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District Regulation

5600 - PUPIL DISCIPLINE/CODE OF CONDUCT (M)

Section: Students Date Created: August 2013 Date Edited: July 2019

 

M

 

A. Purpose

 

The purpose of these regulations is to achieve the following purposes:

 

1. Foster the health, safety, social, and emotional well-being of pupils;

 

2. Support the establishment and maintenance of civil, safe, secure, supportive, and disciplined school environments conducive to learning;

 

3. Promote achievement of high academic standards;

 

4. Prevent the occurrence of problem behaviors;

 

5. Establish parameters for the intervention and remediation of pupil problem behaviors at all stages of identification; and

 

6. Establish parameters for school responses to violations of the pupil discipline/code of conduct that take into account, at a minimum, the severity of the offenses, the developmental ages of the pupil offenders, and pupils' histories of inappropriate behaviors.

 

B. Rules of Conduct

 

1. All pupils are bound by law, policies of the Board of Education, and the administrative regulations of this school district.

 

2. In addition, pupils shall not:

 

a. Be insubordinate to teachers or other school staff members or disregard their instructions or demonstrate lack of respect for their authority;

 

b. Create disorder or disruptions on school premises;

 

c. Use, threaten, or incite the use of physical force against other pupils, staff members, or visitors to the school;

 

d. Steal, damage, or deface the property of other pupils, staff members, or the district;

 

e. Engage in the sexual and/or other harassment of pupils or staff members;

 

f.  Violate codes of conduct adopted for organizations of pupils;

 

g. Possess or use weapons including toy or imitation weapons or any implement intended to harm others;

 

h. Use foul, abusive, derogatory, or demeaning language, including racial and ethnic remarks;

 

i.  Convey information about other pupils or staff members known to be false;

 

j.  Act so recklessly as to endanger the safety of others;

 

k. Procure the property of others by threat or intimidation;

 

l.  Enter school premises or any specific portion of the premises without permission and without authority;

 

m. Vandalize school property, real or personal;

 

n. Create litter on school property;

 

o. Be truant from school or class;

 

p. Cheat or otherwise engage in academic dishonesty;

 

q. Persistently refuse to complete homework and other assignments;

 

r.  Engage in illegal gambling;

 

s.  Smoke on school property;

 

t.  Falsify an excuse or any school document;

 

u. Set fire to or cause a fire in any way on school premises;

 

v. Possess or explode a firecracker or other explosive device on school premises;

 

w. Sound or cause to be sounded a false alarm for fire, bomb, or other condition or circumstance hazardous to others;

 

x. Possess, use, or distribute a substance in violation of Policy No. 5530;

 

y. Join a secret society prohibited by law;

 

z. Commit an act of harassment, intimidation, or bullying; or

 

aa. Engage in any other activity expressly prohibited by a school staff member in authority.

 

3. Pupils assigned to a school bus must obey all school rules, and

 

a. Show respect for the driver at all times;

 

b. Enter and leave the bus in an orderly manner;

 

c. Ride only the bus to which they have been assigned;

 

d. Be and remain seated while the bus is in motion;

 

e. Avoid reckless and boisterous activity at all times, including during waits at pickup points;

 

f.  Talk in a reasonable tone of voice and avoid loud noises;

 

g. Extend no portion of the body or other object out a bus window;

 

h. Keep aisles clear at all times;

 

i.  Refrain from bringing animals or bulky, unmanageable projects onto the school bus;

 

j.  Refrain from smoking, eating, and drinking on the bus; and

 

k. Possess, use, or distribute no substance in violation of Policy No. 5530.

 

4. The Building Principal or designee has the right to impose a consequence on a pupil for conduct away from school grounds pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.6.  This authority shall be exercised only when it is reasonably necessary for the pupil’s physical or emotional safety, security, and well-being or for reasons relating to the safety, security, and well-being of other pupils, staff, or school grounds, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:25-2 and 18A:37-2 or when the conduct which is the subject of the proposed consequence materially and substantially interferes with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of the school.  Consequences shall be handled in accordance with Policy and Regulation 5600, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1, and as appropriate, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7-2, 6A:16-7.3, or 6A:16-7.5. 

