Student Code of Conduct

To function properly, education must provide an equal learning opportunity for all students by recognizing, valuing, and addressing the individual needs of every student. In addition to the regular curriculum, principles and practices of good citizenship must also be taught and modeled by school staff. This includes an appreciation for the rights of others. Harmony Public Schools is committed to helping every student fulfill his or her intellectual, social, physical, and emotional potential. To foster an orderly and distraction-free environment, Harmony Public Schools has established this Student Code of Conduct (“the Code”). The Code outlines prohibited behaviors and consequences for such behavior. Harmony Public Schools has the responsibility and authority to enforce the Code, question students, counsel them, and assign discipline when appropriate.

The Code does not define all types and aspects of student behavior. The Board of Directors and the Superintendent may establish written policies, rules, and regulations of general application governing student conduct in all schools. In addition, each Principal, within his or her own school, may establish certain rules and regulations not inconsistent with those established by the Board and the Superintendent.

Any conduct that causes or creates a reasonable likelihood that it will cause a substantial disruption in or material interference with any school function, activity, or purpose, or that interferes or creates a reasonable likelihood that it will interfere with the health, safety, or well-being or the rights of other students is prohibited.

A teacher may send a student to the Principal’s office to maintain effective discipline in the classroom. In addition, a teacher may remove from class a student:

• 1. Who has been documented by the teacher to repeatedly interfere with the teacher’s ability to communicate effectively with the students in the class or with the ability of the student’s classmates to learn; or
• 2. Whose behavior the teacher determines is so unruly, disruptive, or abusive that it seriously interferes with the teacher’s ability to communicate effectively with the students in the class or with the ability of the student’s classmates to learn.
• 3. The Board of Directors has authorized detention, in-school and out-of-school suspension, and expulsion as methods of disciplining students. The Board of Directors has also given authority to the Superintendent or designee to use any of these disciplinary actions, which in his or her judgment, is appropriate for the violation.

When students participate in student activities, they will also be expected to follow the guidelines and constitutions that further specify the organization’s expectations, student behavior and consequences.

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Jurisdiction

Harmony Public Schools has disciplinary authority over a student:

• 1. During the regular school day and while the student is going to and from school on school transportation;
• 2. During lunch periods in which a student is allowed to leave campus;
• 3. While the student is attending any school-related activity, regardless of time or location;
• 4. For any school-related misconduct, regardless of time or location;
• 5. For any expulsion offense committed while on Harmony Public Schools’ property or while attending a school-sponsored or school-related activity of Harmony Public Schools or another school in Texas;
• 6. For any expulsion offense committed away from Harmony Public Schools property and not at a school-sponsored or school-related event, if the misconduct creates a substantial disruption to the educational environment;
• 7. While the student is in transit to or from school or to or from school-related activities or events;
• 8. When retaliation against a school employee or volunteer occurs or is threatened, regardless of time or location;
• 9. When the student commits a felony, including those provided by Texas Education Code §§ 37.006 or 37.0081, regardless of time or location; and
• 10. When criminal mischief is committed on or off Harmony Public Schools’ property or at a school-related event.

Note

In addition to disciplinary consequences, misdemeanor and felony offenses committed on campus or while attending school-sponsored or school-related activities will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

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Standards for Student Conduct

Classroom Rules

Students shall:

• Be in the assigned seat and ready to work before the tardy bell rings.
• Bring pencils, pens, paper, books and all assigned materials to class.
• Not disrupt classroom activities.
• Follow instructions and directives immediately.
• Not chew gum, bring food, or drink in the building, except in designated food service areas.
• Raise their hand until recognized before speaking. Stand to speak once recognized (excluding normal class discussions). Not leave class without permission. Any student leaving class must have a hall pass.
• Demonstrate courtesy at all times.
• Behave in a responsible manner, always exercising self-discipline and control.
• Attend all classes, regularly and on time.

School-Wide Rules

Students shall:

• Demonstrate courtesy at all times.
• Behave in a responsible manner, always exercising self-discipline and control.
• Attend all classes, regularly and on time.

• Be prepared for each class.
• Follow dress code requirements
• Obey all campus and classroom rules.
• Respect the rights of others, including property and school facilities.
• Cooperate with and assist school personnel, including volunteers, in maintaining safety, order and discipline.
• Adhere to all requirements of the Code of conduct.
• Show high standards of behavior to create a positive and welcoming school atmosphere.

Responsibilities of Parents

Parents are expected to:

• Serve as a model for students by showing respect for themselves, students, teachers, other parents, and school staff.
• Ensure their student’s compliance with school attendance requirements, promptly report, and explain absences and tardies to the school;
• Assist their student in being properly attired;
• Take an active interest in the overall school program; Communicate regularly with the school concerning their student’s conduct and progress;
• Discuss report cards and work assignments with their student;
• Bring to the attention of school authorities any problem or condition which affects their student;
• Maintain up-to-date home, work, and emergency telephone numbers at the school;
• Cooperate with school administrators and teachers in their efforts to achieve and maintain a quality school system;
• Respond promptly when notified by campus to pick up student due to medical or disciplinary problems.
• Respond promptly when notified of student disciplinary matters

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Reinforcement Points

Harmony Public Schools has implemented a Reinforcement Point System in which students are given “Reinforcement Points” for small infractions. Reinforcement Points are to be utilized as a warning system by the teachers in the classroom, cafeteria and hallways for small infractions. Parents will be notified when a Reinforcement Point is assigned. Each unwanted behavior is equivalent to 1 Reinforcement Point and will correspond to a certain consequence. The campus administration will assign 15 minutes of after school, lunch, community service or Saturday detention for each three Reinforcement Points. A point will be canceled if a student does not receive any points for 10 consecutive school days.

