hartford school district
TRANSCRIPT
HARTFORD
SCHOOL DISTRICT
DECLARATION
It is the intent and purpose of the Hartford School District Board of Education,
superintendent of schools, building principals, teachers, and school employees to provide
and insure a safe and secure learning environment for our students, and every possible
effort will be made to reach that goal.
The purpose of this discipline handbook is to reinforce expectations for student
conduct that will support our effort to provide a safe and secure place for your children to
gain an education.
With parent support and student compliance Hartford Elementary School will
continue to provide a healthy and controlled discipline environment where conformity
reinforces safety and teaches responsibility for actions and consequences for choices.
To this end, individual freedoms and the right to self-expression may be infringed
on, and strict compliance at times may seem harsh and even to a degree unfair, but
student conformity and compliance are necessary to a safe and controlled school
environment.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS CONTACT
PHONE NUMBERS …………………………………………………………….6
INTRODUCTION …………………………………….………………………………….7
NOTICE TO PARENTS …………………………….……………………………………7
ASSESSMENT AND REMEDIATION …………………………………………………7
REQUIRED DISCIPLINE POLICIES ………….………………………………………..8
Compliance with Act 968 ………………………………………………………………...8
VIOLENT ACTS, INSULT AND ABUSE ………………………………………………8
Insult or Abuse of a Teacher (AR 6-17-106) …………….……………………………….8
Violent Acts Committed Against a Teacher
Principal Required to Report (Act 888 of 95) ……………………………………9
Second Degree Battery as it Relates to
School Employees (Act 207 of 97) ………………………………………………9
Threats and Acts of Violence, Principal
Required to Report (Act 1520 of 99) ……………………………………………10
Uniform Compliance with Requirement that
School Officials Report (Act 1243 of 97) ……………………………………….11
Guidelines for Dealing with Students who
Assault Other Students (Act 706 of 97) …………………………………………11
ARKANSAS SAFE SCHOOL ACT 1189 OF 93 ………………………………………12
FIREARMS AND WEAPONS …………………………………………...…………….13
Enhanced Penalty for Possession of a
Handgun (Act 57 of 94) ……………………………………………..…………..13
Students Who Bring Weapons Shall be
Expelled (Act 567 of 95) ………………………………………………………..13
Parents Responsible for Minors Possessing
Handguns on Campus (Act 1149 of 99) ………………………………………...14
Expulsion Process and Parental Responsibility for
Allowing Student to Access Firearms on
School Property (Act 1150 of 99) ……………………………………………….14
SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION …………………………………………………….15
Any Person Expelled is Prohibited from Enrolling (Act 427 of 95) …………………….15
Parents Required to Indicate on Enrollment Forms
If student has Been Expelled (Act 574 of 95) ………………………………….15
Appeal Process for Students Suspended or
Expelled (Act 742 of 97) ………………………………………………………15
Hartford Elementary School‟s Suspension and Expulsion Policy ...…………………….16
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT ..…………………………………………………………17
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Procedures for Administering Corporal Punishment
In Public Schools (Act 333 of 95) …………………………………………….…………17
Reasonable Use of Corporal Punishment Excluded
From Definition of Abuse (Act 804 of 95) ……………………………………...17
Hartford Elementary School‟s Corporal Punishment Policy ……………………………17
Corporal Punishment Notice to Parents …………………………………………………19
HARTFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GENERAL
STUDENT DISCIPLINE INFORMATION .……………………………………………19
(A) Verbal Abuse and Terroristic Threatening ………………………………………….19
(B) Insubordination, Rudeness and Disregard of Directions or Commands.……………20
(C) Disruption and Interference with School ……………………………………………21
(D) Providing False Information or Refusal to Identify ………………………………...21
(E) Forgery ………………………………………………………………………………22
(F) Theft of Property …………………………………………………………………….22
(G) Damage to Property …………………………………………………………………23
(H) Truancy, Leaving School Grounds and Missing Class ……………………………..24
(I) Acts Involving Moral Turpitude ……………………………………………………..25
(J) Gambling…….……………………………………………………………………….26
(K) Possession and Use of Tobacco ……………………………………………………..26
(L) Possession and Use of Alcoholic Beverages………………………………………..26
(M) Possession and Use of Drugs ……………………………………………………….27
(N) Possession and Use of Fireworks and Explosive Devices ………………………….28
(O) Possession of Paging Devices, Cell Phones and Laser Pointers ……………………28
(P) Assault, Fighting and Physical Abuse ….……………………………………………28
(Q) Possession of Firearms and Weapons ………………………………………………30
(R) Behavior Not Listed and Habitual Poor Conduct ………………………………..….31
PLAYGROUND RULES ……………………………………………………………….31
LUNCH AREA RULES ………………………………………………………………...32
LOCK AND LOCKERS ………………………………………………………………...33
SOFT DRINK MACHINES …………………………………………………………….33
USE OF THE TELEPHONE ……………………………………………………………33
APPEARANCE AND DRESS CODE ………………………………………………….34
PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION ………………………………………………….34
SCHOOL DAY LATE ARRIVAL AND/OR EARLY DEPARTURE …………………35
STUDENT ASSEMBLIES ……………………………………………………………...35
DUE PROCESS AND A STUDENT‟S RIGHTS ………………………………………35
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SEARCHES ……………………………………………………………..………………36
OFFICE DISCIPLINARY RECORD ………………………………...…………………36
DISCIPLINE NOTICES (“Pink Slips”) ……………………………..………………….37
ASSERTIVE DISCIPLINE PROGRAM ………………………….……………………37
APPROVED PRIVILEGES WHICH MAY
BE DENIED AS PUNISHMENT ………………………………….……………………37
TEACHER JURISDICTION AND AUTHORITY ………………..……………………38
Teacher Authorized to Remove Students From
Classroom (Act 1281 of 99) …….……………………….………………………………38
Classroom Rules …….………………….……………………………………………….38
BUS POLICIES …………………………………………………………………………39
The Bus Safety Act (Act 805 of 95) ………………………………………………….…39
Policies for Students Riding School Buses ……………………………………………...39
Bus Discipline Schedule of Punishment ………………………………………………...40
Bus Conduct Report ……………………………………………………………………..41
Anti-Bullying Policy for School Bus ……………………………………………………41
ATTENDANCE POLICY ………………………………………………………………41
Attendance According to Act 292 of 1991 ……………………………………………...41
Parent Contact and Legal Notification ………………………………………………..…42
TARDINESS ……………………………………………………………………………42
Tardy and Early Departure Procedure …………………………………………………..42
Leaving School ……………………………………………………………………….…43
Absences and Excuses …………………………………………………………..………43
Emergency Closings ……………………………………………………………….……43
FIRE DRILLS AND SEVERE WEATHER DRILLS ……………………………..……43
MONEY AND VALUABLES …………………………………………………….……44
ITEMS BROUGHT FROM HOME ………………………………………………….…44
USE OF TABACCO ON SCHOOL PROPERTY ……………………………...………44
Protecting the Rights of Non-Smokers (Act 779 of 97) …………………………..…….44
Use of Tobacco Products Prohibited on School
Property (Act 1555 of 97) …….…………………………………………………………45
TEXTBOOKS AND WORKBOOKS…………………………………………………...45
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LIBRARY POLICIES……………….………………………………………………..…45
UNPAID CHARGES, FINES, LOST BOOKS, LOST REPORT CARDS…………......45
LOST AND FOUND ……………………………………………………………………45
ELEMENTARY PARTIES …………………………………………….….……………46
HOMEWORK ………………………………………………………….………..………46
REPORT CARDS AND CONFERENCES …………………………….……………….47
HAND HELD LASER POINTERS (Act 1408 of 99) ………………….……….………47
ARKANSAS LIBRARY MATERIALS
SECURITY LAW (Act 906 of 95) ……………….…………………………..…………47
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ……………….……………..………48
EMERGENCY ACTION (ABNORMAL OR
IRRATIONAL BEHAVIOR) ………………………………………………...…………48
PARENT PARTICIPATION AT BOARD MEETINGS …………………………….…48
BULLYING POLICY ………………………………………………………………...…49
AWARDS FOR STUDENTS ………………………………………………………...…49
GRADING ………………………………………………………………………………49
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES – ELEMENTARY …………………………….50
STUDENT TRANSFERS ………………………………………………………….……51
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS ………………………………………………….……51
PROHIBITED CONDUCT ………………………………………………………..……53
PARENTAL / COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT – SCHOOL ………………………...54
COMPUTER POLICY ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY …………………………..........55
PROMOTION/RETENTION…………………………………………………...........58-59
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES-----------------------------------------------------------------58
HANDBOOK / BULLYING POLICY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT RECEIPT……………………………………………………60
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(MUST BE SIGNED AND RETURNED)
HARTFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
TITLE I PROGRAM COMPACT ………………………………………………………61
(MUST BE SIGNED AND RETURNED
DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS
CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS
School Bus Problems
Coach Moody, Transportation Director 639-2239
School Medical Problems
Mrs. Marilyn Teague, School Nurse 639-2821
Free Lunch Program & Elementary Secretary
Mrs. Teresa Wooten, Attendance Records 639-2525
School Board Meetings and Agenda
Mrs. T. Ragsdale, Superintendent 639-5002
High School Discipline Problems
Mr. David Lee, High School Principal 639-2239
Elementary School Problems
Mr. Alan Anderson, Elementary Principal 639-2831
Child Abuse and Neglect Problems
Mrs. C. Harris, Counselor 639-2900
Lunch Menu and Food Service
Mrs. Bonnie Cravey, Lunchroom Supervisor 639-2983
Home School Information
Mrs. T. Ragsdale, Superintendent 639-5002
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HARTFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
DISCIPLINE HANDBOOK
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this discipline handbook is to provide information to students and
parents pertaining to discipline and expected student behavior in order that students and
parents or guardians will be acquainted with and aware of the rules and regulations
necessary to the successful administration of our school.
Students are asked to have their parents or guardians read this handbook and refer
to it when questions arise about student behavior and/or discipline. Understanding
expectations held for students and school rules can prevent behavior problems and
misunderstandings and prevent the need for some punishments.
NOTICE TO PARENTS
Parent’s rights to select the type of punishments administered to their child
are limited by school board policies and state and federal laws. If you have a
question contact your child’s principal.
ASSESSMENT AND REMEDIATION
Each student in grades 3-12 shall participate in the statewide program of
educational assessment and shall participate in an academic improvement plan (AIP)
when required as a result of the assessment. The 3rd
-6th
grade assessments are the
Benchmark Tests. Students in these grade levels who are not proficient on the state
assessments shall participate in a remediation program to be promoted to the next grade.
(Act 35 of 2003)
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REQUIRED DISCIPLINE POLICIES
ACT 968 of 1995
“AN ACT TO AMEND A.C.A. 6-18-502 RELATIVE TO
SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENT DISCIPLINE POLICIES”
The Department of Education shall establish guidelines for the development of
school district student discipline policies. The school district policies shall prescribe
minimum and maximum penalties, including suspension or dismissal from school and
establish procedures for notice to students and parents of charges, hearings, and other due
process proceedings to be applicable in the enforcement and administration of such
policies.
Student discipline policies shall include, but not limited to, the following
offenses:
a. Assaulting or threatening any employees of the school system.
b. Possession of firearms or weapons.
c. Using, offering for sale, or selling alcoholic beverages or drugs on
school property.
d. Possession of communication devices.
e. Damaging, destroying or stealing school property.
COMPLIANCE WITH ACT 968
Act 968 of 1995 requires all school districts in the state of Arkansas to develop
student-discipline policies. It further states that students and parents shall be advised of
the rules and regulations by which the school is governed. This volume (1) of the
Student Handbook is distributed in compliance with Act 968 of 1995.
VIOLENT ACTS, INSULT AND ABUSE
ARKANSAS CODE ANNOTATED 6-17-106
“INSULT OR ABUSE OF TEACHER”
Any person who shall abuse or insult a public school teacher while the teacher is
performing normal and regular or assigned school responsibilities shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor and upon conviction be liable for a fine not less than one hundred dollars
($100) nor more than one thousand five hundred ($1500).
Each school district shall report to the Department of Education any prosecutions
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within the school districts under this section.
Arkansas law requires school districts to report to the Department of Education
any prosecutions of individual who insult or abuse teachers. The district must provide
the name of the district, the name of the individual prosecuted under this law and a
description indicating the outcome of the prosecution.
ACT 888 of 1995
“AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE PRINCIPAL OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TO REPORT ALL
FELONIES OR OTHER VIOLENT CRIMINAL ACTS COMMITTED AGAINST A
TEACHER TO THE APPROPRIATE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND
SCHOOL DISTRICT.
(a) Whenever the principal, or other person in charge, of a public school
has direct or has received information leading to a reasonable belief
that a student enrolled in the public school has committed a felony on
school property, or while under school supervision, or has committed
any other violent criminal act against a teacher, school employee or
student, the principal, or the person in charge, shall immediately
report the incident to the local law enforcement agency for
investigation and to the appropriate school district for resolution.
Whenever a law enforcement office, an employee of the office of the prosecuting
attorney, or an employee of the court receives a report of an incident pursuant to
subsection (a) of this section, that office or employee shall immediately report the
incident to the official in charge of the law enforcement agency, the office of the
prosecuting attorney, or the court. Such official shall immediately initiate an
investigation of the incident. The investigation shall be conducted with all reasonable
haste and, upon completion, immediately filed with the appropriate prosecutor or judge.
Such prosecutor or judge shall immediately review the report, gather any additional
information needed, and implement the appropriate course of action.
Any person who purposely fails to report as required by this act shall be guilty of
a Class C misdemeanor.
Each school district shall promulgate rules and regulations for compliance with
the requirement of this act, and shall consult with the prosecuting attorney of the
appropriate jurisdiction concerning the development of these rules and regulations.
