CCSD 89 handbook: discipline

Student Behavior

Per CCSD 89 Board Policy 7:190 (Student Behavior)

The goals and objectives of this policy are to provide effective discipline practices that:

ensure the safety and dignity of students and staff;

maintain a positive, weapons-free, and drug-free learning environment;

keep school property and the property of others secure;

address the causes of a student’s misbehavior and provide opportunities for all individuals involved in an incident to participate in resolution;

teach students positive behavioral skills to become independent, self-disciplined citizens in the school community and society.

Behavioral Interventions

Behavioral interventions shall be used for students with disabilities to promote and strengthen desirable behaviors and reduce identified inappropriate behaviors. The Board will establish and maintain a committee to develop, implement, and monitor procedures on the use of behavioral interventions for children with disabilities.

Bullying Prevention and Response Plan

Per CCSD 89 Board Policy 7:180 (Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment)

Restorative measures means a continuum of school-based alternatives to exclusionary discipline, such as suspensions and expulsions, that: (i) are adapted to the particular needs of the school and community, (ii) contribute to maintaining school safety, (iii) protect the integrity of a positive and productive learning climate, (iv) teach students the personal and interpersonal skills they will need to be successful in school and society, (v) serve to build and restore relationships among students, families, schools, and communities, and (vi) reduce the likelihood of future disruption by balancing accountability with an understanding of students’ behavioral health needs in order to keep students in school.

The superintendent shall develop a program that includes:

(a) conducting a prompt and thorough investigation of alleged incidents of bullying, intimidation, harassing behavior, or similar conduct, (b) providing each student who violates one or more of these policies with appropriate consequences and remedial action, and (c) protecting students against retaliation for reporting such conduct.

Examining the appropriate steps to understand and rectify conditions that foster bullying, intimidation, and harassment; this contemplates taking action to eliminate or prevent these disruptive behaviors beyond traditional punitive disciplinary actions.

Encouraging students to immediately report bullying. A report may be made orally or in writing to the District Complaint Manager or any staff member with whom the student is comfortable speaking. Anyone, including staff members and parents/guardians, who has information about actual or threatened bullying is expected to report it to the District Complaint Manager or any staff member. Anonymous reports are also accepted.

The superintendent or designee promptly investigating and addressing reports of bullying, by, among other things:

Making all reasonable efforts to complete the investigation within 10 school days after the date the report of a bullying incident was received and taking into consideration additional relevant information received during the course of the investigation about the reported bullying incident.

Involving appropriate school support personnel and other staff persons with knowledge, experience, and training on bullying prevention, as deemed appropriate, in the investigation process.

Notifying the building principal or school administrator or designee of the reported incident of bullying as soon as possible after the report is received.

Consistent with federal and state laws and rules governing student privacy rights, providing parents/guardians of the students who are parties to the investigation information about the investigation and an opportunity to meet with the building principal or school administrator or his or her designee to discuss the investigation, the findings of the investigation, and the actions taken to address the reported incident of bullying. The superintendent or designee shall investigate whether a reported incident of bullying is within the permissible scope of the district’s jurisdiction and shall require that the district provide the victim with information regarding services that are available within the district and community, such as counseling, support services, and other programs.

Bullying prevention and character instruction in all grades in accordance with state law. This includes incorporating student social and emotional development into the district’s educational program as required by law. The superintendent or designee shall use interventions to address bullying, that may include, but are not limited to, school social work services, restorative measures, social-emotional skill building, counseling, school psychological services, and community-based services.

Fully informing staff members of the district’s goal to prevent students from engaging in bullying and the measures being used to accomplish it. This includes: (a) communicating the district’s expectation – and the state requirement – that teachers and other certificated employees maintain discipline, and (b) establishing a process for staff members to fulfill their obligation to report alleged acts of bullying, intimidation, harassment, and other acts of actual or threatened violence.

Encouraging all members of the school community, including students, parents, volunteers, and visitors, to report alleged acts of bullying, intimidation, harassment, and other acts of actual or threatened violence.

