CODE OF CONDUCT

It is the purpose of the Ware County School District to operate each school in a manner that will provide an orderly process of education and that will provide for the welfare and safety of all students who attend the schools within the district.  In accordance with that purpose, the Ware County Board of Education has adopted a policy which requires all schools to adopt codes of conduct which requires students to conduct themselves at all times in order to facilitate a learning environment for themselves and other students.  These standards for behavior require students to respect each other and school district employees, to obey student behavior policies adopted by the Board and to obey student behavior rules established at each school within the district.

The school’s primary goal is to educate, not to punish; however, when the behavior of an individual student comes in conflict wit the rights of others, corrective actions may be necessary for the benefit of that individual and the school as a whole.  Accordingly, students shall be governed by policies, regulations and rules set forth in this Code of Conduct.

The Code of Conduct is effective during the following times and in the following places:

· At school or on school property at any time;
· Off school grounds at any school activity, function or event and while traveling to and from such events;
· On vehicles provided for student transportation by the school system.

Also, students may be disciplined for conduct off campus which is felonious or which may post a threat to the school’s learning environment or the safety of students and employees.

Parents are encouraged to become familiar with the Code of conduct and to be supportive of it in their daily communication with their children and others in the community.

Possession, purchase of, sale, use in any amount, distribution, or being under the influence of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturates, marijuana, drug paraphernalia or alcoholic beverage or other intoxicant.

Possession, distribution, purchase of, attempted sale or sale of substances represented as drugs or alcohol.

Sale, attempted sale, purchase of, distribution, or being under the influence of a prescription or over-the-counter drug.

Possession or use of a weapon or dangerous instrument.

Assault, including threats of bodily harm and/or sexual assault or intentionally making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature, on teachers, administrators, other school personnel, other students, or persons attending school-related functions.

Battery, including sexual battery or intentionally making physical contact which causes bodily harm, of teachers, administrators, other school personnel, other students, or persons attending school-related functions.

Fighting

Disrespectful conduct toward teachers, administrators, other school personnel, other students, or persons attending school-related functions.

Any behavior based on a student’s race, national origin, sex, or disability that is unwelcome, unwanted, and/or uninvited by the recipient is prohibited, including verbal or non-verbal taunting, physical contact, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature.

Possession or use of tobacco in any form.

Damaging or defacing personal property or school property (vandalism).

Theft

Extortion or attempted extortion

Possession and/or use of fireworks or any explosive

Activating a fire alarm under false pretenses or making a bomb threat.

Insubordination, disorderly conduct, disobeying school rules, regulations, or directives; disobeying directives given by teachers, administrators, or other school staff

Classroom and school disturbances

Bus Misbehavior

Violation of school dress code

Use of profane, vulgar, or obscene words (spoken or written) or indecent exposure

Possession of pornographic materials

Possession of pocket pager, cell phone or electronic device, except for health or other unusual reasons approved by the board of education

Inappropriate public displays of affection

Gambling or possession of gambling devices

Giving false information to school officials or altering school documents

Cheating on school assignments

Unexcused absence, chronic tardiness, skipping class, leaving campus without permission

Bullying

Criminal law violations