SECTION VI  BEHAVIOR AND DISCIPLINE GUIDELINES

STUDENTS ARE SUBJECT TO SCHOOL RULES ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL AND ON THE WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL.

In this section the following actions are available to school personnel to ensure that Pacific Grove High School is a safe and orderly learning environment.  This listing of minimum and maximum actions does not imply or require that a "step-by-step" progression of increasing severity be used by school staff in dealing with a violation.  In most cases, disciplinary action is dependent upon the situation and the previous behavior record of the student. The progression of actions possible when an infraction occurs is:  conference with student regarding violation and a warning; parent contact and warning; detention; signed Behavior Nonperformance Contract; parent/teacher/administrator conference; extracurricular and co curricular suspension; work detail; Saturday School; suspension; removal from class with possibility of an "F"; alternative placement; contact with police or other appropriate agency; denial of privileges and possible recommendation to the Board for expulsion from the District.

1. Academic Dishonesty: It shall be the policy of Pacific Grove High School that students shall not take or lend a person's work, information, ideas or research without properly identifying the originator. The following are examples of prohibited classroom practices: looking at someone else's paper or talking with another student during an examination, test or quiz; using any kind of "cheat notes" or letting someone else see one's own or another person's paper during an examination, test or quiz or homework assignment.

a) A first incident of academic dishonesty will result in a zero “0” on the test, quiz or assignment affected, and the teacher will notify the parent.

b) A second incident in the same class will result in the student being dropped from that class and the parent notified.

c) A third incident during the school year, in any class, will result in a recommendation to the assistant principal for alternative placement.  Any of these acts compounded by theft or profiteering will be dealt with more severely.

2. Behavior Nonperformance Contract:   Student classroom behavior which seriously jeopardizes the learning process shall not be tolerated.  Students who are continually disruptive or who are not following the classroom rules as defined by the teacher or refuse to participate in class work may be dropped from class with no credit provided that the following procedures have been observed:

a) Step 1:  At the first disruption or incident, the teacher will counsel the student as to the undesirability of his/her action and inform the student of future consequences.  The student will sign a Behavior/Nonperformance Contract.

b) Step 2:  After the second incident, the teacher shall personally contact the parents and inform them that the student has reached Step 2 of the Behavior/Nonperformance Contract.  The student shall be referred to the counselor for guidance.  The student will sign the Behavior/Nonperformance Contract.  In the event the teacher is unable to contact a parent, a copy of the Behavior/Nonperformance Contract will be sent home.

c) Step 3:  Subsequent to the third incident, the student shall be referred to the assistant principal who will schedule a conference between teacher, parent, student and assistant principal.  At this time, the assistant principal and teacher will outline the specific conditions necessary for the student to remain in class and the student and parent(s) will be supplied with a copy of these conditions before leaving the meeting.  The Behavior/ Nonperformance Contract will be signed by the teacher, assistant principal, parent and student and will remain in effect until the end of the semester.

d) Step 4:  Student is removed from the class for the remainder of the semester.  (In habitual or extreme cases of misbehavior, the administration can summarily transfer/drop any student from class for disruptive or dangerous behavior.)

3. Bus Privileges:  Students behaving in an inappropriate manner may have their bus riding privileges revoked. All school rules apply.

4. Closed Campus:  Pacific Grove High School is a closed campus.  No student is permitted to leave without an off-campus pass issued through the Attendance Office.  Parent permission is required for a student to leave campus.  Off campus passes will only be issued for one of the following reasons: illness, medical appointment, funeral of immediate family member, and justifiable personal necessity (administrator approval required).  Students who violate the Closed Campus policy will be given a Saturday School or detention at the discretion of the assistant principal.  A second offense will result in a mandatory suspension.  Repeat offenders will be suspended.  Students who do not have a 6th or 7th period class will be permitted to leave during lunch time on the day in which they have no afternoon class.  On “A” schedule days, students who do not have a 6th period class and have a 7th period class must stay in the Counseling Office during 6th period or receive a truancy.  Once students who are finished with classes for the day have left campus, they may not return during school hours unless they have authorized school business.

