Respect for the Law and the Rights of Others

The student is responsible as a citizen to observe the laws of the United States, the state of Washington, and/or its subdivisions. While in the school, the student shall respect the rights of others. Students who involve themselves in criminal acts on school property, off school property at school-supervised events, or off school property (where acts have a detrimental effect upon the maintenance and operation of the schools or the district) are subject to disciplinary action by the school and prosecution under the law.

Compliance with Rules

Students shall comply with all rules adopted by the district and by the school. Failure to do so shall be cause for corrective action. The rules shall be enforced by school officials:

• on the school grounds during and immediately before or immediately after school hours; or
• on the school grounds at any other time when the school is being used by a school group(s); or
• off the school grounds at a school activity, function, or event; or
• off the school grounds if the actions of the student materially or substantially affect the educational process.

I. Exceptional/Serious Misconduct:

Any conduct which materially and substantially interferes with the educational process is prohibited. However, the following infractions have been judged to be so serious in nature and/or so serious in terms of the disruptive effect upon the operation of the school(s) that students may be subject to an emergency expulsion and/or suspension (short term or long term) for a first-time offense.  Because each situation is handled individually, administrators have the discretion to use other alternative forms of discipline if they so decide.  This may include restitution for property damage or loss and/or restitution to victims if appropriate.  All of the following acts are specifically prohibited on school grounds, school-sponsored transportation, (including authorized school bus stops), at school events off school grounds, or off-campus if such conduct causes disruption at school. Law enforcement may be informed.

Arson - Lighting a fire, causing any fire to be started, setting fire to school property or falsely setting off a fire alarm is prohibited.

Assault (Resulting in Bodily Harm) - Inflicting physical harm, physical violence, using unwanted force, or demonstrating immediate intent to inflict physical harm is prohibited. This includes sexual assault.

Disruptive Conduct/Behavior - Behavior that materially or substantially interferes with or is detrimental to the orderly operation of school, school sponsored events or any other aspect of the educational process is prohibited.  Behavior or activities occurring off-campus that cause or threaten to cause a substantial disruption to the educational process on campus or impinge on the rights of the students or staff at school may be subject to discipline.

Drugs/Alcohol – Possession, Use, Paraphernalia - Possession, use, or being under the influence of drugs/alcohol on school grounds, on school transportation, or during school sponsored events on or off campus is prohibited; this includes inhalants, prescription drugs beyond a daily dose and over the counter drugs in quantities or mixtures that are suspect and capable of causing serious harm, or any substance represented as such.  Paraphernalia includes any item that can be used to ingest or conceal drugs or alcohol.

Drugs/Alcohol – Sell, Buy, Transfer - Transfer, sale, sharing, or solicitation on school grounds, on school transportation, walking/riding to school, or during school sponsored events on or off campus of drugs or alcohol is prohibited. This includes illegal drugs, inhalants, controlled substances, and combinations or amounts of over-the-counter drugs that could be seriously harmful, or any substance represented as such.

Firearms - Possession, threat to use, transfer, transport or use of a firearm is prohibited and will result in immediate emergency and permanent expulsion and notification of police.

Other Weapons, Explosives, and Dangerous Items - Possession, threat to use or use of other dangerous weapons (or replica weapons) is prohibited: this includes knives, BB guns, paintball guns, martial arts weapons, explosives, incapacitating agents, laser devices or any other item which can inflict or threaten substantial harm or which can be perceived by others as a weapon.  Principals may pre-authorize use of replica weapons for educational purposes.

Illegal Acts - A student shall not engage in the commission of any illegal or criminal act, that either results or could foreseeably result in injury or damage to self, others or property. This includes the possession or distribution of illegal images, including sexual images on cell phones or other electronic devices.

Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying, Disrespect - Harassment, intimidation, or bullying means any intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated because of his or her perception of the victim’s race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or mental, physical, or sensory handicap or other distinguishing characteristics, when the intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act:

• Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property; or
• Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; or
• Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or
• Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
  

Sexual Harassment - Harassing conduct includes repeated offensive sexual flirtations, advances or propositions, continued or repeated verbal abuse of a sexual nature, graphic or degrading verbal comments about an individual or about his/her appearance, or any offensive or abusive physical contact including, offensive jokes, innuendoes, compliments, cartoons, pranks and/or other verbal, visual, electronic communications, e.g. sexting, or physical conduct, including stalking. Conduct is gender-based when it would not occur but for the sex of the person to whom it is directed. 

Threats - Expression of intent to inflict injury or cause harm, to intimidate verbally, by use of hand signs, in writing or on a computer or other electronic device is prohibited.  Words or actions intended to inflict mental or physical harm are not allowed.

