NEPN/NSBA Code:  JIC

SYSTEM-WIDE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT 

Promoting ethical and responsible student behavior is an essential part of the educational mission of our schools. 

Lewiston Public Schools is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and orderly school environment in which students may receive and staff may deliver quality education without disruption or interference and in which students may develop as ethical, responsible and involved citizens.

To achieve this goal, Lewiston Public Schools has developed this System-Wide Code of Conduct. Based on values identified as essential to ethical and responsible behavior, the Code articulates our expectations for student conduct. 

The School Committee believes that each member of the school community should take responsibility for their own behavior. To that end, the School Committee recognizes the need to define unacceptable student conduct, identify the possible consequences for unacceptable conduct, and ensure that discipline is administered fairly, promptly, and appropriately.

The Code of Conduct applies to students who are on school property, who are in attendance at school or at any school-sponsored activity, or whose conduct at any time or place directly interferes with the operations, discipline, or general welfare of the school.

The Code of Conduct shall be distributed to students, parents, and staff through handbooks and/or other methods deemed appropriate by the Superintendent and building administrators.

Standards for Ethical and Responsible Behavior 

The Code of Conduct is intended to support and encourage students to meet the following standards for ethical and responsible behavior: 

• Respect 

• Honesty 

• Compassion 

• Fairness 

• Responsibility 

• Courage 

Code of Conduct 

All students are expected to comply with the Code of Conduct and all related School Committee policies and school rules. The Code applies to students: 

• On school property; 

• While in attendance at school or at school-sponsored activity; or 

• At any time or place that such conduct directly interferes with the operations, discipline, or general welfare of the school. 

General Behavior Expectations and Discipline Policies 

The following expectations for student behavior are fundamental to a safe, orderly and respectful environment in our schools. Each student should: 

•  Be courteous to fellow students, staff, and visitors. 

•  Respect the rights and privileges of other students and school staff. 

•  Obey all School Committee policies and school rules governing student conduct. 

•  Follow directions from school staff. 

•  Cooperate with staff in maintaining school safety, order, and discipline. 

•  Attend school regularly.

•  Meet school standards for grooming and dress (see Policy JICA). 

•  Respect the property of others, including school property and facilities. 

•  Refrain from cheating or plagiarizing the work of others. 

•  Refrain from vulgarity, profanity, obscenity, lewdness, and indecency. Violations of the Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action. Disciplinary consequences depend upon the seriousness of the violation and the student’s prior disciplinary record. Consequences will range from a verbal warning for minor misconduct up to and including expulsion for the most serious offenses at the middle and high school level and suspension at the elementary school level. Behavior that also violates the law may be referred to law enforcement authorities. 

Expectations

The following is a summary of the school district’s expectations for student behavior. In many cases, the School Committee has adopted policies that address these expectations in greater detail. Students, parents, and others should refer to the policies and student handbooks for more information about the expectations and consequences. In case of an inconsistency between the Code of Conduct, School Committee policies, and/or school handbooks, School Committee policies will prevail. 

A. Violence and Threats 

Students shall not engage in violent or threatening behavior. Prohibited behavior includes fighting, assault and/or battery, taking hostages, threats to commit violence against persons or property, or threats, intimidation, or harassment. Violations may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion in accordance with state and federal statutes. 

B. Weapons 

Students shall not possess or use weapons of any kind (examples include but are not limited to firearms, explosives, and knives). Students also shall not use any object, although not necessarily designed to be a weapon, to inflict bodily harm and/or to threaten, intimidate, coerce, or harass another person (examples include but are not limited to bats, lighters, tools, and toy weapons). Firearms violations will result in expulsion in accordance with state and federal statutes; other weapons violations may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. 

C. Bullying 

Bullying is not acceptable conduct in Lewiston Public Schools schools and is prohibited. Any student who engages in conduct that constitutes bullying shall be subject to disciplinary consequences including suspension and expulsion. A student’s bullying behavior may also be addressed through other behavioral interventions.

D. Hazing 

Hazing is prohibited. Maine law defines injurious hazing as “any action or situation, including harassing behavior, that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of any school personnel or a student enrolled in a public school.” No 

student shall plan, encourage, or engage in such activities in connection with any school program or activity, including extracurricular, co-curricular, and athletic activities. Students who engage in hazing activities are subject to suspension, expulsion, and/or other appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with state and federal statutes. 

E. Discrimination and Harassment/Sexual Harassment 

Students should not discriminate against other students on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin or disability. Nor should students harass one another on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, or national origin or disability. Sexual harassment is also prohibited. Harassment is grounds for disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. 

F. Drug and Alcohol Use 

Students shall not distribute, possess, use or be under the influence of any alcoholic beverage, drug, look-alike substance, and other prohibited substances as described in School Committee policy. Violations may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion 

G. Tobacco Use 

Students shall not smoke, use, possess, sell, or distribute any tobacco products. This prohibition also applies to e-cigarettes and products and paraphernalia associated with “vaping”. Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action. 

