The policies related to the Student Code of Conduct are established through New York State Law and the Eastchester Board of Education. Such policies, by law, must be in writing and explained to students and parents on an annual basis. Questions about the Code can be directed to any administrator or in writing to the principal.

With respect to students identified with handicapping conditions, this policy shall apply in concert with the regulations established by the Commissioner of Education.

All provisions of the Student Code of Conduct apply to students on the property of Eastchester High School , at school-sponsored events, or in vehicles provided by the Eastchester School District . School property is defined as the building structure, athletic playing fields, parking lots, or land contained within the boundary line of the Eastchester Schools campus, or on a bus. A school function means any school-sponsored event or activity.

Student Responsibilities

Eastchester High School supports the view that a school exists primarily to educate students. A calm, orderly atmosphere must exist if learning and academic excellence are to be successfully achieved. Students must develop both academically-and socially-responsible behaviors if the school is going to positively and productively realize its mission. All students have the responsibility to:

• Contribute to maintaining a safe and orderly school environment that is conducive to learning.
• Show respect to other persons and property.
• Be familiar with and abide by all district policies, rules, and regulations dealing with student conduct.
• Be regular and punctual in attendance to class, meetings, and activities.
• Work to the best of their ability in all academic and extracurricular pursuits and strive toward their highest level of achievement possible.
• React to and interact with teachers, administrators, and other school personnel in a respectful, positive manner.
• Work to develop mechanisms to control their behavior.
• Ask questions when they do not understand and be honest in all circumstances.
• Seek help in solving problems that might lead to inappropriate behavior.
• Dress appropriately for school and school functions.
• Accept responsibility for their actions.
• Conduct themselves as representatives of the district when participating in or attending school-sponsored extracurricular events and to hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct, demeanor, and sportsmanship.
• Report incidents of violence or potential incidents to appropriate adults.

Eastchester High School expects all students to conduct themselves in an appropriate and civil manner, with proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students, district personnel and other members of the school community, and for the care of school facilities and equipment.

The best discipline is self-imposed, and students must learn to assume and accept responsibility for their own behavior, as well as for the consequences of their misbehavior. District personnel who interact with students are expected to use disciplinary action only when necessary and to place emphasis on the students' ability to grow in self-discipline.

The rules of conduct listed below are intended to focus on safety and respect for the rights and property of others. Students who will not accept responsibility for their own behavior and who violate these school rules will be required to accept the penalties for their conduct.

Level One

Procedure

The supervising teacher or staff member carefully investigates the infractions observed or reported. Based on the past behavior of the student and the nature of the infraction, the teacher applies the most appropriate disciplinary response. The frequency of the occurrence or degree of the infraction may be reasons to reclassify these misbehaviors at the next level, notifying the Assistant Principal/ Principal by disciplinary referral form.

Infractions

The following examples of disorderly conduct are considered Level One infractions:

• Disruptive behavior in the halls including running, shouting, or causing excessive noise
• Copying assignments or work
• Using language or gestures that are profane, lewd, vulgar, or abusive
• Eating in unauthorized area(s)
• Engagement in a willful act to disrupt the normal operation of the school community
• Failure to be prepared with class materials
• Failure to carry out directions given by any staff member
• First class cut
• Lateness to class
• Littering or property damage
• Loitering in the halls or other areas
• Unauthorized sale of non-harmful items
• Violation of the Dress Code
• Obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic
• Trespassing/Unauthorized Area

Level Two

Misbehaviors at this level are acts where their frequency or seriousness disrupts the climate of the school and/or when Level One infractions continue to occur.

Procedure

The teacher or staff member reports the behavior to the Assistant Principal and/or the Principal using the disciplinary referral form. The AP/Principal meets with the student and/or the teacher to investigate the incident and determines the most appropriate disciplinary response. The AP/Principal records the disciplinary response on the referral form. Copies of the referral form are sent to the referring faculty/staff member, to the Guidance Counselor, to the parents, and a copy is also placed into the student's discipline folder.

Infractions

The following examples are Level Two infractions:

• Repeated or more severe Level One infractions
• Cheating on quizzes, tests, projects, etc.
• Cutting class repeatedly
• Defacing school property
• Excessive school absences
• Excessive tardiness
• Forgery
• Insubordination
• Leaving school without permission
• Participation in games of chance/gambling
• Plagiarism
• Use of tobacco
• Obscene or indecent behavior
• Possession of obscene or indecent materials
• Vandalism
• Violation of the Internet Usage Contract
• Lying or stealing
• Cutting detention
• Forgery

Level Three

Misbehaviors included at this level occur when the frequency or seriousness of an act disrupts the climate of the school and/or when Level One or Level Two infractions continue to occur.

Procedure

After verification of the offense, the Assistant Principal and/or Principal meets with all parties involved. Procedures are initiated according to the established policy for excluding the student from school. The parents and the Superintendent are notified. The Assistant Principal and/or the Principal record the infraction and the disciplinary response in the student's cumulative file. A report is submitted to the Superintendent.

Infractions

The following examples of disorderly conduct are considered Level Three infractions:

• Unmodified or more severe Level Two actions
• Use or possession of a weapon or facsimile
• Mistreatment of animals
• Altering records
• Defamation
• Discrimination
• Engaging in violent or dangerous conduct
• Extortion
• Fighting
• Harassment: verbal, physical, or sexual
• Hazing
• Selling, distributing, or exchanging prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• Indecent exposure
• Initiating a report of fire or other catastrophe without valid cause, misuse of 911, or discharging a fire extinguisher
• Physical/verbal assault
• Phoning, verbalizing, or leaving a note pertaining to a bomb threat
• Possession of incendiary devices
• Intimidation
• Possessing, consuming, selling, distributing, or exchanging drug related paraphernalia or illegal substances, including alcohol
• Selling, using, or possessing obscene material
• Theft or willful possession of another's property
• Inciting a riot

Disciplinary Action(s)

• Notification to parent/guardian
• Student/Counselor conference
• Student/Teacher conference
• Verbal warning or reprimand
• Written warning or reprimand
• Teacher detention
• After school office detention
• Saturday School
• Full restitution for damages
• In School Suspension/Restricted Study Hall
• Suspension from transportation
• Temporary removal from activities (including participation and attendance)
• Out of School Suspension
• Parental Conference
• Removal from classroom by an administrator
• Alternative School
• Superintendent's Hearing
• Notification of law enforcement or proper authorities