Elementary Code of Conduct

The rules and procedures of the school are designed to allow each student to obtain a safe, orderly and appropriate education.  Students can expect their rights to freedom of expression and association and to fair treatment as long as they respect those rights for their fellow students and the staff.  Students are expected to follow teacher directions and obey all school rules.  Disciplinary procedures are designed to ensure due process (a fair hearing) before a student is removed because of his or her behavior.

Parents have the right to know how their child is succeeding in school and will be provided information on a regular basis, and as needed, when concerns arise.  Many times it will be the responsibility of the student to deliver that information. Parents are encouraged to build a two-way link with their student’s teachers and support staff by informing the staff of suggestions or concerns that may help their child better accomplish his or her educational goals.

The staff expects students to arrive at school prepared to learn.  It is the student’s responsibility to arrive on time and be prepared to participate in the educational program.  If, for some reason, this is not possible, the student should seek help from the school counselor or principal.

A violation of any rule may result in disciplinary action including assigned work; promotion or retention or credit penalties; detention; loss of privileges; written notice to or conference with parents; compensatory payment of damages; out-of-school suspension; in-school monitoring program; expulsion; emergency removal; or referral to Franklin County Children’s Services and/or Juvenile Court and other appropriate agencies.

A student shall not, in any way, aid or abet another student in violating the rules of conduct.  Students behaving in this manner will be disciplined according to the severity and circumstances surrounding the rule being violated.  If the disciplinary action includes an out-of-school suspension, a student is eligible to earn credit for the work missed while on a suspension.  When disciplinary action takes place, all adopted Board of Education due process procedures will be followed.

The following behavioral infractions may lead to disciplinary action: 

Rule 1.  Narcotics, alcoholic beverages, drugs, drug paraphernalia, counterfeit controlled substances, or mood altering chemicals of any kind:  A student shall not buy, sell, attempt to sell, supply, apply, possess, use, transmit, conceal, be under the influence of the aforementioned items, assist and/or facilitate in the sale of the aforementioned items, or otherwise violate regulations “counterfeit controlled substances” or “Substance Misuse.”

“Possession” includes, without limitation, retention on the student person or in purses, wallets, lockers, desks, or automobiles parked on school property.

“Under the Influence” is defined as manifesting signs of chemical misuse, such as restlessness, staggering, odor of chemicals, memory loss, abusive language or behavior, falling asleep in class, or any other behavior not normal for the particular student.

“Mood Altering Chemical” includes, without limitation, narcotics, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, counterfeit controlled substances, marijuana, alcohol, and prescription drugs, non prescription medications which are taken for unauthorized or abusive purposes or in doses above the recommended dosage on the packaging, unless authorized by a medical prescription from a licensed physician and kept in the original container, which shall state the student’s name and the directions for proper use. 

“Instrument or paraphernalia” shall include, but not be limited to, equipment or apparatus designed or used for the purpose of measuring, packaging, distributing, or facilitating the use of drugs, pipes, roach clips, syringes and hypodermic needles, cocaine spoons, rolling papers, and drug kits.

The principal may arrange for a test for blood-alcohol to be conducted on a student whenever she or he has individualized reasonable suspicion to believe that a student has consumed an alcoholic beverage.  The student will be taken to a private administrative or instructional area on school property with at least one other member of the teaching or administrative staff present as a witness to the test.  The purpose of the test is to determine whether or not the student has consumed an alcoholic beverage.  The amount of consumption is not relevant, except where the student may need medical attention.

Rule 2. Disruption to School:  A student shall not by use of violence, force, coercion, threat, noise, passive resistance, false alarm (including fire and bomb threats), or other disorderly conduct cause or attempt to cause material disruption or obstruction to the normal school operations.

Rule 3. Damage to School Property:  A student shall not willfully or maliciously damage or attempt to damage any school property.  This will include buildings, equipment, lockers, signs posted in a building and vehicles. Parent(s), guardian(s), or custodian(s) will be held financially responsible for any property damage by their child under Ohio Revised Code 3109.09 and 2307.70.

Rule 4. Damage to Private Property:  A student shall not damage or attempt to damage private property of another.  Parents, guardians or custodians will be held financially responsible for any property damage by their child under Ohio Revised Code 3109.09 and 2307.70.

