Student Handbook (DHS)

Click here for an electronic copy of the Student Handbook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home of the Mighty Rams!

 

555 College Way, Dixon, CA  95620

Telephone:  707-693-6330

Fax:  707-678-9318

http://dhs.dixonusd.org/

 

 

Dixon High School Mission Statement

“The mission of Dixon High School is to graduate:  Productive Individuals, Responsible Citizens, Independent Learners, Decision Makers, and Effective Communicators.”

COUNSELING CENTER

Each student is assigned a school counselor at DHS.  The assigned counselor’s name will be on the student’s class schedule and is based on the first letter(s) of the student’s last name.  Please refer to the “Dixon High School Staff” list in the front of this handbook for counselor assignments.

Appointments

The Counseling Center is a very busy spot on campus.  Students must make an appointment on the posted sign-up sheet in order to meet with a counselor.

Class Schedules

Class schedules may be picked up at the fall semester orientation, or on the first day of the semester.  Class changes will ONLY be completed as follows:

1. During the first two weeks of the semester.  Student class schedules will not be changed after this deadline has passed. 
2. On the student’s own time (i.e. NOT during class), obtain the Course Schedule Change form in the counseling office on or after the first day of school.
3. Acquire teacher and counselor permission to make the schedule change.
4. Attain parental approval for the schedule change.
5. On the student’s own time (i.e. NOT during class), submit the completed form to the Counseling Center before the two week deadline.

Note:  Students must attend their originally assigned courses until they receive official notification that their schedule has been changed!  Failure to attend these classes will be considered a truancy!

Adds/Drops

Students have two weeks to add or drop classes.  Classes will not be added or dropped without teacher, counselor, and parental approval during those two weeks.  There will be no Adds/Drops after the two-week period.

Transcripts

Students may request in writing a copy of their transcript from the Registrar, Maria Torres.  All fines or other financial obligations must be paid by graduating seniors in order for final transcripts to be mailed to colleges or universities.

Seniors – All outstanding balances such as fees, lunch fees must be paid and all textbooks must be returned in order to participate in the graduation ceremony, receive your diploma and official transcripts.  Please see Office Manager in the front office. 

ATTENDANCE   

Regular attendance is important to your success at DHS.  Students are required to attend school every day that it is in session.  Students are also required to attend 100 percent of all scheduled classes in which they are enrolled, unless otherwise excused (Education Code 48200-48208; BP 5113).

Absence Verification (BP 5113)

Parents/guardians are required to verify their student’s absence from school in writing, by telephone, or by personal visit to the attendance office within 48 hours. Absences not verified within 48 hours will become unexcused absences.

Students are required to show official written proof (i.e. doctor’s note, jury summons, etc.) to verify all excused absences in excess of ten per semester.  All unverified absences over ten will be counted as “unverified” or “unexcused”, unless a doctor’s note or other official documentation is provided. 

Based on Education Code 48205, absences may be excused for the following reasons only:

          √ Personal illness

          √ Quarantine  

          √ Medical, dental, or chiropractic appointments

          √ Funerals one day for in state, three days for out of state

          √ Jury Duty

√ The illness or medical appointment of a child to whom the student is the custodial      

   parent

√ Upon advance written request by the parent/guardian and the approval of the

   principal or designee for justifiable personal reasons

“Inasmuch as class participation is an integral part of students' learning experiences, parents/guardians and students shall be encouraged to schedule medical appointments during non-school hours” (BP 5113).

ABSENCES FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES(Education Code 46014)

With your written consent, your child may be excused from school in order to participate in religious exercises or to receive moral and religious instruction at his or her place of worship or at other suitable place or places away from school property designated by the religious group, church, or denomination. Your consent should be sent to the principal of your child’s school. Each pupil so excused shall attend school at least the minimum school day. No pupil shall be excused from school for such purpose on more than four days per school month.

ABSENCES FOR CONFIDENTIAL MEDICAL SERVICES (Education Code 46010.1)  

Commencing in the fall of the 1986-87 academic year, the governing board of each school district shall, each academic year, notify pupils in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, and the parents or guardians of all pupils enrolled in the district, that school authorities may excuse any pupil from the school for the purpose of obtaining confidential medical services without the consent of the pupil's parent or guardian.