ACT 207 of 1997
“AN ACT TO AMEND ARKANSAS CODE 5-13-202 TO REDEFINE
THE CRIME OF SECOND DEGREE BATTERY AS IT RELATES TO
SCHOOL EMPLOYEES”
A person commits battery in the second degree if, with the purpose of causing
physical injury to another person, he causes serious physical injury to another person by
means of a deadly weapon other than a fireman; recklessly causes serious physical injury;
or intentionally or knowingly without legal justification, causes physical injury to law
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enforcement officer, firefighter, teacher or other school employee while acting in the
course of employment, an individual sixty (60) years of age or older or twelve (12) years
of age or younger, an officer of the state or employee of the state while acting in the
performance of his lawful duty, or a certified emergency medical technician while
performing emergency services, as well as an individual who is incompetent as defined
by 5-25-101 (3). Battery in the second degree is a Class D felony.
ACT 1520 of 1999
“AN ACT TO REQUIRE SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO REPORT
ALL THREATS OF VIOLENCE OR ACTS OF VIOLENCE
ON SCHOOL PROPERTY”
Whenever the principal or other person in charge of a public school has personal
knowledge or has received information leading to a reasonable belief that any person has
committed or has threatened to commit an act of violence or any crime involving a
deadly weapon on school property or while under school supervision, the principal or the
person in charge shall immediately report the incident or threat to the superintendent of
the school district and the appropriate local law enforcement agency. The report shall be
by telephone or in person immediately after the incident or threat and shall be followed
by a written report within three (3) business days. The principal shall notify any school
employee or other person who initially reported the incident that a report has been made
to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The superintendent, or his designee, shall
notify the local school board of any report made to law enforcement under this section.
Whenever a law enforcement officer receives a report of an incident pursuant to
subsection (a) of this section, that officer shall immediately report the incident to the
office of the prosecuting attorney and shall immediately initiate an investigation of the
incident. The investigation shall be conducted with all reasonable haste and, upon
completion, shall be referred to the prosecuting attorney.
The prosecuting attorney shall implement the appropriate course of action and
within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of the file, the prosecuting attorney shall
provide a written report to the principal.
The report shall state:
(a) Whether the investigation into the reported incident is ongoing;
(b) Whether any charges have been filed, in either circuit or juvenile
court as a result of the reported incident; and
(c) The disposition of the case.
Upon receipt of the report from the prosecuting attorney, the principal shall notify
any school employee or any other person who initially reported the incident that a report
has been received from the prosecuting attorney.
Excluding the reporting requirement set out in subdivision (c) (3) in this section,
any person who purposely fails to report as required by this section shall be guilty of a
Class C misdemeanor.
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The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations to ensure
uniform compliance with the requirements of this section and shall consult with the office
of the Attorney General concerning the development of these rules and regulations.
„Act of violence‟ means any violation of Arkansas law where a person purposely
or knowingly causes, or threatens to cause death or serious physical injury to another
person.
ACT 1243 of 1997
“AN ACT TO ENSURE UNIFORM COMPLIANCE WITH THE
REQUIREMENT THAT SCHOOL OFFICIALS MUST REPORT
VIOLENT CRIMES INVOLVING STUDENTS AND OCCURRING
ON SCHOOL PROPERTY TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS”
Whenever the principal or other person in charge of a public school has direct
knowledge or has received information leading to a reasonable belief that a student
enrolled in the public school has committed a felony on school property or while under
school supervision or has committed any other crime involving an act of violence against
a teacher, school employee, or student, the principal or the person in charge shall
immediately report the incident to the superintendent of the school district. The
superintendent, or his designee, shall report the incident to the appropriate local law
enforcement agency for investigation.
Whenever a law enforcement officer receives a report of an incident pursuant to
the law, that officer shall immediately report the incident to the office of the prosecuting
attorney.
The investigation shall be conducted with all reasonable haste and, upon
completion, the prosecuting attorney shall implement the appropriate course of action.
Any person who purposely fails to report as required shall be guilty of a Class C
misdemeanor.
ACT 706 OF 1997
“AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT DISCIPLINE
POLICIES SHALL INCLUDE PROVISIONS FOR DEALING WITH STUDENTS WHO
ASSAULT OTHER STUDENTS”
Student discipline policies shall include, but not be limited to, willfully and
intentionally assaulting or threatening to assault or abuse any student or teacher,
principal, superintendent, or other employee of a school system; possession of any
firearm or weapon prohibited by law and using, offering for sale, or selling alcoholic
beverages, or illicit drugs on school property; possession of any paging device, beeper, or
electronic communication device; and willfully or intentionally damaging, destroying, or
stealing of school property.
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ARKANSAS SAFE SCHOOL ACT
ACT 1189 OF 1993
“ARKANSAS SAFE SCHOOL ACT”
SECTION 1. DECLARATION
It is the intent of the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas to insure the
safest possible learning environment for our students, teachers and other school
employees.
SECTION 2. CAPITAL MURDER
A person commits capital murder if acting alone or with one or more persons
commits or attempts to commit rape, kidnapping, vehicular piracy, robbery, arson,
burglary, a felony violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, involving an
actual delivery of a controlled substance or escape in the first degree, or he enters into an
agreement to cause death of another person, or in any circumstances manifesting extreme
indifference to the value of human life. Capital murder is punishable by death or life
imprisonment without parole.
SECTION 3. TERRORISTIC THREATENING
A person commits the offense of terroristic threatening in the first degree if with
the purpose of terrorizing another person; he threatens to cause death or serious physical
injury or substantial property damage to another person. Terroristic threatening in the
first degree shall be a Class D felony. Terroristic threatening in the second degree shall
be a Class B misdemeanor.
SECTION 4. HANDGUNS
No person in this state under the age of eighteen (18) years shall possess a
handgun. Possession shall be a Class A misdemeanor. No person in this state shall
possess a handgun upon the property of the public schools or in any school bus or
designated bus stop. Violation shall be a Class D felony.
SECTION 5 WAIVER AND TRANSFER TO CIRCUIT COURT
The seriousness of the offense, whether the offense is part of a repetitive pattern
of adjudicated offenses, prior history, character traits, mental maturity, and other factors
which reflect upon the juvenile‟s prospects for rehabilitation will determine convincing
evidence that a juvenile should be tried as an adult.
SECTION 6. OFFENSES RELATING TO RECORD, MAINTAINING
PREMISES, ETC.
The following are certified Drug Free Zones:
(1) A city or state park;
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(2) A public or private elementary or secondary school, public vocational
school, or private or public college or university;
(3) A community or recreation center;
(4) A Boys Club, Girls Club, YMCA or YWCA
(5) A skating rink or video arcade.
Any person who violates this section is guilty of a Class D felony except that
violation of this section is a Class B felony if the violation is committed on or within a
thousand (1000) feet of the real property of a certified Drug Free Zone.
SECTION 7. CRIMINAL USE OF PROHIBITED WEAPONS
A person commits the offense of criminal use of prohibited weapons if, except as
authorized by law, he uses, possesses, makes repairs, sells, or otherwise deals in any
bomb, machine gun, sawed off shotgun or rifle, firearm specially made or specially
adapted for silent discharge, metal knuckles, or other implement for the infliction of
serious injury or death which serves no common lawful purpose. Criminal use of
prohibited weapons shall be a Class B felony if the weapon is a bomb, machine gun, or a
firearm made or specially adapted for silent discharge. Otherwise, it is a Class D felony.
FIREARMS AND WEAPONS
ACT 57 OF 1994
“AN ACT TO ENHANCE THE PENALTY FOR POSSESSION
OF A HANDGUN BY CERTAIN MINORS”
(1) No person in this state under the age of eighteen (18) years shall
possess a handgun. Violation shall be a Class A misdemeanor.
(2) No person in this state shall possess a handgun upon the property of
the public or private schools or in or upon any school bus or at a designated bus stop as
identified on the route lists published by school districts each year. Violation shall be a
Class D felony and no sentence imposed for violation thereof shall be suspended or
probated or treated as a first offense.
ACT 567 OF 1995
“AN ACT TO REQUIRE THAT STUDENTS WHO BRING FIREARMS OTHER
WEAPONS UPON A SCHOOL CAMPUS SHALL BE EXPELLED”
Each school district in this state shall develop written discipline policies in
compliance with the guidelines established by the Department of Education and shall file
such policies with the Department of Education. Guidelines shall include, “the
superintendent of any school district shall suspend any student from school for a period
of not less than one (1) year for possession of any firearm or other weapon prohibited
upon the school campus by law provided, however, that the superintendent shall have
discretion to modify such expulsion requirement for a student on a case-by-case basis.”
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ACT 1149 OF 1999
“AN ACT TO MAKE PARENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALLOWING MINORS TO
POSSESS FIREARMS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY”
When a parent of a minor knows that the minor is in illegal possession of a firearm in or
upon the premises of a public or private school, in or on the school‟s athletic stadium or
other facility or building where school sponsored events are conducted, or public park,
playground or civic center, and the parent or guardian fails to prevent the possession or
fails to report the possession to the appropriate school or law enforcement officials, the
parent shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
ACT 1150 OF 1999
“AN ACT TO REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO COMPLETE EXPULSION
PROCESS FOR STUDENTS WITH WEAPONS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY; TO
REQUIRE PARENTS TO ACKNOWLEDGE PARENTAL RESPONSIBILTY FOR
ALLOWING STUDENTS TO HAVE ACCESS TO FIREARMS”
All school districts shall adopt a written policy regarding expulsion of a student
for possessing a firearm or other prohibited weapon on school property which shall
require parents, guardians or other person in loco parentis of a student expelled under the
law to sign a statement acknowledging that the parents have read and understand current
laws regarding the possibility of parental responsibility for allowing a child to possess a
weapon on school property. The statement shall be signed prior to readmitting a student
or enrolling a student immediately after the expiration of an expulsion period.
The school administrators and the local school board shall complete the expulsion
process of any student initiated because the student possessed a firearm or other
prohibited weapon on school property, regardless of the enrollment status of the student.
The Principal of each school shall report, within a week, to the Department of Education
the name, current address and social security number of any student who is expelled for
possessing a firearm or other prohibited weapon on school property or committing other
acts of violence. The expulsion shall be noted on the student‟s permanent school record.
The Department of Education shall establish and maintain a registry of students
who are expelled for possessing a firearm or other prohibited weapon on school property
or committing other acts of violence. The names, addresses, and social security numbers
of all students listed in the registry shall be available, by phone, facsimile or mail, to any
school principal in the state.
ACT 1282
“AN ACT TO AMEND ARKANSAS CODE 5-73-119
TO PROHIBIT FIREARMS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY,
SCHOOL BUSES, OR SCHOOL BUS STOPS”
Violation of (a) (1) (A) shall be a Class A misdemeanor.
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Violation of (a) (1) (A) shall be a Class D felony if the person has previously:
(a) Been adjudicated delinquent for any offense which would be a felony
if committed by an adult; or
(b) Pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to, or been found guilty of, a felony
in Circuit Court while under the age of eighteen (18) years.
Violation of (a) (2) (A) shall be a Class D felony, and no sentence imposed
for violation therefore shall be suspended or probated or treated as a first offense.
Violation of (a) (3) (A) shall be a Class D felony.
SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION
ACT 427 OF 1995
“AN ACT TO ALLOW SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROHIBIT ANY PERSON
WHO HAS BEEN EXPELLED FROM ANOTHER DISTRICT FROM
ENROLLING”
The board of directors of any school district may adopt a policy that, after
hearing before the board any person who has been expelled as a student from any
other school district may not enroll as a student until the time of the person‟s
expulsion has expired.
ACT 574 OF 1995
“AN ACT TO REQUIRE PARENTS TO INDICATE ON SCHOOL
REGISTRATION FORMS WHETHER A CHILD HAS BEEN EXPELLED FROM
ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT”
Prior to a child‟s admission to an Arkansas public school, the parent,
guardian, or other responsible person shall indicate on school registration forms
whether the child has been expelled from school in any other school district or is a
party to an expulsion proceeding.
ACT 742 OF 1997
“AN ACT TO PROVIDE AN APPEAL PROCESS FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE
SUSPENDED OR EXPELLED FROM SCHOOL FOR VIOLATION OF A
SCHOOL DISTRICT’S WRITTEN DISCIPLINE POLICIES”
Suspension means dismissal from school for a period of time that does
not exceed ten (10) days.
Expulsion means dismissal from school for a period of time that exceeds
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ten (10) days.
The board of directors may authorize an administrator to suspend any student for
a maximum of ten (10) school days for violation of the school district‟s written discipline
policies, subject to appeal to the superintendent or his designee; however, schools that
utilize nontraditional scheduling may not suspend students from more course time than
would result from a ten day suspension under the last traditional schedule used by the
school district.
If the superintendent initiates the suspension process, the decision may be
appealed to the board.
The superintendent shall recommend the expulsion of any student from school for
a period of not less than one (1) year for possession of any firearm or other prohibited
weapon. The superintendent shall have discretion to modify such expulsion requirement
for a student on a case-by-case basis.
All school district board meetings entertaining such appeals shall be conducted in
executive session if requested by the parent or guardian of the student, provided that after
hearing all testimony and debate, the board of directors shall conclude the executive
session and reconvene in public session to vote on such appeal.
HARTFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION POLICY
State laws and State Board of Education regulations permit local school officials
to expel students who are unwilling to behave in an acceptable manner and fail to abide
by district attendance policies. Students may be suspended from school for immorality,
insubordination, infectious disease, habitual uncleanliness, or other conduct that would
tend to impair the discipline of the school, or harm other pupils.
If you are suspended from school you are not to come to the school or any school
function until the suspension has ended. Students will not be permitted to make up any
work missed for the purpose of earning a grade during the suspension but may be
required to complete assigned classroom work during the suspension for noncredit.
All students returning to school after expiration of a suspension must be
accompanied by a parent or guardian and an informal administrative conference will be
held with the principal, parent, and student prior to the student being admitted back in to
school.
The principal is authorized to suspend students from school for a period of up to
ten (10) days for disciplinary reasons. Students may also be recommended to the board
for long term expulsion of over two weeks for serious incidents of misconduct, violation
of school rules, and minor incidents, which are habitually in violation of school rules.
