BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS, CONDUCT, AND DISCIPLINE
Our school is a place of academic and social growth. In certain respects, we are one large family working together for the good of all students. We will recognize students who demonstrate appropriate behavior. Students who do not comply with our school rules will have certain privileges removed from their daily program. Disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated.
BULLYING, HARASSMENT, AND/OR INTIMIDATION
Bullying is when someone repeatedly and on purpose says or does mean or hurtful things to another person who has a hard time defending themselves.
Bullying Behavior is defined by three components:
- Involves aggressive behavior
- Typically involves a pattern of behavior repeated over time
- Imbalance of power or strength
Actions, words, intimidation, cyberbullying, or other forms of bullying that cause embarrassment, fear, or humiliation to another person are considered harassment. Harassment is neither condoned nor tolerated. Students who feel they have been bullied or harassed should report it to an administrator, counselor, teacher, or other school staff member.
Board Policy – The Johnson City Board of Education has determined that a safe, civil, and supportive environment in school is necessary for students to learn and achieve high academic standards. In order to maintain that environment, acts of bullying, cyber-bullying, discrimination (including the definition of antisemitism found in policy 4.100), harassment, hazing or any other victimization of students, based on any actual or perceived traits or characteristics, are prohibited.1
This policy shall be disseminated annually to all school staff, students, and parents.2 This policy shall cover employees, employees' behaviors, students and students' behaviors while on school property, at any school-sponsored activity, on school-provided equipment or transportation, or at any official school bus stop. If the act takes place off school property or outside of a school-sponsored activity, this policy is in effect only if the conduct is directed specifically at a student or students and has the effect of creating a hostile educational environment or otherwise creating a substantial disruption to the education environment or learning process.
Building administrators are responsible for educating and training their respective staff and students as to the definition and recognition of discrimination/harassment.
DEFINITIONS
Bullying is when someone repeatedly and on purpose says or does mean or hurtful things to another person who has a hard time defending themselves.
Bullying/Intimidation/Harassment – can take the form of an act that substantially interferes with a student’s educational benefits, opportunities, or performance, and the act has the effect of:
- Physically harming a student or damaging a student’s property;
- Knowingly placing a student or students in reasonable fear of physical harm to the student or damage to the student’s property;
- Causing emotional distress to a student or students; or
- Creating a hostile educational environment.
Bullying, intimidation, or harassment may also be unwelcome conduct based on a protected class (race, color, religion, sex, gender, disabilities, national origin, or age) that is severe, pervasive, or persistent and creates a hostile environment.
Cyber-bullying - A form of bullying undertaken through the use of electronic devices. Electronic devices include, but are not limited to, telephones, cellular phones or other wireless telecommunication devices, text messaging, emails, social networking sites, instant messaging, videos, web sites, or fake profiles
Hazing - An intentional or reckless act by a student or group of students that is directed against any other student(s) that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student(s) or that induces or coerces a student to endanger his/her mental or physical health or safety. Coaches and other employees of the school district shall not encourage, permit, condone or tolerate hazing activities.
“Hazing” does not include customary athletic events or similar contest or competitions and is limited to those actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any organization.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The School Board of Johnson City has adopted a Code of Conduct and Discipline. Parents are responsible for informing their children of its contents. Our school will comply with the revised Code of Student Conduct.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
We operate on the premise that the school is responsible for ensuring that no student’s learning is infringed upon by another student’s misbehavior. Each child has a right to an education in a positive, safe learning environment. The faculty and administration maintain student behavior; however, repeated misbehavior is the parents' responsibility. Minor offenses will be handled through parent-teacher contact. Students who continue to be disruptive, disrespectful, disobedient, or defiant may be removed from class. Parents will be notified if their child is removed for disciplinary reasons and may need to come to school to pick up their child.
Any written, verbal, or physical communication or concerning behavior that conveys an intent to harm someone else or commit an act of school violence, as determined by the school/district Threat Assessment Team, may result in disciplinary action. Per Tennessee Code Annotated, a School Resource Officer will be a member of the school and district threat assessment teams. T.C.A. § 49-6-2701(b).
SCHOOL BUS RULES AND SAFETY PROCEDURES
Riding the bus is a privilege, and all Woodland students are expected to adhere to the rules of Johnson City Transit. Violations of bus rules will result in suspensions from bus service and can lead to a one-year expulsion from bus privileges. Parents are responsible for transporting their child to and from school if their child is suspended from riding the bus. If a child is suspended from riding the JC Transit school bus, they cannot ride for any school functions until their suspension is over. Bus transportation is not available for transfer or tuition students.
Front Seat Offenses:
Students will receive a written warning and will be placed on the front seat of his/her respective bus for 2 weeks as a result of the following behaviors:
- Eating or drinking on the bus.
- Failure to remain seated.
- Hanging out of the bus window.
- Improper boarding/departing procedures.
- Refusal to obey the driver.
- Rude, discourteous and annoying conduct.
- Spitting or littering.
- Unnecessary noise.
- Using profanity.
Depending on the severity of the offense the student may be placed on the front seat indefinitely. Repeat occurrence of front seat offenses will result in a 2-week suspension.
Automatic Two (2) Week Suspension:
- Bringing articles aboard bus of injurious or objectionable nature
- Destruction of property
- Fighting/pushing/tripping
- Lighting matches, smoking, or using other tobacco products on the bus
- Making obscene gestures
- Other concerning behavior relating to the safety, well-being and respect of pothers
- Tampering with bus equipment
- Throwing objects in or out of bus
School Year Suspension
Students will be suspended from riding any school bus for the remainder of the school year as a result of the following infractions:
- Attacking the bus driver
- Attempting to set fire to a bus seat, hair, clothing, etc.
- After serving two 2-week suspensions, the 3rd suspension will be set for the remainder of the school year.
Reporting Complaints
The following procedure will govern how students, teachers, staff, and community members shall submit bus safety complaints:
- All complaints shall be submitted to Woodland administration or to the Johnson City Schools Supervisor of Safety, Dr. Tim Vanthornout (VanthournoutT@jcschools.org).
- When calling or emailing to make a complaint, please provide, if possible, the bus number, the time of day, and the bus location. Example: Bus number 22, at 3:30 pm, corner of Maple Street and South Roan Street.
