The Student Code of Conduct and Handbook is designed to set the standard for students’ behavior. The main purpose is to provide students with direction regarding their rights, responsibilities and consequences for their conduct while at Casa Richard Academy.

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:

Students have the responsibility to participate fully in the learning process.

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

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.

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:

Refusal to obey directions of school personnel 1^st One Day

Misuse/Abuse of school and personal electronic equipment 2^nd Two Days

Leaving school premises without permission 3^rd Three Days

Petty theft of school property p/g required to come

Truancy in for conference

Skipping of a class or leaving class without permission regarding behavior

Profanity, vulgarity or obscene language or gestures towards staff 4^th Four Days

Any violation of school rules that disrupts or interferes with educational process 5^th Indefinite suspension

Loitering or Trespassing

Incite or instigate violent behavior

Inappropriate touching or behavior

False fire alarm 1^st Two Days

Gambling (gaming for money or property) 2^nd Three Days

Damaging property belonging to the school p/g required to come

Fighting (No injury) in for conference

Threats of Violence regarding behavior

Extortion 3^rd Four Days

Harassment 4^th Indefinite Suspension

Abuse of Technology

Use or being under the influence of an illegal substance/alcoholic beverage

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 EXPULSION

Possession, selling, buying any explosive devices

Firearms

Blades of any type

Grand larceny of school property

Arson

Bomb threat

PROHIBITED BEHAVIOR

State law prohibits purchase, possession, or use of 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 or at school-sponsored activities will result in disciplinary action.

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. Also, use of firebombs, flammable devices, any fused devices, smoke bombs, stink bombs or making of bomb threats.

As provided 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; 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;

d) any device that contains a blade of any length or size.

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".

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

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 serious disruption. The teacher shall provide a written statement, as soon as possible, as to 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 is the temporary removal of a student from school or school related activities. The following are reasons for suspending 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. This penalty involves:

1. An "F" grade marking in every subject for each day during the suspension;
2. The "F" grade will be averaged in with the other grades received during the marking period.
3. Every day a student misses class due to a suspension, is counted as an unexcused absence towards

   the student’s absence total for the marking period.

4. Written class work will be made available at the student’s request. The student receives no credit for work completed during his/her suspension.

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

Principal has the responsibility to inform all parties and implement the decision.