Student Behavior
Student Behavior [See Adm. Procedure 7:190]
Prohibited Student Conduct
Students may be disciplined for gross disobedience or misconduct, including but not limited to the following:
Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, selling or offering tobacco or nicotine materials, including electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes, vape pens or other vaping related products.
Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, or selling alcoholic beverages. Students who are under the influence of an alcoholic beverage are not permitted to attend school or school functions and are treated as though they had alcohol in their possession.
Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, selling or offering for sale:
Any illegal drug, controlled substance, or cannabis (including marijuana, hashish, and medical cannabis unless the student is authorized to be administered a medical cannabis infused product under Ashley’s Law).
Any anabolic steroid unless it is being administered in accordance with a physician’s or licensed practitioner’s prescription.
Any performance-enhancing substance on the Illinois High School Association’s most current banned substance list unless administered in accordance with a physician’s or licensed practitioner’s prescription.
Any prescription drug when not prescribed for the student by a physician or licensed practitioner, or when used in a manner inconsistent with the prescription or prescribing physician’s or licensed practitioner’s instructions. The use or possession of medical cannabis, even by a student for whom medical cannabis has been prescribed, is prohibited unless the student is authorized to be administered a medical cannabis infused product under Ashley’s Law.
Any inhalant, regardless of whether it contains an illegal drug or controlled substance: (a) that a student believes is, or represents to be capable of, causing intoxication, hallucination, excitement, or dulling of the brain or nervous system; or (b) about which the student engaged in behavior that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student intended the inhalant to cause intoxication, hallucination, excitement, or dulling of the brain or nervous system. The prohibition in this section does not apply to a student’s use of asthma or other legally prescribed inhalant medications.
“Look-alike” or counterfeit drugs, including a substance that is not prohibited by this policy, but one: (a) that a student believes to be, or represents to be, an illegal drug, controlled substance, or other substance that is prohibited by this policy; or (b) about which a student engaged in behavior that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student expressly or impliedly represented to be an illegal drug, controlled substance or other substance that is prohibited by this policy.
Drug paraphernalia, including devices that are or can be used to: (a) ingest, inhale, or inject cannabis or controlled substances into the body; and (b) grow, process, store, or conceal cannabis or controlled substances.
Any substance inhaled, injected, smoked, consumed or otherwise ingested or absorbed with the intention of causing a physiological or psychological change in the body, including without limitation, pure caffeine in a tablet or powdered form.
Students who are under the influence of any prohibited substance are not permitted to attend school or school functions and are treated as though they have the prohibited substance, as applicable, in their possession.
Using, possessing, controlling or transferring a “weapon” or violating the procedures listed below under the Weapons Prohibition section of this handbook procedure.
Using or possessing an electronic paging device.
Using a cellular telephone, smartphone, video recording device, personal digital assistant (PDA), or similar electronic device in any manner that disrupts the educational environment or violates the rights of others, including using the device to take photographs in locker rooms or bathrooms, cheat, or otherwise violate student conduct rules. Prohibited conduct specifically includes, without limitation, creating and sending, sharing, viewing, receiving or possessing an indecent visual depiction of oneself or another person through the use of a computer, electronic communication device or cellular telephone, commonly known as “sexting.” Unless otherwise banned under this policy or by the building principal, all cellular phones, smartphones and other electronic devices must be kept powered-off and out-of-sight during the regular school day unless: (a) the supervising teacher grants permission; (b) use of the device is provided in a student’s individualized education program (IEP); (c) it is used during the student’s lunch period; or (d) it is needed in an emergency that threatens the safety of students, staff, or other individuals..
Using or possessing a laser pointer unless under a staff member’s direct supervision and in the context of instruction.
Disobeying rules of student conduct or directives from staff members or school officials. Examples of disobeying staff directives include refusing a staff member’s request to stop, present school identification or submit to a search.
Engaging in academic dishonesty, including cheating, intentionally plagiarizing, wrongfully giving or receiving help during an academic examination, altering report cards and wrongfully obtaining test copies or scores.
Engaging in bullying, hazing or any kind of aggressive behavior that does physical or psychological harm to a staff person or another student or encouraging other students to engage in such behavior. Prohibited conduct specifically includes, without limitation, any use of violence, intimidation, force, noise, coercion, threats, stalking, harassment, sexual harassment, public humiliation, theft or destruction of property, retaliation, hazing, bullying, bullying using a school computer or a school computer network or other comparable conduct.
Engaging in any sexual activity, including without limitation, offensive touching, sexual harassment, indecent exposure (including mooning) and sexual assault.
Engaging in teen dating violence.
Causing or attempting to cause damage to, stealing, or attempting to steal, school property or another person’s personal property.
Entering school property or a school facility without proper authorization.
