YOUR ATTITUDE IS CONTAGIOUS… IS YOURS WORTH CATCHING?
THE PRACTICES OF THE DEN
Eddie Vela, Dean of Students
AHS Discipline Code
Table of Contents (Click on link to go to that section)
The faculty, staff and administration of Arvin High School want to provide the best educational opportunities possible for all students and an environment that is conducive to learning. In order to have an environment appropriate to this commitment and to enable teachers, counselors, administrators and other personnel to effectively provide a sound education for students, a certain standard of behavior is expected from all students. When this does not occur, action will be taken which will be determined by the nature, seriousness, and frequency of the inappropriate behavior. Any violation of school regulations not covered in this policy will be handled according to the Kern High School District Discipline Code.
The purpose of rules and regulations on our school campus is to assure students of the opportunity to obtain an education. Cooperation is essential to maintaining a harmonious and functional society. Everyone must be willing to accept responsibility for maintaining campus order and for administering school discipline for the welfare, safety, protection and health of all students.
The discipline policy will be
in effect for all students as follows:
1. While on school grounds.
2. While going to or coming from school.
3. During lunch, whether on or off campus.
4. While attending, or while going to, or coming from a
school-sponsored activity or any activity sponsored
by the Kern High School District.
Reasonable attempts are made at the time of disciplinary action to contact parents by phone. When phone contact is not possible, personal contact may be made at the time the student is transported to the home or to juvenile authorities. If that is not possible, then a parent request to contact the school will be written on school documents that are sent with the student or mailed to the home. Immediate parent contact is vital when disciplinary action is taken. Parents are urged to always make sure emergency contact cards at school are updated and correct.
A student may be suspended from school for no more than five (5) consecutive school days. The total number of days a student may be suspended from school should not exceed twenty (20) days in any school year, unless for purposes of adjustment, the following exceptions are considered:
1. The student is transferred to another regular school, opportunity class or continuation school in which a maximum of thirty- (30) days is allowed.
OR
2. The district Director of Pupil Personnel Services grants an extension of the suspension pending an expulsion or other disciplinary action.
In all cases of the suspension a parent conference with the Dean of Students or his/her designee is required before the student may be permitted on school property to resume school activities.
The procedures outlined in the Kern High School District Discipline Code are followed when suspensions and expulsions are appropriate. All disciplinary actions are subject to the discretion of the principal’s designee. The Dean of Students attends regular meetings with the District Director of Pupil Personnel and is updated and informed of changes in the procedures and the California Law.
Once the decision has been made to suspend a student, parent contact should be made prior to removing a student from campus. Steps to follow:
1. Contact parent or guardian to notify or suspension.
2. Establish a date and time for readmit conference (must be within three school days of initial suspension date).
3. Type suspension letter and give student one copy and mail the original.
4. If unable to contact parent guardian, detain student in study hall until the end of the school day. Parent will receive suspension letter in the mail.
5. Once the parent, student conference has been held the student may return to class.
EC 48900 (a)(1) Fighting- When two or more students exchange blows and the action is
interpreted by an adult on campus as fighting (mutual combat).
Action: 3 to 5 days of suspension for students. Student's attitude and
anger level may determine the number of out of school days.
Any gang-related fighting is an automatic 5-day suspension.
Repeat offenses result in transfer to a continuation school,
Opportunity Program, or expulsion.
EC 48900 (a)(2) Assault & Battery-
When a student causes or attempts to cause physical
injury to another student without provocation.
Action: Five day suspension for the student aggressor. Expulsion shall be recommended. Seriousness of the offense and student’s attitude may determine the consideration of a Suspended Expulsion.
48900 (b) Weapons & Explosive devices-
When a student possesses, sells or otherwise
furnishes any firearm, knife, mace, explosive device or other dangerous object, except in the case of possession when the pupil is so authorized by school personnel.
Action: Five days suspension with recommendation for expulsion. A citation will be issued that also will serve as a referral to the probation department. The law mandates a one-year expulsion from the date of suspension for possession of a gun or brandishing a knife or dangerous object.
48900 © Use or under the influence of a controlled substance-
Alcohol- When a student possesses or is under the influence of alcohol.
Action: 1st offense: 3 to 5 days suspension. The seriousness of the offense and the student’s attitude and school record may determine the duration of the suspension. Student will be referred to counseling. *6-12 week CIF suspension-see KHSD Athletic & Activity Control Code.
2nd offense: 5 days suspension. Continued offenses may result in a transfer to Continuation Program or recommendation of expulsion. Student will be referred to counseling for the second time. *12-18 week CIF suspension. In compliance with law SB 1300, a referral will be made to probation department.
