The Ida B. Wells Community
Academy
Students' and Parents'
Handbook
on Student Rights and
Responsibilities
novi quid ex Africa
"Everything new comes out of Africa" – Pliny
Letter from the IBWCA Advisory Board
Why have a Statement of Rights
and Responsibilities
Standards of Behavior
The Nguzo
Saba
The Responsibilities
of Walimu and Wanafunzi
The
Role and Responsibility of Faculty and Staff
Search and Seizure
Due Process
Consequences for Violating Standards
of Behavior
How to Appeal
Table of Violations and Consequences
Why
have a Statement of Rights and Responsibilities?
This Students' and Parents' Handbook was prepared as a summary and reference
guide to assist students, parents and administrators in following the Ida
B. Wells Community Academy's academic and behavioral regulations. The Statement
of Rights and Responsibilities is provided as a guide and should always
be referred to should you have any questions. The Statement of Rights and
Responsibilities contains the rules of the IBWCA learning community and
presents the Standard of Behavior for students, faculty and administrators
are expected to follow.
Standards of Behavior
To be a good student (and faculty member) at the Ida B. Wells Community
Academy follows, among other things, a basic three-part set of rules.
Part I: "Start of the School Day" Program
A. Students are required
to participate in
1. singing the African American National Anthem, "Lift Ev'ry Voice and
Sing,"
2. participating in the daily ritual of "Paying Tribute to ing the Ancestors"
and
3. reciting the IBWCA Pledge
B. Students are required
to practice at school, at home, at work and at play the values contained
in
The Nguzo Saba
The Seven Principles
-
UMOJA (Unity)
To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation,
and race.
-
KUJICHAGULIA (Self-Determination)
To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak
for ourselves instead of being defined, named, created for and spoken for
by others.
-
UJIMA (Collective Work and Responsibility)
To build and maintain our community together and make our sister's
and brother's problems our problems and to solve them together.
-
UJAMAA (Cooperative Economics)
To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and
to profit from them together.
-
NIA (Purpose)
To make our collective vocation the building and developing our community
in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
-
KUUMBA (Creativity)
To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave
our community more beautiful and beneficial then we inherited it.
-
IMANI (Faith)
To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers,
our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
Part II: Roles and Responsibilities
of Teachers and Students
The Roles and Responsibilities
of Walimu and Wanafunzi
THE MWALIMU (TEACHER) — MWANAFUNZI
(STUDENT) relationship is of major importance and must be understood and
adhered to if an atmosphere of learning, discipline, and respect is to
be created. In the final analysis, we are all students, but some of us
have been students longer and have acquired a body of knowledge that must
be passed on to those who are just entering formal life-studies. We call
the teacher MWALIMU and the student being introduced to knowledge, we refer
to as MWANAFUNZI. No institutions can advance intellec- tually, culturally,
or politically, unless there are dedicated and sincere WALIMU with an equally
committed WANAFUNZI. The Mwalimu and the Mwanafunzi are equally responsible
to each other and must develop an unbreakable trust between themselves.
The following points should be observed by
all WALIMU (Teachers).
1. Be the example of what you teach. Your personal contradictions can wipe
out years of hard work. You must be direction for the young, be what you
teach, exemplifying the Black Value System — NGUZO SABA.
2. Always impart knowledge with an eye on reality. Pull your examples from
the real world that we are involved in daily. High sounding philosophy
belongs in philosophy classes that divorce themselves from life. Knowledge
without understanding and practical application is like owning land without
being able to cultivate it.
3. Never tire of teaching. An instructor who believes in what he is teaching
can teach anywhere and at anytime and is always prepared to teach; his
lifestyle should be a lesson. Concentrate on the four ingredients for an
African reality: to work, to study, to create, and to build.
4. The developing of the moral, spiritual, and physical well-being of the
students is of the uppermost imperative. A student should never be held
back — in fact, a teacher should be eager for his student to surpass him;
this is a reward for doing his job well.
5. In order to develop the communal spirit to the highest, the instructor
must be conscious of and concerned about the student' s well being outside
the classroom. Make sure that the student has all basic needs in order
to develop his mind, body, and spirit .
6. The student should be encouraged to investigate all areas of
life-studies. The student should be given equal time and attention in accordance
with his personal ability. Push the complimentary and cooperative aspects
of learning and encourage involvement with man and nature, and independent
study. Never betray a trust, and discipline should be strict, quick, and
fair .
7. All teaching should be based upon tradition and reason, and be taught
theoretically and scientifically, the emphasis always on Afrikan man in
relation to his community — community-centered rather than man-centered;
emphasizing the responsibility of the students to their community, organization,
and family; always communal ism over commercialism.
The following points should be observed
by all WANAFUNZI ( Students ):
1. The student is the nation becoming. The good student never tires of
learning. The secret of knowledge is that the good students can learn anything,
anyplace, and any time.
2. The good student is committed — committed to the institution/organization,
committed to his people, and committed to the acquisition of knowledge
that will aid his people — therefore aiding himself.
3. The good student lives the Black Value System — Nguzo Saba — and is
the example for the younger brothers and sisters .
4. The good student knows that to move from black purpose to Afrikan Reality
four ingredients are needed: Work, Study, Creativity, and Building.
5. Remember that a student' s conduct outside the organization reflects
the organization. To do in justice one day out of 365 days could wipe out
the whole year' s work.
6. The spirit of sharing and learning; must be with the student at all
times. But if he does not know any thing — there will be nothing for him
to share.
7. The student must develop good study habits, always show a willingness
to learn, and always be respectful to the instructor. Address all male
instructors with [Mr. or Doctor] and all female instructors with [Mrs.,
Ms. or Doctor.]
8. Knowledge without understanding and practical application is useless
— if you do not understand something ask questions. One who continually
asks questions does not show stupidity or ignorance — he shows a thirst
for knowledge. One who nits and absorbs everything without question is
— like a sponge — with his head is full of water. Challenge your instructors
to give you all the knowledge they have.
Excerpted from Haki Madhubuti. (1973). From Plan to
Planet. Detroit: Broadside Press.
Part III: Precautions all Faculty,
Parents and Staff Should Adhere to
Role
and Responsibility of Faculty, Parents and Staff
1. Never be overawed by authority. Not at any time whatever, nor
for any reason whatsoever, can any one with safety or profit permit his
faculty-of-thought to take a "sabbatical," least of all when that individual's
mind is exposed to the thoughts of other people.
2. Be open to conviction, but refuse to be convinced until conviction
becomes a necessity. In other words, do not imprison your mind in the padded
cell of the comfortable rut of your own preferred beliefs, prejudices,
biases, or egocentricity.
3. Read little, think deeply — and much. Avoid acquiring the grasshopper
mind. Books are highly suggestive, therefore, choose your authors with
care. Take time to think through the full implications and connotations
of what you read, testing its validity from as many angles as you can.
Even nourishing food leads to indigestion if swallowed whole. Avoid mental
indigestion at all costs. It is not to be cured merely by going to the
Drug Store!
4. Seek TRUTH and pursue it, to the extent of remaking your own
mind no matter what the cost, should it become necessary. Never forget
that the "superstitions" of today were the "truths' of yesterday; the "truths"
of today will be the "superstitions" of tomorrow. Do not allow them "permanent
residence" in your mind. Seek not mere "knowledge" but UNDERSTANDING. Perchance
WISDOM may follow. One thing is certain: Only when the rational mind is
stilled can the ears of Understanding open to the voice of Wisdom.
5. If you must lie, lie to others; they will find you out and know
you for the fool that you are. But if you lie to yourself, you are a lost
fool.
6. Learn to "think beyond the thoughts of men that lean on things they
see." Inevitably they become "obsessed by the perceptible to such an
extent that, for them, thinking has become synoymous with repeating parrot-fashion
the cast-off-thoughts of others, with less intelligence than the (so-called)
"dumb" animals. On no account should you visit that Club, much less join
it.
