Student Code Of Conduct

In order for Imani school to function properly and for students to learn at their greatest capacity, it is imperative that students abide by accepted standards of behavior.

When students disregard the rights of others and disrupt the learning program in the classroom and the school, certain measures must be taken to protect the rights of all other students in the school.

Discipline problems in our schools across the nation have increased at an alarming rate during the past several years. National studies and polls indicate that violence in our schools must be the primary concern to boards of education, teachers, administrators, pupils, parents and members of the community.

There is no simple solution to the discipline problems in our schools, nor is there a magic formula in dealing with disruption. We here at Imani School under the guidance of the bulletin entitled "Discipline in the Philadelphia Public Schools- A Working Document," are adopting a Student Code of Conduct which is committed to the goal of a safe school and an orderly process of instruction for all who attend the Imani Education Circle Elementary Charter School.

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES

This information is being sent to you to inform you of the procedure for documenting and imposing consequences for each child who has difficulty following the class and school code of conduct here at IMANI Education Circle (IEC).

At this educational facility we are determined to maintain our high standard of excellence for students and ourselves. Below is a five step plan for teachers that will be followed by each teacher to allow for a consistent, fair, and impartial system of discipline. We would like for you to examine this procedure and familiarize yourself with it. We also need your support in encouraging your child to follow the rules of the school. Following is the memo given to the teachers, so you will know what our expectations are:

Teachers:

Below is the procedure that should be followed consistently so that we can establish a high standard of excellence in academics and behavior at IEC.
First, each teacher must have clearly posted classroom rules, along with rewards and consequences. An in-depth discussion must be had between the students and the teacher so that there is no misunderstanding of the rules, rewards or consequences. When a students breaks one of the classroom rules, the first step in dealing with the problem is to remind the student of the rules. If the rule, {or another one) is broken again the child must deal with the negative consequences of his or her behavior, i.e. name listed on black board, missing recess, loss of time, no computer time, etc. Remember, it is just as important to identify and reward correct behaviors as well as identify and deal with unacceptable behaviors.

Second, if this process does not produce positive results, a call to the parent/caregiver is in order. Each family of IEC should have a signed compact that clearly states the role of the teacher, parent/caregiver, student and principal. The phone call is to solicit the support of the parent/caregiver in modifying the students behavior through their influence. Understanding that if improvement in behavior is not evident, the next step is detention. Hopefully positive results will be seen after the call to the parent/caregiver.

Third step - if positive results are not seen, the child will be scheduled for a detention. Arrangements for the detention will be made with assigned Staff. A child can get only three detentions. The fourth step is in order - after three detentions.

Fourth Step - If detentions have no effect on the negative behavior of a student, he/she will be referred to the Counselor. There should be evidence of the conversation(s) that the classroom teacher has had with the student, with dates, as well as documentation of the phone or in person conservation(s) with parent/caregiver. Depending on the severity of the behavior, the counselor may place the child on the daily report. The daily report process will last for at least 2 weeks, (more at the discretion of the counselor). The daily report form should be completed each day by the classroom teacher and taken home each evening to be signed by the parent/caregiver. The counselor will monitor this process to be sure it is completed daily.

Again consistency is most critical if we are to be successful in changing behavior. If the daily report process was chosen, two weeks of consistent follow-up should yield positive results. If not, suspension is in order. Again one to five days suspension will be given at the discretion of the Principal or Vice Principal. No child should be suspended more than three times. (See Step Five). Note: if the child breaks a school rule while on the daily report, he/she will immediately be suspended. Exception to the rule: prior notice of the intended suspension need not be given when it is clear that health, safety or welfare of the school community is threatened.

Fifth Step - After we have tried every step listed above, and have not achieved success in modifying the negative behavior, the child and family will be recommended to the Wazuri for expulsion from IEC.

Authority of School Administration (In Loco Parentis)

Every teacher, vice principal and principal has the right to exercise the same authority as to conduct and behavior over the pupils during the time they are in attendance at school, including traveling to and from school, as the parents, caretakers or guardians may exercise over them.

SPECIAL NOTE TO PARENTS: when students are placed on suspension, please discuss the seriousness of the situation with the student. Suspensions can be a productive process to help students get on track to academic success when they also lose privileges at home. Thank you for your support.

LEVEL I OFFENSES

Rule 1   DISRUPTION OF SCHOOL

A student shall not by use of violence, force, noise, coercion, threat, intimidation, fear, passive resistance, or any other conduct intentionally or recklessly cause the substantial and material disruption or obstruction of any lawful mission, process, or function of the school.

Neither shall the student urge other students or outsiders to engage in such conduct.

