School Discipline

School Discipline
1. What do I do if my child has been suspended?
Next ask the school if your child can serve their suspension in-school instead of out of school. If the school is requiring your child to serve the suspension out of school, ask if your child can attend an alternative-to-suspension program.
If your school district has a short-term alternative-to-suspension program/site, have your child attend that program during the suspension so they do not fall behind. School staff will be present at this program to supervise your child while your child does his school work. If that is not available, request your child’s schoolwork so that he or she can complete it during the suspension.
2. Tips for Advocating for My Child when s/he has been disciplined at school
b) Put your communication to the school in writing. This is especially important if you are requesting information or action by the school district. Keep a copy of the letter, email, or note for your own records. This way, you have documentation of your requests and the responses you have received.
c) Review the school district’s Code of Student Conduct. This will lay out the specific school rules and the policies for school discipline.
3. What is a short-term suspension? What are my child's rights related to a short-term suspension?
- Receive an explanation from the school about the rule the student broke and a description of the incident
- Tell his/her side of the story to a school administrator; and
- Take textbooks home, get missed assignments, and make up exams.
There is no right to appeal a short-term suspension, meaning you cannot request a review of the short-term suspension if you disagree with it.
4. What do I do if my child receives a short-term suspension?
- Take advantage of any short-term suspension program that may be offered by the school system so your child does not fall behind
- Read the Code of Student Conduct for the school system, and look up the rule your child broke and the procedures for short-term suspension
- Request a meeting with your child’s teachers and/or school staff to discuss your child’s progress and brainstorm ways to avoid future suspensions.
5. My child attends CMS and has received a 10-day suspension. I have been told that there is going to be a Discipline Team Meeting (DTM). What is that?
The DTM is to be held within 10 school days of the first day of the current suspension. The following people should participate in the meeting: a school administrator, a Learning Community administrator, the parent/guardian, and the child. There is no right for your child to have an attorney or advocate represent them at this meeting.
Following the meeting, you will be informed of the Learning Community Superintendent’s decision about whether further consequences will be imposed.
6. My child attends CMS and has been reassigned to Turning Point Academy. What can I do?
The CMS Code of Student Conduct can be found here.
7. What is a long-term suspension?
8. What is an explusion?
9. What are my child's rights if s/he is being recommended for a long-term suspension or expulsion?
These include rights to:
- Receive written notice of the incident, which includes:
- A description of the incident
- The specific rule the child is charged with violating
- The specific process to request a hearing to challenge the suspension or expulsion
- A description of the format of the hearing
- Notice that the parent/guardian is permitted to have an attorney represent the child in the hearing process; and
- Notice that the parent/guardian has the right to review and obtain copies of the child’s educational records before the hearing.
- Take textbooks home, get homework, and make up tests during the first 10 days of the suspension and during the appeals process
- Have a due process hearing, where the child will be able to bring an attorney; present evidence; bring witnesses to testify on his/her behalf; question the witnesses, evidence, or statements used against him/her by the school system; and make a recording of the hearing
- Receive a written hearing decision, with the reason for the decision and notice of the child’s right to appeal the decision to the local board of education
- Appeal the local board of education’s decision to the local superior court
Bullying
1. What is bullying?
2. What obligations does my child's school have towards bullying?
- No student or school employee shall be subjected to bullying or harassing behavior by school employees or students.
- No person shall engage in any retaliation against a victim, witness, or a person with information about an act of bullying or harassing behavior.
- A school employee who has witnessed bullying shall report the incident to the appropriate school official.
- A student who has witnessed or has reliable information that a student or school employee has been subjected bullying behavior should report the incident to the appropriate school official.
Make sure to consult your school district’s Code of Student Conduct for more information concerning your school district’s specific policies about bullying.
3. What should I do if my child is being bullied?
Follow up with your child’s principal after you submit the Bullying Forms. Schedule a meeting to discuss the school’s action/investigation into the bullying incidents reported and to develop a plan to keep your child safe.
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