 

C. Disciplinary Measures

 

The following disciplinary measures may be applied as appropriate to the pupil's violation of school rules.  The measures are sequential and are organized in order of severity.

 

1. Admonishment

 

A school staff member in authority may admonish the pupil for his/her unacceptable conduct and warn the pupil that additional misconduct may warrant a more severe penalty.

 

2. Temporary Removal from Classroom

 

a. The classroom teacher may direct the pupil to report to the office of the administrator in charge of pupil discipline.

 

b. The teacher will complete a form that indicates the pupil's name, homeroom, and the conduct that has caused the pupil's removal from the room.

 

c. The administrator in charge of discipline will interview the pupil and determine which, if any, additional disciplinary steps are indicated.

 

3. Deprivation of Privileges

 

The pupil may be deprived of the privilege of:

 

a. Moving freely about the school building,

 

b. Participation in co-curricular or inter/intrascholastic activities,

 

c. Attendance at a school-related social or sports activity,

 

d. Participation in a graduation ceremony, or

 

e. Transportation by school bus, or

 

f.  Any other privilege the Building Principal or designee determines may be appropriate and consistent with Policy 5600 and N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1 et seq.

 

4. Detention

 

a. The pupil may be required to report before or after the school day to detention for a period of supervised study.

 

b. Transportation will be the responsibility of the pupil’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s).

 

c. The pupil may be excused from detention only for an unavoidable commitment previously made; any such excused detention must be made up on another day.

 

5. Grading

 

A pupil who has cheated on a test or assignment, plagiarized material, falsified sources, refused to submit assignments, or otherwise indulged in academic dishonesty or negligence (paragraph B.2.p. and paragraph B.2.q.) may suffer a reduced grade by virtue of the disqualified work.  In no other instance may a pupil's grade be lowered as a direct penalty for misconduct.

 

6. Suspension from School

 

a. The pupil may be denied the right to attend school for a period of time pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:37-2, N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.2, and 6A:16-7.3, and Policy 5610.

 

b. Suspension from school is a deprivation of the pupil's right to a thorough and efficient education and will not be imposed without the due process set forth in Policy and Regulation 5610.

 

7. Expulsion

 

a. The Board may expel a general education pupil from school, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:37-2, N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.5, and Policy 5620.

 

b. Expulsion is an extremely serious disciplinary measure; it deprives the pupil of his/her right to a thorough and efficient education and will not be imposed without the due process set forth in Policies 5610 and 5620.

 

D. Remedial Measures

 

The following remedial measures may be taken to aid in correcting pupil conduct and to ensure that the pupil is properly placed in an appropriate educational environment and is not in need of special education and/or related services.

 

1. Restitution and Restoration

 

a. The pupil may be required, to:

 

(1) Make restitution, in kind or cost or labor, for any loss he/she has caused; or

 

(2) Restore to its former condition, by his/her own labor, any property the pupil has damaged or defaced.

 

b. A pupil who refuses to make restitution or restoration as directed may be disciplined by one or more of the measures included at paragraph C.

 

2. Counseling

 

a. The pupil may be required to consult with school guidance counselors to determine the causes of his/her misconduct and to assess the need for a change in educational placement.

 

b. The counselor will explain:

 

(1) Why the pupil's conduct is unacceptable to the school and damaging to the pupil,

 

(2) What the consequences of continued misconduct are likely to be, and

 

(3) Appropriate alternate behaviors.

 

c. The counselor may refer the pupil, as appropriate, for additional counseling, evaluation, intervention, treatment, or therapy.  Referrals may be made to:

 

(1) The Child Study Team,

 

(2) Intervention and Referral Team,

 

(3) A public or private social agency, or

 

(4) A legal agency.

 

3. Parent Conferences

 

The pupil may be required to attend a meeting with his/her parent(s) and appropriate staff members to discuss the causes of the pupil's behavior, possible remediation, potential disciplinary measures, and alternative conduct.