II. Other Forms of Misconduct

Other forms of misconduct including but not limited to those listed below may result in corrective action ranging from possible suspension, expulsion, restitution, or referral to law enforcement authorities or other agencies depending on the severity of the offense:

Academic Dishonest - Any student who submits work of others represented as his/her own shall be considered to have engaged in academic dishonesty (cheating).  Academic dishonesty also includes the unauthorized use of electronic devices, the use of unauthorized material or unauthorized communication of any kind during testing, and the aiding and abetting of academic dishonesty of others.

Alteration of Records - A student who falsifies, alters, destroys a school record or any communication between home and school shall be subject to corrective action.

Assault - A student shall not threaten injury or attempt to cause physical injury or intentionally behave in such a way as could reasonably be expected to cause physical injury to any person.  This includes sexual misconduct (i.e., unwanted touching or grabbing of sexual parts, indecent exposure, or other inappropriate sexual conduct) and intentional spitting.

Attendance/Truancy - A student shall not be absent or tardy from classes without an approved excuse. Such a student shall be subject to corrective action or discipline.

Disruptive Conduct/Behavior - A student is not permitted to disrupt the educational process or the orderly operation of a school or a school-sponsored activity.  This includes, but is not limited to, blocking building entrances, hallways, stairways, or deliberately disrupting the normal passage of others; and deliberately using any electronic device, including cellular telephones, to cause a disruption.

Dress Code - Student dress shall be conducive to the educational environment. A health or safety hazard shall not be presented by the student's dress or appearance; damage to school property shall not result from the student's dress; the student's dress or appearance shall not create material and substantial disruption of the educational process at the school. Student dress shall not be gang-related, nor may it promote illegal activity or activity that violates school
regulations.

Endangerment of Others - A student shall not act in a manner that endangers students, staff, or community members.

Extortion/Blackmail & Coercion - A student shall not extort or attempt to extort any item, information or money.

Fighting - A student shall not engage in or provoke physical altercation involving anger or hostility.  This includes instigating a fight, arranging or contributing to the likelihood of a fight developing, including recording and/or distributing images of the fight.

Forgery - A student shall not engage in copying, plagiarizing, falsifying materials/signatures and/or other information.

Gambling - A student shall not engage in games of chance which involve the exchange of money or other items, or stake or risk money or anything of value on the outcome of something involving chance.  A student shall not encourage or coerce other students to gamble.

Gang Activity – A student shall not knowingly engage in gang activity on school grounds.  A gang is a group of three or more persons with identifiable leadership which, on an ongoing basis, regularly conspires and acts in concert mainly for criminal purposes.

Hazing - A student shall not participate in or fail to report known activity that demeans or abuses any student or members or potential members of a team or club.

Immediate Danger and Disruption - If a student’s presence poses an immediate and continuing danger to the student (including harm to self), other students, school personnel, or an immediate and continuing threat of substantial disruption to the educational process, that presence is not permitted.

Interfering with School Investigation - Misrepresenting, falsely accusing, concealing evidence, verbally or physically impeding or interrupting an investigatory process involving self or others, or otherwise hindering an investigation of an infraction or crime on campus or at a school sponsored event.

Lying - Telling or writing untruths. 

Multiple/Accumulated Offenses - A student may be disciplined for the commission of multiple or accumulated offenses.

Negative Community Action - Washington State Law provides for the implementation of school discipline for actions performed outside of school that may adversely affect the educational environment of the school.  Examples include, but are not limited to, acts of vandalism, theft, assault, drug and alcohol use and sales, inappropriate computer/network behavior, harassment occurring off-campus, including the inappropriate use of email, texting, Skype, or other internet or electronic communications such as to harass or harm others.

Theft – A student shall not steal, be involved in stealing, possess without permission, and/or sell with knowledge of or reason to know stolen property.

Tobacco - A student shall not possess, use, or distribute any tobacco product, or chemicals, devices, or any other tobacco product that has the same flavor or physical effect of nicotine substances.

Trespass/Loitering/ Unauthorized Entrance - A student shall not enter or be present on school property without permission.

Unauthorized Use of Cell Phones or Other Electronic Devices During Class Time – Cell phones and other personal electronic devices must be turned off and may not be used in classrooms without teacher authorization.

Unauthorized Use of Equipment - Computers and other equipment shall not be used in classrooms without teacher authorization.  Photographs, video, and audiotapes may not be published without permission. Inappropriate materials or websites may not be accessed or displayed.

Vandalism - Destruction, damaging, or defacing of school or personal property is not allowed.  This includes tampering with equipment or supplies or displacing property.

Vulgar or Lewd Conduct/Profanity - Any lewd, indecent, vulgar, profane or obscene act or expression is prohibited. This includes swearing, spitting, and obscene gestures, photographs, and drawings, including electronic communication.

Willful Disobedience/Disrespect - A student shall not fail to follow reasonable requests and directions of school staff or act in a disrespectful manner.

Approved:
11/4/91

Revised:
8/10/98
8/01/06
9/30/10
8/01/11