High School Code of Character

This document is subject to periodic revisions and updates. We strive to ensure that all information is accurate and up-to-date; however, changes may occur over time and without prior notice. Please consult the latest version of this document for the most current information.

While we strive to ensure the accuracy and quality of our content, there may be occasional errors or inaccuracies. If you come across any mistakes or issues, please contact us to let us know: Aaronda Q. Beauford, Director of Communications, abeauford@upperdarbysd.org. We appreciate your feedback and will do our best to address any concerns promptly. Thank you for your understanding and assistance in improving our work.

Upper Darby School District STUDENTS have the responsibility to:

• Contribute to maintaining a safe, supportive and orderly school environment that is conducive to learning and to show respect and dignity to other persons and to property

• Practice respectful, responsible, and safe behaviors

• Arrive on time, prepared to actively participate in their learning

• Work to their potential both inside and outside of the classroom

• Respect school property and ensure that safe conditions continue in our school.

• Know the rules and expectations for their behavior

• Ask questions when they do not understand

• Seek help in solving problems that might lead to discipline

• Work to develop strategies to control anger/frustration

• Maintain behavior that is free from all forms of bullying, harassment, and discrimination

• Empower students to utilize elements of restorative justice to resolve conflict

Upper Darby School District EDUCATORS have the responsibility to:

• Establish and maintain a climate of mutual respect and dignity for all students

• Establish an environment that is culturally sensitive

• Model and teach positive expected behaviors across all areas and disciplines

• Know school expectations, policies, and rules, and enforce them in a fair and consistent manner

• Effectively communicate with students, families, administration about academic and behavioral concerns

• Be aware and informed of your own professional responsibilities

Upper Darby School District FAMILIES have the suggested responsibility to:

• Recognize that the education of their child(ren) is a joint responsibility of families and the school community

• Build positive relationships with school staff and communicate with teachers

• Support your student(s) timeliness and attendance

• Support student's adherence to all safety precautions, rules, and policies

• Share concerns as needed

• Read building level and school district communications

• Participate!- attend school informational meetings, join our Home and School Association, attend family conferences, and events

• Know school rules and help their children understand them

• Help their children deal effectively with peer pressure

Tier 1 Behaviors of Concern are behaviors that impede orderly classroom procedures, which include but are not limited to the examples below. Tier 1 behaviors of concern should be addressed by the teacher. If a tier 1 behavior persists, teachers will refer the student to administration and the grade-level team.

Students are considered late to school if they fail to arrive by the start time of their first scheduled class. Block 1 begins at 9:45 AM.

Students are considered late to class if they arrive at class after the scheduled time. Students who are over ten minutes late to class are considered cutting class.

Class cutting is the act of deliberately skipping a scheduled class without a valid excuse. Students who are over ten minutes late to their scheduled class are considered cutting class. Students who fail to return from using a hall pass are considered cutting class.

Behavior that impedes the learning of others or interferes with teaching while in the classroom.

Behavior that interferes with transition or creates an unsafe environment for those in the hallway.

Students are expected to follow Board Policy #221.

Inappropriate language includes the use of profane, obscene, or offensive language in the hallway or classroom.

Insubordination is a deliberate refusal to follow directions or comply with reasonable requests by a teacher or staff member. This behavior includes ignoring instructions, talking back, or refusing to participate in assigned tasks.

Catchall term for student behavior that ignores basic rules and procedures while in the classroom. Not Following Procedures includes:

• Ignoring SmartPass procedures

• Signing in late to class

• Leaving class before the bell (under five minutes)

• Eating in the hallway

The use of cell phones or personal electronic devices is prohibited during instructional time. While in class cell phones should remain away in a student’s backpack, pocket, purse, locker, or classroom pocket chart.

See Board Policy #237. Students are to use their district issued device for instructional purposes only.

Students are not permitted to use electronic devices (including watches, tablets, or gaming devices) during instructional time.

• Parent contact
• Parent/Teacher meeting
• Teacher detention
• Restorative conference
• Restorative action including apology, student reflection, or other restorative work.
• Reduction in Royal Points
• Administrative detention
• Restricted hall pass
• Behavior contracts
• Referral to Youth Court
• Principal’s conference

Tier 2 Behaviors of Concern are chronic Tier 1 behaviors or a behavior of a serious nature, which tends to disrupt the school’s learning environment. Tier 2 Behaviors will be addressed by teachers with advisement from the administration and grade-level team.

Cheating is an act of dishonesty or to unfairly gain advantage on an academic work. This includes using unauthorized materials, copying another student’s academic work, allowing another student to copy your work, and getting answers or giving answers to others.

Plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s words, ideas, or work without proper acknowledgement. Plagiarism includes presenting another person’s writing as your own, copying another person’s work without proper citation, submitting work that was completed by another student.

Multiple tier I infractions of a similar nature.

Any profane or obscene word directed towards a teacher, staff member, or student. Any hand gesture that is perceived offensive by the staff member or student.

Students are obligated to attend teacher and administrative detention. Students are given one opportunity to reschedule.

Intentionally refusing to follow school rules or disregarding the authority of a teacher or staff member in a confrontational and disruptive manner.

Students are to follow fire drill and lockdown procedures. During fire drills students should use their designated exit and report to their designated zone for attendance. When entering a safety posture, students should remain quiet in their rooms.

Students are not allowed to leave campus and then return to campus later in the day. This excludes students with modified schedules. Students are expected to remain on campus during lunch.

Damaging or mishandling instructional materials including books, textbooks, or technology designated for instructional purposes.

Damaging or mishandling fire extinguishers or AED machines.

A student who accrued 3 unexcused absences during the school year is considered truant. Students who accrue 6 or more unexcused absences are considered habitually truant.

• Parent contact
• Parent/teacher meeting
• Administrative detention
• Disciplinary conference
• Restorative conference
• Royal point reduction
• Center team consult
• Social work referral
• Referral to the Student Assistance Program
• Student Attendance Improvement Plan
• Behavior contracts
• Youth Court
• Out-of-school suspension

Tier III Behaviors of Concern are behaviors that may pose a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of a member of the school community.

All visitors must enter through the main entrance and provide identification to security. This includes opening and propping doors for unauthorized visitors. Unauthorized visitors could mean food delivery services, students from other schools, any non-student, school-aged or otherwise, graduates of UDHS, or family members.

Pulling a fire alarm or any actions that could cause a lock-in, lock-out, or lockdown.

Multiple tier 2 infractions of a similar nature.

Creating unsafe conditions for students and staff on school grounds. This includes evading the Evolv machine or purposely ignoring entry procedures and opening or propping doors for Upper Darby students.

Includes but is not limited to: bong, bowl, scales (digital or otherwise), rolling papers, packaging materials, mylar bags.

Students are not allowed to use or possess electronic devices during state testing.

Using intimidation on threats to obtain money, information, or anything else of value from another person.

Falsely making, altering, or using a document with a false signature with the intent to deceive.

Participating in games of chance or betting activities for money or something of value while on school property or during school events.

Including wearing of colors, sports paraphernalia, or any article of clothing that contains a symbol of a gang or the intent to show allegiance to a Gang.

A gang shall mean any ongoing organization or group of people which has an identifiable name or identifying symbol whose members, individually or collectively engage in or have engaged in a pattern of activity that endangers or disrupts the safety of the school or members of the school community.

Provoking, encouraging, or inciting others to engage in physical conflict, even if the person instigating does not directly participate in the fight.

A brief low-level verbal or physical conflict between students that does not result in harm or a significant disruption. Minor altercations include verbal arguments and brief physical conflict (pushing and shoving). This includes disagreements that are broken up by safety officers or administration.

Students are prohibited from parking on campus during school hours. Students who park on campus run the risk of their vehicle being towed.

Possession or sale of items identified as stolen.

This includes lighters, matches, fireworks, and any other explosive device.

Remaining on school grounds without permission or legal right, especially after being told not to be there. This includes students who are suspended, individuals who enter the building without going through the Evolv machines, and being on school grounds or district property without approval.

When a student interferes with the safe operation of a school bus. Violations include:

• Entering or riding a school bus which you are not assigned.

• Disruptive behavior that impedes bus travel.

• Unsafe behavior that could lead to physical harm to students and staff.

Violations of bus procedures as outlined in Board Policy #810.

Any violation of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code constitutes a Tier 3 violation. Acts that pose a direct threat to the health, safety, or welfare of others in the school include but are not limited to the following examples:

Arson and Related Crimes

Deliberately setting fire to property.

Assault on Staff

• Simple Assault: Attempts to cause intentionally knowingly or recklessly bodily injury to a staff member.
• Aggravated Assault on Staff: Attempts to cause serious intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly serious bodily injury with a weapon to a staff member

Assault on Student

• Simple Assault on Student: Attempts to cause intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly bodily injury to another student.
• Aggravated Assault on Student: Attempts to cause serious intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly serious bodily injury to another student.
  

Bomb Threats

A verbal or written threat to detonate an explosive or incendiary device to incite fear, disrupt normal activities, to cause damage to property, serious bodily harm or death regardless of the existence of the device

Burglary (stealing, not from a person)

Illegal entry into a building with intent to commit theft.