Clear communication that 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.

Information that a student will be not be punished for reporting bullying or supplying information, even if the district’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.

Actively involving students’ parents/guardians in the remediation of the behaviors of concern. This includes ensuring that all parents/guardians are notified, as required by state law, whenever their child engages in aggressive behavior.

Communicating the district’s expectation that all students conduct themselves with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students. This includes a process for commending or acknowledging students for demonstrating appropriate behavior.

Annually communicating this policy to students and their parents/guardians.

Ongoing monitoring that includes collecting and analyzing appropriate data on the nature and extent of bullying in the district’s schools and, after identifying appropriate indicators, assesses the effectiveness of the various strategies, programs, and procedures and reports the results of this assessment to the Board along with recommendations to enhance effectiveness

Complies with state and federal law and is in alignment with Board policies. This includes prompting the Board to update the policy beginning every two years after its initial adoption and filing this policy with the Illinois State Board of Education after the Board adopts or updates it.

Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation of Students

Per CCSD 89 Board Policy 7:180 (Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment)

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 goals.

Bullying on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, nationality, 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, or actual or potential marital or parental status, including 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 district or school if the bullying causes a substantial disruption to the educational process or orderly operation of a school. This paragraph applies only when a school administrator or teacher receives a report that bullying through this means has occurred; it does not require staff members to monitor any non-school-related activity, function, or program.

Students and families can confidentially call, email, or text the Safe2Help tip line whenever they have information the school needs to know, including information about bullying. Students or families can: Call Safe2Help at (844) 4-SAFE-IL, which is (844) 472-3345; send a text to SAFE2, which is 72332; email to Help@Safe2HelpIL.com; submit tips through the online form at https://app.safe22helpil.com/; download the free “Safe2Help” app. More information is available at www.ccsd89.org/Safe2Help

Cell Phones, Other Electronic Devices

Per CCSD 89 Board Policy 7:192 (Student Use of Mobile Telecommunication Devices)

The possession and use of smartphones, cell phones, and other electronic devices, other than paging devices and two-way radios, are subject to the following rules:

They must be kept out of sight and in an inconspicuous location, such as a backpack, purse, or locker.

They must be turned off during the regular school day unless the supervising teacher grants permission for them to be used or if needed during an emergency.

They may not be used in any manner that will cause disruption to the educational environment or will otherwise violate student conduct rules.

They may not be used for creating, sending, sharing, viewing, receiving, or possessing indecent visual depictions or non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images as defined in state law (i.e., sexting). Possession is prohibited regardless of whether the depiction violates state law. Any cellular phone or electronic device may be searched upon reasonable suspicion of sexting or other violations of policy. All sexting violations will require school administrators to follow student discipline policies in addition to contacting the police and reporting suspected child abuse or neglect when appropriate.

Electronic study aids may be used during the school day if:

Use of the device is provided in the student’s IEP, or

Permission is received from the student’s teacher; e.g., Bring-Your-Own-Technology (BYOT) programs.

Examples of electronic devices that are used as study aids include devices with audio or video recording, iPods, some cell phones, smartphones, laptop computers, and tablet computers or devices, e.g., tablets.

Examples of electronic devices that are not used as study aids include: hand-held electronic games, CD players, MP3 players/iPods used for a purpose other than a study aid, global positioning systems (GPS), radios, and cell phones (with or without cameras) used for a purpose other than a study aid.

The use of technology as educational material in a curriculum-based program is not a necessity but a privilege, and a student does not have an absolute right to use his or her electronic device while at school. Using technology as a study aid must always follow the established rules for the BYOT program. Using technology at all other times must always follow the established rules for cell phones and other electronic devices at school.

The district is not responsible for the loss or theft of any electronic device brought to school.

Corporal Punishment

Corporal punishment is prohibited by any CCSD 89 employee as a means of discouraging student behavior. Corporal punishment is defined as slapping, paddling, prolonged maintenance of students in physically painful positions, or the intentional infliction of bodily harm upon students. 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.

