School Expectations and Guidelines

Regular attendance is one of the most important factors in determining success or failure in high school and is the responsibility of both the individual student and his/her parents or guardians. Parents should notify the Attendance Office by 8:15 a.m. each day if the student is going to be absent from school.  Attendance messages may be left on voicemail between the hours of 3:45 p.m. and 7:30 a.m.  It is the school’s responsibility to make decisions whether or not an absence from school is valid.  If an absence is not called in within 48 hours, the absence may be considered unexcused.  Student attendance records will be available for parents to monitor via the district’s Parent Portal.
 

1. Students who miss 18 days in a semester or 25 days in a school year may be recommended for expulsion, may be recommended for withdrawal from school, or may have credit withdrawn.  It should be noted that this number of absences exceeds the state definition of chronic truancy.
2. All absences (excused, unexcused, and suspension) will be included in the total count.
3. The school will offer available services to the student, including working closely with parents to reduce overall student absences.
4. The documentation process to inform parents of school services and procedures will be in five steps:
   • When a student has been absent four school days prior to February 1, a letter will be sent home by the high school Attendance Office to inform parents of the absences.
   • When a student has been absent eight school days prior to April 1, a second letter offering access to school resources will be sent home by the Attendance Office.
   • When a student has been absent twelve school days, a conference may be requested by the Assistant Principal or designee and may include the parents and the student. The student’s record will be reviewed, and additional strategies for intervention may be attempted.  A physician’s note may be requested for additional illnesses.
   • When a student has sixteen absences from school, the principal or designee will request a conference with the parents and a final warning will be given.  Should a student accumulate eighteen (18) absences in one semester or twenty-five (25) absences in the year, the student may be recommended for expulsion, may be recommended for withdrawal, may have credit for classes withdrawn, or be recommended for an alternative program.
   • Should they fail to maintain attendance in five classes, students who have had credit withdrawn in individual classes due to excessive absences will be placed on part-time status.  Due process procedures will be extended to all students and parents.
5. Partial day absences will be tallied to accumulate to full-day absences.
    

NOTE:  Items 1-5 (listed above) apply to students under age 17 as well.

1.    Identified at-risk students may be assigned to an individual program.
2.    The student may take advantage of:
•    Alternative programs
•    Various services, including social services that may be accessed by at-risk students in group and individualized situations
3.    When students under age 17 are withdrawn from their first class:
•    They will be assigned to a study hall for the semester.
•    The DeKalb County’s Regional Office of Education’s truancy outreach officer may be informed for future intervention, if is not already taking place.
4.    When students under the age 17 are dropped from subsequent classes:
•    They may be placed in a second study hall for the remainder of the semester.
•    They may be placed in an alternative program.
•    They may receive additional disciplinary consequences.
5.    Sycamore High School may contact DeKalb County Juvenile Court Services for those students who are under court supervision.

Tardy policy: 5 minutes for all class periods.

Students who arrive tardy to class disrupt the learning environment for fellow students.  Therefore, Sycamore High School institutes many interventions to discourage students from being tardy.  The tardy policy described on the following pages has been instituted in order to avoid disruptions of the educational environment, thus serving the best interests of all students.

1. For a student’s first tardy in a single class, the teacher will conference with the student and counsel the student to avoid further tardies.  Students will be notified of their tardy status.
2. Once a student is tardy three times in a two week span (all classes combined), the student will receive a thirty minute detention.
3. For every two additional tardies that a student receives during the two week cycle, the student will receive additional consequences.
    

“Valid cause” for absence means illness, death in the immediate family, court-related actions, and family emergency (as deemed valid by school administration).  “Valid cause” absences shall be considered excused, and work missed is allowed to be made up for credit.  Students who have an absence for a pre-arranged observance of a religious holiday will not be included in the 18 per semester and 25 per school year absence attendance policy.  These arrangements should be made with the Attendance Office, either in writing or by phone.  Only 16 absences will be allowed before a doctor’s note and/or with administration approval will be required to excuse further absences within the last 180 days of school.

Student athletes who are absent from school for more than three class periods or are truant for any period of the day will not practice or compete in any sport/activity that day or evening without clearance from the Athletic Director.

Students must be in attendance during the school day to participate in, or attend, school activities.  Students absent any part of the day due to truancy are not eligible to participate or attend activities.  In addition, students absent more than 3 periods due to illness are not eligible to participate in or attend activities unless it is a prearranged absence or is approved by an administrator.  If students have a note excusing them from physical education for health or medical reasons they cannot participate in athletic practices or events that day.

A planned absence shall be defined as school field trips, athletic, music, academic or extracurricular trips (including state and national level events), family vacations, college visits and any other absence known to the student prior to the absence.

1. All make up work (homework and assignments that were completed by the class during the planned absence) are due on the day the student returns unless prior arrangements have been made with the individual teacher.
2. All assessments (assessments that were completed by the class during the planned absence) shall be taken on the day of the return from the planned absence unless prior arrangements have been made with the individual teacher.
3. All work made up in the defined time frame will be given full credit. 

