Sycamore Community Schools Student Code of Conduct

SYCAMORE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

While Sycamore embraces the Positive Behavior Intervention and Support framework for encouraging desired behavior, student accountability is imperative in teaching our children to be responsible citizens. The Sycamore Student Code of Conduct identifies in greater detail the expected behavior of students while in our classrooms, on our campus, and attending our events. Positive acknowledgement of these expected behaviors is an essential component in the PBIS framework, and is embedded in our culture. However, when students are not able to demonstrate expected behaviors, we believe in a restorative approach. This may include re-teaching of the expected behaviors, considering the impact of the behavior on others and our culture, and considering opportunities to make amends. Additionally, consequences may be administered for inappropriate or unexpected behavior. Administrators may exercise discretion in determining appropriate consequences for inappropriate behavior. Prior history, seriousness of the offense, and individual student circumstances will be taken into consideration by the administrator.

This Code of Conduct is adopted by the Board of Education pursuant to sections 3313.661 and 3313.662 of the Ohio Revised Code. Any student engaging in the following types of conduct either specifically or generally like the kinds of conduct listed in the accompanying regulations is subject to expulsion, suspension, emergency suspension, removal, or permanent exclusion from curricular activities pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code. This code of conduct is in effect while students are under the authority of school personnel or involved in any school activity. This includes but is not limited to school buses and property under the control of school authorities, and while at interscholastic competitions, extracurricular events, or other school activities or programs. In addition, this Code of Conduct includes:

1. misconduct by a student that occurs off school district property but is not connected to activities or incidents that have occurred on school district property; and
2. misconduct by a student that, regardless of where it occurs, is directed at a district official or employee or the property of a district official or employee.

Students with disabilities may be subjected to disciplinary action for violations of the Student Code of Conduct consistent with applicable Federal and State statutes.

Code of Conduct Violations

Alcohol, Drugs, or Narcotics, THC and CBD products:

A student shall not possess, handle, transmit, conceal, use, smell of, or consume any alcoholic beverage, drug (prescription and over-the-counter), inhalant, or narcotic except as prescribed by a duly licensed medical practitioner and registered with the school nurse or principal, nor shall a student possess, transmit, conceal, or use any counterfeit drug, rolling papers or other drug paraphernalia, or narcotic. A student shall not allude to possessing or providing, attempting to sell, distribute, trade, or provide alcohol, drugs, narcotics, THC/CBD products to another student. Students are not permitted to present, reference or simulate the use of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, THC and CBD products using lookalike, imitation, or simulated products. A student is not permitted to possess or use electronic devices or accessories utilized for storage, possession or consumption of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, thc, or cbd products including but not limited to vape devices, chargers, pods, vaporizers, tanks, coils, oils, and cartridges.

Assault:

A student shall not assault or cause physical injury or mental anguish or behave in such a way that could cause physical injury or mental anguish to school personnel, other students or visitors. Hazing in any form is forbidden.

Academic Dishonesty:

A student shall not possess, sell, transmit, or receive any test information or other information that is meant for individual completion or preparation. Nor shall a student plagiarize or present another person’s work as his/her own. This may result in grade reduction.

Cell Phones:

Cell phones may not be heard or visible during instructional time--unless directed to do so by the classroom teacher or designee for instructional purposes only. Specific guidance regarding ear/headphones will be provided by the building principal. Please refer to board policy JFCK.

Creating a Hazardous/Unsafe Situation:

A student may not engage in any activity that knowingly or unknowingly may cause a hazardous situation for students, staff, or the community while on school property or at school sponsored events.

Damage or Destruction of Property:

A student while under the jurisdiction of the school shall not deface, damage or destroy, or attempt to deface, damage or destroy, school or private property. Disciplinary action may include restitution.

Dangerous Physical Contact:

A student shall not engage in physical contact with another individual in a manner in which injury could be incurred or safety of staff or students is compromised including but not limited to; physical person to person contact, use of an object to make physical contact with another, or improper use of objects or property that could result in injury or harm to another.

Disrespect/Provocation:

Students are expected to be courteous, considerate, and solve problems peacefully with all students and staff. Students shall refrain from the use of profane or obscene language, motions, signs, electronic or written messages, and derogatory comments based on race, religion, gender and/or sexuality. Students are expected to be honest and truthful. Students are expected to honor the reasonable requests of their peers and adults.

Disruption of Classroom:

A student shall not engage in any activity that interrupts, interferes, or prohibits the learning of themselves or others in an instructional setting.

