Free Web Hosting by Netfirms
Web Hosting by Netfirms | Free Domain Names by Netfirms

W. H. Shaw High School
7601 Schomburg Road
Columbus, GA  31909
706-569-2567
FAX 706-569-2593

Dr. Jim Arnold, Principal        jarnold@mcsdga.net



 


Home
Activities
Administration
Alumni
Announcements
Athletics
Organizations
Departments
Faculty and Staff
GMR
Learn_and_Serve_Projects
Media_Center
Policies
PTSA
Renovation
 Student Handbook
 


School Discipline
 

     Proper behavior is vital for a smooth-running and productive school atmosphere.  Disciplinary action can include detention assignments, written assignments, work assignments, phone calls and phone conferences, confiscation of items, in-school suspension, suspension, expulsion, and referral to criminal authorities.  Disciplinary action will be geared to change the unacceptable behaviors, not to hurt or unduly punish the student.

     In addition to the rules in the handbook, all students are subject to the policies on discipline of the Muscogee County Board of Education.  A copy of this is given to each student.  Please read it with care.

     Students receiving more than 7 referrals and/or more than 10 days home suspension in a school year will be identified as Chronic Disciplinary Problem Students, and will be referred to the Assistant Superintendent for required participation in Conduct Summer School.

     Some of the misbehavior and resultant consequences are listed below.  Students may be assigned to ISSP or Saturday School no more than 3 times per year, but no more than 4 total ISSP/Saturday School assignments are allowed during a school year. Students will face home suspension for further offenses after serving four (4) times in ISSP and Saturday School in any combination. During all external suspensions, students are encouraged to contact classmates and attempt the work missed so as not to get behind, but zeros will be given for all assignments missed while suspended.  Students may be readmitted to school only after a successful conference between the student, parents, and an administrator.  Parents are asked to call the school to arrange an appointment for this conference.  Any incident not covered below will be handled at the discretion of the administration.

 

Detention

     Individual teachers for a wide variety of offenses assign detention to students.  Detentions assigned on any given school day are to be served by the student on the next school day.  Detentions assigned on Monday, for example, are to be served by the student after school on Tuesday.  Detentions generally last for 30 minutes from 7:05 to 7:35 or 2:45 - 3:05.  Students are to leave the building immediately after afternoon detention.  Transportation home after detention is the students’ responsibility, and lack of transportation may not be an excuse for missing detention.  If a student does miss detention, he/she is given the opportunity to serve after school for the next 2 school days to make up for the absence from detention on the day originally assigned.  These 2 days are automatically assigned, and the teacher does NOT give another detention notice.   The Assistant Principal for students who fail to serve detention gives ISSP or Saturday School assignments.  Home suspension may result should students miss detentions on a frequent basis.

 

In-School Suspension

     In-school suspension (ISSP) is an in-house consequence for minor misbehaviors.  Students spend their assigned days in the ISSP room, work on assignments sent by their teachers, take tests, and get credit for attendance at school.  Grades are not penalized in any way if ISSP is completed successfully.  Students must stay on task while in ISSP, and failure to follow ISSP rules will result in home suspension.  Students suspended from ISSP will not be allowed to return to ISSP during the course of the current school year.  Students assigned to ISSP may not participate in after school events or activities until their ISSP assignment is completed.  Students may not be assigned to ISSP more than 3 times in a school year.

 

Saturday School

     Saturday school is offered as an alternative to ISSP and home suspension for some offenses.  Hours are from 8 am to 12 noon, and students, in order to receive credit for attendance, must successfully complete all written and behavioral requirements.  School work or make up tests and assignments may NOT be done in Saturday School, and students who fail to attend will receive home suspension for the number of days assigned PLUS one day.  School dress codes, rules, and policies will be enforced for students attending Saturday School.  Assignment to Saturday School may be chosen or given up to 3 times per year.  Students with a Saturday School obligation will attend regular classes, receive grades, take tests, and participate in extracurricular events, practices, or meetings before or after school.

 

Out of School Suspension Violations

     Students receiving home suspension as a consequence for behavioral or disciplinary code violations may not be on campus or involved in school activities during the time of their suspension.  Schoolwork missed while serving a home suspension may not be made up, and all absences due to home suspension are unexcused.

 

School Disturbance (major) - Acts which cause substantial disruption of learning opportunities and/or threaten the safety of others. Suspension 10 days and referral to Student Discipline Tribunal.

Refusal to Follow Directions - not following directions of faculty or staff or repeated rules violations.  Penalty at the discretion of an administrator.

Failure to Accept Discipline-1st offense - Suspension 1-5 days. 2nd offense - Suspended 5 days.

Failure to Comply with Safety Rules-Penalty at discretion of administrator

Gambling-1st offense - 2 days ISSP. 2nd offense - 2 days suspension.

Profanity, Vulgarity, Obscene Words or Gestures-1st offense - 2 days Saturday School - 2nd offense - 2 days suspension.

Abusive Language to a Staff Member-1st offense; 2 days suspension; 2nd offense - 5 days suspension.

Radios, Walkman, Beepers, Cell Phones, CD Players, Pagers-1st offense - Equipment taken, returned to parent on last day of school-2nd offense - Same with 1 day suspension

Smoking, possession of tobacco-1st offense - 2 days suspension-2nd offense - 3 days suspension.

Sale, possession or use of Alcohol-10 days suspension - referred to Tribunal

Weapons-10 days suspension - referred to Tribunal

Fighting, assault, major violence-Minimum 5 days suspension, charged with Disorderly Conduct

Sale, use, or possession of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia-10 days suspension - referred to Tribunal

Destruction of school property, threats to school property, vandalism-Minimum 5 days suspension

Classroom disturbance (minor)-1st offense - ISSP-2nd offense - Suspension

Classroom disturbance (major)-1st offense - 2 days suspension - 2nd offense - 5 days suspension.

Failure to stay for detention-1st offense - ISSP-2nd offense - ISSP or suspension.

Skipping-1st offense - ISSP-2nd offense - 2 days suspension

Inappropriate dress-1st offense - ISSP- 2nd offense - home suspension.

False check out - both parties suspended 1 day

Food or drinks in hallway or classroom-1st offense - throw items away/detention-2nd offense - 2 days ISSP.

Excessive tardiness to school-1st offense - 2 days ISSP - 2nd offense - may not check in excused or unexcused without parent present.  Excused tardies are granted for personal illness, death in immediate family, approved educational trip, and religious reasons.  Up to 3 unexcused tardies are allowed without penalty in a school year.  After 8 tardies, student may not check in without a parent present.
Back to Top