Casa Richard's Student Code of Conduct

Code of Student Conduct

Every student’s right to a public education carries with it a responsibility to know and observe all school rules. The purpose of Casa Richard Academy’s Code of Student Conduct is to provide regulations governing the behavior of students and to prevent actions that interfere with the learning process and/or are prohibited by law.

It is the responsibility of all students and their parents/guardians of the Academy to become familiar with this Student Code. Parents/guardians have the major responsibility for teaching self-control and appropriate behavior. The school will work closely with parents/guardians to reinforce acceptable conduct at all times.

Students and parents must recognize that when students at Casa Richard Academy engage in unacceptable conduct they will be subject to disciplinary action. Casa Richard Academy students are expected to conduct themselves at all times in an appropriate, courteous manner.

RESPECT FOR SELF: Students have the responsibility to participate fully in the learning process.

RESPECT FOR CLASSMATES: Students have the responsibility to refrain from any behavior that interferes with achieving their own or their fellow students’ educational goals. They are expected to show respect for the rights and human dignity of their fellow students.

RESPECT FOR TEACHERS & ADULTS: Students have the responsibility to show respect for the authority of all Casa Richard Academy staff. Teachers have the authority to establish classroom rules. Students must obey reasonable directions, use only acceptable language and avoid all actions that show any contempt for authority.

RESPECT FOR YOUR SCHOOL: Students have the responsibility to take reasonable care of books, instructional materials, technology equipment and  all other goods and property of Casa Richard Academy.

Unacceptable conduct resulting in disciplinary action has been divided into three classes of offenses. The following list is what Casa Richard Academy deems unacceptable behavior as well as the possible consequences for such behavior. This list is meant to be informative and not all-inclusive. Any other acts of misconduct not listed are accountable for disciplinary action.

Classes of Offenses

CLASS ONE PENALTIES: 1st offense - one (1) day suspension; 2nd offense - two (2) day suspension; 3rd offense - three (3) day suspension; 4th offense - four (4) day suspension; fifth offense - indefinite suspension

• Refusal to obey directions of school personnel
• Misuse/Abuse of school and personal electronic equipment
• Leaving school premises without permission
• Petty theft of school property - parent/guardian also required to come to school for conference
• Truancy - parent/guardian also required to come to school for conference
• Skipping of a class or leaving class without permission
• Profanity, vulgarity or obscene language or gestures towards staff
• Any violation of school rules that disrupts or interferes with educational process
• Loitering or Trespassing
• Inciting or instigating violent behavior
• Inappropriate touching or harassing behavior

CLASS TWO PENALTIES: 1st  offense - two (2) day suspension; 2nd offense - three (3) day suspension; 3rd offense - four (4) day suspension; 4th offense - indefinite suspension

• False fire alarm
• Gambling (gaming for money or property)
• Damaging property belonging to the school - parent/guardian also required to come to school for conference
• Fighting (No injury) - parent/guardian also required to come to school for conference
• Threats of Violence - regarding behavior
• Extortion
• Harassment
• Abuse of Technology
• Use of or being under the influence of an illegal substance or alcoholic beverage

CLASS THREE PENALTIES: Mandatory expulsion

• Sale, distribution or possession of an illegal substance/alcoholic beverage
• Possession of dangerous weapons of any kind
• Assault upon school personnel, students, visitors or volunteers
• Possession of, selling or buying any explosive devices
• Possession of, selling or buying a firearm
• Knives or blades of any type
• Grand larceny of school property
• Arson
• Bomb threat

Prohibited Behaviors

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES - State law prohibits the purchase, possession or use of any alcoholic beverages by persons under the age of 21. The use or possession of alcoholic beverages by students during school hours, in the school building, on school premises, in school vehicles, in vehicles at school or at school-sponsored activities will result in disciplinary action.

ARSON - Arson is defined as "attempting to willfully burn any property belonging to or under contract with Casa Richard Academy or property of  persons employed by the Academy". This includes the use of fireworks, firebombs, flammable devices, any fused devices, smoke bombs, stink bombs, and the making of bomb threats.

DANGEROUS WEAPONS OR OBJECTS - As provided for in the Gun-Free Schools Act and P.A.328, 1994, a student shall be expelled if it is determined that the student brought a dangerous weapon or object to school OR possessed a dangerous weapon or object at school or in a weapon-free school zone. A dangerous weapon means:
a) any firearm which will or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, or the frame or receiver of any such             firearm (including a starter gun and/or BB gun)
b) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer
c) any explosives, combustible or poisonous gas device (i.e., bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, missile having the explosive or combustible charge of more than one-quarter ounce, mine or device similar to any of these devices).
d) any device that contains a blade of any length or size.

ILLEGAL DRUGS - Casa Richard Academy recognizes and accepts the provisions of the Michigan controlled Substances Act of 1971. This policy goes on to pledge, "cooperation with police and those of other town, state and probate agencies that are involved in the health of students relating to the use of controlled substances".

SMOKING - Michigan law forbids anyone under the age of 18 to use tobacco in any form. The Michigan Department of Education Guidelines state that, "even when a student is over the age of 18 she/he is still under the school’s rules of conduct". Smoking by students is not permitted in the building, in school vehicles or on school premises or school sponsored activities at school and away from school.

School premises are considered from the school building to the plaza wall/chain fence, Lafayette in the rear; and St. Anne Street to 18th Street (east & west). Violation of these will result in suspension.

Suspensions

SUSPENSION (IN-SCHOOL) - Teachers may suspend a student from their class for the balance of any class period. A teacher may exclude from a class any student who, in the teacher’s judgment, is causing a serious disruption. The teacher shall provide a written statement (as soon as possible) as to the nature of the disruption. Suspension from any one class for a longer period of time will be made only after approval has been obtained from the Principal and/or Associate Principal.

In cases involving suspensions from a single class of more than one day, the parent/guardian will be notified.

SUSPENSION (OUT OF SCHOOL) - Suspension is the temporary removal of a student from school or school-related activities. The following are reasons for suspending students:

• Unacceptable behavior which interferes with the learning process
• Continuously breaking school rules
• The Principal and/or Associate Principal makes the judgment that it is for the betterment of the student and/or other students.

Suspension is most frequently used as a response to student involvement in excessively disruptive behavior and/or persistent behavior problems involving violations of school rules. Suspension is the denial of the specific privilege of attending school for a specific period of time. This penalty involves an "F" grade marking in every subject for each day during the suspension. The "F" grade will be averaged in with the other grades received during the marking period.

Every day a student misses class due to a suspension, it is counted as an unexcused absence towards the student’s absence total for that marking period. Written class work will be made available at the student’s request. The student receives no credit for work completed during his or her suspension.

Board Discipline Review Committee

PURPOSE: To review, when requested by parents/guardians, cases involving suspension or expulsion, due to serious or repeated violations of the Student Code of Conduct.

MEMBERS: Chairman and Committee members

PROCEDURE: A parent/guardian must request a hearing within two school days after receipt of written notice of the Academy’s action. Upon request, the Principal will call the Chairman to set the hearing date and time. Parents/guardians and staff are then notified.

The Committee reviews actions taken by the school and listens to the students and their parents/guardians present their case. Within two days, the Committee chairman recommends to the Principal the findings of the committee. The Principal has the responsibility to inform all parties and implement the decision.