1. Academic Integrity

• See the detailed policy included in this handbook.

•• Consequences:The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 4.

2. Assembly Misconduct

• Assemblies and pep rallies are produced by the Associated Student Body to increase school spirit, provide positive motivation, and increase awareness of issues facing students today. Since so many students are in one area, each student is expected to be on his/her best behavior.
• Students are expected to participate positively at the assembly and/or rally and not behave in any manner that would detract from the purposes of the assembly or rally (e.g., heckling, talking, laser pens, throwing objects, etc.).
• Attendance at assemblies/rallies is mandatory and roll is taken by the classroom teacher before and after the assembly/rallies. Any student not in the assembly or not reporting back to class is considered truant.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 4 in addition to removal from the assembly.

3. Attendance/Truancy   (additional “Attendance Procedures” on page 20)

• All students are expected to be in class and participating in class activities for the entire class period.
• When a student is not present within 15 minutes of the start of the class, he or she is considered absent.
• A student who is more than 15 minutes late without a valid excuse shall be classified as Truant. 
• A parent or legal guardian may excuse a student from class but must be done within 72 hours of the absence or the student will be considered truant.

The 24 hour attendance line is  (949) 234-5361.
The direct attendance line is  (949) 234-5348.

• If a student wishes to be excused from class for official school business, he/she must bring a signed request from the staff member supervising the absence (field trip form, athletic contest, note, etc.) to the teacher of the class he/she will miss before he/she misses the class.
• In the event of a truancy, or unexcused absence, it is up to the teacher’s discretion as to allow, or not allow, the student to make up any school assignments, tests or other class work related to that truancy.
• If a student becomes ill during the school day or wishes to leave campus for another valid reason (e.g., illness, medical appointment, funeral, religious event, court date, college visit), he/she must report to the attendance office. If it is determined he/she should go home, the office must confirm contact with his/her parents or designated emergency contact and receive permission before the student can leave campus. A note verifying permission to leave will be issued and the student may leave at the designated time. Students who have their parents call school once they have already left, or do not follow the above procedure will be considered truant because he/she left campus without permission.  This truancy may not be cleared.
• Students are expected to be responsible for their attendance record. The school suggests the following: check the “uncleared absence” list posted in the attendance office, check with teachers (especially on sub days) to verify roll, respond immediately when uncleared absence letters are mailed home, and periodically call the attendance office to verify attendance.
• If at any time a student’s attendance problem prevents him/her from succeeding in school, the student may be referred to a CUSD Child Welfare and Attendance Officer by the Assistant Principal.
  • Any student who has been determined to be excessively absent may be subject to a SARB (School Attendance Review Board) hearing.  These hearings include the student, parents, and school in a legal action (possible referral to the District Attorney’s office) designed to compel the attendance of a student.
  • All students who are attending Tesoro High School due to an inter-district or intra-district transfer must maintain satisfactory attendance.  Unsatisfactory attendance will result in a recommendation to rescind the transfer.
• According to Education Code and CUSD Board policy, a student is considered a habitual truant after 18 hours of willfully missed instruction and can be transferred to an alternative school.  This can be translated to approximately 11 block periods.  A student may also be transferred for excessive/irregular absences regardless of the reason for the absence.

•• Consequences:The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 3. 

Note:  Parking privileges may be revoked for truancy.

 4. Bus Referral

• The district provides bus services as part of its commitment to transport students to school as well as to and from co-curricular events. It is critical that each student behaves in a manner that is according to all school rules, is safe, and does not hinder the bus driver. Students are expected to respect the authority of the bus driver as a school official. This standard of acceptable behavior begins when the student arrives at the bus stop.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 1.

5. Defianceof Authority and Dishonesty

• Students are expected to obey the valid authority of supervisors, teachers, administrators, or other school staff without delay. A student may appeal the decision later by speaking with his/her Assistant Principal, but the student is expected to first obey the directive by the staff member.
• It is also considered a defiance of authority if a student willfully disrupts any school activity or willfully misleads or misrepresents the truth.  This also applies to serving assigned consequences.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 3.