In order to have an absence excused, students leaving the building during the day (other than juniors and seniors leaving during their lunch period) must have permission from administration and parents prior to their leaving.  When students do leave, they must sign out in the attendance office. Students returning to school before the end of the day should sign in with the Attendance Office secretary.  If this policy is not followed, the student will be marked unexcused and consequences applied.

Juniors and seniors will be permitted to leave campus during their lunch periods. Students who are permitted to leave for lunch must return to the building through door E2 or the north foyer doors.  Students are required to show valid student ID cards upon re-entry.  Any abuse of this privilege, related truancies, community disruptions, etc., will result in disciplinary action and may result in having these privileges revoked.

Freshmen and sophomores are not permitted to leave for lunch and must remain on campus during lunch hour.  Any underclass student who leaves the campus during a lunch period will be considered absent without authorization and will receive disciplinary consequences. 
 

Students need to be present in order to learn and achieve success, and student truancy and absenteeism are disruptive to the entire educational process.  Multiple unexcused absences are deemed by the Sycamore School District as gross misconduct and gross disobedience and may subject the student to suspension and/or expulsion as described below and in the district’s student discipline policy.

Multiple communication methods will be used to inform parents of unexcused absences.  It is the responsibility of the parent to comply with Illinois School Code regarding satisfactory attendance.  Please note that suspensions and expulsions are unexcused absences.  Make-up work will be allowed at the discretion of the administration.

The following definitions are used to identify the various types of truancy:

Truant

The District, in accordance with Section 26-2a of the Illinois School Code, considers a student who is subject to compulsory school attendance to be truant if he/she is absent for the school day, or a portion of the school day, without proper permission.  Students who are truant are also considered absent/unexcused.

Examples of unexcused absences include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Failure to clear an absence by 8:15 AM of the next day of school may result in an unexcused absence, subject to administrative review.
• Leaving school without checking out.
• Skipping classes.
• Obtaining a pass to go to a certain place and not reporting there.
• Being in an unauthorized area.
• Oversleeping.
• Arriving late to school without parent notification.
• Experiencing car failure at any time of the day, including over the lunch period, may not be excused.  If a student leaves the campus, it is his/her responsibility to return on time for his/her next class.

Chronic or Habitual Truant

The District, in accordance with Section 26-2a of the Illinois School Code, considers a student who is subject to compulsory school attendance to be a chronic or habitual truant if he/she has unexcused absences for five or more of the previous 180 regular attendance days without proper permission.

Truant Minor

The District, in accordance with Section 26-2a of the Illinois School Code, considers a truant minor to be a chronic truant a student for whom either supportive services (including prevention, diagnostic, and other school and community resources) have been provided and have failed or a student who is in a situation where these services have been offered and refused by either the parent(s)/guardian(s) and/or the student.

Using the cited definitions, the school district shall determine if the student is a truant, a chronic or habitual truant, or a truant minor.  Every attempt will be made to determine the reason for a student’s truancy through talking with him/her, having a parent conference, and other means.

The following resources and supportive services, as determined appropriate, are available to students who are truant, or a chronic or habitual truant, and their parent(s)/guardian(s): 

• Variety of internal administrative interventions
• External truancy prevention/intervention programs 

Sycamore High School institutes many interventions to discourage truancy from school or from individual classes.  For repeated unexcused absences to a single class, students will receive progressive disciplinary consequences. The following sequence of interventions will be instituted:

1. Tardies and unexcused absences will be tracked separately, as they are different behaviors requiring separate interventions.
2. Students under the age of seventeen must maintain five classes on their schedules; those students who persist in accumulating class truancies and tardies will remain in the class and receive disciplinary consequences.  These students will also receive progressive disciplinary consequences for continued violations.
3. Students classified as part-time students will lose all privileges afforded to full-time students in good standing with the school.  Examples of privileges which may be lost to part-time students as a result of violations include, but are not limited to:
   • On-campus parking privileges.
   • The privilege of attending and participating in all extracurricular activities such as athletics, clubs, all homecoming activities, prom and all other similar school activities.
4. Participation in Senior Class Night and Graduation Ceremony, if applicable.
5. Other activities or events of any type not specifically related to the classes in which the part-time student is enrolled.  Part-time students are allowed on campus only during their remaining classes.
    

Continued study hall truancy will result in progressive disciplinary consequences from administration. Students who are truant will not be eligible for commons period.

Unplanned absence

    An unplanned absence is defined as an illness, accident, family emergency, funeral or “like” unexpected life occurrence. In these situations students shall be given a “day for a day” to turn in homework and assignments due during the absence and to take any assessments that were given to the class during the absence. All work made up in the defined time frame will be given full credit.

Planned Absence

A planned absence shall be defined as school field trips, athletic, music, academic or extracurricular trips (including state and national level events), family vacations, college visits and any other absence known to the student prior to the absence.

