In order to become or remain a student at The New School, each student and his/her parents must consent to the terms of this policy.
Assumptions:
1. Drug abuse is detrimental to community performance and well-being.
2. The New School is a drug-free environment.
3. The community must be empowered to protect itself and its individual members from damaging influences.
Drug abuse is defined as the consumption of substances that are intended to alter consciousness and are not prescribed for the user in the manner in which they are used. Drugs include alcohol, synthetic and herbal preparations intended to alter consciousness or mood states as well as pharmaceuticals taken in non-therapeutic ways.
Prescribed or over the counter medications taken in an appropriate manner will not be subject to these rules. It is the responsibility of parents to inform the High School or Middle School Director if a student is on medication that might result in observable changes in the student's affect or demeanor.
Impairment:
1. Upon entrance and at the beginning of each school year, students, parents and the school will reaffirm their agreement that, if the student, at any time during his/her enrollment at the New School of Northern Virginia is perceived to be impaired by non-therapeutic drugs, or by properly dispensed prescriptions taken in a non-therapeutic way, a substance abuse assessment will be required. Grounds for suspicion include, but are not limited to:
marked lethargy or noticeable changes in consciousness
odors suggestive of drug use
demeanor and/or behavioral changes consistent with drug use
observation of specific physical conditions, e.g. needle marks, pupillary changes
statements made about personal drug use to others in the community
reports from a reliable source (usually an adult) indicating that the student is actively abusing drugs outside of school.
2. The cost of the substance abuse assessment will not be assumed by the school.
3. If the outcome of the assessment is that the student is deemed to have a problematic relationship with drugs, the agency which performs the assessment will also make recommendations about the appropriate treatment called for. The student must complete that course of treatment, not at school expense, in order to remain a student at The New School of Northern Virginia.
Possession:
1. Drugs not identified as those properly prescribed, found in the possession of a student will be confiscated and may be reported to the Fairfax Police Department.
The student will not be permitted to attend classes at the school, and will not receive credit for work not completed or time missed. The school will NOT provide work for the student to complete off-campus.
The Headmaster will require evidence of improved decision-making skills and ability before deciding whether it is appropriate for the student to rejoin the community. A second offense will result in automatic expulsion.
2. Paraphernalia (including, but not limited to roach clips, spoons, hoses, pipes or needles) will be confiscated and the student will be subject to disciplinary action.
3. Drug-oriented clothing, jewelry or other accessories are deemed to be inappropriate school attire. The student will be asked to remove inappropriate jewelry and accessories and either cover clothing or have someone bring more appropriate clothing to school for him/her.
Dealing:
Students determined to be selling or arranging deals for the purchase or sale of drugs will be subject to a substance abuse assessment and may be reported to the Fairfax Police Department. In addition:
The student will not be permitted to attend classes at the school, and will not receive credit for work not completed or time missed. The school will NOT provide work for the student to complete off-campus.
The Headmaster will require evidence of improved decision-making skills and ability before deciding whether it is appropriate for the student to rejoin the community. A second offense will result in automatic expulsion.