Policies

The Board of Education believes that student behavior should reflect standards of good citizenship. Students are expected to conduct themselves within the bounds set by the Board of Education and, as hereby authorized, the administrative regulations set forth by the Superintendent or his/her designee.

Consideration for the rights and well-being of others, cooperation with all members of the school community (which includes staff, students, community members, Board of Education and parents) and respect for oneself and others are the basic principles guiding student behavior.

Rules and guidelines established by District 203 should encourage positive, constructive, and responsible student behavior and an environment conducive to learning. It is the responsibility of all members of the school community to familiarize themselves with the rules and guidelines governing student conduct.

The Board especially believes that, if staff, parent(s) or guardian(s), and students know and understand the expectations for student conduct and the consequences for not meeting these expectations, behavior problems in our schools will be reduced and a better educational environment will prevail.

All members of the school staff share responsibility for maintaining good discipline and presenting positive role models. Behavior problems should be reported and handled promptly for the benefit of the student and the school. Recognizing that each situation is unique and that administrative discretion is necessary, the goal is to implement the appropriate disciplinary action needed to change the undesirable behavior and maintain an orderly school environment.

This statement is written with the best interest of the student and the welfare of others in mind.

Additional Interventions Related to Discipline Code
Toward the promotion of safe and drug free schools, the District supports programs which address this end.

The District is concerned for the health, safety, well-being of all students and recognizes that students' problems as they are manifested in school -- specifically pertaining to behavior, attendance, health, and academic issues may impact their ability to learn.

The District recognizes these issues as legitimate educational concerns because they can influence student learning and seeks to address these concerns through a comprehensive student assistance program. The student assistance program will provide a structured, organized approach for all schools within the District to respond to students' problems as they are manifested in school. Assistance may take the form of prevention/education, observation of inappropriate behavior, intervention at appropriate levels, encouragement of professional assessment, referral, and support/aftercare.

Notification of School Searches
Students are hereby notified that school lockers, desks, storage facilities and other school property are subject to searches at any time for any reason. Furthermore, students have very limited expectations of privacy on school property and are hereby notified that, in order to further the school's interest in the educational needs and safety of all students, the school may search any student property, including bags, backpacks, clothing, purses, and automobiles, whenever the administration deems such necessary.

Specifically Addressing Substance Abuse
In order to ensure the highest standards of learning in the classroom, District staff will urge students to abstain from the use of chemical substances, identify student behavior which may indicate chemical involvement, use or abuse, and implement intervention or support services as needed along with appropriate disciplinary action.

Specifically Addressing Violence Prevention

Peer Mediation
In line with peaceable schools philosophy, District 203 has implemented a conflict resolution program within all junior and senior high schools. By teaching students techniques to help them manage and resolve conflicts, we can avoid many significant interruptions to the educational program. The technique used is peer mediation. Trained students help their peers resolve conflicts by working through a group problem-solving process. It is a proactive/preventative approach designed to build decision-making skills and help avoid violent situations.

It should be clear that peer mediation is a process which helps resolve conflict. It does not take the place of the consequences for a disciplinary incident.

Student Discipline
The primary responsibility for student discipline within the school rests with the individual Building Principal. The primary responsibility for the maintenance of discipline within the classroom lies with the individual classroom teacher. Corporal punishment shall not be used. Corporal punishment is defined as slapping, paddling, or prolonged maintenance of students in physically painful positions, or intentional infliction of bodily harm. 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.

The Board of Education has established specific rules and regulations to govern the discipline of its students when conduct of a student constitutes gross disobedience or gross misconduct.

Special Education students (those with an I.E.P.) exhibiting gross disobedience or gross misconduct shall, where appropriate, be referred for a multi-disciplinary conference and disciplined in accord with Special Education placement/Individualized Educational Program procedures.

Students who are suspended externally are to be excluded from all District 203 activities and property for the duration of their suspension.

Each parent/guardian will receive a copy of the student discipline policy within 15 days after school begins or when the student enrolls if it is after the beginning of the school term. Within the first week of school the students will be helped to understand the contents of the discipline policy.

The items within each classification are simply examples of ways in which a particular classification may be violated. These examples in no way limit the ability of the Board to discipline students for violations which are not specifically listed. In addition, a violation shall be interpreted to include either an actual commission of an offense or an attempt to commit an offense.

Notwithstanding designation of a specific place below, students are subject to disciplinary action for misconduct or disobedience occurring on school grounds, at school-sponsored activities, in connection with student transportation, or at any place where the misconduct or disobedience has a reasonable relationship to school.