Open campus for the purpose of the lunch break: Pacific Grove High School sophomores, juniors and seniors are permitted to leave campus during the lunch break (NOT during morning break). Open campus privilege is available to students who have: earned at least 2.0 GPA and no Fs at the last quarter grading period, have no truancies on record for 6th and 7th period for the current year, have not been suspended at any time during the year, and have returned a signed PARENT PERMISSION FORM ( available in the Attendance Office). Students who qualify for the privilege of open campus and return a signed parent permission form will have an OPEN CAMPUS STICKER affixed to their student ID card. Students must be able to produce their ID card with sticker when leaving and returning to campus. Campus may be closed to everyone at anytime when deemed necessary.

a) Visitors:   To preserve the learning environment and safety of the campus, student visitors are not allowed at Pacific Grove High School at any time regardless of circumstances.  Students may not visit with persons loitering near the school boundaries nor may items be exchanged from outside school limits onto campus.

b) Off Limit Areas : Student and/or Faculty parking areas; football or baseball fields; any area behind the gym and boys' locker room; behind the I-Wing and the N-Wing. (See the map on the back cover.) Students found in these areas on a first incident will be assigned a detention. On a second incident they will be assigned a Saturday School and on any further incidences, students will be suspended. The incidences are cumulative for the entire school year.

5. Detention:  Detention is assigned to students for minor classroom infractions, tardies, and other minor discipline problems.  Detention is held every  Wednesday and Thursday from 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Students will have up to one week in which to serve detention or they will be assigned Saturday School.  Students who are sent out of detention for disruption will be given a Saturday School. Work detail may be assigned.

6. Dice/Gambling:   Possession of dice or other forms of gambling are not allowed on campus unless used in an authorized class activity.  Objects will be confiscated.

7. Dropped Classes:   Any student who has been dropped from a class after two-thirds of the grading period has passed in quarters 1 and 3 will receive an “F” grade on his report card and will not receive any credit at the semester. If a student is dropped from a class after two-thirds of the grading period has passed in the semester, the student will receive an “F” grade on his report card and transcript, will not receive any credit for the class at all, and his cumulative grade point average will be affected. Any student who is removed from class can be suspended from extracurricular or co-curricular activities, and can have their work permit revoked.  Any student removed from two or more classes may be recommended for alternative placement .

8. Drugs/Alcohol:  Students who possess or are under the influence of any illegal substance or who possess drug paraphernalia are subject to the following discipline: First Offense: Notification of legal authorities. A mandatory five-days suspension. Referral to school’s intervention program. Students who fail to attend the intervention program will be subject to an additional two-day suspension and/or possible expulsion. Second Offense: Notification of legal authorities. Five-day suspension. Referral for alternative placement. Will be recommended for expulsion. Offenses remain in the active discipline file and are cumulative for the student's entire high school career. A breathalyzer will be randomly used at school events, including but not limited to dances and sporting events. In the event that someone fails a breathalyzer test the student will not be admitted to the event and parents will be summoned. Through Impact, a parent lecture series will be made available to parents. There is a zero alcohol tolerance policy that means all students found under the influence or in possession of alcohol will be cited by the PG Police Department and suspended from school. Zero drug tolerance means that all students found in possession of or under the influence of drugs will be tested by the PG Police Department (when appropriate), cited by the PGPD, and suspended from school. Students with multiple drug and alcohol suspensions will be considered for expulsion.

Sale or possession for sale:  Notification of legal authorities.  Automatic five-day suspension; mandatory recommendation for expulsion.

9. Eighteen-Year Old Policy:  Once a student reaches the age of eighteen, failure to abide by the rules as outlined in this handbook may result in the student being dismissed from Pacific Grove High School.

10. Electronic Paging Devices:  Under a new state law, students may have possession of a cell phone on campus. This law allows the local districts to determine guidelines for use of phones on campus during school hours.  The following guidelines apply at Pacific Grove High School (refer to Board Policy and Regulations Number 5146):

    a) Cell phones are not to be displayed or used on campus at any time by any student except during nutrition break (10:05 a.m. - 10:25 a.m.) and lunch (12:10 p.m.-         12:55 p.m.)

    b) Electronic imaging devices, such as cameras, may only be used by students who have authorization from school personnel.

    c) PDA devices will be left in the students' lockers during tests and quizzes.

    d) No electronic signaling devices or cameras of any type may be brought to Physical Education lockers/dressing rooms or school restroom areas at any time.

    e) Students will be warned when they have violated their school- level rules and the cell phone will be confiscated.  The cell phone may be returned to the student at the end of the day.  If a second infraction occurs, the cell phone will be confiscated and a parent conference will be held.  If a third infraction occurs, other disciplinary measures will result.

f) I-pods do not have an academic purpose on campus.  Due to a sharp increase in the theft of I-Pods, it is recommended that they not be brought to school.  If a student chooses to bring an I-pod on campus, they do so at their own risk.

11. Failure to Attempt Work:  The student will be placed on a Behavior/Nonperformance Contract.

12. Fighting: Students who fight on campus or at a school event are subject to the following:  First Offense:  Suspension for up to five days.  Possible notification of legal authorities.  Second Offense:  Suspension for five days and possible referral for alternative placement and/or recommendation for expulsion.

