Definition:
Bullying – A person is bullied when he/she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other persons, and he/she has difficulty defending himself or herself.
Examples of behaviors that are considered bullying and that make an individual feel uncomfortable in their environment:
Verbal – written or spoken put-down, threats, gossip, comments, or name-calling.
Physical – unwanted touching, pushing, shoving, tripping, pinching, tickling, stalking, spitting, shunning, or exclusion.
Sexual – verbal or physical unwelcome and unwanted conduct of a sexual or sexist nature, sexual propositions or threats, lewd comments or jokes, sexual gestures, obscene noises, leering, inappropriate or unwanted touching, unwanted use or display or pornographic materials.
Racial/Ethnic/Religious – any harassment referring to a person’s race, national origin, or religion.
Cyber Bullying – Verbal or psychological bullying that occurs on the Internet through e-mail, instant messaging, or personal profile websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat or Instagram; and via cell phone by text messages or digital pictures.
Steps an individual should take if bullied:
Walk away.
Talk to a teacher, counselor, and/or administrator.
Write down the following:
What happened (who said/did what)?
When and where it occurred?
Who else saw it?
How it made you feel.
What you did or said?
Who you told about this?
If comfortable, tell the person that his/her behavior (be specific) is bothering you and tell that individual to “stop.”
For further information refer to WCSD Board Policy #249.
Students must maintain appropriate behavior at all times while in the cafeteria. Students are expected to report to the cafeteria for their assigned lunch time. Students are not permitted to leave the building. Throwing food or disruptive behavior of any kind may result in disciplinary action and/or citation.
Any food or drink deemed to be a safety hazard or a disruption to the educational process is prohibited. Food/drinks are not permitted in the classroom without specific permission from the classroom teacher. Food/drinks are not permitted to be opened on the school bus at any time.
Students are not permitted to have food delivered.
Students who attend LCTI can place money into their WHS lunch account through their MySchoolBucks in the event that a situation arises causing the student to remain at WHS for lunch.
Elementary students should send money to the main office in their homeroom teacher's folder to be placed in their lunch account.
For further information refer to WCSD Board Policy #808.
Elementary Schools
Students are not permitted to use cell phones and or other personal electronic devices during the school day. Devices must be silenced and stored in the students' backpack or locker.
Middle School
Students are not permitted to use cell phones or other personal electronic devices during the school day. Devices must remain silenced and stored in the students' backpack or locker.
High School
Students are permitted to have cell phones and other personal electronic devices in the high school building under the following conditions:
Personal devices must be silenced during school hours of 8:00 AM and 2:45 PM
Under no circumstances, may students use cell phones to make or receive phone calls or engage in video conferencing (i.e. FaceTime), audio or video recording during the school hours or while in detention. If phone calls must be made, a phone is available in the main office.
Personal devices may be used for educational purposes in the classroom with specific permission and under the direct supervision of the classroom teacher.
Students are permitted to use headphones and mobile device capabilities/applications in the following areas:
Hallways before, after, and during school hours.
Classrooms and study halls at the discretion of the classroom teacher for educational purposes.
Headphones may be used provided that volume does not disturb or distract others.
When addressed by an adult anywhere on campus students will turn off volume and remove headphones/earbuds.
Failure to use a personal electronic device as outlined above will be deemed as insubordination and will result in progressive disciplinary action. Progressive disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to, warning, parent/guardian contact, detention, office referral, and/or suspension. If your electronic device is not used in accordance with school and/or district policy, administration is authorized to take possession of the device. Failure to turn over the device when requested by an administrator will result in disciplinary consequences.
Students are completely responsible for the use, maintenance, and safety of their own personal electronic devices. Student requests to charge their devices will not be honored. Students should use proper precautions to safeguard their personal property at all times. The school cannot be responsible for stolen electronic devices and will not investigate such incidences. An incident report should be completed with the School Resource Officer.
Any confiscated or lost electronic devices not retrieved by the last student day of school may be donated to a non-profit organization or discarded.
Class Cut/Truancy will result in disciplinary action of either In-School or Out-Of-School Suspension. Progressive disciplinary action will be followed.
