• DISCIPLINE AND PRIVELEGES: CONDUCT & HONOR CODE

     
     
    We have high expectations for Westside students and are committed to creating an environment in which they can succeed. Disciplinary consequences are designed to deter the student from making errors in judgment or engaging in misconduct that interferes with the student’s (or other students’) ability to be academically successful.  
     
     
    CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

    Developed by HISD and distributed to all parents and students, this booklet describes disciplinary offenses and how the district handles them. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their children adhere to the rules and conventions of proper behavior while at school. HISD has “zero tolerance” for student behavior that could disrupt instruction or pose safety hazards on HISD property or while at school-related events. The Code of Student Conduct booklet includes a form that requires both the student’s and parent’s signatures and must be returned along with other forms in first day or registration packet. 

    Misconduct is categorized into five levels: 

    • Level I: Violation of classroom rules; generally corrected by the teacher and/or parent contact.
    • Level II: Administrative/teacher intervention; generally more serious in nature or a repeated violation under Level I.
    • Level III: Misconduct that disrupts the instructional process in class, at school, or during school-related activities; repeated violation of Level I and II offenses; considered to be a serious offense.
    • Level IV: Criminal offenses; any felony, whether school-related or not, are included here unless it is categorized as a Level V. Such an offense requires removal of the student to a Disciplinary Alternative Educational Program (DAEP).
    • Level V: Acts of misconduct that may result in expulsion include, but are not limited to assault, possession of weapons, drug distribution, and other criminal offenses.  
    DISCIPLINARY MEASURES AND TERMINOLOGY

    Listed below is a brief explanation of the most commonly used disciplinary measures at Westside. 

    • Verbal Warning/Conference: One-on-one conference with student; directive may be given in writing.
    • Administrative Directive: Written directive signed by dean and student.
    • Sparkle Duty: Check in with dean on duty; clean tables for last 25 minutes of lunch.
    • Detention: Thirty-minute time period during lunch or after school; study materials are required; sustained silence.
    • Westside Work Force: Two hour Thursday morning or Saturday detention requires students to clean up and beautify the exterior of the campus.
    • In School Suspension (ISS): Student attends school in one classroom for all periods; scheduled breaks; heightened structure; coursework provided by regular teacher; sustained silence; extra curricular participation is suspended for the duration of the assignment. Placement can be from 1 to 10 days.
    • Off Campus Suspension: Student is prohibited from being on Westside campus and is prohibited from attending any HISD school related activities/events.
    • Off Campus DAEP: Level III/IV offenses ranging from 30-180 day placement. Student is required to withdraw from WHS to attend a DAEP.  
     
    WESTSIDE HONOR CODE 

    The Westside High School community believes that integrity is the foundation of all learning.  Academic honesty positively affects student character, as well as family and community pride.  It is the right, privilege, and responsibility of all members in the community to contribute to and work in an environment of trust. Faculty, students, and parents are expected to take steps to stop any and all violations of the honor code.  Excellence exists only if learning takes place within a climate of trust, respect, responsibility, and honesty.

    Student Responsibilities:

    • To maintain and support the academic integrity of the school community by completing all assigned work, activities and tests in an honorable process according to the stated policies without engaging in cheating, fraud, or plagiarism.
    • To understand the schoolwide Honor Code policy and individual teacher assignment guidelines.
    • To clarify with the instructor any ambiguities about violations of the Honor Code on an assignment.
    • To ensure that students do not make inappropriate use of their work. 
    Cheating is…

    Participating in a dishonest act or using the works, words, or ideas of another and claiming them as your own.

    Examples include (but are not limited to):

    • Using any form of a “cheat-sheet”
    • Viewing unauthorized notes on a test or quiz
    • Looking at another student’s test or paper
    • Accepting credit for group or lab work in which you did not contribute
    • Taking a picture or making a copy of a test or answer sheet
    • Passing test or quiz information from one class to another
    • Sharing or stealing test answers
    • Having your parents or friends complete your assignments
    • Using a previous student’s work as your own
    • Buying a paper or project
    • Changing or reporting a false grade for yourself or another student
    • Allowing someone to use your answers as their own 
    Plagiarism is…

    Using someone else’s ideas or words as your own without proper acknowledgement.

    Examples include:

    • Copying documents or images from books, magazines, the Internet or other sources without proper documentation
    • Submitting a paper or other work as your own when it was created by another
    • Paraphrasing or restating another’s work without proper citations
    • Making up a citation or attributing a work to a non-existent source
    • “Fudging” data for an assignment            
    • Forging a signature          

    Fraud is…

    A deception deliberately practiced in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain.

    Examples include but are not limited to:

    • Attempting to pass off someone else’s work, imagery or technology as your own or purchasing or selling an assignment from another person or from a technological resource
    • Falsifying scientific or other data submitted for academic credit
    • Forgery of signatures or tampering with official records
    Penalties for Violating the WHS Honor Code

    If a student violates the Honor Code, he/she will receive a “0” for the school work, a “U” in conduct, and disciplinary action (including loss of Off Campus and Extracurricular Activity privileges). In addition, this conduct is considered a Level II violation of the Code of Student Conduct. Please consult the appropriate department policy for more information whether any possibility of a retake exists.

    In cases where theft of material or use of a computer has been used in the cheating incident, a disciplinary hearing will be held to determine if an alternative educational placement is warranted.

    A student is not eligible for a final exam exemption in a course where he or she has a documented instance of cheating.

    Many college applications request information on any instances of student cheating.  The school must be factual and honest when completing the school report on any individual student. 

    Disciplinary Procedures for WHS Honor Code Violations
    • Teacher will clearly state facts regarding the violation on the referral.
    • Teacher will notify parents about the incident.
    • Administrator will immediately assign penalties based on established guidelines.
    • Administrator will inform teacher of disciplinary action.