13. Harassment:  A verified harassment of any type including sexual, is not tolerated. Students may be suspended for severe or repeated offenses, are subject to alternative placement and/ or may be recommended for expulsion. Students will receive a warning and will be put on a harassment contract.

14. ID CARD:  It is mandatory that every student have an ID photo taken each school year and receive an ID card, which must be carried when on campus or attending school events.  Students will show their ID card to any faculty or staff person when asked.  These pictures are to be taken in August on the orientation day or on the make-up day, which will be scheduled in September. Lost cards can be replaced at the Student Store for $5.00.

15. Offensive Language:   Rude and offensive language is not permitted.  Students who use such language will be warned, and continued use will result in disciplinary action.

16. Passes:  A pass is required for any student to be in the halls, in the counseling or administrative offices, in another class, or in the library during class time.  Students on campus who are out of class or who leave class without a pass are subject to a detention.

17. Physical Education Uniform:  All students will be required to dress out for P.E. in attire purchased through the school.  Mandatory gym attire consists of athletic shoes with laces, t-shirt and gym shorts.  Sweats that can be purchases through the school are optional and may be worn on top of the P.E. uniform.  Other sweats that can be purchased, which are red, gold or black, may be worn under the P.E. shirt.

18. Pornographic Material:  Pornographic material either displayed or found in a student's possession at school or at any school activity will result in detention and the need for a parent conference.

19. Public Display of Affection:  Overt physical contact and/or excessive display of affection is not permitted.  Students failing to use good judgment will be warned.  Continued inappropriate behavior will result in disciplinary action including parents being notified.

20. Pushing, Shoving or Horseplay is not allowed at any time on campus.  Students are subject to possible suspension.  Repeated offenses will result in a three-to-five-day suspension.

22. Saturday School:  Saturday School is assigned to students for second truancies, tardy # , missed detention, and other less severe discipline problems.  Saturday school is never used for offenses such as fighting, drug/alcohol possession or sale, possession of weapons, or other more serious offenses.  Saturday School will be offered once a month and maybe rescheduled only once at the discretion of the assistant principal.  Students who are assigned Saturday School will be required to attend from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  at the high school.  Saturday School will be a time of quiet study-- STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING WORK.

23. School Property:  Students are responsible for any school property that they use:

a)  Textbooks:  Each student is responsible for damage to or loss of school equipment, textbooks and library books even if they have been stored in the school lockers. Textbooks left in lockers overnight or longer may be stolen, mildew or otherwise be damaged and must be replaced. Students are required to cover textbooks. The returned book must be the same number as the one issued.

b)  Fines:  Students failing to clear their debts will have their transcript and diploma withheld and will be ineligible to participate in cocurricular and extracurricular activities.

24. Searches:  Students and their belongings, including lockers, are subject to search by school officials under any circumstances considered to be “reasonable suspicion.” Other devices may be used such as metal detectors, breathalyzers and search dogs. The administration reserves the right to random, unannounced searches by school administrators and/or search dogs of lockers, bags and vehicles parked on campus.

25. Senior Expectations: 

a) Community Service:  To participate in an senior activity student must have 18 hours of community service completed and on file in the office by the date of the first senior activity.  To participate in the Disneyland trip, seniors must have all 24 hours of community service completed and recorded before purchasing a ticket to Disneyland.

b) Any student who does not attend the Disneyland trip must complete and have on record 24 hours of community service by the beginning of the first graduation rehearsal in order to participate in the graduation ceremony.

c) Any senior who is suspended during his/her senior year for any of the following infractions will be ineligible for the next senior activity, will be subject to appropriate consequences as outlined in this handbook, and will be placed on senior probation.  The probation period will extend for the remainder of the year and a second violation of any of the listed infractions will result in the loss of the graduation ceremonies.  During the period of time between the last senior activity and graduation, any infraction, regardless of whether it is the first or second occurrence, will result in the loss of the graduation ceremony.

1)  possession, sale, or being under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol (EC48900. c,d; PC 25608);

2)  indecent exposure:  exposure of a person, or the private parts thereof, in any public place, or in any place where there are present other persons to be offended or annoyed thereby (EC48900.i; PC 314);

3)  vandalism and/or damage of school property (EC 48900.f; PC 594);

4)  assault and/or battery:  unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability to commit a violent injury on the person of another; battery is any willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon the person of another (EC 48915 (1)(1,5); P 240, 242, 243);

5)  repeated incidents of harassment (EC 48900.2,.3, and .4);

6)  any brandishing, carrying, or use of any weapon, real or simulated;

7)  theft;

8)  continued pattern of defiance of the authority of school administration/faculty and/or staff (3 offenses).