1. All make up work (homework and assignments that were completed by the class during the planned absence) are due on the day the student returns unless prior arrangements have been made with the individual teacher.
2. All assessments (assessments that were completed by the class during the planned absence) shall be taken on the day of the return from the planned absence unless prior arrangements have been made with the individual teacher.
3. All work made up in the defined time frame will be given full credit. 

The Board of Education has the responsibility for providing a safe environment for all of its students, as well as an atmosphere that is free from disruptive influence and is conducive to effective learning.  To accomplish this, reasonable rules and regulations are established and enforced.  

The rules and regulations governing student conduct will be reviewed annually by the Board of Education and the Administration and will be included in the current Parent/Student Handbook.

The Sycamore School District Board of Education believes:

• Self-discipline is preferable to external forms of control 
• In assisting students to develop internal controls necessary for successful school citizenship and achievement
• In educating students about alternatives to violence, peaceful resolutions to conflict, responsible behavior 
• In offering a variety of services that support the mission of the district
• In placing teachers at the forefront of encouraging responsible and appropriate behavior
• In encouraging and supporting teachers’ efforts to handle minor classroom disciplinary issues 
• All conduct problems are not the same, therefore disciplinary actions may include, but are not limited to: 
  • Notifying parents/guardians
  • Student or parent disciplinary conferences
  • Withholding of privileges
  • Temporary removal from the classroom
  • Return of property or restitution for lost, stolen or damaged property. 
  • Alternative Education Program (AEP)–partial, full or multiple-day assignment
  • Teacher or administration-assigned detentions (before, during or after school)
  • Response to Intervention (RTI)   
  • Suspension of bus riding privileges
  • Saturday Service
  • Police referral
  • Varying lengths of suspension
  • Transfer to an alternative program if the student is expelled or otherwise qualifies for transfer under State law.
  • recommendation for expulsion to the Board of Education by the Superintendent or his/her designee.
• Parents should
  • be prepared to attend school to address student discipline problems and, possibly, to remove their child from school 
  • expect that phone calls will be made to the work or place of business when necessary  
  • be aware that the Sycamore schools have a partnership and a positive working relationship with the law enforcement community and it may become advisable and/or necessary to involve local law enforcement agencies. 
  • know that the school community and the law enforcement community have a reciprocal reporting agreement, which allows sharing of relevant information.
     

Basic Privileges

Electronics in hallway; water/drinks in the hallway; attendance at athletic events, dances, concerts, and plays; club activities; athletic participation; cell phone possession on school property; and late start Thursdays.

Prerequisites for the Privilege Pyramid:

Before qualifying for incentives, the student must  

• have passed all classes
• have no disciplinary referrals in the previous or current semester
• have no outstanding fines/fees

Privilege Pyramid

Freshmen
Basic privileges only 
Sophomore 
Basic privileges, PLUS on campus parking 
Juniors 
All Basic and Sophomore privileges, PLUS Prom, PLUS open campus lunch,
Seniors
All Basic, Sophomore, and Junior privileges, PLUS the following: Senior Lounge, open campus during first and second semester study hall, drawing for reserved parking spots

See prerequisites and details below.

The Courtyard will be available at lunch for all students (30 student maximum each lunch period.)  
All privilege rules apply to the courtyard lunches. Any disruption of classes 
will result in the permanent removal from this privilege.  
 

Senior Lounge Incentives

Before qualifying for these incentives, the senior student must not have obtained an unexcused absence, failed a course, or had a discipline consequence, excluding tardies.

• Senior Lounge Privilege 
• Open campus during study hall(s) with parental permission.  This will only occur when there are no discipline referrals resulting in a detention or loss of privilege. 

These incentives may be revoked when a student is not passing a class or has ANY disciplinary consequence, including tardies.

Social probation is one in which a student is not allowed to attend school functions outside of the regular school day. These functions include, but are not limited to; school dances, sporting events, plays and musical performances. However, students on social probation may attend after school tutoring, be a part of a team/club, or attend an after-school event if it is required by one of their teachers. Students may be placed on social probation for a semester or entire year (determined by administration). Actions that may result in social probation include, but are not limited to:

1. Two suspension of any length in the same year
2. Major infraction and/or suspension of at least five days
3. Missing more than five detentions in the same year
4. Accumulating five AEPs/detentions in the same semester
5. Accumulating five referrals in the same year
6. Excessive absences or tardies (twelve or more)
7. Seniors that do not meet the graduation requirements for their graduating year
    

Gross disobedience or misconduct shall include any conduct, behavior, or activity which causes, or may reasonably lead school authorities to believe that it may cause, substantial disruption or material interference with school activities or the rights of others.  It shall include other behavior or conduct which is of such gross nature as to constitute, on its face, gross disobedience or misconduct.