7. Make it your golden rule, never to be broken, NOT under any circumstances
to consult any author on any subject until you shall first have thought
deeply about it — meditative act — and shall have reached some conclusions,
no matter how tentative. Remember at all times: NOTHING BELONGS TO YOU
EXCEPT YOUR MIND HAS HAD A HAND IN ITS FORMULATION. The moral is obvious:
ensure by every means at your disposal, that your mind is actively functioning
on oiled wheels, and that it functions as your servant and not your enslaver
.
8. Heed well the words of Herbert Spencer: "There is a principle which
is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments,
and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance: That Principle
is contempt prior to investigation."
First
drawn up by Chief Fela Sowande at Howard University, 1969, revised at the
University of Pittsburgh, 1973, and restructured at Dartmouth College,
July 1975.
Faculty are also required to participate in "Standards of Behavior,"
Part I: A and B above.
Standards of Good Student Behavior
IBWCA stresses also a comprehensive set of behavioral
standards which include student rights, responsibilities, school rules
and community standards. Students should treat others as they want to be
treated. Students should be good citizens of the IBWCA learning community.
A good citizen of the IBWCA community:
-
is courteous, safe, and productive;
-
cares about learning;
-
cares about him or her self;
-
cares about his or her family, neighborhood and community;
-
strives to help his or her fellow students
-
cares about and thinks of others;
-
desires to excel in school, at home and in life;
-
cares about safety;
-
follows IBWCA rules;
-
cooperates with teachers and other IBWCA staff;
-
respects the differences of others;
-
is responsible for his or her actions;
-
respects the property of others; and
-
respects the IBWCA facility.
The IBWCA Preamble
-
Students have the right to learn and be safe, and
in turn should show respect to others.
-
Students who violate the rights of others to receive
an education will face the consequences of their actions. Violating the
rights of others includes being disruptive, harassing others, fighting,
stealing and breaking other rules.
-
Students with disabilities are expected to follow
the rules. The Statement of Rights and Responsibilities document will not
restrict the rights of these students as they relate to disability laws.
Parents/Guardians
-
Parents or guardians are responsible for making sure
their children attend school every day, and arrive for school on time.
Teachers
-
Teachers have a duty to teach.
-
Teachers are responsible for student behavior in
the classroom and to provide helpful, constructive direction.
-
Teachers may remove students from a class or discipline
students. Both of these actions, however, must not be done without clear
and definite cause.
The Principal
-
The principal or his or her representative is responsible
for making sure students receive an appropriate education.
-
The principal or his or her representative may discipline,
suspend and/or recommend students for expulsion for justified reason.
Where these rules apply
-
The Statement of Rights and Responsibilities applies
at school and at school activities.
-
In addition, the Statement of Rights and Responsibilities
applies to acts that start on the school's premises and are completed off
school grounds; on school buses and at school bus stops; they also apply
to acts that happen off school grounds but affect the school's reputation
or the well-being, safety, or morals of the school's students.
Attendance and Truancy
-
Right: All students should start school at the same
time to avoid classroom disruptions.
-
Responsibility: Students must attend school every
day during the school year unless excused.
-
Parents are responsible for making sure students
attend school every day and are at school on time.
Unexcused Absences and Truancy
-
Tardiness or absence from school without a parent's
earlier permission, or for other unacceptable reasons, will not be excused.
In addition, truancy violations may be reported to the police.
Disruptive Behavior is Against the Rules: Cooperate
with School Staff
-
Right: Students have a right to receive their education
without disruptive behavior from others. Students also have a right to
a safe environment.
-
Responsibility: Students have a responsibility to
cooperate with school staff. Disruptive behavior interferes with school,
other students' safety and with school activities.
Disruptive, unacceptable
behavior includes:
-
moving around the classroom without permission;
-
breaking classroom or school rules;
-
talking back in a disrespectful way;
-
being defiant with school staff;
-
swearing, and other unacceptable language;
-
use of put-downs (unflattering gestures or speech);
and
-
making an unsafe situation for others, which includes:
a. fighting;
b. roughhousing, hitting;
c. picking on, harassing, bullying;
d. making threats;
e. throwing objects such as snowballs, rocks, or food;
f. running, pushing, or horseplay in classrooms or halls.
Identify Yourself to Faculty, Staff and Administrators
-
Right: Students have a right to feel safe by knowing
that their parents can be contacted in an emergency and that school staff
can identify unknown visitors to their school.
Responsibility: Students and their parents are
responsible for giving the school their correct name, address and telephone
number. If asked, students must tell school faculty, staff and administrators
who they are.
Educational Research or Surveys of Students
-
Right: Parents must give written permission for students
to answer IBWCA authorized surveys or educational research questionnaires
that ask about personal or private family affairs that are not public information.
-
Responsibility: IBWCA will find it necessay to conduct
professional educational research which uses students and/or their parents
as respondents. Personal information gained during this research will be
kept confidential.
Freedom of Speech
-
Right: Students may speak their opinions as long
as they do not interfere with others speaking their opinions.
-
Responsibility: Swearing, slander, racial slurs and
other unacceptable language is not allowed.
Freedom of Assembly
-
Right: Students may meet together with the principal's
permission.
-
Responsibility: Demonstrations or meetings that interfere
with learning are not allowed.
Freedom to Publish
-
Right: Students may express their opinions in publications.
Students may hand out fliers, leaflets and newspapers with permission from
the principal. Sales of literature not authorized by the Advisory Board
is not allowed on school property.
-
Responsibility: Students should use responsible journalism
and good judgment in any publications they publish, as defined in the Canons
of Journalism which will be available in the principal's office.
-
Right: Faculty also enjoy to right to publish their
curriculum related ideas and lessons plans, scholarly articles, and research
findings in profession and trade journals, newsletters, webpages, etc.
Freedom of Symbolic Expression: Student Dress Code
-
Right: Every student should have a safe environment
in which to learn.
-
Responsibility: Students must wear clean clothes
that are safe for the student and others, and are in good taste.
-
The Advisory Board will prescribe a standard uniform
dress code which all student will be required to wear. Parents will be
advised of this dress code prior to the start of each school year.
-
Students may wear/display buttons, armbands, flags,
decals or other badges unless such items break the IBWCA standard uniform
dress code.
Displays Identifying Restricted
Organizations and Groups
Exception: Groups which may threaten the safety
of students or others will be defined as gangs and are not allowed. Clothes,
jewelry, accessories or looks that might show membership in these and other
restricted organizations are not allowed. Participation in restricted activities,
including initiation, is not allowed.
Discrimination and Harassment
-
Right: Students and staff have the right to a school
that is free from discrimination, harassment, hazing or violence.
-
Responsibility: Students should respect the differences
of others. Harassment is not tolerated. Harassment includes ridiculing,
harassing, intimidating or threatening anyone.
Discrimination is
not tolerated
-
Discrimination is showing prejudice by making mean
remarks toward others, or using violence, or damaging someone's belongings
because of their race, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability
or looks. Remarks not allowed include name calling, racial slurs or jokes
or threats of harm.
Harassment is not
tolerated
-
Harassment is when someone pesters, annoys, alarms,
or abuses another person or group because of their race, color, religion,
national origin, gender, disability or looks. Harassment also includes
being offensive and creating a hostile, abusive or unsafe school or work
environment.
Sexual harassment
is not tolerated
Reporting discrimination or harassment
-
Students who believe they have been discriminated
against or harassed should report it to their school principal.
-
The IBWCA principal will investigate and inform the
IBWCA's Board of Governors who act as its Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative
Action (EEO/AA) office, and request their advice and adjudication of the
incident.
-
Students may also report the incident directly to
an outside agency, such as the City of Akron Equal Rights Commission, the
City Ombudsman, the State of Ohio Human Rights Commission, the U.S. Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission, or the Office for Civil Rights.
Don't Break these Laws: They may be Criminal Acts!
-
Right: Students and staff have the right to be safe.
Students involved in crimes threaten the safety of others in the
school community.
-
Responsibility: Students should avoid bad situations.
If students participate in unacceptable behavior, they must face the consequences
of their actions including simple discipline, suspension or being expelled
from school.