Disruption of School:

A student shall not engage in any activity that requires the daily operations of the school to be significantly disrupted or halted. Including but not limited to; disruptions resulting in student’s being removed from their intended building locations, administrators coordinating large scale responses to reported student code of conduct violations, and disruptions requiring law enforcement response.

Dress Code:

Appropriate attire should ensure the health, welfare and safety of all members of the student body and promote a positive image of our students and the schools. Any form of dress or grooming that attracts undue attention, disrupts the learning environment, or violates the previous statement is unacceptable. Dress and grooming standards require cleanliness in the interest of health, sanitary conditions and safety requirements. When a student is participating in school activities, his/her dress and grooming must not disrupt his/her performance or that of other students or constitute a health threat to himself/herself or other students. Dress and grooming will be such as not to disrupt the teaching-learning process nor infringe upon the rights of others.

Electronic Equipment:

Students are not permitted to use electronic devices that cause disruption to the educational process or school functions.

Extortion:

A student shall not borrow or attempt to take money or anything of value from another person by using intimidation or threat, real or implied.

Falsifying Information/Lying In An Investigation:

A student shall not knowingly report or provide details in an investigation that are false, embellished, or inaccurate for the purpose of misleading the administration in an investigation, as retaliation towards peers or staff, to or to protect themselves or others in an investigation.

Fighting, Physical Altercation, Horseplay:

A student may not engage in a physical exchange with another student that may, or does, cause physical discomfort or harm with other students.

Forgery:

A student shall not write the name of another person or alter the date, time, grade, or other data on any school form or on correspondence directed to the school.

Gambling:

A student shall not engage in any act of gambling including but not limited to in person or online gambling activities.

Gangs:

A student may not wear, carry, or display gang paraphernalia, or exhibit behavior or gestures which symbolize gang membership, or cause and/or participate in activities which intimidate or negatively affect other students.

Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying, and Dating Violence:

The Board does not tolerate hazing, harassment, intimidation or bullying of any student on District property or at any school-sponsored event, regardless of whether the event occurs on or off District property (including on school buses and other school-related vehicles). Students who engage in such behavior are subject to disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion from school. The Board's commitment to addressing such prohibited behavior involves a multi-faceted approach, which includes education and the promotion of a school atmosphere in which hazing, harassment, intimidation, dating violence and/or bullying will not be tolerated by students, staff or administration. Definitions of hazing, harassment, intimidation, or bullying are found in the Bullying and Hazing Policy, JFCF. Please see board policy JFCF-R

Insubordination:

A student shall not fail to comply with the directive of authorized school personnel during any period of time when the student is under the authority of the school.

Public Display of Affection:

Students will refrain from any form of physical contact between couples that may make others in close proximity uncomfortable or serves as a distraction for themselves as well as onlookers.

Public Indecency:

A student shall not uncover or expose parts of the body which are regarded as private.

Skipping/Out of Assigned Area:

Students are expected to be in their designated or assigned space within the school building at all times. Students out of their assigned area are only permitted to do so with specific permission from school officials. Students are not permitted to leave school grounds without explicit permission and by signing out and following the outlined procedures for leaving school grounds.

Theft:

A student shall not remove, have in his/her possession, or take property belonging either to the school or another individual.

Threats/Intimidation:

A student shall not act in a way, through written, electronic, or physical communication the desire, intent, or possibility of causing harm to another student. Harm is defined as physical, mental, social or emotional damage to a person, property, social standing, opportunities, or any extension of the person that has importance.

Tobacco/Nicotine or Tobacco Simulating Products:

A student shall not use or possess tobacco or nicotine/tobacco-simulating products in any form including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, clove cigarettes, e-cigarettes/vaporizer pens, chewing tobacco, snuff and any other tobacco. A student is not permitted to possess or use electronic devices or accessories typically utilized for nicotine including but not limited to vape devices, chargers, pods, vaporizers, tanks, oils, coils, and cartridges. Students are not permitted to allude to or insinuate the use of tobacco/nicotine or tobacco simulating products.

Trespassing/Loitering:

A student shall not enter a school building or school grounds or school sponsored event where the student is not authorized to attend. Students are not permitted on school property before or after operating hours without specific purpose or permission from a school official to attend or participate in is a supervised school approved activity.

