The Waterford-Halfmoon Code of Conduct was developed in an effort to:

• Clearly define the expectations for acceptable conduct on school property;
• Identify the possible consequences of unacceptable conduct;
• Ensure that discipline, when necessary, is administered promptly and fairly;
• Support the Dignity For All Students Act.

The complete Code of Conduct can be found online or contact any school district office.

Student Rights and Responsibilities
Every student has a right to attend school. Every student has a right to participate in classroom and school activities. All students have equal rights.

People should treat other people the way they would like to be treated. You have a right to feel safe at school.  You should be able to learn, do your work and have fun without worrying about the words or actions of others making you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. We are all different, but no one should be treated differently because of things like how they look or what their family does. It is against school rules to make anyone else feel threatened or unsafe.

It is wrong for students to be teased, bullied or treated differently because of their race, color, weight, national origin or ethnic group, religion, religious practices, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex. If anyone is saying or doing things that are making you or others feel unsafe or uncomfortable, you should tell your principal or another adult at school.

You have the responsibility to be present each school day, follow the school rules that have been set forth, show positive behavior and attitude at all times, and to be honest.  You have the responsibility to be respectful of one another and treat others fairly.  You are responsible for your own actions.  You have a responsibility to ask questions if you do not understand, and ask for help in solving problems.  You have the responsibility to work to be the best learner you can be. 

As a Waterford-Halfmoon student, my job is to follow the “I Will” Pledge.

• I will be respectful to students and adults.
• I will be responsible for my schoolwork and actions.
• I will be the best learner I can be.
• I will show positive behavior and attitude at all times.

I will be respectful to students and adults.
I have the right to be treated respectfully by others; therefore, I have the responsibility to be respectful of others.

What does that look and sound like?

• I will treat others kindly.
• I will use positive words and gestures.
• I will listen while others are speaking.
• I will stay quiet in the hallways to respect the learning of others.
   

I will be responsible for my actions.
I have the responsibility to be responsible for my actions.

What does that look and sound like?

• I will follow playground, lunchroom, bus, and fire safety rules.
• I will keep my hands, feet, and objects to myself.
• I will walk in the hallways at all times.
• I will turn off all electronic devices, including my cell phone, and place them in my backpack before I enter the school building. I will not take them out until I leave the school building.
• I will use my district computer appropriately, per the District’s acceptable use policy.
• I will seek help in solving problems that might lead to a consequence.
• I will tell the truth.
• I will accept consequences for my actions.
• I will help make Waterford-Halfmoon a bully-free school.
• I will not bully others.
• I will try to help students who are bullied.
• I will try to include students who are left out.
• If I know that somebody is being bullied, I will tell an adult at school and home.

I will be responsible for my schoolwork. I will be the best learner I can be. 
I have the right to learn; therefore, I have the responsibility to work to the best of my ability, and to treat the materials, buildings and grounds with respect.

What does that look and sound like?

• I will come to school prepared for learning.
• I will complete my assignments on time.
• I will work cooperatively with others.
• I will work quietly when working independently.
• I will care for the building, texts, equipment, and learning materials.
• I will ask permission to use a supply that is not mine.

I will show positive behavior and attitude at all times.

I have the right to be taught the school rules of respect and responsibility, and to tell my side of the story when a rule is broken; therefore, I have the responsibility to follow the school rules that have been set forth, show positive behavior and attitude at all times, and to be honest.

What does that look and sound like?

• I will follow classroom and school rules.
• I will follow the District’s Student Dress Code.
• I will bring only safe items to school.
• I will accept the reasonable direction of the Waterford-Halfmoon staff.
• I will ask questions when I do not understand.
• I will tell the truth

Dress Code
Students and their parents have the primary responsibility for acceptable student dress and appearance. A student’s dress, grooming and appearance should:

• Be safe, appropriate and not disrupt or interfere with the educational process.
• Ensure that underwear is completely covered with outer clothing.
• Include safe footwear at all times.
• Not include hats/headgear in the school, except for medical or religious purposes.
• Not include items that are vulgar, obscene, libelous or denigrate others on account of actual or perceived race, color, religion, religious practice, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, sex, weight or disability.
• Not promote and/or endorse the use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal or violent activities.
• Not denote or represent gang affiliation.

Reporting
As a Waterford-Halfmoon student, I will report questions, concerns, or violations to a teacher, counselor, administrator, or designee.
Possible Student Consequences
If there is a violation to the District’s Code of Conduct, the following penalties may occur, but are not limited to, consistent with my right to due process and procedural protections outlined within the Code of Conduct.

• Oral warning - any member of the district staff.
• Written warning - bus drivers, hall and lunch monitors, coaches, guidance counselors, teachers, assistant principal, principal, superintendent.
• Written notification to parent - bus driver, hall and lunch monitors, coaches, guidance counselors, teachers, assistant principal, principal, superintendent.
• Detention - teachers, assistant principal, principal, superintendent.
• Suspension of recess – teacher, assistant principal, principal, superintendent.
• Lunch detention – assistant principal, principal, superintendent.
• Suspension from transportation - director of transportation, assistant principal, principal, superintendent.
• Suspension from athletic participation - coaches, athletic director, assistant principal, principal, superintendent.
• Suspension from social or extracurricular activities - activity director, assistant principal, principal, superintendent
• Suspension of other privileges - assistant principal, principal, superintendent.
• In-school suspension - assistant principal, principal, superintendent.
• Removal from classroom by teacher - teachers, assistant principal, principal.
• Short-term (five days or less) suspension from school - principal, superintendent, board of education.
• Long-term (more than five days) suspension from school - superintendent, board of education. The principal may recommend long-term to the superintendent.

Student Searches and Interrogations
School officials who are authorized to discipline students may question a student about any alleged violation of the law or the Code of Conduct. Officials are not required to contact parents/guardians before questioning a student. All students will be told why they are being questioned. It should be noted that district officials are committed to cooperating with police officials and child protective services to maintain a safe school environment. Specific procedures are detailed in the complete Code of Conduct.

Visitors to the Schools
All persons on school property or attending a school function shall conduct themselves in a respectful and orderly manner. Visitors must follow the Code of Conduct. Any unauthorized person on school property will be reported to the principal or his/her designee and will be asked to leave.

Definitions
Definitions of the following terms are available in the complete Code of Conduct document: Parent, Disruptive Student, School Property, Violent Student, Harassment, Employee, Weapon, Gender; Disability; School Bus; School Function; Cyberbullying.

School Principals & Dignity for All Students Act Coordinators
District DASA Coordinators - Joel Richardson, ext. 3701; Lisa Palmer, ext. 3501
Junior/ Senior High School Principal - Chris Scanlan, ext. 3701
Junior/ Senior High School Assistant Principal - Joel Richardson, ext. 3701
Elementary School Principal - Lisa Palmer, ext. 3501
Director of Student Support Services - Jennifer Bull, ext. 3315

For more information about the Code of Conduct
The complete Code of Conduct is posted online. Copies of the complete Code of Conduct are available in each school’s main office. Please contact your school principal if you have additional questions or need more information about the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is reviewed and updated as necessary each year. It is also approved by the Board of Education.

This summary document is posted pursuant to New York State Education Law