Participation in the A+ School Program is an honor and a unique privilege for Smith- Cotton students. Students pursuing the A+ incentive must maintain a record of good citizenship and avoid the unlawful use of drugs and/or alcohol including tobacco or tobacco products.

Certification of good citizenship will be based upon the official discipline record maintained in the high school office, through other school staff or through public records. Assignments of consequences for infractions of the discipline code are the responsibility of the school administration and they are responsible for certifying the accuracy of the student’s discipline record.

Probation while a part of the A+ Program

Disciplinary probation within the A+ program is used with the understanding that even the best student makes mistakes. Probation is designed to recognize this characteristic in young people. However, receiving the A+ Incentive in an honor and should be treated  as such. Students who are designated A+ should demonstrate distinctive qualities and be role models for other students. Their character and ethics should meet high standards.

A student will be placed on probation for the A+ program for the remainder of the semester upon receiving:

1. More than one In-School suspension
2. Any referral for an Out-of-Schoolsuspension

If no other further misdeeds occur, the student will be returned to full A+ status at the beginning of the following semester. If a student’s behavior results in the above-mentioned consequences and the semester is more than one half over, the probationary status is continued to a second semester. A student who receives two or more semesters of probation during their high school career will have their disciplinary record reviewed by the Citizenship & Attendance Review Team for continued probation or possible dismissal from the program.

Removal from the A+ Program

A student will automatically be removed from the A+ Program when:

A student commits any offence involving drugs, alcohol, or tobacco that is documented through school discipline records, or is a matter of public record, or if the student has been convicted of such an offence and it is reportable through other law enforcement or juvenile officers.

A student may be removed from the A+ Program when:

1. Within the semester, while currently on probation, the student commits another offence that would result in probationary action.
2. After two semesters of probation, a review by the Citizenship & Attendance Review Team shows that earlier disciplinary consequences did not positively affect the student’s behavior.
3. A student is convicted of a felony that is verifiable and either a matter of public record or communicated to school officials with the Safe Schools Act.
4. A student receives two or more misdemeanor convictions (other than for moving traffic violations not involving alcohol or illegal drugs) that are verifiable and a matter of public record.
5. A student commits an offense, which falls under the Safe Schools Act.

Unlawful Use of Drugs and Alcohol

Any A+ student will not sell, possess or use any controlled substance or drug paraphernalia as defined by law and stated in the Sedalia School District #200 Student Discipline Code Handbook. The use of prescription medicine is allowed under Board Policy when administered by authorized school personnel. Students and parents are responsible for understand and following these guidelines:

The following offenses reported to law enforcement authorities will result in immediate removal from the A+ program:

1. Possession, use, sale or transfer of alcohol, drugs or narcotics.
2. Possession of drug paraphernalia.
3. Criminal activity as defined by the Safe SchoolsAct:
   1. First and second degree murder
   2. First and second degree burglary
   3. First and second degree assault
   4. Distribution of drugs
   5. Distribution of drugs to a minor
   6. Voluntary/involuntary manslaughter
   7. Property damage
   8. Felonious restraint
   9. Kidnapping
   10. Robbery
   11. First degree arson
   12. Sexual assault
   13. Forcible rape or sodomy
   14. Possession of a weapon (under provision of Ch. 571 Mo Revised Statutes)
   15. Assault on a student
   16. Intimidation or physical threat of staff
   17. Vandalism/theft
   18. False fire alarm/bomb threats and misuse of emergency equipment
   19. Serious sexual misbehavior/exposure
   20. Possession of dangerous items
   21. Dangerous behavior