Admin

Introduction

School Year 2023-2024

The School Board of Orange County, Florida
445 W. Amelia Street
Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 317-3200

School Board Members
Teresa Jacobs, Chair
Angie Gallo, District 1, Vice-Chair
Maria Salamanca, District 2
Alicia Farrant, District 3
Pam Gould, District 4
Vicki-Elaine Felder, District 5
Karen Castor-Dentel, District 6
Melissa Byrd, District 7

Superintendent 
Maria F. Vazquez, Ed.D.

Vision
To ensure every student has a promising and successful future

Mission
With the support of families and the community, we create enriching and diverse pathways that lead our students to success

Objectives
High Expectations for Student Learning
Student Social and Emotional Well-Being
Dedicated and High-Quality Team
Positive Climate and Safe Environment
Efficient operations
Engaged and Invested Community

OCPS Non-Discrimination Statement

The School Board of Orange County, Florida, does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities, on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other reason prohibited by law. The School Board also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/or extracurricular school activities. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies, reports of alleged violations, concerns about compliance, and/or the grievance procedure(s), etc.: 

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer & Title IX:

Keshara Cowans – Staff Attorney II

Office of Legal Services

Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center

445 West Amelia Street Orlando, FL 32801

(407) 317-3411

[email protected]

 

ADA Coordinator:

Jay Cardinali – ADA Compliance Officer

Office of Legal Services

Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center

445 West Amelia Street Orlando, FL 32801

(407) 250-6248

[email protected]

 

Section 504:

Tajuana Lee-Wenze – Director

ESE Procedures/Compliance

Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center

445 West Amelia Street Orlando, FL 32801

(407) 317-3279

[email protected]


Introduction

The School Board of Orange County, Florida (Board) Policy JIC, titled “Code of Student Conduct,” in addition to Section 1006.07, Florida Statutes, requires the adoption of a Code of Student Conduct (Code). Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) has developed the Code to help students, parents/guardians, and school personnel understand the guidelines for maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment. The Code shall be discussed with students, school advisory committees, and parent/teacher associations at the beginning of each school year and quarterly thereafter and for transferring students upon their enrollment.

In order to conserve resources, schools will not distribute paper copies of the Code to every student. An electronic copy of the Code can be found online at the District website: www.codeofconduct.ocps.net, on the OCPS app, or on OCPS school-issued devices. If you require a paper copy of the Code, please notify your OCPS school.

The Code applies to all OCPS students in Kindergarten through Grade 12, including high school and school age students attending either a technical center in a dual-enrollment program or a community school program for high school credit.

Each OCPS student must obey OCPS rules and the Code:
  • While on school grounds;
  • While being transported to or from school at public expense;
  • During school-sponsored activities, including, but not limited to distance learning, field trips, athletic functions, and similar activities; and
  • If appropriate, any other area as permitted by Florida Statutes and/or State Board of Education Rules.

Schools may also have the authority to discipline students for acts near or related to the school or when a student’s conduct may harm the health, safety, or welfare of the student, of other students, of the school or of school personnel. In addition, while students may be disciplined for offenses according to the responses outlined in the Code, please be aware that there could be additional consequences through law enforcement for acts that violate the law.

Federal and state statutes and Board Policies are referenced throughout this handbook. It is important to note that the statutes and Board Policies referenced herein are subject to amendment throughout the current school year, which may affect specific sections of this handbook. Should a section be impacted by an amendment during the current school year, the Code will be updated to reflect the amendment as adopted by statute or Board Policy. A redline version of the amendment and footnote with a detailed explanation of the update will be accessible online at www.codeofconduct.ocps.net.

In Loco Parentis

State and federal law recognizes that teachers and school administrators have a need to stand in the place of parents/guardians over children entrusted to them at school. This is a legal concept called in loco parentis. While this authority is not equal to a parent’s/guardian's authority over a child, it does permit school personnel to exercise a degree of supervision and control over students while students are on school grounds, OCPS transportation, or attending a school activity. Section 1003.31(1), Florida Statutes, also recognizes that students are under the control and direction of the principal or teacher in charge of the school. This authorizes school personnel to search without a warrant based on reasonable suspicion and are not held to the higher standard of “probable cause” by which law enforcement is bound. This concept authorizes school personnel to question a student without providing the student with Miranda warnings or allowing the student to call a parent/guardian or attorney.

