Disciplinary Offenses

DISCIPLINARY OFFENSES

The following is a list of selected offenses and recommended disciplinary actions to be taken in Twin Valley School District:

Access and Security Prohibitions

The following activities related to access to the District’s electronic resources are prohibited:

·        Misrepresentation (including forgery) of the identity of a sender or source of communication

·        Acquiring or attempting to acquire passwords of others or giving your password to another

·        Altering communication originally received from another person or computer with the intent to deceive

·        Disabling virus protection software or procedures

·        Altering or attempting to alter files, system security software or systems

·        Unauthorized wiring

·        Connecting unauthorized hardware and devices to the network

·        Intentionally damaging or destroying the integrity of electronic information

·        Intentional destruction of district hardware or software

·        Failure to comply with requests from teachers or district administrators to discontinue inappropriate activities

·        Post personal contact information about themselves or other people

·        Engage in any illegal act

·        Send terroristic threats, harassing communications, or hate mail

·        Political lobbying as defined by the PA Lobbying Registration Act. Employees and students may use the system to communicate with their elected representatives to express their opinion on political issues.

·        Advertising of any kind

·        Unauthorized fundraising

·        Unauthorized use of the Twin Valley School District’s name

·        Copyright violations

·        Plagiarism

·        Students are prohibited from any use of any electronic device (including personal device) in locker rooms, bathrooms or other changing areas. (See Policy 237)

·        Use any electronic device (including personal device) to take photographs or to record audio or video of any person or group, without the knowledge or consent of that person or group, while on district property or while a student is engage in school-sponsored activities, unless expressly authorized in advance by the building principal or designee, except when used to record participants in school-sponsored public events such as athletic events, shows concerts, etc. (See Policy 237)

Violations of this policy may result in the temporary or permanent revocation of a user’s right to access district technology resources. Additionally, users may be subject to other forms of disciplinary actions for violations of this policy and/or local, state, and federal law.

Body Fluids

Body fluids pose a serious health risk to all persons with whom they may contact. Purposeful exposure to body fluids, such as spitting on others, is considered a demeaning act of harassment with serious health risks. This behavior is unacceptable and will result in the following consequences:

First Offense: 3-5 days OSS

Additional Offenses: 5-10 days OSS & Disorderly Conduct Citation

Bullying/Cyberbullying

Students who have been bullied should promptly report such incidents to a staff member and/or building administrator. Complaints will be investigated promptly, and corrective action will be taken when allegations are verified. Confidentiality of all parties will be maintained, consistent with the District’s legal and investigative obligations. Bullying/ CyberBullying can be reported by students or parents to staff and/or building administrators via email or by calling the TVHS Office. Students or parents on behalf of students who need to report any instances of suspected bullying can do so using this link: TVHS Incident Report Form. Please note that these reports are not anonymous, are not monitored in real time, and are not for reporting emergencies (see an adult right away or call 911 or Safe2SaySomething). The full Board Policy regarding Bullying/Cyberbullying can be found at this link: 248.1 - Bullying Cyberbullying. 

Consequences for students who are found to have bullied others may include counseling, a parent/guardian conference, detention, suspension, expulsion, a loss of school privileges and/or exclusion from school-sponsored activities.

Cheating/Plagiarism

Students involved in cheating, plagiarism, and/or unauthorized copying of schoolwork or other educational material will receive no credit for the particular test or assignment, or other actions at the discretion of the teacher. More severe or involved offenses may result in disciplinary actions by the school administration.

Cutting Class/Unexcused Absence from Class

First offense:               ISS/Parent Contact

Second offense:           ISS/Parent Meeting

Additional offenses:        OSS/Parent Meeting

Note: Cutting class, leaving school without permission, truancy, and unexcused tardiness may result in students not being given the opportunity to make up missed class work.

