District Discipline Policy

The development of student self-discipline is a goal of all District 146 schools. Self-discipline is regarded as a constructive form of discipline that contributes to individual growth. Staff members work with students to maintain good conduct at all times in the schools and at all school activities. District 146 disciplinary policies are based on the School Code of Illinois.

Discipline is a cooperative effort between families and school staff. Discipline is also a crucial part of a student’s learning environment. Cooperation among parents, students, and staff will lead to quality education for all students.

Disciplinary measures may include:

• parental contact
• conference with student
• conference with parent
• collaborative consultation
• student behavior plan/contract 
• temporary removal from class
• referral to social worker
• referral to peer mediation
• referral to special services/agencies
• withdrawal of school-related privileges
• detention
• placement on behavioral social probation
• in-school suspension
• out-of-school suspension
• bus suspension (related to bus incidents)
• referral for truancy
• referral to law enforcement officials (police)
• alternative placement
• expulsion

Preventing 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 is an important District 146 goal. The

Superintendent or designee shall develop and maintain a program that: Fully implements and enforces each of the following Board policies:

1. 7:20, Harassment of Students Prohibited. This policy prohibits any person from harassing or intimidating a student based upon a student’s race, color, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, gender identity, order of protection status, status of being homeless, or actual or potential marital or parental status, including pregnancy, or other protected group status.
2. 7:180, Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment. This policy authorizes the Superintendent or designee to develop and maintain a bullying prevention and response plan that advances the District’s goal of providing all students with a safe learning environment free of bullying and harassment. 
3. 7:190, Student Discipline. This policy prohibits students from engaging in hazing or any kind of aggressive behavior that does physical or psychological harm to another or any urging of other students to engage in such conduct; prohibited conduct includes any use of violence, force,   noise, coercion, threats, intimidation, fear, harassment, bullying, hazing, or other comparable conduct.
4. 7:310, Restrictions on Publications and Written or Electronic Material. This policy prohibits students from: (i) accessing and/or distributing at school any written, printed, or electronic material, including material from the Internet, that will cause substantial disruption of the proper and orderly operation and discipline of the school or school activities, and (ii) creating and/or distributing written, printed, or electronic material, including photographs and Internet material and blogs, that causes substantial disruption to school operations or interferes with the rights of other students or staff members.

**Full implementation of the above policies 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. Examines 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.

Includes bullying prevention and character instruction in all grades in accordance with State law and Board policy 6:60, Curriculum Content. This includes incorporating student social and emotional development into the District’s educational program as required by State law and in alignment with Board policy 6:65, Student Social and Emotional Development.

Fully informs 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 law 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.

Encourages 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.

Actively involves students’ parents/guardians in the remediation of the behavior(s) of concern. This includes ensuring that all parents/guardians are notified, as required by State law, whenever their child engages in aggressive behavior.

Communicates 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 communicates this policy to students and their parents/guardians. This includes annually disseminating information to all students and parents/guardians explaining the serious disruption caused by bullying, intimidation, or harassment and that these behaviors will be taken seriously and are not acceptable in any form.

Engages in 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

Bullying is not an acceptable behavior and will not be tolerated. In keeping with the character standards adopted by District 146, staff members will help  students foster a bully-free school environment. If bullying does occur within the school setting, staff members will provide support to students and families to try to eliminate all bullying incidences.

These expectations encompass time spent traveling to and from school, interacting with others in the school building and on school grounds, as well as participating in any school-sponsored activities. Reported incidents will be investigated, as students may be referred for an educational intervention and/or disciplinary action.

Bullying is defined as:

1. repeated negative actions (possibly coupled with negative intent) toward a targeted individual(s) over time (may occur as a singular event);
2. an imbalance in the power (physically, verbally, socially and/or emotionally) within the interaction; and
3. the possibility of contrasting differences in the immediate or delayed affect of the individual(s) involved.

Bullying may occur when another student or several students intentionally and repeatedly engage in one or more of the behaviors listed below.

Physical Aggression

Pushing, stealing, shoving, kicking, tripping, threatening, spitting, hitting, entering personal space without permission, making the other person uncomfortable.

Social Exclusion

Intentionally leaving someone out, persuading others to exclude another child.

Verbal Aggression

Spreading hurtful statements, public challenges or dares , name calling, taunting/teasing, making fun of others due to race, religion, or ethnicity.

Intimidation

Playing a dirty trick, pressuring others to give you things, threatening to reveal personal information about others, sending negative or threatening electronic messages.

Students are encouraged to immediately report bullying. A report may be made verbally 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 encouraged to report it to the district complaint manager or any staff member. 

*Anonymous bullying reports are accepted in writing or via phone. 

Bullying Complaint Managers

Kelly Voliva, (708) 614-4545
Damien Aherne, (708) 614-4520

Discipline of Students with Disabilities

The District will comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) when disciplining students. Behavioral interventions will be used with students with disabilities to promote and strengthen desirable behaviors and reduce identified inappropriate behaviors. No special education student shall be expelled if the student’s particular act of gross disobedience or misconduct is a manifestation of his or her disability as determined through a manifestation hearing. Any special education student whose gross disobedience or misconduct is not a manifestation of his or her disability may be expelled pursuant to the expulsion procedures.

Aggressive Behavior

Illinois law requires a school district to notify the parent or guardian of a child who engages in aggressive behavior, including such behaviors as bullying (105 ILCS 5/10-20.14). School Board policy prohibits a student while at school from engaging in aggressive behavior that causes physical or psychological harm to someone else and/or urging other students to engage in such conduct. Prohibited aggressive behavior includes, but is not limited to, pushing, shoving, the use of violence, force, noise, coercion, threats, intimidation, fear, bullying, fighting, or other comparable conduct. This early notification is intended to help everyone work together to avoid repetition of the behavior. 

Detention

Students may be required to serve a detention during lunch, before/after school, or on Saturday as a consequence for repeated and/or significantly inappropriate behavior. Parental notification is made prior to an after school/before school detention being assigned so that parents can make appropriate transportation arrangements.

Middle School

• Administrator-issued detentions are held Tuesday through Thursday after school until 4 p.m. An activity bus is provided. 
• Administrator-issued detentions are based on severity of infraction. Friday detentions are held after school until 5 p.m. Saturday morning detentions may be issued and range from 8 a.m. to noon.
• Teachers may issue detentions at lunch and/or after school at their discretion. 
• Students missing a significant amount of work or failing to “dress-out” for PE may be assigned a detention.
• Excessive tardiness to class or school may warrant a detention.
• Failure to serve a detention when assigned will be viewed as insubordination and will be addressed according to the school discipline model.

In-School Suspension

Upon arrival to school, students are to proceed directly to the main office. Students are to sit in a designated, supervised area and do assigned work. Lunch will be in the same room. Washroom breaks will be provided.

Students may not attend before or after school/cocurricular activities when suspended. Suspension results in the student being placed on behavioral social probation.

Failure to serve the assigned in-school suspension will be viewed as gross insubordination and will be addressed according to the school discipline model.

External Suspension

Out-of-School Suspensions for Three Days or Less

• External suspensions may be used only if the student’s continuing presence in school would pose a threat to school safety or disruption to other students’ learning opportunities (105 ILCS 5/10-22.6(b-15)).
• Students are to remain home on the days of external suspension. Students found on campus during a period of external suspension will be charged with trespass and referred to the local police authorities.
• Students may not attend any after school or co-curricular activities on the days of suspension.
• Students should make up all missed work per days suspended.
• Middle school students’ work can be accessed on Schoology. 
• Suspension results in the student being placed on behavioral social probation.
• Students/parents have a right to request a review of the suspension by the Superintendent. Students/parents must request a review within five days of receipt of the written notice, or eight days after the date of notification.

Out of School Suspension for Four or More Days, Expulsions and Disciplinary Removals to Alternative Schools 

May be used only if:

• Other appropriate and available behavioral and disciplinary interventions have been exhausted; AND
• 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 operations of the school. 105 ILCS 5/10-22 .6(b-20)

Questions about the process of student suspension, student expulsions, or student discipline procedures should be directed to the building principal or the Superintendent.

Re-engagement Conference

All students who are suspended out-of-school, expelled, or returning from an alternative school setting are required to attend a meeting with administration, or their designee, to appropriately prepare the student for re-entry.

Harassment of Students Prohibited

No person, including a District employee or agent, or student, shall harass, intimidate, or bully another student based upon a student’s race, color, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, gender identity, order of protection status, status of being homeless, or actual or potential marital or parental status, including pregnancy, or other protected group status.

The District will not tolerate harassing, intimidating conduct, or bullying whether verbal, physical, or visual, that affects the tangible benefits of education, that unreasonably interferes with a student’s educational performance, or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment. Examples of prohibited conduct include name-calling, using derogatory slurs, causing psychological harm, threatening or causing physical harm, or wearing or possessing items depicting or implying hatred or prejudice of one of the characteristics stated above.

