Rochester School District

STUDENT HANDBOOK

The Rochester School District shall provide equal opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the academic and activities program without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, previous arrest (unless a clear and present danger exists), or incarceration or non-program related physical, sensory or mental handicaps.

Furthermore, the district shall provide equal opportunity and treatment for all applicants and staff in recruitment, hiring, retention, assignment, transfer, promotion and training. Such equal employment opportunity shall be provided without discrimination with respect to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, marital status or non job-related physical, sensory or mental handicaps, except insofar as such factors are valid occupational qualifications.

Those who feel that they have been discriminated against should contact the 2006-07 District Title IX Compliance Officer, or the Section 504/ADA Coordinator listed below:

Trisa Dixon, Title IX
Rochester School District
P. O. Box 457
Rochester, WA 98579

Lynn Kuennen, Section 504/ADA
Rochester School District
P. O. Box 457
Rochester, WA 98579

 

Statement of Belief

Each student has the right to a free education. The district provides the best learning opportunities possible within the resources available. In addition to a full instructional program, those opportunities include a wide range of student activities to stimulate the athletic, artistic and creative skills of students.

In exchange for these opportunities, both students and their parents assume substantial responsibilities. In order to preserve an orderly and safe learning environment, students must abide by the reasonable rules and instructions of staff. Corrective action shall be fairly and moderately meted out primarily to modify behavior rather than to punish students. Parents are encouraged to inquire about the successes and problems of their children and to reinforce their learning at home by showing an active interest in their children's development.

Parents and educators are partners in children's education. To that end both must strive to provide for the physical, social and mental well-being of all students.

Rights and Responsibilities

Federal and state laws and rules, and interpretations thereof have been observed in the development of school district policies dealing with student's rights and responsibilities. The statements included are consistent with those policies. In the event that a policy is inconsistent with a statement, district policies will prevail.

The enforcement of rules promulgated by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association and like organizations that govern the participation of students in interschool activities, and appeals in connection therewith, shall be governed by rules of the organization that have been adopted pursuant to RCW 28A.600.200 and approved by the State Board of Education - - not by these rules.

I. Student Rights

Freedom from Discrimination

No student shall be unlawfully denied an equal opportunity or be unlawfully discriminated against because of national origin, race, religion, economic status, sex, pregnancy, marital status, previous arrest (unless a clear and present danger exists), previous incarceration, or nonprogram related physical, mental or sensory handicap.

Married students have the same responsibilities and rights as unmarried students including the right to participate in any extra-curricular activities. A student shall not be excluded from attendance in the regular school program solely on the grounds of pregnancy. A pregnant student may be required to produce a physician's statement as to the condition of her health relative to her continued presence in the regular school program. If the statement indicates that the pregnant student's health and physical well-being mandates her withdrawal from regular school attendance, the district will offer an alternative educational program.

Freedom of Expression

Students shall enjoy the privilege of free verbal and written expression providing such expression does not disrupt the operation of the school.

For purposes of verbal and written expression, the following guidelines are in effect:

  1. Distribution of written materials or presentation of an oral speech in an assembly or classroom setting may be restricted.
  2. Distribution of written material or presentation of an oral speech which are construed to be obscene shall not be permitted.
  3. Libelous material or speech shall be prohibited.
  4. Material will be considered profane when the language does not meet the standards of professional journalism as evidenced by the daily newspapers commonly distributed in the district. Sanctions will be imposed on a student when he/she engages in offensively "lewd and indecent speech."
  5. A publication may not violate a person's right of privacy of an individual by publicly exposing private details of such person's life, the exposure of which would be offensive and objectionable to a reasonable person.
  6. A publication or oral speech which criticizes school officials or advocates violation of school rules may be prohibited when there is evidence which supports a forecast that substantial disruption of school may develop.
  7. A publication or oral speech which advocates racial, religious, sexual, ethnic prejudice, discrimination, or seriously disparages particular racial, religious, or ethnic groups is prohibited.
  8. A student shall have the right to dress and groom as he/she pleases except where damage to school property will result; a health or safety hazard is present; substantial and material disruption or destruction to the educational process occurs; or, when such dress or grooming impinges on the right of others. A material and substantial disruption of the educational process may be found to exist when a student's conduct is inconsistent with any part of the educational mission of the school district. Prohibited apparel or conduct includes the use of obscene, sexual, drug or alcohol-related messages, gang-like or gang-related apparel/behavior.

