Section 5 is a listing and explanation of the various administrative consequences to be followed in disciplinary cases. However, consequences may be modified at the discretion of the administration, depending on the severity of the specific infraction..
SCHOOL'S AUTHORITY
Illinois School Code: Chapter 122, Section 24-24. Maintenance of Discipline. “Teachers and other certified educational employees shall maintain discipline in the schools, including school grounds which are owned or leased by the Board and used for school purposes and activities. In all matters relating to the discipline in and conduct of schools and the school children, they stand in the relation of parents and guardians to the pupils. This relationship shall extend to all activities connected with the pupils. This relationship shall extend to all activities connected with the school program and may be exercised at any time for the safety and supervision of the pupils in the absence of their parents or guardians. Nothing in this Section affects the powers of the Board to establish rules with respect to discipline. The Board may make and enforce reasonable rules of conduct and sportsmanship for athletic and co-curricular school events. Any person who violates such rules may be denied admission to school events for not more than one year, provided that written 10 days notice of the violation is given such person and a hearing held thereon by the Board pursuant to its rules and regulations. The administration of any school may file legal charges as agents of the school against persons committing any offense at school events.”
GUIDELINES FOR RECIPROCAL REPORTING OF CRIMINAL OFFENSES COMMITTED BY STUDENTS
Pontiac High School and the local law enforcement agencies have agreed to verbally report to each other any of the following activities when committed by a student enrolled at PTHS:
It is the purpose of this document to outline the policy of Pontiac Township High School District #90 relative to the use of behavioral interventions with students with disabilities. The fundamental principle of this policy is that nonaversive or positive interventions designed to develop and strengthen desirable behaviors shall be used to the maximum extent possible and are preferable to the use of aversive and restrictive interventions.
The use of positive interventions is consistent with the educational goals of enhancing students’ academic, social and personal growth. While positive approaches alone may not always succeed in controlling extremely inappropriate behavior, the use of more restrictive procedures should always be considered to be temporary and approached with caution and restraint. The use of restrictive interventions should maintain respect for the individual student’s dignity and personal privacy and adhere to professionally accepted treatment practices. All of the procedural protection available to students with disabilities and their parents under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), including notice and consent, opportunity for participation in meetings, and right to appeal, shall be observed when implementing and/or developing behavioral interventions.
It is the intent of Pontiac Township High School District #90 that interventions used with a student with disabilities will incorporate procedures and methods consistent with generally accepted practice in the field of behavioral interventions. Interventions that are considered non-restrictive are preferred because of the low risk of negative side effects and the high priority placed on behavior change rather than behavior control. These interventions may be used without the development of a written Behavioral Management Plan or inclusion in the student’s Individual Education Program (IEP).
Interventions that are considered restrictive may be appropriate during emergency situations or when less restrictive interventions have been attempted and failed. Restrictive interventions shall be used for the minimal amount of time necessary to control the individual’s behavior and shall be used in conjunction with positive interventions designed to strengthen appropriate behaviors. Corporal punishment and expulsion with loss of services are illegal interventions and shall not be used.
When confronted with an emergency situation in which immediate intervention is needed to protect students, other individuals, or the physical site from harm, school personnel may use an intervention that has not been delineated in the student’s Behavior Management Plan. The emergency intervention selected shall be the least intrusive to reasonably respond to the situation. When an emergency intervention has been used with a student, the parents or guardians of the student will be notified as soon as possible. In addition, details related to the use of the emergency intervention will be documented.
Pontiac Township High School District #90 shall maintain a Behavioral Intervention Committee to implement the district policy on the use of Behavioral Interventions. In addition, this committee shall monitor the use of restrictive interventions with students with disabilities.
This policy has been developed based on a review of the document entitled “Behavioral Interventions in Schools’ Guidelines for Development of District Policies for Students with Disabilities”. This document was prepared by the Illinois State Board of Education and is dated June 30, 1994. A copy of these guidelines may be requested from the Illinois State Board of Education, 100 N. First St., Springfield, IL 62777-0001.
Copies are also available from Livingston County Special Services Unit, 920 Custer Avenue, Suite A, Pontiac, IL 61764.
DUE PROCESS - STUDENT RIGHTS
To ensure that the student receives fair treatment consistent with the fundamental requirements of due process, student suspensions or recommendations for expulsion are made in accordance with the following procedures for out-of-school suspensions:
a. All requests for review shall be made by the parent or guardian within ten days after receipt of “Notice of
Suspension” and shall be made to the person ordering the suspension.
b. The parent or guardian requesting the review shall appear and discuss the suspension with the Board of
Education or a Board-appointed Hearing Officer. Hearings shall be heard within ten days after receipt of the
request for review.
c. Thereafter, if a hearing officer is used, they shall report to the Board, by written summary, the evidence heard at
the meeting.
d. Upon request of the report, the Board may take such action as it finds appropriate. Hearings thereon shall be held in
executive session for the protection of the student involved.
