Code of Conduct

Cell Phones 

In alignment with Board Policy 5516 and current guidance from the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), which encourages school districts to develop proactive policies that promote digital wellness, reduce classroom distractions, and engage stakeholders in creating safe and focused learning environments, our school will implement the following procedures:

• Cell phones and personal devices must be turned off and out of sight during all instructional periods.

• Use of phones or texting is not permitted during class time, including in hallways, offices, or restrooms.

• Violations will result in a warning for the first offense. Subsequent violations will lead to confiscation, with the device held in Office A until the end of the school day. Repeated incidents will require parent/guardian retrieval and may result in detention or other appropriate consequences.

• Students may use devices (excluding phone calls) for recreational purposes during common lunch and in designated flex areas, in accordance with the Acceptable Use Policy.

This procedure is designed to maintain a learning environment that minimizes distraction, protects instructional time, and fosters responsible use of technology. 

Code of Conduct 

The district’s Student Discipline & Code of Conduct policy and regulations are both important for students to read and follow. Staff can send or bring students to Office A for disciplinary purposes at any time. As administrators determine the levels of infractions and interventions, they use the chart included in the district regulations as a guide. 

In some disciplinary cases with lower-level infractions, teachers may assign central detention hours to students individually. In addition, some teachers may wish to assign a “teacher detention” for certain infractions, in which the student serves detention directly with the teacher.

In more severe or repeated offenses, school privileges including ability to participate in certain school events, activities and extra-curriculars may be revoked.

The district’s policy on Substance Abuse may be consulted in conjunction with the Code of Conduct. This policy states that “any educational staff member or other professional to whom it appears that a pupil may be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs … shall report the matter,” in this case to the health office and administration right away. Whenever a staff member suspects that a student may be under the influence, the school automatically sends that student with a parent or guardian for outside testing.

Harassment, Intimidation, & Bullying 

The Westfield Public School District takes very seriously the safety and well-being of our students and staff. In addition to the ongoing efforts of each of our ten schools and administration to guide and protect our students, the following resources are being made available to parents as we join together in safeguarding our children and providing a supportive environment that fosters good conduct and learning. 

For more information, access the Harassment, Intimidation, & Bullying Prevention site on the Westfield Public Schools website.

Detention 

Detention is held in am or pm sessions.  Students may report to Cafeteria B at 7:00 am or to room 150 at 3:00 pm.   There is no detention on Wednesdays. 

Students with unserved detention hours will forfeit participation in extracurricular activities, including: athletics programs; extracurricular clubs; evening school events; prom; and graduation.

Student Dress Code 

When it comes to expectations on student dress code, students are asked to remember that this is a place of learning, first and foremost. Students dressed with clothing that features words and images inappropriate for a place of learning will be sent to Office A. The high school supports student expression unless that expression becomes disruptive to the learning environment. The district’s dress and grooming policy elaborates further.