Ajo School District
Ajo Arizona

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Student/Parent Handbook

STUDENT CONDUCT AND BEHAVIOR

Expectations for Student Behavior

The Right to Learn

It is our goal to have all people in Ajo School District treated with dignity and respect at all times.

We believe that all individuals have a right to an education and that all students are capable of learning if given an environment free from disruptive or inappropriate behavior.

Freedom of Speech

Students are entitled to verbally express their personal opinions. Such expression shall be respectful and shall not interfere with the freedom of others to express themselves. The uses of obscenities or personal attacks are prohibited.

Disorderly Conduct

Students will be subject to disciplinary action when the student engages in conduct that causes public inconvenience, annoyance, alarm or is injurious to self others.

Prior Misconduct

Occasions of prior misconduct where a student has previously received discipline can be considered in subsequent student disciplinary proceedings to justify additional disciplinary consequences where it is established.

The following behaviors are unacceptable:

Fighting or engaging in violent behavior
Verbal threats or intimidation
Harassment (Verbal, Physical, Emotional, Sexual)
Bullying (Including Cyber-Bullying, Verbal, Physical, Emotional, Cultural, & Sexual)
Unreasonable noise
Obstruction of vehicular or pedestrian traffic
Insubordination and failing to comply with the lawful directions of a teacher, school administrator, or other school employee responsible for student performance.
Behavior that imposes on the rights of students to learn and the rights of teachers to teach.
Public display of affection, petting, necking, kissing, or overly passionate embraces.
Obscenity or profane gestures
Leaving class or school without permission
Initiation and hazing on or off of school grounds
Extortion
Gambling
Aggravated assault
Trafficking in stolen property
Unauthorized activities
Arson
Theft

We believe this philosophy will influence the conduct of students in a positive manner.

Search and Seizure

School officials may search students and their personal property, including that property or facility provided by the school. Property may be seized which is deemed injurious or detrimental to the safety and welfare of the students and staff, is a disruption to the learning environment, or if school officials have reasonable cause to believe that an illegal act or a violation of school rules and regulations is being committed or is about to be committed.

Interrogations

It is the responsibility of the school administration to act on behalf of parents in their absence with respect to interrogations by law enforcement officials. A parent may, or a school administrator will be present during these interrogations, except when a child protective services worker conducts interviews.

School Assemblies

Assemblies are planned for the enrichment, motivational, and instructional opportunities they provide to us as a whole school community. Students are required to attend all assemblies. Students may sit where they wish until student behavior prohibits it.

Student Dress and Appearance

Students are expected to wear clothing that is appropriate for school as set forth below. If a student does not follow the guidelines set forth below he/she will be sent home to change and time missed from class will be considered un-excused.

Examples of inappropriate clothing are found below:

Bare feet.
Clothing which allows visibility of undergarments.
Half shirts/blouses exposing midriff
Skirts, dresses and shorts must extend to the tips of the fingers or beyond with shoulders squared.
Halter and tube tops, spaghetti strap dresses/tops.
Baggy tank tops without a shirt underneath.
Any garment that features or represents alcohol or tobacco products, gang affiliation, inappropriate language, a sexual message, or drugs and paraphernalia associated with their use.
Jewelry that can be a safety hazard to self or others
Spandex type clothing as outer wear.
Tanks tops or sleeveless blouses that expose underwear and/or have a shoulder strap measuring less than one inch in width.
Revealing clothes of any nature.
Blouses without full backs.
Shirts unbuttoned.
Hats/Hoods in classrooms.
Bandanas of any type.

We believe in treating others, as we would like to be treated.

Activating a False Alarm

Any student activating a fire alarm for other than the intended purpose will result in suspension. Additionally, the student will be referred to the Sheriff's department and the local fire department.

Alcohol/Drug Use

Consumption, possession, or being under the influence of any alcoholic product or possessing, using, supplying or being under the influence of any paraphernalia, lighters, and/or substance classified as narcotics, dangerous drugs, marijuana, or other intoxicants on or about the school premises or at any school sponsored activity will result in suspension and referral to the Sheriff's department.

Tobacco

Ajo School is a tobacco-free environment. Possession or use of tobacco or tobacco products, on or near the school grounds or while attending school-sponsored events/activities is prohibited for everyone. Students violating the tobacco-free environment shall be disciplined.

Cheating, Lying, and Plagiarism

Ajo School supports an environment that teaches and encourages honesty and integrity. Cheating is unacceptable. Lying is unacceptable. Plagiarism is unacceptable. Students involved in cheating, lying, or plagiarizing on assignments/tests in a given class will be disciplined under the following guidelines: Further, any appearance of impropriety, cheating etc., will be treated as cheating.