Truancy:

A student shall not be absent from school or from a class except for the reasons provided by Ohio Revised Code and confirmation by the parent or guardian. Excessive unexcused absences may result in referral to a student attendance intervention meeting and/or in truancy charges being filed with the Hamilton County Juvenile Court.

Unauthorized/Inappropriate use of Electronic Devices:

In accordance with the Acceptable Use Policy for technology, unauthorized, illegal use of computers, software, access to computer networks, telecommunications and related technologies; or being involved in willful acts that cause physical, financial, or other harm, or disruption of information technology in any manner by the student is prohibited. Students are not permitted to use personal devices on school grounds to engage in illegal, unwelcomed, or illicit contact with others. Students may not use the district network to engage in illegal, unwelcomed, or illicit contact with others. Using extensions, apps or software that bypass district filters or programs is not permitted. The Acceptable Use Policy is expected to be followed 24/7, whether the device and/or account is on or off Sycamore’s campus. The following guidelines and procedures shall be complied with by staff, students or community members who are specifically authorized to use the District’s computers or online services..

1. Use appropriate language. Do not use profanity, obscenity or other language that may be offensive to other users. Illegal activities are strictly forbidden.
2. Do not reveal your personal home address or phone number or those of other students or colleagues.
3. Note that electronic mail (email) is not guaranteed to be private. Technology coordinators have access to all messages relating to or in support of illegal activities and such activities may be reported to the authorities.
4. Use of the computer and/or network is not for financial gain or for any commercial or illegal activity.
5. The network should not be used in such a way that it disrupts the use of the network by others.
6. All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be property of the District.
7. Rules and regulations of online etiquette are subject to change by the administration.
8. The user in whose name an online service account is issued is responsible for its proper use at all times. Users shall keep personal account numbers and passwords private. They shall use this system only under the account numbers issued by the District.
9. The system shall be used only for purposes related to education or administration. Commercial and/or political use of the system is strictly prohibited. The administration reserves the right to monitor any computer activity and online communications for improper use.
10. Users shall not use the system to encourage the use of drugs, alcohol or tobacco nor shall they promote unethical practices or any activity prohibited by law or Board policy.
11. Users shall not view, download or transmit material that is threatening, obscene, disruptive or sexually explicit or that could be construed as harassment, intimidation, bullying or disparagement of others based on their race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, economic status, military status, political beliefs or any other personal or physical characteristics.
12. Copyrighted material may not be placed on the system without the author’s permission.
13. Vandalism results in the cancellation of user privileges. Vandalism includes uploading/downloading any inappropriate material, creating computer viruses and/or any malicious attempt to harm or destroy equipment or materials or the data of any other user.
14. Users shall not read other users’ mail or files; they shall not attempt to interfere with other users’ ability to send or receive electronic mail, nor shall they attempt to read, delete, copy, modify or forge other users’ mail.
15. Users are expected to keep messages brief and use appropriate language.
16. Users shall report any security problem or misuse of the network to the teacher, their immediate supervisor or building administrator.

For more information please see Board Policy EDE

Weapons or Explosives:

A student shall not possess, handle, transmit, or conceal any weapon or object capable of causing injury to another person, including but not limited to chains, guns, knives, ice picks, brass knuckles, objects that propel projectiles, lighters, matches, firecrackers, smoke bombs, fireworks and chemicals or other look alike objects which could be construed as causing harm. The definition of a firearm is any weapon (including a starter gun) which is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer or any destructive device (as defined in 18 U.S.C.A. Section 921), that includes any explosive, incendiary or poisonous gas, bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce, mine or device similar to any of the devices described above. A knife is defined as a cutting instrument having a sharp blade that is capable of causing serious bodily injury.

Other:

A student shall not engage in any other activity which the pupil knows or may disrupt the academic process or a curricular or extracurricular activity.

Adopted by the Sycamore Board of Education: 8/76, 5/83, 4/85, 7/88, 8/91, 5/93, 7/97, 6/98, 5/03, 6/13, 9/17, 2/23.

Discipline Consequences

Out of School Suspension

A student may be suspended from school for up to 10 days. A suspended student is not allowed on school grounds or permitted to attend or participate in any school activities. In accordance with Ohio law any student that misses class for a suspension is allowed full make up privileges for assignments missed for at least partial credit. For additional information please see board policy JGD.

Expulsion

Only the superintendent may expel a student from school. The length of an expulsion may be for any length of time, up to and including eighty (80) consecutive school days. A student who may have committed a serious offense or continued and chronic repeated offenses may be recommended for expulsion. An expulsion hearing will then be set up at the Sycamore Community Schools Board of Education office in accordance with Ohio law, board policy JGE.

