WHS Code of Conduct
Student / Parent Handbook -> Code of Conduct
These rules and regulations are intended to create and maintain a safe atmosphere for learning and social interaction. The following statements are intended to be a guide to administrators who have the responsibility to execute due process and discretion as it applies to discipline. Obviously, a rule or regulation cannot be written to cover every eventuality, nor need it be, provided each of us acts in the best interest of our school and ourselves with good manners and common sense.
While students are fully protected and have all rights of citizens under the Constitution, it is the duty of the school authorities to prohibit and prevent student conduct that is dangerous, disruptive or destructive to the educational process. Therefore the school has the right to search student lockers and/or ask students to empty their purses or backpacks if there is a reasonable suspicion that a student is in possession of an illegal item or substance.
Detention begins at 2:10 and ends at 3:00. Anything other than exemplary behavior will result in the student being put out of the detention hall. At that point the student will be subject to additional detentions or Saturday Detention.
Saturday Detention is held each Saturday from 9:00 AM until Noon. Rules governing Saturday Detention will be given to students when assigned.
Suspension and expulsion are serious matters and are not to be viewed lightly. However, to maintain an atmosphere favorable to the learning process, to protect the health and safety of both staff and students and to meet the requirements imposed by legal liability, the administration utilizes the process of suspension and expulsion when necessary.
Students suspended from school will be expected to make up all tests, quizzes and work missed within ten school days from the date of readmission if they expect to obtain credit for the work missed. When a student is suspended, he/she is not allowed to participate in any other school activities including but not limited to interscholastic activities and practice sessions. This exclusion begins at the close of the normal school day on which the incident took place and extends through the duration of the suspension.
Parents wishing to appeal a suspension must submit a letter to the principal within twenty-four hours of the suspension.
WATERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL CODE OF CONDUCT
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Conduct |
Definition / Remarks |
1st Offense |
2nd Offense |
3rd Offense |
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Alcohol and Drugs A. Use/ Under the influence B. Possession or distribution
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A. intoxicant of any kind. B. The distribution, sale, possession, or use of any drug, drug paraphernalia, alcoholic beverage, or other illegal substance.
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A. 3 Days in - school, parental notification B. up to 10 days out of school suspension. Police notification. Recommended expulsion.
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A. 5 days in - school, parental notification B. 10 days out of school suspension. Police notification. Superintendent hearing. Recommended expulsion.
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Articles that may disrupt the educational process, Electronic devices (cell phones & pagers, games)
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Possession of personal property prohibited by school rules and otherwise disruptive to the teaching and learning process (not limited to listed items). |
Confiscation of the article to be given to administrator. Return to student at the end of the school day.
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Confiscation of the article to be given to administrator. Return to the parent at the end of the school day.
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Confiscation of the article to be given to the administrator. Return to the parent at the end of the school day. 1 day of detention.
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Assault |
A physical act causing harm to any person |
5 days out of school suspension. Police notification Referral to Guidance – Anger Mgt
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10 days out of school suspension. Police notification. Expulsion hearing. |
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Bullying / Harassment |
Overt acts by a student or group of students directed against another student with the intent to ridicule, harass, humiliate, or intimidate the other student |
Conference with admin. 1 day in-school suspension Parental notification Referral to Anger Mgt At the discretion of the administrator, additional consequences may apply.
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Up to 3 days in - school suspension. At the discretion of the administrator, additional consequences may apply.
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Up to 5 days in - school suspension. At the discretion of the administrator, additional consequences may apply.
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Burglary |
Entry into a building illegally to commit theft. Taking of property without the owner’s permission. |
Restitution. Parental notification 10 days out of school suspension. Police involvement.
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Restitution. 10 days out of school suspension. Police involvement. Expulsion hearing
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Bus misconduct |
Failure to comply with rules of bus safety or disturbing others. |
Conference with administrator. Parental notification.
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Parental notification. Loss of bus privilege for 3 days.
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Parental notification. Loss of bus privilege for 5 days. (Subsequent incidents – hearing with superintendent.)
