Note: This is a representative listing of rules and violations.  It is not a complete listing of all acts of misbehavior that may require disciplinary action.  The Pickerington Schools administration reserves the right to take disciplinary action as the situation warrants.

In addition to these items, a student may be subject to school disciplinary action, for misconduct that occurs off school property to the extent that the misconduct, regardless of when it occurs, is directed at a district official (or employee or the property of such official or employee.)  Such action is deemed appropriate by the Board of Education because disrespectful acts could negatively affect student behavior at school and thereby cause deterioration in the learning environment.  See ORC 3313.661(A).

Certain violations of the Code of Conduct involving firearms, knives, bomb threats, or serious physical harm to persons or property can result in the student being expelled for a period of up to one calendar year or being permanently excluded from school.  See board policy.

Given a specific set of circumstances, charges may be filed against anyone who has violated the law in addition to school punishment.

The Code of Conduct shall apply to conduct not specifically set forth herein which substantially and materially disrupts or interferes with good order, discipline, or operation of the academic or educational process taking place in the school, or which substantially and materially is, or poses a threat to, the safety of persons or property.

Pickerington Schools comply with all requirements of state and federal law in regard to the discipline of disabled students.

All Student Handbook policy references were current at the time of publication. Policies are subject to change as the Board of Education updates policies throughout the year. All discipline and policy enforcement will be based on current Board of Education policy located on the District website and/or at www.boarddocs.com/oh/plsd/board.nsf/public. Please refer to board policies online for the most recent version.

A student shall not commit any act not listed herein that constitutes a felony, misdemeanor, or violation of an ordinance.

For purposes of this section of the Code of Conduct, the term “Substance” shall include, but not be limited to the following: alcohol; illegal drugs; un-prescribed drugs; narcotics; hallucinogens; amphetamines; barbiturates; marijuana; steroids; caffeine tablets; K2, spice, posh, “legal weed”, or any other marijuana substitute; look-alike drugs; or any substance that is represented to be, to contain, to mimic, or be used to produce the same or similar effects as illegal drugs, narcotics, hallucinogens, amphetamines, barbiturates, marijuana, alcohol, CBD products, stimulants, depressants, or other intoxicants; or any other controlled substance as defined under the laws of Ohio or federal law. 

A student shall not possess, solicit, use, conceal, sell, offer to sell, purchase, be under the influence of, show evidence of consumption, supply, distribute, or transmit any substance, or otherwise violate Board Policy.

“Possession” includes, but is not limited to, retention of a Substance on the student’s person or in a purse, wallet, locker, desk, or vehicle. Included in this prohibition are the possession of drug paraphernalia, which includes, but is not limited to rolling papers, and other items use to inject, inhale, administer, deliver, ingest or otherwise consume a substance.

No student shall possess any counterfeit "Substance," as the term is defined under "Alcohol and Drugs," nor shall any student make, sell, offer to sell, give, package, conceal, supply, transmit, or deliver a counterfeit Substance. Possession is defined under "Alcohol and Drugs."

No student shall directly or indirectly represent a counterfeit Substance as a Substance that is prohibited by the Code of Conduct by describing, either with words or conduct, its effects as being the same or similar to the physical or mental effects associated with the use of a Substance.

No student shall directly or indirectly represent a counterfeit Substance as a Substance that is prohibited by the Code of Conduct.

a. Any Substance that bears, or whose container or label bears, a trademark, trade name or other identifying mark used without authorization of the owner or rights to such trademark, trade name, or identifying mark;

b. Any unmarked or unlabeled contraband that is represented to be a Substance prohibited by the Code of Conduct, which is manufactured, processed, packaged, or distributed;

c. Anything that is represented to be a Substance prohibited by the Code of Conduct but does not fall within the definition of a "Substance."

d. . Anything that a reasonable person would believe to be a Substance prohibited by the Code of Conduct because of its similarity in shape, size, color, markings, labeling, packaging, distribution, or the price for which it is sold or offered for sale.

A student shall not possess, transmit, or conceal a dangerous weapon, dangerous instrument, or “look-alike” counterfeit weapon or instrument. Such items include, but are not limited to, explosives, bullets, fireworks, mace, firearms, knives, BB or pellet guns or any object that can reasonably be considered a dangerous instrument. Look-alike weapons include, but are not limited to, any object a reasonable person might consider, under the circumstances, to be a weapon or dangerous instrument.

• Additionally, O.R.C. Sec. 2923.122 makes it a felony for any person to knowingly convey, attempt to convey, or possess any deadly weapon or dangerous ordinance onto or on any property owned by or controlled by, or to any activity held under the auspices of, a school. A violation may result in the student being expelled for a period of one calendar year. Violators of the Code of Conduct may be referred to civil authorities. Whenever a student is suspended, expelled, or permanently excluded from school for a Code of Conduct violation involving a firearm, knife, or other weapon, the student may lose or be denied a driver’s license.

