Student Code of Conduct and Anti-Bullying Information

Restraint and seclusion, positive behavior intervention and supports

• 2023-24: 2nd Semester
• 2023-24: 1st Semester
• 2022-23: 1st Semester
• 2022-23: 2nd Semester
• 2021-22: 1st Semester
• 2021-22: 2nd Semester
• 2020-21: 1st Semester
• 2020-21: 2nd Semester
• 2019-20: 1st Semester
• 2019-20: 2nd Semester
• 2018-19: 1st Semester
• 2018-19: 2nd Semester
• 2017-18: 1st Semester
• 2017-18: 2nd_semester
• 2016-17: 1st Semester
• 2016-17: 2nd Semester
• 2015-16: 1st Semester
• 2015-16: 2nd Semester
• 2014-15: 1st Semester
• 2014-15: 2nd Semester
• 2013-14: 1st/2nd Semester

 

1. Disruption in School: 

   • A student will not, by use of violence, force, coercion, threat, harassment, insubordination, or failure to comply with school rules, cause disruption or obstruction to the educational process. 

Level I-IV

2. Damage of School or Private Property: 

   • A student will not cause or attempt to cause willful destruction or defacement of school or private property or items (including vehicles owned by the Board). 

Level I-IV

3. Fighting, Assault and/or Threat: 

   • A student will not physically attack or threaten to attack any person including self. A student will not promote a fight or the participation of another in a fight. 

Level III-IV

4. Serious Bodily Injury: 

   • A student will not cause serious bodily injury to any person. 

Level III-IV

5. Dangerous Weapons, Instruments and Objects: 

   • A student will not possess, handle, transmit, or conceal any object, which might be considered a dangerous weapon (including but not limited to fake weapons and squirt guns). A student will not use any object in a way that could harm another person. 

Level III-IV

6. Drugs and Narcotics: 

   • A student shall not knowingly possess (includes, but not limited to, purses, wallets, lockers, desks, cars, etc.), consume, use, handle, give, store, conceal, offer to sell, sell, transmit, acquire, buy, represent, make, apply or be under the influence of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, tranquilizer, nonprescription or prescription drug (except when under the direction of a physician/parent and within school procedure), intoxicant, solvent, gas or any mood-altering chemical, drug of abuse or any counterfeit-controlled substance of any kind or related paraphernalia. 

Possession with intent to distribute is a Level IV offense. 

Level III-IV*

*Whenever a student of compulsory school age is expelled from school in accordance with State law for the possession of drugs, the school will notify the Registrar of Motor Vehicles and the county juvenile judge. After receiving such notification, current State law requires the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to suspend the temporary instruction permit or driver’s license of the student who is the subject of the notice. If a temporary permit or license has not been issued for that student, the Registrar is prohibited by current law from issuing a temporary permit or license.

7. Alcoholic Beverages: 

   • A student shall not knowingly possess (includes, but not limited to, purses, wallets, lockers, desks, cars, etc.), consume, use, handle, give, store, conceal, offer to sell, sell, transmit, acquire, buy, represent, make, apply or be under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or any counterfeit-alcoholic substance of any kind or related paraphernalia.

Level III-IV*

*Whenever a student of compulsory school age is expelled from school in accordance with State law for the possession of alcohol, the school will notify the Registrar of Motor Vehicles and the county juvenile judge. After receiving such notification, current State law requires the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to suspend the temporary instruction permit or driver’s license of the student who is the subject of the notice. If a temporary permit or license has not been issued for that student, the Registrar is prohibited by current law from issuing a temporary permit or license.

8. Smoking: 

   • Students are not permitted to possess, smoke, use a tobacco or vaping product, or carry any smoking or vaping materials or related paraphernalia in any form, including simulated smoking devices. 

Level III-IV

9. Profanity and/or Obscenity: 

   • A student will not, by written, verbal, gestural, or other means, disrupt the educational process or school environment by using profanity, obscenity, or verbal abuse. 

Level I-IV

10. Truancy and Tardiness: 

    • A student will comply with the compulsory school attendance laws. When a student is absent from school without a legal excuse, it constitutes truancy or tardiness. This includes unexcused absences from study hall, class or any other properly assigned activity. Repeated tardiness is considered a serious problem. 

