PRINCIPAL S MESSAGE Dear Students, Thurgood Marshall Middle School offers a learning environment that encompasses rigorous academic standards and high expectations in citizenship for all our students. Every staff member is dedicated to your education. At Marshall Middle, you will find many opportunities to enhance your education. We believe that it is important to work with both you and your parents in order to provide quality education for you. We expect you to be accountable for your coursework and have personal responsibility to yourself, other students and our school. At Marshall Middle, we will build your foundation to be successful in high school and in higher education. During your time at Marshall Middle School, you will become thoughtful and productive citizens who will contribute to our community. We hope you enjoy this time in your educational journey by exploring all the opportunities available to you at Marshall Middle School. Sincerely, Michelle Irwin Principal WELCOME TO MARSHALL! All our teachers and staff are pleased to welcome you to Marshall Middle School. Whether you are a 6 th, 7 th, or 8 th grade student, you are in for an exciting, challenging year! It will only take you a short time before you become an active member of the Marshall community both academically and socially. We hope you take full advantage of the opportunities that are available to you throughout the year. You, your parents, and the Marshall staff share the responsibility for your success. Every staff member is here to help you develop the qualities which lead to good citizenship and to support your academic studies. This handbook will answer many questions you may have about rules, procedures, and activities at Marshall. All students are responsible for knowing the contents of this handbook and maintaining the homework log throughout the year. Have a terrific year! 5 MISSION STATEMENT It is our mission to provide a learning environment that will enable students to reach his/her potential in a safe, threat free environment. Our educational approach will combine exploration and creativity, discipline and dedication, teamwork and individuality. Students will achieve academic excellence through participation in a strong core curriculum as well as elective and exploratory courses. They will develop critical thinking and effective communications skills and the ability to make reasoned moral and ethical choices. They will practice tolerance in preparation for life in a multicultural society. We will provide a strong guidance program that addresses the physical, social, academic and emotional needs of our students. Students will leave us prepared for the broadest range of academic options in high school and beyond. BELIEF STATEMENTS THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT We believe that for all people, learning is a continuous and progressive process that educates the mind, body, and spirit. We believe that everyone has worth, can learn, and can succeed in an atmosphere of positive encouragement. We believe that everyone in our school community will have the opportunity to actively participate in the educational process. INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY We believe that everyone has the responsibility to conduct oneself in a manner that meets established academic and behavioral expectations. SCHOOL CLIMATE We believe in a safe, secure learning environment that promotes respect, tolerance, and cooperation. LEARNER-CENTERED APPROACH We believe that our students are in transition from childhood to adulthood. We believe that all decisions must serve the student s emotional, social, physical, and intellectual development. CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION We believe that students learn best when exposed to a variety of instructional methods that accommodate unique styles of learning.
We believe that a balanced curriculum for adolescents provides the opportunity for students to explore a wide variety of learning experiences. We believe that these learning experiences should provide students with connections between academic topics and adolescent issues. FAMILY INVOLVEMENT We believe that positive interactions with family will greatly influence the success of each student. GENERAL INFORMATION CLOSED CAMPUS Marshall is a closed campus. Students may not leave the campus between the time they arrive in the morning and the time they are dismissed in the afternoon. Students must be off campus 15 minutes after the last class unless they are participating in after school activities, Prime Time (6 to 6), or waiting for bus transportation. Students waiting for bus transportation need to wait in the designated area by the bus loading zone. No students are allowed on campus unsupervised on weekends, evenings, or holidays. CAMPUS VISITORS Parents are welcome at all times; however, all parents and visitors must sign in and out at the front office and obtain a visitor s badge. Visitors are required to show their ID when coming onto campus. Parents must arrange in advance with individual teachers for classroom visits. Students not enrolled at Marshall are not allowed on campus unless accompanied the entire time by an adult. OFF-CAMPUS PASSES Blue slip passes are issued only when students must leave campus during the school day for a medical appointment, necessary family trip, etc. Your parent or guardian must request the blue slip either in person or by phone. Students must bring a signed written request to the Attendance Office before the first period class. Parents or an authorized person listed on the student emergency card will be allowed to pick up the student. MINIMUM DAYS During the year there will be three minimum days for teachers. Students will attend school 6 on those days from 7:40 a.m. to 12:16 p.m. Lunch will be served from 10:24 a.m. to 10:54 a.m. ABSENCE AND