Manasquan Elementary School Code of Conduct (2024-25)

Student Rights

Students have the right to:

1. a quality education
2. be recognized as an individual with unique needs, aspirations, and competencies
3. attend Manasquan Elementary School without fear or abuse
4. expect fair and equitable treatment by staff and peers
5. confidentiality regarding student records as per federal and state laws
6. due process appeal procedures and policies
7. parent notification consistent with the policies and procedures.
8. advance notice of behaviors that result in suspensions and expulsions that have been identified pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:37–2
9. education that supports students' development into productive citizens
10. attendance in safe and secure school environments
11. attendance at school irrespective of students' marriage, pregnancy, or parenthood
12. due process appeal procedures and policies, pursuant to 6A:3–1.3 through 1.17; N.J.A.C. 6A:4; and, where applicable, 6A:14–2.7 and 2.8, and 6A:16–7.2 through 7.5
13. parent notification consistent with the policies and procedures established pursuant to 6A:16–6.2(b)3, this section, and 6A:16–7.2 through 7.8
14. protections pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; 34 CFR 99, Family Educational Rights and Privacy; 20 U.S.C. § 1232h, Protection of Pupil Rights; 34 CFR Part 98, Student Rights in Research, Experimental Programs, and Testing; P.L. 104–191, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; 45 CFR 160, General Administrative Requirements; 20 U.S.C. § 7165, Transfer of school disciplinary records; 42 CFR Part 2, Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records; 18A:40A–7.1, Confidentiality of certain information provided by pupils, exceptions; 6A:16–3.2, Confidentiality of student alcohol and other drug information; 18A:36–19, Pupil records, creation, maintenance and retention, security and access, regulations, nonliability; 2A:4A–60, Disclosure of juvenile information, penalties for disclosure; N.J.A.C. 6A:32–7, Student Records; 6A:14–2.9, Student records; as well as other existing Federal and State laws and rules pertaining to student protections.

Student Responsibilities

You have a responsibility to gain full measure of benefit from your education experience. You have a responsibility to perform your best academically, arrive to school and classes on time, and be in attendance daily You have a responsibility for your own actions and a responsibility for accepting appropriate consequences in a gracious fashion. You have the responsibility to display kindness and consideration to all staff and peers.

Code of Pupil Conduct

The school is a community and the rule and regulations of a school are the laws of that community. The following rules and regulations are designed to protect all members of the educational community in the exercise of their rights and responsibilities, and to best insure the maintenance of a proper learning environment. The Code of Pupil Conduct supports the establishment and maintenance of civil, safe, supportive, and a disciplined school environment conducive to learning.

Students who demonstrate good conduct and academic success are integral to a positive learning environment and school culture. Those students who embody the Six Pillars of Character will serve as leaders and examples in our school community.

The Code of Pupil Conduct for Manasquan Elementary School is based on the following core ethical values:

Pillars of Character

1. Respect
2. Responsibility
3. Trustworthiness
4. Caring
5. Fairness
6. Citizenship

The following behaviors are considered unacceptable and will not be tolerated:

1. Any behavior involving intimidation, harassment, or bullying.
2. Obscene, vulgar, immoral/indecent language (including racial and ethnic remarks), writing, gestures, signs or acts.
3. Any bias incident regarding race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, or disability.
4. Malicious destruction, damage or defacing of school property and equipment including textbooks.
5. Lack of respect for school personnel, other adults, and classmates.
6. Violation of safety rules and regulations in school and outside of school at extra–curricular activities.
7. Dressing inappropriately.
8. Enter school premises or any specific portion of the premises without permission and without authority.
9. Physical assault on another student or staff member. (N.J.A.C. 6A:16–5.7)
10. Possession or use of weapons or any implement intended to harm others. (N.J.A.C. 6A:16–5.5)
11. Any act of theft of property of other students, staff member, or the district.
12. Acts so recklessly as to endanger the safety of others.
13. Cheat or otherwise engage in academic dishonesty.
14. Smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages and/or the use of any illegal substance.
15. Sound or cause to be sounded a false alarm for fire, bomb, or other condition or circumstances hazardous to others.

