The ability of the student to respect the
rights of others in our school community is a primary
objective of our high school. Through our educational
process students, staff, and community will develop values
which will encourage a sense of respect for rights of
others, respect for property, and respect for the points of
view of others.
The responsibility and rights set forth below in no way
diminish the legal authority of school officials to deal
with disruptive students. The statement is meant to foster
greater understanding so that all concerned can participate
in an active educational partnership.
The following disciplinary code shall govern cases where
student conduct violates expected standards of behavior, or
is otherwise prejudicial to teaching, learning, the safety
of the school, its students, teachers, administrators and
personnel.
I. Student Rights
a. Every student has the right to attend school in the
district in which their parent or guardian resides.
b. All rules and regulations to maintain the process of
education will be made common knowledge to every student.
c. Freedom of speech is guaranteed to all citizens, and
students can exercise their constitutionally protected
rights of free speech, petitions and assembly.
d. A student has the right to pursue courses of his/her
choice, with parent approval, whenever it is possible to
allow for these courses within the student’s program.
e. Every student will have the right to use school and other
approved facilities for sponsored extra-curricular
activities with approved faculty supervision and will be
encouraged to participate in these clubs, recreational
events and other such related activities as prescribed by
conditions set forth by the School Department.
f. Students have a right to expect their instructors will
return written tests and assignments within (5) days after
being submitted whenever possible.
g. Students have the right to an education and to the
equality of educational opportunity. Discipline measures
that deprive them of this will be utilized only in
accordance with the student’s right to due process. Students
and their parents will be informed in writing of the reason
for suspension and a definite time of suspension stated.
Disciplinary action will be reasonable, fair, and consistent
in all cases. The school will provide information as to work
missed during the temporary exclusion.
h. The student has the right to view his/her records.
Parents and students have a right to expect qualified school
personnel to interpret any information in the record within
guidelines of the Privacy Act.
II. Discipline
To promote and maintain an atmosphere conducive to the
learning process, it is necessary to establish a code of
responsibilities which is built upon the desire to protect a
student’s rights. The East Providence High School
educational community feels that a student has a right to
learn in an atmosphere which is free from fear and promote
human dignity and respect.
III. Student’s Responsibility
Each student has the responsibility to comply with the
established rules, directives, and regulations of the school
as are properly communicated, implemented, and enforced by
members of the faculty, staff, and administration.
Each student has the responsibility to comply with the use
of all school documents, forms, slips, and passes in such a
way that they are not altered, removed, tampered, or
misused.
Each student has the responsibility to refrain from the use
and/or possession of alcohol, drugs, and all other
substances which could be regarded as contraband, prior to
coming to school, while on school property or while
attending school functions.
Each student has the responsibility to properly use all
school property and equipment. He/She is expected to meet
all financial obligations to the school by returning to the
school all texts or materials or the monetary value thereof.
Failure to meet such obligations and responsibilities as
indicated in the afore-mentioned list of student
responsibilities during the student’s high school career may
result in the student not being allowed to participate in
high school graduation exercises. Furthermore, in order to
preserve the school or the benefit and enjoyment of all,
each student must refrain from littering, defacing or
vandalizing.
Each student has the responsibility to respect the rights
and property of all other members of the school community.
In cases where student behavior is unacceptable and
interferes with the academic and disciplinary standards,
including but not restricted to such times when students are
participating in and/or attending school sponsored
extra-curricular activities as well as those times, and in
whatever places, during a regularly scheduled school day
when the student is away from school on an unauthorized
absence, the following discipline code may be used.
NOTE: In cases of student behavior the five (5) day delayed
notification provision found in the Attendance Policy
(Article IV, Section B and C) will not be allowed.
IN ORDER FOR SENIORS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GRADUATION
EXERCISES ALL OBLIGATIONS SUCH AS; BOOKS, LOCKS, ATHLETIC
APPAREL, REMUNERATION FOR ACTS Of VANDALISM, MONIES FOR
TICKETS/CANDY, FUNDRAISERS, BAND UNIFORMS AND INSTRUMENTS,
CLUB FEES, ETC. AND ANY OTHER OBLIGATION MUST BE SERVED OR
ELSE STUDENT WILL NOT RECEIVE HIS/HER DIPLOMA.