Rule 5. Assault and Fighting:  A student shall not knowingly act or behave in such a way as could cause, attempt or threaten physical injury to other students, any school employee, or other persons.

Rule 6. Manifest Disrespect:  A student shall not demonstrate manifest disrespect toward any other individual.  Actions may include verbal or nonverbal disrespect, psychological or material abuse.

Rule 7. Dangerous Weapons and Instruments:  A student shall not possess, handle, transmit, or conceal any weapon, dangerous instrument, explosive device, counterfeit weapon, electronic weapon, chemical/irritants or other hazardous agents, or object which a reasonable person might consider, under the circumstances, capable of harming a person or property, nor shall a student make a bomb threat against school property or a school event (see Weapons in the Schools).

Rule 8. Theft or Possessing Stolen Property:  Students shall respect the personal ownership rights of others.  Principals may exercise their prerogative of reporting thefts, attempted thefts, or possession of stolen property without making an attempt to return same to local police.

Rule 9. Threatening a Person:  Students shall not threaten another person.  Threatening behavior consists of any words or deeds that intimidate or cause fear concerning a person’s physical well being.

Rule 10. Libel or Slander:  No student shall commit libel or slander. Libel is defamation expressed by print, writing, pictures or signs, while slander is defamation by speaking.

Rule 11. Cheating:  A student shall not engage in academic misconduct, including cheating or plagiarism.  Students in violation of this policy will receive a zero for the work in question in addition to other disciplinary procedures that may be imposed.

Rule 12. Felony, Misdemeanor, and Violation of Ordinances:  A student shall not commit any act not listed herein as a violation of the Code of Conduct that constitutes a felony, misdemeanor, or violation of an ordinance.

Rule 13. Repeated or Flagrant Violations of Code of Conduct:  Such violations shall be dealt with in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

Rule 14. Hazing:  A student shall not haze (harass by exacting unnecessary or disagreeable work, ridicule, or playing abusive or humiliating tricks by way of initiation) another student, a school employee or persons that are guests of the school or persons conducting business for the school or otherwise violate the anti-hazing policy.

Rule 15. Use of Obscene Language, Gestures, and Inappropriate Materials:  A student shall not use obscene or vulgar language, gestures, signs or possess inappropriate materials.

Rule 16. Truancy:  Truancy is an unexcused absence from school or class for any part of the school day. Students shall abide by the attendance laws of the State of Ohio and the Dublin City School District’s Attendance Policy unless excused by the building principal.

Rule 17. Tardiness:  Students shall arrive at school and for each of their assigned classes at the properly scheduled time and shall not violate the attendance regulations, attendance policy, class truancy, class tardiness, or tardiness to school.

Rule 18. Tobacco and Similar Substances:  Students shall not possess, buy, sell, distribute, smoke, burn, or otherwise use any substance containing tobacco or a cigarette or cigar containing clove or any other substance, including look-alike devices.

Rule 19. Forgery and Falsification:  A student shall not falsely represent or attempt to falsely represent any information given to school officials or pertinent to school activities or use the name or identity of another person.

Rule 20. Conduct on Buses:  A student shall not violate bus regulations.

Rule 21. Public Display of Affection:  A student shall not engage in inappropriate public displays of affection.

Rule 22. Dress:  A student shall not violate the dress code.

Rule 23. Gambling:  A student shall not engage in any form of gambling.

Rule 24. Insubordination:  A student shall not be insubordinate or fail to comply with the reasonable directions of members of the school staff.

Rule 25. Harassment:  A student shall not harass, intimidate, disparage, incite, provoke, stalk or threaten any individual on school premises or otherwise disrupt the school environment.  For this purpose, harassment or intimidation includes: slurs; profanity; written information; denigrating remarks or actions; obscene gestures; the wearing or display of insignia, signs, buttons, clothing, or apparel; or other verbal or physical conduct including, but not limited to, those based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, handicap, age or sex that have the purpose or the effect of (1) causing or intending to cause any other student or school employee to be reasonably placed in fear of his or her personal safety; (2) causing or intending to cause an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment or (3) causing or intending to cause material disruption of the educational process; (4) unreasonably interfering with a student’s curricular, co-curricular or extracurricular performance; or (5) otherwise unreasonably having an impact upon a student’s educational opportunities (see Harassment).

