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School board unveils new discipline policy

Williams High School students Chris Thompson, 16, Amber Strange, 18, Cindy Aguilar, 15, and Rachel Anderson, from left, ponder a sign welcoming seniors back to school Aug. 19.

The new policy is a combination of the best ideas from programs each of the administrators have used in the past. Bob Kuhn, Williams High School principal, David Bowling, Williams Elementary/Middle School principal and Scherz were all hired this summer.

The policy was approved at the Aug. 14 WUSD governing board meeting.

According to the new student handbooks for the WEMS and WHS, students should follow a code of conduct.

Code of Conduct

Students attending WEMS or WHS or participating in a school-sponsored event should demonstrate the following behaviors:

Grades kindergarten through fifth grade — “The 4 Killer B’s”

• Be respectful and follow directions — demonstrate respect for self, other students, staff, teachers and visitors. Follow directions the first time.

• Be responsible and act safely — be on time for school, accept guidance and directions and maintain behaviors that support the learning environment.

• Be cooperative — work with other students and follow all directions given by teachers and staff.

• Be focused on learning — always be prepared for school, do your homework and be on time for school.

Grades sixth through 12 — “The Three A’s”

• Attitude — students value the environment by keeping it clean and not destroying property. Students maintain healthy personal habits and adhere to the dress code. Students show respect for themselves, other students, staff teachers, visitors and property.

• Attendance — students are on eed it.

All students will also demonstrate the six pillars of Character Counts.

• Caring — concern for others, charity

• Respect — Golden Rule, tolerance and acceptance, nonviolence and courtesy

• Responsibility — duty, accountability, pursue excellence and self-control

• Fairness — justice and openness

• Trustworthiness — integrity, honesty, reliability and loyalty

• Citizenship — do your share, respect authority and the law

Point system

Grades six through 12 will also have to learn a discipline plan point system.

For each infraction a level will be assigned. Level one being for minor infractions like not having appropriate equipment and materials, sleeping, failing to turn in homework or completing assignments and failing to dress for gym class.

Level two covers students who talk out inappropriately, horseplay, disturb other students, are insubordinate, cheat or plagiarize.

Level three is defined as “those behaviors outside the classroom that are not physically threatening, are not illegal, but do negatively affect an orderly environment.”

These include, but are not limited to, disruptive behaviors in the hallways, cafeteria, during school activities before and after school and on the bus and skipping school. Also included are tardiness and truancy, destruction or defacement of property and inappropriate displays of affection.

Level four behaviors are those that pose a potential threat to the school, are physically threatening to others or are illegal. These include, but are not limited to: possession, sale, distribution or use of weapons, alcohol or explosives, sexual harassment of any kind, theft, arson, acquiring or tampering with school records, hazing, and filing false emergency reports.

“Depending on the severity and/or illegality of the offense, out-of-school suspension for a minimum of one day or up to one year, or expulsion may be recommended for any Level four offense,” the policy reads.

Students who try to deal with their issues using a counselor will be rewarded.

“Any 10-day suspension will be cut in half with counseling,” said Scherz.

For each level there are consequences. Level one behaviors are usually handled by teacher and classroom interventions, according to the policy. Level two has a three-step system which includes verbal warnings, time outs, changing a student’s environment, parent contact and referral to the principal’s office. Level two offenses also carry with them two to 10 points per violation.

Level three offenses can carry with them in-school or out-of-school suspensions, verbal or written behavior plans, parental contact, student apology letters, detention or in-school suspension. However, after the fourth offense a three-day out-of-school suspension is recommended. Level three offenses also carry 10 to 20 points per violation depending on the violation.

First offense level four behaviors can carry a one- to three-day out-of-school suspension. A second offense is a five- to eight-day suspension and a third offense can result in nine- to 10 days of out-of-school suspension. A level four offense can carry between 30 to 150 points depending on circumstances. Possession of weapons is 150 points and fighting is 50 points.

“If a student accumulates 50 points, a mandatory parent meeting will be set up. At 75 points, a behavior contract will be written and a letter written to the superintendent stating that the student has so many points. At 100 points, a letter is written to the board stating that the student is 50 points shy of a recommendation for expulsion,” said Kuhn.


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