Sexual Harassment/Teen Dating Violence Prohibited

Sexual Harassment and Teen Dating Violence Prohibited 

Sexual harassment of students is prohibited. A person engages in sexual harassment whenever he or she makes sexual advances, requests sexual favors, and/or engages in other verbal or physical conduct, including sexual violence of a sexual or sex-based nature, imposed on the basis of sex that:

1. Denies or limits the provision of educational aid benefits, services, or treatment, or that makes such conduct a condition of a student’s academic status; or 
2. Has the purpose or effect of
   • Substantially interfering with a student’s educational environment;
   • Creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment;
   • Depriving a student of educational aid, benefits, services, or treatment; or
   • Making submission to or rejection of such conduct on the basis for academic decisions affecting a student.

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. Teen dating violence occurs whenever a student who is 13 to 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.   Students who believe they are victims or have witnessed sexual harassment, teen dating violence, or any other prohibited conduct are encouraged to discuss the matter with the Student Nondiscrimination Coordinator, Building Principal, Assistant Building Principal, or a Complaint Manager. Students may choose to report to a person of the student’s same sex. Complaints will be kept confidential to the extent possible given the need to investigate. Students who make good faith complaints will not be disciplined.

Prohibited Student Conduct

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

1. Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, or selling tobacco materials, including electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes.

2. Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, or selling alcoholic beverages. 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 have the prohibited substance, as applicable, in their possession.

3. Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, or selling:

• Any illegal drug, controlled substance, or cannabis.
• Any anabolic steroid unless 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.
• Any inhalant, including “vape” pens and other devices, 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.
• “Look-alike” or counterfeit drugs, including a substance not containing an illegal drug or controlled substance, but one: (a) that a student believes to be, or represents to be, an illegal drug or controlled substance; 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 or controlled substance.
• 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.

4. Using, possessing, controlling, or transferring a “weapon” as that term is defined in the Weapons section of this policy, or violating the Weapons section of this policy.

5. Using a cellular telephone, smartphone, video recording device, earbuds/AirPods/headphones, or similar electronic device in any manner that disrupts the educational environment  or violates the rights of others. All cell phones, smartphones and similar 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); or (c) it is needed in an emergency  that threatens the safety of students, staff, or other individuals.

Disciplinary Steps:

1. Warning
2. Parents must pick up. It will not be issued back to the student.

6. Using or possessing a laser pointer unless under a staff member’s direct supervision and in the context of instruction.

7. 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.

8. Engaging in academic dishonesty, including cheating, intentionally plagiarizing, wrongfully giving or receiving help during an academic examination, and wrongfully obtaining test copies or scores.

9. Engaging in bullying, hazing or any kind of aggressive behavior that does physical or psychological harm to a staff person or another student or encouraging other students to engage in such behavior. Prohibited conduct specifically includes, without limitation, any use of violence, intimidation, force, noise, coercion, threats, stalking, harassment, sexual harassment, teen dating violence and or harassment, public humiliation, theft or destruction of property, retaliation, hazing, bullying, bullying through the transmission of information from a school computer, a school computer network, or other similar electronic school equipment, or other comparable conduct.

10. Causing or attempting to cause damage to, or stealing or attempting to steal, school property or another person’s personal property.

11.Being absent without a recognized excuse; State law and School Board policy regarding truancy control will be used with chronic and habitual truants.

12. Being involved with any public school fraternity, sorority, or secret society, by:

• being a member; 
• promising to join; 
• pledging to become a member; or
• soliciting any other person to join, promise to join, or be pledged to become a member.

13. Being involved in gangs or gang-related activities, including displaying gang symbols or paraphernalia.

14. Violating any criminal law, including but not limited to, assault, battery, arson, theft, gambling, eavesdropping, and hazing.

15. 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.

16. Sending, receiving or possessing sexually explicit or otherwise inappropriate pictures or images, commonly knowing as “sexting.” 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, smartphone or cellular phone. Making an explicit threat on an Internet website against a school employee, a student, or any school-related personnel if the 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.

17. Using, purchasing, selling, or possessing any performance-enhancing  substance on the Illinois Association of High School Association’s most current banned substance list, unless administered in accordance with a prescription.

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; or (e) in the case of drugs and alcohol, substances ingested by the person.

Efforts, including the use of early intervention and progressive discipline, 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 physiological 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 psycho-stimulant medication to the student.

