Introduction

The Syracuse City School District is committed to providing a safe, civil and orderly school environment where students  receive, and district personnel  deliver, quality education services without disruption or interference.  Responsible behavior by students, teachers, other district personnel, parents, and other visitors is essential to achieving this goal.

 The Code of Conduct is applicable to all persons on school property or attending a school function, except where a specific provision of the Code of Conduct indicates it is applicable only to a specific group.  This summary will focus on the expectations that apply to students and parents.  These expectations are based on the principles of civility, mutual respect, citizenship, character, tolerance, honesty, and integrity.

 The Syracuse City School District has prepared this summary version of the Code of Conduct and will distribute it to parents and students.

 *The complete Code of Conduct Book is available at your school, or on our website at www.syracusecityschools.com, or by contacting Pupil Services.
 

STUDENT RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Student Rights

     The district is committed to safeguarding the rights given to all students under state and federal law.  In addition, to promote a safe, healthy, orderly and civil school environment, all district students have the right to:

1. Take part in all district activities on an equal basis regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other categories of individuals protected against discrimination by federal, state, or local law.

 2. Explain their version of the relevant events to school personnel authorized to impose a disciplinary penalty in connection with the imposition of the penalty.

 3. Access school rules and, when necessary, receive an explanation of those rules from school personnel.

B. Student Responsibilities

 All district students have the responsibility to:

 1. Contribute to maintaining a safe and orderly school environment that is conducive to learning and to show respect to other persons and to property.

 2. Be familiar with and abide by all district policies, rules and regulations dealing with student conduct.

 3. Attend school every day unless they are legally excused and be in class, on time, and prepared to learn.

 4. Work to the best of their ability in all academic and extracurricular pursuits and strive toward their highest possible level of achievement.

 5. Comply with directions given by teachers, administrators and other school personnel in a respectful, positive manner.

 6. Ask questions when they do not understand.

 7. Seek help in solving problems that might lead to discipline.

 8. Dress appropriately for school and school functions.

 9. Accept responsibility for their actions.

10. Conduct themselves as representatives of the district when participating in or attending school-sponsored extracurricular events and to hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct, demeanor, and sportsmanship.

11. Manage and take care of their personal belongings.

STUDENT DRESS CODE

School dress must be safe, appropriate and must not interfere with the learning process.

A student’s dress, grooming and appearance including bandanas, hair style/color, jewelry, make-up, and nails shall:

 1.  Be safe, appropriate and not disrupt or interfere with the educational process.

 2.  Not wear extremely brief garments such as tube tops, net tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, muscle shirts, plunging necklines (front and/or back) and see-through garments.

 3.  Ensure that underwear is completely covered with outer clothing; therefore trouser will be at waist level.

 4. Include footwear at all times.

 5. Not wear hats or scarves/bandanas, except for a   medical or religious purpose (Matter of Jimenez, 9 Ed. Dept. , Rep 172).

 6. Not wear items that are vulgar, obscene, libelous or denigrate others on matters of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

 7. Not wear items that endorse the use of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs, and/or encourage other illegal or violent activities.

 8. Not wear items that depict or suggest association with a gang/cult.

 Schools may modify the dress code with the recommendation of the Superintendent and approval of the Board of Education.

Bus Conduct

It is crucial for students to behave appropriately while riding on buses to ensure their safety and the safety of other passengers and to avoid distracting the bus driver.  Students are required to conduct themselves on the bus in a manner consistent with established standards for classroom behavior.  Excessive noise, pushing, shoving and fighting will not be tolerated.  A choice will be made from the following menu of consequences, depending on the number and/or severity of misbehaviors and previous referrals:

 
Progressive Discipline Model for Infractions On Buses

· Student warned and parent/guardian notified.

· Parent/guardian conference with school personnel to review behavior.

· Suspended from bus (up to three days) with parent/guardian notified.

· Suspended In-School with parent/guardian notified.

· Other consequences as determined by school.

· Suspended from bus until transportation class attended (parent/guardian notified that both child & parent must attend safety class.

· Permanently denied bus privileges.

· Should a student be denied bus transportation because of behavior, it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to provide transportation to and from school.

 
Teacher Removal of Disruptive Student

 A classroom teacher may remove a disruptive student from class.  The duration shall be determined by mutual discussion between the principal and teacher, and the removal will not exceed two days (48 hours).  If a mutual consensus is not reached, then the student will be removed for one day (24 hours).  The removal from class applies to the class of the removing teacher only.

 Student Searches

An authorized school official may search a student or a student’s belongings based on information from a reliable informant.  Before searching a student’s belongings, the authorized official should ask the student if they have anything that would violate the law or the Code of Conduct, and attempt to get the student to voluntarily consent to a search.  Student lockers, desks, and other storage places are the property of the school and may be searched at any time by school officials.  The Superintendent reserves the right to use metal detectors or wands for individuals on school property.  Signs are posted at every school entrance to provide notice that individuals are subject to screening upon entry.  On days when screening takes place, one of three methods will be employed: A.  All entrants will be screened, or B. Screening is done on a predetermined basis, or C.  Schools will allow a predetermined number of persons to enter without being screened, then resume screening all persons.

 School Visits

Parents (and other visitors) are subject to the same rules as students and other school personnel.  Parents and visitors are required to sign in and will be issued visitors identification badges that must be worn at all times.  Arrangements for parental visitation to classrooms must be made in advance so distractions are kept to a minimum.  Students from other schools are not permitted to enter buildings unless they have approval from the Principal or Superintendent of Schools.  Parents (and other visitors) who violate any of the Code of Conduct rules, may have their authorization to remain at school withdrawn.  When warranted, they may be excluded from school property and/or school functions in the future.  New students accompanied by parents are always welcome.

Possession of Dangerous Weapons/Objects

No student or visitor shall be allowed to have in his/her possession any (legally defined) dangerous weapon/firearm, or any object which could be used to inflict bodily injury to another person while on school grounds, on district transportation, or attending a school activity.  If a student violates this rule, a suspension will ensue and a referral made to the Superintendent’s Designee for Student Behavior, and/or the police will be called.  If a student is found guilty of possession of a weapon, they are subject to suspension for at least one calendar year and placement in an alternative program for an entire calendar year.  The Superintendent has the authority to modify the suspension on a case by case basis.

 
Cell Phone Policy

Students may carry cell phones to and from school, however, cell phones may not be turned on or used in schools.  Parents or guardians may contact the main office during the school day when in need of contacting a student.  Students may use the main office phone or public phone when available.

 Inappropriate Objects

Any item that may be dangerous or disruptive to the learning environment, (ex., electronic games, walkman/iPods, beepers, laser pens, poppers, toys that look like weapons) are subject to confiscation and the student may be given disciplinary consequences. 

 
Infractions

Based on the New York State Violent and Disruptive Incident Report, the following are prohibited and reported to the State on an annual basis.

 This listing of infractions and penalties are not meant to be inclusive.  For further information, please consult the complete Code of Conduct book.

 Penalties/Interventions

 Consequences for above acts and others deemed inappropriate by the school administrator can include, but are not limited to: