Discipline & Behavior Code

Student Behavior Code 

The District expects students to conduct themselves in an orderly, courteous, dignified and respectful manner. This requirement refers to their actions toward other students and teachers, their language, their dress and their manners. 

Students have a responsibility to know and respect the policies, rules and regulations of the school and District. Violations of such policies, rules and regulations will result in disciplinary actions. The school directs students to the District's Behavior Code set forth in Policy JCDA and this handbook. Schools are authorized to incorporate the use of electronic devices, including cell phones, tablets and other similar devices, into the school environment when appropriate to enhance learning and student achievement. Schools will establish rules and expectations for student use of electronic devices, and students will be disciplined in accordance with this policy for any inappropriate or unauthorized use of a device. School authorities are authorized to employ probation and suspension and to recommend expulsion, if necessary, to enforce this policy. 

It is the philosophy of the District to handle all student disciplinary matters at the lowest supervisory level possible and in the most reasonable manner possible. Disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with appropriate procedural rights being afforded to students and their parents/guardians as provided by State law, State Board of Education regulation, and/or the policies of this District. 

The Board and the administration offer the following listing of offenses and the required or recommended dispositions for the information of students, parents/legal guardians and school personnel.

Levels of Offenses 

Students who engage in an ongoing pattern of behavior that is disruptive to the orderly operations of the school shall be recommended for expulsion. The following is a general listing of offenses and the required or recommended disciplinary actions which should be taken as a result of such offenses being committed. 

Disorderly conduct - Level I 

Disorderly conduct is defined as any activity in which a student engages that tends to impede orderly classroom procedures or instructional activities, orderly operation of the school or the frequency or seriousness of which disturbs the classroom or school. 

Acts of disorderly conduct may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

● classroom tardiness 

● cheating on examinations or classroom assignments 

● lying 

● blackmail of other students or school personnel 

● acting in a manner so as to interfere with the instructional process 

● abusive language between or among students, to include profane language 

● failure to complete assignments or carry out directions 

● use of forged notes or excuses 

● violation of school bus regulations 

● cutting class 

● school tardiness 

● truancy 

● use of obscene or profane language or gestures 

● other disorderly acts as determined at the school level, which are not inconsistent with Board policy 

The administration may apply sanctions in cases of disorderly conduct which may include, but are not limited to, the following 

● verbal reprimand 

● withdrawal of privileges (a privilege, as defined by the Greenville County School Board, is a student's opportunity to participate in any function of the school beyond attending class, riding buses and participating in the school District's food service program) 

● Demerits 

● Detention 

● In-school/out of school suspension 

● Other sanctions approved by the Board or administration 

Disruptive conduct - Level II 

Disruptive conduct is defined as those activities engaged in by student(s) which are directed against persons or property and the consequences of which tend to endanger the health or safety of themselves or others in the school. Some instances of disruptive conduct may overlap certain criminal offenses, justifying both administrative sanctions and court proceedings. 

The administration may reclassify disorderly conduct (Level I) as disruptive conduct (Level II) if the student engages in the activity three or more times. 

Acts of disruptive conduct may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

● fighting 

● vandalism (minor) 

● stealing 

● use or possession of laser pointers, fireworks, smoke bombs, pepper-style sprays, and other similar devices or materials 

● threats against others 

● trespass 

● abusive language to staff, to include profane language 

● other disruptive acts which interfere with the educational process 

● refusal to obey school personnel or agents (such as volunteer aids or chaperones) whose responsibilities include supervision of students 

● possession or use of unauthorized substances, including tobacco and tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, non-prescription drugs, "look-a-like" drugs, and drug paraphernalia, including rolling papers 

● illegally occupying or blocking in any way school property with the intent to deprive others of its use ● inappropriate verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature 

● misuse of District technology resources 

● gambling on school property 

● unlawful assembly 

● disrupting lawful assembly 

● harassment, intimidation or bullying intimidating, threatening, or physically abusing another student any other acts as determined at the school level that are not inconsistent with Board policy 

The administration may apply sanctions in cases of disruptive conduct which may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

● in-school suspension 

● withdrawal of privileges (a privilege, as defined by the Greenville County School Board, is a student's opportunity to participate in any function of the school beyond attending class, riding buses and participating in the school District's food service program) 

● temporary removal from class 

● out-of-school suspension 

● referral to outside agency 

● assignment to alternative school 

● expulsion 

● restitution of property and damages, where appropriate, should be sought by local school authorities ● other sanctions as approved by the Board or administration 

Criminal conduct - Level III 

Criminal conduct is defined as those activities engaged in by students (whether or not they result in criminal charges) that result in violence to themselves or to another's person or property or which pose a direct and serious threat to the safety of themselves or others in the school or to the security of District resources. These activities usually require administrative actions which result in the immediate removal of the student from the school, the intervention of law enforcement authorities and/or action by the Board. 

Whenever a student is engaging or has engaged in activities including, but not limited to, one of the acts specified below, while on school property or at a school sanctioned or sponsored activity which a principal or his/her designee has reason to believe may result, or has resulted, in injury or serious threat of injury to a person or to his/her property, the principal or his/her designee is required to notify law enforcement officials. 

