Code of Conduct

All District students have the right to: 

• Learn in an environment free from harassment, bullying, or discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, weight national origin, ethnic group, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender; 

• Access equal and appropriate educational opportunities; 
• Participate in all school activities for which they are eligible; 
• Be treated respectfully by those within the school community; 
• Expect that the school will be a safe and orderly place in which to receive an education; 
• Have their complaints about school-related incidents investigated and responded to in a timely manner; 
• Be afforded due process in the event of disciplinary action. 
• All District students have the responsibility to: 
• Conduct themselves in a manner that fosters an environment free from harassment, bullying, or discrimination; 
• Contribute to maintaining a safe and orderly school environment that is conducive to learning; 
• Contribute toward establishing and maintaining an atmosphere of mutual respect and dignity; 
• Attend school regularly, punctually, and prepared to learn; 
• Work to the best of their abilities and strive toward their highest level of personal achievement; 
• Dress in a manner consistent with the student dress code. 
• Demonstrate high standards of conduct and sportsmanship when participating in or attending school-sponsored activities; 
• Be aware of and obey school rules and regulations; 
• Respond to requests of teachers, administrators, and other district personnel in a respectful manner; 
• Accept responsibility for their actions. 

All students are expected to dress appropriately (and age-appropriately) for school and school functions. A student's dress shall meet the following expectations: 

• Student dress must be safe, respectful, and responsible as to not disrupt or interfere with the educational process. 
• Headwear is not permitted unless mandated by verifiable religious requirements or verifiable medical reasons. 
• Tops must cover the torso and bottoms must cover the legs above mid-thigh. Undergarments must be covered. 
• Footwear must be worn at all times and appropriate to the activity. Footwear that is a safety hazard will not be allowed. 
• Clothing, including headwear, is not to include items that advocate violence, sex, profanity, drugs, alcohol, or tobacco, or that encourage illegal or violent activities. 

Students who violate the dress code may be required to cover or remove the offending item, and if necessary or practical, replace it with an acceptable item. Any student who refuses to do so may be subject to a consequence. Any student who repeatedly fails to comply with the dress code may be subject to further consequence. 

The New York State Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) requires that no student shall be subjected to harassment or bullying by employees or students on school property or at a school function; nor shall any student be subjected to discrimination based on a person’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex. School staff, students, parents and community members have a shared responsibility to maintain a climate of mutual respect and dignity where all students can expect a safe and supportive learning environment. Any person who is aware that a student has been the target of harassment, bullying (including cyberbullying) or discrimination, must report any alleged incidents to the building principal or DASA coordinator. More information about DASA, including an anonymous reporting form, can be found on the district website, http://jpsny.org/dasa.

All students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately with proper regard for the rights and welfare of others and respect for the property of others. Students may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension from school, when they engage in any of the behaviors listed below. Please refer to the full Code of Conduct for examples of unacceptable behavior. 

• Engage in conduct that is disorderly. 
• Engage in conduct that is insubordinate. 
• Engage in conduct that is disruptive. 
• Engage in conduct that is violent. 
• Engage in any conduct that endangers the safety, physical or mental health or welfare of others. 
• Engage in any form of academic misbehavior. 
• Engage in any form of misbehavior while on a school bus. 
• Engage in off-campus misbehavior that may disrupt the educational process at school or a school function. 

Students who are found to have demonstrated inappropriate behavior may be subject to consequences or disciplinary action, ranging from teacher redirection or oral warning, up to and including suspension from school. In determining the appropriate disciplinary consequence, school personnel may consider the student’s age and developmental level, the nature and dangerousness of the offense, the student’s motive and intent, and other factors as described in the full Code of Conduct. Consequences will be assigned consistent with the student's right to due process. 

As a general rule, discipline will be progressive. This means that a student’s first violation will usually merit a lighter consequence than subsequent violations. However, district staff may assign the consequence most reasonably expected to ensure the student learns from their behavior and engages in more positive behavior in the future. If the conduct is extremely serious or criminal in nature, school officials have the discretion to impose a more serious consequence or referral to law enforcement. 

The District is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, engaging, respectful and orderly environment that is conducive to learning. To create and maintain this kind of environment, all persons on school property or attending any school function must conduct themselves in a safe, respectful and orderly manner as outlined in the full Code of Conduct. Examples of prohibited conduct may include but are not limited to the following: 

• Intentionally injure any person or threaten to do so; 
• Intentionally damage or destroy district property or the personal property others; 
• Disrupt the orderly conduct of classes, school programs, or other school activities; 
• Distribute or wear materials on school property or at school functions that are obscene, disruptive, or advocate illegal action; 
• Intimidate, harass or discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex; 
• Enter any portion of the school premises without authorization or remain in any building or facility after it is normally closed; 
• Possess, consume, sell, distribute or exchange alcoholic beverages or controlled substances, or be under the influence of either on school property or at a school function; 
• Smoke, use or ingest tobacco or cannabis products in school buildings or on school grounds; 
• Possess or use weapons in or on school property or at a school function, except as specifically authorized by the Board of Education or by statute.