Code of Conduct

• Expectations
• Dress Code
• Chores
• Paychecks
• Other Rewards for Success
• Student Rights
• Disciplinary Procedures
• Benching
• Detention
• Group Punishment
• Public Apologies
• Suspension and Expulsion
  • Short-Term Suspensions
  • Long-Term Suspensions
  • Mandated Student Removals From General Education
  • Expulsions
• Electronic Devices
• Food
• Phone Usage
• Bus Conduct
• Adult Supervision
• Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying
• Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco
• Fighting
• Gang Activity
• Other Rules

Four core values—caring, respect, responsibility, and honesty—are at the heart of Foundation Academy’s community, and they represent the cornerstones of our student expectations.

Students are expected to demonstrate:

Caring by:

• Taking care of each other.
• Helping each other to learn.
• Working to improve our community and the world.

• Tracking the speaker and listening, not talking, while someone else is speaking.
• Accepting all members of the school community for who they are.
• Valuing the property, differences, and opinions of others.
• Addressing adults properly and classmates by their chosen name.

• Being committed to the highest level of achievement—academic, social, and personal.
• Recognizing our individual strengths and trying to improve on our weaknesses.
• Assigning ourselves—we do work because we want to learn and get to college, not because it’s assigned.
• Adhering to all of the elements of the School-Parent-Student Contract.

• Telling the truth.
• Acting with fairness toward each other.
• Admitting our mistakes when we make them, accepting responsibility for them, and taking steps to correct them.

Often a student’s appearance reflects his/her attitude. Generally speaking, students who care about the way they look also care about the way they behave and are concerned about their academic studies. Since one of our goals is to promote a feeling of pride, students are expected to wear the proper school uniform each day and to come to school clean and well groomed.

Students are expected to come to school dressed in the appropriate uniform. All students must:

• Wear the appropriate Foundation Academy uniform daily.
• Dress in uniforms that are not excessively worn, damaged or stained.
• Have all uniform pieces labeled with the name of the student clearly written or sewn into the fabric.
• appropriately for the occasion and weather.

• Long or short-sleeved golf shirt with Foundation Academy label/logo (from approved vendor).
• Khaki Docker Style full length pants.
• Plain belt (belts are mandatory, small belt buckles and no logo's, words or designs).
• Foundation Academy licensed sweater/sweatshirts (optional—jackets may not be worn in classroom).
• Dress socks (no designs).
• Closed black shoes or all black sneakers (no sandals, cleats, clogs, slides or high heels).

• Some days may be specified as Dress to Impress Day. Special assemblies or field trips also may require students to wear different attire.
• On Dress to Impress Day skirts are to be worn no higher than the middle of the student’s kneecap.
• On Dress to Impress Day blouses must not be tight or low cut.
• On Dress to Impress Day boys must wear a tie.
• Apparel that is not listed in the above stated uniform items is unacceptable.
• Dress belts must always be worn with pants.
• Black sneakers are to be worn during physical education.
• Shirts are to be tucked in at all times.
• When wearing short-sleeved shirts, please ensure that oversized t-shirts are not worn underneath.

As a part of the Foundation Academy community, students are expected to pitch in and help out with keeping the school clean. Just like at home, students will have chores to do around the school. In addition, community service work around the school may be assigned as a consequence for violation of the Code of Conduct.

Much of what one earns in life is a function of effort and Foundation Academy is no different. We therefore use a paycheck system as a tool to monitor student effort and conduct on a daily basis and to provide students with practice and incentives to develop strong habits that will contribute to their preparation for college. Paychecks reward successful attendance, conduct, organization and homework performance.

The most a student can earn on a paycheck is $50 for one week. A $50 paycheck indicates that the student was nearly perfect, and that the student had no deductions for the week. It is very difficult to earn a $50 paycheck. A student earning less than $50 has had deductions for things like talking, not paying attention, bad table manners, etc. Money may be added to student paychecks when a student goes above and beyond the expectations of the school. The paycheck cannot, however, exceed $50, even with bonus points.

Paychecks are distributed to students on a weekly basis. Students must share these paychecks with their parents for signature and return them to school in order to receive credit. Money is accumulated in student accounts to be used to earn certain privileges such as participation in special field trips and social events.

Paychecks will automatically equal $0 for the week, if any of the following occur:

• A student is benched during the week.
• A student does not make up all missing assignments by Friday afternoon.
• A student is late more than twice during the week.

