Behavior Guidelines

Fuqua School believes that for students to learn and develop at an optimal level, the school environment must be safe, healthy, and orderly. The School further believes that the Behavior Guidelines for students must promote learning, encourage respect, honesty, and responsibility, and ensure a positive school image. Consistent and fair enforcement of the Behavior Guidelines is paramount as is an environment of mutual respect.

The Behavior Guidelines apply to any Fuqua School student who is on School property or at any School-sponsored activity, although inappropriate behavior off-campus during non-School related activities may result in disciplinary action.

Violations of the Behavior Guidelines are categorized into five levels which carry specific consequences for middle and upper school students. Level I and II violations are considered minor or intermediate in nature and are generally dealt with through in-school disciplinary actions. Level III, IV, and V violations are those which can potentially endanger the student or others, which represent illegal behavior, or which can dishonor the student or the School. Consequences for each level are as follows:

Level I violations result in a referral to the dean.  Additional consequences, such as loss of privileges, may be assigned by the teacher or dean for repeated Level I violations.  Level I violations carry 1 referral point.

Level II violations result in 1) a referral to the dean and 2) a minimum one-day in-school suspension for middle school students or after-school detention (3:15-5:00 P.M.) for upper school students to take place within three days of the violation (after-school detention may be applied to 8th grade students in place of in-school suspension at the discretion of the dean), 3) a written assignment related to the violation to be completed within three days of the violation (may not be written during in-school suspension).  Students will not be permitted to participate in extra-curricular activities during the hours of after-school detention.  Level II violations carry 2 referral points.

Level III violations result in 1) a referral to the dean, 2) three consecutive days of after-school detention (3:15-5:00 P.M.) beginning the first school day following the violation, 3) an immediate one-week suspension from participation in athletics (excluding tryouts) or in other extra-curricular activities beginning the first school day following the violation inclusive of the detention period, and 4) a written assignment or service project related to the violation. Level III violations carry 3 referral points.

Level IV violations result in 1) a referral to the dean, 2) out-of-school suspension for 3 to 10 school days, the length of which to be determined by the dean, 3) a student/parent conference with the dean, 4) a two-week suspension from participation in athletics (excluding tryouts) or in other extra-curricular activities inclusive of the out-of-school suspension period, and 5) a written assignment or service project related to the violation. Students are required to make up all work missed during the suspension period in accordance with the make-up procedures outlined in the School's attendance policy. Level IV violations carry 4 referral points.

Level V violations result in expulsion.

Nine referral points during one academic year will result in the student being placed on behavior probation.  When a student accumulates six points, he/she may be asked to meet with the admissions committee.

In cases where a student has accumulated referral points but has earned no points for a period of two months, one point will be deducted from his/her total if those points result from Level I or Level II violations. There is no limit to the number of points that can be deducted.

Other disciplinary action will be taken for violations marked with an *. In addition, any student who violates a criminal law, other than a minor traffic offense or possession of a pager on campus, or who demonstrates behavior which can dishonor the School or which the School deems to be inappropriate, whether on or off campus, may lose his/her right to hold a leadership position at Fuqua School or to receive an honor for the equivalent of one academic year. The student may also be suspended or expelled from school if the violation so warrants.

Fuqua School reserves the right to search a student or a student's belongings if there is reason to suspect the student is in possession of illegal drugs, controlled substances, alcohol, or a weapon.

Level I Behavior Violations

1. violation of the Dress Regulations*
2. excessive talking
3. continuous neglect in bringing required materials to class
4. failure to take responsibility for personal belongings or for items belonging to the school (i.e., leaving textbooks or other school materials, as well as personal belongings, outside for extended period of time; failure to secure locker)
5. eating, drinking, or chewing gum in classrooms, in the media center, or in the gymnasium during assemblies
6. littering
7. loitering (remaining on campus without legitimate purpose, i.e. use of School facilities, attending sports events or other School activities)
8. violation of the parking provision of the Parking and Driving Regulations*
9. use of inappropriate language
10. inappropriate lunchroom behavior
11. excessive tardiness to school or class (3 or more tardies per semester)
    

Level II Behavior Violations

1. disruption of the learning process (Rules defined by each individual teacher will be followed for his/her classroom.)
2. disrespectful behavior (words, gestures, actions) toward others characterized by thoughtless and/or careless acts
3. defiant and/or repeated disregard for school rules
   
4. being out of class without written permission
   
5. failure to store portable electronic devices, including cell phones, turned off in a book bag, purse, locker or automobile, and turned off throughout the school day; use of portable electronic devices, including cell phones, during the school day (note:  does not apply to laptop computers that may be used with permission from a teacher or administrator)
   
6. violation of the Fuqua School Code of Responsible Technology Use*
7. possession of inappropriate reading materials on campus (including but not limited to material containing obscene language/pictures)
8. reckless behavior such as running or shoving on sidewalks and/or inside buildings
9. excessive display of affection or inappropriate touching
10. violation of a school bus rule*