 

4. Alternate Educational Program

 

The pupil may be assigned to an alternate educational program as recommended by the pupil's guidance counselor, classroom teacher, Child Study Team, and/or administrator.

 

E. Consequences and Remedial Measures for Acts of Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying

 

1. Consequences

 

Consequences for a pupil who commits an act of harassment, intimidation, or bullying shall be varied and graded according to the nature of the behavior, the developmental age of the pupil, and the pupil’s history of problem behaviors and performance. 

 

a. The consequences may include, but are not limited to, the examples listed below:

 

(1) Admonishment;

 

(2) Temporary removal from the classroom;

 

(3) Deprivation of privileges;

 

(4) Classroom or administrative detention;

 

(5) Referral to disciplinarian;

 

(6) In-school suspension during the school week or the weekend;

 

(7) After-school programs;

 

(8) Out-of-school suspension (short-term or long-term);

 

(9) Reports to law enforcement or other legal action;

 

(10) Expulsion; and

 

(11) Participating in school district-sponsored programs.

 

2. Remedial Measures

 

Remedial measures shall be designed to correct the problem behavior; prevent another occurrence of the problem; protect and provide support for the victim of the act; and take corrective action for documented systemic problems related to harassment, intimidation, or bullying. 

 

F. Consequences and Remedial Measures for Acts or Incidents of Dating Violence at School

 

Consequences and remedial measures specific to acts or incidents of dating violence at school shall be used to address the act or incident and to serve as remediation, intervention, education, and prevention for all individuals involved.  Responses shall be tiered with consideration given to the seriousness and number of previous occurrences of acts or incidents in which the victim and aggressor have been involved.

 

1. Consequences

 

a. Consequences may include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

(1) Admonishment;

 

(2) Temporary removal from the classroom;

 

(3) Classroom or administrative detention;

 

(4) In-school suspension;

 

(5) Out-of-school suspension;

 

(6) Reports to law enforcement; and/or

 

(7) Expulsion.

 

2. Remedial Measures/Interventions

 

a. Remedial measures/interventions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

(1) Parent conferences;

 

(2) Pupil counseling (all pupils involved in the act or incident);

 

(3) Peer support group;

 

(4) Corrective instruction or other relevant learning or service experiences;

 

(5) Supportive pupil intervention (Intervention and Referral Services - I&RS);

 

(6) Behavioral management plan; and/or

 

(7) Alternative placements.

 

G. Chart of Discipline for Students in Grades K - 5

 

A Discipline Binder will be kept in the Main office.  This binder is confidential and only accessible to the following individuals: Principal, Assistant Principal, Guidance Counselor, Crisis Management Team.

 

Discipline Levels:

 

Level One

 

Includes all components listed in Level 1 (Board Policy 8468) in addition to:

 

   Verbal and/or written harassment (teasing, annoying behavior towards another child)

 

   Throwing food

 

   Bullying – teasing, name calling, put-downs, or any annoying behavior toward a child

 

   Spreading gossip/rumors, spreading lies.

 

   Excluding someone from playing

 

   Theft

 

Level Two

 

Includes all components listed in Level 2 (Board Policy 8468) in addition to:

 

   Disrespectful behavior (verbal and/or physical) toward a child/adult, punching, kicking

 

   Verbal and/or written threats of harm

 

   Physical assault of a student or adult

 

   Defacing school property (desk, wall, classroom, bathroom, student’s belongings)

 

Level Three

 

Includes all components listed in Level 3 (Board Policy 8468) in addition to:

 

   Bringing a weapon to school (i.e., gun, knife)

 

Consequences

 

# OF OFFENSES

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

 

1

•Teacher, Admin., or playground Aide conferences with student

•Recess Detention-1 day

•Out of School Suspension (to be determined by Crisis Mgt. Team)

•Parent contacted by Principal or Asst. Principal

•Crisis Mgt. Team contacted

•Superinten-dent contacted

2

•Recess Detention-1day

•Recess Detention-3 days

•Parent contacted by Principal or Asst. Principal

•Guidance Counselor meets briefly with student

 

