Student Policies

Student Discipline Policy

Simi Institute is committed to providing a safe and positive learning environment. Students are expected to adhere to all campus and their classroom policies to remain safe and make positive progress in their educational plan. Should a student be found to be in violation of one or more of the policies from the school or their program, they may be subject to appropriate consequences.

• 1st Violation - Teacher meets with student to review expectations.

• 2nd Violation - Teacher refers student to their counselor to be placed on an improvement contract

• 3rd Violation - Teacher refers student to the assistant principal in charge of student discipline for additional consequences which may include suspension or drop from their program.  

In certain situations where an unsafe condition is created by a student, or a student engages in disruptive or unlawful acts on school premises, administration may contact local law enforcement as well as immediately suspend the student.

Academic Dishonesty (BP 5131.9)

Students, staff and administrators shall be responsible for creating and maintaining a positive school climate that encourages honesty. Students found to have committed an act of academic dishonesty, which may include cheating, plagiarism, copyright violations, or forgery, may not be allowed continued participation in the program.

Attendance Requirements (BP 5110)

Teachers shall establish attendance requirements for their classes. Students are expected to come to every class session, be on time, stay the entire time, participate, and engage fully in the lesson. Students may be dropped from class for the following attendance reasons:

• Failing to attend the first class meeting at the time class is scheduled to begin
• Being absent three consecutive or more class sessions without contacting the instructor
• Chronic absenteeism that prevents the student from achieving the required number of hours of the course
• Making unsatisfactory progress in a course
• Attending class irregularly
• Continually arriving late to class or leaving early
• Violating school policies

Behavior (EC 48900(i), 48900(k), 48900(o), 48900(r), 48900.2, 48900.3 48900.4)

Students are expected to act in a professional manner at all times towards their classmates and staff. Engaging in intimidating conduct, harassment, sexual harassment, or bullying against students or staff through words or actions, including direct physical contact, verbal assaults, name calling, teasing, social isolation or manipulation, and cyber bullying is expressly prohibited. Additionally, disruptive behavior, willful disobedience, profanity, vulgarity, lewd or other offensive conduct, hate speech or actions, or the persistent defiance of authority or school personnel may result in suspension or being dropped from the program. 

Dress Code (BP 5132)

Appropriate attire standards shall be established by each program based on professional and industry standards. Adherence to these standards establish a safe and appropriate classroom environment and is a requirement for continued participation in the program.

Items or Equipment (EC 48900(b), 48900(m))

Teachers shall establish equipment that may be used in conjunction with their program. Students who engage in misuse of equipment in a way that may damage the equipment or cause injury to themselves or others may be subject to consequences that result in their inability to complete the program. Additionally, students who bring items to school or class that are not permitted, including actual or facsimile of a firearm, knife, explosive or other dangerous object, or any item used to threaten bodily harm, will be dropped from the program and law enforcement will be contacted. 

Professional Ethics

Violation of professional ethical codes of conduct in classroom or clinical settings as identified by state or national licensing agencies or other certification or licensing bodies may result in immediate suspension and dropping from the program.

Safety

• Drive safely and follow all traffic signs on campus
• Remember, the campus speed limit is 8 mph
• Riding skateboards, roller-skates, bicycles, etc., on campus are prohibited
• Make safety the number one priority while you are on campus. Please report any suspicious behavior to the Counseling Office
• Keep minor children with an adult on campus at all times
• Don't leave children or animals unattended in a car
• Children are not permitted in classrooms except Parent Education and Project Help
• For information about service animals, see the Counseling Office. No pets are allowed on campus at any time.
• Be on campus for official reasons only
• All visitors must report to the Counseling Office for assistance
• Use only parking spaces or parking lots designated for students

See Something Say Something

Students, staff and administrators shall be responsible for creating and maintaining a safe campus. Anyone who identifies an unsafe condition or dangerous situation is strongly encouraged to report it immediately to any employee. Any student identified as causing or creating an unsafe condition or dangerous situation is subject to legal penalties for violation of laws at the local, county, state, and federal level, as well as removal from their program.

