Behavior Expectations

STUDENT BEHAVIOR AND DISCIPLINE

Behavior is a student’s conduct in relation to:

  • The treatment of other people.
  • The care and respect for property.
  • The responsibility for maintaining one’s personal possessions.
  • Accountability for one’s own actions.

Students in the Barnum Public Schools are expected to behave in accordance with federal, State and local laws and regulations; school and School District policies and procedures; respect for the rights and safety of others. Corrective action to modify student behavior will be taken by school/District staff members when a student’s behavior does not fall within the expectations stated above.

Actions which may be used by staff members to encourage appropriate behavior or, when needed, to modify and correct student behavior, include, but are not limited to: student conference, parent/guardian notification, parent/guardian conference, parent shadow (parent accompanies student throughout the school day), fine, restitution, detention, removal from class, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, exclusion, expulsion, referral to law enforcement authorities and recommendation of alternative community services.

The goals of the School District’s Rights and Responsibilities Code are:

  • To establish and maintain a safe, positive and productive learning and teaching environment in the Barnum Public Schools.
  • To establish high standards for student behavior that instructs and guides students to act in positive and productive ways.
  • To develop student respect for law, authority, property and the rights of others and self.
  • To encourage the development of the attitudes and behaviors that lead to self-control, responsibility for one’s actions and self-directed learning.

Discipline policies and procedures based on these goals must be corrective and not merely punitive. The behavioral emphasis must always be on the recognition and strengthening of appropriate behavior. The goals listed above, however, require that the School District establish and maintain a safe, positive and productive learning and teaching environment. Therefore, the School District is responsible for making reasonable rules and regulations governing student behavior and conduct. To ensure this, it is important that the School District establishes and communicates clear expectations for student behavior and that these expectations are supported with appropriate and consistently applied corrective consequences. District guidelines in the formation of disciplinary consequences include:

  • The prohibition of the use of corporal punishment to punish a child for misconduct.
  • Permission to use physical restraint, if necessary, to provide a safe environment for students. This means that reasonable force may be used on a student without his/her consent by an administrator, teacher or another staff member in the exercise of lawful authority to restrain or correct such a student.

Special care will be taken with students with disabilities to follow the guidelines (if any) for physical restraint which may be written into their individual education plans (IEPs). Physical restraint may be lawfully used by School District staff members: to stop a disturbance threatening injury to others; to obtain possession of weapons or other dangerous objects upon the person or within the control of a student; for self-defense; to protect other persons or property; to direct the movement or actions of a student to avoid undue or deliberate disruption of the classroom or other parts of the school; to protect a student from his/her own actions. These acts shall NOT be construed as corporal punishment within the meaning and intent of this policy.

Student Behavior Expectations and Consequences for Misbehavior

The consequences for misbehavior in the Barnum Public Schools are designed to be fair, instructive in what is or is not acceptable behavior, firm, and consistent in application for all students. The behavioral expectations and consequences for misbehavior apply in all of the District’s buildings, property, vehicles; at school bus stops; and at all school/School District events. Because it isn’t possible to list every misbehavior that might occur, the misbehaviors not included in this Student Rights and Responsibilities Code will be responded to as necessary by the school/District staff, using this Code as a guide. Minor misbehaviors are dealt with by District bus drivers, chaperones, classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, administrators, etc. Serious misbehaviors are reported to the school office. School/District administrators may involve the Sheriff or other legal authorities as necessary. If a student violates a District policy/rule which is also a violation of the law, the student will be referred to the legal authorities in addition to being dealt with as described in this Code. In accordance with State law, administrators will refer to the juvenile delinquency or criminal justice system any student who brings a firearm to school unlawfully. The consequences for a specific offense may be more

DRESS CODE STANDARD

Barnum High School administration and teachers expect students to present themselves in a manner that is respectful and appropriate. Students’ clothing should not offend others, cause embarrassment to them, present a health hazard, or create a disruption in classes.

Dress Expectations

Please Note: The building principal will make the final decision on dress code violations including items that are inappropriate for school but not mentioned in this policy. If necessary, parents will be notified and asked to come to school to either pick up their student or bring proper attire.

The following expectations will be enforced:

  • For health and safety reasons, students are expected to maintain hygienically clean attire.
  • Students’ clothing is required to cover a student’s personal and private areas – including chest, midriff, groin, and buttocks
  • Shoes of some kind must be worn.
  • Students are not to wear clothing that is provocative in nature, exposes the midriff or chest, intentionally exposures undergarments or undergarments that are worn as outer garments, and other clothing that is not in keeping with community standards. Some examples of inappropriate clothing may include but are not limited to, halter, tube and transparent tops, low-cut backs, low-cut fronts, bare midriffs, or bare stomachs, pants and shorts with holes in them, high slit dresses/skirts, and dresses or shorts of inappropriate length.
  • Students are not to wear clothing that includes words or pictures that are obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, convey sexual innuendo, are abusive or discriminatory (some examples may include, but are not limited to, ethnic, racist, sexual, or sexist remarks/ images), symbols of hatred, or which promote alcohol, chemicals, tobacco/tobacco products, or other products that are illegal for use by minors. Examples: Confederate flag, swastika, guns or ammunition, playboy bunny, alcohol logos, and tobacco logos.
  • Jewelry that presents a safety hazard to self and/or others
  • Hats, caps, bandanas and other head attire during the school day. Exceptions will be made for religious, medical, or school-related reasons.
  • Wearing masks, painted faces, or disguises that limits or prevents the identification of a student or substantially disrupts the learning environment.
  • Backpacks, purses or other bags must be left in the student’s locker.
  • Jackets/overcoats are not to be worn in the school building between 8:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. (The only exception will be at the teachers’ discretion based on class activities or weather-related issues.) Students are expected to dress appropriately for the classroom during the cold winter months.

PDA policy—Public Display of Affection:

“PDA between students is not a socially appropriate behavior at school or school activities. Examples of PDA that are prohibited are kissing, hugging, or anybody contact other than holding hands. Momentary or casual hugging between good friends is permissible. Students who engage in PDA will be subject to disciplinary action

DANCE RULES

Dances will start at 9:00 p.m. (unless stated otherwise in the daily bulletin) and end at midnight. You are responsible for the behavior of the guest you bring.   Guests must be of high school age. Students are asked to invite only one guest   No one will be admitted into dance after thirty minutes after the start of the dance without prior permission. If for some reason something (work, etc.) would prevent you from being here within thirty minutes of the start of the dance, let the advisor know ahead of time. Within thirty minutes of the start of the dance, the parking lot will be cleared of students not attending the dance. Students who choose to leave early will call a parent to inform them that he or she is leaving the dance. Once a student leaves the dance he or she is not readmitted. Dances are considered an extension of the school day, therefore, all school rules are enforceable.

PROM RULES

Students must be in grades 10-12 or older in order to attend prom. 10th-grade students may only attend prom if he/she is the date of an 11th or 12th-grade student. Maximum age to attend BHS prom is 20. Students must use school-designated transportation to and from prom events. Prom is considered an extension of the school day, therefore, all school rules are enforceable.