HILLCREST MIDDLE SCHOOL CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT FOR GRADES 6-8

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IV. STUDENT CONDUCT REQUIREMENTS

While under school jurisdiction, students are required to conduct themselves at all times in a manner that is in the best interest of the school and community. It is expected that students will

A. Conform to reasonable standards of speech, conduct, and dress.
B. Refrain from violating or impairing the rights of others, including physical abuse.
C. Avoid conduct that deprives other students of an orderly atmosphere for learning.
D. Not knowingly possess, handle, or transmit any object that can reasonably be considered a weapon.
E. Refrain from the use, transmission, or possession of alcoholic beverages, hallucinogens, or other drugs not prescribed by a registered physician; nor be under the influence of the same on school premises when school is in session or at any school sponsored activity or event.
F. Refrain from the use, transmission, or possession of tobacco products, including matches or lighters, on school premises when school is in session or at any school-sponsored event or activity.
G. Refrain from malicious and willful damage, destruction, or theft of school or private property.
H. Remain at school, or at other officially designated places, upon coming under the school's jurisdiction, and follow daily schedules as prescribed by school officials.
I. Comply with the directions of principals, teachers or other authorized school personnel during any period of time when they are properly under the authority of school personnel.
J. Refrain from the physical display of affection while at school, on school property, or at any school sponsored activity or event. Serious violations, including fondling, will result in disciplinary actions.
K. Attend school regularly and be on time for all classes and scheduled activities. Conduct by a student in any manner which interferes with classwork or involves substantial disorder, or invasion of the rights of others, is a basis for disciplinary action; including suspension or expulsion of the student. In addition, certain other violations of the Code may result in suspension or expulsion.

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V. DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Before disciplining a student, an administrator shall conduct an investigation, gather the facts, and develop a written report where practical. He/she shall then confront the student and advise him/her of the alleged violation of the Code and that he/she proposes to punish the student with restriction of privileges, work assignment (such as picking up paper, washing desk tops, sweeping floors, etc.), in-school suspension, detention, out-of-school suspension, and/or recommendation for expulsion. If the student admits the charges, no further hearing is required. If the student denies the charges, an administrator shall explain the evidence known to school authorities and permit the student a reasonable opportunity to state his/her version of the facts. An administrator need not call witnesses, either to sustain or oppose the charges, although he/she may do so. Where the conduct of the student requires that he/she be punished, written notice to the student and to the parent or other person in -loco-parentis will be given, stating the nature of the conduct leading to the punishment. Parents will be notified if a student is to be kept in detention hall at least one day in advance. If a student has been injured, parents or guardians of the student should be notified.

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A. The following violations entail conduct which is considered disruptive and/or criminal, or is otherwise so serious in nature as to require that expulsion proceedings be initiated on the first offense.

1. (A) The Offenses:
a. Weapons openly displayed or concealed about the student's person, upon school premises, school athletic field, or school buses. A weapon is defined as a gun, pistol, or other type of firearm, dirk, knife, dagger, metal knuckles, blackjack, or any other object or thing usually used for the infliction of personal injury. (If in the principal's judgment a pocket knife, or other item of general usage might be considered a weapon, is inadvertently brought to school by the student, the principal may exercise discretion in assigning punishment within the bounds of the Code and State Law).
b. Use, transmission, or possession of narcotics, hallucinogens, marijuana, any substance which resembles a drug, or other drugs not prescribed by a physician, or using such drugs while under the jurisdiction of the school, or beings on school grounds under the influence of such drugs.
c. Possession or consumption of alcoholic drinks on school grounds and/or being under the influence of alcoholic drink while on school grounds under the jurisdiction of the school.
d. Physically abusing a member of the school's staff.
e. Arson and/or serious damage to school property.
f. Any activity which creates or has the potential of creating a major disruption of the school's program.
g. Sex violations, including indecent exposure and offenses against common decency.