-
Students who violate laws, including those listed
below, may face additional consequences. This list does not include a definition
of all crimes, and is only a summary.
a. Aiding and abetting: helping someone in any way commit a crime.
b. Arson: causing or starting a fire or setting off an explosion, including
fireworks.
c. Assault: injuring someone on purpose.
d. Attempt: taking action to commit a crime.
e. Burglary: entering an unauthorized room or building illegally, and planning
to commit
a crime.Criminal impersonation: identifying yourself as someone else and
trying to
be deceitful, or helping someone commit a fraud.
f. Criminal mischief: vandalism, including removing, damaging, destroying,
defacing, or
mutilating objects, materials, or property belonging to others.
Extortion or blackmail: threatening others
to gain
money, property, or to get them to do
something
for you.
Forgery: signing another person's name
on a
document, altering a document, or having
a forged
document.
Reckless endangerment: creating a risky
situation that might cause injury to another
person.
Robbery: stealing from another person by
force or
threatening force.
Selling and/or possessing alcohol or other drugs:
selling, trading, using or possessing alcohol or
illegal drugs.
Smoking and/or possessing tobacco products:
using or possessing tobacco, including
cigarettes, cigars, or tobacco in a container.
Soliciting: talking another person into committing
a crime.
Trespass: entering or remaining on another
person's property without permission, or refusing
to leave if asked by the property owner.
Theft: stealing from another person.
Weapons and Guns/Firearms Policy: NO
GUNS ALLOWED (Rights, 2)
Students are not allowed to bring weapons or
guns/firearms to school or school events.
Weapons that are not allowed at school include
guns/firearms (a weapon designed to shoot or
explode), pellet and BB guns, air guns, spring
guns, zip guns, stun guns, shockers, bombs or
other explosives, poison, dangerous or deadly
gas, slingshots, bludgeons, throwing stars,
knives, clubs, brass knuckles, or artificial
knuckles of any kind, numchucks and throwing
weapons.
Consequences for violating the weapons or
guns/firearms policy:
Students found with any guns/firearms face
expulsion and arrest.
Students found with weapons or look-alike
weapons (see guns/firearms) of any kind face
suspension, or expulsion, and arrest.
Searches and Confiscation
Right: All searches should take place in the
presence of the student and another person. The
search will be done in a way that shows respect
for the student and their belongings. (Rights, 13a)
Searches of Lockers and Desks (Rights, 13b)
The District owns and controls lockers and
desks, and other property assigned to students.
The District may conduct random searches of
student lockers or desks to find out if students
are following laws and school rules.
Notices of the right to random searches are
posted throughout the school, and students will
be told at least once each semester that
searches can happen at anytime, with or without
advance notice.
Searches Based on Reasonable Cause
(Rights, 13b,c,d)
Searches occur for a justified reason. The school
principal may inspect and search a student's
locker or desk, vehicle, belongings and outer
clothing if the principal believes the search will
turn up evidence that the student has broken the
law or rules of the school. Evidence that may be
found in the area searched includes, but is not
limited to, drugs, weapons, stolen goods or
dangerous, illegal or prohibited matter.
Part II:
The Anchorage School District Statement of
Rights and Responsibilities constitutes
School
Board policy on matters pertaining to
students'
rights and responsibilities. In any case
of conflict
between the Statement of Rights and
Responsibilities and any other District
policy or
procedure, the Statement of Rights and
Responsibilities shall take precedence
unless
specifically limited by such other Board
policy.
Due Process
The constitutional rights assured to individuals
includes the guarantee that no person
shall be
deprived of life, liberty or property
without due
process of law. Students are recognized
as
"Persons" under the constitution and a
system of
constitutionality and legally sound procedures
has been developed for the administration
of
discipline in the schools.
1.The hallmark of the
exercise of
disciplinary
authority shall be fairness.
2.Before the imposition
of a disciplinary
action,
a student shall be given an
opportunity
to contest any alleged facts
leading
to the proposed disciplinary action
and to present
his or her version of the
facts.
Preamble
1.A primary responsibility
of the District and
its professional
staff shall be the
development
of an understanding and
appreciation
of our representative form of
government,
the rights and responsibilities
of the individual
and the legal processes
whereby
necessary changes are brought
about.
2.The school is a community
and the rules
and regulations
of the school are the laws
of that
community. All those enjoying the
rights of
citizenship in the school
community
must also accept the
responsibilities
of citizenship. Among the
responsibilities
of school citizenship are
respecting
the laws of the community and
the rights
of other citizens and
contributing
to the fulfillment of
educational
purposes through cooperative
conduct.
3.Young people in the
United States have
the right
to receive a free public education,
and deprivation
of that right may occur
only for
just cause in accordance with due
process
of law.
4.Students have the
rights of citizenship as
defined
in the United States Constitution
and its
amendments; and these rights
may not
be abridged, obstructed or in
other ways
altered except in accordance
with due
process of law. The First and
Fourteenth
Amendments to the
Constitution
of the United States prohibit
states from
unduly infringing upon the
rights of
speech and expression. In the
school setting
this restriction on state
action limits
the manner and extent to
which schools
may regulate the speech
and expression
of students. In order to
curtail
First Amendment rights, school
authorities
must show that the failure to
do so would
create a material and
substantial
disruption of school work and
discipline.
5.Administrators and
teachers also have
rights and
duties. The teacher is required
by law to
maintain a suitable environment
for learning,
and administrators have the
responsibility
for maintaining and
facilitating
the educational program.
6.The principal, or
his or her designee, is
authorized
to recommend expulsion, and
to suspend
or discipline students for
cause. The
teacher has the authority to
temporarily
remove students from a class
or discipline
students for cause. The
following
rules, regulations and due
process
procedures are designed to
protect
all members of the educational
community
in the exercise of their rights
and duties.
7.Students with disabilities are subject to
and shall follow the rules and regulations
set forth in this Statement of Rights and
Responsibilities and shall be disciplined
under these policies. The policies set forth
in this Statement of Rights and
Responsibilities shall not restrict the rights
to which these students are entitled under
the disability laws. Discipline under these
policies shall not be in violation of the
requirements of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act, or any modifications
of the school's disciplinary sanctions which
are set out in individual IEPs.
8.Jurisdiction: The following rules apply on
campus, at school activities on and off
campus, on school buses and at school
bus stops. School jurisdiction also applies
to acts which start on school campus and
are completed off school campus. In
addition, criminal acts which occur
completely off campus but which have
direct and immediate affect either on
school decorum or the welfare, safety or
morals of students fall under the
jurisdiction of the school. AS 14.30.045.
Rights, Responsibilities and
Limitations
Any conduct prescribed by the following
statement of rights, responsibilities and limitations
shall be subject to appropriate corrective action
from simple discipline to expulsion:
1.Criminal acts: The following acts are
among those crimes defined in detail under
the laws of the State of Alaska. This list is
not exclusive and a student convicted of a
felony may be suspended or denied
admission if the attendance of the student
is determined to be against the welfare or
education of other pupils. AS 14.30.045
Aiding and abetting - Assisting in the
commission of a crime, with the result of
being held criminally responsible for all
crimes committed by others during the
commission of the crime. AS
11.16.100-130
Arson - Damaging any property by
intentionally or negligently starting a fire or
causing an explosion, or attempting to
start a fire or cause an explosion. AS
11.46.400- 450
Assault - Physically injuring or threatening
to physically injure another person. AS
11.41.200-230
Attempt - Preparation to commit a crime
followed by a direct act in furtherance of its
commission constitutes a substantial step
toward the commission of a crime. AS
11.31.100
Burglary - Entering unlawfully or remaining
unlawfully with intent to commit a crime.
AS 11.46.300-315
Criminal impersonation - Assuming a
false identity and then engaging in conduct
with the intent to defraud, or facilitating a
fraud to be committed by another. AS
11.46.570
Criminal mischief - Willful property
damage,
tampering, or interfering with
property
rights. AS 11.46.480-486
Extortion
or blackmail - Obtaining
money, property,
or actions by violence or
threat of
violence or untrue accusations or
public ridicule.
AS 11.41.520-530
Forgery -
Falsely making or altering a
written
instrument or knowingly
possessing
a forged instrument. AS
11.46.550
Reckless
endangerment - Engaging in
conduct
which creates a substantial risk
of serious
physical injury to another
person.