When the principal considers that a suspension is proper, he shall send the student
home with written notice of the suspension, which shall include the reasons for the
suspension, its duration, and the manner in which the student may be readmitted to school
and the procedure for review of the suspension.
The superintendent of school shall have the authority to extend, revoke, terminate
or otherwise modify the suspension. The principal will file a written report in the
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superintendent‟s office within forty-eight hours of suspension. The superintendent shall
have the authority to present a copy of the principal‟s report to the board of education
when he feels such action is necessary.
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
HARTFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT POLICY
(AS DIRECTED BY ACT 333 OF 1995)
“AN ACT TO AMEND ARKANSAS CODE 6-18-503(b) TO
CLARIFY PROCEDURE FOR ADMINISTERING CORPORAL
PUNISHMENT IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS”
(b) (1) A school district that authorizes use of corporal punishment, including that
it be administered only for cause, be reasonable, follow warnings that the misbehavior
will not be tolerated, and be administered by a school administrator or his designees, who
shall be a teacher or administrator employed by the school district.
HARTFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL POLICY: “A
POLICY TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR
ADMINISTERING CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
IN HARTFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.”
State law authorizes use of corporal punishment as part of a school district‟s
policy and the Hartford School District has selected to permit the use of corporal
punishment as an approved measure provided that all federal, state, and local laws will be
observed in the administration of corporal punishment. Corporal punishment is not in
violation of the Eighth Amendment, its use does not require a formal hearing, and
parent‟s rights are limited in restricting educators‟ use of corporal punishment on their
children unless restricted by school board policy.
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT CAN BE ADMINISTERED AT
HARTFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ACCORDING TO THE
FOLLOWING PROCEDURES:
1. It may be used only after other alternatives have failed to change behavior or
in unusual circumstances.
2. A maximum of three swats shall be administered at any one time.
3. Corporal punishment shall not be administered to a student more than one
time during the school day.
4. Swats may only be administered only on the buttock.
5. Swats shall not be administered with anger or malice.
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6. Swats shall not be administered in the presence of other students.
7. All corporal punishment shall be administered in an administrator‟s office in
the presence of at least one certified employee in addition to the person
dispensing the corporal punishment.
8. Parents shall not be present in the office when corporal punishment is
dispensed but may wait outside the office.
9. Parents shall not administer corporal punishment to their children at school.
They may check the student out and take them home and then return the
student afterwards.
10. Before corporal punishment is administered, the student shall be advised of
the rule and infraction for which he/she is being punished, and asked if there
is any reason he/she should not receive corporal punishment.
11. If the child claims innocence, the certified employee shall permit the student
to state his/her position. (School officials are not required to conduct formal
hearings prior to corporal punishment.)
12. A discipline notice (pink slip) shall be sent to the parents via student or by
mail and shall explain that corporal punishment was administered and why.
13. Refusal to take corporal punishment shall result in other disciplinary measures
and/or suspension from school.
14. The principal is the appropriate person to administer corporal punishment to
the student.
15. In the absence of the elementary principal, the high school principal or the
superintendent of schools shall administer the required corporal punishment.
16. Some of examples of specific grounds for corporal punishment are:
a. Insubordination and disrespect for authority.
b. Defiant and hostile acts.
c. Failure to follow instructions.
d. Leaving school grounds without permission
e. Cutting class.
f. Truancy (skipping school)
g. Acts involving moral turpitude
h. Destruction of school property.
i. Physical abuse and/or fighting.
j. Repeated offenses during the same day.
17. Corporal punishment may be administered for discipline problems not listed
above in number 16.
18. The principal will decide the number of swats to be administered when
corporal punishment is appropriate (maximum of three).
19. The superintendent of schools shall have the authority to increase or decrease
the number of swats or revoke the use of corporal punishment pertaining to
any student.
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NOTICE TO PARENTS If a student refuses to accept corporal punishment for any reason, the
student shall be suspended from school for one (1) to ten (10) days depending on the
behavior problem and circumstances of the event.
HARTFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
GENERAL STUDENT DISCIPLINE INFORMATION
STUDENT CONDUCT NOT PERMITTED ON
SCHOOL PREMISES OR AT ANY ACTIVITY
RELATED TO SCHOOL:
(A) VERBAL ABUSE AND TERRORISTIC THREATENING
1. TERRORISTIC THREATENING OF SCHOOL EMPLOYEE
A student commits the offense of terroristic threatening if, with the purpose of
terrorizing, the student threatens to cause physical injury or property damage to a teacher,
principal, superintendent, or other school employee. A student who commits terroristic
threatening in the first degree has committed a Class D felony and shall be recommended
for expulsion and a police report shall be made to the appropriate law enforcement
agency.
2. TERRORISTIC THREATENING OF ANOTHER STUDENT
A student commits the offense of terroristic threatening if, with the purpose of
terrorizing, the student threatens to cause physical injury or property damage to another
student. A student who commits terroristic threatening in the second degree has
committed a Class B misdemeanor and shall be suspended from school for (3) three to
five (5) days and a police report shall be made to the appropriate law enforcement
agency.
3. TERRORISTIC THREATENING TO COMMIT A VIOLENT ACT WITH A
WEAPON
A student commits the offense of terroristic threatening if, with the purpose of
terrorizing, the student threatens to cause physical injury or property damage at school, or
threatens to possess on school property or at any school related function, any bomb,
machine gun, sawed-off shotgun, rifle, handgun or other implement for the infliction of
serious injury or death which serves no common lawful purpose. A student who commits
this form of terroristic threatening has committed a Class D felony and depending on the
circumstances could be guilty of a Class B felony. A student who commits this form of
terroristic threatening shall be recommended for expulsion and a police report shall be
made to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
4. VERBAL ABUSE OF SCHOOL EMPLOYEE
A student commits the offense of verbal abuse of a teacher, principal,
superintendent, or other school employee if, the student insults, uses sexual, vulgar or
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irreverent speech, or uses profanity directed at or in reference to a teacher, principal,
superintendent, or other school employee, or yells at, screams at, or gestures to with
inappropriate gestures any teacher, principal, superintendent or other school employee. A
student who verbally abuses a school employee shall be suspended for three (3) to five
(5) days on the first offense and recommended for expulsion on the second offense and in
some cases a police report may be made to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
5. VERBAL ABUSE OF ANOTHER STUDENT
A student commits the offense of verbal abuse of another student if, the abusing
student uses sexual, vulgar or irreverent speech, uses profanity in front of or directed at a
student or students with inappropriate gestures. A student who verbally abuses another
student shall be denied a privilege on the first offense, be administered corporal
punishment on the second offense, and suspended three (3) to five (5) days on the
subsequent offenses.
(B) INSUBORDINATION, RUDENESS AND DISREGARD OF
DIRECTIONS OR COMMANDS
1. INSUBORDINATION
A student commits insubordination if, the student willfully and intentionally is
disobedient, rebels against authority is mutinous or insubordinate to a teacher, principal,
superintendent, or other school employee. A student who commits insubordination shall
be administered corporal punishment on the first offense, suspended three (3) to five (5)
days on the second offense, and recommended for expulsion on the third offense.
2. DISREGARD OF DIRECTIONS OR COMMANDS
A student is expected to comply and shall comply with all reasonable and
responsible directions or commands given by a teacher, principal, superintendent, or
other school employee. Failure of a student to follow and/or comply with directions and
commands will result in the student being given a reprimand up to suspension depending
on the circumstances of the situation, the number of times the student has failed to follow
directions or comply with commands, and the attitude of the student. In some situations
failure to comply may be considered insubordination.
3. DISPLAY OF DISRESPECT OR RUDENESS
A student commits an act of disrespect or rudeness if, the student displays
gestures, body language, actions, facial expressions, or makes sounds that demonstrates
the student is exasperated with a teacher, principal, superintendent, or other school
employee or perceives the authority figure as an annoyance or intrusion. A student who
commits a display of disrespect or rudeness will be given a reprimand as a minimum and
could be administered corporal punishment or suspension depending on the
circumstances.
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(C) DISRUPTION AND INTERFERNECE WITH SCHOOL
1. USE OF VIOLENCE
A student commits the offense of disruption and interference with school by
violence if, the student uses violence, force, noise, coercion, threat, intimidation,
harassment, fear or any other violent conduct to intentionally cause a disruption, delay, or
interference with school teaching, business or activities. A student who commits
disruption and interference with the use of violence shall be administered corporal
punishment for the first offense as a minimum, but depending upon the circumstances
could be suspended or recommended for expulsion and a police report made to the
appropriate law enforcement agency.
2. PASSIVE RESISTANCE
A student commits the offence of passive disruption and interference with school
if, the student blocks doorways, corridors, pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic, or prevents
students from attending class or any school activity with any conduct not displaying
violence, force, noise, coercion, threat, intimidation, harassment or fear. A student who
commits the offense of passive disruption and interference with school shall be given a
reprimand as a minimum punishment on the first offense but could be administered
corporal punishment or given suspension depending on the circumstance. If any damage
to property occurred a police report shall be made to the appropriate law enforcement
agency.
3. FALSE ALARM
No student shall communicate a false emergency alarm. False alarms shall include, but
not limited to, fire alarms, bomb threats, 911 emergency calls and severe weather alarms.
A student who willfully and intentionally communicates a false alarm shall be
administered corporal punishment as a minimum punishment but could be suspended or
recommended for expulsion depending on the circumstances. If injury or property
damage occur as a result of the false alarm the greater punishment will be given and a
police report shall be made with the appropriate law enforcement agency.
(D) PROVIDING FALSE INFORMATION OR REFUSAL TO IDENTIFY
1. FALSE INFORMATION
A student shall always provide correct and valid information regarding identity,
address, telephone number and relevant data requested by the school or school
employees. Failure to provide correct information listed above could result in the student
being reprimanded, administered corporal punishment or suspended until the correct
information is provided.
2. REFUSAL TO IDENTIFY
A student shall always correctly identify themselves and provide their name and
other pertinent information to any school employee who requests the information. Any
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student who refuses to identify themselves or provides false information to a school
employee shall be given a reprimand as a minimum punishment and could be given
corporal punishment or suspension depending on circumstances and/or repeated offenses.
(E) FORGERY
1. SIGNING PARENT‟S NAME
A student commits forgery if, knowingly and intentionally the student signs or has
someone else sign (other than the appropriate and actual person) their parent‟s name to
any homework paper, test paper, discipline notice, warning sheet, report card, or any
homework paper, test paper, discipline notice, warning sheet, report card, or any other
school document. A student who commits this type of forgery will be administered
corporal punishment or suspended for one (1) to five (5) days and the student‟s parents
will be contacted.
2. PLACING NAME ON ANOTHER STUDENT‟S WORK
A student commits forgery if, knowingly and intentionally the student places or
writes their name or in any other manner claims another student‟s work, homework, tests,
or other assignments. A student who commits this type of forgery will be administered
corporal punishment or suspended for one (1) to five (5) days and the offending student
will return the claimed work to the correct student. The classroom teacher will have the
option of giving the offending student “F” on the claimed work or requiring the offending
student to complete the claimed work.
3. PLACING NAME ON ANOTHER STUDENT‟S BOOK
A student commits theft by forgery if, knowingly and intentionally the student
places or writes their name on another student‟s text book, notebook, project book, or any
other material issued by the school for use of students. A student who commits this type
of forgery shall be administered corporal punishment or given suspension and will
purchase a replacement item for the student whose textbook, notebook, project book, or
other item was stolen by this type of forgery.
(F) THEFT OF PROPERTY
1. SCHOOL PROPERTY
A student shall not steal or attempt to steal school property. A student commits
theft of school property if, the student removes or attempts to remove from campus, or
any classroom, restroom, lunchroom, office, library, or storage area any item owned or
stored by the school, or attempts to conceal, hide or keep secret the location of any school
property. A student who commits theft of school property shall be given corporal
punishment or suspension and provide complete and proper restitution for any damage or
loss suffered by the school, and a police report shall be made to the appropriate law
enforcement agency.
2. EMPLOYEE PROPERTY
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A Student shall not steal or attempt to steal personal property belonging to any
teacher, principal, superintendent, or other school employee. A student who commits
theft of property from a school employee if, the student removes any item belonging to a
school employee from its location, storage or last placed location without permission of
the true and rightful owner, or attempts to conceal, hide or keep secret the location of any
item or property rightfully belonging to any school employee. A student who commits
theft of property from a school employee shall be administered corporal punishment or
suspension and provide complete and proper restitution for any damage or loss suffered
by the school employee, and a police report shall be made to the appropriate law
enforcement agency.
3. STUDENT PROPERTY
A Student shall not steal or attempt to steal personal property belonging to
another student. A student commits theft of property from a student if, the student
removes any item belonging to another student from its location, storage or last placed
location without permission of the true and rightful owner, or attempts to conceal, hide or
keep secret the location of any item or property rightfully belonging to another student.
A student who commits theft of property from a student shall be denied a privilege as a
minimum, and may be administered corporal punishment or suspension depending on the
circumstances, and may be required to provide complete and proper restitution for any
damage or loss suffered by the student whose property was stolen. In some situations a
police report may be made to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
4. ITEMS FOUND
A student who finds any item or property that does not rightfully belong to the
student shall immediately turn that item or items into a teacher, principal, or other school
employee, or leave the item where it is and report the location to a teacher, principal or
other school employee. If any stolen, lost, or misplaced items are in the possession of a
student that student is in danger of being punished for theft.
5. THEFT BY FORCE OR COERCION
Theft by force, coercion, threat, intimidation, harassment, or inflicting fear shall
be awarded the maximum punishment and may result in a recommendation for expulsion
and a police report shall be made to the appropriate law enforcement agency. This type
of theft will not be tolerated and second chances will not be provided.
