School Policies

Listed here is a compilation of Howard County School System policies that have appeared in the Waverly Wire this year. For your convenience, as other policies appear in the Waverly Wire, they will be added to this page. For a complete list of Howard County School System policies, please follow this link, www.howard.k12.md.us/AboutHCPSS/policies/default.html.

Student Responsibilities and Rights (Policy 3441): The responsibilities and rights of all citizens are guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, the due process amendment of the U.S. Constitution and federal and state laws. The rights of the individual are preserved only through the protection and preservation of the rights of others. Students have a responsibility for their own learning, for their personal conduct, and for the manner in which they exercise their rights. Students must accept the consequences of their actions. Students have the responsibility to participate in the educational program offered by their schools and, in doing so, are bound by the policies of the Howard County Public School System. Students have specific responsibilities and rights related to school attendance, student expression, disciplinary action, due process, search and seizure, student records, student activities, use of school facilities, and non-discriminatory practices.

Weapons (Policy 3413): The presence of weapons on school property poses a serious threat to the safety and well being of students and staff. It is unlawful for any person to carry or possess any rifle, gun, knife, or deadly weapon of any kind on any public school property in the state of Maryland. A weapon, as defined by school system policy, includes: any gun, dirk knives, bowie knives, switchblade knives, star knives, buck knives, hunting knives, throwing stars, razors, metal knuckles, nunchakus, explosive devices, or any other object or implement intended to cause harm to another or used in such a way as to cause harm to another. Any student found in possession of a weapon on school property will be suspended and police will be notified. Possession of a gun, or any implement possessed under a circumstance that would reasonably lead a person to believe it was a gun, will result in expulsion.

Student assault on school staff (Policy 3414): In order for learning to take place, the school environment must be safe and orderly. Therefore, any physical assault by a student on a school staff member is strictly forbidden. Any student who violates this policy will be suspened from school and subject to transfer. Any student involved in a second assault on school staff will be expelled.

Student Conduct on School Buses (Policy 5112): It is the school system’s responsibility to provide safe transportation for students who ride school buses to and from school and on school-related trips. The school bus driver is responsible for ensuring that students behave in a safe and responsible manner and that any behavior that interferes with the safe transportation of students is prohibited. This policy applies to all students, public and nonpublic, for whom bus transportation is provided by the Howard County Public School System, with the exception of special education students. Behavior problems with special education students are dealt with in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Student infractions of the rules/guidelines regarding student conduct on school buses may lead to the temporary suspension of transportation services.

Violence and School Safety (Policy 3445): The Board of Education is committed to providing a nurturing, respectful educational and work environment, where the worth and dignity of individuals is valued and their safety and rights protected. Behaviors that compromise this commitment, interfere with school operations or are otherwise contrary to the basic mission of public schools will not be tolerated. Threats, profanity, defamation, harassment, assault, battery, hazing and intimidation are prohibited in the school system. Students, employees and third parties engaging in these behaviors are subject to disciplinary and/or legal action. Students who violate this policy may also be subject to appropriate educational interventions and/or counseling.

Discrimination (Policy 1811): The Board of Education is committed to providing an educational and work environment that fosters equitable opportunities and an appreciation of diversity and commonality in a culturally pluralistic society. To that end, education that is multicultural will be promoted through curriculum, instruction, staff development, and resource selection. In order to promote the worth and dignity of all individuals, the Board will not tolerate any act of discrimination, intimidation, harassment, or hate/bias based on race, color, creed, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, age, gender, marital status or sexual orientation by students, employees, or third parties. It is a violation of this policy for any student, employee, or third party to engage in acts of discrimination or hate/bias based on the categories listed above. It is also a violation of this policy to engage in retaliation toward any individual for having reported or threatened to report discriminatory behavior. Consequences for a student, employee, or third party who violates this policy will be differentiated according to applicable school system policies and other applicable state and federal laws. Violations of this policy are cumulative. Subsequent offenses may affect the nature and severity of consequences.