In the absence of a reasonable belief that an emergency exists, calling emergency responders (calling 9-1-1); signaling or setting off alarms or signals indicating the presence of an emergency; or indicating the presence of a bomb or explosive device on school grounds, school bus or at any school activity.
Being absent without a recognized excuse.
Being involved with any public school fraternity, sorority, or secret society.
Being involved in a gang or engaging in gang-like activities, including displaying gang symbols or paraphernalia.
Violating any criminal law, including but not limited to, assault, battery, arson, theft, gambling, eavesdropping, vandalism and hazing.
Engaging in any activity, on or off campus, that interferes with, disrupts, or adversely affects the school environment, school operations, or an educational function, including but not limited to, conduct that may reasonably be considered to: (a) be a threat or an attempted intimidation of a staff member; or (b) endanger the health or safety of students, staff, or school property.
Making an explicit threat on an Internet website against a school employee, a student, or any school-related personnel if the Internet website through which the threat was made is a site that was accessible within the school at the time the threat was made or was available to third parties who worked or studied within the school grounds at the time the threat was made, and the threat could be reasonably interpreted as threatening to the safety and security of the threatened individual because of his or her duties or employment status or status as a student inside the school.
Operating an unarmed aircraft system (AUS) or drone for any purpose on school grounds or at any school event unless granted permission by the building principal.
For purposes of these rules, the term “possession” includes having control, custody, or care, currently or in the past, of an object or substance, including situations in which the item is: (a) on the student’s person; (b) contained in another item belonging to, or under the control of, the student, such as in the student’s clothing, backpack, or automobile; (c) in a school’s student locker, desk, or other school property; (d) at any location on school property or at a school-sponsored event; or (e) in the case of drugs and alcohol, substances ingested by the person.
Efforts, including the use of positive interventions and supports shall be made to deter students, while at school or a school-related event, from engaging in aggressive behavior that may reasonably produce physical or psychological harm to someone else.
No disciplinary action shall be taken against any student that is based totally or in part on the refusal of the student’s parent/guardian to administer or consent to the administration of psychotropic or psychostimulant medication to the student.
When and Where Conduct Rules Apply
The grounds for disciplinary action also apply whenever the student’s conduct is reasonably related to school or school activities, including but not limited to:
On, or within sight of, school grounds before, during, or after school hours or at any time;
Off school grounds at a school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event that bears a reasonable relationship to school;
Traveling to or from school or a school activity, function, or event;
Anywhere, if the conduct interferes with, disrupts, or adversely affects the school environment, school operations, or an educational function, including but not limited to, conduct that may reasonably be considered to: (a) be a threat or an attempted intimidation of a staff member; or (b) endanger the health or safety of students, staff, or school property; or
During periods of remote learning.
Disciplinary Measures
School officials shall limit the number and duration of expulsions and out-of-school suspensions to the greatest extent practicable, and, where practicable and reasonable, shall consider forms of non-exclusionary discipline before using out-of-school suspensions or expulsions. School personnel shall not advise or encourage students to drop out of school voluntarily due to behavioral or academic difficulties. Potential disciplinary measures include, without limitation, any of the following measures:
Notifying parents/guardians.
Disciplinary conference.
Withholding of privileges.
Temporary removal from the classroom.
Return of property or restitution for lost, stolen or damaged property.
In-school suspension.
After-school study or Saturday study provided the student’s parent/guardian has been notified. (If transportation arrangements cannot be made in advance, an alternative disciplinary measure will be assigned to the student.)
Community service.
Seizure of contraband; confiscation and temporary retention of the personal property that was used to violate school rules.
Suspension of bus riding privileges.
Suspension from school and all school activities for up to 10 days. A suspended student is prohibited from being on school grounds.
Expulsion from school and all school activities for a definite time period not to exceed 2 calendar years. An expelled student is prohibited from being on school grounds.
Transfer to an alternative program if the student is expelled or otherwise qualifies for transfer under State law.
Notifying juvenile authorities or other law enforcement whenever the conduct involves criminal activity, such as, illegal drugs (controlled substances), “look-alikes,” alcohol or weapons or in other circumstances as authorized by the reciprocal reporting agreement between the District and local law enforcement agencies.
The above list of disciplinary measures is a range of options that will not always be applicable in every case. In some circumstances, it may not be possible to avoid suspending or expelling a student because behavioral interventions, other than a suspension or expulsion, will not be appropriate and available, and the only reasonable and practical way to resolve the threat and/or address the disruption is a suspension or expulsion. For a non-exhaustive list of interventions that are implemented in District 219, please refer to this document - Behavioral Interventions Spectrum.
Isolated Time Out, Time Out and Physical Restraint
Isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint shall only be used if the student’s behavior presents an imminent danger of serious physical harm to the student or others and other less restrictive and intrusive measures were tried and proven ineffective in stopping it. The school may not use isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint as discipline or punishment, convenience for staff, retaliation, a substitute for appropriate educational or behavioral support, a routine safety matter, or to prevent property damage in the absence of imminent danger of serious physical harm to the student or others. The use of prone restraint is prohibited.
