Responding to Student Misconduct

You can expect to be treated fairly.  You can expect to have rational consequences assigned to you in a timely manner. It also means that you will receive due process where you are notified of the specific nature of the allegations against you, receive an opportunity to respond and/or identify witnesses who can support your position, and exercise rights of appeal.

Restorative Communication and Restorative Practices: Springfield High School is committed to providing for alternate responses to student misconduct using a framework called “Restorative Practices.” Restorative practices is an approach that shifts the thinking in regards to  discipline from one based on determining which rules were broken and what consequences will be applied to a more active form of social discipline that focuses on relationships.  In restorative practices, we ask the following questions when responding to harm: 

In cases where a student has engaged in behavior that represents harm to the school community, one option may be a resolution process that involves dialogue about the needs that led to the behavior and the impact of that behavior on the school community. The Restorative Practices Coordinator and the Culture and Climate Team are available to assist in dispute resolution, facilitation of harm and support circles, and informal remediation of conflicts. These processes can be used as an alternative to or in conjunction with traditional forms of discipline.

Research has shown that traditional measures of school discipline like suspension, detention, and other passive forms of discipline often do not result in improved behavior. Students that are subject to such discipline generally are more likely to engage in the behavior again because the underlying issues have not been resolved. In addition, traditional discipline is often exclusionary and forces students out of the school community. In contrast, restorative practices focus on keeping students in the community and repairing any harm that was done. In a restorative framework, students are more likely to remain in school and graduate from high school.

While restorative practices are sometimes seen as a lack of accountability, if done well, the opposite is true. Engaging in circle processes, restorative conversations, and restitution are more active forms of social discipline that can improve and sustain community, actually repair past harm and prevent future harm.

Teacher Assigned Detention: Teacher detentions differ from after school assigned administration detentions and Saturday detentions in that a specific teacher assigns you a detention in that teacher’s room.  The teacher will schedule the time and room to which you are to report.  You will be given 24-hour notice by your teacher.  In order to avoid a missed detention assignment being classified as a cut, prior arrangements must be made with the staff member who assigned the detention. If a student cuts a teacher assigned detention, the student will serve an after school administrative assigned detention.


After School Administrative Assigned Detentions: After school detentions will be issued by the Main Office.  These run daily, except for Thursday, from 2:05-2:45.  You need to report to the appropriate area at 2:05.  If you arrive after 2:05, the time you arrive will be recorded and you will be required to serve that time in a lunch detention.  It is expected that you show up on time to detention and do school work.  If you do not have school work, you must read or sit quietly.  There will be no sleeping during the after school detention (including putting your head down on the table/desk).  No electronic devices are allowed to be used during after school detentions.  This obligation will take precedence over any other appointment (including extracurricular activities or employment).  Skipping a detention will result in the assignment of a Saturday detention (please see requirements below).              


Saturday Detention: Saturday detentions will be issued by the Main Office. These run on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM in Room 202 of SHS. You need to report to the side entrance of the building (in the back parking lot) by 7:55 AM. If you arrive late, you will not be allowed in, and it will be treated as a skip. You will be given at least 24 hours notice by either the Principal or Assistant Principal that you are to report on a Saturday. The school does not provide transportation for Saturday detentions. This obligation will take precedence over any other appointment. If you miss a Saturday detention without permission, you will be assigned a day of in or out of school suspension (depending on availability of ISS).


In School Suspension: As available, in school suspension will be used to manage behaviors that require removal from the school community.  Students in ISS are expected to continue to do their school work.  


Out of School Suspension: In the case of serious offenses or repeated rule violations, you will be assigned an out of school suspension. Due process requires notification of students who are being placed on suspension. The Principal or Assistant Principal will inform the student of the reason for suspension and its duration.  Students have the right to speak in their own defense, and their parents/guardians will be informed of the action by phone and by letter.  A copy of the student’s suspension letter will be forwarded to the Superintendent of Schools.  Suspended students are not allowed on school grounds anywhere in the district and may not participate in any school-sponsored activities during the suspension period. This includes both weekend activities and sports.  Suspended students are expected to make up work and tests missed during the suspension period.  It is their responsibility to request assignments from the Main Office.  Assignments may be picked up after school.

Any student accumulating ten suspensions during the school year will be required to appear before the School Board to defend their behavior.