AS 11.41.250
Robbery -
Stealing from the person or
another
by force or threat of force. AS
11.41.500-510
Sale, use,
or possession of alcohol or
illegal
drugs, or sale or misuse of
prescription
drugs *
AS 4.16.050-060,
4.16.080,
11.71.010-060,
17.13.080
* The school
official in charge shall
immediately
remove from contact with
other students
anyone under the influence
of alcohol
or drugs and thereupon shall
contact
the parent/guardian and law
enforcement
officials.
Smoking -
Students are not permitted to
smoke on
school property. Using, giving,
selling,
or possessing cigarettes or other
tobacco
products is prohibited. AS
11.76.100-105
Soliciting
- Soliciting another to commit
a crime
and being held legally
accountable
for the commission of the
crime. AS
11.16.110
Trespass
- Presence on another's
property
without permission and/or refusal
to leave
another's property upon request.
AS 11.46.320-330
Theft - Theft
without force or violence
against
another person. AS 11.46.100-220
The commission
of, or participation in,
any criminal
activity in school buildings,
on school
property, on school buses and
at school
bus stops, at school activities
on and off
campus, and acts which occur
completely
off campus but which have
direct and
immediate effect either on
school decorum
or the welfare, safety or
morals of
students is prohibited.
Disciplinary
action may be taken by the
school regardless
of whether or not
criminal
charges or prosecution result.
2.Weapons and firearms:
Students shall
not carry
on their person, or place
anywhere
on school property, or in the
vicinity
of a school sponsored event, any
firearms
or other weapons, except as
assigned
to students for, and used during,
a regular
course of instruction. However, if
in a regular
course of instruction or during
an authorized
activity, a weapon is used
in an unauthorized
manner, the student
will be
in violation of this provision.
Students
found with any firearms* while
subject
to the jurisdiction of the school
are subject
to expulsion and arrest.
Students
found with weapons, or
look-alike
weapons of any kind, while
subject
to the jurisdiction of the school
are subject
to suspension or expulsion,
and arrest.
Weapons include,
but are not limited to,
firearms*,
pellet and BB guns, air guns,
spring guns,
zip guns, stun guns,
shockers,
bombs or other explosives,
poison,
dangerous or deadly gas,
slingshots,
bludgeons, throwing stars,
knives,
clubs, brass knuckles or artificial
knuckles
of any kind, numchucks and
throwing
weapons.
* A "firearm" is defined as: (1) any weapon
(including a starter gun) which will or is
designed to, or may readily be converted,
to expel a projectile by the action of an
explosive; (2) the frame or receiver of any
such weapon; (3) any firearm muffler or
firearm silencer; or (4) any destructive
device. A "destructive device" is an
explosive, incendiary, poison gas, bomb,
grenade, rocket, missile, or any other
similar device. 18 U.S.C. #164# 921.
3.Attendance: Daily attendance of all who
are enrolled in the District schools is
required in accordance with State law and
School Board rules. Students will attend
regularly scheduled classes unless
officially excused.
4.Disruptive conduct: Disruptive behavior
and/or appearance which interferes with the
normal school program, the educational
process, or the lawful activities of others is
prohibited.
5.Cooperation with school personnel:
Students must obey the lawful instructions
of all school district personnel.
6.Self identification: All students in school
buildings, on school grounds, or at
school-sponsored events must, upon
request, identify themselves to authorized
school district personnel or their designee.
7.Off-campus events: Students at
school-sponsored off-campus events shall
be governed by school district rules and
regulations and shall be subject to the
authority of school district personnel.
8.Discrimination and harassment: It is the
policy of the District to maintain a learning
and working environment that is free from
discrimination, harassment, hazing, and
related violence. A learning environment
must be structured to reflect diverse
cultural traditions and contributions. The
District has zero tolerance for any
behaviors that ridicule, harass, intimidate,
or otherwise threaten students, staff, or
community members. Discrimination and
harassment of employees and students will
not be tolerated in the School District.
School District includes School District
facilities; School District premises, and
non-school property if the student or
employee is at any school-sponsored,
school-approved, or school-related activity
or function, such as field trips or social and
athletic events where students are under
the control of the School District or where
the employee is engaged in school
business.
It shall be a violation of this policy for any
student to harass another student or an
employee through conduct or
communication of a discriminatory or
sexual nature as defined by this policy.
It shall be a violation of this policy for any
student to be sexually violent to a fellow
student or to an employee.
The District will act to investigate all
complaints, either formal or informal, verbal
or written, of discrimination, sexual
harassment, or violence and to discipline
any student or employee who
discriminates against or sexually harasses
or is violent to a student, employee, or
community member.
A false or frivolous accusation made under
this policy shall result in disciplinary
action.
Discrimination defined
Discrimination is the display of
prejudice towards others. A student
will be in violation of this
non-discrimination policy if he or
she:
1.Makes demeaning remarks
directly or indirectly, such as
name-calling, racial slurs or
"jokes," or physically
threatens or harms an
individual on the basis of
race, color, religion, national
origin, sex, disability, or
physical appearance;
2.Displays visual or written
materials or defaces property
or materials which demeans
the race, color, religion,
national origin, sex, disability
of an individual group, or
physical appearance;
3.Damages, defaces, or
destroys private property of
any person because of the
person's race, color, religion,
national origin, sex,
disability, or physical
appearance.
Harassment and sexual harassment
defined
Harassment: Harassment is a
single act or a course of conduct
directed at an individual or a group
that serves no legitimate purpose
other than to annoy, alarm, or abuse
that person or group due to their
race, religion, national origin, age,
disability, gender, or physical
appearance.
Sexual Harassment: Sexual
harassment consists of unwelcome
sexual advances, requests for
sexual favors, sexually motivated
physical conduct or other verbal or
physical conduct or communication
of a sexual nature when:
1.Submission to that conduct
or communication is made a
term or condition, either
expressly or impliedly, of
obtaining or retaining
employment or of obtaining
an education;
2.Submission to or rejection of
that conduct or
communication by an
individual is used as a factor
in decisions affecting an
individual's employment or
education or participation in
other school activities;
3.That conduct or
communication has the
purpose or effect of
substantially or unreasonably
interfering with an individual's
employment or education, or
creating an intimidating,
hostile or offensive
employment or education
environment.
Examples of sexual harassment
include, but are not limited to, the
following:
verbal harassment or abuse;
subtle pressure for sexual
activity;
inappropriate patting or
pinching;
intentional brushing against a
student's or employee's
body;
demanding sexual favors
accompanied by implied or
overt threats concerning an
individual's employment or
educational status;
any sexually motivated
unwelcome touching; or
sexual violence which is a
physical act of aggression
that includes a sexual act or
sexual purpose.
Reporting Procedures
Students who believe they have
experienced an act of harassment
by another student or an employee
should report the matter
immediately to a trusted staff
member and then to their principal
or designee. The school principal or
designee shall investigate the issue
and advise the EEO/AA Office. In
addition, the students may also
report the incident to the EEO/AA
Office directly, or to an outside
agency; i.e., the Municipality of
Anchorage Equal Rights
Commission, the Ombudsman, the
State of Alaska Human Rights
Commission, the U.S. Equal
Employment Opportunity
Commission, or the office for Civil
Rights.
9.Prohibited Organizations and Groups
Groups which initiate, advocate, or
promote activities which threaten
the safety or well being of persons
or property at school or at school
activities are determined to be
detrimental to the education
program of the school are
prohibited. Apparel, jewelry,
accessory or grooming which
implies or indicates that a person
is a member of a prohibited group
is prohibited at school or at school
activities.
Participation in activities such as
initiation, hazing, intimidation or
activities designed to create group
affiliation that can cause bodily
danger, physical harm or mental or
emotional harm, are prohibited.
Persons who display symbols of
prohibited groups or who
participate in activities identified
with prohibited groups or who
participate in activities which
intimidate another student are
subject to disciplinary action.
Groups that behave in the manner
described in this section will be
defined as gangs. Gang behavior is
prohibited at school and school
activities. e. Inservice training will
be provided as required to develop
staff skills. Schools' staff will
promote participation in authorized
school activities as a positive
alternative to membership in these
groups.