(G) DAMAGE TO PROPERTY
1. DAMAGE TO PROPERTY
A student shall not damage or attempt to damage property belonging to another
student, teacher, principal, superintendent, school employee, or the school. Any property
willfully and intentionally damaged by a student shall be repaired at the student‟s
expense or replaced by the student. Repairs, replacement or restitution for willful and
intentional destruction of property shall be in addition to any disciplinary action. A
student who willfully and intentionally damages property shall be administered corporal
punishment or suspended, and depending on the circumstances could be recommended
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for expulsion. A police report shall be made to the appropriate law enforcement agency
when the damage to property exceeds one hundred dollars ($100.00).
2. DEFACING PROPERTY
A student shall not deface or attempt to deface property belonging to another
student, teacher, principal, superintendent, school employee, or the school. A student
commits defacing property if, the student spoils the appearance of something by
markings, painting over, scraping, scratching, scrawling, tearing, gashing, ripping, or
pulling down. A student who commits defacing property shall be given a reprimand as a
minimum punishment but could be administered corporal punishment or suspension
depending on circumstances.
3. TRASHING AND MESSING
A student is expected to avoid making a restroom, lunchroom, classroom,
hallway, other school facility, or playgrounds, unnecessarily dirty, untidy or disordered.
Rubbish, refuse, trash, or any items created by a student during the course of an activity
in the classroom, restroom, lunchroom, etc. shall be discarded in the appropriate trash
receptacle or container. A student commits trashing if, the student willfully and/or
intentionally causes disorder, untidiness, or a mess without just cause or legitimate
reason. A student who commits trashing shall clean up the mess the student made in
addition to any punishment. As a minimum a reprimand will be given and the student
could be administered corporal punishment or be given suspension depending on the
circumstances.
4. FOOD FIGHTS
A student who starts, initiates, encourages or participates in a food fight shall
clean up the entire area where the food fight occurred in addition to any punishment. As
a minimum a reprimand will be given and the student could be administered corporal
punishment or be given suspension depending on the circumstances.
(H) TRUANCY, LEAVING SCHOOL, GROUNDS AND MISSING CLASS
1. TRUANCY
A student is considered truant if, the student does not report to school, stays away
from school without parent permission or otherwise shirks their duty to attend school
whenever school is in session. A truant student shall be administered corporal
punishment and placed in “in-school” suspension for each truant day the student missed
school. The student‟s parents shall be notified and a parent-student-principal conference
will be required.
2. MISSING CLASS
A student is considered truant when missing a class if, the student willfully and
intentionally fails to report to their assigned area and/or is absent without teacher,
principal, superintendent or other classroom support school employee permission. If the
student is confused or cannot find their class, the student should report immediately to the
principal‟s office. A student who commits this type of truancy shall be given a reprimand
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as a minimum punishment and could be administered corporal punishment or given
suspension depending on the circumstances. The student‟s parents shall be notified that
the student missed class or was not in or at the assigned area.
3. LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS WITHOUT PERMISISSION
A student shall not leave the school grounds for any reason unless the student‟s
parents check the student out in the principal‟s office, or unless the student is attending a
school activity, field trip, or other related school event and is accompanied by a teacher,
bus driver, classroom support personnel, administrator, or coach. A student who commits
this type of truancy, leaving school grounds without permission, shall be administered
corporal punishment or given suspension, and the student‟s parents will be notified and a
parent-student-principal conference will be required.
(I) ACTS INVOLVING MORAL TURPITUDE
1. INAPPROPRIATE DISPLAY OF SELF
A student shall not bare, show, display or expose any part of their body that is not
suitable or correct to expose to other people in public. Activities such as “mooning”,
“flashing”, “streaking”, and the like shall not be tolerated and second chances will not be
given. A student who commits displays of self will be administered corporal punishment
and depending on the circumstances could be given suspension or recommended for
expulsion. The student‟s parents will be notified.
2. INAPPRORIATE TOUCHING
A student shall abstain from indecent or inappropriate touching of themselves or
others in a sexual way or in a “private” area without proper purpose. Permission given
by the other person does not excuse the action or remove the student from being subject
to punishment. A student who commits inappropriate touching shall be denied a
privilege as a minimum punishment and may be administered corporal punishment or
given suspension. The student‟s parents will be notified.
3. SEXUAL HARASSMENT
A student shall abstain from sexual gestures, vulgar remarks, abusive statements,
obscene or libelous words, and cursing language, which is crude or disrespectful, and
considered to be a form of sexual harassment. A student shall not touch or attempt to
touch, kiss or attempt to kiss, or infringe or encroach on another student‟s personal space
in a sexual way under any circumstances. A student commits sexual harassment when
any of, or combinations of, the above listed actions occur. A student who commits sexual
harassment shall be denied a privilege and depending on the circumstances administered
corporal punishment or given suspension, and the student‟s parents will be notified.
4. INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE AND GESTURES
A students commits inappropriate language if, the student participates in cursing,
using vulgar language or gestures, or utters words or statements that are considered
inappropriate for an elementary school student. The fact that the student‟s parents are
aware of the student‟s use of these words or even permit the student to use these words
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shall not excuse the student from punishment. A student who commits inappropriate
language shall be given a reprimand as a minimum punishment and may be denied a
privilege, administered corporal punishment or given suspension depending on the
circumstances.
(J) GAMBLING AND BETTING
1. GAMBLING
A student shall not participate, even with parent permission, in any activity which
may be termed wagering or gambling where the stakes are money, objects of value, or
item forfeited because of a bet on a sporting event, cards, guessing pool, contest of any
type, including a student‟s matching skills. Classroom activities supervised by a teacher
for the purpose of teaching educational concepts, when personal gain or loss by a student
is not a factor, are exempt from this rule (J-1). A student who commits gambling shall be
given a reprimand and shall return any items or money won, and may be administered
corporal punishment or given suspension depending on the circumstances.
2. BETTING
A student shall not make bets or dares with another student, even when money or
items of value are not waged on the bet, and even the purpose of the bet is play or fun. A
student who commits betting where an argument, debate, dispute, or fight occurs will be
given a reprimand and could be administered corporal punishment or given suspension.
(K) POSSESSION AND USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS
1. POSSESSION OF TOBACCO
A student shall not possess, give, sell, store, transport, or trade tobacco products
in any form on school property or at any school function, even with parent permission. A
student who commits possession of tobacco products will be denied a privilege,
administered corporal punishment or given suspension depending on the circumstances
and the student‟s parents will be notified.
2. USE OF TOBACCO
A student shall not use, smoke, chew, or share tobacco products in any form on
school property or at any school function, even with parent permission. A student who
commits use of tobacco products will be denied a privilege, administered corporal
punishment or given suspension depending on the circumstances and the student‟s
parents will be notified.
(L) POSSESSION AND USE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
1. POSSESSION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
A student shall not possess, give, sell, store, transport, or trade alcoholic
beverages in any form on school property or at any school function, even with parent
permission. A student who commits possession of alcoholic beverages will be
administered corporal punishment or given suspension and the student‟s parents will be
27
notified and a parent-student-principal conference will be required. Also, a police report
will be made to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
2. USE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
A student shall not use, drink, taste, or share alcoholic beverages on school
property or at any school activity, in any form, even with parent permission. This
extends to a student who may drink an alcoholic beverage(s) before arriving at school or
a school activity and demonstrates any signs of intoxication, smells of alcohol or liquor,
or tells someone they have been drinking alcoholic beverages, or demonstrates any signs
that they have been drinking alcohol. A student who commits use of alcoholic beverages
will be given suspension and the student‟s parents will be notified and a parent-student-
principal conference will be required. Also, a police report will be made to the
appropriate law enforcement agency.
(M) POSSESSION AND USE OF DRUGS
1. POSSESSION OF DRUGS
A student shall not possess, give, sell, store, transport, or trade any drugs,
prescription medication, inhalant, narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine,
barbiturate, marijuana, or depressant or intoxicant, including possessing of spray paint or
glue, or any other substance represented to be a danger to the student or a controlled
substance. Prescription drugs prescribed for a specific student under a doctor‟s care are
excluded from this rule (M-1), provided the prescription is stored by the school nurse and
dispensed by the nurse following the prescription‟s prescribed instructions. A student
who commits possession of drugs shall be given suspension and the student‟s parents
shall be notified and a parent-student-principal conference shall be required. Also, a
police report will be made to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
2. USE OF DRUGS
A student shall not use or share, in any form, any controlled substance a
prescription drug in a manner not prescribed by a doctor, including medication, inhalant,
narcotic, hallucinogenic, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, or depressant or
intoxicant, including spray paint and glue, or any other substance represented to be a
danger to the student or a controlled substance. Prescription drugs prescribed for a
specific student under a doctor‟s care are excluded from this rule (M-2), provided the
prescription is stored by the school nurse and dispensed by the nurse following the
prescription‟s prescribed instructions. A student who commits drug use shall be given
suspension and the student‟s parents will be notified and a parent-student-principal
conference shall be required. Also, a police report will be made to the appropriate law
enforcement agency.
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(N) POSSESSION AND USE OF FIREWORKS AND
EXPLOSIVE DEVICES
1. POSSESSION OF FIREWORKS
A student shall not possess, handle, store, trade, sell or give firecrackers, smoke
bombs, cherry bombs, roman candles or any other explosive device considered to be
fireworks on school property, upon or in a school bus, or at a school bus stop, or at any
school function. A student who commits act of possession of fireworks shall have the
fireworks confiscated and be administered corporal punishment or depending on the
circumstances given suspension. If the type of device(s) or amount is such that it
presents a danger to students and/or school employees a police report shall be made to the
appropriate law enforcement agency.
2. USE OF FIREWORKS
A student shall not explode, set off, light, discharge, or in anyway use fireworks
while on school property or at any school activity. A student who commits use of
fireworks shall be given suspension and a police report shall be made to the appropriate
law enforcement agency.
(O) POSSESSION OF PAGING DEVICES, CELL PHONES AND LASER
POINTERS
1. PAGING DEVICES & CELL PHONES
If a student needs to use a cell phone for an emergency, the student must obtain
the permission, of a teacher or administrator to use either the school land line or their
personal cellular phone. The 2007 General Session on the Arkansas Legislature passed
an act to allow classroom teachers to collect cell phones and electronic devices at the
beginning of each class period.
All electronic devices used in the classroom during class time, will be for
academic purposes only and will be teacher‟s discretion.
The following policy may be enforced by enforced by school administrators for
violation of this policy:
1: First Offense – The device will be confiscated for the rest of the day.
2: Second Offense – Device will confiscated by Principal for 3 days.
3: Third Offense – One day Out-Of-School Suspension, one day of ISS.
2. LASER POINTERS
It is unlawful and a student shall not be in possession of a handheld laser pointer
without the supervision of a parent, guardian or teacher. The laser pointer shall be seized
by a law enforcement officer as contraband, and in the absence of a law enforcement
officer, a teacher, principal, superintendent, or other school employee shall confiscate the
device and the student shall be given a reprimand on the first offense. If a second offense
occurs the student shall be given suspension and a police report shall be made to the
appropriate law enforcement agency.
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(P) ASSAULT, FIGHTING AND PHYSICAL ABUSE
1. ASSAULT OF A TEACHER
It is unlawful for a student to commit a violent criminal act against a teacher. A
student commits a violent criminal act against a teacher if, the student hits or strikes a
teacher with their hand or an object, throws an object at a teacher, kicks or pushes a
teacher, or in any manner makes violent physical contact with a teacher, or causes
physical harm to a teacher in any manner. A student who commits a violent act or an
assault of a teacher shall be recommended for expulsion and, as required by Act 888 of
1995, the student shall be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
2. ASSAULT OF A STUDENT
It is unlawful for a student to commit a violent criminal act against another
student. A student commits a violent criminal act if, the student causes physical harm to
another student with or without a weapon. A student who commits a violent criminal act
against another student shall be suspended from school for a minimum of five (5) days
and a maximum of ten (10) days and, as required by Act 888 of 1995, shall be reported to
the appropriate law enforcement agency.
3. ASSAULT WITH A WEAPON
A student commits battery in the second degree if, with the purpose of causing
physical injury to another person, the student causes serious physical injury by means of
a deadly weapon other than a firearm. A weapon, for this purpose, will be considered to
be any object used as a device for inflicting harm or extending the power of a student
who attacks another person, this could include chairs, books, lunch boxes, bats, musical
instruments, as well as sharp devices such as knives, pencils, sticks, or any device which
would inflict a stab wound or damage another person‟s eye. A student who commits
assault with a weapon shall be suspended for a minimum of five (5) days and could be
recommended for expulsion depending on the circumstances, and a police report shall be
made to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
4. GANG ASSAULT
Gang assault is when more than one person at a time attacks, assaults, or inflicts
harm or injury on another person, including a person who may be holding or restraining
the assaulted student, or a person acting as a “look-out” watching for employees, teachers
or the principal. Anytime that more than one-on-one occurs it will be considered a gang
assault regardless of the reason. Students are directed to report any fights they observe to
a school employee immediately without becoming involved. A student who participates
in, or commits gang assault, shall be administered corporal punishment or given
suspension and depending on the circumstances could be recommended for expulsion,
and a police report shall be made to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
5. FIGHTING WITH INJURY
Fighting is when a student hits another student in a manner to inflict harm or
injury (usually with his/her fists) and the other student reciprocates in kind by hitting
back, and any observable injury results. When a fight occurs, regardless of who initiated
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the altercation, or struck the other first, both participants will be punished equally,
depending on frequency record of previous fight and the effort of one student to avoid the
altercation by turning away, attempting to get to a teacher for help, or just running away.
A student who commits fighting shall be administered corporal punishment or
suspension, and if an injury occurred, a police report shall be made to the appropriate law
enforcement agency.
6. FIGHTING WITHOUT INJURY
All factors listed in number (P-5) apply except, when observable injuries are not
present, and the intent of neither fighter was to inflict serious injury or harm, a student
who commits fighting without injury shall be denied a privilege on the first offense or
administered corporal punishment and may be given suspension. All subsequent fights
will result in suspension and a police report may be made to the appropriate law
enforcement agency, depending on the circumstances.
