Student Code / Discipline

DISCIPLINE:

Discipline. This code and any additional rules governing discipline shall be distributed to students and their parent(s) or guardian(s) at the beginning of each school year. Changes in the rules shall not take effect until they are distributed to students and parents.

General Discipline Philosophy. The school district has the authority to discipline students who behave inappropriately on the way to school, at school, during lunch, on the way home, and at all school activities (home and away or any time while on school or district property).

The school district’s discipline is guided by the following principles:

1. The school district’s discipline policy is intended to ensure that students take responsibility for their behavior.

2. Behavior expectations and the consequences for failing to meet those expectations will be clearly communicated to all students and their parents.

3. The severity of consequences for violating behavior expectations will generally be progressive in nature. That is, sanctions will increase with each instance of misconduct; however, each instance will be assessed on its own facts, and sanctions will be imposed based on the severity of the misconduct.

4. Parents play a vital role in supporting and reinforcing the school district’s expectations of their students.

5. Behavior expectations apply to all students; consequences are enforced consistently without regard to a student’s academic record or achievement.

Extracurricular activities including athletics, cheerleading, band, chorus, and club activities, are governed by a student activity handbook and/or a coach’s or sponsor’s rules. Students who are involved in extra curricular activities may face consequences related to the activity in addition to the consequences discussed in this handbook.

The school district reserves the right to refer to the appropriate non-school agency any act or conduct of its students which may constitute a crime under federal, state, county, or local law. The administration will cooperate with these agencies in their investigations.

Additional Forms of School Discipline Administrative and teaching personnel may take actions regarding student behavior, other than those specifically provided in this policy and the Student Discipline Act, which are reasonably necessary to aid the student, further school purposes, or prevent interference with the educational process. Such actions may include, but need not be limited to, counseling of students, parent conferences, rearrangement of schedules, requirements that a student remain in school after regular hours to do additional work, restriction of extracurricular activity, or requirements that a student receive counseling, psychological evaluation, or psychiatric evaluation upon the written consent of a parent or guardian to such counseling or evaluation. Disciplinary consequences may also include in-school suspension, Saturday School, and any other consequence authorized by law. District administrators may develop building-specific protocols for the imposition of student discipline.

In this policy, references to "Principal" shall include building principals, the principal's designee, or other appropriate school district administrators.

Any statement, notice, recommendation, determination, or similar action specified in this policy shall be effectively given at the time written evidence thereof is delivered personally to or upon receipt of certified or registered mail or upon actual knowledge by a student or his or her parent or guardian.

Any student who is suspended or expelled from school pursuant to this policy may not participate in any school activity during the duration of that exclusion including adjacent school holidays and weekends. The student activity eligibility of a student who is mandatorily reassigned shall be determined on a case-by-case basis by the principal of the building to which the student is reassigned.

Exclusionary Options. The following is the basic outline of what governs student suspension and expulsion, what reasons, and the process for implementing these actions.

Definitions (unless context otherwise requires):

Emergency exclusion shall mean exclusion of any student from attendance in Exeter-Milligan Public Schools or participation in any Exeter-Milligan Public School function for an initial period of up to five school days for reasons of health, danger to the person, or disruptive conduct. If circumstances warrant, such exclusion may extend beyond five days as described below:

Short-term suspension, either in-school or out-of-school, shall mean exclusion of any student from attending school or his/her regularly-scheduled classes and/or practicing or participating in any Exeter-Milligan Public School function for a period of up to five school days;

Long-term suspension shall mean exclusion of any student from attendance in Exeter-Milligan Public Schools or participation in any Exeter-Milligan Public School function for a period exceeding five school days, but not exceeding twenty school days;

Expulsion shall mean exclusion of any student from attendance in Exeter-Milligan Public Schools or participation in any Exeter-Milligan Public School function for a period exceeding twenty school days; and

School Day shall mean any day in which students and staff are to be in school for at least five hours.

Emergency Exclusion/Suspension (Elementary and Secondary Students). An emergency exclusion may be imposed upon any student by the superintendent or principal, in the following circumstances subject to the procedural provisions, and, if for a period exceeding five school days, subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this section:

If the student has a communicable disease transmissible through normal school contacts and poses in imminent threat to the health and safety of the school community; or,

If the student’s conduct presents a clear threat to the physical safety of himself, herself, or others, or is extremely disruptive as to make temporary removal necessary to preserve the rights of other students to pursue an education.