Drugs- When a student uses (non-sale) or is found under the influence of any controlled substance (alcohol excepted).
Action: 5 days suspension with recommendation for expulsion. First offense status for offenses and student record may determine the consideration for Suspended Expulsion. (Will affect CIF eligibility-see KHSD Athletic & Activity Control Code) and in compliance with law SB 1300 a referral will be made to the Probation Department. Arvin High practices
48900 (c & d) Drug Sales- When a student furnishes, arranges or negotiates to sell any
controlled substance (including alcohol) or when a student offers, arranges, or negotiates to sell any controlled substance represented as such.
Action: 5 days suspension with recommendation for expulsion. Regardless of offense status or student school record, expulsion will be recommended. In compliance with law SB 1300 a referral will be made to Probation Department. (Will affect CIF eligibility-See KHSD Athletic & Activity Control Code).
Arvin High School practices a “Will Not Tolerate Policy” for sale of drugs on campus. This means that students who bring drugs to campus for sale are automatically recommended for expulsion for the maximum amount of time possible.
48900 (e) Robbery or Extortion-
When a student takes or attempts to take money or personal
property from another person by means of force or any threat.
Action: 5 days suspension with recommendation for expulsion.
48900 (f) Vandalism (includes graffiti and “tagging”)-
When a student causes or attempts to cause damage or deface school or private property.
Action: 3 to 5 days suspension. Seriousness of offense and student record may determine recommendation for expulsion or consideration of Suspended Expulsion. Student/Parent is financially responsible for damages.
48900 (g) Theft/Stealing- When a student steals or attempts to steal school or private property.
Action: 3 to 5 days suspension with recommendation for expulsion depending on the seriousness of the theft. Property or due value must be returned. Offense status, student’s school record and seriousness of offense may determine consideration of Suspended Expulsion or Expulsion.
48900 (h) Tobacco- When a student possesses or uses tobacco within the restricted area designated by the school officials (Chew included).
Action: 1st offense- Possession or use of tobacco, 1 day suspension. Parent contacted required. *6-12 week CIF suspension.
2nd offense- 3 days suspension.
*12-18 week CIF suspension.
3rd offense- 5 days suspension. *18 week CIF suspension.
Continued offenses- Transfer to Continuation, Opportunity Program or Expulsion.
48900 (i) Profanity, vulgarity, obscene actions-
When a student uses profanity that is vulgar and/or obscene either verbally, by written word, picture, or by gesture.
Any violation of this section that is directed at a staff member will result in an immediate 3-day suspension.
Action: 1st offense- Referral, warning, Saturday Work Program, or one to three days suspension depending on seriousness of offense.
2nd or more offenses-3-5 days suspension. Student’s attitude may determine consideration of alternative program. Continued offenses may result in transfer to Continuation School, Opportunity Program or Expulsion.
48900 (j) Drug paraphernalia-
When a student possesses, offers, arranges or negotiates to sell
drug paraphernalia.
Action: 5 days suspension with recommendation for expulsion. If possession only, student record may determine consideration for a Suspended Expulsion. (Will affect CIF eligibility-See KHSD Athletic & Activity Control Code) and in compliance with law SB 1300 a referral will be made to the probation department.
48900 (k) Defiance- When a student disrupts school activities, willfully defies school authorities (any school personnel engaged in performance of their duties), or when a student continues to engage in behavior when specifically told not to do so, fails to disperse or fails to correctly identify himself when requested to do so.
Action: 1st offense- Saturday Work Program, After School Program or one to five days suspension. Seriousness of offense and student attitude may determine consideration of Opportunity Class, Nueva H.S. or Suspended Expulsion.
2nd or more offenses-Additional Saturday Work Program (SWP), After School Program or one to five days suspension depending on the nature of the offense. Persistent defiance may result in recommendation for Expulsion, Opportunity Class, Nueva H.S. or Suspended Expulsion
48900 (k) Attendance- Continued tardies to class, cuts, and/or continued period of non-attendance.
Action: Tardies- Teachers will enforce the Classroom Tardy Policy.
When the classroom Tardy Policy has been exhausted, the teacher will submit a Blue Referral.
For any additional tardies, teacher will submit a Gold Dean’s Referral.
The following STEPS are a series of escalating interventions in place at all Kern High School District Comprehensive High Schools. These STEPS are meant to reduce truancy and therefore increase student achievement. At each STEP the student will be seen and will receive counseling by a Kern High School District employee aimed at resolving the student’s attendance problem. Each Step will occur after three truancies, either all day or period “cuts”. Parents will be contacted at each STEP of the policy.
