Everything on this page is drawn directly from the BPS Student Code of Conduct (revised September 2024). No interpretation has been added — these are the district's own definitions, categories, processes, and consequence ranges as written.
Use the navigation below to jump to any section. If you have questions about how the code was applied in a specific situation, PAACT is here to help: paact.birmingham@gmail.com
Code of conduct
Violation categories
The BPS Student Code of Conduct (revised September 2024) groups prohibited behaviors into seven categories. All descriptions below are drawn directly from that document.
IWeapons
Firearms, dangerous weapons, look-alike weapons. Firearm possession in a weapon-free school zone triggers mandatory expulsion under Michigan law (MCL 380.1311). Other weapons carry suspension through permanent expulsion.
IIThreatening or abusive behavior
Coercion and extortion, fighting, inappropriate physical behavior, physical assault, threats and intimidation, verbal or written assault. The code distinguishes three levels of physical altercation by severity.
IIIHarassment and bullying
Bullying (including cyberbullying), discriminatory harassment, sexual harassment. Consequence range: administrative alternatives through expulsion.
IVSubstances
Alcohol, controlled substances, illegal drugs, look-alike substances, misuse of prescribed medication, tobacco and nicotine products. Consequences vary by specific offense.
VProperty violations
Arson, property damage, fireworks and explosives, gang activity, theft, trespassing, unauthorized use of school equipment, technology acceptable use violations.
VISafety and order
False fire alarms, gambling, gang activity, inappropriate vehicle use, non-compliance with staff directives, violations of other school rules established by the superintendent or principal.
VIIEducational dishonesty
Cheating, forgery, copyright violations, false allegations against a student, employee, contractor, volunteer, or board member. Academic consequences may apply alongside disciplinary consequences.
Source: BPS Student Code of Conduct, September 2024.
Code of conduct
Consequences
Administrative alternatives
Detention, denial of extracurricular participation, behavioral contracts, written assignments, confiscation, work assignments at school, required community service, financial restitution for property damage, probationary status, restorative practices.
Emergency removal (snap suspension)
A teacher may remove a student from their class for up to one school day for any behavior that disrupts or interferes with the learning environment. Must be reported to the principal immediately. Student may attend other teachers' classes during the same day.
Suspension
Up to 10 days: building administrator authority. 11 to 59 days: superintendent or designee. Students excluded for 10 days or less receive course content (worksheets, handouts). Ungraded content is not averaged into final grades.
Expulsion
60 or more school days, or permanent expulsion: superintendent recommendation required. Students permanently expelled remain subject to Michigan compulsory education law until age 18. Family is responsible for finding an alternative program.
Code of conduct
Restorative practices
Restorative practices — the definition
Practices that emphasize repairing the harm to the victim and the school community caused by a student's misconduct. All BPS schools have staff trained in restorative practices. They can be used as an alternative or in addition to suspension or expulsion.
School counselors
Every BPS school has a counselor who provides both academic and social-emotional support. Counselors are also able to connect families to outside resources where necessary.
Administrator conferences
Administrator conferences are used at the first tier to determine the reason behind a student's behavior. Administrators work with staff and families so students can have a positive classroom and school experience.
Teacher snap suspension
A teacher may remove a student from class for up to one school day for any behavior that disrupts or interferes with the learning environment. The teacher must immediately report to the principal and ask the parent or guardian to attend a conference.
Source: BPS Student Code of Conduct, September 2024.
Safety
Bullying — what the code says
Definition of bullying
Any written, verbal, or physical act, or any electronic communication including cyberbullying, that is intended to harm or that a reasonable person would know is likely to harm one or more students — by substantially interfering with their education, placing them in reasonable fear of physical harm, causing substantial emotional distress, having a detrimental effect on physical or mental health, or causing substantial disruption to the school.
Discriminatory harassment
A separate prohibition covers harassment based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national origin, religion, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, or disability. Harassment means threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gestures, technology use, or written, verbal, or physical conduct that places a student or employee in reasonable fear of harm.
Sexual harassment
A student shall not intentionally engage in sexual harassment of another student or school employee. The district prohibits unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile educational environment.
Consequence range
Bullying is listed as one offense category among many in the BPS code. The documented consequence range is administrative alternatives through expulsion. There is no separate severity tier for bullying — the same range applies to fighting, physical assault, and most other serious offenses.
If a complaint is found not valid: both families are notified, the code's anti-retaliation prohibition is restated, and investigation files are retained for at least three years. If a complaint is determined by clear and convincing evidence to be intentionally false, the person filing may face disciplinary action.
Safety
How to report a concern
Step 1 — building administrator
Report bullying or safety concerns to your school's principal or assistant principal. Parents and students may request a meeting with the principal at any time. You do not need to exhaust informal options before filing a formal complaint.
Step 2 — district escalation
If the building-level response is unsatisfactory, contact the district office. Academic concerns that remain unresolved after speaking with the teacher and school counselor may be escalated to the principal and then district administration.
For academic concerns
Contact the teacher first. If unresolved, contact the school counselor or principal. Each school has an intervention system in place to support students who are struggling academically.
Contact PAACT
If you feel your concern has not been adequately addressed by the district, PAACT wants to hear from you. We document patterns and advocate alongside families through the appropriate channels.