STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A right is granted when it is just, moral, or legally proper. It conforms to justice, law or morality and also in accordance with the fact, reason and truth.

On the other hand, responsibility is the state, quality or fact of being responsible. It is related to obligation, the act of binding oneself by a social, legal or moral tie.

Although rights and responsibilities are different, they are very closely related.

Rights:

Students have the right to:

Students have the responsibility for:

be informed of the teacher's grading criteria at the beginning of each grading period.

receive an academic grade that reflects their achievement.

be notified anytime during the grading period when it becomes evident that the student is performing unsatisfactorily in academics, conduct, or effort; or prior to the seventh week of a grading period, if an unanticipated decrease in performance becomes evident in academics, conduct, or effort.

receive a conduct and effort grade in each class consistent with their overall behavior and effort.

achieve academic success based on their own initiative and ability with out interference from others.

asking teachers in advance for a graded assignment, for an explanation of any grading criteria or practice which they may question or which may need clarification.

maintaining reasonable standards of academic performance commensurate with their ability.

making every effort to improve their performance upon receipt of notification of unsatisfactory performance.

conducting themselves in each class in ways that are conducive to the learning process.

earning grades based upon their performance while guarding against cheating by other students.

keeping textbook assigned to them in a proper manner. They assume full responsibility for the maintenance and return of the books.

RULES VIOLATIONS/DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

          VIOLATIONS: 

    

• Vandalism (No graffiti, tagging)

• Leaving the water faucets open (unnecessary).

• Lockers are school property.  Rental of lockers are for the use of the school year. Writing, stickers, or anything that could cause damage to the lockers

• Eating in the classroom

• Chewing gum, or candy

• Using hallway pass without a pass

• Long, dangly earrings may not be worn 

• Rings or studs in other body orifices such as, the nose, fingertips, eyebrows, lip  Only one pair of earring may be worn.

• Make-up, including lipstick, cologne, hair spray, gel and perfume

• Long nails, including artificial nails, loud nail polish  

• Permanent tattoos

• Dying hair with different colors

• Skipping schools/classes

• Use of bad language such as curse words or threats

• Smoking

• Refusal to obey teachers and administrators

• Gambling

• Threatening to hurt another person

• Having or giving out indecent material

• Stealing

• Harassment

• Damaging or destroying property

• Physically hurting another student

• Joining in-school clubs or groups not approved by the School

• Possession of fireworks

• Possession of chemicals compounds like tear gas and mace

• Making someone give you money or things of value that do not belong to you by using force or threats

• Threatening a staff member

• Robbery

• Having and/or using illegal mood modifiers, including alcohol and drugs

• Starting a fire which causes  damage (arson)

• Possession, use, or sale of any firearms or destructive devices

• Possession, use, or sale of any explosive device

• Sexual battery, taking money or property of another by using force or a weapon (armed robbery)

• Confining or holding another person against that person's will (kidnapping or abduction).

• Using any substance which change the way you act, think, and feel

• Threatening to hit or hitting another student with a weapon

• Hitting a staff member

• Having and/or hiding a weapon

• Sex violation

• Bringing mood modifiers, including alcohol, to school to sell or give to other students

• Threatening someone with a firearm, or concealing a firearm, knife, or other deadly weapon (assault)

• Physically hurting someone with a firearm, knife or other weapon (aggravated battery).

• Intentionally hitting a school staff member (battery or aggravated battery on a teacher or other school personnel)

• Taking someone's life (homicide- murder, manslaughter)

• Beepers, wallets with chains, permanent markers, balloons, skateboards, radios, CD players, IPODS cassette players and recorders, laser pointers, video game cartridges and CD's, cellular phones, cameras, electronic pets, and other toys, stink bombs, shaving foam, pepper spray, mace, animals, cards of any type etc. are not permitted in school and will be confiscated.

**STUDENTS WHO CARRY ANY WEAPON, THREATEN PEOPLE WITH DEADLY WEAPONS, MAKE BOMB, THREATS OR FALSE REPORTS OR INJURE A TEACHER OR STAFF MEMBERS WILL BE EXPULSED FROM SCHOOL AND MAY RESULT IN CRIMINAL PENALTIES

**STUDENTS WHO ARE FOUND TO HAVE COMMITTED ANY OF THESE VIOLATIONS WILL BE DISCIPLINED

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

• Teacher / student conference

• Journal note- with student signature.

• Parent conference

• Indoor suspension one period - full day

• After school detention 3:00p.m.-6:00p.m.

• Out school suspension 1-10 days

• Loss of bus privileges

• Probation

• Warning for expulsion

• Recommendation for expulsion

• Expulsion notification

• Referring criminal acts to the local police

• Repaying or replacing any damage, if appropriate

• Student's conduct will be reflected in the conduct grade

• Confiscation of: beepers, wallets with chains, permanent markers, balloons, skateboards, radios, CD players, cassette players and recorders, laser pointers, IPODS, video game cartridges and CD's, cellular phones, cameras, electronic pets, and other toys, stink bombs, shaving foam, pepper spray, mace, animals, cards of any type. These will be returned only to parents. 

• Possession of PERMANENT MARKERS will result in suspension

• Students who have been on indoor or outdoor suspension may face exclusion from field trips and/or team activities

THE PENALTY FOR FIGHTING IS EXPULSION FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED

CAFETERIA RULES

Students, 

• Enter the cafeteria quietly
• Stay in line and await to pick up your lunch.
• You are to remain seated and finish your lunch, unless your have permission from a teacher to do otherwise
• Speak quietly, no yelling and screaming. Excessive talking will result in silent lunch.
• Treat your food with respect. No playing with food. If you happen to make a spill, please, make sure you clean it up immediately.
• At the end of each lunch period, it is the responsibility of each teacher to make sure the students clean all tables, pick up candy wrappers and trash off the floor.
• No microwave lunches! No outside foods!
• No fast food lunches!
• All food must be consumed in the cafeteria. It is prohibited to have any type of food or beverage in the classroom.
• Snacks may be  sold only at lunch time.
• If a child cannot eat some particular food for medical reasons, individual arrangements will be made.
• Teachers will eat lunch with their class.