Cheating
FIRST TIME:	Failure or zero on the assignment/test. An opportunity may be provided to redo or retake the assignment/test at the teacher's discretion. Parents will be contacted by the Teacher.
SECOND TIME:	Failure or zero on the assignment/test. No opportunity will be provided to redo or retake the assignment/test. Administrative conference will be held with parents.
THIRD TIME:	An "F" grade will be awarded for the course.

Students stealing tests from staff will be suspended from school and receive a zero on the test and/or may fail the course.

Forgery

Forgery of notes to obtain excused absences or tardies will result in suspension until a parent conference is held. Forgery of any school document or any grade altering will result in suspension and referral to an administrator.

Weapons

Firearms and other instruments that may be used as a weapon are prohibited on campus. If students violate this rule, they are committing a felony and will be subject to expulsion from the Ajo Unified School District as well as being referred for criminal prosecution. Weapons include but are not limited to knives, firearms, explosives, or any other instrument that may be used as weapons.

Skateboards, Rollerblades, Bicycles, and Scooters

These recreational items may be used for transportation to and from school but are not to be ridden on campus at any time. Students who violate this regulation may have their skateboard, roller blades, etc. confiscated by school personnel. Confiscated items will be returned to a parent/guardian.

Electronic Devices, Radios, Walkmans, Tape/CD Players, Cellular Phones

Electronic devices including but not limited to: radios, walkmans, tape/CD players, cellular telephones, Ipods, MP3 players and zunes are not to be used in the Ajo USD classrooms. These devices are disruptive to the educational process. Students who violate this regulation will have their devices confiscated by school personnel. Confiscated items will be returned to a parent/guardian. Repeat offenders may lose the item(s) for the remainder of the school year. Ajo School District will not be held responsible for the care or storage of any confiscated items. Ajo School District will not be held responsible for any damage, loss, or theft of any personal item.

Ajo USD bans using a cell phone or other personal communication device to send text or e-mail messages or possessing text or e-mail messages containing images reasonably interpreted as indecent or sexually suggestive while at school or at a school-related function. In addition to any disciplinary action, phones will be confiscated and students should be aware that any images suspected to violate criminal laws will be referred to law enforcement authorities. Owner of cell phone may be subject to arrest for violation of child pornography laws if the student in the photo is a minor.

Lunch Time

Students may eat in the cafeteria or outside the buildings; the tables under the trees and between the buildings are for student use. They are expected to eat in an orderly fashion and exhibit appropriate manners. Students are responsible for keeping the cafeteria and outside areas clean by disposing of refuse in the garbage cans. Food and beverages other than water are prohibited in the classrooms.

Leaving campus for lunch is a privilege, and not a right. Students that do not display a modicum of respect for community property and neighborhoods will be denied further privileges for open-campus lunch. Students will also be denied open-campus lunch privileges for recurring tardiness during 7th period. Students who return with consumable products will be subject to disciplinary action if they do not dispose of waste materials appropriately. If this becomes a problem no soda, chips, or food of any kind will be allowed to be consumed anywhere but in the cafeteria.

We believe that each of us is important to make all of us successful.

Vehicles

Students who have a valid driver's license may drive automobiles or motorized vehicles to school. Students with vehicles are expected to abide by the rules and regulations governing the use of such vehicles while the student is under the direction of the school.

Permission to drive and park on campus is a privilege, which may be revoked for violation of school regulations.

The following rules must be observed:

Student parking is at the north end of campus, in the Gymnasium parking lot only.
All vehicles must be legally parked.
All vehicles must obey the 5-mph speed limit on campus
Any student observed to be driving in a hazardous or reckless manner will be subject to immediate loss of driving privileges.
Students with driving privileges may not let students who are not allowed off campus in their vehicles.
Areas reserved for visitors and school personnel shall be honored.

We believe in honoring diversity.

School Buses, Activity Buses and School Trips

Students riding school buses for any reason will conform to rules consistent to established standards for classroom behavior. Students who do not conduct themselves properly will be denied the privilege of riding on school buses or special activity buses. Students may request to return to Ajo from a school-sponsored activity with their parents or other adults. The parent/guardian must sign a release form prior to leaving for the activity. Release waivers are available in the office. A copy of the release must be given to the adult in charge of the activity.

