Drug Free School Statement

All students and staff in Hawaii public schools are prohibited from participating in any activity relating to the unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession, promotion, use or sale of illicit substances on the school campus or during any school-sponsored activity. The possession, use or sale of drug paraphernalia is also prohibited.

Tobacco Free School System, Chapter 31

Effective September 01, 1993, smoking and other use of tobacco products shall be prohibited at all times, to include the following:
On public school campuses, school vehicles, and off-campus sites under operational control of the principal or designee, except as part of a bond-fide classroom instruction or theatrical production approved by the principal. In all buildings and facilities, or portions thereof, which are assigned to the district and state offices of the Dept. of Education, and which are under the supervision of the district superintendent, assistant superintendents, the Superintendent of Education, or their designees.

Report Cards

Report cards are distributed at the end of each quarter. Students may be retained if they are not meeting Hawai’i State Standards at their grade level. There will be a $1 charge for duplicate report cards.

Conferences 

Parent/Teacher Conferences are held throughout the year. Conferences are scheduled for all students during the first quarter. Parents are encouraged to request a conference with their child’s teacher whenever a problem or situation exists that needs to be discussed. Conferences are held after school, unless otherwise arranged. We ask that you make arrangements at least two days in advance.

Case Discussion Meetings are scheduled to address issues that may be interfering with a student’s progress. Parents are invited and encouraged to participate in these meetings as part of the team to problem-solve concerns such as attendance, behavior or academic. Case Discussion meetings are arranged by the SSDS (Student Support & Data Specialist) as part of the school’s request for assistance process.

Daily Reading 

Reading is a much more complex task for the human brain rather than watching TV or playing video games. Reading strengthens brains connections and builds NEW understanding about people, places, and events outside of their own experience. To be successful, parents are encouraged to be supportive in establishing and implementing a routine at home for students to Read for at least 20 minutes a day. 

Missing School Assignments

If your child will be absent 3 or more consecutive days, please call the school office to request homework. The teacher will send homework to the office within 24 hours of your call; it will be ready for pick-up thereafter. 

Textbooks/Library books 

Students who are assigned textbooks are responsible for covering them. Text And library books must be returned in good condition. Should a text or library
book be lost or damaged beyond use, the student will be charged for the cost of replacement.

Keonepoko School Community Council (KSCC)

Keonepoko SCC was established as a forum for exchanging ideas about how to improve student achievement. The council’s role is to participate in the process that ensures that the needs of all students are addressed in the education plan for Keonepoko. Meeting announcements are placed in the Pueo Newsletter, on the school marquee. The public is welcome to attend.

Cell Phone Policy

Students are discouraged from bringing cell phones to school. However, if it is necessary to have one (i.e.-at bus stop), it will be the sole responsibility of the parent and student. The school WILL NOT be liable for lost, stolen or damaged phones. Students may request a permission form from their teacher or office.

• When on campus, cell phones may only be used in the main office. 
• Cell phones must be left “OFF” and may not be used or taken out during the school day. 
• Students may not send/receive text messages while on campus. 
• If the cell phone rules are not followed, the cell phone will be confiscated and sent to administration. Parents will be notified to pick it up in the office. 

Student Internet Use Guidelines

The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) allows the use of the Internet and Web 2.0 applications or tools to improve instruction and student outcomes within the following guidelines.

Student use of the school unit’s computers, networks and Internet services is a privilege, not a right. Unacceptable use/activity, or any other noncompliance with these guidelines, is considered a “Class B” offense under the Hawaii Administrative Rules (Title 8: Department of Education, Chapter 19: Student Misconduct) and may result in suspension or cancellation of privileges as well as additional disciplinary and/or legal action. The principal shall have final authority to decide whether a student’s privileges will be denied or revoked.

Chapter 19 and other applicable HIDOE rules and school rules shall apply when students access the Internet. Internet use and access shall be for school and/or educational purposes. Student contributions to sites are representative of the Hawaii State Department of Education, and therefore, all information provided is expected to meet professional standards for communication and model Common Core State Standards and Hawaii Content shall be limited to information that is appropriate to the educational mission of HIDOE.

Contraband

Contraband is defined as any item that is prohibited from possession or use on school premises because of disruption, potential for bodily injury and/or other undesirable reasons. Contraband items include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Ipods/MP3 players
• skateboards
• footballs
• soda/sweet drinks
• portable radios/speakers
• rollerblades
• silly bands
• sunflower seeds
• walkie-talkies
• skates
• rubber bracelets
• candy/junk food/gum
• cell phone (w/o permission)
• heelys
• sun glasses
• toys
• video camera
• playing cards/dice
• e-cigarettes    

Other contraband include: offensive pictures/literature/clothing, matches & lighters, and/or other items deemed by school officials as inappropriate for the campus.
Keonepoko Elementary School and staff will not be responsible for lost/damaged contraband items brought to campus. Large sums of money and expensive jewelry should not be brought to school, nor will the school be responsible for the loss/damage of these items.

Contraband items may be held by administration until the end of the quarter or semester and may be subject to disciplinary action.

Hawaii Gun Free Schools Act

Under the Department of Education’s Chapter 19 (Hawaii Administrative Rules), any student who possesses a firearm "shall be DISMISSED from school for not less than one calendar year period." This misconduct will result in an automatic one year dismissal with an appeal to the State and Deputy Superintendent of Education.
As stated in Chapter 19 (Hawaii Administrative Rules)

“Firearm” means:
Any weapon (including but not limited to a starter gun, shotgun, air guns, which includes BB guns, pellet guns, paintball guns, or cross bow or any other instrument which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile;  The frame or receiver of any such weapon; Any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or Any destructive device. The term “destructive device” means: Any explosives, incendiary, or poison gas: bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge, missile having an explosive or incendiary charge, mine, or device similar to any of the devices described in the preceding clause; Any type of weapon, which will, or which may be readily converted to expel a projectile, including but is not limited to a weapon that expels a projectile by action of an explosive or other propellant; or  Any combination or parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device described above and from which a destructive device may be assembled.

Chapter 19--Dangerous Weapons and Dangerous Instruments

In the Hawaii Revised Statutes and Chapter 19 Handbook, it states that any child (student) who is found to be in possession of a dangerous weapon or instrument, intoxicating liquor, or illicit drugs while attending school may be excluded from attending school for up to 92 school days.  The number of days will be determined by the principal and approved by the complex area superintendent (serious discipline). Also, police will be notified and the child could face possible arrest.

Dangerous weapon is defined as:

An instrument whose sole design and purpose is to inflict bodily injury or death. Examples of such instruments include but are not limited to a dirk, dagger, butterfly knife, switchblade knife, blackjack, slug shot, billy, metal knuckles, or other weapons that inflict bodily injury or death.

Dangerous instrument, or ‘substance’ is defined as:

Any explosive device, instrument, material, or chemical, whether animate or inanimate, which in the manner it is used or is intended to be used is known to be capable of producing death or bodily injury. Examples of such items include but are not limited to knives, pipe bomb devices, fireworks, pepper spray, mace, martial arts devices such as sticks and throwing stars; and inanimate objects such as pipes, sticks, or baseball bats swung at a person in a menacing manner so as to cause or threaten bodily injury.