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Class Cut |
Unauthorized absence from class. Leaving class without permission. |
Saturday Detention 0 for work missed
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1 day in - school suspension. 0 for work missed
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2 days in - school suspension. 0 for work missed
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Conduct |
Definition / Remarks |
1st Offense |
2nd Offense |
3rd Offense |
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Computer – improper usage Minor A. Distribution of password B. Internet violation C. Use of computer w/out permission Major D. Obscene material E. Unauthorized use of school software
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Engaging in any activity on the computer for reasons other than those expressly given by a teacher for educational purposes. |
Minor Loss of internet access for 3 to 5 days
Major Up to 5 days in-school suspension. Loss of internet access for 5 to 10 days.
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Minor Loss of internet access for 5 to 10 days
Major Up to 10 days in-school suspension. Loss of internet access for remainder of the school.
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Minor Loss of internet access for remainder of the school
Major Up to 10 days in-school suspension. Loss of internet access for remainder of the school year.
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Defiance of authority A. Fails to present school ID and/or to identify oneself B. Refuses a reasonable request C. Refuses to report to office D. Other
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Failing to comply with a proper and authorized direction or instruction of a staff member. A student shall obey the reasonable orders of teachers, administration, and other district employees and shall respond to requests for information from these persons in a truthful manner. |
Saturday detention. |
1 to 3 days in - school suspension. Parent conference. |
3 to 5 days in - school suspension. Principal hearing. |
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Demonstration A. Unauthorized B. Inciting demonstration
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An act meant to publicly display displeasure or disagreement with school authorities by not complying and/or disrupting regular school procedures. (e.g. walking in school and not attending classes etc.) |
A. 3 days in - school suspension. B. 10 days in - school suspension. Superintendent hearing.
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A. 5 days in - school suspension. B. 10 days in - school suspension. Recommended expulsion hearing.
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10 days in - school suspension. Recommended Expulsion hearing.
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Detention – failure to serve
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Failure to serve detention assigned by teacher or administrator |
2 office detentions (If either is not served – Saturday detention). |
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Detention / Saturday – failure to serve |
Failure to serve or complete Saturday detention. |
2 day in school suspension. |
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Conduct |
Definition / Remarks |
1st Offense |
2nd Offense |
3rd Offense |
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Disrespect towards staff A. Responding in a rude or impertinent manner B. Written , verbal or non-verbal abuse directed at a staff member C. Obscenity or obscene gesture directed to or intended for a staff member.
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A. Saturday detention. B. 1 to 3 days in - school suspension. C. 5 days in - school suspension.
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A. Saturday detention. B. 1 to 3 days in - school suspension. C. 5 day in - school suspension. Referral to Guidance – Anger Mgt
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A. 1 to 3 days in school detention. B. 5 days in school suspension. C. 10 days in school suspension. Parental Meeting Referral to Guidance – Anger Mgt
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Disruptive behavior |
A student shall not engage in conduct that disrupts the educational process or interferes with teaching or learning. |
Saturday Detention. At the discretion of the administrator, serious disruption may result in suspension.
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Saturday detention. At the discretion of the administrator, serious disruption may result in suspension.
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2 days in – school suspension. At the discretion of the administrator, serious disruption may result in suspension.
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Dress code violation |
A. No tank tops, halters, or tube tops. B. No footwear that can endanger the safety of the student. C. No shorts which are torn, ragged, or have holes, no Spandex shorts worn as an outer garment, and no skirts/shorts shorter than mid-thigh. D. No inappropriate jewelry that can be dangerous or highly distractive. E. No shirts with inappropriate writing. F. No unlaced shoes. G. No hats in school H. No bare midriffs. I. Pants must be worn at waist level
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Student required to change.
If no change of clothes available: Notify parent. Return to class. Office detention.
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Parental notification. Student required to change.
Saturday detention
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Parental notification. Student required to change.
1 day in - school suspension
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Conduct
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Definition / Remarks
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1st Offense
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2nd Offense
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3rd Offense
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Endangering health and safety of self and/or others.
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Conduct as determined by an administrator which causes a serious threat of danger to the physical well being of himself/herself or others.
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1 to 5 day in - school suspension.
Parental notification
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5 to 10 day in - school suspension.
At the discretion of the administrator, additional consequences may apply
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10 day in - school suspension.