ABSENCE EXCUSES The school does not receive money when a student is absent. In the past, excused absences such as illness, medical and dental appointments, or attendance at a funeral of a family member provided the school with income. This is no longer the case. Regular and prompt attendance is the responsibility of the student and their parents. When a student is absent, the parent or guardian must call the Attendance Office at (858) 549-5400, extension 3013. If no parent contact has been made during the absence, the student must bring a parent-signed note from a parent or guardian explaining the absence. The signed note must be taken to the Attendance Office the day the student returns to school. If the parent did contact the school, students may go directly to their first period class when they return to school. If a student is absent part of the day, the student must still report to the Attendance Office when they arrive on campus. We strongly encourage parents to schedule medical and dental appointments during school vacations or after school hours. Parents may request an independent study contract from the Attendance Office for student absences that can be expected to last five days or more. Students will benefit from the learning activities and the school will qualify for state funds. absences will affect your grade. Excessive Any change of address or phone number must be reported to the Attendance Office as soon as possible. TRUANCY If a parent does not call the attendance office, or the student forgets a note to clear an absence, the student will be considered temporarily truant, and will have three days to clear it by bringing a note to school. After three days the student will be considered truant for the days not in school. If a student is out of class without permission or leave campus without permission students are considered truant. Students with three truants can be considered habitual truants and referred to the School Attendance Review Board for further action by the school district.
HALL PASSES Any student who wishes to enter or leave the room during the class period, or is performing a duty that takes him/her through the halls, must have a pass issued by a staff member. Walking around campus without a pass is considered truant. HEALTH OFFICE The health office is in the Administration Building. It is open from 7:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. If a student becomes ill, needs first aid or has a health related issue, inform the classroom teacher in order to get a pass to the health office. Do not come to the health office during a passing period without a pass. A student must sign in when they arrive and sign out when they leave. The health aide handles minor injuries and illnesses at school. Any on-campus injury should be reported to the health office immediately. If a serious injury or illness occurs at school, parents/guardians, or emergency contacts will be called. The health aide should be informed of any special health matters concerning students. Students may not bring medication to school to take on their own. If a student requires medication during the school day the health office must be contacted and a written note from the doctor or the parent must accompany the medication. The health aide will then call in the student and dispenses the medication. FINANCIAL OFFICE The financial secretary is located in the main office. Locks, P. E. clothes, and yearbooks may be purchased before school, at lunch, and after school. The financial office has limited cash available and can only give change for purchases. Please send $10.00 bills or less with your student for the purchase of lunch items or locks. Checks are an accepted method of payment and must be made payable to Marshall Middle School for the amount of the purchase only. Please be sure that checks include accurate address and phone information. Personal checks cannot be cashed. 7 YEARBOOKS Yearbooks may be purchased from the Financial Secretary in the main office before school, during lunch, and after school. They can also be purchased online. Supplies are limited, so reserve a copy early. PHYSICAL EDUCATION Physical education is an important part of the curriculum at Marshall. Physical fitness, learning the skills of teamwork, and following rules are essential to our program. Students who repeatedly fail to suit out for PE will be referred to the vice principals for disciplinary action. Failure to suit out also results in the lowering of academic and citizenship grades. Regardless of injury or illness, students are still required to change into their PE uniform for class. The PE teacher will modify or exempt their activity based upon a signed parental note. If an illness or injury goes beyond three days, a doctor s note is needed. The doctor s note must be given to the P.E. teacher at the beginning of class. PE CLOTHES PE uniforms and a combination lock are required. The official Marshall PE uniform and lock may be purchased in the financial office before or after school, and during lunch. Students may purchase the lock or PE uniform elsewhere. The uniform must conform to our colors and style. LIBRARY The Library/Media Center hours will be posted on the library door and will be announced in the bulletin. The library is a place for quiet, independent work. There is no eating or drinking in the library. If students go to the library before or after school, students must respect the quiet environment. A pass is required to go to the library during class time. Student IDs are required to check out materials and use the computers. If a student uses the computer inappropriately, his/her student ID may be taken away and they may face additional consequences. Students may have up to two books checked out at any one time for a two-week period. Books may be renewed and fines are assessed for all books returned late.
