HARTFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT

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

16

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.


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.


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


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


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

24

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

25

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

26

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


(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


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


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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



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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



HARTFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT

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