ALL DETENTION'S) ACCRUED DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR COMES UNDER
OTHER OBLIGATIONS MENTIONED ABOVE AND MUST BE SERVED PRIOR
TO PARTICIPATING In THE GRADUATION EXERCISES AND RECEIVING A
DIPLOMA.
ALL FRESHMAN, SOPHOMORE, AND JUNIOR SUMMER SCHOOL CANDIDATES
MUST HAVE COMPLETED ALL OF THEIR DETENTION TIME IN ORDER TO
RECEIVE APPROVAL TO ATTEND SUMMER SCHOOL.
ALL STUDENTS ARE OBLIGATED TO MAKE UP ALL DETENTION
ASSIGNMENTS, PRIOR TO ANY EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITY
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FIELD TRIPS, ATHLETIC
EVENTS/PRACTICES, AND SCHOOL DANCES.
IV. Suspension and Expulsion
A. The term “suspension” shall mean the denial of school
privileges by the principal or his/her designee for not more
than ten consecutive school days. The term “expulsion” shall
mean the exclusion or suspension from school by the School
Committee for more than ten consecutive school days. Neither
a suspension nor an expulsion shall extend beyond the end of
the school year.
B. A student may be suspended and/or expelled for breaches
of conduct that occur at or on school time, school property,
school transportation, a school sponsored activity or event,
or for breaches of conduct which occur at such other time,
place or event where there is a connection with the school.
C. The following will be grounds for suspension or
expulsion:
1. Striking, assaulting, threatening, intimidating or
blackmailing another person.
2. Theft
3. The use of obscene or profane language or gestures
4. Refusal to obey a principal, teacher, adult sponsor,
chaperon, or school staff member.
5. Excessive tardiness and/or absenteeism.
6. Possession, distribution, or consumption of illegal
drugs, unauthorized medication, or alcoholic beverages,
being drunk or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and
any other violation of the School Department’s zero
tolerance policy regarding drugs and alcohol.
7. Destruction or mutilation of property.
8. Engaging in sexual harassment.
9. Any other conduct which is a violation of the law, a
violation of school policy, or which is prejudicial to
teaching, learning, or the safety of the school, its
students, teachers, administrators and personnel.
D. Zero Tolerance – Weapons. The possession on school
property or at any school sponsored event of a weapon or
dangerous instrument will be grounds for a suspension and/or
expulsion hearing. A weapon or dangerous instrument is
defined as, but not limited to, the following:
Firearms, guns, imitation guns, explosives, acid, air guns,
blackjacks, slingshots, billy-clubs, metal knuckles,
bludgeons, so-called Kung Fu weapons, knives, daggers,
stilettos, swords, razors, bows, arrows, etc.
V. Procedures
A. SUSPENSIONS
1. There shall be an informal hearing before the principal
or his/her designee at which time the student involved shall
be given an opportunity to respond. If there is an emergency
requiring the student’s immediate removal as determined in
the judgment of the principal or his/her designee, then the
informal hearing shall be as soon as possible, but in any
event, not later than one week after the event giving rise
to suspension.
2. The principal or his/her designee shall immediately
notify the Superintendent about any suspension.
3. The principal or his/her designee shall immediately
attempt to notify by telephone the parent or guardian of the
student involved about the suspension and the reason(s) for
it. Whether or not telephone contact is made, within one day
after the suspension, the principal or his/her designee
shall send written notice of the suspension and the reason
for it to the parent or guardian’s last known address as
reported on school records. If the student involved is 18
years of age or older, the written notice shall be sent to
the student.
The parent or guardian of the student involved may request a
meeting with the principal to discuss the suspension. After
meeting with the principal, the parent or guardian (or the
student if over 18) may request that the Superintendent
review the case with a view towards modifying, remitting, or
suspending the disciplinary action that has been taken. The
Superintendent’s review should be completed and a written
report issued to the parent/guardian/student within three
days of the request. In reviewing the case, the
Superintendent may have the witnesses and the student
involved give their respective individual accounts about
what happened, either in person or in writing, and the
Superintendent may hold a conference with all of the parties
involved.
