STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE

We believe in providing a school environment, which enhances self-esteem, promotes learning, and fosters respect for self, property, and others. We work in partnership with families to develop responsible citizens. Students are expected to practice good character such as compassion, courage, honesty, integrity, perseverance, respect, responsibility, accountability, self-discipline, and teamwork.  Students are expected to be respectful of self, property, and others. The following are specific rules for various areas: 

Classroom

  • Be a good listener; follow directions carefully.

  • Think before you speak. 

  • Keep a neat and clean desk/work area. 

  • Show care for all property. 

  • Avoid disturbing others in your class or in other classes. 

  • Leave everything in order at the close of the day. 

Hallways 

  • Always keep to the right when moving in the halls. 

  • Running inside the buildings is never allowed. 

  • Respect others’ space.

  • Keep your voice at a whisper, and keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself. 

  • Maintain a clean school environment by discarding trash properly. 

Cafeteria

  • Practice good manners at all times. 

  • Put all paper and plastic in the waste can. 

  • Leave the area by the proper exit. 

  • Each person is responsible for leaving tables and floor areas clean.

  • Stay in your seat. 

  • Keep your hands to yourself. 

  • Use a quiet voice. 

  • Clean up your area. 

Playground 

  • Any student who incites, encourages, promotes, and/or participates in acts determined by the playground supervisor to be hazardous to the safety of others shall be subject to disciplinary action. 

  • Tackle football and dodgeball are not allowed. 

  • Obscene language or obscene gestures will be grounds for disciplinary action. 

  • Students must have permission from the playground supervisor to go into buildings. 

  • Students must report problems to the playground supervisor. 

  • Students must not climb on electrical/air conditioning equipment, buildings, or sidewalk canopies. 

  • Homeroom teachers will review other playground rules that are specific to particular playgrounds.


CONDUCT

The Board of Education believes that the school’s primary goal is to educate, not to discipline.  However, education includes establishing norms to social behavior and assisting students in understanding and attaining those norms.   When the behavior of an individual student comes into conflict with the rights of others, corrective actions are necessary for the benefit of the individual and the school.  Oklahoma Law Title 70, Section 6-114, provides for the teacher of a child attending a public school to have the same rights as a parent or guardian to control and discipline that child while the child is in attendance or in transit to or from the school or while participating in any school function authorized by the school district.

Student discipline, suspension, and due process for students with disabilities, as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, shall be administered in accordance with “The Policies and Procedures Manual for Special Education in Oklahoma” published by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Federal law or regulation and Oklahoma law or regulation pertaining to students with disabilities shall take precedence in all matters that are specifically addressed by the federal and state laws or regulations. Where Federal and Oklahoma law or regulation permit, are silent, or do not directly address issues dealing with students with disabilities, Briggs Board Policy and regulations will be followed and will involve the Individualized Education Plan (I.E.P.) team or 504 accommodation plan team as appropriate.

In administering discipline, consideration will be given to alternative methods of punishment to ensure that the most effective discipline is administered in each case.  In all disciplinary action, teachers and administrators will be mindful of the facts that they are dealing with individual personalities.  The faculty may consider consultation with parents to determine the most effective disciplinary measure.

The following behaviors at school, while in school vehicles, or going to or from or attending school events will result in disciplinary action, up to and including out-of-school suspension. These behaviors may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Arson 

  • Assault on a school employee- A school employee shall mean any duly appointed person, employed by or employees of a firm contracting with the Briggs school system for any purpose, including such personnel not directly related to the teaching process and board members during board meetings.  Every person who, without justifiable or excusable cause, knowingly commits any assault, aggravated assault, battery, or aggravated battery upon the person of a school employee is punishable by imprisonment and/or fine pursuant to 70 O.S. Sections 9-113.

  • Assault on another student – physical and/or verbal:  Assault and Battery - Assault-Intentional creation of a reasonable apprehension in the mind of the victim of imminent bodily harm.  Includes verbal threats.  Battery- Offensive, unconsented touching of another’s person.  Includes: fighting and throwing objects 

  • Bullying, hazing, harassment- Harassment includes, but is not limited to:  Offensive teasing, unconsented communications with another student, taunting, slanderous remarks regarding another student, including social media, etc.   