Distribution of materials

A nonschool publication and other materials may be distributed on school premises by a student provided that such materials and/or their distribution are not likely to be disruptive or libelous, or are not obscene. Printed matter shall identify the name of the group and its chairman who is responsible for the contents. The principal will announce the time, place and manner in which such materials may be distributed.

Assembly

A student possesses the constitutional right to peaceably assemble and to petition the government and its representatives for a redress or grievance subject to reasonable limitations upon the time, place, and manner of exercising such rights. Students have the right to peaceful assembly in school rooms, common areas or school grounds at convenient hours that do not conflict with school functions or require staff on duty beyond the regular hours. Such assembly shall be conducted in an orderly manner and not interfere with the educational process or impede the free movement of traffic in any way.

Privacy

A student possesses the constitutional right to be secure in his/her person, papers and personal effects (e.g., purse, book bags) against unreasonable search and seizure. A search may be justified when there are reasonable grounds for suspicion that the search will provide evidence that the student has violated or is violating the law or rules of the school.

A school official may search a student, a student's locker or a student's automobile and may seize any illegal, unauthorized or contraband materials discovered in a search. Such illegal, unauthorized or contraband materials generally cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment or present a threat to the health and safety of students, employees, or visitors on the school premises. Items of contraband may include but are not limited to illegal chemical substances, and opiates, (and related apparatus), alcohol, tobacco, weapons or weapon facsimiles, explosives, poisons, and stolen property.

The school district has a reasonable and valid interest in ensuring that the lockers are properly maintained, since school lockers, desks and storage areas remain the property of the district at all times. No right nor expectation of privacy exists for any student as to the use of any locker issued or assigned to a student. A locker may be searched in accordance with district policy.

Students are permitted to park in the school parking lot as a matter of privilege, not of right. The interior of a student's automobile on the school premises may be searched if the school authority has reasonable suspicion to believe that illegal, unauthorized or contraband items are contained inside.

Miranda Rights -- Law Enforcement

Law enforcement or child protective services representatives may be allowed by the building administrator to interview students in school. The building principal/designee shall inform students that they have the right to decline to be interviewed or to remain silent during such interviews..

Majority Age

Students of majority age shall enjoy parental rights regarding issues related to their educational program.

II. Student Responsibilities

Respect for the Law and the Rights of Others

The student is responsible as a citizen to observe the laws of the United States, the State of Washington, and/or its subdivisions. While in the school, the student shall respect the rights of others. Students who involve themselves in criminal acts on school property, off-school property at school-supervised events, or off school property--and which acts have a detrimental effect upon the maintenance and operation of the schools of the district--are subject to disciplinary or corrective action by the school and prosecution under the law.

Compliance with Rules

Students shall comply with all rules adopted by the district. Failure to do so shall be cause for corrective action. The rules shall be enforced by school officials:

  1. on school grounds during and immediately before or immediately after school hours,
  2. on the school grounds at any other time when the school is being used by a school group(s),
  3. off school grounds at a school activity, function, or event,
  4. or off school grounds if the actions of the student materially or substantially affect the educational process.

Alteration of Records and Cheating

Alteration of records: A student who falsifies, alters, destroys a school record or any communication between home and school shall be subject to corrective action.

Cheating: Any student who knowingly submits work of others represented as his/her own shall be considered to have cheated and shall be subject to corrective action. Cheating also includes the aiding and abetting of cheating by others.

Attendance

Excused absences: The following are valid excuses for absences and tardiness. Assignments and activities not completed as a result of an excused absence or tardiness may be made up in the manner provided by the teacher.