Rule 26. General Misconduct:  The Code of Conduct shall apply to conduct not specifically set forth herein which substantially and materially disrupts or interferes with the good order, discipline, operation, academic or educational process taking place in the school.

Rule 27. Violation of Technology Policies:  A student shall not violate the technology policies.

Rule 28. Unauthorized Use of Fire/Possession of Fire Starting Device:  A student shall not be in possession of matches, lighters, etc. while on school grounds.

Rule 29. Loitering, Trespassing, or Unauthorized Entry:  Students shall not be willfully present in a school building, locker room, restricted area of the school building or any part of the school grounds at an unauthorized time or without specific permission from a staff member.  Students shall not attempt to enter a locker, classroom, closed and/or restricted area without proper authorization.

These conduct codes apply to all school premises, to all phases of school operations, including but not limited to curricular and extracurricular activities, while being transported on a school bus or authorized transportation and at any school-sponsored activity, and to any other circumstance such that the conduct in question has an effect of disrupting school operations or otherwise depriving any student of educational interests or opportunities.  Furthermore, students may be disciplined for misconduct that occurs off of property owned or controlled by the district or school but that is connected to activities or incidents that have occurred on property owned or controlled by that district or school and for misconduct regardless of where it occurs that is directed at a district or school official or employee, or the property of such official or employee.

Search of a student and his or her possessions may be conducted at any time the student is under the jurisdiction of the Board of Education if there is reasonable suspicion that the student is in violation of law or school rules. A search may also be conducted to protect the safety of others.

The Board of Education prohibits students from bringing to school, possessing, storing, making, or using a weapon, including a concealed weapon, in a school safety zone and any setting that is under the control and supervision of the Board for the purpose of school activities approved and authorized by the Board including, but not limited to, property leased, owned, or contracted for by the Board, a school-sponsored event, or in a Board-owned vehicle.  The Board also prohibits the making of a bomb threat against any school property or school event.

The term “weapon” means any object which, in the manner in which it is used, is intended to be used, or is represented, is capable of inflicting serious bodily harm or property damage, as well as endangering the health and safety of persons.  Weapons include, but are not limited to, firearms, or air and gas-powered guns (whether loaded or unloaded), knives, razors, clubs, electric weapons (Taser and/or stun gun), metallic knuckles, martial arts weapons, ammunition, chemical irritants and other hazardous agents, explosives or any object indistinguishable from the above or that is held forth as a weapon.  “Bomb threat” means to make a false report or indication of the, incendiary, or other device capable of causing property destruction or human injury.  Policy exceptions include:

1. Weapons under the control of law enforcement or school security personnel, or under the control of others in strictly controlled cases specifically authorized in writing by the Board;

2. Items pre-approved by school administrators as part of a class or individual presentation under adult supervision, if used for the purpose and in the manner approved in appropriate settings or relevant sporting events.  This exception does not apply to working firearms, ammunition or ordinance.  It does apply to items indistinguishable from weapons, such as starter pistols, theatrical props and some sport equipment.

Before bringing any item to school or to an event that might violate this policy, students are strongly encouraged to ask a school administrator to rule on whether or not the item is covered by this policy.  Therefore, any item brought or possessed that was not cleared with administration may be judged under this policy under a broad definition of “weapon,” based on the administration’s commitment to student and staff safety.

Students shall report any information concerning weapons and/or threats of violence by students, staff members, or visitors to the building principal.  Failure to report such information may subject the student to disciplinary action.

This policy shall be implemented through the Code of Conduct/Student Discipline Code, Policy 5610, and Policy 5610.01, and through administrative guidelines.

The Superintendent is authorized to establish instructional programs on the weapons and the requirement that students immediately report knowledge of weapons and threats of violence by students and/or staff to the building principal.  Failure to report such knowledge may subject the student to discipline.

The Superintendent will refer any student who violates this policy to the student’s parents or guardians and may refer the student to the criminal justice or juvenile delinquency system.  The student may also be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion. In the case of a violation involving firearms brought to or possessed in school, federal and Ohio law makes a referral for 1-year mandatory expulsion.  Additionally, under federal law, bringing a firearm to school makes referral to law enforcement mandatory.

