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Conduct Code

Our goal is to help students learn to live within guidelines that lead to their improvement. Self-discipline is our goal; however, consequences will be administered where self-discipline is lacking. The consequences administered will depend on the nature and/or frequency of the misbehavior.

We will abide by the Jefferson County Public School's Code of Acceptable Behavior and Discipline. Every student will receive a copy of our discipline code. Students are responsible for reading it and complying with its contents.

Student Rights

As a student of this school, you can expect to be treated fairly by those in authority. Your right to courtesy and respect will be honored. Of course, you will be expected to respect the same rights of others.

You can expect teachers to explain their methods of grading. You can expect your school staff to help you with problems to the best of their abilities. You can expect to be given a chance to tell your view should you be questioned about something for which you may be disciplined. You can expect the school faculty and staff to be serious about teaching; the faculty and staff of the school expects you to be serious about learning.

For a complete outline and description of your rights as a student, refer to the Code of Acceptable Behavior and Discipline and the Student Bill of Rights.

Student Searches

Students have the protection, as do all citizens, against unreasonable search and seizure of their property. School officials have the right to search students and their property, if the officials have a reasonable suspicion that the student may be in possession of something that violates school rules or endangers others.

Surveillance Camera Information

Students should be advised that surveillance cameras may be used.

Areas Off Limits to Students

Students are prohibited from certain areas unless the students are given permission by specific authorization.

  • Faculty lounges
  • Binet School areas: Rooms 111–113, Binet entrance after 7:40 a.m.
  • Faculty dining table
  • Both front and rear parking areas during school hours
  • Gymnasium, football field, locker rooms, and behind the gymnasium before and after class hours, except when practicing or playing with a school team
  • Custodial service and supply room
  • Band suite, except when scheduled for band activities
  • Outside and portable buildings, except when assigned there for class
  • Behind the counter in the main office
  • Inside the main office, except when called to the office
  • Air conditioning and heating units and other school furniture are not made for sitting.
  • Students are to move from class to class between periods with no loitering or blocking the hall. No leaning against the walls or lockers.
  • The small gymnasium is not to be used as an entrance to classes and the large gymnasium.
  • Students are not to use the school elevator without permission. A student who needs to use the elevator will be issued a key after a $25 deposit is made to the school secretary. This will be refunded when the key is returned.
  • The courtyard is off limits unless a student is accompanied by a teacher.
  • Areas in front of or behind Goldsmith Elementary
  • Any parking lots
  • Anywhere other than your assigned area

Behavior Expectations

Consequences for Violation of School Policy

Students are expected to follow school policy as outlined in the Seneca student agenda as well as the JCPS Code of Acceptable Behavior and Discipline. Students who violate school behavior rules while on school time, at school-related functions, or on any school property can expect consequences to be administered according to the behavior guidelines. An administrator has the authority to increase the discipline measurement when deemed necessary and appropriate. For any behavior that is threatening or disruptive to the learning process but is not named specifically, administrators will use their best professional judgment to assign consequences.

Disciplinary measures that are used by the principal or assistant principals include the following:

  • Parent-teacher conference
  • Assignment to after-school detention
  • Assignment to the In-School Adjustment Program (ISAP)
  • Assignment to the Suspension/Truancy Off-site Program (STOP)
  • Suspension from school
  • Recommendation for a transfer to another school and/or alternative program

Detention

Detention is held for one hour, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., generally in the small cafeteria. School rules apply while in detention. Failure to attend assigned detention will result in additional consequences.

ISAP

Students are assigned to ISAP during school hours. ISAP class expectations are clear, and enforcement is strict. Failure to follow expectations and rules while in ISAP may result in suspension/STOP.

STOP

Students are assigned to various locations around the county. STOP may be assigned in lieu of at-home suspension. This is assigned in accordance with the student infraction and dependent on availability of spots at any one of the locations. Behavior expectations while in STOP are very similar to ISAP. Like a suspension, students assigned to STOP are not permitted on any school property and may not attend any school event.

Suspension

Students placed on suspension are prohibited from entering the school or school grounds (except for a prearranged conference with an administrator). They are not allowed to attend any school functions or to ride a school bus during the term of suspension/STOP.
At all stages of the suspension process, students shall be guaranteed informal, due process rights as outlined in the discipline code. Upon returning from suspension, students have the right to make up major assignments, projects, and tests under the same guidelines applied to make-up work.

Tardy Hall

Students are expected to be on time for all classes. Students who arrive late disrupt class and learning for others. Students who are tardy for class will not be permitted in class for that period. They will be in Tardy Hall instead. Students are expected to follow all Tardy Hall procedures.

Out of Area/Areas Off Limits to Students

  • First offense: ISAP/Parent conference
  • Second offense: 2 days of ISAP
  • Third offense: 3 days of STOP/suspension

Dress Code Violations

Click here.