TEXTBOOKS Students are responsible for the textbooks that they are assigned. All textbooks must be returned to the Media Center at the end of the school year. Each book must be covered for the entire year. Do not use tape or contact book covers on textbooks. If a textbook is lost, stolen or damaged, the student is responsible for paying the full replacement cost of the book or replacing the textbook. There are also other options that may be explored if paying for a replacement textbook is a hardship. COUNSELING OFFICE The middle school years are a time of great change physically, socially, intellectually and emotionally. Therefore, Marshall Middle School Counseling program supports students to make a successful transition from elementary to middle school and from middle to high school. Students and parents are encouraged to seek out counselors for help with personal, social, educational, and vocational plans or issues. Every student is unique and valued at Marshall Middle School. We believe in providing support so each individual can reach his/her potential. Every student is assigned a counselor who will advise and help with school or personal problems. Counselors also will make any program changes and are available for vocational, academic, and personal guidance. Students may request an appointment with their counselor by completing the blue request to see counselor form that are available in all classrooms. This form should be dropped at the counseling desk in the main office, then a counselor will call the student in. HOMEWORK The Marshall staff believes home study is an important part of each student s education. All students are expected and required to spend time studying at home on a daily basis. By keeping track of long and short-term assignments in the student planner, students will be better able to plan their study time. Planning study time eliminates the necessity of spending too much time in completing an assignment the day before it is due. If students have questions about homework or need extra help in a subject, students should speak to their teachers. Students can make arrangements to meet with their teachers after school for some additional help. 8 PROGRESS REPORTS Every six weeks, students will receive a progress report which indicates their current grades in all subjects (dates are on the next page). The final semester report card is cumulative and will be distributed at the end of eighteen weeks. The scholarship grade is based on academic achievement; the citizenship grade is based on general behavior, attitude, class participation, and work habits. Excessive absences will affect your grade. It is the students responsibility to bring the progress report home to share with parents. All progress report distribution dates are listed on the next page, as well as monthly, in the Stampede (school newsletter) and the Scripps Ranch Newsletter. The six week Progress Report represents a point in time; it is a progress report; not a report card. A parent and student should contact the teacher on how to improve their grade. As a matter of courtesy, most teachers will contact parents in-between six week progress reports, if grades suddenly drop to a D or below, however it is not a school requirement or policy. To request a ParentConnection account you may pick up a consent form from the school office, or you can download the consent form from the Marshall Middle School website at Marshallmiddle.org. Once you complete the form and return it to the school office with a self-addressed stamped envelope, an account will be created and your password and pin# will be mailed home to you. Teachers are not required to use Parent Connection. Grading Period Schedule for 2012-2013 End of Grading Period Distribution Date Of Progress Reports Six week-friday, Oct. 18 Friday, Oct. 25 Twelve week-fri., Dec. 6 Friday, Dec. 13 1 st Semester-Friday, Jan. 31 Friday, Feb. 7 Six week-friday, Mar. 14 Friday, Mar. 21 Twelve week-friday, May 2 Friday, May 9 2 nd Semester-Monday, June 16 report cards mailed by the district
MAKE UP WORK AFTER AN ABSENCE When a student is absent from school due to a valid illness, the student s make-up timeline begins the day he/she returns to a given class. The student will be given the same number of days from the date of return to complete the work, as the class was originally given to complete the assignment. For longterm projects the extended due dates vary by teacher. (Exceptions would include major illness or hospitalization at which time the parents should speak to individual teachers and the counselor.) SCHOOL LUNCHES Students may bring a lunch to school or buy one from the kiosks. Please bring currency denominations of $10 or less for purchasing lunch items. Students attending lunchtime clubs must bring their lunch and report to that classroom the first five minutes of lunch. Students who want to use lunch accounts must bring their checks or money directly to the cafeteria, or parents can deposit money into the lunch account using their Visa or Mastercard at paypams.com. Students must swipe their ID card to access their account. SCHOOL SUPPLIES We often get inquiries about school supplies students may need. Attending public school is completely free in the state of California. As a public school, we cannot and do not require that a family purchase any school supplies. DAILY BULLETIN A school bulletin is read aloud each day during first period of the day. This