If a student’s presence poses a continuous danger to persons or property or an ongoing threat of disrupting the academic process, then the Superintendent, Principal or Assistant Principal may remove the student from curricular or extracurricular activities or from the school premises.

A teacher may remove the student from curricular or extracurricular activities under his/her supervision.  If a teacher makes an emergency removal, reasons will be submitted to the Principal, in writing, as soon after the removal as is practicable.

In all cases of normal disciplinary procedures where a student is removed from a curricular or extracurricular activity for a period of less than twenty-four (24) hours and is not subject to suspension or expulsion, the requirements of notice and a hearing do not apply.

If the emergency removal exceeds twenty-four (24) hours, then a due process hearing shall be held.  Written notice of the hearing and the reason for removal in any intended disciplinary action of suspension or expulsion shall be given to the student as soon as is practicable prior to the hearing.  The hearing shall be held in accordance with suspension or expulsion provisions, whichever is applicable, except that the hearing shall be held within seventy-two (72) hours after the removal is ordered.

The person who ordered or requested the removal will be present at the hearing.  If the Superintendent or Principal reinstates a student to the hearing for emergency removal, the teacher shall, upon request, be given the reasons for the reinstatement in writing.  A teacher cannot refuse reinstatement of a student.

Under the condition of an emergency removal, a student can be restricted from attending class until the matter of the student’s misconduct is disposed of either by reinstatement, suspension, expulsion or other disciplinary action.

In cases where it is alleged that federal, state or local laws have been violated, the Principal will, to the extent permitted by law, refer the matter to the proper authorities in addition to imposing school disciplinary measures.

The use of physical restraint

Professional staff members and support staff determined appropriate by the Superintendent are permitted to physically restrain and/or seclude a student, but only when there is immediate risk of physical harm to the student and/or others, there is no other safe and effective intervention possible, and the physical restraint or seclusion is used in a manner that is age and developmentally appropriate and protects the safety of all children and adults at school. All restraint and seclusion shall only be done in accordance with Board Policy, which is based on the standards adopted by the State Board of Education regarding the use of student restraint and seclusion.

Students with disabilities will be entitled to the rights and procedures afforded by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

[Please check the website, www.dublinschools.net, for any possible revisions to this administrative guideline made during the school year.]

Definitions of Terms:

"Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying" means any intentional written, verbal, graphic, electronic, or physical act that a student or group of students exhibited toward another particular student more than once and the behavior both:

1. Causes mental oor physical harm to the other student; and

2. is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for the other student.

"Harassment, Intimidating, or Bullying" also means cyberbullying through electronically transmitted acts i.e., Internet, cell phone, personal digital assistance (PDA), or wireless hand-held device that a student has exhibited toward another particular student more than once and the behavior both:

1. causes mental or physical harm to the other student/school personnel; and

2. is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for the other student.

"Harassment, Intimidating, or Bullying" also includes violence within a dating relationship.

In evaluating whether conduct constitutes harassment, intimidation, or bullying, special attention should be paid to the words chosen or the actions taken, whether such conduct occurred in front of others or was communicated to others, how the perpetrator interacted with the victim, and the motivation, either admitted or appropriately inferred.

A school-sponsored activity shall mean any activity conducted on or off school property (including school buses and other school-related vehicles) that is sponsored, recognized, or authorized by the Board of Education.

"Electronic act" means an act committed through the use of a cellular telephone, computer, smart watches, personal communication device, or other electronic communication device.

Types of Conduct

Harassment, intimidation, or bullying can include many different behaviors including overt intent to ridicule, humiliate, or intimidate another student. Examples of conduct that could constitute prohibited behaviors include:

1. physical violence and/or attcakes;

2. threats, taunts, and intimidation through words and.or gestures;

3. extortion, damage, or stealing of money and/or possessions;

4. exclusion form the peer group or spreading rumors;

5. repetitive and hostile bahavior with the intent to harm others through the use of information and communication technologies and other web’based/on-line sites (also known as “cyber-bullying”), such as the following

   1. posting aslurs on websites where students congregate or on web logs (personal on-line journals or diaries);

   2. sending abusive or threatening instant messages;

   3. using camera phones to take embarrassing photographs of students and posting them on-line/or otherwise distributing them;

   4. using websites to circulate gossip and rumors to other students, and;

   5. excluding others from an online group by falsely reporting them for inappropriate language to Internet Service Providers.