10.Freedom of speech and assembly:
Students are entitled to express
verbally their personal opinions in a
manner that does not interfere with
the freedom of others to express
themselves. Obscenity and slander
are prohibited.
Students have the freedom to
assemble peacefully. There is an
appropriate time and place for such
assemblies. Meetings of
school-sponsored organizations on
school property shall be conducted
at times and places approved by
the principal or his/her designee.
Conducting demonstrations or
meetings which interfere with the
educational process or the lawful
activities of others is prohibited.
11.Freedom of symbolic expression:
Student dress code: It is the goal
of the District to ensure that every
student has a safe environment in
which to learn. Each student shall
attend school clothed in a manner
which is clean, not hazardous to
the safety of him/herself or others,
and which does not detract from
the educational environment.
Clothing worn by students that in
the reasonable opinion of the
school administration is
inappropriate is forbidden. Such
clothing includes:
clothing which promotes
gang affiliations;
clothing which promotes
violence or the use of
tobacco, drugs, alcohol or
weapons;
clothing which is revealing,
or which has comments or
designs that are obscene,
lewd, or vulgar;
clothing that presents a
hazard to the student's
safety or the safety of
others;
clothing that causes
distractions or inhibits the
learning process.
Your individual school may have
other school rules/prohibitions that
are age appropriate. These school
rules/prohibitions for clothing will
be listed in your student handbook.
Students who do not follow the
rules will be excluded from school
until such time that they cease
wearing the clothing or items to
school or school events.
Buttons and armbands: Students
may wear or display buttons,
armbands, flags, decals and other
badges of symbolic expression,
unless the manner of expression
materially or substantially
interferes with the orderly process
of the school or the rights of
others. Items that are associated
with gangs are deemed in and of
themselves to substantially
interfere with the orderly process of
the school.
Patriotic assembly: A student may
abstain from the pledge or salute if
he/she desires.
12.Freedom to publish:
Generally, the restrictions and
regulations governing responsible
journalism*, as defined by the
American Society of Newspaper
Editors, should be applied to
District student publications with
the clear understanding that school
officials have the authority, indeed
the duty, to provide for an ordered
educational atmosphere free from
constant turmoil and distraction.
Material which promotes gang
activity is prohibited. (Note School
Board policy 490.1 Student
Publications)
Prohibited material: Material which
is libelous or violates the rights of
privacy; obscene according to
community standards; profane or
vulgar slang language which would
not be used by the local
newspapers; advocating the
breaking of school policy or law;
critical, demeaning or attacks on
any race, religion, sex, disability or
ethnic group; commercial
solicitation for products, i.e.,
cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, or any
product prohibited for any person
18 years of age or younger;
endorsements or solicitations
regarding partisan causes, political
candidates or ballot measures of a
nature that it would cause a
disruption of the school. (Note
School Board policy 490.14)
Students are entitled to express in
writing their personal opinions but
are expected to exercise
responsibility and good judgment.
The distribution of such material
may not interfere with or disrupt the
educational process. A written
expression of opinion must be
signed by its author except that
editorials representing a newspaper
position may be printed without
signature if all members of the
editorial board are identified
elsewhere on the paper. (Note
School Board policy 490.13)
Students have the right to
distribute leaflets, newspapers, and
handbills at times and places as
determined by the school principal
or his/her designee. The students
who edit, publish or distribute such
leaflets, newspapers, and handbills
among their fellow students
assume the responsibility for the
content of such publications. The
school principal or his/her designee
shall be entitled to predistribution
examination of materials to
determine whether these materials
would disrupt the orderly
educational process.
Non-school publications being
distributed on school property may
be seized by the school principal
or his/her designee who has
reasonable cause to believe that
such publications contain libelous
or obscene material. Seized
publications must be returned to
the student or made available to
the parent/guardian at the end of
the school day.
* Copies of the Canons of
Journalism are available in the
school office and the school
library.
Commercial solicitation not
authorized by the Superintendent or
designee will not be allowed on
school property at any time. An
exception to this rule will be the
sale of non-school-sponsored
student newspapers published by
students of the school district.
Non-school newspapers may be
distributed only at times and places
as determined by the school
principal or his/her designee.
Students have the right to do
necessary research for articles,
including public opinion polls, and
shall have the responsibility not to
abuse that right. Polls shall be
authorized by the school principal or
his/her designee if they interrupt
class time, and the school principal
or his/her designee shall be
informed of polls taken during
students' free time in school.
13.Search and seizure: The following rules
shall apply to search and seizure
pertaining to students and school property
assigned to them (e.g., lockers, desks):
All searches, based on
individualized suspicion described in
this section, should take place in
the presence of the student and a
third person, if each, respectively,
can be located. The search will be
conducted in a respectful, organized
manner which shows respect for the
student and their possessions.
Lockers and desks:
Random Searches: The school
administration retains control over
lockers and desk space loaned to
students. The District retains the
right to conduct random searches of
student lockers or desk space at
any time. All lockers and/or desks
may be searched, or a smaller
number chosen by random selection
may be searched. Notices of the
right of District to conduct this type
of search are posted in prominent
locations in your school. In addition,
students will be notified at least
once each semester that such
searches will be conducted at the
discretion of the school principal.
The District may or may not, at its
discretion, give prior notice that a
random search will take place. The
purpose of such a search is to
determine student compliance with
school regulations, and local, state,
and federal laws. The search will not
be more intrusive than reasonably
necessary to meet the objectives of
the search. (AS 14.03.105) The
search will be conducted in a
respectful, organized manner
showing respect for the student and
their possessions.
Searches of Lockers and Desks
Based on Reasonable Cause: The
school principal or his/her designee
has the right and duty to inspect
and search a student's locker and
desk, if there is reasonable cause to
believe, upon information received
from the police or otherwise, that
drugs, weapons, dangerous, illegal,
or prohibited matter, or goods stolen
from the school or from members of
the staff or student body, are likely
to be found within the area
searched. Reasonable cause to
search will exist when, based on all
the facts and circumstances known
to the person, there is cause to
believe that the search will turn up
evidence that the student has
violated or is violating the law or the
rules of the school. No search
based on individualized suspicion
shall be conducted without
attempting to secure the permission
of the person possessing the
property to be searched, except if
the suspected possession poses
threat to life or property.
Automobiles: The school principal
or his/her designee may search
automobiles which are parked on
school grounds if he/she wishes to
establish whether drugs, alcohol,
weapons, dangerous , or illegal
matter, or goods stolen from
members of the staff or student
body are found therein. All students
utilizing the privilege of parking on
school grounds have consented to
such a search under the terms and
conditions of their Parking Permits.
All student vehicles parked on
school grounds, whether or not a
permit has been obtained, may be
searched when there is reasonable
cause to believe that the items
described immediately above may
be found therein.
Possessions and outer garments:
The school administration has the
authority to inspect and search the
possessions (e.g., purses, gym
bags, instrument cases) and outer
garments (e.g., jackets, coats,
shoes or boots) of students when
the school principal has reasonable
cause to believe that drugs,
alcohol, weapons, illegal or
dangerous materials, or stolen
goods are likely to be found. A
search may be conducted if a
school official has reasonable
cause to believe that a violation of a
school rule or local, state, or
federal law has taken place. No
probable cause or warrant is
required before a search may be
conducted. Any such search must
be conducted in private by the
school principal or an assistant
principal, and witnessed by a staff
person. School authorities will
make a reasonable effort to contact
the student's parent/guardian by
telephone to obtain his/her consent
prior to the search; parents/
guardians will be given reasonable
opportunity to be present during the
search. Searches will be limited to
the examination of the contents of
a student's possessions and outer
garments, although a student may
be requested to empty pockets of
all contents.
Search of a student's person:
Should an administrator have
reason to believe that a student has
drugs, weapons, illegal or
dangerous materials, or stolen
goods concealed on his/her person,
the administrator may conduct a
search of the student's person. No
such search may be undertaken
unless, in the administrator's
judgment, there is adequate
information based on direct
observation by school personnel or
reliable information from third
parties, that a student is likely to
have prohibited material on his/her
person.