STEP I Student will be contacted by Attendance Specialist or Dean’s office.
Parent will be notified by telephone and/or mail.
(Student may be assigned Saturday Work or Saturday School.)
STEP II Student will be contacted by Attendance Specialist or Dean’s office.
Attendance Specialist or Dean’s office will contact STEP II student.
Parent will be notified by telephone and/or mail.
(Student may be assigned Saturday Work or Saturday School.)
STEP III A parent conference will be held in the Dean’s Office. The conference will include the student, parent/guardian, principal’s designee in charge of truancy, and whenever possible a counselor or community counselor. The parent and student will sign a school attendance probation contract.
(Student may be assigned Saturday Work or Saturday School.)
STEP IV Student and parent/guardian will attend a conference with the Kern County Probation Officer assigned to the school. The minor will have a permanent record of truancy, and will be assigned 19 hours of Community Service to be completed in four weeks at a cost of $25 to the student or their family.
STEP V A) Student and parent/guardian may be referred to the Kern High School District Student Attendance Review Board (SARB). Student and parent/guardian are required to attend.
OR
B) The Kern High School District Police Officer will issue a citation for the minor to appear before a judge in Juvenile Court for violation of Education Code 48262. Penalties the judge may impose include but are not limited to the suspension or delay of the student’s driving privilege, and/or issuance of a fine.
STEP VI A) If SARB recommendations are not followed and student truancy continues, the Kern County District Attorney’s Office may choose to prosecute the parent/guardian for violation of Penal Code 272.
B) If citation did not occur at STEP V and truancy continues, the citation will occur at STEP VI.
In addition to these District-wide STEPS, the school site administration may refer a student to an alternative educational program it deems appropriate, at any time.
Non-Attendance: Referral to counselor for 5 absences within a three week attendance period. Attempts will be made to contact
parents and STEP program listed above will be implemented.
48900 (k) Internet abuse, Misuse of Electronic Media-
When a student violates the Student Code of Conduct for the Kern High School District Electronic Community.
Action: 1st offense- Referral to Dean. Internet privileges are revoked for the remainder of the year. Possible suspension for one to five days, depending on education code violation and student’s school record. If vandalism is involved, student will be held financially responsible for damages with a minimum charge of $25.
2nd offense- One to five day suspension. Permanent revocation of Internet privileges may occur. Student’s attitude may determine consideration of Suspended Expulsion. Continued offenses will result in transfer to Continuation school.
48900 (k) Appropriate Student Dress-
Arvin High School is a school with Spirit and Bear pride. Students and staff wear Bear red and white to support activities.
The pupil has the right to attire himself/herself in a manner that is suitable as long as practices of good health and safety are observed and there is no disruption of the educational process.
Dress should be appropriate for normal school activities; it should reflect pride and respect. Health and safety are guides to acceptable school attire.
Students while at school or any school related activity are not permitted to wear:
- An outer garment shorter than one-third the thigh length above the knee. This will include dresses, shorts and apparel for both boys and girls. The administration retains the sole discretion to determine that the garment meets this standard, is appropriate and is in good repair.
- See through, strapless or backless garments, bare midriffs, low garments or spaghetti straps.
- Clothing that portrays suggestive, derogatory or insulting pictures or writing.
- Bizarre clothing, costumes, non-approved hats, etc. (expect on school dress-up days.).
- Any article of clothing which in anyway is suggestive or can be constructed to have a “double meaning”.
- Any article of clothing that refers to any type of alcohol, drug or act, which is illegal or hazardous to one’s health.
- Any garment or accessory displaying emblems of outside clubs or organizations that becomes disruptive to school operation including tattoos.
- Any skirts or other tops with buttons or zippers buttoned or zipped so that the chest or stomach area are exposed.
- Any footwear inappropriate for normal activities. Inappropriate footwear includes: bedroom slippers or moccasins.
- Hat Policy-No student may wear a hat or any headgear
that is not purchased in the Arvin H.S. Finance Office. All headgear must be
Arvin H.S. Clothing. Exception: Hats for special events sponsored by the Arvin
High School.
Action: 1st Offense: Confiscation of hat and warning. Student may pick up hat from the Dean’s office at the end of the school day.
2nd or More Offenses: Defiance will result in SWP or one to five day suspensions depending on the attitude of the student. Student attitude and record will determine length of suspension or consideration for Saturday Work Program. Continued offenses may result in transfer to Opportunity Class, Nueva H.S. or Expulsion.
In case of questionable dress (not covered in the rules listed above), a site administrator will make the final decision. Appropriate action will be taken at that time and, when necessary, a home contact will be made seeking parental cooperation and assistance.