5. violence within a dating relationship

The following procedures shall be used for reporting, investigating, and resolving complaints of aggressive behavior and/or bullying.

Complaint Procedures

Building principals, assistant principals, and the Superintendent have the responsibility for conducting investigations concerning claims of aggressive behavior and/or bullying. The investigator(s) shall be a neutral party having had no involvement in the complaint presented.

Any student, employee or third party who has knowledge of conduct in violation of Policy 5517.01 or feels s/he has been a victim of aggressive behavior and/or bullying in violation of Policy 5517.01 is encouraged to immediately report his/her concerns.

Teachers and other school staff, who witness acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying, as defined above, shall promptly notify the building principal and/or his/her designee of the event observed, and shall promptly file a written incident report concerning the events witnessed. Teachers and other school staff who receive student or parent reports of suspected harassment, intimidation, and bullying shall promptly notify the building principal and/or his/her designee of such report(s). If the report is a formal, written complaint, such complaint shall be forwarded promptly (no later than the next school day) to the building principal or his/her designee. If the report is an informal complaint by a student that is received by a teacher or other professional employee, s/he shall prepare a written report of the informal complaint which shall be promptly forwarded (no later than the next school day) to the building principal or his/her designee.

In addition to addressing both informal and formal complaints, school personnel are encouraged to address the issue of harassment, intimidation, or bullying in other interactions with students. School personnel may find opportunities to educate students about harassment, intimidation, and bullying and help eliminate such prohibited behaviors through class discussions, counseling, and reinforcement of socially appropriate behavior. School personnel should intervene promptly whenever they observe student conduct that has the purpose or effect of ridiculing, humiliating, or intimidating another student even if such conduct does not meet the formal definition of "harassment, intimidation, or bullying."

All complaints will be promptly investigated in accordance with the following procedures:

1. Any complaints, allegations, or rumors of aggressive behavior and/or bullying shall be presented to the building principal or assistant principal or the Superintendent. Students may also report their concerns to teachers or counselors who will be responsible for notifying the appropriate administrator or Board of Education official. Complaints against the building principal shall be  filed with the Superintendent. Complaints against the Superintendent shall be filed with the Board President. Information may be initially presented anonymously. All such information will be reduced to writing and should include the specific nature of the offense (e.g., the person(s) involved, number of times and places of the alleged conduct, the target of the suspected aggressive behavior and/or bullying, and the names of any potential witnesses). If the person filing the formal complaint is an adult, s/he must sign the charge affirming its veracity. If the person filing the formal complaint is a minor, s/he may either sign the charge or affirm its veracity before two (2) administrators.

2. The administrator/Board official receiving the complaint shall promptly investigate. Parents will be notified of the nature of any complaint involving their student. The administrator/Board official will arrange such meetings as may be necessary with all concerned parties within five (5) work days after receipt of the information or complaint. The parties will have an opportunity to submit evidence and a list of witnesses. All findings related to the complaint will be reduced to writing. The administrator/Board official conducting the investigation shall notify the complainant and parents as appropriate when the investigation is concluded and a decision regarding disciplinary action, as warranted, is determined.

A copy of the notification letter or the date and details of notification to the complainant, together with any other documentation related to the incident, including disciplinary action taken or recommended, shall be forwarded to the Superintendent

3. If the complainant is not satisfied with the decision at Step II, s/he may submit a written appeal to  the Superintendent or designee. Such appeal must be filed within ten (10) work days after receipt of the Step II decision. The Superintendent or designee will arrange such meetings with the complainant and other affected parties as deemed necessary to review and discuss the appeal. The Superintendent or designee shall provide a written decision to the complainant’s appeal within ten (10) work days of the appeal being filed.

If the complainant is not satisfied with the decision at Step III, a written appeal may be filed with the Board. Such appeal must be filed within ten (10) work days after receipt of the Step III decision. The Board shall, within twenty (20) work days, conduct a hearing at which time the  complainant shall be given an opportunity to present the complaint. The Board shall provide a written decision to the complainant within ten (10) work days following completion of the hearing.