 Dixon High School Attendance Rubric

Tardiness

Academic success is directly correlated to attendance and timeliness.  Students are expected to arrive to each class on time.  Progressive consequences for tardiness include:    

• Warnings from teacher                                                                                 
• Parent contact by teacher, counselor, or administrator
• Administrative “lockouts”*
• Detention
• Saturday School
• School Attendance Review Board (SARB) hearing

Students who arrive to school late due to an unexcused tardy must report directly to class.  Students who arrive to school late with an excused tardy should report to the attendance office to receive a pass before reporting to their assigned teacher.

Tardies will be excused for illness, medical appointments, and legal obligations.  Tardies are unexcused for car problems, oversleeping, and non-essential family obligations (i.e., sibling care, chores).

The tardy policy will be cumulative and administered on a semester basis.  All students begin with a clean slate at the beginning of each semester.

*Students who receive a tardy lockout detention are required to serve their detention that same school day without exception.  Students who fail to attend their tardy lockout detention will be assigned to Saturday School.

Truancies

California Education Code 48260 defines truant pupils as, “any pupil subject to compulsory full-time education or to compulsory continuation education who is absent from school without valid excuse three full days in one school year or tardy or absent for more than any 30 minute period during the school day without a valid excuse on three occasions in one school year, or any combination thereof….”

Students may be assigned Saturday School for truancies.  After a student’s third day of unverified or unexcused absence (or 18 cumulative periods of absence), a first notification of truancy may be mailed to the student’s home address.  Each truancy that follows may result in disciplinary action up to and including a School Attendance Review Board (SARB) hearing. 

School Attendance Review Board (SARB)

SARB was established by the California Legislature in 1975 for the purpose of:

1. Making a better effort to meet the needs of students with attendance or behavior problems in school.
2. Promoting the use of alternatives to the juvenile court system.

“Students who are habitual truants, irregular in school attendance, or habitually insubordinate or disorderly during attendance at school may be referred to, and required to attend, a school attendance review board, a truancy mediation program established by the district attorney or the probation officer, or a comparable program deemed acceptable by the district's attendance supervisor” (Education Code 48263, 48264.5).

No Mark/No Credit

“Students with excessive unexcused absences shall be given a grade of no mark and not receive credit for the class(es). Ten absences per grading period shall constitute excessive unexcused absences for this purpose” (BP 5121 Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement; cf. 5113 - Absences and Excuses).

Students who accumulate 10 or more days of unexcused/unverified absences in any class during a semester will receive a NM (no mark/no credit).  Students earning a failing mark will receive the failing mark.  A student receiving a NM may file an appeal to have credit restored if there are extenuating circumstances that caused him/her to earn this grade.  Appeals must include a completed application and written petition submitted by the deadline for the semester during which the NM was earned.  The review committee will consist of an administrator, counselor, and several teachers.  Students and parents/guardians agree to accept the decision reached by the review committee as final.

A student who already has excessive absences may apply for a No Mark Contract with his/her respective assistant principal in order to receive a grade at the end of the semester.  Students on No Mark Contracts will be required to have no more unexcused absences, limited tardies, and no behavioral offenses.

SCHOOL ROUTINES

The routines outlined in this section are intended to ensure that day to day student needs are met in a timely, orderly, and efficient manner.

Change of Address/Phone Number

Please report all address/phone number changes to the attendance office as soon as possible.  It is important to have current contact information on file for each student.  Update forms are available in the attendance office to help keep this information current.

TeleParent

One of our school goals is to increase communication with parents.  DHS is piloting the TeleParent phone service.  TeleParent has the ability to affect the education of each student through positive communications from teachers and administrators. While informing parents of upcoming tests and corrective messages is useful in improving performance, rewarding students can have a profound effect in the reinforcement and prolonging of good achievement and behavior.  TeleParent is the leader and expert in getting parents actively involved with their children on a daily basis. 

Make-Up Work

“Students shall be given the opportunity to make up school work missed because of an excused absence and shall receive full credit for work that is turned in according to a reasonable make-up schedule” (Education Code 48205; cf. 5113 - Absences and Excuses).

