Academy Charter School will attempt to address the needs of students through a quality education program. To be effective and to fulfill this goal, we believe that students need a positive, safe, and orderly environment in which learning can take place without disruption. The Academy Charter School Governing Board has empowered School Leaders of Academy Charter School to make student disciplinary decisions.
It is our belief that students who do not obey the rules of good conduct are interfering with the learning process and safety of others, as well as minimizing their own opportunities to learn. Both minor and major acts of student misconduct will initiate school disciplinary procedures.
Listed below are the steps that will be followed by the teacher, staff and/or School Leaders when student misbehavior occurs:
Step 1 - The teacher or other staff member addresses the inappropriate behavior. If the act of misconduct is considered minor, the form of disciplinary action used (if any) is recorded by the teacher.
Step 2 - If the same or similar act of misconduct continues or a more serious act occurs, the teacher informs the parent by phone or email. The misconduct may result in the loss of a privilege (recess, field trip, performance, etc.).
Step 3 - If the inappropriate behavior continues or if a more serious act of misconduct occurs (not covered in Steps 1 and 2), an Office Referral will be issued and a conference with parent, teacher and student will be held in order to discuss the incident, appropriate disciplinary action and a Behavior Plan. The plan is written, distributed to all persons included in the meeting, and also placed in the student file. Every Behavior Plan will have an end date as determined by School Leaders.
Step 4 - If the Behavior Plan does not result in correction of the behavior, or a major act of misconduct occurs (e.g., blatant defiance of authority, fighting, sexual harassment, etc.), School Leaders may suspend the student from school, not to exceed five (5) days. Prior to readmission after suspension, School Leaders will convene a meeting with the student, parent and any others who School Leaders deem necessary in order to review the student record of misconduct and to plan a future course of action. School Leaders will document and communicate disciplinary consequences according to school procedures.
Step 5 - If all the actions taken in steps 1-4 have not corrected the inappropriate behavior or if it threatens the safety of others (e.g., bringing a weapon to school or physically assaulting others*), School Leaders may suspend the student from school, for the second time for up to 10 days. For any period of suspension longer than five days or expulsion, a meeting with all involved persons shall be convened by School Leaders to determine the next course of action. Such action may consist of School Leaders recommendation that the student be expelled for a period of up to one year.
Examples of minor acts of misconduct including, but not limited to those below, require procession through steps 1-3 before discipline to be administered at the 4th or 5th step are the following:
talking
blurting
off-task
work refusal
out of seat
gum chewing
Examples of other major acts of misconduct including, but not limited to those below, that do not require procession through steps 1-3 but rather call for discipline to be administered immediately at the 4th or 5th step are the following:
Continued willful disobedience.
Open and persistent defiance of proper authority.
Behavior on or off school property that is detrimental to the welfare or safety of other pupils or school personnel.
Threats of physical harm.
Declaration as a habitually disruptive student.
Repeated interference with the school’s ability to provide educational opportunities to other students.
Name calling, teasing, lying, and/or swearing that has continued after discipline was administered at previous steps.
Racial, religious, and/or sexual harassment.
Possession/use of any form of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, inhalants, illicit drugs, etc.
Arson, theft, vandalism, and other behaviors of a criminal nature.
Carrying, bringing, using, or possessing a dangerous weapon.
The sale of a drug or controlled substance.
Commission of an act which if committed by an adult would be robbery or assault.
Carrying, using, actively displaying, or threatening with the use of a firearm facsimile.
In all matters where expulsion is indicated, the matter will be referred to the District’s designee.
With respect to any suspension of a student with a disability, such suspension shall comply with federal law. In the event there is a conflict between the foregoing and state or federal law, state or federal law shall control.
Students who accumulate multiple office referrals and other minor incidents will be considered for suspension by School Leaders. A second office referral in a trimester may lead to suspension, and a third office referral in a trimester will result in a suspension unless there are highly unusual circumstances.
All bullying shall be subject to discipline in accordance with the General Disciplinary Process above and may include suspension, expulsion, detention, and/or classroom removal. In addition, School Leaders may consider other actions which may be appropriate in response to student bullying, including but not limited to:
Holding conferences with the parents of students who continue to engage in bullying after administrator/teacher intervention, in order to develop cooperative strategies to correct the student's behavior.
Separating students who continue to engage in bullying after administrator/teacher intervention from other students at school or from particular school programs or activities, until they can conform their behavior to acceptable standards.
Withholding privileges (i.e., recess, field trips, participation in extracurricular activities, etc.) from students who continue to engage in bullying after administrator/teacher intervention, until they can conform their behavior to acceptable standards.
Academy Charter School may also refer to District discipline policies at times when further clarification is required. In the event Academy Charter School and District policies conflict, Academy Charter School policies shall prevail.