bulletin is also posted on the Marshall Website. Students should listen carefully not to miss an activity or meeting they would like to attend. EMERGENCY DRILLS Disaster, lock-down and fire drills are conducted periodically at school. Each room has a map and instructions for evacuation on a clipboard near the door. All adults on campus are well-versed in evacuation and emergency procedures. Teachers will instruct students on the proper evacuation procedures. Visiting teachers are made aware of our procedures when checking in at the office each morning. In the event of an emergency, during lunch or the passing period, students will be advised where to go. LOST AND FOUND Lost and found clothing or other items can be located on the cart near the entrance of the health office, near the elevator. Please check for lost items regularly, as we dispose of items periodically and announce this in the bulletin. CARPOOLS Many students are dropped off and picked up by car in the three designated drop off locations. Parents are to follow in the line (the drop off queue) in order to drop off their students either in the front of the administration building, in the drop off area on Novak Road, and the upper field parking lot. Students should be off campus by 2:40 p.m. unless they are staying for homework assistance or an after school activity with a teacher supervising. NEED HELP? If a student has a specific issue, bring the issue to an administrator, a teacher, a counselor, a teacher assistant, or the main office personnel. Depending on the problem, students should speak to one of the following personnel: 9 Situation Person to see Bus issue.. Vice-principal
Change of address/phone Attendance Clearing library fines...library staff Homework contracts during illness Attendance Illness/medical PE excuse.health Aide Leaving school early..attendance Lost book.library staff Lost clothing/personal item Main Office staff Lost PE clothes..pe teacher Problem with another student.counselor or VP TRANSPORTATION BIKE RIDERS & SKATEBOARDERS It is important to observe all traffic laws and regulations at all times. Students must use designated crosswalks when crossing Pomerado Road. Students riding bikes or skateboards MUST wear helmets! All bikes and skateboards MUST have a locking device and be locked in the bike racks. NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES are allowed (no scooters)!! Students must ride on the sidewalk when going up or down Novak Way. If a student brings a skateboard without a locking device, a parent will have to come and pick it up. BUS RULES Every student who is transported by district transportation or private paid transportation to and from school, or on field trips must abide by the following rules or be subject to disciplinary action, which may end in suspension or termination of bus riding privileges. All riders shall remain seated when the bus is in motion. Students will NOT change seats when the bus stops to drop off or pick up students. All windows shall remain closed unless permission to open them has been granted by the driver. Keep head, hands, and arms inside the bus. Scuffling, fighting, harassment, horseplay, obscene, or inappropriate language and other objectionable behaviors are forbidden. Students may not leave trash on the bus. Eating, drinking, or chewing gum is prohibited. No bus rider shall be allowed to bring articles of injurious nature aboard the bus. No skateboards may be transported on the bus. Bus riders shall not tamper with bus equipment. Riders must report any observed damage to the driver immediately. The rider will pay for any damage to the bus other than that due to regular usage. Students may not throw objects while on the bus. Bus riders shall be at designated loading place at the scheduled time. Times will be announced the first day of school. Late activity bus riders must follow school policy. (Students will be given written rules after the start of school). Bus riders must deboard at their assigned stop unless they have a note signed by their parent and a school administrator. Parents will be notified of any misconduct that has occurred. Bus privileges can be suspended or revoked. Students who ride on Scripps Ranch buses MUST CARRY THEIR BUS PASS AT ALL TIMES. Students who ride the second round of Scripps Ranch buses MUST stay in the B building lunch area while waiting for the bus. Students MAY NOT hang out on the paseo or main quad. STUDENT EXPECTATIONS We expect all students to have good conduct. Good behavior is appreciated and rewarded. Students are expected to: Return material requesting parent signature. Be in class on time. Come to class with all necessary materials. Move throughout campus in an orderly manner. Keep cell phone/ipod off and in stowed in backpack or pocket. No display of affection. Follow school and classroom rules. Abide by the dress code Respect school property and the property of others. Use appropriate language. Settle conflicts appropriately. Treat staff and peers with respect. 10
