Discipline

The principal, the assistant-principals and all other employees of the school have the responsibility to assess and implement the Supervision Plan on the Edison High School campus. In an emergency situation the principal or designee may remove a student from campus, place a student in a temporary alternative educational program and/or suspend a student in accordance with Ed. Code 48900.

All school personnel have the right to take action anytime the educational process is threatened with disruption or when the safety of people or property becomes an issue. It is up to the discretion of school personnel to exercise their best judgment in choosing consequences for particular situations or infractions. Students whose presence poses a danger to persons or property are considered to be a disruption to the educational process and may be removed immediately from school or school sponsored events. The police or other legal authority may participate in removal if necessary.

The Student Code of Conduct is in force:

During regular school hours anywhere on school property.
During district-provided transportation of students, including designated school bus stops.
At all times and places where school personnel have jurisdiction, including school-sponsored events, field trips, athletic functions and other school related activities.

Any public school official or designated chaperone is authorized to take action when a student’s conduct has a detrimental effect on other students, staff members or on the orderly educational process.

Guidelines for Assessing Penalties

Consequences/Penalties shall be administered when necessary to protect students, school employees or property and to maintain order and good discipline.
Students shall be treated fairly and equitably with disciplinary action based on a careful assessment of the circumstances of each case. Factors to consider include:

The seriousness of the offense
The student’s age
The frequency of misconduct
The potential effect of the misconduct on the school environment.

Progressive Discipline Policy

Each teacher will communicate classroom expectations including a progressive discipline plan to students (i.e. warning, conference, detention, phone call home etc.) Students who continue to violate classroom expectations and do not respond positively to teacher intervention will be referred to the Assistant Principal of Discipline.

Office referrals may result in detention, campus beautification duty, Saturday school, in-school suspension or out of school suspension. Office referrals may affect a student’s ability to participate in school and co-curricular activities, this includes sports and clubs. Please see athletic code of honor for further clarification.

Expected Student Behavior

Edison High School students are expected to respect themselves, others, and their property. The rules and regulations expressed in this code are established to maintain a climate conducive to learning. Students who fail to comply with these rules and regulations shall be subject to disciplinary action. All school personnel and parents have a shared responsibility to enforce school rules and regulations and take the necessary action to correct school behavior that is inappropriate or interferes with the functioning of the school.

The governing board at any school district shall prescribe rules not inconsistent with the rules prescribed by the state board of education for the government and discipline of the school under jurisdiction E.C. 32291.51.

All students shall comply with the regulations, pursue the required course of study, and submit to the authority of teachers of the school. (E.C. 48921)

Participation and attendance at extra-curricular activities is considered a part of the educational program. However, it is a privilege, not a right. Participants/spectators carry responsibilities as representatives of their school communities. All rules of student conduct apply to extra-curricular activities. Students who have an excessive number of disciplinary or attendance related incidents may be excluded from participation in extra-curricular events.

Definition of Disciplinary Actions

Informal Conference

A school official (teacher, administrator, or counselor) will talk to the student and try to reach an agreement regarding the student’s behavior. Parents may be notified by telephone, personal contact or letter. A conference may be held with the student, his/her parent/guardian, appropriate school personnel, and any other individuals involved with the infraction.

Formal Conference

A formal conference is held with the student, parent, and one or more school officials. During this conference the student must agree to correct his/her behavior.

Detention

Students may be detained in school for disciplinary or other reasons for a maximum of one hour before or after the school day and during the noon break.

Saturday Study Program

Student may be assigned to school on Saturday in lieu of more serious disciplinary actions.

In-house Suspension

A student may be assigned to an in-school suspension program at the discretion of the principal or designee for those offenses for which suspension is permitted.

Suspension

The student is informed that he/she is subject to a suspension (five days or less). The student is also informed of the due process procedure. The student’s parent/guardian is notified by telephone that the student is subject to a suspension. Notification to the parent/guardian must include clear instructions regarding the due process procedure. The suspension is then recorded in the student’s disciplinary file.

Transfer to Alternative Education Program

A proposed involuntary transfer notice may be sent to the parent/guardian to initiate the transfer for the student to receive special behavioral and educational services.

