MVHS Behavior & Discipline
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Page contents:
Jurisdiction of the School
Classroom Behavior
Social Probation
Cheating Policy
Fighting and Suspensions
Maintaining Proper Campus Behavior
Student Discipline
Behaviors Leading to School Suspension and Possible Expulsion from School
Vandalism, Graffiti and Pranks
Student Violence & Reporting Requirements
Local Police Department
What is Illegal?
Education Code Section 48900 specifies acts for which disciplinary action may be taken and prescribes the school’s jurisdiction or area of authority as the following:
- while on school grounds;
- while going to or coming from school;
- during lunch period on or off campus;
- at school activities whether on or off campus; or
- during or while going to or returning from a school-sponsored activity.
Learning Environment
Students have the right to an education and to due process under the law. Minors are required to attend school until age 18 unless otherwise exempt by graduation or by passing the California High School Proficiency Test. The behavior guidelines presented here have been formulated to establish and maintain a proper learning environment for all students.
- Classroom Courtesy. Students are expected to be respectful, courteous and responsible in the classroom.
- Suspension from Class. Teachers may suspend students who disrupt instruction from class for the day of suspension and the next day. Continued disruption of class may lead to suspension from school by the administration.
The following list of behavioral expectations has been developed by students and staff as a way to maximize quality classroom time and ensure a climate of mutual respect.
- Listen while the teacher or another student is talking
- Remain quietly alert while waiting for directions
- Use language which is acceptable, polite, and civil at all times
- Be prepared for class by bringing books and materials every day
- Eat, drink, or sell food outside of classrooms only
- Keep class work areas clean
- Cell phones must be off during class
Students may be placed on social probation and denied the privilege of attending student activities. Social probation is usually the result of misbehavior at student activities. Social probation of seniors can include, but is not limited to, the loss of the privilege to attend the senior prom or to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.
Honesty, trust and integrity are vital components of the education process. The Governing Board believes that academic honesty and personal integrity are fundamental components of a student's education and character development. The Board expects that students will not cheat, lie, plagiarize or commit other acts of academic dishonesty.
Anyone who copies another's work or turns in someone else's ideas as his or her own has engaged in cheating. Collaboration with another student or students could be considered cheating if students are expected to complete an assignment independently. Teachers have a responsibility to proctor tests carefully and to explain to students when collaboration is and is not appropriate on assignments completed inside and outside of class. (EC 35291 and BP 5131.9)
Examples of cheating include:
- Copying homework.
- Allowing someone else to copy your work.
- Plagiarism (taking or passing off another’s ideas, writing, etc. as one's own).
- Copying or allowing others to copy from another's exams.
- Improperly obtaining and/or using tests, questions, or keys.
- Using unauthorized notes/materials or internet sources.
With greater access to the Internet, students need to be very clear about the responsibilities of using this tool with integrity. Check with each of your teachers if you are unsure or unclear about his/her expectations for allowable collaboration.
First Offense: Zero on assignment or test, contact with parent and Assistant Principal by teacher, and possible suspension from the class.
Second Offense: A second offense is another cheating incident in any class during the remainder of the student’s career at Mountain View High School. They will receive a zero on the assignment or test, be removed from class and face a possible suspension from school.
Third Offense: Suspension, removal from class and possible assignment to alternative setting.
Our policy is to suspend and notify MVPD when students fight during school hours or school activities regardless of who started the fight. Students are expected to seek alternative ways of handling disagreements, including seeking assistance from an administrator, a teacher, or a campus supervisor.
- Sexual Harassment. Board Policy prohibits sexual harassment, which is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual and physical conduct of a sexual nature. Violation of this policy will constitute cause for disciplinary action.
- Lockers. Students use their lockers at their own risk, and should not leave anything of value in their lockers overnight. School officials have the right and ability to open and inspect any school locker without student permission with a reasonable suspicion that a search will disclose evidence of illegal possessions or activity, or if threats to students’ health, welfare or safety emanate from the locker. Students must supply their own locks.
- Books. All students assume financial responsibility for their books. Losing, damaging or defacing books will result in a charge to the student.
- Litter. All litter must be disposed of in designated trash cans.
- Cafeteria. Students must deposit trash in the garbage cans. Throwing food and cutting in line will result in disciplinary action.
- Food in Class. Eating and drinking are not allowed in the library, offices or gymnasium, in classrooms during class time, or at other times without teacher permission and supervision.
- Public Displays of Affection. Inappropriate displays of affection may result in disciplinary action.
- Motor Vehicles. All motorized vehicles brought on the school campus must be registered in the bookkeeper’s office and have the parking sticker displayed in the appropriate place. All parking is first come, first serve.
- Bicycles, Skateboards, Roller Blades. For safety reasons, students are not allowed to ride bicycles, skateboards, roller blades, mopeds, etc., on campus at any time (including before and after school, evenings and weekends). These items will be confiscated. Repeat offenders will have to have their parents pick up their confiscated items. All students riding bicycles to and from school are reminded that bicycle helmets are required by law.
- Visitors. All visitors must register in the attendance office. Requests for social visits by non students will be denied. Trespassers may be arrested.
- Suspension from School Activities. Suspended students may not attend any school functions or activities during the day or evening for the period of suspension. During the period of suspension, students must not be at or near the school campus.
- Other Disciplinary Actions. In addition to suspension from school, the following actions may be taken by the administrator: (1) school service on campus; (2) detention after school; (3) monetary reimbursement for willful acts such as theft, vandalism or damage to property.