Corporal Punishment
Corporal punishment is illegal and will not be used. Corporal punishment is defined as slapping, paddling, or prolonged maintenance of students in physically painful positions, or intentional infliction of bodily harm. Corporal punishment does not include reasonable force as needed to maintain safety for students, staff, or other persons, or for the purpose of self-defense or defense of property.
Weapons Prohibition
A student who is determined to have brought one of the following objects to school, any school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event that bears a reasonable relationship to school shall be expelled for a period of not less than one year but not more than 2 calendar years:
(1) A firearm, meaning any gun, rifle, shotgun, weapon as defined by Section 921 of Title 18 of the United States Code, firearm as defined in Section 1.1 of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act, or firearm as defined in Section 24-1 of the Criminal Code of 1961. The expulsion period may be modified by the superintendent, and the superintendent’s determination may be modified by the board on a case-by-case basis.
(2) A knife, brass knuckles or other knuckle weapon regardless of its composition, a billy club, or any other object if used or attempted to be used to cause bodily harm, including “look alikes” of any firearm as defined above.
The expulsion requirement may be modified by the superintendent, and the superintendent’s determination may be modified by the board on a case-by-case basis.
Gang & Gang Activity Prohibited
Gang Activity Prohibition [See Adm. Procedure 7:190-AP6]
“Gang” is defined as any group, club or organization of two or more persons whose purposes include the commission of illegal acts. No student on or about school property or at any school activity or whenever the student’s conduct is reasonably related to a school activity, shall: (1) wear, possess, use, distribute, display, or sell any clothing, jewelry, paraphernalia or other items which reasonably could be regarded as gang symbols; commit any act or omission, or use either verbal or non‐verbal gestures, or handshakes showing membership or affiliation in a gang; or (2) use any speech or commit any act or omission in furtherance of the interest of any gang or gang activity, including, but not limited to, soliciting others for membership in any gangs; (3) request any person to pay protection or otherwise intimidate, harass or threaten any person; (4) commit any other illegal act or other violation of district policies, (5) or incite other students to act with physical violence upon any other person.
Re-Engagement of Returning Students
Student Re-Engagement Guidelines [See Adm. Procedure 7:190-AP8]
The building principal or designee shall meet with a student returning to school from an out-of-school suspension, expulsion or alternative school setting. The goal of this meeting shall be to support the student’s ability to be successful in school following a period of exclusion and shall include an opportunity for students who have been suspended to complete or make-up missed work for equivalent academic credit.
Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment
Preventing of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment [7:180]
Bullying, intimidation, and harassment diminish a student’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate. Preventing students from engaging in these disruptive behaviors and providing all students equal access to a safe, non-hostile learning environment are important district and school goals.
Bullying on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, sex, sexual orientation, gender orientation, gender-related identity or expression, ancestry, age, religion, physical or mental disability, physical appearance, socioeconomic status, academic status, order of protection status, homelessness, actual marital status, parenting status, pregnancy, association with a person or group with one or more of the aforementioned actual or perceived characteristics, or any other distinguishing characteristic is prohibited in each of the following situations:
During any school-sponsored education program or activity.
While in school, on school property, on school buses or other school vehicles, at designated school bus stops waiting for the school bus, or at school-sponsored or school-sanctioned events or activities.
Through the transmission of information from a school computer, a school computer network, or other similar electronic school equipment.
Through the transmission of information from a computer that is accessed at a non-school-related location, activity, function, or program or from the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by the school district or school if the bullying causes a substantial disruption to the educational process or orderly operation of a school.
Bullying includes cyber-bullying and means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a student or students that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:
Placing the student or students in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s or students’ person or property;
Causing a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s or students’ physical or mental health;
Substantially interfering with the student’s or students’ academic performance; or
Substantially interfering with the student’s or students’ ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.
Cyberbullying means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, including without limitation any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic system, photo-electronic system, or photo-optical system, including without limitation electronic mail, Internet communications, instant messages, or facsimile communications. Cyberbullying includes the creation of a webpage or weblog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person or the knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages if the creation or impersonation creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying. Cyberbullying also includes the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons if the distribution or posting creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying.
Bullying may take various forms, including without limitation one or more of the following: harassment, threats, intimidation, stalking, physical violence, sexual harassment, sexual violence, theft, public humiliation, destruction of property, or retaliation for asserting or alleging an act of bullying. This list is meant to be illustrative and non-exhaustive.
