Source: https://www.falmouth.k12.ma.us/Page/2872
Timestamp: 2020-06-06 11:13:39
Document Index: 102179257

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 37', '§ 37', '§ 1', '§ 37', '§ 37', '§ 10', '§ 37', '§ 37', '§ 37']

Student Handbook / Code of Discipline Overview – Code of Conduct
The violations of the Code of Discipline enumerated below describe the school-related disciplinary offenses for which a student may be subject to suspension, long term suspension or expulsion. Note that the school has the authority to impose such discipline when violations of the Code of Discipline occur:
while the student is on school grounds (with the exception of discipline based upon a felony charge pursuant to M.G.L. c 71 § 37H1/2 – (see below);
while on school-provided transportation en route to or from a school or school-sponsored activity (field trip); or,
Chapter 222 – Student Discipline
In accordance with student discipline laws and regulations, effective July 1, 2014, enacted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts pursuant to Chapter 222 of the Acts of 2012 (An Act Relative to Student Access to Educational Services and Exclusion from School), the Falmouth Public School District has modified its student discipline procedures and guidelines so as to be in compliance with Chapter 222, M.G.L. c. 71, §§ 37H, 37H1⁄2 and 37H3⁄4, M.G.L. c. 76, §§ 1, 1B, 18, and 21, and 603 CMR 53.00 (adopted by the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on April 29, 2014). Please refer to Appendix A for details.
All Falmouth High School students are expected to represent the highest ideals of citizenship, academic performance, and sportsmanship. Any behavior that reflects negatively on the school, the student’s club, team, school-sponsored activity, or their community, may result in suspension or removal from participation in school-sponsored events. Such behaviors may jeopardize the student’s ability to participate in the graduation ceremony.
We welcome all visiting teams as our guests. We will accept all decisions of the officials. We do not utter abusive or irritating remarks or attempt to distract an opposing player. We applaud opponents who make good plays or show good sportsmanship. We strive to win fairly without excuses. We ask that all players and fans help us live up to this code. Students participating in athletics will be expected to:
Exhibit respect for himself/herself, their family, school teachers, community, opponents, and all persons connected with the activity.
Students must use reasonable caution and common sense when passing from class to class. Running is not allowed in the building, since it could cause injury in the event of a collision with another student. In addition, students should:
While the teaching of socialization skills is one of the objectives of our high school, students should also recognize that their behavior reflects upon themselves and their family. Students are required to conduct themselves properly. Public displays of affection constitute improper behavior for the teaching/learning environment and general school atmosphere, and will therefore not be tolerated.
Electronic devices used during school/class time
Failure to report to teacher and/or Assistant Principal
Taking food out of the cafeteria, or bringing in hot/cold drinks other than water
Teacher/Office Detention is from 2:10 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Administrative Detention is from 2:10 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.
Late bus departs at 4:15 p.m.
When a teacher assigns a teacher detention, students are required to stay with the teacher until 3:30 p.m. The teacher will assign the date of the detention. The teacher will call the parent/guardian to notify them if the student fails to attend the teacher detention. The teacher will need to seek the assistance of guidance and/or the assistant principal if they are having difficulty in communicating with the parent/guardian. The teacher will then write a referral to the administration indicating that the student has cut their detention. The administrator will discuss the issue with the student and if no legitimate reason is given, the student will receive an administrative detention on the next available Wednesday or Thursday from 2:10 p.m. to 4:10 p.m. If the student fails to attend this detention, they will be assigned to In-School Suspension.
Student use of cell phone or other prohibited electronic devices in classroom - detention, teacher has the right to take student’s phone and return phone end of the day.
Disruptive classroom behavior.
Misuse of pass.
3 tardies to class yields a teacher detention for that class; whereas, 4 tardies to school will result in an office detention.
Truancy results in an administrative detention for each class missed, or suspension.
