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© St. Petersburg Times, published August 2, 2002
CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT
The Code of Student Conduct divides offenses into three categories: zero-tolerance, major offenses and other offenses.
Principals have some leeway in determining the level of offense and resulting consequences. Schools may develop individual rules and discipline practices that supplement the code but do not conflict with it.
The following summarizes the categories, but is not a complete listing of offenses. The Hillsborough County Student Handbook stating the entire Code of Conduct will be given to students when school begins.
These offenses are related to serious crimes involving violence, weapons or drugs. Consequences include 10 days of out-of-school suspension, referral to law enforcement as appropriate, and -- unless there are special circumstances -- recommendation for expulsion or change in placement. In response to the many bomb threats of the past two years, the district has imposed automatic expulsion for anyone making one.
Ofenses include:
Homicide, sexual battery, kidnapping or aggravated battery.
Battery upon, or threat toward, a school employee.
Possession, use or sale of alcohol, drugs or drug paraphernalia.
Bomb threats, false fire alarms or general threats to the school population.
Arson or breaking into school property.
Motor vehicle theft.
Use of a nonweapon as a weapon.
Major disruption of a school function.
The chief consequence for most major offenses is out-of-school suspension. But three types of major offense -- sexual harassment, fighting and possession or use of tobacco -- have particular, and often more serious, punishments.
Sexual Harassment: includes in-school or out-of-school suspension, verbal and written reprimand and change of placement or expulsion.
Fighting: up to 10 days of suspension and completion of peer mediation, conflict resolution or anger management training.
Tobacco possession/use: parent conference, referral to law enforcement and mandatory anti-tobacco education for first offense; possible out-of-school suspension for subsequent offenses.
Other major offenses listed include criminal acts less serious than those in the zero-tolerance category, such as robbery, theft, vandalism or trespassing, or disobedient behavior such as profanity toward a school employee or a pattern of continuous disruptive behavior.
The offenses specified in this category include disruptions during class and school activities, tardiness and dress code violations. Each will result in comparatively minor punishments. A third dress code offense will result in a day of in-school suspension, and repeated offenses in any area will result in discipline for "willful disobedience," which could include out-of-school suspension.
1. Shoes shall be worn. Thongs, shower shoes, similar-type sandals and skate shoes are unacceptable. Mule-type shoes shall be considered acceptable.
2. Clothing exposing the entire shoulder may be worn only with a blouse or shirt. Clothing exposing the torso or the midriff, either front, back or sides, shall not be worn. Underwear shall not be visible. Tank tops and midriff shirts are acceptable for students in K-2.
3. Clothing not properly fastened or with tears that are indecent shall not be worn. Clothing traditionally designed as undergarments shall not be worn as outer garments. Sleepwear shall not be worn. All pants and shorts shall be secured at the waist.
4. Boys in grades 4-12 shall wear shirts with sleeves.
5. Hair shall be clean and neatly groomed.
6. Head coverings shall not be worn in the building.
7. Mini-skirts, mini-dresses and short shorts are not permitted. Hemlines shall be no shorter than mid-thigh.
8. Garments and/or jewelry which display or suggest sexual, vulgar, drug, gang or alcohol-related wording or graphics, or which provoke or may tend to provoke violence or disruption in the school, shall not be worn. Wallet chains shall not be worn.
9. Cell phones shall not be used during school hours nor on the school bus.
-- Above policies shall be enforced by the administration and staff.
Source: Hillsborough County School District.