Students with excused absences are given the opportunity to make up their missed assignments.  Generally, students receive a day for day time frame to turn in missed assignments.  For example if absent two days a student has two days upon return to school to make up class assignments.  Students missing school for a school related activity/sport should obtain class work prior to their absence.  Unexcused, unverified and truant absences are at the discretion of the classroom teacher for make up work.  Teachers are not required to give students the opportunity to make up missed assignments for unexcused, unverified, truant and suspension absences.

Homework Requests

When a student plans to be absent, he/she should provide teachers with sufficient notice and request work to complete during the period of nonattendance. 

If a student has an unanticipated absence of three or more days, a parent/guardian may request homework by calling or visiting the Counseling Office. To allow teachers adequate time to prepare student work, homework requests will be processed over a period of 48 hours.  Please call the Counseling Office to verify that work has been submitted and make a pick-up arrangement.

Visitors

“For purposes of school safety and security, the principal or designee may design a visible means of identification for visitors while on school premises” (BP 1250).  Upon arrival, all visitors, including parents/guardians, must sign in at the attendance office and wear a visitor’s badge/sticker.  

“The Governing Board encourages parents/guardians and interested members of the community to visit the schools and view the educational program.”

To ensure minimum interruption of the instructional program, the Superintendent or designee shall establish procedures which facilitate visits during regular school days. Visits during school hours should be first arranged with the teacher and principal or designee.  If a conference is desired, an appointment should be set with the teacher during non-instructional time” (cf. 1112 - Media Relations; cf. 3515.2 – Disruptions).

Students from other schools and/or other minors will not be allowed to visit Dixon High School during instructional time as these visits are a distraction from the teaching and learning at the school.

Bicycles & Skateboards

Bicycles and skateboards are to be operated strictly in accordance with city or county ordinances.  Bicycles should have reflectors, and be locked when parked.  Skateboards should remain with their owner throughout the school day.  The administration will not investigate stolen bike and skateboard reports.  The bike rack area is off limits to students during the day for the protection of the bike owners and in accordance with the closed campus policy.  Bicycles and skateboards are not to be ridden on campus at anytime (before, during or after school). All students riding bikes and skateboards to school must wear protective head gear (helmets) in accordance with the law.

Hall and Bathroom Passes

Students are not permitted outside of classrooms during class periods unless a school staff member accompanies them or they have a hall pass from an authorized staff member.  Hall passes must be written on a school hall pass form provided by a teacher or staff member and must include the student’s name, date, period, time of departure from class, destination, and teacher signature. Students are not permitted to carry objects as a substitute for authorized hall passes.  If a staff member questions a student’s purpose for being out of class, it is expected that the student will furnish his/her pass and cooperate with the staff member.

The same policies and procedures remain in effect for bathroom passes.  It is expected that students will use their own time (passing periods, lunch, etc.) to use the restroom, and will only request a bathroom pass when it is a necessity. 

Note:  The first and last ten minutes of class are considered “dead-time” during which teachers will not issue hall or bathroom passes.

Special Occasion Deliveries

Due to the volume of requests and multiple classroom interruptions, flowers, balloons, candy, and other gift items excluding those available at school-sponsored events, may not be delivered to a student during the school day to acknowledge a special occasion.  Students may not carry balloons, flowers, etc., on campus during the school day because they are disruptive to the educational process.  If these items are delivered to school, they will be kept in the administration office until the end of the school day. Thank you for understanding and recognizing that interruptions disrupt the educational process.

Work Permit Requirements

Students under the age of eighteen must obtain a work permit after securing an opportunity for employment.  The following procedures will apply:

·         Work permit applications and work permits may be picked up in the Attendance Office.

·         There will be a three-day processing period for work permit applications (i.e., if your application is turned in before school on Monday, your work permit may be picked up on Wednesday after school).

·         Students in the Dixon Unified School District with work permits are required to maintain appropriate attendance and school performance to maintain their work permits.

·         Students who are truant three (3) or more school days (or 18 class periods) within a school year will have their work permit revoked.  Employers will be notified of the revocation of the work permit.

·         Students with a GPA below 2.0 will have their work permit revoked.  Employers will be notified of the revocation of the work permit.

·         Students must be clear of any outstanding school fines.  Work permits will not be issued to students until all fees are paid.

·         If the work permit is revoked, students may apply to have their work permit reinstated if attendance and/or academic performance has improved enough to maintain a “C” average for at least one term and/or less than three (3) unexcused absences for one term.