Possess ID cards at all times. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY It is important to give proper credit to each student for his/her own achievement and successes. Students who cheat establish habits which are not conducive to individual success, and are therefore detrimental to the well being of the student, the school, and society. Academic honesty also means that students will not intentionally use another person s ideas, words, or work as one s own. Plagiarism includes the misuse of published material, material generated by technology, or the work of another student. Academic environments are inherently competitive. It is important to reinforce the value of honesty and fairness demands that we do everything we can to eliminate cheating. Cheating is treated as a very serious offense. A student is expected to demonstrate honesty while taking tests. A student is expected to do his/her own work on assignments unless the work is specified as a group activity. A student who copies an assignment from another student shall receive an F for that assignment with no make-up possibilities. Consequences may include confiscation of materials, loss of credit towards the student s grade, parent contact, detention, lowering of citizenship grade or suspension as appropriate. In addition, academic dishonesty becomes a permanent part of the student s discipline record. DETENTION State law permits schools to detain, for up to one hour, after the close of the regular school day, any student who violates school rules, is tardy or truant, or who needs to make up work. If this involves a transportation problem, the student must make arrangements with their parents for transportation on the day they serve the detention. TARDIES Students are expected to be in their seats with all necessary materials, (books, paper, pencil, etc.) and be ready to work when the bell rings. Students must be in class in order to learn. Students in physical education classes are to be inside their respective locker rooms and change into their gym clothes when the bell rings. Students who are not inside the PE locker room when the bell rings will be marked tardy. Tardiness disrupts the educational process. The tardy bell rings at 7:40. Students are expected to be in their classes at this time!!! Students are expected to arrive on campus in time to be in class prior to the tardy bell. At the beginning of the year, students will be notified of the tardy policy which will be discussed and enforced. DRESS CODE Good grooming is important. How you dress not only advertises you but your school and community as well. The way you dress often determines actions in and out of school. Good taste will govern the suitability of school dress. If a student s dress is not in good taste in the judgment of any teacher, the student will be sent to the administration office. The viceprincipal will then decide whether or not the clothing is in bad taste. Attire and grooming (including hair and cosmetics) should not interfere with the educational process. Attire must protect the health and safety of all students. Grooming in class (i.e. combing/brushing hair, applying make-up) is prohibited. The dress code is as follows: No pants worn below the hip (no sagging) No short shorts/mini skirts (shorts and skirts may NOT be above the tip of the fingertip when your arm is straight down at your side) No see-through, off the shoulder or provocative clothing exposing cleavage, bras, the midriff or underwear No T-shirts or other clothing with offensive pictures and/or writing, alcohol, tobacco or drug messages Shirts should be long enough to be tucked in without exposing their stomachs. No T-back shirts exposing spaghetti straps or bras No flip flops, high heels or shoes without back strap No spaghetti straps (unless another shirt with sleeves is worn underneath) No tank tops! No pajamas, pajama pants, or slippers The PE uniform may only be worn during PE No gang related items (ie: bandanas, shirts etc.) Students who dress inappropriately will be asked to call their parents to come with a 11
change of clothes, or wear loaner clothes. Inappropriate clothing will be confiscated. If an item is not picked up within one week, it will be donated to charity. If a student continues to dress inappropriately, they will be referred to the vice principal for defiance and will receive disciplinary consequences. DISCIPLINE POLICY Students are to respect the directions of every staff member (this includes aides, bus drivers, clerical staff, security, custodians visiting teachers or lunch workers). The discipline code is in effect whenever a Marshall student is on campus or part of a school event. The following behaviors are forbidden at any time and will result in disciplinary action. Use of Cell phones/electronic devices (must be off the entire school day!) Possession of laser pointers Sprays (including deodorant, Listerine, hair color, etc). Cameras Defiance of authority Bullying Habitual tardiness or truancy Unprovoked or provoked attack or fighting, body boxing or play fighting Possession or use of weapons Use or possession of drugs or alcohol Smoking or use of tobacco products, matches or lighters Extortion or threats Profanity or abusive language Gambling Leaving campus without permission Misbehavior to or from school Gum chewing Littering/throwing of food or beverages, popping milk cartons or cookie bags Pushing or shoving Public display of affection including holding hands, hugging and/or kissing Climbing or sitting on walls Grooming in the classroom Stealing Students may bring portable electronic devices such as CD players or I-POD s to school, HOWEVER the school accepts NO RESPONSIBILITY if items are lost or stolen. If these items are out of your backpack and are used OR on during school hours they will be confiscated and given to a vice principal. For the first offense the