Level I-IV

11. Tardy to Class:

    • A student will not be tardy to class. This includes any unexcused absences from study hall, class or any other properly assigned activity. Students that are only tardy to class will receive a consequence for every third tardy. 

Level I-IV

12. Insubordination and Disrespect: 

    • A student will comply with directions of authorized school personnel, volunteers, and chaperones during any period of time the student is properly under the authority of the school. A student will not use any form of disrespect to others or fail to abide by rules that may be established. 

Level I-IV

13. Frightening, Intimidating, Degrading, Profane or Disgraceful Acts: 

    • A student shall not engage in any act which frightens, degrades, profanes, disgraces or intends to frighten, degrade, profane or disgrace any person by written, verbal, electronic or gestural means. 

Level I-IV

14. Dangerous Behavior: 

    • Students will not engage in any behavior or actions that could bring harm to self or others. Including but not limited to running in the hallways, jumping off desks, etc. 

Level I-IV

15. Theft: 

    • Students will not take or attempt to take into their possession the public property or equipment of the District or the personal property of another. 

Level II-IV

16. Extortion: 

    • A student will not obtain or attempt to obtain another person’s property, either by implied or expressed threat. 

Level III-IV

17. Forgery: 

    • A student will not falsify in writing the name of another person, times, dates, grades, addresses, or other data on school forms or correspondence directed to the school. 

Level II-IV

18. Trespassing or Loitering: 

    • A student will not be present in a school building or on school grounds unless under the supervision of school personnel or authorized volunteers or chaperones. 

Level I-IV

19. False Identification: 

    • A student will not use or attempt to use false identification to mislead school personnel. 

Level II-IV

20. Breaking and Entering: 

    • A student will not break and enter, or attempt to break and enter, school or private property either on school grounds or at any school activity, function or event off school grounds. 

Level III-IV

21. Setting Fires: 

    • A student shall not ignite or attempt to ignite fires, or possess any ignition or acceleration devices. 

Level III-IV

22. Bomb and Fire Scares: 

    • A student shall not communicate to a school or to school authorities by any means a false alarm regarding bombs or initiate a false fire alarm. 

Level III-IV

23. Motor Vehicles: 

    • Students may park in the back parking lot near the track. Students may not park in the front or on the south side of the school. These lots are designated for faculty and staff only. Yellow Springs High School is not responsible for any loss or damage to vehicles while on school property. Please lock all car doors to help prevent possible theft. Cars on school property are subject to searches in accordance with state law and school board policies. Students are not permitted to sit in their cars or loiter in the parking lots when they arrive or leave school.  Any student who needs to retrieve something from a car once school has begun should first gain permission from the main office personnel.  When entering or leaving the school, maintain a maximum driving speed of 10 miles per hour. Students who do not abide by these rules may have their parking privileges suspended and/or face other consequences. 

Level I-III

24. Dress Code and Hygiene: 

    • Students' dress, hygiene, and appearance reflect in both a positive and negative way upon the school and the student body. The goal of the dress code is to promote a professional atmosphere in our school while remaining inclusive of a diverse range of identities. 

      • Clothes must be worn in a way such that genitals, buttocks, breasts, and nipples are fully and securely covered with opaque fabric. 

      • Students must wear a shirt with fabric in the front, back, on the sides under the arms, and securing the shirt on the shoulders AND pants/jeans or the equivalent AND shoes (no roller shoes or flip flops). 

      • Students may wear hats and hoods that allow the face to be visible to staff and do not interfere with the line of sight of any student or staff.

      • Students cannot wear clothing that contains any reference to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or makes statements that are sexual in nature, nor display any statements or pictures that can be classified as racially, ethnically, or sexually insensitive, or of a violent nature. Students cannot wear swimsuits, clothing that reveals visible undergarments (visible straps are allowed), or any item that obscures the face. 

      • Clothing with profane or obscene pictures and/or lettering or which refers to alcohol, tobacco, drugs, firearms, or related material is prohibited.

      • Hygiene should not interfere with the learning environment.

 

Teachers and administrators will use discretion and sensitivity in notifying students of dress code issues. Administration will make the final decision on what is or is not appropriate. Students in violation of the dress code will be provided three options to be dressed more to code during the day:

• Students will be asked to put on their own alternative clothing.