26. Spitting:  Students who spit are subject to the following:  First offense: Warning.  Second Offense: Detention. Subsequent offenses may result in Saturday school or work detail..

27. Student Dress:  Students shall not dress in a way that detracts from the learning environment or is hazardous to student health.  Students must wear footwear at all times.  Bare midriff tops are not allowed.  Students may not wear clothing or carry items that depict vulgar or obscene language, illegal drugs, tobacco, alcohol, pornography or gang-related symbols.  Students will be asked to remove or change the article of clothing and will have the option to be sent home to change or wear a school-provided article of clothing. This rule also applies to all school dances. Repeat offenders will be suspended.

28. Substitute Teachers: Any misbehavior that occurs while a classroom is under the supervision of a substitute teacher may be dealt with more harshly including possible suspension.

29. Suspension: Suspension from school requires that a student remain under his/her parent's or guardian's custody during regular school hours.  Suspended students are not to be on or near the school campus during the suspension. Students are ineligible to participate, as a participant or spectator, in any school-related activity during their suspension.  Students may be suspended for any of the infractions listed in the Education Code section 48900 listed below.  (Board Policies/Administrative Rules and Regulations Number 6053)  Students who have repeated suspensions throughout the year are subject to alternative placement.  Following are the suspendable offenses as listed under the California Ed Code 48900:

a)  Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person.

b)  Possessed, sold, or otherwise furnished any firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object unless, in the case of possession of any object of this type, the pupil had obtained written permission to possess the item from a certificated school employee, which is concurred in by the principal or the designee of the principal.

c)  Unlawfully possessed, used sold, or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of, any controlled substance, listed Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind.

d)  Unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any controlled substance, listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind, and then either sold, delivered, or otherwise furnished to any person another liquid, substance, or material and represented the liquid, substance, or material as a controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant.

e)  Committed or attempted to commit robbery or extortion.

f)  Caused or attempted to cause damage to school property or private property.

g)  Stolen or attempted to steal school property or private property.

h)  Possessed or used tobacco, or any products containing tobacco or nicotine products, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, miniature cigars, clove cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chew packets, and betel.  However, this section does not prohibit use or possession by a pupil of his or her own prescription products.

i)  Committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity.

j)  Unlawfully possessed or unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any drug paraphernalia, as defined in Section 11014.5 of the Health & Safety Code.

k)  Disrupted school activities or otherwise willfully defied the valid authority of supervisors, teachers, administrators, school officials, or other school personnel engaged in the performance of their duties.

l)  Knowingly received stolen school property or private property.

m)  Possessed an imitation firearm.  As used in this section, "imitation firearm" means a replica of a firearm that is so substantially similar in physical properties to an existing firearm as to lead a reasonable person to conclude that the replica is a firearm.

n)  Committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault as defined in Section 261, 266c, 286, 288, 288a, or 298 of the Penal Code or committed a sexual battery as defined in Section 253.4 of the Penal Code.

o)  Harassed, threatened, or intimidated a pupil who is a complaining witness or witness in a school disciplinary proceeding for the purpose of either preventing that pupil from being a witness or retaliating against that pupil for being a witness, or both.

31. Technology User Agreement:  In order for students to access the computers on campus, including the Internet, all students must have a user agreement on file with the library.  These agreements will be made available to students during classes at the beginning of school.  Violations of the agreement will result in a Discipline Notification Form.  The first offense will result in loss of privileges for 30 days; a second offense will result in loss of privileges for the remainder of the school year.  All costs incurred due to damage will be billed to the student.

32. Tobacco:  Pacific Grove High School and its grounds are totally non-tobacco areas for all students, staff and visitors at any time.  Possession of tobacco products is not allowed on campus, within the sight of campus are subject to the following: First Offense : Detention and parent notification. Second Offense: Saturday School. Subsequent Offenses: Suspension; each subsequent offense may result in additional days of suspension and notification of legal authority. (EC 48900.H)

33. Visitor Policy: Students are not permitted to bring visitors on campus during school hours.  Authorized visitors such as scheduled speakers, individuals with appointments in the Administrative Offices, etc. are required to go through the Main Office to check in.

34. Weapons:  Possession of any knife, regardless of size or use, firearm, imitation  firearm, or any other type of weapon is an expellable offense.  Students are subject to the following discipline at the first and any subsequent occurrences:  Automatic five-day suspension.  Notification of legal authorities.  Recommendation for expulsion.

35. Work Detail:  Work detail may be an option available to students in lieu of detention.  It may be assigned by the assistant principal.