DISCIPLINE PHILOSOPHY

Port Townsend High School is committed to every student's right to an education.  Each student has the right to learn, to be secure and to be safe.  The staff at PTHS expects high school students to be mature, responsible young adults and to act with courtesy and common decency in and out of school.  We expect students to respect themselves, respect others and respect their school.  It is the student's responsibility to behave appropriately, and the school community's responsibility to provide guidance and hold students accountable for their actions.

It is the responsibility of the staff and administrators at PTHS to set high standards of behavior, to monitor student behavior and to intervene in situations that detract from the learning environment.

Students violating PTHS and PTSD Behavior Codes, Policies and Procedures will be subject to progressive discipline.  This discipline may be:  detention, in-school suspension, removal from class or activity, commons/grounds cleanup, community service, out-of-school suspension (short or long term), expulsion, emergency expulsion or other appropriate discipline.

A copy of PTSD Procedures for Students Rights and Responsibilities is mailed to students' homes annually.  In it you will find detailed information regarding discipline issues and grievance procedures.  Additional copies are available in the Counseling Office.

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

I.  RULES GOVERNING STUDENT CONDUCT

The following are prohibited on or in reasonable proximity* to school premises, at school-sponsored activities, during school hours or in traveling to or from school, and shall constitute cause for discipline, suspension or expulsion.  (The district reserves the right to refer to the appropriate non-school agency any act or conduct of its pupils which may constitute a crime under federal, state, county or local law.)

A.  Any act or conduct causing substantial or material disruption or obstruction of any school function or operation.

B.  Any action, event or group of events which constitutes a violation of federal, state or local law.

C.  The destruction, damage or theft of school property or the property of others.

D.  The attempt to inflict, or the actual infliction of, physical injury on any pupil, school employee or other person.

E. The possession, handling or transmission of any object which can reasonably be considered a weapon.

F. Any act by a pupil directed toward any other pupil, teacher, administrator or other school personnel     or any other person for the purpose of intimidating or coercing him/her by the use of threat or force.

G. The unauthorized entry to or use of any school facilities and materials.

H. The possession, use, sale or delivery of alcohol or any controlled substance not prescribed by a physician for such possessor or user; being under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance not prescribed by a physician for such possessor or user; or being in the possession of drug paraphernalia.

I. The use or possession of tobacco products.

J. Parking a motor vehicle in other than a designated area or entering or moving a motor vehicle during the school day except as authorized by school authorities; operating a vehicle in other than a safe manner.

K. Leaving the school campus between the time of arrival until the close of school, except when excused by the appropriate school official or during a time designated as open campus.

L. Using or exhibiting obscene or vulgar language, writing, gestures, pictures, signs or acts.

M. Unauthorized absence from class or failure to attend class or school activities on time.

N. Bus students are to adhere to rules found in the  discipline section of this policy.

O. Refusal to identify self upon request to proper school authorities.

P. Failure to comply with school district policies or school rules or with the directions of school staff during any period of time the student is properly under the authority of school personnel.

Q. Exceptional Misconduct

Exceptional misconduct is student misconduct which is so serious in nature and/or is so serious in terms of the disruptive effect upon the operation of the school(s) that students may be subject to immediate suspension or expulsion for a first time offense.  Administrative discretion would be allowed and law enforcement officials may be informed.   (See discipline grid.)

* Reasonable proximity means within two blocks from the school or function and 30 minutes before and after school or the function.