B. EXPULSIONS
1. In addition to suspending a student, a principal (or the
Superintendent) may request that a student be expelled from
school. A request for expulsion shall be directed to the
Superintendent who shall make a determination as to whether
the student’s conduct warrants disciplinary action with a
view towards expulsion. The Superintendent shall conduct an
inquiry into the case within two school days after receiving
a request for expulsion. If after the inquiry the
Superintendent determines that the student’s conduct
warrants consideration for expulsion, then the
Superintendent shall, within five days of the receipt of the
request, forward the matter to the School Committee for its
determination.
2. In acting on a request for an expulsion, the School
Committee shall afford the student an opportunity at a
hearing. The hearing should be within ten days of the
student’s removal from school; however, if there is an
emergency requiring the student’s continued removal from the
school before the matter can be heard by the School
Committee, then the Superintendent may request that the
student remain out of school pending the outcome of the
hearing. The student shall be afforded the opportunity of a
hearing before the School Committee as soon as possible,
within 10 school days after the original suspension from
school concludes.
3. The student and his parent/guardian shall be notified of
the time, date and place of the hearing, by certified mail.
The notice shall be given five days prior to the hearing
The notice shall state the reasons for grounds why the
student is being considered for expulsion.
The notice shall set forth that at the hearing, the student
shall have the right to appear in person and be heard; the
right to confront and cross-examine witnesses and evidence
presented against him/her; the right to present witnesses
and evidence in his/her own behalf; the right to be
represented by a third party of the student’s own choice and
at his/her own expense, including an attorney; the right to
have a translator provided at no expense if the student or
his/her parent/guardian does not speak English; the right to
obtain a copy of the record of the hearing without expense;
the right to have the School Committee report its decision
in writing stating the reason(s) for its decision and the
disciplinary action to be imposed; the right to have the
decision be based solely upon the evidence derived at the
hearing; and the right to appeal any decision of the School
Committee to the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary
Education.
4. No suspension or expulsion shall be rendered invalid
because of a failure to do any act within the time or times
set forth in Sections 11A and 11B.
VI. Zero Tolerance – Drugs And Alcohol
The use and possession buy students of illegal drugs and
alcohol will not be tolerated. Students have the right to
attend school in a drug and alcohol free environment.
Students shall not use, possess, sell, distribute, or
transfer illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, unauthorized
medication or alcohol, and they shall not be under the
influence of drugs or alcohol prior to coming to school, at
any time during the school day on or off school premises, or
at any school related activity. Violators of this policy
shall be subject to suspension and/or expulsion. Violators
also may be referred for drug/substance abuse counseling,
and they may be required to submit to drug testing as a
condition of being readmitted to school. Furthermore,
whenever there has been a violation of the law, law
enforcement agencies shall be immediately notified.
VII. Zero Tolerance – Violence
Incidents of violence will not be tolerated in any form by
the School Department. This includes acts of violence
against students, all staff, or any visitors to a school or
school property, or at any school sponsored activity, on or
off school grounds. Violators of this section shall be
subject to a suspension and/or expulsion hearing.
The Memorandum of Understanding Between the East Providence
Department and East Providence School Department outlines an
agreement between the school department and the police
department to maintain an open line of communication to deal
with and prosecute those persons who pose a threat to the
safety of students and staff in schools. This agreement also
provides for the maintenance of a “weapons log,” to be kept
in each school building. This log is to be made available
for inspection by the Superintendent of Schools and the
Chief of Police.
The Memorandum of Agreement will be signed by each school
principal, the Superintendent of Schools, the Police Chief
and Juvenile Police prosecutor.
VIII. Dress Code
The following dress code is not meant to be restrictive, but
is intended to guide students and their parent/guardians in
choosing clothing that is safe and appropriate to wear in
school. The following articles of clothing and/or items are
not to be worn in school:
1. Hats and/or Headgear
2. Articles of clothing with designs or wording which is
obscene or vulgar, etc.
3. Articles of clothing with designs or wording referring to
illegal substances such as alcohol or drugs.
4. Articles of clothing which depict, in any form, acts of
violence.
5. Articles of clothing that are too revealing, such as
midriff blouses/shirts, halter-tops, tube tops, spaghetti
string tops, see-through clothing, low cut blouses/shirts,
etc.
6. Students will not attach beepers, pagers, radios,
headsets, stereos, etc. to clothing or to their person.