Rule 2   DISRUPTIVE AND/OR OFFENSIVE USE OF LANGUAGE

A student shall not use language in any school publication, in any school activity, or on any bulletin board or in messages through the public address system which is profane, obscene, intentionally disruptive, libelous or offensive to other students, faculty or the community or which undermines the basic educational mission of the school.

Rule 3   OUT OF UNIFORM

All students are expected to wear the school uniform without exception.

Male students: black slacks worn at the waist, white shirts with a collar, IEC's Afro-Centric vest, dark socks, black cardigan sweater, black dress or school shoes athletic footwear permitted when required (during gym day)

Female students: black skirt or slacks, no shorter than one inch above the knee, a white blouse, IEC's Afro-Centric vest, black cardigan sweater, black or white socks or hose, black shoes with heel no higher than one inch, athletic footwear when permitted (during gym day)

Rule 4   DISRESPECTING SELF, TEACHERS OR PEERS

A student shall not speak about themselves, teachers or peers in a negative manner by using profanity, put downs or making rude comments or gestures.

Rule 5   BREAKING CLASSROOM RULES

A student shall follow the classroom rules created and established by each classroom teacher. Rules are posted in the classroom and should be adhered to on a daily basis.

APPROVED CORRECTIVE ACTION

A. Student interview with the Principal, Vice-Principal, and/or Counselor

B. Temporary assignment to another room for Time-out

C. After-school detentions

D. Suspension of privileges, including extra-curricular activities which include dances, class trips, graduation and/or closing ceremonies

E. A letter or phone call to the parents/guardian

F. Placing pupil on a daily report

G. Suspension of the student

H. Referral to the counselor

LEVEL 2 OFFENSES

Rule 6   REPEATED SCHOOL VIOLATIONS

A student shall not repeatedly fail to comply with the provisions of Rules 1 through 5 above or with any other reasonable directions of principal, vice-principal, teachers or other authorized school personnel during any period of time when the students is properly under the authority of school personnel.

Note: This rule should be applied with circumspection. Basically, it is aimed at those students whose conduct is consistently at odds with normal discipline and who do not respond to guidance or lesser forms of discipline. It also may apply to the student who repeatedly refuses to carry out legitimate directions of teachers or other authorized school personnel. (Consideration should be given to whether a student should receive severe, lenient or perhaps no punishment for failure to comply with directions based on reasonable opinions that the directions were unauthorized or detrimental to some proper interest.)

Rule 7   ASSAULT ON SCHOOL PERSONNEL

A student shall not intentionally cause or attempt to cause physical injury to any school employee. Reasonable self-defense against bodily harm is not to be considered an intentional act under this rule.

Rule 8   FIGHTING/ASSAULT ON OTHER STUDENTS

A student shall not recklessly or intentionally do or attempt to do bodily injury to any person on school grounds, during any school activity or in commuting to or from school. Reasonable self-defense against bodily harm is not to be considered a violation of this rule.

Rule 9   DAMAGE/DESTRUCTION OR THEFT OF SCHOOL PROPERTY

A student shall not recklessly or intentionally cause or attempt to cause material damage to or defacement of school property or attempt to steal such school property. Repeated damage to or defacement of or theft involving school property of small value shall also be considered an act of serious student misconduct.

Rule 10   DAMAGE/DESTRUCTION OR THEFT OF PRIVATE PROPERTY

A student shall not, either on the school grounds or during a school activity, school function or school event off school grounds, intentionally or recklessly cause or attempt to cause material damage to or defacement of private property or steal or attempt to steal valuable private property. Repeated damage to or defacement of or theft involving private property of small value also shall be considered an act of serious misconduct.

Rule 11   INTENTIONALLY OR RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING OR THREATENING SCHOOL PERSONNEL/OTHERS

A student shall not intentionally or recklessly engage in conduct that places or may place any member of the school community in danger of bodily injury. Nor shall a student attempt by physical menace or threat (spoken or written), to put a member of the school community in fear of imminent bodily injury.

Rule 12   INDECENT ASSAULT OR INDECENT EXPOSURE

A student shall not touch any other person or cause another person to touch them or any other person on any intimate or sexual part of the body for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification of any person or to intimidate any person. Further, a student shall not expose his/her genitals under circumstances to cause affront or alarm to others.

APPROVED CORRECTIVE ACTION

A. Suspension

B. Transfer of student

C. In the case of violation of Rule 12, the counselor shall refer the student to an appropriate counseling program for sexual offenses through a community mental health program.

