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Code of Conduct

SOUTH VALLEY SCHOOL

CODE OF CONDUCT

 

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 which disrupt the educational environment, threaten or harm persons or property, or disrupt school activities.  Policy AA419 – Student Conduct and Dress states “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 work force, we ask them to consider our school their work place; 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 to themselves and to 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.

 

 

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

 

In accordance with District Policy AA419 – Student Conduct, Dress, and Appearance, B. Student Conduct and Positive Behavioral Expectations, d. Digital Citizenship, our expectation for students using electronic devices is that students be safe, positive, courteous and responsible and that they not let any device disrupt the educational process.  Cell phones are not to be used by students during class times, assemblies, or instructional activities unless the teacher gives permission.  Students who have their phone out during these times without permission may have their phones removed from them by staff until the end of the school day.  Multiple infractions may cause a student to lose the privilege of carrying a cell phone at school.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

 

The following suggestions are to assist school staff and parents to set 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 feeling left out.  They are often sent in the evening or on weekends.  These suggestions includes 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 student 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 student 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.
  4. But, also feel free to call or email the principal, our school psychologist or your student’s teacher if your student has told you about one of these incidences.
  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 want 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.

 

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 can be suspended from school 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 incidences that occur on the bus for the principal and teacher 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 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 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.  If there are repeated violations, the student may be suspended until a parent conference is held.  If a student is found with alcohol or drugs in his/her possession on school grounds, or 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.