Student Behavior

Student Handbook

School rules have been developed to encourage respect for self, others, and property.

Students and staff must be guaranteed an environment that is safe.

Mutual respect is the underlying principle in the classroom, in the hallways, and on school grounds.

No student has the right to interfere in any way with his/her classmates’ right to learn.

It is expected that each student will observe a code of personal conduct that will not interfere with the educational opportunities of other students.

Students are expected to conduct themselves in compliance with school regulations and to exhibit courtesy and respect for authority at all times.

All rules will be explained and equitably enforced.

The following Student Behavior Code applies to all students of LaFayette High School:

-on the school grounds at any time;

-off the school grounds at a school activity, function, or event;

-en route to and from school or a school sponsored function;

-or any situation subject to the jurisdiction of school authorities.

Students in violation of any of the rules for student conduct will be subject to disciplinary action. Minor offenses may be dealt with by the teacher. More serious offenses and offenses that are repetitive in nature shall be handled by the administration. To help insure a fair and equitable assignment of punishment, the following guidelines may be utilized by the administration in determining the appropriate action. Since each situation is unique, disciplinary actions will be subject to administrative discretion and may vary depending on the severity of the infraction and the student’s discipline record.

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

Georgia Law and Walker County Board of Education Policy authorize corporal punishment. All students are subject to corporal punishment except those whose parents have filed a statement with the Principal against its use on the grounds that it is detrimental to the student’s mental or emotional stability. Corporal punishment will only be administered by the Principal or Assistant Principals and at no time will a student be forced to accept this punishment.

TARDY POLICY

Students are expected to be on time to school and their classes. Students who fail to report to school or their assigned classes on time will be reported as “tardy” and will be assigned the following consequences:

Tardy to school

1st Offense: Teacher Warning
2nd Offense: Teacher Warning
3rd Offense: 1 Day Detention
4th Offense: 1 Day Detention
5th Offense: 2 Days Detention
6th Offense: 2 Days Detention
7th Offense: 2 Days ISI

8th Offense and Above: Administrative discretion – including suspension of a student’s LHS parking permit

Tardy to class

1st Offense: Teacher Warning
2nd Offense: 1 Day Detention
3 rd Offense: 1 Day Detention
4th Offense: 2 Days Detention
5th Offense: 2 Days Detention
6th Offense: 2 Days ISI

7th Offense and Above: Administrative discretion – including suspension of a student’s LHS parking permit

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

A student shall not have electronic devices such as cellular telephones, portable CD players, etc… seen or heard inside the school building during the school day. All electronic devices are to be used after the school day outside the school building. A student must get permission from the Walker County Board of Education, or personnel thereof, to be able to use an electronic device inside the school building.

1st Offense: Warning For any offense the phone and/or electronics

2nd Offense: 1 Day Detention device will be confiscated and a parent/guardian

3rd Offense: 3 Days Detention will have to pick up phone/electronic device.

4th Offense: 3 Days ISI

FIGHTING

No student has the right to assault another student for any reason. Students will be deemed to be fighting if they are actively engaged in physical combat with other student(s) of if they intentionally strike a person with the purpose of causing harm or injury. Students who are clearly attacked without immediate provocation and who do not engage in offensive combat in return will not be charged with fighting. A student who is attacked may use reasonable force in self-defense, but only to the extent to free themselves from the attack and notify proper school authorities. It is the responsibility of the administration to determine the degree of involvement of each person involved in a fight.

Students involved in violence of any kind (including any verbal or physical assault) before, during, or after school on school property, or in an area that will reflect negatively on the school could be suspended and possible charges filed with the police.

1st Offense: 3 Days OSS and Notify Police

2nd Offense: Referred to Tribunal

BUSES

Students who ride a bus are expected to follow the Walker County Schools Bus Conduct Code. Riding a bus is a privilege, not a right. Refusal to comply with these rules can result in warning, suspensions of bus riding privileges and/or suspension from school in extreme cases.
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CANDY, FOOD, AND SOFT DRINKS

Candy, food, or soft drinks (except water) are not permitted in classrooms. All breakfasts and lunches will be consumed in the cafeteria or courtyard. Students shall not possess, sell, or distribute these items at any time on campus.
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CHEATING

Students who cheat, plagiarize, or forge in connection with an academic endeavor and/or school procedures are subject to disciplinary action.

Tests/Projects

1st Offense: Student receives a zero for the assignment and assigned three days of detention.
2nd Offense: Student receives a zero for the assignment and assigned three days ISI.

Classwork/Homework

1st Offense: Student receives a zero for the assignment and assigned one day of detention.
2nd Offense: Student receives a zero for the assignment and assigned three days of detention.
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COMPUTER/INTERNET

Students will be subject to disciplinary action if involved in any unacceptable use of computers or the Internet. Students are required to sign an Internet Acceptable Use Policy form before being allowed to access the Internet from school. Internet privileges will be revoked for any unacceptable use.
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DISREGARD/REFUSAL OF DIRECTIONS

A student shall not fail to comply with reasonable directions or commands of teachers, substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, school bus drivers, or other authorized Board personnel.

1st Offense: 1-3 Days Detention
2nd Offense: 2-4 Days ISI
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DISRESPECTFUL TO TEACHER

A student shall not respond in a rude and/or disrespectful manner to any teacher, principal, staff member, or other Board personnel. Administration discretion will be used in assigning appropriate discipline.
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DISRUPTION OF CLASS

It is unlawful for any student to disrupt or interfere with the operation of any public school. Law enforcement will be notified.
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DRESS CODE

A student shall not violate the dress code adopted by the Walker County Board of Education. The administration or any other authorized Board personnel shall determine whether any particular mode of dress, apparel, or grooming violates this policy.