Since discipline is the key to good conduct and proper consideration for other people, violation of the Code of Pupil Conduct will result in appropriate disciplinary action according to the school’s Discipline Policy. In addition to the counseling and support services provided to our families by the Manasquan School District, www.monmouthresourcenet.org provides a variety of community–based health and social service provider agencies available to support our students’ and family needs.

Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) 

The Board of Education prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying of a pupil, and expectations and consequences are consistent with board of education policy 5512. This is pursuant to N.J.A.C 6A:16-7.7. A safe and civil environment in school is necessary for pupils to learn and achieve high academic standards. Pupils are expected to behave in a way that creates a supportive learning environment and is consistent with the Code of Pupil Conduct. School procedures are in place to ensure that both appropriate consequences and remedial responses are implemented for pupils who commit one or more acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying. An Anti–Bullying Specialist for the school, a School Safety Team, and a District Anti–Bullying Coordinator are in place to ensure that incidents of harassment, intimidation, or bullying are completely investigated, properly addressed, and clearly reported. The Anti–Bullying Specialist serves as the Chairperson of the School Safety Team. The School Safety Team’s primary responsibility is to review and strengthen the policies and procedures of the school to prevent and address harassment, intimidation, and bullying of students and to further develop, foster, and maintain a positive and respectful school climate. At Manasquan Elementary School, we firmly believe that bullying is a serious problem and students who have been bullied need help from the educational community to stop those who continuously harass, intimidate, or bully. Our goal is to ensure that students feel safe and know that there is help available in their school to deal with bullying adequately and effectively should they become a victim.

• PreK – 8 Anti–Bullying Specialist: Mrs. Leigh Busco
• District Anti–Bullying Coordinator: Mr. Craig Murin

Affirmative Action

The Manasquan Board of Education hereby reaffirms its policy to ensure equal opportunity for all persons/students and to prohibit discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, sex, ancestry, national origin, or socioeconomic status. Policy confirms compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. An intensive affirmative action program shall be an integral part of every aspect of student life, not limited to, but including student participation in the classroom, grading, extra–curricular activities, sports, honors, course selections, and guidance services. Neither harassment nor favoritism shall be permitted in any of the above.

Students shall be protected from all types of needless labeling. Any use of stereotype identifications will be construed by the Board of Education as discrimination and will be ordered by the Chief School Administrator to cease. If any student, or parent, feels that they have been discriminated against, please follow the grievance procedure.

An Affirmative Action Officer is appointed by the district.

District Affirmative Action Officer: Mr. Donald Bramley

Mr. Bramley is located at Manasquan High School, 732–528–8820 x 1020, dbramley@manasquan.k12.nj.us.

Affirmative Action Grievance Procedure

In keeping with federal/state antidiscrimination legislation, the Board of Education has adopted and hereby publishes the Grievance Procedure provided for the resolution of student, employee, and parent complaints.

Purpose

To provide students, employees, and parents a procedure by which they can seek a remedy for alleged violations related to discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, sex, ancestry, national origin, or socioeconomic status.

Definition

• Grievance: A formal written complaint
• Grievant: Any student, employee, or parent aggrieved by a decision or condition falling under the guidelines of federal and/or state anti–discrimination laws.
• Affirmative Action Officer: The district employee designated to coordinate efforts with antidiscrimination legislation and charged with the responsibility of investigating complaints. 