Smoke Free / Drug Free Campus (EC 48900(c), 48900(d), 48900(h), 48900(j), 48900(p))

Possession, being under the influence, and / or distribution of alcohol, tobacco, vaping products and tools, marijuana and marijuana products and paraphernalia, illegal drugs, or prescription drugs that impair judgement or safety are expressly prohibited on campus at all times. Students suspected or found under the influence must meet with an administrator who will determine if the student may continue with their program or be dropped. Additionally, law enforcement may be contacted.

Theft (EC 48900(e), 48900(g), 48900(l))

Stealing or attempting to steal District property or private property on campus, or knowingly receiving stolen District property or private property on campus is considered theft and will be reported to law enforcement and will result in being dropped from the program.

Vandalism (EC 48900(f))

Causing or attempting to cause damage to District property or private property on campus is considered vandalism. Such an act will result in appropriate consequences and possible law enforcement involvement.

Violence (EC 48900.a(1), 48900.a(2))

Any act of violence on a student or staff member will result in contacting law enforcement and being dropped from the program.

Refund Policy

Full refunds will only be made if a course is closed by Simi Institute or if the days and / or times of the class are changed and the student cannot attend. No other refunds are issued. Students facing a compelling reason for withdrawal may appeal for a refund using this form (also available in the Business Office - Room 301.

BOOKS & SUPPLIES REFUNDS - There are NO refunds on books or supplies purchased through the Student Store or Business Office.

Rights and Responsibilities

At Simi Institute for Careers and Education, students have both rights and responsibilities.

Students have the right to:

• receive an education in a safe learning environment 
• fair, consistent, and respectful treatment from staff members and other students, and 
• present complaints or grievances to school authorities and
• receive a reply within a reasonable period of time.

Students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the standards of the Simi Valley Unified School District and the Simi Institute. Students are required to respect school regulations and obey civil and criminal laws. Students are subject to legal penalties for violation of laws at the local, county, state, and federal level.

Students are responsible for working diligently on completion of coursework and making satisfactory progress according to criteria established by the administration and faculty for each course. Students who fail to meet course objectives within the time frame established for each course shall be subject to dismissal.  A copy of the Standards of Conduct is available in the Counseling Office, Room 402.

Disabled Individuals

Simi Institute accommodates individuals with disabilities. Forty-eight hour advance notice is required to meet special needs for public meetings. Please call 805-579-6200 ext. 1618.

If special accommodations are required for school attendance, an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Accommodation Request Form will need to be filled out and documentation of disability provided before student can present his/her request to the school's ADA Committee. Forms can be picked up in the Counseling Office, Room 402, and returned there as well.

Temporary Disability

Simi Institute has made student safety a priority. Any student who is temporarily disabled due to injury, illness or surgery must provide the school with clearance from their licensed health care provider to return to class. If the licensed health care provider indicates a temporary condition that restricts activities that are required for coursework completion or may pose a safety or health risk to the student or others, and if required accommodations are not possible, the school may delay course completion until the restrictions are lifted, enroll the student in a future term of the course, allow for enrollment in another program, or drop the student.  

Click here for the ADULT STUDENT READMISSION TO SCHOOL WITH TEMPORARY DISABILITY DUE TO INJURY, ILLNESS OR SURGERY form, or pick one up in the Counseling Office, Room 402. Completed forms are returned to the Counseling Office, Room 402, as well. 

Title IX
(from the California Department of Education, Gender Equity & Title IX)

Title IX is a federal law that was passed in 1972 to ensure that male and female students and employees in educational settings are treated equally and fairly. It protects against discrimination based on sex (including sexual harassment). In addition, Title IX protects transgender students and students who do not conform to gender stereotypes. State law also prohibits discrimination based on gender (sex), gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The preamble to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states that: 

“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” 

Title IX requires that each school district have at least one person designated as the Title IX Coordinator. 