·         Students must apply for work permits while school is in session.  Dixon High School administrators will not be available to issue work permits during holiday or summer breaks.

·         Ages, and maximum hours per day and week for Dixon Unified School District students are:

           Age                      Non-School Days                                 School Days

          14 – 15                   8 hours/day - 40/week                          3 hours/day - 18/week

          16 - 17                   8 hours/day - 48/week                          4 hours/day - 20/week

·         A day of rest from work is required if the total hours employed per week exceeds 30 hours or if more than 6 hours are worked on any one-day during the week.

·         A minor’s work must be performed between specified hours:

                   14 - 15 years:  7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Summer, 6/1 - Labor Day, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.)

                   16 - 17 years:  5 a.m. to 10 p.m. (12:30 a.m. when no school the next day)

·         Students in approved work experience education programs may work on school days to 12:30 p.m.  Parental and school permission are required.

·         When regulations of enforcement agencies differ, the more restrictive regulation applies.

NOTE:  Hours of work on school days - No employer shall employ a minor for more than four hours on any day in which said minor is required by law to attend school, except in agricultural and homemaking occupations and approved Work Experience Education programs (Education Code, Section 12774).

Uniform Complaint Procedures 

The district shall investigate complaints alleging failure to comply with such laws and/or alleging discrimination and shall seek to resolve those complaints in accordance with the district's uniform complaint procedures (BP 1312.3 Community Relations).  

The Governing Board designates the following compliance officer to receive and investigate complaints and to ensure district compliance with law.

Procedures

All parties involved in allegations shall be notified when a complaint is filed, when a complaint meeting or hearing is scheduled and when a decision or ruling is made.

Step 1: Filing of Complaint

Step 2: Mediation

Step 3: Investigation of Complaint

Step 4: Response

Step 5: Final Written Decision

http://www.dixonusd.org/projects/27/ucp_pamphlet_legal_dixon-revised_10-30-08.pdf

(AR 1312.3 Community Relations)

SCHOOL POLICIES

DHS has developed the following policies which will establish and maintain an effective environment where students can learn and teachers can teach. 

Closed Campus Policy

DHS is a CLOSED CAMPUS.  A student is considered truant if he/she leaves campus at any time for any reason, and does not check out with the attendance office first.  Campus is defined by the green gates surrounding the school.  Off limits areas include the parking lots, sports courts/fields, and stadium. 

All students must obtain an early-release pass to leave campus from the attendance office before school or before leaving school grounds.  Failure to obtain appropriate permission will result in a truancy and assignment to Saturday School.  Repeat offenses will result in suspension and/or referral to SARB.

Parents/guardians may not call the school to excuse a student to leave the school grounds unaccompanied for unexcused purposes (change of clothing, lunch, etc.).    Parents/guardians must appear in person to check out a student for unexcused purposes.  A student leaving campus for excused purposes (doctor’s appointment, dentist visit, etc.) may leave campus unaccompanied if he/she has a note providing parental permission.  Excused absences are defined under Ed. Code 48205 (see page 14 of this handbook).

Students who are 18 years of age may check themselves out of school for an excused reason only, such as a doctor’s appointment.  They may not check themselves out for unexcused reasons, such as going to lunch.  Like all students who are checked out, students 18 years of age who dismiss themselves will be required to show verification of an excused absence, such as a doctor’s note.

Dress Code

REVISED:  August 13, 2008

The following guidelines are intended to define appropriate student attire and personal grooming.  The purpose is to prevent disruption of the classroom atmosphere and educational process, eliminate disturbances among students, ensure student safety, and encourage appropriate dress for post-secondary life.

“The Governing Board believes that appropriate dress and grooming contribute to a productive learning environment. The Board expects students to give proper attention to personal cleanliness and to wear clothes that are suitable for the school activities in which they participate. Students' clothing must not present a health or safety hazard or a distraction which would interfere with the educational process” (cf. 5132 - Dress and Grooming; cf. 4119.22 - Dress and Grooming).

“Students and parents/guardians shall be informed about dress and grooming standards at the beginning of the school year and whenever these standards are revised. A student who violates these standards shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action” (cf. 5144 - Discipline).

