Orange County Public Schools

Student Rights

• To attend school in a positive learning environment
• To have school personnel who are receptive to student needs and concerns
• To have knowledge of the Code

Student Responsibilities

• To maintain behavior that enhances a positive learning environment
• To express needs and concerns in an appropriate manner
• To follow the guidelines set forth in the Code
  
  

Student Rights

• To be informed of Board policies and school rules about absenteeism and tardiness
• To appeal a decision about an absence
• To request make-up work after an absence/suspension and to complete it in a reasonable amount of time

Student Responsibilities

• To attend classes daily and be on time
• To explain or document the reason for an absence
• To make-up class work in a reasonable amount of time after an excused absence/suspension

Student Rights

• To be informed about school guidance services
• To have access to individual and group counseling
• To request counseling

Student Responsibilities

• To use guidance services for educational and personal improvement
• To schedule guidance appointments ahead of time, except in emergencies
• To work cooperatively with all school personnel

 

Student Rights

• To receive a teacher's grading standard at the beginning of the grading period
• To receive course descriptions
• To learn from competent teachers in an atmosphere free from bias and prejudice
• To take part in basic skills programs in elementary, middle, and high schools

Student Responsibilities

• To request academic and extracurricular programs that are in line with ability
• To ask for help from school personnel in choosing courses
• To cooperate with teachers and contribute to an atmosphere free from bias and prejudice
• To make every effort to master the basic skills

Student Rights

• To receive a teacher’s grading standards at the beginning of the grading period
• To be notified of failure/potential failure when work is unsatisfactory

Student Responsibilities

• To learn about grading standards
• To meet academic standards in line with ability and to make every effort to improve unsatisfactory work

Student Rights

• To express views through speaking and writing, but without being obscene, disruptive, abusive, or derogatory
• To participate in patriotic observances, however, students have a right to not participate in recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance
• To have one’s religious beliefs respected
• To assemble peaceably on school grounds while following federal, state, and local regulations
• To help develop and distribute publications as part of the educational process
• To be protected from sexual harassment

Student Responsibilities

• To 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
• To behave respectfully during patriotic observances
• To respect the religious beliefs of others and to refrain from activities that hold religious beliefs up to ridicule
• To plan, get approval for and conduct activities that are in line with the school’s goals
• To 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
• To refrain from sexually harassing students, staff, and community members on OCPS property

Student Rights

• To have privacy of personal possessions unless school personnel have reason to believe a student is in possession of materials prohibited by law or Board policy; any individual on Board property is subject to search
• To have personal property respected

Student Responsibilities

• To keep materials prohibited by law or Board policy away from school or school activities
• To respect others’ personal property

Board Policy JB, “Equal Educational Opportunities,” defines discrimination as conduct which 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, [email protected].

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Board Policy JB, titled “Equal Educational Opportunities,” OCPS is committed to protecting its students, employees, and applicants for admission from sex discrimination, including discrimination based on gender identity or failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity. 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 by another student may use the school’s student grievance procedure or may complain directly to the Title IX Coordinator.

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, including discrimination based on gender identity or failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity. 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 by another student may use the school’s student grievance procedure or may complain directly to the Title IX Coordinator.

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.

 

The education of a child happens only through a partnership among the child, school faculty and staff, parents or 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 school district 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 to 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.