CODE OF STUDENT BEHAVIOR
The Forest Area School Board acknowledges that conduct is closely related to learning: an effective instructional program requires a wholesome and orderly school environment so the effectiveness of the educational program is, in part, reflected in the behavior of students and employees.
The Board shall require each student of this district to adhere to the rules and regulations promulgated by the Board and administration and to submit to such disciplinary measures as are appropriately assigned for infraction of those rules. The rules govern the student conduct in school and during the time spent in travel to and from school. Such rules shall require that students:
- conform to reasonable standards of socially acceptable behavior;
- respect the rights, person and property of others;
- preserve the degree of order necessary to the educational program in which they are engaged; and
- obey constituted authority and respond to those who hold that authority.
NO NOTE POLICY
The passing of student to student notes often creates a disruption to the educational process. Additionally, they can contain harmful and hurtful statements that are in violation of the Forest Area School District harassment policy and therefore, will not be tolerated. Notes will be confiscated and the appropriate disciplinary action will follow.
INAPPROPRIATE DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION
Students meeting in the hallways are responsible for getting to their classes on time. It is permissible for students to walk each other to classes only if they report to their classes on time. No outward signs of affection, such as putting arms around each other, are permissible during school hours or at school functions. No physical contact of any kind is permitted. Violations of this policy will be treated as Level I offenses of the discipline code.
BUS STUDENTS
School bus transportation is provided for the student’s safety and convenience. Transportation is provided as a privilege, it is not a mandate, and therefore can be revoked at any time for misconduct. Students are expected to help maintain the condition of the bus on which they ride.
CAFETERIA CONDUCT
Students must report to the cafeteria on time during assigned lunch periods and may not leave without proper authorization. They are responsible for the cleanliness of the area in which they eat and for returning all materials used to the proper location.
Students will not be assigned seats unless necessary for disciplinary action. Misconduct may result in loss of cafeteria privileges and/or other disciplinary action.
Students are not permitted to eat from other students’ trays. No food or drinks are permitted out of the cafeteria. Serious misconduct in the cafeteria will require that the student eat elsewhere.
CARE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY
All students should be proud enough of their school buildings and grounds to help keep them clean. Visitors coming to our school should find it respectable at all times. Do not throw papers around the school. Refuse cans are placed in the cafeteria, the halls, the gym, and the classrooms. PLEASE USE THEM. If you see papers lying around, pick them up, even if you didn’t put them there. If you see another student absentmindedly scratching or kicking a desk, remind him/her that your parents pay taxes for the very thing he/she is ruining. Do your share to keep the school clean and neat. The following guidelines should be followed:
- Always keep your lockers in an orderly manner, so that when you open them to take out books, papers do not fall on the floor. Writing or paste-on’s are NOT permitted on the outside.
- Students are not permitted to consume any type of liquids, in either bottles or cans, during class time, or in the hallways. Students may not purchase anything from the vending machines during the school day. Items may be purchased at dismissal. Vo-Tech students may purchase at their dismissal.
- Any damage to desks, lockers, etc., assigned to you, is to be reported to the teacher at the beginning of the period (immediately) so that you cannot be unjustly accused of the damage.
- Pupils are asked not to walk on the grass where walkways are available.
- Pupils will refrain from writing on walls or desks.
- Waste is to be put into wastebaskets, not on the floor, or in desks, or in lockers.
- Pupils who lose or damage school property will be required to pay for this damage or loss.
- The wearing of apparel which damages school property is prohibited. This includes the wearing of cleats on shoes, backstraps with buckles on skirts or trousers, and jeans with rivets on them.
- Students are not permitted on the playing floor of the gymnasium unless they are wearing gym shoes.
- Students will refrain from carrying quantities of homework and exam papers and such articles as pencils, pens, and combs in their textbooks.
- Students should not adjust window blinds unless requested to do so by a teacher.
- Pupils are expected to cooperate with the school officials in keeping the school buildings and grounds neat and orderly at ALL TIMES.
- Shelving, heaters, desk tops, etc., are not constructed to hold students. Sit in chairs.
- Students are not permitted barefooted in the school except in the locker room.
- Pocket knives are not permitted in school. (Act 26 violation)
- No liquids may be brought into the building unless they are “factory-sealed” or in a thermos.
CHEATING
Those who cheat – cheat no one but themselves. Any student who is caught cheating on a quiz, assignment, or examination of any kind will receive a zero for that examination, and the office will be notified of the misbehavior. Cheating is a Level II offense.
