEAPONS (board
policy #218) Weapons
and replicas of weapons are forbidden on school property.
Weapons shall include, but are not be limited to, firearms, knives,
metal knuckles, razor blades, straight razors, matches, lighters, explosives,
noxious, irritating, or poisonous gases.
Poisons, drugs or other items fashioned with the intent to use, sell,
harm, threaten, or harass students, staff members, parents, and patrons. “Dangerous
weapon” means any weapon, device, instrument, material or substance, animate
or inanimate, which under circumstances in which it is used, attempted to be
used or threatened to be used is readily capable of causing death or serious
physical injury. Any
loaded or unloaded firearm or dangerous weapon possessed on or about a person
while on district property is subject to seizure and forfeiture. Incidents
of students possessing weapons will be reported to the student’s parents and
to the police. An immediate
suspension followed by a recommendation for expulsion and/or legal action will
be taken against students who possess weapons and with students who assist
possession in any way. An
expulsion period of one (1) year minimum for any student who brings a weapon
onto school property will be imposed. The
Superintendent may recommend modifications of such expulsion requirements for
a student on a case-by-case basis. Students
may be required to participate in S.A.P./R.E.A.C.H. upon their return to
school. Weapons under the control of law enforcement personnel are permitted. The Superintendent may authorize other persons to possess weapons in school buildings. The Superintendent may prescribe special conditions or procedures to be followed before giving such authorization. 48.
TERRORISTIC THREATS/ACTS (board
policy #218) The
Board recognizes the danger that terroristic threats and acts by students
present to the health, safety, security, and welfare of the district’s
students, staff and community. The
Board acknowledges the need for an immediate and effective response to a
situation involving such a threat or act. Terroristic
threat -- shall
mean a threat to commit violence communicated with the intent to terrorize
another, to cause evacuation of a building, or to cause serious public
inconvenience, in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or
inconvenience. Terroristic
act -- shall
mean an offense against property or involving danger to another person. The
Board prohibits any district student from communicating terroristic threats or
committing terroristic acts directed at any student, employee, Board member,
community member or school building. The
Board directs the Superintendent to react promptly and appropriately to
information and knowledge concerning a possible or actual terroristic threat
or act. Staff
members and students shall be responsible for informing the building principal
regarding any information or knowledge relevant to a possible or actual
terroristic threat or act. When
an administrator has evidence that a student has made a terroristic threat or
committed a terroristic act, the following guidelines shall be applied: 1.
The building principal may immediately suspend the student AND/OR
report the student to law enforcement officials. 2.
The Superintendent may recommend expulsion of the student to the Board. If
a student is expelled or suspended for making terroristic threats or
committing terroristic acts, the Board or Administration may require, prior to
readmission, that the student does not pose a risk of harm to others,
including but not limited to counseling, psychological evaluation, SAP (REACH)
Team referral or other appropriate sanctions. If
a student is expelled for making terroristic threats or committing terroristic
acts upon return to school, the student shall be subject to random searches. In
the case of the exceptional student, the District will take all steps
necessary to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Students
must be empowered with accepting responsibility for their own safety.
Reporting violence is not “squealing” but rather a mature persons response
to anyone who threatens the disruption of a secure environment. Administrators
and personnel cannot take threats of violence lightly. Threats of violence or
suicide must result in an immediate action that includes but is not limited to
the following: A.
An immediate conference with the student. B.
Parental involvement. C.
An immediate referral to the psychologist or behavioral therapist. D. An immediate referral to an outside agency. E. Police involvement. | |||||