LOCAL CODES OF CONDUCT

“With input from educators, administrators, parents, students, and community members, each school board shall adopt a district-wide student code of conduct consistent with the statewide standards for student behavior developed under section 254, subsection 11. The student code of conduct must:

•  Define unacceptable student behavior;

•  Establish standards of student responsibility for behavior;

•  Prescribe consequences for violation of the student code of conduct, including first-time violations, when appropriate;

•  Describe appropriate procedures for referring students in need of special services to those services;

•  Establish criteria to determine when further assessment of a current individual education plan is necessary, based on removal of the student from class;

•  Establish policies and procedures concerning the removal of disruptive or violent students from a classroom or a school bus, as well as student disciplinary and placement decisions, when appropriate; and

•  Establish guidelines and criteria concerning the appropriate circumstances when the superintendent or the superintendent's designee may provide information to the local police or other appropriate law enforcement authorities regarding an offense that involves violence committed by any person on school grounds or other school property.

The school board is responsible for ensuring that school officials inform students, parents, and community members of the student code of conduct.”

Maine Statutes, Title 20-A, § 1001 (15): Adoption of student code of conduct (enacted Public Law 1999, Chapter 351)

NOTE: This “Code of Conduct” is for informational purposes only and changes may be made at any time without prior notice.

MSAD #56 CODE OF CONDUCT

The MSAD #56 Code of Conduct is the district's specific response to requirements of Maine Statutes, Title 20-A, Section 1001 (15); enacted Public Law 1999, Chapter 351. This code is expected to be consistent with statewide standards for student behavior developed under Section 254, subsection 11. The purpose of this code is to define appropriate and inappropriate student behavior; consequences for violations of this code; establish a criteria to determine when further assessment of a current individual education plan is necessary, based on removal of the student from class; establish policies and procedures for removing disruptive or violent students from a classroom or bus, as well as student disciplinary and placement decisions; and establish guidelines and criteria concerning the appropriate circumstances when the superintendent or designee may provide information to the police or other appropriate law enforcement authorities regarding an offense that involves violence committed by any person on school grounds or other school property. This code accomplishes each of these items and goes further, using existing district policy as a guide to lay the foundation for providing all students with a safe and equitable education.

FILE: ADAA

SCHOOL SYSTEM COMMITMENT TO STANDARDS

FOR ETHICAL AND RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR

The Board of Directors seeks to create and maintain a school climate in which ethical and responsible behavior can flourish. The Board believes that instilling a sense of ethics and responsibility in students requires setting positive expectations for student behavior as well as establishing disciplinary consequences for behavior that violates Board policy or school rules. Further, the Board believes that in order to teach ethical and responsible behavior, adults who interact with students must strive to model and reinforce ethical and responsible behavior. To that end, the Board supports an active partnership between schools, school staffs, and parents.

LEGAL REFERENCE: 20-A MRSA §§ 254, 1001(15)

ADOPTED: July 9, 2002

STANDARDS FOR BEHAVIOR

CORE VALUES

The centerpiece of the MSAD #56 Code of Conduct is its core values, developed cooperatively with representatives of the entire district and community.

To that end, while Public Law 1999, Chapter 351, only requires delineating standards of student responsibility for behavior, we believe that all stakeholders in the district must strive to model each of the values and indicators while avoiding negative indicators.

Please keep in mind that the indicators are examples of what each core value does and does not look like. No list is exhaustive. However, taken together, these core values should provide guidance to all district employees, students, parents, and others who have cause to be involved in the educational process in MSAD #56 on how to maintain a positive learning climate in our schools.

MSAD #56 CORE VALUES

RESPECT : I will treat others as I myself wish to be treated.

Does :

•  tolerate differences in other people

•  listen attentively

•  honor other people's property, rights, and feelings

•  honor other people's personal space

Does Not :

•  interrupt

•  intentionally cause physical or emotional harm

•  initiate or repeat negative information (rumors/gossip) about other people

HONESTY : I will tell the truth and do the right thing.

Does :

•  take ownership for my own actions

•  give credit to other people for their ideas

•  try to speak constructively with people with whom you have a problem or seek help in doing so

Does Not :

•  cheat, lie, or steal

• FAIRNESS : I will treat every person in a way that is equal for others in similar circumstances.

Does :

•  try to understand and work well with others

•  listen and consider both sides of an issue

•  try to include others at an appropriate level

Does Not :

•  show favoritism (versus legitimately granting earned privileges)

•  judge others

•  exclude others without just cause

COMPASSION : I will attempt to understand how and why others feel the way they do while treating them with kindness and consideration.

Does :

•  lend a helping hand to those in need

•  sacrifice my own needs when appropriate

•  regard other people's feelings

Does Not :

•  put down or take advantage of those who are vulnerable or perceived as different

•  tease or taunt

•  manipulate or use aggression

COURAGE : I will look inside myself instead of at the crowd in order to make honorable choices.

Does :

•  stand up for vulnerable people who are being victimized

•  sacrifice my reputation in order to do the right thing

•  try without a guarantee of success

•  act outside my comfort zone in order to make ethical choices

•  seek help when someone is in danger or trouble, even if it costs me a friend or popularity

•  go against an accepted rule or social practice in order to correct an injustice

Does Not :

•  commit a hurtful or dangerous action in order to be popular, impress others, or as a so-called “joke”

RESPONSIBILITY : I will follow through on my commitments and work for the betterment of my community and myself.

Does :

•  try to the best of my ability to complete assigned tasks

•  keep my promises

Does Not :

•  make excuses or blame others for my decisions and actions

•  evade the consequences of my actions

UNACCEPTABLE STUDENT BEHAVIOR

Article 2: Define unacceptable student behavior. Prescribe consequences for violation of the student code of conduct, including first-time violations, when appropriate.

Unacceptable behavior is set out in separate procedural K – 5 and 6 – 12 behavioral expectations along with school board policies. Violations of these policies and procedures can result in consequences ranging from issued warnings to expulsion to notification of appropriate authorities. The following documents should be closely considered in order to avoid such violations and to understand the seriousness of various actions and offenses.

Page last updated on March 20, 2008



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