  • Cheating/Plagiarism 

  • Conduct occurring outside the normal school day or off school property that has a direct and immediate negative effect on the discipline or educational process of effectiveness of the school

  • Cutting class, sleeping in class, eating in class, or refusing to work in class

  • Dangerous behaviors including but not limited to headlocks, choking, etc

  • Disruptive Behavior - Failing to follow classroom rules and/or disrupting the educational environment    

  • Disruption of the educational process and daily school activities, extra-curricular activities or while in transit to and from school

  • Electronic Devices- Electronic devices such as cell phones,  gaming devices, ipads etc. are prohibited at school without prior approval from teachers or administration  

  • Failure to attend assigned detention or other disciplinary assignment without approval

  • Fighting

  • Forgery, fraud and embezzlement

  • Gambling

  • Gangs or Gang behavior including a set behavior and attire

  • Indecent exposure

  • Insubordination- A student found to be disobedient to the authority of school personnel, and/or failing to follow the directive of the personnel without just cause as determined by the administration, shall be subject to disciplinary actions.    

  • Leaving school without permission

  • Littering the school building or property

  • Misinformation - willfully giving misinformation by commission (lying), or omission (misinforming by remaining silent)   

  • Obscenity/Profanity - Obscene materials including, but not limited to: illustrations (drawings, paintings, photographs, etc.) and electronic communications (texts, social media, videos), oral or written materials (books, letters, poems, videos, etc.) which are commercially or student produced are prohibited.  Profanity, including but not limited to gestures, symbols, verbal, written, etc.

  • Possessing weapons

  • Any kind of public display of affection

  • Running in the building

  • Sexual assault and harassment

  • Theft, including the removal of school property from the library or classroom without following appropriate check-out procedures

  • Threatening, Blackmail and Extortion - The taking of money/property by anyone who uses threats, or other illegal use of fear or coercion in order to obtain the money/property, and whose conduct falls short of the threat to personal safety required for robbery 

  • Truancy

  • Unauthorized or inappropriate use of technology software and/or hardware

  • Unexcused, repeated tardiness

  • Unexcused, repeated tardiness to school

  • Use of wireless telecommunications devices without prior authorization

  • Use of, possession, distribution, or sale of tobacco in any form including any type of vapor products or vaping.

  • Use of, possession, distribution, sale, conspiracy to sell or posses, or being in the chain of sale or distribution, or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances

  • Use of, possession, or threat of use of a dangerous weapon and related instruments.

  • Use of or possession of missing or stolen property if property is reasonably suspected to have been taken from student, a school employee, or the school

  • Using racial, ethnic, or sexual labels or slurs

  • Vandalism/destruction of school property or the property of others on school grounds.   

  • Violations of Board of Education policies, rules or regulations or violation of school rules and regulations or violation of state statutes.

  • Vulgarity


FORMS OF DISCIPLINE

BEHAVIORAL CONTRACT may be developed to outline the expected behavior for a student.  The student and parent will be asked to sign the contract, which will include consequences if the contract is not met.

CHANGING STUDENT’S SEATING AND/OR CLASS ASSIGNMENT - Teachers and/or administrators may change a seating assignment as needed to control behavior issues.  Administration may change a class assignment as needed to control behavior issues.

CONFERENCE WITH STUDENT AND/OR PARENT by the teacher and/or administration with the parent/guardian to discuss behavior and consequences.

Determining reasonableness of punishment includes the student's age, sex, physical and mental condition, nature and motive of offense, whether force was degrading, and likelihood of permanent harm upon the student.   Holman v. Wheeler, 677 P.2d 645 (Okla. 1983)

IN-SCHOOL DETENTION (ISD) is an alternative form of discipline for breach of more serious issues for which the student is removed from the regular educational environment yet continues to attend school and receive instruction.

ISD is during the regular school day in the ISD room.  A student must serve the ISD on consecutive school days.  A student in ISD may participate in extracurricular activities that occur outside the regular school day at the discretion of the extracurricular coach or sponsor.

