Source: http://www.squaw.org/student-parent-handbook
Timestamp: 2018-09-26 03:29:56
Document Index: 739537825

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 48900', '§ 48900', '§ 48900', '§ 48900', '§ 48901', '§ 48915', '§ 48916']

Student & Parent Handbook — The Schools at Squaw Valley
Proposed Student & Parent Handbook
At the foundation or principles is a school of choice. Students and their families are committing to uphold the highest standards of conduct, academics and citizenship. The following is our proposed handbook which will govern our expectations and commitment to your education. Please send feedback or get involved to shape our guidelines. Our current policy is available here for download.
Philosophy: Students have the right to a fair academic learning environment where honesty is applied and shared among all members of the educational community.
• Students will refrain from acts of dishonesty.
• Students will refuse to aid others in acts of dishonesty.
• Students will notify staff of any cheating or dishonesty by self or others.
Dishonest acts include but are not limited to:
Lying, stealing, and damaging the work or property of another student.
Plagiarism (copying of information from electronic or print resources, works of art, or music without giving credit to the author/source).
Copying the work of another student or allowing another person (tutor, parent, sibling, peer) to copy or complete one’s own work.
Theft or unauthorized access to an exam or assignment.
Use of unauthorized or commercially prepared materials or equipment, including electronic devices, during an exam or assignment.
Changing, altering, or fabricating a grade, score, or any other academic record.
Unauthorized communication, electronically or in person, with any other person during or about an exam.
Tampering with or damaging school computer files, disks, materials, or other school property.
Unauthorized copying of software or using the data disk of another student.
Lying – Purposefully misrepresenting the truth; this includes the forgery of signatures.
Stealing – Taking the property of another without permission.
Academic dishonesty – Knowingly taking, giving, or receiving information or assistance on any graded work, including homework that is assigned to an individual in a manner that defies the Honor Code.
Consequences of an Honor Code violation may include but are not limited to:
Grade of zero for assigned work
Referral with demerit(s)
Conference with student, parent(s), teacher(s), and/or administrator
Dismissal from positions of leadership and/or extracurricular activities
Suspension from participation in clubs, and other honor clubs as relevant
Loss of eligibility for academic scholar programs, letters of recommendation, and recognition at graduation
• Suspension from extracurricular school functions
• Dismissal from school
• Expulsion from school
All students must maintain a minimum of a 2.0 academic grade point average to remain enrolled at the school. The academic GPA is determined from the student’s grades in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and World Language classes. It does not include non-academic electives. At the end of a semester, if a student has an academic GPA below a 2.0 for that reporting period, he/she will be placed on Academic Probation for the following semester and will not be allowed to participate in any extra-curricular conservatory performances, field trips or events. At the end of that semester, if the student has not raised the academic GPA to a minimum 2.0, he/she will be dismissed from Prep.
The Board of Trustees will hear appeals of administrative decisions made by Prep Staff in the areas of grades, discipline (suspension, dismissal and expulsion) and student academic dismissal. These appeals will be heard during the closed session of regularly scheduled monthly Board meetings. All appeal requests must be made using established Appeal Procedures.
Board of Trustee Appeal Process
Request, in writing, a hearing with the Board of Trustees. This request for appeal should be addressed to the Board of Trustees, and must be received 72 hours prior to the Board of Trustee meeting. The reason(s) for the appeal should be detailed in the request for appeal along with any relevant information you would like the Board to consider.
The Appeal will be heard in closed session. The parent/student will have ten minutes to make their presentation. Prep staff will then have ten minutes to present. The parent/student will have five minutes to respond to staff’s presentation or present additional information. Prep staff will then have five additional minutes to present. Trustee members may then ask questions of either party.
The Board of Trustees will meet in closed session to render their decision. Unless otherwise indicated, the Board will render their decision within 72 hours of the hearing.
If the student has been expelled, dismissed and/or his/her inter-district transfer has been revoked, the student should enroll in his/her home school district during the appeal.
Students who want to make an appointment to see an administrator, director, school counselor or support staff may fill out an Appointment Request Form or a make an appointment with an administrative assistant.
Our behavior management program at Prep that is well-defined and consistent. This policy is pro-active in nature and designed to elicit positive behaviors from the students.
Behavior Management is not synonymous with punishment, but rather, it is the teaching and reinforcement of appropriate behaviors. The philosophy of the behavior management program is based on these beliefs:
Behavior is a matter of choice.
