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CODE OF CONDUCT

 

 

Purpose

 

The purpose of the Lenox Memorial Code of Conduct is to ensure that a safe, orderly and healthy environment is provided for students and staff and to inform students of behavioral expectations and possible consequences of failing to adhere to the letter and/or spirit of the code of conduct.  While it is impossible to specify every infraction that may occur, this code has been carefully developed to state broadly the rules and regulations for student behavior at Lenox Memorial.  Additional rules and guidelines may be issued from time to time to maintain a safe and orderly environment. Such rules and guidelines will become effective upon issuance and notice to students. The school administration has the right to enforce any laws, ordinances, or school committee policies that may not be stated in the Code. It is essential in an educational process that emphasizes self-responsibility that a degree of flexibility exists.  Teachers are permitted to exercise professional judgment that reflects sensitivity to the needs of the students with whom they have contact.  Furthermore, the unique character of any specific situation that arises will determine the way in which it is handled.  The administration must act primarily in support of professional judgments.

 

 

Expectations

 

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful, purposeful, and productive manner consistent with the maintenance of a safe and orderly environment. Specifically, students are expected to:

 

·         Demonstrate integrity by acting truthfully and honorably

 

·         Show respect for themselves, others, and property

 

·         Strive to enrich themselves, the school, and the greater community

 

·         Accept responsibility for their decisions and their actions

 

           

 

Scope of Enforcement

 

The rules and regulations of Lenox Memorial apply to students when they are en route to and from school, on buses or at bus stops, on school grounds, and while participating in or attending any school-sponsored or school-related event or activity.  This includes, but is not limited to, activities such as field trips, excursions, and athletic events both home and away.

Disciplinary Measures

 

The following measures are intended to advise students about what is inappropriate behavior, possible responses to such behavior, and to aid the staff of Lenox Memorial as it strives to respond to student misconduct with measures that should enable students to change their behavior effectively.  These measures are to be viewed in the context of a student-centered system that also includes the school's SPOT (Solving Problems On Time) Committee, Special Education services, effective approaches to classroom management, and innovative instructional methodologies.

 

Preliminary Steps

Teachers are encouraged to work with students directly to help them improve their behavior through such measures as teacher/student conference, teacher/parent communication, and teacher-assigned detention prior to office referral.  Students may also be referred to school counselors or community agencies for constructive solutions to problems.

 

Students who violate the school's Code of Conduct may be referred to the SPOT Committee.  The SPOT Committee's function is to examine students' academic, behavioral, psychological, and medical profiles.  The Committee may recommend a remedial course of action which may include academic/psychological testing, referral to the school's Special Education program, academic or behavioral contracts, temporary or long-term suspension, and/or referral to external agencies of specialists.

 

Minor Infractions

A minor infraction is defined as misconduct that interferes with orderly classroom procedure or the orderly operation of the school and/or disrupts the learning climate of the school and is less serious in nature.

 

Examples of Minor Infractions:

·         Classroom or morning tardiness (see page 7, white pages )

·         Refusal to comply with reasonable teacher-assigned discipline

·         Minor classroom disturbance

·         Misconduct on a school bus

·         Playing games inside such as hacky-sak, yo-yo etc.  

·         Offensive language, gestures, or clothing

·         Failure to comply with dress code

·         Minor physical altercations or minor damage to property

·         Failure to follow instructions

·         Possession of prohibited items (e.g. white out, laser pointers, beepers, etc.)

·         Use of personal electronic devices (cell phones, mp3 players (i.e.: ipods) during the school day (see page 10)

·         Use of or wearing headsets during the school day is prohibited and must be out of site. An exception may be made by an individual teacher(s) within his/her classroom.

·         Unexcused absence from a class

·         Possession of material promoting the illegal use of controlled substances

·         Use of school phones without permission

·         Unauthorized use of the elevator

·         Possession of over-the-counter or prescription medications (see page 12, white pages)

Possible Responses to Minor Infractions:

·         Verbal reprimand

·         Teacher/student conference and/or parent notification and conference

·         Withdrawal of privileges such as dances, etc.