Reasonable force by district employees may only be used as needed to maintain his/her own safety, the safety of a student or other students, or to protect other school personnel or visitors. Reasonable force may also be needed for the purpose of self-defense, or protecting the physical site. Isolated time-outs or physical restraint may be utilized consistent with the requirements of the School Code and with the regulations of the Illinois State Board of Education. The district will provide written notice to a student’s parent or guardian within one business day after any us of isolated time out, time out, or physical restraint.

Cyberbullying

Per CCSD 89 Board Policy 7:180 (Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment)

Bullying includes cyberbullying and means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a student that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:

Placing the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property.

Causing a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health.

Substantially interfering with the student’s academic performance.

Substantially interfering with the student’s 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: email, Internet communications, instant messages, or facsimile communications. Cyberbullying includes the creation of a webpage, social media account, 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. These rules also apply during e-learning. Students who want to report cyberbullying can submit tips to the “Safe2Help” tip line at (844) 4-SAFE-IL or help@Safe2HelpIL.com. Students can submit tips anonymously.

Delegation of Authority

Per CCSD 89 Board Policy 7:190 (Student Behavior)

Each teacher, and any other school personnel when students are under his or her charge, is authorized to impose any disciplinary measure, other than suspension, expulsion, corporal punishment, or in-school suspension, that is appropriate and in accordance with the policies and rules on student discipline. Teachers, other certificated (licensed) educational employees, and other persons providing a related service for or with respect to a student, may use reasonable force as needed to maintain safety for other students, school personnel, or other persons, or for the purpose of self-defense or defense of property. Teachers may temporarily remove students from a classroom for disruptive behavior.

The superintendent, building principal, assistant principal, or dean of students is authorized to impose the same disciplinary measures as teachers. In addition, provided the appropriate procedures are followed, the superintendent, building principal, assistant principal, or dean of students may issue in-school suspensions; may issue out-of-school suspensions to students guilty of gross disobedience or misconduct (including all school functions) for up to 10 consecutive school days; and may suspend students from riding the school bus for up to 10 consecutive school days. The Board may suspend a student from riding the bus in excess of 10 school days for safety reasons.

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. Restorative measures will be used when acting on disciplinary measures. ‘Restorative measures’ means a continuum of school-based alternatives to exclusionary discipline, such as suspensions and expulsions, that: (i) are adapted to the particular needs of the school and community, (ii) contribute to maintaining school safety, (iii) protect the integrity of a positive and productive learning climate, (iv) teach students the personal and interpersonal skills they will need to be successful in school and society, (v) serve to build and restore relationships among students, families, schools, and communities, and (vi) reduce the likelihood of future disruption by balancing accountability with an understanding of students’ behavioral health needs in order to keep students in school.

School personnel shall not advise or encourage students to drop out voluntarily due to behavioral or academic difficulties. Potential disciplinary measures include, without limitation, any of the following:

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. The principal or designee shall ensure that the student is properly supervised.

After-school study or Saturday study provided the student’s parent/guardian has been notified. If transportation arrangements cannot be agreed upon, an alternative disciplinary measure may be used. The student must be supervised by the detaining teacher, building principal, or designee.

Community service with local public and nonprofit agencies that enhances community efforts to meet human, educational, environmental, or public-safety needs. The district will not provide transportation. School administration shall use this option only as an alternative to another disciplinary measure, giving the student and/or parent/guardian the choice.

Seizure of contraband; confiscation and temporary retention of personal property that was used to violate this policy or school disciplinary rules.

Suspension of bus riding privileges in accordance with Board policy 7:220 (Bus Conduct).

Out-of-school suspension from school and all school activities in accordance with Board policy 7:200 (Suspension Procedures). A student who has been suspended may also be restricted from being on school grounds and at school activities.

Expulsion from school and all school activities for a definite time period not to exceed two calendar years in accordance with Board Policy 7:210 (Expulsion Procedures). A student who has been expelled also shall be restricted from being on school grounds and at school activities.

