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BREADCRUMB

Responsibilities for a Safe and Orderly School Environment

Educational Team Responsibilities

The Henry County School Board, superintendent, principals, teachers, and other staff have a responsibility to enforce student conduct standards.  All school personnel work together to ensure the rights of each student. The educational team is responsible for providing a safe and orderly learning environment and an atmosphere of mutual respect. Teachers address student discipline through their system of classroom management; however, teachers will refer a student to an administrator when the student’s misconduct warrants consequences or interventions beyond what the teacher can provide in the classroom. Henry County Public School division abides by regulation § 22.1­276.2 of the ​Code of Virginia​, which supports the initial authority of teachers to remove a student from class for disruptive behavior. The administrator or designee is responsible for addressing the student’s behavior after the teacher referral. The educational team will maintain open and proactive communication with parents. The administrator may report to the local law enforcement agency any act that constitutes a criminal offense, and the administrator is required to report certain, severe acts to law enforcement.  School employees are “Mandated Reporters,” which legally requires them to report any suspected or confirmed abuse or neglect of children to the appropriate authorities. These authorities include, but are not limited to, the Henry County/Martinsville Department of Social Services and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.

Parent/Legal Guardian Responsibilities

Section 22.1­279.3 of the Code of Virginia sets forth parental responsibility and involvement requirements “in order that education may be conducted in an atmosphere free of disruption and threat to persons or property, and supportive of individual rights.” In compliance with the regulation, each parent/legal guardian of a student enrolled in Henry County Schools has a duty to assist the school in enforcing the standards of student conduct and attendance.  Students are to be enrolled in the school zone of the child’s residence. Upon registration, a parent/legal guardian will provide: (1) a sworn statement of affirmation indicating whether the student has been expelled from school attendance of a private or public school division for an offense in violation of school board policies relating to weapons, alcohol, drugs, or for the willful infliction of injury on another person; (2) student’s birth certificate, physical examination, street address, and record of completed series of immunizations, as required by the Code of Virginia; and (3) emergency information that is ​current and updated as needed​ to ensure contact can be made in the event of an emergency. 

Parents are responsible for paying all fees and charges levied against their children when required by the School Board of Henry County Schools, including costs associated with damage to or loss of books, iPads, and other school property [Section 22.1­279.3 of the Code of Virginia].  ​Parents/Guardians must review the Code of Student Conduct with any child who is a student in Henry County Public Schools​. Parents/Guardians are responsible for assisting the school in enforcing the standards of technology/Internet conduct. Both parents of a student are responsible for their child’s conduct if they have joint legal and physical custody.  No suspended student shall be admitted to the regular school program until such student and his parent(s) have met with school officials to discuss improvement of the student’s behavior, unless the principal or designee determines a parent conference is not necessary for readmission of the student. 

Student Responsibilities

Students are accountable for appropriate conduct in compliance with the Code of Student Conduct, Athletic Regulations, Henry County School Board Policies, local school regulations, and applicable state and federal laws.  Students are responsible for learning, developing adequate study habits, and completing class assignments while appropriately using school supplies. Students are required to reimburse the Henry County School Board for damage or destruction of property owned or leased by the school system, and students may be responsible for restitution of personal property that they damage, destroy, or steal.  Students are to maintain regular school attendance.  In addition, they must contribute to a climate of acceptance and mutual respect within the school environment to help maintain an atmosphere in which learning and extracurricular activities can take place for the growth and pleasure of everyone involved.  Students shall understand that the use of illicit drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products, including the unlawful possession of such substances is illegal and harmful. Students must know that the possession of firearms, explosives, and dangerous objects is unlawful.

Each student also has a responsibility to report to school employees any truthful information the student has about situations that concern the health, safety, and welfare of the school community. This includes (1) sharing information confidentially about students who have expressed thoughts about harming themselves or others; (2) reporting information about students who are being harassed; (3) reporting information about threats to students, school staff, or anyone else in the school community. Any student who is found to have prevented school personnel from properly addressing a concern of safety by providing false information, spreading rumors, or by failing to share knowledge he or she has about a concern will be subject to disciplinary consequences.

School Resource Officer Responsibilities

School Resource Officers (SROs) who are assigned to schools operate under a Memorandum of Understanding between Henry County Public Schools and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. The goals of this partnership are to promote positive and supportive school climates and to create and maintain safe and secure school environments. The Department of Criminal Justice further clarifies that,

“School administrators and teachers are responsible for school discipline. Although SROs are expected to be familiar with the school division code of student conduct, the rules of individual schools, and their application in day-to-day practice, SROs should not be involved with the enforcement of school rules or disciplinary infractions that are not violations of law.”

SROs will have occasion to speak to individual students and student groups on matters of law and consequences as a preventive measure. Additionally, SROs can and will be asked to intervene as agents of the school, not as law enforcement, in searches where there is a reasonable suspicion that a student is in possession of a weapon.

The full text of §22.1-279.3 of the Code of Virginia is included in the Legal Notices section