The average paycheck is $40. A paycheck below $30 is considered unacceptable. Students receiving a paycheck below $30 may be subject to additional disciplinary action that may include lunch and afterschool detentions.

Foundation Academy provides generous opportunities for student recognition. A character tree is mounted in the school’s common area. Over the course of the year, staff members create leaves to recognize student acts of character. The leaves are announced in Circle and are mounted on the tree for all students to see. Faculty members are also provided with opportunities to recognize student achievements during Circle. The Honor Roll and the Hall of Fame containing pictures of all Honor Roll recipients and the names of other recognized students are posted for the community to see. We also use a status card system, where students who perform well academically and socially each marking period are provided with designated cards with special "members only" privileges earned for their actions.

In all matters regarding discipline, all members of the Foundation Academy community have the right to:

1. Advance notice of behaviors that will result in suspension and expulsions. These behaviors are identified within this Code of Conduct;
2. Education that supports students’ development into productive citizens;
3. Attendance in a safe and secure school environment;
4. Attendance at school irrespective of students’ marriage, pregnancy or parenthood;
5. Due process and appeal procedures pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:3-1.3 through 1.17, N.J.A.C. 6A:4 and, where applicable, N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.7 and 2.8. The actual New Jersey Administrative Code language regarding these due process and appeal rights is available to parents and students upon request;
6. Parent notification consistent with the policies and procedures established pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-6.2 (b)3. The actual New Jersey Administrative Code language regarding these due process and appeal rights is available to parents and students upon request; and
7. Protections pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § 1232g and 34 CFR Part 99, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; 20 U.S.C. § 1232h and 34 CFR Part 98, Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment; N.J.A.C. 6A:32-7, Student Records; 45 CFR § 160, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; 20 U.S.C. § 6301, Title IV(A)IV § 4155 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as reauthorized under the No Child Left Behind Act; 42 CFR Part 2, Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records; N.J.S.A. 18A:40A-7.1, School-based drug and alcohol abuse counseling; information from participants; disclosure; N.J.A.C. 6A:16-3.2, Confidentiality of student alcohol and other drug information; N.J.S.A. 18A:36-19, Creation; Pupil Records: Maintenance and Retention, Security and Access; Regulations; Non-Liability; N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.9, Student Records; as well as other existing Federal and State laws pertaining to student protections. The actual New Jersey Administrative Code language regarding these due process and appeal rights is available to parents and students upon request.

While most students have little trouble adhering to Foundation Academy’s expectations, there is a need for a progressive system of disciplinary action for those students who disrupt the educational environment. The following categories and disciplinary procedures will be in effect during the school year:

Category 1:
Consequences/responses may include paycheck deductions, benching, detention referral to the I&RS Team and additional assignments to be completed at home or at school. Repeated offenses may result in reclassification to Category 2.

Category 2:
Consequences/responses may include paycheck deductions, benching, detention, restriction, referral to the I&RS Team and suspension. Repeated offenses may result in reclassification to category 3.

Category 3:
Consequences/responses may include referral to the I&RS Team, immediate suspension and/or potential expulsion.

For any offenses that may violate criminal codes, local police and/or fire authorities will be contacted as required by law.

Students who misbehave in class or do not keep up with the work can be benched. Benching entails sitting at a designated desk in the back of the room where you are not allowed to talk or interact with any peers or with the teacher. Students who talk while on the bench will be removed from class and receive additional consequences. The idea behind the bench is that the student has become like an athlete who is unable to participate in the game and must remain on the bench. When the student is able to behave and complete his/her work, he/she will be invited once again to participate in class. Students who become repeatedly benched will receive additional consequences.

Students may earn a detention if their conduct detracts from their ability or the ability of other members of the school community to learn. Teachers administer detentions to students and these include lunch detentions and after-school detention. When a student earns an after school detention, s/he must serve it that same day. When a student earns an after school detention, s/he will also be given the opportunity and responsibility to inform his/her parent/guardian that s/he has a detention and must remain after school until 5:30 p.m.

Foundation Academy Charter School retains the right, during particularly difficult circumstances, to keep groups of students or an entire class of students after school. The school does not seek to punish the good with the bad, but it believes that we are all responsible for one another – that the actions of some do impact, and are impacted by, the entire group.