All students must accept responsibility for their behavior.
Students may not prevent a teacher from teaching or another student from learning.
Parents have the right and obligation to participate in and support the school’s Behavior Policy.
School-wide Behavior Standards are intended to guide the students towards becoming responsible and productive members of the Prep community. (The Prep community includes physical and electronic message boards.) The following standards are prominently displayed in each classroom and throughout the school:
• Students will refrain from acts of dishonesty and will refuse to aid others in dishonest acts.
• Students will be polite, courteous, and respectful in their words, tone of voice, and actions
• Students will respect the schools and other students’ property.
Examples of above School-wide Behavior Standards:
Reporting to class on time with necessary materials.
Refraining from:
Using cellphones and other electronic devices during instruction time unless authorized by instructor.
Inappropriate or bullying comments and/or images on social network and media sites.
Consuming food or drinks in the areas designated by Prep staff.
Following the Prep dress code.
Entering classrooms or other campus buildings only when an adult is present to supervise.
Obtaining permission from the teacher to video-tape, photograph, or record in the classroom.
Behavior Contract: Any student who accrues 15 demerits during the school year is placed on a Behavior Contract for the duration of the current grading period and two subsequent grading periods. In order to be removed from the behavior contract, a student must not accrue additional demerits.
Behavioral Referral: A behavior referral is a small form given to a student for a violation of the School Wide Behavior Standards. A behavior referral results in 1 demerit.
Bullying: Willfully and repeatedly exercising power or control over another by systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or school employees. (i.e., repeated oppression, physical or psychological, of a less powerful individual by a more powerful individual or group). Bullying can be physical, verbal (oral or written), electronically transmitted (cyber or high- tech), psychological (e.g., emotional abuse), through attacks on the property of another, or a combination of any of these. Some examples of bullying are:
Verbal (oral or written) – taunting, malicious teasing, insulting, name calling, sexual, religious, or racial harassment, making threats.
Electronically transmitted (cyber or high-tech) – as defined below.
Psychological – spreading rumors, manipulating social relationships, coercion, or engaging in social exclusion/shunning, extortion, or intimidation, dehumanizing gestures or public humiliation.
Cyberbullying: the use of information and communication technologies such as e-mail,
cell phone, pager, text messages, instant messaging (IM), personal web sites, and online personal pooling web sites, whether on or off school campus, to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group, that is intended to threaten or harm others, or which causes emotional distress to an individual to substantially disrupt or interfere with the operation of a school or an individual student’s ability to receive an education. The Board recognizes that cyberbullying can be particularly devastating to young people because:
Cyberbullies do not have to own their own action, as it is usually very difficult to identify cyberbullies because of screen names, so they do not fear being punished for their actions; and
The reflection time that once existed between the planning of a prank – or a serious stunt – and its commission is all but been erased when it comes to cyberbullying activity.
Cyberbullying includes, but is not limited to the following: posting slurs or rumors or other disparaging remarks about a student on a web site or on a web blog; sending e-mail or instant messages that are mean or threatening, or so numerous as to drive up the victim’s cell phone bill; using a camera phone to take and send embarrassing photographs of students; posting misleading or fake photographs of students on web sites. The physical location or time access of a computer-related incident cannot be raised as a defense in any disciplinary action initiated.
Office Referral: Any student who demonstrates disruptive behavior at school that interferes with the instructional program will be issued an Office Referral. A meeting with an administrator will take place and appropriate behavior consequences will be assigned.
Suspension or Expulsion: A student may be suspended or expelled; e.g., temporarily or permanently removed from school for violating California Education Code sections 48900, 48900.2, 48900.3, 48900.4 or 48900.7. (see below). A student will be suspended for 1 to 5 days. A suspended student will receive 12 demerits.
Dismissal: In its discretion depending on the circumstances, Prep may dismiss a student for violating California Education Code sections 48900, 48900.2, 48900.3, 48900.4, 48900.7 and 48915. (See below.)”
Tardy Referral: A student who arrives late to any class period during the instructional day will be issued a tardy by the Attendance Office or teacher. A tardy referral results in 1 demerit.
A violation of the Behavior Standards will result in one or more of these interventions:
Parent notified by e-mail or phone call
Office Referral issued
Dismissal, Suspension or Expulsion from school
Students who violate the school-wide rules and policies will receive “demerits.”
