Serious Disciplinary Offenses

That Will Be Referred Directly to the Office

1. Drugs (including alcohol) - Students will not use or possess any type of drug or alcohol.

2.Tobacco - Possession or use of any tobacco products on and around school property is not permitted.

3. Fighting - Students will not fight on the way to or from school, or during any school activity or on any school district grounds. Fighting will be considered physical action between two or more students in an angry nature, which could result in injury to staff and students.

4. Student/Staff Abuse - Students will not be involved in flagrant harassment, intimidation, or extortion of students or staff. Students will not call any student or staff member a profane or obscene name.

5. Direct Insubordination - Direct defiance. Failure to follow a reasonable request of a staff member to the point that it disrupts the educational process and/or jeopardizes the safety of students and staff will not be tolerated.

6. Use Or Possession of a Weapon - Students will not use or possess any dangerous weapons. Dangerous weapons include, but are not limited to firearms, air guns, knives, clubs, throwing stars, sling shots, metal knuckles, nunchu-ka sticks or other items that could be used as a weapon as defined by RCW 9.41.250 (reference RCW 9.41.010-280). In like manner, explosives, firecrackers, or any other incendiary device are prohibited on school property, as state above, or at school-sponsored events. (Reference RCW 9.40.120, 9A.48) The use of any device or object for the intent of intimidation, inflicting bodily harm or property damage will be considered the use of a dangerous weapon. Exceptions include only district authorized events and firearms safety training courses. Any violation of this section constitutes grounds for expulsion.

7. Use of Disruptive Or Potentially Dangerous Items - Personal items such as valuables, stick candy, skateboards, toy weapons, lighters, matches, water guns and other toys are not to be brought to school. Disruptive items will be removed from the student for a specified length of time to be determined by the teacher or principal. Potentially dangerous items will be removed from the student and arrangements will be made to return the item directly to the parent or guardian as appropriate.

8. Vandalism - Students will not take part in any purposeful, malicious damage of the school property nor the property of others in the building. Repayment of damages will be required.

9. Stealing/Possession of Stolen Property - Students will not take any items that do not belong to them without permission. Stolen item(s) must be returned and/or cost repaid.

10. Truancy - Students with an unexcused absence for any part of the school day will be considered truant.

11. Public Display of Affection - All school grounds are considered public areas. As with any elementary school, it is appropriate for children to display platonic friendship with hugs and hand holding. However, unwanted affection or displays of romantic affection through hand holding, hugging, and kissing are not appropriate for school and are therefore not allowed.

12. Excessive Classroom Misconduct Referrals - Classroom behavior consequences are primarily assigned by the classroom teacher. In the event that a student becomes a continual classroom behavior problem, a referral to the office may become necessary.

13.Other Offenses - Any other behavior which, in the judgement of school authorities, is harmful to students, staff, or property, or which disrupts the educational process.

Any action, event or group of events which constitutes a violation of federal, state or local law is prohibited on or adjacent to school premises or at school-sponsored activities and shall constitute cause for discipline, suspension or expulsion. The district reserves the right to refer to the appropriate non-school agency, any act or conduct of its pupils which may constitute a crime under federal, state, county or local law.

Exceptional Misconduct: Exceptional misconduct pursuant to WAC 180-40-250, 260 and 290 is that which has occurred on a frequent basis or which is so serious in nature and/or in terms of the disruptive effect on the operation of school(s) as to warrant immediate resort to long-term suspension or expulsion for a first time offense, without resort to other forms of corrective action or punishment. Exceptional misconduct includes but is not limited to the following:

1. Possession of a dangerous weapon/explosives

2. Gang related activity: group or gang related intimidation or fighting: gang graffiti on school or personal property: gang clothing, language, hand signs, or paraphernalia

3. Repeated defiance of authority

4. Assault or intimidation of school personnel

5. Serious assault or intimidation of students

6. Substantial destruction of school property

7. Bomb threats or similar acts of terrorism

8. Consumption, possession of being under the influence of, or delivery of controlled substance or substances purported to be drugs or alcohol

9. Creating a serious danger on a bus

 This policy applies to exceptional misconduct on the school property, at school activities regardless of the site, and at any other school campus or activity.

Consequences for Misbehavior: The staff at Paterson is committed to teaching your child. We do not limit this commitment to the four walls of the classroom. Every effort will be made to teach the positive behaviors expected on the school grounds. Students are encouraged to practice good communication skills, and to use conflict resolution and problem solving strategies to prevent and/or resolve issues. Staff will begin by talking about and modeling appropriate behaviors. If needed, logical and sequential steps will be taken to modify inappropriate behaviors. These steps may include but are not limited to:

• A warning
• Isolation from the group or situation (within the classroom or playground)
• Isolation from a particular activity
• A contact with the parent
• A referral to the office for time out
• Conference with the superintendent
• Verbal plan for improvement
• Parent conference or contact
• Individualized Behavior Plan developed

In the event of Serious or Exceptional Misconduct, more severe consequences may be implemented. All consequences will be determined based on the specific nature of the offense and the student's level of involvement of that offense. Because we are working with students ranging in grades K-8, the student's age level may also be a consideration when issuing consequences. Consequences for Serious or Exceptional Misconduct may include but are not limited to the following consequences steps.

• Behavior Contract Developed
• In-school Suspension (short term)
• Short Term Suspension (out-of-school)
• Long Term Suspension (out-of-school)
• Notification of Law Enforcement
• Emergency Expulsion
• Recommendation for Expulsion

Definitions:

1. Expulsion is the exclusion from school or individual classes for an indefinite period of time. Expulsion may include denial of admission to or entry upon real and personal property that is owned, leased, rented or controlled by the school district.

2. Suspension is the exclusion from school or individual classes for a specific period of time, after which the student has the right to return. Suspension may include denial of admission to or entry upon real and personal property that is owned, leased, rented, or controlled by the school district.

A suspension is short term if it is for a period of 10 consecutive school days or less for grades K-4 (15 consecutive school days or less for grade 5-8). Students’ grade shall not be affected substantially as a result of a short-term suspension.

Suspensions which exceed 10 consecutive school days are long-term suspensions.

3. Discipline constitutes all other forms of corrective action or punishment, including brief exclusions from a class for not more than the remainder of the class period, including exclusion from any other type of activity conducted by or for the district. Discipline shall not adversely affect specific academic grade, subject or graduation requirements so long as all required work is performed.

Additional information regarding Students Rights and Responsibilities are outlined in School Board Policy: 3300 and the District Bus Policy. Please see Appendix A.