Student Behavior Code
PHILOSOPHYA primary responsibility of the Thornton Fractional High Schools and the professional staff is the students’ understanding and appreciation of the rules, rights and responsibilities of the individual.
It is the District’s intent that students learn in a positive manner from the consequences of their actions and that all discipline is done with compassion and for the purpose of altering student behavior. The maintenance of good discipline is essential to the educational process and is the joint responsibility of the home and school. Therefore, the home will be involved in the disciplinary process as early and as often as necessary. Students must adjust their behavior to the standards of the school. Appropriate student behavior is expected in order that the education of others is not hindered. Each student has the responsibility to know and abide by the regulations of the school. Behavior which tends to conflict with the educational environment, or which is antagonistic to the welfare of other students and faculty,will not be tolerated. The provisions of this handbook are not to be considered as irrevocable contractual commitments between the school and the student. Rather, the provisions reflect the current status of the rules, practices, and procedures as currently practiced and are subject to change; upon recommendation of the District Discipline Committee and subject to approval of the District Board of Education. The following list of misbehaviors is not exhaustive. The District reserves the right to discipline students (up to and including expulsion) for instances of misconduct not specifically described in the Student Behavior Code.
Student Expectations:
Thornton Fractional District 215 students can expect:
• A safe and orderly learning environment.
• To be treated with dignity and respect.
• To be informed of the rules of conduct.
• Freedom from discrimination.
• Academic grades based on academic performance.
• To express opinions and personal points of view.
• Assistance from teachers, guidance counselors, deans, and administrators.
Student Responsibilities:
Thornton Fractional High School students have the responsibility to:
• Attend school regularly and to be on time.
• Observe the rights of other people.
• Report hazardous or dangerous situations to an adult.
• Treat others with respect regardless of their racial/ethnic origin, age, sex, religion, or disability.
• Maintain academic honesty.
• Maintain self-control and proper conduct at all times.
• Refrain from the use and/or possession of substances or materials that are illegal.
• Be truthful.
• Express proper care of equipment, textbooks, and facilities.
In dealing with violations of the rules and regulations of the school, staff will seek to resolve problems with the cooperation of the student and parent or guardian. The following pages are presented so that both parents and students will be aware of the rules, regulations and expectations of the schools. Parents and/or students are required to sign a form at registration with their official signature indicating receipt of the discipline code book. Parents and students are responsible for becoming familiar with this code book.
Student Behavior Modification
It is the purpose of the dean’s office and district disciplinary procedure to:
1. Allow the student the needed choices to modify his/her behavior.
2. Provide the resources and deterrents for this policy to be successful.
3. Define the consequences of failing to modify identified problem behaviors.
To accomplish this behavior modification, the district provides assistance, succession of warnings and deterrents.
STUDENT ATTENDANCE POLICY / PROCEDURES
Compulsory Attendance: The attendance policy has been developed to promote an effective learning
climate for students and the efficient use of teacher time and school resources. Only when students are present in their scheduled classes can the above goals be achieved. In addition, Illinois State statutes require that all students below the age of seventeen attend school regularly. The law places responsibility for regular attendance of students on the parent. Violations of the law are referred to the Truant Officer, Office of the Educational Service Region, Cook County. Students of District #215 are required to attend all scheduled class assignments, including study halls and lunch.
Should a student, seventeen years of age or over, be chronically absent, the student and parents will be asked to make a decision about the student’s choices of regular attendance, withdrawal from school, or administrative withdrawal. Students absent from school for more than TEN (10) consecutive school days may be administratively withdrawn. A chronic or habitual truant shall be defined as a child subject to compulsory school attendance and who has been absent without valid cause from attendance for 10% OR MORE OF THE PREVIOUS 180 REGULAR ATTENDANCE DAYS.
DEFINITIONS
Absence: Any day or period of non-attendance. It is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to notify the school of absences on the day of the absence. School personnel will determine the status (excused/unexcused) of the absence. Reasons for absences are defined by the Illinois
School Code as illness, religious observances, death in the family, or family emergency.