Suspension from school (Ed Code: 48900)
Demerit Policy:
• After a student accrues 10 demerits for any reason, the parent is informed of the number of demerits received during the school year.
• Once a student accrues 15 demerits for any reason, a meeting is scheduled with the parent who will be notified of the additional demerits accrued. The student is placed on a Behavior Contract that will make them ineligible to participate in extra-curricular activities.
• Once a student accrues 25 demerits for any reason, he/she may, in Prep’s discretion, be dismissed or expelled from Prep.
Suspension is the removal of a student from ongoing instruction for a specified number of days. Suspensions are served on campus or at home at the discretion of the Administrative Team.
All students who are suspended are required to attend a re-entry conference with a parent and an administrator before they may return to the instructional program at Prep.
Dismissal is the permanent, indefinite removal of a student from Prep. It is less severe in nature than an expulsion. Prep may, in its discretion, dismiss a student in lieu of expelling the student if Prep determines that the student violates any of the following:
• Education Code 48900, set forth below
• 25 or more demerits
A dismissed student may only return to Prep in accordance with Education Code section 48916, set forth below.
Day Dismissal
Day Dismissal is the removal of a student from ongoing instruction for the current day or up to one additional day at the discretion of the Principal or teacher.
Expulsion is the permanent, indefinite removal of a student from Prep. It is more severe in nature than a dismissal. Prep may, in its discretion, expel a student in lieu of dismissing the student if Prep determines that the student violates Education Code section 48900, set forth below, or if the student is in continued and repeated violation of school protocols or policies.
A pupil shall not be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion unless the Executive Director, Principal, or Assistant Principal of the school determines that the pupil has committed an act as defined pursuant to any of subdivisions (a) to (r) inclusive:
1) Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person. 2) Willfully used force or violence upon the person of another, except in self-defense.
Possessed, sold, or otherwise furnished a firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object unless, in the case of possession of a object of this type, the pupil had obtained written permission to possess the item from a certificated school employee, which is concurred in by the principal or the designee of the principal.
Unlawfully possessed, used, sold or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of, a controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind.
Unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell a controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code,, an alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind, and either sold, delivered, or otherwise furnished to a person another liquid, substance, or material and represented the liquid, substance, or material as a controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant.
Possessed or used tobacco, or products containing tobacco or nicotine products including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, miniature cigars, clove cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chew packets, and betel. However this section does not prohibit use or possession by a pupil of his or her own prescription products.
The grounds identified in Education Code section 48900 are also grounds for dismissal from Prep.
Unlawfully possessed, or unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell drug paraphernalia as defined in Section 11014.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
Engaged in or attempted to engage in hazing. For purposes of this subdivision, “hazing” means a method of initiation or pre-initiation into a pupil organization or body, whether or not the organization or body is officially recognized by an educational institution, which is likely to cause serious bodily injury or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to a former, current, or prospective pupil. For purposes of this subdivision, “hazing” does not include athletic events or school sanctioned events.
Engaged in an act of bullying. For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms have the following meanings:
“Bullying” means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or by means of an electronic act and including one or more acts committed by a pupil or group of pupils as defined in section 48900.2, 48900.3, or 48900.4, directed toward one or more pupils that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:
“Electronic act” means the transmission of a communication, including but not limited to a message, text, sound, or image or a post on a social network Internet Web site by means of an electronic device including but not limited to a telephone, wireless telephone, or other wireless communication device, computer, or pager.
“Reasonable pupil” means a pupil including but not limited to an exceptional needs pupil who exercises average care, skill, and judgment in conduct for a person or his or her age, or for a person of his or her age with his or her exceptional needs.
§ 48900.2 In addition to the reasons specified in Section 48900, a pupil may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the superintendent or the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has committed sexual harassment as defined in Section 212.5.
§ 48900.3 In addition to the reasons set forth in Sections 48900 and 48900.2, a pupil in any of grades 4 to 12, inclusive, may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the superintendent or the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has caused, attempted to cause, threatened to cause, or participated in an act of, hate violence, as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 233.
§ 48900.4 In addition to the grounds specified in Sections 48900 and 48900.2, a pupil enrolled in any of grades 4 to 12, inclusive, may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the superintendent or the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has intentionally engaged in harassment, threats, or intimidation, directed against school district personnel or pupils, that is sufficiently severe or pervasive to have the actual and reasonably expected effect of materially disrupting classwork, creating substantial disorder, and invading the rights of either school personnel or pupils by creating an intimidating or hostile educational environment.
