House rules at EUREGIO HTBLVA FERLACH

School's code of conduct for the communal life at EUREGIO HTBLVA FERLACH and measures fostering the school quality

The following rules were agreed on by EUREGIO HTBLVA FERLACH's school community. On the basis of the school regulations they should make the school a place where untroubled learning and working as well as a pleasant stay in an atmosphere of helpfulness and mutual trust are possible.

Politeness, apparel, consideration and tranquility

Mutual consideration, tolerance and prudence form the basis for a pleasant and peaceable coexistence. Respect for each other and fairness help us to avoid conflicts. A polite and friendly behaviour (to which greeting politely also belongs) should characterize our social intercourse.
Furthermore, appropriate clothing is required due to pedagogical and hygienic as well as security reasons. Headgear (baseball caps etc.) is to be removed inside the school building. Regarding the apparel, the guidelines of the circular letter no. 20/2003 of BM:BWK (Rundschreiben Nr. 20/2003 des BM:BWK) concerning clothing, piercings and personal hygiene are incorporated in the house rules as an integral component as from the school year 2003/04. Particularly concerning piercings (5), jewellery (3) and apparel (1), the respective measures (removing, masking) are coming into immediate effect and also pertain to general class time (PE, laboratory and workshop) (see appendix: circular letter BM:BWK no. 20/2003, GZ 36.377/79-V/5/2003).

According to the decision of the statutory elected panel of teachers, parents and pupils all pupils must wear a school garment at official occasions and school events.

Maintaining a calm and cautious behavior while staying in the hallways as well as in and in front of the school building, and not just during lessons, ensures that we avoid stressful situations and make undisturbed learning situations possible which is of benefit to everybody. In that regard, punctuality in all areas is also desirable. According to a decision of the statutory elected panel of teachers, parents and pupils, mobile phones may be taken into classrooms, but must be switched to silent and put away.

Order and cleanliness

Everybody is committed to treating our school building, furnishings and teaching material with care, and is responsible for his or her own place in the classroom or the workshop. If more classes are taught in one room, every group has to leave behind respectively find a tidy room as well as a cleaned board. The obligation to wear house shoes is to be met during winter time (from the last Sunday in October until the last Sunday in March).

For the sake of fairness, everybody is obliged to suppert the school caretakers and house cleaners wih their work. Also, the restrooms and lavatories have to be kept clean. With regard to an environmentally conscious behavior, we avoid unnecessary litter and separate our waste. Chewing gums soil our school and are principally forbidden during lessons. They have to be disposed of in the provided containers. Spitting them out in front of the school building or in the yard is unsavory and is to be refrained from.

In collaboration with their prefects and the class teacher, every class is encouraged to keep their classroom in order autonomously. Empty beverage bottles are not to be stored or placed on desks. Beverages must not be consumed in the computer rooms, workshops and the gym. The school caretaker is notified of possible damage; whoever causes mess or damage intentionally will have to compensate for the damage.

Safety

We are aiming for a healthy, joyful and low-risk cooperation and want to avoid dangers as effectively as possible. Floors, stairways, banisters, balustrades and window sills have a safety function and must not be misused as playgrounds or seating accommodation. The windows in the classrooms may only be opened in the presence of teachers and with the necessary caution. Under no circumstances may objects be thrown out of the windows. There are numerous electric facilities in the school building (light, heating, workshop equipment etc.) and fire alarm systems. These as well as the IT and laboratory equipment may not be brought into service unauthorizedly by pupils. Pupils must by all means comply with all respective safety instructions, especially those concerning the operation of machines and tools..

Weapons and safety

The possession of category B weapons and ammunition is bound by law to an official license (weapons possession card, firearms pass). Category C and D weapons must be registered in the Central Weapon Register (confirmation of registration). Taking weapons (or ammunition) to workshop lessons is only allowed with the permission of the head of workshops for weapon engineering/gunsmiths and after consultation with the head of the school. Taking weapons or ammunition to theory or laboratory lessons is only permitted after previous consultation with the respective teacher and approval of the head of workshops. The permission to take along weapons or ammunition in strict accordance with the procedure outlined above on the part of the head of school remains valid until revocation. The additionally required permission by the respective teacher has to be asked for each time. Pupils are not allowed to take weapons and ammunition to school premises at the same time. When taking weapons or ammunition to school, they have to be handed over to the respective teacher for safe custody immediately, that is by the fastest possible means.

