GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

The school board recognizes that individual responsibility and mutual respect are essential components of the educational process. The school board further recognizes that nurturing the maturity of each student is of primary importance and is closely linked with the balance that must be maintained between authority and self-discipline as the individual progresses from a child’s dependence on authority to the more mature behavior of self-control.

All students are entitled to learn and develop in a setting which promotes respect of self, others, and property. Proper positive discipline can only result from an environment which provides options and stresses student self-direction, decision-making, and responsibility. Schools can function effectively only with internal discipline based on mutual understanding of rights and responsibilities. Students must conduct themselves in an appropriate manner that maintains a climate in which learning can take place. Overall decorum affects student attitudes and influences student behavior. Proper student conduct is necessary to facilitate the education process and to create an atmosphere conducive to high student achievement.

Although this policy emphasizes the development of self-discipline, it is recognized that there are instances when it will be necessary to administer disciplinary measures. The position of the school district is that a fair and equitable district-wide student discipline policy will contribute to the quality of the student’s educational experience. This discipline policy is adopted in accordance with and subject to the Minnesota Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, Minn. Stat. §§ 121A.40-121A.56.

In view of the foregoing and in accordance with Minn. Stat. § 121A.55, the school board, with the participation of school district administrators, teachers, employees, students, parents, community members, and such other individuals and organizations as appropriate, has developed this policy which 506-2 governs student conduct and applies to all students of the school district.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The School Board. The school board holds all school personnel responsible for the maintenance of order within the school district and supports all personnel acting within the framework of this discipline policy.
Superintendent. The superintendent shall establish guidelines and directives to carry out this policy, hold all school personnel, students, and parents responsible for conforming to this policy, and support all school personnel performing their duties within the framework of this policy. The superintendent shall also establish guidelines and directives for using the services of appropriate agencies for assisting students and parents. Any guidelines or directives established to implement this policy shall be submitted to the school board for approval and shall be attached as an addendum to this policy.
Principal. The school principal is given the responsibility and authority to formulate building rules and regulations necessary to enforce this policy, subject to final school board approval. The principal shall give direction and support to all school personnel performing their duties within the framework of this policy. The principal shall consult with parents of students conducting themselves in a manner contrary to the policy. The principal shall also involve other professional employees in the disposition of behavior referrals and shall make use of those agencies appropriate for assisting students and parents. A principal, in exercising his or her lawful authority, may use reasonable force when it is necessary under the circumstances to correct or restrain a student or prevent bodily harm or death to another.
Teachers. All teachers shall be responsible for providing a well-planned teaching/learning environment and shall have primary responsibility for student conduct, with appropriate assistance from the administration. All teachers shall enforce the Code of Student Conduct. In exercising the teacher’s lawful authority, a teacher may use reasonable force when it is necessary under the circumstances to correct or restrain a student or prevent bodily harm or death to another.
Other School District Personnel. All school district personnel shall be responsible for contributing to the atmosphere of mutual respect within the school. Their responsibilities relating to student behavior shall be as authorized and directed by the superintendent. A school employee, school bus driver, or other agent of a school district, in exercising his or her lawful authority, may use reasonable force when it is necessary under the circumstances to restrain a student or prevent bodily harm or death to another.
Parents or Legal Guardians. Parents and guardians shall be held responsible for the behavior of their children as determined by law and community practice. They are expected to cooperate with school authorities and to participate regarding the behavior of their children.
Students. All students shall be held individually responsible for their behavior and for knowing and obeying the Code of Student Conduct and this policy.All students have the right to an education and the right to learn.

All students have the responsibility:

For their behavior and for knowing and obeying all school rules, regulations, policies, and procedures;
To attend school daily, except when excused, and to be on time to all classes and other school functions;
To pursue and attempt to complete the courses of study prescribed by the state and local school authorities;
To make necessary arrangements for making up work when absent from school;
To assist the school staff in maintaining a safe school for all students;
To be aware of all school rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, including those in this policy, and to conduct themselves in accord with them;
To assume that until a rule or policy is waived, altered, or repealed, it is in full force and effect;
To be aware of and comply with federal, state, and local laws;
To volunteer information in disciplinary cases should they have any knowledge relating to such cases and to cooperate with school staff as appropriate;
To respect and maintain the school’s property and the property of others;
To dress and groom in a manner which meets standards of safety and health and common standards of decency and which is consistent with applicable school district policy;
To avoid inaccuracies in student newspapers or publications and refrain from indecent or obscene language;
To conduct themselves in an appropriate physical or verbal manner; and
To recognize and respect the rights of others.

CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

The following are examples of unacceptable behavior subject to disciplinary action by the school district. These examples are not intended to be an exclusive list. Any student who engages in any of these activities shall be disciplined in accordance with this policy. This policy applies to all school buildings, school grounds, and school property or property immediately adjacent to school grounds; school-sponsored activities or trips; school bus stops; school buses, school vehicles, school contracted vehicles, or any other vehicles approved for school district purposes; the area of entrance or departure from school premises or events; and all school-related functions, school-sponsored activities, events, or trips. School district property also may mean a student’s walking route to or from school for purposes of attending school or school-related functions, activities, or events. While prohibiting unacceptable behavior subject to disciplinary action at these locations and events, the school district does not represent that it will provide supervision or assume liability at these locations and events. This policy also applies to any student whose conduct at any time or in any place interferes with or obstructs the mission or operations of the school district or the safety or welfare of the student, other students, or employees.

Violations against property including, but not limited to, damage to or destruction of school property or the property of others, failure to compensate for damage or destruction of such property, arson, breaking and entering, theft, robbery, possession of stolen property, extortion, trespassing, unauthorized usage, or vandalism.
The use of profanity or obscene language, or the possession of obscene materials.
Gambling, including, but not limited to, playing a game of chance for stakes.
Violation of the school district’s Hazing Prohibition Policy.
Attendance problems including, but not limited to, truancy, absenteeism, tardiness, skipping classes, or leaving school grounds without permission.
Opposition to authority using physical force or violence.
Using, possessing, or distributing tobacco, tobacco-related devices, electronic cigarettes, or tobacco paraphernalia, in violation of the school district’s Tobacco-Free Environment Policy.
Using, possessing, distributing, intending to distribute, making a request to another person for (solicitation), or being under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances or look-alike substances.
Using, possessing, distributing, intending to distribute, making a request to another person for (solicitation), or being under the influence of narcotics, drugs, or other controlled substances, or look-alike substances, except as prescribed by a physician, including one student sharing prescription medication with another student.
Using, possessing, or distributing items or articles that are illegal or harmful to persons or property including, but not limited to, drug paraphernalia.
Using, possessing, or distributing weapons, or look-alike weapons or other dangerous objects.
Possession of ammunition including, but not limited to, bullets or other projectiles designed to be used in or as a weapon.
Possession, use, or distribution of explosives or any compound or mixture, the primary or common purpose or intended use of which is to function as an explosive.
Possession, use, or distribution of fireworks or any substance or combination of substances or articles prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or an audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation.
Using an ignition device, including a butane or disposable lighter or matches, inside an educational building and under circumstances where there is a risk of fire, except where the device is used in a manner authorized by the school.
Violation of any local, state, or federal law as appropriate.
Acts disruptive of the educational process, including, but not limited to, disobedience, disruptive or disrespectful behavior, defiance of authority, cheating, insolence, insubordination, failure to identify oneself, improper activation of fire alarms, or bomb threats.
Violation of the school district’s Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy.
Unauthorized use of nuisance devices or objects which cause distractions and may facilitate cheating including, but not limited to, pagers, radios, and phones, including picture phones.
Violation of school bus or transportation rules or the school district’s Student Transportation Safety Policy.
Violation of parking or school traffic rules and regulations, including, but not limited to, driving on school property in such a manner as to endanger persons or property.
Violation of directives or guidelines relating to lockers or improperly gaining access to a school locker.
Possession or distribution of slanderous, libelous, or pornographic materials.
Violation of the school district’ Bullying Prohibition Policy.
Student attire or personal grooming which creates a danger to health or safety or creates a disruption to the educational process, including clothing which bears a message which is lewd, vulgar, or obscene, apparel promoting products or activities that are illegal for use by minors, or clothing containing objectionable emblems, signs, words, objects, or pictures communicating a message that is racist, sexist, or otherwise derogatory to a protected minority group or which connotes gang membership.
Criminal activity
Falsification of any records, documents, notes, or signatures.
Tampering with, changing, or altering records or documents of the school district by any method including, but not limited to, computer access or other electronic means.
Scholastic dishonesty which includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a school assignment or test, plagiarism, or collusion, including the use of phone pictures or other technology to accomplish this end.
Impertinent or disrespectful words, symbols, acronyms, or language, whether oral or written, related to teachers or other school district personnel.
Actions, including fighting or any other assaultive behavior, which causes or could cause injury to the student or other persons or which otherwise endangers the health, safety, or welfare of teachers, students, other school district personnel, or other persons.
Committing an act which inflicts great bodily harm upon another person, even though accidental or a result of poor judgment.
Violations against persons, including, but not limited to, assault or threatened assault, fighting, harassment, interference or obstruction, attack with a weapon, or look-alike weapon, sexual assault, illegal or inappropriate sexual conduct, or indecent exposure.
Verbal assaults or verbally abusive behavior including, but not limited to: use of words, symbols, acronyms, or language, whether oral or written, that are discriminatory, abusive, obscene, threatening, intimidating, degrading to other people or threatening to school property.
Physical or verbal threats including, but not limited to, the staging or reporting of dangerous or hazardous situations that do not exist.
Inappropriate, abusive, threatening, or demeaning actions based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation.
Violation of the school district’s one-to-one device rules and regulations.
Other acts, as determined by the school district, which are disruptive of the educational process or dangerous or detrimental to the student or other students, school district personnel or surrounding persons, or which violate the rights of others or which damage or endanger the property of the school, or which otherwise interferes with or obstruct the mission or operations of the school district or the safety or welfare of students or employees.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION OPTIONS (CONSEQUENCES)