§ 48900.7
a) In addition to the reasons specified in Sections 48900, 48900.2, 48900.3, and 48900.4, a
pupil may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the superintendent or the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has made terroristic threats against school officials or school property, or both.
b) For the purposes of this section, "terroristic threat" shall include any statement, whether written or oral, by a person who willfully threatens to commit a crime which will result in death, great bodily injury to another person, or property damage in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000), with the specific intent that the statement is to be taken as a threat, even if there is no intent of actually carrying it out, which, on its face and under the circumstances in which it is made, is so unequivocal, unconditional, immediate, and specific as to convey to the person threatened, a gravity of purpose and an immediate prospect of execution of the threat, and thereby causes that person reasonably to be in sustained fear for his or her own safety or for his or her immediate family's safety, or for the protection of school district property, or the personal property of the person threatened or his or her immediate family.
§ 48901. Electronic cigarettes
a) No school shall permit the smoking or use of tobacco, or any product containing tobacco or nicotine products, including electronic cigarettes, by pupils of the school while the pupils are on campus, or while attending school-sponsored activities or while under the supervision and control of school district employees.
§ 48915. Grounds for expulsion; Recommendation; Order by Governing Board
Except as provided in subdivisions (c) and (e), the principal or the superintendent of schools shall recommend the expulsion of a pupil for any of the following acts committed at school or at a school activity off school grounds, unless the principal or superintendent finds that expulsion is inappropriate, due to the particular circumstance:
Possession of any knife or other dangerous object of no reasonable use to the pupil.
Unlawful possession of any controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing
with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, except for the first offense for the possession of not more than one avoirdupois ounce of marijuana, other than concentrated cannabis.
Assault or battery, as defined in Sections 240 and 242 of the Penal Code, upon any school employee.
Upon administrative panel appointed pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 48918, the governing board may order a pupil expelled upon finding that the pupil committed an act listed in subdivision (a) or in subdivision (a), (b), (c), (d), or (e) of Section 48900. A decision to expel shall be based on a finding of one or both of the following:
2. Due to the nature of the act, the presence of the pupil causes a continuing danger to the physical safety of the pupil or others.
The principal or superintendent of schools shall immediately suspend, pursuant to Section 48911, and shall recommend expulsion of a pupil that he or she determines has committed any of the following acts at school or at a school activity off school grounds: recommendation by the principal, superintendent of schools or by a hearing officer or
1. Possessing, selling, or otherwise furnishing a firearm. This subdivision does not apply to an act of possessing a firearm if the pupil had obtained prior written permission to possess the firearm from a certificated school employee, which is concurred in by the principal or the designee of the principal. This subdivision applies to an act of possessing a firearm only if the possession is verified by an employee of a school district.
3. Unlawfully selling a controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with
Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code.
4. Committing or attempting to commit a sexual assault as defined in subdivision (n) of Section 48900 or committing a sexual battery as defined in subdivision (n) of Section 48900.
The governing board shall order a pupil expelled upon finding that the pupil committed an act listed in subdivision (c), and shall refer that pupil to a program of study that meets all of the following conditions:
1. Is appropriately prepared to accommodate pupils who exhibit discipline problems.
2. Is not provided at a comprehensive middle, junior, or senior high school, or at any
3. Is not housed at the school site attended by the pupil at the time of suspension.
Upon recommendation by the principal, superintendent of schools, or by a hearing officer or administrative panel appointed pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 48918, the governing board may order a pupil expelled upon finding that the pupil, at school or at a school activity off of school grounds violated subdivision (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), ( l ), or (m) of Section 48900, or Section 48900.2, 48900.3, or 48900.4, and either of the following:
1. That other means of correction are not feasible or have repeatedly failed to bring about proper conduct.
The governing board shall refer a pupil who has been expelled pursuant to subdivision (b) or (e) to a program of study which meets all of the conditions specified in subdivision (d). Notwithstanding this subdivision, with respect to a pupil expelled pursuant to subdivision (e), if the county superintendent of schools certifies that an alternative program of study is not available at a site away from a comprehensive middle, junior, or senior high school, or an elementary school, and that the only option for placement is at another comprehensive middle, junior, or senior high school, or another elementary school, the pupil may be referred to a program of study that is provided at a comprehensive middle, junior, or senior high school, or at an elementary school.