H. Conduct on School Buses 

Students must comply with all School Committee policies and school rules while on school buses. Students who violate these policies and rules on a school bus may have their riding privileges suspended or revoked, and may also be subject to additional disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion, depending upon the particular violation. 

I. Computer/Internet Use 

Students may use school computers, networks, and Internet services only for educational purposes. Students shall comply with all policies and rules governing acceptable use. Unacceptable use may result in suspension or cancellation of computer privileges as well as additional disciplinary and/or legal action

J. Athletic/Extracurricular Activities

Students must follow all School Committee policies and school rules while participating in athletics and extracurricular activities. Students who violate School Committee policies and school rules may be subject to suspension or removal from the team/activity, as well as additional disciplinary action under applicable School Committee policies and/or school rules. 

Discipline

Violations of the Code of Conduct may result in positive and restorative interventions and/or disciplinary action. School administrators have the discretion to tailor discipline to the facts and circumstances of the particular situation. Disciplinary consequences will range from a verbal warning for minor misconduct up to and including expulsion for the most serious offenses.

The following limitations on expulsions and out-of school suspensions for students in grade five or below:

1. 1.  Students in grade five or below may only be expelled for violations of the federal Gun-Free Schools Act, as provided in 20-A MRSA §1001(9-A). The Superintendent may determine on a case-by-case basis, in writing, that an expulsion is not required.

2. Students in grade five or below may not receive an out-of-school suspension except when a student a) has violated the federal Gun-Free Schools Act or b) presents an imminent danger of serious physical injury to the student or others, and it is determined that less restrictive interventions would be ineffective.

3. Any out-of school suspension of a student in grade five or below can be no longer than three school days.

4.  Recess may not be withheld as a consequence of violating the Code of Conduct by any student enrolled in grade five or below, except when recess is the only time when restorative interventions can occur.

Removal of Disruptive/Violent/Threatening Students 

1.  Students who are disruptive, violent, or threatening death or bodily harm to others may be removed from classrooms, school buses, or other school property when necessary to maintain order and safety. The staff member who orders the student removed should arrange to have the student escorted to the office or other designated location. 

2.  If a student does not comply with a staff member’s order to leave, the staff member will contact an administrator, or if not available, another suitable person, who shall respond promptly. 

3. Staff members should not use force or restraint, except only to the minimum extent necessary to protect any person from imminent physical harm. Staff members are not required to take action that puts them at risk of serious injury. 

4.  The responding administrator will take appropriate action. If the student fails to obey verbal directions, force or restraint may be used only to the minimum extent necessary to protect any person from imminent physical harm or to quell a disturbance. Whenever practicable, law enforcement should be called to restrain or physically remove the non-compliant student. The administrator may invoke the school district’s crisis response plan if appropriate. 

Special Services 

1. Referral 

The school district has adopted policies and procedures for determining when a student shall be referred for special services. 

2. Review of Individual Education Plan 

The school shall schedule a meeting to review the IEP of a student who has been removed from class when: a) school officials and/or the parent believes the student may present a substantial likelihood of injury to themselves or others; b) the class removals are sufficient to constitute a change in the student’s special education program; or c) school officials or the parent believes that the student’s behavior may warrant a change in educational programming. 

Referrals to Law Enforcement Authorities 

The Superintendent and administrators have the authority to seek the assistance of law enforcement authorities when there is a substantial threat to the safety of the schools, students, or staff. The Superintendent/administration may also inform law enforcement authorities when they have reason to suspect that a student or staff member may have violated a local, state, or federal statute. All serious offenses, as determined by the Superintendent, must be reported to law enforcement authorities. 

Dissemination of Code of Conduct 

The Code of Conduct and summary of consequences for violation of the Code of Conduct shall be distributed to staff, students, and parents through handbooks and/or other means selected by the Superintendent and building administrators. 

Legal Reference: 20-A M.R.S.A. §§254(11); 1001(15) 

Cross Reference: Taking Responsibility: Standards for Ethical and Responsible Behavior in Maine Schools and Communities (Report of The Commission for Ethical 

and Responsible Behavior, February 2001). 

AC - Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action

ACAA/ACAA-R - Harassment and Sexual Harassment of Students

ACAD - Hazing

ADAA - School System Commitment to Standards for Ethical and Responsible Behavior

ADC - Use of and Possession of Tobacco and Electronic Smoking Devices

EBCC - Bomb Threats

IHBAA - Referral and Use of General Education Interventions

IHBAC - Child Find

IJNDB - Student Computer and Internet Use and Internet Safety

JICIA - Weapons, Violence, and School Safety

JICH - Drug and Alcohol Use By Students

JICK - Bullying

JK - Student Discipline

JKD - Suspension of Students

JKE - Expulsion of Students

JKF - Disciplinary Removals of Students with Disabilities

KLGA – Relations with School Resources Officers and Law Enforcement Agencies

Adopted: April 28, 2003 

Reviewed: September 24, 2012 

Revised: August 2, 2021

Revised: June 30, 2025