Discipline

Philosophy of Discipline

Every student is entitled to an education, which shall be offered in an orderly, healthy atmosphere, both physical and emotional, and to firm, fair treatment in all matters pertaining to school life.

 

Every student shall comply with all rules and regulations of both the state and the Caddo Parish School Board having to do with student behavior. In a democracy, many privileges and freedoms exist, all of which are dependent on observance of certain rules and regulations. It should be made very clear that any student, by one’s own failure to comply with school regulations, may lose his/her right to a public education.

 

Each teacher in Caddo Parish is responsible for providing an environment that will bring about effective learning, thus enabling each student to achieve his or her maximum potential.  The home shares responsibility in the education of its youth, and the attitude of the home toward school is reflected by the student.

 

Definition of Discipline

 

Discipline is a standard of behavior, which is demonstrated by appropriate conduct in all situations. Any student whose behavior or conduct is deemed inappropriate or whose behavior is not conducive to a viable learning environment shall be subjected to disciplinary action in accordance with the policies, methods, and procedures hereinafter set forth.

 

Definition of Disciplinary Action

Disciplinary action is the method and process whereby appropriate and acceptable standards of conduct and order are maintained. It involves the acts of correcting, restricting, withholding privileges, and administering other penalties and punishments commensurate to the particular infraction of rules and/or regulations.

 

Discipline and the Law

 

Responsibilities of the Principal

In order to exercise the proper disciplinary control of the school in which one is assigned through the authority granted by the Caddo Parish School Board and the Louisiana State Law R.S.17:416, each school principal shall:

1.  Implement the Caddo Parish School Board Policy in a consistent manner.

2.  Inform all teachers, students, and other employees of the discipline policies and procedures

     adopted by the Caddo Parish School Board each year; and documentation must be on file.

3.  Support teachers, bus drivers, and parents whenever possible in fulfilling the commitment

     made by school board policy.

4.  Plan effective in-services to help teachers and other employees understand Louisiana school

     laws and how the laws relate to their position.

5.  Use professional skills and understanding to prevent small incidents from becoming major

     problems.

6. Develop means of communication with parents and the community concerning discipline

    problems, school board policies and state discipline laws.

7. Receive, review and act upon request from teachers regarding violations of Revised Statute

    17:416 (A).  Failure to act upon such a report requires that the principal notify the

    superintendent and the employee making the referral in writing of the reasons for inaction.

8. Maintain school records with accurate personal data of students, including current address

    and phone numbers, both home and emergency.

9. Maintain a standardized format for denoting parental contact as indicated by policy.

 

Responsibilities of the Teacher

In fulfilling one’s obligations to the student, the public and the profession, the teacher shall:

1.   Start and end classes on time.

2.  Supervise all students and correct misbehavior of students wherever it occurs.

3.  Organize work in a manner that will encourage student interest and involvement for the full

     period of instruction.

4.  Use professional skill and understanding to prevent small classroom incidents from

     becoming major problems.

5.  Deal justly and impartially with all students under supervision.

6.  Support the Caddo Parish School Board’s policies and the school in which one is assigned.

7.  Maintain school records with accurate personal data of students, including addresses and phone

     numbers, both home and emergency.

8.  Be responsible for solving routine problems and holding conferences with parents

     concerning problems encountered by their children.

9.  Address routine problems and make parental contacts along with maintaining 

    documentation.

10. Call for assistance from administrative staff or other teachers if the situation requires it.

11. Enforce rules and regulations concerning conduct and make reports to the principal or

     designee of violations.

 

Responsibilities of the Student

In fulfilling one’s obligations, each student shall:

1.  Comply with all rules and regulations of the Caddo Parish School Board discipline policy.

2.  Provide classroom teachers with accurate personal data, including current address and phone

     numbers, both home and emergency.

3.  Respect the authority of all teachers and other school personnel as well as the rights of other

     students.           

4.  Attend school on a regular basis and report to all classes on time.

5.  Follow the school’s dress code.

6.  Abide by regulations set by the school and the Transportation Department concerning travel

     to and from school, at bus stops, on school buses, and travel to and from school-sponsored

     events.

7.  Comply with the regulations pertaining to use and operation of private vehicles on the

      school grounds as follows:

      a.  Private vehicles must be registered with the school and parked in the student lot.

      b.  Automobiles are to be vacated immediately on arrival and should be reentered only at

           the time of authorized departure.

      c.  The parking of privately owned vehicles on school campuses by students constitutes

          consent by the students to the search of such vehicles by the school principal or

          designee(s).

8.  Cooperate with searches using metal detectors by the principal or designee(s).

9.  Complete all assignments.

 

Responsibilities of the Parent or Guardian

A parent shall:

1.  Recognize and understand that the teacher must enforce school rules and regulations.

2.  Teach the child to have respect for the law, authority, the rights of others, for private and

     public property.

3.  Communicate with teachers regarding their child’s academic and behavioral progress.

4.  Ensure prompt and regular school attendance and compliance with attendance policies and

     procedures.