Transfer to an alternative program upon written agreement with the student’s parents or following a Board of Education hearing.

Notifying juvenile authorities or other law enforcement whenever the conduct involves criminal activity, including but not limited to, illegal drugs (controlled substances), look-alike substances, 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 and 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.

Discipline of Special Education Students and Students with Section 504 Plans

The district shall comply with the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Illinois State Board of Education’s Regulations when disciplining students with disabilities. No student with a disability shall be expelled if the student’s particular act of gross disobedience or misconduct is a manifestation of his or her disability.

Expulsion Procedures

Per CCSD 89 Board Policy 7:210 (Expulsion Procedures)

The superintendent or designee shall implement expulsion procedures that provide, at a minimum, for the following:

Before a student may be expelled, the student and his or her parents/guardians shall be provided a written request to appear at a hearing to determine whether the student should be expelled. The request shall be sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. The request shall:

Include the time, date, and place for the hearing.

Briefly describe what will happen during the hearing.

Detail the specific act of gross disobedience or misconduct resulting in the decision to recommend expulsion.

List the student’s prior suspensions.

State that the School Code allows the School Board to expel a student for a definite period of time not to exceed two calendar years, as determined on a case-by- case basis.

Ask that the student or parents/guardians or attorney inform the superintendent or Board attorney if the student will be represented by an attorney and, if so, the attorney’s name and contact information.

Unless the student and parents/guardians indicate that they do not want a hearing or fail to appear at the designated time and place, the hearing will proceed. It shall be conducted by the Board or a hearing officer appointed by it. If a hearing officer is appointed, he or she shall report to the Board the evidence presented at the hearing and the Board shall take such final action as it finds appropriate. Whenever there is evidence that mental illness may be the cause for the recommended expulsion, the superintendent or designee shall invite a representative from the Department of Human Services to consult with the Board.

During the expulsion hearing, the Board or hearing officer shall hear evidence concerning whether the student is guilty of the gross disobedience or misconduct as charged. School officials must provide: (1) testimony of any other interventions attempted and exhausted, or of their determination that no other appropriate and available interventions were available for the student, and (2) evidence of the threat or substantial disruption posed by the student. The student and his or her parents/guardians may be represented by counsel, offer evidence, present witnesses, cross-examine witnesses who testified, and otherwise present reasons why the student should not be expelled. After presentation of the evidence or receipt of the hearing officer’s report, the Board shall decide the issue of guilt and take such action as it finds appropriate.

In determining the length of the student’s expulsion, the Board also shall consider:

The egregiousness of the student’s conduct;

The history of the student’s past conduct;

The likelihood that such conduct will affect the delivery of education for other students;

The severity of the punishment; and

The student’s best interests.

If the Board acts to expel the student, its written expulsion decision shall:

Detail the specific reason why removing the student from his or her learning environment is in the best interest of the school.

Provide a rationale for the specific duration of the recommended expulsion, as well as the rationale for any suspension that preceded the expulsion.

Document how school officials determined that all behavioral and disciplinary interventions have been exhausted by specifying which interventions were attempted or whether school officials determined that no other appropriate and available interventions existed for the student.

Document how the student’s continuing presence in school would (1) pose a threat to the safety of other students, staff, or members of the school community, or (2) substantially disrupt, impede, or interfere with the operation of the school.

Document whether available and appropriate support services were offered or provided during the suspension and, if they were not offered or provided, document that none were available.

Upon expulsion, the district may refer the student to appropriate and available support services.

Gang Activity

Per CCSD 89 Board Policy 7:190-R2 (Gang Activity Prohibited)

Students are prohibited from engaging in gang activity. A gang is any group of two or more persons whose purpose includes the commission of illegal acts. No student shall engage in any gang activity, including but not limited to:

Wearing, using, distributing, displaying, or selling any clothing, jewelry, emblem, badge, symbol, sign, or other thing that are evidence of membership or affiliation in any gang;

Committing any act or omission, or using any speech, either verbal or non-verbal (such as gestures or handshakes) showing membership or affiliation in a gang;

Using any speech or committing any act or omission in furtherance of any gang or gang activity, including but not limited to: (a) soliciting others for membership in any gangs, (b) requesting any person to pay protection or otherwise intimidating or threatening any person, (c) committing any other illegal act or other violation of school district policies, (d) inciting other students to act with physical violence upon any other person.