Students are encouraged to immediately report bullying. A report may be made orally or in writing to the building principal, nondiscrimination coordinator, district complaint manager or any staff member with whom the student is comfortable speaking. All school staff members are available for help with a bully or to make a report about bullying. Anyone, including staff members and parents/guardians, who has information about actual or threatened bullying is encouraged to report it to the district complaint manager or any staff member. Anonymous reports are also accepted by phone call or in writing.
Nondiscrimination Coordinator:
______________________________
Name
______________________________
Address
______________________________
Phone Number
______________________________
Email Address
Complaint Managers:
______________________________ ______________________________
Name Name
______________________________ ______________________________
Address Address
______________________________ ______________________________
Phone Number Phone Number
______________________________ ______________________________
Email Address Email Address
A reprisal or retaliation against any person who reports an act of bullying is prohibited. A student’s act of reprisal or retaliation will be treated as bullying for purposes of determining any consequences or other appropriate remedial actions.
A student will not be punished for reporting bullying or supplying information, even if the school’s investigation concludes that no bullying occurred. However, knowingly making a false accusation or providing knowingly false information will be treated as bullying for purposes of determining any consequences or other appropriate remedial actions.
Students and parents/guardians are also encouraged to read the following school district policies: 7:20, Harassment of Students Prohibited and 7:180, Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation and Harassment.
Consistent with federal and State laws and rules governing student privacy rights, the school shall make diligent efforts to notify a parent or guardian within 24-hours after the school’s administration is made aware of a student’s involvement in an alleged bullying incident. The term “bullying incident” includes individual instances of bullying, as well as all threats, suggestions, or instances of self-harm determined to be a result of bullying. Notification to a parent or guardian shall include, as appropriate, the availability of social work services, counseling, school psychological services, other interventions, and restorative measures.
Harassment & Teen Dating Violence Prohibited
Harassment of Students [See Board Policy 7:20]
Harassment Prohibited
No person, including a school or school district employee or agent, or student, shall harass, intimidate, or bully a student on the basis of actual or perceived: race; color; national origin; military status; unfavorable discharge status from military service; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity; gender-related identity or expression; ancestry; age; religion; physical or mental disability; order of protection status; status of being homeless; actual or potential marital or parental status, including pregnancy; physical appearance; socioeconomic status; academic status; association with a person or group with one or more of the aforementioned actual or perceived characteristics; or any other distinguishing characteristic. The District will not tolerate harassing, intimidating conduct, or bullying whether verbal, physical, sexual, or visual, that affects the tangible benefits of education, that unreasonably interferes with a student’s educational performance, or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment. Examples of prohibited conduct include name-calling, using derogatory slurs, stalking, sexual violence, causing psychological harm, threatening or causing physical harm, threatened or actual destruction of property, or wearing or possessing items depicting or implying hatred or prejudice of one of the characteristics stated above.
Sexual Harassment Prohibited
The school and district shall provide an educational environment free of verbal, physical, or other conduct or communications constituting harassment on the basis of sex as defined and otherwise prohibited by State and federal law.
Teen Dating Violence Prohibited
Teen Dating Violence [See Board Policy 7:190-AP4]
Engaging in teen dating violence that takes place at school, on school property, at school-sponsored activities, or in vehicles used for school-provided transportation is prohibited. For purposes of this policy, the term teen dating violence occurs whenever a student who is 13 to 19 years of age uses or threatens to use physical, mental, or emotional abuse to control an individual in the dating relationship; or uses or threatens to use sexual violence in the dating relationship.
For more information about this issue, please see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s educational materials at:
https://www.cdc.gov/intimate-partner-violence/about/about-teen-dating-violence.html.
Making a Report or Complaint
Students are encouraged to promptly report claims or incidences of bullying, intimidation, harassment, sexual harassment, or any other prohibited conduct to the Nondiscrimination Coordinator, Building Principal, Assistant Building Principal, Dean of Students, a Complaint Manager, or any employee with whom the student is comfortable speaking. A student may choose to report to an employee of the student’s same gender.
Nondiscrimination Coordinator:
______________________________
Name
______________________________
Address
______________________________
Phone Number
______________________________
Email Address
Complaint Managers:
______________________________ ______________________________
Name Name
______________________________ ______________________________
Address Address
______________________________ ______________________________
Phone Number Phone Number
______________________________ ______________________________
Email Address Email Address
Any person making a knowingly false accusation regarding prohibited conduct will likewise be subject to discipline.
Investigation Process
Reports and complaints of discrimination or harassment will be confidential to the greatest extent practicable, subject to the District’s duty to investigate and maintain an educational environment that is productive, respectful, and free of unlawful discrimination, including harassment.
Enforcement
Any District employee who is determined, after an investigation, to have engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy will be subject to remedial action and/or disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.
Any District student who is determined, after an investigation, to have engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy will be subject to remedial action and/or disciplinary action, including but not limited to, suspension and expulsion, consistent with the student discipline information in this handbook.