The Reinforcement Point System will be used for Pre-K through 12th grade students.

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Positive Behavior Reinforcement System

Harmony Public Schools has adopted a system to recognize and celebrate behavior that is tied to Character Education. Each school will determine 5-character traits/core values of their own. Teachers and administrators may recognize each positive. The recognition and incentives will be adopted by the School Principal.

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Multi-tiered Systems of Support of Behavior

Harmony Public Schools strives to give all students a quality education. Our staff will foster a positive student-centered learning environment where each student receives the behavior support needed to be successful. Once the student enrolls, he or she is automatically considered a tier 1 student, which means he or she will receive quality, research-based classroom management.

During the first marking period, the teacher will identify students who show behavior difficulty. The teacher will provide differentiated classroom techniques for struggling students and monitor students’ progress. Specifically, the teacher may color code the learners based on data such as but not limited to: written warning, student discipline referrals, parent requests, medical information, attendance/ tardy record, informal/formal observations, et cetera and so forth. Behavioral disabilities can manifest at any age and the Behavior Response to Intervention (BRtI) process should not be withheld due to the student being young in age. Students may also be placed in a tier by the request of the parent, teacher, or administrator.

In the BRtI process all student behavior will be supported at a specified level. Furthermore, a student is more than the identified tier or level. At no point in the process would we encourage an adult or staff member to merely refer to the student solely by his or her label. This is a support process to help the student to become successful. We do not want the student to internalize any negative messages.

The Administration will lead the school-wide BRtI and observe the classroom to ensure proper school-wide behavior expectations are taking place in alignment with the RTI process.

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Parent Code of Conduct

At Harmony Public Schools, we strive to maintain a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment for all students, staff, and parents. To ensure a positive school culture and uphold the values of our community, we have established the following Parent Code of Conduct:

1. Use of Profanity, Aggression, and Inappropriate Behavior:

Parents are expected to communicate with school staff, students, and other parents in a respectful and courteous manner. The use of profanity, aggressive behavior, or any other form of inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated.

2. Phone/Electronic Devices Policy:

Parents are requested to refrain from using their phones or electronic devices in a manner that disrupts school activities or interactions. This includes using phones during meetings, events, or interactions with school staff or other parents.

3. Yelling and Hostility in Front of Students:

Parents are expected to model positive behavior for students at all times. Yelling or displaying hostility toward school staff, students, or other parents in front of students is unacceptable and undermines our school's values of respect and civility.

4. Appropriate Dress on Campus:

Parents are encouraged to dress in a manner that is appropriate for a school setting when visiting the campus or attending school events. Clothing that is excessively revealing, offensive, or disruptive to the learning environment is not permitted.

5. Dismissal Cutoff Time:

Parents are required to adhere to the designated dismissal cutoff time for pick-up/drop-off procedures. Failure to arrive on time may disrupt the dismissal process and cause inconvenience to other parents and students.

6. Reading Emails:

Parents are expected to regularly check and read school-related emails to stay informed about important updates, events, and announcements. Ignorance of communication sent via email is not an excuse for non-compliance with school policies and expectations.

7. Vape Policy:

Vaping or the use of any tobacco or nicotine products is strictly prohibited on school grounds, including by parents. Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action and/or legal consequences.

Consequences of Non-Compliance:

Violation of the Parent Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to verbal warnings, written warnings, and restrictions on access to school premises. Severe or repeated violations may result in further disciplinary measures, including the involvement of law enforcement authorities if necessary. action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student; (3) materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of a classroom or the school; or (4) infringes on the rights of the victim at school. Bullying also includes “cyberbullying,” which means bullying that is done through the use of any electronic communication device including a cellular telephone or other type of telephone, a computer, a camera, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging, a social media application, an Internet website, or any other Internet-based communication tool. Bullying conduct includes conduct (1) that occurs on or is delivered to school property or to the site of a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off school property; (2) that occurs on a publicly or privately owned school bus or vehicle being used for transportation of students to or from school or a school-sponsored or school-related activity; and (3) cyberbullying that occurs off school property or outside of a school-sponsored or school-related activity if the cyberbullying (i) interferes with a student’s educational opportunities or (ii) substantially disrupts the orderly operation of a classroom, Harmony Public Schools, or a school-sponsored or school-related activity. Chemical dispensing device is a device designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of dispensing a substance capable of causing an adverse psychological or physiological effect on a human being.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to maintaining a positive and respectful school community at Harmony Public Schools. If you have any questions or concerns about the Parent Code of Conduct, please contact the school administration for assistance.

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