Student Code of Conduct

Student Code of Conduct Quick Guide

Student Responsibilities

• Follow the District’s dress code and grooming guidelines, including wearing a visible FWISD ID badge.
• Attend and be on time to all classes every day.
• Follow classroom rules and respect agreements in all school-sponsored activities.
• Prepare for each class with the appropriate classroom materials.
• Respect staff, students and school visitors.
• Do not use profanity or threaten anyone.
• Do not post threatening messages on social-media directed at students, parents, staff or school property.
• Inspect personal belongings before arriving at school. Students are responsible for what they bring on campus.
• Drugs, alcohol, firearms and other illegal weapons are prohibited on campus, in District vehicles and at school-sponsored activities.
• Report any verbal threats or violence toward other students, staff or district property to school personnel, law enforcement officer or by using the FWISD app. The app is available for free from the Apple Store or Play Store.
• Comply with your campus administrator’s determinations about the use of cell phones and other electronic devices on campus and at school-sponsored activities. 
• Respect the District’s electronic communications system. The use of school computers and internet services is a privilege.
• If you participate in sports or other extra-curricular activities, know that you may have to follow standards of behavior that are higher than the District’s Student Code of Conduct.
• Prepare to learn something new every day and to be successful in college, career and community leadership.
• The Texas Legislature passed HB 1481 which prohibits a student from using a personal communication device while on school property during the school day.

Campus Administrator and Teacher Responsibilities

• Demonstrate a positive attitude toward parents and students.
• Promote a positive learning environment for all.
• Value parents as partners in children’s academic success.
• Assist students in developing good study habits.
• Work with students and parents to solve problems at the classroom level.
• Explore restorative options - when possible - to address behavior of concern. 
• Work promptly with parents/guardians and other District professionals to address behaviors of concern.
• Promptly notify parents/guardians when students are suspended due to serious or persistent misconduct.
• Notify law enforcement when a student’s behavior breaks local and state laws. 
• Follow local and state guidelines to maintain discipline and keep all students safe.

The District has the authority to handle discipline and give consequences when:

• Students violate the code of conduct during the school day, walking to or from school, waiting at a school bus stop, attending or participating in school-sponsored activities, or riding on a school bus or other District-owned vehicle.
• Students post threatening messages on social-media toward other students, staff or district property, regardless of time or location. 
• Students engage in specific criminal activity, regardless of time or location, as determined by law enforcement.

Determining Consequences

The principal or the assistant principal will serve as the Campus Behavior Coordinator (CBC). The CBC is primarily responsible for maintaining student discipline. To find your Campus Behavior Coordinator, visit the campus webpage or www.fwisd.org/cbc

The CBC must consider the following before recommending a student’s suspension or removal to an alternative school setting:

1. If the student acted in self-defense 
2. The student’s intent or lack of intent at the time of the conduct 
3. The student’s disciplinary history
4. If the student has a disability that substantially impairs his or her capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of the conduct
5. A student’s status in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services
6. A student’s status as homeless, regardless of whether the decision involves a mandatory or discretionary action

The CBC may offer students restorative options to address social and emotional development and keep them engaged in their education at their home campus, including:

1. Parent/teacher conference
2. Conflict resolution
3. Behavior improvement plan
4. Referral to the school’s student support team
5. Restorative conference
6. Referral to social services in the community
7. Option to pay for damages to personal and/or school property
8. Option to perform school-assigned duties
9. Transfer to another classroom
10. In-school or out-of-school suspensions

For more information about Restorative Practices, visit www.fwisd.org/restorative

Alternative placement

The District has the right to remove a student to an alternative school setting for violations of the Student Code of Conduct or for breaking local or state law. The department of Student Discipline and Placement is delegated by the Board with the authority to remove a student to a DAEP (Discipline Alternative Education Program) or JJAEP (Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program).

• Students have the right to a due-process conference before removal from their regular school setting.
• Students may be removed to a district alternative education program for up to 45 school days.
• Students who engage in a serious criminal act may be expelled to the Tarrant County juvenile alternative education program for up to one school-calendar year.
• Students placed in alternative educational programs are not allowed to attend nor participate in extracurricular activities.
• Students are not allowed to visit their home campus during the removal period.
• Students have the right to appeal their removal to an alternative education program to the Office of Legal Services.