Teachers will turn in ISD assignments to the office before 7:50 a.m. on the day the student is to begin ISD.  Those assignments will be graded as in the regular classroom.  Students are not penalized academically in ISD.

ISD Rules: Remain in assigned seat, no talking/communicating with others, no sleeping, work on assignments (ISD teacher will give additional assignments if the student completes the regular teacher’s assignments), and students will take drink/restroom breaks and lunch on a regular schedule, as directed by the ISD teacher that prohibits contact with students in the regular educational setting.

INVOLVEMENT OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES certain actions and behaviors may warrant contact with local authorities including prosecution in some instances.

LUNCH DETENTION is served after the student has eaten and as assigned by the teacher or administration.  A student who is absent from or tardy to lunch detention will be subject to the policy for Failure/Refusal to Serve Assigned Discipline.

After School Detention (ASD) - Students will go directly to the designated room for ASD and remain there from 3:00-4:00.  Designated staff will have an assignment waiting for them to complete. 

OUT OF SCHOOL SUSPENSION – A short-term out-of-school suspension shall be for a period of 10 or fewer school days.  A long-term out-of-school suspension shall be for a period of 11 or more school days.  A long-term suspension shall not extend beyond the current school semester and succeeding semester except in the case of possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon in which case an out-of-school suspension of up to 1 calendar year may apply. Students under suspension are not permitted to participate in or attend extra-curricular activities on school property or other sites where school activities occur during the period of suspension.  Students under suspension are not permitted to ride a school bus, ride in school vehicles, or be on school premises.  A student shall serve the assigned suspension period on consecutive school days.

PROCEDURAL STEPS FOR OUT OF SCHOOL SUSPENSION

Pre-Suspension Conference

  • When a student violates board policy or a school rule or regulation or has been adjudicated as a delinquent for an offense that is not a violent offense, the Principal will conduct an informal conference with the student.

  • At the conference with the student, the Principal will read the policy, rule or regulation which the student is charged with having violated and will discuss the conduct of the student which is a violation of the policy, rule or regulation.

  • The student will be asked whether he/she understands the policy, rule or regulation and be given a full opportunity to explain and discuss his/her conduct.

  • If it is concluded that an out-of-school suspension is appropriate, the student will be advised that he/she is being suspended and the length of the suspension.

  • The Principal will immediately notify the parent by phone and in writing that the student is being suspended out-of-school and that alternative in-school placement or other available options have been considered and rejected. Students will not be dismissed before the end of the school day without advance notice to the parent.


Immediate Suspension without a Pre-Suspension Conference

  • A student may be suspended without the above pre-suspension conference with the student only in situations where the conduct of the student reasonably indicates to the Principal that the continued presence of the student in the building will constitute a danger to the health or safety of the students, staff, or to school property, or a continued substantial disruption of the educational process.

  • In such cases, a suspension conference with the student and the parent or guardian will be scheduled as soon as possible after the student has been removed from the building.


Conference with Parents

  • The Principal will seek to hold a conference with the parent or guardian as quickly as possible after the suspension has been imposed. The parent should be advised of his/her right to a conference with the Principal at the time he/she is notified that a suspension has been imposed. The conference will be held during the regular school hours, Monday through Friday, with consideration given whenever possible to the hours of working parents.

  • At the conference, the Principal will read the policy, rule or regulation which the student is charged with having violated and will briefly outline the conduct on the part of the student. The Principal will provide information as to the basis for an out-of-school suspension rather than the use of alternative options. The parent/guardian should be asked, by the Principal, if he/she understands the rule and the charges against the student.

  • At the conclusion of the conference the Principal will state whether he/she will uphold, modify or terminate the suspension. In all cases the parent will be advised of his/her right to appeal the decision of the Principal.


Right of Appeal - Short-Term Suspension (10 or fewer days) A student, who has been given a short term out-of-school suspension, and that student’s parent has a right to appeal an out-of-school suspension decision to a committee composed of administrators and/or teachers. A student, with a short-term out-of-school suspension, and his/her parent shall be informed by the Principal of this right and the method of submitting an appeal. The decision of this local committee will be final and non-appealable.