During the school day, students may only enter or exit the school via the main lobby doors. Once transported to campus, students may not leave the school building or campus without written permission from a parent. Doing so will result in disciplinary action and/or possible out-of-school suspension. Student may be searched upon re-entry.
All unexcused/illegal absences will result in an inability to make-up any missed graded assignments, quizzes, or tests. A grade of zero (0) will be given.
The third (3) day of unexcused/illegal absence will result in a first offense truancy letter (warning). The letter will be sent to the parents/guardians of the student with three or more unexcused/illegal absences.
Continued truancy, beyond three (3) unexcused/illegal absences, will result in a second warning letter and a possible loss of parking privileges. Contact will be made with both the student and parent to schedule a SAIP (Student Attendance Improvement Plan). Upon the sixth (6) day of an unexcused/illegal absence; in accordance with Act 24 of the Pennsylvania Compulsory School Attendance Law; a referral to the magistrate may be made if the student is under the age of 18.
Act 24 may also remove the truant student from his/her motor vehicle driving privileges for ninety (90) days on the first offense and for six (6) months for each subsequent offense. Unlicensed truant students will be prohibited from applying for a learner’s permit for ninety (90) days on the first offense and for six (6) months for all succeeding offenses after their 16th birthday.
After ten (10) days of parental excuses, medical excuses will be required for any absence. Parents/Guardians will receive notification that such a medical excuse is required. At that point any excuse not signed by a medical professional will be recorded as unexcused or illegal.
Students, 18 years or older, who are absent for ten (10) or more consecutive unexcused days will be dropped from the active membership roles by the high school administration.
Students, 18 years or older, who have twenty (20) or more unexcused absences will be dropped from the active membership roles by the high school administration.
All unexcused/illegal absences or truancies automatically deny the student the right to make up work and assignments missed during the period of unexcused absences.
Middle School
Detentions are held from 2:15-3:50 PM, Monday through Thursday.
High School
Detentions are held from 3:00 – 4:00 PM, Monday through Thursday.
Middle School/High School
All students and parents/guardians will be given at least a 24-hour notice prior to their detention assignment. Detentions will only be rescheduled for emergency reasons with advanced notice from a parent/guardian.
Students who are absent from school when they have been previously assigned a detention will automatically serve their detention upon their return to school. Students are to bring academic work to detention. The classroom management plan will be enforced during this time.
Failure to serve detention will result in further disciplinary action.
Students will adhere to the discipline code as published in the WCSD Board Policy #218 available online. Consequences for disciplinary referrals are determined on an individual basis, at the discretion of administration, in compliance with the school district policy and are progressive in nature.
Dress is a means of personal expression. It is, however, the student’s responsibility to dress in a manner that reflects pride and respect for the school as a place of learning. The student’s manner of dress or appearance must not disrupt the educational process. A student’s clothing should be clean and in accord with health and safety regulations of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Administration reserves the right to determine what articles of clothing violate the dress code.
Students who come to school wearing clothes that are determined to be offensive and/or in conflict with the guidelines set forth will be given an opportunity to change and/or call home for replacement clothing. Failure to comply with the dress code will result in progressive disciplinary consequences issued by an administrator.
The following list serves as guidelines for attire, based on the mission and values of the Whitehall-Coplay School District.
Clothes with messaging not supported by policy are not permitted.
Students shall not wear or display clothing, symbols, pins, or other paraphernalia (1) advertising alcohol, tobacco, and other controlled substances; (2) displaying inappropriate words or pictures; (3) derogatory to any ethnic group; or (4) which may cause disruption to any school, class or activity.
Any item of clothing, jewelry, or ornamentation that creates a distraction to the educational process.
Excessively short or revealing shorts, pants, skirts, and shirts and which reveal a student’s undergarments are not permitted.
Outdoor jackets & hats are to be stored in a student’s locker or coat room.
Exceptions would be a cap or hat that is part of a school activity, or a head covering worn for religious, cultural or medical purposes as approved by administration.
Footwear that presents a safety concern for traveling on stairs or physical activity are not permitted.
Expulsion is a school district disciplinary act implemented by the School Board and Superintendent that excludes a student from school for a period exceeding ten (10) school days, or requires permanent removal from the school due to chronic or serious offense(s) as defined in the school district policy.