6. Defiance/ Disrespect of teacher/ Classroom disruption:

• Students are expected to respect and obey teachers without delay.
• Students are expected to participate in classrooms without disrupting the educational environment or creating a disturbance that may affect the teacher or other students.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is removal from the classroom for the remainder of the period. *Note: Teachers have the option to insist on a maximum of a two consecutive day period suspension at any time, however, parent contact must be initiated by the teacher prior to the second day.

7. Serious Disruption of the Learning Environment

• Students are expected to participate in school without disrupting the educational environment or creating a disturbance for themselves or others.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 7 and possible recommendation for involuntary transfer depending on the seriousness of the disruption.

1. Dress Code

•           The Board of Trustees of the Capistrano Unified School District has established a dress code to provide a safe and unhindered learning environment for all CUSD students. With the District’s policy as a basis, Tesoro High School has established the particulars for a campus appropriate dress standard.

•           A student must relinquish any offending article of clothing or accessory.  The school is not responsible for the loss of any confiscated item.  If a student will not or cannot change out of the violating clothing, he/she will serve an immediate CSI for the remainder of the school day.  At the first incident, a student will be offered the use of  a “loaner” garment and the parent will be notified.  For subsequent incidents, the parent will be contacted to provide an appropriate change of clothing.

•           It is up to the discretion of the Assistant Principal to release the confiscated item to the parent or the student but only at the end of the school day. Items considered dangerous or items confiscated two or more times will only be returned to parents.

•           See the school policy (included in this handbook) and/or district policy for more detailed information.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence is placement at Level 3 for  the first incident.  Repeated violations may result in school transfer.

1. Driving/parking violation

•           For the safety of all, anyone using the parking facilities and roadways on campus must abide by the rules and regulations stated on the Parking Information (included in this handbook) and Application.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 3. On the second incident the consequence will be loss of parking privileges for the remainder of the year as well.  Refunds for permits will not be given. Reckless driving or other serious driving violations will be decided by the student’s Assistant Principal and may include suspension and/or loss of permit at first offense.

1. Drug use, possession, including prescription medication, or under the influence of any controlled substance or alcohol, or possession of paraphernalia

Note: See additional important information concerning First Offense

            Drug/Alcohol Violations on page 19.

•           This rule also applies to any form of alcohol, drugs, and/or “look-a-likes.”

•• Consequences:  1st incident - Immediate 5 day suspension, notification of law enforcement, and recommendation for district expulsion except in extenuating circumstances; possible school transfer or extended suspension pending expulsion proceedings, and 90-school day student privilege suspension (see page 19).

1. Drug dealing, negotiating for sale, or distribution of prescription medication, or a controlled substance

Note: See additional important information concerning First Offense

            Drug/Alcohol Violations on page 19.

•           This rule also applies to any form of alcohol, drugs, and/or “look-a-likes”.

•• Consequences:  1st incident - Immediate 5 day suspension, notification of law enforcement, and recommendation for district expulsion; possible school transfer or extended suspension pending expulsion proceedings, and 90-school day student privilege suspension (see page 19).

1. Electronic Devices

•           While students may bring cellular phones on campus, these devices must be turned off during the entire school day including break and lunch times.  Other electronic devices such as

Ipods, “walkman type” radios including CD players, and other electronic signaling devices should not be brought on campus without special permission from the Principal.  All of these items are immediately confiscated.

•           Ipods, MP3 players and cellular phones are returned to parents only. Other items may be returned to the student at the end of the school day.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence is placement at Level 3 after the first incident. On the first incident, students may pick up their electronic device at the end of the school day at the receptionist desk. On subsequent incidents, only a parent may pick it up in the Assistant Principal’s office.

Note:  Having visible access to a cellular phone or other electronic device during a quiz or test will be considered a violation of the school academic integrity policy.  See the school policy (included in this handbook) for more detailed information.