The grounds for disciplinary action, including those described more thoroughly later in this policy, apply whenever the student’s conduct is reasonably related to school or school activities, including, but not limited to:

1. On, or within sight of, school grounds before, during, or after school hours or at any time;
2. Off school grounds at a school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event that bears a reasonable relationship to school;
3. Traveling to or from school or a school activity, function, or event; or
4. 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.

The following are prohibited during the school day:

• Leaving school premises. Once a student is on school grounds before the start of a school day they are not permitted to leave school premises until dismissal unless signed out by a parent.
• Eating or drinking outside of the lunchroom.
• Public displays of affection.
• Students remaining on school property after school unless they are participating in an after school function.
• Gambling in any form.
• Being in the hall between class periods without a pass.
• Selling of items not sanctioned by the school district.

 

Social Probation

The goals at Central Middle School include helping students understand the importance of working to be successful academically, and for students to exhibit responsible and respectful choices regarding their behavior. Administratively, Central will assign students to Social Probation status if they are not realizing one or both of the above goals.

Social Probation 

Social Probation is a restriction placed on a student who fails to demonstrate responsible behavior, meet minimum academic requirements, and/or who has chosen to violate the student code of conduct, school board policy, or the law.

The purpose of Social Probation is to provide intervention for students to support their academic needs, while teaching them to act responsibly in social situations. During the probationary period, Central staff will provide remediation opportunities for students.

Policy - 6:190 Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Activities

“For students in kindergarten through 8th grade, selection of members or participants is at the discretion of the teachers, sponsors, or coaches, provided that the selection criteria conform to the District’s policies. Students must satisfy all academic standards and must comply with the activity’s rules and the student conduct code… Participation in co-curricular activities is dependent upon course selection and successful progress in those courses.”

Note: Activities including, but not limited to, athletic contests, musical and dramatic performances, field trips, school clubs, and ceremonial events (such as assemblies and graduation) may be restricted when the student violates the student conduct code, school board policy, or the law. Once the restrictions have been applied, students are not permitted to attend school events as described above under any circumstances. Social Probation will be in addition to regular disciplinary consequences such as detention, suspension, the filing of charges with law enforcement or other appropriate officials, or other appropriate actions.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible to participate in any school-sponsored or school-supported athletic or extracurricular activity, a student must meet both academic and behavioral requirements at all times. Failure to do so will result in Social Probation in addition to other regular consequences.

Academic Eligibility

Grades are reviewed at the midterm and end of each trimester. Students receiving an F in three or more classes, will be referred for support during the school day. The student will be placed on probation for a designated period of time as determined by administration. Adequate progress will result in the probation period being lifted. Parents must meet with an administrator and the advisor once a students is placed on Academic Social Probation for the second time to discuss concerns and set goals. 

Behavioral Eligibility

Students must be in good behavioral standing, having received no in-school or out-of-school suspensions. A student who receives an in-school or out-of-school suspension will be subject to sitting out at practices, events, and/or games.

Athletic Eligibility

Students who are placed on social probation for academic or behavior concerns shall be permitted to try out for any sport during probationary periods. 

Students will be prohibited from participating in practice and games/contests during probationary period.

Violations

In addition to eligibility requirements, specific violations that may lead to immediate Social Probation include, but are not limited to:

• Failure to fulfill disciplinary obligations.
• Unexcused absence or excessive tardiness.
• Intimidation of fellow students or staff.
• Violation of drug and/or alcohol policies.
• Vandalism and/or harmful pranks.

Due Process

A student and his/her parent(s) and/or guardian(s) shall be notified in writing by building administration that Social Probation will be applied. The letter will outline the reasons for probation and what steps may be taken to regain good standing.

Good Standing

Students who demonstrate good conduct and/or academic improvement during their time on Social Probation, will be reinstated to good standing and allowed to participate in athletics, clubs, activities and school events. If additional violations occur later in the year, a student may be placed on Social Probation again to engage in additional supports and interventions.

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 may be expelled for a period of at least one calendar year but not more than two calendar years:

1. 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 5/24-1).
2. 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.
3. Possession of any article that can be harmful to the child or jeopardizes the safety of others.

The expulsion requirement either under paragraph 1, 2 , or 3 above may be modified by the Superintendent, and the Superintendent’s determination may be modified by the Board on a case by case basis.