Depending on the frequency, duration, and/or severity, consequences commensurate with acts of gross disobedience or misconduct may apply.  Acts of gross disobedience or misconduct, as well as conspiring to commit such acts, may be grounds for probation, suspension or expulsion.  The SRO (School Resource Officer) may also write citations for city ordinance violations.  Infractions may occur on school grounds, in designated school parking areas, on a bus, or at a school function.  They may also occur outside school grounds, provided there is a direct relationship between the conduct of the student and the school’s educational function.  A direct relationship exists between the conduct of the student and the school’s educational function if the conduct meets the following criteria:

• It has, or is reasonably likely to have, a direct impact on the order and discipline maintained in the school
• It poses a threat to the orderly delivery of the instructional program
• It poses a danger, or is reasonably likely to pose a danger, to the safety of the students, staff, or school property

Disciplinary infractions may include, but are not limited to, the following types of prohibited conduct, behavior, or activity:

1. Dress Code Violations:  An individual’s dress, personal appearance, and cleanliness, as well as his/her behavior demonstrate his/her sensitivity to and respect of others.  SHS recognizes that a student’s individual appearance is mainly the responsibility of both the student and parent(s).  If, in the judgment of school officials, modes of dress or appearance are distracting or disturbing the progress of the educational program, both the student and parent(s) will be notified, and the student will be required to change immediately. The following dress code is in effect:
   • Dress and grooming should be clean, modesty in attire, decent, and free of obnoxious odors.  For the protection of the student, health and safety standards must be maintained at all times.
   • Footwear must be worn at all times, and clothing and footwear must not have ornamentation that will damage furniture, floors, or create a safety hazard to either the student or others.
   • Accessories such as necklaces, bracelets, belts, etc., that could be used as weapons are expressly forbidden.
   • No large chains may be worn attached to clothing or on a student’s body.
   • Coats, blankets or sunglasses may not be worn in the building during the school day unless a student has received permission from administration due to medical or religious purposes. 
   • Garments depicting beer, alcohol, liquor, tobacco, or drugs may not be worn at school.
   • Tattoos or marks on skin depicting inappropriate material or messages may not be visible at school.  Students possessing such tattoos will be instructed to cover the tattoos/marks while in the school building.
   • No undergarments shall be visible while sitting or standing.  Pants shall be worn at the waist.
   • No clothing considered to be revealing will be allowed.  This includes, but is not limited to, shirts that reveal midriffs, shirts with bare backs, shirts without two straps, certain holes in clothing, low-cut tops (revealing cleavage), off the shoulder tops, and short shorts/skirts  (subject to Administrative discretion).
   • Costumes may be worn with administration approval.
   • Any material deemed inappropriate by administrative staff may not be worn/displayed/used on school property.
2. Presence in an unauthorized or non-supervised area will receive disciplinary consequences.
3. Drinks are not allowed in the classroom unless permission is given by the teacher.
4. Insubordination is defined as failure to comply with requests from school personnel. School personnel includes all faculty and staff, including the SRO (School Resource Officer), employees, teachers, administrators, school board members, school bus drivers, other school district employees, and students (where the term is appropriate). 
5. Alcohol, Drugs or Look-Alike Drugs, Tobacco or Electronic Cigarettes: It is illegal in Illinois for anyone under the age of 21 to be in possession, consume, and/or under the influence of alcohol, defined by observable behaviors, physical appearance/symptoms, noticeable indicators (i.e. odor or alcohol present on breath, etc.).  It is also illegal for anyone to possess, sell, manufacture, or use alcohol/tobacco/drugs or look-alike drugs on school property, school buses, or at any school related activities. The prohibition of electronic cigarettes applies.   Electronic cigarettes are defined as a cigarette-shaped device containing nicotine or non-nicotine based liquid that is vaporized and inhaled. All city, state and federal laws apply to the use and possession of drugs and alcohol.
   
   The City of Sycamore has an ordinance prohibiting the purchase, possession, or use of tobacco products by anyone under the age of 21.  In accordance with that statute, students found to be in violation will receive a police referral.  In addition, students will face school disciplinary consequences.
6. Bringing weapons, or look-alike weapons, such as guns, clubs, chains, knives, brass knuckles, and any other device that could be used to hurt or harm a student, staff member, or anyone else on school grounds or at a school function is strictly prohibited.  The Sycamore school system considers this type of violation to be extremely serious and will result in severe disciplinary action ranging from suspension to recommendation for expulsion.
7. Gang Activity: It is the school’s responsibility to maintain a safe and disruption-free school environment.  The School Code of Illinois (Ill. Rev. Stat., Ch. 122, par. 31-1 through 31-4) provides that “any public school fraternity, sorority or secret society is inimical to the public good.”  ‘Gangs,’ as defined in this policy, shall mean individuals who associate with each other primarily for criminal, disruptive, and/or other activities prohibited by law and/or the Sycamore School District’s Rules and Regulations.  Gangs, gang-related activities, and secret societies are not acceptable in the school setting.  The Board of Education is aware that the presence of gangs interferes materially and substantially with both the educational process and the requirement of appropriate discipline in the school.  Gangs also foster anti-social behaviors, attitudes, and practices, which may endanger the health, safety, and welfare of our students. 
   
   Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to the following:
   • Soliciting and or recruiting others for membership.
   • Participating in and/or inciting physical violence.
   • Extorting or soliciting money and/or services, requesting any person to pay for protection, insurance, or other payment of dues.
   • Coercing, harassing, and/or otherwise intimidating, threatening, or causing harm to any person or living creature.
   • Wearing, possessing, using, displaying in any manner (such as on folders or books), distributing, or selling any clothing, jewelry, emblem, badge, symbol, sign, or other item commonly associated with membership in or affiliation with a gang or secret society, and/or any public fraternity or sorority;
   • Using any communication, verbal or nonverbal (gestures, handshakes, etc.), suggesting or showing membership in, or affiliation with, a gang, secret society, and/or any public school fraternity or sorority.
   • Engaging in any activity intended to promote or further the interests of a gang, secret society, and/or any public school fraternity or sorority.
   • Any act or activity which violates any law or any policy of Sycamore School District #427 when such an act or activity is taken to further or promote the interests of a gang, secret society, and/or any public school fraternity or sorority while attending school or school sponsored events.
8. Endangering the physical or psychological well-being of the school population by acts including, but not limited to:
   • Improper release of a school fire alarm or tampering with fire extinguishers.
   • Starting a fire on or to school property or attempting to do so.
   • Setting off, attempting to set off, or threatening to set off explosive devices or smoke bombs in or around school property, or the use or display of dangerous weapons.
   • Possession or use of mace, pepper spray, or other similar self-defense sprays.
9. Bullying is the severe, repetitive, and/or intentional infliction of physical, social, intellectual, and/or emotional suffering on another person or group of persons. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to direct behaviors (e.g. teasing, taunting, intimidating, attempting to intimidate, threatening, name calling, ridiculing, belittling, extorting, hitting, hazing, physical attacks and/or violence) and indirect behaviors (e.g., spreading rumors, causing social isolation or psychological isolation, placing them in reasonable fear of harm to their person or property).  This also includes cyber-bullying by the use of, but not limited to, the Internet and cell phone texting. 
   • Definition of Cyber-Bullying. Cyber-bullying is defined as bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, including without limitation any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic system, photoelectronic system, or photo-optical system, including without limitation electronic mail, Internet communications, instant messages, or facsimile communications. “Cyber-bullying” includes the creation of a webpage or weblog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person or the knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages if the creation or impersonation creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying in this Section. “Cyber-bullying” also includes the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons if the distribution or posting creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying in [105 ILCS 5/27- 23.7(b)]. 
   • Prohibition on Cyber-Bullying. Bullying is prohibited through the transmission of information from a computer that is accessed at a non-school related location, activity, function, or program or from the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by a school district or school if the bullying causes a substantial disruption to the educational process or orderly operation of a school. This item applies only in cases in which a school administrator or teacher receives a report that bullying through this means has occurred and does not require a district or school to staff or monitor any non-school related activity, function, or program.
10. Acts of intolerance for diversity, either physical or verbal, which may include, but are not limited to, race, ethnicity, sexual preference, religious belief, gender, disability, ancestry, age, etc.  All students should have respect for one another and all school personnel.
11.  Vandalism is the intentional damage to or destruction of school property, property of school personnel, or property of other students.
12. Theft: Stealing or possessing stolen school property, school funds, or student or faculty property.  In addition to school disciplinary action, this offense may result in a police referral.
13. Fighting or any other type of physical abuse will not be tolerated at Sycamore High School.  The school community views this as an unacceptable means to solve conflict, no matter what the circumstance.  In addition to school disciplinary action, school officials may make a police referral in the event of a physical altercation.  If students see such actions occurring, they should report it immediately to the nearest staff member or office.  Students are prohibited from involving themselves in a fight for any reason.  
14. Assaulting school personnel will result in an immediate police referral in addition to school disciplinary consequences.  
15. Acts which directly or indirectly jeopardize the health, safety and welfare of students and/or school personnel are strictly prohibited.  This includes, but is not limited to, snowball throwing, skate boarding and in-line skating.  These activities are not allowed at any time, except for curricular reasons, on any school district property.
16. Willfully obstructing an investigation by school officials by giving false information or by withholding information in response to questions.
17. Group or mob action:  Acts which are unacceptable on an individual basis remain inappropriate and become an even greater offense when a group engages in them.  Intimidation, threats, fighting, food fights, and “skip days” are examples of acts of gross misconduct.  Each individual will be held accountable for his/her misconduct.
18. Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment is interpreted to be any unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.  Such conduct is a violation of school and district policies and will be handled through disciplinary action.
    
    This category also includes “sexting”, which is defined as creating, sending, viewing, or receiving an indecent picture of oneself or another person through the use of a computer, cell phone, or other electronic communication device.  At no time shall a person distribute or disseminate an indecent visual depiction of themselves or another through the use of a computer or electronic communication device.  Violators may be subject to both police referral and Juvenile Court proceedings.
    