·         Temporary removal from classroom or setting

·         Behavioral contract

·         Teacher or administration-assigned detention

·         Suspension from extracurricular activities and school-based social activities

·         Saturday or vacation work detail

·         Referral to guidance or school adjustment counselor

·         Teacher/schedule change

·         Confiscation of unauthorized materials

·         Possible referral to the school's SPOT Committee

 

Major Infractions

 

A major infraction is defined as repeated misconduct previously referred for administrative action with prior warning or single or multiple actions that are serious or grave in nature.

 

Examples of Major Infractions:

·         Repeated occurrence of minor infractions

·         Intentional plagiarism

·         Cheating

·         Unauthorized access to or altering of school records

·         Verbal assault, threatening or extremely defiant behavior, use of obscene language/gesture directed toward a faculty/staff member

·         Lying or giving false information, either verbally or in writing, to a school employee

·         Tampering with, changing, or altering records or documents of the school by any method

·         Refusing an administrator's (or his/her designee's) request to submit to a search for contraband materials when the administrator (or designee) has a reasonable suspicion that the student may be carrying such material(s)

·         Conduct which, in the judgment of school officials, will likely result in the disruption of school operations

·         Conduct which interferes with the maintenance of school discipline

·         Unexcused absence or departure from school

·         Insubordination

·         Assault and battery of school personnel or another student

·         Violation of another person's civil rights

·         Fighting

·         Sexual harassment - verbal or physical (see Civil Rights and Safety Policy pages 16-19)

·         Stalking

·         Possession/use of tobacco products, lighter, matches, or other paraphernalia

·         Unauthorized access to a computer or computer system

·         Altering or destroying electronic data including computer files, passwords, etc.

·         Use of the video/audio component of a cell phone (see page 10)

·         Possession of lewd or pornographic materials including material obtained via Internet and other electronic sources

·         Climbing on the roof of the building

·         Failure to adhere to evacuation rules

·         False Alarms and prank calls to 911

·         Unlawful use of telephone

·         Inappropriate display of affection

·         Vandalism

·         Tampering with safety equipment

·         Stealing

·         Gambling

·         Hazing (see page 15)

·         Distribution of prescription or over-the-counter drugs

·         Acting under the influence of any controlled substance

·         Possession of alcohol, drugs, or drug paraphernalia (See Drug & Alcohol Policy)

·         Possession, use, or distribution of dangerous weapons

·         Possession of hazardous/flammable/explosive material

·         Any act which constitutes a criminal act under the federal, state, or local statutes

·         Possession of printed matter intended to promote violence or to harm others such as printed material on the construction of bombs or weaponry

·         Misbehavior on fieldtrips or excursions.

·         Not serving detention or ISS as assigned

·         Bullying (Bullying is a conscious, deliberate, hostile and repeated behavior by one or more people, which is intended to harm others.)

 

Possible Responses to Major Infractions:

·         Referral to school's SPOT committee and/or parent conference

·         Administration-assigned detention

·         Loss of privilege to participate in field trips and/or excursions (See Field Trip Rules on page 26 in white pages in handbook)

·         Suspension (in school or out of school as applicable)

·         Required group or individual counseling

·         Community service (cleaning school, washing tables, etc.)

·         Expulsion

·         When appropriate, school officials will contact law enforcement officials and assist in prosecuting the offender

 

Due Process

 

Due process procedures provide fairness to students in disciplinary matters.  A student to be punished by detention is entitled to a verbal or written notice of the violation and an opportunity to respond before detention is assigned.  A 24-hour notice of detention will be given. 

 

In cases of short-term suspension, a student is entitled to verbal or written notice of the violation, an explanation of the evidence against her/him, and the opportunity to present her/his side of the story to the assistant principal.  Notice of the reason for suspension and an opportunity to present her/his side of the story will occur before being asked to leave school grounds, except when a student presents an immediate threat to school officials, another student, or her/himself, or clearly endangers the school environment.  In this case, the notice and opportunity to speak will be provided within 48 hours (excluding weekends, holidays or school vacations.) 

 

In cases of long-term suspension or expulsion, the student shall receive written notice of the opportunity for a hearing, the student may have representation, present evidence, and witnesses at such hearing.  If the principal expels a student, the hearing shall be before the principal. The student may appeal the decision of the principal to the superintendent within ten calendar days.