Any third party who is determined, after an investigation, to have engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy will be addressed in accordance with the authority of the Board in the context of the relationship of the third party to the District, e.g., vendor, parent, invitee, etc. Any person making a knowingly false accusation regarding prohibited conduct will likewise be subject to remedial and/or disciplinary action.
Retaliation Prohibited
Retaliation against any person for bringing complaints, participating in the complaint process, or otherwise providing information about discrimination or harassment based on race, color, or national origin is prohibited.
Individuals should report allegations of retaliation to the Building Principal, an administrator, the Nondiscrimination Coordinator, and/or a Complaint Manager.
Lunch & Cafeteria Rules
Lunch Rules
Students may not leave campus during lunch, except with permission granted by administration or authorized staff and a parent or guardian (see “Off-Campus Lunch”). During lunch, students must proceed directly to the cafeteria or designated lunch area, and, after getting their lunch, shall immediately sit in a chair at a table. Students shall remain seated until the lunch tone rings, at which point they shall clean the area in which they are seated, dispose of any trash in the appropriate receptacle, and exit the cafeteria to their assigned location. Students shall follow all cafeteria rules during lunch.
Cafeteria Rules
Students shall not save seats for other students.
Loud talking, yelling, screaming, and other disruptions are prohibited.
Students shall not throw food or drinks.
Students shall not trade food.
Vending machines are provided for student convenience. Students shall not misuse, abuse, attempt to dismantle or cheat the machine, and must wait in line to use the machines. Students may not save spots in line, cut in line, or otherwise cheat or intimidate their way into line.
Students shall not save places in line, cut in line, or otherwise cheat or intimidate their way into line for food service.
Students shall not leave the cafeteria until after the appropriate tone rings, or otherwise directed by staff.
Students shall follow the instructions of the cafeteria aides and other staff and show proper respect toward all cafeteria personnel.
Students shall immediately become silent when staff or presenters make announcements in the cafeteria.
Students shall report spills and broken containers to cafeteria staff immediately.
Misbehavior will result in disciplinary action according to the school’s disciplinary procedures.
Off-Campus Lunch
Off - Campus Lunch Rules
Off campus lunch is only available to Juniors and Seniors. Freshmen and Sophomores may not leave campus during their lunch period.
In order for a Junior or Senior to receive off-campus lunch privileges, their parent or guardian must first complete an off-campus lunch waiver.
For students with off-campus lunch privileges, the following rules shall be observed and abided by:
Students shall choose whether they will leave campus or stay in the cafeteria during lunch each day.
Students leaving campus must do so immediately upon dismissal from class.
Students shall not loiter in the halls or classrooms, and shall immediately proceed to their lunch destination upon dismissal from class.
Students who choose to stay in the school for lunch shall immediately proceed to the cafeteria. Students shall obey all cafeteria rules during lunch (see “Lunch & Cafeteria Rules”).
If students are utilizing a vehicle to go to their chosen destination, students must obey all traffic laws and school rules while off campus. Drivers shall pay particular attention around the school where there is a high concentration of students leaving the building for lunch, and shall yield to pedestrians, and obey school zone speed limits. Violations of school rules that occur during lunch may result in discipline.
If students are walking to their chosen destination, they shall obey signs and signals, and shall carefully cross streets and intersections.
Students shall be respectful, courteous, and safe at their chosen lunch location. Students shall obey rules and laws, and shall clean up after themselves before returning to school.
Students shall return to the school building on-time.
Students may only leave during their scheduled lunch period. Off-campus privileges do not apply to any other time, including study hall.
Access to Student Social Networking Passwords & Websites
Acceptable Use of Computers & Electronic Networks [See Procedure 6:235-AP1]
School officials may conduct an investigation or require a student to cooperate in an investigation if there is specific information about activity on the student’s account on a social networking website that violates a school disciplinary rule or policy. In the course of an investigation, the student may be required to share the content that is reported in order to allow school officials to make a factual determination.
Student Use of Electronic Devices
Acceptable Use of Computers & Electronic Networks [See Procedure 6:235-AP1]
Cellular Phones and Disruptive Devices: Niles Township High School District 219 provides the opportunity for students to bring a personal laptop, earbuds, smartwatches or cellular phone to school to use as an educational tool. The use of these laptops, earbuds, smartwatches and cellular phones will be at the discretion of the teacher:
Students must obtain teacher permission before using a personal laptop, earbuds, smartwatches or cellular phone during classroom instruction.
Student use of a personal laptop, earbuds, smartwatches or cellular phone must support the instructional activities currently occurring in the instructional environment.
Students must turn off and put away a personal laptop, earbuds, smartwatches or cellular phone when requested by a teacher.
Students should be aware that their use of the laptop, earbuds, smartwatches or cellular phone could cause distraction for others in the classroom, especially in regards to audio. Therefore, audio must be muted, and headphones should not be used during instructional time.