Method of Appeal to a Committee:

  • Letter to the Superintendent must request an appeal.

  • If no appeal is received within three (3) school working days after the parent/guardian or student receives the Principal’s decision, the Principal’s decision will be final and non-appealable.

  • The Superintendent shall convene a review committee. No administrator or teacher is eligible to serve on the committee who was a witness to the student’s conduct, nor is any teacher eligible to serve who has the student in his/her class for the current school term.

  • The Superintendent shall schedule the committee hearing as soon as possible during regular school hours, Monday through Friday. Reasonable consideration will be given to accommodate the schedule of the parent/guardian whenever possible. If possible, the student and his/her parent or guardian will be notified in writing of the date, time and place of the hearing. The administrator who issued the suspension decision shall attend the committee hearing. Either party choosing to have legal counsel at the committee hearing shall give the other party twenty-four (24) hours advance notice of that decision. The failure to give such notice will preclude the party’s right to have counsel attend the hearing.

  • The Principal will briefly outline the student’s conduct, read the policy, rule or regulation, which the student’s conduct violated, and present any evidence and witnesses that support the Principal’s decision to suspend the student. The student and his/her parent or guardian will be asked by the committee if they understand the rule and charges against the student. The student and his/her parent or guardian will briefly explain the student’s conduct and present any evidence and witnesses that support the student’s position.

  • At the conclusion of the presentation of the evidence, the committee shall render a decision. The suspension committee may uphold the suspension, modify the terms of suspension, or terminate the suspension. The Committee’s decision shall be rendered in writing within three (3) school working days of the hearing to the parent or guardian of the student, the Principal, members of the committee, and the Superintendent.

  • The decision of this committee will be final and non-appealable.


Right of Appeal - Long Term Suspension (more than 10 days) a parent or the student may appeal the out-of-school suspension decision of the Principal to the Superintendent and the Board of Education.

Method of Appeal to the Superintendent or Designee:

  • Letter to the Superintendent must represent an appeal.

  • If no appeal is received within three school working days after the parent or student receives the Principal’s decision, the Principal’s suspension decision will be final and non-appealable.

  • The Superintendent should hold a conference with the parent or guardian as quickly as possible after receipt of the appeal. The conference will be held during the regular school hours, Monday through Friday, with consideration given to the hours of working parents whenever possible.

  • At the conference, the Superintendent will read the policy, rule, or regulation which the student is charged with having violated and will briefly outline the conduct on the part of the student. The Superintendent should ask the parent if he/she understands the rule and the charges against the student.

  • The student and his/her parent or guardian will briefly explain the student’s conduct and present any evidence and witnesses that support the student’s position.

  • Within three school working days of the conclusion of the conference the Superintendent will notify the student and parent in writing whether he/she will uphold, modify, or terminate the suspension. In all cases the parent will be advised of his/her right to have the suspension reviewed by the Board of Education.


Method of Appeal to the Board of Education

  • Letter to the Superintendent must request an appeal to the Board within three school working days of receipt of the administration’s decision.

  • If no appeal is received within three school working days after the parent or student receives the decision of the Superintendent, the Superintendent’s decision will be final and non-appealable.

  • The Board will hear the appeal as soon as possible.

  • The parent and student will be notified in writing of the date, time, and place of the hearing.

  • The parent and student will have the right to an “open” or “closed” hearing, at their option.

  • Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate the work schedule of parents.

  • The Board may uphold, modify, or terminate the suspension.

  • The Board’s decision is final and non-appealable.


Attendance at School Pending Appeal Hearing

Pending the appeal hearing before the Board, the student will have the right to attend school under such “in school” restrictions as the Principal or Superintendent deems proper, except that at the discretion of the Principal or Superintendent the student may be prohibited from attending school pending the appeal hearing.

  • The conduct for which the student was suspended reasonably indicates that continued attendance by the student pending the appeal hearing would be dangerous to other students or school property; or

  • The conduct for which the student was suspended reasonably indicates that the continued presence of the student at the school pending the appeal hearing would substantially interfere with the educational process at the school.