Prior to commencing a search of a
student's person, the student must
be told the nature of the information
against him/her, and reasonable
efforts must be made by school
authorities to notify the student's
parent/guardian by telephone and
permit the parent/guardian the
opportunity to be present. The
student, or the student's
parent/guardian if present, will be
asked for consent, the nature of the
search will be specified, the rights
of the student, and the possible
consequences faced by the student
will be explained. If consent is
refused, the search procedure will
be immediately halted, and the
matter turned over to the police.
Initial searches of a student's
person shall be confined to a
pat-down search unless the student
specifically requests that the
search proceed with the removal of
garments rather than a pat-down
search. Male students will be
searched only by men and female
students only by women. During
such a search, procedures to
assure the privacy and dignity of the
student will be followed.
Should a pat-down search provide
reasonable cause to believe that the
student has prohibited material
concealed upon his/her person, the
student will be requested to
surrender the materials. If the
pat-down search does not reveal
any prohibited material, but based
on information received, the
administrator continues to have
reasonable cause to believe there is
a strong likelihood that prohibited
material is concealed upon the
student's person, the administrator
may request the student to remove
or adjust clothing to the degree
necessary to ascertain whether the
student does in fact possess
prohibited material. Any such
search will be conducted with the
utmost respect for the student's
privacy and dignity.
Should a student, or student's
parent/guardian, at any point refuse
permission to continue a search,
the school authorities will
immediately discontinue the search
procedure. The student, and
parent/guardian, will be informed
that unless permission is granted to
continue the search, the matter
may be turned over to law
enforcement officials. Should
permission still be withheld, the
student will be placed in a
supervised area and the police
called.
Emergency exception: For all types
of searches described above, when
an administrator has reasonable
cause to believe, on the basis of
information provided through direct
observations by school personnel or
others, that a student possesses
any weapon or dangerous material
which poses an imminent threat to
life or property, he/she may
authorize an immediate search of
the student's person or
possessions. In such a case, the
student's parent/guardian will be
notified by telephone of the search
as soon as possible. No physical
force may be applied during any
search of the student unless there
is an immediate threat of imminent
danger to persons or property.
Seizure and surrender of items
found: Unlawful, prohibited, or
stolen matter found during the
search may be turned over to the
police and/or used in school
disciplinary proceedings. Items
which are used to disrupt or
interfere with the educational
process may be seized temporarily
by school authorities. Such items
shall, upon request, be returned to
the student or parent or guardian at
the end of the school day.
Illegal items (tobacco, alcohol,
drugs, firearms, weapons) or other
possessions reasonably determined
to be a threat to the safety or
security of others may be seized by
school authorities and at the
discretion of the school principal, or
his or her designee, may be turned
over to the police authorities.
All legal items seized shall, upon
request, be made available to the
parent or guardian or the student at
the end of the school day.
14.Student surveys: Teachers or school
administrators may conduct surveys of
students for the purposes of study, the
improvement of education, or class
assignment. These surveys or
questionnaires are governed by the
following rules:
A school district, principal or other person
in charge
of a public school, or teacher in
a public
school may not administer or
permit to
be administered in a school, any
questionnaire
or survey, whether
anonymous
or not, which inquires into
private
family affairs of the student not a
matter of
public record or subject to public
observation
unless written permission is
obtained
from the student's parent or
guardian
(AS 14.03.110). (Included in this
restriction
are surveys that seek
information
on the following):
political affiliations;
mental and psychological problems
potentially embarrassing to the
student or the student's family;
sex behavior and attitudes;
illegal, anti-social,
self-incriminating and demeaning
behavior;
critical appraisals of other
individuals with whom the student
has close relationships;
relationships that are legally
recognized as privileged, such as
those of lawyers, physicians, and
ministers;
income (other than that required by
law to determine eligibility for
participation in a program or for
receiving financial assistance under
such a program); or
private family affairs not a matter of
public record or subject to public
observation. 20 U.S.C. #164# 1232
(h)(b); AS14.03.110.
Surveys or
questionnaires not seeking
information
in the categories described
above may
be administered to students
without
parental consent. In addition, it is
appropriate
to require students to
complete
these surveys. Inspection by
Parents
or Guardians of Survey Material:
All instructional
materials, including
teacher's
manuals, film, tapes, or other
supplementary
materials which will be
used in
connection with any survey,
analysis,
or evaluation as part of any
applicable
program shall be available for
inspection
by the parents or guardians of
the children.
20 U.S.C. #164# 1232(h)(a)
Use of Information
Gathered in Student
Surveys:
Information gathered in student
surveys
may be disclosed to
organizations
conducting studies to
develop,
validate, or administer predictive
tests; administer
student aid programs; or
to improve
instruction. This information
may be disclosed
without parental
consent
provided the study is conducted
in a manner
that does not permit personal
identification
of parents and students to
individuals
other than those conducting
the study.
Further, the information must
be destroyed
when no longer needed for
purposes
of the study. 34 C.F.R. #164#
99.31(6)(I)
Types of Sanctions/Disciplinary
Actions
1.Simple discipline:
Any disciplinary
action against
a student other than
suspension
or expulsion. No simple
disciplinary
action shall be taken in such
manner as
to prevent a student from
accomplishing
specific academic grade,
level, or
graduation requirement, provided
that credit
may not be granted for irregular
attendance
as described in the Secondary
and Middle
Level Administrative Manual.
Simple disciplinary
actions may include
the denial
of the privilege to participate in
school sponsored
extracurricular
programs,
social events and senior
graduation
ceremony. A student can be
subject
to such simple disciplinary
sanctions
in addition to suspension or
expulsion.
Prior to the imposition of simple
disciplinary action, the student will be given
written or oral notice of the charges against
him/her, and if he/she denies them, an
explanation of the evidence the
administrator has, and an opportunity to
present his/her side of the case will be
granted. This explanation and opportunity
to present facts may occur immediately
after notice of the charges is given to the
student.
When simple discipline involves the denial
of the privilege to participate in
extracurricular programs, social events and
senior graduation ceremony: The school
principal shall endeavor to notify the
parent/guardian of the student by telephone
of the pending charges against the student
prior to imposition of this type of simple
disciplinary action. The decision of the
school principal will be provided in writing
to the student and his/her parent/guardian.
Simple discipline involving the denial of the
privilege to participate in extracurricular
programs, including senior graduation
ceremony, may be appealed as set forth in
Section 5 below.
2.Short-term suspensions: Denial, without
a formal hearing, of the right of school
attendance either from a single class or
any full schedule of classes for a limited
period of time not to exceed five (5) school
days.
Short-Term Suspension: A
short-term suspension is a
suspension ordered for any reason
by the school administrator where
the disciplinary action will not
exceed five (5) school days.
Prior to a student being placed on
short-term suspension, the student
must be given written or oral notice
of the charges against him/her, and,
if he/she denies them, an
explanation of the evidence the
administrator has, and an
opportunity to present his/her side
of the case. This explanation and
opportunity to present facts may
occur immediately after notice of the
charges is given to the student.
Notice to Parent/Guardian: The
school administrator shall endeavor
to notify the parent/guardian of the
student of the pending suspension
by telephone and in writing. The
student and/or his or her
parent/guardian shall be provided
written and/or oral notice of the
suspension prior to the time the
suspension is to commence, unless
notice is not possible prior to
suspension because the student's
presence poses an immediate or
continuing danger to him/ herself or
other persons or property, or an
ongoing threat of disruption of the
academic process.
A student may appeal a
short-term suspension under
the process set forth in
Section 5 below. The
short-term suspension will be
enforced immediately and the
student shall remain away
from school unless or until an
informal hearing is requested.
Upon receipt of a hearing
request, the suspension will
be delayed and the student
shall be allowed back in
school pending the informal
hearing, except as set forth
in Section 5 below.
A student on short-term suspension
is encouraged to contact his or her
teachers regarding daily class
reading and assignments. A student
will be allowed to complete, for
credit, class work and assignments
missed during the short-term
suspension.
3.Long-term suspensions: Denial of the
right of
attendance from any single class or
any full
schedule of classes for a stated
period of
time greater than five (5) school
days. The
following limitations shall apply
to all long-term
suspensions:
No student shall be suspended from
an elementary school for more than
forty-five (45) consecutive school
days.
