Below is a list of school disciplinary infractions. This list is designed to assist staff, students and parents, but it is not intended to be all-inclusive. Modifications will be made at the discretion of the administration. Violation of the following policies may result in expulsion, Out-of-School Suspension (OSS), In-School Suspension (ISS), revocation or suspension of student privileges or other disciplinary actions deemed appropriate by the principal. 

1. Exhibiting behavior that disrupts learning, instruction, or the educational process 

2. Showing disrespect/defiance. Defiance shall include but is not limited to the following: refusing a reasonable request; failing to remain in the classroom or office as directed; failing to report to the office with or without a referral as directed; and failing to surrender any item to confiscation as directed. 

3. Threatening to bomb, burn, or damage school buildings or property 

4. Pulling a fire alarm, dialing 911, or causing a false alarm by any manner 

5. Destroying, defacing or damaging school buildings or property, including writing graffiti 

6. Engaging in horseplay 

7. Forging notes or other documents the student may submit to school officials 

8. Stealing or misappropriation of school or personal property 

9. Cheating or dishonesty in any form 

10. Throwing any object that would cause bodily harm to students, teachers, staff, or others 

11. Possessing dangerous objects or weapons including but not limited to guns, knives, laser pointers, fireworks, box cutters, and razor blades 

12. Using inappropriate or profane language 

13. Inappropriately using portable communication or electronic devices (see BYOD Policy on page 22 for more information) 

14. Engaging in verbal or physical harassment or assault or engaging in a verbal or physical altercation or confrontation with another student, teacher, staff, or other 

15. Selling items, posting or distributing flyers, other than those approved by school officials 

16. Being in an unauthorized area such as parking lots, outside the building, or loitering in the hallways 

17. Showing inappropriate displays of affection 

18. Failing to identify one’s self upon the request of a school official 

19. Failing to sign in (or out) in the attendance office and/or leaving school without administrative authorization 

20. Failing to comply with dress code 

21. Opening exterior doors for anyone on the outside during the school day 

22. Failing to correct a problem or violation after a faculty, staff or administrative warning 

23. Returning to school premises or going on any Chesapeake Public Schools’ property at any time during the term of out-of-school suspension 

24. Using school computers or any equipment inappropriately or without proper authorization

25. Inciting another to threaten injury to a person or damage to school property, in person or via any electronic or social media 

26. Engaging in any gang-related activity. Such activities may include but are not limited to the display of symbols of gang membership (i.e., clothing, jewelry, or other accessories that are deemed to symbolize gang membership or affiliation), recruitment of or invitation to other students to join or otherwise affiliate themselves with gangs, gang–related extortion, gang-related violence, gestures, possession or distribution of gang-related literature, lyrics, or drawings, or gang-related vandalism (including graffiti). Exhibiting behavior that is determined to be gang related will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension and expulsion. 

27. Endangering the health and safety of other students, recklessly and intentionally, for the purpose of initiation, regardless of whether a student voluntarily participates, will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension and expulsion. In addition, they will be charged with a Class 1 Misdemeanor (12 months jail time/$2,500 fine) 

28. Bullying (see the following section for more details) in any form, in person or via any electronic or social media platform 

29. The illegal use, possession or distribution of drugs, drug paraphernalia, or alcohol on school property or at any school activity is prohibited by Chesapeake School Board Policy 9-35 as well as by the laws of the State of Virginia. 

30. Failing to follow other policies set forth in this handbook or Chesapeake Public Schools’ policies

Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior in which someone intentionally and repeatedly causes another person injury or discomfort. Bullying can take the form of physical contact, words, or subtler actions. Continued bullying can:  

• Contribute to a negative learning environment  

• Result in students skipping school or dropping out  

• Create a feeling of being unsafe and cause students to become unfocused  

• Lead to verbal confrontations and escalate to physical altercations 

We are committed to Stop Bullying! 