Students engaging in any gang-related activity may be subject to one or more of the following disciplinary actions:

Removal from extracurricular and athletic activities

Conference with parents/guardians

Referral to appropriate law-enforcement agency

Suspension for up to 10 days

Expulsion not to exceed two calendar years

Hazing

Per CCSD 89 Board Policy 7:190-R1 (Hazing Prohibited)

Soliciting, encouraging, aiding, or engaging in hazing, no matter when or where it occurs, is prohibited. Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed to or required of a student for the purpose of being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any group, organization, club, or athletic team whose members are or include other students.

Students engaging in hazing may be subject to one or more of the following disciplinary actions:

Removal from the extracurricular activities,

Conference with parents/guardians, and/or

Referral to appropriate law enforcement agency.

Students engaging in hazing that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of another person may also be subject to:

Suspension for up to 10 days, and/or

Expulsion for the remainder of the school term.

Out-of-School Suspension Procedures

Per CCSD 89 Board Policy 7:200 (Suspension Procedures)

The superintendent or designee shall implement out-of-school suspension procedures that provide, at a minimum, for each of the following:

A conference during which the charges will be explained and the student will be given an opportunity to respond to the charges before he or she may be suspended.

A pre-suspension conference is not required, and the student can be immediately suspended when the student’s presence poses a continuing danger to persons or property or an ongoing threat of disruption to the educational process. In such cases, the notice and conference shall follow as soon as practicable.

An attempted phone call to the student’s parents/guardians.

A written notice of the suspension to the parents/guardians and the student, which shall:

Provide notice to the parents/guardians of their child’s right to a review of the suspension;

Include information about an opportunity to make up work missed during the suspension for equivalent academic credit;

Detail the specific act of gross disobedience or misconduct resulting in the decision to suspend;

Provide rationale or an explanation of how the chosen number of suspension days will address the threat or disruption posed by the students or his or her act of gross disobedience or misconduct; and

Depending upon the length of the out-of-school suspension, include the following applicable information:

For a suspension of three school days or less, an explanation that the student’s continuing presence in school would either pose:

A threat to school safety, or

A disruption to other students’ learning opportunities.

For a suspension of four or more school days, an explanation:

That other appropriate and available behavioral and disciplinary interventions have been exhausted, as to whether school officials attempted other interventions or determined that no other interventions were available for the student and, that the student’s continuing presence in school would either:

Pose a threat to the safety of other students, staff, or members of the school community, or

Substantially disrupt, impede, or interfere with the operation of the school.

For a suspension of five or more school days, the information listed in section 4.e.ii., above, along with documentation by the superintendent or designee determining what, if any, appropriate and available support services will be provided to the student during the length of his or her suspension.

A summary of the notice, including the reason for the suspension and the suspension length, must be given to the Board by the superintendent or designee.

Prohibited Student Conduct

Per CCSD 89 Board Policy 7:190 (Student Behavior)

The school administration is authorized to discipline students for gross disobedience or misconduct, including but not limited to:

Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, or selling tobacco or nicotine materials, including without limitation, electronic cigarettes.

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 or controlled substance, or cannabis (including medical cannabis, marijuana, and hashish).

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.

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.

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 tablet or powdered form.

“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. 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 had the prohibited substance, as applicable, in their possession.

Using, possessing, controlling, or transferring a “weapon” as that term is defined in the weapons section of Board Policy 7:190 (Student Behavior), or violating the weapons section of Policy 7:190.