Detention begins 7 minutes after dismissal. There is no entrance after this time without authorization from the Assistant Principal. Students entering detention late without authorization may be suspended. All school rules apply, which include no cards, no games, no tobacco. Students are allowed to use electronic devices for educational purposes only during detention. All students must be seated at individual tables (if possible) and may not go to lockers during the detentions. Students are expected to do their schoolwork quietly. No food or drinks are permitted. Students who are asked to leave due to their behavior will be suspended. The detention list will be given to the Assistant Principals’ Office and the Athletic Director and should be posted for all coaches to check.
A major infraction of the Code of Discipline disrupts the school environment and creates an unsafe atmosphere for the school community. Major infractions of the Code of Discipline will result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. The following behaviors are considered major infractions of the Code of Discipline:
Controlled Substances/Illegal Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco Policy Violations
Cheating / Plagiarism / Academic Dishonesty
Leaving the building and/or school grounds without permission
Smoking (tobacco, electronic or vapor cigarettes) or the use of chew
Theft of school or student property
Assaults/fights - causes or attempts to cause physical injury or harm to another person, or intentionally acts in a manner that could reasonably place another person in danger of physical damage or harm. (See also M.G.L. c. 71 § 37H included in the Handbook below).
Food fight — throws food or other objects in the school cafeteria and/or creates a disruptive environment.
Throwing objects (including snowballs) -- throws an object out of school windows or on school grounds, throws inappropriate objects on the school grounds.
Weapons - possesses, uses, handles, sells or transmits any firearms or other weapons on school property or at any school activities. “Other weapons” includes knives, razor blades, tasers, blackjacks, nunchucks, kung fu fighting sticks, and/or other inherently dangerous weapons, including but not limited to mock and toy guns. (See also M.G.L. c. 71 § 37H included in this Handbook).
Firearms – Firearms of any sort are not allowed on school grounds. The definition of firearms includes any pistol, revolver, rifle, or smoothbore arm from which a shot, bullet, or pellet can be discharged by whatever means. (M.G.L. c. 70 § 10: “Whoever not being a law enforcement officer, and notwithstanding any license obtained by them under the provision of chapter one hundred and forty, carries on their person a firearm as herein defined, loaded or unloaded in any building or on the grounds of any secondary school, college or university without the written authorization of the board or officer in charge of such secondary school, college or university shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year or both. For the purpose of this paragraph “firearm” shall mean any pistol, revolver, rifle, or smoothbore arm from which a shot, bullet, or pellet can be discharged by whatever means.)
Fireworks - possesses, uses, or causes to explode any firework or chemical. According to the General Law of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: “No person shall set or have in their possession, or under their control, or use, or explode, or cause to explode, any combustible or explosive composition or substance or any other article, which was prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, defloration or detonation.”
“Whoever shall sell or keep for sale any fireworks in violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than ten dollars nor more than one hundred dollars.” These excerpts are taken directly from the Laws of Massachusetts. The public law on fireworks will be strictly enforced within the buildings, at school events and on the grounds of Falmouth High School. Students in violation of the above laws will be suspended immediately and/or referred to the authorities for court action.
Controlled Substances, Alcohol, Tobacco
Alcohol or Drugs - Knowingly possesses, uses, sells, transports or attends school under the influence of drugs or other related controlled substances. Included as a prohibited practice in this policy is possession of drug paraphernalia, including but not limited to pipes, roach clips, rolling papers, etc. (See also M.G.L. c. 71 § 37H included in this Handbook). Use by a student of a drug authorized by a medical prescription from a registered physician in accordance with the instruction for use as prescribed shall not be considered a violation. Being in the “knowing presence” where alcohol or drugs are being consumed, under the influence of alcohol, transporting, distributing, and/or selling is punishable as a major offense. It is required that students remove themselves from areas or situations where drugs or alcohol are present or in use. The student’s condition will be assessed by the school administrative personnel at the time of the incident and is contestable only at that point in time.