The School Board will neither condone nor tolerate sexual harassment of students by District employees or students. The Board espouses the belief that a student has the right to be free from the harm perpetuated by anti-social acts while the student is attending school. For clarification purposes the term sexual harassment is defined as follows:
Verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, imposed on the basis of sex, by an employee or student that denies, limits, provides different, or conditions the provision of aid, benefits, services or treatment protection under Title IX.
The School Board interprets the definition of sexual harassment to include, but not be limited to the following behaviors: unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual or sex-based nature by anyone, including students, imposed on the basis of sex, that has the purpose or effect of
Students who believe they are victims of sexual harassment are encouraged to discuss the matter with the Complaint Manager, Principal, Assistant Principal, or LAVC Director.
Complaint Managers
An allegation of sexual harassment by one student against another student shall be handled by the Complaint Manager. The Complaint Manager shall proceed with the investigation immediately, adhering to the District’s procedures and notifying the Building Principal. Each complaint shall be handled with appropriate confidentiality.
Complaint Process
Students who feel aggrieved because of sexual harassment have several means to make their concerns known:
Penalty for Sexual Harassment
Any student who is found guilty of sexual harassment will face disciplinary action. Consequences may range from verbal reprimand to a recommendation of expulsion from school and could be turned over to local law enforcement agency. A written report will be filed with the Superintendent within 30 days.
SCHOOL-WIDE CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE PLAN
This plan allows every student to manage his or her behavior. We believe this plan will promote a good learning environment for academic and social success. We encourage all students to display appropriate behavior. If a student chooses to break a rule, the following consequences will be administered cumulatively on a daily basis.
Step 1 - Warning for violation of handbook/classroom rules.
Step 2 - Room Detention with the teacher. (10 minute maximum)
Step 3 - Room Detention with the teacher. (30 minute maximum)
Teacher must provide 24 hours notice.
Parents will be contacted.
Step 4 - Severe Clause - Sent to the office.
Sent to the office after Steps 1, 2, 3 have failed or student displayed gross misconduct.
Violations will be handled on an individual basis by the administration. Consequences may range from verbal
reprimand to expulsion.
If a student repeatedly exhibits inappropriate, disruptive or insubordinate behavior the instructor may skip any step on the plan, dropping down to more serious consequences. By following the rules it allows our faculty to teach, thus creating a productive classroom environment.
PROCEDURES FOR REMOVAL FROM CLASS (Per Semester)
If repeated occurrences of inappropriate behavior continue in other classes, the student will be referred to administration.
Discipline will be assigned by the administration in accordance with the severity of the problem. Consequences may
range from verbal reprimand to expulsion.
ROOM DETENTIONS
Detentions may be assigned by the teachers to be served at times arranged by them. Students will be given at least a one day notice before they are to serve the room detention. Individual room detentions will be a maximum of 30 minutes.
Room detentions may be assigned for but not limited to the following types of infractions:
Failure to serve detentions will result in the following :
1st No Show - The teacher will assign one additional detention to be served with the teacher and contact the
parents/guardians.
2nd No Show - Students who fail to serve second detentions will be referred to the administration. Consequences may
range from detention to suspension from school.
AFTER SCHOOL DETENTIONS
Students will be assigned after school detentions for inappropriate behavior. Whenever possible, students will be notified of a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday detention assignment in person by an administrator and written notification will be mailed home to parents/guardians. Detentions will be held Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Students will be expected to do school work or will read for the entire time they are assigned. If a student refuses to do the work or is disruptive, he/she will be asked to leave. Students who arrive late to detentions will not be admitted and any student who does not attend an assigned detention or is removed for any reason, will be referred to administration. Participation in a sporting event, work, or other extra-curricular activity is not an excuse to miss a detention. If a student has an excused absence the day of the assigned detention, or an essential doctor or dentist appointment, he/she must bring in a note and make arrangements with the appropriate administrator to move their detention to the following week.
SUSPENSIONS
Suspensions will be assigned by the administration to students who have reached the extreme levels of the discipline plan or whose behavior has been grossly inappropriate. All suspensions are out of school (off-campus). A student will not be allowed to attend school for a given period of time. Parents are notified when their son/daughter is suspended out of school. A parent conference may be requested before the student returns to school. Students who are suspended out of school may not participate in or attend any school-sponsored activities during the time of their suspension. This will include any practices or regularly scheduled events.