12 (a).  Cyberbullying

•           The Tesoro High School (THS) computer network or the broader internet (whether accessed on or off campus, during or after school hours) may not be used to harass another person.  All forms of harassment in cyberspace, often called cyberbullying, are unacceptable.

•           Cyberbullying includes, but is not limited to, the following misuses of technology:  harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening or terrorizing another person by sending or posting inappropriate and hurtful e-mail messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures/images or web site postings (including blogs).  Often the author (sender or poster) of the inappropriate material is disguised (i.e., logged on) as someone else.

•           Students who feel that they have been the victims of technology misuse should not erase the offensive material.  They should print a copy of the material and immediately report the incident to their Assistant Principal.  All reports of harassment in cyberspace will be investigated.  •• ••Consequences:   may include, but are not limited to:  loss of THS computer privileges, detention, suspension or expulsion.

1. Extortion

•           Any attempt to seize personal property or money from another person by threat or force.    

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 8 in addition to law enforcement notification.

1. False fire alarm

•           Fire alarms are intended to protect the safety of everyone on campus.  It is imperative that the alarms are pulled exclusively for fire evacuation or disaster situations.

•           Tampering, destroying or disrupting the fire protection system on campus is considered a violation of this policy.

•           Any damage incurred will be considered vandalism and subject to restitution.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 7 in addition to law enforcement and fire marshal notification.

1. Fighting/Assault/Harassment/Intimidation

•           Any attempt, threat, or act of physically, emotionally, or sexually harassing another student is unacceptable. Emotional and physical well being is a basic right of every individual on campus and all students and staff are expected to respect this basic right.

•           Students are expected to exhaust every resource to achieve a peaceful resolution of a conflict including but not limited to walking away, conflict resolution, or involving a staff member.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 7.  The minimum consequence of the second incident may result in a recommendation for expulsion.

1. Fighting in a group

•           Students must not participate, plan, or engage in any type of fighting when more than two people are involved. Students are especially expected to stay out of fights that are in progress.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 8.

1. Fireworks or possession of other explosives

•           Explosives are extremely dangerous and must not be on campus at any time.

•           Any student in violation of this rule may be recommended for expulsion and reported to law enforcement.

•           Possession of a lighter, matches, or other such incendiary devices will result in at least a CSI

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 7 in addition to law enforcement and fire marshal notification.

1. Fraudulent telephone calls/Written material

•           Tesoro practices a policy where parents can call into the school and excuse their son or daughter from an absence. Any attempt to falsify the authority of a parent to excuse a student’s absence is considered fraud.

•           Any written document where a student falsifies the authorizing signature, is considered fraud.  In addition, any attempt to produce fraudulent documents such as ID cards or parking permits will result in immediate suspension from school.

•           These consequences apply not only to the person committing the fraudulent act, but also to the student whom the fraudulent act benefits.

•• Consequences:The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 4 and Behavior Contract.

1. Gang related activity:

•           Students must refrain from any activity associated with gang related behavior. Examples include but are not limited to “flying colors,” throwing hand signs, depicting gang related graffiti or drawing in books, notebooks, or back packs, repeated incidents of wearing gang related clothing/“dressing down,” or any other behavior that glorifies gang affiliation.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 7 in addition to notification to local law enforcement gang prevention units.

1. General Misconduct/Horseplay

•           At Tesoro High School all students are expected to be responsible for their behavior and respectful towards other students, staff, school facilities and equipment.  Horseplay is not permitted.

Any damage incurred will be considered vandalism and subject to restitution.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 3.

1. Gum and Food                       

•           Gum is not allowed on the Tesoro High School campus at any time. Food is only allowed in areas designated as food areas and only during designated times (before school, break, and lunch).  Food and drink, other than water, are not permitted in hallways, classrooms, or other carpeted areas of the school.  All unused gum and food that is confiscated will be disposed of by the staff member.

•           Students are not to purchase any food or drinks from the vending machines during class time. 

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 3 plus confiscation of unused gum/food/drink.