7. PHYSICAL ABUSE
Physical abuse is when one student is physically aggressive with another student
and there is no reciprocation. Examples of physical abuse are: pushing, tripping, pulling
down, jumping on another student‟s back, throwing a ball or other “soft” object at
another student, kicking, spitting on another student, pulling a chair out from under
another student, or any activity where the offended student does not respond in kind but
reports the incident to a teacher or principal, or other school employee. If the student
reciprocates, the physical abuse situation shall be punished under (P-5) or (P-6), fighting.
A student who commits physical abuse shall be given a reprimand as a minimum
punishment but depending on circumstances could be administered corporal punishment
or given suspension. Frequency of physical abuse events shall also elevate the degree of
punishment to a higher level. Anytime an injury occurs as a result of physical abuse a
higher level of punishment will be administered.
(Q) POSSESSION OF FIREARMS OR WEAPONS
1. FIREARMS
It is unlawful for persons under the age of (18) to possess a handgun or knife and
no person in this state shall possess these items upon the property of the public or private
schools or in or upon any school bus or at a designated bus stop. Violation shall be a
Class D felony (ACT 57 of 1994). When a parent of a minor knows that the minor is in
illegal possession of a firearm in or upon the premises of a public or private school, in or
on the school‟s athletic stadium or other facility or building where school sponsored
events are conducted, and the parent or guardian fails to report the possession to the
appropriate school or law enforcement officials, the parent shall be guilty of a Class B
misdemeanor (ACT 1149 of 1999). The principal of each school shall report, within a
week, to the Department of Education the name, current address and social security
number of any student who is expelled for possessing a firearm or other prohibited
weapon on school property and the expulsion shall be noted on the student‟s permanent
school record (ACT 1150 of 1999). A student caught in possession of a firearm or other
prohibited weapon on school property, in or on the school‟s athletic stadium or other
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facility or building where school sponsored events are conducted, or in or upon any
school bus at a designated bus stop shall be recommended for expulsion from school for
one full year and in addition to a police report being made to the appropriate law
enforcement agency, the student‟s name shall be sent, along with current address and
social security number, to the Arkansas Department of Education where it shall be listed
in a registry available by phone, facsimile or mail, to any school principal in the state,
and a note will be made on the student‟s individual school permanent record.
(R) BEHAVIOR NOT LISTED AND HABITUAL POOR CONDUCT
1. BEHAVIOR NOT LISTED
The school district and the elementary school reserves the right, as directed by
school district policies and state and federal laws, to discipline students for conduct
which is not conducive to good order and discipline, even if such behavior or
punishments are not specified and/or explained in a student handbook.
2. RESTITUTION
Restitution is not considered punishment and is expected pertaining to stolen or
damaged property. Punishment will be in addition to any restitution required.
3. POLICE REPORTS
Reports made to the appropriate law enforcement agency are not made as
punishment and will be in addition, when required by law or when the law has been
broken, to any punishment given. Police reports do not excuse expected restitution.
4. HABITUAL POOR CONDUCT
Any student who displays habitual poor conduct, even minor offenses, shall be
equivalent to punishment for a major offense. Such punishment shall include, but not
limited to, corporal punishment, suspension, and even recommendation for expulsion
under extreme circumstances.
PLAYGROUND RULES
Students are expected to use all playground areas and playground equipment in a
safe and courteous manner and to follow playground rules and the instructions of the duty
teacher(s).
Some specific rules that students should follow are:
1. Keep hands and feet to themselves.
2. Do not tease or make fun of other students about the way they play or
perform skills.
3. Leave other students playing games alone unless you are invited to
participate by those students.
4. Follow set game rules and cooperate with the group you are playing
with on the playground.
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5. Use all playground equipment properly and safely, as taught, directed,
or shown by your classroom teacher or duty teacher.
6. Follow all directions of the teacher(s) who is on duty.
7. Do not call names or argue with other students about game rules or
who won or lost a game.
8. Do not throw any objects such as gravel, rocks, dirt, sticks, leaves, etc.
Breaking specific playground rules numbers 1-7 will be punished by a warning
and reprimand or reporting to a time out area for the rest of the recess time. Breaking
specific playground rule number 8, throwing objects, will be punished by the next
scheduled recess being denied on the first offense and by corporal punishment being
administered on all subsequent object throwing events.
Other playground problems, such as swearing and fighting, will be administered
punishment as directed under the appropriate category under General Student Discipline
Information in the student handbook volume 1.
LUNCH AREA RULES
Students are expected to report to, use, and depart from the lunch area in an
orderly, safe, and courteous manner and to clean up any mess they made in the area they
used to eat in, and to return their trays and trash to the proper and designated areas.
Students are also expected to keep their talking voice as low as possible without yelling
to other students, and to follow all directions given by the teacher on duty or the lunch
service employees.
Some specific lunch area rules students are expected to follow are:
1. Stand in line keeping talking to a minimum and your hands and feet to
yourself without touching other students.
2. Do not break into line, or ask for or give “ups” in line. Do not save a
space for another student or ask another student to save you a space.
3. After getting your tray report to your assigned seat, assigned
classroom area, or the first available seat on your assigned table.
4. When talking at the tables use a very quiet voice and only talk to the
students immediately adjacent to you and do not try to talk to students
at other tables or down the table from you by yelling or talking loud.
5. Keep your area on the table and the floor around you “picked up” and
as clean as possible. Students are expected to clean up any
unnecessary mess they make while eating and to return their tray and
trash to the clean up area.
6. Keep your hands and feet to yourself while eating.
7. Do not share your food, or drink or ask someone for some of their food
or drink.
8. Always follow the directions of the teacher on duty.
9. If a student brings a snack lunch from home, it must contain items that
do not need heating. Students will not be allowed to use microwaves
to heat any food.
10. Any students without a lunch will be asked to get in line for a tray.
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If a student fails to follow lunch are specific rules numbers 1-8, the student will be
given a reprimand, be required to clean up the lunch area, could be denied a privilege,
could be asked to stand against the wall in the lunchroom, or be administered corporal
punishment or given suspension.
Other lunch area problems, such as swearing and fighting, will be administered
punishment as directed under the appropriate category under General Student Discipline
Information in the student handbook volume 1.
LOCKS AND LOCKERS
Fifth and sixth grade students may be assigned a locker at the beginning of the
school year. Locks for student lockers are not provided and if a student wants to lock
their locker they must purchase a lock and provide their classroom teacher a duplicate
key or the combination of the lock before the student locks the locker. Any locker locked
without the classroom teacher being provided a duplicate key or combination will be cut
off with a bolt cutter.
Lockers are the property of the school district and searches shall be conducted
without student permission at any time. Students are cautioned to not use their lockers to
store personal items of value or contraband. Lockers shall be cleaned out at regular
intervals and kept in an orderly manner. Any student who abuses their locker privilege
shall be denied use of a locker. Students are prohibited from sharing lockers, removing
books or items from another student‟s locker and shall be punished for theft if this occurs.
SOFT DRINK MACHINE
Soft drink machines are located in both the high school building and the
elementary building.
Under no circumstances during school hours are the elementary school students to
use the High School machines or ask a high school student to buy drinks for any
elementary student. Drinks must be purchased after school. Students who purchase their
lunch in the cafeteria may not bring any additional snacks and/or drinks unless health
provisions apply. After school students may not get off of the bus to purchase soft
drinks.
The other machine located at the elementary school is in the teacher‟s lounge and
is off-limits to all students at all times. If the outside machines are empty, students are
directed not to ask teachers to purchase drinks for them in the teacher‟s lounge.
USE OF THE TELEPHONE
Students are permitted to use the office telephone only with permission from the
school secretary or the elementary principal.
Students may not take care of personal business on the office phone unless it is an
emergency situation or a principal approved special request from the student‟s parents.
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Students may not call home when they are about to be punished or afterwards
unless directed by the elementary school principal or a classroom teacher to do so, and
only then in the presence of the teacher and/or principal.
Students shall not on their own check themselves out of school by calling
someone at home to pick them up. Only the school nurse, a classroom teacher, the school
secretary, the counselor or the elementary school principal can direct such action.
Students who use the phone without permission or who abuse the telephone will
be subject to punishment such as a reprimand, denied privilege, corporal punishment, or
suspension. Cell phones are strictly prohibited.
APPEARANCE AND DRESS CODE
Students should wear appropriate clothing for class and playground activity. The
student‟s dress, grooming, and appearance are the responsibility of the individual student
and his/her parents or guardians. When, however, dress, dyed hair color and grooming
disrupt the learning process, the learning environment, or other students, the principal
will ask the student to contact his/her parent and request a change of clothes be brought to
school. If a change of clothes is not made the student will not be permitted to return to
class. Students are allowed to wear tennis shoes and shorts under skirts on child‟s PE
day. Any student in violation of the appearance and dress code is subject to disciplinary
action. The following guidelines apply to student clothing and grooming.
1. Students will always wear shoes. Shoes, which distract by making noise,
lighting up, or having wheels, are not permitted. The teacher will define
distraction.
2. Students shall not display uncommon haircuts such as Mohawks, long
spikes, and/or unnatural colors.
3. Students will not wear any clothing containing written words or designs
that are vulgar or suggestive, or which advertise alcohol or tobacco
products, or which promote substance abuse.
4. Students are to wear clothing where they are appropriately covered at all
times. Spaghetti straps, halter tops, and blouses or shirts that are see-
through or show bare skin between the upper garment and the lower
garment will not be permitted.
5. Students may wear shorts that are appropriate length. Appropriate length
is defined as six (6) inches above the knee.
6. Elementary school students will observe and practice appearance and
dress code guidelines at all school related activities (including dances,
sport days, etc.)
PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION
Public display of affection between students is not acceptable behavior for
elementary students. Unless directed by a lower elementary teacher, students shall not
hold hands, and shall not under any circumstances participate in physical displays of
affection between students such as kissing, hugging, inappropriate or sexual touching, or
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any activity which would be considered physical display of affection. A student who
commits public display of affection shall be given a reprimand as a minimum punishment
and could be denied a privilege, be administered corporal punishment or given
suspension, an under some circumstances could be punished under General Student
Discipline Information, category 1-2 (Inappropriate Touching).
SCHOOL DAY LATE ARRIVAL
AND/OR EARLY DEPARTURE
1. LATE ARRIVAL
Students who are not in their classroom when the tardy bell rings (8:00 a.m.) are
considered late to school and will be sent to the office for an admit slip. Students who
are checked in by their parents or who have a note from their parents, or whose parents
called the office to notify the office that the student‟s tardy is with parent knowledge will
not be given any punishment. All other tardy students shall be denied recess each day
they are tardy without parent contact.
2. EARLY DEPARTURE
Students shall not leave the school campus prior to the dismissal bell (3:00 p.m.)
unless they are checked out by a parent or guardian, have a note from their parents or
their parents have called the office. All other students leaving campus will be given
punishment under H-3 (Truancy) of General Student Discipline Information.
STUDENT ASSEMBLIES
Hartford Elementary School will present several student assemblies during the
school year and students are expected to attend these assemblies and to conduct
themselves in an appropriate manner. Students who do not conduct themselves
appropriately will be punished in accordance with the General Student Discipline
Information schedule depending on circumstances and shall be denied attendance at the
next scheduled assembly.
DUE PROCESS AND A STUDENT’S RIGHTS
Every student is entitled to due process in every instance of disciplinary action for
which the student may be subjected to penalties of suspension or expulsion.
1. Due process is afforded to students in disciplinary cases of some
magnitude such as:
a) suspension
b) expulsion
c) statements removed from student‟s records, and
d) clearing one‟s reputation
2. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1975 that, for every suspension not
exceeding ten (10) days, the student has a right to be accorded the
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minimum requirements of the due process clause of the Fourteenth
Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.
3. Due process procedures must be known to all students and must
comply with all state and federal laws. (This handbook is
notification.)
4. Each school should establish procedures for notice to students and
parents of charges, hearings, and other due process proceedings.
5. Each school district shall develop a grievance procedure including
steps to be followed by students to resolve a grievance.
SEARCHES
Any school official employed in a supervisory capacity of students or other
persons on school premises shall, upon receipt of information that drugs or other
contraband are concealed in school-owned property, have the authority to investigate and
search any school-owned property for any drugs, guns, or other contraband which may be
concealed in the school-owned property, without the necessity of obtaining a search
warrant from local authorities. In the event contraband is discovered, it shall be seized
and held by the supervisor of the school premises until appropriate action is taken.
Whenever a school official discovers any illegal drugs, or other contraband in any
school-owned property assigned to the use of an identifiable student or any other
identifiable person, appropriate action for discipline, expulsion, discharge, or prosecution
shall be within the discretion of the supervisor of the premises. In the event that
prosecution by local authorities is pursued, the supervisor shall release the contraband to
the local prosecuting authorities to be used as evidence in court. Any evidence obtained
by use of this procedure shall be legally admissible in any court in this state (Arkansas).
Whenever a school official discovers any gun or other firearm in any school-
owned property assigned to the use of an identifiable student, that student shall be
expelled for a period of not less than one (1) year, provided, however, that the
superintendent shall have discretion to modify such expulsion requirement for a student
on a case-by-case basis. In the event that prosecution by local authorities is pursued, the
gun or other firearm shall be released to the local prosecution authorities to be used in
court and shall be legally admissible in any court in this state.
Student lockers are subject to search. School authorities have equal access to
lockers and may inspect them at any time without warning.
Personal search of a student‟s person will be limited to a situation in which
administration has reasonable suspicion that the search would produce evidence
indicating that the student has violated the law or school rules. A pat down search of a
student‟s person will be done by a school official of the same sex or by an officer of the
law. An adult witness will be present when a personal search is conducted.
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OFFICE DISCIPLINARY RECORD
Disciplinary actions will not be entered on the student‟s permanent record card
except for expulsion. Individual records shall be treated as confidential and will not be
discussed without parent permission except to school employees with required need to
access or under court order to public authorities requesting information in the course and
scope of their legal duties.