Documentation related to the incident, other than any discipline imposed or remedial action taken, will be maintained in a file separate from the student’s education records or the employee’s personnel file.

Publication of the Prohibition Against Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying

At least once each year, a written statement describing the policy and the consequences for violations of the policy shall be sent to each student’s custodial parent/guardian. The prohibition against harassment, intimidation, or bullying shall be publicized in student handbooks and in District publications that set forth comprehensive rules, procedures and standards of conduct for students. Information regarding the policy shall be incorporated into employee training materials. The following statement shall be included:

Harassment, intimidation, or bullying behavior by any student in the Dublin City School District is strictly prohibited, and such conduct may result in disciplinary action, including suspension and/or expulsion from school. "Harassment, intimidation, or bullying", in accordance with R.C. 3313.666 means any intentional written, verbal, graphic or physical act including electronically transmitted acts i.e., Internet, cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), or wireless hand-held device, either overt or covert, by a student or group of students toward other students, including violence within a dating relationship, with the intent to harass, intimidate, injure, threaten, ridicule, or humiliate. Such behaviors are prohibited on or immediately adjacent to school grounds, at any school-sponsored activity, on school provided transportation, or at any official school bus stop that a reasonable person under the circumstances should know will have the effect of:

1. Causing mental or physical harm to the other students including placing an individual in reasonable fear of physical harm and/or damaging of students’ personal property; and

2. Is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for the other students.

Retaliation/False Charges

Retaliation against any person who reports, is thought to have reported, files a complaint, or otherwise participates in an investigation or inquiry related to a complaint of aggressive behavior and/or bullying is prohibited. Such retaliation shall be considered a serious violation of Board policy and independent of whether a complaint is substantiated and may result in disciplinary action. This may include suspension or up to expulsion for students, up to discharge for employees, exclusion for parents, guests, volunteers, and contractors, and removal from any official position and/or a request to resign for Board members. Individuals may also be referred to law enforcement officials. False charges shall also be regarded as a serious offense and will result in disciplinary action or other appropriate sanctions. Suspected retaliation should be reported in the same manner as aggressive behavior and/or bullying.

Remedial Actions

Verified acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying shall result in an intervention by the building principal or his/her designee that is intended to provide that the prohibition against harassment, intimidation, or bullying behavior is enforced, with the goal that any such prohibited behavior will cease.

Harassment, intimidation, and bullying behavior can take many forms and can vary dramatically in seriousness and impact on the targeted individual and other students. Accordingly, there is no one prescribed response to verified acts of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. While conduct that rises to the level of "harassment, intimidation, or bullying," as defined above will generally warrant disciplinary action against the perpetrator of such prohibited behaviors whether or to what extent to impose disciplinary action (detention, in and out-of-school suspension, or expulsion) is a matter for the professional discretion of the building principal. The following sets forth possible interventions for building principals to enforce the Board’s prohibition against "harassment, intimidation, or bullying."

Non-Disciplinary Interventions

When verified acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying are identified early and/or when such verified acts do not reasonably require a disciplinary response, students may be counseled as to the definition of harassment, intimidation, or bullying, its prohibition, and their duty to avoid any conduct that could be considered harassing, intimidating, or bullying.

If a complaint arises out of conflict between students or groups of students, peer mediation may be considered. Special care, however, is warranted in referring such cases to peer mediation. A power imbalance may make the process intimidating for the victim and therefore inappropriate. The victim’s communication and assertiveness skills may be low and could be further eroded by fear resulting from past intimidation and fear of future intimidation. In such cases, the victim should be given additional support. Alternatively, peer mediation may be deemed inappropriate to address the concern.

Disciplinary Interventions

When acts of harassment, intimidation, and bullying are verified and a disciplinary response is warranted, students are subject to the full range of disciplinary consequences. Anonymous complaints that are not otherwise verified, however, shall not be the basis for disciplinary action.

In and out-of-school suspension may be imposed only after informing the accused perpetrator of the reasons for the proposed suspension and giving him/her an opportunity to explain the situation.