No student shall be suspended from
a secondary school for more than
ninety (90) consecutive school
days.
A student on long-term suspension
is encouraged to contact his or her
teachers or counselor regarding
daily class reading and
assignments. However, a student on
long-term suspension is not allowed
to make up graded work which is
handed in or completed during
class.
When the school administrator, the
Superintendent, or their designee,
recommends long-term suspension,
a written notice shall be delivered by
mail or in person to the student and
his or her parent/guardian. An
attempt at telephonic notification will
also be made. This notice shall
state:
1.the specific charges against
the student; and
2.the student's right to a
hearing;
3.the recommended sanctions.
For students experiencing
disabilities, the written notice shall
also include a copy of the Parents'
Rights Handbook: and, as soon as
possible, a Multidisciplinary Team
meeting will be held to determine if
the student's behavior is related to
the disability.
Within five (5) school days of receipt
of this notice, the student and/or the
student's parent/guardian may
request a hearing in writing. If a
request for hearing is not received
within the five (5) day period, the
student and his or her
parent/guardian shall have waived
his or her right to a hearing. If a
hearing is requested, it shall be held
as promptly as possible after receipt
of the request, pursuant to the
procedures set forth in Section 6
below. The long-term suspension
will be enforced immediately and the
student shall remain away from
school unless or until a hearing is
requested. The submission of a
written request for a hearing shall
delay further imposition of any
remaining portion of the suspension
pending the hearing, except as set
forth in Section 6 below.
4.Expulsion: The denial
of the right of school
attendance,
either from a specific school or
from the
District, for an indefinite period of
time. No
student shall be expelled unless
other means
of correction have failed or
would not
be adequate in bringing about
proper conduct.
In addition, the matter of
an expelled
student's further education
shall be
referred to the appropriate
Instructional
Division Executive Director.
When the
school administrator, or the
Superintendent,
recommends expulsion, a
written
notice shall be delivered by mail or
in person
to the student and his or her
parent/guardian.
An attempt to make
telephone
notification will also be made.
This written
notice shall state:
the specific charges against the
student; and
the student's right to a hearing;
the recommended disciplinary
actions.
For students experiencing disabilities, the
written notice shall also include a copy of
the Parents' Rights Handbook; and, as
soon as possible, a Multidisciplinary
Team meeting will be held to determine if
the student's behavior is related to the
disability.
Within five (5) school days of receipt of
this notice, the student and/or the
student's parent/guardian may request a
hearing in writing. If a request for hearing
is not received within the five (5) day
period, the student and his or her
parent/guardian shall have waived his or
her right to a hearing. If a hearing is
requested, it shall be held as promptly as
possible after receipt of the request,
following the procedures set forth in
Section 6 below. The student shall remain
away from school until a hearing is
requested. The submission of a written
request for a hearing shall delay further
imposition of any remaining portion of the
expulsion, pending the hearing, except as
set forth in Section 6 below.
Students expelled from other school
districts, as well as from the Anchorage
School District, may apply for admission
or readmission to the Anchorage School
District by written application to the
Anchorage School Board.
Students must apply in writing and
must document that they have met
the conditions for return required by
the Anchorage School District.
Additional conditions and
requirements may be set for
admission at the discretion of the
Superintendent, his designee, or
the School Board prior to
consideration for admission by the
School Board.
Upon admission to school, written
conditions related to placement
and attendance will be formulated.
Continued permission to attend
school will depend on adherence to
these written conditions.
5.Appeal procedures for short-term
suspensions and simple discipline:
NOTE: These appeal procedures apply to
short-term suspensions and all simple
discipline except the denial of
participation at a student's senior
graduation ceremony. Simple discipline
prohibiting a student's attendance at
graduation may be appealed under the
procedures set forth in Section 6 below.
After notification of the short-term
suspension or simple discipline, the
student or his/her parent/guardian may
request an informal hearing. The request
shall be in writing. The submission of a
written request for a hearing shall delay
further imposition of any remaining portion
of the suspension, pending the informal
hearing. However, a student will not be
allowed back in school or allowed to
participate in school related activities
pending a hearing if, in the judgment of
the school principal, the presence of the
student poses an immediate or continuing
danger to himself or herself, other persons
or property, or is an ongoing threat of
disruption to the educational process.
Failure to submit a written request for a
hearing until after the completion of a
suspension shall constitute a waiver of
any right to such a hearing.
The hearing shall be held as soon as
possible after receipt of the written
request and shall be before an individual
or discipline committee other than the
individual who imposed the suspension.
No persons other than the student, the
parents/guardians, and the individual who
imposed the suspension may attend the
hearing. However, the individual
designated to hold the hearing may, in
his/her sole discretion and considering
issues of confidentiality, allow other
persons to be present as requested by
the student or administration. In addition,
the individual holding the hearing may
allow those with knowledge of facts
relevant to the suspension/simple
discipline to attend the hearing to
describe their knowledge of the facts. The
decision of the designated individual will
be announced in writing within one (1)
school day after the hearing ends and
shall be final. There is no right of appeal to
the School Board.
A disciplinary action of simple discipline
may be combined
with a long-term
suspension
or expulsion. In such
instances,
the disciplinary actions are
treated
as separate and distinct and the
simple discipline
may only be appealed
under the
informal appeal procedures
provided
for in this section. This does not
limit the
right of a student to request a
formal hearing
for a long-term suspension
or expulsion
which is imposed in addition
to the simple
discipline.
6.Hearing and appeal
procedures for
long-term
suspensions, expulsions, and
simple discipline
prohibiting
attendance
at a student's senior
graduation
ceremony:
Imposition of discipline pending a
hearing and appeal: If a student
and/or the student's parent/guardian
requests a hearing in writing within
five (5) school days, the suspension
or expulsion shall be delayed
pending the hearing and the student
may return to school. However, the
long-term suspension or expulsion
shall not be delayed pending a
hearing if, in the judgment of the
school principal, the presence of the
student poses an immediate or
continuing danger to him or herself,
other persons or property, or an
ongoing threat of disruption of the
educational process. In such
instances, the student shall remain
out of school, and related school
activities, pending the hearing and
appeal process.
The Hearing Officer: The Hearing
Officer shall be appointed by the
Superintendent or his designee and
shall conduct the hearing in
accordance with these rules.
The following procedural guidelines
shall govern the hearing:
The parent/guardian/student
may be present at the
hearing and the student may
be represented by legal
counsel or other
spokesperson/advocate.
Prior to the hearing, the
District will provide to the
student all documentary
evidence upon which it
intends to rely.
Both the student and the
District shall have the
opportunity to present their
versions of the relevant facts,
submit the evidence upon
which they rely, and question
witnesses. The student shall
be allowed to observe all
evidence offered against him
or her. However, the District
shall not be required to reveal
the names of student
witnesses or require student
witnesses to testify where to
do so would subject them to
a risk of retaliation or harm.
In addition, consistent with
federal and state law, the
District shall not disclose the
contents of other student's
records where such
disclosure has not been
authorized by the student's
parent/guardian, or by the
student if at least 18 years
old.
The hearing need not be
conducted according to
technical rules relating to
evidence and witnesses. All
relevant, not unduly
repetitious, evidence shall be
accepted.
All witnesses presenting
testimony before the hearing
officer shall be sworn to
testify truthfully.
The hearing authority shall
make his/her determination
solely upon the evidence
presented at the hearing.
A tape-recorded record shall
be made of the hearing by
the District.
Within three (3) school days
after completion of the
hearing, the hearing officer
shall provide a written
decision upholding,
modifying, or rejecting the
recommended long-term
suspension or expulsion. The
student and his/her
parent/guardian shall be
provided a copy of the
decision within five (5) school
days after completion of the
hearing.
If the Hearing Officer
upholds or modifies a
long-term suspension or
expulsion, so that
suspension time remains,
the suspension will be
enforced immediately upon
receipt by the student and
parent/guardian of the
Hearing Officer's decision.
However, the student shall
be entitled to return to
school if the student or his
or her parent/guardian
appeal the decision under
the procedures set forth in
Section 6(d) below.