Arrival and Dismissal of Students

Kindergarten: Classes begin at 8:10 a.m. Adult supervision will begin at 7:30 a.m. Students are not allowed on the playground before 7:30 a.m. If a child is to be a "walker", the parent must accompany the child to and from school for one week and teach the child the appropriate safety rules. The child will not be allowed to walk home alone during that first week of school.

Kindergarten students who ride the bus will always be required to return home on the bus at the close of the kindergarten session unless the parent sends a note to the teacher or calls the elementary office. The note should state who will come for the student. Parents who come for their children are expected to be at school promptly at 2:45 p.m.
All students are expected to return home (or other place designated by parents) immediately following the close of the school day, unless the teacher has requested that the child stay for individual help, which has been approved by the parent. If a student needs to remain after school to work with a teacher, the teacher will call home for permission. Students must be under the supervision of a teacher while on the school grounds.

Attendance

Our students' success in life depends on having a solid educational background - one that can only be gained through regular school attendance. Being late for school hurts a student's learning. A student who is 10 minutes late every day will miss 30 hours of instruction during the year.

Students can copy notes or make up an assignment, but they can never get back: the discussions, the questions, the explanations by the teacher and the thinking that makes learning come alive.

Schools are responsible for teaching, but Ajo School can not do its job if you are absent. Learning builds day by day. A student who misses a day of school misses a day of learning.

Unexcused Absence - Any absence, which has not been excused by a parent or legal guardian and appropriate school official, is a violation of State Law.

Tardiness - Arriving late to class or school is unacceptable.

(Elementary and Middle School) Tardiness in grades Kindergarten through Eighth (K-8) will follow the Elementary and Middle School Classroom Disciplinary Procedures. Multiple occurrences within a three (3) week period will fall under step three to contact parents/guardian and/or a follow-up Parent/Teacher conference.

(High School) Three tardy occurrences in the same classroom will equal 1 Detention. Multiple occurrences within a three (3) week period will fall under step three to contact parents/guardian and/or a follow-up Parent/Teacher conference.

School Buses, Activity Buses and School Trips

Campus Visitors

Students may NOT bring visitors to campus during the school day. If an Ajo school student feels that they would like to host a visitor, they must receive permission from an administrator. Visitor passes will only be given for valid, significant instructional purposes and will be restricted to the appropriate time period. If visitors are enrolled in another school and their school is currently in session, the request will be denied. Arrangement must be made at least 24 hours in advance. No same day request will be honored. If non-students are on campus without permission, they may be charged with criminal trespass.

Parents are always welcome to the campus. For the safety of our students we require all visitors to check into the office and receive a Visitor Pass. The pass must be worn at all times while on campus.

We believe that it is the right of individuals to gain knowledge and develop understanding about themselves and their relationships to others. We also affirm the individual's need to love and be loved. We base our educational philosophy upon these rights and needs and on our commitment to pervasive caring and high student achievement.

Internet Use

Acceptable use of the electronic information services requires that the use of the resources be in accordance with the following guidelines and support educational goals of the Ajo Unified School District.

The user must:

Use the computer systems for educational purposes only.
Agree not to submit, publish, display, or retrieve/download or install any executable program, inappropriate material, including material that is defamatory, abusive, obscene, profane, gang related, sexually threatening, racially offensive, or illegal.
Not attempt to harm, modify, or gain unauthorized access to district systems or data, destroy software, or interfere with the security system.
Notify a system administrator if a password is lost or stolen, or if there is reason to believe that someone has obtained unauthorized access to the system.
Not use the network in any way that would disrupt the use of the network by others.
Understand that e-mail on networks should be considered secure or private
Not reveal home addresses or personal phone numbers over the computer system.
Not use the computer to make any unauthorized purchases or to conduct any non-approved business.
Abide by all copyright regulations, thereby refraining from copying copyrighted software.
Log out when finished.
Follow all District Policies and Student Handbooks as written.

The use of computing resources in the Ajo Unified School District is a privilege, not a right. Any action by a user specifically designated in the document or determined by a system administrator to constitute an inappropriate use of a computer system or network is subject to consequences.

Depending on the seriousness of the user's offence, consequences will be administered as stipulated in the AUSD handbook, AUSD Student Discipline Code, and/or District Policies. Users will also be subject to applicable laws.

Students and Parents/Guardians must affirm agreement of the Ajo Schools Computer Use Policy:

I understand and will abide by the above terms and conditions of this acceptable use policy and will use computer and electronic resources for curricular purposes only. I further understand that any violation of this agreement is unethical and may constitute a criminal offense and may result in civil liability to me and my parents or guardians, if I am under age 18. Shall I commit any violation, I am subject to consequences of the school and district disciplinary code and of state and federal law.

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