PTHS Student Handbook 2016-2017

Bullying includes cyber-bullying (bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication) and means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a student or students that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following: 1. Placing the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property. 2. Causing a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health. 3. Substantially interfering with the student’s academic performance. 4. Substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school. Examples of prohibited conduct include name-calling, using derogatory slurs, stalking, sexual violence, causing psychological harm, threatening or causing physical harm, threatened or actual destruction of property, or wearing or possessing items depicting or implying hatred or prejudice of one of the characteristics stated above. A student who is being bullied or knows of someone being bullied is encouraged to fill out the “Because You Care Form” found on the PTHS website. In addition, he/she should immediately report it orally or in writing to a District Complaint Manager (Mr. Bohm and Mrs. Thomas), Nondiscrimination Coordinator (Mrs. Meyer) or any staff member with whom the student is comfortable speaking. Anyone who has information about actual or threatened bullying is encouraged to report it to the District Complaint Manager, Nondiscrimination Coordinator or any staff member. The school will not punish anyone because he or she made a complaint or report, supplied information, or otherwise participated in an investigation or proceeding, provided the individual did not make a knowingly false accusation or provide knowingly false information. The school will protect students against retaliation for reporting incidents of bullying, intimidation, teen dating violence or harassment, and will take disciplinary action against any student who participates in such conduct. Penalty for Sexual Harassment Any student who is found guilty of sexual harassment will face disciplinary action. Consequences may range from verbal reprimand to a recommendation of expulsion from school and could be turned over to local law enforcement agency. A written report will be filed with the Superintendent within 30 days. Access to Student Social Networking Passwords & Websites School officials may conduct an investigation or require a student to cooperate in an investigation if there is specific information about activity on the student’s account on a social networking website that violates a school disciplinary rule or policy. In the course of an investigation, the student may be required to share the content that is reported in order to allow school officials to make a factual determination. SUICIDE AND DEPRESSION AWARENESS AND PREVENTION Youth suicide impacts the safety of the school environment. It also affects the school community, diminishing the ability of surviving students to learn and the school’s ability to educate. Suicide and depression awareness and prevention are important goals of the school district. The school district maintains student and parent resources on suicide and depression awareness and prevention. Much of this information, including a copy of school district’s policy, is posted on the school district website. Information can also be obtained from the school office. SCHOOL-WIDE CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE PLAN This plan allows every student to manage his or her behavior. We believe this plan will promote a good learning environment for academic and social success. We encourage all students to display appropriate behavior. If a student chooses to break a rule, the following consequences will be administered cumulatively on a daily basis. Step 1 - Warning for violation of handbook/classroom rules. Step 2 - Room Detention with the teacher. (10 minute maximum) Parents will be contacted. Step 3 - Room Detention with the teacher. (30 minute maximum) Teacher must provide 24 hours notice, Parents will be contacted. Step 4 - Severe Case - Sent to the office, Sent to the office after Steps 1, 2, 3 have failed or student displayed gross misconduct, Violations will be handled on an individual basis by the administration. Consequences may range from verbal reprimand to expulsion.

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