  1. Participation in school-approved activity. To be excused, this absence must be authorized by a staff member. The affected teacher must be notified prior to the absence unless it is clearly impossible to do so.
  2. Absence due to illness, health condition, family emergency or religious purposes. When possible, the parent is expected to notify the school office on the morning of the absence and send a signed note of explanation with the student upon his/her return to school. A parent may request that a student be excused from attending school in observance of a religious holiday.
  3. Absence for parental-approved activities. This category of absence may be counted as excused for purposes agreed upon in advance by the principal and the parent. An absence may not be approved if it causes a serious adverse effect on the student's educational progress. In participation-type classes (e.g., certain music and physical education classes), the student may not achieve the objectives of the unit of instruction as a result of absence from class. In such a case, a parent-approved absence would have an adverse effect on the student's educational progress which would ultimately be reflected in the grade for such a course.
  4. Absence resulting from disciplinary actions or short-term suspension. As required by law, a student who is removed from a class or classes as a disciplinary measure or a student who has been placed on a short-term suspension shall have the right to make up assignments or exams missed during the time he/she was denied entry to the classroom if the effect of the missed assignments shall result in a substantial lowering of the course grade.

Unexcused Absences: The following procedures will be instituted when a student's absence is unexcused.

  1. Each unexcused absence shall be followed by a warning letter or phone call to the parent of the student. Each notice shall be written in English or in the primary language of the parent. A student's grade shall not be affected if no graded activity is missed during such an absence.
  2. When a student evidences repeated unexcused absences, a conference shall be held between the parent, student and principal. At such a conference the principal, student and parent shall consider:
    • adjusting the student's program;
    • providing more individualized instruction;
    • preparing the student for employment with specific vocational experience or both;
    • transferring the student to another school;
    • assisting the student to obtain supplementary services that might eliminate or ameliorate the causes of absence;
    • or imposing other corrective actions that are deemed to be appropriate.
  3. When a student fails to bring a written excuse from his/her parent or guardian, the unexcused absence shall be designated as truancy. In such an instance, the situation will be handled as in section two (above). If the above action fails to correct the truancy problem, the student shall be declared a habitual truant. The principal shall interview the student and his/her family and prescribe corrective action which may include suspension for the current semester, expulsion and referral to juvenile court.
Alcohol, Chemical Substances and Tobacco Products

A student shall not knowingly possess, use, transmit, be under the influence of, or show evidence of having used any alcoholic beverage, illegal chemical substance or opiate, or tobacco product. When district officials have reason to believe a student is under the influence of alcohol, the student may be allowed to take a breathalyzer test to establish his/her sobriety.

Disruptive Conduct

A student shall not intentionally cause the substantial and material disruption of any school operations. The following illustrate the kinds of offenses that are prohibited and will result in corrective action:

  1. Occupying a school building or school grounds in order to deprive others of its use;
  2. Blocking the entrance or exit of any school building or room in order to deprive others of passing through;
  3. Setting fire to or substantially damaging school property;
  4. Using, or threatening to use, firearms, explosives or other weapons on the school premises.
  5. Preventing students from attending a class or school activity;
  6. Blocking normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic on a school campus;
  7. Interfering seriously with the conduct of any class or activity;
  8. Gambling or encouraging other students to gamble;
  9. Gang-like or gang- related behavior; and
  10. Harassment of any form including but not limited to racial, sexual, physical, religious or disability.
Damage or Theft of Property

A student shall not intentionally or with gross carelessness damage school or private property. A student shall not steal school property or the private property of another student or staff.

Extortion, Assault or Causing Physical Injury

A student shall not extort anything of value, threaten injury or attempt to cause physical injury or intentionally behave in such a way as could reasonably be expected to cause physical injury to any person.

Leaving Campus During School Hours

A student shall not leave the school campus during the school day unless excused by the school office.

Loitering

A student shall be expected to leave the school campus at the official close of the school day unless permission to do otherwise has been granted. Students shall not loiter in the parking lot before, during or after school.

Personal Property

The school is not responsible for any loss or damage to any personal clothing or equipment that is left on school premises after the close of a school day. The school cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to personal property.

Vulgar or Lewd Conduct

Any lewd, indecent or obscene act or expression is prohibited.

Weapons and Dangerous Instruments

A student shall not possess or transmit any object that can reasonably be considered a firearm, firearm facsimile, air gun or a dangerous weapon/instrument. Mace, pepper spray or similar products are considered to be dangerous instruments and are prohibited.

 

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