Code of Conduct

The following acts of exceptional misconduct which could cause harm to others or their property warrants immediate severe disciplinary action. Disciplinary sanctions up to and including expulsion and referral for prosecution will be imposed on students who violate the standards of conduct as set by the White Salmon Valley School District. Acts covered under the exceptional misconduct clause include those behaviors that are marked with an asterisk (*).

Dangerous Behaviors: All substantiated dangerous behaviors will be reported to law enforcement-juvenile authorities immediately upon determination that the dangerous behavior posses an imminent danger to the student or other person(s). Reasonable attempts to notify parents will occur in conjunction with notifying authorities. If a parent does not leave sufficient information on student records to contact them, or if the phone has been disconnected, the responsibility falls upon the law enforcement agency to notify parents after successive attempts to contact parents have failed.

ILLEGAL BEHAVIORS

*Alcoholic Beverages, Controlled Substances or Illicit Drugs: The unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs, alcohol or any legally controlled substance is wrong and harmful. A student shall not knowingly possess, use, transmit, or be under the influence of, or show evidence of having used any narcotic drug or hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, alcoholic beverage or intoxicant of any kind on the school grounds at any time or off the school grounds at a school activity, function, or event.

If any school employee suspects a student to be under the influence of intoxicants they may request the student to submit to a saliva test for the purpose of estimation of blood alcohol levels. If the student refuses to comply he/she will be subject to disciplinary action and the police department will be notified.

*Arson: The intentional setting of fire.

*Bomb Threat: Making a bomb threat shall subject a student to state and federal laws, as well as disciplinary action.

*Explosives: Explosives are prohibited on school property

*Extortion, Blackmail or Coercion: Obtaining money or property by violence or forcing someone to do something by force or threat of force. A student shall not extort anything of value, threaten injury or attempt to cause physical injury or intentionally behave in such a way as could reasonably be expected to cause physical injury to any person:

  1. On the school grounds during and immediately before or after school hours.
  2. On the school grounds at any time when the school is being used by a school group.
  3. Off the school grounds at a school activity, function or event.
  4. Off the school grounds when the prohibited behavior is a consequence of or directly related to causes or events which occurred or originated on the school grounds.

*Fighting: The act of quarreling involving bodily contact is prohibited.

*Firearms on school premises: A student who is determined to have carried a firearm onto, or to have possessed a firearm on, public elementary or secondary school premises, public school-provided transportation, or areas of facilities while being used for school events, shall be expelled from school for not less that one year under RCW 28A.600.010. The superintendent of the school district may modify the expulsion of a student on a case-by-case basis. "Firearm" means a firearm as defined in 18 U.S.C. sec. 921, and a "firearm" as defined in RCW 9.41.010. A school district may suspend or expel a student for up to one year if the student acts with malice under RCW 9A.04.110 and displays an instrument that appeared (appears) to be a firearm.

*Forgery: Fraudulently using in writing the name of another person, or falsifying times, dates, grades, addresses or other date on school forms of any kind.

*Interference with Teacher or Pupil: It is a crime to interfere by force or violence with any administrator, teacher or student who is in the peaceful discharge or conduct of his/her duties or studies.

Littering: The act of throwing, dropping or depositing of litter is prohibited on public property. RCW 7.93.060

Malicious Mischief: A student shall not intentionally or with gross carelessness damage school or private property. When school property is damaged or stolen, the superintendent shall withhold grades, transcript or diploma until restitution is made.

*Robbery: To unlawfully take personal property from the person of another or in his presence against his will by the use of threatened use of immediate force, violence, or fear of injury to that person or his property or the person or property of anyone. RCW 9A.56.190

*Smoking or Possession of Tobacco: Students are not allowed to smoke, chew, or possess tobacco products on school property, school buses, at school sponsored activities or within a 1000 feet of school property.

*Tampering with Fire Apparatus or False Alarms: Setting off false alarms, discharging or stealing fire extinguishers, or damaging alarm systems. RCW 9.40.100

*Theft: To wrongfully obtain or exert unauthorized control over the property or services of another with the intent to deprive him of such property or services and/or appropriate lost or misdelivered property of another with the intent to deprive him of such property. RCW 9A.56.020

*Threats of violence: Threats of violence against students, staff, or property are prohibited.

*Trespassing: Being present in an unauthorized place or refusing to leave when ordered to do so. RCW 9A.52.080, RCW 9A.52.100.

*Weapons: A device that can be used to harm another person or property. WAC 72-120-100 (16) Weapons and dangerous chemicals. Unauthorized use, possession or storage of any weapon, explosive, dangerous chemicals, substances or instruments, which may be used to inflict bodily harm to another or damage school property or personal property.

A weapon may be defined as an instrument that:

  • Has a sharpened edge for the purpose of cutting.
  • Has a pointed end to stab.
  • Has a weighted flat or rounded surface for the purpose of bludgeoning another person.
  • Has sharp or protruding spikes or points for the purpose of piercing a body.

Types of instruments commonly identified as weapons:

  • Knives (Includes pocket, spring loaded, hunting, all forms of knives)
  • Swords
  • Machete
  • Battle Ax or hatchet
  • Brass Knuckle
  • Sharp protruding spikes on rings, collars, or bracelets
  • Any instrument created for the purpose of shooting a sharp object (arrow, dart, and spear)
  • Any instrument commonly associated with martial arts
  • Any instrument which discharges a projectile at high speed by spring, compressed air, or by the use of exploding gunpowder

Any item that is crafted, or manufactured at Columbia High School must be evaluated for its potential damage to others or their property. If the device posses a potential threat, risk, or imminent danger, it shall be prohibited.
 

Efforts are made to ensure the information on this page is complete, current, and accurate. However, changes in programs and policies do occur. Questions about specific information on this site should be directed to the Columbia High School office at (509) 493-1970. Original materials on this page copyright White Salmon Valley School District, and may not be duplicated without permission. Please contact the webmaster for pemissions, or with questions, problems, corrections, or suggestions regarding this page or site.