Bullying

Bullying or discriminatory harassment based on but not limited to any of the following: Race/Color/National Origin, Sex, Disability, Sexual Orientation, Religion, Title IX. See Board Policy 249- AR- 0.

Disorderly Conduct

Intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm by engaging in violent or tumultuous behavior, making unreasonable noise, using obscene language, or creating a hazardous or physically offensive condition by an act that serves no legitimate purpose.

Fighting

When two or more people engage in a use of force or physical violence that requires intervention from school staff.

Institutional Vandalism

To knowingly vandalize, deface, or damage school property.

Kidnapping or Unlawful Restraint

The abduction of another person; to restrain another unlawfully in circumstances that risk serious bodily injury.

Possession of a Weapon

Students are prohibited from possessing or bringing weapons or replicas of weapons onto school property. A weapon includes but is not limited to knife, cutting instrument, cutting tool, nunchaku, firearm, shotgun, rifle, replica of weapon, and any other tool, instrument, or implement capable of inflicting serious bodily injury. See Board Policy #218.

Reckless Endangerment

Behavior that places or may place another person in danger of death or serious bodily injury.

Rioting

Organizing, promoting, encouraging or participating in a riot; violent disturbance of the peace.

Robbery

Taking property unlawfully from a person or place by force or threat of force.

Sale/Distribution of a Controlled Substance

A student shall not knowingly sell, distribute, possess, use, transmit, or be under the influence of any narcotic drug, a hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, alcoholic beverage, intoxicant, synthetic or distilled oil, or any other kind of controlled substance. This rule pertains to actions on school grounds, at any school activity, function or event, or any vehicle designated or used by the school for student transport, including public transportation or while traveling to or from school.

Sexual Harassment

Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to a district education program or activity.

Sexual Misconduct

Including but not limited to: rape, involuntary sexual deviate intercourse, statutory sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, indecent exposure, open lewdness, obscene and other sexual materials and performance.

Stalking

A pattern of repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, contact or any other course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.

Terroristic Threats

Any written or verbal threat to commit an act of violence that would endanger others with a reckless disregard for the harm it would cause.

Threatening a School Official or Student

An expression of intent to harm someone that may be spoken, written, gestured, or communicated in some other form, such as via text message or email. Threats may be explicit or implied, directed at the intended target or communicated to a third party. Behavior that suggests a threat such as weapon carrying, fighting, or menacing actions is also considered threatening behavior.

Theft and Related Offenses

To withhold property of another permanently or for an extended period of time. To steal from a member of the school staff or another student.

Possession, Use, or Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance

A student shall not possess, use, or be under the influence of any controlled substance as defined by the PA crimes code.

Possession, Sale, Use or Under the Influence of Alcohol

A student shall not possess, sell, or be under the influence of alcohol while on campus.

Possession, Sale, Use of Vaping Materials

A student shall not possess, sell or use a vape, vape products or e-cigarette device. See Board Policy 222-AR-0.

Students who are referred to administration may have to meet with their grade-level administrator for a restorative conference. During the restorative conference, the student will be asked to reflect on their behavior and develop a plan for corrective action. Administrators may require students to write an apology, complete a behavior reflection, or sign a behavior contract as part of the conference.

Students may be assigned Youth Court for Tier 1 and 2 offenses. During Youth Court, students will be provided an opportunity to explain their actions. Students who serve on Youth Court will then provide the student with recommendations on how to make amends for their infraction. Participation in Youth Court requires parent permission.

Administrative detentions are served during FLEX, before school, or after school. Students who are assigned an administrative detention will be notified twenty-four hours before their detention. Administrative detentions will be served in the student’s grade-level center or designated classroom. Students are required to turn in their cell phone when serving a detention. Students who cut administrative detention can be assigned an alternative disciplinary consequence.

Royal Points Students start the year with 100 Royal Points. Royal Points are a measure of student behavior. Points are deducted due to violations of the Upper Darby High School Code of Character. If a student’s Royal Points drop below 85, they are ineligible to participate in school-based activities, both curricular and extracurricular. All students have the opportunity to recoup Royal Points through Royal Recovery. Students are able to view their Royal Points through the Home Access Center.