CODE OF CONDUCT AT LINCOLN-MARTI SCHOOLS

We believe that firm but fair discipline is important. Your child will be expected to comply with school rules and regulations.

Every phase of discipline should help build habits of self-control. When a student learns to discipline himself, he/she tends to be a dependable, reliable, and a cooperative member of his/her class.

CODE OF CONDUCT AT  LINCOLN-MARTI  SCHOOL  PROVIDES DISCIPLINARY GUIDELINES:

•     A major consideration in the application of the Code of Student Conduct is to identify the most appropriate disciplinary action.

•      A variety of administrative actions, dependent upon the severity of the misconduct, are recommended or mandated.

•      Teachers, counselors and administrators try to use progressive discipline .

•     The principal or teacher, or both have the authority to take additional administrative action if, in their opinion , the nature of the misconduct warrants.

•     Differences in age and maturity are recognized in determining the type of disciplinary action to be taken.

•     The code is in force during regular school hours, while students are being transported on a school bus and at school sponsored events , field trips, athletic functions and other activities.

•    Principals are authorized to take administrative action whenever a student's misconduct away from school has a detrimental effect upon other students or the educational process.

•    Several types of disciplinary action exist for improper conduct behavior.

•     Students or parents having problems interpreting the code should address concerns through the school principal.

ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SCHOOL RELATED VIOLENT CRIME

The State Board of Education, in Rule 6A-1.0404, has established a zero tolerance policy on school violence, crime, and the use of weapons as a part of a comprehensive approach to reducing school violence. It is an effort to provide an environment that is drug-free and protects students' health, and safety, and civil rights, responsibility of students and the necessity of involving all stakeholders, including parents, in achieving this goal. This policy requires schools to involve the most severe consequences in dealing with students who engage in violent acts. The principal may withhold the transfer of student records for failure of a parent to reimburse the school for loss, destruction, or unnecessary damage to textbook, the student's records will reflect the parent's refusal to fulfill the obligation. 

Each teacher will have a Discipline Plan utilized in the classroom. With your help and support we will be able to continue to ensure a safe and orderly environment. Student services personnel such as counselors, visiting teachers and psychologist play a vital role in assisting the student in resolving any problems influencing his/her behavior in a negative manner. The Principal, teacher, or both, consistent with the powers delegated to them, have the authority to take additional administrative action if, in their opinion, the nature of the misconduct warrants it.

PARENT- TEACHER CONFERENCES

Conferences between parents and teachers are a critical part of our reporting system.

Individual parent-teacher conferences will be held at least twice during the school year. These conferences are conducted before and after school or at another time specifically agreed upon by you and the counselor. The main office must make arrangements for the conference.

Parents are encouraged to contact the teacher when they feel the need to discuss any phase of their child's progress. Please remember that it is important to prearrange a conference time either by note or telephone so that the teacher will be better prepared to inform and advise you about your child.

This is your school and you are encouraged to visit the classrooms at any time except when we are administering tests. Policy dictates however, that all visitors are to report to the office and will be escorted to the classroom area.

FIELD TRIPS

Only children enrolled in Lincoln-Marti Schools may be transported by bus for field trips. Only students enrolled in the classroom whose teacher is sponsoring the trip may go on the trip.  No sons, daughters, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, etc. of the teacher or chaperones are allowed on the field trip UNLESS they are enrolled in the teacher's classroom. 

All chaperones must have a volunteer application on file, and attend an orientation before accompanying a class on a Field Trip.

Smoking or use of other tobacco products is not allowed on field trips or on school campus by adults or students. 

All students must ride the bus to the field trip destination.  They may not be transported to the destination by parents, guardians, friends, or others.  A student who arrives late to school and misses the field trip bus will remain at school in another teacher's classroom. 

If a parent or guardian of a student wishes to take that student from a field trip destination and the student will not return to school via the school buts, the parent or guardian must so request IN WRITING at least TWO DAYS prior to the field trip.  The request must be signed by the parent or guardian and the destination and of the field trip must be noted in the request. 

HEALTH

Children who are ill should not be in school, not only for their own health, but to eliminate spreading contagious diseases. No child will be allowed to remain in school with any of the following:

• fever
• vomiting
• open uncovered oozing sores
• head lice
• contagious diseases

The school is prohibited from administering medicine without the completion of the appropriate form.

Please notify the school of any chronic illnesses your child may have so that we can provide an instructional program within the framework of his limitations.

The staff is always alert for indications of physical disabilities and can also request additional vision and hearing tests as they feel necessary. Any concerns are referred to the parent with the recommendation that the child be examined by a competent member of the medical profession.

HEADLICE

Head lice in school has become a nationwide problem. The school will check the heads of all children from time to time. No child will be permitted to remain in school with any infestation. Please check your child's head on a regular basis.

MEDICATION 

Administration of any and all medication to children is the responsibility of parents.  Schools are not permitted by law to give medication to a child.  In extreme emergencies, a medication may be given at school if a form is filled out by the parent indicating the nature of the illness, the kind of medication, the time it is to be taken, and the proper dosage. School personnel may not allow a child to take any medication unless this form, available in the school office, is properly and completely filled out. The parent must bring the medication in its original container.