3

•Recess Detention-3 days

•Parent contacted by Principal or Asst. Principal

•Guidance Counselor meets briefly with student

•Recess Detention-5 days

•Parent contacted by Principal or Asst. Principal

•Guidance Counselor meets briefly with student

 

4

•Recess Detention-5 days

•Parent contacted by Principal or Asst. Principal

•Guidance Counselor meets briefly with student

•In-School Suspen-sion -

1 day

•Parent contacted by Principal or Asst. Principal

•Guidance Counselor meets briefly with student

 

5

•In-School Suspension -

1 day

•Parent contacted by Principal or Asst. Principal

•Guidance Counselor meets briefly with student

•Out of School Suspen-sion - 1 day

•Parent contacted by Principal or Asst. Principal

•Guidance Counselor meets briefly with student

 

 

**The staff and administration recognize the individual needs of our students; therefore we view these consequences as a guideline.  Modifications to the above consequences shall be made at the discretion of the Building Principal or Assistant Principal.  Teacher input is also valued and encouraged.

 

H. Chart of Discipline for Students in Grades 6 - 8

 

Below is a listing of pupil behaviors that are subject to pupil discipline including suspension or expulsion pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:37-2.  The behaviors include, but are not limited to:

 

Offensive Conduct

 

Insubordination (Depending upon severity) (DOS)

 

First offense:       Verbal Warning/Parent Communication/

Teacher Detention

Second offense:  Verbal Warning/Parent Communication/

Central/Saturday Detention

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Disruption (DOS)

 

First offense:       Verbal Warning/Parent Communication/

Teacher Detention

Second offense:  Verbal Warning/Parent Communication/

Central Detention

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Use of Force (DOS)

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication/

Saturday Detention

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

Saturday Detention/Suspension

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Theft, Damage (DOS)

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication/

SRO Notification/5-10 Day Suspension –

Police Report Filed

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

SRO Notification/

10 Day Suspension – Police

Report Filed

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Sexual Harassment (DOS)

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication

Referred to AA Officer/ Counseling/

Detention

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication

Referred

to AA Officer/ Saturday Detention/

Suspension

Third offense:     District Affirmative Action Officer/

Administrative Discretion

 

Code Violation (DOS)

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication/

Detention

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

Detention/Saturday Detention

Third offense:     Student & Parent Communication/

Administrative Discretion

 

Weapon Possession

 

First offense:       Immediate Removal from School

 

Any pupil who is convicted or is an adjudicated delinquent for possession of a firearm on school property must be immediately removed from the regular education program and provided with an alternative program, pending a hearing before the Board of Education.  Pupils convicted or found to be delinquent for possessing a firearm on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored function or committing a crime while possessing a firearm shall be immediately removed from the regular education program for a period of not less than one calendar year and placed in an alternative education school or program pending a hearing before the Board of Education to remove the pupil.  (Chapter 128 of 1995, The Zero Tolerance for Guns Act).

 

Second offense:  Administrative Discretion

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Language Misuse (e.g. Profanity/Profanity Directed at or referring to a teacher)

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication/

Central/Saturday Detention

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

Saturday Detention

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Recklessness

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication/

Detention

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

Saturday Detention

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Extortion

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication/

Administrative Discretion

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

Administrative Discretion

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Wrongful Entry

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication/

Detention/Suspension/Police

Notification

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

SRO Notification/

Administrative Discretion

Third offense:     Student & Parent Communication/

SRO Notification/

Administrative Discretion

 

Vandalism (DOS)

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication/

Restitution & Restoration/Disciplinary

Consequence

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

Saturday Detention/

Restitution & Restoration/

SRO Notification

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Fighting (DOS)

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication/

Suspension/SRO Notification

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

Suspension/SRO Notification

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Littering

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication/

Warning/Detention

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

Detention/SRO Notification

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Truancy

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication/

Saturday Detention

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

Saturday Detention

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Cheating (DOS)