students will have their 12 name documented in their behavior log before the item will be returned by the vice principal the following day. For the second offense, the confiscated item will only be returned to the parent. Items not retrieved within one week may be discarded. Items for repeat offenders may be confiscated and held by the vice principal until the end of the school year. Marshall is NOT responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items. CELL PHONES District Procedure H- 6980 states, cell phones may be used at school before school begins and after school ends. These devices must be kept out of sight and turned off during the instructional day. Students may not use their phones from the 7:35 bell until the 2:20 bell (which includes lunch and PE). Using your phone will result in confiscation. Teachers will give the phone to a vice principal and the student s name will be documented on their discipline record. The phone can be picked up the following day after school, or your parent can pick it up after school that day. The second violation will require parents to pick up the phone. The third violation will cause additional disciplinary actions. School accepts no responsibility for cell phones. If parents need to reach students during the day, they can leave a message with the office and the office staff will deliver it to the student. RETAINING WALLS There are many retaining walls on the campus. These walls are off limits to students AT ALL TIMES. Students MAY NOT SIT ON THESE WALLS DURING LUNCH! Students who climb or sit on the walls will receive disciplinary action. BULLYING At Thurgood Marshall Middle School, we strive to create a safe learning environment for all students. We have developed the following policy with input from students and staff members. We believe that together, as a whole school community, including students, staff members and parents, we will begin to reduce and eliminate incidents of bullying and harassment.
Please adhere to the following steps when you have either witnessed or have been notified of an incident of bullying/harassment. FIRST OFFENSE: 1. Warn student of his/her inappropriate behavior and inform him/her of future consequences if he/she continues to bully or harass others. Write a referral for DOCUMENTATION ONLY. Office personnel will document in Zangle. 2. Conference/mediate with the student and victim. 3. Notify parent either by phone or email about student s bullying incident. 4. Inform parent of future consequences if bullying behavior continues. SECOND OFFENSE: 1. Write a referral on student. Counselors/Administrators will: 2. Document behavior in Zangle. 3. Conference/mediate with the student and victim. 4. Conference with parent and student regarding bullying incident. 5. Inform parent/student of future consequences if bullying behavior continues. 6. Assign after school detention. a. During detention, student will write letter of apology to victim. THIRD OFFENSE: 1. Write a referral on student. Counselors/Administrators will: 2. Document behavior in Zangle. 3. Conference/mediate with the student and victim. 4. Conference with parent and student regarding bullying incident. 5. Outside counseling will be recommended 6. Loss of privileges for the current semester (i.e.: dances; ASB events; awards assemblies; promotion activities; 8 th grade party. ECT will be lost if student reaches three offenses anytime during the 8 th grade school year.) 7. Consequence options: a. OPTION ONE: In lieu of suspension, student will be given the option of facing a Jury of Peers, to describe and explain his/her actions. Jury will assign student a research project on bullying to present to jury within one week. Student must receive a 2 or 3 (out of 3) on rubric to avoid suspension. If student earns a 2, the jury will assign an additional community service requirement. If student receives a 0 or 1, the student will be suspended for their bullying incident. b. OPTION TWO: If student/parent refuses to face Jury of Peers, the student will be suspended from school. (Number of days will depend on severity of incident.) ADDITIONAL OFFENSES: 1. Write a referral on student. Administrators will: 2. Document behavior in Zangle. 3. Student will be suspended for their actions. (Number of days will depend on severity of incident.) 4. Conference with parent and student regarding bullying incident. 5. Outside counseling will be strongly recommended What are bullying actions.. Bullying Behaviors that would follow the above sequence of events this list is not comprehensive Simple name-calling Teasing Taunting Spreading rumors Insults Severe Bullying Behaviors which would result in an immediate suspension this list is not comprehensive Hate crime Slurs on Human Dignity Sexting Sexual Assault Sexual Battery 13