Dress Code Prohibited Clothing Illustrations

*Refer to Item #9 below

**Refer to Item #’s 8 and 9 below

Additionally, student clothing should meet all of the following criteria:

1. Student dress shall be safe, neat, and clean in appearance.
2. Pocket chains of any length, collars or bracelets with spikes, removable/decorative mouthpieces (i.e. “grills”), clothing with revealing holes and cutouts are all inappropriate for school wear.
3. Clothing may not glorify or advertise drugs, alcohol, tobacco, tobacco products, or sexual behavior.
4. Clothing must be free of violent, vulgar, or obscene words, pictures, or symbols. 
5. No item may be worn which would create or tend to create an insulting, demeaning, threatening, embarrassing or otherwise hostile environment for any other student due to that other student’s gender, race national origin, cultural or national heritage or religion.  The standard for applying this policy shall be whether such an item(s) would be objectionable to a person of average reason and sensitivity.
6. Footwear must be worn at all times.  Footwear must be safe, practical, and not limit student participation in school activities.
7. Clothing, backpacks, make-up, and other adornment may not demonstrate or suggest gang-related symbols or colors.  This item specifically prohibits the wearing of bandanas of any color in any fashion.  The administration reserves the right to ban students from wearing a color that demonstrates a real or perceived gang affiliation.  Failure to comply with this directive will result in home suspension for defiance.
8. Undergarments/underwear must be covered.  This includes bra straps and boxer shorts.  Students may not wear white underwear-style (i.e. “wife-beater”) tank tops as outerwear.
9. Shirts and blouses must cover the back to the shoulder blade and all of the stomach and cleavage.  Shirts and pants/skirts must be touching in both front and back.  Inappropriate tops include but are not limited to the following:  midriff tops, crop tops, strapless tops, tube tops, halter and over one shoulder tops, and all tops with straps less than two-finger widths wide.
10. All of the buttocks must be covered.  Shorts, pants, or skirts should be of an appropriate length.  To determine appropriate length stand with arms at side making a fist.  The clothing should come to at least the bottom of the fist.
11. Students may not wear sun glasses while inside a classroom or other school building.  Before entering, a student must remove his/her sunglasses and leave them off until they exit the classroom or building.
12. Approved head-gear includes baseball caps, bucket caps, and beanies/knitted caps.  These may be worn when a student is outside of a classroom and/or during P.E. courses for shade or warmth.  Students may not wear any of the approved hats or other head gear (hoods, etc.) inside a classroom or other school building.  Before entering, a student must remove his/her hat and it may not go back on until leaving the classroom or building.  This policy remains in effect on spirit and “dress-up” days as well.  Hairnets are also considered “head-gear” and are not approved for school wear. 
13. Finally, clothing may not disrupt the educational process.

Students who do not follow the dress code will be referred to the office by staff to change into appropriate school clothing. Inappropriate attire must be given to the Assistant Principal before the student will be allowed to return to class. The student may pick up his/her clothing item at the end of the school day.  For repeat offenses and/or refusing to change, progressive consequences ranging from parent pick-up of confiscated item(s) to home suspension for defiance of authority will be imposed (Education Code, 48900K).

Cellular Phones and Electronic Devices

Dixon Unified School District Board Policy states:

“Students may possess or use personal electronic signaling devices including, but not limited to pagers, beepers, and cellular/digital phones, except those devices with the capability to capture digital images and/or take photographs of any kind shall be prohibited.  No student shall be prohibited from possessing or using an electronic signaling device that is determined by a licensed physician or surgeon to be essential for the student’s health and the use of which are limited to health-related purposes (Education Code 48901.5).

Permitted devices shall:

1. Be turned off during class time and at any other time directed by a district employee.
2. Not disrupt the educational program or school activity.”

Students are permitted to use cell phones and other electronic devices during lunch, passing period, before and after school only.  Students will not be allowed to use cell phones and other electronic devices during instructional time. Cell phones and electronic devices can not be visible or audible at any time during instructional time.  If a student violates these conditions, the following progressive discipline plan will be followed:

• 1^st Offense:  Teacher will take electronic device and give the student a warning.  Student may claim electronic device from teacher at the end of the period OR the end of the day.* 
• 2^nd Offense:  Teacher will take electronic device and give it to appropriate administrator.  Student may claim electronic device from administrator at the end of the day.* 
• 3^rd Offense:  Teacher will take electronic device and give it to appropriate administrator.  Parent must come and claim it at school from an administrator.* 
• 4^th offense:  Teacher will take electronic device and give it to appropriate administrator.  Administrator will confiscate phone until the end of the semester.* 