The general policy of the school district is to utilize progressive discipline to the extent reasonable and appropriate based upon the specific facts and circumstances of student misconduct. The specific form of discipline chosen in a particular case is solely within the discretion of the school district. At a minimum, violation of school district rules, regulations, policies, or procedures will result in discussion of the violation and a verbal warning. The school district shall, however, impose more severe disciplinary sanctions for any violation, including exclusion or expulsion, if warranted by the student’s misconduct, as determined by the school district. Disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

Student conference with teacher, principal, counselor, or other school district personnel, and verbal warning;
Confiscation by school district personnel and/or by law enforcement of any item, article, object, or thing, prohibited by, or used in the violation of, any school district policy, rule, regulation, procedure, or state or federal law. If confiscated by the school district, the confiscated item, article, object, or thing will be released only to the parent/guardian following the completion of any investigation or disciplinary action instituted or taken related to the violation.
Parent contact;
Parent conference;
Removal from class;
In-school suspension;
Suspension from extracurricular activities;
Detention or restriction of privileges;
Loss of school privileges;
In-school monitoring or revised class schedule;
Referral to in-school support services;
Referral to community resources or outside agency services;
Financial restitution;
Referral to police, other law enforcement agencies, or other appropriate authorities;
A request for a petition to be filed in district court for juvenile delinquency adjudication;
Out-of-school suspension under the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act;
Preparation of an admission or readmission plan;
Expulsion under the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act;
Exclusion under the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act; and/or
Other disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the school district.

REMOVAL OF STUDENTS FROM CLASS

Teachers have the responsibility of attempting to modify disruptive student behavior by such means as conferring with the student, using positive reinforcement, assigning detention or other consequences, or contacting the student’s parents. When such measures fail, or when the teacher determines it is otherwise appropriate based upon the student’s conduct, the teacher shall have the authority to remove the student from class pursuant to the procedures established by this discipline policy. “Removal from class” and “removal” mean any actions taken by a teacher, principal, or other school district employee to prohibit a student from attending a class or activity for a period of time not to exceed five (5) days, pursuant to this discipline policy.