No student shall induce panic, i.e., cause the evacuation of any school building or otherwise cause serious public inconvenience or alarm, by:

1. initiating or circulating a report or warning of an alleged or impending fire, explosion, crime, or other catastrophe, knowing that such a report or warning is false. Examples include, but are not limited to, pulling a fire alarm when you know there is no fire, making a bomb threat when you know there is no bomb, and making a fake “hit list.”
2. threatening to commit an offense of violence, as that term is defined in ORC Section 2917.31. Examples include, but are not limited to, threatening to kill, assault, kidnap, rape, or rob someone; to commit extortion; to provoke a riot; to commit arson; or to discharge a firearm at or into the school.
3. committing any offense with reckless disregard of the likelihood that its commission will cause serious public inconvenience or alarm. For purposes of this policy, reckless disregard means perversely disregarding a known risk that your conduct is likely to cause serious public inconvenience or alarm, and being heedlessly indifferent to the effects of your actions on others.

Any student who violates this rule will be subject to school discipline, in accordance with board policy and the Code of Conduct. In addition, any student who violates this rule may be referred to the authorities. Under Ohio law, any person who “induces panic” is guilty of a felony, regardless of whether anyone is hurt or the school suffers economic harm. Students may be expelled for one calendar year. See ORC Section 2917.31.

A student shall not initiate a fire alarm or initiate a report warning of a fire, bombing, bomb threat, or other catastrophe or emergency without cause, or give false information or falsely report school incidents. A violation may result in the student being expelled for a period of up to one calendar year.

A student shall not knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to any school building or school property or private property of another, including the private property of school employees on school property. Parents, guardians, or custodians shall be held financially responsible for any such property damage, by their child, pursuant to O.R.C. 3109.09, 2307.70, and any other applicable sections of law. A student could be expelled for up to one calendar year. The building administrator will determine the extent of the damage and will assign discipline.

A student shall not commit an act of extortion, threatened extortion, or threaten reprisals in order to secure an object, benefit, or service from another person.

This is the act of physically touching or hitting, throwing objects at, or making physical threats to a student or employee of the school system, or any other person, while on school property or while at a school event. This includes spitting or forcing bodily fluid onto a person. A violation may result in the student being expelled for a period of up to one calendar year.

A student shall not disrupt, attempt to disrupt, or urge others to disrupt the educational process, normal school operations, or any school or school-sponsored activity by violence, force, noise, coercion, threat, intimidation, fear, passive resistance, or other disorderly conduct.

A student shall not burn or attempt to burn any part of any building or objects therein, or any other property belonging to another person or to Pickerington Schools.

A student shall not steal or attempt to steal property. If a student finds an item that does not belong to them, they must immediately turn it in to a staff member.  A person commits a theft when they:

1. obtains or exerts unauthorized control over property of the owner (including computer software or copyrighted material); or
2. obtains by deception control over property of the owner; or
3. obtains by threat control over property of the owner; or
4. obtains control over stolen property, knowing the property to have been stolen or under circumstances as would lead them to reasonably believe that the property was stolen, and they:
   1. intends to deprive the owner of the use or benefit of the property; or
   2. knowingly uses, conceals, or abandons the property in such a manner as to deprive the owner of such use or benefit; or
   3. uses, conceals, or abandons the property, knowing such use, concealment, or abandonment probably will deprive the owner of such use or benefit.

Harassing, hazing, intimidating, bullying and/or dating violence behavior by any student/school personnel in the District is strictly prohibited, and such conduct may result in disciplinary action, including suspension and/or expulsion from school.  Harassment, hazing, intimidation, bullying and/or dating violence means any intentional written, verbal, electronic, graphic or physical acts, including electronically transmitted acts, either overt or covert, by a student or group of students toward other students or school personnel with the intent to haze, harass, intimidate, injure, threaten, ridicule or humiliate.  Such behaviors are prohibited on or immediately adjacent to school grounds, at any school-sponsored activity; in any District publication; through the use of any District-owned or operated communication tools, including but not limited to District e-mail accounts and/or computers; on school-provided transportation; or at any official school bus stop.

Hazing, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or dating violence can include many different behaviors.  Examples of conduct that could constitute prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to:

1. physical violence and/or attacks;
2. threats, taunts and intimidation through words and/or gestures;
3. extortion, damage or stealing of money and/or possessions;
4. exclusion from the peer group or spreading rumors;
5. repetitive and hostile behavior with the intent to harm others through the use of information and communication technologies and other web-based/online sites (also known as “cyber bullying), such as the following:
   1. posting slurs on web sites, social networking sites, blogs or personal online journals;
   2. sending abusive or threatening e-mails, web site postings or comments and instant messages;
   3. using camera phones to take embarrassing photographs or videos of students and/or distributing or posting the photos or videos online and
   4. using web sites, social networking sites, blogs or personal online journals, e-mails or instant messages to circulate gossip and rumors to other students.
6. excluding others from an online group by falsely reporting them for inappropriate language to internet service providers.