Notice of Limited Responsibility for Supervising Students

OCPS employees are not responsible for supervising students who arrive on school grounds more than 30 minutes before school and/or 30 minutes before a school-sponsored activity is scheduled to begin or students remaining on school grounds more than 30 minutes after school and/or 30 minutes after the school-sponsored activity ends. OCPS is not responsible for supervising students not in attendance at school, or students not authorized to participate in school-sponsored activities. Casual or incidental contact between OCPS personnel and students on school grounds shall not result in a duty to supervise students. Parents/guardians should not rely on OCPS employees to provide supervision for their child outside of the aforementioned time period.

Nothing in this section precludes OCPS from administering discipline for acts or behavior that occur on OCPS property.

Acknowledgement for the Code of Student Conduct

• Secondary
• Elementary

Section IV: Disciplinary Response Code for Secondary/Postsecondary

  • Student Dress
  • Threats or False Reports
  • Teen Dating Violence and Abuse
  • Tobacco/Vaping
  • Restorative Practices
  • Court Orders and Felony Suspension/Expulsion
  • Consultation with Law Enforcement
  • Petty Acts of Misconduct

Section III: Parent and Student Notifications

• Participation in Extracurricular/Co-curricular Activities
• Student Dress
• Possession of Firearms, Weapons, and/or Destructive Devices
• Fighting and Self-Defense
• Student Parking and School Locker Search
• Search of an Individual
• Detention
• Restorative Practices

Section IV: Disciplinary Response Code for Secondary

• Student Discipline Investigations
• 1KK: Electronic Device Violation
• 1N: Other Misconduct
• 1O: Unsubstantiated Bullying
• 1P: Unsubstantiated Harassment
• Level I Consequences
• 2M: Other Serious Misconduct
• 2Q: Electronic Device Violation
• Level II Consequences
• Level III: Discipline Response Code
• 3F: Fighting
• 3Q: Other Serious Misconduct
• 3Y: Electronic Device Violation
• 3Z: District Technology Violation (removed)
• Level III Consequences
• Level IV: Discipline Response Code
• 4C: Intimidation/Threats to a Person
• 4D: Battery
• 4H: Firearm/Weapons/Destructive Devices Possession
• 4I: Major Distruption on Campus
• 4K: Other Dangerous Objects
• 4M: Robbery
• 4O: Sexual Harassment
• 4T: Other
• 4Y: Physical Attack
• 4AA: Electronic Device Violation
• 4FF: Tobacco/Vaping/Nicotine Selling/Distribution
• Level IV Consequences

Section V: Disciplinary Response Code for Elementary

• Student Discipline Investigations
• 1KK: Electronic Device Violation
• 1N: Other Misconduct
• 1O: Unsubstantiated Bullying
• 1P: Unsubstantiated Harassment
• Level 1 Consequences
• 2M: Other Serious Misconduct
• 2Q: Electronic Device Violation
• Level 2 Consequences
• Level 3: Discipline Response Code
• 3F: Fighting
• 3Q: Other Serious Misconduct
• 3RR: Physical Aggression on an Employee
• 3Y: Electronic Device Violation
• 3Z: District Technology Violation (removed)
• Level 3 Consequences
• Level 4: Discipline Response Code
• 4C: Intimidation/Threats to a Person
• 4D: Battery
• 4H: Firearm/Weapons/Destructive Devices Possession
• 4I: Major Distruption on Campus
• 4K: Other Dangerous Objects
• 4M: Robbery
• 4O: Sexual Harassment
• 4T: Other
• 4Y: Physical Attack
• 4AA: Electronic Device Violation
• 4FF: Tobacco/Vaping/Nicotine Selling/Distribution
• Level 4 Consequences

Notice of Limited Responsibility for Supervising Students

OCPS employees are not responsible for supervising students who arrive on school grounds more than 30 minutes before school and/or 30 minutes before a school-sponsored activity is scheduled to begin or students remaining on school grounds more than 30 minutes after school and/or 30 minutes after the school-sponsored activity ends. OCPS is not responsible for supervising students not in attendance at school, or students not authorized to participate in school-sponsored activities. Casual or incidental contact between OCPS personnel and students on school grounds shall not result in a duty to supervise students. Parents/guardians should not rely on OCPS employees to provide supervision for their child outside of the aforementioned time period.

Nothing in this section precludes OCPS from administering discipline for acts or behavior that occur on OCPS property.

OCPS EEO Non-Discrimination Statement

The School Board of Orange County, Florida, does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities, on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other reason prohibited by law. The following individuals at the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center, 445 W. Amelia Street, Orlando, Florida 32801, attend to compliance matters: Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Equity Officer and Title IX Officer: Keshara Cowans; ADA Coordinator: Jay Cardinali; Section 504 Coordinator: Tajuana Lee-Wenze (407.317.3200).