From the regulations governing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972  (20 U.S.C. 1681, 1682):

2020 Title IX Amendments

On May 6th, 2020 the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), released a finalized version of the new Title IX Regulations. Amendments to Title IX became effective on August 14, 2020. Specifically, The Final Rule changes the way in which institutions and local education agencies are required to respond to allegations of sexual harassment. The new Title IX regulations are intended to clarify sexual harassment as a form of sex discrimination and expand on the definition of sexual harassment. The new Title IX regulation can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 34 CFR Part 106 . 

106.8 Designation of coordinator, dissemination of policy, and adoption of grievance procedures.

Designation of coordinator.

a.     Each recipient must designate and authorize at least one employee to coordinate its efforts to comply with its responsibilities under this part, which employee must be referred to as the “Title IX Coordinator.” The recipient must notify applicants for admission and employment, students, parents or legal guardians of elementary and secondary school students, employees, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with the recipient, of the name or title, office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number of the employee or employees designated as the Title IX Coordinator pursuant to this paragraph. Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person's verbal or written report. Such a report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours) by using the telephone number or electronic mail address, or by mail to the office address, listed for the Title IX Coordinator. 

b.    Dissemination of policy –

1.      Notification of policy. 
Each recipient must notify persons entitled to a notification under paragraph (a) of this section that the recipient does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, and that it is required by title IX and this part not to discriminate in such a manner. Such notification must state that the requirement not to discriminate in the education program or activity extends to admission (unless subpart C of this part does not apply) and employment, and that inquiries about the application of title IX and this part to such recipient may be referred to the recipient's Title IX Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary, or both. 

2.    Publications. 
Each recipient must prominently display the contact information required to be listed for the Title IX Coordinator under paragraph (a) of this section and the policy described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section on its website, if any, and in each handbook or catalog that it makes available to persons entitled to a notification under paragraph (a) of this section. 

A recipient must not use or distribute a publication stating that the recipient treats applicants, students, or employees differently on the basis of sex except as such treatment is permitted by title IX or this part.

c.     Adoption of grievance procedures.
A recipient must adopt and publish grievance procedures that provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of student and employee complaints alleging any action that would be prohibited by this part and a grievance process that complies with Sec. 106.45 for formal complaints as defined in Sec. 106.30. A recipient must provide to persons entitled to a notification under paragraph (a) of this section notice of the recipient's grievance procedures and grievance process, including how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment, and how the recipient will respond.

(Authority: 34 C.F.R. Sec 106.8)

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. 1232g, 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when he/she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Additional information is available in the Counseling Office.

Simi Valley Unified School District Non-Discrimination Policy

SVUSD does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic group, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, color or disability in any program or activity.

Sexual Harassment is Illegal

Federal state and SVUSD Board Policies and Administrative Regulations require  penalties that may include suspension or expulsion for sexual harassment conduct. Sexual Harassment is unsolicited written, verbal, physical and/or visual contacts with sexual overtones made by an employee, volunteer or student in the school district (SVUSD PB 5144.2; AR5144.2). Regulations and complaint procedures are posted in the Counseling Office, Room 402. Information on sexual harassment is posted in all classrooms for students to review.

Complaint Procedures

In accordance with the District's Uniform Complaint Procedures (5 CCR 4620), each school district shall follow uniform complaint procedures to address complaints alleging unlawful discrimination (such as discriminatory harassment, intimidation, or bullying) against any protected group, complaints alleging violation of state or federal laws governing educational programs, the charging of unlawful pupil fees, and the non-compliance of our Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).

The Uniform Complaint Reporting Form may be obtained in the Counseling Office, Room 402.

Employment Development Department CTB and WIOA

Vocational training is offered in conjunction with EDD and county social services. Prospective WIOA students must have a referral form from their caseworker. For more information, contact EDD at www.edd.ca.gov or the county service agency in your area.

Additional Instructional Hours

Some classes require additional time for laboratory work, both on and off campus, or for field trips that are mandatory for educational purposes. These hours may vary from regular class hours. Check with instructor for more information, including any additional costs.