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication/

Zero on Assignment/Central Detention

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

Zero on Assignment-Test/

Saturday Detention

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Gambling

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication/

Detention

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

Suspension 1-5 Days

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Smoking

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication/

Saturday Detention/Enroll in

Smoking Cessation Program

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

2 Saturday Detentions/SRO

Notification/Complaint filed with

Municipal Court

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

 

First offense:      Enact Policy 5530

        Suspension 3 Days

 

Second offense:          Enact Policy 5530

                                   Suspension 5 Days

 

Third offense:      Administrative Discretion  

 

Cutting Detention

 

Central/Teacher   Saturday

 

First offense:       2 Detentions        2 Saturdays

Second offense:  Saturday Detention     1 Day OSS

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Forgery

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication/

Zero on Assignment/Central Detention

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

Zero on Assignment/

Saturday Detention

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Failure to Wear Seatbelt in School Bus

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication/

Warning

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

Detention/Saturday Detention

Third offense:     Loss of Bus Privileges/Suspension

 

Arson

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication/

Saturday Detention/

Suspension/SRO Notification

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

Suspension/SRO Notification

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Exploding Devices

 

First offense:       Immediate Removal from School

 

Any pupil who is convicted or is an adjudicated delinquent for possession of a firearm on school property must be immediately removed from the regular education program and provided with an alternative program, pending a hearing before the Board of Education. Pupils convicted or found to be delinquent for possessing a firearm on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored function or committing a crime while possessing a firearm shall be immediately removed from the regular education program for a period of not less than one calendar year and placed in an alternative education school or program pending a hearing before the Board of Education to remove the pupil. (Chapter 128 of 1995, The Zero Tolerance for Guns Act).

 

Second offense:  Administrative Discretion

 

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Falsifying Alarm

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication/

Saturday Detention/

SRO Notification

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

Suspension/SRO Notification

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Substance Abuse

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication/

Suspension/Referral to SAC/SRO

Notification

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

Suspension/Referral to SAC/SRO

Notification

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

Secret Membership

 

First offense:       Student & Parent Communication/

Warning/Detention/SRO Notification

Second offense:  Administrative Discretion/

SRO Notification

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion/SRO

Notification

 

Misuse of Computer Networks/Computers (DOS)

 

First offense:       Verbal Warning/Parent Communication/

Detention

Second offense:  Verbal Parent/Communication/Detention/

Loss of Privileges

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

 

1. Two (2) first offenses in any combination of categories in any one semester will warrant the discipline of a Saturday detention.

2. Two (2) second offenses in any combination of categories in any one semester will warrant the discipline of two (2) Saturday detentions, community service, or suspension.

3. Two (2) third offenses in any combination of categories in any one semester will warrant the discipline of removal from class, loss of credit, community service or suspension.

 

I.  Chart of Discipline for Students in Grades 9 - 12

 

Communication will be made to students and parents of all incidences of misconduct.  Below is a listing of pupil behaviors that are subject to pupil discipline including suspension or expulsion pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:37-2.  The behaviors include, but are not limited to:

 

Offensive Conduct

 

Insubordination (Depending upon severity) (DOS)

 

Detention/Saturday Detention/Suspension

 

Disruption (DOS)

 

First offense:       Detention.

Second offense:  Saturday Detention.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion.

A student may be removed from a shop or lab class for any offense.

 

Use of Force/Assault

 

First offense:       Suspension up to 10 days.

Second offense:  Suspension up to 10 days.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion.

 

Theft, Damage

 

First offense:       10 Day Suspension –

Police Report Filed.

Second offense:  10 Day - Police Report Filed.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion.

 

Harassment (including sexual)/Intimidation/Bullying

 

Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying Report filed (DOS) Administrative Discretion, communication and referred to Affirmative Action Officer/Superintendent.

 

Code Violation

 

First offense:       Warning/Detention.

Second offense:  Detention/Saturday Detention.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion.

 

Weapon Possession

 

First offense:       Immediate Removal from School.