 

Student Searches

 

Teachers and other school officials are permitted to search a student and/or the student's possessions such as handbags, bookbags, backpacks, etc., when there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the search will turn up evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the rules of the school. Reasonable grounds may include a school official's personal observation that the student possesses contraband material on school grounds or the school official's receipt of a report to that effect by a teacher, another school employee, a student, or some other reliable source.  Lockers are considered school property and are subject to search by school officials at any time.  A search will be limited to areas and objects that reasonably could be expected to contain the contraband material. (See car policy on page 14 of the white pages.)

 

Detention

 

Detention is defined as any action requiring a student to be present on school grounds in a designated area at a time other than normal school hours.  Detention is often employed as a response to any incident in which a student's behavior causes instructional time to be lost for him/her or any fellow student.  Examples of this type of behavior are listed under both "Minor" and "Major" infractions.   Detention begins promptly at 2:30 p.m. and last 30 minutes for middle school and 60 minutes for high school. While in detention students are required to perform schoolwork, remain quiet, and adhere to posted rules. Failure to promptly serve assigned detention will result in an ISS. The original assigned detention must still be served.

 

Loss of Privileges and Participation in School Activities

 

Participation in school-sponsored activities is a privilege. Loss of privileges such as participation in school dances, senior farewell, prom, etc., may result if a student fails to serve office-assigned detention, return (or pay for) overdue library books, pay for lost or damaged textbooks, or pay for damaged school property.

In-School Suspension

 

In-school suspension (ISS) is defined as an action which requires a student to report to a supervised "suspension room" where the student is held in isolation from the rest of the student body for one or more whole or partial school days.

 

The intent of the ISS program is to provide an alternative disciplinary measure while maintaining a continuing program for students.  Students will be required to perform schoolwork while in ISS, remain quiet, and adhere to the posted rules. Students may be required to meet with a school adjustment counselor each day during the suspension.  Students may be assigned to ISS when they are guilty of misconduct listed under the category of "Major Infractions."

 

Out-of-School Suspension

 

Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) is defined as any action that requires a student to remain away from school grounds. Short-term suspension is defined as a period of time not to exceed ten (10) school days in duration.  Long-term suspension is defined as a period of time exceeding ten (10) school days in duration. Violation of the terms of a suspension may result in prosecution for criminal trespass and/or other legal actions as deemed necessary by the school administration.  Students may be suspended by the administration when they are guilty of misconduct listed under the category of Major Infractions.  If a suspension brackets a school vacation, the student is not permitted to attend school-sponsored activities (home or away) during the vacation period and cannot be on school grounds without a specific reason and prior permission of the principal or assistant principal.

 

Removal From a Course

 

A student who frequently violates classroom rules, repeatedly disrupts the educational decorum of a class, or presents a safety hazard in a course such as wood shop or science lab, may be removed from the course with subsequent loss of credit.  Depending on the course and the credit standing of the student, such credit loss may result in the student not graduating with her/his class.  Prior to removing a student from a course, the teacher must initiate attempts to improve the student's behavior in accordance with the procedure outlined below.  Such attempts shall include but not be specifically limited to: (not necessarily in this order)

·         Student/teacher conference

·         Office-assigned detention

·         Referral to guidance

·         Suspension

·         Parent, teacher, guidance counselor, department chair, assistant principal, and student conference

The parent, teacher, guidance counselor, department chair, assistant principal, and student conference will result in a specific written recommendation to the principal to either continue the student in the course or to remove the student from the course.  If the student is recommended to continue in the course, the recommendation must include the conditions the student must meet in order to remain in the course.  The written conditions must be signed and agreed to by the student.  If the student is recommended for removal from the course, the recommendation must include the resulting credit and schedule consequences and proposed alternatives.  The principal shall make a decision to either continue or remove the student from the course within three school days from the receipt of the recommendation.

 

A student who engages in dangerous behavior or tampers with safety equipment in a science lab, wood shop, or other course where dangerous material or machinery is used, may be removed from the course by the principal on a temporary basis not to exceed 5 school days. During this period, a parent, teacher, guidance counselor, department chair, assistant principal, and student conference shall be convened as described above.