    Any student who believes that he/she has been subject to sexual harassment, or any person who believes that he/she has witnessed an incident of sexual harassment, should make a complaint.  The initiation of a complaint of sexual harassment will not result in retaliation, bias, or intimidation against the complainant.  All complainants shall immediately be referred to the building principal for investigation.  If the building principal is the subject of the complaint, the complaint shall be referred to the Superintendent or designee for Sycamore School District 427.
19. Inappropriate or offensive language, when used in an abusive manner directed at students and/or staff.  This also includes, but is not limited to, profanity. 
20. Disrupting the educational environment:  Actions that substantially disrupt the educational environment, cause instruction to be compromised, and/or inhibit student learning are not acceptable under any circumstances.
21. Inappropriate use of computers/technology:  The use of the high school’s computers/technology is a privilege, not a right.  All student use of technology must be in accordance with the Sycamore School District Acceptable Use Policy and AnytimeAnywhereDevice Handbook.  Use must be for the purpose of education or research and must be consistent with the educational objectives of the district.
    
    Students are not allowed to access or tamper with teacher, student, and/or staff files, user files, user areas, system software, system hardware, or emails.  Students will not be allowed to utilize school technology to generate material for personal (not related to education or research) use or distribution.  In addition, students may not use school technology to access, generate, view, submit, post, publish, transmit, or distribute inappropriate material which may include, but is not limited to, material which is defamatory, intentionally inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive, harassing, or illegal.
    
    Students must abide by the Acceptable Use Policy AnytimeAnywhereDevice Handbook at all times, including using only their own personal login information.  Students found to have committed a technology violation may suffer disciplinary consequences including, but not limited to, the suspension of their technology privileges.
22. Electronic Devices/Cell Phones: Students may not take pictures, videos or recordings of other students without their express consent.  All cell phones must be turned off and out of sight during all assessments, unless approved by the classroom teacher.  These devices shall not be used for or associated with any unlawful activities, including “sexting” (see #18), the copying of proprietary material (assessments, another student’s homework assignment, etc.), or other similar behaviors.
    
    Any electronic devices that record, receive, and transmit are prohibited unless approved by administration.  Possession and/or use of laser pointers and other similar devices is expressly prohibited at any time.  This includes before, during, and after school hours, as well as at any and all extra-curricular events/activities. 
23. Student use of devices for audio or video recording:  The use of any device for audio or video recording by students is prohibited on school grounds and at school events.  This rule does not prohibit students from taking photos of or taping athletic contests or extra-curricular activities, except in cases in which contract restrictions apply.
24. We are going to continue to pilot  the use of backpacks.
    
    If a student misses class, or has any disciplinary occurrence, the students’ cell phone can be placed in a locked device by administration for some or all of the day.
25. Academic Integrity: The students of Sycamore High School are called upon to know, to respect, and to practice standards of personal honesty.
    
    The faculty and administration wish to make it clear that the following acts are regarded as serious violations of personal honesty and ideals of academic integrity. Any violation of the policy will be considered to be an act of misconduct.
    • Submitting as your own, material copied from a publishing source.
    • Submitting as your own, someone else’s unpublished work.
    • Submitting as your own, work copied from another student.
    • Submitting a re-written or paraphrased version of someone else’s work.
    • Allowing someone or paying someone to write a paper or complete an assignment for you.
    • Purchasing a pre-written paper.
    • Taking video or pictures of an assessment.
    • Sending/distributing video or pictures of an assessment.
      
       
    • Cheating:  
    •     Cheating is detrimental to the educational progress of all students. Cheating will not be tolerated. Depending upon the seriousness of the offense, any combination of the following options may be exercised by the teacher and/or administration:
      •    Zero for assignment
      •    Resubmission of assignment
      •    Detention
      •    Saturday School
      •    Suspension
      •    Withholding of credit
      •    Failure for course
      •    Referral for expulsion hearing
          Any and all of these may be considered, depending upon the seriousness of the offense.
          THIS LIST IS NOT INTENDED TO BE ALL-INCLUSIVE.  DEPENDING ON THE NATURE AND SEVERITY, ADDITIONAL INFRACTIONS MAY BE INCLUDED AT ANY TIME BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
       

In an effort to provide disciplinary consequences for students without removing them from their academic classes, a formalized after-school detention program has been instituted.  Minor disciplinary problems may be addressed by the detention program.  A staff member will supervise this program.  A student will be required to bring sufficient materials to study or read during the time assigned to detention.

Detentions may also be assigned individually by both the staff and administration (before, during, or after school) as part of their classroom management plan.

Conditions of the Detention Program

1. Students are assigned to the school-wide detention program by a building administrator or designee.
2. Students are expected to serve detentions, whether assigned by faculty or administration.  The student is to be in attendance in the detention room for the duration of the period assigned.
3. If a student has an excused absence the day of an assigned detention, a new date will be assigned.
4. Any student chronically involved in the detention program may face more serious disciplinary consequences.
5. Failure or refusal to serve an assigned detention will result in additional consequences.