Level III Behavior Violations

1. violation of the Honor Code
2. disrespectful behavior (words, gestures, actions) toward others that reflects premeditation or obvious intent to do harm, or which represents behavior consistent with bullying
   
3. being absent from school without parental permission
4. leaving campus without parental permission and without properly notifying the School office
5. threatening or intimidating others
6. fighting
7. intentional damaging, defacing, or destroying of school or personal property
8. possession of tobacco products in any form on campus or off campus during a school-related event
9. violation of the driving provision of the Parking and Driving Regulations (reckless driving or behavior, speeding, blasting radios)*
   

Level IV Behavior Violations

1. possession, use, distribution, or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages on campus or during an off-campus school-related event*
2. possession of drug paraphernalia
3. use or distribution of tobacco products in any form on campus or during an off-campus school-related event*

(FUQUA SCHOOL IS A SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND ADULTS.)

Level V Behavior Violations

1. bringing a weapon or imitation weapon (firearms, knives of any kind including pocketknives, fireworks/explosives, any potentially dangerous items) on campus or to an off-campus school-related event without specific permission from school administration
2. possession, use, distribution, or being under the influence of illegal drugs or controlled substances on campus or during an off-campus school-related event
   
   

* Additional Enforcement Procedures

In addition to the required consequences assigned to violations at each level, the following enforcement procedures will also be applied to those violations marked with an asterisk.

Violation of the Dress Regulations - Any student who violates the Dress Regulations will be required to correct the violation prior to participation in class. Parents may be required to bring appropriate dress to school; the student, if of driving age, may be required to go home to secure appropriate dress; or the student may be required to modify his/her dress while still at school if possible. While the Dress Regulations are specific, Fuqua School recognizes that any dress code is vulnerable to some degree of judgment; therefore, it is the responsibility of the dean to make final determination regarding Dress Regulations violations. Additionally, the dean has the authority to correct dress attire or grooming which he/she deems inappropriate and which is not specifically addressed in the Dress Regulations.

Violation of the parking provision of the Parking and Driving Regulations - A second violation of the parking provision of the Parking and Driving Regulations will result in the loss of parking/driving privileges at Fuqua School for two weeks. If a third violation occurs, parking/driving privileges will be revoked for the remainder of the school year.

Violation of the Fuqua School Code of Responsible Technology Use - Any student who violates the Code of Responsible Technology Use a second time during the academic year will lose network access for two weeks. If a third violation occurs, the student will lose his/her network access for the remainder of the academic year.

Violation of a school bus rule - Any student who violates a school bus rule will receive a written warning from the driver which will be sent to his/her parent(s). If a second violations occurs, a written notification will be sent to the parent(s) and a conference will be held between the dean, the parent(s), the driver if possible, and the student if appropriate. If a third violation occurs, the student’s bus riding privilege will be revoked for two weeks. Once riding privileges are reinstated, if another violation occurs, the student’s riding privilege on any Fuqua School bus will be revoked for the remainder of the school year. The dean also has the authority to revoke a student’s bus riding privilege after one incident of serious misconduct on a bus.

Issues related to riding privileges apply to official Fuqua School buses as well as to other vehicles operating under the supervision of Fuqua School personnel and include all Fuqua School related transportation (trips between home and school, field trips, transportation to school-sponsored events).

At the lower school level, the dean has the authority to apply additional disciplinary actions.

Violation of the Honor Code - Cheating - Plagiarizing - Any student who cheats or plagiarizes will receive a grade of 0 for the assignment/test, and his/her parent(s) will be notified of the infraction.

Possession, use, distribution, or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages on campus - Any student who possesses, uses, distributes, or is under the influence of alcoholic beverages on campus or during an off- campus school-related event more than once during his/her enrollment at Fuqua School will be expelled.

Use or distribution of tobacco products on campus - Any student who uses or distributes tobacco products in any form on campus or during an off-campus school-related event more than once during a two-year period will be expelled.

Violation of the driving provision of the Parking and Driving Regulations - Any student who violates the driving provision of the Parking and Driving Regulations (reckless driving) at Fuqua School will lose his/her driving privilege at School for two weeks. If a second violation occurs, his/her parking/driving privilege at Fuqua School will be revoked for the remainder of the school year.

All decisions regarding expulsion will be made by the president of the School in conjunction with recommendations from the dean and/or admissions committee. Appeals of any decision regarding the enforcement of the Behavior Guidelines, other than expulsion, must be made to the president of the School. Appeals of any decision regarding expulsion must be made to the Rural Education Foundation Board of Directors.

The Fuqua School Behavior Guidelines were developed by a committee composed of teachers, students, and parents during the spring of 1995 and adopted by the rural Education Foundation Board of Directors, August 1995.

Revised by the REF Board:  August 1996; July 1998; June 1999; July 2000; June 2001; May 2002; May 2004; June 2005; May 2006; May 2007; May 2008; May 2009; January 2010.