Section III

The Board believes a positive school culture promotes equal educational opportunities and establishes the framework for a safe and effective learning environment.  The Board expects all students and stakeholders to demonstrate mutual respect for one another and, therefore, establishes the following Rights and Responsibilities for Students, Parents/Guardians, and OCPS Personnel.

Student Rights and Responsibilities:

• Follow the Code and school-based rules
• Maintain behavior that enhances a positive learning environment 
• Notify school staff about any dangerous behaviors, bullying, or activity that occurs on school grounds or off school ground when it results in a disruption to the school campus
• Accept and respect individual differences and people
• Only bring materials to school that are allowed
• Keep parents/guardians informed of school-related matters
• Ask school personnel or other trusted adults for help in solving problems
• Attend school daily, be prepared for class, and complete assignments to the best of the student’s ability
• Make-up missed class work in a reasonable amount of time after an absence
• Use guidance services for educational and personal improvement
• Respect the right of others to express their views and refrain from using speech or expression that could substantially disrupt the learning environment or harm the health, safety, or welfare of others
• Behave respectfully during patriotic observances
• Respect the religious beliefs of others and to refrain from activities that hold religious beliefs up to ridicule
• Follow the rules of responsible journalism under the guidance of an advisor, including seeking complete information about topics and refraining from publishing false or obscene material
• Create a good academic environment
• Report any violations of the Code that you may witness or have knowledge of
• Respect each other’s privacy and confidentiality 
• Actively contribute to a culture of respect and inclusivity
• Provide a statement and present witnesses if the student is accused of violating the Code
• Assist with creating an environment that is safe  

Parent/Guardian Rights and Responsibilities:

• Read the Code with your child(ren)
• Ensure your child(ren) attend school regularly and on time
• Notify the school of absences or tardies in a timely manner
• Monitor your child(ren) academic and behavioral progress
• Talk to your child(ren) about school and behavioral expectations
• Teach and model for your child(ren) to respect the rights and property of others
• Report any violations of the Code that you may witness or have knowledge of

OCPS Personnel Rights and Responsibilities:

• Distribute and review the Code with students
• Implement the Code in a fair and consistent manner
• Maintain a safe and orderly school by using prevention and intervention strategies
• Set expectations, teach, model, and reinforce positive behavior
• Provide students with meaningful and relevant feedback on their behavioral and academic progress
• Provide corrective feedback and re-teach appropriate behaviors when a student demonstrates misconduct
• Keep parents informed of students’ academic progress and behavior through regular communication
• Provide meaningful opportunities for parent participation and involvement
• Communicate expectations and concerns to students and parents, and respond to students’ and parents’ concerns in a timely manner
• Review and revise the Code as needed

Report any violations of the Code that you may witness or have knowledge of

Code of Civility

The education of a child happens only through a partnership among the child, school faculty and staff, parents/guardians, the community and district office employees. Partnership is an active state that includes sharing responsibilities, having meaningful communication and welcomed participation.

When people who are working together agree, the partnership runs smoothly. Two people will not always agree and that can make partnership difficult. The partnership is most powerful, as children are educated to reach their potential, when we agree on how to disagree. We must be civil in our discourse.

Civility is often described by its absence. We hear of harmful actions such as road rage, physical confrontation, ethnic stereotypes and slurs. But civility is not just an absence of harm. It is the affirmation of what is best about each of us individually and collectively. It is more than saying “please” and “thank you.” It is reflecting our respect for others in our behavior, regardless of whether we know or like them. It is not simply being politically correct and should not to be used to stifle criticism or comment. It is being truthful and kind and for us to take responsibility for our own actions rather than blaming others.

As we communicate with each other, we need to remember that we are working together to benefit the children of this community.

Therefore, the Board requires that, as we communicate, students, OCPS faculty and staff, parents/guardians, and all other members of the community shall:

1. Always treat each other with courtesy and respect

This means:

• We listen carefully and respectfully as others express opinions that may be different from ours.
• We share our opinions and concerns without loud or offensive language, gestures or profanity.

2. Treat each other with kindness

This means:

• We treat each other, as we would like to be treated.
• We do not threaten or cause physical or bodily harm to another.
• We do not threaten or cause damage to the property of another.
• We do not bully, belittle or tease one another and we do not allow others to do so in our presence.
• We do not demean and are not abusive or obscene in any of our communications.

3. Take responsibility for our own actions

This means:

• We share information honestly.
• We refrain from displays of temper.
• We do not disrupt or attempt to interfere with the operation of a classroom or any other work or public area of a school or school facility.