Education Plan for Suspended Students


A student who is suspended for five days or less shall be allowed one day for every day suspended to make-up assignments and tests given during the suspension period.  The student is solely responsible for obtaining and making up the missed work, assignments, and/or tests missed while on suspension from and with the student’s teachers upon return to school from suspension. The failure of the student to meet these time requirements will result in an “F” and no credit for work, assignments, and/or tests not made up according to the time requirements.  If a student is suspended from school for longer than five days, administration shall develop and provide to the student and the student’s parent/guardian an education plan which includes assignments in core unit subjects that should be completed and returned to the school by the date(s) specified in the plan. 

REFERRAL TO COUNSELOR AND/OR APPROPRIATE SOCIAL AGENCY – Depending on behavioral issues, the student may be referred to the school counselor who will determine if the student should be referred to the appropriate social agency.

RESTRICTION OF PRIVILEGES - Including but not limited to restriction of privileges to go on field trips, to competitive events, and any other school sponsored activity


WORK/CLEANING DETAIL - Students may be required to clean trays and wipe tables in the cafeteria during lunch time, pick up trash around the campus, etc as part of a disciplinary work assignment.  Students may be required to clean up and/or straighten items or facilities in which they caused damage.


OTHER APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS MAY BE REQUIRED AS INDICATED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

DANGEROUS WEAPONS

 The possession or use of any weapon during the time a student is in attendance in Briggs Public School or is in transit to or from school or any school sponsored activity by any form of transportation (including vehicle, walking, etc.) is strictly prohibited.  For purposes of this policy the “possession of a dangerous weapon” includes but is not limited to any person having a dangerous weapon: (1) on his/her person; (2) in his/her locker; (3) in his/her vehicle; (4) held by another person for his/her benefit; or (5) at any place on school property, a school bus or vehicle, or at a school activity.

A dangerous weapon includes, but is not limited to:  guns, rifles, pistols, shotguns; daggers, knives, razors, clubs, slap jacks, night sticks; any device which throws, grenades, fireworks, discharges or fires objects, bullets or shells; explosive and incendiary devices; hand chains, artificial knuckles; or dangerous instrument.  Also prohibited are, any facsimile or counterfeit weapons resembling a weapon.  Exempt from this policy are any instruments and devices that may be considered a weapon under this policy but are specifically authorized (prior to being brought to school) by school personnel for use in an approved curricular or extracurricular activity and are used in the appropriate manner.  Any student, who knowingly aids, accompanies and/or assists in the violation of the policy shall also be considered in violation of this policy and shall be subject to discipline in the same manner as any student who violates this policy.  A student who violates this weapon policy will be subject to:  Out of school suspension for the remainder of the semester in which the violation occurred and the succeeding semester per the circumstances or for up to one calendar year.

DAMAGE TO SCHOOL PROPERTY

All school property belongs to the patrons of the Briggs School District and is to be used by and for the benefit of all students. Therefore, when a student intentionally destroys or damages school property, he/she is personally liable financially and subject to discipline by school authorities.

FAILURE OR REFUSAL TO SERVE ASSIGNED DISCIPLINE 

If a student fails to serve the discipline assigned due to circumstances genuinely beyond the student’s control, the student must make up the discipline.  If a student “forgets” to serve the discipline, the discipline will be doubled.   If the student refuses to serve the discipline the student will receive out of school suspension. Upon returning from the suspension, the student must serve the original discipline.

OUT OF SCHOOL ACTIONS

The Board of Education recognizes that out of school conduct of students attending school within this district is not normally a concern of the board.  However, the Board believes that disciplinary action for conduct occurring off school property and not involving a school activity is proper if the conduct has an adverse effect upon the school. 

Therefore, it is the policy of this Board that any student attending school within this district will be subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to suspension from school for any conduct, which, in the opinion of the school administration, has an adverse impact upon the school.  Such activity includes, but is not limited to, the following: Damaging school property, engaging in activities which cause physical or emotional harm to other students, teachers, or other school personnel, or engaging in activities which directly impede discipline at school or the general welfare of school activities.

STUDENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

ACCEPTABLE USAGE POLICY (INTERNET USAGE POLICY) 

Please read AUP policy carefully, as your signature on the “PERMISSION/VERIFICATION FORM” assumes that students will abide by all policies herein this agreement and that students have permission to access the Internet.  

These guidelines are provided so that users are aware of the responsibilities they accept when they use Briggs School District owned computer hardware, operating system software, application software, stored text, data files, electronic mail, local databases,  digitized information, communication technologies, and Internet access.  In general, this requires efficient, ethical, and legal utilization of all technology resources. Our goal in providing these services is to promote educational excellence in school for students and to facilitate employees of the District in their effort to provide quality education. 

It is the responsibility of every staff member to educate students about appropriate online behavior, including interactions with other individuals on social networking sites, chat rooms, and cyber bullying awareness and response. This may occur in a variety of ways including but not limited to training sessions which meet CIPA, NCIPA, and the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, one-on-one discussions with individual students, educational videos or podcasts, and/or educational handouts. It is also the responsibility of all staff members to monitor students' online activity while at school for appropriate behavior.



Access to Inappropriate Material

To the extent practical, technology protection measures (or “Internet Filters”) shall be used to block or filter Internet, or other forms of electronic communications, access to inappropriate information.  Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, blocking shall be applied to visual depictions of material deemed obscene or child pornography or to any material deemed harmful to minors.  Subject to staff supervision, technology protection measures may be disabled or, in the case of minors, minimized only for bona fide research or other lawful purposes. Under no circumstances are the users to attempt to bypass the firewalls or content filters.  Should a student inadvertently access such a site, they should notify the teacher or principal immediately. The District may monitor online activities of any computer at any time.  

Inappropriate Network Usage

To the extent practical, steps shall be taken to promote the safety and security of users of the District’s online computer network when using electronic mail, chat rooms, instant messaging and other forms of direct electronic communications.  Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, prevention of inappropriate network usage includes: (1) unauthorized access, including so-called “hacking”, and other unlawful activities; and (2) unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.

With respect to promoting the safety and security of minors, it shall be the responsibility of the District to educate minors about appropriate online behavior, including cyber bullying awareness and response and interacting with other individuals on social networking sites and in chat rooms.  The District may implement this requirement in a number of different ways, including but not limited to: (1) distribution of this policy to all students at the first of the year which contains such information; (2) including such information in orientation for students at the beginning of each year in each computer class; (3) talking to students about such matters each time an incident occurs that involves these matters; and (4) any other manner deemed appropriate by the Superintendent or Board.  

Supervision and Monitoring

It shall be the responsibility of all District staff to supervise and monitor usage of the online computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy and the Children’s Internet Protection Act.  Briggs School District uses many technology utilities in day-to-day management of all parts of the network. Some of these utilities, while providing the capability to remotely manage user’s computers, also provide opportunities for surveillance of user technology activity.  Users are thus notified that at any time their technology activity could be monitored.    Procedures for disabling or otherwise modifying any technology protection measures shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent or designee.  Unacceptable uses of computer and electronic communications resources include use that jeopardizes personal safety, use that involves illegal and prohibited activities and use that threatens the security of the District’s technology resources.  

Personal Safety

Employees and students shall not use the District’s technology resources in any manner that jeopardizes or poses a threat to personal safety.  The following directives are essential to ensuring personal safety:

  1. Users shall not post personally identifiable information about themselves or others.  For example, it is not permissible to put people’s photographs on the web and identify them by name.

  2. Student users shall not agree to meet with someone they have met online, without parental approval.

  3. Student users shall promptly disclose to their instructor or another school employee any message the user receives that is inappropriate or makes the user feel uncomfortable.

  4. Users shall receive or transmit communications using only District-approved and District-managed communication systems.  For example, users may not use free, web-based email, messaging, videoconferencing, or chat services, except in special cases where arrangements have been made in advance and approved by the District.