D. Expulsion for violation of Rule 6 where reasonable efforts have been exhausted to remediate the student's conduct

LEVEL 3 OFFENSES

Rule 13   POSSESSION OF A WEAPON CAPABLE OF CAUSING DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY

A student shall not possess on his/her person, in his/her personal effects or in any storage area provided by the school, any weapon capable of causing death or serious injury. Such weapons include, but are not limited to knives, cutting instrument, cutting tools, nunchaku, fire arm, shotgun, rifle, stun gun, BB gun, starter pistol, explosive device which may cause a fire and any other tool, instrument or implement capable of inflicting serious body injury. This rule applies to any case of weapon possession in school or while traveling to or from school or a school program.

Act 26 of 1995 - State of Pennsylvania Law

Act 26 of 1995, Pennsylvania's Safe Schools Act, was signed into law by Gov. Tom Ridge to address violence and weapons possession in Pennsylvania's schools. The law requires public schools to report to the Office of Safe Schools all incidents involving acts of violence, possession of a weapon, or the possession, use or sale of a controlled substance, alcohol or tobacco by any person on school property; at school sponsored events; and on school transportation to and from school. It also requires schools to maintain updated summary reports of all incidents of violence; incidents involving possession of weapon; and convictions or adjudications of delinquency for acts committed on school property. A statistical summary of these records shall be maintained and made accessible to the public for examination during regular business by public and nonpublic schools.

The Safe Schools Act, as amended, requires school districts area vocational-technical schools to expel, for a period of not less than one year, any student who is determined to have brought onto, or is in possession of, any weapon on any school property; at a school-sponsored activity, or onto to any public conveyance providing transportation to a school or to a school sponsor activity. The expulsion should be accomplished pursuant to applicable regulations in 24 Pa Code, Chapter 12 and 14. Every school district and area vocational school should develop a written policy regarding expulsions possession of a weapon. The superintendent or administrative director may recommend to the board modifications of such expulsion requirements for a student on a case-by-case basis. Even though expelled, students of compulsory school age must be provided an educational program as required by 24 Pa Code 12.6 (e). School entities may make alternative assignments or provide alternative education services during the period of expulsion. In addition, the superintendent or other chief administrative officer of a school entity shall, in the case of an exceptional student, take all steps necessary to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The Act also requires school administrators to report the discovery of any weapon to the local law-enforcement officals.

Some definitions used in this Act are:
1) "weapons" shall include, but not be limited to, any knife, cutting instrument, cutting tool, nunchaku, firearm, shotgun, rifle and any other tool, instrument or implement capable of inflicting serious bodily injury. School administrators may recommend to the Board of School Directors modifications of the expulsion requirement for a student on a case-by-case basis.

2) "Office" shall mean the Office of Safe Schools.

3) "School Property" shall mean any public school grounds, any school sponsored activity or any conveyance providing transportation to a school entity or school sponsored activity.


In addition, the Safe Schools Act also requires each school district, AVTS, IU and Charter school, to develop and enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the appropriate local law-enforcement agency with outlines procedures to be followed when an incident involving an act of violence or possession of a weapon by any person occurs on school property.

Rule 14   POSSESSION OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL FOR PERSONAL CONSUMPTION

A student shall not knowingly possess, use or be under the influence of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, steroid, growth hormone, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, alcoholic beverage or intoxicant of any kind.

Use of a drug authorized by a medical prescription from a registered physician and carried in the container supplied by a pharmacist, shall not be considered a violation of this rule where the supply carried by the student does not exceed the amount necessary for use during that school day.

Rule 15   AGGRAVATED OFFENSES

A student shall not intentionally engage in or attempt to engage in conduct or encourage others to engage in conduct that threatens the health, safety or welfare of any member or members of the school community.

Conduct in violation of this rule shall include, but is not limited to:
(a) deliberate assaults on school personnel where injury results or where a substantial likelihood of serious injury was present, including but not limited to the use of a weapon

(b) sale or distribution of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, steroid, growth hormone, marijuana, alcoholic beverage or intoxicant. Possession of any of the above substances in a quantity inconsistent with the possession for personal use or under circumstances indicating that possession was with the intent to sell or deliver, is subject to the same disciplinary penalties as an actual sale or delivery

(c) arson

(d) rape or involuntarily deviate sexual intercourse

(e) robbery or extortion

(f) assault on another student or school visitor which results in serious bodily injury or involves the use of a weapon

(g) vandalism which results in the damage to or destruction of school property which substantially disrupts or prevents the school from carrying out any of its primary educational responsibilities or programs

(h) retaliation against a school employee for their participation in an investigation or academic or disciplinary proceeding where the students' conduct takes the form of intentional assault, threats of bodily injury or death, harassment conducted either physically or by electronic device, stalking or substantial property damage

APPROVED CORRECTIVE ACTION

A. Principals are required to take the following steps when a student is found in violation of Rule 13.
1. The student must be detained