7. Shorts are not to be worn, with the following exceptions:
Three-quarter length shorts are permitted during the first
and fourth quarters of school only.
Disapproved items (pagers, stereos, etc.) brought to school
in violation of this code and applicable State Laws are
subject to confiscation by teachers and/or administrators.
Pagers, beepers may be turned in to the police department
while stereos, etc., may be returned to parent/guardian and
in some instances, to students after school hours.
Students who are dressed in violation of this code will be
asked to call home for an appropriate change of clothing.
School principals will have final authority in their schools
in deciding what constitutes compliance with this code.
Any exceptions to this code for medical or other reasons
must be substantiated in writing by an appropriate authority
and is subject to approval by the building principal.
IX. Sexual Harassment – Students
It is the policy of the East Providence School Committee
that all students have the right to work and learn in an
environment free from all forms of discrimination and
harassment. This right is granted, first and foremost, by
the Constitution of the United States and is supported by
Federal and State laws. In light of this policy, the East
Providence School Committee is committed to ensuring that
the learning environment shall be free from behavior that
can be considered harassing, coercive, or disruptive.
Definition: Sexual harassment is defined as unsolicited
remarks, gestures, or physical contact, display of or
circulation of written materials or pictures derogatory to
either gender, sexual advances and/or requests for sexual
favors. In addition, other verbal or physical conduct of a
sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when:
1. Submission to such conduct or communication is made a
term or condition either explicitly or implicitly to obtain
or maintain employment and/or a specific grade; or
2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct or
communication by an individual is used as a factor in
decisions affecting such individual’s employment or
achievement.
X. Student Behavior (Action and Penalty)
Smoking tobacco on school grounds—3 day detention, 3 day
suspension/cessation program.
Truancy/Unexcused Absence—parent notification, detention, 3
day suspension.
Repeated Truancy—Parent conference, 3-10 day suspension and
referral to Guidance Office.
Gross Obscenity/Profanity—Conference, 3 day suspension
Forgery—(excuses, passes, notes, etc). Conference and 3-5
day suspension.
Defiance/Insolence—Conference, 3-5 day suspension.
Gambling—(anywhere on school grounds) 3-5 day suspension.
Tardiness to School:
1. Detention after 3rd tardy for each quarter.
2. Parental conference for excessive tardies.
3. 3-5 day suspensionALL STUDENTS
ARRIVING LATE MUST SIGN IN AT THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE (Room
119) BEFORE PROCEEDING TO CLASS.
Class Bunking—Any combination for
all subjects. Subject teachers are responsible for sending
in bunk slips. It is the student’s responsibility to prove
that he/she didn’t bunk class. If bunking occurred:
1. Detention for 3 hours
2. Administrative and/or parent conference.
3. 3-10 day suspension.
Leaving school building without
permission—3-10 day suspension
Refusing to identify oneself—Parent conference, 3 hours
detention, and possible 3 day suspension.
Arson/Attempted Arson—Police
notification and 10 day suspension setting or causing to set
false alarm or bomb threat—Police notification and 10 day
suspension/possible expulsion hearing.
Lewd or Lascivious behavior—10 day
suspension and referral to Principal.
Fighting—Parent
notification/conference and 10 day suspension.
Assault/Battery to staff members—10 day suspension and
police notification.
Possession, verifiable use, or
distribution of drugs, or alcoholic beverages (during school
or school activity)—10 day suspension, police and parent
notification, and referral to Guidance office.
*An Alternative Therapy Program may be
offered at the discretion of the Principal or his/her
designee during the suspension conference. **The parent is
encouraged to participate and suspension may be reduced by
the Principal upon verification that the student has been
enrolled in a therapy program addressing the cause of the
suspension. The guidelines for referrals will be adhered to
in these cases.**
Malicious damage to school or personal
property—10 day suspension with full restitution of
damage. Police and parent notification.
Weapons, Fireworks, Smoke/Odorous Bombs
(or any item banned by law) – 10 day suspension, parent
and police notification.
Larceny, robbery, stealing, or theft
– 10 day suspension, police and parent notification.
Trespassing (unauthorized presence in
building or on school grounds)—Police notification.
Disruptive behavior, Conducts so
disruptive that the education process is compromised,
3-10 day suspension.
|