The principal will maintain the student‟s disciplinary record for one year after the
student leaves the sixth grade and then the record will be destroyed or returned to the
student‟s parents upon written request. Classroom discipline records will be destroyed at
the end of each school year.
DISCIPLINE NOTICES (“PINK SLIPS”)
When a student fails to comply with the Hartford Elementary School Discipline
Policy or demonstrates behavior which is not conducive to good order and discipline in
the elementary school, disciplinary action will occur and the student will be punished.
Anytime the punishment is such that we feel parents would like to know about the
circumstances of the behavior and punishment a Discipline Notice will be sent to the
student‟s parents. The purpose and nature of the notice is not punitive – it is informative
and for parent information only. A parent may make written requests that discipline
notices not be sent home but for purpose of record keeping they will still be filled out
when appropriate.
ASSERTIVE DISCIPLINE PROGRAM
Hartford Elementary School functions under a program of assertive discipline and
shall not permit any student to harm another or create an unsafe school environment,
keep a teacher from teaching or other students from learning, or otherwise interrupt or
interfere with the educational process of the school. Any student who commits a breach
in discipline sufficient enough to impact the safety, well-being, or learning of others shall
be punished in an appropriate manner depending on circumstances and may be reported
to the appropriate law enforcement agency as directed by law or sound school
administrative practices.
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APPROVED PRIVILEGES WHICH MAY BE
DENIED AS PUNISHMENT
1. Recess
2. Classroom parties and other classroom activities
3. Assemblies and other special events
4. Field trips
5. Field days
6. Classroom snacks
7. Classroom rewards
8. Eating lunch with other students
UNDER SOME CONDITIONS THE FOLLOWING MAY BE DENIED:
1. Physical education
2. IMPAC lab
3. Library
4. Art
5. Band
6. After school hours athletic events
TEACHER JURISDICTION AND AUTHORITY
ACT 1281 OF 1999
“TO AUTHORIZE TEACHERS TO REMOVE STUDENTS FROM CLASS IN
ORDER TO MAINTAIN EFFECTIVE DISCIPLINE IN THE CLASSROOM”
Consistent with state and federal law, a teacher may remove a student from class
and send him or her to the principal‟s or principals designee‟s office in order to maintain
effective discipline in the classroom.
A teacher may remove a student who is unruly, disruptive, or abusive that it
seriously interferes with the teacher‟s ability to teach the other students in the class.
If a teacher removes a student from class twice during any nine (9) week grading
period, or its equivalent as determined by the Department of Education, the principal or
his designee may not return the student to the teacher‟s class unless a conference is held
for purposes of determining the causes of the problem, and possible solutions, and with
the principal, teacher, counselor, parents, and student (if appropriate) present.
The failure of the parents to attend the conference shall not prevent the conference
from being held nor prevent any action being taken.
CLASSROOM RULES
Classroom teachers shall develop their own classroom rules within the restraints
of school and school board policies, state laws, federal laws, and sound classroom
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management and educational practices. Classroom rules may not be consistent from
classroom to classroom since each teacher, out of necessity, must reflect their own
personal priorities, specific needs of their students‟ age group, and rules needed to
support the teacher‟s teaching style. However, each teacher‟s major classroom rules shall
be posted in a conspicuous manner in their classroom and the teacher shall verbally
explain his/her rules at the beginning of the school year.
Also, the manner in which a teacher “keeps up” with when punishment is to be
given for breach of classroom rules shall be at the discretion of the classroom teacher.
Examples may include, but are not inclusive to or specific to any classroom: turning
“smiling faces”, “moving your card”, signing “your warning sheet”, put “your name on
the board”, or any similar activity.
BUS DISCIPLINE POLICIES
ACT 805 OF 1995
“THE SCHOOL BUS SAFETY ACT OF 1995” (SECTION 4)
A person commits school bus piracy if, without lawful authority, he possesses a
deadly weapon as defined in 5-1-102(4) and seizes or exercises control of a school bus
and the vehicle is occupied by one or more not consenting persons.
School bus piracy is a Class A felony.
BUS RULES AND PUNISHMENT BUS REGULATIONS
POLICIES FOR STUDENTS RIDING SCHOOL BUSES
1. Be at bus stop at the scheduled time. Stand back about ten feet from the bus
stop and wait until the door is opened before moving closer to the bus. Do not
play on the highway or road. If you miss the school bus do not attempt to
hitchhike a ride or walk to or from school.
2. While loading or unloading, enter or leave the bus orderly and quickly.
3. While riding the bus, students are under the supervision of the driver and must
obey the driver at all times.
4. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner such that they will
not distract the attention of their driver or disturb other riders on the bus
(which includes keeping your hands to yourself, attend to your own matters,
let other pupils alone, and be reasonably quiet).
5. No knives or sharp objects of any kind are allowed, neither are fire arms, pets,
or other living animals, etc.
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6. You are not to tamper with any of the safety devices such as door latches, fire
extinguishers, etc. Pupils must stay seated while the bus is in motion and
must not move while it is stopped except as the driver directs. Pupils are not
allowed to put their arms, head, hands, or body out the window.
7. Students are not to deface the bus or any school property. Do not write on the
bus or damage seats, etc. Do not throw paper, food, or other objects on the
floor of the bus. Do not eat on the bus. No smoking while on the bus. Keep
aisle of the bus clear from books, lunches, coats, etc. Do not put feet in aisle.
8. Do not ask driver to let you off the bus up town, at the store, to get mail out of
the box, or any place except at your regular stop.
9. If you must cross the road or the highway to enter the bus, try always to be on
the right side of the road waiting for the bus. If you should arrive at the stop
just as the bus approaches the stop, wait until the bus has come to a complete
stop and the driver has signaled for you to cross in front of the bus (unless the
driver directs you differently).
10. Pupils, who must cross the road after leaving the bus in the afternoon, must go
to a point on the shoulder of the road ten (10) feet in front of the bus. Cross
the road only after the driver or the student patrol has signaled you to do so.
11. Pupils cannot ride any bus except their own. Visitors are not allowed except
in case of emergency. Bring a note from your parents requesting that you be
allowed to ride another bus. Have an administrator sign it and present it to the
driver.
12. This is not intended to cover all the “do‟s” and “don‟ts”, but is a guide. The
driver may find it necessary to interpret these policies in light of his or her
own bus needs.
13. Students who live on the bus routes must either drive their car regularly or
ride the bus regularly.
14. Students who ride the bus to extracurricular activities must return on the bus
to the place of departure unless a parent brings them home with permission of
the sponsor.
15. Students waiting for the bus must refrain from blocking traffic, playing in the
street or highway, and must respect the property of those at the bus stop. The
school has the authority to discipline students who misbehave while going to
and from school.
IT SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A PRIVILEGE
TO RIDE TO SCHOOL ON A BUS.
HARTFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUS DISCIPLINE POLICIES
The following procedure will be followed by the Hartford Elementary School
Principal when administering punishment to students who breech the Hartford School
District Policies for Students Riding Buses. This procedure specifically refers to items 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, and 13.
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SCHEDULE OF PUNISHMENT
1st Report – Warning with notice to parents
2nd
Report – Loss of recess, detention, corporal punishment, or three days suspension of
bus privileges
3rd
Report – Conference with parents and any of above
4th
Report – Suspension of bus privileges for five days
5th
Report – Removal of bus privileges for the semester
NOTE: Any action by a student that is considered dangerous to the welfare and safety of
others will result in the loss of bus privileges for the semester or longer.
WHILE RIDING THE BUS, STUDENTS ARE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF
THE DRIVER AND MUST OBEY THE DRIVER AT ALL TIMES, STUDENTS
MUST STAY OFF THE HIGHWAY.
BUS CONDUCT REPORT
When a student fails to comply with the Hartford School District Policies for
Students Riding School Buses or demonstrates behavior which is deemed by the bus
driver to be distractive to his driving and the safe operation of the bus, a Transportation
Disciplinary Report will be filled out on the student. The principal will administer any
required punishment and send a copy of the report to the student‟s parents. Another copy
of the report will remain on file for future reference.
ANTI-BULLYING POLICY FOR SCHOOL BUS
Pupil harassment, also known as “bullying”, is prohibited while in school, on
school property, in school vehicles, on school buses, at designated bus stops, at school
sponsored activities and at school sanctioned events. The consequences for engaging in
bullying will be handled by the building principal and may include up to a
recommendation for expulsion for repeated offenders. All district employees shall report
any incidents of bullying to the principal.
Bullying is defined as intentional, repeated hurtful acts, words or other behavior,
such as name-calling, threatening and/or shunning committed by one or more children
against another. These negative acts are not intentionally provoked by the victims, and
for such acts to be defined as bullying an imbalance in real or perceived power must exist
between the bully and the victim. Bullying may be physical, verbal, emotional or sexual
in nature.
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The person or persons who file a complaint will not be subject to retaliation or
reprisal in any form.
ATTENDANCE POLICY Act 292 of 1991
ELEMENTARY ATTENDANCE
According to Act 292 of 1991, the responsibility for regular attendance and
compliance with state regulations rests with the student and his/her parents. Act 60 of
1983 states a child between the ages of 5 years and 17 years who has not completed the
requirements for the eighth grade, or been officially excluded from school must be in
attendance. Section 1 (4), of Act 42 of 1991 states, whenever a student exceeds the
number of absences allowed by the school district‟s attendance policy, and the district
notifies the prosecuting attorney, the student‟s parents or guardians are subject to civil
penalty up to but not exceeding $500.00 plus court costs.
NOTIFICATION
(Act 572 of 1995)
Parent Contact and Legal Notification
In keeping with state law, Hartford Elementary School and the Hartford School
District have developed an attendance policy which includes proper parent notification.
A student is not permitted more than ten (10) days of absences per semester. This should
be adequate to cover all normal circumstances. If a student has an abnormal amount of
sickness an extension of time up to five days shall be granted by the principal upon
recommendation of a committee called for the purpose of reviewing the circumstances.
1. When a student has five (5) absences, a letter will be mailed to his/her parents
explaining the absence policy and listing the dates of the student‟s absences.
When possible a phone call will be made in place of a letter.
2. When a student has eight (8) absences, a parent-principal conference will be
called. If the parent does not respond to the invitation to attend the
conference, the student will be sent home at the end of the day on which the
conference was scheduled with instructions not to return to school without
his/her parents.
3. When a student has ten (10) absences, the principal will call together a
committee for the purpose of reviewing the reasons for the student‟s absences
and invite the student‟s parents to attend. If the review demonstrates the
greatest number of absences are unexcused without acceptable reasons, then
the student may face actions recommended by the committee, including the
possibility of grade retention, summer school, or legal action as stated in Act
42 of 1991.
4. Unexcused absences are absences which may fall into the categories of
examples listed below.
a. Failure to secure advanced permission from the elementary principal prior
to the day of the absence.
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b. Failure of parents to contact the school within 24 hours of the absence (or
the last day of the period of absence and the student‟s return to school).
c. Any student‟s absence which occurs without parental knowledge.
d. Any absence which is not caused by a family emergency (such as death,
serious illness, or extreme extenuating circumstances in the immediate
family of the student).
e. Absences from school resulting from suspension or expulsion.
f. Any other absence deemed inappropriate and not in keeping with the spirit
and purpose of the attendance laws.
TARDINESS
TARDY AND EARLY DEPARTURE PROCEDURE
Hartford Elementary School defines a tardy as arriving late (after 8:00 a.m.) or
leaving school early (prior to 3:00 p.m.). A student who is not in his/her class when the
tardy bell rings, will be considered tardy. In order for the student to be admitted into the
class after the tardy bell rings, the student must first come to the principal‟s office to
receive a tardy slip. The tardy slip must be presented to the teacher before the student
will be admitted to class. The tardy slips will be kept in the teacher‟s files until the end
of the year. Retention or summer school may be considered for excessive tardies. Five
(5) tardies or early departures will be recorded as one (1) day of absence. If a student
checks into school after 11:00 a.m. he/she will be counted absent one-half (1/2) day. If a
student checks in after 1:00 p.m. he/she will be counted absent all day. When a student
departs early from school the student will be counted absent one-half (1/2) day if the
student misses more than two and one-half (2 ½) hours of school. The student will be
counted absent all day if he/she misses more than four and one-half (4 ½) hours of
school.
LEAVING SCHOOL
For the protection of all students, any student leaving school early must have
his/her parents or guardian sign them out in the office. Parents or guardians whose
children who do not ride the bus or walk home must make arrangements to have someone
responsible transport the child home by 3:00 p.m. Students who have not been
transported will be taken home by the local authorities.
ABSENCES AND EXCUSES
Absences from school are excusable only when a student is ill, when a family
emergency (such as death, serious illness, extenuating circumstances in the immediate
family of the student) exists, or for causes deemed worthy by the principal when
approved in advance. Any student absent without the permission of his/her parents or
guardian will be unexcused regardless of the reason. When a student is absent from
school, it is expected that the student‟s parents will make every effort to inform the
school of the student‟s absence on the day of the absence. If the parent does not contact
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the school or send a note within 24 hours of the absence (or the period of absence and the
student‟s return to school), the absence will be considered to be unexcused.
EMERGENCY CLOSINGS
If school is going to be dismissed early during inclement weather or school is
going to be cancelled for the day, you will be informed by local radio and TV. Please
tune in a local station as early as possible on questionable days. KTCS (99.1), B-98
(97.9), KISR (93.7), KMAG (99.1), and TV stations, channels 40, 24, and 5. Please
leave information with the office or your child‟s teacher so we will know where to send
your child on early dismissal days.
FIRE DRILLS AND SEVERE WEATHER DRILLS
In the event of a fire, tornado, or other emergency parents are asked to not take
their children from school without checking out with the principal. The only way we can
keep your children safe is if we know where they are.
If the danger is immediate, parents may not be permitted to leave school with
their children until the immediate danger has passed. Please cooperate in a manner that
will reduce confusion and keep panic to a minimum.
