Student Conduct

The Structured Day Program (SDP) is designed to serve students who committed major discipline infractions or are habitual violators of school rules and policies. SDP staff on site are as follows: director, administrative assistant, certified teachers, teacher assis­tant, security officers, and counselors.

The SDP provides an array of comprehensive programming designed to meet the needs of third through twelfth grade students who have been deemed by the administra­tive and counseling staffs and/ or the District Discipline Committee to have participated in an infraction to be major enough to be assigned to the discipline alternative program. Students who are habitual offenders of school rules and policies may also be assigned to SOP.

Instructional staff are appropriately licensed by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) and adhere to the Mississippi Curriculum Framework for students in grades 3-12. Instructional staff will also follow federal guidelines, as pertaining to work with students who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Consistent with regular school procedure, instructional staff will evaluate each student's academic progress by class work, quizzes, tests and participation. Interim reports and report cards are sent to the parent(s)/guardian(s) as designated by the TPSD calendar. These reports address attendance, academic performance, program participation, be­havior and feedback from staff. Standardized tests are provided and required all stu­dents participating in the SDP. Upon successful completion of SOP, students' grades and attendance are transferred back to their home school with a recommendation from SDP staff about promotion/retention. Although the SDP desires to extend an opportunity for participation to all of it students within the targeted population previously indicated, there is an ideal program capacity for students from grades three through twelve. As such, the following categories are ap­propriate for referral:

• Students committing a non-negotiable infraction at his/her home school

• Students deemed by a Functional Behavioral Plan as being a habitual offender of school rules and policies, both minor and major

• Special education students deemed by an Individualized Educational Plan to be best served

 

The Director will work closely with administrators and counselors in the assignment of students to the SDP.

 

Behavior Consequences:

As much as possible, student misbehavior is initially handled by warning and counseling the student in a manner that is educational and positive. Other options such as suspen­sion, restraint, or other restrictions may be used. SDP promotes and adheres to adopted discipline policies, procedures and practices.

While students are assigned to the SDP, they are not allowed on any TPSD school campus and may not attend any events at any TPSD school.

Students assigned to the Structured Day Program lose senior privileges. Students are not allowed to leave school early. No SDP student assigned for behavior is allowed to drive to school.

The Director of SDP will work with administrators and counselors to develop a transition plan for each student who earns the opportunity to return to his/her home school. The plan will include an identified liaison at the home school to monitor the student's pro­ gress. Another critical component of the plan shall include a "safety-net" for each stu­ dent.

SDP staff shall confiscate potentially dangerous items, obvious weapons and other con­ traband and report them to the Director and Safety Officer.

Confiscated weapons or contraband shall not be returned to the student or his/her par­ents/guardian. Searches are done for the following reasons:

• To prevent the introduction of weapons or other dangerous contraband into the facility

• To detect the manufacture of weapons, devices with the facility

• To discover and suppress trafficking between students

• To check malicious waste or destruction of facility property

• Too discover hazards to health or safety that may go unnoticed during routine inspections

Contraband- Any item that can be used as a weapon or fabricated into a weapon or used for the purpose of self-harm or to cause harm to others. This includes, but is not limited to, matches, alcohol, drugs, or any item that has not been specifically authorized by the program or District policy to be on the premises or within the facility.

 

Frisk Search- A frisk search is conducted by law enforcement when the need arises. Law enforcement determines the necessity to conduct such a search. After a frisk search, the Director shall file a written report only if contraband was uncovered, describ­ ing the scope of the search, the results, and a list of any contraband.

 

General Area Search- A search of all areas of the facility, internal and external. This would include regular searches of all areas of the facility, including student's posses­ sions, all rooms, desks, books, and other areas deemed necessary by the Director or Safety Officers, in order to uncover contraband and prevent incidents from occurring. After a general area search, the Director shall file a written report describing the scope of the search, the results, and a list of any contraband.

 

Disposition of Contraband:

 

All contraband confiscated during searches shall be turned over to the Director and/or Safety Officers. Two persons shall witness the transfer of contraband and a chain of evi­ dence record shall be established. A report must be written describing the contraband and when and where it was found. This report shall be given to the Director, who will sign and date the report and file it, along with the contraband items. The Director or Safety Officer will contact law enforcement, who will decide whether to either dispose of the contraband or forward it to the proper authority for appropriate action. SDP staff shall document any incidents of students in possession of contraband.