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Student Behavior

PHS Student Behavior Rules, Protocols, Codes and Policies 

Disciplinary Action

Students who misbehave will be subject to disciplinary action. Depending on the problem, one or more of the following actions may be taken. The action taken will be in accordance with school regulations, district policies, and state law.

Counseling

A school official (teacher, campus aide, counselor or administrator) will meet with, counsel, and help support a student if they are disruptive, defiant, or exhibiting inappropriate behavior at school. Attendance regarding excessive lates to class and truancies will also be addressed.

Parent/Guardian Contact

Once a student has been counseled, warned, and directed by a school official to behave appropriately and follow school policies and expectations, and student has failed to meet this, parent/guardian will be contacted and informed of the issue with the goal to support students and better understand how best to achieve that goal at school.

Referrals

Teacher/Staff will contact the Main Office Administrative Assistant or Administrator if a student needs to be removed from class. The referral will be directed to the appropriate school official (i.e. Wellness Counselor / Counselor / Administrator) based on the student’s issue and/or need, if the student has already been counseled or not, and parent contacted or not. Students may be removed from class and have to meet with an administrator prior to returning to class. 

The Assistant Principal will handle referrals pertaining to matters that include inappropriate behavior, classroom disruption or defiance. Students report daily at lunch to our School Safety Specialist to perform lunch clean up on select days. For more serious disciplinary issues, students are assigned detention on a designated date during lunch in front of the main office. Failure to serve detention may lead to further consequences..

Conference

A formal conference is held with the student, parent and one or more school officials. During this conference, the student must work with the school and agree to correct his or her behavior. The student and parent may be asked to sign a behavior contract.

Referral to the Principal

Teachers are expected to communicate with parents/guardians on first warning as well as handle minor infractions with a student. If a student continues misbehavior, s/he should first be referred to the Assistant Principal/Wellness Counselor, and then to the Principal for disciplinary action. The principal will expect a summary of events and list of interventions and communications.

Drop  F

The student is removed from class for the remainder of the trimester with a Drop F.
 

Student Behavior Contract

The student may be placed on a Student Behavior Contract to address and improve a student’s behavior.  The Student Behavior Contract is valid for one year from the date it was signed. Students are expected to follow the terms of the contract until it expires. Violation of the contract may lead to suspension, a formal reprimand, or expulsion.

Suspension

A student is subject to suspension from school (no more than five days) for violating school policies. The student is also informed regarding the due process procedure.  A reasonable effort will be made to contact the student’s parent(s) or legal guardian by phone to notify them that their student is subject to suspension.  Written notification to the parent(s) or legal guardian must include clear instructions regarding the due process procedure.

Police Involvement/Notification

It is important to know that many offenses that result in suspensions are also against the law. Whenever a student is involved or suspected in an illegal activity, the police will be notified. Consequences for violating the law are determined by the juvenile court system and are separate from the consequences imposed by the school.

Formal Reprimand

The Formal Reprimand is a district behavioral contract that is signed by the student, parent, school administration, and district administration. The purpose of the Formal Reprimand is discussed in a meeting and provides an alternative intervention to expulsion. This intervention includes a letter of reprimand that is mailed home and is placed in the student’s file.  Violation of the Formal Reprimand may lead to an expulsion.

Administrative Transfer

The principal may decide that it is necessary to administratively transfer the student to another placement for their education. This action is usually taken under the following circumstances: the student has had chronic discipline issues at the school, there is a safety issue, or the student has committed a serious offense that warrants such a transfer in lieu of expulsion.
 

Transfer to Alternative Education Programs

The parents and administration may concur on a voluntary transfer to one of our alternative education programs.  Enrollment at Peninsula High School is required through the duration of any school year. Under the right circumstances, parents and students may elect to return to their comprehensive site beyond the school year.  A proposed involuntary transfer notice may be sent to the parent/guardian to initiate the transfer to Peninsula High School.  Students enrolled in this program have been placed there as determined by the comprehensive site’s principal and counselor, or the Director of Student Services based on their ineligibility to achieve a high school diploma based on credits in their current setting. Parents/students have an opportunity to appeal per District Policy.

Expulsion

  • The principal or his/her designee shall inform the student that he or she may be recommended for expulsion and is informed of his/her due process rights.

  • Telephone and letter that the student may be recommended for expulsion and notify the student’s parent/legal guardian.

  • The principal conducts an incident review hearing with the parent/guardian, student and appropriate district administrative staff to determine if the incident/situation warrants expulsion.

  • The Superintendent or his designee will recommend to the Board of Trustees that the student be expelled.

  • The expulsion does not become effective until the due process procedure has been completed.  

Board Policy 5131 Student Conduct

All students have the right to be educated in a positive learning environment free from disruptions.  Students shall be expected to exhibit appropriate conduct that does not infringe upon the rights of others or interfere with the school program while on school grounds, while going to or coming from school, while at school activities, and while on district transportation. Prohibited student conduct includes, but is not limited to conduct that endangers students, staff, or others; disrupts the orderly classroom or school environment; harassment or bullying of students or staff, including, but not limited to, cyber bullying, intimidation, hazing or initiation activity, extortion, or any other verbal, written, or physical conduct that causes or threatens to cause violence, bodily harm, or substantial disruption, in accordance with the section entitled “Bullying/Cyber bullying”; possession or use of a laser pointer, unless used for a valid instructional or other school-related purpose; use of profane, vulgar, or abusive language; plagiarism or dishonesty on school work or tests; inappropriate attire; tardiness or unexcused absences from school; failure to remain on school premises in accordance with school rules; possession, use, or being under the influence of tobacco, alcohol, or other prohibited drugs. Students who violate school rules and regulations may be subject to discipline including, but not limited to, suspension, expulsion, transfer to alternative programs, or denial of the privilege of participation in extracurricular or co-curricular activities.

Students at PHS are subject to all the rules and regulations of the San Mateo Union High School District and the California Education Code. Students and their parents are required to familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations that govern their conduct both on campus and off campus school events.

Our school rules are based on the responsibilities assigned to us by the State Education Code. Students are expected to follow school rules to/from school, at school and school events. In all California schools, students must respond to the authority of all school personnel and follow their directions. In cases where there is reasonable suspicion to believe students are carrying illegal material on their person, in their school lockers or in their vehicles, a search by school authorities is legally permissible.