Expulsion

The student is informed that he/she is subject to the expulsion, and informed of the due process procedures. The student’s parent/guardian is notified by telephone and certified letter that the student is subject to expulsion. Notification to the parent/guardian must include clear instructions regarding the due process procedures.

Disciplinary Infractions and Possible Actions

Arson – Suspension, expulsion, police citation/arrest
Assault on Staff Member – expulsion, police citation/arrest
Bus Misconduct – Informal conference, removal from bus, parent involvement, suspension
Criminal Threats – Suspension, expulsion, police citation/arrest
Defiance/Insubordination – Informal conference, detention, Saturday School , parent involvement, suspension, expulsion, SARB
Disorderly Conduct or Campus Disruption – Informal conference, detention, Saturday School , parent involvement, expulsion, police citation/arrest
Dress Code Violation – Detention, parent involvement, Saturday School , suspension
Electronic device violation – Confiscation, parent conference, Saturday School , campus beautification, suspension
Explosive Devices – Suspension, expulsion, police citation/arrest
Fighting/Assault – Parent involvement, conflict mediation, suspension, expulsion, police citation/arrest
Gambling – Informal conference, parent involvement, suspension, expulsion
Harassment, Threats, or Intimidation (Hazing) – Parent involvement, suspension, expulsion, police citation/arrest
Harassment, Threats, or Intimidation of a Witness – Parent involvement, conflict mediation, suspension, expulsion, police citation/arrest
Hate Violence – Suspension, expulsion, police citation/arrest
Littering/ throwing food – Student conference, detention, Saturday School , parent conference, suspension, police citation/arrest
Misuse of Internet – Revocation of Internet privileges, Saturday School , suspension
Possession/Use of Tobacco Products – Saturday School , suspension, police citation
Possession/Use/Sales of Drugs/Alcohol/ Paraphernalia – Suspension, expulsion, police citation/arrest,
Profanity/Vulgarity/Obscenity – Informal conference, parent involvement, Saturday School , suspension, expulsion
Robbery/Extortion – Suspension, expulsion, police citation/arrest
Sexual Assault/Battery – Suspension, expulsion, police citation/arrest
Sexual Harassment – Informal conference, parent involvement, Saturday School , suspension, expulsion
Theft of School/ Private Property – Suspension, expulsion, police citation/arrest
Traffic/Parking – Informal conference, ticketing and/or towing by HBUHSPD, loss of parking privilege, suspension
Vandalism/Graffiti – Informal conference, parent involvement, Saturday School , suspension, expulsion, police citation/arrest
Weapons/Dangerous Objects – Suspension, expulsion, police citation/arrest

In some cases, the disciplinary actions listed above are possible responses to a disciplinary situation and are not a progression of responses. In some cases, the severity of the incident/infraction will dictate the disciplinary response and may not warrant a progression of responses. PLEASE NOTE: Violation of any of the aforementioned actions may result in the revocation of an inter-district permit.

Rules, Policies, and Guidelines

Bicycles, Skateboards and Skates

Bicycles and skateboards can be used for transportation to and from school only. Once on campus, these forms of transportation must be placed in one of two caged and secured areas; between the gym and SAC area or in the southeast corner area off Hamilton Ave. These are modes of transportation and are not to be used once students have arrived at school. They are to be kept off the service roads, basketball/tennis courts, and the central campus.

HBUHSD prohibits riding of bicycles, skateboards, roller skates/blades on any campus at any time. Skateboards, bicycles, and scooters are not allowed in student possession during school hours. In addition to disciplinary action, items will be confiscated.

1st confiscation – returned at the end of the day
2nd confiscation – returned to a parent or guardian, Saturday School assigned
3rd confiscation – returned at the end of the semester, campus beautification assigned, police citation/arrest

Cell Phones

Students may carry cell phones, pagers, or other electronic signaling devices on campus during the school day, but they must be deactivated and their use strictly prohibited on campus during the regular school day except: during an emergency affecting the school or community or upon written direction from a licensed physician or surgeon that to carry such a device is essential, and the use is limited specifically to the health of the student. Edison High School and the district assume no liability for the loss of the device or its misuse by another person.

**EDISON HIGH SCHOOL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LOSS/THEFT OF ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICE.