Using a cellular telephone, video recording device, personal digital assistant (PDA), or other 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, 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 phone. Unless otherwise banned under this policy or by the building principal, all 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 authorized for use 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 district 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 hazing or any kind of bullying or aggressive behavior that does physical or psychological harm to a staff person or another student, or urging other students to engage in such conduct. 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 (as described in Board policy 7:180), 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. This does not include the non-disruptive: (a) expression of gender or sexual orientation or preference, or (b) display of affection during non-instructional time.

Teen dating violence, as described in Board policy 7:185 (Teen Dating Violence Prohibited).

Causing or attempting to cause damage to, or 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 (such as calling 911); 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; state law and School Board policy regarding truancy control will be used with chronic and habitual truants.

Being involved with any public school fraternity, sorority, or secret society, by: (a) being a member; (b) promising to join; (c) pledging to become a member; or (d) soliciting any other person to join, promise to join, or be pledged to become a member.

Being involved in gangs or gang-related 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.

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 unmanned aircraft system or drone for any purpose on school grounds or at any school event unless granted permission by the superintendent or designee.

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.

All other conduct prohibited by Board of Education policies, which are available on the district’s website at www.ccsd89.org/board

For purposes of this policy, 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; or (d) at any location on school property or at a school-sponsored event.

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. The superintendent or designee shall ensure that the parent/guardian of a student who engages in aggressive behavior is notified of the incident. The failure to provide such notification does not limit the Board’s authority to impose discipline, including suspension or expulsion, for such behavior.

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.

Re-Engagement of Returning Students

Per CCSD 89 Board Policy 7:190 (Student Behavior)

The superintendent or designee shall maintain a process to facilitate the re-engagement of students who are returning from an out-of-school suspension, expulsion, or an alternative school setting. The goal of re-engagement shall be to support the student’s ability to be successful in school following a period of exclusionary discipline and shall include the opportunity for students who have been suspended to complete or make up work for equivalent academic credit.

Required Notices

Per CCSD 89 Board Policy 7:190 (Student Behavior)

A school staff member shall immediately notify the office of the building principal in the event that he or she: (1) observes any person in possession of a firearm on or around school grounds; however, such action may be delayed if immediate notice would endanger students under his or her supervision, (2) observes or has reason to suspect that any person on school grounds is or was involved in a drug-related incident, or (3) observes a battery committed against any staff member.

Upon receiving such a report, the principal or designee shall immediately notify the local law enforcement agency, state police, and any involved student’s parent/guardian. “School grounds” includes modes of transportation to school activities and any public way within 1,000 feet of the school, as well as school property itself.

A student’s guardian will be contacted prior to the detention or questioning of any student by a law enforcement officer, a school resource officer, or other school security personnel. The time and manner of notification or attempted notification will be documented. Reasonable efforts will be made to ensure that a student’s guardian is present during questioning or, if unavailable, school personnel are present. The superintendent or designee shall also report incidents involving battery against staff members to the Illinois State Board of Education through its web-based School Incident Reporting System as they occur during the year and no later than August 1 for the preceding school year.

Search and Seizure

Per CCSD 89 Board Policy 7:140 (Search and Seizure)

Maintaining order and security in schools is essential to establishing a positive learning environment. Recognizing this, the CCSD 89 Board of Education authorizes administrators and certified employees to conduct searches of students and their personal effects, as well as the property of the district (including desks and lockers). Items found which are illegal may be seized and impounded by school officials, and law enforcement officials may be contacted. When appropriate, such evidence may be transferred to law enforcement authorities. Items that may merely disrupt the educational process can be confiscated until the item can be removed from the educational setting without creating a potential disruption. Whenever an item is seized, disciplinary action may be taken. For more information, see Board Policy 7:140 (Search and Seizure) at www.ccsd89.org/board

Student/Parent Handbook

Per CCSD 89 Board Policy 7:190 (Student Behavior)

The superintendent, with input from the parent-teacher advisory committee, shall prepare disciplinary rules implementing the district’s disciplinary policies. These disciplinary rules shall be presented annually to the Board for its review and approval.