Action: 1st offense- Change clothes. Warning. Parent contact.
2nd offense- change clothes and Saturday Work Program or 1 to 5 days suspension depending on student’s attitude. Continued offenses will result in 1 to 5 days suspension.
48900 (k) Bus Behavior- A bus driver is responsible for the safety of students on the bus. Any student behavior that distracts the bus driver, raises the anxiety level of the bus driver, or otherwise upsets the bus driver compromises the safe environment under which the bus must be operated and will not be tolerated.
Action: 1st offense- Suspension of bus riding privileges for 5 school days. Parent contact. Student attitude and seriousness of offense may determine a 1-day suspension.
2nd offense- Suspension from school for 1 to 5 days and suspension of bus riding privileges for the remainder of the quarter.
48900 (k) Cheating- When a student is determined to be cheating by a school official.
Action: 1st offense- Referral to counselor.
2nd or more offenses- Saturday Work Program or suspension will be assigned. Serious of offense, student attitude, and/or school record may determine consideration of 1-5 days of suspension, Opportunity Class, Nueva H.S., Suspended Expulsion, or expulsion.
48900 (l) Receiving stolen property-
When a student knowingly receives stolen school
property or private property.
Action: 3 to 5 days suspension. Recommended transfer to Continuation School or Opportunity Program.
48900 (m) Imitation firearm-
When a student is in possession of an imitation firearm.
“Imitation firearm” means a replica of a firearm that is so substantially similar in physical properties to an existing as to lead a reasonable person to conclude that the replica is a firearm.
Action: 3 to 5 days suspension. Seriousness of offense and student attitude may determine alternative to suspension.
48900 (.2) Sexual harassment-
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 work or educational setting. The conduct must be considered by a reasonable person of the same gender as the victim to be sufficiently severe or pervasive to have negative impact upon the individual’s academic performance or to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.
Action: Three to five days suspension, depending on severity of the incident and whether or not the behavior is habitual. Expulsion may be recommended based on student attitude and school record.
48900 (.3) Hate violence- Any act or attempted act intended to cause emotional suffering, physical injury, or property damage through intimidation, harassment, bigoted slurs or epithets, for or threat of force, or vandalism motivated in part or in whole by hostility toward the victims real or perceived ethnicity, national origin, immigrant status, religious belief, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, political
Action: The student will be suspended for 3-5 days. Student may additionally be moved to Opportunity
Class, Nueva H.S. or expelled.
48900 (.4) Hazing/Intimidation-
When a student, or students take action that result in physical
or psychological injury to another student or students.
Action: Three to five days suspension and/or referral to continuation school and/or recommendation for expulsion.
48901 (.5) Electronic Signaling Device-
Use of any electronic signaling device is prohibited during the official school day.
Action: 1st offense- Student will have the item confiscated and held until a parent can claim the item.
2nd offense- Parent will be responsible to pick up the item.
3rd offense- One to Five-day suspension. Seriousness of offense, student attitude and/or school record may determine consideration for transfer to Nueva H.S., Opportunity Program or Expulsion.
Searches are undertaken for the purpose of maintaining order and discipline on a school campus and for the safety and protection of students. To insure that school campuses remain safe for students, searches for drugs and weapons are conducted by necessity without warrants. The position of school personnel in taking this action is to insure that Arvin H.S. is safe for student learning.
Locker Search
A locker search is based upon reasonable suspicion or reason to believe that the locker contains something that would be disruptive to the educational process or dangerous to the health and safety of students. Students do not own their lockers. They are held in trust by the Board of Education and are only made available for student use. The student has some control over his/her locker in that he/she may keep others out but not school officials. A locker search is conducted under the following regulations:
· Administrator or Police Officer should determine whether search is reasonable.
· Student, if possible, should be forewarned and asked to be present.
· A witness should accompany administrator.
· Administrator or his/her designee should conduct search.
Purse, Pocket, or Backpack Search
Purse and pocket searches are conducted when a school investigator or administrator determines there is reasonable cause. The following guidelines are usually observed:
· A witness should accompany administrator.
· Student should empty contents of purse, pockets, and/or backpack inside out on to a flat surface.
· Administrator, or his/her designee, should go through items in front of student.
Parking Lot Search
Parking lot searches are conducted when a school investigator or administrator determines there is reasonable cause. The following guidelines are usually observed:
· A witness should accompany administrator.
· Student should be present.
· Administrator, or his/her designee, should go through vehicle in front of student.