YOU CAN HELP STOP BULLYING AT WBHS; REPORT ACTS OF BULLYING TO YOUR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR OR YOUR GRADE LEVEL ADMINISTRATOR! 

PLEASE NOTE - If a student continues to escalate an incident and does not cooperate with an administrator, faculty or staff member, additional consequences and or suspension days may be assigned.

1. In an effort to ensure a safe, productive, and positive work and learning environment, clothing and accessories that present safety concerns or obstacles to the educational environment are prohibited (i.e., clothing adorned with spikes or chains, unsafe footwear that may be a tripping hazard, etc.).

2. Clothing and accessories should be appropriate for all scheduled classroom activities including but not limited to physical education, science or food labs, wood shop, and other activities where individual hazards may exist.

3. Students are not permitted to wear clothing and/or accessories that advocate violence, profanity, alcohol, and other drug use and/or distribution. Clothing that displays gang activity and/or membership, displays disparaging or presents messages of hate or symbols associated with hate toward any group based on race, sex, ethnicity, gender ability, heritage, sexual orientation, religion or are reasonably likely to create a substantial disruption to the educational environment are prohibited.

4. Students must wear clothing that covers their skin from chest to mid-thigh with non-see-through fabric (in front, back, and on the sides).

   1. The length of shirts and other tops must at least meet the top of the student's pants.

   2. Shirts must be worn under sheer or see-through tops.

   3. Clothing must cover undergarments, with the exception of straps, when sitting, standing, or bending.

   4. All sleeveless tops must be securely connected over the shoulders by straps.

5. Students must wear bottoms of the appropriate length. the length of bottoms (i.e., shorts, skirts, etc.) may be no shorter than mid-thigh.

6. Pants, shorts, or leggings with rips, holes, or see-through mesh that expose skin above mid-thigh are not permitted. Students may wear shorts or leggings under garments with rips or holes above mid-thigh. Additionally, all bottoms must comply with the following requirements:

   1. All pants, skirts, and shorts must fit at the waist.

   2. Hemlines and slits above mid-thigh are not acceptable.

   3. Wearing leggings under shorts, skirts, or dresses is permitted if these bottom items of clothing are at least mid-thigh.

7. Headwear, including hats, hoodies, sweatbands, and bandanas are generally prohibited in the school building.  Exceptions for headwear will be made for students to reasonably accommodate medical/health or disability-related issues (i.e., protective helmets), as an expression of sincerely held religious belief (i.e., hijabs or yarmulkes), or cultural expression (i.e., geles).

8. For reasons of health and safety, students must wear footwear at all times when on school property, except in instances when changing for practices, performances, or physical education classes. Athletic shoes that are close-toed, secured in the back, and have a rubber or hard sole will be required for participation in certain school-based activities (i.e., physical education classes, extracurricular sports or clubs, wood shop, or other technical education classes, science labs involving chemicals, etc.).

9. Students whose dress is considered contrary to good hygiene or in any way disruptive to the learning process will be required to meet the school division's standards for dress and appearance and shall be disciplined in accordance with the Chesapeake City Public School's Student Code of Conduct.

10. Exceptions to the above standards are outlined below:

    1. School administrators shall grant exceptions to the dress code as previously indicated based on disability, health/medical reasons, or for sincerely held religious beliefs unless deemed a safety concern. 

    2. Exceptions may be made for spirit week celebrations or for extracurricular and athletic-related purposes, as approved by the school administrator.

11. Prior to the end of the first month of each school year, each local school will make available to parents/guardians and students school dress code standards established herein.

CPS has outlined four different levels of responses to behaviors. It is important to note that the level of response is not sequential; rather, a correlation to the severity, chronic nature and/or safety concerns of the behavior. Teachers may utilize the following interventions before they become Level 2 responses. 