The student is entitled to full make-up privileges for excused absence. The student must
meet make-up deadlines established by the teacher. Approved school related activities are not considered absences.
Extended Illness:
Any student who is absent for five consecutive days must present a medical statement from
a licensed physician. If the student will be absent for more than five days, the statement
should indicate how long the illness is expected to last. Parents are to communicate with
the SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER in cases of extended absence so that arrangements can
be made for the student to continue studies at home.
Excessive Absences and Medical Documents:
Excessive is defined as more than 10 days per semester. The school administration may
require excessively absent students to provide medical documentation indicating the nature
of the illness and specific dates to be excused. Failure to provide medical documentation
will cause the student to be considered truant. See “Truancy Consequences.” Student will
be placed on the appropriate step. (Step III, IV or V)
Truancy:
Truancy is any day or period of non-attendance which is determined by school personnel as
unexcused. Students may not make up any work resulting from an unexcused absence.
Extenuating Circumstances:
Upon approval of the Assistant Principal for Pupil Personnel Services, instruction will be
provided through homebound tutoring in cases of extended illness. Homebound tutoring will
constitute continuous instruction.
Daily Absences:
If a student is absent from school, his/her parent must call the school each day the student is
absent. Calls are required no later than 2:30 p.m. on the day of the absence. If the school
does not receive the call as required, the absence is considered unexcused. 24 hour phone
service is available at the following numbers:
NORTH 585-1007 SOUTH 585-2040
Any student who decides to stay home AFTER the parent (or guardian) has left for work has the responsibility of contacting a parent/guardian to inform him that he/she is home so that the parent/guardian can call before 2:30 P.M. on the day of the absence.
TARDY POLICY
Punctuality is a student responsibility. Failure to enter the classroom prior to the final ringing of the tardy bell will be recorded as a tardy, or as stipulated in writing by the teacher and signed by all students as classroom procedures. The building administration may prohibit student admission to class when a student is tardy. Such a measure may be necessary either on a selected or continuing basis to ensure that tardiness does not disrupt the educational process. Students detained by a teacher must obtain a pass from that teacher before attempting to be admitted to their next class. Students may not leave a class to which they are tardy in an attempt to solicit a pass. Multiple tardies to any class will result in disciplinary action. The Deans’ Office, Nurse/Clinic, Guidance Office, and Bookstore do not issue excuses for tardies. All tardies will be reported to the Deans’/Attendance office on the day of the tardy. Students accumulating multiple tardies, per class, per semester, will be counseled and/or disciplined at the indicated levels.
Tardy 1: Teacher/student conference
Tardy 2: Teacher verbal warning, Parent/guardian contact by teacher
Tardy 3: Counselor conference with student, Counselor calls parent/guardian
Tardy 4: Two (2) hour Wednesday Detention, Parent/guardian contact by Deans’ Office
Tardy 5: One (1) day ISS placement (Parent/guardian conference/meeting)
Tardy 6: Two (2) day suspension or possible removal from class with failing grade - (subject
to administrative approval)
A 15 minute or more tardy to first period or tardiness exceeding two minutes to all other periods will be considered an excessive tardy and a consequence of a Two (2) hour Saturday Detention will be assigned. Repeat offenses will result in progressive disciplinary action.
TRUANCY POLICY
Students are expected to remain in the building during their regularly scheduled school day. Under no circumstances are students to leave the building without the permission of the dean or school nurse. TO DO SO WILL BE TREATED AS TRUANCY. If a student becomes ill during the school day and receives permission from the nurse to go home, he or she will be given a pass from the nurse. This pass should be turned in to the Attendance Office before leaving school. Students will be released to the custody oftheir parents or guardians in the Attendance Office. If no parents or guardians are available, permission must be received from an assistant principal before the student is released. Requests to leave school for other reasons must be verified by a telephone call from the parent/guardian, and official, written verification that the appointment occurred e.g. doctor/dentist note, verification of court date or college visit. An excuse from school will be granted by the deans for only those matters that cannot be scheduled at any other time than during the school day.
