Valders Area School District
Bylaws & Policies
 

5500 - STUDENT CODE OF CLASSROOM CONDUCT

The District is committed to maintaining a favorable academic atmosphere. Teachers are expected to create a positive learning climate for students in their classrooms and to maintain proper order. Students are expected to behave in the classroom in such a manner that allows teachers to effectively carry out their lesson plans and students to participate in classroom learning activities. Students are also expected to abide by all rules of behavior established by the School Board, administration, and their classroom teachers.

Student behavior that is dangerous, disruptive, or unruly or that interferes with the teacher’s ability to teach effectively will not be tolerated. Any student who engages in such behavior may be subject to removal from class and placement as outlined below. In addition, the student may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with established School Board policies and school rules.

This Code of Classroom Conduct applies to all students in grades EC-12.

Student Removal from Class

A teacher may remove a student from class for the following reasons:

 A.Dangerous, disruptive, or unruly behavior or behavior that interferes with the ability of the teacher to teach effectively. This type of behavior includes the following:
  1.possession or use of a weapon or other item that might cause bodily harm to persons in the classroom
  2.being under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances or otherwise in violation of District student alcohol and other drug policies
  3.violation of tobacco policy
  4.behavior that interferes with a person’s work or school performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive classroom environment
  5.fighting
  6.taunting, baiting, inciting and/or encouraging a fight or disruption, or harassing
  7.disruption and intimidation caused by gang or group symbols or gestures, gang or group posturing to provoke altercations or confrontation
  8.pushing or striking a student or staff member
  9.obstruction of classroom activities or other intentional action taken to attempt to prevent the teacher from exercising his/her assigned duties
  10.interfering with the orderly operation of the classroom by using, threatening to use, or counseling others to use violence, force, coercion, threats, intimidation, fear, or disruptive means
  11.dressing or grooming in a manner that presents a danger to health or safety, causes interference with work, or creates classroom disorder
  12.restricting another person’s freedom to properly utilize classroom facilities or equipment
  13.repeated classroom interruptions, confronting staff argumentatively, making loud noises, or refusing to follow directions
  14.throwing objects in the classroom
  15.repeated disruption or violation of classroom rules
  16.excessive or disruptive talking
  17.behavior that causes the teacher or other students fear of physical or psychological harm
  18.physical confrontations or verbal/physical threats
  19.violation of school rules as outlined in student/parent handbook
 B.Other behavior as outlined below
  Examples of such behavior may include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:
  1.willful damage to school property
  2.defiance of authority (willful refusal to follow directions or orders given by the teacher)
  3.possession of personal property prohibited by school rules and otherwise disruptive to the teaching and learning of others
  4.repeated use of profanity

A student with a disability may be removed from class and placed in an alternative educational setting only to the extent authorized by State and Federal laws and regulations.

When a student is removed from class, the teacher shall send the student to the building principal or designee and inform him/her of the reason for the student’s removal from class. A written explanation of the reasons shall be given to the principal or designee within twenty-four (24) hours of the student’s removal from class.

The Principal shall inform the student of the reason(s) for the removal from class and shall allow the student the opportunity to present his/her version of the situation. The Principal shall then determine the appropriate educational placement for the student who has been removed from a class by a teacher.

The parent/guardian of a minor student shall be notified of the student’s removal from class as outlined in section title Parent/Guardian Notification Procedures.

Placement Procedures
 A.The building principal or designee shall place a student who has been removed from a class by a teacher in one of the following alternative educational settings:
  1.Another class in the school or another appropriate place in the school.
  2.Another instructional setting.
 B.The class from which the student was removed if, after weighing the interests of the removed student, the other students in the class and the teacher, the principal, or designee determines that readmission to the class is the best or only alternative.
 C.When making placement decisions, the building principal or designee shall consider the following factors: The reason the student was removed from class (severity of the offense), the type of placement options available for students, the estimated length of time of placement, the students individual needs and interests, and whether the student has been removed from a teacher’s class before (repeat offender). The Principal or designee may consult with other appropriate school personnel as the Principal or designee deems necessary when making or evaluating placement decisions. A student’s parent/guardian may also be consulted regarding student placement decisions when determined by the Principal or designee to be in the best interests of the persons involved or required by law.
 D.All placement decisions shall be made consistent with established School Board policies and in accordance with State and Federal laws and regulations.
 E.The parent/guardian of a minor student shall be notified of a student’s placement in an alternative educational setting as outlined below.

Parent/Guardian Notification Procedures
 A.The building principal, designee, or teacher shall attempt to notify the parent/guardian of a minor student, by phone, when a student removed from class has committed a serious violation of this code or has had frequent occurrences of violations of a less serious nature. This contact shall be attempted the same day the violation occurs.
 B.The building principal or designee shall notify the parent/guardian of a minor student, in writing, when a teacher has removed a student from a class. This notification shall include the reasons for the student’s removal from class and the placement decision involving the student. The notice shall be given as soon as practicable after the student’s removal from a class and placement determination.
 C.If the removal from class and change in educational placement involves a student with a disability, parent/guardian notification shall be made consistent with State and Federal laws and regulations.
 D.If the student removed from a class is also subject to disciplinary action for the particular classroom conduct (i.e., suspension or expulsion), the student’s parent/guardian shall also be notified of the disciplinary action in accordance with legal and policy requirements.