Classification # 1
Students committing or involved with this type of violation are subject to disciplinary action ranging from conferring with an administrator to expulsion from school. Continued infractions of this classification will have a cumulative effect, in terms of disciplinary action. The following are examples of Classification #1 violations:

Excessive tardiness.
Class and/or school truancy.
Violation of the disciplinary rules and regulations contained in the Student Handbook not otherwise covered in this policy.
Misconduct or promotion of misconduct on School District property, at school sponsored activities, or as a school bus passenger.
Disruptive behavior which interferes with the educational atmosphere in the school or at any school-sponsored activity.
Gambling.
Forgery, falsifying information or manipulation of attendance.
Cheating/Plagiarism.
Use of profane or obscene language.
Unauthorized use of school property.
Disregard for student parking regulations.
Insubordination to a School District employee.
Trespassing on School District property.
Posting of signs and other materials without administrative approval.
Violation of Bus Conduct Policy or related Administrative Regulations.
Use of pagers, paging devices, portable phones and any electronic communication devices is prohibited from the time students enter the building until the end of the last class period unless authorized or approved by the building administration.
Use of electronic devices such as cameras, camera phones and PDA’s, to take, display, or send images videos or text messages is prohibited on school grounds during the course of the school day. Inappropriate use of such devices is prohibited at all times on school grounds and at all school sponsored activities; This may include displaying, sending or posting at any time any images, video, and/or text messages produced without permission.
Unauthorized or improper use of or access to the district’s computers, computer system, e-mail, internet access, or other information system components, including violation of the “Acceptable Use Policy.”
The wearing of hats, caps, or head-coverings of any kind by individuals from the time they enter the school building until they exit the school building is prohibited unless otherwise approved by the Building Principal.
In addition, unless otherwise approved by the Building Principal, wearing of coats, jackets, and outdoor wear garments in the building will not be permitted during the school day (from the first class period bell until the bell ending the last class period). Coats are to be stored in student lockers or other designated places during the school day.
No garments, objects, or jewelry that depicts distasteful symbols debasing the dignity of a person that depicts alcohol, or drugs or that contains sexually explicit, obscene, or vulgar messages or symbols may be worn or displayed at school or at any school-sponsored activity. In addition, no spiked or dangerous jewelry may be worn or displayed at school or at any school-sponsored activity.
Willingly participating in any act, or to be in possession of any material, which is of a sexual nature and which is offensive or embarrassing.
Perpetrating on an unwilling person an act which is of a sexual nature and which is offensive or embarrassing.
Possession of lighters, matches or other such materials.
Failure to follow student schedule.
Demonstrating aggressive behavior or behaviors that put them at risk for aggressive behavior. Aggressive behavior is defined as conducts and behaviors towards other students and staff that appear to terrorize, intimidate or start fights.
Harassment, which is often, but not always, associated with race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or physical differences, and which includes intimidation, threatening individuals or inciting the participation of others in such behavior through, but not limited to, the use of email, web sites, voice mail, or any other verbal, written or electronic communication.

Classification # 2
Students committing or involved with this type of violation are subject to immediate suspension and/or expulsion. The following are examples of Classification #2 violations:

Fighting.
Intentional damage to school property or personal property of School District employees, students or others or criminal damage to property of any such persons. (Restitution will be required)
Tobacco products in any form: smoking, possession, use, sale, or distribution is prohibited on school grounds or at any school related activity. Smoking, possession of a lighted cigarette or use of tobacco products is prohibited on adjacent property or within visible sight of the school grounds. Current city ordinances and state law in regard to tobacco will be strictly enforced by school officials. Students under the age of 18 will be referred to the Naperville Police Department for additional intervention.
Gross insubordination or disrespect toward Board members, administrators, teachers, custodial staff, secretarial staff, food service employees and other School District employees and volunteers.
Theft, including taking the property of others without their permission or consent. Possession of stolen items. Possession of tools that are used to gain possession of another person's property.
Possession or use of fireworks (i.e., smoke bombs, stink vials, firecrackers, caps, etc.).
The participation in any unauthorized club, secret society, satanic activity, and/or gang activity. This includes, but is not limited to the display, wearing, or possession of contemporary gang identifiers, the use of gang hand signals, the solicitation of others for memberships, and the requesting of payment of dues, insurance, or other forms of protection from individuals. This also includes intimidating, or threatening an individual or inciting others to participate in any form of physical violence involving a person or property.
Use of derogatory comments which are often, but not always, associated with race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or physical differences, with the intent to be disrespectful.
Hazing (any pastime or amusement, engaged in by students for the purpose of holding up any individual to ridicule).
Sexual harassment, a form of sex discrimination that involves unwelcome sexual advances, or requests for sexual favors. In addition, sexual harassment may include other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when such conduct interferes with an individual's performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Refer to Administrative Regulations #7.20-R for further definition of sexual harassment.