The possessing, taking, disseminating, transferring, or sharing of nude, obscene, pornographic, lewd, or otherwise illegal images or photographs, whether by electronic data transfers or otherwise  (commonly called texting, emailing, or sexting, etc.) may constitute a crime under state and/or federal law. Any person possessing, taking, disseminating, or sharing nude, obscene, pornographic, lewd or otherwise illegal images or photographs may be punished under this Code of Conduct and may be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Students shall not engage in inappropriate sexual misconduct on school grounds or at school sanctioned events.

A student shall not use abusive, obscene, profane, or offensive language, gestures, or signs toward another student, school employee, or adult.

Ohio law prohibits pupils from smoking and/or using and/or possessing tobacco in any area under the control of the school district or at any activity supervised by any school in that district.

Therefore, a student shall not smoke, otherwise use, possess, buy, sell, attempt to sell, distribute, or burn tobacco in any form, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, vaping devices, cigars, clove cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, and/or any other nicotine product. Students may be assumed to be smoking if any one of the following conditions exists;

1. odor of smoke present,
2. more than one person in a restroom stall,
3. or refusing to come out of the stall if asked.

A student shall not falsely represent, attempt to falsely represent, or lie concerning any information to be used by or given to school officials; use the name or identity of another person; or forge any school forms or information.

A student shall not distribute or sell any material that has not been authorized by an administrator.

A student shall not fail to comply with reasonable requests or directives of adults or school employees.

A student shall not knowingly make, sell, or offer to sell, receive, or distribute any substance that is available to purchase without a prescription.

A student shall not be in any unauthorized area of school grounds or any Pickerington Schools building without permission.

A repeated violation of any rule in the Code of Conduct is subject to additional penalties.

Refer to the attendance section of the handbook and the Pickerington Schools board policy 5200

• Tardiness to School: Refer to the attendance section of the handbook and the Pickerington Schools board policy 5200.
• Tardiness to Class: If a student arrives late to class without a pass or excuse, the student will be considered tardy to class and may be referred to the office for additional discipline.

If a student fails to attend an assigned period without an excuse, the absence will be counted as unexcused and may result in school discipline. 

Students shall have a pass from an instructor to be in the halls during class time.

Students may show only affection that is within the boundaries of good taste while at school. Students that do not show good taste will be dealt with accordingly.

Students may not gamble anywhere on school grounds.

Students are to bring to class those items identified by the instructors as needed to participate in the class or laboratory activity. This would include proper dress or uniform, books, manuals, notebook, and pencil or pen.

Students may not leave school without permission, park without the proper permit, park in designated staff, visitor and/or handicapped spaces, or improperly use an automobile to and from school and on school property, or be in violation of the parking code. Students may lose their parking privileges if these rules are broken.

Office/school phones may be used with the permission of a staff member on a case-by-case basis.

Students may not use common areas as a place for loitering or as a “student lounge.” Students shall not remain in the school or on school property after the conclusion of the school day unless under the supervision of a staff member or coach. Students shall not loiter in areas of the school building unless asked to do so by staff or assigned by their schedule. This includes restrooms, hallways, commons, and/or cafeteria. Students must exit the building no later than 30 minutes from the end of the school day. If a student fails to exit the building after a request by a staff member, they may be disciplined for insubordination. 

Students may not use any school-owned property or another student’s property without permission.

If a student fails to serve discipline, additional discipline will be issued.

A student shall not use profanity in class, halls, or on school grounds.

A student shall not violate the bus rules listed in “Bus Transportation.” All bus discipline will be reported to the transportation supervisor at Peterman Bus Company. All students may be removed from riding the bus for up to 1 year. (Refer to the Bus Transportation section)

A student shall not cheat or use unauthorized materials on tests or other schoolwork. In addition to the loss of a grade, discipline may be assigned.

A student may be removed for creating a safety hazard.

A student shall not leave school grounds without permission. A loss of privileges may result.

Students may not possess the above items, and they will be confiscated.

A student shall not be outside the building without permission.

All students must sign in when arriving after the bell or sign out before school is dismissed.

A student shall not violate the dress code.  (Refer to the Dress Code section)

All food and drink must be kept in the cafeteria during school hours, unless special permission has been granted. Students are not to litter anywhere on school grounds.

Students are responsible for leaving their area clean.

Please refer to the acceptable use board policy for personal communication devices (PCD). All electronic devices may be searched if there exists a reasonable suspicion that it may have been used in an activity prohibited by the Code of Conduct.

Students are not to possess, bring, make, transmit, conceal, sell, or offer to sell inappropriate material or items. Example: pornographic or obscene material.

A student shall not be involved in any type of inappropriate behavior, including but not limited to excessive noise and blocking/loitering in hallways, which will also include excessive noise for electronic devices and/or speakers.

DISTURBANCES: Students causing disturbances on school premises (i.e. insubordination to teachers or other school employees or possession of firecrackers, smoke bombs, etc.) or having possession of, or threatening with, any type of weapon may be suspended from school.

A student shall not participate in any activity considered by the administration to be a direct or indirect act of instigation.

Each student must take responsibility for appropriate and lawful use of this access. Please refer to the reference regarding board policy.

Care must be taken on social media to maintain an atmosphere of respect consistent with the behavior expected of students in school. Please refer to board policy.