Regulations of the Detention Program

1. Students are not permitted to eat or drink in detention.  Restroom breaks may be permitted at the discretion of the detention supervisor.
2. Students are to report to detention on time with their school I.D.
3. No talking is permitted unless to ask questions of the supervisor.  In this case, students must raise their hands and wait to be recognized.
4. Students must bring sufficient study or reading materials to detention in order to engage in productive activity for the entire period.  Students will not be permitted to go to their lockers to get materials once detention has started.
5. No cards, CD Players, iPods, cell phones, coats, hats, etc., are allowed.  Any items of this nature brought to detention will be turned in to the office.
6. Students are not to leave their assigned seats without the permission of the supervisor and are not to move desks, chairs, etc.
7. Students are not to write on or in any way deface the desks, tables, books, magazines, etc.
8. Students are to cooperate with and show respect to the supervisor at all times or risk further disciplinary action.
9. Students are not to sleep in detention.  Progressive discipline may result.
    

Infractions involving some attendance issues and other major or minor disciplinary problems will be handled through the Alternative Education Program.  A staff member will supervise this program.  A student will be required to study material related to the classes being missed or work on other assignments provided by the AEP supervisor.

Conditions of the Alternative Education Program

1. A student is assigned to the Alternative Education Program by a building administrator or designee.
2. The student is to be in attendance in the AEP room for the duration of the period assigned.
3. The student may make up work missed in his/her daily classes during the day(s) of AEP placement and receive full credit for this work.  To receive full credit for work made up during day(s) of AEP placement, work must be turned in to the AEP teacher by the end of the period/day assigned or to the teacher making the assignment by the due date.  Otherwise, no credit will be given.
4. If a student has an excused absence on a day that AEP is assigned, an alternative date will be assigned.
5. Suspension from activities:  If a student is in the AEP room for more than three periods, that student will not be able to participate in any school extra-curricular activity until 8 a.m. the following day.
6. Any student chronically involved in the Alternative Education Program in one semester may face the following alternatives:
   • External suspension from school.
   • Referral made for comprehensive case study evaluation for the purpose of considering placement in an alternative educational program other than Sycamore High School.
7. Any student entering the AEP room without permission will be assigned to one full day of AEP.
8. Failure/refusal to serve placement in the Alternative Education Program will result in out-of-school suspension and/or additional days of AEP.

Regulations of the Alternative Education Program

1. The Alternative Education Program shall run from 8:15 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.  A 30-minute lunch break will be held in the room (for students assigned all day) from 11:50 a.m. -12:20 p.m.  Students must bring their lunches with them.  Students who attempt to bring lunches to those in the AEP room will be reported to the office for disciplinary action.
2. Students are to report to AEP on time.
3. No talking is permitted unless to ask questions of the supervisor.  In this case, students must raise their hands and wait to be recognized.
4. Students must bring sufficient study or reading materials to AEP in order to engage in productive activity for the entire period.  Students will not be permitted to go to their lockers to get materials once AEP has started.
5. While serving in AEP, students must be working on assigned school work or reading.  If assigned work is completed, the supervisor may assign further work or reading.  If the student does not make progress with his/her school work, further disciplinary action may be imposed.  Students who do not complete assigned work in AEP will not be allowed to make the work up at a later date and will not receive credit for the class that day.
6. Students are not to leave their assigned seats without the permission of the supervisor and are not to move desks, chairs, etc.
7. No cards, CD players, iPods, cell phones, coats, hats, etc. are allowed.  Any items of this nature brought to AEP will be turned into the office.
8. Students are not to write on or in any way deface the desks, tables, books, magazines, etc.
9. Students are to cooperate with and show respect to the supervisors at all times or risk external suspension as a result.
10. Students are not to sleep in AEP.  Progressive discipline may result.
11. If a student that participates in extra-curricular activities is in the in-school suspension program for more than three class periods, that student athlete will not participate in a sport until 8 a.m. the following school day.

In an effort to provide disciplinary consequences for students without removing them from classes, the Saturday Service Program has been instituted.  The Saturday service Program may be assigned when a school administrator or designee deems it appropriate.  A staff member will supervise the Saturday Service Program.  Students should bring materials to study or read in the case that the service does not take the allotted time period.

Conditions of Saturday Service Program

1. A building administrator or designee assigns a student to the Saturday Service Program.

2. The student is to be in attendance in the assigned areas for the duration of the time.

3. Any student chronically involved in the Saturday Service Program may face more serious disciplinary consequences.

4. Failure/refusal to serve an assigned Saturday Service Program will result in additional consequences.

Regulation of the Saturday Service Program

1. The Saturday Service Program will be held on assigned Saturdays every month from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.  
   