FIGHTING/HORSEPLAY Aggressive behavior towards students, staff members, or campus visitors (hitting, kicking, pushing, etc.) is subject to suspension. This includes matter of play fighting between students. Fighting off-campus, or to and from school is considered a part of the school day. Therefore, any misconduct during the school day is subject to disciplinary actions. POTENTIAL DANGER Any threats toward any individual on campus needs to be investigated by our Administration and referred to school police if necessary. Students need to report any threats or potential dangers on campus to a teacher, counselor or school administrator. SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY San Diego Unified School District is committed to making the educational environment for students free from sexual harassment. The district prohibits sexual harassment as defined in the Education Code to mean unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature, made by someone from or in the educational setting. The district prohibits conduct that has the purpose or effect of having a negative impact upon individual s work or academic performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment. The district further prohibits sexual harassment which conditions a student s academic status, progress, benefits, services, honors, program or activities based on submission to such conduct. Students should report any sexual harassment to their school principal, vice principal, counselor, or teacher. Students who violate this policy shall be disciplined appropriately, including suspension or possible expulsion. Employees who violate this policy shall be disciplined, pursuant to personnel procedures. ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY The Board of Education approved the following Zero Tolerance Policy which will result in students being recommended for expulsion if they brandish a knife, possess weapons, engage in repeated fights or acts of violence, or are found in repeated possession of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. A weapon is defined as a firearm, pistol replica (air soft, paintball), starter pistol, stun gun, BB or pellet gun, a knife of any size or type, a dirk, dagger, razor, slingshot, any explosives or fireworks. Any object used in a dangerous manner will also be considered a weapon. Use or possession of a weapon will result in your recommendation for expulsion. Repeated incidents of fighting acts (three times during one school year), violent acts, or causing serious injury to another person will result in a recommendation for expulsion under Zero Tolerance Policy. Students are prohibited from having alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. If a student is found to be selling or furnishing controlled/prohibited substances, the student will be recommended for expulsion on the first offense. For possession or use, expulsion will be recommended on the third offense, except for tobacco offenses; if a student is found in possession of tobacco they will be recommended for expulsion on the fourth offense. In addition to discipline, if a student is found to have violated the law, students may be arrested and taken to a juvenile detention facility. Expulsion from San Diego City Schools will result in the loss of your privileges to attend school or extracurricular activities. Students may be placed in an alternative school or program. The Zero Tolerance Policy is designed to make school a safe environment and to provide an appropriate learning environment for all students. There can be no acceptable reason for violating these rules. 14
STUDENT NONDISCRIMINATION San Diego Unified School District is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination based on sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other unlawful consideration. The district shall promote programs that will ensure that discriminatory practices are eliminated in all district activities. Any student who engages in discrimination of another student or anyone from the district may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Any employee who permits or engages in discrimination may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. otherwise witness such actions must, and parents/district visitors are encouraged to report the behaviors to a staff member. At each school, the principal or principal s designee is responsible for receiving and promptly investigating complaints alleging violations of this policy. Any form of retaliation in response to a report of such acts is prohibited. SDUSD BULLYING, HARASSMENT, AND INTIMIDATION PROHIBITION POLICY In its commitment to providing all students and staff with a safe learning environment where everyone is treated with respect and no one is physically or emotionally harmed, the Board of Education will not tolerate any student or staff member being bullied (including cyberbullying), harassed, or intimidated in any form at school or school-related events, (including off-campus events, school-sponsored activities, school busses, and event related to school business), or outside of school hours with the intention to be carried out during any of the above. Such acts include those that are reasonably perceived as being motivated either by an actual or perceived attribute that includes but is not limited to race, religion, creed, color, marital status, parental status, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, mental or physical disability or any other distinguishing characteristic. The district further prohibits the inciting, aiding, coercing or directing of others to commit acts of bullying or cyber-bullying, harassment or intimidation. Any staff member that observes, overhears or otherwise witnesses bullying (including cyberbullying), harassment, or intimidation, or to whom such actions have been reported must take prompt and appropriate action to stop the behavior and to prevent its reoccurrence as detailed in the applicable Administrative Procedure. Students who observe, overhear, or 15
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