Event participation includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Spectator at athletic event and/or participant based on Athletic Eligibility

• Vocal and instrumental music program rehearsals and performances

• Play and musical rehearsals and performances (participant/spectator)

• Student Government

• Media center and tech crew

• Club meetings or other activities

• Activity Field Trips

• Homecoming (participant/spectator)

• Powder Puff (participant/spectator)

• UD’s Got Talent (participant/spectator)

• Proms and Class dances

• Senior Appreciation Day

• Top Royal (participant/spectator)

• PBIS Movie Nights (participant/spectator)

• Any other school-related function in which a ticket is needed to enter (participant and spectator)

Point Reductions:

• Royal Point Reduction: 1

• Disciplinary Conference: 2

• Administrative Detention: 3

• Suspension: 5

Students who pay for an extracurricular activity (dance ticket, field trip payment, etc.) are not guaranteed a refund if they are later deemed ineligible. Athletic team practices, games, and any other organized team activities will fall under the athletic program regulations sanctioned by the PIAA, but also will be held to the same standards required by the Royal Points Program.

Daily Royal Recovery

Any student looking to recoup Royal Points has the opportunity to do so by completing a Royal Recovery Sheet. Students can earn points through positive classroom behavior and attendance. For each assigned class, students should have their teacher sign as evidence of positive student behavior. Upon completion of five successful school days, the student will earn back five points.

School Service

Students also have the option to participate in a School Service Activity in order to regain points in the Royal Points Program. Voluntary school service, that is approved by school personnel, can earn up to 5 Royal Points.

Royal Recovery Workshops

Periodically throughout the year, grade-level centers will offer Royal Recovery Workshops. Students must attend all three days of the workshop, and they must engage in the restorative lesson and activities. Upon completion of a workshop, students will earn 10 Royal Points.

The purpose of a Student Attendance Improvement Plan (SAIP) is to assist a student in improving their attendance. A SAIC is typically created with a student’s support system—including parents/guardians, school counselors, IEP case managers, and building administrators. A SAIP is recommended for students who are habitually absent from school. Additionally, a SAIP may be recommended for students who are chronically late to school or students who are frequently cutting class.

School authorities may search the person, the possessions of, and/or the locker assigned to any student. School authorities may take temporary possession of and safeguard any materials, which are considered to be evidence of the commission of an offense or of other improper activity.

In general, searches should be based on reasonable suspicion that material will be produced, which evidences the violation of the Upper Darby High School Code of Character and/or a violation of applicable law, statute, or regulation. Prior to an individual locker search, the student shall be notified and be given an opportunity to be present. However, when school authorities have a reasonable suspicion that a locker contains materials that pose a threat to the health, welfare, or safety of the school population, student lockers may be searched without prior warning.

Custody and control of student lockers are shared jointly by the Upper Darby High School and the assigned student(s). Although students have a legitimate expectation of privacy in a school locker, the expectation should be minimal. Under certain circumstances, the interests of the Upper Darby School District to search a locker or lockers will clearly outweigh the intrusion into the privacy rights of students.

Deterring drug possession and use is a compelling concern for school officials. Appropriate searches are permissible to both discover the evidence of drugs within the school and to warn students that bringing drugs to school will not be tolerated. Canine sniff searches will be used to minimize the intrusiveness of any mass or school-wide search.

Students who attend dances at Upper Darby High School and prom(s) off-site will be searched at the door as part of our standard procedure. Students who are found in possession of materials that violate the Upper Darby Code of Character will be subject to school discipline.

Students who believe that an item was stolen from them should report to their grade-level center. While in the center, they will be asked to complete a theft report. The grade-level administrator will then conduct an investigation into the student’s claims.

Physical restraint may be used for, but not limited to, the following reasons: defense of self or others, removal of students from the educational setting, or detaining a student while awaiting the arrival of school administrators or police.

Staff members may use reasonable force as is necessary to protect themselves from attack, protect another person or property, quell a disturbance threatening physical injury to others, and/or obtain possession of dangerous objects.

Behaviors of concern will occur in the classroom. All teachers are encouraged to employ positive classroom management strategies within the classroom, in addition to making notes of student behavior.

• Seat Change

• Proximity

• Alternative Assignment Choice

• Non-verbal Prompt

• Verbal Redirection

• Restate Expectations

• Positive Reinforcement

Upper Darby High School is dedicated to fostering opportunity, unity, and excellence in our classrooms. Teachers maintain high expectations for all students, and we aim to create an academic environment that promotes scholarship and curiosity. Academic integrity means completing your work honestly and ethically. Students should take responsibility for their work and own the work they submit. Cheating and plagiarism are not tolerated. The use of generative AI falls under the definition of plagiarism.

Academic dishonesty is considered a tier 1 infraction for homework, classwork, quizzes, and other assignments with limited point value.

1st Offense

The incident is managed by the teacher.

• Parent is notified

• “0” is issued for the assignment

• Student provided with Academic Integrity Review

2nd Offense:

All actions for the first offense in addition to:

• Referral submitted to administration.