Closed Campus Policy

Edison High School is a closed campus. Students may not leave campus without checking out in the attendance office. Students must have a note or the office must have a phone contact with parent and/or guardian before the student leaves campus. No exceptions will be made for students obtaining permission by the use of a cell phone. Violators are subject to student discipline action and any absences will be considered truancies.

For the protection of students, Edison High School is a closed campus during school hours.

No student is permitted to leave school before the end of his/her school day, except in case of emergency or with the approval of a school administrator.
Edison High School students are not permitted on elementary, junior high or other high school campuses during the school day without written permission of that school’s administration.
The parking lot, track area, tennis courts, the service road circling the school, and all practice fields are off limits except when students are arriving or leaving school; the hallways and behind the 100 building are considered off limits during lunchtime. Edison Community Center and Edison Service Park ( Hamilton ) are off limits during school hours.
Student visitors are not allowed. Parents visiting the campus must check in with a school administrator. The receptionist will then issue a temporary parking permit.

Dangerous Behavior on Campus

Throwing objects or other behavior that could create injury or interfere with the educational process is not allowed. Individuals who behave or create a situation that could be dangerous to others will receive the appropriate consequences that may include Saturday School or suspension.

Lighters, Matches, and Other Combustible Items

Students may not possess lighters, matches, or any other combustible items on campus. Possession of any of these items will result in disciplinary action. The item(s) will be confiscated and will not be returned. Students also face possible citation from HBUHSD police.

Deliveries to Students

Please limit messages and deliveries to absolute emergencies. Taking the time to communicate at home limits the interruptions to classes for messages regarding doctor appointments, transportation, meeting times/places, and other personal messages. This also includes delivery of forgotten lunches, homework, etc. Please remind your student to check the Main Office for items they have requested you to deliver. Please label any items you leave for student pick-up at the reception desk in the Main Office.

Harassment and Bullying

Harassment refers to the wide spectrum of offensive behavior, specifically, those behaviors which are deemed threatening and/or disturbing to others, which are beyond those sanctioned by the HBUHSD and/or EHS policy. These type of behaviors include but are not limited to;

Bullying
Is the continual harassment that occurs on the campus, during school realted functions, or any other place/circumstance that is deemed school related. Bullying is the physical and psychological harassing behavior is perpetrated against a specific individual, by one or more persons through verbal and/or physical means which creates an environament of intimidation.

Psychological harassment
This is humiliating or abusive behavior that lowers a person’s self-esteem or causes them torment. This can take the form of verbal comments, actions or gestures.

Racial harassment
The targeting of an individual because of their race or ethnicity. The harassment can include words, deeds, and actions, that are specifically designed to make the target feel degraded due to their race of origin or ethnicity. Insults committed in jest are still considered “racial offensive” and will handled accordingly.

Religious harassment
Verbal, psychological or physical harassment’s used against targets because they choose to practice a specific religion.

Sexual harassment
Involves the unwanted and unwelcome, words, deeds, actions, gestures, symbols, or behaviors of a sexual nature that make the target feel uncomfortable. Gender and sexual orientation harassment fall into this category as well. Sexual related comments committed in jest are also considered as “sexually offensive” and will addressed accordingly.

Stalking
The unauthorized following and surveillance of an individual, to the extent that the persons privacy is unacceptably intruded upon, and the victim fears for their safety.

Hazing
To persecute, harass, or torture in a deliberate, calculated, planned, manner. Typically the targeted individual is a subordinate vying for validity within a campus organization. Hazing is considered illegal and specific laws govern the criminal culpability of such instances.

If a student feels they are being the target of the above behaviors, they are to report the instances to the Supervision Office immediately. Timing is very important in all harassment issues. Students are to fill out a Voluntary Witness Statement regarding the incident and the Assistant Principal, Supervision will work with the school police officer to interview all parties involved to determine school, and possibly legal, punishment.

If the Student has evidence of the harassment, i.e., txt messages, notes, drawings, myspace printouts, etc., it is advised that they include this evidence to expedite resolution of the conflict.

Lockers

All Freshman and Sophomore students will be issued a locker automatically through the Edison High School registration process. Students are not to change lockers or keep anything of value in their lockers, such as tape recorders, radios, cameras, purses, etc. It is imperative that students not share their locker with other students or give their combination to any other students. Forgotten combinations can be retrieved in the Supervision Office. Locker theft or damage should be reported to the Supervision Office immediately. All lockers, including P.E. lockers, are the property of Edison High School and the school reserves the right to enter or search school lockers as needed. Lockers are used at the student’s own risk and items should not be left overnight or on weekends. Please Note: Edison High School is not responsible for any lost or damaged items in the lockers.

