The mission of the Glens Falls City School District is to provide a safe, positive and stimulating environment… one that fosters self-growth, a passion for continuous learning, confidence and the ability to succeed in a changing world.
We promote excellence through high expectations and evolving standards for students, staff, parents and community. The challenge is to reach personal best while respecting each person’s individuality.
We make it our responsibility to be accountable for the implementation of this mission and to model behaviors that are influential to the characters as well as the mind.
The Glens Falls Board of Education, the administration, and staff recognize that the enrichment and in fact, the very survival of any group, come about only as its individual members practice self-discipline and demonstrate behavior which does not infringe nor intrude on basic rights and freedoms of others. Responsible exercise of individual freedoms means respect for the democratic process and for the rights of all. Only in an atmosphere of mutual respect, self-restraint, civility, and trust among all can these freedoms flourish.
The administration and staff are committed to the task of school management in a manner consistent with the legal and moral rights of all, but will neither tolerate nor condone actions or conduct in violation of this “Code of Conduct.” In setting forth the following Code, nothing contained herein is intended nor shall be constructed to limit or restrict freedom of speech, nor peaceful assembly, nor any constitutional or legal individual right.
The Code shall not prevent or limit communication between and among students or relieve the Glens Falls City Schools of its special responsibility for self-regulation in the preservation of public order. The Code does not prevent nor restrain controversy and dissent. However, the Code does prevent abuse of individuals and thereby maintains the stable environment appropriate to a public school.
This Code is in compliance with the requirements of the Project SAVE legislation, Education Law 2801, and section 100.2 of the Commissioner’s regulations. Unless otherwise indicated, this Code applies to all students, school personnel, parents and other visitors when on school property or attending a school function.
Definitions
For purpose of this code, the following definitions apply:
“Disruptive student” means a student under the age of 21 who is substantially disruptive of the educational process or substantially interferes with the teacher’s authority over the classroom.
“Parent” means the biological, adoptive or foster parent, guardian or person in parental relation to a student.
“School property” means in or within any building, structure, athletic playing fields, playground, parking lot or land contained within the real property boundary line of a public elementary or secondary school, or in or on a school bus, as defined in Vehicle and Traffic Law 142.
“Student function” means any school sponsored extra-curricular event or activity.
“Violent student” means a student under the age of 21 whom:
1. Commits an act of violence upon a school employee.
2. Commits, while on school property or at a school function, an act of violence upon another student or any other person lawfully on school property or at a school function.
3. Possesses a weapon while on school property or at a school function.
4. Displays, while on school property or at a school function, what appears to be a weapon.
5. Threatens, while on school property or at a school function, to use a weapon.
6. Knowingly and intentionally damages or destroys the personal property of any school employee or any person lawfully on school property or at a school function.
7. Knowingly and intentionally damages or destroys school district property.
8. A student that is verbally aggressive to other students or faculty
“Weapon” means a firearm as defined in 18 USC921 for purposes of the Gun Free School Act. It also means any other gun, dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto, switchblade knife, gravity knife, brass knuckles, sling shot, metal knuckle knife, box cutters, cane sword, electronic dart gun, Kung Fu star, electronic stun gun, pepper spray, or other noxious spray, explosive or incendiary bomb, ammunition, imitation ammunition or exploding substances, or other device, instrument, material or substance that can cause serious physical injury or death when used as a weapon.
“Time Out” is considered that period of time when a teacher employs informal strategies to refocus a student toward positive behavior (less than one class period).
“Suspension” is defined as a severe penalty which may be imposed only upon students who are insubordinate, disorderly, violent, or disruptive, or whose conduct otherwise endangers the safety, morals, health or welfare of others.