Any emergency exclusion shall be based upon a clear factual situation warranting it and shall last not longer than is necessary to avoid the dangers described above.

If the superintendent or principal imposing the emergency exclusion determines that such emergency exclusion shall extend beyond five school days, a hearing shall be held and a final determination shall be made within ten school days after the initial date of exclusion.

Short Term Suspension (Elementary or Secondary) (In-school or out-of-school). The Principal may exclude students from school or any school function for a period of up to five school days (short-term suspension) on the following grounds:

Conduct constituting grounds for expulsion as hereinafter set forth; or,

Other violations of rules and standards of behavior adopted by the Board of Education or the administrative or teaching staff of the school, that occur on or off school grounds, if such conduct interferes with school purposes or there is a connection between such conduct and school.

The following process applies to short-term suspension:

The Principal shall make a reasonable investigation of the facts and circumstances. Short-term suspension shall be imposed only after a determination that the suspension is necessary to help any student, to further school purposes, or to prevent an interference with school purposes.

Prior to commencement of the short-term suspension, the student will be given oral or written notice of the charges against the student. The student will be advised of what he or she is accused of having done, be given an explanation of the evidence the authorities have, and be given an opportunity to explain the student's version of the facts.

Within 24 hours or such additional time as is reasonably necessary following the suspension, the Principal will send a written statement to the student, and the student's parent or guardian, describing the student's conduct, misconduct or violation of the rule or standard and the reasons for the action taken. An opportunity will be given to the student, and the student's parent or guardian, to have a conference with the Principal ordering the short-term suspension before or at the time the student returns to school. The Principal shall determine who, in addition to the parent or guardian, is to attend the conference.

Students who are short-term suspended will be given the opportunity to complete classwork, including but not limited to examinations, as described in Board Policy 5035.

Weapons and/or Firearms

Students may be disciplined for the possession of weapons and/or firearms pursuant to the board's separate policy on weapons and firearms or state law. Long-Term Suspension

Students may be excluded by the Principal from school or any school function for a period of more than five school days but less than twenty school days (long-term suspension) for any conduct constituting grounds for expulsion as hereinafter set forth. The process for long-term suspension is set forth below.

Expulsion. Meaning of Expulsion. Expulsion means exclusion from attendance in all schools, grounds and activities of or within the system for a period not to exceed the remainder of the semester in which it took effect unless the misconduct occurred (a) within ten school days prior to the end of the first semester, in which case the expulsion shall remain in effect through the second semester, or (b) within ten school days prior to the end of the second semester, in which case the expulsion shall remain in effect for summer school and the first semester of the following school year, or (c) unless the expulsion is for conduct specified in these rules or in law as permitting or requiring a longer removal, in which case the expulsion shall remain in effect for the period specified therein. Such action may be modified or terminated by the school district at any time during the expulsion period.

Summer Review. Any expulsion that will remain in effect during the first semester of the following school year will be automatically scheduled for review before the beginning of the school year. The review will be conducted by the hearing officer who conducted the initial expulsion hearing, or a hearing officer appointed by the Superintendent in the event no hearing was previously held or the initial hearing officer is no longer available or willing to serve, after the hearing officer has given notice of the review to the student and the student's parent or guardian. This review shall be limited to newly discovered evidence or evidence of changes in the student's circumstances occurring since the original hearing. This review may lead to a recommendation by the hearing officer that the student be readmitted for the upcoming school year. If the school board or board of education or a committee of such board took the final action to expel the student, the student may be readmitted only by action of the board. Otherwise the student may be readmitted by action of the Superintendent.

Suspension of Enforcement of an Expulsion. Enforcement of an expulsion action may be suspended (i.e., "stayed") for a period of not more than one full semester in addition to the balance of the semester in which the expulsion takes effect, and as a condition of such suspended action, the student may be assigned to a school, class, or program/plan and to such other consequences which the school district deems appropriate.

Alternative School or Pre-expulsion Procedures. The school shall either provide an alternative school, class or educational program for expelled students or shall follow the pre-expulsion procedures outlined in Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-266.