DANCES
- A minimum of two faculty chaperones and two parent chaperones must be secured and committed to attend before the dance will be scheduled. Chaperones are expected to arrive 10-15 minutes before the start of the dance and stay until all students have left school grounds. At least one chaperone shall remain at the entrance at all times. The chaperones judgment and word will be final regarding all decisions during the event.
- One set of gym lights, or all of the stage lights with the curtains open must be lit at all times. All exit lights must be lit as well. The light control panels will be locked with the head chaperone having the only key. Anyone interfering with the lights will not be permitted to attend in the future.
- The student dress code will be in effect during all dances. It includes the wearing of hats, etc. Students not in compliance will be asked to leave and must have the permission of the administration before attending another dance.
- Students will not be permitted to go to their lockers or elsewhere in the building. The custodians will set up gates blocking access to all hallways except the restrooms and emergency exits.
- All DJ’s (student or otherwise), VJ’s and bands must sign and adhere to the policy governing their actions before being contracted. Student DJ’s must be approved by the administration. No food or drinks are permitted in the sound booth. Students who are not listed as a contracted DJ are not permitted in the sound booth. All music will stop at 10:00PM and all equipment will be out of the school by 11:00PM.
- No one is permitted on stage or in the north section of the building.
- All dances will include grades 7 through 12 unless otherwise specified. Dances will be from 7:00 – 10:00 P.M. (The Prom would be an exception to this rule.) There shall be no more than one dance per month. All dances must be scheduled through the principal. No student shall be admitted after 8:30 P.M. unless they are an East Forest or West Forest team member returning to the school following an away athletic event or school activity.
- Any student leaving the dance early must sign out at the admission table and record the time. Parents will be notified the next school day of this happening. Students who leave the dance early must immediately leave school grounds. Those failing to do so will lose their privilege to attend future dances. Students who leave the dance early will not be readmitted.
- No “slam dancing”, standing on chairs or bleachers, or students being on one another’s shoulders will be permitted. Students violating this rule will be asked to leave.
- Any excessive displays of affection between students will necessitate their being asked to leave the dance. They will not be permitted to attend another dance that year until given approval by the principal.
- Students wishing to sign in a guest for the dance must do so a day in advance and must follow the specific guest sign-in procedures. Guests must comply with all Forest Area policies the same as Forest Area students. Students are responsible for their guest’s behavior.
DRESS
Students have the right to govern the length or style of their hair including facial hair. Any limitations of this right shall include evidence that the length or style of hair causes a disruption of the educational process or constitutes a health or safety hazard. Where length or style of the hair presents a problem, some types of covering should be considered.
School officials may impose limitations on dress when the attire causes the disruption of the educational process or constitutes a health or safety hazard. Students may be required to wear certain types of clothing while participating in physical education activities, concerts, performances, or other situations where special attire may be required to insure the health and safety of the student.
Physical Education Clothes:
- Each student participating must dress in proper physical education clothes, as defined by course instructor.
Concert dress code is as follows:
- Gentlemen: black pants, white shirt, tie, dress shoes
- Ladies: black skirt (at least knee length) or slacks, white shirt (with sleeves), dress shoes
- Appropriate attire as established by the director
Students have the responsibility to keep themselves, their clothes, and their hair clean. School officials may impose limitations on student participation in the regular instructional program where there is evidence that the lack of personal hygiene constitutes a health hazard.
The Forest Area School District believes a student’s manner of dress and hair style is a basic responsibility of the student and his/her parent. We firmly believe that a student’s attitude, behavior, and dress are closely related. Students and parents, as responsible members of the community, are expected to continue to exercise good judgment in the selection of appropriate clothing for school. Inappropriate clothing is defined as that type of attire that causes an interruption of the educational process or constitutes a health or safety hazard. A committee consisting of school board members, administrators, faculty members, and student council officers recommends the following guidelines for acceptable student dress in the Forest Area School District:
- No T-shirts advertising drugs, sex, alcohol, tobacco, or vulgarities or shirts having negative or demeaning comments regarding clubs, organizations, or individuals within the school will be permitted.
- No hats, sweatbands, head coverings, and non-prescription sun glasses are to be worn inside the building during school hours.
- Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times. No bare feet will be permitted. Footwear is to be worn in such a way as not to constitute a safety hazard.
- Jewelry may not be worn in classes where it may constitute a safety hazard.
