Code of Conduct
St. Croix Central High School is a community of students and teachers dedicated to the learning process. We believe that learning should take place in a safe, disciplined, and orderly environment. For such an environment to exist, it is necessary that students clearly understand what is expected of them and teachers be involved in the reinforcement of students’ behaviors, which should demonstrate respect and consideration for the rights of others.
The Virgin Islands Board of Education, disciplinary infractions and the responses to them are divided into four levels. Each level represents progressively more serious infractions culminating in Level IV offenses. Disciplinary responses to infractions become progressively more severe as one moves upward in the levels of misconduct.
You should be aware that the following behavior will lead to administrative disciplinary action:
§ A student which is required by law to attend school but not attending, will be reported to the attendance counselor or juvenile authorities for appropriate action.
§ A student who exhibits willful disregard for school rules not attending classes will be subject to disciplinary action.
§ Unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students on school premises or at any school activity is prohibited. This policy is based on Virgin Islands Statue as well as the belief that use of illicit drugs and alcohol by minors is illegal.
The Virgin Islands Board of Education views disruptive and criminal acts that may affect the health, safety, and welfare of those on a school campus as extremely serious in nature. In addition to disciplinary action administered at the school level, certain acts will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency. These may include, but are not limited to:
§ Possession, use/distribution of weapons (mandatory reporting)
§ Arson
§ Assaults other than minor fighting
§ Bombs and other explosive agents other than minor fireworks
§ Breaking and entering
§ Disturbances which substantially disrupt school
§ False alarms or calls
§ Possession, use/distribution of drugs (mandatory reporting)
§ Possession, use/distribution of alcohol products
§ Property damage/vandalism of a substantial nature
§ Robbery
§ Sexual offenses endangering the health, safety, or welfare of others
§ Theft of items of a substantial nature
§ Trespassing after warning
§ Vandalism of a substantial nature
§ Gambling
LEVEL I: INFRACTIONS AND DISCIPLINARY RESPONSES
Level I offenses are minor acts of misconduct which interfere with the orderly operation of the classroom, a school function, extra-curricular programs or approved transportation.
The misconduct should be handled first by the individual staff member involved. When additional action becomes necessary because of continued violation or other serious concerns, the student will then be referred to the school’s administrators /designee for disciplinary action.
DISCIPLINARY RESPONSES
First Offense Level I Responses
Subsequent Offenses: Level I and/or Level II Responses
- Parental contact (required)
- Counseling and direction
- Verbal reprimand
- Special work assignment
- Withdrawal of privileges
- Return of property, payment for same, or restitution for damages;
- Detention (parental contact required)
- School/classroom positive/negative reinforcement plan;
- Demerits
- Warning of referral to Level II
Level I Infractions:
- Cheating
- Classroom Disruption
- Disorderly Conduct
- Disrespect for Others
- Dress Code Violation
- Failure to Report for Detention
- Providing False and/or Misleading Information
- Insubordination
- Misconduct on School Bus
- Profane, Obscene or Abusive Language/Materials
- Tardiness
- Unauthorized Absence from School or Class
- Repeated Misconduct
- Other
- Conduct or behavior which interferes with or disrupts the orderly process of the school environment, a school function, or extra-curricular activity.
- Oral or written language
- Repeated behavior which includes one or more of the above offenses.
- Other than offenses listed under Level I.
LEVEL II: INFRACTIONS AND DISCIPLINARY RESPONSES
Intermediate acts of misconduct may include minor acts of misconduct previously identified. It may also include repeated acts of misconduct and acts directed against persons or property but which do not seriously endanger the health or safety of others. This conduct must be reported to the school’s administrators/ designee for disciplinary action.
The school’s administrators/designee will follow the procedure designated for minor violations in the investigation of circumstances and the assignment of the appropriate disciplinary action.
DISCIPLINARY RESPONSES
First Offense: Level II Responses
Subsequent Offenses: Level II and/or Level III Responses
- Parental Contact (required)
- Behavior Contract (oral or written)
- In-school Suspension
- Work Detail
- Detention (parental contact required)
- Confiscation of unauthorized materials/objects
- Return of Property, Payment of some sort or Restitution for Damages
- Suspension from Bus
- School/Classroom Positive/Negative Reinforcement Plan
- Demerits
· Warning or Referral to Level III
Level II Infractions:
- Fighting Threats
- Destruction of Property/Vandalism
- Unauthorized Gambling
- Insubordination/Open Defiance
- Intimidation
- Misconduct on School Bus or other School Approved Transportation
- Stealing (under $10.00)
- Unauthorized assembly, publications, etc
- Repeated Misconduct of a less serious nature
- Forgery
- Other Serious Misconduct Repeated serious misconduct which interferes with the orderly, safe, and expeditious transportation of students or other authorized riders.
- Repeat misconduct which tends to disrupt the orderly environment or extra-curricular programs or activity.
- Other than the offenses listed under Level II.
LEVEL III: INFRACTIONS AND DISCIPLINARY RESPONSES
Level III infractions are major acts of misconduct. They include but are not limited to repeated acts of misconduct, serious disruptions of the orderly conduct of school, threats to the health, safety, and property of self or others and acts of serious misconduct.
Major acts of misconduct must be reported immediately to the school administrators/designee and may result in immediate removal of the student from the school or extra/co-curricular activity.