Unexcused Tardies to School

A tardy to school is excused only for illness with a doctor's note, doctor or dental appointments, death in the immediate family, or court appearance.

Students who are tardy to school report to the Tardy Hall to sign in. They will remain in Tardy Hall until the end of that period.

Students who are tardy to school after first period will sign in the front office, and a parent will be notified.

  • 3 tardies: 1 hour of detention
  • 6 tardies: 2 hours of detention/parent/guardian conference
  • 9 tardies: 1 day of ISAP
  • 12 tardies: 2 days of ISAP
  • 15 tardies: 2 days of ISAP
  • 18 tardies: 3 days of STOP/suspension

Note: Students who drive and park at school lose parking privileges at 4 tardies.

Students who are tardy to class receive the same consequence as those who are tardy to school.

Class Cuts

A class cut is defined as being gone from class without permission or leaving an assigned area without permission. Class work missed while cutting class cannot be made up.

  • 1 cut: 1 detention
  • 2 cuts: 2 detentions
  • 3 cuts: 1 day of ISAP
  • 4 cuts: 1 day of ISAP
  • 5 cuts: 1 day of ISAP
  • 6 cuts: 2 days of ISAP

Truancy

In-school discipline measures will be used.

Failure to Sign In or Out of School

  • First offense: detention
  • Second offense: 1 day of ISAP/parent/guardian conference
  • Third offense: 2 days of ISAP/parent/guardian conference

Deliberate Classroom Disruption

When students are loud, argumentative, uncooperative, belligerent, and aggressive; use profanity; and otherwise disrupt the learning process, in-school discipline measures will be used.

The Non-Negotiables

  • Profanity directed to or in a conversation with an adult and refusal to follow staff directives will result in the following consequences:
    • First offense: 3 days of STOP/suspension
    • Second offense: 3–6 days of STOP/suspension
  • Failure to identify self to staff/Failure to respond to administration
    • First offense: 3 days of STOP/suspension
    • Second offense: 3–6 days of STOP/suspension

Cell Phones/Electronic Devices

No cell phones may be used upon entering the building or during the school day (which ends at 2:20 p.m.).

  • Refusal to surrender device: 3 days of suspension (With each subsequent offense, suspended days could possibly increase.)

Telecommunication or electronic devices (phone, blackberries, iPods, mp3 players, games, etc.) are not to be seen, heard, or used at school. If a student's electronic device is confiscated while in the possession of another student, the more severe consequence of the two students will be applied.

  • First offense (seen, heard, used): Device and all parts taken; parent/guardian must pick up the device at the end of the next school day (2:20 p.m.).
  • Second offense: 1 day of ISAP; device and all parts are held for 30 days.
  • Third and subsequent offense(s): 2 days of ISAP; device and all parts are held for 30 days.

Forgery

  • 1st offense: 3 days of STOP/suspension
  • 2nd offense: 3–6 days of STOP/suspension
  • 3rd offense: 6 days of STOP/suspension

Theft/Vandalism ($300 or Less)

First offense: 1–5 days of suspension and restitution

Theft/Vandalism (More Than $300)

First offense: 6–10 days of suspension and restitution

Leaving School Grounds Without Permission

  • First offense: 2 days of ISAP/parent/guardian conference
  • Second offense: 3 days of STOP/suspension

Smoking/Tobacco on school grounds

  • First offense: 1 day of ISAP/parent/guardian conference
  • Second offense: 2 days of ISAP/parent/guardian conference
  • Third offense: 3 days of STOP/suspension

Fighting

  • First offense: 5 days of suspension
  • Second offense: 6 days of board suspension
  • Third offense: 6–10 days of suspension with recommendation for alternative school

Students who fight will be suspended with a possible referral to alternative school. Upon re-entry to Seneca, peer mediation must be done. If students refuse to participate, this will be considered failure to follow directives and further consequences will follow.

Gambling/Possession of Gambling-Related Items (Dice, Chips, Etc.)

  • First offense: 3 days of STOP/suspension
  • Second offense: 3–5 days of suspension

Cheating/Violating Test Protocol

  • First offense: ISAP, no credit for assignment, and parent conference
  • Second offense: Suspension, no credit for assignment, and parent conference

Definition of Cheating/Violating Test Protocol

Cheating involves one or more of the following actions:

  • To use another person's work as your own
  • To copy information from another person's test, class work, examination, theme, book report, or term paper
  • To plagiarize (This means using another person's idea, expression, or word without giving the original author credit.)
  • To prepare for cheating in advance. Such action involves:
    • Having in your possession a copy of a test to be given or that has been given by a teacher.
    • Using the test or notes during a test or an examination.
  • To fail to follow test procedure or instructions announced by a teacher (such as talking, turning around in your seat, not raising your hand to ask questions, etc.)
  • Knowingly allowing others to use or copy your work