A student handbook, including the district disciplinary policies and rules, shall be made available to the students’ parents/guardians within 15 days of the beginning of the school year or a student’s enrollment. Students and their parents/guardians must confirm receipt by signing acknowledgement document.

The handbook may be amended during the year without notice.

Teen Dating Violence Prohibited

Per CCSD 89 Board Policy 7:185 (Teen Dating Violence Prohibited)

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 13-19 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. The superintendent shall develop and maintain a program to respond to incidents of teen dating violence. Students in seventh and eighth grades will received age-appropriate instruction on teen dating violence in accordance with the district’s comprehensive health education program.

Time Out and Physical Restraint

Isolated time out and physical restraint shall be used only as a means of maintaining a safe and orderly environment for learning and only to the extent that they are necessary to preserve the safety of students and others. Neither isolated time out nor physical restraint shall be used in administering discipline to individual students, i.e., as a form of punishment. The use of isolated time out and physical restraint by any staff member shall comply with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) rules, Section 1.285, “Requirements for the Use of Isolated Time Out and Physical Restraint”.

Guardians of the affected student will be notified within 24 hours if time out or physical restraint occurs.

Isolated time out and physical restraint are defined as follows:

"Physical restraint” or “restraint” means holding a student or otherwise restricting the student’s movements and includes only the use of specific, planned techniques. Physical restraint or restraint does not include momentary periods of physical restriction by direct person-to-person contact without the aid of material or mechanical devices that are accomplished with limited force and that are designed to prevent a student from completing an act that would result in potential physical harm to himself, herself, or another person or damage to property. “Momentary periods of physical restriction” are considered physical escorts under the definition provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Physical escort means a temporary touching or holding of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, or back for the purpose of inducing a student who is acting out to walk to a safe location.

“Time out” means a behavior management technique for the purpose of calming or de-escalation that involves the involuntary monitored separation of a student from classmates with a trained adult for part of the school day, only for a brief time, in a non-locked setting. Time out does not include a student-initiated or student-requested break; a student-initiated or teacher-initiated sensory break, including a sensory room containing sensory tools to assist a student to calm and de-escalate; an in-school suspension or detention; or any other appropriate disciplinary measure, including a student's brief removal to the hallway or similar environment.

“Isolated time out” means the involuntary confinement of a student alone in a time-out room or other enclosure outside the classroom without a supervising adult in the time out room or enclosure. Isolated time out is allowed only under limited circumstances when the adult in the time-out room or enclosure is in imminent danger of serious physical harm because the student is unable to cease actively engaging in extreme physical aggression. Isolated time out does not include a student-initiated or student-requested break; a student-initiated or teacher-initiated sensory break, including a sensory room containing sensory tools to assist a student to calm and de-escalate; an in-school suspension or detention; or any other appropriate disciplinary measure, including a student's brief removal to the hallway or similar environment.

More information in Board Policy 5:190-R4 (Use of Isolated Time Out and Physical Restraint) at www.ccsd89.org/board

Weapons

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 at least one calendar year but not more than two calendar years:

A firearm, meaning any gun, rifle, shotgun, or weapon as defined by Section 921 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. § 921), firearm as defined in Section 1.1 of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act (430 ILCS 65/), or firearm as defined in Section 24-1 of the Criminal Code of 1961 (720 ILCS 5/241)

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 under either paragraph one or two above may be modified by the superintendent, and the superintendent’s determination may be modified by the Board on a case-by-case basis. The superintendent or designee may grant an exception to this policy, upon the prior request of an adult supervisor, for students in theatre, cooking, ROTC, martial arts, and similar programs, whether or not school-sponsored, provided the item is not equipped, nor intended, to do bodily harm.

This policy’s prohibitions concerning weapons apply regardless of whether: (1) a student is licensed to carry a concealed firearm, or (2) the Board permits visitors, who are licensed to carry a concealed firearm, to store a firearm in a locked vehicle in a school parking area.

When and Where Conduct Rules Apply

A student is subject to disciplinary action for engaging in prohibited student conduct 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; or

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.

Handbook sections

CCSD 89 handbook: discipline