1. Preamble This policy is created with due regard to Law Number 61 of July 17, 1998 about primary and secondary education.

Transcription

1 1. Preamble This policy is created with due regard to Law Number 61 of July 17, 1998 about primary and secondary education. This policy addresses expected student behavior, the consequences of rule violations (sanctions), and procedures for dealing with rule violations. The school is responsible for students during class time, arrangements, excursions, and other activities in which students are under the school s guidance and this policy will apply in all types of classrooms, group rooms, outdoor spaces, on school transport, and when students have lessons other places than on the school s premises, for example during projects, camps, and school trips. In addition to the policy, the school and individual staff members may develop rules for promoting well-being, order, and behavior. In situations in which there is a contradiction between the rules, this policy and the Norwegian education act will take priority Purpose Kristiansand International School is characterized by a constructive cooperation between students, parents, and employees, where students learn to see themselves as partners in creating a good atmosphere in which central values such as respect and tolerance are emphasized. This policy is a tool for achieving these goals. The foundation for these regulations is that the school exists for students, and that students wish to use their positive resources in order to contribute to a good environment for everyone. Students have both rights and responsibilities. Students have the following rights: To be treated appropriately to the requirements of Norwegian law and the stated mission of the school To be shown respect, and for private possessions to be left alone To be without physical, psychological, and verbal bullying To have a good learning and school environment Students have the following responsibilities: To work for a good learning and school environment To treat others appropriately to the requirements of Norwegian law and the stated mission of the school To show respect to others, and to let their and the school s possessions be left alone To not bully or annoy others, neither physically, psychologically, nor verbally 3. Rules and Sanctions The school is the learning and work place for many people: children, youth, and adults. Everyone has responsibility for the successful functioning of the school. It is important to create a good working environment for both students and employees at school. All students shall follow societal norms and they will display behaviour acceptable to the society we live in. Specifically, students shall follow these rules:

2 Show consideration and respect for others Show respect for the teaching and do their part to keep the work environment quiet during the lessons Come on time to lessons and meetings Meet deadlines for completing school work Maintain order Do their part in keeping the school s grounds clean and tidy Take good care of everything that belongs to the school, both inside and out, and take good care of school books and other learning materials Take good care of personal belongings and as much as possible avoid bringing valuables to school Students are not allowed to engage in: Swearing, fighting, or disturbing the play of others Racist statements or actions Bullying Sexual harassment Harassment due to religion or world view 2 All sanctions used by the school shall be such that students understand which rules have been broken and why the school must react. The sanctions shall be in appropriate balance with the violation of the regulation. Wherever possible, sanctions will focus on the student redressing harm done by the violation. The following sanctions may be used in response to violations of the school rules (not necessarily in order, dependent on the seriousness of the violation): Verbal correction to student Report to parent/guardian, either via , communication or verbally Formal correction/warning (entered into student files) Formal report to parent/guardian In the case of confiscation of objects which are used in a dangerous or provoking manner, the confiscated objects can be returned to the parent/guardian. In the case of damage to school property or possessions, students can be required to make up for the damage (clean garbage, wash the floor, remove graffiti, etc.) Students can be required to be at school before or after normal school hours in association with needing to meet with a teacher/the principal and/or carry out required duties Students may be suspended from school (see details below) Physical punishment and other offensive treatment must not be used. Physical punishment does not refer to physical work in connection to reparations, tidying, or cleaning after oneself or others. Collective punishment cannot be used for actions taken by individual members of the group. Suspension/Expulsion With the use of violence and/or threats, especially provocative behavior or other major violations of the regulations, students in the 8-10 th grade can be suspended from classes for up to three days. Students in 1 st -7 th grade can be kept out of individual lessons or for the rest of the school day.

