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Student Rights and Responsibilities

 

Student Rights and Responsibilities

The following statements summarize student rights and responsibilities.  They help explain the relationship between and among students at Graystone Academy Charter School.  In exercising their rights, students shall not disrupt the educational process or force upon, endanger, or deny others their rights.

 

Education

Right:  Students have the right to a public education, unimpaired because of gender, race, religion, national origin, medical condition, disability, parenthood, marital status, economic status, personal characteristics or any reason not related to their individual capabilities.

Responsibility:  Students have the responsibility to avoid actions or activities, individually or in groups, which shall interfere with a student’s access to a public education.

 

Learning Environment

Right:  Students have the right to an orderly school and classroom environment that will promote learning.

Responsibility:  Students have the responsibility to ensure that their actions do not disrupt the classroom environment or school activities.

 

Expression

Right:  Students have the right to express themselves in speech, writing or symbolism within the boundaries of the law and policies of the school.

Responsibility:  Students have the responsibility to ensure that such expression does not disrupt the educational process, present health or safety hazards, damage public property, infringe on the rights of others, or violate the law or school policies.

 

Possession and Distribution of Literature

Right:  Students have the right to possess and distribute literature including, but not limited to, newspapers, magazines, leaflets, and pamphlets within the law and school policies.

Responsibility:  Students must ensure that distribution (or possession) of literature will not conflict with or infringe upon school activities, infringe on the rights of others, or contain religious, racial or ethnic slurs.  The material must comply with the policies of the school, which prohibits obscenity and harassment.  The chief administrative officer shall determine the time, place, and manner of distribution.

 

Religion

Right:  Students have the right to their own religious beliefs.

Responsibility:  Students have the responsibility to ensure that in exercising their own religious freedom, they do not violate other students’ constitutional rights to religious freedom.


Privacy

Right:  Students have the right to protection from unlawful searches and seizures of their personal possession(s) or their person without reasonable cause.

Responsibility:  Students have the responsibility not to endanger themselves, other students, school personnel, or the general public by possessing material or objects which are potentially hazardous and/or prohibited by federal, state or local law, or school policy.

 

Peaceful Assembly

Right: Students have the right to peaceful assembly.

Responsibility:  Students have the responsibility to secure approval for using school facilities for assembly; to discuss with an administrator the appropriateness of the facility for the function; and to ensure that such assembly does not disrupt the educational process.  Non-availability of adequate supervision shall constitute grounds for disapproval of such assembly.

 

Transportation

Right:  Transportation is a privilege.  Students have the right to safe and orderly transportation to and from school or a school activity when such transportation is provided by the school system.

Responsibility:  Students have the responsibility to ensure that their conduct contributes to a safe and orderly atmosphere while being transported; to refrain from conduct which will offer a hazard to themselves, their fellow students, or the general public; and to refrain from violating federal, state or local law, and school policy. 

 

Student Responsibilities

 

Participation

1.     Attend school regularly, arrive on time, and be prepared for class.

2.     Support and participate in school and classroom activities.

3.     Remain on the school campus during the school day.

 

Environment

1.     Assist the principal and his or her staff in the operation of a safe and orderly school, where all students can learn and develop socially.

2.     Be clean and dress in compliance with school rules of sanitation and safety in the school dress code fashion that will not disrupt classroom procedures and in a manner which conforms to community standards of decency.

3.     Obey school rules and/or the law concerning use, possession, distribution or sale of tobacco, marijuana, or controlled substances as defined under the Drug Control Act, drug paraphernalia as defined by the State of Pennsylvania Imitation Controlled Substances, nonprescription or prescription drugs, or alcohol on school property, on the way to and from school, or while attending school-sponsored activities.

4.     Obey laws and regulations which forbid supplying, handling, using, transmitting, or possessing any type of weapon on school property, on the way to and from school, or at any school-sponsored event.

5.     Report incidents to the principal or his/her staff when your safety or the safety of others may be jeopardized.

Education

1.     Support education for everyone, as provided by applicable federal, state, and local statutes, without regard to race, religion, sex, creed, ability to pay, national origin, disability, or intellectual ability.

2.     Take advantage of the studies offered by the school.

3.     Complete assigned work, study, and read.

4.     Attend school regularly and punctually.

5.     Be prepared for learning by bringing materials and supplies to classes.

 

Respect

1.     Be self-controlled and non-disruptive on school property and/or at school activities.

2.     Be reasonable, modest, self-controlled, non-suggestive, non-intimidating and considerate in your relationships with other students and with school employees.

3.     Keep your language and gestures respectful and free of profanity or obscenities.

4.     Respect private, public and school property.

5.     Be informed of laws and school rules regarding students’ rights and responsibilities.

 

Expression

1.     Support the right to freedom of expression.

2.     Ensure that your expressions do not interfere with the educational program or activities or with the rights of others.

3.     Be sensitive to others in your choice of expressive clothing which you wear or carry, ensuring that it does not express obscene, racist, or sexist language or gestures or slanderous, libelous, racist, or sexist statements.

4.     Be sensitive to others in your choice of expressive words which you say or write, ensuring that they are not obscene, slanderous, libelous, racist, or sexist.

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