Foundation Academy believes in the idea of community—that we are all responsible for our actions and how they impact others. Therefore, it is required that students publicly apologize during morning Circle if they have violated this Code of Conduct. In a proper apology, a student must articulate what he/she did wrong, demonstrate an understanding of how he/she broke one of the core values that he/she had pledged to live by, and show how he/she will act differently in the future.

Short-term suspension means the removal of a student for ten consecutive school days or fewer from the general education program or the special education program but not the cessation of the student’s educational services.

In each instance of a short-term suspension, Foundation Academy Charter School shall assure the rights of a student suspended for ten consecutive school days or fewer by providing for the following:

• As soon as practicable, oral or written notice of charges to the student. When charges are denied, an explanation of the evidence forming the basis of the charges also shall be provided;
• An informal hearing prior to the suspension in which the student is given the opportunity to present his/her version of events regarding his/her actions leading to the short-term suspension and provided notice of the school district’s actions taken pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1(c)2 and 5:
  • The informal hearing shall be conducted by the Head of School or his or her designee;
  • To the extent that a student’s presence poses a continuing danger to persons or property or an ongoing threat of disrupting the educational process, the student may be immediately removed from his/her educational program and the informal hearing shall be held as soon as practical after the suspension;
  • The informal hearing shall take place even when a school staff member has witnessed the conduct forming the basis of the charge; and
  • The informal hearing and the notice given may take place at the same time;
• Oral or written notification to the student’s parents of the student’s removal from the student’s educational program prior to the end of the school day on which the Head of School makes the decision to suspend the student, which shall include an explanation of:
  • The specific charges;
  • The facts on which the charges are based;
  • The provision(s) of the code of student conduct the student is accused of violating;
  • The student’s due process rights, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.2 through 7.6; and
  • The terms and conditions of the suspension.
• Appropriate supervision of the student while waiting for the student’s parent to remove the student from school during the school day; and
• Academic instruction either in school or out of school that addresses the Core Curriculum Content Standards.
  • Services shall be provided within five school days of the suspension.
  • Educational services provided to a student with a disability shall be provided consistent with the student’s Individualized Education Program.
  • At the completion of a short-term suspension, the Head of School shall return the student to the general education program.

The Head of School shall report the suspension to the Board of Trustees at its next regular meeting.

During the course of any short term suspension, students may not participate in any extracurricular activities, school functions, sports or graduation exercises that occur.

For a student with a disability, the provisions set forth above shall be provided in addition to all procedural protections set forth in N.J.A.C. 6A:14.

Long-term suspension means removal of a student for more than ten consecutive school days from the general education program, or the special education program, but not the cessation of the student’s educational services.

In each instance of a long-term suspension, Foundation Academy Charter School shall assure the rights of a student suspended for more than ten consecutive school days by providing the following:

• Immediate notification to the student of the charges, prior to the student’s removal from school;
• An informal hearing prior to the suspension in which the student is given the opportunity to present the student’s version of events regarding his/her actions leading to the long-term suspension and the school’s actions district’s actions taken pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1(c)2 and 5;
• Immediate notification to the student’s parents of the student’s removal from school;
• Appropriate supervision of the student while waiting for his/her parents to remove him/her from school during the school day;
• Written notification to the parents by the Head of School, or his or her designee, within two school days of the initiation of the suspension, stating:
  • The specific charges;
  • The facts on which the charges are based;
  • The student’s due process rights, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.2 through 7.6; and
  • That further engagement by the student in conduct warranting expulsion shall amount to a knowing and voluntary waiver of the student’s right to a free public education, in the event that a decision to expel the student is made by the School’s Board of Trustees, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:37-2 and N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.5. The Foundation Academy Board of Trustees shall request written acknowledgement of the notification of the provisions above from the parents and the student subsequent to the removal from the student’s educational program.
• A list of witnesses and their statements or affidavits, if any, no later than five days prior to the formal hearing;
• A student with a disability, a manifestation determination, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.8 and the Federal regulations incorporated by reference therein;
• Information on the right of the student to secure an attorney and legal resources available in the community;
• Educational services, either in school or out of school, that are comparable to those provided in the public schools for students of similar grades and attainments.
  • The services shall be provided within five school days of the suspension.
  • Foundation Academy Charter School shall make decisions regarding the appropriate educational program and support services for the suspended student, at a minimum, based on the following criteria:
    • A behavioral assessment or evaluation including, but not limited to, a referral to the child study team, as appropriate;
    • The results of any relevant testing, assessments or evaluations of the student;
    • The student’s academic, health and behavioral records;
    • The recommendation of the Head of School or other relevant school or community resource;
    • Considerations of parental input; or
    • Consultation with the Intervention and Referral Services team, as appropriate.
  • Educational services provided to a student with a disability shall be provided consistent with the student’s Individualized Education Program, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:14;
• A formal hearing before the Foundation Academy Board of Trustees, which, at a minimum, shall:
  • Be conducted by the Board of Trustees or delegated by the Board to a Board committee, the Head of School or an impartial hearing officer for the purpose of determining facts or making recommendations. The Board of Trustees as a whole shall receive and consider either a transcript or detailed report on such hearing before taking final action;
  • Include the opportunity for the student to confront and cross-examine witnesses, when there is a question of fact; and present his or her own defense and produce oral testimony or written supporting affidavits.
  • Take place no later than 30 calendar days following the day the student is suspended from the general education program;
  • Not be subject to the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act” and
  • Result in a decision by the Foundation Academy Board of Trustees, which at a minimum, shall be based on the preponderance of competent and credible evidence;
• A written statement to the student’s parents of the Board of Trustee’s decision within five school days after the close of the hearing that includes, at a minimum:
  • The charges considered;
  • A summary of the documentary or testimonial evidence from both the student and the administration that was brought before the Board of Trustees at the hearing;
  • Factual findings relative to each charge and the Board of Trustees’ determination of each charge;
  • Identification of the educational services to be provided to the student, above;
  • The terms and conditions of the suspension; and
  • The right to appeal the Board of Trustees’ decision regarding the student’s general education program to the Commissioner of Education;
• Immediate return to the general education program if at any time it is found that the student did not commit the offense;
• For a student with a disability found not to have committed the offense, the student’s program shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of N.J.A.C. 6A:14; and
• At the completion of a long-term suspension, the Foundation Academy Board of Trustees shall return the student to the general education program.

Any appeal of the Board of Trustees’ decision regarding the student’s program shall be made to the Commissioner of Education.

Suspension of general education students shall not be continued beyond the Board of Trustees’ second regular meeting following the suspension, unless the Board of Trustees so determines.

• The Foundation Academy Board of Trustees shall determine whether to continue the suspension based on the following criteria:
  • The nature and severity of the offense;
  • The Board of Trustees removal decision;
  • The results of any relevant testing, assessments or evaluations of the student; and
  • The recommendation of the chief school administrator, principal or director of the alternative education program or home or other out-of-school instruction program in which the student has been placed.

When the Board of Trustees votes to continue the suspension of a student, the Board, in consultation with the Head of School, shall review the case at each subsequent Board of Trustees meeting for the purpose of determining:

• The status of the student’s suspension;
• The appropriateness of the current educational program for the suspended student; and
• Whether the suspended student’s current placement should continue or whether the student should return to the general education program.

When the Foundation Academy Board of Trustees votes to continue the suspension of a general education student, the Board of Trustees, in consultation with the Head of School, shall make the final determination on:

• When the student is prepared to return to the general education program;
• Whether the student shall remain in an alternative education program or receive home or other in-school or out-of-school instruction, based on the criteria set forth in (c)1i through iv above; or
• Whether to initiate expulsion proceedings in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:37-2 and N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.5.

The Foundation Academy Board of Trustees shall provide a general education student suspended under this section with an appropriate educational program or appropriate educational services, based on the criteria set forth under (a)9ii above, until the student graduates from high school or reaches the age of 20, whichever comes first.

• The educational program shall be consistent with the provisions of N.J.A.C. 6A:16-9.2 and 10.2 and N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2 and 4.3, whichever is applicable; or
• The educational services provided, either in school or out of school, shall be comparable to those provided in the public schools for students of similar grades and attainments, pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25.

For a student with a disability who receives a long-term suspension, the Foundation Academy Board of Trustees shall proceed in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:14 in determining or changing the student’s educational placement to an interim or alternate educational setting.

• All procedural protections set forth in N.J.A.C. 6A:14 and this section shall be afforded to each student with a disability who is subjected to a long-term suspension.
• All decisions concerning the student’s educational program or placement shall be made by the student’s Individualized Education Program team.

By law, Foundation Academy is required to immediately remove students from the school for certain offenses.