  5. Users shall not attempt to repair, alter, or change the configuration of District-owned technology resources.  


Illegal Activities

Engaging in illegal and prohibited activities involving use of the District’s technology is prohibited.  The emerging and fast-paced developments in technology make it impossible for the District to anticipate every potential use or misuse of its technology resources.  Accordingly, users are instructed that the District’s technology is not to be used for illegal activities.  Among other things, users are expected to abide by the following:

  1. Users shall not plagiarize works that are found on the Internet or any other electronic resource.  For purposes of this policy, plagiarism means presenting the ideas or writings of others as one’s own.

  2. Users shall respect the rights of copyright owners.  Copyright infringement occurs when the user inappropriately reproduces a work that is protected by a copyright.  Users shall not illegally copy protected works or make copies of such works available.  Users are responsible for observing any copyright or licensing agreement that may apply when downloading materials.  Users may not download any material for which a fee or license agreement is required without the approval of appropriate District supervisory personnel.  Users shall not install any software (including public domain software or freeware) that is not approved by the District.

  3. District staff will not support or maintain any computer operating system or application software that does not meet District standards.  

  4. Illegal installation of copyrighted software is prohibited.  Illegal copying of software from any District computer, network, or program diskette is prohibited.  Computer software and data protected under copyright laws may not be downloaded or uploaded to a computer owned or leased by the District without the written consent of the copyright holder and approval from the District.  Any software or data located on a computer or file server owned or leased by the District found to be in violation of copyright laws would be removed.  

  5. Users shall not attempt to gain unauthorized access or attempt to go beyond authorized access to District resources or to any other computer system.  This includes attempting to log in through another person’s account or access another person’s files.

  6. Users shall not make deliberate attempts to disrupt the District’s computer system or other portions of the technology resources or destroy data by spreading computer viruses or by any other means. 

  7. Users shall not congest the District’s technology resources or interfere with the work of others within or outside of the District when accessing the Internet, including the transmission or posting of messages that are intended or likely to result in loss of the recipient’s work or systems.

  8. Users shall not use the District’s technology resources to engage in any activities that interfere with the operation of the District or its educational programs or compromise the safety and security of the District’s technology resources.

  9. Users are strictly prohibited from performing vandalism acts of any kind to the District’s technology resources.  Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data or equipment of another user, Internet, or any other agencies or other networks that are connected to the network or any attempt to modify, delete, or add to any part of the network.  This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of viruses, or the intentional downloading of a file known by the user to contain a virus, defacing, or damaging school technology.   


Security of District’s Technology

The District spends substantial monies to provide students and staff with technology resources appropriate for the diverse educational and training interests associated with education objectives in a technology-rich world.  Users are required to adhere to the highest standards of use to avoid compromise or destruction of the District’s resources.  Security with respect to the District’s technology resources requires adherence to the following:

1. Users shall access the Internet in a manner that does not compromise the security and integrity of the District’s technology resources, such as allowing intruders or viruses into the District’s technology resources.  Users wishing to download any document, file, or software from non-District sources must observe District policies and procedures for virus checking and system security.

2. Users are responsible for their individual logon passwords and should take all reasonable precautions to prevent others from being able to use these passwords.  Users shall not share passwords, provide access to an unauthorized user, or access another user’s account without authorization.

3. A computer logged into the District wide area network or the Internet should not be left unattended.  Users are responsible for all transactions made under their User ID and Password.

4. Users must immediately notify the administrator if they identify a possible security problem.

5. Users are responsible for the appropriate storage and backup of their data.

6. The administration, faculty, or staff of the District may request a system administrator to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user accounts for violation of these policies or procedures.


Inappropriate Communications


Inappropriate communications are prohibited and can result in removal of access or other disciplinary action.  Users must adhere to the following directives:

1. Users shall not use, view, download, copy, send, post, or access obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, or disrespectful information, communications, language, images, or video, or material that advocates illegal acts, violence, or discrimination towards others.  Restrictions against inappropriate language, images, or video apply to public messages, private messages, material posted on web pages and files stored or created on the District’s technology resources.