* A student who continues to violate this policy may be prohibited from possessing a personal electronic signaling device at school or school-related events.  Refusal to relinquish an electronic device to be confiscated by a staff member or administrator may result in home suspension for defiance of authority.  Repeat offenses will be considered defiance and additional disciplinary consequences will be administered for each subsequent offense. (Education Code, 48900K)

Additionally, if upon confiscation of an electronic device, the administration has reasonable suspicion to believe that examination of the contents would indicate violation of a school rule or committing a crime, a search may be conducted.

Note:  DHS is not responsible for and administration will not investigate reports of any lost or stolen cell phones, electronic devices, or personal property. Students bring these items at their own risk.  Staff will not be held responsible for items that are lost or stolen subsequent to confiscation and reimbursements will not be made.  Confiscated items left after the last day of school will be donated to a local charity.       

Technology Acceptable Use Agreements

Each year students and parents are required to sign and consent to an acceptable use policy (AUP) agreement to use the DHS computers.  Students are not allowed Internet access until both the parent and student have signed this agreement and it has been submitted to their homeroom teacher (BP 6163.4 Instruction). 

Automobile Searches

California law, Vehicle Code Section 21113 (a) states the following:  “Vehicles are subject to search by entering school property, the person driving any vehicle is deemed to consent to a complete search of the vehicle - all its compartments and contents - by school officials or law enforcement personnel for any reason whatsoever.  This notice applies to all vehicles of any type and is enforced 24 hours a day.”

Parking and Permit Policies

Students must obtain a parking permit form from the office manager, Maria Echeverria, in the principal’s office.  The student must submit the completed form accompanied by proof of license and insurance to Ms. Echeverria.  Any vehicle without a permit or parking in a space that is in violation of the parking contract will be subject to citation and a possible revocation of the student’s parking privileges.  There is a $5 charge for a replacement student parking permit.

Under no circumstances should students park in areas provided for staff.  Any student leaving the campus in a vehicle during the school day without permission is in violation of school rules as outlined in the student handbook.  In addition, students are not allowed to loiter in the parking lot or in their cars at any time at DHS.  When students arrive to school they are required to leave their cars immediately and proceed to the main campus.  If a student needs to return to their car during the school day, he/she must be accompanied by or obtain written permission from an administrator or campus supervisor.  At the conclusion of the school day, students are required to get into their cars and immediately leave campus.  Failure to abide by these rules may result in revocation of the student’s parking privileges and/or disciplinary consequences.

Students are expected to drive safely on the way to school, on school grounds, and on the way home from school.  A student who is observed violating traffic laws and/or driving unsafely on school grounds will be reported to the administration.  The reporting party will submit a Dixon Police Department Violation Form.  An administrator will speak with the student driver, assign appropriate school consequences, and inform his/her parents/guardians of the offense.  The administrator will submit the Violation Form to the Dixon Police Department and a warning letter will be sent to the student and his/her family.  If the student receives a second Violation Form, his/her parking privileges will be revoked.

School Property

Dixon High School is a beautiful, brand new, state of the art facility.  It is everyone’s responsibility to help maintain a clean and safe campus that illustrates our shared school pride.  Students are expected to assist the custodial staff in keeping the buildings clean by not throwing trash on the floors and in hallways. 

If a student litters or otherwise fails to show proper care for school property, he or she will be subject to disciplinary consequences or assigned campus clean-up.  “As part of or instead of disciplinary action prescribed by this article, the principal of a school, the principal's designee, the superintendent of schools, or the governing board may require a pupil to perform community service on school grounds or, with written permission of the parent or guardian of the pupil, off school grounds, during the pupil's non-school hours.  For the purposes of this section, "community service" may include, but is not limited to, work performed in the community or on school grounds in the areas of outdoor beautification,  community or campus betterment, and teacher, peer, or youth assistance programs” (Education Code 48900.6).

Vandalism

Destruction of school property, graffiti, tagging, or other marks made on school or private property is strictly prohibited.  Writing or carving on walls, desks and chairs is destructive and is inconsiderate of the many other students, staff, and community members who use the facilities. 