Behaviors that are so severe that a recommendation for expulsion many result generally fall into these three categories:
- Mandatory Suspension and Expulsion Recommendation and Mandatory Expulsion. The term of expulsion must be for one year from the date the Board ordered the expulsion.
- Possessing, selling or furnishing a firearm.
- Brandishing a knife or weapon at another person.
- Selling a controlled substance.
- Committing or attempting to commit sexual assault or battery.
- Harassment of a witness.
- Mandatory Recommendation for Expulsion / Discretionary Expulsion. The acts listed below require a mandatory recommendation for expulsion, unless the principal deems that special circumstances render the recommendation inappropriate:
- Possessing, selling or furnishing a firearm.
- Brandishing a knife or weapon at another person.
- Selling a controlled substance.
- Committing or attempting to commit sexual assault or battery.
- Harassment of a witness.
- Discretionary Expulsion Recommendation / Discretionary Expulsion. Upon recommendation by the principal, superintendent of schools, or by a hearing officer or administrative panel appointed pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 48918, the governing board may order a pupil expelled upon finding that the pupil violated subdivision (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k) or (l) of Section 48900 or Section 48900.2 or 48900.3 and either of the following:
- That other means of correction are not feasible or have repeatedly failed to bring about proper conduct.
- That due to the nature of the violation, the presence of the pupil causes a continuing danger to the physical safety of the pupil or others.
Alcohol Possession. Using, providing, selling, or being under the influence of alcohol, controlled substance or intoxicant.
Damaging or attempting to cause damage to school or private property. (If property damage exceeds $5,000, principal is required to bring the case to the Board for an expulsion hearing.)
Drugs, using, providing, selling, offering any drug paraphernalia, or being under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or controlled substance or intoxicant
Disruption of school activities, disrespect/defiance of valid authority of school personnel in the performance of their duties.
Fighting. Causing, attempting to cause, or threatening to cause physical injury to another person.
Firearms Possession of a real or an imitation firearm.
Gang related activity. Using attire, graffiti, or hand signs know to be gang related.
Harassment, bullying, retaliation, or intimidation. (If such acts are part of a “pattern of conduct” or if they contribute to creating a hostile environment, the principal is expected to recommend expulsion and to bring the case to the Board for a hearing.)
Hate Crimes, including but not limited to harassment based on race, sexual orientation, gender religion or ethnicity.
Hostile educational environment.
Obscene Acts or engaging in habitual profanity or vulgarity.
Sexual harassment. Unwanted and/or repeated behavior of a sexual nature.
Stealing. Attempting to steal, or receiving stolen school or private property.
Terrorist threats
Tobacco Possession or use of tobacco or product containing tobacco or nicotine.
Weapons. Possession of firearms (imitation or real), fixed blade knives, explosives or other items used in a committing a crime.
The position of the District is not to tolerate pranks of any kind. Pranks disrupt the instructional program and can escalate to be dangerous, destructive or expensive. In order to provide an exemplary learning environment, to promote personal integrity and social responsibility, to protect District and personal property and to provide a safe and orderly work and learning environment, pranks are strictly prohibited. Any district student who commits an act of vandalism or engages in a prank that results in dam-ages to school facilities or property shall be subject to disciplinary action by the district and also may be prosecuted through other legal means. If reparation of damages is not made, the district also may withhold the student's grades, diploma and/or transcripts in accordance with law. (E.D. 48900 and BP 5131.5)
The minimum penalty for pranks will be the loss of the next significant school activity and suspension from school. Senior pranks will result in suspension, the loss of the privilege to participate in all senior activities and in the commencement ceremony. Depending on the extent of damage caused, the student may also be recommended for expulsion from the district.
The MVHS staff will not tolerate student threats, acts of violence, or jokes of violence.
The welfare of our students requires that the school be notified immediately of potential security risks. You must immediately notify your principal, teacher or other school employee:
- When a person is acting in a suspicious manner in or around the school;
- When you know, suspect, or have heard that an individual has a weapon or dangerous object at school;
- When you know, suspect, or have heard of any violent or potentially violent incidents, threats, jokes of threats or violence, or concerns of a risk for violence or other disturbance;
- When you believe the school is otherwise not secure or safe.
The assistant principal will investigate and discipline students who breach this policy, up to and including suspension and/or expulsion and/or police referral as a possible accomplice. A student’s failure to report any possible risk will be viewed as a defiance of the school’s valid authority under Education Code 48900(k) and will result in student discipline against the student who failed to report.
Through cooperation between the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District and the Mountain View and Los Altos Police Departments, we are committed to combating substance use and abuse among young people in our community. Our goal is to enhance the quality of life in our community and to promote awareness and education among adults and young people.
As a result of the understanding between the Police Departments and the School District, school officials and police officers are required to take action in any case involving substance use on or near campuses or at school functions. The following describes the categories of offenses for which the district has defined specific consequences (depending upon the frequency of violations):
- Arrest
- Suspension from school
- Suspension or expulsion from co-curricular activities
- Community service
- Referral to a social service agency to complete a substance abuse program and/or
- Expulsion from school
Possession of any weapon including all locking blade knives regardless of blade length.
Possession and/or being under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances.
Being in the presence of others involved with alcohol or other controlled substances.
Providing alcohol or a controlled substance to other students.
Possession of alcohol or other controlled substances for Sale.