1. No Identification Card

•           Students are expected to carry their Tesoro High School identification cards (ID) with them on campus during school hours and at all school events and activities. When asked by a staff member, students must present their ID card immediately. If a student loses the card he/she may receive a replacement card from the Activities Clerk for a cost of ten dollars. Students are expected to keep their card in acceptable shape and not alter their card in any way.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 3.

1. Littering /Throwing Food

•           All students are responsible for the cleanliness of the campus. A student is considered to have littered if he/she leaves an area where trash has been left, whether or not it is his or her trash.

•           Throwing food (or any objects) is never acceptable and is very dangerous. It is expected that students walk to a trashcan and drop trash into the can. This includes biodegradable items.

•           Any intentional throwing of food which defaces school property will be considered an act of vandalism and subject to restitution.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 3 or campus clean-up.  **Note: Groups of students who litter an area as a group may be asked to leave an area for a specified amount of time. Any student who returns to the area is in defiance of authority and punished accordingly.

1. Out of bounds /Off Campus without a pass

•           During school hours (including break and lunch), a student is out of bounds if he/she travels into restricted areas.  Students are not permitted to be in the parking lot at any time unless arriving at or leaving from campus.  Boundary maps will be posted and updated periodically.

•           If the student’s schedule permits it, he/she may receive an off campus sticker to be placed on his/her ID card.  This sticker will verify that the student does not have a class assigned to that period.  If the sticker indicates the last period of the day, the student may use their ID card and sticker to leave the campus.

•           To avoid classroom disruption and/or littering, students are not permitted in the hallways during zero period.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence at first incident is placement at Level 3.

1. Out of class without a pass/Hall pass abuse/Out of tutorial/Advisement

•           Any student out of class must have a valid hall pass and a valid reason to be out of class. Student aides must not be out of class without a specific purpose. Any students talking with friends, loitering, or in an area determined to be out of the route of his/her specific purpose is considered abusing the hall pass.

•           Only the current school-wide pass and/or hall pass signed by the teacher with the current date and time and student’s name will be accepted as a valid hall pass.  (No teacher specific hall passes accepted.)

•           Only one student may be out of a class at any one time and he/she must visibly carry the current school-wide hall pass from the teacher. If more than one student needs to be out of class at the same time, the extra students must carry a handwritten, and dated, hall pass issued by the teacher.

•           Hall passes are not issued during advisement/tutorial period and any student caught out of class during the advisement/tutorial period will be placed in CSI for the remainder of the period and assigned an automatic Afternoon School. 

•• Consequences:The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 3.

1. Profanity/Vulgarity

•           Students are expected to use appropriate language and refrain from gestures that are obscene or vulgar while at school or during school events and activities.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 4.

1. Profanity directed toward a staff member

•           Students are expected to use appropriate language and refrain from gestures that are obscene and/or vulgar while addressing a school staff member.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 7.

1. Racism

•           As long as it does not upset the educational environment, students are welcome to express their ethnic diversity and cultural differences. It is unacceptable for a student to discriminate or persecute another student or staff member on the basis of race.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 7.

1. Sexual Harassment

•           Students and staff have a right to feel safe and be free from any unwelcomed sexual advance, requests for sexual favors and other verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Further information and explanations are defined in CUSD’s Board Policy 5183.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 7 in addition to a filing with the district.

1. Skateboarding:

•           The act of skateboarding is not allowed on the Tesoro High School campus at any time. 

•           Motorized skateboards are not allowed on campus at any time.

•           We understand that skateboarding is a reasonable form of transportation for many students; however,  Tesoro High School has no facilities to store skateboards. Furthermore, skateboarding on campus represents a dangerous risk of injury and damage to property.

•          Tesoro High School is not responsible for any damage or loss of skateboards, or personal injury from skateboarding.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 1 and confiscation of the skateboard.

1. Tardies (per semester/per period):

•           A student is tardy when he/she is not in a seat in class at the 1st bell to begin class.  A student who is more than 15 minutes late without a valid excuse shall be classified as truant.