The following offenses may include, but are not limited to resulting in expulsion accordance with Board policy:
Second offense of possession or use of controlled substances.
Possession of large amounts of controlled substances.
Selling or dispensing controlled substances.
Possession of weapons or look-alike weapons in violation of WCSD Board Policy #233.
Assaulting any district employee.
Repeated acts of misbehavior for any and all offenses after full suspension.
Any event or act that creates a significant disruption to the operations of school building and/or district events.
Hazing is defined as any activity that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental health, physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or membership in or affiliation with any organization recognized by the Board of Education.
The Board directs that no administrator, coach, sponsor, volunteer or district employee shall permit, condone or tolerate any form of hazing.
The Board encourages students who have been subject to bullying and/or hazing to report such incidents promptly to the building principal. The principal will conduct a thorough and impartial investigation as per WCSD Board Policies #247 and #249.
NOTE: If any attempt during the course of the harassment investigation to resolve or have the conflict cease is unsuccessful, the administration reserves the right at any time to refer the incident to the Whitehall Township Police Department. It will then be at the discretion of the police department whether harassment charges are filed in reference to Pennsylvania Crimes Code 2709 Harassment.
All In-School Suspensions are held during normal school hours.
Parents/guardians will receive a phone call notifying them about their child’s ISS. Students are to report to the assigned classroom with all textbooks and assignments. Teachers will forward work to students who are assigned to ISS. Students must complete all academic work while in ISS. The classroom management plan will be implemented and followed.
Violations that may result in In-School Suspensions may include but are not limited to:
Fighting/horseplay
Use of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, “vape pens,” or any other Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS)
Use or possession of controlled substances
Destruction of school property
Use of profanity (oral or written)
Defiance/Insubordination
Disregard for safety procedures while on school property, such as but not limited to Activating false fire alarms, issuing a bomb threat, or any action threatening the safety of the student body and/or staff
Chronic lateness to school/class
Cutting class and/or leaving the school building without permission
Any acts of misconduct deemed serious in nature by the principal or designee may result in similar disciplinary action
If absent on the scheduled ISS date, the student will be notified of their rescheduled date. Students who come in late or leave early on the day of ISS, will reschedule for a new day. LCTI and Diversified Occupation students who serve In-School Suspension will remain at Whitehall High School for the entire school day.
If a student accumulates a total of six (6) or more demerits during the school year as a result of suspensions, the student is removed from all extracurricular activities for the remainder of the school year. This includes, but is not limited to, athletics, music groups, theater, field trips, prom and dances, fundraising events, clubs, parking privileges, and may include graduation ceremony.
Parents/ guardians will receive written notification of Loss of Privilege, which highlights the activities that their student may not participate in.
A student may appeal the duration of their Loss of Privilege with written documentation to school administration, justification based on, but not limited to grades, discipline, and attendance.
For the purpose of this policy:
1/2 day ALC @ LCTI = .5 demerit
1 ISS = 1 demerit
1-5 days OSS = 2 demerits
6-10 days OSS = 3 demerits
If a student must take medication during the school day, a parent must deliver the medication with a completed Medication Form to the school nurse, who will safely store the medication and administer the dosage as prescribed. Students may not carry or transport any medication, prescription or over-the-counter. A student may not possess medication in school as per the WCSD Board Policy #210; as they may be subject to disciplinary action. Medication must be stored in the nurse’s office.
The school nurse maintains health records. Parents/guardians are encouraged to share any information with the school nurse that may help update the current health records for their child.
Out-of-School Suspension is used as a sanction for students whose violation of rules are serious in nature such as harassment, destruction of property, possession of a weapon, fighting, violation of safety, chronic disruption of the educational process, or repeated offenses which resulted in In-School Suspensions, and/or be referred to the police. Disorderly conduct citations may also be issued for chronic disruption of the educational process including profanity and excessive classroom disruption.
Parents/guardians will receive a phone call notifying them of the Out-of-School Suspension and a written notification. A parent/guardian conference is required for reinstatement for 3-10 day Out-of-School Suspensions.
Students are not permitted to attend school or any school functions for any reason during an Out-of-School Suspension. This includes events on the Whitehall-Coplay School District campus and Whitehall-Coplay School District events at other venues. The Out of School Suspension is in effect until the day the student is reinstated to school. Hence, students with Friday Out-of-School Suspension may not attend Saturday or Sunday events.