Locker Requests

Unfortunately, during the modernization process, we will be losing lockers as work is in the process of being completed. Due to this fact, we will only offer lockers to the lower classmen. Lower classmen are encouraged to inform the supervision office if they will not be using their assigned locker. Upper classmen who are in need of a locker are asked to make a request in the supervision office. Lockers will be assigned based on need and dire circumstances.

Loitering

To stand idly, to stop numerous times, to delay and or procrastinate. Remaining in any one place under circumstances that would warrant a reasonable person to believe that the purpose or effect of that behavior is to enable or conceal a school and/or law violation. These actions are considered Loitering and such behaviors are subject to school authority and/or law provision.

Please Note:
Freshman athletes that do not have a 5th period are not permitted to leave campus under any circumstance. These students must remain on campus in the Library/Media Center of at tables in front of Gym so as to not disturb the educational process.

Students should leave campus immediately unless they are attending to school business so as not to disturb the educational process.

Lost and Found

Students often misplace items while at school. We make every effort to return items with identification to students as soon as possible. By marking the student’s name on backpacks, clothing, notebooks, calculators, etc., they have a much better chance of finding an article that has been lost. If a student feels that an item has been stolen, a Missing Property report should be filed in the Campus Supervision Office. Students should the contact the supervision office for lost items.

Student I.D.

Each student is given a free student identification card at registration or upon enrollment. The replacement cost is $10. Students are required to carry their student ID card at all times during the school day. If a student is asked to surrender their School ID they are to do it without hesitation. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action. Failure to carry your school ID will result in disciplinary action. Your ID card is required for entry into student events, to use the computer labs, to check out books from the Media Center, to get off-campus for lunch (juniors and seniors with an approved off-campus pass only), and to make purchases in ASB.

Supervision Areas

Student lunch area maps are posted in all classrooms and work areas. Students may not be out of the lunch area (BOWL) while eating. Students must remain in the supervision areas during school hours unless going to or coming from school or classes (students must exit or enter through a supervised area during lunch), with a class or staff member, or on school business.

Teacher Communication

The most effective way to reach a teacher is through e-mail. If you must reach a teacher immediately, please call teachers before school, after school, during lunch or conference period so as not to disturb the instructional process. You may also leave a short voicemail message for teachers at their extension. Please contact the switchboard operator at the main number, (714) 962-1356, or check the website for updates.

Theft Prevention

Students must be on guard to prevent the theft of their property while attending school. The following preventative actions will help reduce the likelihood of theft on campus:

Do not bring items to school that are not needed for school.
Do not bring large sums of money or valuables to school, especially jewelry.
Do not leave any items unattended in a classroom.
Do not leave any items unattended anywhere on campus.
Do not leave any items unattended during 5th and 6th period athletics.
Do not leave backpacks, clothing or other items in an unlocked P.E. locker.
Always turn the combination on your lock after you have closed it firmly.
Do not share your locker or give your combination to anyone.

What to do in case of a theft:

If a theft has occurred during a specific class, immediately report it to your teacher. Report all thefts to the Campus Supervision Office by filling out a Voluntary Witness Statement report. This is very important, even if we cannot retrieve the item; it is helpful to us to keep track of any patterns that may be occurring.

Video and Audio Recording

Students and any persons not employed by the Huntington Beach Union High School District are not allowed to bring video cameras and/or equipment on campus without prior written permission.

Students are not allowed to use audio/video equipment to film or record school activities, classes, or campus activity without prior written permission, with the exception of classes where video equipment is part of the curriculum and they have specific permission from the teacher. Parents wishing to videotape student activities (i.e., pep rallies, assemblies, etc.) during school hours may receive permission when they register in the Main Office as a campus visitor. Videotaping athletic contests and other extra-curricular activities at events open to the public are not affected by this policy.

Visitor Registration

All visitors, except students and Huntington Beach Union High School District employees, must register in the Main Office before coming on campus during school hours, 6:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. The only exception to required registration is for individuals attending an event open to the public.