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Policy |
File Code: 5131 |
CONDUCT/DISCIPLINE
The Board believes
that an effective instructional program requires an orderly school environment
and that the effectiveness of the educational program is, in part, reflected in
the behavior of pupils.
The Board of
Education expects pupils to conduct themselves in keeping with their level of
maturity, with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other pupils, for
school personnel, for the educational purpose underlying all school activities,
and for the care of school facilities and equipment.
The Board of
Education believes that standards of pupil behavior must be set cooperatively
by interaction among the pupils, parents/guardians, staff, and community,
producing an atmosphere, which encourages pupils to grow in
self-discipline. Such an atmosphere must
include respect for self and others, as well as for the district and community
property.
The best
discipline is self-imposed, and pupils must learn to assume and accept
responsibility for their own behavior, and for the consequences of their
misbehavior. Staff members who interact
with pupils shall use preventive disciplinary action and place emphasis on the
pupils’ ability to grow in self-discipline.
The Principal
shall develop general guidelines for pupil conduct on school property and shall
direct development of detailed regulations suited to the age level of the
pupils and the physical facilities of the individual schools. Board policy requires each pupil of this
district to adhere to the rules and regulations established by the
administration and to submit to such disciplinary measures as are appropriately
assigned for infraction of those rules.
The Principal shall provide to pupils and their parents/guardians the
rules of this district regarding pupil conduct and the sanctions that may be
imposed for breach of those rules.
Provisions shall be made for informing parents/guardians whose primary
language is other than English.
In developing
regulations to implement this policy, the Principal shall provide appropriate
recognition for pupils who consistently maintain high standards of
self-discipline and good citizenship.
The regulations shall:
A. Require that pupils conform to reasonable
standards of socially acceptable behavior; respect the person, property and
rights of others; obey constituted authority and respond to those who hold that
authority.
B. Establish the degree of order necessary
to the educational program in which pupils are engaged.
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File Code: 5131
Conduct/Discipline (continued)
The Board of
Education further recognizes that no set of rules can completely cover all
situations that occur at any school.
However, pupils are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly and
acceptable manner at all times. The
standards of behavior that are exhibited by pupils in school, while visiting
other schools, and in the community reflect upon the reputation of the staff
and the student body of
The Board shall
review all related policies on a regular basis.
Pupils who display
chronic behavioral or academic problems may be referred to the Child Study Team
by the Principal for possible identification as disruptive or disaffected. Such referrals shall be in strict accordance
with the due process regulations prescribed by the administrative code. Pupils so identified shall be provided with
appropriate programs and services as prescribed by the Child Study Team.
A pupil whose
presence poses a continuing danger to persons or property, or an ongoing threat
of disrupting the academic process, may be suspended or expelled, following due
process.
Any pupil who
commits an assault (as defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1) upon a Board member,
teacher, administrator or other employee of the Board of Education shall be
suspended from school immediately according to procedural due process, and
suspension or expulsion proceedings shall begin no later than thirty (30)
calendar days from the date of the pupil’s suspension.
Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying
The
Board of Education prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying. A safe and civil environment in school is
necessary for pupils to learn and achieve high academic standards. Harassment, intimidation or bullying, like
other disruptive or violent behaviors, is conduct that disrupts both a pupil’s
ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate its pupils in a safe
environment; and since pupils learn by example, school administrators, faculty,
staff and volunteers should be commended for demonstrating appropriate
behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate
harassment, intimidation or bullying.
Definition
"Harassment,
intimidation or bullying" means any gesture, written, verbal or physical
act that takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function or on
a school bus and that:
1. Is
motivated by any actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, color,
religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender
identity and expression, or a mental, physical or sensory disability; or
Page 2 of 8
File Code: 5131
Conduct/Discipline (continued)
2. By any other distinguishing characteristic;
and
3. A
reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, that the act(s) will
have the effect of harming a pupil or damaging the pupil’s property, or placing
a pupil in reasonable fear of harm to his/her person or damage to his/her property;
or
4. Has
the effect of insulting or demeaning any pupil or group of pupils in such a way
as to cause substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the
orderly operation of the school.
Acts of harassment, intimidation or
bullying may also be a pupil exercising power and control over another pupil,
in either isolated incidents (e.g., intimidation, harassment) or patterns of
harassing or intimidating behavior (e.g., bullying).
Expected Behavior
The
Board expects pupils to conduct themselves in keeping with their levels of
development, maturity and demonstrated capabilities with proper regard for the
rights and welfare of other pupils and school staff, the educational purpose
underlying all school activities, and the care of school facilities and
equipment.
The
Board believes that standards for pupil behavior must be set cooperatively
through interaction among the pupils, parent(s) or legal guardian(s), staff and community members, producing an
atmosphere that encourages pupils to grow in self-discipline. The development of this atmosphere requires
respect for self and others, as well as for school district and community
property on the part of pupils, staff and community members.