Truancy is any day or period of non-attendance which is determined by school personnel as
unexcused.
Single Period Truancy
The first single class truancy starts the student at Truancy Step 1. Each subsequent infraction moves the student to the next step. Students accumulating 6 unexcused absences to a single class period may be dropped from class for truancy with a failing grade and placed in a study hall (Subject to the approval of the principal).
Full Day Truancy
Full day truancy is defined as absence without excuse from three or more periods. A full day truancy will start on Truancy Step 2. Students accumulating 18 or more full day truancies per semester will be considered a chronic and habitual truant and may be asked to make a decision about withdrawal from school or administrative withdrawal.
Truancy Consequences
Truancy # 1: 2 hour After School Detention (parent notification)
Truancy # 2: 3 hour Saturday Detention (parent notification) Full Day truancy start
Truancy # 3: 1 day ISS (parent notification)
Truancy # 4: 2 days ISS (parent notification)
Truancy # 5: 3 days OSS (parent conference)
Truancy # 6: Recommendation for removal from class with failing grade(subject to approval of
principal/parent notification)
Any student removed from class for truancy or tardiness will be assigned to study hall and receive a failing grade. Failure to attend this study hall will result in a 5 day out-of-school suspension for the first offense and up to ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension for the second offense.
STUDENT DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES
The following disciplinary actions will be used in the Thornton Fractional High Schools. However, occasions might arise in which it would be necessary for the deans to use their own discretion in disciplinary measures. The latitude of disciplinary assignments is from one detention to ten days out-of-school suspension. No corporal punishment will be administered. However, faculty and staff may use reasonable means, as needed, to maintain safety or for purposes of self defense or defense of property and may remove students from the classroom for disruptive behavior. The use of other types of sanctions vary with the nature of the offense. More severe discipline may be administered for infractions directed against school personnel, or agents of the school, or their property, and/or for infractions occurring in places other than in the classroom.
DUE PROCESS
The school has the responsibility to see that due process is practiced at all times and to insist that the individual rights of all students are preserved. A student must be provided with the following due process in connection with any suspension from school:
1. Oral or written notice of the charges and explanation of evidence supporting the charges;
2. if the charges are denied, a student must be given an opportunity to explain his version of the events to the suspending school official;
3. the suspension (except from riding a bus for safety reasons) may not exceed 10 days;
4. all prudent and reasonable attempts will be made to have his parents or guardian immediately receive a report of the suspension along with a statement of the reason(s) for it and a notice of right to review/hearing;
5. a formal letter of suspension will follow detailing a notice of right to a review / hearing;
6. if a hearing is requested, the parents or guardian may appear and may discuss the suspension with the Board or its hearing officer;
7. any decision rendered must be based upon the evidence; and
8. with respect to any suspension invoked, the student has a right to be informed of its beginning and ending dates.
The rules regulating the suspension of a student identified as in need of special education are different, and disposition will depend upon the facts presented in each case. In all cases of administrative recommendation for expulsion, a hearing shall be conducted by the Board of Education or their designee, thus providing an opportunity for the student and his/her parents
to exercise their right of due process. The Board of Education shall base its decision only upon the evidence presented at the hearing.
The following procedures will be followed for both suspension and expulsion hearings:
1. Parent or guardian will be requested to be present at the hearing.
2. The student and parent will be given an opportunity to give their version of the facts. They are allowed to offer the testimony of other witnesses and other evidence.
3. The student will be allowed to know of evidence offered against him/her.
4. A record shall be kept of the hearing.
5. The Board of Education will, within a reasonable time after the hearing, notify the parent or guardian of its decision. The notice will be in writing and state whether or not the student is guilty of the conduct charged and what disciplinary action will be taken by the Board.