DISCIPLINARY RESPONSES
First Offense: Level III Responses
Subsequent Offense: Level III and/or Level IV Responses
- Parental Contact (mandatory)
- Written Behavior Contract
- Assignment to Alternative Program/School
- Return of Property, Payment for same or Restitution for Damages
- In School Suspension
- Suspension from Bus
- Out of School Suspension (1 to 10 days)
Level III Infractions:
- Referral to Suspension Reduction Program
- Expulsion from Bus (for bus related offenses)
- Temporary or Permanent Removal from Participation in Extra/co-curricular Activities or Programs
- Referral to Appropriate Prevention or Treatment Programs
- Warning of referral to Level IV
- Alcohol
- Over the Counter Drugs
- Assault/Battery (Fighting)
- Breaking and Entering
- Destruction of Property/Vandalism ($100.00 or over)
- Extortion/Threats
- Firecrackers/Fireworks
- Gross Insubordination/Open Defiance
- Illegal Organization
- Stealing ($10.00 and over)
- Trespassing
- Possession of Contraband Material
- Repeat Misconduct of a More Serious Nature
- Violation of Curfew
- Other Serious Misconduct (may include profanity)
- Possession of such substances beyond that which might be reasonably consumed/used by one person in a short period of time.
- The willful or malicious threats of harm, injury, or violence to the person, property or repetition of another with the intent to obtain money, information, services, or items of material worth.
- Establishing or participating in gangs on school property, at a school function, extra/co-curricular activity.
- Unauthorized entry into school property, a school function, extra-curricular activities and/or remaining after the administrators/designee has directed such person to leave that location.
- Possession, use and/or distribution of materials or items which are forbidden excluding weapons. Contraband may be confiscated and not returned to the student. Possession of items that could in danger the health and safety of others but there have been no threatening or intimidating display of the item.
- Behavior not specifically described by any of the infractions listed under Level III which seriously disrupts the orderly conduct of school, a school function, or extra/curricular activity. This may include profanity, racial slurs, ethnic slurs, cultural slurs, sexist profane language, or other language intended or reasonably calculated to insult and/or incite another person and repeated dress code violations, or the activation of a fire alarm without reasonable cause which, in the discretion of the administrator was not the result of a reckless or malicious act.
LEVEL IV: INFRACTIONS AND DISCIPLINARY RESPONSES
Major acts of misconduct are those of the most serious category. Any of these acts committed shall be sufficient grounds for expulsion and shall result in a mandatory ten-day suspension with consideration of a recommendation for expulsion. Major acts of misconduct must be reported immediately to the school administrator/designee and may result in immediate removal of the student from school.
DISCIPLINARY RESPONSES
First and Subsequent Offenses: Level IV Responses
Mandatory Parental Contact
Mandatory ten day suspension from school with consideration of a recommendation for expulsion
Level IV Infractions:
- Alcohol
- Arson
- Assault/Battery of Employee, Volunteers, and Students
- Bomb Threats/Explosive
- Drugs
- False Fire Alarm
- Police Charges
- Violation of Reentry Plan/Probation
- Repeating Misconduct of a More Serious Nature
- Theft/Robbery
- Sexual Offenses
- Weapon
- Inciting, Leading, Participating in Acts which Substantially, Disrupt Orderly Conduct of School or School Functions
- The selling or transmitting of alcoholic beverages or any other substance capable of modifying mood or behavior or the selling or transmitting of substances represented to be of said nature.
- The possession, selling or transmitting of drugs, drug paraphernalia, or any other substance capable of modifying mood or behavior or possession or selling or transmitting of substances to be of said nature. Possession of drugs shall be reported to law enforcement authorities in accordance with Virgin Islands Law and Board Policy.
- A student who has been charged by the police for involvement in illegal activity shall be expelled from regular school. The student shall continue his/her education while confined at the Youth Rehabilitation Center.
SCHOOL SUSPENSION
Suspension is a very serious disciplinary action. It is the strongest statement the school makes in expressing its displeasure with misbehavior. Suspended students are to receive a zero for all assigned work during the period of suspension. These students are also suspended from all school related activities and must not be present on campus until the end of the suspension period.
DUE PROCESS:
Due process includes appropriate hearings and reviews. In all cases, the rights of individuals will be insured and protected.
1. Due Process for Suspension in Excess of Ten Days or Expulsion
A student accused of violating the Virgin Islands Student Discipline Policy that may result in expulsion from school, or school bus transportation, shall be afforded the due process procedure. In emergency situations, these procedures may be modified if reasonable and documented efforts are made to provide substantial similar opportunities for due process.
2. Due Process for the Expulsion (Handicapped Students)
Handicapped students who commit serious acts of adverse behavior are subject to suspension for up to 10 days in keeping with the Virgin Islands Student Disciplinary Policy. If the administrator determines that the offense or offenses warrant consideration for expulsion.
WORK DETAIL: ON-CAMPUS PUNISHMENT
On campus work detail is designed to take the place of off-campus suspension for selected students. Students can continue to attend classes while on work detail on the campus. The duration of the work detail punishment may be anywhere from one day to two weeks.
For most students involved, this is a suitable alternative to suspension. If, however, students fail to perform assigned tasks, they are automatically assigned out of school suspension.