The
Board believes the best discipline is self-imposed, and it is the
responsibility of school district staff to use disciplinary situations as
opportunities to help pupils learn to assume and accept responsibility for
their behavior and the consequences of their behavior. Staff members who interact with pupils shall
apply the best practices designed to prevent discipline problems and encourage
pupils’ abilities to grow in self-discipline.
General
guidelines for pupil conduct will be developed by the Superintendent, in conjunction with school staff, and approved by the Board. These guidelines will be developed based on
accepted core ethical values from broad community involvement with input from
parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and
other community representatives, school employees, volunteers, pupils and administrators.
This Policy requires all pupils in the district to adhere to these rules and
guidelines and to submit to such disciplinary measures as are appropriately
assigned for infraction of these rules and guidelines.
Page 3 of 8
File Code: 5131
Conduct/Discipline (continued)
The
district prohibits active and passive support for harassment, intimidation or
bullying. Pupils are encouraged to
support other pupils who walk away from these acts when they see them,
constructively attempt to stop them, and report these acts to the Building
Principal or his/her designee.
Pupils are
required to conform to reasonable standards of socially acceptable behavior;
respect the person, property and rights of others; obey constituted authority;
and respond to school district teaching, support and administrative staff. The school Principal will develop and provide
a school-based program for appropriate recognition for positive reinforcement
for good conduct, self-discipline, good citizenship and academic success.
The
Superintendent will provide annually to pupils and their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) the rules of the
district regarding pupil conduct, pupil’s due process and other rights. This
Policy will appear in all publications of the school district’s comprehensive
rules, procedures and standards of conduct for school(s) within the district,
including pupil handbooks. Provisions
will be made for informing parent(s) or legal
guardian(s) whose primary language is other than English.
Consequences and Appropriate Remedial Actions
The
following factors will be considered in determining the appropriate response to
pupils who commit one or more acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying:
1. The developmental and maturity levels
of the parties involved;
2. The levels of harm;
3. The surrounding circumstances;
4. The nature of the behavior(s);
5. Past incidences or continuing patterns
of behavior;
6. The relationships between the parties
involved; and
7. The context in which the alleged
incidents occurred.
Concluding
whether a particular action or incident constitutes a violation of this Policy
requires a determination based on all of the facts and surrounding
circumstances.
An
appropriate consequence will be determined after meaningful consideration of
these factors. Consequences and
appropriate remedial action for pupils who commit acts of harassment,
intimidation or bullying may range from positive behavioral interventions up to
and including suspension or expulsion. The appropriate consequence will be
consistent with case law, Federal and State statutes, and district/school
policies and regulations.
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File Code: 5131
Conduct/Discipline (continued)
Reporting Procedure
Complaints
alleging violations of this Policy shall be reported to the Principal or
his/her designee. All school employees
are required to report alleged violations of this Policy to the Principal or
his/her designee. All other members of
the school community, including pupils, parent(s) or legal guardian(s), volunteers and visitors are encouraged to
report any act that may be a violation of this Policy. While submission of an Incident Report Form
to the Principal or his/her designee is not required, the reporting party is
encouraged to use the Incident Report Form available from the Principal of each
building or available at the school district office. Oral reports will also be considered official
reports. Reports may be made
anonymously, but formal disciplinary action may not be based solely on the
basis of an anonymous report.
Investigation
The
Principal or his/her designee is responsible for determining whether an alleged
act constitutes a violation of this Policy.
The Principal or his/her designee shall conduct a prompt, thorough and
complete investigation of the alleged incident.
The Principal or his/her designee will maintain a record of each
investigation regarding allegations of harassment, intimidation and bullying.
Response to an Incident of
Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying
Some
acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying may be isolated incidents
requiring the school to respond appropriately to the individual(s) committing
the acts. Other acts may be so serious
or part of a larger pattern of harassment, intimidation or bullying that
require a response either at the classroom, school building or school district
level or by law enforcement officials.
Consequences
and appropriate remedial actions for pupils who commit an act of harassment,
intimidation or bullying range from positive behavioral interventions up to and
including suspension or expulsion, as permitted under N.J.S.A. 18A:37-1,
Discipline of Pupils.
In
considering whether a response beyond the individual level is appropriate, the
administrator will consider the nature and circumstances of the act, the level
of harm, the nature of the behavior, past incidences, past or continuing
patterns of behavior, and the context in which the alleged incident(s)
occurred. The school district’s
responses can range from school and community surveys, to mailings, to focus
groups, to adoption of research-based bullying prevention program models, to
training for certificated and non-certificated staff. The district’s responses may include
participation of parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and other community members and
organizations, to small or large group presentations for fully addressing the
actions and the school district’s response to the actions in the context of
acceptable student behavior or the consequences of such actions and involvement
of law enforcement officers, including school resource officers.