Students suspended for drug or alcohol offenses must submit written proof of negative results from a drug and alcohol screening test prior to being re-admitted to school. The test will be required for any nature of alcohol or drug offense whether it be possession, use, selling, transferring, under the influence of or in the presence of (example: prom vehicles). Costs for tests are borne by the student and/or parent/guardian, and are not reimbursable.
Students suspended for alcohol or drug offenses will not be permitted to attend any school functions and/or activities for the remainder of the year. Students may appeal this portion of the suspension consequence to the school’s Principal no later than 14 days prior to the event. The determination of the Principal is final.
NOTE — MIAA: Drug and alcohol violations under the rules of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association may result in lengthy or permanent exclusion from athletic participation.
Smoking/Tobacco/Nicotine Use - Possession and/or use of any of the following is prohibited on school grounds and/or at school-sponsored events:
Controlled substances, illegal drugs, tobacco/nicotine, alcohol, and any and all related products and/or paraphernalia, including but not limited to alcohol in any form including alcohol in food and/or candy products, any controlled substance or drug not prescribed by a physician for a student, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, bongs, lighters, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, vape pens, Juuls, Suorins, vaporizers, hookah pens, drip tips, dabs, dab pens, wax pens, vape pods, vape chargers, vape batteries, vape extractors, vape cartridges, vape atomizers, vape cartomizers, vape clearomizers, vape tank systems, marijuana, rolling papers, pipes, clips, marijuana/cannabis oil, hash oil, hemp oil, THC oil, CBD oil, edibles, chemicals, drips, e-juice, e-oils, e-juice and e-oil containers, vials and bottles, and anything with trace controlled substance, illegal drug, tobacco/nicotine, and/or alcohol residue.
Student has been charged with a felony (or with a felony delinquency for a student under 18); and the Principal, determines and states in writing that the student’s continued presence in school would have a substantial detrimental effect on the general welfare of the school. This offense may result in a suspension pending adjudication of charges. The student may appeal such a decision to the Superintendent. (M.G.L. c 71 § 37H1/2).
Student has been convicted of a felony (or upon an adjudication or admission in court of guilt for a felony or felony delinquency); and the Principal determines and states in writing that the student’s continued presence in school would have a substantial detrimental effect on the general welfare of the school. This offense may result in expulsion. The student may appeal such a decision to the Superintendent. (M.G.L. c 71 § 37H1/2)
Falmouth High School cooperates fully with law enforcement agencies regarding felony or other criminal investigations.
Harassment and/or Violations of Civil Rights
Intimidation — presents any form of behavior that interferes with another person’s sense of safety, dignity, comfort, or productivity in the school environment, such as:
name-calling (verbal / written), teasing, mimicking, slurs, or other derogatory remarks;
offensive graffiti, symbols, posters, pictures, cartoons / caricatures notes, book covers, or designs on clothing
phone calls, e-mails, text messaging, and/or instant messages;
Threats — suggests verbally and/or physically an intent to harm another person.
Harassment engages in behavior, unwelcome by the recipient, which threatens a person and impairs the learning process, impinging upon the safe climate of the school. Harassing behaviors include, but are not limited to, behaviors that relate to a person’s: gender, race, color, ethnicity / national origin, religion, age, handicap / disability, sexual orientation, physical appearance, physical / mental capacity. (Please see more specific information on the Falmouth High School policy on harassment and discrimination in this handbook.)
Hazing - willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Hazing carries possible penalties as described below. The following sections from the Massachusetts General Laws concern the crime of hazing (M.G.L. c 269 Sections 17-19):
Section 17: “Whoever is a principal organizer or participant in the crime of hazing, as defined herein, shall be punished by a fine of not more than three thousand dollars or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment. The term ''hazing'' as used in this section and in sections eighteen and nineteen, shall mean any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Such conduct shall include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such student or other person, or which subjects such student or other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section to the contrary, consent shall not be available as a defense to any prosecution under this action.”