Possession of a Firearm - The Head of School shall immediately remove any student, other than a student with a disability, from the school’s general education program for a period of not less than one calendar year if the student:

• is convicted or adjudicated delinquent for possession of a firearm on any school grounds, including on a school bus or at a school-sponsored function;
• is convicted or adjudicated delinquent for committing a crime while in possession of a firearm on school grounds, including on a school bus or at a school-sponsored function; and
• is found knowingly in possession of a firearm on any school grounds, including on a school bus or at a school-sponsored function.

The Head of School shall remove students with disabilities for offenses involving firearms in accordance with the provisions of N.J.A.C. 6A:14 and the applicable Federal regulations incorporated therein.

Assaults with Weapons Offenses – The Head of School shall immediately remove any student, other than a student with a disability, from the school’s general education program for a period of not exceeding one calendar year, if the student commits an assault with a weapon upon a teacher, administrator, board member, other employee of the school or another student on any school grounds, including on a school bus or at a school-sponsored function, according to the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:37-2.2 through 2.5. Assault is defined under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)1 and weapons includes, but is not limited to, those items enumerated in N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1(r), except a firearm as defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1(f) and 18 U.S.C. § 921.

The Head of School shall remove students with disabilities for assaults with weapons offenses in accordance with the provisions of N.J.A.C. 6A:14 and the applicable Federal regulations incorporated therein.

Assaults on Staff Members – The Head of School shall immediately remove any student, other than a student with a disability, from the school’s general education program if the student commits an assault not involving the use of a weapon or firearm, upon a teacher, administrator, board member or other employee of Foundation Academy Charter School acting in the performance of his or her duties and in a situation where his or her authority to act is apparent, or as a result of the victim’s relationship to Foundation Academy Charter School. Assault is defined under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)1.

The Head of School shall remove students with disabilities for assaults on staff members in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:14.

Expulsion means the discontinuance of educational services or the discontinuance of payment of educational services for a student.

Foundation Academy Charter School may expel, that is discontinue the educational services or discontinue payment of educational services for, a general education student from school after the Board of Trustees has provided the following:

• The procedural due process rights set forth at N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.3 and 7.4, subsequent to a long-term suspension, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.3; and
• An appropriate educational program or appropriate educational services, based on the criteria set forth under N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.3(f).
  • The educational program shall be consistent with the provisions of N.J.A.C. 6A:16-9.2 and 10.2 and 6A:14; whichever are applicable; or
  • The educational services provided, either in school or out of school, shall be comparable to those provided in the public schools for students of similar grades and attainments, pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25.

Any appeal of the Foundation Academy Board of Trustees’ decision regarding the cessation of the student’s general education program shall be made to the Commissioner of Education.

• The Foundation Academy Board of Trustees shall continue to provide an appropriate educational program or appropriate educational services, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.5(a)2, until a final determination has been made on the appeal of the district board of education’s action to expel a student.

An expulsion of a student with a disability from a receiving school shall be handled in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:14.

Students may not have electronic devices in school. This includes, but is not limited to, I-pods, MP3 players, games (Game Boys, etc.), CD-players and portable stereos (walkmans), cellular phones and beepers. None of these devices are needed and often represent a distraction from successful academics and a serious atmosphere. In addition, these are items that cause conflict and lead to grief when lost or stolen. While Foundation Academy obviously strives to prevent theft of any item, the school will not spend extra energy tracking down electronic devices that should not be in school in the first place and assumes no responsibility for the loss, destruction, or theft of electronic devices. In the event that a student disobeys this rule and possesses a prohibited electronic device in school, a staff member will confiscate it. On the first offense, the parent must come to the school at the end of the day to collect the device. On the second offense, it will be kept until the end of the school year, and the parent will be required to collect it on the final day of school. Students will also be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension.

Foundation Academy allows students the privilege of using cellular phones before and after the school day, outside of school property. However, the cellular phone cannot be displayed, activated, or used on school property during the school day. Students are responsible to ensure that cellular phones are turned off and out of sight in a locker, back pack, or similar enclosure. If the cellular phone is seen or heard by a staff member, it will be confiscated as outlined above. The student will also lose the privilege of possessing a cellular phone on school property in the future.

The appropriate time for food and drink is during lunch. Drinks may not be brought to school in a glass container. Drinks in cardboard or plastic containers must be in an original, sealed container upon arrival at school and remain unopened until lunchtime. Chewing gum and sunflower seeds are not allowed at any time.