Grounds for Short-Term Suspension, Long-Term Suspension, Expulsion or Mandatory Reassignment. The following conduct constitutes grounds for long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment, subject to the procedural provisions of the Student Discipline Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. §79-254 through 79-296, when such activity occurs on school grounds, in a vehicle owned, leased, or contracted by a school being used for a school purpose or in a vehicle being driven for a school purpose by a school employee or by his or her designee, or at a school-sponsored activity or athletic event:

Use of violence, force, coercion, threat, intimidation, or similar conduct in a manner that constitutes a substantial interference with school purposes;

Willfully causing or attempting to cause substantial damage to property, stealing or attempting to steal property of substantial value, or repeated damage or theft involving property;

Causing or attempting to cause personal injury to a school employee, to a school volunteer, or to any student. Personal injury caused by accident, self-defense, or other action undertaken on the reasonable belief that it was necessary to protect some other person shall not constitute a violation of this subdivision;

Threatening or intimidating any student for the purpose of or with the intent of obtaining money or anything of value from such student;

Knowingly possessing, handling, or transmitting any object or material that is ordinarily or generally considered a weapon (see also board policy on weapons and firearms);

Engaging in the unlawful possession, selling, dispensing, or use of a controlled substance or an imitation controlled substance, as defined in section 28-401, a substance represented to be a controlled substance, or alcoholic liquor as defined in section 53-103.02 or being under the influence of a controlled substance or alcoholic liquor (note: the term “under the influence” for school purposes has a less strict meaning than it does under criminal law; for school purposes, the term means any level of impairment and includes even the odor of alcohol on the breath or person of a student; also, it includes being impaired by reason of the abuse of any material used as a stimulant);

Public indecency as defined in section 28-806, except that this prohibition shall apply only to students at least twelve years of age but less than nineteen years of age;

Engaging in bullying as defined in section 79-2,137 and in these policies;

Sexually assaulting or attempting to sexually assault any person if a complaint has been filed by a prosecutor in a court of competent jurisdiction alleging that the student has sexually assaulted or attempted to sexually assault any person, including sexual assaults or attempted sexual assaults which occur off school grounds not at a school function, activity, or event. For purposes of this subdivision, sexual assault means sexual assault in the first degree as defined in section 28-319, sexual assault in the second degree as defined in section 28-320, sexual assault of a child in the second or third degree as defined in section 28-320.01, or sexual assault of a child in the first degree as defined in section 28-319.01, as such sections now provide or may hereafter from time to time be amended;

Engaging in any other activity forbidden by the laws of the State of Nebraska which activity constitutes a danger to other students or interferes with school purposes; or

A repeated violation of any of the following rules, or a single violation if the conduct is forbidden by Nebraska law, if such violations constitute a substantial interference with school purposes:

The use of language, written or oral, or conduct, including gestures, which is profane or abusive to students or staff members. Profane or abusive language or conduct includes, but is not limited to, that which is commonly understood and intended to be derogatory toward a group or individual based upon race, gender, national origin, or religion;

Dressing or grooming in a manner which violates the school district’s dress code and/or is dangerous to the student's health and safety, a danger to the health and safety of others, or which is disruptive, distracting or indecent to the extent that it interferes with the learning and educational process; Violating school bus rules as set by the school district or district staff;

Possessing, using, selling, or dispensing tobacco, drug paraphernalia, an electronic nicotine delivery system, or a tobacco imitation substance or packaging, regardless of form, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and any other form of tobacco or imitation, such as electronic cigarettes, vapor pens, etc.; Possessing, using, selling, or dispensing any drug paraphernalia or imitation of a controlled substance regardless of whether the actual substance possessed is a controlled substance by Nebraska law; Possession of pornography; Sexting or the possession of sexting images (a combination of sex and texting - the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photos electronically);

1. Engaging in hazing, defined as any activity expected of someone joining a group, team, or activity that humiliates, degrades or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person's willingness to participate. Hazing activities are generally considered to be: physically abusive, hazardous, and/or sexually violating and include but are not limited to the following: personal servitude; sleep deprivation and restrictions on personal hygiene; yelling, swearing and insulting new members/rookies; being forced to wear embarrassing or humiliating attire in public; consumption of vile substances or smearing of such on one's skin; branding; physical beatings; binge drinking and drinking games; sexual simulation and sexual assault;

2. Bullying which shall include cyber-bullying, defined as the use of the internet, including but not limited to social networking sites such as Facebook, cell phones or other devices to send, post or text message images and material intended to hurt or embarrass another person. This may include, but is not limited to; continuing to send e-mail to someone who has said they want no further contact with the sender; sending or posting threats, sexual remarks or pejorative labels (i.e., hate speech); ganging up on victims by making them the subject of ridicule in forums, and posting false statements as fact intended to humiliate the victim; disclosure of personal data, such as the victim's real name, address, or school at websites or forums; posing as the identity of the victim for the purpose of publishing material in their name that defames or ridicules them; sending threatening and harassing text, instant messages or emails to the victims; and posting or sending rumors or gossip to instigate others to dislike and gang up on the target;