Grounds for removal from class shall include any of the following:

Willful conduct that significantly disrupts the rights of others to an education, including conduct that interferes with a teacher’s ability to teach or communicate effectively with students in a class or with the ability of other students to learn;
Willful conduct that endangers surrounding persons, including school district employees, the student or other students, or the property of the school;
Willful violation of any school rules, regulations, policies or procedures, including the Code of Student Conduct in this policy; or
Other conduct, which is at the discretion of the teacher or administration, requires removal of the student from class. Such removal shall be for at least one (1) activity period or class period of instruction for a given course of study and shall not exceed five (5) such periods.

If a student is removed from class more than ten (10) times in a school year, the school district shall notify the parent or guardian of the student’s tenth removal from class and make reasonable attempts to convene a meeting with the student’s parent or guardian to discuss the problem that is causing the student to be removed from class.

SUSPENSION/DISMISSAL

“Dismissal” means the denial of the current educational program to any student, including exclusion, expulsion and suspension. Dismissal does not include removal from class. The school district shall not deny due process or equal protection of the law to any student involved in a dismissal proceeding which may result in suspension, exclusion or expulsion. The school district shall not dismiss any student without attempting to provide alternative educational services before dismissal proceedings, except where it appears that the student will create an immediate and substantial danger to oneself or to surrounding persons or property.

Violations leading to suspension, based upon severity, may also be grounds for actions leading to expulsion, and/or exclusion. A student may be dismissed on any of the following grounds:

Willful violation of any reasonable school board regulation, including those found in this policy;
Willful conduct that significantly disrupts the rights of others to an education, or the ability of school personnel to perform their duties, or school sponsored extracurricular activities; or
Willful conduct that endangers the student or other students, or surrounding persons,
including school district employees, or property of the school.

Suspension Procedures

“Suspension” means an action by the school administration, under rules promulgated by the School Board, prohibiting a student from attending school for a period of no more than ten (10) school days.
If a student’s total days of removal from school exceed ten (10) cumulative days in a school year, the school district shall make reasonable attempts to convene a meeting with the student and the student’s parent or guardian before subsequently removing the student from school and, with the permission of the parent or guardian, arrange for a mental health screening for the student at the parent or guardian’s expense.
Each suspension action may include a readmission plan. The plan shall include, where appropriate, a provision for implementing alternative educational services upon readmission which must not be used to extend the current suspension. The school administration may not impose consecutive suspensions against the same student for the same course of conduct, or incident of misconduct, except where the student will create an immediate and substantial danger to self or to surrounding persons or property or where the school district is in the process of initiating an expulsion, in which case the school administration may extend the suspension to a total of fifteen (15) days.
A child with a disability may be suspended. When a child with a disability has been suspended for more than five (5) consecutive days or ten (10) cumulative school days in the same year, and that suspension does not involve a recommendation for expulsion or exclusion or other change in placement under federal law, relevant members of the child’s IEP team, including at least one of the child’s teachers, shall meet and determine the extent to which the child needs services in order to continue to participate in the general education curriculum, although in another setting, and to progress toward meeting the goals in the child’s IEP. That meeting must occur as soon as possible, but no more than ten (10) days after the sixth (6th) consecutive day of suspension or the tenth (10th) cumulative day of suspension has elapsed.
The school administration shall implement alternative educational services when the suspension exceeds five (5) days. Alternative educational services may include, but are not limited to, special tutoring, modified curriculum, modified instruction, other modifications or adaptations, instruction through electronic media, special education services as indicated by appropriate assessments, homebound instruction, supervised homework, or enrollment in another district or in an alternative learning center under Minn. Stat. § 123A.05 selected to allow the pupil to progress toward meeting graduation standards under Minn. Stat. § 120B.02, although in a different setting.
The school administration shall not suspend a student from school without an informal administrative conference with the student. The informal administrative conference shall take place before the suspension, except where it appears that the student will create an immediate and substantial danger to oneself or to surrounding persons or property, in which case the conference shall take place as soon as practicable following the suspension. At the informal administrative conference, a school administrator shall notify the student of the grounds for the suspension, provide an explanation of the evidence the authorities have, and the student may present the student’s version of the facts. A separate administrative conference is required for each period of suspension.
After school administration notifies a student of the grounds for suspension, school administration may, instead of imposing the suspension, do one or more of the following:
1. strongly encourage a parent or guardian of the student to attend school with the student for one day;
2. petition the juvenile court that the student is in need of services under Minn. Stat. Ch. 260C.
A written notice containing the grounds for suspension, a brief statement of the facts, a description of the testimony, a readmission plan, and a copy of the Minnesota Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, Minn. Stat. §§ 121A.40-121A.56, shall be personally served upon the student at or before the time the suspension is to take effect, and upon the student’s parent or guardian by mail within forty-eight (48) hours of the conference.
The school administration shall make reasonable efforts to notify the student’s parent or guardian of the suspension by telephone as soon as possible following suspension.
In the event a student is suspended without an informal administrative conference on the grounds that the student will create an immediate and substantial danger to surrounding persons or property, the written notice shall be served upon the student and the student’s parent or guardian within forty-eight (48) hours of the suspension. Service by mail shall be complete upon mailing.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the student may be suspended pending the school board’s decision in an expulsion or exclusion proceeding, provided that alternative educational services are implemented to the extent that suspension exceeds five (5) days.