“The Governing Board considers vandalism a very serious matter. Vandalism includes the negligent, willful, or unlawful damaging or theft of any District-owned real or personal property, including the writing of graffiti” (cf. 3515.4 - Recovery for Property Loss or Damage).

 Violators are subject to administrative disciplinary action that may include a recommendation for expulsion, as well as possible criminal charges.  Parent(s)/guardian(s) and the student will be charged for any costs related to the repair and/or clean up of any damage to school buildings, books, or equipment caused by their child. (Education Code, 48904)  “If reparation of damages is not made, the District also may withhold the student's grades, diploma and/or transcripts in accordance with law” (cf. 5125.2 - Withholding Grades, Diploma or Transcripts).

DHS staff and students will not tolerate vandalism. 

BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES & DISCIPLINE

At DHS, a culture of respect guides the behavior and actions of our school community.  DHS students are expected to show respect for staff members, the rights of other students, and for the properties furnished for their use.  DHS recognizes that the best discipline is self-discipline and that students must take responsibility for their actions. 

Proactive Discipline

The following is a list of rewards that students will enjoy if they exercise self-discipline:

1.               Personal and academic success

2.               Praise from teachers and administrators

3.               Positive communication to parents/guardians from staff

4.               Recognition Awards

5.               “Proferrals” to their administrator

6.               Participation in special campus events

When issues of behavior do arise, however, the staff at DHS encourages cooperation between the home and school concerning students’ discipline. 

School policies and rules will be reinforced when students are on campus, in transit to or from DHS, and while attending any school-sponsored event.  When students fail to follow the school’s rules of conduct the following disciplinary consequences will be imposed in accordance with the severity of the situation and violation of school rules:

Informal Talk/Warning

An informal talk can occur between a teacher, counselor and or administrator regarding how the student should behave.

Conference

A conference can be held between a student, teacher, counselor, administrator and/or parent to discuss how the student should behave and disciplinary actions that will be taken. 

Loss of Privileges

As a consequence for misbehavior, students may lose the privilege to attend or participate in sport events, dances, rallies and assemblies, intra-mural sports, and other school-sponsored activities for a given period of time.

Detention

Detention is a supervised 25-minute period held during lunch or directly after school.  If a student fails to attend detention, he/she will be considered in defiance of authority and will be assigned Saturday School as a minimum consequence.

Saturday School

Saturday School may be assigned to make up absences when a student is unexcused from a class period or a school day.  It may also be assigned in the case of excessive tardies or in lieu of more serious disciplinary action.  Students assigned Saturday School will work on academic subjects for classes at DHS.  Books for outside reading are acceptable. Students must bring sufficient study materials to occupy their time or they will be asked to leave.  Students must work independently and silently.  All electronic devices are prohibited and sleeping in not permitted.  Food and drink, with the exception of water are not allowed.

Students will also “perform community service on school grounds” (Ed. Code 48900.6.). “‘Community service’ may include, but is not limited to, work performed in the community or on school grounds in the areas of outdoor beautification,  community or campus betterment, and teacher, peer, or youth assistance programs" (Ed. Code 48900.6.). 

Saturday school begins promptly at 8:30.  Students arriving at 8:31 or later will not be admitted.  Should your student be unable to attend his assigned date please notify the attendance office prior to 8:15 a.m. the morning of the assigned date.    Failure to attend Saturday School or misbehavior during Saturday School will result in home suspension.

Period Suspension

Period suspensions may be assigned by an administrator as a disciplinary consequence when suspension is permitted (Education Code 48900).

Teacher-Imposed Suspension

A teacher may suspend any pupil from class for the day of the infraction and the day following. The teacher will contact the parent or guardian in order to set up a parent-teacher conference. (Education Code 48910)

Out-of-School Suspension

Out-of-school suspension is the temporary removal of a student from school as a disciplinary consequence (Education Code 48900).  A student may be suspended from attending school and school activities for one to five days.

During Out of School Suspension the following expectations should be observed:

1.     The student is expected to be under the supervision of a parent during school hours when serving suspension days at home (7:00 – 4:00 pm.).  Students shall not appear on or about any school in the district during the period of suspension, unless coming to the office on official business accompanied by the parent/guardian and by prior arrangement with a school administrator.