Smoking and drugs

Alcohol and drugs are forbidden to be brought, consumed or offered to anyone. In case the school is notified of cases of alcoholization or drug abuse, for instance at lunch break, in the boarding home or at the various bars, the school management may apply for expulsion proceedings against the pupils concerned at the Carinthian education authority, if necessary in connection with a suspension from school. Anyway, the utmost attention must be paid to the fight against drugs of all kinds as well as to drug prevention.

According to the circular letter no. 06/2015 of the education authority in Carinthia on 'Non-smoker protection at schools' of May 21 2015, smoking is absolutely and stringently prohibited in the entire school building as of the school year 2014/15 for an indefinite period of time. All former decisions of the statutory elected panel of teachers, parents and pupils (Schulgemeinschaftsausschuss/SGA) are repealed. Hence, smoking is prohibited for all pupils in the entire school building as well as at the entire open space within the school's property as of the school year 2015/16. This regulation also applies to school events.

Sanctions

In case of gross violation (see § 49 SchUG) of school and house rules, the school management may apply for expulsion proceedings against the pupils concerned at the Carinthian education authority on the basis of decisions of the department conference.
Should a pupil not attend to his or her duties as declared in the school and house rules, this pupil may be summoned to come to school to make up for these duties in his or her free time. This also applies to the clearance of damage and mess as well as to the making up for achievements not delivered yet and unexcused absence.
In any case, the parents are to be notified.
Concluding information

We point to the following statutory regulations:

§ 24 SchPflG Responsibility for the fulfillment of compulsory school attendance

The parents or other legal guardians are committed to make sure that the pupils attend to the compulsory school attendance, especially attending lessons regularly and sticking to school rules, as well as taking the designated exams..

The non-fulfillment of the compulsory school attendance constitutes a regulatory offence and after unsuccessfully taking measures according to §24a (see catalogue of measures), the regional administrative authorities will be notified.

§ 49 SchUG Expulsion of a pupil

If a pupil grossly neglects his or her duties and the disciplinary measures according to the house rules prove to be unsuccessful, or if a pupil’s behavior turns out to be a permanent threat to schoolmates or other people at school regarding their morality, physical safety or belongings, this pupil is to be expelled from school.

§43 SchUG Obligations of the pupils

The pupils are obliged to attend the lessons regularly and punctually, to bring along the necessary materials and to comply with the house rules.

§45 SchUG Absence from school

If a pupil is absent from classes for more than one week without justification, and if he or she does not show up upon written request within one week thereupon, this pupil is considered to be de-registered from school.

§24a SchPflG Measures for the compliance with compulsory school attendance (5-stage plan)

See catalogue of measures

Guidelines for the coming into force of the catalogue of measures

Generally binding rules such as respectful social interaction and appreciation for each other, appropriate language and tone, punctuality and politeness (greeting), also outside of the school building, are valid for all members of the school community.

In the event of a violation of the following guidelines of EUREGIO HTBLVA Ferlach, the catalogue of measures comes into force.

The pupils have to attend the lessons regularly and punctually. Constant unpunctuality or exceeding the number of lessons missed is noted down by the teacher and punished according to the catalogue of measures for the compliance with compulsory school attendance as laid down in §24a SchPflG. The teachers are also encouraged to start their lessons on time.
Mobile phones and all private electronic devices have to be switched to silent mode during lessons.
An absolute and stringent ban on smoking in the entire school building has been imposed for an indefinite period of time. Hence, smoking is prohibited in the entire school building as well as the entire open space of the school's property as of the school year 2015/16. Alcohol and drugs of any kind are strictly forbidden to be brought, consumed or offered to anyone on school premises. At school events, smoking and the consumption of alcohol is generally prohibited.
The pupils are committed to wearing suitable house shoes during winter time (last Sunday in October until last Sunday in March).
Whoever causes mess intentionally (chewing gum, saliva, cigarette butts, restrooms) will have to remove it in his or her free time, and compensate for any caused damage of school’s or other people’s property.
Pupils are not allowed to sit on balustrades, banisters, window sills or the canopy of the gym.
Pupils must go to the respective classrooms immediately after the tolling of the school bell and prepare for the lessons.
Pupils must seek and make up for missed learning content and information autonomously.
Appropriate clothing is required. Wearing tank tops and sweatpants is forbidden. Headgear is only allowed in workshop lessons. If leggings are worn, buttocks have to be covered.
In the computer labs, workshops and the gym, eating and drinking is generally prohibited.
Teaching materials are to be handled with care and brought along to lessons regularly by the pupils.
In case of inability to attend the lessons, the class teacher must be informed immediately and in due time (by phone or in writing), as well as when leaving the lesson early.
Pupils have to fulfill their duties and must not pose a threat due to their behavior against fellow pupils or other people at school.