1st Offense: Warning if corrected/Parent contacted
2nd Offense: 1 Day Detention/Parent contacted
3rd Offense: 3 Days Detention/Parent contacted
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FORGERY

A student may not forge the signature of a parent, any school employee, or any other student.

The privilege of driving motor vehicles on school property will be denied if it becomes detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of the school community. All state motor vehicle laws apply on campus. Students must have purchased a parking tag in order to park on campus. Students who park on campus without a tag displayed are subject to their car being towed away at their expense. Students who have unpaid fees and/or fines may be denied parking privileges. .........................................................................................................................................................
PROFANITY

The possession or use of profane, vulgar, or obscene words, gestures, activities, or drawings will not be allowed or tolerated.

1st Offense: 3 Days Detention
2nd Offense: 3 Days ISI
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PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION

Inappropriate displays of affection (kissing of any kind, inappropriate touching, standing too closely to one another, or extended or affectionate hugs) will not be tolerated on school property. If violations do occur on school property, disciplinary action will be taken.

1st Offense: Warning
2nd Offense: 1-3 Days of Detention/Parent & Student Conference
3rd Offense: 2-4 Days ISI
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SKIPPING

Students out of class without the appropriate teacher’s consent will be considered as skipping. Students are not allowed to leave school grounds without prior consent from the office.

1st Offense: Time missed served in detention
2nd Offense: Double the time missed served in detention
3rd Offense: 2 Days ISI
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ALCOHOL/DRUGS

The possession and/or usage of any alcoholic beverage, narcotic, controlled drug (other than prescription drugs) or intoxicant at any school activity is strictly prohibited. A student shall not have in his/her possession prescription drugs and/or “over the counter” medications of any type. All medications must be turned in to the attendance office immediately upon arrival at school. All prescriptions must be clearly labeled, current, with the name of the student and dosage. All other medications must be in the original container and must be accompanied by a note from the parent with directions for administering. Failure to comply with these regulations will result in disciplinary action.

1st Offense: Law enforcement notified and referred to tribunal
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BULLYING

State law prohibits a student from engaging in any willful attempt or threat to inflict injury on another person, when accompanied by an apparent present ability to do so, or in any intentional display of force such as would give the victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm.

1st Offense: 3 Days ISI or OSS
2nd Offense: Referred to tribunal
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DAMAGE, DESTRUCTION, or THEFT OF PROPERTY

A student may not cause or attempt to cause damage, steal or attempt to steal any school property or private property of any employee of the Walker County Board of Education. The administration/school is not responsible for personal items brought to school, which are lost or stolen. To minimize the possibility of having personal property damaged, students should not bring personal items to school. Students are responsible for the care of all books, supplies, and equipment supplied by the school. Students who damage or lose school property will be required to pay for the damage or replacement cost.

1st Offense: 3 Days ISI
2nd Offense: 3 Days OSS
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HARASSMENT

Harassment in any form will not be tolerated. If violations occur, disciplinary action will be taken. Any discrimination on the basis of race, creed, national origin, sex, age, or handicap will not be tolerated.

1st Offense: 3-5 Days ISI or OSS
2nd Offense: Referred to Tribunal
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TOBACCO

Students shall not have in their possession on school buses or on any school property, enclosed or open, any form of tobacco. Smoking and/or possession of any tobacco products in the school building, on school grounds, or at school events is prohibited.

1st Offense: 3 Days Detention
2nd Offense: 3 Days ISI
3rd Offense: 5 Days ISI and lose driving privileges
4th Offense: Referred to Tribunal
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WEAPONS

A student shall not possess, handle, or transmit a razor, ice pick, explosive, loaded cane, sword cane, machete, pistol, rifle, shotgun, pellet gun, and other guns of any kind, knifes of any kind, any object that reasonably can be considered a weapon, and look alike objects displayed as a weapon, or any weapon identified in policy JCDAE.

Detention hall will be held Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons from 3:10-4:40 p.m. A teacher will be assigned to supervise the detention each day and the room number of the detention hall will be announced in the morning and afternoon announcements as well as posted in the attendance office window. Students assigned detention must bring textbooks in order to use the time for studying. Skipping detention hall may result in In-School Isolation (ISI) or Out-of-School Suspension (OSS).

Arrive and be seated prior to 3:10
Bring only schoolwork to do
No talking allowed
Be dismissed by the teacher in an orderly fashion

IN-SCHOOL ISOLATION (ISI) RULES

Bring all textbooks, paper, pencils, and other necessary supplies each day.
Remain in assigned seat at all times unless given permission to do otherwise by the supervisor.
Remain busy on assignments at all times.
No gum chewing, eating, sleeping, passing notes, or talking.
Students in ISI are not allowed to attend any extracurricular activities before, during, or after school.
A student whose last day of ISI is the day of an extra curricular activity may be permitted to attend the event.
Students who arrive late or leave early are required to make up the time missed from ISI.
Student can be in ISI only 3 times in a given semester. Thereafter, major and minor infractions will result in out-of-school suspension.
Failure to comply with any of the above rules will result in extra days of ISI or out-of-school suspension.

OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSION (OSS) RULES

The student cannot be on campus at any time during the days of his/her suspension.
The student cannot attend or participate in any school sponsored social functions.
The student cannot attend or participate in any school field trips.
The student cannot attend or participate in any school sponsored fund raising project.
The student cannot attend or participate in any school sponsored athletic events at home or away or any daily practice.

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