Classification # 3
Students committing or involved with this type of violation are subject to immediate suspension and/or expulsion. This type of misconduct is considered flagrant and carries the most severe consequences. Classification #3 violations are reported to the Naperville Police Department or other law enforcement agencies as appropriate. The following are examples of Classification #3 violations:

Possession of a weapon as defined in the “Weapons in School” section of this policy.
Actions considered to threaten the well-being of Board members, School District employees, students, volunteers, or other person's including physical assaults upon School District employees, Board members, students, volunteers, or other persons.
Transfer, sale, purchase, possession, use, abuse of, or being impaired by any alcoholic beverage, intoxicant, non-prescription drug, prescription drug not properly prescribed, inhalant, narcotic, cannabis, so-called "pep pills" or "speed", tranquilizers, "look-alike" drugs or any other controlled substance, or other illegal substance while on school premises or attending school sponsored activities. The terms transfer, sale and purchase include any involvement in such activity or the attempt to conduct such activity.
The terms "possession" and "use" shall include possession or use by a student who has consumed, or is impaired by, or reasonably appears (such as through odor or behavior) to have consumed or be impaired by, any of the aforementioned substances, whether prior to entering school or at any school sponsored event.
The term "intoxicant" includes any substance which is not properly prescribed and which, if used, is intended to produce an altered physical or mental state, including, for example, an inhalant which produces a "high".
The possession or use of any drug paraphernalia.
Use or possession of anabolic steroids not properly prescribed.
Setting off a false fire alarm or disaster alarm.
Bomb threat.
Deliberately causing or attempting to cause injury to another person.
Possession or use of an explosive or incendiary device.
Any activity prohibited by criminal law or municipal ordinance.

Weapons in School
In accordance with the Federal Gun-Free Schools Act 10-22.6 provides that any student who brings a weapon to school should be expelled for not less than 12 months. For purposes of the section, “Possession of weapon” refers to possession, use, control, or transfer of (1) any gun, rifle, shotgun, a weapon as defined by Section 921 of Title 18, United States Code, firearm as defined in Section 1.1 of the Firearm Owners Identification Act, or use of a weapon as defined in Section 24-1 of the Criminal Code, (2) any other object if used or attempted or intended to be used to cause bodily harm, including but not limited to, knives, brass knuckles, billy clubs, or (3) “look alikes” of any weapon as defined above.

A student who uses, possesses, distributes, purchases, or sells an explosive, firearm, knife, or any other object that can reasonably be considered, or looks like, a weapon shall be expelled for a definite time period of at least one calendar year, but no more than 2 school years. The Board of Education, however, may modify the expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis. The Building Principal or designee shall notify the criminal justice or juvenile delinquency system of any student who brings a firearm or weapon to school.

Early identification: Aggressive behavior: students who are identified by school staff as having demonstrated aggressive behavior or behaviors that put them at risk for aggressive behavior shall be referred to the building administrator. The building administration shall establish procedures by which teachers may refer such a student. Upon review by the building administrator, it shall be determined whether the conducts and behaviors of the student are of such a nature and degree that the student is at risk for aggressive behavior. The building administration shall promptly notify the student’s parents or guardian of the referral and shall attempt to schedule a parent-teacher conference to discuss the referral and to recommend such available early intervention procedures as are deemed reasonably appropriate.

Required Notices
A school staff member shall immediately notify 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 building principal or designee shall immediately notify the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s), the State Police and the local law enforcement agency.

Reciprocal Reporting
The Superintendent is authorized to follow the provisions of the Illinois School Code in creating administrative regulations which include guideline procedures to establish and maintain a reciprocal reporting system between the school district and local law enforcement agencies regarding criminal offenses committed by students.

Certified Staff
Teachers may temporarily remove a student from the classroom for acts of repeated insubordination or gross misconduct if such student is engaging in disruptive behavior which interferes with the educational process. In such instances, the teacher shall direct the student to the office of the appropriate building administrator. The student shall, in the presence of that administrator, be advised of the charges against him or her as soon as reasonably possible after such classroom exclusion and be provided with a reasonable opportunity to explain or deny such charges. That building administrator shall then make a decision as to the disposition of the charge. The student may thereafter request a hearing before the Building Principal. After the disposition by the Principal, the student may request a District level hearing. The subsequent decision by the Board of Education shall be final.

Videotaping and Photographing
During the course of the school year, you will be involved in many school activities that may be captured on video or photographed for sharing and/or placement of the school website or in District publications. Videotaping and photographing of children in special education settings for non-educational purposes will be authorized only with parent consent. Outside of special education settings, students may be videotaped or photographed by parents, observers, school employees, students, and news media personnel from time to time while participating in school activities. If your parents desire that you not be videotaped or photographed in these circumstances (outside of special education settings), please be sure to have them sign the Permissions Denial form that is sent annually in the registration packet and return it to the school. This form also provides for exclusion of family contact information (address and phone number) in the Home and School Directory. The Permissions Denial form must be signed and submitted to the principal at the beginning of each school year to avoid any misunderstandings. The form may be accessed on the District 203 website at the following link.

http://www.naperville203.org/assets/PermissionsDenialForm%2Epdf

ADOPTED: May 7, 1996 REVISED: April 16, 2007