Procedure

• Step 1: The grievant must present the complaint in written form to the responsible person designated as the Affirmative Action Officer. (Use Grievance Report – Form A) 
• Step 2: The Affirmative Action Officer has five working days in which to investigate and respond to the grievant. (Affirmative Action Officer is to use the space provided on Grievance Report – Form A) 
• Step 3: If not satisfied, the grievant may appeal within ten working days to the Superintendent or designee (not Affirmative Action Officer). (Use Appeal – Form B) 
• Step 4: Response by the Superintendent or designee must be given within five working days. (Superintendent to use space provided for on Appeal – Form B)
• Step 5: If the grievant is not satisfied at this level, an appeal may be made within ten working days to the Board of Education which will hear the complaint at the next regular meeting or within thirty calendar days. (Use Appeal – Form C) Local Board hearing shall be conducted to accord due process to all parties involved in the complaint such as written notice of hearing dates, right to counsel, right to present witnesses, right to cross–examine and to present written statement. The decision of the Board shall be by a majority of the members at a meeting which shall be public.
• Step 6: The Manasquan Board of Education shall respond to the grievant within thirty calendar days. (Use space provided for an Appeal – Form C)
• Step 7: If the grievant is not satisfied with Board's decision, the grievant can have it referred to the Monmouth County Superintendent of Schools.
• Step 8: The grievant maintains the right to by–pass the grievance procedure and submit the complaint directly to any or all of the following agencies:
  1. The Commissioner of Education
     Bureau of Controversies and Disputes
     New Jersey Department of Education
     PO Box 500
     Trenton, New Jersey 08625
     Phone: (609) 292–5706
  2. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
     Newark District Office
     1 Newark Center, 21st Floor
     Newark, New Jersey 07102
     Phone: (973) 645–6383 or (800) 669–4000
  3. U.S. Office for Civil Rights
     U.S. Department of Education
     75 Park Place, 14th Floor
     New York, New York 10007
     Phone: (212) 264–3313 or (212) 637–6330
  4. New Jersey Division on Civil Rights
     31 Clinton Street, 3rd Floor Newark
     New Jersey 07102
     Phone: (973) 648–2700

Discipline Policy

Philosophy

The Board of Education believes that an effective instructional program requires an orderly school environment and that the effectiveness of the educational program is, in part, reflected in the behavior of pupils. The Board believes that the best discipline is self–imposed and that pupils should learn to assume responsibility for their own behavior and the consequences of their actions. Board policy requires each pupil of this district to adhere to the rules and regulations established by the administration and to submit to such disciplinary measures as are appropriately assigned for infraction of those rules. Furthermore, such rules and regulations are in place to ensure that the school operates in a manner that will provide for the welfare and safety of all students who attend.

To ensure that all students obtain the best education possible in a positive social climate, it is important that students understand that acceptable standards of behavior are expected at all times. Most importantly, Manasquan Elementary School students are expected to be respectful, kind, and courteous at all times. Each student should conduct himself/herself in an orderly manner within the entire building, on the playground, at all extra–curricular activities, assembly programs, and on field trips. Any act of harassment, intimidation, or bullying will not be tolerated. Disciplinary actions will be administered when an individual’s actions interfere with the rights of teachers to teach and the rights of students to learn. Students who violate established school rules and do not adhere to the Code of Pupil Conduct shall be referred to the Principal and/or the Discipline Committee. Appropriate disciplinary measures will then be imposed on an individual basis. The Discipline Policy presents a fair, firm, and orderly process for handling individual and repeated infractions of school rules and regulations. Specific judgments regarding consequences will be based on Board Policy, severity, frequency, and the number of prior behavioral infractions committed during the school year. 

School Behavioral Goals

Manasquan Elementary School maintains the following behavioral goals:

1. to educate children academically, socially, and emotionally;
2. to create a safe, positive learning environment; and
3. to teach good citizenship skills. 

Our school’s overall behavioral objective is to foster a school–wide atmosphere of mutual respect. To successfully achieve these goals, the following guidelines for student behavior will be implemented.

Attendance and Tardies

Manasquan Elementary School believes that attendance is critical to student success in all aspects of education. Expectations and consequences for issues with attendance will be consistent with district policy 5200 for attendance and district policy 5240 for tardiness. This is pursuant to N.J.A.C 6A:16-7.6.

Disciplinary Measures

Teachers will first attempt to contact parents when the behavior of a pupil creates a situation where the education of the child and those around him or her is disrupted. Teachers are responsible for handling minor infractions including, but not limited to, incomplete assignments, unprepared/forgotten materials, lateness to class, gum chewing, excessive talking/calling out in class, failure to return paperwork requiring a parent signature, and other common classroom situations.

