Halifax County Schools' decisions related to student behavior are guided by the district's educational objective to teach responsibility and respect for cultural and ideological differences and commitment to creating safe, orderly, and inviting schools.  Student behavior policies are provided in order to establish: (1) expected standards of student behavior; (2) principles to be followed in managing student behavior; (3) consequences for prohibited behavior or drug/alcohol policy violations; and (4) required procedures for addressing misbehavior. Teachers, school-based administrators, parents, and law enforcement will be consulted when existing student behavior policies are revised or such new policies are created.

A. Principles

The reasons for managing student behavior are to: (1) create an orderly environment in which students can learn; (2) teach expected standards of behavior in their interactions with peers, teachers and other adults; (3) help students learn to accept the consequences of their behavior; and (4) provide students with the opportunity to develop self-control.  The following principles apply in managing student behavior. 

1. Student behavior management strategies will complement other efforts to create a safe, orderly, and inviting environment.
2. Positive behavioral interventions will be employed as appropriate to improve student behavior.
3. Responsibility, integrity, civility, and other standards of behavior will be integrated into the curriculum.
4. Disruptive behavior in the classroom will not be tolerated.
5. Consequences for unacceptable behavior will be designed to help a student learn to comply with rules, to be respectful, to accept responsibility for his or her behavior, and to develop self-control.
6. Strategies and consequences will be age and developmentally-appropriate.

B. Applicability

Students must comply with the Code of Student Conduct in the following circumstances:

1. in any school building or on any school premises before, during or after school hours;
2. on any bus or other vehicle as part of any school activity;
3. at any school bus stop;
4. during any school-sponsored activity or extracurricular activity;
5. when subject to the authority of school employees; and
6. at any place or time when the student’s behavior has or is reasonably expected to have a direct and immediate impact on the orderly and efficient operation of the schools or the safety of individuals in the school environment.

C. Consequences for Violations

Violations of the Code of Student Conduct must be dealt with in accordance with the guidelines established in the school’s behavior management plan (see policy 4302, School Plan for Management of Student Behavior).

1. Minor Violations

Minor violations of the Code of Student Conduct are those less severe infractions involving a lower degree of dangerousness and harm.  Examples of minor violations include the use of inappropriate or disrespectful language, noncompliance with a staff directive, dress code violations, and minor physical altercations that do not involve a weapon or an injury.  Aggravating circumstances, however, may justify treating an otherwise minor violation as a serious violation.

Minor violations of the Code of Student Conduct may result in disciplinary measures or responses up to and including short-term suspension.  Further information regarding the procedures for short-term suspensions is provided in policy 4351, Short-Term Suspension.  Other disciplinary measures or responses may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. parental involvement, such as conferences;
2. isolation or time-out for short periods of time;
3. behavior improvement agreements;
4. instruction in conflict resolution and anger management;
5. peer mediation;
6. individual or small group sessions with the school counselor;
7. academic intervention;
8. in-school suspension;
9. detention before and/or after school or on Saturday;
10. community service;
11. exclusion from graduation ceremonies;
12. exclusion from extracurricular activities;
13. suspension from bus privileges; and
14. placement in an alternative school.

The parent is responsible for transportation that may be required to carry out a consequence.  With the exception of suspension from bus privileges, if a parent is unable to provide transportation, another consequence will be substituted. 

2. Serious Violations

Serious violations of the Code of Student Conduct may result in any of the consequences that may be imposed for minor violations.  In addition, serious violations that threaten to substantially disrupt the educational environment may result in long-term suspension, and serious violations that threaten the safety of students, school employees or school visitors may result in long-term suspension or expulsion.  Certain violations involving firearms or destructive devices may result in a 365-day suspension.  Further information regarding the standards and procedures for long-term suspensions, 365-day suspensions and expulsions is provided in policies 4351, Short-Term Suspension, and 4353, Long-Term Suspension, 365-Day Suspension, Expulsion.  (See also policy 4333, Weapons, Bomb Threats, Terrorist Threats and Clear Threats to Safety, for information regarding 365-day suspensions for certain violations involving firearms or destructive devices.) 

D. Enforcement

The district is responsible for supervising the enforcement of the Code of Student Conduct to ensure that school disciplinary policies are uniformly and fairly applied throughout the school system.

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