Each school committee shall make, maintain, and enforce a student discipline code. The purpose of the code is to foster a positive environment that promotes learning. The department of elementary and secondary education shall provide necessary technical assistance in the development of the student discipline code. The school committee shall cause the school discipline code to be distributed to each student enrolled in the district. Each student and his or her parent, guardian, or custodian shall sign a statement verifying that they have been given a copy of the student discipline code of their respective school district.