• Students will be provided with temporary school clothing.

• If necessary, students’ parents may be called to bring alternative clothing.

Severe or repeated violations of the dress code may result in disciplinary consequences. 

Level I-IV

25. Displays of Affection: 

    • Unacceptable public displays of affection are defined as those physical activities that are contrary to good judgment and public decency. Students who engage in inappropriate displays of affection are subject to the intervention by staff and administration, including disciplinary action. Holding hands and “reasonable hugs” are not considered inappropriate. 

Level I-IV

26. Violations of Law: 

    • A student shall not violate any law or ordinance when the student is properly under the authority of school personnel, e.g., theft of property of other students, of staff or of the District; gambling; dangerous operation of a motor vehicle while on school property. 

Level III-IV

27. Failure to Serve Assigned Consequence: 

    • A student shall not fail to fulfill the punishment prescribed by the school official. 

Level I-IV

28. Repeated Offenses: 

    • A student shall not repeatedly violate the Student Code of Conduct. 

Level I-IV 

29. Bullying, Intimidation, Harassment, and Hazing: 

• Bullying, intimidation, harassment, and hazing in any form of any member or guest of the school community is strictly forbidden. Any person who has been subjected to or observed acts of bullying, intimidation, harassment, and/or hazing is strongly encouraged to report to any teacher, counselor, staff, parent, or the principal. Off-campus activities that have a negative affect or that are transferred into the school will be dealt with as such. 

  • In accordance with YSBOE Policy 5517.01, bullying is an intentional written, verbal or physical act that occurs more than once and causes either mental or physical harm to the student victim and is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for the student victim. A student shall not engage in any act of bullying, intimidation, harassment, or hazing, or coerce another (including the victim) to engage in any act of initiation, harassment, or intimidation of any student or organization, which act causes or creates a risk of causing mental or physical harm to any person. Permission, consent or assumption of risk by an individual subjected to bullying, harassment, or hazing does not lessen the prohibition. 

  • Sexual harassment includes all unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and verbal, digital, or physical contact of a sexual nature, which interfere with school-related performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning environment.  

• Bullying, harassment, intimidation, and hazing activities of any type, including those activities engaged in via computer and/or electronic communications devices, are inconsistent with the educational process and are prohibited at all times. All bullying incidents are reported to the Superintendent by the building administrator for semi-annual Board of Education reports. 

Level I-IV

30. Unwanted Sexual Conduct: 

    • A student shall not engage in any unwanted sexual conduct, including but not limited to sexual harassment, all unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and verbal, digital, or physical contact of a sexual nature. 

Level I-IV

31. Technology Misuse: 

The use of any electronic devices at school is a privilege, and not a right. Users may be denied access at any time, for any reason. Device use should align with the common expectations of a professional work environment. 

In addition to the Yellow Springs Schools Acceptable Technology Use Agreement, board policies, building policies and administrative guidelines already in place, there are additional guidelines/policies all technology users should be aware of:

1. All devices should -- by default -- be set to mute/silent. Headphones should be removed by students upon entering classrooms.

2. Students are prohibited from using electronic devices to capture, record, or transmit the audio or images (i.e. pictures / video), of any student, staff member, or other person on school property or while attending a school-related activity without the express prior notice and explicit consent for the capture, recording or transmission of such audio or images. 

3. Using an electronic device to capture, record or transmit audio or images of an individual or group without their consent is considered an invasion of privacy and is not permitted. Special attention to this rule will apply to restrooms, locker rooms, and areas where privacy is needed. Students who violate this provision and/or use an electronic device to violate the privacy rights of another person may have their device confiscated and held until the end of the school year. Additional consequences may apply at the discretion of the principal, or designee.

4. Student use of any electronic device and/or headphones while in class, while participating in school activities (e.g. extra-curricular activities) and while participating in school-related functions is restricted to academic or instructional purposes only, as determined by the instructor. During these times, the use of such devices for personal, business or entertainment purposes is prohibited (e.g., no games).

5. Students are responsible for the security of electronic devices at all times. 

6. Users must adhere to the rules of network etiquette, or Netiquette. Cyberbullying is a form of bullying and/or harassment. Off-campus activities that have a negative effect or are transferred into the school will be dealt with as such. See YSBOE Policy 5517.01 and the Bullying, Intimidation, Harassment, and Hazing section in this handbook. 