3. Violation of the district’s computer acceptable computer use policy are subject to discipline, up to and including expulsion; and

4. Knowingly possessing, handling, or transmitting any object or material that is ordinarily or generally considered a simulated or “look-a-like” weapon;

5. Using any object to simulate possession of a weapon; and

6. Any other violation of a rule or regulation established by a school district staff member pursuant to authority delegated by the board.

In addition, a student who engages in the following conduct occurs on school grounds, in a vehicle owned, leased, or contracted by a school being used for a school purpose or in a vehicle being driven for a school purpose by a school employee or by his or her designee, or at a school-sponsored activity or athletic event shall be expelled for the remainder of the school year in which it took effect if the misconduct occurs during the first semester, and if the expulsion for such conduct takes place during the second semester, the expulsion shall remain in effect for the first semester of the following school year, with the condition that such action may be modified or terminated by the school district during the expulsion period on such terms as the administration may establish:

1. The knowing and intentional use of force in causing or attempting to cause personal injury to a school employee, school volunteer, or student, except if caused by accident, self-defense, or on the reasonable belief that the force used was necessary to protect some other person and the extent of force used was reasonably believed to be necessary, or

2. The knowing and intentional possession, use, or transmission of a dangerous weapon other than a firearm.

In addition, a student who is determined to have brought a firearm to school, or to have possessed a firearm at school, shall be expelled from school for a period of not less than one year. The Superintendent may modify such one-year expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis, provided that such modification is in writing. The term “to school” or “at school” means on school grounds, in a vehicle owned, leased, or contracted by a school being used for a school purpose or in a vehicle being driven for a school purpose by a school employee or by his or her designee, or at a school-sponsored activity or athletic event.

Bringing a firearm or other dangerous weapon to school for any reason is discouraged; however, a student will not be subject to disciplinary action if the item is brought or possessed under the following conditions:

1. Prior written permission to bring the firearm or other dangerous weapon to school is obtained from the student's teacher, building administrator and parent.

2. The purpose of having the firearm or other dangerous weapon in school is for a legitimate educational function.

3. A plan for its transportation into and from the school, its storage while in the school building, and how it will be displayed must be developed with the prior written approval by the teacher and building administrator. Such plan shall require that such item will be in the possession of an adult staff member at all times except for such limited time as is necessary to fulfill the educational function.

The firearm or other dangerous weapon shall be in an inoperable condition while it is on school grounds.

Students Subject to Juvenile or Court Probation. Prior to the readmission to school of any student who is less than 19 years of age and who is subject to the supervision of a juvenile probation officer or an adult probation officer pursuant to the order of the District Court, County Court, or Juvenile Court, who chooses to meet conditions of probation by attending school, and who has previously been expelled from school, the Principal or the Principal’s designee shall meet with the student's probation officer and assist in developing conditions of probation that will provide specific guidelines for behavior and consequences for misbehavior at school (including conduct on school grounds and conduct during an educational function or event off school grounds) as well as educational objectives that must be achieved. If the guidelines, consequences, and objectives provided by the Principal or the Principal’s designee are agreed to by the probation officer and the student, and the court permits the student to return to school under the agreed to conditions, the student may be permitted to return to school. The student may, with proper consent upon such return, be evaluated by the school for possible disabilities and may be referred for evaluation for possible placement in a special education program. The student may be expelled or otherwise disciplined for subsequent conduct as provided in Board policy and state statute.

Due Process Afforded to Students Facing Long-term Suspension or Expulsion.

The following procedures shall be followed regarding any long-term suspension, expulsion or mandatory reassignment

1. On the date of the decision to discipline, the Principal shall file with the Superintendent a written charge and a summary of the evidence supporting such charge.