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2. (A) The Disciplinary Procedure:

For any of the offenses listed above, a student shall be suspended by an administrator. If the offense is deemed serious enough for expulsion, the principal shall recommend that the student be expelled for the remainder of the school year. In making such recommendation, the principal shall include information as to any extenuating, mitigating, or aggravating circumstances. The parent of guardian shall be notified in writing and informed of the right to appeal the principal's recommendation. The written notice shall include the reason for the suspension and shall set a time and place where the administrator shall be available for a conference with the parent or guardian. Such conference shall be within three days of the date of the suspension.
B. The following violations entail conduct which is considered disorderly, disruptive, and/or criminal in nature and may result in other disciplinary action, including in or out-of-school suspension and/or expulsion in certain instances when the occur while the student is on school property and/or under the jurisdiction of the school, including while riding a school bus.

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B. The following violations entail conduct which is considered disorderly, disruptive, and/or criminal in nature and may result in other disciplinary action, including in or out-of-school  suspension and/or expulsion in certain instances when they occur while the student is on school property and/or under the jurisdiction of the school, including while riding a school bus.

1. (B) The Offenses:
a. Leaving school without permission from school authorities.
b. Failing to attend classes or an assigned activity.
c. Leaving a classroom or school building without appropriate approval.
d. Bringing fireworks on school grounds or causing them to explode.
e. Stealing school, staff, or student property. In incidents where appropriate, law enforcement agencies will be involved.
f. Vandalizing or damaging school, staff, or student property.
g. Blackmailing, threatening, assaulting, battering, molesting, or intimidating other students or school employees.
h. Using language and/or gestures, directed at or to any school employee, which are determined to be offensive, abusive, obscene, or profane.
i. Expressing dishonesty in any form.
j. Being repeatedly tardy to assigned classes and activities.
k. Being absent from school without the parent's knowledge.
l. Possessing, distributing, or selling materials unauthorized by the principal.
m. Gambling on school grounds or in the school building.
n. Forging of a signature.
o. Use of offensive, abusive, obscene, or profane language or gestures to any student.
p. Refusing to obey any reasonable instruction or direction of a teacher, administrator, or other authorized school personnel.
q. Possessing or displaying pornographic materials.
r. Excessively repeating minor violations or disturbances of the school program.
s. Illegally entering the building or grounds.
t. Fighting and/or provoking a fight.
u. Using any type of tobacco products at school or any act which would indicate use of or possession of tobacco, including matches or lighters.
v. Wearing clothing that is inappropriate for the school setting - no tank tops, no bare midriffs, no alcoholic promotions on clothing,  no jeans tattered or torn above the knee.
Relative to the above list, it is not necessary that the same offense be repeated in order to apply the provisions for a second or third offense. Second and third offenses shall be cumulative from any of the violations on this list. Also, if in the judgment of the school principal a first or second violations so warrants, expulsion may be recommended.

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2. (B) The Disciplinary Procedure:
Other disciplinary action consists of restriction of privileges, work assignments, detention, in-school suspension, and out-of-school suspension. For these offenses at least one conference, or written communication if neither a personal nor a telephone conference can be arranged, should be held with the student's parent(s) or guardian(s) prior to a suspension. This communication shall serve as a warning to the parent or guardian that a suspension is imminent if violations continue. It is recognized, however, that situations will arise which the principal may consider serious enough to warrant immediate suspension. In such cases, a warning conference prior to suspension is not required.
When a pupil is suspended from school, the administrator shall notify, in writing, the parents or legal guardian of the pupil, giving the reason for such suspension and setting a time and place when the administrator shall be available for a conference with the parents or guardian. The conference shall be set within three days of the date of suspension.
When suspension is necessary, it should be for no more than three(3) days of the first suspension, no more than five (5) days on the second suspension, and no more than ten (10) days on the third suspension. Following a suspension, other forms of punishment may be in order before another suspension is administered. Subsequent procedures would be those discussed above for expulsion offenses.
A student cannot attend any Hillcrest Middle School function while under in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
Failure to accept any appropriate punishment may result in suspension.