Expulsion may be imposed in accordance with Board policy. This consequence shall be reserved for serious incidents of harassment, intimidation, or bullying and/or when past interventions have not been successful in eliminating prohibited behaviors.

Reporting Obligations

If after investigation, acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying by a specific student are verified, the principal shall notify, in writing the custodial parent/guardian of the perpetrator of that finding. If disciplinary consequences are imposed against such student, a description of such discipline shall be included in the notification.

If after investigation, acts of bullying against a specific student are verified, the Principal shall notify in writing the custodial parent/guardian of the victim of such finding. In providing such notification, care shall be taken to respect the statutory privacy rights of the perpetrator of such harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

Semiannually, the Superintendent shall provide the Board President a written summary of all reported incidents of harassment, intimidation, or bullying and post the summary on the District website.

Intervention Strategies

In addition to the prompt investigation of complaints of harassment, intimidation, or bullying and direct intervention when such prohibited acts are verified, other District actions may ameliorate any potential problem with harassment, intimidation or bullying in school or at school-sponsored activities. While no specific action is required and school needs for such interventions may vary from time-to-time, the following list of potential intervention strategies shall serve as a resource for administrators and school personnel:

1. Respectful responses to harassment, intimidation or bullying concerns raised by students, parents, or school personnel.

2. Planned professional development programs addressing targeted individuals’ problem, including what is safe and acceptable Internet use.

3. Data collection to document victim problems to determine the nature and scope of the problem.

4. Use of peers to help ameliorate the plight of victims and include them in group activities.

5. Avoidance of sex-role stereotyping (e.g., males need to be strong and tough).

6. Awareness and involvement on the part of all school personnel and parents with regard to victim problems.

7. An attitude that promotes communication, friendship, assertiveness skills and character education.

8. Modeling by school personnel of positive, respectful, and supportive behavior toward students.

9. Creating a school atmosphere of team spirit and collaboration that promotes appropriate social behavior by students in support of others (Ohio School Climate Guidelines).

10. Employing classroom strategies that instruct students how to work together in a collaborative and supportive atmosphere.

11. Form harassment, intimidation, and bullying task forces, programs, and other initiatives involving volunteers, parents, law enforcement, and community members.

Intervention Strategies for Protecting Victims

1. Supervise and discipline offending students fairly and consistently.

2. Provide adult supervision during recess, lunch time, bathroom breaks, and in the hallways during times of transition.

3. Maintain contact with parents and guardians of all involved parties.

4. Assist the victims to obtain counseling if assessment indicates that it is needed.

5. Inform school personnel of the incident and instruct them to monitor the victim and the offending party for indications of harassing, intimidating, and bullying behavior. Personnel are to intervene when prohibited behaviors are witnessed.

6. Check with the victim daily to verify that there has been no incidents of harassment, intimidation, bullying, or retaliation from the offender or other parties

Training

Orientation sessions for students shall introduce the elements of this policy and procedure. Students will be provided with age-appropriate information on the recognition and prevention of harassment, intimidation, or bullying, including dating violence prevention education in grades 7-12, written or verbal discussion of the consequences for violations of Policy 5517.01, and their rights and responsibilities under this and other District policies, procedures, and rules, at student orientation sessions and on other appropriate occasions. Parents will be provided with information about this policy and procedure, as well as information about other District and school rules and disciplinary policies. This policy and procedure shall be reproduced in student, staff, volunteer, and parent handbooks.

Information regarding the policy on harassment, intimidation, and bullying behaviors shall be incorporated into training materials used with employees and volunteers with direct contact with students. The in-service education provided to middle and high school employees shall include training in the prevention of dating violence. Time spent by school employees in the training, workshops, or courses shall apply toward any State or District-mandated continuing education requirements.

School personnel members are encouraged to address the issue of harassment, intimidation, and bullying in other interaction with students. School personnel may find opportunities to educate students about bullying and help eliminate bullying behavior through class discussions, counseling, and reinforcement of socially appropriate behavior. School personnel should intervene promptly whenever they observe student conduct that has the purpose or effect of ridiculing, humiliating, or intimidating another student, even if such conduct does not meet the formal definition of "harassment, intimidation, or bullying."

