Code of Student Conduct

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The Code of Student Conduct applies to school community members while they are in school and/or at any school-sponsored activity, such as a class trip or a sporting event. The Code of Student Conduct also applies to all students while they are traveling to and from school, using any mode of transportation (walking, riding on school bus, waiting at bus stop, etc.). Additionally, the Code of Student Conduct applies to off-grounds (virtual learning) and after-hours (including weekends) behavior – if the incident impacts the school community.

The Wissahickon School District Code of Student Conduct has been developed in accordance with Board Policy #218 and other related board policies as well as the Pennsylvania School Code Sections 511, 1317, 1317.1, and 1318. This Code of Student Conduct was approved by the Board of School Directors at its public meeting on August 22, 2022. 

Click on the colored buttons to explore the various components of our Code of Student Conduct. There are multi-tiered response charts for both elementary (K-5) and secondary (6-12) students; key information about restorative practices and social emotional learning competencies; resources for students and families; and glossaries with behavior examples and responses to understand the key terms throughout this code of student conduct. 

 

VIEW AND DOWNLOAD: Click here to view and download the PDF version of the WSD Code of Student Conduct
 

Introduction

In order to function properly, public school education should provide an equal learning op­portunity for all students. In addition to the regu­lar curriculum, principles and practices of good citizenship must be taught and demonstrated. This includes an appreciation for the rights of others. No school or school system can discharge these responsibilities if it permits students to act in an objectionable manner or to disregard rules and regulations adopted for the benefit of all persons.

The rights of an individual are preserved only by the protection and preservation of the rights of others. Students are responsible for the way they exercise their rights, and they must ac­cept the consequences of their actions. Each ex­ercise of an individual’s rights must demonstrate respect for the rights of others. To achieve the goal of a democratic society, the staff, students, parents, guardians, and community must work cooperatively.

Equal Opportunity

It is the policy of Wissahickon School District to provide equal opportunity in all its programs and activities and in its employment practices. No student, employee, or other person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subject to discrimination regarding any District program on the grounds of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, or disability.  For additional information, please contact the Human Resources Office.

Philosophy

We, the staff, administration, and Board of School Directors of the Wis­sahickon School District, believe that our primary function is to provide students equal opportunities to mature in the ethical, intellectual, creative, emotional, social, and physical areas of their lives. This maturation process can best take place in a positive learning environment - one characterized by an atmosphere of openness and mutual respect for the personal worth and dignity of each individual - one in which we communicate our belief in the value of every child - and one in which students are helped to understand the reasons for their own and others’ behavior as well as the impact of their behavior on others.

We believe that the development of self-discipline and acceptance of individual responsibility should be stressed throughout school life. By emphasizing these concepts, we help students to assume their roles in a democratic soci­ety for a democracy depends on a responsible citizenry for its survival.

A fair, consistent discipline policy is an integral part of a sound educational program. This policy includes a student code of conduct that delineates individual responsibilities, categorizes behavior, and provides for appropriate and restorative responses. Click here to learn more about restorative practices and social emotional learning.

We believe that the goals of such a code must:

  • teach responsible behavior;
  • promote self-monitoring and foster self-discipline;
  • help the student recognize the impact of their choices on others;
  • ensure the rights and personal dignity of others;
  • generate a close working relationship with the home, the school, and the community;
  • provide disciplinary options that are appropri­ate to misconduct;
  • differentiate between minor and serious offenses;
  • protect and maintain public and private property; and
  • comply with federal, state, and local laws.

The Students

Students attend and participate in the school program so that they may develop to their fullest potential. It is the responsibility of the student to abide by the school’s rules and regulations, maintain timely and regular school attendance, contribute to a learning atmosphere generating mutual respect and dignity for all, and make an earnest effort to do their best work. One of the fundamental principles of restorative practices is that adults work with students to build and strengthen healthy relationships and community while providing a supportive framework to prevent, respond to, and repair harm through a variety of practices.

WSD students will:

  • Seek the most peaceful means of resolving conflict.
  • Obtain the assistance of parents/guardians, teachers, administrators, and/or school staff when unable to resolve conflicts peacefully on their own.
  • Reflect on and learn from mistakes.
  • Prioritize correcting any harm that they may have caused to others in the school community.

The Parents and Guardians

A strong partnership between home and school contributes to a student’s successful development and achievement. To achieve this partnership, parents and guardians are expected to ensure their child(ren)’s regular school attendance; teach their child(ren) self-respect, respect for the law, respect for others, and respect of public property; and support the district staff in their efforts to maximize the achievement of their child(ren).

WSD parents and guardians will:

  • Speak with their children about appropriate behavior at school.
  • Help their children to be active participants in creating and promoting a positive, supportive, safe, and welcoming school environment that is conducive to teaching and learning.
  • Work collaboratively with WSD staff to address behavioral problems that their children may exhibit and/or experience.
  • Partner with schools to help their children access supportive groups or programs designed to improve their behavior, such as counseling, after-school programs, and mental health services within the school and community.

The Faculty/Staff

District Faculty/Staff will work to create positive, supportive, safe, and welcoming school environments for all students and adults that are conducive to teaching and learning. Faculty/Staff will continue to serve as caring adults in schools who play an important role in building and sustaining strong relationships with students, which facilitates students’ connection to school and decreases their likelihood of engaging in disruptive behaviors. All school faculty/staff will seek ways to develop meaningful relationships with students.

WSD faculty/staff will: 

  • Establish clear expectations and take an instructional approach to behavior. 
  • Acknowledge positive and appropriate behavior by students. 
  • Strive to recognize and eliminate bias and disproportionality in discipline, and administer discipline rules consistently, fairly, and equitably. 
  • Involve families, students, faculty/staff, and the community in the process of fostering positive behavior and student engagement. 
  • Ensure that clear, developmentally and age-appropriate, and proportional consequences are applied to misbehavior in a way that supports personal growth and that provides opportunities for student accountability.
  • Include appropriate procedures for students with disabilities and due process for all consistent with federal and state requirements.

The Administration

The strong partnership between home and school that contributes to the students’ successful development and achievement extends to the administrative team.

As the educational leaders of the school and district, the administration will:

  • Establish an orderly and respectful learning culture guided by a clear Code of Student Conduct. 
  • Provide on-going professional development to ensure the faculty/staff’s successful implementation of the Code of Student Conduct.
  • Employ efforts to establish a proactive approach to student behavior coupled with the emphasis on an engaging learning culture.
  • Monitor the effectiveness of the Code of Student Conduct and work collaboratively with students, parents/guardians, and faculty/staff to apply the code and related responses in a fair and equitable manner.