As used in this section, "knife" means any dirk, dagger, or other weapon with a fixed, sharpened blade fitted primarily for stabbing, a weapon with a blade fitted primarily for
stabbing, a weapon with a blade longer than 31/2 inches, a folding knife with a blade that locks into place, or a razor with an unguarded blade.
As used in this section, the term "explosive" means "destructive device" as described in Section 921 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
§ 48916. Duration of expulsion; Rehabilitation plan; Request for readmission; Placement of pupils denied readmission; written notice
An expulsion order shall remain in effect until the governing board, in the manner prescribed in this article, orders the readmission of a pupil. At the time an expulsion of a pupil is ordered for an act other than those described in subdivision (c) of Section 48915, the governing board shall set a date, not later than the last day of the semester following the semester in which the expulsion occurred, when the pupil shall be reviewed for readmission to a school maintained by the district or to the school the pupil last attended. If an expulsion is ordered during summer session or the intersession period of a year-round program the governing board shall set a date, not later than the last day of the semester following the summer session or intersession period in which the expulsion occurred, when the pupil shall be reviewed for readmission to a school maintained by the district or to the school the pupil last attended. For a pupil who has been expelled pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 48915, the governing board shall set a date of one year from the date the expulsion occurred, when the pupil shall be reviewed for readmission to a school maintained by the district, except that the governing board may set an earlier date for readmission on a case- by-case basis.
The governing board shall recommend a plan of rehabilitation for the pupil at the time of the expulsion order, which may include, but not be limited to, periodic review as well as assessment at the time of review for readmission. The plan may also include recommendations for improved academic performance, tutoring, special education assessments, job training, counseling, employment, community service, or other rehabilitative programs.
The governing board of each school district shall adopt rules and regulations establishing a procedure for the filing and processing of requests for readmission and the process for the required review of all expelled pupils for readmission. Upon completion of the readmission process, the governing board shall readmit the pupil, unless the governing board makes a finding that the pupil has not met the conditions of the rehabilitation plan or continues to pose a danger to campus safety or to other pupils or employees of the school district. A description of the procedure shall be made available to the pupil and the pupil's parent or guardian at the time the expulsion order is entered.
If the governing board denies the readmission of an expelled pupil pursuant to subdivision (c), the governing board shall make a determination either to continue the placement of the pupil in the alternative educational program initially selected for the pupil during the period of the expulsion order or to place the pupil in another program that may include, but need not be limited to, serving expelled pupils, including placement in a county community school.
The governing board shall provide written notice to the expelled pupil and the pupil's parent or guardian describing the reasons for denying the pupil re-admittance into the regular school district program. The written notice shall also include the determination of the educational program for the expelled pupil pursuant to subdivision (d). The expelled pupil shall enroll in that educational program unless the parent or guardian of the pupil elects to enroll the pupil in another school district.
The acts must relate to school activities or attendance, but may take place at any time including but not limited to:
• While going to or coming from school
• During the lunch period
• During or while going to or coming from a school-sponsored activity.
• Online activities that disrupt the school environment.
An expelled student may only return to Prep in accordance with Education Code section 48916, set forth below.
Prep is fully committed to providing a safe and secure school environment in which students can learn. The Board will not tolerate student behavior that threatens the safety of the other pupils, staff, or visitors.
In addition to the conduct itemized in Education Code section 48915, the Board enforces the following penalties for any student who possesses, sells, is under the influence of, or furnishes any drug, or who possesses any weapon, explosive, or dangerous object while within the jurisdiction of school authority:
• Controlled Substances - Students found to be selling any controlled substance or possessing, using, or being under the influence of a controlled substance, may be subject to expulsion or dismissal from Prep on the first offense.
• Possess, Selling, or Furnishing a Firearm/Weapon - Students found to be possessing, selling, and/or furnishing any firearm or weapon will be subject to expulsion or dismissal from Prep on the first offense.
• Sexual Assault - Students found committing or attempting to commit a sexual assault or committing a sexual battery will be subject to expulsion or dismissal from Prep on the first offense.
Attendance is mandatory for students with a GPA below 2.25 or who earn a “D” or “F” in an academic class on a progress report or semester grade.