Police and Child Protective Services

Allegations of criminal misconduct and suspected child abuse will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency and/or to Child Protective Services (CPS), according to the prescribed timelines. The School District shall also investigate for the purpose of determining whether there has been a violation of District Policy, even if law enforcement or CPS officials are also investigating. All School District personnel shall cooperate with investigations by outside agencies.

In addition to, or instead of, filing a bullying, harassment, or intimidation complaint through this policy, a complainant may choose to exercise other options, including but not limited to filing a complaint with outside agencies or filing a private lawsuit. Nothing prohibits a complainant from seeking redress under other provisions of the Revised Code or law that may apply.

(End of AG 5517.01)

All rules listed below are taken from the bus regulations developed by the Ohio Department of Education in cooperation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  We believe these rules will help ensure a safe and orderly environment on each bus for all students.

Students riding Dublin City Schools buses shall:

1. Always obey and cooperate with the bus driver promptly and respectfully.

2. Observe the Dublin City Schools Student Code of Conduct on the bus.

3. Turn in a completed medical emergency card to the bus driver within three (3) days after receiving it.   

4. Arrive at the bus stop 5 to 10 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.  Buses are on a time schedule and will not return for late students before or after school.

5. Not behave at the bus stop in a manner, which may threaten life, limb or property of any individual.  When getting on or off the bus, students must cross the street or highway only when the driver has signaled that the way is clear.  Students must remain visible to the driver at all times.

6. Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop and the door to open before leaving the Designated Place of Safety to get on the bus or before getting up from a seat to get off the bus.    

7. Go directly to an available or assigned seat - do not stand.  Students may not change seats without the driver’s permission. 

8. Remain seated, keeping aisles and exits clear at all times.  

9. Not put any part of the body out of a bus window.  Please do not open or close the windows on the bus without the driver’s permission.

10. Talk quietly at all times.  At railroad crossings there is to be no talking.

11. Not use profane language.

12. Not eat, drink, spit, or litter on the bus.

13. Not throw or pass objects on, from or into the bus.

14. Carry on the bus only objects that can be held in their laps.

15. Not bring animals, dangerous materials, or objects onto the bus.

16. Not damage the bus in any way.  If you damage the bus, you will be responsible to pay to have the bus repaired.  Report to the driver any damage you find.

17. Ride their regularly assigned bus and leave or board the bus at locations, which they have been assigned unless each student has parental and administrative authorization to do otherwise.

18. Not use electronic equipment, such as radios, cell phones, smart watches, tablets, or other PCDs, unless permitted to do so by the bus driver.  In no case will the use of any electronic device be permitted that creates a distraction for the bus driver.  

Dublin City Schools Bus Discipline Referral Procedure

As stated in Rule 20 of the Code of Conduct, “A student shall not violate bus regulations.”  There is a Bus Discipline Referral Procedure in place, which includes a variety of interventions and documentation by the bus driver.  Normally, interventions include driver-to-student and driver-to-parent contact; if there is no resolution, the Discipline Referral Report is handed over to the building principal.  

Penalties for Infractions 

A student who misbehaves on the bus shall be disciplined in accordance with the Student Discipline Code and may lose the privilege of riding on the bus. The following are the steps that will be followed in the case of repeated behavior infractions. Steps may be skipped depending on the severity of the incident.

Driver Interventions - Driver to student, Driver to parent

1st Bus Discipline Referral - Warning from Administration

2nd Bus Discipline Referral - Administrative Intervention

3rd Bus Discipline Referral - 3-day bus suspension

4th Bus Discipline Referral - 5-day bus suspension

5th Bus Discipline Referral - 10-day bus suspension

More than 5 Referrals - Repeat 10-day bus suspension, possible recommendation to

Superintendent for permanent removal from the bus

Alternative Transportation Guidelines

A signed waiver is required if there are any adjustments in the normal pick up or drop-off location of a student.  A temporary change may be requested in writing and sent directly to the school at least two days in advance.  A long-term adjustment requires a Transportation Form with a minimum 2-week notice. Requested changes are contingent upon availability of space on the bus.

Videotapes on School Buses 

The Board of Education has installed video cameras on school buses to monitor student behavior.  If a student misbehaves on a bus and his/her actions have been recorded on video, the tape will be submitted to the Principal and may be used as evidence of misbehavior.