Regularly scheduled drills are practiced and these practice sessions help insure
that each child knows what to do for their protection. The most important thing to
remember during any drill or emergency is to keep calm and quiet, and to follow the
teachers‟ instructions. Each teacher will practice the procedure to be followed with their
class and at times school-wide drills will be practiced for times when students are not
located in their classrooms.
MONEY AND VALUABLES
Students should not leave money or valuables in their desks. The school and the
classroom teacher cannot assume responsibility for anything lost or stolen but will
attempt to help find the missing items.
ITEMS BROUGHT FROM HOME
The Hartford School District and Hartford Elementary School can not be
responsible for any item that a child has brought from home. The only time students
should bring items from home to school is when their teacher instructs them to do so. If a
student does bring an article from home, it should be with parental permission, and the
student will assume total responsibility for the item. This includes jewelry, toys, balls,
electronic equipment, sport cards, electronic games, radios, cameras, tape recorders or
other items.
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USE OF TOBACCO ON SCHOOL PROPERTY ACT 779 of 1997
“AN ACT TO AMEND A.C.A. 6-21-609 TO PROTECT THE
RIGHTS OF NON-SMOKERS ON PROPERTY OWNED
OR LEASED BY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS”
(a) Smoking or use of tobacco products containing tobacco in any form in or on
any property owned or leased by a public school district, including
school buses, is prohibited.
(b) The school district board of directors for each district may designate
an area or areas away from exposure to any side in or on any school
property as a smoking area, which shall only be used by teachers, other
school personnel, and visiting adults.
(c) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not
less than ten dollars ($10.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100.00).
Act 1555 of 1997
“AN ACT TO REQUIRE THAT A COPY OF THE STATUE PROHIBITING
SMOKING OR USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS ON SCHOOL
PROPERTY BE POSTED IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE AT EVERY
ENTRANCE OR EACH SCHOOL BUILDING OR SCHOOL BUS”
Smoking or use of tobacco or products containing tobacco in any form in or on
any property owned or leased by a public school district, including school buses, is
prohibited.
Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than
ten dollars ($10.00) not more than one hundred dollars ($100.00).
TEXTBOOKS AND WORKBOOKS
A set of textbooks and/or workbooks are provided to the students at the beginning
of the year. These books are the property of the State of Arkansas and are purchased with
school credit against that account. These books must last until the next textbook adoption
period. During the year, the student is responsible for his/her assigned books. If a
student loses, damages, or marks on the book to the extent that it cannot be used again,
the student will reimburse the school for the full price of the book. If a student writes in
or damages a book, but not to the extent that the book can‟t be used, a damage fee will be
charged to the student.
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LIBRARY POLICIES
Elementary students may borrow books from the library for one week. The
book(s) may be rechecked another week if needed. There is one week grace period after
the due date before any fines are charged. Students will receive a reminder with the book
title and date due after a book has not been returned. Fines will be $0.05 per school day.
Outstanding fines and lost books will need to be paid or report cards will be withheld.
These policies should help students return books promptly, so materials can be available
to all.
UNPAID CHARGES, FINES, LOST BOOKS
AND LOST REPORT CARDS
Hartford Elementary School will follow a policy of recover for all materials
loaned to students which are not returned in usable condition. Failing to make prompt
return of loaned items or to pay delinquent lunch charges and other fees could result in
the school withholding grades and report cards. Withholding grades may keep a student
from being promoted until such matters have been cleared through the principal‟s office.
The value of lost library books will be assessed by the librarian and lost report cards will
cost the student one dollar ($1.00) replacement fee. Students with unpaid lunch room
charges will not be permitted to charge.
LOST AND FOUND
Any item found on the bus, playground, lunchroom or halls will be turned in to
the office. Money will be kept for two weeks and if not claimed will be given to the
person who turned the money in to the office. Toys, playground equipment and other
similar items will be given to the kindergarten classes. Unclaimed garments will be
given to the school nurse or counselor for distribution to needy students the following
year.
Please ask your child to check the lost and found for any item they have lost and
to check again before school is out. Every year we have ten (10) to twenty (20) coats and
jackets left over. Placing your child‟s name in his/her coat would be a big help in
returning lost items.
ELEMENTARY PARTIES
The elementary will observe 3 parties throughout the school year including
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valentine‟s Day.
All parties will be held on the Friday nearest the actual event during the last hour
of school. If it is a short school week it will be held the last day of that week.
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No private birthday parties will be held during class time. Invitations to birthday
parties may not be passed out at school. (Please help us save our student‟s feelings from
being hurt unnecessarily.
Teachers may have students dress in costumes for special classroom activities.
HOMEWORK
It shall be the policy of the Hartford School District Board of Education to
delegate the responsibility of assigning homework for students to professional staff in
accordance with district policy guidelines. Assignments will be considered as an
extension of the classroom instruction for the purpose of concept practice for mastery or
for review of previously mastered skills and will not involve skill/concepts which have
not been taught previously. The professional staff will exercise judgment relative to the
quantity and frequency of homework assignments and the emphasis will be on the quality
rather than the quantity of homework assignments. Students should receive results of the
homework assignment within twenty-four hours of the time the assignment was turned in.
The level of difficulty and complexity of the practice will be at the level guidance.
Students are expected to complete homework to the best of their ability and return
completed assignments on time. Failure to complete homework will result in loss of
privilege (recess) and the student will have an opportunity to complete the assignment
during recess. If the assignment is completed correctly there will be no reduction in
grade on assignments completed for a grade. Failure to complete the assignment will
result in a grade reduction at the discretion of the teacher making the assignment.
The time permitted to turn in homework assignments and make-up work for
students who were “excused” absent from school will be determined by the student‟s
teacher and under no circumstances will exceed five (5) days after the student‟s return to
school.
Parents are encouraged to participate in homework assignments as a supervisor
with the knowledge that providing answers on homework assignments will diminish the
value of the assignment and encourage your child to depend on someone else to complete
their work. Homework completed by others will earn the student a failing grade on the
assignment.
REPORT CARDS AND CONFERENCES
Parents are encouraged to sign and return report cards promptly and to keep
scheduled times for conferences. This will help us serve all parents in a better organized
manner. Thank You.
ACT 1408 of 1999
“AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE POSSESSION OF
HAND-HELD LASER POINTERS BY MINORS”
It is unlawful for a person under eighteen (18) years of age to possess a hand-held
laser pointer without the supervision of a parent, guardian, or teacher.
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The hand-held laser pointer shall be seized by the law enforcement officer as
contraband.
Each school district shall adopt a policy providing for seizure, by school
personnel, of hand-held laser pointers in the possession of students.
ACT 906 OF 1995
“AN ACT TO BE KNOWN AS THE ARKANSAS
LIBRARY MATERIALS SECURITY LAW”
It shall be unlawful for any person to remove library materials, without
authorization, from the premises wherein such materials are maintained or to retain
possession of library materials without authorization.
It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully mutilate library materials.
A violation is a Class A misdemeanor if the value of the property is five hundred
dollars ($500.00) or less.
A violation is a Class C felony if the value is less than two thousand five hundred
dollars ($2,500.00) but more than five hundred dollars ($500.00).
A violation is a Class B felony if the value is two thousand five hundred dollars
($2,500.00) or more.
However, before a charge of retaining possession of library materials without
authorization shall be filed against any person, the library shall send written notice, by
ordinary mail, addressed to the last known address of the person who checked out or
otherwise removed the books and materials from the library, notifying them that if the
books or materials are not returned to the library within thirty (30) days from the date of
the notice, charges will be filed against them under provisions of this section and upon
conviction, such a person may be fined in an amount as provided in this section.
If a person employed by a library or a person charged with the supervision thereof
has reason to believe that a person has committed or has attempted to commit any offense
under this act or that the person has concealed any library material upon his person or
within his belongings, then the person may be detained and questioned in a reasonable
manner for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not an offense has been committed.
The detention and questioning shall not render such employee civilly liable for slander,
false arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, unlawful detention or otherwise,
if the library employee or person charged with the supervision of the library acts in good
faith and in a reasonable manner.
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Constitution of the United States, through the Bill of Rights and subsequent
amendments, gives all persons certain rights, and the United States Supreme Court has
declared that students to not shed those constitutional rights by walking through the
school door. Responsibilities, on the other hand, are not so clearly spelled out by law.
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While an individual does have a right to pursue his or her own self-fulfillment, those
rights terminate at the point where they infringe upon the rights of others.
EMERGENCY ACTION
(ABNORMAL OR IRRATIONAL BEHAVIOR)
Any time a student‟s actions are considered to be abnormal or irrational and
present a danger to other students or themselves, or creates a substantial distraction to the
educational process, the student will be isolated until the necessary action is determined,
or the student calms down. When a student fails to cooperate or does not calm
immediately, the student‟s parents and/or the police will be called, and in extreme
circumstances the student will be removed from campus by the police.
BOARD MEETINGS
PARENT PARTICIPATION AT BOARD MEETINGS
Parents should follow the chain of command (i.e., teacher, principal,
superintendent) before submitting a request to be heard by the Board. All parents who
wish to appear before the Board shall submit their requests in writing at least seven (7)
working days prior to the next Board Meeting. Such requests shall specify the nature of
the business to be taken up with the Board and the names of all who wish to address the
Board.
The president of the Board shall not be obligated to recognize any person who
desires to take up any business with the Board unless the item has been properly placed
on the agenda for the meeting. No abusive language will be tolerated and the time
allotment will be at the pleasure of the Board. If research is necessary the matter will be
placed on the agenda of the next regular school board meeting.
Bullying Policy
Bullying is an insidious social problem found in many occupations and walks of
life. Hartford Elementary School is dedicated to the eradication of bullying by ensuring
the development of a caring and supportive environment.
Bullying may be defined as:
Physical, pushing, kicking, pinching, any form of violence, threats, blackmail,
extortion, demands for protection money or other involuntary donations or loans,
blocking access to school facilities, stealing or hiding books or belongings.
Verbal such as name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumors, persistent teasing,
mocking, taunting or belittling.
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Emotional such as tormenting, ridicule, humiliations, demeaning humor
associated with one‟s race, or ethnicity, exclusion of groups.
Any student, teacher, staff member, parent, guardian, or citizen that reports or
files a complaint under this section will not be subject to retaliation in any form from
anyone connected or not connected with the complaint or report.
Students who bully another person shall be held accountable for their actions
whether it occurs on the school grounds, off school grounds, area school sponsored or
approved function, activity or event or going to or from school or a school activity.
Teachers and other school employees who have witnessed or are reliably informed that a
student has been a victim of behavior they consider to be bullying, including a single
action which if allowed to continue would constitute bullying, shall report the incident(s)
to the building principal. For each occurrence, law enforcement may be contacted and
punishment set at the discretion of the principal, depending upon the severity of the
infraction.
Awards for Students
All awards will be presented at the end of the year. This includes perfect attendance.
There will be a star student selected each nine weeks.
Grading
Parents or guardians shall be kept informed concerning the progress of their
student. Parent-teacher conferences are encouraged and may be requested by parents,
guardians, or teachers. If the progress of a student is unsatisfactory in a subject, the
teacher shall attempt to schedule a parent-teacher conference. In the conference the
teacher shall explain the reasons for difficulties and has the option of developing,
cooperatively with the parents and/or guardians a plan for remediation that may enhance
the probability of the student succeeding. To keep parents/guardians informed of their
child‟s progress, teachers will send progress reports the Friday of every fifth week of the
quarter and issue grades for each nine-week grading period. Averages .5 or above will be
rounded up for each nine-week period.
The evaluation of each student‟s performance on a regular basis serves to give the
parents/guardians, students and the school necessary information to help affect academic
improvement. Student‟s grades shall reflect only the extent to which students have
achieved the expressed educational objectives of the course(s). Grades will not be
affected by disciplinary actions such as, omission of name, date, etc. Practice tests,
which prepare students for state-mandated tests, will be utilized to prepare students for
the upcoming tests. They will not be recorded as part of a student‟s grade.
The grading policy for Hartford Elementary School is as follows:
Grading Key
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A 93-100
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D+ 67-69
D 63-66
D- 60-62
F 0-59
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES – ELEMENTARY
The Board believes in providing opportunities for students to participate in
extracurricular activities that can help enrich the student‟s educational experience. At the
same time, the Board believes that student‟s participation in extracurricular activities
cannot come at the expense of his/her classroom academic achievement. Interruptions of
instructional time in the classroom are to be minimal and absences from class to
participate in extracurricular activities shall not exceed one per week per extracurricular
activity (Exceptions would be tournaments or other similar events with the approval of
the Superintendent).
A student may lose his/her eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities
when, in the opinion of the school‟s administration, the student‟s participation in such
activity may adversely jeopardize his/her academic achievement. Students may also be
denied permission to participate in extracurricular activities as a consequence of
disciplinary action taken by the administration for inappropriate behavior.
For the purposes of this policy, extracurricular activities are defined as: any
school sponsored program where students from one or more schools meet, work,
perform, practice under supervision outside of regular classtime, or are competing for the
purpose of receiving an award, rating, recognition, or criticism, or qualification for
additional competition. Examples include, but are not limited to, interscholastic athletics,
cheerleading, band, choral, math, or science competitions and club activities.
STUDENT TRANSFERS
The Hartford School District shall review and accept or reject requests for
transfers, both in and out of the district, on a case by case basis at the July and December
regularly scheduled board meetings.
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Any student transferring from a school accredited by the Department of Education
to a school in this district shall be placed into the same grade the student would have been
in had the student remained in the former school.
Any student transferring from home school or a school that is not accredited by
the Department of Education to a District school shall be evaluated by District staff to
determine the student‟s appropriate grade placement.
The Hartford Board of Education reserves the right, after a hearing before the
Board, not to allow any person who has been expelled from another district to enroll as a
student until the time of the person‟s expulsion has expired.
The responsibility for transportation of any nonresident student admitted to a
school in this District shall be borne by the student or the student‟s parents. The District
and the resident may enter into a written agreement with the student or student‟s parents
to provide transportation to or from the District, or both.