 

If a student is passing the course at the time of removal, neither the course nor a grade for the course will appear on the transcript.  If a student is failing the course at the time of removal, a grade of "F" will appear on the transcript.

 

Expulsion

 

Expulsion is defined as permanent exclusion from school. A student may be expelled if:

1.      the student was found to be in possession of a dangerous weapon (see Weapons Policy);

2.      the student was found to be in possession of a controlled substance (see Drug and Alcohol Policy);

3.      the student assaulted a principal, assistant principal, teacher, teacher aide, or other member of the school staff (see definition of assault);

4.      the student was charged with or committed a felony either on or off school grounds (see policy for suspension or expulsion of students for conduct outside of school or school-related functions)

5.      the continued presence of the student in school would endanger the physical safety of others or cause substantial interference with the right of others to pursue an education;

6.      the student violated school regulations as defined in the reasons for suspension at least three times during one school year and that each violation was serious enough, in the absence of other violations, to warrant suspension.

 

When a student is expelled under the preceding provisions of 1 through 6, no school or school district within the Commonwealth shall be required to admit such student or to provide educational services to said student. If the student does apply for admission to another school or school district, the superintendent of the school district to which the application is made may request and shall receive from the superintendent of the school expelling said student a written statement of the reasons for said expulsion. (Educational Reform Act of 1993, Ch. 71, S. 37H)

 

Definition of Assault

 

Assault means harming another person, or threatening to harm another person, under circumstances that cause the other person reasonable fear of bodily harm. The person making or threatening the assault must appear to have the ability to actually attempt or carry out the assault.

 

Suspension or Expulsion of Students for Conduct Outside of School or School-Related Functions.

 

The principal may suspend a student who has been charged with a felony, or is the subject of a felony delinquency complaint, for a period of time determined appropriate by the principal, if the principal determines that the student’s continued presence in school would have a substantial detrimental effect on the general welfare of the school. The principal may expel a student who has been convicted, adjudicated, or admitted guilt with respect to a felony delinquency if the principal determines that the student’s continued presence in school would have a substantial detrimental effect on the general welfare of the school. (Chapter 380, 1993)

 

In Massachusetts, a felony is any crime for which a statute authorizes punishment by incarceration in a state correctional facility (as opposed to a House of Correction), regardless of the actual sentence imposed. Felonies range in seriousness from property crimes (such as larceny of property valued at over $250) to violent crimes against a person.

 

 

 

School Safety

 

Anti-Terrorism Law – Making Threats

Chapter 313 of the acts of 2002 specifies that any individual who willfully communicates a threat resulting in the evacuation or serious disruption of the school, school related event, or school transportation, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not less than 3 years, nor more than 20 years or imprisonment in the house of correction for not less than 6 months nor more than 2 ½ years or by fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $50,000, or by both fine and imprisonment.

 

Prohibiting Disturbance of School or Public Meeting

 

Chapter 272, Section 40. Whoever willfully interrupts or disturbs a school or other assembly of people met for a lawful purpose shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one month or by a fine of not more than fifty dollars; provided, however, that whoever, within one year after being twice convicted of a violation of this section, again violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by imprisonment for one month, and the sentence imposing such imprisonment shall not be suspended.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special Needs

 

All students are expected to meet the requirements for behavior as set forth in this Code of Conduct.  Chapter 71B of the Massachusetts General Laws, known as Chapter 766, requires that additional provisions be made for students who have been found by an evaluation TEAM to have special needs and whose program is described in an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP).  The following additional requirements apply to the discipline of special needs students.

 

1.      The IEP for every special needs student will indicate whether that student is expected to meet the regular discipline code or if the student's handicapping condition requires a modification.  Any modification will be described in the IEP.

 

2.      The Principal (or designee) will notify the Special Education Office of the suspendable offense of a special needs student, and a record will be kept of such notices.

 

3.      When it is known that the suspension(s) of a special needs student will accumulate to ten days in a school year, a review of the IEP as provided in Section 333 of the Chapter 766 Regulations will be held to determine the appropriateness of the student's placement or program.  The TEAM will make a finding as to the relationship between the student's misconduct and her/his handicapping condition and either:

a)         design a modified program for the student, or

b)         write an amendment to provide for the delivery of special education services during a suspension exceeding ten (10) cumulative days and any needed modification of the IEP relative to discipline code expectations.