2. Any incident involving any student 10 years of age or older shall be reported to the police immediately

3. The parents/guardian shall be notified immediately

4. The student shall be suspended

5. An Incident Report shall be filed

6. Recommendation for expulsion will be submitted to the Board for determination


B. The Incident Report filed for incidents involving students found to be in possession of weapons shall indicate:
1. the circumstances of the possession and discovery of the weapon(s)

2. the action of the police in response to the call for their assistance

3. the action taken by the school including contacts with the students' parent/guardian


C. When students are involved in other Level III offenses, the principal/vice-principal may request expulsion

D.In cases involving drug or alcohol abuse, treatment referrals shall also be made

SCOPE OF RULES OF DISCIPLINE

These rules shall apply to any conduct:
(a) on school grounds during the school day or immediately before or after school hours

(b) on school grounds at any other time when the school is being used by a school group

(c) off school grounds at any school activity function or event

(d) traveling to and from school, including actions on any school bus, van or public conveyance

(e) off school grounds when the conduct may reasonably be expected to undermine the proper disciplinary authority of the school or result in disruption within the school

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE

The following information concerns the procedure for documenting and imposing consequences for each child who has difficulty following the class and school code of conduct here at IMANI.

At this educational facility we are determined to maintain our high standard of excellence for students and ourselves. Below is IMANI's disciplinary procedure. Please familiarize yourself with this procedure.

BUS INCIDENTS

If there is an incident on the bus, the bus driver will write the incident on a "Bus Incident" form. The driver will then give the report to the security officer. The incident report will be forwarded to the counselor. She, in turn, disseminates the report and distributes it to either Mallama Macon or Mallam Kwabena. Either administrator will determine the decision regarding the appropriate consequence from the bus.

DETENTIONS

A teacher may give out detentions to any student that they feel warrants such a consequence. However, detentions should not be used inappropriately. There are steps that one should have incorporated before a detention is scheduled. They are as follows:
  • Each teacher must have clearly posted classroom rules, along with rewards and consequences.

  • When a student breaks one of the class rules, first step is to remind the student of the rules

  • If the rule is broken again, the child must deal with the negative consequences of his/her behavior (missing recess, loss of time, no computer, etc.) Remember, it is just as important to identify and reward correct behaviors as well as identify and deal with unacceptable behaviors.

  • If the child continues to misbehave, a phone call home is warranted. The phone call is to solicit the support of the parent/caregiver in modifying the students' behavior through their influence. Please document such phone calls.

  • After these steps, if positive results are not seen, then the teacher should schedule detention(s).

SUSPENSION

Suspension is the act of excluding a child from school for a certain period of time. Because we are an educational facility it is imperative that the reasons for a child being suspended are justified. Therefore, a teacher may recommend a child to be suspended, please do not state that the child will be suspended. The administration of Imani reserves the right to discipline a child accordingly.

Reasons for suspension:
  • Fighting

  • Continual disruptive behavior

  • Showing continual disrespect


As the teacher recommending suspension, there are certain forms that we wish you to implement. Please use the ones in the Main Office area only. Once completed, give the form to the counselor and she will inform the appropriate people (parents, student, administration).

PARENT/CAREGIVER COMPACT

I want my child to succeed. Therefore, I will encourage him/her by doing the following:
1. See that my child is punctual and attends school regularly.

2. Support the school's discipline policy.

3. Parents should send their child each day prepared with books, pens, pencils, notebooks, paper and other necessary learning tools.

4. Parent's are to make sure that child wears clean uniforms every day.

5. Establish a time for, and review homework regularly.

6. Provide a quiet, well-lit place for study.

7. Encourage my child's efforts and be available for questions.

8. Be abreast of what my child is learning.

9. Provide a library card and visits for my child.

10. Read with my child and model reading.

11. Volunteer 1-2 days in my child's classroom per year

PARENT/FACULTY/STAFF CONFERENCES

We encourage communication between home and school and considerate it a vital link in the success of our children. To this end, we will schedule appointments with the parents and caretakers, and we encourage parents and caretakers to do the same.

We would like to advise parents/caretakers that conferences may not be scheduled during instructional time. In order that you may not be kept waiting, please call us first to schedule an appointment with the teacher, principal, or other members of the staff. Our number is (215) 713-9240.

Please remember that upon your arrival at school, you MUST report to the school office first and be given a pass to go to the conference location.

VANDALISM

Children who destroy school property will be dealt with SEVERELY!

In addition to cleaning areas that may be vandalized, children and their parents will be expected to pay for any lost or damaged property. Failure to do so will result in legal charges being filed against the parties.

Please stress upon your children the need to care for the property of others.