Hereford ISD – Code of Conduct

The following violations and consequential disciplinary options are listed in order of severity with Level I being the least sever and Level IV the most severe.  Professional judgment is an important aspect of each level of discipline.  School staff will determine which disciplinary options to use.


LEVEL I – Standards of Student Conduct

Level I offences, generally observed in the classroom or in the building, interfere with the orderly educational process.  Level I offenses are most often managed by the classroom teacher.  Parents may be requested to come for a conference with the teacher to discuss the misbehavior and the disciplinary action

 

VIOLATIONS                         MINIMUM CONSEQUENCES

 

Campus or classroom rules          Oral correction/student conference

   that are not Code violations      Cooling off time or “time out”

Horseplay/scuffling                    Counseling by staff

Minor damage to property            Grade reductions as permitted by 

Sleeping in class                            policy    

Tardies                                      Parent Contact

Running                                     Parent-Teacher conference

Disruptive noises                        Withdrawal of privileges

Not prepared for class                 Behavior contract

Dishonesty                                                Discretionary removal by teachers

Exhibiting inappropriate                Assigned school duties

   familiarity                                               Change of seat

                                                Rewards/Demerits

                                                Detention (AM, lunch, PM)

                                                Friday/Saturday school

                                                Referral to outside agency/legal

 Infractions listed above are    authorities

Examples only and are not     Other strategies listed in the Code

intended to be all inclusive

 

Level II – General Misconduct Violations

General misconduct violations interfere with the learning environment.  Parents will be notified of the offense and may be requested to come for a conference with the administrator to discuss the offenses and the disciplinary action.  The disciplinary action will depend on the offense, previous actions, and the seriousness of the misbehavior

 

VIOLATIONS                         MINIMUM CONSEQUENCES

 

Cheating/copying                        All level one consequences and:

Throwing objects                                         Suspension

Leaving school grounds                               In School Suspension (ISS)

Profanity/obscene gestures                         Prime Time (DAEP)

Fighting                                                     Restricting bus privileges

Stealing                                                     Confiscation of items

Vandalism                                                  Corporal Punishment

Bus misconduct                                          Send student to office or other

Hazing                                                          assigned area

Non-compliance/Insubordination                    Withdrawal of privileges

Damaging school property                           Penalties for extracurricular

Possessing pyrotechnic devices                      standards of behavior

Discharging fire extinguisher                        School administered probation

Possessing knife like items

Possessing look-alike weapons

Possessing air guns

Possessing ammunition

Possessing mace                                       Self-defense may be

Weapons                                                   considered as a factor in the

Gambling                                                   campus investigation that may

False alarms                                              result in determining

Extortion/blackmail                                      disciplinary action.

Threat of force

Theft

Bullying

Harassment

Disruption to incite violence

Inappropriate physical/verbal contact

ID badge requirements

Possessing matches/lighter

Possessing tobacco products

Possessing look-alike drugs

Possessing marijuana (unusable)

Possessing drug paraphernalia

Possessing/abuse OTC medication

Possessing cell phone/pager

Possessing laser pointer

Violating computer use policy

Using internet for threat/abuse

Verbal or written threat

Possessing material to encourage illegal behavior

Possessing/accessing pornography

Violation dress code

Falsifying records

Repeated violation of Category I behaviors

Level III- Removable Offenses

Level III – removable offenses are serous and disrupt the orderly educational process.  Parents will be notified and requested to come for a conference with the administrator in each instance of Level III misbehavior.

 

VIOLATIONS                         MINIMUM CONSEQUENCES

 

*Felony conduct                                         *Mandatory removal to DAEP

*Assault                                                    Suspension

*Dangerous drugs (non-felony)                     Permissive removal to DAEP

*Alcohol (non-felony)

*Abuseable glue

*Public lewdness

*Indecent exposure

*Retaliation

*Title V  felony (non-school related)

Age 6-9 expellable offense

Gang activity

Secret society activity

Criminal mischief (non-felony)

Fighting

Hazing

Stealing

Damaging school property

Possessing knife-like items

Possessing look-alike weapons

Possessing air guns

Possessing ammunition

Inappropriate physical/verbal contact

Sexual Harassment

Possessing tobacco product

Possessing look-alike drugs

Possessing marijuana (unusable)

Possessing drug paraphernalia

Using internet for threat/abuse

Verbal or written threat

Possessing material to encourage illegal behavior

Falsifying records

Repeated violation of Category I behaviors

Repeated Level II violations

 

Level IV – Expulsion

Expulsion offenses may also be illegal and seriously disrupt the orderly educational process.  In each case of illegal behavior, referral will be made to the police department.  A student who continues to engage in serious or persistent misbehavior that violated the Code after placement in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) may be expelled.