Although Foundation Academy Charter School aims to have as much communication as possible with its families, the school must confine student phone usage to those situations that stem from health and safety issues, emergencies, or when students need to contact parents to let them know they must stay after school for a detention received that day. The office phone will be off limits for students after school from 4:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Students and their parents must arrange pick-up times in advance of school and should not come to expect a daily phone call. In addition, parents should not rely on Foundation Academy staff to relay messages to their children during school hours except in emergency cases. Relaying messages to students during the school day is highly disruptive to the learning environment. Therefore, only messages regarding true emergencies will be taken.

It is a privilege to ride a school bus. Students are expected to adhere to the rules. Cameras may be used to monitor student behavior on the school bus and may be used for disciplinary action. Parents and students should read and become familiar with the following rules:

• Obey the bus driver. S/he has the right to establish a seating plan and to change it at his/her discretion.
• Wear seat belts at all times, if available.
• Stand off the roadway while waiting for the bus.
• Arrive at the bus stop on time and conform to all applicable school rules.
• Remain seated when the bus is in motion.
• Keep arms, legs, head, and objects inside the windows.
• Remain quiet. Unnecessary conversation with the driver is dangerous.
• Display classroom conduct at all times while aboard the bus.
• No eating or drinking on the bus.
• When boarding or departing, cross the road 10 feet in front of the bus after the driver signals that it is clear to cross.

Students are required to have passes any time that they are in the building or on campus and not under direct adult supervision. If school is in session and a student is out of his/her classroom or lunchroom without a pass he/she is deemed, by definition, to have left adult supervision without permission and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken, including suspension.

Harassment, intimidation or bullying means any gesture or written, verbal or physical act that is reasonably perceived as being motivated either by an actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identify and expression, or a mental, physical or sensory disability, or by any other distinguishing characteristic, that takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function or on a school bus and that a reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, will have the effect of harming a student or damaging the student’s property or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property; or has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students in such a way as to cause substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school.

The school disapproves of harassment, intimidation and bullying in all its forms and considers it a serious offense. If a student is a victim of or a witness to harassment, intimidation or bullying on campus, on a school bus or at a school-sponsored function, the student is required to inform a faculty or staff member. A student making such a report to a faculty or staff member may do so confidentially. School faculty and staff will address the harassment, intimidation and/or bullying urgently and firmly consistent with the school’s overall disciplinary procedures.

Since the use of chemical substances (including tobacco and alcohol) is dangerous to students, the use, possession or sale of such substances at school or at after school activities is strictly forbidden. Anyone caught using, possessing, or selling drugs/alcohol on school grounds or at school-sponsored events will be subject to discipline that may include suspension or expulsion, and may be reported to the appropriate law enforcement personnel.

Any student who is suspected of being under the influence of drugs/alcohol will be required to have an immediate physical examination and drug test by a physician before being readmitted to the school. If the parent/guardian cannot arrange for an immediate examination with their family physician, the student will be taken to the local hospital for evaluation. The student may also be subject to suspension. If the test results are positive, the student will be required to have an evaluation and assessment done by a drug and alcohol counselor. The student must then follow the recommendations and treatment in order to continue at Foundation Academy.

There is zero tolerance for fighting, including “play fighting”. In almost every case, both students will be suspended. Parents will be required to come to school and to pick up the students involved in the fight on the day of the incident. Students are expected to use the techniques of non-violent conflict-resolution to settle all disputes. Faculty and staff members will be trained to spot problems and students are expected to report conflicts before they escalate.

Gang activity that threatens the safety or well being of persons or property on school grounds, or at school activities, or that disrupts the school environment is prohibited.

The type of dress, apparel, activities, acts, behavior or manner of grooming displayed by any student shall not:

• Lead school officials to reasonably believe that the behavior, apparel, activities, acts, or other attributes are gang related and therefore would disrupt or interfere with the school environment or activity and/or educational objectives.
• Present a physical safety hazard to self, students, staff, and/or other employees.
• Create an atmosphere in which the well being of the student, staff, or other persons is hindered by undue pressure, behavior, intimidation, overt gesture, or threat of violence.
• Imply gang membership or affiliation by written communication, marks, drawing, painting, design or emblem upon any school building, any personal property or on one's person.

Foundation Academy retains the right to create other rules and consequences as required by specific situations.