Student Code of Conduct

ICS is a community of students, parents and teachers dedicated to the process of learning. We believe this process must take place in a safe and nurturing environment where teachers and students can learn.

Excellent schools with high expectations for behavior and academic honesty and achievement are schools that emphasize discipline and safety on campus. Therefore, we take responsibility for clearly outlining which behaviors are expected of students and for modeling these behaviors. Staff members will consistently and positively reinforce student behaviors that demonstrate dignity and respect for others.

In order to encourage appropriate behavior, all students, teachers and parents are expected to model the ICS Way (Take care of yourself, take care of others, take care of this place) including the following behaviors:

• Treat people and property with dignity and respect

• Participate actively in the learning process

• Exhibit a positive attitude

• Act responsibly and honestly

• Use appropriate language

School Policy and Procedure

The ICS staff will help students understand and follow the code of conduct, attempting to implement it in a fair, clear and consistent manner, using one or more of the following management procedures when students exhibit inappropriate behaviors:

• Counseling by administrators, counselors and teachers

• Management plan by teachers

• Parent contact by telephone, email or written letter

• Parent conference

• In-school suspension

• Suspension out of school

• Recommendation for expulsion made to the head of school

Consequences

It is important that students understand the positive results of proper behavior and the negative consequences of behavior resulting from poor choices.

There are additional disciplinary measures applied to those in violation of school rules. However, follow-up counseling and dialogue will assist students in better understanding their responsibilities and the importance of making wise decisions. Depending on the circumstances, the following consequences will be applied:

• A letter will be sent to parents and a copy will be placed into the student's cumulative file.

• Lunch/transition detention or restriction.

• Parent and student conference with a teacher and/ or the principal.

• In-school suspension. Students suspended in-school are expected to complete all class work missed.

• Social probation (explained in this document).

• Restrictions from field trips and other activities on and off campus.

• Loss of privileges, e.g., senior privileges, Student Council or team membership.

• Restitution or other measures deemed appropriate to the infraction, as determined by the principal.

• Suspension from classes and activities for a period of a single day up to several weeks. Suspended students are expected to complete all missed class work.

• Suspended students may not attend school functions while suspended.

• Expulsion.

Social Probation

Students consistently in violation of school rules and regulations or involved in major rule infractions may be placed on social probation. This means that the student may be prohibited from participating in extracurricular activities. Probationary status will be determined on a semester basis. Students failing to show the necessary improvements may be expelled from the school. ICS reserves the right to include disciplinary information (when requested) along with official school records to protect the integrity of our school.

Due Process

Students are entitled to be treated with respect, courtesy and consideration by students, teachers and school employees. Student need to know what the rules are, to be notified of charges against them, to be provided the opportunity to respond to them, to appeal a decision about the charges to a higher level of authority when she/he feels unfairly treated, and to have the charges or penalties removed from their records if their innocence or non-involvement has been demonstrated by the evidence.

Discipline

Of equal importance is the right of the school faculty and administration to prescribe and control—consistent with the school’s guidelines and rules—student conduct within the school. The purpose of all school rules and disciplinary actions is to make students understand that they are responsible for their actions. The behavior expected of our students rests on three basic principles: respect for themselves, respect for others, respect for their own and others’ property.

Discipline Procedures

When a student fails to meet behavior expectations they will be given opportunities within their learning environment to correct their behavior. Teachers and teaching assistants will re-teach and give students an opportunity to reflect on and improve their behavior. If a student continues to fail to meet behavior expectations, they can/will be sent to elementary office to be seen by a school administrator or counselor. This visit is referred to as an Office Referral. The Office Referral process is designed to teach and grow the student to a greater awareness and improvement of behavior. Natural consequences, loss of privileges, and restitution are all part of the Office Referral process. Parents will be contacted for all Office Referrals.

Freedom of Expression

Students may freely express their points of view provided they do not seek to coerce others to join in their mode of expression or point of view, and provided also that they do disrupt or otherwise intrude upon the rights of others at school. Courts of law in North America and elsewhere have consistently upheld the right of school teachers and administrators to limit students’ free expression when it is disruptive to the school community or contrary to established community guidelines.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Each student has the right to see and enjoy school as a place for self-improvement and personal growth. In doing so, students are expected to conduct their affairs in such a way as to assure other students the same opportunities without serving to restrict or inhibit their individual or collective rights. 

No student should feel bullied, put down or disrespected, whether by another student or by an adult. If you feel your rights have been violated or you have been treated unfairly or abused in any way, please speak up so your rights may be respected.