 

In addition, the Department of Education will be notified, as required by law; and the procedures promulgated by the Department of Education for requesting approval of the alternative plan will follow.

Artwork by Robbie Cuthbert, Class of 2007

Computer Policy

 

1. Use of computers and the Internet in the school is a privilege rather than a right.
2. Abuse of rules and procedures will lead to loss of access to computers in the school.
3. Students taking courses that require access to computers for successful completion of course requirements are at risk of course failure if their abuse of computer use rules and procedures leads to their losing access to computers.

 

Consequence of Severe Computer misconduct:

 

The use of any software or hardware to circumvent or compromise the schools computers or network (i.e. password hackers, packet sniffing, viruses, connection sharing, worms etc…) will be treated automatically as a major infraction. The student will also be subject to the Massachusetts Computer Crime Bill.

 

Massachusetts Computer Crime Bill

 

Under the provisions of the Massachusetts Computer Crime Bill, it is illegal to access any computer system or part of a computer system that you do not have permission to use.  This is known as electronic trespass.  It is also illegal to alter or destroy electronic data such as files and passwords.  This applies to any computer, whether or not it is connected to a network. Chapter 266, section 120F of the Massachusetts Computer Crime Bill includes the following:

 “Whoever, without authorization, knowingly accesses a computer system by any means, or after gaining access to a computer system by any means knows that such access is not authorized and fails to terminate such access, shall be punished by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than thirty days or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or both. The requirement of a password or other authentication to gain access shall constitute notice that access is limited to authorized users.”

 

Cell Phone Use –Video/Audio Recording(s)

 

Cell phone use for any reason is not permitted during the school day. That means that cell phones must be turned off during the school day. Students are not allowed to capture video images or audio recordings of any person(s) in the school building at any time. This includes film and digital cameras, the video component of a video phone, video recorders, or through the use of any other technology used to capture or record a video image or audio recording(s). Exceptions will be made for students fulfilling the requirements of a photography course or other course or activity where such activity is assigned by the teacher or advisor.

 

 

Restroom Policy

 

Every student has the right to a smoke-free restroom. In addition to all other school rules, the following rules apply to restrooms:

·         Do not store bookbags or personal belongings in the restroom – it is not your locker

·         Only one person per stall at all times

·         No consumption of food or drink

·         No sitting on sinks

·         No “Littering, Loitering, or Lounging”

 

 

Tobacco Policy

 

The use or distribution of tobacco (including but not limited to smokeless/chewing tobacco, cigarettes, etc.) and tobacco-like products on school property or school busses is strictly forbidden. Also, the Lenox Board of Selectmen voted on November 19, 1990, to prohibit smoking within all public buildings, at all times, by all persons.  Therefore, the following statement applies to all students of Lenox Memorial and their guests:

 

Students of Lenox Memorial and their guests shall not smoke or in any other way consume tobacco or tobacco-like products in any school building or on school grounds or school busses or during school-sponsored activities. In addition, persons under the age of 18 may not possess tobacco products in school or on school grounds.

 

Suspicion of violation of the tobacco policy constitutes reasonable grounds to conduct a search of pockets, handbags, bookbags, backpacks, etc. The purpose of a search is to find tobacco products. Refusal to comply with a request to search is considered a major infraction of school rules.

 

Reasonable suspicion of violation of the tobacco policy will include the following:

·         Smoke coming from a bathroom stall

·         More than one person in a bathroom stall

·         A lit cigarette in your possession or in your immediate proximity

 

First Offense: one day of in-school suspension; parent conference; recommendation of student enrollment in smoking cessation program; restricted bathroom use as specified by the assistant principal.

 

Second and all Subsequent Offenses: two days of in-school suspension; parent conference and continued smoking cessation counseling; continued restricted bathroom use as specified by the assistant principal.

Weapons Policy

 

Possession of a dangerous weapon, not limited to a gun, gun replica (starting gun, flare gun, etc.) or knife, on school property or when associated with or participating in any school-sponsored activity may result in expulsion or other disciplinary action. A variety of objects when used for the purpose of intimidation or injury wi