PEER (STUDENT) MEDIATION
The Thornton Fractional Peer Mediators attempt to resolve problems between students with a minimum amount of intervention by school personnel. Students who are made to feel uneasy by the actions of other students may request a mediation through the deans, social worker or counselors. The Student Mediation process involves the invitation of the affected parties to participate in mediation. Students may elect to have either adult or student mediators. Trained student mediators question the disputants on the nature and causes of their disagreement. The mediators look for a solution to the problem which will resolve the concerns of all parties. The final resolution is written as a contract between the disputants. In the event that a mediation fails (i.e. a fight occurs) the disputants will be referred to the deans.
DETENTIONS
Students may be detained beyond regular school hours or be required to come before regular school hours or on non-school day hours in order to help them improve their academic achievement; counsel them on their deportment; and make up school work missed because of tardiness, absence or inattention. Students are expected to make arrangements to attend. Detentions are designed to allow the student a continuous educational process; failure to attend detentions will be considered as insubordination.
Teacher Detentions (20-25 minutes)
When assigning student detentions, the teacher will give the student a detention slip that allows for overnight notice and parent notification. Teachers will be responsible for their own detentions. Failure to serve a teacher detention will result in further disciplinary action.
Dean Detention (1 hour)
Dean detentions are served after school for an hour. Upon assignment, the student is given written notice as to the date, time, place, and expectations. Failure to serve a dean detention will result in further disciplinary action.
Saturday Detention (3 hour)
Saturday detentions are served on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Upon assignment, the student is given written notice as to the date, time, place, and expectations. Students are expected to check in with the supervisor at 8:50 a.m. Failure to attend Saturday detention will result in either a 1 or 2 days suspension. Removal from a Saturday detention will result in disciplinary action.
After a student has accumulated 10 Saturday detentions (3 hr. session) per semester, additional assignments will be out-of-school suspensions.
IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION (ISS)
In-School Suspension (ISS) is served at the school building in a designated room, supervised by a certified staff member for a specified time period. District 215 believes attendance in school is directly related to students becoming independent, confident and continuous learners and recognizes that a significant number of students are failing due to attendance and/or discipline problems that are escalated by out of school suspensions. The ISS program, as an alternative program to out-of-school suspensions, will allow students to receive academic credit during the school day. A student is allowed only 10 days per semester in the ISS program. The days in the alternative program do not count as out-of-school suspension days. Students are required to abide by the School Discipline Code and follow the rules as outlined by ISS supervisor while in attendance. Students who violate any of the rules will be removed from the in-school room and an out-of-school suspension will replace the original consequence. Disciplinary infractions that constitute placement in the ISS program will be determined by the school administration and the Deans’ Office. Failure to complete an ISS assignment will result in an out-of-school suspension and ISS placement will be forfeited.
OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS (OSS)
Students who present a problem of misconduct or consistent violation of rules may be suspended from school for a period of up to ten days. When a student is suspended, his/her parents will be notified as quickly as possible. At the discretion of the Dean, a parent conference may be required. During an out-ofschool suspension, students may request any missed work, but not receive credit for it. Exceptions to this include: major projects, unit exams, and/or grading period exams which will be made up for full credit.
DURING A SUSPENSION, THE STUDENT WILL REMAIN AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL GROUNDS AT ALL TIMES. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL BE TREATED AS CRIMINAL
TRESPASS TO STATE SUPPORTED PROPERTY. STUDENTS WHO ARE SUSPENDED ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING ATHLETICS.
Parents and/or police will be notified. There are offenses of such a nature that will result in immediate suspension and recommendation for probable expulsion. The parent will be notified by letter of the time and place of the hearing before the Board and the right to be represented by counsel.
