A commitment to provide all students with the necessary skills to thrive as 21st century learners, workers, and citizens.
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
2512 George Mason Drive
P.O. Box 6038
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456-0038
757.263.1000 757.263.1240 TDD

Policies and Regulations

School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Policy 5-34


STUDENTS

Student Conduct

  1. Generally


    Virginia Beach City Public Schools is committed to providing a school environment that is safe, conducive to teaching and learning, and free from unnecessary disruption. It is the policy of the School Board that the discipline and control of students shall be the responsibility of the teachers, staff, and principals of the respective schools. The supervision and control of students should be maintained during the entire period of time that they are in school, during school or school sponsored activities, on the school grounds before and after school, and on the way to and from school, including school bus stops, and while on school buses.

  2. Code of Student Conduct


    To ensure an optimum learning environment the Superintendent, or designee, will develop a Code of Student Conduct that is consistent with School Board Policies and Regulations that serves as a guideline for parents, students, and staff. The Code of Student Conduct will outline major categories of behavior and list disciplinary actions that may occur as a result of student misconduct. Regulations for passengers riding school buses will be included in the Code of Student Conduct. Each student will receive a copy of the Code of Student Conduct during the first week of the school year. Each student and a parent or legal guardian shall date and sign an acknowledgement of receipt of the Code of Student Conduct.

  3. Discipline Guidelines


    The Superintendent, or designee, will develop Discipline Guidelines to be used by teachers and administrators in enforcing the Code of Student Conduct. The guidelines will be based on limits established by Federal and/or State laws and regulations and consistent with School Board policies, and school division regulations related to student discipline. The Discipline Guidelines will provide school administrators with a comprehensive description of discipline offenses, clear definitions of the criteria for discipline offense categories, specific levels of disciplinary action based on objective criteria, and a range of disciplinary actions for specific offenses.


    The levels of disciplinary action will provide teachers and administrators with a range of options that will provide consistency across the school division in dealing with individual students who exhibit inappropriate behavior. The guidelines will be progressive in nature; that is, the level of disciplinary action increases as the number of similar incidents increases.


    Principals may deviate from the established levels of disciplinary action only if there is appropriate justification. The reasons justifying the action must be specified in writing to the Director, Office of Student Leadership.

  4. Conduct on School Buses


    Students are under the authority of the bus driver while on the bus. The driver is to control student conduct and report behavior problems to the principal or his designee. The principal shall be responsible for all disciplinary action.


    Failure on the part of any student to follow the rules and regulations dealing with school bus operation may result in termination of privilege to ride the school bus in addition to other appropriate disciplinary measures.

Editor's Notes :

See Also:
School Board Policy 5-35 Discipline and Corporal/Academic/Group Punishment/Detention.
School Board Policy 5-36 Conduct Invoking Punitive Action.
School Board Policy 5-37 Reporting Data About School Violence and Crime.
School Board Regulation 5-36.8: Possession /Use of Cellular Telephone,
Beeper and Other Portable Communication Devices

Legal Reference:

Code of Va., § 22.1-253.13:7 Standard 7. School Board Policies

Code of Va., § 22.1-78. Bylaws and Regulations.

Virginia Board of Education Regulations, Establishing Standards for Accrediting Schools in Virginia, 8VAC 20-131-210 B.

Adopted by School Board: October 21, 1969
Amended by School Board: February 16, 1971
Amended by School Board: August 21, 1990
Amended by School Board: July 16, 1991
Amended by School Board: June 15, 1993 (Effective August 14, 1993)
Amended by School Board: May 19, 1998
Amended by School Board: July 17, 2001
Amended by School Board: August 5, 2003
Amended by School Board: April 4, 2006