Grading, Promotion, Retention, and Acceleration (Policies 2060 & 2122): The Board of Education is committed to ensuring that all students meet or exceed rigorous performance standards. Accordingly, grading and achievement information must be determined in a consistent manner and regularly reported to students and their parents. Grading and promotion within the school system is based on the degree of success the individual student has achieved in the educational program. Decisions regarding promotion, retention and acceleration are made based on a student’s performance and academic progress over the entire school year. The grading system for kindergarten through Grade 8 includes evaluation, effort, and instructional codes and/or comments. The decision to retain or accelerate a student is based on a number of factors that may include but are not limited to: academic achievement, demonstrated progress in response to academic interventions, age of the student, previous retention or acceleration, attendance record, parental concerns, developmental, health, and emotional factors, report card, IEP or 504 plan. An elementary student must be on grade level in reading and mathematics or automatically be considered for retention. Middle school students must meet the following requirements or automatically be considered for retention: A student moving from Grade 6 to 7, Grade 7 to 8, or Grade 8 to 9 must pass all courses and receive a final grade of not lower than "C" in language arts, social studies, reading, math, and science. A student moving from Grade 8 to 9 must also pass the Maryland Functional Tests in reading, writing, and mathematics. In high school, a ten-letter grading system is used to indicate the achievement of each student in relation to attainment of course objectives. No plus or minus signs are used for official records. The following factors are used as guidelines in determining level of achievement: Competence, Assignments and preparation, Participation, Daily classroom work habits. School staff will communicate with students and parents on a regular basis the level of academic performance in the essential curriculum (Grades K-8) or in relation to attainment of course objectives (Grades 9-12) as measured by county, teacher-made and other assessments, and by teacher observations via individual conferences, progress reports, and report cards.

Smoking (Policy 3411): The use or possession of any tobacco product or cigarette rolling papers by students is prohibited in school buildings and on school grounds. Elementary students found to be in violation of this policy will be disciplined in accordance with the discipline policy. Middle and high school students found in violation of the policy will, upon first offense, be assigned to Saturday School for the purpose of attending a tobacco management class. Failure of the student to attend the tobacco management class will result in a 5-day suspension. For a second offense, a student will be suspended for a period of up to 10 days and will be required to complete a tobacco management program. A third offense results in a suspension of up to 30 days and requires completion of a tobacco management program. Any further violations may result in expulsion.

Sexual Harassment (Policy 1815): The Board of Education is committed to providing an educational and work environment that is free from all forms of sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of sex. Additionally, students, employees and third parties may be subject to disciplinary action or consequences for inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature, even when the behavior does not rise to the level of sexual harassment as defined by federal and state laws. It is also a violation of this policy for any student, employee, or third party to engage in retaliation toward any individual who reports or makes an allegation of sexual harassment or who participates in the investigation of reported or alleged sexual harassment. Sexual harassment of a student is defined as unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature by any person that interferes with the student’s ability to learn, study, work, achieve, or participate in school activities. Examples of sexual harassment include but are not limited to offensive language, visual harassment (such a derogatory posters, drawings, gestures, etc.), offensive touching, making unwelcome sexual advances, engaging in sexual behavior, spreading rumors of a sexual nature, taunting or ridiculing someone because of perceived or actual sexual orientation, or pressuring someone for sexual activity. A student who believes he or she is a victim of sexual harassment and wishes to file a complaint may do so informally with a teacher or school administrator, or formally with the Title IX Coordinator. A complaint may be made verbally or in writing using a sexual harassment complaint form. Informal complaint procedures are optional and a student can choose to bypass, discontinue or initiate a formal complaint while using them. The school system will respond to allegations of sexual harassment in a timely manner and in all phases of complaint resolution, make every reasonable effort to maintain the confidentiality and protect the privacy of all parties. Upon completion of an investigation of a formal complaint, the Title IX Coordinator will send a prompt, written report to the respondent and the complainant, notifying parties of the finding and actions to be taken within confidentiality guidelines. Use and/or exhaustion of these procedures are not a prerequisite for the filing of complaints with the Office of Civil Rights.