EXPULSION
Students guilty of a flagrant or chronic violation(s) of the rules or gross disobedience or misconduct will be recommended for expulsion. These offenses are defined as, but not limited to, any conduct, behavior, or activity which causes, or may reasonably lead school authorities to believe substantial injury or disruption, or material interference with school activities or the rights of other students or school personnel may occur. School Board Policy Number 5079. Students receiving more than 13 days of out-of-school suspensions in any school year may be recommended for expulsion. School Board Policy Number 5079.1 The parents will be notified by letter of the time and place of the hearing before the Board and the right to be represented by counsel.
STUDENT INFRACTIONS / DISCIPLINARY CONSEQUENCES
Assault – Assault is any threat, which causes a reasonable apprehension by the victim, of receiving bodily/physical harm.
Battery – Battery is any unlawful activity causing physical injury to another and/or knowingly touching another with intent to injure.
Bullying - Bullying is a series of cruel or hostile behaviors involving one or more persons. Bullying can also be defined as verbal or psychological intimidation. Depending on the level of the infraction, a student may be referred for one or more of the following: (1) peer mediation, (2) counselor referral, (3) social worker referral, (4) parent conference and/or suspension of up to 10 days, and/or (5) recommendation for expulsion. Public Act 92-0260, 105 ILCS 5/10-20.14
Cheating - Student cheating is prohibited and will be handled initially by the classroom teacher. Repeat offenses may result in further disciplinary action.
Chronic and Flagrant - Chronic and flagrant is defined as repetitive misbehavior which does not changein response to disciplinary effort. Students identified as engaging in chronic and flagrant misbehaviors may be recommended for expulsion.
Communication Devices - Communication devices will be defined as, but not limited to, cellular phones, unauthorized beepers, pagers, laser pointers, and two-way radios. In order to maintain a quiet and orderly school environment, these items may not be used in the school building or on school busses between the hours of 7:30 AM and 3:30 PM. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the device is turned off and out of sight during times of unauthorized use. Thornton Fractional District 215 is not responsible for lost or stolen communication devices. These devices may not be used in detentions, Saturday detention, or any after school activity except as approved by the principal or their designee. Unauthorized use of communication devices or disruption caused by these items will result in the following:
1st offense: Confiscation of communication device and parent conference.
Repeated offenses: May result in up to 10 days of ISS.
Additional infractions will result in further disciplinary actions. Refusal to surrender phone to school personnel may result in an automatic out-of-school suspension. Under no circumstances will confiscated communication devices be returned to students. Only a parent/guardian may receive the communication device from the Deans’ Office.
Controlled Substances (Possession of, Sale of, or Use of and/or Involvement with Controlled
Substances, Look-alike of Controlled Substances, Paraphernalia and/or Alcoholic Beverages)
- Such student action will result in Out-of-School Suspension from 5 to 10 days with parent conference and possible recommendation for expulsion. Local authorities will be informed unless deemed unnecessary by the Deans’ Office. During parent conference, parent/guardian will be informed that the District has a drug procedure policy. Ill. Rev. Stat. 105 ILCS/5 and School Board Policy Number 5073.
Criminal Trespass – Criminal trespass is being on school property without proper permission from school personnel. Persons considered as trespassers are students on suspensions, expelled students, and any persons who appear on school grounds without legitimate reason. To do so will be treated as criminal trespass to state supported property. Police may be notified. All visitors are required to check-in. Damage to Property/Vandalism - Damaging, attempting to damage or misuse of school property or possessions of any individual at Thornton Fractional Township High Schools will result in suspension and/or recommendation for expulsion and may result in restitution for damages. Setting fire or attempting to set fire to any objects or person on school property will result in suspension and/or recommendation for expulsion. In addition, the student may face prosecution by civil authorities. Any littering on school property is prohibited.
Disruptive Classroom Behavior - At the beginning of the school year, the rules governing school behavior will be given to the students in the form of a student handbook and informational assembly. In addition, at the beginning of each semester the rules governing classroom behavior will be given to the students by each teacher. Failure to comply with these rules will result in the following:
1. A warning to the student and attempts to modify behavior will be made by the teacher. Interventions may include parent phone call/conference, counselor referral, and detentions.
