Discipline Guidelines

Students attending our schools are required to conduct themselves with respect for self and others through their actions, their language and their dress. Students must recognize their individual responsibilities and obligations and discharge them in accordance with school regulations. When a school employee acts to assist a student in proper conduct, the emphasis shall be toward student growth in self- discipline.

Applying the District-Wide Rules

  1. The consequences for misbehavior described in the discipline matrix are for misbehavior resulting in a referral to the principal’s office. Consequences are designed to be fair, firm and consistent for all students in the Rapid City Schools. They apply to all students in any school or other district buildings, on district property, in district vehicles or school buses, and at school or district events. Consequences listed are minimums. The building administrator has the latitude to modify penalties. Additionally, the administrator will have the authority to enforce other reasonable disciplinary action found warranted by the situation. The infractions and consequences may be modified or disregarded if circumstances require mitigation or exception (e.g. a disabled student whose misbehavior is related to his or her disability.) Notes and facts regarding violations and consequences will be recorded.
  2. Because it is not possible to list every misbehavior that occurs, the administration and staff reserve the right to respond to misbehaviors not included in this regulation. This regulation is based on the assumption that misbehaviors are dealt with by bus drivers, chaperones, classroom teachers, counselors, administrators, and other appropriate district staff.
  3. Progressive discipline will be used in conjunction with existing district policy. Complete copies of the district suspension and expulsion Policy JFC are available from all principals’ offices.
  4. Actions which may be used by district staff to discipline students and/or encourage them to modify their behavior include but are not limited to: student conference, parent or guardian conference, fine, restitution, detention, removal from class, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, exclusion, expulsion, referral to law enforcement authorities, and recommendation to alternative services.
  5. Each building may develop a handbook with rules and regulations specific to their unique needs. A copy of school rules will be provided to students/parents.

Student Conduct

It is the student’s right to participate in appropriate school-sponsored activities which may be held outside regular school hours. It is also the student’s RESPONSIBILITY to respect the rules and authority of school officials in the same manner as is done during regular school hours on school-owned property.

Student Chemical Use/Abuse

The following Rapid City School District procedures are to be followed in case of student chemical use/abuse. On a day-to-day basis, situations occur which constitute possible student chemical use and/or abuse and require direct action by building staff.

  1. The student who appears to be under the influence of chemicals during the school day.
  2. The student whose behavior and/or academic performance is deteriorating to the point that chemical use and/or abuse is suspected.

Building principals have several obligations concerning these situations:

  1. To see that staff is alert to signs and/or behaviors that indicate immediate or long-term use and/or abuse. (Staff in-service for this purpose is available upon request from the Office of Special Services.)
  2. To designate a specific staff person to whom suspected chemical abuse situations are to be reported.
  3. To see that the suspected abuse situation is brought to the attention of the student’s parents. (See below* for crisis situations.)

It is the policy of the Rapid City Area Schools that the use of illicit drugs and the unlawful use of drugs and alcohol are wrong and harmful. Current Board of Education Policies clearly prohibit the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol on school premises, or as a part of any school activity. Violation of Board Policies could result in suspension or possible expulsion from school.

A consultation with parents and/or student is to be held by the principal or designee and should include discussion of the student’s behavior as well as possible referral for assessment or treatment. A list of local referral agencies that provide evaluation and/or treatment is to be made available to the parents, if appropriate.

When cooperation is lacking to the point that parental efforts are not adequate to alleviate the student chemical abuse, the principal will consider the reporting of child neglect to the office of the State’s Attorney.

*NOTE: If a situation occurs wherein the behavior of a student under chemical influence is immediately threatening self or others, police authorities may be called to deal with the matter. Parents should be contacted as soon as possible and informed of the action taken