STANDARDS OF STUDENT CONDUCT

According to the California Education Code, section 48908
“All pupils shall comply with the regulations, pursue the required course of study, and submit to the authority of the teachers of the schools.” 
GROUNDS FOR SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION FROM SCHOOL
A Student may be subject to suspension or expulsion for any of the following:

• caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person or willfully using force or violence upon another (Education Code 48900 (a));
• possessed, sold, or otherwise furnished any firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object unless, in the case of possession of any such object, the student had obtained written permission from a certificated school employee,
  with the principal’s or the principal’s designee’s concurrence (Education Code 48900 (b));

• unlawfully possessed, used, sold or otherwise furnished, or had been under the influence of any controlled substance as defined in the Health and Safety Code, 11053-11058, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind (Education Code 48900 (c));
• unlawfully offered or arranged or negotiated to sell any controlled substance as defined in "c" above, alcoholic beverage or intoxicant of any kind, and then sold, delivered, or otherwise furnished to any person another liquid, substance, or material and represented it as a controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant (Education Code 48900 (d));
• committed or attempted to commit robbery or extortion (Education Code 48900(e));
• caused or attempted to cause damage to school property or private property (Education Code 48900 (f));
• stole or attempted to steal school property or private property (Education Code 48900 (g));
• possessed or used tobacco (Education Code 48900 (h));
• committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity (Education Code 48900 (i));
• unlawfully possessed, offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any drug paraphernalia, as defined in Health and Safety Code 11014.5 (Education Code 48900 (j));
• disrupted school activities or otherwise willfully defied the valid authority of supervisors, teachers, administrators, other school officials, or other school personnel engaged in the performance of their duties (Education Code 48900 (k));
• knowingly received stolen school property or private property (Education Code 48900 (l));
• possessed an imitation firearm, i.e., a replica of a firearm that is so substantially similar in physical properties to an existing firearm as to lead a reasonable person to conclude that the replica is a firearm (Education Code 48900 (m));
• committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault as defined by  Penal Code 261, 266c, 286, 288 and 289, or sexual battery as defined in Penal Code 243.4 (Education Code 48900 (n));

• harassed, threatened or intimidated a student who is a complaining witness or witness in a school disciplinary proceeding for the purpose of either preventing that student from being a witness or retaliating against that student for being a witness, or both (Education Code 48900 (o));

• committed sexual harassment as defined in Education Code 212.5 (Education Code 48900.2);

• made terrorist threats against school officials, school property or both (Education Code 48900.7); and for students in grades 4 to 12, inclusive;

• intentionally harassed, threatened or intimidated a student or group of student to the extend of having the actual and reasonably expected effect of materially disrupting class work,  creating substantial disorder, and invading student rights by creating an intimidating or hostile educational environment (Education Code 48900.4);

• caused, attempted to cause, threatened to cause, or participated in an act of hate violence (Education Code 48900.3).

Dress Code

We take pride in the appearance of our students. All students are expected to dress and groom themselves neatly in clothes that are suitable for school activities. What is fashionable and trendy is not necessarily appropriate apparel for school. Therefore, the staff and students of Will C. Wood High School have established a dress code that promotes a safe, positive learning environment.

Board Policy No. 5470 states: “The Board of Education desires to keep Vacaville Unified School District schools, students, and employees free from the threats of harmful influence of any groups or gangs which advocate drug use, violence or other disruptive behavior.  The Board therefore prohibits the presence of any apparel, jewelry, accessory, notebook or manner of grooming which, by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark or any other attribute, denotes membership in such a group as above described or any attempt to create territorial control at any District facility.”  Also, “...Any student wearing or carrying gang paraphernalia or making gestures that symbolize gang membership shall be referred to the Principal or designee.” (Board Policy No. 5470AR)

• Any apparel, jewelry, or accessory that is related to gangs is forbidden. No hanging belts of any color are allowed.

1. Articles of clothing which display profanity, obscenity, vulgarity any other questionable printing; slogans which promote tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or sex, or materially interfere with schoolwork, or create disorder, or disruption in the educational process, are not allowed.

• Du-rags, wave caps, and bandanas may not be worn. Girls may wear colored scarves that do not have a paisley print. (Confiscated headgear may be discarded).
• Students must wear shoes or sandals.
• At least half of the back must be covered.
• Revealing tops which are low cut and expose too much cleavage are not allowed. This is enforced on a case by case basis. 
• Undergarments must be covered at all times, even while sitting.
• No pajamas or slippers are allowed.
• Only 1-inch maximum of your midriff may be showing.
• All shirts must have two straps.
• No “wife beater” sleeveless t-shirts regardless of color.
• Students must wear shirts at all times on campus.
• Teachers may require students to remove hats in the classroom.

Note: Administrators have discretion in making judgments related to the appropriateness of dress.