Minor Infractions

• First Offense: Verbal Warning from Teacher
• Second Offense: Verbal Warning and Teacher Conference with Student
• Third Offense: Teacher Detention and Parent Notification

Teacher Detention

Teacher detention may be assigned for disciplinary reasons or to complete missed work. For grades 1–2, detention with the classroom teacher may be assigned from 3:00 – 3:10 p.m. For grades 3–8, teachers may keep a student after school anytime up until 3:30 p.m. In all grade levels, a teacher may also have the option of keeping a student in for lunch/playground detention. In all cases of teacher detention, a parent must be notified by the teacher of the student’s infraction with either a phone call or in writing. Parents must be notified with a phone call prior to the end of the school day regarding any student being kept after school. If a parent cannot be contacted, the student will be detained the following school day. In addition, please note that attendance at extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, etc.) are not acceptable reasons for missing teacher detention. An unexcused absence at a teacher–assigned detention will result in a formal disciplinary referral.

When the teacher has exhausted the usual means to ensure control and has followed the sequence of responses to minor infractions as listed above, the situation shall then result in a formal referral to the Administration should the inappropriate behavior(s) continue. Habitual problems or those of such a nature that disrupt the educational process will not be tolerated.

Central Detention

Central Detention (CD) may only be assigned by the Principal for students in grades 3–8. Parents will be notified from the office of their child’s Central Detention obligation by the Principal or by the student. CD will be assigned for the following day after the referral to allow for written notification. Student Central Detention is served from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. in a designated area with a CD Proctor who is a certified teacher. Any student who misses CD without a note from the parent explaining a legitimate reason (i.e., doctor’s appointment or religious obligation), will be assigned three (3) additional days of CD. Please note that attendance at extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, etc.) are not acceptable reasons for missing Central Detention.

Special Education Students

Classified students are subject to the same school disciplinary procedures and may be disciplined in accordance with their Individual Education Plan (I.E.P.) in consultation with the Child Study Team. However, before disciplining a classified student, it must be determined that (1) the student’s behavior is not primarily caused by his/her educational handicap; and (2) the program that is being provided meets the student’s needs. The administration and staff shall comply with the Manasquan Board of Education’s physical restraint and seclusion policy and regulation #5561 (Use of Physical Restraint and Seclusion Techniques for Students with Disabilities) and of the New Jersey statutes N.J.S.A. 18A:46–13.4 et seq. when dealing with an emergency in which a student is exhibiting behavior that places the student or others in immediate physical danger. This is in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A 18A:46-13.4 et seq. For students with disabilities, the behavior interventions and supports shall be determined and provided by N.J.A.C 6A:14.

Discipline Expectations and Progressive Discipline

Students should fully understand that any teacher or paraprofessional in the building has the authority to correct misconduct at any time and submit formal disciplinary referrals to the Administration. Disciplinary measures by Administration may include any combination of the following: lunch/recess detention, Central Detention (CD), Parental Conferences, ineligibility to participate in extra–curricular activities and/or school sponsored events, referral to the Child Study Team, and/or the possibility of in–school or out–of–school suspensions.

Consequences are determined on a case–by–case basis utilizing a progressive discipline approach. This means that behavioral issues will be monitored, and consequences will be more severe with repeated infractions. In all circumstances, the individual needs of the student and the details of the infraction will be considered when determining an appropriate consequence.

Behavioral Supports

Students will be provided with comprehensive behavioral supports that promote positive student development and the students’ abilities to fulfill the behavioral expectations established by the district board of education. These supports may include: positive reinforcements for good conduct and academic success; supportive interventions and referral services; and remediation of problem behavior that takes into account the behavior’s nature, students’ developmental ages, and students’ histories of problem behaviors and performance.