2. The Principal shall serve the student and the student's parents or guardian with a written notice by registered or certified mail or personal service within two school days of the date of the decision to recommend long-term suspension or expulsion. The notice shall include the following:

   1. The rule or standard of conduct allegedly violated and the acts of the student alleged to constitute a cause for long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment, including a summary of the evidence to be presented against the student;

   2. The penalty, if any, which the principal has recommended in the charge and any other penalty to which the student may be subject;

   3. A statement that, before long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment for disciplinary purposes can be invoked, the student has a right to a hearing, upon request, on the specified charges;

   4. A description of the hearing procedures provided by the act, along with procedures for appealing any decision rendered at the hearing;

   5. A statement that the principal, legal counsel for the school, the student, the student's parent, or the student's representative or guardian has the right (i) to examine the student's academic and disciplinary records and any affidavits to be used at the hearing concerning the alleged misconduct and (ii) to know the identity of the witnesses to appear at the hearing and the substance of their testimony; and

   6. A form on which the student, the student's parent, or the student's guardian may request a hearing, to be signed by such parties and delivered to the principal or superintendent in person or by registered or certified mail.

3. When a notice of intent to discipline a student by long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment is filed with the superintendent, the student may be suspended by the principal until the date the long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment takes effect if no hearing is requested or, if a hearing is requested, the date the hearing examiner makes the report of his or her findings and a recommendation of the action to be taken to the superintendent, if the principal determines that the student must be suspended immediately to prevent or substantially reduce the risk of (a) interference with an educational function or school purpose or (b) a personal injury to the student himself or herself, other students, school employees, or school volunteers.

4. Nothing in this policy shall preclude the student, student's parents, guardian or representative from discussing and settling the matter with appropriate school personnel prior to the hearing stage.

5. If a hearing is requested within five days after receipt of the notice, the Superintendent shall appoint a hearing officer who shall follow the "hearing procedures" outlined below.

6. If a hearing is requested more than five school days following the receipt of the written notice, but not more than thirty calendar days after receipt, the Superintendent shall appoint a hearing officer who shall follow the "hearing procedures" outlined below, except that the time constraints set forth may differ as provided by law and this policy. The student shall be entitled to a hearing but the consequence imposed may continue in effect pending final determination.

7. If a request for hearing is not received within thirty calendar days following the mailing or delivery of the written notice, the student shall not be entitled to a hearing.

In the event a hearing is requested, the hearing, hearing procedures, the student's rights and any appeals or judicial review permitted by law shall be governed by the applicable provisions of the Nebraska Student Discipline Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-254 to 79-294). The school district will provide parents with copies of the relevant statutes upon request.

Reporting Requirement to Law Enforcement

Violations of this section will result in a report to law enforcement if:

1. The violation includes possession of a firearm;

2. The violation results in child abuse;

3. It is a violation of state law that the administration believes cannot be adequately addressed solely by discipline from the school district;

4. It is a violation of state law that endangers the health and welfare of staff or students;

5. It is a violation of state law that interferes with school purposes;

6. The report is required or requested by law enforcement or the county attorney.

Education for Suspended Students

It shall be the policy of Exeter-Milligan Public School that students who receive an out-of-school suspension be afforded an opportunity to complete and receive credit for academic assignments missed in relation to the suspension. A student who is suspended out-of-school for two consecutive days or less will be given 5 (five) calendar days to complete missed assignments at the end of the suspension period and the student’s return to school. After the five-day deadline, no missing work will be accepted for credit, and the missed assignments will receive a grade of zero.

A student who is suspended out-of-school for more than two consecutive days will be responsible for the collection of their assignments which can be completed out-of-school. Arrangements for the collection of assignments and necessary study aids will also be the responsibility of the student -- arrangements may include but not b limited to: 1) collection by the suspended student before or after regular school hours; 2) collection by a member of the student’s family. Assignments collected by the suspended student must be completed by the end of the school day upon which the suspended student returns to school. At the end of the school day upon which the suspended student returns to school, all missed assignments which were given during the suspension will not be accepted for credit, and the missing assignments will receive a grade of zero. The missed assignments which cannot be completed out-of-school by a student who receives more than a two-day suspension will be given to the student at the end of the suspension period and the student’s return to school, and the student will be given 10 (ten) calendar days to complete these assignments. After the ten-day deadline, no missing work will be accepted for credit, and the missed assignments will receive a grade of zero.

The application of this policy and its effect upon the suspended student will be included in the written notice sent to the student’s home.

Investigations, Arrests, and Other Student Contact by Law Enforcement and Health and Human Services

The school district and its administrators and staff desire to maintain a positive working relationship with law enforcement officers and other representatives of governmental bodies in the discharge of their duties. However, this desire must be balanced against other equally important factors such as a student’s legal rights, ensuring that a student’s time spent in school is for education, and acknowledging that the school stands in loco parentis to the students.

