Noah Webster MicroSociety Magnet School

A Pre-K through 8 magnet school in Hartford, CT
 
   

 Uniform Code of Discipline

  

(last updated 2005 - 2006)
   
EQUAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY  
  No student shall be excluded by removal, suspension or expulsion or otherwise disciplined on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, poverty, pregnancy, parenthood or language difficulty
   
PURPOSE OF THE CODE OF DISCIPLINE  
The Hartford Public School System views school discipline as a partnership with shared responsibilities between the school, the parents and the students. Parents are encouraged to play an active role in the education of their child(ren) and will be called upon by the school or the district to assist in and attend any disciplinary proceedings. Parental cooperation, communication and conferences are critical if a child's behavior problems are to be controlled and corrected. The Uniform Code of Discipline provides the guide for district's definition of behaviors and consequences that require administrative intervention. In all cases a healthy school environment is the result of an ongoing partnership with the school, administrative staff, parents, students and the community.  
   
STUDENT BEHAVIOR  
Each student is expected to respect the rights and privileges of other students, teacher, other school staff. District staff and visitors to the school. Students shall exercise their rights responsibly in compliance with Board Policy and the Code of Discipline. Students who violate the rights of others or who violate District or school rules shall be subject to disciplinary measures as described in the Code of Discipline. The discipline of a disabled student shall be in accordance with appropriate laws, policies, and regulations. Student behavior is categorized as Level I, Level II, or Level III. The consequences for Level I through Level III offenses may be any or all of those listed below, or others as allowed by Board Policy. The consequence for all Level III Offenses is expulsion, as allowed by Board Policy.  
   
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES  
1. Be informed of and adhere to this Code and other reasonable rules and policies established by the Administration, school authorities, administrators and teachers.
2. Respect the rights of fellow students, as well as teachers, administrators,  other school personnel and school guests.
3. Respect the educational process and learning environment by refraining from tardiness, truancy and unexcused absences, and by fully participating in the academic life of the school.
4. Behave in a responsible and reasonable manner while in attendance at all school or school related functions held on or off school grounds.
5. Be prepared for class, complete assignments and make-up work on time.
6.  Initiate and inquire, or the appropriate teacher, as when and how class work, including examinations missed during absences, can be completed.
   
PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES  
1. Be informed of school rules and policies. 
2. Ensure that their child attend school regularly and on time.
3. Keep in regular communication with the school concerning their children's conduct and progress.
4. Be knowledgeable of and have access to all educational, medical and similar records of their children.
5. Inform, instruct and assist their children to behave in a reasonable manner, respecting the rights and property of others, in conformity with this Code.
6. Bring to the attention of school authorities any academic or disciplinary  problems and assist school authorities in the correction of such problems.
7.  Attend and participate fully in the disciplinary proceedings and school conferences arranged for the benefit of their children.
   
SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITIES  
1. Be informed of state law, school rules and school policies set forth in the Code of Discipline.
2. Inform students and parents of their rights under the Code of Discipline.  
3. Maintain discipline in the school in a fair, consistent and equitable manner. 
4. Conduct the disciplinary hearings and conferences in an impartial, objective and professional manner and complete all forms provided for the documentation of disciplinary action as required by law and the Hartford Public School System.  
5. Attempt to resolve disciplinary problems by every reasonable means short of exclusion from school and reach non-punitive, productive solutions to problems of student conduct. 
6. Encourage parental participation, cooperation and communication with the school.
7. Provide students with the opportunity, through reminders, take-home work, notices and availability to complete any class work, including examinations missed because of absences.
8. Utilize the services of special personnel, guidance counselors and community agencies to assist with discipline problems. 
9. Teachers must make an attempt to inform parents of situations that interfere with the learning process.
                                                                                      
LEVEL I OFFENSES  

1.

 Entering or remaining in a classroom, in a school building or on the grounds without an authorized purpose.
 2. Refusing to identify oneself to school personnel.
 3. Leaving a classroom without proper permission.
 4. Disrupting class, including but not limited to electronic devices.
 5. Displaying inappropriate affection.
 6. Blocking or interfering with the smooth flow of traffic in the corridors.
 7. Turning off corridor, classroom, or stairwell lights.
 8. Throwing food or other objects that do not result in injury to another.
 9. Engaging in pranks that may endanger persons or property.
10. Cutting classes.
   
