STATE LAWS IN EFFECT FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR
State laws that were enacted starting with the 1996-97 school year are supportive of the Safe Schools Initiative to remove students from the regular education program who possess firearms or who commit violent acts with weapons other than firearms.
Any pupil who is convicted or found to be delinquent for the following offenses shall be immediately removed from the school’s regular education program for a period of not less than one calendar year and placed in an alternative education program pending a hearing before the district Board of Education to remove the pupil:
Possessing a firearm on any school property, on a school bus, or at a school sponsored function; or
Committing a crime while possessing a firearm.
Any pupil who assaults another pupil, teacher, administrator, board member, or other school district employee with a weapon other than a firearm on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored function, must be immediately removed from the school’s regular education program and placed in an alternative education school or program, pending a hearing before the district Board of Education.
It should be noted that none of the above procedures prohibit the Board of Education from expelling a pupil.
LOCKERS
NOTICE TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:
This locker is the property of the Bloomfield Board of Education. You may not use this as a depository for any substance or object which is prohibited by law or Board policy, or which constitutes a threat to the health, safety or welfare of any or all of the occupants of this building. The school administration retains the right to inspect this locker whenever there is reason to believe the locker is not being used properly.
LOCKER SEARCH:
In August 1983, The New Jersey Supreme Court said (Pg. 17, N.J. v. Engerud), “ ...When a school official has reasonable grounds to believe that a student possesses evidence of illegal activity or activity that would interfere with school discipline and order, the school official has the right to conduct a reasonable search for such evidence.” The Court also said that students should have “. . .an expectation of privacy in the contents of his locker.” However, they also added on page 22, that if “ ...the school carried out a policy of regularly inspecting student’s lockers, an expectation of privacy might not have arisen.”
This notice is placed in this locker to clearly state that the school officials of Bloomfield High School do regularly inspect lockers in order to ensure compliance with school regulations.
SMOKING
Smoking by students of any type, including electronic cigarettes or vaping, is not permissible:
In school building or vehicles at any time.
On school grounds during the school day, which includes the time of arrival on school property in the morning through the time of departure from school property.
At school sponsored events held on school premises.
By participants in curricular and extracurricular events away from school.
Students caught smoking in school buildings, vehicles, or on premises during the school day shall receive the following disciplinary action:
First Offense: One day in-school suspension.
Second Offense: Three days in-school suspension.
Additionally, second and subsequent offense smokers will be reported to the Bloomfield Board of Health who will issue a summons for appearance in Municipal Court where a penalty will be assessed in accordance with applicable statutes and ordinances.
Students observed smoking at school-sponsored events on school premises would be asked to stop by the observing staff member. Failure to do so will be considered insubordination and the student shall be disciplined accordingly.
Students smoking while participating in curricular and extracurricular activities away from school will be subject to the same disciplinary actions as if they were smoking in school and will additionally receive a warning after the first offense and be suspended from the extracurricular activity after the second offense.