2. Should disruptive behavior persist, the student will be sent to the Deans’ Office with a Deans’ Referral. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken and the Dean will contact the parents.
3. If the above interventions fail and if, upon returning to the class the student continues to exhibit disruptive classroom behavior, he/she will be subject to suspension and/or recommendation for removal from class subject to the approval of the principal.
4. Any student who has been removed from class because of disruptive classroom behavior and is placed into a study hall will automatically receive a five day out-of-school suspension for the first offense and ten days out-of-school suspension for any subsequent offenses of disruptive classroom behavior in the study hall.
Disruptive Items – Possession or use of any items that could be considered disruptive to the educational process (such as squirt guns, balloons, playing cards, whistles, roller blades, skate boards, etc.) are not allowed. Students are not to be in possession of audio equipment (head phones) during the school day.
Dress Code - Since the primary function of school is education, student dress should be appropriate for the school environment. With the cooperation of all parents/guardians, the school expects all students to dress in a manner that is appropriate for a school day and which will not substantially disrupt the educational process and climate or be a safety or health concern.
Examples of inappropriate dress:
• Headgear – hats, hoods, bandanas, earmuffs, sweat bands, do-rags/wave caps, hair picks or
combs, and rollers
• Metal chains, spiked apparel/jewelry
• Exposed midriffs tops (belly shirts), tube tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, loose fitting tank
tops, backless dresses, sport bras, bare/one shoulder tops, see-through or net tops, excessively tight or revealing clothing
• Pants worn below the waist/hips, short shorts, short skirts, short dresses
• Exposed undergarments i.e., boxers/bra straps: or clothing carried over one shoulder and/or
partially worn
• Slippers
• *Outerwear – coats, lined jackets, gloves, scarves, sunglasses, and book bags
• Apparel or items which refer to drugs, alcohol, sex, the occult, gangs, profanity, or which are
offensive to ethnic, racial, or religious groups
• Tattoos and body piercings, to the extent that they demonstrate health and safety concerns, will be considered inappropriate
*These items are not to be worn or carried during the school day and should be stored in the
student’s locker.
This is not an all-inclusive list. Administrative discretion will apply in all cases. Failure to follow the above guidelines may result in a deans’ referral with consequences ranging from a verbal warning to an Out-of-School Suspension. False Fire Alarm/Setting a Fire or Tampering With Fire Extinguishers - Such student action will result in immediate out-of-school suspension of ten (10) days, conference with parent/guardian and recommendation for expulsion. The local police department will be informed.
Fighting - Fighting is considered gross misconduct and will result in out-of-school suspension from 5 and up to 10 days with a police arrest and parent conference with possible recommendation for expulsion. Recurring incidents of fighting will be considered in the application of disciplinary procedures. Students are strongly encouraged to report any and all instances of verbal or physical harassment on school property to the deans immediately.
Food and Drink – Students will not bring any food or drink into the classroom, hallways, and or auditorium. Failure to comply will be considered insubordination. Water will only be allowed in the original clear bottle with cap on. Selling of candy or items during school day not related to school events or activities or sold for personal gain may not be sold on school premises. These items will be confiscated. Confiscated items will only be returned to a parent or guardian.
Forgery and/or Unauthorized Possession of School Property or School Forms - Such student action will result in Out-of-School Suspension from three (3) to ten (10) days and restitution of all damages and possible recommendation for expulsion. Police will be notified unless deemed unnecessary by the deans. Recurring incidents of forgery and/or unauthorized possession of school property or school forms will be considered in the application of disciplinary procedures.
Gambling - Any form of gambling is strictly prohibited at Thornton Fractional Township High Schools. Playing cards, dice, or other types of gambling devices are prohibited on school property.