 

Any pupil who is convicted or is an adjudicated delinquent for possession of a firearm on school property must be immediately removed from the regular education program and provided with an alternative program, pending a hearing before the Board of Education. Pupils convicted or found to be delinquent for possessing a firearm on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored function or committing a crime while possessing a firearm shall be immediately removed from the regular education program for a period of not less than one calendar year and placed in an alternative education school or program pending a hearing before the Board of Education to remove the pupil. (Chapter 128 of 1995, The Zero Tolerance for Guns Act).

 

Second offense:  Administrative Discretion.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion.

 

Language Misuse (e.g. Profanity/Profanity Directed at or referring to a teacher) (DOS)

 

First offense:       Detentions/Saturday Detention/Suspension.

Second offense:  Saturday Detention/Suspension.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion.

 

Recklessness

 

First offense:       Detention.

Second offense:  Saturday Detention.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion.

 

Extortion (DOS)

 

All Offenses:       Administrative Discretion

 

Wrongful Entry (DOS)

 

First offense:       Saturday Detention/Suspension/

Police Notification.

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

Police Notification/

Administrative Discretion.

Third offense:     Student & Parent Communication/

Police Notification/

Administrative Discretion.

 

Vandalism (DOS)

 

All Offenses:       Administrative Discretion. Restitution

or Restoration

 

Fighting

 

First offense:       Suspension up to 10 days/Police

Notification.

Second offense:  Suspension up to 10 days/

Police Notification.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion.

 

Littering

 

First offense:       Warning/Detention.

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

Detention/Police Notification.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion.

 

Truancy

 

First offense:       Saturday Detention/Warning for

Loss of Credit in Courses.

Second offense:  Loss of Credit in Courses.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion.

 

Cheating/Plagiarism

 

First offense:       Zero on Assignment/Saturday Detention.

Possible removal from or ineligibility

for NHS.

Second offense:  Zero on Assignment-Test/Saturday

Detention/Suspension.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion.

 

Noncooperation

 

First offense:       Detention.

Second offense:  Saturday Detention.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion.

 

Gambling

 

First offense:       Detention.

Second offense:  Suspension 1-5 Days.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion.

 

Smoking

 

First offense:       Saturday Detention/Enroll in Smoking

Cessation Program/Police

charges filed.

Second offense:  2 Saturday Detentions/Police Notification/

Complaint filed with Municipal Court.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion.

 

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

 

First offense:      Enact Policy 5530

        Suspension 3 Days

 

Second offense:          Enact Policy 5530

                                   Suspension 5 Days

 

Third offense:      Administrative Discretion  

 

Cutting Detention

 

A.M/P.M.    Saturday

First offense:       2 Detentions        1 Day OSS.

Second offense:  Saturday Detention     1 Day OSS.

Third offense:     Saturday Detention     1 Day OSS.

 

Forgery

 

First offense:       Zero on Assignment/

Saturday Detention.

Second offense:  Zero on Assignment/

Saturday Detention.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion.

 

Failure to Wear Seatbelt in School Bus

 

First offense:       Warning.

Second offense:  PM Detention/Saturday Detention.

Third offense:     Loss of bus privileges/Suspension.

 

Arson

 

First offense:       Saturday Detention/Suspension/

Police Notification.

Second offense:  Suspension/Police Notification.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion.

 

Exploding Devices

 

First offense:       Immediate Removal from School.

 

Any pupil who is convicted or is an adjudicated delinquent for possession of a firearm on school property must be immediately removed from the regular education program and provided with an alternative program, pending a hearing before the Board of Education. Pupils convicted or found to be delinquent for possessing a firearm on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored function or committing a crime while possessing a firearm shall be immediately removed from the regular education program for a period of not less than one calendar year and placed in an alternative education school or program pending a hearing before the Board of Education to remove the pupil. (Chapter 128 of 1995, The Zero Tolerance for Guns Act).

 

Second offense:  Administrative Discretion.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion.

 

Falsifying Alarm

 

First offense:       Suspension/Police Notification.

Second offense:  Suspension/Police Notification.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion.

 

Substance Abuse/Possession

 

First offense:       Suspension/Referral to SAC/

Police Notification.

Second offense:  Student & Parent Communication/

Suspension/Referral to

SAC/Police Notification.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion.