5.  Provide current address and phone numbers to school personnel for parental contact.

6.  Maintain the child’s physical and mental health by providing periodic health examinations.

7.  Attend conferences with teachers and other school personnel as required by Louisiana Law.  A

     parent who willfully refuses to attend a conference, meeting or hearing shall be referred to a court

     exercising juvenile jurisdiction pursuant to Children’s Code Article 730(8) and 731.

8.  Show an interest in school by attending school functions and participating in the Parent-Teacher

     Association and other school-related organizations.

9.  Arrange time for study at home and work with the school by implementing recommendations made

     in the best interest of the child.

10. Encourage the child to respect the diversity of others.

11. Emphasize the importance of being prepared for school by providing materials and supplies.

12. Respect and support school rules.

 

Infraction of School Rules

Students committing infractions may be punished by suspensions, expulsions or other disciplinary actions; or they may be provided with an alternative educational setting.  Students shall be held strictly accountable for their behavior while at school, on a school bus, or attending school-sponsored events.  Students suspended for ten (10) days or more or expelled shall remain under the supervision of the Caddo Parish School Board using alternative educational programs.  Students suspended for less than ten (10) days may be allowed to attend an approved alternative educational setting.

 

NOTE:  As prescribed in state law, “a pupil who is suspended shall receive no credit for school work missed while suspended or expelled.

 

Infractions:

  • Possessing weapons or using any tool or instrument to do bodily harm
  • Battery of a teacher or any other school personnel (a student shall be removed permanently from a classroom or school bus for battery of a teacher, bus driver, or other school personnel)
  • Threatening a teacher or any other school personnel
  • Initiating or instigating a fight
  • Participating in a fight (If it can be clearly determined that participant engaged only in self-defense, that participant shall be eligible to have the suspension rescinded.)
  • Possessing or using any controlled substance or alcohol on any school campus, school bus or at school-sponsored events
  • Defacing, stealing or destroying school or personal property
  • Initiating any false alarms and/or bomb threats
  • Bullying, threatening, or hazing students
  • Loitering on any school campus or school bus while under suspension or during truancy
  • Possessing tobacco, lighters or matches or using tobacco on any school campus, school bus or school-sponsored events
  • Possessing or using fireworks on any school campus, school bus or at school-sponsored events
  • Using and/or operating any electronic communication device, unless authorized by the principal
  • Refusing to comply with any reasonable request of a teacher or any other school personnel while they are performing their official responsibilities
  • Committing an act of defiance, either in language or action, on any school campus or school-sponsored event
  • Using forged notes or forged official forms
  • Leaving any class and/or school campus without permission
  • Violating the parish/school dress code on any school campus or school bus
  • Violating traffic and safety regulations
  • Using profanity toward school personnel
  • Using profanity toward other students
  • Failure to attend all assigned classes/skipping
  • Possessing dice
  • Participating in gambling
  • Engaging in mutual displays of affection
  • Committing immoral practices or acts
  • Making unfounded charges against school personnel
  • Violating any publicized rule, approved by the superintendent, that is unique to the individual school provided the school rule is not in conflict with the policies of the local school board and the laws of the State of Louisiana 

School Bus Conduct

Students must conduct themselves in a manner that promotes safety and follow rules of the Transportation Department whether riding the bus to and from their home or school-sponsored activities.  The principal may suspend from school or suspend from riding the bus any student who commits any infraction set forth in R.S. 17:416 utilizing the same procedures applicable to suspension and expulsion from school.  School personnel must review the rules for riding school buses with all students at the beginning of each semester.  

Metal Detectors/Searches

As per Caddo Parish School Board policy, a minimum of one classroom will be randomly chosen to be searched per week.  Students will be searched using a metal detector while book bags, purses, and bags will be searched by hand.  An assistant principal, his or her designee, and security coordinators will conduct these searches.

 

When there is reasonable suspicion, a student may be called into the office to be searched.  This type of search will be done in a confidential setting with at least two staff members present, with one being an assistant principal.  Attempts will be made to notify parents of this search even if the result of the search turned up nothing. At no time will a student be subject to a strip search. 

Periodically a canine unit may be brought on campus to “sweep” the school and/or parking lot.  At no time will the dog come in contact with a student.

 

Lockers and vehicles parked on campus are subject to search. Any bag, purse, or book bag brought on campus is subject to search.

    

False Alarms/Threats

The following infractions are all federal offenses that are punishable with penalties that consist of fines of up to $15,000 and/or imprisonment of hard labor up to fifteen years:  1) criminal mischief, i.e. giving false alarm of fire; 2) bomb threats; 3) terrorizing; and 4) possessing fake explosive devices.

 

Conduct in the Hall

Students are expected to do the following:

  • go directly from one class to the next
  • walk and not loiter in the halls
  • avoid gathering in the halls in a manner that interferes with others
  • avoid inappropriate physical contact
  • possess and wear an official school I.D.

 

Harassment

Any student who is harassed or intimidated emotionally, physically, or sexually should report the behavior immediately to a teacher, counselor, and/or administrator. 

 

 

 

 

Fighting:  Initiating and Instigating   (Southwood High School’s procedure is indicated with an *.)