Section 18: “Whoever knows that another person is the victim of hazing as defined in section seventeen and is at the scene of such crime shall, to the extent that such person can do so without danger or peril to himself or others, report such crime to an appropriate law enforcement official as soon as reasonably practicable. Whoever fails to report such crime shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars.”
Section 19: “Each institution of secondary education and each public and private institution of post secondary education shall issue to every student group, student team or student organization which is part of such institution or is recognized by the institution or permitted by the institution to use its name or facilities or is known by the institution to exist as an unaffiliated student group, student team or student organization, a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen; provided, however, that an institution's compliance with this section's requirements that an institution issue copies of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen to unaffiliated student groups, teams or organizations shall not constitute evidence of the institution's recognition or endorsement of said unaffiliated student groups, teams or organizations. Each such group, team or organization shall distribute a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen to each of its members, plebes, pledges or applicants for membership. It shall be the duty of each such group, team or organization, acting through its designated officer, to deliver annually, to the institution an attested acknowledgement stating that such group, team or organization has received a copy of this section and said sections seventeen and eighteen, that each of its members, plebes, pledges, or applicants has received a copy of sections seventeen and eighteen, and that such group, team or organization understands and agrees to comply with the provisions of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen. Each institution of secondary education and each public or private institution of post secondary education shall, at least annually, before or at the start of enrollment, deliver to each person who enrolls as a full time student in such institution a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen. Each institution of secondary education and each public or private institution of post secondary education shall file, at least annually, a report with the board of higher education and in the case of secondary institutions, the board of education, certifying that such institution has complied with its responsibility to inform student groups, teams or organizations and to notify each full time student enrolled by it of the provisions of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen and also certifying that said institution has adopted a disciplinary policy with regard to the organizers and participants of hazing, and that such policy has been set forth with appropriate emphasis in the student handbook or similar means of communicating the institution's policies to its students. The board of higher education and, in the case of secondary institutions, the board of education shall promulgate regulations governing the content and frequency of such reports, and shall forthwith report to the attorney general any such institution which fails to make such report.”
Theft of school / student property — Takes school property or the property of another person, with or without force, coercion, intimidation, or threat of violence.
Inappropriate use of technology — misuses computers or software programs; installs, downloads, and / or prints inappropriate or obscene materials, intentionally misuses another student or staff person’s identification number or password.
Cheating / Plagiarism — copies prepared material and present it as one’s own copies another student’s work during a test, plagiarizes in term papers or gives false information to teachers.
Inappropriate Use of Technology — Students may not photograph or record teachers, students, administrators, or other school staff without their written permission, post images of staff or classroom activities on the Internet or any other form of electronic communication, including social networking postings such as Snap Chat, Instagram, etc., without written permission. Students may not use any form of electronic communication to harass, intimidate or threaten Falmouth High School students or staff.
Any student who engages in such inappropriate communication causing a member of the school community to feel harassed, intimidated or threatened, or who substantially disrupts the educational mission of the Falmouth Public Schools shall be subject to the following disciplinary consequences depending upon the severity of the misconduct:
Procedures for Short-Term Suspension
The Principal or Assistant Principals may suspend students for periods of ten days or less, to be served in and/or out of school.
When a student is suspended, the following procedures will be followed:
Except where the student’s presence endangers persons or property or threatens disruption to the academic process, no student will be suspended prior to having a meeting before an Assistant Principal and/or Principal. At this meeting, the student will be informed of the reason(s) for the proposed suspension, and will be given an opportunity to respond. In an emergency situation that requires the immediate removal of a student, the meeting will be held as soon after the suspension as possible.
The Principal or an Assistant Principal will make an effort to notify the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) about the suspension.
The Principal or Assistant Principal will send a letter to the parent(s) or guardian(s) confirming the suspension. This notification shall contain:
Procedures for Long-Term Suspension or Expulsion
Chapter 71: Section 37H. Policies relative to conduct of teachers or students; student handbooks
Chapter 71: Section 37H ½. Felony complaint or conviction of student; suspension; expulsion; right to appeal