 

Secret Membership

 

First offense:       Warning/Detention/

Police Notification.

Second offense:  Administrative Discretion/

Police Notification.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion/

Police Notification.

 

Misuse of Computer Networks/Computers

 

First offense:       Warning/Detention.

Second offense:  Detention/Loss of Privileges.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion.

 

1. 2 first offenses in any combination of categories in any one semester will warrant the discipline of a Saturday detention.

2. 2 second offenses in any combination of categories in any one semester will warrant the discipline of 2 Saturday detentions, community service, or suspension.

3. 2 third offenses in any combination of categories in any one semester will warrant the discipline of removal from class, loss of credit, community service or suspension.

 

Cell Phone Violations

 

First offense:       Phone Confiscated/Parent/legal

guardian picks up

phone/Saturday Detention.

Second offense:  Phone Confiscated/Parent/legal

guardian picks up

phone/Saturday Detention.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion

            Public Displays of Affection (PDA)

Any and all public displays of affection (PDA), are discouraged, inappropriate, and not permitted on school grounds, at school events/functions (even if off school grounds), or on school-provided transportation.  PDA includes any physical contact that may make others in close proximity uncomfortable or serves as a distraction for themselves as well as innocent onlookers.  Continued or repeated instances of PDA may be subject to disciplinary consequences at the discretion of the administration.

First offense:       Administrative Discretion.

Second offense:  Administrative Discretion.

Third offense:     Administrative Discretion. 

J.  Disciplinary Procedures

 

1. The Pupil Discipline/Code of Conduct Policy and Regulation 5600 shall be disseminated annually to all school staff, pupils, and parent(s).  Principals will distribute these documents to all pupils on the first day of each school year and to transferring pupils on the first day of their enrollment in this district.

 

2. Teachers and administrators in charge of pupil discipline shall make every effort to administer these rules consistently and fairly.

 

3. The staff member who disciplines a pupil for conduct shall, however minimal the offense or the discipline,

 

a. Orally inform the pupil of the conduct for which he/she is being disciplined; and

 

b. Offer the pupil an opportunity to deny the charge or to present extenuating circumstances.

 

4. Where the discipline is greater than an admonishment, the pupil's parent(s) or legal guardian(s) will be notified of the offense and of the discipline imposed and will be offered an opportunity to confer with the assistant principal.

 

5. Where the offense is serious and the discipline greater than detention, every effort will be made to notify the parent(s) prior to the informal hearing conducted in accordance with paragraph F.3.

 

6. An in-school suspension, suspension from school, or expulsion will be conducted in strict accordance with law and Policies 5610 and 5620.

 

7. Violations of the rules regarding pupil conduct on school buses will be handled as follows.

 

a. The driver will report the offensive conduct to the Principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled by submission of a completed written form that includes the name of the pupil, the school, and the specific offensive conduct.

 

b. The parent(s) or legal guardian(s) will be notified, by copy of the form, of the pupil's conduct.

 

c. The Principal or designee will determine the discipline to be administered, in accordance with the severity of the infraction.  In general, when the offense is not severe:

 

(1) On the first notice of misconduct, the pupil will be counseled, the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) notified, and the pupil suspended from the bus for zero school day(s);

 

(2) On the second notice of misconduct, the pupil and parent(s) or legal guardian(s) will attend a conference, and the pupil will be suspended from the bus for ten school days; and

 

(3) On the third notice of misconduct, the Principal will confer with the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and the pupil will be suspended from the bus for a period not less than twenty school days or more than one semester or the balance of the school year, whichever is less.

 

d. When the misconduct is severe, the pupil may be summarily suspended from the bus pending a conference with the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and further disciplinary action.

 

K. Pupils with Disabilities

 

For pupils with disabilities, subject to Individualized Education Programs in accordance with 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq., the Individuals with Disabilities Educational Improvement Act, and accommodation plans under 29 U.S.C. §§ 794 and 705(20), pupil discipline and the code of conduct shall be implemented in accordance with the components of the applicable plans.