Hazing and Bullying

(Harassment, Intimidation and Dating Violence)

The Board does not tolerate hazing, harassment, intimidation, or bullying of any student on District property or at any school-sponsored event, regardless of whether the event occurs on or off District property (including on school buses and other school-related vehicles). Students who engage in such behavior are subject to disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion from school. The Board's commitment to addressing such prohibited behavior involves a multi-faceted approach, which includes education and the promotion of a school atmosphere in which hazing, harassment, intimidation, dating violence, and/or bullying will not be tolerated by students, staff, or administration.

Hazing means doing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to do any act of initiation into any student or other organization that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to any person.

Throughout this policy, the term bullying is used in place of harassment, intimidation, and bullying.

Bullying, harassment, and intimidation is an intentional written, verbal, electronic, or physical act that a student has exhibited toward another particular student more than once. The intentional act also includes violence within a dating relationship. The behavior causes mental or physical harm to the other student and is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for the other student. This behavior is prohibited on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored activity. Students found responsible for harassment, intimidation, or bullying by an electronic act may be suspended. Discipline procedures will not infringe on any student’s rights under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. When the behavior is sexual harassment, the Title IX sexual harassment grievance process will be followed, if applicable, prior to imposing any discipline that cannot be imposed without resolution of the Title IX process.

Permission, consent, or assumption of risk by an individual subjected to hazing, bullying, and/or dating violence does not lessen the prohibition contained in this policy.

The District includes, within the health curriculum, age-appropriate instruction in dating violence prevention education in grades 7 to 12. This instruction includes recognizing warning signs of dating violence and the characteristics of healthy relationships.

Prohibited activities of any type, including those activities engaged in via computer and/or electronic communications devices or electronic means, are inconsistent with the educational process and are prohibited at all times. The District educates minors about appropriate online behavior including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response.

No administrator, teacher, or other employee of the District shall encourage, permit, condone, or tolerate any hazing and/or bullying activities. No students, including leaders of student organizations, are permitted to plan, encourage, or engage in any hazing and/or bullying.

Administrators, teachers, and all other District employees are particularly alert to possible conditions, circumstances, or events that might include hazing, bullying, and/or dating violence. If any of the prohibited behaviors are planned or discovered, involved students are informed by the discovering District employee of the prohibition contained in this policy and are required to end all such activities immediately. All hazing, bullying, and/or dating violence incidents are reported immediately to the principal/designee and appropriate discipline is administered. When employees have actual knowledge that the behavior is sexual harassment, they must contact the Title IX Coordinator.

The Superintendent/designee must provide the Board President with a semiannual written summary of all reported incidents and post the summary on the District's website, to the extent permitted by law.

The administration provides training on the District’s hazing and bullying policy to District employees and volunteers who have direct contact with students and by November 30 annually reports to the Ohio Department of Education compliance with this requirement through the consolidated school mandate report. If the District reports noncompliance, the Superintendent/designee must provide a written explanation to the Board within 30 days explaining this noncompliance and a written plan of action for accurately and efficiently addressing the problem.

Additional training is provided to elementary employees in violence and substance abuse prevention and positive youth development.

District employees, students, and volunteers have qualified civil immunity for damages arising from reporting an incident of hazing and/or bullying. Administrators, teachers, other employees, and students who fail to abide by this policy may be subject to disciplinary action and may be liable for civil and criminal penalties in compliance with State and Federal law.

No one is permitted to retaliate against an employee or student because they file a grievance or assist or participate in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing regarding the charge of hazing and/or bullying of an individual.

Please see board policy JFCF-R for school personnel responsibilities and complaint procedures.

Sexual Harassment (Title IX)

The District does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates, including admission and employment. The District is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the regulations promulgated through the U.S. Department of Education not to discriminate in such a manner. Inquiries about the application of Title IX to the District may be referred to the District’s Title IX Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education, or both. Please refer to board policy ACAA and ACAA/R.

The Board designates the following individual to serve as the District’s Title IX Coordinator:

Non-Discrimination Policy

The Board is committed to an environment in which all individuals, including students, staff, job applicants, the general public, and individuals with whom it does business, are treated with dignity and respect. The Board prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, religion, sex, economic status, age, disability, military status, or legally acquired genetic information.

The Board designates the following individual to serve as the District’s compliance officer:

 

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