3 The principal makes the decision to suspend after consulting with the student s teachers. Before this decision, the student will have the opportunity to explain him/herself verbally, and other methods of correction/help such as student mediation and/or conflict guidance shall have been considered. The parent/guardian to the students shall be notified before the suspension is put into place. When a student has continuously shown behavior that to a serious degree impacts the order and work environment of the school, or when a student to a serious degree neglects his/her duties, the student can be asked to leave the school. This decision will only be made after discussion with all interested parties, the school board and the foundation board. 3.1 Specific violations and associated sanctions Unexcused absences 3 If a student has an unexcused tardy or absence, the home will be contacted for an explanation. The consequences must be in balance with the reason and the frequency of the absences or tardies. The parent/guardian will become involved when the absences or tardies impact the student s learning or disturb the learning environment for the class as a whole. The parent/guardian must also be informed about their responsibility for the student s attendance in school. Bullying or violent behavior Violence or threats of violence will not be tolerated. Bullying is physical and/or psychological attack sustained over time which is directed toward one or several students and/or an employee. It is also considered violence. Students who threaten violence or act violently can be suspended from class/school. The parent/guardian of the violator as well as the victim will be contacted. Major episodes of violence will be reported to the police. Dangerous objects at school Objects which can inflict injury on others may not be brought to the school without good reason and prior arrangement. Dangerous objects will be seized by the school. Unlawful objects will be delivered to the police. Other seized objects will be given to the student s parent/guardian after school hours. If school equipment that is used to threaten or used in a dangerous manner, this use will lead to sanctions at the appropriate level. Drugs and alcohol It is not allowed to be under the influence of, to use, to store, to convert, or to be in possession of tobacco, chewing tobacco, alcohol, narcotics or other drugs on school grounds. The school can seize drugs which are brought onto school grounds. Tobacco and alcohol will be handed over to the student s parent/guardian. Illegal drugs will be handed over to the police. Vandalism of the school s buildings and possessions, students or employees Intentional or negligent damage or vandalism of the school s property or equipment can lead to a demand for replacement from the parent/guardian. The same applies to the loss or damage of books and other equipment, Damage Replacement Law 1-1 and 1-2. Students who vandalize can be

4 required to clean up after themselves or rectify damage that they have caused when the students are able to manage the work and the work is reasonably proportionate to the damage. Mobile phone, electronic devices and the internet Mobile phones or other personal electronic devices should not be used in class times (MYP) or in the school day (PYP) without permission of a member of staff. Students who violate these rules will have their device confiscated by the school for the rest of the school day. The school s access to the internet shall as a rule only be used for teaching purposes. This includes the use of . This rule does not prohibit access to the internet outside of class hours. The school will include a user agreement between the school and students for the use of the school s computer equipment and network outside of class hours. 4 If students break the rules, sanctions will be imposed in line with the severity or frequency of the violation. Illegal activity will be reported to the police. Plagiarism and cheating Cheating or attempts at cheating incur immediate consequences, which may include the lowering of assessment scores, completing new work and verbal/written correction. If the student has cheated during an assessment task, the student will be given a score of zero. Students in Grades 8-10 will be warned about the possibility of not receiving a semester grade. Search With reasonable suspicion of the violation of the rules, the school s leadership can undertake the search of a locker that is used by the student. With reasonable suspicion of a student possessing dangerous objects, drugs or alcohol the school s leadership will ask the student s parent/guardian for permission to check the student s possessions by searching pockets, bags, or backpacks. If possible, the student s parent/guardian will be given the opportunity to be present at such a control. Criminal offences With the suspicion of a criminal offence, the principal will ask for assistance from the police. The student s parent/guardian shall if possible be warned verbally at the same time that police assistance is requested. The parent/guardian shall in any case be notified in writing that police assistance has been sought. Illegal activity on the school grounds can be reported to the police. Normally, it is the offended party who turns in the police report. The school can be of help in filling out a police report. 4. Setting grades for order and conduct The school does not set grades for order and conduct. However, all students should be aware that violation of the school rules may affect their assessment notes and reporting against the learner

5 profile and, for students in grades 8-10, their effort grades. Parents will be informed of students progress against the Learner Profile at student development talks. 5. Case Procedures The treatment of violations of the regulations shall follow the case procedures in the Management Law when appropriate. However, the following case procedures will be followed in any situation: The school is required to ensure that the case is as clear as possible, and the decision is made on a foundation that is proper based on the case s type and character. Before all types of serious reprimands are put in place, students have the right to explain themselves to those who are going to make the decision. The student has the right to bring along another person to the meeting with the school. The decision of the school must be justified. The justification shall be given at the same time as the decision is made known to the student, unless special circumstances make this difficult. The justification can be given verbally, but with decisions of consequence, the justification shall be given in written form. The student s parent/guardian shall receive information about the case and the school s decision. In the case of serious violations, information should be given before possible measures are put in place. With less serious violations, information can be given at a later time; at the latest, the next development talk. 5

6 Incident report/accident report Student s name: Date: Time: What happened: 6 Written by: Reviewed & Signed by the Principal: In the event of a more serious accident such as any head OR an injury to any other part of the body causing more serious lacerations or bruising the parent(s) MUST be informed. The original should be handed into the office where it will be kept in the red accident / incident report file.