Disruption of Class or School/Inappropriate Behavior

Depending on the severity of the disruptive and defiant event, the student may receive any of the following:

·      Teacher assigned detention(s)

·      Administrator assigned detention(s)

·      Parental Contact

·      ISS/OSS

·      Disorderly Conduct Citation

Entering Unauthorized Areas and Staff Workstations

Students who enter unauthorized areas and staff workstations are subject to the following:

First Offense: 1 day ISS & Parental Notice

Second Offense:  3 days ISS & Parent Meeting

Additional Offenses:  OSS

 Failure to Attend Detention

First offense:               An additional detention

Second offense:           One day ISS

Additional offenses:      ISS/OSS as warranted

 Fighting on School Property

Fighting can include any initiating or retaliatory pushing, slamming, slapping, punching, or constricting actions toward another person. Self-defense includes protecting oneself from harm by seeking assistance from adults or peers, fleeing from the immediate area, and blocking or restraining an aggressor’s actions. Students who engage in fighting will receive discipline according to their level or involvement. At minimum, fighting will be disciplined as follows:

First offense or less serious offenses:           Three-day Out-of-School suspension

Second offense or more serious offenses:    Five-day Out-of-School suspension

Third or severe offense:                                Ten-day Out-of-School suspension

Note: Fighting or assault on school property may result in charges being filed against the participants for disorderly conduct. This citation will result in a fine by the District Justice. Additional charges can also be filed in more serious fighting or assault violations.

Fire Alarm Misuse

Tampering with the fire alarms, extinguishers or evacuation chairs or activating a false alarm will result in a ten-day Out-of-School suspension, the informing of legal authorities, prosecution as appropriate, and a possible school board hearing.

Fireworks/Possession or Use of an Incendiary or Explosive Device in School

The term “fireworks” shall mean and include any combustible or explosive composition or any substance or any article prepared for the purposes of producing a visible or an audible effort by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation. The term incendiary shall mean and include any lighter, match or fire-producing agent.

First offense: may result in up to ten days, Out-of-School suspension and the reporting of the incident to the proper legal authorities, and a            school board hearing to consider further exclusion from school.

Second offense: will result in a ten-day Out-of-School suspension, reporting the incident to the proper legal authorities, and a school board               hearing to consider further exclusion from school.

Forgery

Any student caught forging the signature of any member of the school staff or parent(s/guardian(s) will receive the following consequences regardless of whether the parent/guardian gave permission for such forgery:

First offense:           ISS/Parent Contact

Second offense:           ISS/Parent Meeting

Additional offenses:        ISS/OSS as warranted

Harassment & Intimidation/Physical Aggression

Behaviors that intimidate, bully or are physically aggressive are unacceptable. This includes cyber bullying and text messaging that directly implicates school behavior. Depending on the severity of the aggressive or intimidating event, the student may receive any of the following:

·      Detention(s)

·      ISS/OSS

·      Parental Contact

·      Expulsion

·      Disorderly Conduct Citation

Insubordination/Willful Disobedience

Insubordination occurs when a student refuses to comply with a reasonable request from an administrator, teacher, substitute teacher, staff member, or authorized presenter. Depending on the severity of the aggressive or intimidating event, the student may receive any of the following:

First Offense – ISS/OSS

Additional Offenses – OSS /Disorderly Conduct Citation

Language

Students are expected to use appropriate, constructive language while in school, on school property, on school grounds, or attending school sponsored activities. Written or verbal comments or gestures that are obscene, rude, threatening, harassing, or insubordinate in nature shall be construed as forms of inappropriate language. Such inappropriate language will be subject to disciplinary action. Depending on the severity of inappropriate language, the student may receive any of the following:

·      Teacher assigned detention(s)

·      Administrator assigned detention(s)

·      Parental Contact

·      ISS/OSS

·      Disorderly Conduct Citation

Late to Class

First & Second Offense:      Verbal warnings by teacher

Third Offense:                  Teacher-assigned detention

Chronic Tardiness:             Referral to Administrator

Leaving School Without Permission

Students who leave the school w/o permission are subject to the following:

First Offense:        1 day ISS & Parental notice

Loss of Parking Privileges-2wks

Second Offense:    3 days ISS & Parent Meeting

Loss of Parking Privileges-4wks

Additional Offenses:   OSS

Loss of Parking Privileges for the balance of the school year

Note: Students may not be given the opportunity to make up missed class work.

Loitering

Students may not loiter or gather in unauthorized areas such as restrooms, locker rooms, and stairwells.  Such loitering may constitute reasonable suspicion that students are engaging in inappropriate conduct or are in possession of material which violates school policy.  Violations will result in:

First offense:           Warning & Parent notification      

Second offense:            1 day ISS

Additional offenses:     ISS/OSS as warranted

Refusing a Search

A student may not refuse to allow administration to conduct a search of their person or possessions when there is reasonable suspicion that illicit material or any material which poses a hazard to the safety and good order of the school, or violates school policy, is present.  Violations will result in:

1.       Notification of the legal guardian

2.       Notification to the local police department if there is suspicion of any illicit material.

3.       Notification to Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent.

4.       10 days Out-of-School suspension.