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C. Influencing Other Students
Any student, or students, who shall knowingly and willingly encourage, aid, counsel, advise, assist or cause any other student or students to violate the provisions of this Code shall be subject to the same penalties as the student, or students, who actually committed the violation.

D. Violations Not Specifically Covered:
The principals and teachers, at their discretion, may determine appropriate punishment for instances of misconduct not specifically covered in these policies. Teachers or other staff members are encouraged to rectify minor infractions or disorderly types of conduct immediately upon observation, or notification and verification of the same. The student will be placed in an area under supervision. Records should be kept of the infraction and sanctions imposed.
Chronic misbehavior may disqualify students from participation in extracurricular activities. The student will be notified ahead of time regarding any disqualification. Situations of this nature will go through administrative channels.

E. Parent Conferences:
Parents should be aware that they may be called to school for conferences.
At the discretion of an administrator, a student who has been suspended may not be allowed to return to school until a conference has occurred between an administrator and parent or guardian.

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VI. NON-STUDENTS ON GROUNDS
The principal is empowered to take appropriate action against non-students who invade the building, grounds, or other school property. Such action shall include the right to request assistance from police authorities and swear out warrants.

VI. DISCIPLINE OF HANDICAPPED STUDENTS

A. Disciplinary Process
Handicapped students are not exempt from school disciplinary procedures, nor are they entitled to remain in a particular program when their conduct substantially impairs the education of other students in the program. However, the public schools are required by federal and state law and regulations to meet the individual educational needs of handicapped students to the extent that current educational expertise permits.

B. Program Prescriptions
The student's handicapping conditions must be taken into consideration when deciding if a particular form of discipline is to be utilized. Administrative authorities should observe any such provisions contained in a handicapped student's individual education plan, the initiation of suspension proceedings which are conducted in accordance with this regulation.

C. Suspensions
At the end of the suspension, the student should, if appropriate be returned to the same educational placement.

D. Expulsions
Expulsion of a handicapped student is equivalent to a change in educational placement and therefore requires special procedures. Before a handicapped stude4nt may be expelled, a multi-disciplinary team must determine whether or not there is a connection between the handicapping condition and the misconduct. If there is a connection or causal relationship between the handicapping condition and the misconduct, then expulsion resulting in cessation of education services for that student would not be allowed.

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BUS CONDUCT

Each student shall be subject to transportation laws, rules, and regulations from the time he/she steps onto the school bus until the school bus route is complete or until the student arrives at his/her appropriate or normal destination. Normal destinations shall be either home or school unless otherwise specified by a principal or the principal's designee.
The School Board authorizes principals to suspend or expel students from riding school buses for misconduct on the bus or for violating the instructions of the driver. Reviews of such action are to follow the established appeal procedure.
Bus drivers cannot suspend a student from riding the bus. This decision can only be made by the principal or his/her designee, of the school the student attends, or by the principal of a school served by that bus.
When in the judgment of an authorized employee any student's behavior endangers the lives of bus students, then the employee may remove that student immediately from the bus until said student has had a conference with his/her principal.

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REGULATIONS FOR SCHOOL BUS RIDERS

Who Rides the Bus?
By the laws of the State of South Carolina, the school districts cannot:
1. Transport any child to or from school who lives within one and a half miles of the school he/she attends.
2. Provide transportation services extending within a one-half mile radius of the residence of the child.
3. Furnish transportation for any child who attends school outside the pupil's attendance area.
All other pupils are furnished bus transportation. School bus stops on each route must be spaced at distances of not less than two tenths of a mile apart at safe points. State law prohibits anyone other than students, school officials, or law enforcement officers from boarding or otherwise interfering with the operation of school buses.

