Schools

Punishment for Bullying, Truancy Differs by District

A comparison between Rockwood, Francis Howell and St. Charles School District Codes of Conduct.

Francis Howell Board of Education is considering making changes to the code of conduct which spells out the rules for the district and consequences for students who break those rules. 

Several Board of Education members said they feel the code is too long and complicated. Here's a comparison of select parts of each code between three school districts: St. Charles, Francis Howell and Rockwood. 

Truancy

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  • Francis Howell School District High School Code of Conduct Level One Offense: Truant from a class, lunch, mandatory academic intervention or school day; includes truant or removal from detention study hall. First offense: up to three days detention or suspension. Second offense: up to five days suspension. Third offense up to ten days suspension. 
  • St. Charles School District High School Code of Conduct Any student who is absent from school without the consent and/or knowledge of his/her parent(s) and/or guardian will be considered truant. Pupils who are truant will not be permitted to make up work missed. Students who are away from campus for three or more periods, without appropriate authorization, are considered truant. First offense: SCC up to 2 days In School Suspension. Second offense: SCC up to four days In School Suspension. Third offense: Four days In School Suspension, up to 10 days ISS/OSS and referral to Family Court/Children's Division. 
  • Rockwood School District Regulation 6210 Any unauthorized absence from school or class is defined as truancy. Consequence may include detention, in-school suspension or out-of-school suspension. Notification of appropriate authorities will also be made. Chronic absenteeism will result in a possible recommendation to the Superintendent/designee for an additional penalty up to a 170 school day suspension.

Bullying 

  • Francis Howell School District High School Code of Conduct Policy 2655 Bullying occurs when a student communicates with another by any means including telephone, writing, cyberbullying, or via electronic communications, with the intent to intimidate, or inflict physical, emotional or mental harm, without legitimate purpose or physically contacts another person with the intent to intimidate or to inflict physical, emotional, or mental harm without legitimate purpose. Physical contact does not require physical touching, although touching may be included.  The District is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment free of any form of bullying or intimidation by students on school grounds, during school time, at a school sponsored activity or in a school related context. Students and/or their parent(s)/guardian(s) are encouraged to report any instances of bullying to their building administrator. (This includes proposed changes for 2011)
  • St. Charles School District High School Code of Conduct Bullying occurs when words and/or actions are repeatedly directed toward an individual or group which are intended to intimidate, degrade, humiliate, or belittle their dignity. Bullying includes, but is not limited to, references made or actions taken toward others based on age, sex, race, ethnic origin, religion, physical appearance and/or mannerisms. This includes electronic forms of bullying/harassment (cyberbullying).  
  • Rockwood School District Regulation 6210 Bullying:  The intimidation or harassment that causes a reasonable student to fear for his or her physical safety or property, i.e. physical actions, including gestures, or oral, cyber-bullying, electronic or written communication, and any threat of retaliation for reporting such acts. (Refer to Policy 2612 – Bullying)

    First Offense:  Up to 10 days out-of-school suspension.

    Subsequent Offense(s):  In school suspension, 3-180 days out of school suspension, or expulsion, and possible documentation in student’s discipline record.

Academic Dishonesty

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  • Francis Howell School District High School Code of Conduct Level One Offense Cheating/Plagiarism: Carries a zero on the test/assignment and teacher notifies parent(s)/guardian(s) of initial problem; includes electronic cheating. First offense: up to three days detention or suspension. Second offense: up to five days suspension. Third offense up to ten days suspension. 
  • St. Charles School District High School Code of Conduct  Academic dishonesty includes copying of homework, cheating on tests/final exams, plagiarizing written reports, copying lab reports, computer programs, sharing answers, allowing someone else to do your work, using cheat sheets, etc. All work should reflect individual student work. Violations may result in the loss of credit for the course. First violation: Possible loss of credit at teacher discretion; referral to office and two detentions up to In School Suspension. Second violation: Possible loss of credit at administrator discretion, referral to office and SCC up to do five days in school suspension. Third violation: Zero on work; two to 10 days OSS with possible loss of credit for the course. 
  • Rockwood School District Regulation 2611 Academic Honesty


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