4. Cooperate with each other

This means:

• We obey school rules for access and visitation.
• We respect the legitimate obligations and time constraints we each face.
• We notify each other when we have information that might help reach our common goal. This will include information about safety issues, academic progress, changes that might impact a student’s work or events in the community that might impact the school.
• We respond when asked for assistance.

We understand that we do not always get our way.

Authority and Enforcement of the Code of Civility

Authority and enforcement of a code for civil conduct ultimately depends on the individual and collective will of those involved – students, OCPS faculty and staff, parents/ guardians, and all other members of the community. However, individuals need to know how to respond to uncivil behavior and how such behavior will be responded to. Therefore:

1. A student who believes that he or she has not been treated in a manner reflective of the Code of Civility should report such behavior to the appropriate school administrator.

2. A parent/ guardian or community member who believes that he or she has not been treated in a manner reflective of the Code of Civility should report such behavior to the staff member’s immediate supervisor.

3. An employee who believes that he or she has not been treated in a manner reflective of the Code of Civility should use the following guidelines:

• If personal harm is threatened, the employee may contact law enforcement.

• Anyone on Board property without authorization may be directed to leave the premises by an administrator or school resource officer. Anyone who threatens or attempts to disrupt school or school district operations, physically harm someone, intentionally cause damage, uses loud or offensive language, gestures, profanity or shows a display of temper must be directed to leave the premises by an administrator or school resource officer.  If such person does not immediately and willingly leave and if the school resource officer is not available, law enforcement shall be called.

• If a telephone call recorded by an answering machine, e-mail, voicemail message, or any type of written communication is demeaning, abusive, threatening, or obscene the employee is not obligated to respond.

• If personal harm is threatened, the employee may contact law enforcement.
• The employee shall save the message and contact his or her immediate supervisor, the school resource officer and/or OCPS District Police.

• If any member of the public uses obscenities or speaks in a demeaning, loud, or insulting manner, the employee to whom the remarks are directed shall take the following actions:

• Calmly and politely, ask the speaker to communicate civilly.
• If the verbal abuse continues, give appropriate notice to the speaker and terminate the meeting, conference, or telephone conversation.
• If the meeting or conference is on school district premises, request that an administrator or authorized person direct the speaker to promptly leave the premises.

If the speaker does not immediately leave the premises, an administrator or other authorized person shall notify law enforcement to take any action deemed necessary.

Student Discrimination

Board Policy JB, Equal Educational Opportunities,  defines discrimination as conduct that deprives the victim of the opportunity to participate in educational programs or activities on the account of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, language spoken, homelessness, or any other reason prohibited by law. Students attending OCPS shall be treated according to a unitary code, which applies equally to all students. All activities, curricular and extracurricular, which are sponsored by OCPS shall evidence respect for the individual student.  Every reasonable attempt shall be made to ensure that activities do not disparage or offend any student on account of discrimination.

If a student believes they are a victim of discrimination based upon any factor identified above, the student is encouraged to report the alleged discrimination to school administration to investigate. The victim may also file a grievance/complaint with the OCPS Equity Officer to investigate the allegations; the Equity Officer for OCPS is Keshara Cowans and is located at the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center, 445 W. Amelia Street, Orlando, Florida 32801, (407) 317-3200, titleIX@ocps.net.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Sex Discrimination

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Board Policy JB, Equal Educational Opportunities, OCPS is committed to protecting its students, employees, and applicants for admission from sex discrimination and sexual harassment. OCPS believes that all students and employees are entitled to a safe, equitable, and harassment-free school experience. Substantiated allegations of discrimination will not be tolerated and shall be just cause for disciplinary action. Any student who alleges sex discrimination or sexual harassment by another student should report the matter directly to the school-based Title IX Coordinator or the District Title IX Coordinator.

Please reference Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Board Policy JB, Equal Educational Opportunities, for more information regarding the requirements and procedures OCPS is required to follow when there are allegations of sexual harassment or sex discrimination.

Bullying and Harassment

In accordance with Section 1006.147, Florida Statutes, Board Policy ADD, Safe Schools, and Board Policy JB, Equal Educational Opportunities, the Board is committed to protecting its students, employees, and applicants for admission, from bullying, harassment, or discrimination for any reason and of any type. The Board believes that all students and employees are entitled to a safe, equitable, and harassment-free school experience. Substantiated allegations of bullying, harassment, or discrimination will not be tolerated and shall be just cause for disciplinary action.  In addition, although unsubstantiated bullying and harassment do not result in disciplinary action, the unsubstantiated bullying and harassment must be documented and reported to the Florida Department of Education through the requirements of the School Environment and Incident Reporting (SESIR) structure. Any student who alleges bullying or harassment by another student may use the school’s student grievance procedure or may complain directly to the principal or designee.