Acts for which principals must recommend students for expulsion include, but are not limited to, the following: ● bomb threat 

● possession, use or transfer of weapons - a weapon is defined as a firearm (rifle, shotgun, pistol or similar device that propels a projectile through the energy of an explosive); a knife, razor, bludgeon, blackjack, metal pipe or pole, brass knuckles (to include multi-finger rings); incendiary or explosive device; or any other type of device or object which may be used to inflict bodily injury or death. ● sexual offenses (which include sexual acts that do not result in a criminal offense) 

● arson 

● distribution, sale, purchase, manufacture, use, being under the influence of, or unlawful possession of alcohol or a controlled substance, as defined in S.C. Code Ann. §§ 44-53-110 through 44-53-270. (See Policy JCDAC) 

● threatening to take the life of or inflict bodily harm upon a school employee or member of their immediate family 

● ganging ("Ganging" or participating as a member of a gang and inflicting a violent act of bodily harm, however slight, upon another person will not be tolerated. A "gang" shall consist of two or more persons acting together for and with the purpose of committing an act of violence against another person. "Participation" also includes any act that interferes with or hinders a staff member from stopping the infliction of bodily injury that is the objective of the gang.) 

● Unauthorized access, use, or attempted access or use of District computer systems 

Additional acts for which principals may recommend students for expulsion include, but are not limited to, the following: 

● vandalism (major) 

● theft, possession or sale of stolen property 

● disturbing the schools 

● possession, use, or transfer of "look-a-like" weapons 

● assault and battery 

● extortion 

● any other acts as determined by the Board 

NOTE: In determining whether a student is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, the student's appearance, behavior, manner, presence of an odor of the substance, and statements made by the student as to the use of controlled substances or alcohol may be considered without regard to the amount of alcohol/controlled substance consumed. 

The principals must recommend students for expulsion if they have committed offenses which are underlined above. If a student commits an offense that is not underlined, the principals may recommend the student for expulsion when the circumstances warrant it. The administration may apply sanctions in cases of criminal conduct which may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

● withdrawal of privileges (a privilege, as defined by the Greenville County School Board, is a student's opportunity to participate in any function of the school beyond attending class, riding buses and participating in the school District's food service program) 

● out-of-school suspension 

● assignment to alternative school 

● expulsion 

● restitution of property and damages, where appropriate, should be sought by local school authorities ● other sanctions as approved by the Board or administration 

Returns from Suspension 

Students who are suspended from Riverside High School are not allowed to return to school unless a face to face conference with a parent or guardian has occurred. This return-to-school conference provides administration/guardians an opportunity to discuss any concerns about this event as needed. 

Any student that is assigned the high school alternative program will be placed on probation for the remainder of the school year. Any student that finishes the school year at the high school alternative program may return at the beginning of the school year without being placed on probation. If the student receives a referral within the first nine weeks of returning and it results in a suspendable offense, the student will be placed on probation for the remainder of the school year. 

Transportation Discipline 

In order to ensure the safety of all students riding buses in Greenville County Schools, appropriate behavior is required for all students. Transportation to and from school is an extension of the classroom and should be considered part of the school day. The issue of safety requires students to be on their best behavior while on school buses or vehicles. Violations of school bus rules will be addressed in the manner listed below. 

The School District Behavior Code (Board Policy JCDA) is in effect for all students at all times when being transported on school buses to and from school or school activities. Thus, while students may lose the privilege to ride the bus due to their conduct as contained below, the student may also be disciplined in accordance with the District’s Behavior Code up to and including being recommended for expulsion. 

Level I Offenses - Disorderly Conduct 

● Refusing to follow driver directions 

● Getting on or off the bus at an unauthorized stop without permission 

● Standing or sitting improperly while the bus is moving 

● Intentionally riding the wrong bus without permission from the principal 

● General horseplay 

● Making loud noises 

● Profanity/Obscene Gestures 

● Littering 

● Possession of tobacco products, e-cigarettes or vaping devices 

● Delaying bus services by tardiness, loitering, etc. 

● The school administration may classify a Level I offense as a Level II offense if the infraction seriously jeopardizes the health and/or safety of others. 

Level I Consequences 

● 1st Referral -- Warning and parent contact 

● 2nd Referral -- In school punishment, parent contact and/or one (1) day bus suspension ● 3rd Referral -- Suspended from bus up to three (3) days and parent conference 

● 4th Referral -- Suspended from bus up to five (5) days and parent conference 

● Additional Level 1 referrals will result in administrative review and may be accelerated to a Level II consequence. 

Level II Offenses 

● Use of tobacco products, e- cigarettes, or vaping devices 

● Throwing objects out of bus 

● Profanity directed at staff 

● Rude, discourteous behavior directed at staff 

● Vandalism [restitution may be required] 

● Harassing, threatening or intimidating another student 

● Fighting 

● Stealing 

● Inappropriate verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature 

● Other safety violations that may interfere with the safe operation of the school bus 

● The school administration may classify a Level II offense as a Level III offense if the infraction seriously jeopardizes the health and/or safety of others. 

Level II Consequences 

● 1st Referral -- Suspension from bus up to ten (10) days and parent conference 

● 2nd Referral -- Suspension from bus up to ten (10) days and parent conference 

● 3rd Referral -- Suspension from bus up to thirty (30) days, possible removal and parent conference Level III Offenses 

● Possession, use or transfer of weapons 

● Sexual offenses (which include sexual acts that do not result in criminal offense) 

● Arson 

● Impeding the operation of a school bus 

● Distribution, sale, purchase, use or being under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance 

● Threatening to take the life of or inflict bodily harm to a school employee 

● Ganging 

● Bomb threat 

Level III Consequences 

● Any referral - Minimum thirty (30) days suspension from bus and possible removal from bus for remainder of school year and parent conference. 

Discipline of Students with Disabilities 

Students with disabilities will be disciplined in accordance with federal and state law including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as set forth in the procedures developed by the administration.