CONSEQUENCES OF LEVEL I OFFENSES  
 1. The student shall be removed from class if the offense took place during class.
 2. The principal shall warn the student and send a notice to the parents.
 3. The principal may conference with the teacher, parents, and student.
 4. The principal may require the student to plan and implement a behavioral contract.
 5. The principal may deprive the student of school privileges for a period not to exceed three (3) school days.
 6. The principal may refer the student for appropriate counseling.
 7. The principal may assign the student to an in-school suspension class, and/or Saturday detention.
 8. The principal may suspend the student.
 9. The principal shall refer the student for Level II intervention for continuous violations.
   
LEVEL II OFFENSES  

1.

  Disruptive behavior beyond classroom.

2.

 Leaving school building or grounds without proper permission.

3.

 Possessing* or using a remotely-activated paging device or cellular telephone while in school or while attending any school sponsored function on or off school property.

4.

 Intentionally defying a valid request of a school staff member.

5.

 Directing disrespectful, vulgar and/or profane language at any person.

6.

 Sounding or reporting a false emergency alarm.

7.

 Violating emergency evacuation regulations. 

8.

 Engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior or actions.

9.

 Being found with any type of paraphernalia normally associated with the use of drugs, e.g., tobacco, rolling papers, bongs, clips, pipes, and needles.

10.

 Smoking.

11.

 Stealing or damaging school property or the property of others.

12.

 Recklessly driving on school property, in parking lots, or in areas directly adjacent to a school.

13.

 Forcing other persons to engage in conduct that they have a legal right to refuse to do.

14.

 Intentionally threatening another person with physical injury or property damage.

15.

 Fighting.

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CONSEQUENCES OF LEVEL II OFFENSES  

1.

 The student shall be removed from class if the offense took place during class.

2.

 The principal shall warn the student and send a notice to the parents.

3.

 The principal may conference with the teacher, parents, and student.

4.

 The student shall repair, restore or provide restitution for any damaged or stolen property where appropriate.

5.

 The principal may refer the student to an in-school intervention, and/or community intervention program.

6.

 The principal may deprive the student of school privileges for a period not to exceed five school days.

7.

 The principal may require the student's attendance before or after the regular school day not to exceed one hour per day for five school days.

8.

 The principal may refer the student to law enforcement officials, except where mandated by the Hartford Public Schools Policy on Drug & Alcohol use by Students (5137) and Connecticut state law.

9.

 The principal may suspend the student or, in the event of repeated, aggravated, or flagrant offenses, may recommend the student for expulsion.

10.

 The principal shall refer the student for Level III interventions for continuous violations.

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LEVEL III OFFENSES  

1.

 Possessing* or transmitting any firearm, knife (4" blade or larger), explosive, or other dangerous object of no reasonable use to the student at school.

2.

 Starting a fire or causing an explosion with intent to damage school or personal property.

3.

 Engaging in violent conduct that intentionally or recklessly causes physical injury or substantial property damage. 

5.

 Stealing school property or the property of others by using force against another person.

6.

 Using threats or force to make other persons give up money or property they have a right to possess.

6a.

 Possessing,* using, or being under the influence of any controlled drug, hallucinogenic substance, barbiturate, amphetamine, marijuana, alcoholic beverage or intoxicant.

6b.

 Selling, giving, possessing with intent to sell, or administering to another person any drug, hallucinogenic substance, barbiturate, amphetamine, marijuana, alcoholic beverage or intoxicant.

7.

 Assaulting another person, any school staff member or volunteer or visitor.

8.

 Bullying (repeated, overt acts). 

9.

 Sounding or reporting a false emergency alarm (intent).

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CONSEQUENCES OF LEVEL III OFFENSES  

1.

 The student shall be removed from class if the offense took place during class.

2.

 The principal shall contact the parents.

3.

 The student shall repair, restore or provide restitution for any damaged or stolen property.

4.

 The principal shall deprive the student of school privileges for a period not to exceed 10 school days.

5.

 The principal shall refer the student to in-school support program, and/or the community counseling program.

6.

 In the case of possession of drugs, the principal shall follow the Hartford Public Schools Policy on Drug & Alcohol use by Students (5137).

7.

 The principal shall refer the student to law enforcement officials, except where mandated by the Hartford Public Schools Policy on Drug & Alcohol use by Students (5137) and state law.

8.

 The principal shall suspend the student and/or recommend the student for expulsion.

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 * .

 The term "possessing" includes holding, carrying, or storing a prohibited object or substance on or in a student's body, clothing, hat, purse, wallet, handbag, carrying case of any type, locker, desk, chair, automobile, bicycle, motorcycle, book, tablet, pen, pencil, or in any way or manner whatsoever.