Summary of the District's Code of Conduct - Florida Union Free School District

The Florida Union Free School District is committed to maintaining high standards of education for students in our schools. Because the District believes that order and discipline are essential to being educated effectively, the District is also committed to creating and maintaining high behavioral standards and expectations. An orderly educational environment requires that everyone in the school community play a role in contributing to an effective environment. It also requires the development and implementation of a code of conduct that clearly defines individual responsibilities, describes unacceptable behavior, and provides for appropriate disciplinary options and responses.

Disciplinary measures available to the administration of each school building include, but are not limited to, conferences, detention, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension and administrative hearings with the designated hearing officer. Administrative hearings can result in out-of-school suspensions of more than five days and, in particularly serious cases, a student may be permanently suspended from school.

A school’s primary concern in establishing a code of conduct is to enable our students to become responsible, respectful and caring citizens within school and community settings. The Board of Education is responsible for ensuring that essential regulations are established and adequate discipline is maintained in the operation of the schools to effectively promote safety, as well as the social and educational growth of the students. Administrative regulations are developed and enforced by the school administration and staff.

The school will urge the parent/guardian to assume primary responsibility for control of his or her child. The parent/guardian will be called upon to actively cooperate with the school in providing the necessary structure to promote his or her child’s social and educational growth. To this end, a high degree of parent-school communication will be fostered by the school.

While students’ rights are numerous, so are their responsibilities. What follows are lists of both.

Rights of Students

to be provided with an education that is intellectually challenging and relevant to the demands of the 21st century;
to learn in an environment free from interruption, harassment, bullying, cyberbullying, discrimination, intimidation and fear;
to participate in district activities on an equal basis regardless of race (actual or perceived), color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation (actual or perceived), gender, or sex (Education Law §11[7];
to be informed of all school rules;
to be guided by a discipline policy which is fairly and consistently implemented;
to be respected as a unique individual.

Responsibilities of Students

to accept responsibility for his/her actions;
to respect the rights of others, regardless of race (actual or perceived), color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation (actual or perceived), gender, or sex (Education Law §11[7], including his/her right to secure an education in an environment that is orderly and disciplined;
to attend school on a regular and punctual basis;
to complete class assignments and other school responsibilities by established deadlines;
to show evidence of appropriate progress toward meeting course and/or diploma requirements;
to respect school property, e.g. lockers, and help to keep it free from damage;
to obey school regulations and rules made by school authorities and by the student governing body;
to recognize that teachers assume the role of an acting, caring parent in matters of behavior and discipline when at school, as well as during any school-sponsored activities;
to contribute toward establishing and maintaining an atmosphere that generates mutual respect and dignity for all;
to become familiar with this code and seek interpretation of parts not understood from parents, teachers and school administrators;
to actively discourage inappropriate behavior, including bullying/cyberbullying, or threats of inappropriate behavior of other students and report the incidents to the administration.

A cooperative relationship between home and school is essential to each student’s successful development and achievements. To achieve this critically important relationship,

Parents/Guardians are asked to:

to show an enthusiastic and supportive attitude toward school and education;
to build a good working relationship between themselves and their child;
to teach their children respect and dignity for themselves, and other students, regardless of actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex, which will strengthen the child’s confidence and promote learning in accordance with the Dignity for All Students Act;
to regularly and adequately supervise their child’s use of the internet and social media sites (desktop and mobile devices) to prevent and address cyberbullying;
to cooperate with the school in jointly resolving any school related problem;
to insist on prompt and regular attendance;
to listen to the views and observations of all parties concerned;
to recognize that teachers merit the same consideration and respect that parents expect from their child;
to encourage their child to take pride in his/her appearance;
to insist that their child promptly bring home all communications from school;
to set realistic standards of behavior for their child and resolve to remain firm and consistent;
to help their child learn to deal effectively with negative peer pressure;
to provide a place conducive for study and completion of homework assignments;
to demonstrate desirable standards of behavior through personal example;
to foster a feeling of pride in their child for their school, respect for the law, respect for others and for public/school property;
to provide support and positive reinforcement to their child.

Parents are reminded that they are responsible for any financial obligations incurred by their child in school. This includes lost books, damage to property, etc.

Read the complete Code of Conduct

Printed copies of the entire Code of Conduct are available in the Superintendent’s office and in the main offices of both S.S. Seward Institute and Golden Hill Elementary. Should you have any questions or concerns about the District’s Code of Conduct, please contact a member of the Administrative Staff.