 

  • A mandatory suspension of three (3) to nine (9) days shall be imposed for any student who willfully participates in, initiates, or instigates a fight on Caddo Parish School Board property during school hours, traveling to or from school, at a school bus stop or at any

            school-sponsored event.

 

  • Test for Willful Participation in a Fight will be determined by the administration with the

            following:

ü  Did the participant contribute in any manner (verbally, physically, by action or gestures,

                        by  communication in writing or pass of verbal exchange through another person either

                        by telephone or other form of communication) to the instigation or continuation of the

                        confrontation?

ü   Were there opportunities for the participant to seek adult intervention prior to or during

                        the confrontation?

ü   Is the participant of an age and mental competency to be responsible for his/her decisions and subsequent actions?

 

  • Participation in a “group” fight (more than two students) will result in a Caddo Parish School Board Hearing.

 

  • If it can be clearly determined that a student engaged only in self-defense, the participant

            shall not be suspended.

 

  • *It shall be the procedure of Southwood High School to refer students involved in a fight to

             the School Resource Officer, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Deputy for disturbing the peace

             charges. The school administration reserves the right to request a Caddo Parish School

             Board hearing for a student initiating or instigating a fight.

 

  • *Parents are encouraged to file charges where there is bodily harm.

 

Drugs/Alcohol

Possession or use of an illegal narcotic drug or other controlled substance or alcoholic beverage on school property, school bus, or at a school-sponsored event is prohibited.  Any student in violation of this policy will be asked to submit to a mandatory drug/alcohol screening before being readmitted.  If a student is found in possession of illegal drugs or alcohol, parent(s) of the student and law enforcement officials shall be contacted; and criminal charges will be filed with the appropriate law enforcement agency.  Moreover, the principal or designee shall arrange and conduct a conference with parent(s) and student to determine additional consequences following Caddo Parish School Board policy. (RS 14:403)

 

Sexual Harassment

Students who engage in sexual harassment on school premises or at a school-sponsored activity will be subject to appropriate discipline, including suspension or expulsion.  Reports of sexual harassment are to be reported to one of the counselors or administrators.  Sexual harassment is any activity of a sexual nature that is unwanted or unwelcome, including but not limited to, unwanted touching, pinching, patting, verbal comments of a sexual nature, sexual name-calling, and pressure to engage in sexual activity, repeated propositions and unwanted body contact.  The school’s normal disciplinary procedures will be followed in determining the appropriate consequence for the sexual harassment.  In the event the administration recommends suspension or expulsion as a result of conduct, due process will be afforded to the student in accordance with the district’s suspension/expulsion procedures.

 

 

 

Dance Guidelines

 

Dances are sponsored by Southwood High School as a part of the total school program and for the benefit of Southwood's students and their invited guests.  The following guidelines apply for dances:

  • Tickets must be purchased in advance.  No tickets will be sold at the door or after the end of the announced deadline.
  • Southwood students and guests must have a school I.D. card or some other appropriate form of                   identification.
  • Invited guests must be registered by a Southwood student with the dance sponsor no later than the announced deadline and must be approved by the administration.  (maximum age - 21 years)  
  • Students MUST comply with dress code for dances.
  • Acceptable behavior MUST be demonstrated by all attending.
  • Suspended students (out-of-school suspensions) are prohibited from attending dances.
  • All attending students must demonstrate acceptable behavior, including appropriate dancing.
  • Students who violate the guidelines may be asked to leave with no refund.  Failure to vacate the premises in a reasonable time frame will result in a student not being allowed to participate in subsequent events.

 

NOTE:  The administration reserves the right to deny admission or continued participation of any Southwood High student or invited guest who violates Caddo Parish Board policies or Southwood standards of acceptable behavior.

 

Hazing

Hazing shall not be permitted.  No initiation activities shall be conducted before membership is confirmed.  All plans for initiation activities shall be presented, in writing, by the president of a club/organization to the sponsors and principal for written approval no later than ten (10) school days before an initiation date.  The plan shall include a detailed description of the activity, the date, time and location, and any other information requested by the sponsor or principal.

 

Weapons

Weapons are absolutely forbidden at school or school activities.  According to state law, the principal shall be required to suspend a pupil who is found possessing a weapon.  Additionally, the principal shall immediately recommend the pupil’s expulsion to the superintendent.  School officials, in accordance with statutory provisions, shall have total discretion in imposing any disciplinary actions for possession of a weapon by a student on school property or when such weapon is stored in a motor vehicle and there is no evidence of the pupil’s intent to use the weapon in a criminal manner.

 

Weapons include but are not limited to the following:

  • firearms
  • fireworks of any kind
  • clubs or night sticks
  • razors, box cutters, or knives.  Pocket knives of any length are prohibited.  Having a knife with a blade of 2 inches or more will result in a concealed weapons charge.
  • metallic knuckles
  • chains
  • any other object used in a way that threatens to inflict bodily injury or another person.  This prohibition does not normally apply to school supplies, such as pencils, compasses, etc. unless they are used in a menacing or threatening manner.
  • laser beam lights/pointers

*According to R.S. 14:95.2

A student who commits the crime of carrying a firearm on school property shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not more than five years.