2. If a user mistakenly accesses inappropriate information, the user must immediately inform his or her teacher or the network supervisor of the location of that information.

3. Parents or guardians should instruct the student user if there is additional material that they think it would be inappropriate for their child to access.  The District fully expects that student users will follow the instructions of their parents or guardians in this matter.

4. Users shall not post information that could cause damage or pose a danger of disruption to the operations of the technology resources of the District.

5. Users shall not harass another person.  For purposes of this policy, harassment or “cyberbullying” means persistently acting in a manner that distresses or annoys another person.  If a user is told by another person to stop any activity that that person finds harassing, the user must stop immediately.  Individuals who believe they are the victims of harassment should immediately contact their teacher, principal, or the Superintendent.

6. Users shall not knowingly or with reckless indifference post messages that are false or defame or libel any person or organization, or that infringe the privacy rights of others. 

7. Users shall not manipulate, post, or make public pictures of other people without explicit permission from the other person and school officials.

8. Users shall not use personal equipment/technology to access the District’s network without prior permission. If individuals use personal equipment/technology to access the network, they waive any right to privacy.


Disciplinary Action

The use of District technology resources is a privilege, not a right.  The signature(s) of the student and parent/guardian on the “Permission/Verification Form” and staff signatures on the “Staff AUP” is (are) required prior to any technology use at Briggs School and is legally binding and indicate(s) the party (parties) who signed has (have) read the terms and conditions carefully and understand(s) their significance. Violation of District policies and procedures may result in cancellation of computer-use privileges and/or other disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment for employees and suspension from school for students.  If Federal and/or State laws are violated, the offender is also subject to being reported to proper authorities for prosecution.

Cell Phone Policy

Student cell phones, air pods, bluetooth headphones, or smart watches will need to be powered off during school hours.  We understand that it is difficult to feel out of touch with your student, but parents can call the office to relay messages. If students need to talk to their parents they can come to the office or use the school phones in the classroom.  Some of the difficulties we face with hundreds of cell phones being used by students include the possibility of:


  • Students taking pictures/videos of other students without permission and posting to social media.

  • Students continuously checking their phones during class.

  • Students watching movies/video clips, or listening to music during class.

  • Students participating in group texts/chats during the school day. 

  • Students bullying other students through group texts/chats. 


Students who violate this policy will have their device placed in the main office and returned to them at the end of the day. 


In case of emergency situations students will be allowed to use their phones.  


Report any instances of bullying to the school administration immediately.

Statutory definition of harassment, intimidation, and bullying:

70 O.S. §24-100.3(c) of the School Safety and Bullying Prevention Act defines the terms “bullying,” as including, but not limited to a pattern of harassment, intimidation, threatening behavior, physical acts, verbal or electronic communication, directed toward a student or group of students that results in or is reasonably perceived as being done with the intent to cause negative educational or physical results for the targeted individual or group and is communicated in such a way as to disrupt or interfere with the school's educational mission or the education of any student that a reasonable person should recognize will: 

A. Harm another student;

B. Damage another student’s property;

C. Place another student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or damage to the student’s property; 

D. Insult or demean any student or group of students in such a way as to disrupt or interfere With the school’s educational mission or the education of any student.

According to experts in the field, bullying in general is the exploitation of a less powerful person by an individual taking unfair advantage of that person, which is repeated over time, and which inflicts a negative effect on the victim.

Students are encouraged to inform school personnel if they are the victim of or a witness to acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying.  Reports may be made anonymously. However, no formal disciplinary action shall be taken solely on the basis of an anonymous report.

Parents should:

1. Report bullying when it occurs;

2. Take advantage of opportunities to talk to their children about bullying;

3. Inform the school immediately if they think their child is being bullied or is bullying others; 

4. Watch for symptoms that their child may be a victim of bullying and report those symptoms; 

5. Cooperate fully with school personnel in identifying and resolving incidents.

Reports shall be made immediately to the building principal or designee.

Bullying Policy
Investigation Procedures
Prohibiting Bullying Regulation
Bullying Reporting Form
STOP IT APP