School Policies

Public schools are responsible for the academic progress of all students and for the development of self control and social responsibility acceptable to the purposes of a democratic society. In order to achieve maximum efficiency in meeting this responsibility, teachers and administrators must be concerned with both the curricular and extra-curricular activities of students.

A wholesome atmosphere of good teaching and reasonable rules of conduct create an environment con-ducive to the individual growth of students. Reasonable rules of conduct create an operational framework which governs the social and academic life of the school. Within this framework all students should be able to complete the required educational program, as well as to attain personal development goals within the limits of their own individual capacities. Every effort is made in the schools of this District to maintain the privilege of youth to receive an education; however, if a student violates the regulations of school citizen-ship or ignores the implications of educational standards, his privilege of attendance may be revoked.

The Board of Education has endorsed this Discipline Code and will support school personnel in carry-ing out the intent of the policies as set forth in the following pages.

 

Individual self-direction is the goal of roles of discipline, and the majority of pupils in the public schools progress from complete adult direction to self-direction with a minimum application of disciplinary measures. However, there are a few who conform to policies and regulations only when it pleases them or when punishment deters them.
The Board of Education offers a program of education to prepare youth for citizenship and to create an awareness of the individual’s responsibility for his own actions in accordance with the rules of socially accepted conduct.
Unfortunately, sometimes it is necessary for school officials to punish students because of misbehavior. California Education Code states that the governing board of any school district may make and enforce all rules and regulations needed for the government and discipline of the schools under its charge and that the governing board shall enforce these provisions by suspending or, if necessary, expelling pupils who refuse or neglect to obey such rules or regulations. The Education Code states also, in Section 48900.5. that suspension shall be imposed only when other means of correction fail to bring about proper conduct, provided that a pupil may be suspended for any of the reasons enumerated in Section 48900 upon a first offense, if the Principal or Superintendent of Schools determines that the pupil violated subdivision (a) - (o) inclusive of Section 48900 or that the pupil’s presence causes a danger to person or property or is a threat to disrupting the instructional process, and for any reasons listed in Sections 48900.2,48900.3 and 48900.4.
The following statements represent a framework of Board of Education policies and administrative regulations for the guidance of students, parents, teachers, and administrators.

Every pupil must attend school punctually and regularly, conform to the regulations of the school, obey promptly all the directions of his teacher and others in authority, observe good order and propriety of deportment, be diligent in study, respectful to his/her teacher/s and others in authority, be kind and oblig-ing to schoolmates, and refrain entirely from the use of profane and vulgar language. (Admin. Code, Title 5, Education, Section 300)

All pupils shall comply with the regulations, pursue the required course of study. and submit to the authority of the teachers of the school. (Ed. Code 48908)

Every teacher in the public schools shall hold pupils to a strict account for their conduct on the way to and from school, on the playgrounds, or during recess. (Ed, Code 44807)