EXPULSION
Expulsion shall take place only after the parents have been notified by certified mail to appear at a meeting of the Board of Education to discuss their child’s behavior. The Board, at such a meeting, shall state the reasons for dismissal and the date on which the expulsion is to become effective. A pupil may be readmitted to school after expulsion only by official action of the Board of Education. Reinstatement shall occur only after a parental conference involving appropriate school personnel. An expulsion shall prohibit the student from attending school for the designated period assigned. Expulsion hearings may be called for by the administration for but not limited to the following types of infractions:
SPECIFIC INFRACTIONS
Acohol (Per Year)
The consumption, possession, distribution of alcoholic beverages is not permitted before, during, or after school hours in the school building, on school buses, any school property, or while attending school-sponsored events (on or off campus). Students who are under the influence of alcohol (which means behavior or judgment is impaired but not necessarily being drunk or out of control) or students who have the odor of an alcohol beverage on their breath will not be permitted to attend school or attend any school sponsored or related activities.
1st Violation - Five day out-of-school suspension, enrollment in a recognized alcohol treatment program, monthly alcohol
screen (at the parents’ expense) for one academic year. Failure to complete any part of this program will
result in the student being suspended from school for 10 days and may be recommended to the Board of
Education for expulsion. Some suggested treatment programs are Institute of Human Resources (IHR) in
Pontiac, Illinois, and Institute for Addiction Recovery at BroMenn Medical Center. Parents/guardians will
be responsible for the expense of the counseling sessions.
2nd Violation - Ten day out-of-school suspension with possible recommendation to the Board of Education for expulsion.
Students who insist they are innocent may voluntarily submit to a requested test at the time of suspicion to prove their innocence. If the student refuses to take the tests, then the appropriate consequences will be administered.
Cheating (Per Year)
Cheating in any form including plagiarism will not be tolerated at Pontiac High School. Anyone guilty of cheating/plagiarism in any form will receive a zero for the assignment or test and the following punishment. If a case of cheating is reported to the administration, the following discipline sequence will be initiated.
1st violation - 1 detention, parent notification.
2nd violation - 2 detentions, parent conference.
Students who exceed the stated number of violations will be handled on an individual basis by the administration.
Displays of Affection
Displays of affection shall be limited to hand holding. Other displays of affection will not be tolerated and will result in the following:
1st Violation - warning
2nd Violation - 1 detention
3rd Violation - 2 detentions
Students who exceed the stated number of violations will be handled on an individual basis by the administration.
Drugs/Look-Alike Drugs/Inhalants (Per Year)
The illicit use, possession, delivery or distribution of nonmedical, medical, prescription and nonprescription drugs, and the use, possession, delivery or distribution of “look-alike” drugs, and inhalants are not permitted before, during, or after school hours in the school building, on school buses, any school property, or while attending school-sponsored events (on or off campus).
1st Violation - Ten day out-of-school suspension with possible recommendation to the Board of Education for expulsion.
Local law enforcement agency will be notified.
Students who are under the influence of drugs and/or inhalants (which means behavior or judgment is impaired but not necessarily out of control) or students who have the odor of a drug on their person will not be permitted to attend school or attend any school sponsored or related activities.
1st Violation - Five day out-of-school suspension. The student must submit to a drug screen and present written evidence
to the administration that is was completed at a recognized treatment center before they will be allowed to
return to school. The student must also provide written evidence that he is enrolled in a licensed
substance abuse treatment program. The student must also pursue additional counseling if it is
recommended by the counselor. Failure to provide written evidence that these conditions have been met
will result in the student receiving an additional five day out-of-school suspension and may be
recommended for expulsion to the Board of Education. Parents/guardians will be responsible for the
expense of the drug screening and the counseling sessions.
2nd Violation - Ten day out-of-school suspension with possible recommendation to the Board of Education for expulsion.
Students who insist they are innocent may voluntarily submit to a requested test at the time of suspicion to prove their innocence. If the student refuses to take the tests, then the appropriate consequences will be administered.
Electronic Devices and Cellular Telephones (Per Year)
Students are not allowed to use or have on any electronic paging and/or cellular radio-telecommunication devises during the school hours of 8:20 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Students are encouraged to store cellular phones (that are turned off) in their lockers. Pontiac High School is NOT responsible for a lost or stolen cell phone. During extra-curricular events and activities (such as a concert, dance, play), cell phones may be used only at the conclusion of the activity or extra-curricular event. Students are not allowed to have laser pointers at school.
1st violation of possession - 1 detention, parent contact.
2nd violation of possession - 3 detentions, parent contact.
3rd violation of possession - 1 day out-of-school suspension, parent contact.
If it is determined that the devices were being used in any unlawful activity, the student will be suspended for 10 days with a possible recommendation to the Board of Education for expulsion.
Fighting (Per Year)
Fighting includes actual physical contact or threat of physical contact. This includes but is not limited to the following: pushing, shoving, slapping, tripping, hitting or any physically provocative action.
1st Violation - 3 day out-of-school suspension, Parent notification.