Nevertheless, where the
presence of the student
poses an immediate or
continuing danger to him or
herself, other persons or
property, or an ongoing
threat of disruption to the
educational process, then
the student's suspension
shall not be delayed
pending an appeal.
The student and his/her
parent/guardian shall have five (5)
school days after receipt of the
written decision to appeal the
decision to the School Board. The
request for appeal must be in
writing. The letter must describe
the reasons for appealing directly
to the Board. The letter must be
based on either a substantial and
significant misunderstanding of the
facts or that the student was not
given due process as specified in
this document.
The following procedural guidelines
shall govern an appeal to the
School Board:
The Board or its designee
will schedule and hold a
meeting to review the matter
as promptly as possible
after the receipt of such an
appeal. The Board shall
notify the student and
his/her parent/guardian at
least three (3) school days
prior to the scheduled
meeting.
At that time, the student,
his/her parent/guardian or
spokesperson shall have the
right to present oral and/or
written argument.
Consideration by the Board
will be restricted to evidence
in the record submitted
during the hearing, although
the Board may consider, in
its sole discretion, any new
relevant evidence not
available at the time of the
hearing. The Board, in
deciding the appeal, shall
consider:
1.Whether the decision
was arbitrary or
capricious;
2.Whether the decision
was supported by
substantial evidence
in the record; and
3.Whether the
disciplinary action
was fair and
reasonable in light of
all circumstances.
The Board, or its designee,
shall issue a written
decision within five (5)
school days after the
meeting. The student and
his/her parent/guardian shall
be provided a written copy of
the decision, which shall be
final and binding.
Application for re-admission: In no
circumstances shall either a
long-term suspension or expulsion
prevent a student from submitting
an application for re-admission
prior to the termination of the
sanction. Applications for
re-admission shall be submitted to
the Superintendent.
(Revised 6/97)
SCHOOL DAY
7:30 - 8:15 - Breakfast served in cafeteria
7:45 - All teachers are in their classrooms planning and providing extra
help
to those who need it.
8:15 - Entrance bell to school
8:20 - Announcements
9:40 - 9:55 - A-wing Recess
10:00 - 10:15 - B-wing Recess
10:14 - 10:30 - Break/Channel 1 in C-wing
10:50 - 11:45 - A-wing Lunch / Recess
11:20 - 12:10 - B-wing Lunch / Recess
11:52 - 12:37 - C-wing Lunch / Recess
1:30 - 1:45 - A-wing Recess
1:50 - 2:05 - B-wing Recess
2:39 - Announcements
2:43 - Dismissal of first bus students
2:49 - Dismissal of walkers & second bus students
This schedule may change.
FIRE DRILLS
Fire drills will be held so that students will know the evacuation procedure.
When you hear the
fire alarm you should immediately walk out of the building according
to the route designated
in each room. Simply follow the arrows and room numbers. Once outside
you are to stay with
your group so that the teacher can check the attendance.
HELP FOR STUDENTS
If you find that you are having difficulty in any of your subjects,
please ask for help from your
teacher. See your teacher before school, after school or during recess.
Don't wait too long
before seeking help.
HOMEWORK
In order to cover the subject matter expected of students, it is essential
to assign homework in
most of your subjects. Check with your teachers for the proper way
to study their subjects.
Learning to study will be the key to your success.
HONOR ROLL
If a student, (grade 6 - 8), has an average of 85 or higher with no
grade lower than a 77, his/her
name is published on the Honor Roll. This list is posted after each
nine-week ranking period.
LOCKERS AND PADLOCKS
Lockers are assigned to each student in grades six through eight at
the beginning of the school
year. These lockers remain the property of the School District. For
good reason school officials
have the right to inspect any or all lockers. If a student wishes to
provide his/her own padlock,
it is required that a duplicate key or the combination be on file with
the homeroom teacher.
LOST AND FOUND BOX
A lost and found box is located in the front entrance. Students and
parents are encouraged to
check the box for lost items.
MAKE-UP WORK
When a student is absent, all work including tests and homework assignments
must be made
up on the student's own time. The normal time allotted for make-up
is one day for each day
absent. However, extenuating circumstances may require the teacher
or administrator to grant
a longer time period to complete make-up work.
Any student receiving an incomplete on his/her rank card will have one
week (7 days) after the
day rank cards are issued to complete assigned work. However, extenuating
circumstances
may require the teacher or administrator to grant a longer time period
to complete make- up
work. (One week equals 7 calendar days.)
PERSONAL BELONGINGS
All students are personally responsible for their own possessions and
belongings. Students are
encouraged to mark all clothing (especially physical education material
and equipment).
Please do not leave any of your things lying around. Items such as
radios, boom boxes,
walk-man, radio controlled cars, roller blades, and skate boards should
not be brought to
school.
ROOM PARTIES
Students should not plan celebrations or parties without permission
from the teacher and
principal.
SCHOOL DANCES
School dances may be held periodically during the school year. These
dances will be
sponsored by the student council or another school organization, after
receiving approval from
the principal. Dances may be open to students of grades 6 through 8,
or only 7 and 8,
depending on the theme, and generally run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
SCHOOL CLOSING DUE TO WEATHER
Please listen to local television and radio stations.
SCHOOL INSURANCE
The district provides insurance forms from a private insurer for coverage
at a very reasonable
cost. Forms are distributed at school, but all premiums and claims
are handled directly by the
company.
SCHOOL LUNCH AND BREAKFAST
Collection of breakfast and noon lunch money will be on Monday mornings
in the cafeteria
(gym) from 7:30 until 8:15. Money brought in during the week should
be brought directly to the
office. All lunches and breakfasts must be paid in advance on a weekly
basis.
Forms regarding the school lunch program are distributed by the office.
Breakfast is available for all students.
STUDENT SUPPLIES
Students are expected to have their own pens, notebooks, and paper for
note taking. Student
possessions should be marked with their name.
STUDENT COUNCIL
The Student Council was organized to promote better pupil-teacher and
pupil-pupil relations.
Members of the student council work on common concerns and various
school projects.
STUDENT VISITORS
Students are allowed to bring visitors only if they have made arrangements
with their
teacher(s) and the principal at least one day in advance. Please do
not bring a visitor to school
without prior approval.
TARDINESS & EXCUSES DURING THE DAY
Late for Class
You are expected to arrive at class on time. Each teacher is responsible
for insuring that
students are prompt. If another teacher has detained you, you should
secure a pass from
him/her.
Late for School
Please report to the office where you will be marked tardy and a pass
to enter class will be
issued.
Illness or Injury During School
A student who is ill or injured should immediately report to a teacher
or other adult who will
take appropriate action. Every effort will be made to contact the parent
or guardian but the
school will secure emergency treatment if necessary. It is the parent
or guardian 's
responsibility to pay for any emergency services rendered.
TELEPHONE
The telephone may be used by students only in case of emergency during
the school day.
Students will not be called from class to answer the phone. Messages
will be taken by the
office and delivered at times that do not interrupt classes.
GUIDANCE SERVICES
Elementary guidance services are available. Counselors provide services
to all students.
Through individual and group activities, students learn to improve
their communication skills,
acquire a better understanding of themselves, and learn better coping
skills and problem
solving behaviors. Counselors are also available as good listeners
and play a supportive role to
any student with concerns they wish to discuss.
Private conversations with the counselor will be kept confidential.
Any
student can see a counselor by asking his/her teacher or by making an
appointment at the
office.
LIBRARY SERVICES
Library books may be taken out on a weekly basis. Students may go to
the library with a
teacher as part of a class or before school, during activity period,
or after school, provided they
have a pass from a teacher.
Students will be required to pay fines for overdue books.
ALLIED ARTS
Students in grades seven and eight are offered a variety of allied arts
programs. Included in
the curriculum are: home economics, technology ed., classroom music,
instrumental music,
physical education, and drama.
SCHOOL NURSE
The school nurse is available to help students with health needs Monday
through Wednesday
from 11:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. and Thursday and Friday from 10:00
a.m. until 12:00 noon.
http://www.asd.k12.ak.us/SRR_Handbook/Welcome.html
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