- Pants, skirts, all clothing must cover the hips.
- Clothing that is so revealing or form fitting that it would call undue attention to the wearer and thereby disrupt the educational process may not be worn. Examples of this type of clothing include, but are not limited to:
a. Mesh shirts, net shirts, and see-through shirts are not permitted unless another shirt is worn underneath. Students should wear proper undergarments.
b. Bare-midriff shirts, halter tops, tube tops, thin-strapped (spaghetti straps) and tank tops.
c. Shorts, skirts, and dresses must be mid-thigh length or longer. They must extend below the finger tips with arms extended at the sides.
Failure to comply with the provisions set down in the above dress code will result in a Level I violation of the discipline code.
HALL GATES
Hall gates have been installed to avoid student traffic in areas which have been or are being cleaned and in which there is no supervision or any need for student traffic. Students should take books, etc. from their lockers at regular dismissal and not during extra-curricular activities. Plan your evening activities assuming the halls will be closed. These gates are portable and light and can be easily damaged. Any student pushing these gates aside or attempting to climb over them will be denied the privilege of attending extra activities, and disciplined as a level three offense for institutional vandalism. If a need arises at an evening activity for materials in a “closed off” area, the advisor should contact the custodian.
HALL PASSES/HANDBOOK(PASSPORT)
Students are NOT permitted in the halls during class periods unless they are accompanied by a teacher or have a hall pass from an authorized staff member. If you wish to see a teacher during his/her conference period you must arrange for this in advance. The teacher must give you a pass permitting you to be excused from study hall. You must deliver this pass to your study hall teacher at the beginning of the study hall period.
LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS
No student is to leave the building or school area during the school day unless given permission by the office. Any student failing to check out properly will be considered truant from classes and will be subject to disciplinary action. This includes students who go to the parking lot without permission from the office.
LOCKERS
The school district provides students with lockers for the storage of their clothing and school materials. The school district, standing in loco parentis (24 P.S. Sec. 1317), reserves the right to authorize school personnel or law enforcement officers to search individual pupil lockers for the presence of intoxicating beverages, illicit drugs, or dangerous weapons. Periodic inspections for cleanliness and safety can be made.
Students are encouraged to use school provided locks. If using your own lock, please provide the office with a copy of the key or the combination. If not, this lock will be removed by school personnel. We recommend students lock all personal belongings.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
All students are required to take and pass physical education classes to meet the requirements for graduation. Both boys and girls must wear either an approved gym suit or shorts and a T-shirt. Gym shoes that do not make marks on the gym floor are also a requirement. It is requested that a pair of gym shoes other than the student’s everyday sneakers be used.
Physical Education requirements are as follows:
- Gym suit or shorts and a T-shirt
- White socks
- Gym shoes
- Hair must be kept out of face during physical education so as not to interfere with participation.
- No jewelry ~ watches, rings, earrings (including posts).
- No gum chewing
- Showers may be required after every class. (Bring soap and towel.)
- Only doctor excuses, and on rare occasions excuses from the nurse, will be accepted as reasons for not participating in physical education. All doctors’ excuses must specifically address what the student may and may not do, also his recommendations for an adaptive prescription of permitted activities during the period of incapacitation. This must be included with the excuse to be valid.
- Each student must dress in gym clothes for every gym class.
- Gym clothes should be laundered once a week.
- Locks are available through the P.E. department.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
The School Board prohibits the use of telephone paging devices, cellular phones, electronic games, laser pointers and other electronic devices which may disrupt the educational process. The use of these items is prohibited during the school day.
This prohibition shall not apply in the following cases, provided that the building principal approves in advance the presence of the telephone pager or cellular phone:
- A student who is a member of a volunteer fire company, ambulance or rescue squad.
- A student who has a need for a telephone or pager due to a medical condition or other appropriate use.
Unauthorized possession of electronic devices shall result in confiscation of the item by school personnel.
REGULATIONS FOR SOCIAL FUNCTIONS AND ATHLETICS
Students are under the jurisdiction and therefore the rules and regulations of the school at all extra-curricular activities, including those at other schools. Students who leave a school activity early must leave the school grounds. Students will not be permitted to leave the school building and re-enter.
RESTRICTED AREAS
The following areas are restricted to students except by the direct permission of those persons who are authorized to be in charge:
- The teacher’s room
- The cafeteria kitchen
- All storage and stock rooms
- Athletic equipment rooms
- Locker rooms unless scheduled for a class
- Faculty lunch room
Students are, at NO TIME, to remain in any part of the building unless a teacher is present and assumes the responsibility. Students who find themselves in unsupervised rooms, or if assigned to a room which is locked, should report to the office immediately for reassignment.