2nd Violation - 5 day out-of-school suspension, parent notification with possible recommendation to the Board of
Education for expulsion.
Students who exceed the stated number of violations will be handled on an individual basis by the administration. Any student who deliberately attacks another student will be handled on an individual basis by the administration. Consequences may range from suspension to expulsion from school. Students may also be charged with disorderly conduct.
Gang and Gang-like Activities
The presence of gangs or gang-like activities on school grounds is strictly prohibited. Student involvement in gangs, as a gang member, or gang associate, or gang-like activities on school grounds, while school is in session, or at school-like events, including the display of gang symbols or paraphernalia, is strictly prohibited. As used herein, the term “Gang” is defined as a somewhat organized group of persons who form an allegiance of some duration. This group is sometimes characterized by a gang name, symbols, special dress, colors, or turf concerns. The activities of the group are anti-social, with its members frequently engaging in criminal activity. The gang creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation within the school environment and/or community. As used herein, the term “Gang Associate” is defined as a person who on occasion spends time in the company of two or more persons who by their activities have been identified as members of a gang. The gang associate does not engage in special dress, colors, or symbols, or have the same turf concerns as do gang members. The gang associate is an individual who does not claim gang membership but whose association with gang members is social in nature. As used herein, the phrase "Gang-like Incident” is defined as any incident in which there is gang motivation as one of the elements. Not all criminal activity perpetrated by persons identified as gang members meets this criterion. Any criminal activity committed by gang members which promotes the group can properly be labeled as a gang-like incident. As used herein, the phrase “Gang-like Activity” is defined as any conduct engaged in by a student (1) on behalf of any gang; (2) to perpetrate the existence of any gang; and/or (3) to effect the common purpose and design of any gang, including but not limited to manner of dress, use of symbols, gestures, recruitment, harassment, intimidation, threatening, retaliation.
Students involved with any behavior as related to gangs or gang-like activity will be subject to suspension or expulsion from school and other legal action deemed appropriate.
1st Violation - Students will be handled on an individual basis by the administration.
Gym Bags/Carryalls (Per Year)
Gym bags and carryalls will not be permitted to be carried to class during school hours. Gym bags and carryalls may be brought to school and placed in the student’s locker before school and taken home after school. Students carrying gym bags and carryalls to class during normal school hours will be handled on an individual basis by the administration.
Harassment (Verbal Abuse)
Pontiac High School believes every student has a right to attend school in a peaceful manner without fear of harassment or any form of verbal abuse. Harassment of any type will not be tolerated at school or at any school-related activity. Students must realize that any form of harassment, whether physical harm, sexual, or general in nature is against the law and school policy. If a student has harassed another member of the school community, the student will be handled on an individual basis by the administration.
Insubordination
Insubordination or misconduct to staff will not be tolerated. Insubordination shall be defined to include, but is not limited to the following types of conduct:
Students will be handled on an individual basis by the administration
Definition of Gross Insubordination: Such conduct may occur on school grounds, on a school bus or a school function. Such conduct may also occur outside the school provided there is a direct relationship between the conduct and the school’s educational function.
Gross insubordination shall include any behavior, or activity which causes or may reasonably lead school authorities to forecast substantial disruption or material interference with school activities or the rights of others. It shall be further defined to include but is not limited to the following types of behavior or activity, or any other activity or behavior which may be prescribed by the school board from time to time:
Setting off explosives in or on school property or attempting to do so.
Students will be handled on an individual basis by the administration.
Theft
Theft includes stealing property from the school, faculty, school employees and other students. If a student commits or attempts to commit a theft, the students parents will be immediately notified. The student may be referred to the local law enforcement agency.
Students will be handled on an individual basis by the administration.
Tobacco (Per Year)
Use of tobacco and/or possession of tobacco products (chewing tobacco and snuff) by students is not permitted before, during, or after school hours in the school building, on school buses, any school property, or while attending school-sponsored events (on or off campus). Possession of lighters is prohibited on school property. Any lighters discovered will be confiscated by the administration.
1st Possession or Use - 2 detentions
2nd Possession or Use - 3 detentions
3rd Possession or Use - 1 day out of school suspension
Students who exceed the stated number of violations will be handled on an individual basis by the administration.
Vandalism (Per Year)
Any student who destroys or damages school property or the property of a school employee, will be required to pay for the damages in full. This fee will include all labor costs incurred in the repair and/or replacement. The student will be handled on an individual basis by the administration.
Weapons (Per Year)
Possession of weapons or items that can be used as weapons or resemble weapons including, but not limited to firearms, knives, and clubs are prohibited in the school building, on school busses, any school property, or while attending a school-sponsored event on or off campus. Arrangements to bring such items to school for classroom demonstrations must be made in advance with the Administration. Students will be handled on an individual basis by the administration. Consequences may range from verbal reprimand to expulsion from school.