Academic dishonesty is considered a tier 2 infraction for tests, major papers or projects, finals, and other significant assignments.

The incident is managed by the teacher and administration:

• Parent is notified

• “0” is issued for the assignment

• Referral submitted for administrative action.

Number of Lates & Intervention

10 Lates — Loss of two Royal Points; official written notice; restorative lesson

15 Lates — Loss of two Royal Points; official written notice; administrative action

20 Lates — Assigned one or more of the following interventions:

Class attendance is vital to a student’s success. It is impossible to learn if students are not present and engaged in their learning. Class cutting is unacceptable and will remain a point of emphasis for the 25-26 school year.

Cutting class behaviors include the following:

1. Students are considered cutting class if they are present in school but do not attend class.

2. Students who are ten or more minutes late to class with no legitimate excuse.

3. Students who misuse a hall pass, leaving class for over ten minutes with no legitimate excuse.

4. Students who are found walking in the hallway during instructional time with no pass.

Students who cut class will be assigned an administrative action on a weekly basis. Repeated violations will result in the following consequences:

• Loss of Royal Points

• Administrative action including detention time in the SAR

• Parental conference

• Cutting contract

• SAIP

• Referral to Tier 2

If cutting behavior persists, students are subject to further school disciplinary action including but not limited to:

• Out-of-school suspension

• Removal from extracurricular activities

Board policy prohibits students from possessing, using or selling tobacco, nicotine and nicotine delivery products at any time in a school building; on any property, buses, vans and vehicles owned, leased or controlled by the school district; and at school-sponsored activities that are held off school property.

Tobacco is defined as a lighted or unlighted cigarette, cigar, cigarillo, little cigar, pipe or other smoking product or material and smokeless tobacco in any form including chewing tobacco, snuff, dip or dissolvable tobacco pieces.

Nicotine is defined as a product that contains or consists of nicotine in a form that can be ingested by chewing, smoking, inhaling or through other means.

Nicotine delivery product is defined as a product or device used, intended for use or designed for the purpose of ingesting nicotine or another substance. This definition includes, but is not limited to, any device or associated product used for what is commonly referred to as vaping or juuling.

Prohibition of the possession, use and sale of tobacco, nicotine or nicotine delivery products by students applies during normal school hours, as well as during school activities at other hours that take place in buildings and on buses and property owned, leased or controlled by the school district. This policy will apply at all times a student is subject to the supervision of designated school staff, such as any school function, extracurricular event, field trip, work-study program and other school-related activities.

District schools will maintain a tobacco-free and nicotine-free environment by taking positive action through educating students in the classroom on the health and safety hazards of using tobacco, nicotine and nicotine delivery products; counseling individual students when necessary and appropriate; and communicating Board policy and administrative regulations with staff, students, parents/guardians and the community.

According to Board Policy #237, the use of cell phones and other personal communication devices is prohibited during instructional time. While in class cell phones should remain away in a student’s backpack, pocket, purse, locker, or classroom pocket chart.

Cell phone violations are considered a Tier 1 behavior of concern. Below includes a description as to how classroom teachers and administration will handle cell phone violations.

Tier I

Tier II

Tier III

Administrative action for repeated cell phone violations includes:

• Loss of Royal Points

• Restorative conference

• Administrative detention

• Parental conference

SmartPass is a student accountability system that manages student hall pass usage. The application can be accessed via ClassLink. When a student would like to use a hall pass, they are to:

• Request to create a pass from the teacher.

• Use their Chromebook to access and create a pass via the SmartPass application.

• Take the classroom pass and head to the assigned location.

• Reenter the classroom and close the pass via the SmartPass app.

Hall Pass Expectations

Students on a hall pass will:

• limit their time out of the classroom to seven minutes.

• travel to their assigned location.

• carry the hall pass in a way that is visible to those in the hallway.

• refrain from socializing in the hallway and bathrooms.

• return to the classroom, and end the pass.

Students are also limited to 3 hall passes each day. Students who persistently misuse the hall pass could have their hall pass privileges restricted.

As part of our PBIS framework, UDSD provides interventions for students who do not respond positively to school-wide expectations and procedures. Students demonstrating the need for additional behavioral support may be referred to the Tier 2 team.

Dr. Edward Marshaleck

Assistant Superintendent of Student Services

emarshaleck@upperdarbysd.org

(610) 622-7000, ext. 3213

Dr. Brian Ursone

Director of Pupil Services

bursone@upperdarbysd.org

(610) 789-7200, ext. 3216

Kelley Simone

Director of Secondary Education

ksimone@upperdarbysd.org

(610) 789-7200, ext. 3295