5.       Expulsion via Waiver of School Board Hearing

Tardiness to School

1st, 2nd, 3rd unexcused tardy: Warning

4th – 6th unexcused tardy: 1 detention

7th – 10th unexcused tardy: 2 detentions

Additional tardies: ISS; Loss of Parking Privileges for 2 wks.

Chronic tardiness may result in Out-of-School suspension and loss of parking privileges for the balance of the school year. Note: Students may not be given the opportunity to make up missed class work for any unexcused tardies.

Theft/Stolen Information

Any student involved in theft of school property, or theft of personal or confidential information, will receive an Out-of-School suspension. If necessary, the local law enforcement authorities will be notified. Restitution will be required.

First offense: 5 days OSS

Additional offenses:10 days OSS

Threats

Students have a responsibility to inform a responsible adult or the school office if they become aware of any verbal or physical threat made against any student or staff member. Students who fail to report a terroristic threat, or who further disseminate a terroristic threat with reckless disregard for the risk of terror or inconvenience such threats may cause to others, may be subject to discipline and even expulsion. Students also have the ability to report incidents through the Safe2Say Something platform.

Students who engage in threats to commit any crime of violence communicated by any means resulting in the terrorizing of others, or communicated with reckless disregard for the risk of terrorizing others; or any threat to commit any threat of violence causing evacuation of a building; or causing serious public inconvenience, with reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience may be immediately suspended, referred to the police for criminal action, and may be recommended for expulsion. Additional restrictions may be imposed and the student may thereafter be subjected to random searches.

Consequences may include:

OSS

Informal Hearing

Evaluation by a mental health provider

Other action recommended by threat assessment team

Expulsion

Tobacco Products and Electronic Cigarettes

A student in possession of or using tobacco, electronic cigarettes, vapor products, or their delivery devices on school property or at a school-related event may be issued a citation in the local Magisterial District Court or have a fine imposed by the School District.  Furthermore, students will be responsible for the cost of any test kits used to identify the substance.  In addition to or in lieu of the disciplinary guidelines, students may be referred to the Student Assistance Program for participation in a nicotine cessation group.

First offense:                Citation or $50 fine and 1 day ISS

Second offense:           Citation or $100 fine and 3 days ISS

Additional Offenses    Citation or $200 fine and ISS/OSS as warranted

Unexcused and Unlawful Absence

When a student is absent from school without a valid excuse note the absence will be recorded as unexcused.  Unexcused absences for a student who is sixteen (16) years of age or younger are unlawful and may result in a parent meeting, referral to a truancy elimination program, referral to appropriate county agencies, and/or a truancy citation with the District Magistrate. Schoolwork missed may not be made up.

First Offense: Warning Second Offense: Detention

Additional Offenses:  ISS as warranted

Vandalism

Definition: Damaging tangible property of another intentionally, recklessly, or by negligence in the employment of fire, explosive, or other means; or recklessly or intentionally tampering with tangible property of another so as to cause or attempt to cause unjustified actual harm to tangible property of another.

First offense - assignment of up to a ten-day, Out-of-School suspension from school and full restitution before the student is readmitted to school. (Note: Any act of vandalism which disrupts the normal running of the school will lead to prosecution and a school board hearing on the first offense.)

Further offenses - prosecution and/or a school board hearing to consider further exclusion.

Weapons

Possession of any weapon or dangerous instrument as defined by the Board Policy (No. 816, 2005) will result in:

1. Notification of the legal guardian of any minor involved in the incident.

2. Notification of incident to local police department.

3. Notification of incident to Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent.

4. Assignment of 10 days Out-of-School suspension.

5. An expulsion for one year is mandated by school law following a School Board hearing, unless a lesser penalty is recommended by the superintendent and accepted by the School Board.

Board Policy defines “weapons” to include, but not limited to, any knife, cutting instrument, cutting tool, nunchaku, firearm, shotgun, rifle and any other tool, instrument or implement capable of inflicting serious bodily injury.