Dress Code and Cell Phones

Venice High School takes pride in the appearance of its students. Students should come to school to learn and participate in the instructional program.

Venice High School’s policy on student dress code was created by student leaders. Appearance is based upon the premise that the school is a student’s place of business.

The Sarasota County School District has established procedural guidelines, in accordance with School Board Policy 5.37. The principal’s decision on the appropriateness of the dress code will be final. Refusal to comply with the school’s dress code policy is an infraction under this code. 

Expectations are as follows:

1. All shorts must be a MINIMUM of mid-thigh in length (6 inches above the knee).

2. no pants/shorts with exposed pockets

3. no saggy, baggy, pants with rips below mid-thigh

4. no pajamas or slippers

5. no clothing of an ethnic or racially offensive nature

6. no tube/bando/tank tops or see-through tops or spaghetti straps or exposed bra strap

7. no low-cut shirts

8. Wear items or markings which are NOT offensive, suggestive, indecent or associated with gangs; as identified by the Florida Gang Intent Act of 1990.

9. Wear items that do not encourage the use of drugs, tobacco, alcohol, violence, or weapons, or support discrimination on the basis of color, disability, national origin, marital status, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

This list is not intended to be all-inclusive. Any student wearing inappropriate clothing will be immediately requested to change clothes to adhere to the school dress code.  If the student fails to change clothes, the student will be assigned to in school suspension.

First Offense: Change/Correct clothing and return to class; Email home.

Second Offense: Same as above; Lunch Detention

Third Offense: Same as above; Discipline Report to Administrator

Cell Phones/Electronic Devices

We realize that cell phones are a convenience and safety item for students and their families. As cell phones progress in complexity and capability, new problems arise. Picture and video capability have increased the ability to cheat in class and on standardized tests. Text messaging has increased the ability to threaten other students or to coordinate skipping classes or fighting. All schools are struggling to address these new and complicated issues. Therefore, all student cell phones must be turned off and put in a pocket or book bag from 7:30 AM to 2:15 PM. Students who repeatedly abuse this policy will have their cell phone confiscated by an administrator and parents will be required to come to the school for a conference. Parents are always welcome to leave a voice mail for their student on the cell phone or contact the Attendance Office in case of an emergency, but cell phone calls during school time are not appropriate. 

 
The use of electronic communication devices such as cell phones, camera phones, camera devices or two-way radios is prohibited during school hours. If a student has an electronic communication device on campus, this device must be turned off and not visible. Violation of this policy will result in consequences as determined by the school administration. If the electronic communication device is determined to be disruptive by ringing, vibrating or used in a malicious or inappropriate manner, it will result in consequences up to and including the recommendation for expulsion. Any student who willfully sends any e-mail, text message, instant message or posts to any social networking Web site with the intent to threaten, intimidate or bully another student or school board employee may be charged by the POLICE with cyber-bullying and may face school consequences up to and including expulsion.

During a critical incident at the school, cell phones are not to be used by students. If a student uses a cell phone to attempt to contact a parent during an emergency, they could be putting themselves and their classmates in jeopardy. During an emergency, talking is not allowed in the classroom. This rule is enforced so that the room will appear and sound vacant; conversation by the students could jeopardize their safety. Parents are asked to explain to their children the importance of not using cell phones during the emergency.
Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Technology Use

Technology is an integral part of a student’s educational experience and must be used in a way that is consistent with the goals of Sarasota County Schools. Technology includes, but is not limited to, computers, personal digital assistants, other electronic devices, software, e-mail, the Internet, other network resources, cell phones, and cameras. Student use of technology is a privilege and students are responsible for using technology appropriately. This includes the use of school district equipment away from school grounds. 

The following are inappropriate and/or illegal uses of technology: 

Photographing or using photographs of individuals without their knowledge or consent. 

Accessing or distributing offensive, inflammatory pornographic or obscene images, language or materials, including screen savers, backdrops, and/or pictures on school district-owned technology or on any other electronic device brought to school. 

Transmission of any material in violation of federal, state, local law, or School Board policy, regulation, or Code of Student Conduct. This includes, but is not limited to copyrighted material; threatening, obscene, or pornographic material; vandalizing data, test questions and/or answers; student work products; trade secrets; and computer viruses, “worms” or “trojans”. 

Utilizing technology for commercial activities unless explicitly permitted by the School Board. 

Downloading and/or printing music, games, videos or inappropriate files during school hours. 

Modifying the school district’s original pre-set software or hardware, including, but not limited to: loading software applications not authorized by the school district; changing the computer name; changing or removing operating system and extensions; altering security/filtering software; altering the pre-loaded operating system or application; or taking apart the computer for access to internal parts, accessing or altering password. 

Using e-mail, instant messaging, web pages, or other technology operations to threaten, disrupt, or interfere with the safety and welfare of the school community. 

Gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized access to the district’s network, computer servers, or data files. 

Gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized access to non-district networks, computer servers, or data files utilizing district equipment. 

Using profanity, obscenity, other languages which maybe be offensive to another user, or reposting and copying personal communications without the author’s prior consent, when using computer network access. 

Attempting to log on to the district’s network using another person’s identity. 

Bypassing or attempting to bypass the district’s filtering software. 

Using computers, networks, and online telecommunication systems unrelated to students’ educational systems. This includes the prohibition of plagiarism, reproduction of teacher-made tests, textbooks, teaching materials, non-authored text, cheating and theft of ideas. 

Accessing or distributing offensive, obscene, inflammatory, or pornographic material. 

Using network access to destroy information that belongs to others. 

Copying personal communication with others without the original author’s permission. 

Copying software or other copyright-protected materials in violation of copyright laws. 

Using the network for any illegal activity or private business purposes or accessing inappropriate Internet sites. 

“Hacking” into the school’s computer systems or unauthorized modification of computer settings. These acts will be considered vandalism and disruption of a school function and will be treated as such. 

Using technology to threaten, harass or bully other students or staff. 

Using a computer, video, camera or program in any manner other than for appropriate educational purposes. 

Violations will result in serious disciplinary actions, which may include an arrest if any criminal law is broken. Examples of such violations would be computer hacking or trespass, harassment, or threats via computer or computer fraud. 

Academic Integrity

The School Board of Sarasota County strongly believes that academic honesty must be practiced by all students. 

Definition of Cheating: The inappropriate and deliberate distribution or use of information, notes, materials, work of another person or the unauthorized use of technology devices in the completion of an academic assessment or assignment. 

Students are expected to demonstrate honesty and integrity at all times. 

Each student is expected to do his or her own work, except where collaboration is permitted by the teacher. This includes test-taking, homework, class assignments and the original creation of essays, compositions, term papers, and research. 

There is no distinction between giving and receiving unauthorized help; one who helps another to cheat is as guilty as one who benefits from cheating. All work submitted by the student should be a true reflection of that student’s own effort and ability. 

Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action, academic consequences, the loss of eligibility for local scholarships, and loss of honors, awards, and membership in extra-curricular activities.