Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 14, 1995                   TAG: 9506140055
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

PUPILS NEVER TOO YOUNG TO LEARN TO FOLLOW RULES IN CLASS, ON BUS

If they bring a gun to a Roanoke school, they will receive a 10-day mandatory suspension. And the principal will recommend that the School Board expel them for at least one year.

A new conduct code for elementary children carries the same penalty for two other offenses: Selling or distributing drugs, and inflicting serious injury on another person.

The new code, called Standards and Expectations for Student Behavior, was presented to the city School Board on Tuesday night. It is the second phase of a project that began with the development of a conduct code for middle and high school students.

Superintendent Wayne Harris said that more than 200 people were asked to review the code, which will be distributed to pupils and parents before schools open in the fall.

The penalties for possessing guns, possessing drugs or assaulting someone are the same for elementary pupils as those in upper grades.

Roanoke is one of the first school systems in Virginia to develop a code for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

There are also dress rules for elementary children:

Hats, scarves or other head covering may not be worn in the school building without prior approval.

Tank tops or other midriff-baring attire is prohibited. So are garments imprinted with obscene, vulgar or suggestive language or pictures.

Clothing and accessories that could do damage to others or to property, such as chain belts, spike bracelets or necklaces, are not acceptable.

On buses, children must obey the driver at all time. They are prohibited from eating, drinking, arguing, fighting or throwing objects on buses. Abusive and vulgar language also is banned.

Children who break the rules may not be allowed to ride a bus. Riding the bus is a privilege and can be denied for violation of the rules, according to the new conduct code.

The code also includes many rules governing general behavior:

Do not bring toys, candy, gum or other items to schools that are not necessary for instruction.

No horseplay or play fighting.

Keep hands to self and feet on the floor

Use appropriate language.

Show respect for others, and observe rules of safety at all times.

The penalties for breaking the rules can vary, depending on the nature of the offense, from a verbal warning to detention after school, suspension or expulsion.