The Rights and Responsibilities Handbook is a resource for families to find general information about school operations, student conduct expectations, and student discipline. It includes information we are required, by law, to provide families.

Individual schools may also establish school-specific standards for student conduct, consistent with these general rights and responsibilities.

All students are expected to conduct themselves in a polite, courteous, and safe manner while at school, on the way to and from school, and at any time they are representing their school. All students will be treated with respect by adults, and students are expected to treat others with respect. These are your rights as well as your responsibilities.

Per School Board Policy 3112, the Puyallup School District believes that each and every school community member should:

• be treated with dignity,
• have the opportunity to learn, work, interact, and socialize in physically, emotionally, and intellectually safe, respectful, and positive school and classroom environments,
• have the opportunity to experience high quality relationships.

This handbook explains the rights and responsibilities of Puyallup School District (hereafter referred to as “the district”) students regarding student conduct and student discipline.

These rights and responsibilities implement various state and federal laws, the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s rules governing student discipline actions, Chapter 392-400 WAC of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), and the policies of the Puyallup School District Board of Directors. Consistent with such laws, rules, and policies, these rights and responsibilities may be supplemented or revised at any time by the administration of the district. Such changes will be made available to students and parents in writing and online at www.puyallupsd.org.

All students are expected to conduct themselves in a polite, courteous, and safe manner while at school, bus stops, on the way to and from school, and at any time they are representing their school. All students will be treated with respect by adults, and students are expected to treat others with respect. These are your rights as well as your responsibilities.

Individual schools may also establish more specific standards for student conduct, consistent with these general rights and responsibilities, in student handbooks or other written communications to students.

The Handbook is laid out as follows:

• Section I: General information about school procedures and operations
• Section II: Terms and procedures related to student discipline
• Section III: General behavioral expectations for students and specific definitions of misconduct

Defined Grade Levels

• Elementary = grades K – 6
• Secondary = grades 7 – 12
• Junior High = grades 7 – 9
• High School = grades 10 – 12

Examples of Information in the Handbook

• Academics
• Athletics & Activities
• Health
• Nondiscrimination
• Privacy

How Often is the Handbook Updated?

The Rights and Responsibilities Handbook is updated and reviewed and approved by the Puyallup Superintendent and School Board annually. 

It is accessible on the district website and communicated to families by their child’s school in September.