2.     The student is not to attend any school-sponsored event on or off any school campus during suspension.  This is extended to include weekend and holiday activities, and would include, but is not limited to, field trips, athletic events, theater events, proms, dances, and band events.

3.     Violation of suspension rules may result in a minimum consequence of a warning and a maximum consequence of a referral to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

4.     The responsibility of obtaining and doing class work lies with the student.  The teacher may allow the student to complete any assignments and tests missed during the suspension; however, the teacher is not required to provide any class work or assignments (Education Code, 48913).

Expulsion

Expulsion is the removal of a student from his/her current educational placement due to a serious disciplinary infraction, or due to an accumulation of discipline infractions.  This removal and replacement of a student in an alternative environment is done at the discretion of the Dixon Unified School District Board of Education. 

Note:  Parents will be notified by phone and/or in writing of all cases of serious disciplinary problems or consequences. 

Mandatory Recommendation for Expulsion

A five-day suspension and recommendation for expulsion is mandatory for any student who: (1) possesses, sells, or furnishes a firearm; (2) brandishes a knife; (3) sells or furnishes drugs or other controlled substances;(4) commits or attempts to commit sexual assault/battery; (5) possesses an explosive. (Education Code 48915)  In such cases, the offense must be reported to the police department.

Recommendation for Expulsion

An administrator shall also recommend expulsion for the following violations unless the administrator finds that expulsion is inappropriate due to a particular circumstance.  (1) Causing serious physical injury to another person, except in self-defense; (2) Possession of any knife, explosive, or other dangerous object of no reasonable use to the pupil; (3) Possession and/or use of any substance listed in Chapter 2 of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code…; (4) Robbery or extortion; (5) Assault or battery, or threat of, on a school employee. (Education Code 48915)  An administrator may also make a discretionary recommendation for expulsion for other violations of education code.

Reasons for Suspension or Expulsion

Students may be suspended up to five days and/or recommended for expulsion for any of the acts listed below (E.C. 48900, 48915):

a.       Caused, attempted to cause or threatened to cause physical injury to another person

b.       Possessing, furnishing or selling a firearm, knife, explosive or other dangerous object.

c.       Possessing, selling, furnishing, using or being under the influence of any illegal drug, controlled substances, alcoholic beverage or intoxicant.

d.       Offering, arranging, or negotiating to sell any controlled substance, look-alike drug, alcoholic beverage or intoxicant of any kind.

e.       Committing or attempting to commit robbery or extortion.

f.       Causing or attempting to cause damage to school property or to private property.

g.       Stealing or attempting to steal school property or private property.

h.       Possessing or using tobacco or nicotine products.

i.       Committing an obscene act or engaging in habitual profanity or vulgarity.

j.       Possessing, offering, arranging, or negotiating to sell any drug paraphernalia,

K.       Disrupting school activities or willfully defying the valid authority of school personnel

l.        Knowingly receiving stolen school property of private property.

m.      Possessing an imitation firearm.

n.       Committing or attempting to commit sexual assault or sexual battery.

o.      Harassing, threatening or intimidating a pupil who is a complaining witness or a witness in a school disciplinary proceeding for the purpose of either preventing that pupil form being a witness or retaliating against that pupil for being a witness.

p.       Unlawfully offered, arranged to sell, negotiated to sell, or sold the prescription drug Soma.

q.       Engaged in, or attempted to engage in, hazing.

r.       Committing sexual harassment.

s.       Causing, attempting to cause, threatening to cause, or participating in an act of hate violence.

t.       Intentionally engaging in harassment, threats, or intimidation against a pupil(s).

u.       Making terroristic threats against school officials or school property, or both.

Due Process

All students are entitled to due process in disciplinary matters.  Students and parents have a right to appeal disciplinary action taken against a student.  A meeting must be requested with the principal/designee prior to any future appeal (Education Code 48914).

Discipline Matrix

The following matrix indicates the type of disciplinary action(s) that may apply to behavior infractions.  The corrective measures stated are intended to assist in maintaining consistent student discipline.  The site administrators reserve the right to determine whether a specific infraction warrants the corrective action detailed below.  Alternate disciplinary action may be imposed for any of the listed infractions if determined appropriate.  This list does not include all possible infractions, nor all of the possible corrective actions for such infractions.