FILE: JCDA
Cf: JCD
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
It is important that all elementary, middle and high school students of the Richland Parish School District be familiar with the policies, procedures and regulations which they will follow. By advising students of these established practices, each Richland Parish school employee performs his or her responsibility to help promote a safe, pleasant and beneficial school environment.
Conduct
Students shall be expected and required to assume their share of responsibility in maintaining and atmosphere conducive to effective teaching-learning situations in all classes and activities in which they participate under the sponsorship of the school. Student’s failure to avoid actions of this nature shall be a basis for long term suspension or expulsion from school.
Behavior Code:
Disruption of School
A student shall not use violence, force, noise, coercion, threat, intimidation, fear, passive resistance, or any other calculated conduct to cause the substantial and material disruption or obstruction of the lawful mission, process, or function of the school.
Neither shall he/she engage in such conduct for the purpose of causing the substantial and material disruption or obstruction of any lawful mission, process, or function of the school if such a disruption or obstruction is reasonably certain to result.
Neither shall he/she urge other students to engage in such conduct for the purpose of causing the substantial and material disruption or obstruction of any lawful mission, process, or function of the school if a substantial and material disruption or obstruction is reasonably certain to result.
While this list is not intended to be exclusive, the following acts- when done for the purpose of causing a substantial and material disruption or obstruction of any lawful mission, process, or function of the school - illustrate the kinds of offenses encompassed here: (1) occupying any school building, school grounds, or part thereof with intent to deprive others of its use; (2) blocking the entrance or exit of any school building or corridor or room therein with intent to deprive others of lawful access to or from, or use of, the building or corridor or room; (3) setting fire to, or substantially damaging any school building or property; (4) firing, displaying, or threatening use of fire-arms, explosives, or other weapons on the school premises for any unlawful purpose; (5) prevention of, or attempting to prevent by physical act the convening or continued functioning of any school, class, or activity or of any lawful meeting or assembly on the school campus; (6) preventing students from attending a class or school activity; (7) except under the direct instruction of the principal, blocking normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic on a school campus; and (8) continuously and intentionally making noise or acting in any manner so as to interfere with the teacher’s ability to conduct his class.
Damage, Theft or Destruction of School Property
A student shall not cause or attempt to cause damage to valuable school property, or steal, or attempt to steal school property of substantial value. Repeated damage to theft involving school property of value also may be a basis for suspension or expulsion from school
Damage, Theft or Destruction of Private Property
A student shall not cause or attempt to cause substantial damage to private property or steal, or attempt to steal private property either on the school grounds or during a school activity, function, or event off school grounds. Repeated damage or theft involving private property of small value also may be a basis for long-term suspension or expulsion from school.
Verbal or Physical Assault on Richland Parish School District Employee
A student shall not cause or attempt to cause physical injury or behave in such a way as could reasonably cause verbal or physical injury to a school employee:
on the school grounds during and immediately before or immediately after school hours,
on the school grounds at any other time when the school is being used by a school group, or
off the school grounds at a school activity, function or event.
This rule shall not apply to reasonable force as necessary to prevent harm to a student or to protect some other person unless the student is an aggressor and brings the difficulty on himself.
Physical abuse of a Student or Other Person Not Employed By the Richland Parish School District
A student shall not do serious bodily injury to any person:
on the school grounds during and immediately before or immediately after school hours,
on the school grounds at any other time when the school is being used by a school group, or
off the school grounds at a school activity, function, or event.
This rule shall not apply to reasonable force as necessary to prevent harm to a student or to protect some other person unless the student is an aggressor and brings the difficulty on himself/herself.
Weapons and Dangerous Instruments
A student shall not possess, handle, or transmit any object that can reasonably be utilized as a weapon:
on the school grounds during and immediately before or immediately after school hours,
on the school grounds at any other time when the school is being used by a school group, or
off the school grounds at a school activity, function, or event.
This rule does not apply to normal school supplies like pencils or compasses, but does apply to any firearms, any explosives including firecrackers, any knife, and other dangerous objects of no reasonable use to the student at school.
School officials shall have total discretion and shall exercise this discretion in imposing on a student any disciplinary action for possession by a student of a firearm or a knife on school property when such firearm or knife is stored in a motor vehicle, and there is no evidence of the students intent to use the firearm in a criminal manner.
Narcotics, Alcoholic Beverages, and Stimulant Drugs
A student shall not possess, use, transmit, nor be under the influence of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind:
on the school grounds during and immediately before or immediately after school hours,
on the school grounds at any other time when the school is being used by any school group, or
off the school grounds at a school activity, function, or event.
Use of a drug authorized by a medical prescription from a registered physician shall not be considered a violation of this rule, if it has been registered in the office.
Repeated School Violations
A student shall not repeatedly fail to comply with directions of teachers, student teachers, substitute teachers, teacher aids, principals or other authorized school personnel during any period of time when he/she is under the authority of school personnel. Student actions of this nature shall be a basis for suspension or expulsion.
Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying and Hazing
Students are prohibited from the harassment, intimidation, bullying and hazing of another student. This is any intentional gesture or written, verbal, or physical act that ”a reasonable person under the circumstances should know will have the effect of harming a student or damaging his property or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to his/her life or person or damage to his/her property and is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student”.
The principal of each school is authorized and directed to develop such rules and regulations consistent with policies, rules and regulations of the School Board which may be necessary to govern the conduct of the students under his/her supervision.
Revised: September, 2001
Revised: July 13, 2004
Revised: November 9, 2004
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:416, 17:416.13
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, supra.
Dunn v. Tyler Independent School District, supra
Board minutes 11-7-78, 7-13-04, 11-9-04
Richland Parish School Board