The Student Code of Conduct applies to all students attending school in the Vineland School School District including the following circumstances:
- while on any school grounds;
- while going to or coming from any school;
- during the lunch period, whether on or off the school campus; and
- during, going to, or coming from a school-sponsored activity.
Where appropriate, disciplinary actions should be progressive; where a student’s first violation will usually merit a consequence of a lesser degree than subsequent violations, taking into account all factors relevant to the severity of the current violation. Except where specified by Education Code Section 48900.5, a student may be suspended only when there has been a determination that other means of correction have failed to bring about proper conduct or that the student’s presence causes a danger to persons. At the principal’s discretion, a student with documented discipline problems not requiring expulsion may be removed from the remainder of an optional educational program. Before a removal occurs, the parent will receive a written notice and an opportunity to be heard in front of the principal or principal’s designee.
When students behave inappropriately, administrators, faculty, staff shall determine the appropriate level of response (consequences, interventions, and supports) needed to assist the student in bringing about appropriate behavior. Consequences, interventions, and supports shall be applied in a logical, appropriate, fair, and consistent manner. When choosing a response administrators, faculty, staff should consider the following factors:
- Age, health, maturation and disability or special education status of the student
- Student’s prior conduct and record of behavior
- Student’s understanding of the impact of their behavior
- Student’s willingness to repair the harm caused by their behavior
- Seriousness of the behavior offense and the degree of harm caused
- Impact of the incident on overall school community
- Whether the student’s violation threatened the safety of any student or staff member
- The likelihood that a lesser intervention or consequence would adequately address the violation