 

L. Pupil Rights

 

Pupils subject to the consequences of the Pupil Discipline/Code of Conduct Policy and Regulation shall be informed of their rights, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1(c)3.i. through vii., that include:

 

1. Advance notice of behaviors that will result in suspensions and expulsions that have been identified under authority of N.J.S.A. 18A:37-2;

 

2. Education that supports pupils' development into productive citizens;

 

 

3. Attendance in safe and secure school environments;

 

4. Attendance at school irrespective of pupils' marriage, pregnancy, or parenthood;

 

5. Due process and appeal procedures, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:3-1.3 through 1.17, N.J.A.C. 6A:4 and, where applicable, N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.7 and 2.8;

 

6. Parent notification consistent with the policies and procedures established pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-6.2(b)3; and

 

7. Protections pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § 1232g and 34 CFR Part 99, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; 20 U.S.C. § 1232h and 34 CFR Part 98, Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment; N.J.A.C.  6:3-6, Pupil Records; 45 CFR § 160, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; 20 U.S.C. § 6301, Title IV(A)IV § 4155 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as reauthorized under the No Child Left Behind Act; 42 CFR Part 2, Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records; N.J.S.A. 18A:40A-7.1, School-based drug and alcohol abuse counseling; information from participants; disclosure; N.J.A.C. 6A:16-3.2, Confidentiality of pupil alcohol and other drug information; N.J.S.A. 18A:36-19, Creation; Pupil Records: Maintenance and Retention, Security and Access; Regulations; Non-Liability; N.J.A.C.  6A:14-2.9, Student Records; as well as other existing Federal and State laws pertaining to pupil protections.

 

M. Records

 

1. Instances of pupil discipline will be recorded in the pupil's file in strict compliance with N.J.A.C. 6A:32-7.1 et seq. and Policy No. 8330.

 

2. When a pupil transfers to a public school district from another public school district, all information in the pupil’s record related to disciplinary actions taken against the pupil by the school district and any information the school district has obtained pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60, disclosure of juvenile information; penalties for disclosure, shall be provided to the receiving public school district, in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:36-19(a), N.J.A.C. 6A:32-7.5(e)10.iv., and N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.10.

 

a. The record shall be provided within two weeks of the date that the pupil enrolls in the receiving district.

 

b. Written consent of the parent or adult pupil shall not be required as a condition of the transfer of this information, however, written notice of the transfer shall be provided to the parent or the adult pupil.

 

c. When a pupil transfers to a private school, which includes all sectarian or nonsectarian nonprofit institutional day or residential schools that provide education for pupils placed by their parents and that are controlled by other than public authority, all pupil disciplinary records, with respect to suspensions or expulsions, shall be provided by the public school district of residence to the private school upon written request from the private school, in the same manner as such records would be provided by a public school district of residence to another public school district, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.10(b).

 

d. The Board shall not use a pupil's past offenses on record to discriminate against that pupil.

 

e. All pupil disciplinary records maintained in the district shall conform with the requirements set forth in N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.10(d).

 

N. Annual Report

 

The Superintendent of Schools shall report annually on the implementation of the Pupil Discipline/Code of Conduct Policy to the Board at a public meeting.  The annual summary shall contain, at a minimum:

 

1. A numerical inventory of all violations of the pupil behavioral expectations in the Pupil Discipline/Code of Conduct Policy and Regulation;

 

2. Associated school responses to the violations of the pupil behavioral expectations;

 

3. An explanation and evidence of the effectiveness of the Pupil Discipline/Code of Conduct Policy and Regulation.  The explanation and evidence, at a minimum, shall address:

 

a. The degree of effectiveness of the school district's activities in achieving the purposes of the Pupil Discipline/Code of Conduct Policy and Regulation, pursuant to the purposes as outlined in A. above; and

 

b. The degree and effectiveness of the implementation of the contents of the Pupil Discipline/Code of Conduct Policy and Regulation.

 

4. Any proposed changes to the school district's current policies, procedures, programs or initiatives, based on the annual report.

 

 

Adopted:  26 August 2013

 

Revised: 22 July 2019

 

 

 

 

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