Catalogue of measures for diverse cases

Measures concerning mobile phones and other electronic devices

One-time misdemeanor

Reprimand and note in the class register – removal until end of lessons of the respective school day

Two-time misdemeanor

Removal and handing over of the device on the next day – note in the class register

Three-time misdemeanor

Removal and handing over two days later – entry in the class register

Four-time misdemeanor

Removal and handing over to the legal guardian (also applies to persons of full age) – entry in the class register

The time of removal is interrupted by the weekend.

Measures against violating the smoking ban or failure to comply with rules concerning cleanliness

One-time misdemeanor

Interlocution with responsible head of department - reprimand

Two-time misdemeanor

Interlocution with headmistress

Three-time misdemeanor

Parents are summoned to school - interlocution with the headmistress, head of department and class teacher

Repeated misdemeanor

Indication of failure to comply with house rules and notification of conference of department with application for exclusion from school

Measures against gross violation of duties of a pupil according to §49 SchUG

In case a pupil grossly neglects his or her duties and if the disciplinary measures according to the house rules prove to be unsuccessful, or if a pupil’s behavior turns out to be a permanent threat to schoolmates or other people at school regarding their morality, physical safety or belongings, this pupil is to be expelled from school.

Step 1: interlocution with the pupil concerned, the headmistress, teachers, school counselors, representatives of respective advisory bodies (depending on the case)

Problem analysis and development of approach to a solution

Step 2: notification of application for expulsion of the pupil concerned by the school conference

If measures of step 1 prove to be unsuccessful, an application for the expulsion is made in the course of the school conference. This measure is handed over to the legal guardian in writing according to form sheet „notification of expulsion“. A copy is kept on file at school.

Step 3: application for expulsion of a pupil by the school conference

If measures of step 2 prove to be unsuccessful, the application for expulsion ensues. The school administration puts the gross violations down in writing and hands them over to the legal guardians with the possibility to state one's position on the situation. The pupil has the option to explain him- or herself regardless of his or her age before the decision is made.

All teachers, parent representatives, legal guardians of the pupil concerned, the pupil concerned and the elected representative of the pupils of the school are invited to the school conference.

Referendum: application for expulsion or proceedings of suspension with justification in written form. All teachers and the elected representative of the pupils of the school as of the 9^th school year are entitled to vote. The referendum takes place without the respective pupil and his or her legal guardian.

Measures for the compliance with compulsory school attendance according to §24a SchPflG (5-stage-plan – school age children)

The following 5-stage-plan structures the measures against pupils not attending school regularly.

Step 1: talks with legal guardians, pupil concerned, class teacher; written agreement

If a pupil stays away from classes for 5 days or 30 lessons per semester or three succeeding days without valid excuse, immediate and mandatory talks with the legal guardians, the pupil and the class teacher have to take place in which the reasons for the absence are to be explained. Further steps to avoid the violation of duties regarding school are to be agreed upon in written form and the legal guardian as well as the pupil must be informed about their responsibility to comply with compulsory school attendance.

Step 2: talks with legal guardians, the pupil concerned, the headmistress, school counselors, psychological counselor; problem analysis and adaptation of written agreement of step 1

Step 3: talks with legal guardians, pupils concerned, class teacher, headmistress, quality manager; reference to federal schools supervision law

Within 4 weeks after the talks a further talk between the involved parties is to be arranged in which the achievement of objectives according to the agreement made before is discussed. In case the measures taken prove to be unsuccessful or have only poor effect, the headmistress has to inform the legal guardian and the pupil immediately about the legal consequences of a further violation of duties at school and to commission the respective quality manager. This person has to determine any further action with the aid of the school counseling services for removing the causes of the violation of duties at school in additional talks with the legal guardian, the pupil and the class teacher.

Step 4: talks with legal guardians, pupil concerned, class teacher, headmistress, quality manager; report to the youth welfare authorities

Within two weeks after the measures taken the quality manager has to arrange further talks with the parties involved in which the achievement of objectives according to the agreement made before is discussed. In case of suspected threat to the child's well-being the youth welfare authorities are to be informed immediately.

Step 5: headmistress' report to the district administration authority

Within 4 weeks after the talks the headmistress has to review the efficacy of the measures taken. In case the measures prove to be unsuccessful or have only poor effect, the headmistress must file charges at the responsible district administration authority.

Measures against exceeding the limit of lessons missed in the college

30% absence or more in a subject:

assessment test according to §20 SchUG, §21 LBVO or not graded

Ferlach, 8.9.2015

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