At the discretion of the administrator, additional consequences may apply
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Extortion
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Forcing other individuals to act against their will (e.g. a demand for money). A student shall not take, use, or borrow any property by expressed or implied threat.
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Up to 10 days in - school suspension.
Principal hearing.
Police notification.
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Up to 10 days out of school suspension.
Police notification. Superintendent hearing.
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10 days out of school suspension. Police notification. Superintendent hearing. Recommended expulsion.
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False alarm and bomb scares
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10 days out of school suspension; Superintendent notified immediately; Police notification; May recommend expulsion.
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10 days out of school suspension.
Police notification. Superintendent notified immediately; May recommend expulsion
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10 days out of school suspension.
Police notification. Superintendent notified immediately. Recommended expulsion.
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See second offense.
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Fighting – mutual combat
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Involves the exchange of mutual, physical contact, such as pushing, shoving, hitting, or punching, with or without injury.
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Up to 10 days out of school suspension. Police notification.
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5 to 10 days out of school suspension. Police notification.
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10 days out of school suspension. Police notification.
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Forgery Misrepresentation Cheating
A. Altering notes or official documents
B. Cheating
C. Plagiarism
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Altering official documents for the purposes of misrepresentation. An individual’s use or the attempt to use another person’s identity, signature, academic work or research as if his/her own.
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Saturday detention.
Parental notification
Zero for academic work.
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1 to 3 days in - school suspension.
Parental notification
Zero for academic work
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3 to 5 days in - school suspension.
Parental notification
Zero for academic work
Principal hearing.
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Gambling
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Gambling of any type is not permitted in the school or on school property.
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Saturday detention.
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1 to 3 days in - school suspension
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3 to 5 days in - school suspension.
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Leaving school building and/or grounds without authorization
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Saturday detention.
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1 day in - school suspension.
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2 days in - school suspension.
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Conduct |
Definition / Remarks |
1st Offense |
2nd Offense |
3rd Offense |
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Traffic Rules / Moving Violation
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Student shall follow all school and other traffic rules when in operation of possession of a vehicle on campus or at a school event. |
1 to 3 days in - school suspension. 5 day loss of driving privilege. |
3 to 5 days in - school suspension. 10 day loss of driving privilege. |
10 days in - school suspension. Permanent loss of driving privilege. |
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Unauthorized Occupancy |
Unauthorized occupancy of any area of a building, school grounds and/or other buildings or areas used for school purpose. |
Detention |
Saturday Detention |
Saturday Detention |
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Vandalism A. Minor B. Major
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Maliciously and intentionally causing damage to school property or the property of others. Includes situations in which minor damage can be repaired or replaced at no cost to the school. |
A. Saturday Detention. Restitution. B. Up to 10 days in - school suspension. Restitution. Police notification.
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A. 1 to 3 days in - school suspension. Restitution. B. Up to 10 days out of school suspension. Police notification. Recommended expulsion.
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See second offense. |
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Weapons and Dangerous Instruments A. Gun / Pistol B. Knife / Razor Blades / Other C. Live Ammunition D. Fireworks / explosive device E. Blackjack F. Bludgeon G. Metal Knuckles H. Pellet gun I. Electronic defense weapon J. Firearm whether loaded or unloaded, whether functional or not K. Any dangerous object
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A student shall not possess or use any weapon or any implement that can be deemed to be a weapon. |
10 days out of school suspension. Superintendent notified immediately; Police notification; Hearing with the Superintendent; Student may be expelled; However, inadvertent possession of pocket knives or pen knives or similar type knives (with one or more blades that fold into the handle with blade(s) less than 4 inches in length) must be immediately reported to a staff member once discovered by the student. The student will then be brought to the building administrator for an informal hearing, and consequences will be applied at the discretion of the administrator.
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10 days out of school suspension. Superintendent notified immediately; Police notification; Hearing with the Superintendent; Superintendent moves to BOE hearing to determine expulsion.
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See second offense.
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Willful Disobedience of Reasonable School Rules |
Habitual violation of school rules. |
Up to 10 days in - school suspension. |
Up to 10 days in - school suspension. Principal hearing. |
Up to 10 days in - school suspension. Superintendent hearing. |
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