If a student is given a reasonable request from a staff member regarding the use of their technology they are expected to comply or appropriate consequences will be assigned.
Cellular phones used for non-instructional purposes may be used as directed under Policy 7:190.
Electronic devices for the purpose of listening to music are allowed during non-instructional time and/or per teacher’s discretion. Phones and other recording devices are banned from locker rooms, bathrooms, changing rooms and any other school facility location where a person’s expectations of privacy should be respected.
School officials may conduct an investigation or require a student to cooperate in an investigation if there is specific information about activity on the student’s account on a social networking website that violates a school disciplinary rule or policy. In the course of an investigation, the student may be required to share the content that is reported in order to allow school officials to make a factual determination.
School Dress Code & Student Appearance
When and Where the Code Applies:
The dress code is in effect on school grounds and at all school-sponsored events, home or away. Student appearance also includes accessories such as jewelry, purses, backpacks, chains, and shoes. Students are to use discretion in their dress and are not permitted to wear apparel that causes substantial disruption in the school environment.
The following are prohibited:
Depictions or language of tobacco, drugs, alcohol, illegal substances, weapons, or violence;
Depictions or language of sexual, vulgar, lewd, or indecent meanings or connections;
Anything that would endanger a student’s or students’ health or welfare or that would cause damage to school facilities or furnishings;
Visible underwear;
Clothing with holes in inappropriate places;
If there is any doubt about dress and appearance, the building Principal or designee will make the final decision.
Career and technical education classrooms require shoes that fully cover feet. Other classrooms, such as science labs and physical welfare, may also require specific clothing for health and safety standards.
Students with attire that does not comply with this procedure will be referred to the deans and may be subject to disciplinary action. All staff members will handle each instance of noncompliance respectfully, sensitively and, whenever possible, privately. Students will never be shamed for their appearance.
The Deans will review each instance of noncompliance considering all surrounding circumstances and pertinent Board policies, including 7:10, Equal Educational Opportunities, in making disciplinary action. Enforcement of this procedure will be equitable and uniform, without regard for gender, race, body type, or any other protected class. The Building Principal is the final authority for judging the appropriateness of a student’s appearance.
The Dress Code and Graduation
Seniors who participate in the Commencement Ceremony must follow the designated dress code, as provided to the graduates and their parents/guardians prior to Graduation Day. Students who do not adhere to the dress code may not participate in the ceremony.
Equal Educational Opportunities [See Board Policy 7:10]
Expulsion Procedures [See Board Policy 7:210]
Student Discipline Guidelines [See Adm. Procedure 7:190-AP7]
Step Interventions to Student Discipline [See Adm. Procedure 7:190-AP1]
Suspension Procedures [See Board Policy 7:200 and Adm. Procedure 7:200-AP]
Student Appeals
Students who believe they are not guilty of an offense for which they received consequences (except for suspension and expulsion) may request an appeal as follows, in this order:
Discuss the reason for appeal with the originator of the referral.
Discuss the reason for appeal with the director or supervisor of the originator.
Discuss the reason for appeal with the assistant principal.
All appeals must be initiated within three (3) school days of receiving the referral. All decisions shall be made within three (3) school days of the hearing.
Note: The appeals process may not be used to address the consequences imposed. Instead the appeals process will determine the student’s guilt or innocence of the misconduct described on the referral.
Accommodating Transgender Students or Gender Non-Conforming Students [See Board Policy 7:10-AP]
Restrictions on Publications [See Board Policy 7:310]
Search and Seizure [See Board Policy 7:140]
Substance Abuse [See Adm. Procedure 7:190-AP2]
Code of Conduct for All Extracurricular Activities [See Adm. Procedure 7:240
ANY LEVEL OF DISCIPLINE BEYOND LEVEL A MAY INCLUDE ANY OR ALL APPLICABLE ITEMS FROM PREVIOUS LEVELS.
Acceptable Conduct [See Board Policy 7:190]
Building Security: Any act which compromises building security (e.g., opening or coming through a locked door). NOTE - Students are encouraged to report any violations of building security. PENALTY: A/B/C/D
Bus Conduct: All students must follow school bus safety guidelines. See Board Policy 7:220. PENALTY: A/B/C/D
Cafeteria Conduct: Students are expected to use the tray provided to carry food to the dining tables. Wrappers, cartons, and all such paper waste are to be disposed of in the containers provided. Students are also expected to clean up as directed by the cafeteria supervisors. PENALTY: A/B
Cellular Phones and Disruptive Devices [See Procedure 6:235-AP4] Niles Township High School District 219 provides the opportunity for students to bring a personal laptop, earbuds, smartwatches or cellular phone to school to use as an educational tool. The use of these laptops, earbuds, smartwatches and cellular phones will be at the discretion of the teacher:
Students must obtain teacher permission before using a personal laptop, earbuds, smartwatches or cellular phone during classroom instruction.