For the complete policy, which includes information about Expulsion and Exclusion Procedures, please see Waseca School Policy 506.

Procedural Code for Dealing with Suspensions

Suspension -- prohibiting a student from attending a school for a period no longer than ten days.

In-School Suspension – prohibiting a student from attending classes and keeping the student in school under supervision of school personnel.

Expulsion – prohibiting a student from attending school for a period no longer than the current school year.

Exclusion – prohibiting the enrollment or re-enrollment of a student for no longer than the school year.

Removal from Class

Removal from class is the short-term exclusion of a student from class during which the school retains custody of the student. Students removed from class shall be the responsibility of the principal or his lawful designee. The removal from class shall not exceed three class periods. Students shall be removed from class only upon agreement of the appropriate teacher and principal after an informal administrative conference with the pupil. The decision on removal shall ultimately be up to the principal.

In-School Suspensions (ISS)

Any student in ISS is not allowed to practice or participate in a school sponsored activity occurring on that date. Students may earn full credit for work assigned that day.

Out-of-School Suspensions (OSS)

Students may earn up to ½ credit for work completed while on OSS. Students may not enter the school buildings or grounds while suspended without permission from the acting building supervisor.

SCHOOL JURISDICTION

For the purpose of this handbook, school jurisdiction shall include the school, surrounding athletic facilities including the tennis courts, hockey arena, and the parking lots surrounding the school and its facilities. All off-site school faculties are included, as well as away events. It shall also include transportation to and from school, including the student’s bus stop, school activities and any event with nexus to the school.

Waseca Junior/Senior High School

Student Handbook

Waseca Junior & Senior High School

Student Handbook

Acceptable Use Of Technology

Alcohol, Tobacco & Controlled Substances

Attendance

Building Passes/passes Out Of The Building

Bullying Prohibition

Care Of Building And Property

Cell Phones

Closed Campus

Commencement

Daily Schedule

Dances

Data Privacy

Detention

Discipline

Disruptive Items And Symbols

Dress Code

Due Process

Emergency Drills

Equal Educational Opportunity

Food & Beverages

Harassment & Non-discrimination

Hazing

Leadership Eligibility

Lockers

Lost And Found

Lost Or Destroyed Textbooks/Materials

Lunch

Public Displays Of Affection

Right To Consent

Safety

School Closing Information

School Events

Section 504

Student Drivers

Study Hall

Supervision After School

Title IX

Trespassing

Vandalism

Visitors

Voice & Language

Weapons-safe Schools/District Weapons Policy

Student Life - Academics

Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism

Academic Lettering

Assessment/state Testing

Grading Policy

Graduation Requirements

Homework

Honor Roll

Independent Study

Latin Honors

Minnesota Honor Society

School Records

Student Assistants

Student Life - Arts, Activities, & Athletics

Eligibility Information

Lettering

Minnesota State High School League Penalties

Student Activities Transportation Policy

Student Code Of Conduct