•           In an attempt to get students to class on time, students who are not in class at the bell may be stopped in a “Tardy Sweep” by administrators and/or campus supervisors.  In addition to the below

consequence assigned by the classroom teacher the student will be assigned a detention and possibly be asked to do campus beautification (i.e., trash pick-up).

•           The only way to excuse a tardy is for a student to have a note (with the student name,

date and time) signed by a staff member. It is up to the classroom teacher to accept the excuse. Since tardies disrupt the educational environment and affect the classroom teacher directly, parents cannot excuse tardies.  Excessive tardies may result in revocation of parking privileges for the semester.

•           An absence is recorded if a student is more than 15 minutes late to class.

• •• Consequences:
• 1^st Action   -Student notified by teacher, possible teacher detention, teacher may notify parent by phone or email.

• 2^nd Action  -Student notified by teacher, possible teacher detention, teacher may notify parent by  phone or email.
• 3^rd Action   -Teacher notifies student, teacher detention assigned, teacher notifies parent by phone or email.  If teacher detention is not served, a referral to office for defiance of authority will be issued.                                
• 4^th Action   -Teacher notifies student, teacher detention assigned, teacher notifies parent by phone or email.  If teacher detention is not served, a referral to office for defiance of authority will be issued.        
• 5^th Action   -Teacher notifies student, referral to office, Afternoon School assigned.
• 6^th Action   -Teacher notifies student, referral to office, Afternoon School assigned.
• 7^th, 8^th and 9^th -Teacher notifies student, referral to office, Saturday School assigned, parking revoked for the semester. 
• 10^th Action and each  thereafter- Student is sent directly to CSI for the remainder of the period.

1. Technology Violation:

•           Students are expected to exercise acceptable use of the technology available to them at THS. Unacceptable use includes but is not limited to unauthorized attempt or entry into school files, accessing inappropriate material on the Internet, or using the technology for non-educational purposes.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 7 in addition to restriction from all technology use and, if applicable, removal from any course that requires use of technology.

1. Terrorist Threats

•           Any statement, verbal or written, to willfully threaten to commit a crime which will result in death, great bodily injury to another person, or to destroy school property (in excess of $1,000), with the specific intent that the statement is to be taken as a threat, even if there is no intent of actually carrying out the act.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 7 and possible recommendation for district expulsion in addition to law enforcement and fire marshal notification.

1. Theft

•           Possession of stolen property, the attempt to steal, or the act of stealing school or personal property will result in a possible district expulsion and involvement of law enforcement.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 7 in addition to restitution and possible law enforcement notification.

1. Threat or Verbal or Physical assault against a staff member

•           Students are expected to treat staff with utmost respect and submit to their authority immediately.

•           If a problem arises, students are encouraged to speak to their assigned Assistant Principal, the school counselor, and/or seek conflict mediation.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 8.

1. Tobacco use or possession of tobacco products, or tobacco paraphernalia

•           According to District Policy, State Law, and Ed. Code, no student may possess or use tobacco on school grounds at any time.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 4.  Subsequent offenses may result in suspension and possible notification of law enforcement.

1. Trespassing

•           Students are expected to refrain from entering other campuses during school hours without permission.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence for the first incident is placement at Level 4.

38.       Vandalizing tools

•           Students must not bring or have in possession any item that would aid in the vandalism of school property. These items include large permanent felt tip markers, paint, etching tools, etc.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 4.

39.       Vandalism or defacing school or personal property by any means

•           Students are expected to participate in keeping the campus clean and free from any type of graffiti. Any student involved in the defacing of school or personal property, directly or indirectly, is considered to be vandalizing.

•           Any damage incurred will be considered vandalism and subject to restitution.

•• Consequences:  The minimum consequence of the first incident is placement at Level 7.

40.       Weapons:

 Possession of firearms, knives, and/or other dangerous objects or look-alike items

• Consequences:  1st incident - Immediate 5 day suspension, notification of law enforcement, and recommendation for district expulsion; possible school transfer or extended suspension pending expulsion proceedings.