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Code of Conduct

SOUTH VALLEY SCHOOL

CODE OF CONDUCT

Updated July 2025

 

DISTRICT POLICIES

 

South Valley School’s Code of Conduct outlines our expectations related to Jordan School District’s policies regarding Attendance, Discipline of Students, and Student Conduct and Dress.  Although adult students are not required to attend school as mandated by the Utah Compulsory Attendance Law, it is still our responsibility to encourage and help students develop positive attendance habits that enhance their opportunities for future success, as outlined in Jordan School District Policy AA432 - Student Attendance and Teacher Disclosure Statements.   Policy AS67 – Discipline of Students recognizes that student discipline is essential to further the educational process and provide an environment conducive to learning.  It requires that school administrators take appropriate disciplinary action when students engage in activities that disrupt the educational environment, threaten or harm persons or property, or disrupt school activities.  Policy AA419 – Student Conduct and Dress state “Safe, civil, responsible, and respectful conduct is expected of all students at school or a school-sponsored activity.  Significant or repeated disruptions may be disciplined. . . “.  This policy states “Appropriate dress and appearance avoids extremes, exemplifies personal cleanliness, promotes an effective learning environment free of unnecessary disruption(s) and increases school safety, security, and sanitation factors.”  At South Valley, we ask that students dress appropriately for the work they will be doing at school each day, including their job site and community activities.

 

SOUTH VALLEY EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT BEHAVIOR  

 

As we prepare students to be productive citizens and enter the workforce, we ask them to consider our school their workplace; a place to practice the skills and behaviors required to be a successful adult and employee.  While it is okay for students to hold hands while at school, other displays of affection are not allowed.  Classroom Disclosure Statements are shared at the beginning of the school year and outline individual classroom rules, expectations, and possible consequences.  However, these school-wide rules help students achieve success:

  1. Follow directions. . . on the bus, in your class, and at your job site.
  2. Be kind to everyone. Talk nicely, help others, and be positive.
  3. Use electronics appropriately.

As a post-high program with a goal of preparing students to successfully transition into their communities, South Valley School teaches independence and adult behaviors.  We recognize that social connections play an important role in helping students develop a sense of responsibility for themselves and for others.  We want our positive school environment to build a culture of empathy and relationships that can be maintained through collaboration with families and group homes.

 

 

PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES

 

At South Valley School, we encourage students to learn responsible and appropriate use of their electronic devices both in the classroom and within the community. Students are permitted to use their devices under the following circumstances:

  • Communication usage
  • Transportation routes
  • Timers
  • Deescalation
  • Wellness
  • Teacher-directed instruction with the device

Students may use personal electronic and communication devices during school-sponsored activities outside the school day. They are also allowed during passing time, lunch, and on the bus.

Personal Electronic Devices are to be charged at home, not at school.

In cases where students refuse to comply with the expectation by not putting their devices away during instructional time, the following consequences will be enforced:

1st Offense: The device will be stored securely in an administrator's office and can be picked up by the student at the end of the day.

2nd Offense: The device will be placed in an administrator's office and picked up by a parent or guardian at the end of the school day. 

Additional Consequences: Schools may implement further disciplinary actions if deemed necessary.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

 

The following suggestions are to assist school staff and parents in setting clear expectations for student behavior in person, on cell phones, and on social media.  On occasion, students share mean, hurtful, or inappropriate things on social media or through texts.  These messages can be destructive and convey miscommunication, conflict among peers, hurt feelings, and feelings of being left out.  They are often sent in the evening or on weekends.  These suggestions include how we will respond at school and how you might respond if this happens to your student or you find out that your student has initiated such interactions.  We want to ensure that students understand what “appropriate behavior” means. 

  1. Talk with your students and stress the tremendous responsibility they have when they are on social media.  People will often engage in behaviors online that they would never do in person.  Be sure your student understands that the expectations when interacting with someone in person, at home, or at school, are the same when they are on a screen and outside of the school building.
  2. Listen to your students if they share that they have experienced negativity through interactions at school, through texts, or on social media.  Assure them that there are staff at the school who want to know about this and will help. 
  3. Encourage your student to talk to a trusted adult at the school:  their teacher, a teaching assistant in their classroom, the school psychologist, or the principal and assistant principal.  
  4. But, also feel free to call or email the administration, school counselor, our school psychologist, or your student’s teacher if your student has told you about one of these incidents.
  5. Someone from the school will call you if the school becomes aware of your student being involved in one of these situations, either as an instigator or a victim.
  6. Ask students to ignore communication of this nature through texts and social media and to block phone numbers of individuals who text “mean” things.  Please explain that ignoring means no response.  When students have been asked to ignore these types of texts or messages on social media, they often reply by saying, “I did ignore it. I told them it was mean and hurt my feelings”.  Please explain that any response or reaction reinforces the sender and may cause the behavior to continue.
  7. The school will work together with families and caregivers to determine the best response to each individual situation, but wants the message to be that there is no tolerance for this type of behavior at our school.
  8. When possible, we will work with students to restore relationships with each other, learn how their behavior impacts others, and reflect on how they feel, whether they send or receive these messages.

 

DRESS CODE

 

At South Valley School, we are committed to preparing our students for independence and success in the community and work environment. This includes an understanding of appropriate hygiene and attire in both educational and workplace environments. At South Valley, we ask that students dress appropriately for the work they will be doing at school each day, including their job site and community activities.

 

Students are expected to:

--Come to school clean and well-groomed. This is crucial in the work environment and for social interaction.

--Wear appropriate attire for school, community, and workplace. Therefore, the following are not permitted:

  • Bare midriffs
  • Halter tops
  • Tank tops with spaghetti straps
  • Shorts and skirts that are excessively short
  • Offensive or inappropriate graphics

Students in violation of the dress code will be asked to change into appropriate attire. Our goal is to educate our students in making appropriate choices that reflect the standards of our school, community, and workplace.

 

DANGEROUS OR DISRUPTIVE CONDUCT, PHYSICAL AGGRESSION, OR FIGHTING

 

Dangerous or disruptive conduct, physical aggression, or fighting won’t be tolerated at South Valley School.   Students involved in such behavior will be suspended either in school or out of school, depending on the situation, until a parent conference is held.  Consideration of local law enforcement involvement and a written Behavior Intervention Plan will be determined on an individual basis.

 

BUS BEHAVIOR

 

On the bus, students are expected to follow directions, be kind, and use electronic devices appropriately.   Teachers, families, and bus drivers will work together to create and implement a bus behavior plan for any student who isn’t appropriate on the bus.  If necessary, transportation can provide video of incidents that occur on the bus for the administration and teachers to review.

 

DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO

 

Jordan School District Policy AS90 – Illegal Substances.  Although students at South Valley are adults, they are still students in the Jordan School District.  Schools are a public, tax-supported institution and are obligated to maintain and uphold the laws of the community and state.  The Utah State School Law specifically states that it is illegal for high school students to have drugs, alcohol, or tobacco in their possession. 

 

If a student possesses drugs, alcohol, and/or tobacco in the school building, on the school grounds, or at any school activity, he/she will be asked to surrender the material to the school. Parents will be contacted, and appropriate consequences will be administered. In or out of school, suspension can be enforced.  If a student comes to school while under the influence, he/she will be immediately suspended until a parent conference is held.  In any case, the school will work with the student’s family or caregivers to determine the appropriate consequence.