 

VIOLATIONS                         MINIMUM CONSEQUENCES

 

*Firearm                                                   

*Illegal knife                                               Permissive expulsion

*Club                                                        *Mandatory expulsion

*Prohibited weapon

*Assault (felony)

*Arson

*Murder

*Indecency with a child

*Kidnapping

*Drug/alcohol (felony)

*Retaliation (felony)

False alarm of terroristic threat

Drug/alcohol

Abusable glue

Criminal mischief

Assault of employee

Serious or persistent misbehavior of:

                Vandalism

                Robbery/theft

                Extortion/blackmail

                Disruption

                Hazing

                Insubordination

                Profanity toward staff

                Fighting

                Possessing pornography

                Leaving school grounds

                Sexual harassment

                Possessing explosives

                Refusal to accept discipline



THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

 

Education in our community represents a significant commitment of financial and human resources.  The benefits a student derives from this investment depend very much on the student’s attitude toward learning and the student’s adherence to high standards of behavior.

 

The Student Code of Conduct that follows is the District’s specific response to requirements to Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code (www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/edtoc.html).  The law requires the District to define misconduct that may or must result in a range of specific disciplinary consequences.  This Code is an outgrowth of collaboration among District and campus staff, parents, and other community members.  This Code, adopted by the Board of Trustees, provides information and direction to students and parents regarding standards of behavior as well as consequences for misconduct. 

 

Campus specific guidelines and procedures on discipline management are included in the student handbooks.

 

INDEX

 

Hereford ISD Code of Conduct Overview        ……………………………………..              Page 1

 

Purpose of the Student Code of Conduct          ……………………………………..              page 2

 

Standards for Student Conduct-Category I       ……………………………………..              pages 3-4

 

General Misconduct Violations-Category II       ……………………………………..              pages 5-6

 

Consequences for General Misconduct

Violations Category I And Category II  ……………………………………..              pages 7-8

 

Specific Misconduct Violations Category III      ……………………………………..              pages 9-10

 

Consequences for Specific Misconduct

Violations Category III                         ……………………………………..              pages 11-13

 

Specific Misconduct Violations Category IV     ……………………………………..              pages 14-15

 

Consequences for Specific Misconduct

Violations Category IV                         ……………………………………...             pages 16-17

 

Terms and Definitions                                       ……………………………………...             pages 18-22

 

Hereford Independent School District

Guidelines for Felony Placement in a DAEP      ………………………………………                       pages 23-24

 

 

 

 

 

 


STANDARDS FOR STUDENT CONDUCT

Category I

 


STUDENT EXPECTATIONS:

 

·        Demonstrate courtesy and respect for others even when others do not.

 

·        Behave in a responsible manner, always exercising self-discipline.

 

·        Attend all classes, regularly and on time.

 

·        Prepare for each class; take appropriate materials and assignments to class.

 

·        Meet District or campus standards of grooming and dress.

 

·        Obey all campus and classroom rules.

 

·        Respect the rights and privileges of other students and of teachers and other District staff.

 

·        Cooperate with and/or assist the school staff in maintaining safety, order, and discipline.

 

·        Avoid violations of the Student Code of Conduct.

 

 

The District may impose campus or classroom rules in addition to those found in the Student Code of Conduct.  These rules may be posted in classrooms or given to the student and may or may not also constitute violations of the Student Code of Conduct.

 

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AUTHORITY OF THE DISTRICT:

 

A student whose behavior shows disrespect for others, including interference with learning and a safe environment, will be subject to disciplinary action.

 

School rules and the authority of the District to administer discipline apply whenever the interest of the District is involved on or off school grounds in conjunction with or independent of classes and school-sponsored activities.

 

The District has disciplinary authority over a student:

1.      During the regular school day and while the student is going to and from school on District transportation;

2.      During lunch periods in which a student is allowed to leave campus;

3.      Within 300 feet of school property;

4.      While the student is in attendance at any school-related activity, regardless of time or location;

5.      For any school-related misconduct, regardless of time or location;

6.      When retaliation against a school employee or volunteer occurs or is threatened, regardless of time or location;

7.      When the student commits a felony, as provided by Texas Education Code 37.006 www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/ed.toc.htm;

8.      When criminal mischief is committed on or off school property or at a school-related event.

 

The District has the right to search a vehicle driven to school by a student and parked on school property whenever there is reasonable cause to believe it contains articles or materials prohibited by the District.

 

The District has the right to search a student’s locker whenever there is reasonable cause to believe that it contains articles or materials prohibited by the District.

 

A school administrator will report crimes as required by law.  A school administrator who suspects that a crime has been committed on campus will call local law enforcement.

 

The District has the right to revoke the transfer of a transfer student for violating the District’s Student Code of Conduct.

 

In general, discipline will be designed to correct the misconduct and to encourage all students to adhere to their responsibilities as citizens of the school community.  Disciplinary action will draw on the professional judgment of teachers and administrators and on a range of discipline management techniques.  Disciplinary action will be correlated to the seriousness of the offense, the student’s age and grade level, the frequency of misbehavior, the student’s attitude, the effect of the misconduct on the school environment, and statutory requirements.  Because of these factors, discipline for a particular offense (unless otherwise specified by law) may bring into consideration varying techniques and responses.

 

For rule violations that are not violations of the Student Code of Condu