Progressive discipline is a method of managing student behavior through a series of increasingly severe consequences. It starts with mild responses to minor infractions and gradually applies stricter penalties for repeated or more serious misbehavior. The goal is to teach students about acceptable behavior and provide opportunities for them to correct their actions before facing more significant consequences.
Public display of affection within the educational environment is unacceptable. Teachers will be instructed to use good judgment when observing students who are involved in public displays of affection. However, if a teacher deems that a particular situation is inappropriate, he/she will bring the problem to the student’s attention immediately. Chronic offenders will be subject to disciplinary action such as detention or suspension.
The Whitehall-Coplay School District is a tobacco-free campus as stated in WCSD Board Policy #222. No cigarettes or tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, “vape pens,” or any other Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) are allowed anywhere on the campus. Any student who is suspected of tobacco product use and/or possession is subject to a search by school administration. Possession and/or use will result in a referral to the School Resource Officer and progressive consequences as detailed below:
1st Offense (Poss./Use) 1 day In-School Suspension
2nd Offense (Poss./Use) 1 days Out-of-School Suspension (Referral to SRO)
3rd Offense & Subsequent Admin Discretion (Minimum 2 days OSS)
{Per Quarter, Per Class}
1st offense Warning issued by teacher
2nd offense Warning issued by teacher and parent/guardian notification
3rd and subsequent offense(s) Detention assigned by teacher and parent/guardian notification
Tardiness can hinder your success. Ample time is permitted between classes. The rules concerning tardiness are as follows:
Elementary
If you arrive to school after 8:50 AM, you are considered late and must be walked into the main office to be signed in. Habitual tardies will be handled in accordance with our attendance policy.
Middle School
If you arrive at school or to the first period of the day after 7:35 AM, you are considered late and must be checked in at the main office. Any student who arrives after 10:30 AM is considered a full day absence.
Student athletes and performers (i. e., band, chorus, drama) must report to school before 10:30 AM on the day of an activity in order to participate in the day’s activity. Similarly, student athletes and performers who are absent on a Friday must be medically cleared to participate in a weekend event. If students are absent on the Friday preceding a dance on that same Friday or adjoining weekend, they may not attend the dance.
High School
If you arrive at school or to the first period of the day after 8:00 AM, you are considered late and must be checked in at the attendance office. You must report to the attendance office and receive a late pass. Failure to acquire a late pass will result in further disciplinary action. Any student who arrives after 11:00 AM will be marked as a half-day absence.
Any student who attends LCTI and arrives late to school must supply their own transportation to LCTI or remain at WHS. Students may not drive to LCTI.
Student athletes and performers (i. e., band, chorus, drama) must report to school before 11:00 AM on the day of an activity in order to participate in the day’s activity. Similarly, student athletes and performers who are absent on a Friday must be medically cleared to participate in a weekend event. If students are absent on the Friday preceding a dance on that same Friday or adjoining weekend, they may not attend the dance.
Middle School & High School Consequences for Unexcused Tardiness to School/Leaving Early
After ten (10) excused late arrivals, a parental note will no longer be sufficient. A medical excuse will be required. Parents/Guardians will receive notification by mail that such a medical excuse is required. At that point any excuse not signed by a medical professional will be recorded as unexcused or illegal.
After ten (10) leaving early (does not include nurse send home), a parental note will no longer be sufficient. A medical excuse will be required. Parents/Guardians will receive notification by mail that such a medical excuse is required. At that point any excuse not signed by a medical professional will be recorded as unexcused or illegal.
Unexcused tardiness to school includes, but is not limited to, the following: car trouble, missed bus, alarm clock didn’t work, oversleeping.
A written excuse from a parent/guardian regarding tardiness must be presented upon arrival to school on the day of the tardy. Any assignments or assessments given during unexcused class time may result in a zero (0).
Unexcused Tardiness per Semester
1st and 2nd offense - Warning
3rd and subsequent offenses-1 detention per unexcused late
Whitehall-Coplay School District does not permit student personal devices of any kind to be used in the classroom. For further information refer to WCSD Board Policy #237.
The primary device to be used for instructional purposes must be the school district issued device.