RESTROOM PRIVILEGES
HALL PASS/PASSPORT (HANDBOOK)
Students are to use the restroom nearest their classroom. No one is to be excused from class except in case of an emergency. Only one person is to be excused from a room at a time. Students MUST carry a handbook and sign out.
- Restrooms are to be used only for the purpose intended. Any other usage such as smoking, loitering, unpurposeful meeting, or hiding from school personnel will be subject to disciplinary action as defined in the disciplinary code.
- Students are to go to the restroom between periods. If an emergency necessitates using the restroom during a class, the following procedures should be observed.
1. Ask the teacher’s permission.
2. Follow procedure established by the teacher. DO NOT ASSUME THAT A TEACHER MUST HONOR YOUR EVERY REQUEST. IN CASES WHERE A STUDENT TAKES ADVANTAGE, A REQUEST MAY BE DENIED.
C. Remember, the restrooms are there for your convenience. Please report any restroom damage or malfunction that you see, immediately, to any staff member.
SCHOOL BUS REGULATIONS
Change in Regular Transportation
Students must turn in a note from parents to be approved by the principal or his designee, to change their regular transportation. These notes should be given to the homeroom teacher no later than the morning of the day the request is made. Example: to ride a different bus or get off at a different stop.
Bus Stop Regulations
- Arrive at the bus stop on time ~ 5 minutes prior to the time the bus is to arrive and wait for 20 minutes.
- Wait for your bus in a safe place ~ well off the roadway. Bus riders must conduct themselves in a safe manner while waiting (this means no foolishness or horseplay).
- Respect the property rights of people who reside at or near the bus stop.
- Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before trying to get on the bus. Enter the bus single file with no crowding or pushing.
- Be careful if crossing the roadway to board the bus ~ check to make sure all traffic has stopped.
Bus Riding Regulations
- Observe the same conduct as in the classroom.
- Be courteous; use no loud or profane language.
- Do not eat or drink on the bus.
- Keep the bus clean; pick up any mess you make.
- Do not throw any objects in the bus or outside the bus.
- Squirt guns and water bottles of any kind are not permitted on the bus.
- Remain seated at all times while on the bus.
- Keep head, hands and feet inside the bus. Windows are to be opened only with the driver’s permission.
- Do not be destructive ~ defacement or destruction of property will be dealt with according to the school disciplinary code.
- Smoking or the use of tobacco products on the bus will be dealt with according to the disciplinary code. Lighting of matches or lighters is not permitted on or around the school bus.
- The driver has similar authority to the classroom teacher and the students are to obey, cooperate and show respect.
- Be courteous to fellow students.
- Bus drivers are authorized to assign seats.
- Radios, tape players or any form of sound systems are not permitted on the bus. The bus driver has been instructed to confiscate these items and turn them over to the principal. They will be kept in the school office until parents/guardians pick them up.
- Enter the building immediately upon arrival at the school.
- Putting off any explosive devices on the bus will result in suspension from riding the bus ~ for 3 days or longer, and be dealt with according to the disciplinary code.
Bus Unloading Procedures
- Students should exit the bus in a quiet, orderly manner and proceed directly to their assigned area at school or to their homes.
- Students who must cross the road should cross 10 feet in front of the bus. Check traffic in both directions before proceeding across the roadway. Watch driver for signal to cross.
- Children walking along the side of the bus should stay away from the bus as far as possible if sidewalks are not available.
Extra-Curricular Activities
- The preceding regulations apply to any trips under school sponsorship.
- Students should respect and obey the chaperones assigned to the trip.
Emergency Procedures
- Evacuation drills are scheduled so that students on the bus know exactly what to do in case of an emergency.
- The driver or the assigned helpers must have the cooperation of the students. Students are to remain quiet during drills or an emergency so that they can hear directions.
- Students are not to leave the bus for emergencies unless instructed to do so by the bus driver.
- No individual is to open any emergency door except in the event of a true emergency. These doors are never to be used for routine boarding or exiting.
Discipline Procedures
Children who engage in serious discipline problems on the bus, such as fighting or any other activity that endangers the health or safety of other passengers, may have their riding privileges suspended by the responsible principal. The parent/guardian of suspended students is then responsible for transporting his/her children to and from the school safely. The following procedures will be used ~ the driver will report the incident to the manager of the bus garage who will notify the building principal on a “Bus conduct Report.”
