Conduct and Discipline:

The discipline policy of the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) complies with the California Education Code, Title V of the California Administrative Code, and the California Penal Code (Copies will be available upon request from the Associate Superintendent - Educational Services)
Academic and disciplinary concerns should first be directed to your teacher.  Teachers may be e-mailed or telephoned to make appointments.  Please do not interrupt their teaching time or TEAM time.
Grade level counselors are available to assist parents/guardians and students in all aspects of school life and should be contacted whenever there is a question regarding adjustment to school, student/teacher relationship, or peer interaction.  They are also available to discuss course offerings and academic programs.  They set up Student Study Teams and confer with other staff.
Administrators are available to students and families for any questions.  Administrators usually assign consequences for infractions of the school rules.  Consequences which may be assigned for failing to meet school or district expectations include parent conferences, counseling, restriction of privileges, community/school service, detention, loss of next dance/party, suspension, Saturday School, referral to district committee, and/or referral to the police.  Written documentation of disciplinary actions will be provided to parents/guardians.  Students shall have the opportunity to respond to any accusations made about them.  All information regarding counseling and discipline is kept strictly confidential.
At the end of the school year, each grade level may take a recreational class trip that is intended to celebrate their year of work. Staff has established guidelines for student behavior that will determine eligibility for attending these trips.  Beginning, March 29, 2010 a student will not be able to attend a grade level end-of the-year field trip if he/she:

OR

Expectations & Consequences
Our approach to student discipline is intended to maintain safety, promote common values, protect the learning environment, and encourage students to learn from their mistakes.  While we have many school rules, they all support the shared values of SAFETY, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY.  If students act safely, respectfully, and responsibly, they will be following our expectations for behavior at school. With regard to disciplinary consequences, our primary goal is to maintain a safe environment and ensure that students learn from their mistakes.  Consequences will depend upon the severity of the misbehavior, previous behavior and interventions, and the circumstances surrounding an incident. Generally, Jordan staff apply the principle of progressive discipline in which disciplinary consequences escalate with repeated incidents. However, if the initial incident is dangerous or a serious breach of expectations, the initial consequence will be significant (i.e. suspension and/or expulsion).
Students are informed of school discipline policies through classroom visits by counselors and/or administrators at the beginning of the school year. In addition, this information is contained in the Jordan Handbook, Binder Reminder, and Teachers’ Handbook.  These visits and the written information constitute formal notice about the school expectations for behavior.