Code of Behavior—The following information is issued to all students once per year, is the content of a social studies lesson each year, and is given out to individual students involved in disciplinary procedures.
Clara Barton’s Student Code of Behavior is based on the ideas of respect for one’s self and for others and the right of all to learn and teach in an orderly, healthful and safe environment. School tone that is supportive of learning must be maintained by all members of the school community. This Code of Behavior is to be used as a guideline for the acceptable, positive behavior that is expected of all students of Clara Barton High School. The Code also spells out what to do and where to go when a problem does arise or when we need some help.
1. Punctuality is critical for success in school. Students should be sure to get to school on time, planning for any delays due to transportation or scanning. Students must enter the building through the cafeteria entrance prepared to be scanned and have their identification ready for inspection. Latecomers must enter through the front entrance only and obtain a late pass. Students are not permitted to leave the building during the school day unless picked up by a parent regardless of their age.
2. Students may not eat or drink anywhere in the building except the Cafeteria and only during their assigned lunch period. Glass or opened bottles may not be brought into the school building. Food purchased from the vending machines must be eaten in the cafeteria.
3. No electronic devices (including cell phones and cameras), except calculators are allowed in the building. Any unauthorized electronic item will be confiscated and will become the school’s property, unless claimed by a parent. Parents may retrieve one item per year.
4. It is Region policy that all head coverings are not to be worn in the building. This applies to both females and males.
5. Students, who have lunch, must report to the Cafeteria by the time the late bell rings. Students are not permitted to loiter or wander the halls during their lunch/free periods. Students found in the halls without a pass at these times will face disciplinary action.
6. Students are expected to come to school with the necessary tools for learning: pens, pencils, calculators, textbook, if required, and notebooks. Students must also have the telephone number of a least one other student in each class to call for assignments when they are absent. Books and other materials are loaned to students by the school and are school property which should be treated with respect so that other students will be able to use these in the future.
7. Students are to go from one class to another in a quiet, orderly manner with the understanding that this is a high school and behavior must reflect the seriousness of an institution where education and learning is conducted. Students must be in their next class by the time the late bell rings—students arriving after that time are subject to class grade penalties by their teacher.
8. A class that is missed without a prior written excuse is considered a “cut.” Missing a class because you arrived late to school is considered a “cut.” Cutting is a serious offense that will result in deductions to student’s grades by the teacher, parental notification and notations to student’s record.
9. Students are required to have a pass anytime they are out of a classroom. Students are required to carry their program card and photo ID card at all times. These must be produced when requested by any staff member. Failure to produce identification is a serious matter that will be met with strict disciplinary action. Students may not use the pass during the first and last ten minutes of the class period.
10. Students are required to have a pass anytime they are out of a classroom. Students are required to carry their program card and photo ID card at all times. These must be produced when requested by any staff member. Failure to produce identification is a serious matter that will be met with strict disciplinary action. Students may not use the pass during the first and last ten minutes of the class period.
11. Students are expected to speak courteously to each other and to security officers and faculty. Students must be mindful that behavior which is disruptive to another’s education will not be tolerated and will be dealt with severely. Referrals will be written and calls made to parents for those students who cannot appropriately control themselves.
12. Fighting is not permitted anywhere on school grounds and will result in suspension from school. Moreover, in the event another student is injured, this may be deemed an assault according to the laws of the City of New York and the student turned over to the custody of the New York City Police Department. Students are expected to see a Dean (Room 221A), the Assistant Principal, Security (Room 221B), the Peer Mediator (Room 219) their guidance counselor (Room 205), or the SPARK counselor (Room 119); if they feel they need help in dealing with another student, even if the problem occurs out of school. These offices will resolve disputes between students and call in parents when necessary.
13. Makeup and nail polish may not be applied in school. Hair should not be combed in class or in the hall. Rattail combs are not permitted in the building and will be confiscated.
14. No one is permitted to smoke anywhere in the building or on school property. If a student is found smoking, the parent will be called immediately and suspension will follow.
15. PA announcements are an important means of communicating to all students and must be listened to attentively. Students are responsible for being aware of and will be held accountable for PA announcements. Talking during PA announcements cause disruption and make it difficult for others in the class to hear the announcements. Those students will be referred to the departmental supervisors for disciplinary action. Announcements are made at the beginning of Period 4 and Period 10.
16. Students are allowed in the gym locker room only during the gym period. Books and outer clothing are not to be kept in gym lockers. Special arrangements will be made for members of the school’s teams.
17. Everyone in the building is expected to keep the building clean. All trash should be put in the appropriate trash basket (only paper should be placed in the blue recycle bins).
18. Any student found with a weapon will be subject to arrest and prosecution by the New York City Police Department and suspension by the Superintendent who will make the appropriate educational decision for the suspended student.
19. Possession of any alcoholic beverage or drugs of any kind will lead to suspension and/or arrest and prosecution by the New York City Police Department.
20. Students who destroy school property or property belonging to other students will have to repair the damages, make financial payment and may be suspended. The Department of Education Code of Behavior will be distributed each year.
21. Card playing or any gambling-type game/activity is not allowed anywhere in the building, including the Cafeteria.
22. Students should not wear expensive jewelry in school or bring large sums of money. If they do so, they do it at their own risk. The school is not responsible for the loss of these items.
23. At all costs, students must seek to avoid creating or adding to violent or disruptive behavior. As high school students, you are expected to exercise mature and balanced judgments, responding to conflicts in an adult fashion, without resorting to violence or fighting. The Mediation Center (Room 219), Deans’ Office (Room 221), guidance counselors (Room 205) and a SPARK advisor (Room 119) are always available to help with any problems in school or at home. Students may walk in at anytime to see any of the above officials.
24. There is zero tolerance for gangs and any and all gang-related/gang-type activities including:
A. Gang-type apparel (headbands, bandanas, kerchiefs, beads, bracelets, flags etc.)
B. Hand gestures mimicking or signifying membership in any gang.
C. Graffiti on any surface (walls, desks, stairwells, etc.)
Any student or group of students engaging in any activity listed above will have all items confiscated (and not returned) and face disciplinary action in the form of suspension.
Students are not permitted to leave and reenter the building. Any student who leaves the building and attempts reentry will not be permitted reentry to classes and will face disciplinary action.