1st Offense: Written warning by driver.
2nd Offense: 3-day suspension of riding privileges.
3rd Offense: 5-day suspension of riding privileges.
4th Offense:30-day suspension of riding privileges or school board may suspend riding privileges for remainder of year.
Students who disobey these rules may be assigned detention, suspended from riding the bus, or may face other appropriate disciplinary action.
SNOWBALLING
All students are prohibited from throwing snowballs, not only on school property, but also en route to and from school. This includes students who are waiting at or leaving school bus stops.
STUDY HALLS
Pupils must report on time to their assigned study halls. Students who have been excused by properly authorized passes given in advance to the study hall supervisor should report directly to the pre-arranged assignment. PASSES MUST BE PRE-ARRANGED.
- Students are not allowed to talk during study hall periods without previous permission from the teacher.
- Students are expected to study or read. Books and periodicals which provide justifiable school learning experience will be permitted. Books and periodicals not appropriate for school situations should be confiscated. Pupils are not permitted to leave the study hall without the study hall supervisor’s permission for such chores as getting books, going to the restroom, seeing other classmates, seeing a teacher, etc. Efficient use of the three minutes between classes should be mandated.
- Students who want to see the Guidance Counselor or a teacher during a study hall must anticipate this and get, in advance of the study hall, an excuse or pass from the counselor, teacher or the office. A pupil may not leave study hall to get a request that he/she be excused.
STUDENT CONDUCT AT SCHOOL EVENTS
Students will exercise the best self-discipline possible at all school events. All school rules must be followed during the activity. If violations should occur, the discipline code will be enforced. A student could be suspended from attending or participating in all Forest Area School events if his/her conduct is not of the best quality.
Courtesy must be shown toward all opponents and officials at all sporting events. Booing opponents and/or officials is one example of unacceptable behavior.
NOTE: Students whose activities have been suspended due to disciplinary reasons are not permitted to attend or participate in any school functions or activities, during or after school, for the period of time stated in the disciplinary code.
STUDENT CONDUCT IN THE LIBRARY
The library is a place for quiet work or study. Socializing, excessive noise, and frequent, purposeless visits are not permitted. Any conduct which is disruptive and/or prevents others from working will result in the student’s being sent back to study hall or class. Students who are consistently disruptive in the library will be denied use of the facilities during school hours for specified periods of time, and action will be taken according to the disciplinary code.
STUDENT DRIVERS
Students who hold a Pennsylvania driver’s license and who have parental permission may apply for a parking permit to park in the student lot. The privilege of parking on school property may be revoked with cause at the discretion of the administrator.
- All student cars must be parked in designated areas.
- Students who refuse to park in their assigned parking place may lose their parking privileges or receive suitable punishment.
- No cars may be removed from parking areas during the school day except by permission of the principal or his designee.
- All signs indicating parking areas, reserved areas, and one-way drives are to be observed.
- A student who drives in a careless or reckless manner will forfeit his/her privilege to use the school parking facilities.
- Smoking is not permitted in cars while the car is on school property.
- The speed limit on school ground is 10 MPH.
- Illegally parked cars will be towed away without notice and the driver will be responsible for towing charges.
- Vehicles parked on school property are subject to search by the school administration at any time.
- All cars must be properly registered in the principal’s office.
TEXTBOOKS/LIBRARY BOOKS
The school furnishes books to all students. This is done with the hope that this major investment will be properly safeguarded. Reasonable damage is expected as a result of daily use. You WILL be required to pay for lost or damaged books. Each student will sign a form at the beginning of the school year attesting to having received that book and its condition. In addition, a student who owes money for any reason at the close of the school year will not be permitted to attend or participate in any way in any extra-curricular activities.
VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL STUDENTS
The bus transporting the Vocational-Technical students to the area Venango Career Center will leave the home high school between 11:10-11:20. The buses will load from the front doors near the main office.
It is the policy of both the Forest Area School District and the Venango Career Center that all students attending the Career Center be transported by bus to and from the center. However, those students who have received written permission from the Venango Career Center director and the Forest Area Administration to drive or ride with someone to the Vo-Tech school may do so.
Parents/guardians will be given notification of first behavior problems of any student riding the Vo-Tech bus and will be informed after proper due process that the next offense will result in suspension from the bus with the parents/guardians providing transportation.
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