Disciplinary Actions

Listed below are examples of unacceptable behaviors that will justify formal Disciplinary Referrals to the Principal. Please note this list is not exhaustive and is provided as a frame of reference. Such behaviors will then be subject to disciplinary actions by Administration. Students should fully understand that any teacher or paraprofessional in the building has the authority to correct misconduct at any time and submit formal disciplinary referrals to the Administration. Disciplinary measures by Administration may include any combination of the following: lunch/recess detention, Central Detention (CD), Parental Conferences, ineligibility to participate in extra–curricular activities and/or school sponsored events, Discipline Committee Conferences, referral to the Child Study Team, assignment of a work–related task to emphasize the importance of civic responsibility, and/or the possibility of in–school or out–of–school suspensions (as further clarified under “Suspensions and Expulsions”).

Level 1 Infractions

Level 2 Infractions

Level 3 Infractions

Level 4 Infractions

Participation in Extra–Curricular Activities

Students demonstrating habitual disciplinary problems may lose their extra–curricular privileges. This policy is in effect for all extra–curricular activities including, but not limited to, athletics, clubs, class trips, dances, plays, concerts, and graduation exercises. Habitual disciplinary problems may result in the consequences below:

• Three disciplinary referrals during a marking period – minimum loss of privileges for one week
• Five disciplinary referrals during a marking period – minimum loss of privileges for two weeks
• Eight accumulated referrals during the school year – loss of privileges for the remainder of the school year
• After any disciplinary referral, upon discretion of the Administration, depending upon the severity of the infraction.

Suspension and Expulsion

The Board of Education realizes exclusion from the educational program of the schools, by suspension or expulsion, is the most severe sanction to be imposed on a student and one that cannot be imposed without due process, since exclusion deprives a child of the right to an education in our district.

For the purposes of this policy, “suspension” shall be temporary exclusion, by the school Principal, of a student from his/her regular school program. Such suspension may take place within (in–school suspension) or outside school facilities. A “short–term suspension” shall be a suspension of not more than five school days. 

“Expulsion” is permanent exclusion of a student from the schools of this district. No student below the age of sixteen should be expelled from school without provision for an alternate educational program.

No student otherwise eligible for attendance at schools of this district shall be excluded from school unless he/she has interfered, materially and substantially, with the maintenance of good order in the schools or because it is necessary to protect the student’s physical or emotional safety and well–being.

A student may be suspended by the building Principal, who shall report such action to the Superintendent as soon as possible; the Superintendent shall report the action to the Board of Education at its next regular meeting. The suspended student may be reinstated by the Principal within five days of the suspension, by the Superintendent at any time before the second meeting of the Board following such suspension, or the Board at their first such meeting. At its second regular meeting after the suspension and thereafter, the Board alone may reinstate, continue the suspension of, or expel the student.

No student shall be deprived of the right to an education in the public schools of this district without being given notice of the charges and an opportunity to be heard on his/her behalf before the person or body holding authority to reinstate him/her. Each student shall be afforded an informal hearing before the suspension or, if circumstances prohibit, as soon as possible after the suspension within one day thereafter (except that when extraordinary circumstances involving the health and safety of the student or others in the school require immediate exclusion, the hearing may be delayed to such time as circumstances permit).

Students suspended for a period of time longer than a “short–term” suspension shall be afforded a formal hearing which shall take place not later than twenty–one days after the suspension occurred. The Board requires each such hearing shall be closed to the public (but the hearing may be publicly held should all parties thereto agree).

Each suspended student who has requested a formal hearing shall be restored to a regular educational program pending outcome of the hearing except when, in the opinion of the Superintendent, the presence of the student in school poses such a danger to himself or others as to warrant continued absence.

The Board of Education, consistent with the provisions of N.J.A.C. 6A:16–7 and  Board of Education Policy/Regulation #5610 (Suspensions) requires the oral or written notification to the student’s parent/guardian of the student’s removal from the student’s educational program prior to the end of the school day on which the Principal decides to suspend the student.