2011-12 Uniform Policy

Required Clothing Items

Shirts

  • Solid Red, Gold, or Black (ANY DAY OF THE WEEK)
    • Polo-style collared shirt (no logos) & must have a collar.
    • Tucked or un-tucked
    • Approved organization shirts
    • Red T-Shirts sold in Bookstore
    • Class Jerseys

Pants

Solid Khaki or Black (ANY DAY OF THE WEEK)

  • Uniform style (no more than 2 pockets in front and 2 in back)
  • NO CARGO PANTS, SPANDEX (YOGA) OR DENIM
  • Ankle length
  • Worn at waist

OPTIONALS

  • Solid Red, Gold, or Black (WORN WITH UNIFORM) T-shirt (long or short sleeve) UNDER uniform shirtT-shirt (long or short sleeve) UNDER uniform shirt
  • Sweatshirt or sweaters-crew neck, NO HOODIES, worn OVER uniform shirt
  • Gray "Seneca" Sweatshirts will also be allowed

Spirit Days/Fridays

  • Official spirit/club shirts (any type/color) and jeans
  • Jeans must be in GOOD REPAIR (NO SKIN SHOWING)
  • Spirit shirts must have SENECA on them.
  • College t-shirts or sweatshirts are also permitted on Fridays ONLY.

Miscellaneous

  • ROTC uniform on required day
  • NO COATS, JACKETS, HATS, GLOVES, SCARVES, BANDANAS, RAGS, SUNGLASSES.
    • Outer wear items must be put in locker upon arrival and stay there until dimissal.
  • Special Dress Days will be assigned at the discretion of the administration.

Hair and Makeup

Styles will not attract unnecessary attention. Unnecessary attention will include unnatural colors, Mohawk style, spiked hair styles, etc.

Shoes

Shoes will be for outdoor wear and have firm soles and closed toes. Shoes must be in good repair. Shoe strings will match each other as well as the shoe color.

Jewelry and Accessories

If a Seneca student chooses to wear jewelry or accessories, he or she will choose from the following items:

  • Necklaces or jewelry chains (intended to be jewelry) will be worn inside the shirt. Key chains/Lanyards worn around neck are to be tucked in to shirts.
  • Piercings should not be elaborate or distracting as determined by administration.

CONSEQUENCES OF INCORRECT DRESS

  • Detention or ISAP time assigned if CORRECTABLE.
  • Automatic ISAP until corrected or until end of day if UN-CORRECTABLE

Note:

Any item not listed above as acceptable is considered out of compliance with the uniform policy

SENECA HIGH SCHOOL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING CORRECT ATTIRE- IT IS THE STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW THE DRESS CODE AND TO COME TO SCHOOL APPROPRIATELY DRESSED.

 

*Officially approved requires approval by the administration.

 

Note: The Seneca bookstore and Seneca Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) do sell some of the items that are acceptable as part of the uniform. We encourage you to read this policy carefully as you make your uniform purchases.

Policies for Use of Computer Equipment

  • The computer equipment and software provided by Seneca High School are for instructional purposes only. It is essential that every student who uses the equipment does so responsibly.
  • Anyone who adds or deletes files, changes the system configuration, knowingly introduces a virus, or deliberately does anything to interfere with the proper operation of the equipment will be considered to have vandalized school property and will be subject to disciplinary action and held liable for restitution or replacement.
  • No use of telecommunications software or equipment is permitted except for approved instructional purposes.
  • The school computers and computer equipment are not to be used for game playing, unless it is of instructional benefit and the student is under the direct supervision of the authorizing faculty member. Failure to abide by these and other applicable restrictions is cause for withdrawing computer privileges from any offending students.
  • As a public institution, it is our duty and legal responsibility to see that the copyright laws are observed. Under no circumstances should students install their own software, copy the school's software, or use the school's computers to copy their own software for others. To violate any of these rules is unethical and illegal.
  • It is also important that we take every precaution to prevent the introduction of computer viruses into the school's network and hard drives. We ask that students do not expose their data disks to unprotected systems and files of unknown origin (from bulletin boards, game disks from friends, etc.).
  • We are fortunate to have many very knowledgeable and able technology students at Seneca. In the past, these students have been an invaluable resource to the students and faculty of the school in diagnosing computer problems.
  • We will continue to rely on their experience and advice, but we ask that no actions be taken, even in the interests of efficiency or ease of use, to make improvements without the permission of the technology committee or authorized faculty member. Failure to abide by these policies will result in such disciplinary actions as may be deemed appropriate and being banned from further use of computer equipment.
  • Students enrolled in computer classes will be asked to sign a form acknowledging willingness and intent to abide by these policies.