Unlawful Harassment of Students

Wood High School maintains a strict policy prohibiting harassment of students because of gender, race, color, national origin, religion, age, physical or mental disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance or regulation. All such harassment is unlawful. Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action that may include suspension and expulsion, depending on the nature and seriousness of the violation.
Physical sexual harassment is any unwanted sexually oriented physical act. Examples of Sexual Harassment:

• Grabbing or touching someone, especially his or her sexual parts.
• Tearing or pulling at a person’s clothing.
• Kissing or holding a person against his or her will.
• Impeding a person’s movements or preventing a person from moving freely.

Verbal sexual harassment means offensive words and/or comments spoken privately to a person or in front of others. A comment about body parts or rating people’s bodies is also considered sexual harassment. Using sexual orientations (homosexuality or bisexuality) as an insult is prohibited.

Nonverbal sexual harassment is staring or pointing at a person’s body or body part, making obscene gestures, showing sexual material or placing it in someone’s locker or on someone’s computer. Writing people’s names along with sexual remarks, suggestions, or drawings in public places is also a form of sexual harassment.

Weapons and Dangerous Instruments
Students at school have the right to be free from fear and danger presented by firearms and other dangerous weapons. The Board of Education therefore absolutely prohibits students from having in their possession weapons, replicas of weapons or dangerous instruments of any kind in school buildings, on school grounds, on buses, or at any school related activity unless written permission has been obtained from the superintendent or designee. Students possessing, exhibiting or threatening others with a weapon, dangerous instrument or replica shall be suspended and recommended for expulsion. It is the expressed policy of the Board of Education that except in very unusual cases, the Board will order expulsion if it is proven that a student has violated this policy.

CD players, Cell Phones, IPODS, etc.
The Will C. Wood Administration strongly suggests that all electronic devices be left at home. The staff cannot ensure the security of such items. They are disruptive to classroom management and are not conducive to productive learning. These items are not allowed to be used in classroom or other school buildings on campus.  Consequences such as detention, parent contact, and item confiscation will be given for infractions of this rule.  Please be advised, that although we will do our best to assist in the recovery of lost or stolen CD players, Cell Phones, IPODs, etc. we are not responsible for their replacement.  Therefore, we advise that you do not bring them to school.

DISCIPLINARY OPTIONS

In order to provide the most effective learning environment for every student, discipline in our school is essential. Depending upon the seriousness of the infraction, the student may be assigned In House Detention (IHD), Detention (after school), In House Suspension (IHS), Suspension, or be recommended for Expulsion.  Alternatives to suspension and expulsion will be used with students who are truant or tardy or otherwise absent from school (Ed Code 48900).

I.H.D. (In House Detention) Program
Teachers who find it necessary to remove the student from class because of disruptive or inappropriate behavior may use this option. The student has to report to the I.H.D. room immediately or be subject to further disciplinary action.

Detention
Administrative detention is assigned for tardies, part day truancies or other minor infractions. It is held Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays immediately after school for one hour in room L-5. A student who cuts administrative detention will be assigned one day of In House Suspension. Detention has priority over any other after school activity and may not be assigned the same day of the infraction.

Disqualified List (DQ List)
A student may lose the privilege of attending dances, games, or other fun extra-curricular activities if he/she consistently fails to meet the standards of appropriate behavior. This may include two or more unsatisfactory marks for class citizenship grade, referrals for behavioral issues, habitual defiance, truancies, missed teacher or administrative detentions, or fighting. A student is on this list for a grading period.

Wildcat Citizenship Plan

• This is a merit/demerit plan. For every infraction a student will receive x amount of demerits. At 20 demerits, parents will receive a letter and at 30 students will be disqualified from participation in all extra curricular activities, including all dances, rallies, athletics, etc. Students may get off of the disqualified status by earning merits. You can do this by attending Saturday School (5 merits), community service, or teacher merit recommendation.

I.H.S. (In House Suspension) Program
The I.H.S. Program is an alternative to home suspension. Students may be assigned I.H.S. for various violations of school rules. Students who are assigned to the program will be required to complete a written assignment in which they explain the reason they were assigned I.H.S. as well as the steps they can take to improve their behavior in school. The student’s regular teachers will send assignments for the student to the I.H.S. room.  Students who violate the I.H.S. rules may be suspended. Lunch will be eaten in the I.H.S. room.
Note:  Students who are late to I.H.S. or forget to report to I.H.S on their assigned day will be assigned one extra day of I.H.S.

Saturday School
Saturday school will be held from 7:55-11:55. Students will be allowed to work on make-up assignments and have an opportunity to receive extra help by the supervising teacher. Students are assigned for truancies, tardies and inappropriate behavior.

Suspension is the temporary removal of students from school. Students who commit serious offenses will be suspended from school for a period of one to five days depending on the severity of the offense. Students who accumulate 20 days of suspension in an academic year will be recommended to the Board of Education for expulsion from the Vacaville Unified School District.

Expulsion
Expulsion is the removal of a student from all schools in the Vacaville Unified School District. When a student commits a serious infraction the school administration must recommend his/her expulsion to the Vacaville Unified School District Board of Education. This action is required by the Education Code of the State of California and the Board Policies established to align with these laws. 

“We will do all that is necessary to ensure Will C. Wood is a safe learning environment for all.  A positive campus culture and climate is a top priority!”
Mr.  Strong – Principal