Page 5 of 8
File Code: 5131
Conduct/Discipline (continued)
Reprisal or Retaliation Prohibited
The school district prohibits
reprisal or retaliation against any person who reports an act of harassment,
intimidation or bullying. The
consequence and appropriate remedial action for a person who engages in
reprisal or retaliation shall be determined by the Principal or his/her
designee after consideration of the nature and circumstances of the act, in
accordance with case law, Federal and State statutes and regulations and
district policies and procedures.
Consequences for False Accusation
Consequences
and appropriate remedial action for a pupil found to have falsely accused
another as a means of harassment, intimidation or bullying range from positive
behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion, as
permitted under N.J.S.A. 18A:37-1, Discipline of Pupils.
Consequences
and appropriate remedial action for a school employee found to have falsely
accused another as a means of harassment, intimidation or bullying shall be
disciplined in accordance with district policies and procedures.
Consequences
and appropriate remedial action for a visitor or volunteer, found to have
falsely accused another as a means of harassment, intimidation or bullying
shall be determined by the Principal or his/her designee, after consideration
of the nature and circumstances of the act, including reports to appropriate
law enforcement officials.
Policy Publication
This
Policy will be disseminated annually to all school staff, pupils, parent(s) or legal guardian(s), along with a statement
explaining that the Policy applies to all acts of harassment, intimidation and
bullying that occur on school property, at school-sponsored functions or on a
school bus.
The
Superintendent shall develop a process for the Principal(s) to discuss the
school district’s policy on harassment, intimidation and bullying with pupils
on an annual basis.
Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Prevention
Programs
Pursuant to N.J.S.A.
18A:37-17.c., information regarding the district’s Harassment, Intimidation and
Bullying Policy shall be incorporated into a school’s employee training
program.
Pursuant
to N.J.S.A. 18A:37-17.a., the district will establish bullying
prevention programs, and other initiatives involving school staff, pupils,
administrators, volunteers, parent(s) or legal
guardian(s), law enforcement and community members in developing such programs
and initiatives.
Page 6 of 8
File Code: 5131
Conduct/Discipline (continued)
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:37-17.b., the
district is encouraged to, and to the extent funds are appropriated for these
purposes, provide training on the school district’s harassment, intimidation
and bullying policies to school employees and volunteers who have significant
contact with pupils and develop a process for discussing the school district’s
harassment, intimidation and bullying policies with pupils.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:37-19, the school
district may apply to the Commissioner of Education for additional costs due to
the implementation of the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:37-13 through N.J.S.A.
18A:37-18.
Hazing
Pupils at
Any initiation or
induction involving hazing is forbidden.
There shall be no initiation in any form for pupils entering
Disabled
Classified pupils
are subject to the same disciplinary procedures as non-disabled pupils and may
be disciplined in accordance with their IEP.
However, before disciplining a classified pupil, it must be determined
that:
A. The pupil’s behavior is not primarily
caused by his/her educational disability.
B. The program that is being provided
meets the pupil’s needs.
Staff shall comply
with state and federal law and the regulations of the
Honor
Policy
The Board of
Education believes that dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism, are
unacceptable. Therefore, as the
educational institution of the district, the school shall strive to encourage
honest academic achievement.
It shall be the
policy of the school to take positive action on incidents of pupil dishonesty
through education, counseling, and parent/guardian involvement. The Superintendent shall formulate
administrative regulations to implement this policy.
Page 7 of 8
File Code: 5131
Conduct/Discipline (continued)
First
Second
Legal References
|
N.J.S.A. |
18A:6-1 |
Corporate punishment of pupils |
|
N.J.S.A. |
18A:11-1 |
General mandatory powers and duties |
|
N.J.S.A. |
18A:25-2 |
Authority over pupils |
|
N.J.S.A. |
18A:37 |
Discipline of pupils |
|
N.J.A.C. |
6:28-2.8 |
Disciplinary action |
New Jersey State
Board of Education Resolution,
New Jersey State Board of Education
Resolution,
Cross References
|
1220 |
Citizens’ ad hoc advisory committees |
|
3517 |
Security |
|
3541.31 |
Privately owned vehicles |
|
4148 |
Employee protection |
|
4248 |
Employee protection |
|
5000 |
Concepts and roles in pupil personnel |
|
5010 |
Personal goals and objectives for pupils |
|
5020 |
Role of parents/guardians |
|
5114 |
Suspension and expulsion/pupil due process |
|
5124 |
Reporting to parents/guardians |
|
5131.1 |
Bus conduct |
|
5131.2 |
Classrooms, hall, and grounds conduct |
|
5131.5 |
Vandalism/violence |
|
5131.6 |
Drugs, alcohol, tobacco |
|
5132 |
Dress and grooming |
|
5144 |
Discipline/punishment |
|
5145 |
Rights |
|
5145.4 |
Equal educational opportunity |
|
5145.6 |
Pupil grievance procedure |
|
6172 |
Alternative educational programs |
|
|
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