All visitors to the campus must register with the Dean of Students or other administrator and wear a name tag or visitor’s tag while on campus. All requests made by parent or guardian to visit a teacher’s classroom must be requested and approved by the teacher 24 hours in advance of the visit. Anyone visiting on campus without a tag will be escorted to the office for explanation. No student visitors are allowed during the day except by prior arrangement with Arvin High Administration and under appropriate adult supervision.
Police, welfare workers, probation officers or other authorized personnel will speak with students in the counseling and administration offices only. No one has the authority to address Arvin High students on the campus.
Students will be permitted to speak with their parents, guardians, and/or other adults authorized by their parent/guardian in the counseling and administration offices only.
The governing board desires to keep district school and students free from the threats or harmful influence of any groups or gang which advocate drug use, disruptive, or violent behavior. Each high school will include procedures for handling gangs and gang activities in the site discipline policy. This policy shall be applied at the principal’s discretion as the need for it arises at individual school sites (cf. 6145.5 – Organization/Associations). Staff will make decisions on whether or not disciplinary problems shall be handled as individual problems or gang problems. The superintendent or designee shall provide staff in-service training in gang recognition and communicate to all staff current symbols of gang membership.
Gang Related Clothes, Insignia and Symbols
Any clothing or insignia symbols (including body tattoos) that school administrators deem to be gang-related are not to be worn or carried on the Arvin High Campus. Students who do will be warned once to correct the situation. Clothing that staff deems to be gang-related (such as certain types of cloth belts) may be confiscated by staff for purposes of campus safety or the student may be sent home to change clothes. Parents will be contacted.
Action 1st Offense: Warning with parent contact. Staff may confiscate clothing. Student may be sent home to change clothes if deemed necessary.
2nd or More Offenses: One to five day suspension. Student attitude and record will determine length of suspension or consideration for Saturday Work Program. Continued offenses may result in transfer to Opportunity Class, Nueva H.S. or Expulsion.
Gang Related Activities
Any activities by students that administrators deem to be gang related are not allowed. The following action will be taken against students involved in gang related activities that violate the safety and security of people on this campus.
Action One to Five day suspension and possible drop to alternative program or expulsion (Education Code 48900 (k, .3, .4).
Hats
Students may only wear Arvin High School hats and or headgear. Arvin H.S. hats and headgear may be purchased in the Finance Office. Exception: Hats for special events sponsored by the Arvin High School.
GUEST GUIDELINES
High school students may invite a guest who is not an Arvin High student to school sponsored formal dances under the following circumstances:
l. Students currently enrolled in Nueva H.S., any Continuation School, Work Force or Community School are not allowed to attend as a guest.
2. The guest must receive written approval by the Dean or Investigator at
least one week before the event.
3. The guest must be signed up in the Finance Office by the designated deadline.
4. The guest must be under 21 years of age.
5. No dropouts, junior high school students or students enrolled in court ordered school will be admitted.
6. All debts for the participant and the guest must be cleared with KHSD prior to purchase of a
formal/prom ticket.
7. Each Arvin High student is responsible for the behavior of his/her guest.
8. The guest must have proper identification to verify his/her name and age.
9. The guest must follow all rules of the Education Code (EC 48900a-1).
10. Once your guest is listed in the finance office, you may not substitute a guest. If a guest name is not on the final
guest print out, they will not be admitted.
GUEST GUIDELINES
High school students may bring invited guests to school sponsored informal dances under the following circumstances.
1. Guest must be signed up in the Dean’s office prior to the activity.
2. Guest must be currently enrolled in high school.
3. No dropouts, junior high school students or students enrolled in court ordered schools will be admitted.
4. Each student is responsible for the behavior of his or her guest.
5. All guests must have proper identification to verify their name and age.
6. All guests must follow the same rules of the Education Code (EC 48900 a-1) as all other students at the school-
sponsored activity.
GUEST GUIDELINES
High school students may invite a guest who is not an Arvin High student to Grad Night under the following circumstances:
1. Students currently enrolled in Nueva H.S., any continuation school, Work Force and Community School are not allowed to attend as a guests.
2. The guest must receive written approval by the Dean or Investigator at
least one week before the event.
3. The guest must be signed up in the Finance Office by the designated deadline.
4. The guest must be under 21 years of age.
5. No dropouts, junior high school students or students enrolled in court ordered school will be admitted.
6. All debts for the participant and the guest must be cleared with KHSD prior to purchase of a formal/prom ticket.
7. Each Arvin High student is responsible for the behavior of his/her guest.
8. The guest must have proper identification to verify his/her name and age.
9. The guest must follow all rules of the Education Code (EC 48900a-1).
10. Once your guest is listed in the finance office, you may not substitute a guest.
If a guest name is not on the final guest print out, they will not be admitted.
Created by: Sonia Garcia