Student Management & Discipline

In addition to academics, responsibility and self-discipline are necessary for achieving success in adult life, and for keeping the school a pleasant learning environment. Basic behavioral guidelines are posted in each district classroom. Teachers discuss the rules with students in the fall and as needed throughout the year.   Teachers, principals, and staff members use a variety of techniques to help children develop positive behavior  patterns. These techniques are geared toward the individual child’s age and maturity. Parents are encouraged to work with the school to correct any behavioral problems, and to provide consistent, effective discipline at home.

Suspension and Expulsion Suspension and expulsion are ways to deal with severe student behavioral problems. With suspension, the student must stay home or remain under direct adult supervision. The student may not be on school premises or attend school events. This may include exclusion from promotion exercises for eighth graders. If a student is suspended from school, the parent/guardian should work closely with the principal to help eliminate the behavior that caused the suspension. Expulsion permanently bars the student from school attendance, activities, and facilities. Students may be expelled for reasons such as continued defiance of school authority, habitual profanity or vulgarity, damaging school property, or behavior that endangers the health or safety of others. All recommendations for student expulsion are referred to the Governing Board for action, and the parents/guardians will be requested to attend a hearing before action is taken. The exact procedures for suspensions and expulsions are contained in the District Policy Manual. Copies of the Policy Manual are available for review at your school office and the GESD Administrative Center. District policy information in Spanish may be obtained by calling (623) 842-8100.

Possession of Weapons

The safety of your child — and of all students — is of utmost importance to us. Therefore, the schools will not tolerate possession of weapons on school premises. For purposes of this policy, school premises means the school, school grounds, school buses, or any premises, grounds or vehicles used for official school purposes. No student shall go onto the school premises with a firearm, explosive weapon, knife, or any other dangerous or illegal instrument, or any instrument represented as such. No student shall interfere with normal activities, occupancy, or use of any building or portion of the campus by exhibiting, using, or threatening to exhibit or use a firearm, explosive weapon, knife, or other dangerous or illegal instrument, or any instrument represented as such. Any student violating this policy may be suspended or expelled.

Offensive Harassment

Threats and verbal abuse can include, but are not limited to, any offensive action such as bullying, chasing with intent to do bodily harm and name calling. Sexual harassment can include, but is not limited to, unwanted :

• suggestive or obscene verbal or written communication,
• physical intimidation
• creating an intimidating and hostile environment by showing or verbalizing sexually suggestive material.

Interrogations

The school district has legal custody of students during the school day and during approved extracurricular activities. It is the school administration’s responsibility to act on behalf of parents (if the parents are not available) regarding interrogations by police officers or other law enforcement officials.

Searches

The school district may search and seize property if there is reason to believe that some material or situation poses a threat to student safety, health, or welfare. This includes school lockers, which may be searched at any time.

Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect

The law requires any school district employee who suspects a child has been abused or neglected to report the situation to Child Protective Services (CPS), or to have a supervisor make the report. The employee is not responsible for proving abuse or neglect, remains anonymous, and is exempt from liability. However, the employee must give all factual information about the situation to CPS. If you are dealing with an abusive or other difficult situation in your home, various community agencies can help you. Call Parents Anonymous at 1-800-352-0528 or Glendale Community Council at (623) 937-9034 for other referrals. You do not need to give your name, and in most cases free or low-cost assistance is available.

Parent Guide:

• SPECIAL PROGRAMS & SERVICES

• REGISTRATION & WITHDRAWAL

• GENERAL SCHOOL RULES

• FOOD SERVICES

• BUS TRANSPORTATION

• STUDENT RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

• STUDENT MANAGEMENT & DISCIPLINE

• OTHER INFORMATION

• 100 WAYS TO PRAISE A CHILD

• HOW THE FAMILY CAN HELP AT HOME