7. Students should not have the expectation of privacy on any device they bring into the Yellow Springs Exempted Village School District. The school has the legal right to monitor usage of the network and the internet and can examine your files at any time.

8. The Yellow Springs Exempted Village School District will not provide access to our internal resources or servers to any personally owned devices.

9. The Yellow Springs Exempted Village School District will not provide access to our copiers or printers to any personally owned devices.

10. The Yellow Springs Exempted Village School District or its staff will not provide any technical assistance on personally owned devices. Users are directed to utilize their user manuals and other resources provided by their device manufacturer for technical assistance. 

11. The Yellow Springs Exempted Village School District will not provide the opportunity to charge any personal device, unless it is being used for project work. It is the responsibility of the user to have a properly charged device before school.

12. Students are expected to manage devices in a way that does not distract the student, teacher, or others. Electronic devices should be used for educational purposes only. Students are not permitted to use their own computers or laptops at school.

13. The use of laser pointers at any time is prohibited. 

Repeated offenses may warrant a higher level consequence. Examples of violations to the Acceptable Technology Use Agreement are listed below. This is not an exhaustive list.

1. Loading or installing shareware, freeware, or other software. 

2. Downloading or transmitting executable programs. 

3. Logging on or passing on proxies. 

4. Viewing, sending, or displaying inappropriate language, abusive/offensive messages or pictures of persons based on their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical characteristics, or anything that would be perceived as harassing or threatening.

5. Visiting chat rooms or organizing or engaging in chat servers.

6. Engaging in illegal activities or encouraging others to do so. 

7. Uploading a virus.

8. Giving out your password or access to your account.

9. Saving downloaded files or printing without permission. 

10. Attempting to deactivate, evade, or circumvent the school’s security. 

11. Misusing personal electronic devices.

If a staff member suspects improper use and/or abuse of this or related policies, the staff member has the right to confiscate the device, and the student may be subject to the consequences outlined below: 

Level I-IV

• 1st Offense: Warning and device is taken to the office. The student may pick up the device from the front office at the end of the school day. 

• 2nd Offense: Device is taken and returned only to a parent/guardian and administrative detention issued.

• 3rd Offense: Device is taken and returned only to a parent/guardian and administrative Wednesday School issued.

• 4th Offense: Students lose the privilege to possess and use electronic devices during school hours. The student will turn in the electronic device to the main office, and will receive the device back at the end of the school day. 

• Any insubordination based on a request for a student's cell phone will result in a 3rd offense consequence

32. Academic Dishonesty/Lying: 

    • A student will not take part in the copying, duplication, or exchanging of any assignment. A student will not share answers, give hints, and/or unfairly provide aid to another student(s) on any form of assignment.  A student will not claim the work of another as one’s own. A student will not cheat or plagiarize in any way. This includes, but is not limited to, turning in the work of another as one’s own, failing to properly recognize the original author, failing to properly cite sources, and inappropriately sharing documents. 

Level I-III

• The correct protocol for sharing a document for collaborative purposes is:

  • Checking the boxes labeled:

• Prevent editors from changing access and adding new people

• Disable options to download, print, and copy for commenters and viewers

• Before sharing you have to add a message in the sharing box stating the purpose for sharing the document

• Acceptable sharing purposes (include but are not limited to):

  • Collaborative work for a project

  • Study resources

• Unacceptable sharing purposes (include but are not limited to): 

  • Explicit plagiarism of work 

  • Explicit plagiarism of academic referencing

• When cheating is not an individual activity, all parties involved are equally at fault and will be subject to the same consequences. Consequences may include: 

  • Re-instruction or review of proper research strategies and citations in order to avoid future occurrences

  • A grade of zero (0) on the assignment, test, quiz, or project (the teacher has the option to grant a re-write or a re-take of the item.)

  • A disciplinary referral submitted to the office

  • Parental notification (email, report card comments, telephone call, etc.) 

  • A grade of zero (0) for the quarter and/or course for repeat/continued offenses

33. COVID Safety Violation: 

    • A student shall not disregard COVID-related safety expectations, including but not limited to proper mask wearing, social distancing, and mask etiquette. 

Level I-IV