Student Code of Conduct and Addressing Bullying & Bias-Based Behavior

Expectations for Student Behavior

The Student Rights & Responsibilities is adopted by the Chicago Board of Education each year to help create a safe and supportive learning environment for all students and school personnel. The handbook contains the Student Code of Conduct (SCC), which sets clear expectations for responsible student behavior. The SSC also provides a transparent and restorative disciplinary process that addresses the root causes of behaviors, repairs harm, and promotes social and emotional development.

We ask that parents or guardians review the SCC with their children and encourage their children to make responsible decisions and engage in safe, respectful behavior that promotes learning. Students are also expected to sign the SCC receipt and exhibit appropriate behavior by following all school rules and Board policies.

The SCC is only a resource. It will take the collective efforts of students, parents, teachers, and administrators to create a safe learning environment where all students can excel.

Facts for Families

We are committed to partnering with you and your child to ensure that all students have the social, emotional, behavioral, and academic skills they need to succeed.

Your Rights and Responsibilities as CPS Families

• To be treated fairly and respectfully by all school and district staff, and to treat everyone in the
  school community with respect
• To talk with your child about the Student Rights & Responsibilities handbook and the Student
  Code of Conduct and school rules
• To receive information and work with the school principal, teachers, and other staff to support
  your child’s academic or behavioral needs
• To ensure that your child has an opportunity to express his/her side of the story before any
  disciplinary action and to advocate for appropriate interventions
• To be notified promptly of consequences assigned and appeal disciplinary actions taken

Resolving Behavioral Incidents

CPS resolves behavioral incidents by teaching students social and emotional
skills, shaping positive behavior, and repairing harm done. This means school staff should:

• Prevent behavior incidents by setting clear expectations, fostering positive relationships with
  all students, and developing students’ social-emotional skills.
• Try to calm the situation when behavior incidents arise and ensure all individuals are safe.
• Seek the student’s perspective and reflect on the reason for the student’s behavior.
• After the incident, staff, students, and families should work together to repair the harm done
  and address the underlying reason for the behavior. Students who are taken out of class or
  school should be warmly welcomed back into the community and provided additional support
  as needed.

When should a suspension be used?

CPS is responsible for educating ALL students. Out-of-school suspensions are a LAST RESORT
that should only be used only when:

1. Staff and/or students are in immediate danger of physical, emotional, or mental harm, or
2. A student has severely interrupted other students in school, and staff have tried other ways to
   respond to the behavior

Pre-K through 2nd grade students may not be suspended, except when a Network chief/designee
determines a serious safety concern.

When used, suspensions should be part of a larger strategy for addressing students’ behavioral
needs and preventing future incidents. Students cannot be sent home for a suspension until
reasonable efforts are made to notify parents/guardians. View the Student Code of Conduct for more information on suspension limits.

What should I do if I feel my child has been disciplined unfairly?

Parents and students have the right to appeal disciplinary action. If you believe your student has
been disciplined unfairly or given a suspension before you were notified, contact your school
principal to set up a meeting to discuss the incident and raise your concerns. If the issue is
unresolved or you have additional questions about the disciplinary process, you may contact the
Student Adjudication team by phone 773-553-2249, email at studentadjudication@cps.edu, or through your Network office.

What should I do if I believe my student is a victim of bullying?

You should notify the school principal as quickly as possible. You may report bullying to any CPS
employee in person or by emailing BullyingReport@cps.edu.