Student use of a personal laptop, earbuds, smartwatches or cellular phone must support the instructional activities currently occurring in the instructional environment.
Students must turn off and put away a personal laptop, earbuds, smartwatches or cellular phone when requested by a teacher.
Students should be aware that their use of the laptop, earbuds, smartwatches or cellular phone could cause distraction for others in the classroom, especially in regards to audio. Therefore, audio must be muted, and headphones should not be used during instructional time.
Students may use their personal laptop, earbuds or smartwatches before school, at lunch, after school, or during passing periods, in hallways during passing periods, in resource areas or in other common areas of the school. If an adult asks a student to put his/her laptop, earbuds or smartwatches away because of inappropriate use during these times, the student must comply, or appropriate consequences will be assigned.
Cellular phones used for non-instructional purposes may be used as directed under Policy 7:190.
Electronic devices for the purpose of listening to music are allowed before school starts, after school ends and during the school day in the cafeteria area only. Phones and other recording devices are banned from locker rooms, bathrooms, changing rooms and any other school facility location where a person’s expectations of privacy should be respected.
Consequences of Prohibited Use:
1st Offense = Laptop, earbuds, smartwatches or cellular phone will be confiscated until the end of the school day, when the student may retrieve it.
2nd Offense = Laptop, earbuds, smartwatches or cellular phone will be confiscated until the end of the day, when the student’s parent must retrieve it.
3rd Offense = Loss of laptop, earbuds, smartwatches or cellular phone privileges for a period of time as decided by School Administration on a case by case basis.
PENALTY: A/B/C/D
Classroom Misconduct: Any behavior that interferes with learning. PENALTY: First incident – Teacher/student conference; Second incident – Teacher/student conference and parent notification; Third incident – Referral to Director
(Note: Repeated incidents will result in referral to the Dean with PENALTY A/B).
Computer Tampering, Computer Fraud, Transmission of Obscene Messages: Students are expected to follow the guidelines spelled out in the Acceptable Use Policy found in the Selected Board Policies & Procedures section of this Student Handbook (see Adm. Procedure 6:235-AP1). Any violation may result in a suspension or loss of computer privileges. PENALTY: B/C/D
Disrespect: Inappropriate comments, gestures, or acts directed toward anyone. PENALTY: A/B/C/D
Disruptive Acts: Any behavior which interferes with another’s freedom to utilize school facilities and programs or impedes classroom study or school activities (e.g., computer tampering, smoke bombs, disturbance in halls or cafeteria). PENALTY: A/B/C/D
Dress Code/Student Appearance: Students are expected to follow Board Policy 7:160 and Administrative Procedure 7:160-AP. PENALTY: A/B
Drugs/Alcohol: Use or possession of drug paraphernalia, alcohol or look-alike substances is prohibited (see Board Policy 7:190-AP2). PENALTY: A/B/C/D
False Fire Alarm: Activation of the school fire alarm system without authorization. PENALTY: D
Fighting (Physical Threat or Violence to Person): Any act of assault, aggravated assault, battery or aggravated battery, upon any person (e.g., excessive physical contact, pushing or shoving which leads to personal injury or property damage). NOTE – Students may be punished if they fight regardless of who initiated the fight. PENALTY: C/D
Forgery: Altering or forging of school documents (e.g., passes, IDs, unexcused absence admits). NOTE – A student calling or having someone else call the Attendance Office in lieu of a parent shall be treated the same as forgery. PENALTY: A/B/C
Gambling: Any game of chance involving money or goods (e.g., parlay cards, sports pool, pitching pennies). PENALTY: A/B/C/D
Gangs – Promoting, Drawing Gang Symbols, “Representing” or Displaying: Any activity for the purpose of promoting any street gang on or about school premises or school grounds or at any school-sponsored activity (e.g., drawing or displaying gang symbols on any surface or teaching others to “represent” or act like a gang member; wearing hats, jackets, or any item of clothing or jewelry containing the insignia of a street gang or otherwise commonly associated with a street gang may not be worn on or about the school premises, on school grounds, or to any school-sponsored activity). PENALTY: A/B/C/D
Gangs – Recruiting for Membership: Soliciting any student, staff member or visitor for membership in an organized group of youth or adults, commonly known as “street gangs”, on or about school premises or at any school-sponsored activity. PENALTY: A/B/C/D
Gross Misconduct or Disobedience: Any conduct, behavior or activity, as defined by the Board of Education in its policies, which causes or may reasonably lead school authorities to forecast, substantial injury or disruption or material interference with school activities or the rights of other students or school personnel. PENALTY: B/C/D
Harassment: Any action, including online conduct, which inflicts distress with respect to another individual’s disability, gender, sex, sexual orientation, religion, racial or ethnic background. NOTE – Students are encouraged to report incidents of harassment to a Dean or other administrator, counselor, teacher or school employee and it will be handled in a confidential manner. PENALTY: A/B/C/D