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Parents:
In the interest of safety for all school bus riders, the following district-wide regulations are in effect and are furnished for your information and compliance.
1. Be on time at the bus stop. After a few days of operation, bus drivers will establish a schedule that will be followed thereafter. No bus rider will be boarded before 7:00 a.m. This is School Board Policy.
2. Riders must stay off the road while waiting for the bus.
3. Riders must show respect for private property. Property owners are extending to you the use of their corner, driveway, etc. Abuse here will mean moving the stop, and perhaps cause the distance to the bus stop to be greater.
4. If riders must walk along a road to reach the bus stop, they should always walk on the left shoulder, facing traffic.
5. The school bus is an extension of the school. All district and school rules apply to school bus situations.
6. Riders must walk, not run, when crossing the road. Riders must stand on their side of the roadway and await a signal from the bus driver before crossing in front of the bus.
7. Riders must not run alongside the bus when the bus is moving.
8. School bus riders will be seated at the discretion of the bus supervisor working with individual bus drivers. The school principal shall be responsible for enforcing the seating arrangements.
9. Riders must maintain classroom conduct while riding the bus. They should assist in keeping the bus clean. They must not throw papers on the bus.
10. Riders must never tamper with any bus equipment. Willful damage to seats, windows, fire extinguishers, etc., must be paid for by the offender. Failure to pay for damages will result in suspension from riding the bus until such amount is collected to cover the replacement costs. A schedule of fixed charges for damages is included on the bottom of these regulations.
11. Riders must not smoke or use tobacco products on the bus. This is a State law. Riders who are reported for using tobacco products will be suspended from riding the bus for two weeks for the first offense. Riders who are reported a second time will have to have parents come for a school conference to determine if the rider will be allowed to rider for the remainder of the school year.
12. Riders must remain seated while the bus is in motion. They must not extend hands, arms, head, or any other part of the body out of the bus window. They must not wave or shout to persons walking along the road and must not throw objects from the bus window.
13. Riders will remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop and the door has been opened by the driver to indicate that they may leave the bus.
14. Riders must leave the bus in an orderly manner.
15. Riders must not loiter or play around the stopped bus.
16. Riders who need to cross the road after getting off the bus must cross at least ten feet in front of the bus. They must not cross the road in front of the bus until they receive a signal from the driver.
17. The driver will not pick up or discharge riders at places other than the regular bus stops. Any change must be made with the parent's request in writing and approved by the school principal or an assistant principal.
18. Riders are not allowed to bring pets or animals on the bus.
19. Band instruments may be carried on the bus only when room is available. They are not to be stored in the front of the bus or in the aisle where they could cause problems in an emergency.
20. Riders are not allowed to bring bottles or cans on the bus. Food wrappers are not to be thrown on the bus floor. Lunches brought to school must be kept in a lunch box or bag and are not to be eaten on the bus.
21. Riders are to stay behind guard rails whenever the bus is moving.
22. Riders are not allowed at any time to open the passenger door or tamper with any controls on the bus.
23. Riding the school bus is a privilege. Violation of the rules will result in suspension from the bus. Parents are to be notified by mail and/or phone. If deemed necessary by principal or school official, passengers may be suspended immediately. Telephone contact with students' parents must be made prior to suspension.
24. Fighting or improper use of emergency doors on a school bus would call for an immediate one-week suspension from bus transportation for the first offense. A second offense would result in a minimum two-week suspension from bus transportation. A third offense would result in recommending that the student be suspended from bus transportation for the remainder of the school year. However, depending on the severity of the first offense, a student may be suspended from bus transportation for the remainder of school year.

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GENERAL GUIDELINES
An administrator will handle all discipline referrals regarding student misconduct on a school bus. The administrator will follow the disciplining guidelines set up by the district unless there are circumstances which dictate alternative action. It is the intent of the administration to correct problems before suspension or expulsion from the bus is necessary. We will work with parents to ensure that students behave in an acceptable fashion.