Students entering the Hartford School District from home school will be tested
upon entrance and placed accordingly. Students transferring from an accredited Arkansas
public school will be admitted to the appropriate grade according to their records.
Students transferring from a non-accredited elementary school will be tested and
placed accordingly.
Student transferring from a non-accredited high school must have the required
state courses, or they must start over with the required state courses here and passed for
graduation.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
To enroll in a school in the District, the child must be a resident of the District as
defined in District policy (4.1 – RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS), meet the criteria
outlined in policy 4.40 – HOMELESS STUDENTS, be accepted as a transfer student
under the provisions of policy 4.4, or participate under a school choice option and submit
the required paperwork as required by the choice option.
Students may enter kindergarten if they will attain the age of five (5) on or before
August 1, of the year in which they are seeking initial enrollment. Any student who has
been enrolled in a state-accredited or state-approved kindergarten program in another
state for at least sixty (60) days, who will become five (5) years old during the year in
which he/she is enrolled in kindergarten, and who meets the basic residency requirement
for school attendance may be enrolled in kindergarten upon written request to the
District.
Any child who will be six (6) years of age on or before October 1 of the school
year of enrollment and who has not completed a state-accredited kindergarten program
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shall be evaluated by the district and may be placed in the first grade if the results of the
evaluation justify placement in the first grade and the child‟s parent or legal guardian
agrees with placement in the first grade; otherwise the child shall be placed in
kindergarten. Any child may enter the first grade in a District school if the child will
attain the age of six (6) years during the school year in which the child is seeking
enrollment and the child has successfully completed a kindergarten program in a public
school in Arkansas.
Any child who has enrolled in the first grade in a state-accredited or state-
approved elementary school in another state for a period of at least sixty (60) days, who
will become age six (6) years during the school year in which he/she is enrolled in grade
one (1), and who meets the basic residency requirements for school attendance may be
enrolled in the first grade.
Students who move into the District from an accredited school shall be assigned
to the same grade as they were attending in their previous school (mid-year transfers) or
as they would have been assigned in their previous school. Home-schooled students shall
be evaluated by the District to determine their appropriate grade placement.
Prior to the child‟s admission to a District school:
1. The parent, guardian, or other responsible person shall furnish the child‟s social
security number, or if they request, the district will assign the child a nine (9) digit
number designated by the department of education.
2. The parent, guardian, or other responsible person shall provide the district with one (1)
of the following documents indicating the child‟s age:
a. A birth certificate;
b. A statement by the local registrar or a county recorder certifying the child‟s
date of birth;
c. An attested baptismal certificate;
d. A passport;
e. An affidavit of the date and place of birth by the child‟s parent or guardian;
f. United States military identification; or
g. previous school records.
3. The parent, guardian, or other responsible person shall indicate on school registration
forms whether the child has been expelled from school in any other school district or
is a party to an expulsion proceeding.
4. The child shall be age appropriately immunized from poliomyelitis, diphtheria,
tetanus, pertussis, red (rubeloa) measles, rubella, and other diseases as designated by
by the State Board of Health, or have an exemption issued by the Arkansas State
Department of Health. Proof of immunization shall be by a certificate of a licensed
physician or a public health department acknowledging the immunization.
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PROHIBITED CONDUCT
Students and staff require a safe and orderly learning environment that is
conducive to high student achievement. Certain student behaviors are unacceptable in
such an environment and are hereby prohibited by the Board. Prohibited behaviors
include, but shall not be limited to the following:
1. Disrespect for school employees and failing to comply with their reasonable
directions or otherwise demonstrating insubordination;
2. Disruptive behavior that interferes with orderly school operations;
3. Willfully and intentionally assaulting or threatening to assault or physically
abusing any student or school employee;
4. Possession of any weapon that can reasonably be considered capable of causing
bodily harm to another individual;
5. Possession or use of tobacco in any form on any property owned or leased by any
public school;
6. Willfully or intentionally damaging, destroying, or stealing school property;
7. Possession of any paging device, cell phone, beeper, or similar electronic
communication device on the school campus during normal school hours unless
specifically exempted by the administration for health or other compelling
reasons;
8. Possession, selling, distributing, or being under the influence of an alcoholic
beverage, any illegal drug, or the inappropriate use or sharing of prescription or
over the counter drugs, or other intoxicants, or anything represented to be a drug;
9. Inappropriate public displays of affection;
10. Cheating, copying, or claiming another person‟s work to be his/her own;
11. Gambling;
12. Inappropriate student dress;
13. Use of vulgar, profane, or obscene language or gestures;
14. Truancy;
15. Excessive tardiness;
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16. Engaging in behavior designed to taunt, degrade, or ridicule another person on the
basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, or disability;
17. Hazing, or aiding in the hazing of another student;
18. Gangs or gang-related activities, including belonging to secret societies of any
kind are forbidden on school property. Gang insignias, clothing, “throwing signs”
or other gestures associated with gangs are prohibited;
19. Sexual harassment; and
20. Bullying.
The Board directs each school in the District to develop implementation regulations for
prohibited student conduct consistent with applicable Board policy, State and Federal
laws, and judicial decisions.
PARENTAL/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT – SCHOOL
Hartford School understands the importance of involving parents and the
community as a whole in promoting higher student achievement and general good will
between the school and those it serves. Therefore, Hartford School shall strive to develop
and maintain the capacity for meaningful and productive parental and community
involvement that will result in partnerships that are mutually beneficial to the school,
students, parents, and the community. To achieve such ends, the school shall work to:
1. Involve parents and the community in the development and improvement of
Title 1 programs for the school;
2. Have a coordinated involvement program where the involvement activities of the
school enhance the involvement strategies of other programs such as Head Start,
HIPPY, Parents as Partners, Parents as Teachers and Even Start;
3. Explain to parents and the community the State‟s content and achievement
standards, State and local student assessments and how the school‟s curriculum is
aligned with the assessments and how parents can work with the school to
improve their child‟s academic achievement.
4. Provide parents with the materials and training they need to be better able to help
their child achieve. The school may use parent resource centers or other
community based organizations to foster parental involvement and provide
literacy and technology training to parents;
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5. Educate school staff, with the assistance of parents, in ways to work and
communicate with parents and to know how to implement parent involvement
programs that will promote positive partnerships between the school and parents;
6. Keep parents informed about parental involvement programs, meetings, and other
activities they could be involved in. Such communication shall be, to the extent
practicable, in a language the parents can understand;
7. Find ways to eliminate barriers that work to keep parents from being involved in
their child‟s education. This may include providing transportation and child care
to enable parents to participate, arranging meetings at a variety of times, and
being creative with parent/teacher conferences.
8. Find and modify other successful parent and community involvement programs to
suit the needs of our school;
9. Train parents to enhance and promote the involvement of other parents;
10. Provide reasonable support for other parental involvement activities as parents
may reasonably request.
To help promote an understanding of each party‟s role in improving student learning,
the Hartford School shall develop a compact that outlines the responsibilities of parents,
students, and the school staff in raising student academic achievement and in building the
partnerships that will enable students to meet the State‟s academic standards.
COMPUTER POLICY – ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
STATEMENT
Hartford School District strives to allow students to allow access to various
technological resources the district has available. Students must realize that this access
also requires responsibility. It is the purpose of the document to inform each potential
computer user his/her responsibility regarding the legal and ethical standards required of
them.
NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS
The network provides Internet access for educational purposes. Any attempt to
gain unauthorized access to remote computers or networks is strictly prohibited. Such
attempts are illegal under criminal law and subject to prosecution. Hartford School
District participates in the state filtering system. This system is designed to prevent
computer users from accessing material on the Internet that could be harmful to minors.
The following are rules regarding use of network communication.
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1. Excessive use (as determined by the lab teacher, system administrator, or
school administrator) of the network communication is prohibited.
2. Playing computer games are not allowed unless introduced by a teacher as an
educational tool.
3. Use of computer and networks to access, download, upload, create, reproduce,
and/or distribute documents containing vulgar language or
obscene/harassing/threatening materials is prohibited.
4. All students must be supervised by a Hartford staff member at all times when
accessing the Internet.
5. The placement of unlawful information on the system is prohibited.
6. Publishing any information about yourself or anyone else on a web page or by
email is prohibited.
7. Any other party cannot hold the district liable for any loss, including lost
revenues, or for any claims or demands against the user. The district cannot
be held responsible for any damages due to the loss of output, loss of data,
time delay, system performance, software performance, incorrect advice from
a consultant, or any other damages arising from the use of the district‟s
computer facilities.
8. Faculty cannot be held liable for student‟s use of the network. The faculty is
responsible to instruct the student on acceptable use of the network and proper
network etiquette.
9. Forgery or plagiarism is considered a major violation. Taking credit for
another person‟s work is prohibited.
10. Decryption of system or user passwords is prohibited.
11. No user shall alter any networking settings, including IP numbers without
expressed permission of the system administrator.
All files and information on a school computer are NOT considered private. They
are subject to public disclosure and scrutiny. Users are not allowed to access or
attempt access another individuals‟ mail or file, however, there is no guarantee of
privacy on the network.
**The system administrator reserves the right to intercept, detain and read mail
and files when deemed necessary.
COMPUTER HARDWARE
Computer hardware is both expensive and fragile; therefore users should observe
the following rules:
1. No food or drink is allowed at any computer workstation.
2. No hardware, including cables, can be moved, removed or added without
authorization.
3. No user will attempt to service or repair any hardware without authorization.
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4. Any computer problems should be reported to the system administrator or a
teacher immediately.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Users violating any of the preceding rules are subject to the following disciplinary
actions. Any major violation of the rules can result in suspension or expulsion, without
the following listed actions.
A. Reprimand, report, and/or referral.
B. Two-week suspension of network use.
C. Administrator/student/parent conference.
D. Suspension from the use of the network for the remainder of a grading period
or semester.
E. Revocation from the use of the network.
F. School suspension.
G. School expulsion.
H. Legal action and prosecution by the authorities.
PROMOTION – RETENTION
The purpose of the Hartford Elementary School Retention Policy is to provide the
best academic placement for each student. Correct placement will enhance the
student's opportunity for long term success. The following factors will be
considered by a retention committee prior to a recommendation to retain any
student:
1. Classroom Teacher's Recommendation
2. Resource, Speech, Chapter 1 Teachers' Recommendations
3. Previous Years Classroom Teachers' Recommendations
4. Scores on All Standardized Tests
5. Grades on Report Cards
6. Number of Failing Notices Student Received
7. Maturity of the Student
8. Number of Days of School the student missed
9. Physical Stature, Age, and Socialization Abilities
10. Parent's Recommendation
11. Not meeting or exceeding DRA Reading Level
The retention committee will be comprised of at least four of the following
people:
1. The Student's Classroom Teacher for the present year
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2. The Previous Year's Classroom Teacher
3. Any Special Area Teacher Working with the Student
4. The Counselor
5. The Parents
6. The Student
7. The Principal
The committee, by majority vote, will make a recommendation to the principal.
The principal will take the recommendation under advisement and notify the
student's parents by mail within ten school days of the retention conference.
The final decision will rest with the principal and will be selected from one of the
following:
1. To Retain The Student In The Present Grade
2. To Promote The Student To The Next Grade With Conditions
3. To Promote The Student To The Next Grade
Additional restrictions applied to the retention process:
1. Students will NOT be placed in any grade on a trial basis. Placement is for a
school year.
2. Students who are retained will NOT be placed with the same teacher who
recommended the retention.
3. Under Act 1139 of 1993 students in grades K-3 who have performed below grade
level during the regular school year must attend summer school to be eligible for
promotion to the next grade.
4. Students promoted “with conditions” must meet those conditions to be eligible for
promotion to the next grade.
5. Students may NOT be promoted “with conditions” two consecutive years. The
second recommendation is retention.
6. Parent opinion is very important but will NOT be the deciding factor in the
decision to retain or promote.
7. Parents MUST be notified at least twice before the retention conference that their
child is in danger of not being promoted to the next grade level. This notification
MUST be documented.
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8. Every effort will be made to have the parents present at the retention conference
but is NOT required.
9. Retention conferences must be completed prior to the tenth working day after the
last scheduled school day for students.
10. Report cards for students recommended for retention by their classroom teachers
will be held until after the decision to retain or promote has been made.
Any part of this policy that is in conflict with Arkansas Law or Hartford School Board
Policy will not be considered applicable to the retention process.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Any student with a suspected communicable disease is to be kept at home/will be sent
home until the disease has resolved, or a physician has declared them no longer
contagious. Hartford School District has a no-nit policy.
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Hartford Elementary School
Student Handbook 2011 – 2012
BULLYING POLICY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT RECEIPT
Detach and return to the Principal‟s Office within the first week of receiving
the handbook.
ALL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN HARTFORD ELEMENTARY NEED TO
SIGN BELOW.
Date: _______________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian
Street Address P.O. Box
City State Zip
Home Phone Work Phone
Signature of Student #1
Signature of Student #2
Signature of Student #3
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Hartford Public Schools
Title I Program Compact
Hartford Elementary School is committed to the belief that all children can learn and
that all of us, staff and family, working together can make a positive difference in student
achievement. Our goal is to provide high quality curriculum and instruction in a
supportive and effective learning environment in which students will experience success
and achieve excellence in learning.
_______________________ _________________________ ____________________
Principal Teacher Date
As parents, we want our children to have a quality education and realize that
effective school systems are essential. We, therefore, join Hartford Elementary
School as partners in helping our child succeed in reaching his/her academic potential.
I will make school attendance a top priority/responsibility in our home.
I will discuss with my child what he/she has learned each day at school.
I will insist that all homework assignments are done.
I will assist my child in learning numbers and facts appropriate for his/her grade
level.
I will remind my child of the necessity of discipline, especially self-discipline.
I will attend Parent-Teacher Conferences.
ALL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN HARTFORD ELEMENTARY
NEED TO SIGN BELOW.
Parent Student #1 Date
Parent Student #2 Date
Parent Student #3 Date