   Students are not permitted to eat or drink during Saturday Service.  Restroom and water breaks will be permitted at the discretion of the supervisor. 
2. Students are to enter through door E3 and report to the cafeteria at 8 a.m. for attendance to be taken and task(s) to be assigned.
3. No talking is permitted unless to ask questions of the supervisor.  In this case students must wait to be recognized.
4. Students must bring sufficient study or reading materials to Saturday Service, in the case that the assigned tasks do not take the allotted time period.
5. No cards, CD players, iPods, cell phones, etc. are allowed.  Any items of this nature brought to Saturday Service will be taken to the office.
6.  Students are not to leave their assigned areas without permission of the supervisor.
7. Students are not to write on or in any way deface school property.
8. Students are to cooperate with and show respect to the supervisor at all times or risk further disciplinary action.
9. Students are not to sleep during Saturday Service.  Progressive discipline may result.

Suspension is defined as a temporary exclusion of a student from school and school-related activities (this may include riding the bus) for a period of time not to exceed ten (10) school days.  The authority to suspend a student is delegated to the superintendent, principal, assistant principal, and dean of students.

 Conditions of suspension

1. Suspension is a major penalty which may be caused by a single, serious case or repeated cases of misconduct.
2. If a student is placed on suspension, he/she may not come to school or be on school property or at any school function including any extra-curricular activities at any time unless he/she has permission from an administrator.
3. Students who are suspended will be given the opportunity to make up work for equivalent academic credit. This includes students suspended from the school bus who do not have alternate transportation to school so long as the student’s parents/guardians notify school officials that the student does not have alternate transportation to school.
4. After the third suspension for repeated acts of misconduct, a student will have a conference with the Principal.  The student will be advised that future acts of misconduct may result in an expulsion hearing with the Board of Education.
5. Sycamore High School will facilitate the re-engagement of students who are suspended out-of-school, expelled, or returning from an alternative school setting. Appropriate and available activities could include a variety of supports, including, but not limited to: a re-entry meeting involving the student and parents/guardians, assignment of a staff mentor, establishment of a check-in process, counseling services and plans for regular communications with parents/guardians and/or outside support providers to facilitate re-engagement. 

Pre-Suspension Conference

1. The authorized administrator or designee shall confer with any student who is under consideration for suspension prior to taking such disciplinary action.
2. When, in the opinion of the authorized administrator, a student poses an immediate threat to school personnel, other students or school property, or poses an ongoing threat of disruption to the educational process, the student may be summarily removed from school without holding a pre-suspension conference as set forth above.

Student Suspension Notification

1. If the pre-suspension conference results in a decision to suspend, the parents of the student shall be advised immediately of the decision by phone and followed by a written notice sent by certified mail, return receipt requested.
2. The notice to the parents shall include:
   • A statement of the reasons for the suspension, including any school rule which has been violated.
   • The dates and duration of the suspension.
   • A statement of the parents’ right to request a review of the suspension with the District Hearing Officer, or the Board of Education.
   • A statement that the failure to request such a review within five (5) days after receipt of the notice, or eight (8) days after date of the mailing, whichever is earlier, shall be deemed a waiver of the right to a review hearing with the hearing officer or the board.
3. Students who are suspended out-of-school for longer than four days will be provided appropriate and available support services during the period of their suspension. Parents are responsible for transporting their student to and from the offered support services during the suspension period.

Hearing Structure

1. A suspension review hearing shall be conducted by a hearing officer or the Board of Education. The results of the hearing will be communicated in writing to the parents within five (5) days.
2. If reviewed by the hearing officer, a summary of the results of the hearing will be given to the Board of Education to review.
3. Refer to suspension letter.

During the school year, it may become necessary to amend these guidelines.  The school administration reserves the right to make such changes.  When changes are made, students will be notified by announcements in class, announcements on the intercom, and/or articles in the school newspaper or newsletter.
 

Expulsion is the exclusion of a student from school for a period of time not to exceed two (2) calendar years (105 ILCS 5/10-22.6 and 105 ILCS 5/24-247).  The authority to expel a student is delegated to the Board of Education, whose decision will be based the on recommendation of the superintendent.

Conditions of Expulsion

1. Expulsion from school is a major penalty that may be caused by a single, serious case or repeated cases of misconduct.
2. If a student is expelled from school, he/she may not come to school or be on or around school district property or at any school function, including extra-curricular activities on/off campus, at any time unless he/she has permission from an administrator.
3. Students who are expelled from school are withdrawn from all courses in progress and will receive no credit for the entire semester and subsequent semesters of the expulsion.

Student Expulsion Notification

1. The authorized administrator shall send a letter by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the parents of the student notifying them of the expulsion hearing.
2. The expulsion notice to the parents shall include: 
   • A statement of the reasons for the proposed expulsion, including any school rule which has been violated.
   • The potential maximum duration of the expulsion.
   • The time and place of the expulsion hearing. 
   • A statement of the parents’ rights to be represented at the expulsion hearing by an attorney or other representative.
   • A copy of the expulsion hearing procedures.

Mandatory Expulsion

Any student who brings a firearm or weapon to school may be recommended for expulsion for a minimum of one year.  Such recommendation for expulsion may be modified by the Board of Education on a case-by-case basis.