Level 1 Responses: Level 1 responses are intended to prevent further behavioral issues while keeping the student in class. Such disposition responses may include but are not limited to one or more of the following: 

• Behavior Contract – teacher/staff 

• Behavior progress chart

• Check-In/Check-Out

• Confiscation (at teacher’s discretion)

• Detention (before school, at lunch, after school)

• In-school suspension (Up to one-two days) with behavioral instruction and academic support

• Loss of classroom privileges

• Peer mediation

• Recognize/Reward appropriate behavior

• Re-teaching or modeling of desired behavior

• Seat change

• Student conferences among: Administrator, teacher, counselor, other staff as appropriate and or parent/guardian

• Written reflection or letter of apology 

* Per the Code of Virginia, teachers have the initial authority to temporarily remove a student from class for disruptive behavior. 

Level 2 Responses: Administrative responses and interventions at this level are designed to prevent further behavior issues and keep the student in school. Depending upon the severity of the behavior, short-term removal of the student from the classroom may be appropriate. Such disposition responses may include; but are not limited to, one or more of the following:

• Level 1 Responses

• Behavior Contract with administration

• Community service within the school

• Complete prevention/intervention activities as assigned by administration

• In-school suspension with behavioral interventions and/or restorative practices (one-three days)

• Loss of specific school privileges

• Mediation or conflict resolution

• Parent/Guardian contact

• Referral to law enforcement where required

• Referral to support services

• Referral to Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team 

Level 3 Responses: Dependent upon the severity, chronic nature of the behavior and/or safety concerns, Level 3 behaviors may result in the student’s shortterm removal from school. Such disposition responses may include but are not limited to one or more of the following:

• Level 2 Responses

• Behavior contract with Office of Student Services

• Complete prevention/intervention activities as assigned by Student Services

• Community service

• Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) Development (Special Education Students) or Behavior Support Plan (BSP) Development (General Education Students)

• In-school suspension with restorative practices (three plus days not to exceed five days)

• Loss of all school activity privileges

• Referral for community-based services

• Short-term out-of-school suspension 

Level 4 Responses: Responses at this level are required to be reviewed by the superintendent or superintendent’s designee as outlined in the Code of Virginia § 22.1-279.3:1. Local school board policy may require additional reporting. After a review of the incident in context, the superintendent or designee disposition response may include; but are not limited to, one or more of the following:

• Level 3 Responses

• Expulsion

• Long-term Suspension

• School reassignment: Students may be assigned to another school within the division. 

It is important for students to understand that riding the school bus, for whatever purpose, is a privilege. Should that privilege be abused, it may be revoked for a specific period of time or permanently. Parents are responsible for student transportation when a student's riding privilege is suspended or revoked. Students who ride the bus must abide by all CPS regulations, some of which follow: 

1. Students are required to get on and off the bus at their designated stop. 

2. Students must not extend arms, legs or head out of the bus. 

3. Students must not block aisle with books or other objects. 

4. Students are not permitted to eat or drink on the bus. 

5. Students must not throw paper or other litter on the floor of the bus. 

6. Students must not throw objects about the bus or from the windows. 

7. Students must not engage in unnecessarily loud talking or laughter. 

8. Students must sit in assigned seats, if applicable. 

9. Students must not shout at pedestrians or passengers in/on other vehicles. 

10. Students will not be allowed to loiter on the bus ramp at any time. 

11. Students must remain seated while the bus is in motion. 

12. Students must not engage in behavior that is distracting to the driver. 

13. Students must not use inappropriate language. 

14. Students must wear masks when riding a school bus.

In an effort to provide the most positive and purposeful educational environment for our students, the School Board adopted policy 9-20.1 regarding the use of cell phones and other personal communications devices.  The goal of the policy is to ensure that our students come to school free from distractions and ready to learn.  

During the instructional day, any personal communications devices are expected to be turned off and put away. This means that these devices should not be kept on the person or in the clothing of students during the school day. This expectation applies to all instructional, administrative, medical, or health-related settings including, but not limited to: classrooms, hallways, libraries, auditoriums, gymnasiums, locker rooms, administrative offices, or clinics. 