Gang and Gang Activity

“Gang” is defined as any group, club, or organization of two or more persons whose purposes include the commission of illegal acts. No student on or about school property or at any school activity or whenever the student’s conduct is reasonably related to a school activity, shall: (1) wear, possess, use, distribute, display, or sell any clothing, jewelry, paraphernalia, or other items which reasonably could be regarded as gang symbols; commit any act or omission, or use either verbal or non‐verbal gestures, or handshakes showing membership or affiliation in a gang; (2) use any speech or commit any act or omission in furtherance of the interest of any gang or gang activity, including, but not limited to, soliciting others for membership in any gangs; (3) request any person to pay protection or otherwise intimidate, harass or threaten any person; (4) commit any other illegal act or other violation of district policies; or (5) incite other students to act with physical violence upon any other person.

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 building 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 1000 feet of the school, as well as school property itself.

Search and Seizure

To maintain order and security in the schools, school authorities are authorized to conduct reasonable searches of school property and equipment, as well as of students and their personal effects. “School authorities” includes school liaison police officers.

School authorities may inspect and search school property and equipment owned or controlled by the school (such as lockers, desks, and parking lots), as well as personal effects left there by a student, without notice to or the consent of the student. Students have no reasonable expectation of privacy in these places or areas or in their personal effects left there.

The Superintendent, or building principal, may request the assistance of law enforcement officials to conduct inspections and searches of lockers, desks, parking lots, and other school property and equipment for illegal drugs, weapons, or other illegal or dangerous substances or materials, including searches conducted through the use of specially trained dogs.

School authorities may search a student and/or the personal effects in the student’s possession (such as purses, wallets, knapsacks, book bags, lunch boxes, etc.) when there is reasonable grounds for suspecting that the search will produce evidence the particular student has violated or is violating either the law or the District’s student rules and policies. The search itself must be conducted in a manner which is reasonably related to its objectives and not excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the student and the nature of the infraction.

When feasible, the search should be conducted as follows:

•  outside the view of others, including students;
• in the presence of a school administrator or adult witness; and
• by a certificated employee or liaison police officer of the same sex as the student.

Access to Student Social Networking Passwords & Websites

School officials may not request or require a student or their parent/guardian to provide a password or other related account information to gain access to the student’s account or profile on a social networking website.

School officials may conduct an investigation or require a student to cooperate in an investigation if there is specific information about activity on the student’s account on a social networking website that violates a school rule or policy. In the course of an investigation, the student may be required to share content that has been reported in order to allow school officials to make a factual determination.

Required Notices

Immediately following a search, documentation of the search shall be made by the school authority who conducted the search, and given to the Superintendent. The student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) shall be notified of the search as soon as possible.

Seizure of Property

If a search produces evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the District’s policies or rules, such evidence may be seized and impounded by school authorities, and disciplinary action may be taken. When appropriate, such evidence may be transferred to law enforcement authorities.

Vandalism

The School Board will seek restitution from students and their parents/guardians for vandalism or other student acts that cause damage to school property.

Disciplinary Guidelines

The goal of District 146 is to develop positive and constructive student behavior. Discipline is administered with the goal of changing behavior, not merely to punish. Preventative and remedial help is sought for students with behavioral problems. Students must keep in mind that teachers are responsible for their overall welfare and safety, to decide whether or not student behavior is in violation of the established rules of conduct and good citizenship. The goal is to take corrective action that will change and improve the behavior.

Courteous behavior and respect for the rights and property of others are expected of all students in the classroom, hallways, lunchroom, restrooms, on school grounds, on the bus, and to and from school including bus stops and on field trips.

As citizens in a democratic nation, everyone is given certain rights. However, with these rights come the responsibility of behaving in a manner that supports those rights and does not infringe upon the rights of others. 

Disciplinary Options

The ultimate responsibility for student conduct rests with the student and his/her parents. Teachers, administrators, and support staff (including social workers, psychologists, and paraprofessionals) are enlisted to help students develop positive behaviors. When a student fails to discipline himself/herself, it becomes the duty of the school to do so.

School officials “shall make all reasonable efforts to resolve such threats, address such disruptions, and minimize the length of student exclusion to the greatest extent practicable.” (105 ILCS 5/10-22.6(b-20))

Administrative intervention and/or disciplinary options may include:

• Parent contact
• Conference with student
• Conference with parents
• Temporary removal from class
• Referral to social worker
• Student behavior plan/contract
• Referral to special services/agencies
• Withdrawal from privileges (i.e. sporting events, dances, etc.)
• Loss of independent hallway travel privilege
• Suspension of bus privileges
• Lunch detentions
• Before and/or after school detentions
• Friday and Saturday Detentions
• Peer Mentoring
• In-school suspension
• Out-of-school suspension
• Referral to law enforcement officials
• Alternative placement
• Expulsion
• Referral to truancy
• Other disciplinary action deemed appropriate by the administration