Hazing: Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization, club, athletic team, secret society, or other group (whether sponsored or approved by the District or not) whose members are or include other students (e.g., verbal abuse, physical abuse or any act of intimidation or humiliation). PENALTY: A/B/C/D
Inappropriate Social Behavior: Any excessive display of affection and other behaviors which cause embarrassment to onlookers and interferes with everyone’s right to an orderly, educational atmosphere. PENALTY: A/B/C
Insubordination – School Personnel: Defying or ignoring a reasonable request from any staff in the building. PENALTY: A/B
Intimidation, Coercion or Violence: (e.g., threatening violence or personal injury). PENALTY: A/B/C/D
Laser/Laser Pointer: The use or possession of a laser or laser pointer. PENALTY: A/B
Locker – Unauthorized Use: Allowing a non-assigned student use of a locker assigned to someone else. PENALTY: A/B
Loitering: Schools as a community are not only expected, but also obligated, to be good neighbors. Students may not congregate on or litter property that is adjacent to or near the school grounds (e.g., congregating on lawns, parking lots, parkways, sidewalks, or driveways; littering property with paper, drink containers/cans, or other such litter). PENALTY: A/B
Open Campus/Open Lunch Violation: Being outside without authorization. PENALTY: A/B
Passes – Abusing: Traveling in a closed hall without a pass. NOTE – Stolen passes will be handled as an incident of theft. (Violation may result in suspension or loss of pass privileges.) PENALTY: A/B
Pranks: Any act of vandalism, disruptive act, or destruction to school property. PENALTY: A/B/C/D
Presence in an Unauthorized Area: Students present in an area during the school day that is not on that student’s schedule and not supervised by a staff member are subject to disciplinary action (e.g., student cafeteria; off campus without authorization; loitering in the hallways or stairwells after school; present in an area designated for faculty only, without authorization or supervision). Students in the building after the regular school day ends must be under the supervision of a staff member or they are subject to disciplinary action PENALTY: A/B
Stealing or Possession of Stolen Property: Stealing personal or public property or being in possession of stolen property or in possession of property that may have been found. NOTE – Found property shall be immediately turned in to the Dean Office. This includes all school forms. PENALTY: A/B/C/D
Student Identification: Conforming to Sections 24-25 of the Illinois School Code, a person must, when requested, identify self and purpose on school property. Students must carry their IDs at all times and present them to any school employee when requested. PENALTY: A
Swearing/Offensive Language or Gestures: Using racial or ethnic slurs, offensive language (written or oral), offensive gestures, acts motivated by the inability to control one’s temper, and statements which cast disrepute upon an individual’s character, including but not limited to, characteristics protected under Board Policy 7:10 included in this handbook. PENALTY: A/B/C/D
Tobacco Products – Possession, Display and/or Use: (e.g., chewing, smoking or holding a cigar, cigarette or pipe, lit or unlit, possession of a lighter or matches, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, or any e-cigarette products (e.g., e-liquid, tobacco). PENALTY: A/B
Vandalism: (See Board Policy 7:170) Defacing or destroying personal or public property. PENALTY: B/C/D
Weapons: Any possession or use of weapons and the use of other objects in a way that endangers the well-being of others in accordance with the Gun Free Schools Act. For the purpose of this rule, “weapon” may include but not be limited to fireworks, firearms, and destructive devices (e.g., pepper spray, look-a-like firearms, BB guns, any kind of knife, destructive device). (See Board Policy 7:190) PENALTY: C/D
Detentions
Extended Detention
Extended Detention is a three (3) hour study hall that meets during the week or on Saturday as assigned by the Deans’ Office. Students may be assigned to this study hall by a Dean or designee for disciplinary or attendance infractions. Students assigned to Extended Detention are expected to bring enough school work to occupy the three (3) hour time.
Failure to Serve Extended Detention
Penalty for failure to serve an extended detention may result in the following: additional extended detention assignment(s), revocation of lunch/cafeteria privileges, loss of privilege, or an assignment in RPC for a period of time up to one full day.
Before- or After-School Detention
Before- or After-School Detention meets for one hour before and after regularly scheduled classes. Students may be assigned to this study hall for 20 minutes, 40 minutes, or 60 minutes for various disciplinary infractions by a teacher or Dean. Students are expected to study and maintain a proper decorum for the entire time of the detention. Students must arrive on time (3:30pm) in order to be admitted.
Failure to attend Before- or After-School Detention may result in assignment of a three (3) hour Extended Detention.
Restorative Practice Center (RPC)
The RPC will serve as a hub for a myriad of student interventions, including but not limited to:
Restorative Circles
Restorative Conferences
Restorative Lessons