Students referred to the Principal for infractions including, but not limited to, the following are subject to suspension/expulsion:

1. fighting on school grounds
2. continuous willful disobedience and/or open defiance toward staff members
3. physical assault on another person
4. physical assault on another person with a weapon (Manasquan Board of Education Policy #5613)
5. willfully causing or attempting to cause damage (i.e. cut/deface/otherwise injure) to School property
6. taking personal/school property from another person by force or fear
7. smoking or chewing tobacco in school or on school grounds
8. habitual use of profanity/obscene language
9. use of profanity/obscenity toward any staff member
10. verbal assault/threat toward any staff member
11. unauthorized assembly/occupancy and failure to disperse when directed to do so by the principal or others in authority
12. incitement which could possibly disrupt normal school functioning or causes violent behavior and/or truancy by students
13. continuous and deliberate class disruption
14. conduct of such character as to constitute a continuing danger to the physical well–being of other students
15. possession and/or use of drugs, alcohol, and/or other controlled dangerous substance
16. causing false alarm(s)
17. stealing
18. physical assault upon a board member or employee (Manasquan Board of Education Policy #5612).
19. lewd/obscene exposure
20. possession of a weapon(s) and/or item(s) which may present a danger to others (Manasquan Board of Education Policy #5611)

Teaching staff members shall not use physical force or the threat of physical force to maintain discipline or compel obedience except as permitted by law (exceptions as allowed in N.J.S.A. 18A:6–1) but may remove pupils from the classroom or school by the lawful procedures established for the suspension and expulsion of pupils. Any pupil who commits assault upon a teacher, administrator, board member, other employee of a school board, or another student, with a weapon, on any school property, on a school bus, or at a school–sponsored function shall be immediately removed from the school’s regular education program pending a hearing before the local board of education. A student who is removed from the regular education program pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:37–2.2 must be placed in an alternative education program. If an alternative education program is not available, the student must be provided home instruction or other suitable facilities and programs until placement is possible.

The Administration reserves the right to deny any student the privilege of participation in extra– curricular activities including (but not limited to) clubs, athletic events, social activities, and class trips if the student has been suspended from school (2) or more times during the school year for disciplinary reasons as indicated:

• Second suspension: loss of participation/privileges for 30 days 
• Third suspension: loss of participation/privileges for the remainder of the school year (This includes the Eighth Grade Graduation Ceremony, Eighth Grade Breakfast, and the Graduation Dance.) 

Rules and regulations regarding suspensions shall be in effect at all times a student is under authority of the school. This includes (but is not limited to) the regular school day, field trips, athletic events, social events such as dances/plays, etc., in, on, and/or off Board of Education property.

Rules governing suspensions:

1. Suspension begins at the end of the school day in which the infraction was committed and extends to the beginning of the school day the student is scheduled to return.
2. Making up class assignments missed during suspension is the responsibility of the student. Work must be made up and submitted upon the day of the student’s return to school to receive credit.
3. For a student to be re–admitted, a parent/guardian must accompany that student upon return to school.
4. Suspended students may not be on school grounds during the period of suspension.
5. Students under suspension may not take part in or attend any school–sponsored activity in, on, or off school property.
6. The Principal or designee will notify the parent/guardian of the suspension by both phone call and registered letter.
7. Failure to abide by the rules governing suspension may result in
   • Additional suspension period
   • Police action
   • Expulsion
8. Additional offenses or actions of extreme severity, dangerous to the well–being of other students or interfering with orderly functioning of the school will result in recommendations to the Board for expulsion and/or filing of appropriate complaints or juvenile petition. 

Considerations

1. These rules and regulations shall be in affect at all times a student is under authority of the school. This includes (but is not limited to) the regular school day, field trips, athletic events, social events such as dances, plays, etc., in on, and/or off Board of Education property.
2. When a student is suspended, the parent must be notified in writing.
3. Students under suspension are ineligible to participate in all extra–curricular activities during the period of the administrative action.
4. Continued disciplinary infractions may result in suspension or exclusion from participating in extra–curricular activities including athletics, clubs, dances, and the graduation ceremony.