What is considered a personal communication device (PCD)? 

Any device that can connect using Wi-Fi or cellular data including, but not limited to:

• Cell phones 

• Tablets and e-readers 

• Laptops 

• Handheld gaming systems/consoles 

• Smart Watches 

• Bluetooth devices including headphones

Why is this policy being put in place?

Research shows that cell phones and other electronic devices can be detrimental to the intellectual, social, and emotional development of children and adolescents. In addition, access to these devices during the school day decreases opportunities for our students to be actively engaged in the learning process and to interact with their teachers and classmates. 

What if I need to communicate with my child during the school day?

In case of emergency, please contact your school’s main office. Staff members will be able to put you in touch with your child. 

What are the consequences of violating this policy?

School administrators will review these expectations clearly with students during the first week of school. Consequences for violation may include verbal warnings and confiscation of the PCD including the requirement for a parent or guardian to retrieve the device. Multiple infractions may lead to more severe consequences. School administrators may adapt consequences to suit the nature or number of infractions. The district or school is not responsible for any damaged, lost, or stolen electronic device either directly or indirectly related to the enforcement of this policy.

Use of school computers, networks, and Internet is a privilege granted by Chesapeake Public Schools. All students are expected to use computers and related technology for assigned educational activities only. WBHS reserves the right to restrict student use of hardware and software. The full Acceptable Use Policy is outlined in the student packet distributed in September.

The illegal use, possession or distribution of drugs, drug paraphernalia, or alcohol on school property or at any school activity is prohibited by Chesapeake School Board Policy 9-35 as well as by the laws of the State of Virginia. Students using drugs or alcohol prior to coming onto school property are also in violation of the policy. Violation shall result in suspension and/or police action pursuant to School Board Policy. Neither possession, smoking, nor the use of tobacco products/electronic cigarettes is permitted in school buildings or on the grounds. Students with tobacco products/electronic cigarettes on their person shall be suspended. 

1. Use/possession of drugs or marijuana - consequence: first offense is 5 days OSS and a referral to the Office of Pupil Discipline for a substance abuse assessment. A second drug or alcohol offense while the student is enrolled with Chesapeake Public Schools will result in 10 days OSS and a referral to the office of Pupil Discipline with a recommendation for expulsion. 

2. Use or possession of alcohol-consequence - first offense is 5 days OSS and a referral to the Office of Pupil Discipline for a substance abuse assessment. A second drug or alcohol offense while the student is enrolled with Chesapeake Public Schools will result in 10 days OSS and a referral to the office of Pupil Discipline with a recommendation for expulsion.

In-School-Suspension (ISS) 

While in ISS, a student is considered present in class. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain any/all work assignments from his/her teachers prior to serving ISS. A student enrolled at the Chesapeake Career Center and assigned ISS by the home school will attend ISS for the regularly scheduled time in the home school and will attend his / her regularly scheduled classes at the Chesapeake Career Center. 

Working Lunch (WL) 

Working Lunch is an alternative disciplinary method used for less serious infractions of school policies. One intent of WL as a first– line consequence is to possibly reduce the number of days out of class some students may miss if given In-School Suspension. Students assigned to WL will report to the RED ZONE Working Lunch Room before the tardy bell for lunch rings and remain there until their lunch ends. Students must provide their own work for the lunch period and may bring lunch or order school lunch. Students who fail to serve an assigned WL will be subject to ISS or OSS. 

Out-Of-School-Suspension (OSS) 

A student given OSS is considered absent from school during the suspension period. Any work missed may be made up in a reasonable amount of time agreed upon by the teacher. A suspended student must not return to school premises or attend any school-sponsored activity during the term of suspension. 

*Please Note - A suspended student found on any Chesapeake Public Schools’ property is subject to being charged with trespassing.