Code of Conduct Revision Notes

Code of Conduct Revision: Student Input Gathering

Initial Understanding of Code of Conduct

  • The school district is revising its code of conduct.
  • A code of conduct defines how students should behave.
  • Most students were previously unaware of the existence of the code of conduct.
  • Currently, the code of conduct is primarily used to determine the length of student suspensions.
  • The goal is to shift the code of conduct away from a punitive, "judge and jury" approach towards a more supportive framework.

Gathering Student Feedback

  • A group of students was selected to provide input on the revised opening statement of the code of conduct.
  • Student opinions are valued and will be used to guide revisions.
  • Student contributions will be kept anonymous to encourage open and honest feedback.
  • An AI app is being used to summarize the discussion, removing the need for manual note-taking.

Student Perspectives on Code of Conduct

  • The code of conduct outlines rules and guidelines students should follow.
  • It serves as a resource for determining punishments based on state law and district policy.

Rules and Behavior Expectations for Inclusion

  • Non-discrimination: Rules should prohibit discrimination based on race, gender, orientation, religion, and body size.
  • Respectful Language: Comments about people's bodies or appearance should be avoided to protect mental health.
  • Respect for Shared Spaces:
    • Students should respect and maintain the cleanliness of school environments like bathrooms and classrooms.
    • Bathrooms should be kept clean, with adequate supplies.
  • Accountability: Students should be accountable for their actions, taking responsibility for mistakes instead of lying.

Specific Issues and Concerns

  • Locker Room Issues:
    • Students reported issues, such as students letting others in from the locker room.
    • Noise and behavior in the girls' locker room, like yelling, screaming, and banging on lockers.
    • Poor hygiene and cleanliness in locker rooms.

Consequences for Misbehavior

  • Ineffectiveness of Suspensions: National statistics suggest suspensions are ineffective in changing behavior.
  • Alternative Consequences:
    • Serious conversations with students and their parents or guardians.
    • Establishing firm boundaries and escalating consequences for repeated offenses.
    • Considering the context of the situation when determining consequences.
    • Taking into account circumstances, such as self-defense when determining consequences.

Consistency and Fairness

  • Rules should be applied consistently, with clear communication and expectations.
  • Inconsistencies in applying rules can lead to confusion and frustration among students.
  • Pre-planned organized fights should result in expulsion.

Conflict Resolution and Mediation

  • Holding meetings with the principal, vice principal, students, and their parents to express feelings and viewpoints.
  • The effectiveness of such meetings depends on the specific situation and the parents involved.

Addressing Bathroom Issues

  • The absence of cameras in bathrooms makes it difficult to monitor and address inappropriate behavior.
  • Students are often unwilling to report such behavior due to concerns about "snitching."

Phone Use Policies

  • Consequences for phone use should depend on the context.
  • Taking phones away may not always be appropriate, especially in cases of emergencies or when students need to contact parents.
  • Using personal devices as laptops presents challenges in terms of monitoring and limiting access to certain content.
  • The school Wi-Fi blocks certain content, but students with cellular data can bypass these restrictions.
  • Teachers' opinions on phone use vary, with some being more lenient than others.

Safety and Security

  • Most students generally feel safe at school.
  • Incidents involving students from other schools occurring after hours on school grounds.
  • Theft at school.
  • Suggestion for security measures at the park.

Desired Changes in the Code of Conduct

  • Rules for the park.
  • More security.
  • After-school cleanup.

Parent Involvement

  • Problem-solving conversations with students and parents can be helpful.
  • Parental involvement is taken seriously, but some are overprotective.

Detentions

  • Detentions are viewed as homework class.

Device Policy

  • A stricter policy is suggested.

Service Work

  • Service work is a good punishment, but it is illegal.

Addressing Past Negative Experiences

  • Students have had negative experiences in the past.

Preferred Discussion Partners

  • Students prefer discussing issues with trusted teachers or counselors who understand their situations.

Communication of New Code of Conduct

  • Major rule changes should be communicated through announcements or assemblies.
  • Providing a suggestion box or Google Form for anonymous feedback.

Logistics

  • Headphones and stuff should be around your necks.
  • There is not enough time to move between classes.
  • Tardiness rarely has consequences, but should.

Potential Impact of New Code of Conduct

  • A new code of conduct could potentially change the school environment.

Differentiation across Grade Levels

  • The code of conduct should be applied differently at elementary, middle, and high school levels.
  • Elementary students should have more leeway.

Concerns for Elementary Issues

  • Teachers yell at students often.

District-Wide Implementation

  • The code of conduct will be implemented across the entire school district.

Middle School Changes

  • More strict rules that apply to middle school kids.