“Law enforcement officer” means police officers, county sheriffs, state patrolmen, Health and Human Service workers, Child Protective Services workers, Office of Juvenile Services workers, probation officers, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, Federal Bureau of Investigations agents, or any other government investigatory workers.

“Parent” means the biological or adoptive mother or father, guardian, responsible relative, or any other person who has claimed legal or actual charge or control of the student pursuant to Nebraska law or Title 92 Nebraska Administrative Code Chapter 19.

Law enforcement officers are encouraged whenever possible to talk to a student away from the school before or after school hours so as to cause as little disruption as possible to the student’s education.

Law enforcement officers may be called to the school at the request of school administration, or they may initiate contact with the school for their own purposes. Contact between the school and law enforcement officers on matters involving students shall be made through the office of the superintendent or building principal and the law enforcement officer. All reasonable attempts should be made to avoid embarrassing the student before his or her teachers and peers, and to avoid disrupting the student’s and school’s education program. Any questioning by law enforcement officers that is permitted should be conducted in a private room or area where confidentiality can be maintained. This should be an area removed from observation by or contact with other pupils and school personnel.

School staff shall promptly notify the superintendent when a student is questioned, arrested, or removed from school grounds by law enforcement officers.

School Related Criminal Activity

This section applies to alleged or suspected criminal activity that occurs on school grounds; in a vehicle owned, leased, or contracted by a school being used for a school purpose or in a vehicle being driven for a school purpose by a school employee or by his or her designee; or at a school-sponsored activity or athletic event.

Law enforcement officers will be allowed to contact and question students at school regarding school related criminal activity as provided below.

The building principal must be notified before a student may be questioned in school or taken from a classroom by law enforcement. The building principal should request identification of the officers, their affiliation with the identified law enforcement agency, and whether their purpose is to interview, interrogate, or take custody of the student.

The building principal will make reasonable attempts to contact a student’s parent for their consent and/or presence before the student is interviewed. In the event that a parent cannot be contacted after reasonable attempts, the student will be questioned only if the law enforcement officer identifies emergency circumstances requiring immediate questioning. A building principal or designee shall be present for such questioning solely to further school purposes or avoid duplication of the investigative process. The student will be brought to a private room and the contact will be made out of sight of others as much as practicable.

If the student is suspected of criminal activity, it is the responsibility of the law enforcement officer to advise a student of his or her rights against self-incrimination.

The building principal shall document steps taken to notify parents, summarize the law enforcement activities, identify the actions taken by the District on behalf of the student, and any further contacts with law enforcement officer.

Non-School Related Criminal Activity

Law enforcement officials may not question students at school unless parental consent is obtained or the law enforcement authorities have a warrant or court order.

Taking a Student into Custody

Law enforcement officers seeking custody of a student must contact the superintendent or building principal. The principal will request the arresting law enforcement officer to provide a copy of the arrest warrant, written parental consent, court order, or other document giving authority to take the student into legal custody. If there is no document presented, the principal should obtain the officer’s name, badge number identifying the law enforcement agency, date, time, the reason for the arrest, and the place to which the student is reportedly being taken. Whenever practicable, the arrest or release of the student should be conducted in a location and in a manner that minimizes observation by others.

When a law enforcement officer removes a student from the school, the building principal will take immediate steps to notify the parent about the student’s removal and the place to which the minor is reportedly being taken, except when a minor has been taken into custody as a victim of suspected child abuse.

Parent notification by teachers of all meetings and detentions is required for all instances.

Detentions for students grades 7-12:

Detentions are to be given in an effort to correct student misbehavior. Detentions are not to be assigned to students who fail to turn in their homework or forget to bring materials to class although such irresponsibility cannot go uncorrected. Other behavior management methods will be employed to address chronic irresponsibility before detentions are assigned.

Minor demonstrations of student misbehavior will be addressed first by a verbal warning prior to the student receiving a detention and a meeting with the student to discuss the behavior. Neither major infractions nor frequently repeated minor infractions need be preceded with a verbal warning; such misbehaviors may immediately result in a detention being assigned.

Detentions will be for 30 minutes in length and served either before or after school on the day in which the detention was given or the following school day. The detention will be served with the teacher (or their designee) who writes the detention. If detentions do not correct the misbehavior or students fail to serve the detention alternate forms of punishment will follow: this may include but not limited to doubling the detention time, in school suspension, out of school suspension, or Saturday School.