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Titan Guide » Classroom & Campus Behavior

Classroom & Campus Behavior

GENERAL RULES
TARDINESS—All students must be at their stations, as determined by individual teachers, when the bell rings.
PASSES—No student leaves a classroom without a pass.
STUDENT MESSAGES—Teachers will not allow students to leave their class to contact another student on personal matters.
DISMISSAL AT THE END OF CLASS—Students are to remain in their seats or appropriate stations until dismissed by teacher.
TREATMENT OF SCHOOL PROPERTY—Any student who causes willful destruction of property belonging to a school district, according to California Education Code sections 48900 and 48910, is liable to suspension or expulsion and the parent or guardian shall be liable for those damages caused by each student.  

DISCIPLINE POLICIES
A student is under the school’s authority: 1) while on school grounds; 2) while going to or coming from school; 3) while going to, coming from, or at any school event, on or off campus.  VIOLATION of school rules may carry consequences that include but are not limited to: 
DETENTION – Detention is one or more hours spent either before or after school or during lunch, either studying or involved in an on-campus project as assigned by the Assistant Principal.  Failure to attend may result in an administrative citizenship grade drop and possible suspension.
LUNCH CLEANUP – Students may be assigned to help in cleaning up the campus at lunch.  Length of assignment is determined by the administration.  Failure to complete the assignment will result in administrative citizenship grade drop and possible suspension.
ADMINISTRATIVE CITIZENSHIP GRADES – The average citizenship grade can be lowered for cause determined by the Administration.  (a "C" average in citizenship is needed for graduation).
SUSPENSION – Temporary removal from school.  Suspension requires an administrative reduction in citizenship.  Work may be made up following a first suspension, but work will not be permitted to be made up and "F" grades will be given for any missed assignments for the second and subsequent suspensions. 
EXPULSION – Permanent removal from school. 
CONTINUATION SCHOOL – Involuntary transfer to a part time program at another school. 
It should be noted that a student could be suspended or expelled for a violation of School Rules or the Education Code.

CHEATING POLICY
At SMHS, cheating is considered to be anything that gives a student an unfair advantage over other students, including but not limited to: copying the work of others (including both class work and homework), using notes on tests or quizzes when such notes have been prohibited, plagiarizing, and sharing work with others when not permitted to do so by the teacher.  Additionally, each teacher may establish individual guidelines and expectations with respect to honesty.  It is the student’s responsibility to know what each teacher expects.  Consequences for cheating may include, but are not limited to: a citizenship grade of “F” for the class, an academic grade of “F” on an assignment, “F” for the whole class, and the inability of the student to receive a positive college letter of recommendation.  Counselors will be notified of students who violate this policy.  A students’ citizenship grade average will appear on the student’s transcript.  Violation of this policy may negatively affect college letters of recommendations.
 
In addition to school rules and infractions listed in the Student Conduct Letter the following violations and consequences should be noted:

VANDALISM – Multiple hours of detention or suspension.  Parents are liable for monetary damages, when applicable, and criminal laws may apply.
FORGERY – Administrative reduction of citizenship grade and multiple hours of detention; repeated offenses may lead to suspension.
TRUANCY – Administrative reduction of citizenship grade and multiple hours of detention; repeated offenses may lead to suspension
HARASSMENT/HAZING – Multiple hours of detention, administrative reduction of citizenship grade or suspension, and possible expulsion for continuing offenses.

The following list of major infractions covers some of the violations cited in the California Education code (EC 48900).  Please be aware of the consequences of these violations:

Weapons - Possession of any firearm, knife, explosive or other dangerous object will result in a recommendation for expulsion from the school district and must be reported to the police.
Narcotics- Possession, sale or use on campus or at school events will result in suspension and possible recommendation for expulsion.  There may also be prosecution under California Law.
Alcohol- Either in possession or under the influence of will result in suspension of 2-5 days depending on the circumstances and may be reported to the police.
Smoking- Suspension of 1-3 days.  A continuing problem may result in expulsion.  Chewing tobacco is considered the same as smoking.  Students found in possession of tobacco, cigarettes, cigarette papers or any other related item can be cited by San Marino Police (PC 308b).
Fighting- Any physical confrontation will result in a suspension of 2-5 days for all students involved regardless of who “started” it.
Sexual Harassment- Includes any conduct considered by a reasonable person of the same gender as the victim to be sufficiently severe or pervasive to have a negative impact upon the individual’s academic performance or to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.  This will result in suspension and possible recommendation for expulsion.  There may also be prosecution under California Law.
Hazing (EC 32051)-Any method of initiation or pre-initiation into a student organization or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization which causes, or is likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm or personal degradation, or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to any student. This will result in suspension and possible recommendation for expulsion.  There may also be prosecution under California Law.
Physical injury (EC 48915)-Causing or attempting to cause serious physical injury to another person. This will result in suspension and possible recommendation for expulsion.  There may also be prosecution under California Law.

Closed Campus Policy
The campus is closed to all 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students.  The upper field, football field, tennis courts, Tony’s Pizza, the front of the school, parking lots, and Huntington Drive are all considered to be off campus.  For seniors to be eligible for the Senior Off Campus Privilege, they and their parents must come to the APO to sign the permission form and obtain an off campus sticker.

Earning The Privilege
Students who reach grade 12, with a signed parent/guardian release form, will earn the privilege to leave the San Marino High School campus at lunch.  Due to the increased lunchtime activities by A.S.B. and P.T.S.A., there will be days when the campus will be closed to all students.  Students will be notified in advance of the closed campus date.
Revocation of Privilege
The following consequences will result from violation of the policy:
A senior who takes non-seniors off campus will forfeit his/her privilege.
Any non-senior (9th, 10th, 11th) who goes off campus will forfeit his/her Senior Off Campus privilege during his/her senior year.
Seniors who have received an administrative citizenship grade drop for any reason, including attendance violation, will forfeit their privilege.
The School Board will review this policy periodically.  If at any time during the year this policy is deemed ineffective, the Board reserves the right to close S.M.H.S. to all students.

STUDENT DRESS
The governing Board encourages students to dress appropriately for school. Students are expected to dress in a safe, healthy and non-distracting manner.  “A pupil who goes to school without proper attention having been given to personal cleanliness or neatness of dress, may be sent home to be properly prepared for school, or shall prepare himself for the school room before entering.” (California Admin. Code Title 5, Section 302).  The District views the safety of students as one of its primary concerns.  The District takes a strong stance against gang-affiliated clothing and/or other styles of dress or grooming affiliated with gang/hate groups.  Prohibition against identified gang-related clothing applies to the student while at school, going to and from school, and at all school activities.  The details of dress and grooming are the basic responsibility of the home, and it is expected that necessary discipline and control will come from there.  The school supports the home in this area and establishes minimal standards to assist parents and students.  Students must appear neat and clean and shoes must be worn at all times.  Commercial lettering and print will be allowed on shirts and sweatshirts as long as it is acceptable for school attire.  Crude and vulgar printing, profanity, or pictures depicting drugs, tobacco, alcoholic beverages, graffiti, violence or those sexually suggestive are not acceptable.  It is expected that each student will demonstrate pride in his own appearance for it reflects on the student, the family and San Marino High School.  Students dressed inappropriately will be sent home to change, if necessary.

ID CARDS
Students are REQUIRED to have an SMHS ID card in their possession whenever attending school or school events.  This card must be shown to any staff member upon request of that member.  Failure to produce the ID card when requested may be deemed willful disobedience and defiance of authority and is subject to suspension (EC 48900).  Replacement ID cards are available in the APO for $5.  It takes about a week to process.