Gang Activity - Illinois State Law prohibits any secret fraternity, sorority, or society of any kind in a public high school. Any student participating in activities related to any secret organization may be referred to the School Board for an expulsion hearing. No student on or about school property or at any school activity:
1. Shall wear, possess, use, distribute, display or sell any clothing, jewelry, emblem, badge, symbol, sign or other things which are evidence of membership or affiliation in any gang.
2. Shall commit any act or omission, or use any speech, either verbal or non-verbal (gestures,
handshakes, etc.) showing membership or affiliation in a gang; or,
3. Shall use any speech or commit any act or omission in furtherance of the interests of any gang or gang activity, including, but not limited to:
A. soliciting others for membership in any gang
B. requesting any person to pay protection or otherwise intimidating or threatening any person
C. committing any other illegal act or other violation of school district policies
D. inciting other students to act with physical violence upon any other person.
Gross Misconduct - Gross misconduct shall include any conduct, behavior or activity that causes, or may reasonably lead school authorities to believe substantial injury or disruption, or material interference with school activities or the rights of other students or school personnel may occur. Out-of-school suspension of up to ten (10) days with possible police arrest and possible recommendation for expulsion. Police will be notified unless deemed unnecessary by the Deans’ Office. School Board Policy 5079.
Harassment - Harassment, including but not limited to threats, intimidation, extortion, racial/ethnic slurs, and initiation activities by students of Thornton Fractional Township High Schools is prohibited. Profanities, threatening remarks, posturing, and obscene language or gestures by students directed toward another student are not allowed. A student who is a victim of harassment or related activities is expected to report such actions to the Deans’ Office. A student who is involved in any form of harassment of a school employee in or out of school is in direct violation of school behavior policies and such action may result in suspension and/or expulsion. Sexual intimidation means any behavior, verbal or nonverbal, which has the effect of subjecting members of either sex to humiliation, embarrassment, or discomfort because of their gender. Sexual harassment means (1) unwelcome sexual advances, (2) welcome sexual advances made by an District employee,
(3) requests for sexual favors, and/or (4) other verbal, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
Disciplinary action for sexual intimidation/harassment will be taken including but not limited to consultation and up to ten (10) days to out-of-school suspension with possible recommendation for expulsion. A complete version of definitions, policies, and procedures pertaining to sexual intimidation/harassment are further outlined in Board Policies 5060 and 5060.1-4, which may be found in the principal’s office, guidance office, and deans’ office. These include the procedure for submitting a formal written complaint. Any student who makes a false charge of sexual harassment against another student or school employee in a deliberate attempt to demean, abuse, or embarrass that individual shall also be subject to suspension and/or expulsion.
Immoral/Obscene Behavior - Any behavior offensive to common propriety or decency, including, but not limited to, “mooning,” indecent exposure, offensive touching, possession, distribution or display of obscene or “hate” material or similar behavior will result in a suspension and possible recommendation for expulsion.
Insubordination - Refusal to obey established and well-defined rules and school regulations, and failure to comply with a reasonable request by a staff member are considered acts of insubordination.
Insubordination also includes being in an unauthorized area or loitering (i.e. washrooms, corridors, parking lots, etc.) during a student’s regular schedule. Repeated violation of any rule constitutes insubordination.
Obscene or Abusive Language - Obscene, profane, or vulgar language either written, oral, or expressed by symbols
1. Between Students:
From one (1) after school detention up to ten (10) days suspension; parents notified. Repeat offenses will increase the disciplinary penalty.
2. Against School Personnel or Agents of the School: Up to ten (10) days suspension; parents notified. Repeated offenses will result in a recommendation for expulsion.
Obstructing a School Investigation – Any student who knowingly gives false information, or intentionally fails to give information in an investigation conducted by a school administrator, may receive a consequence ranging from suspension to a possible request for expulsion.
Publication/Distribution of Materials - Students, staff members, and general public, may not use school facilities in any manner for the promotion of any group or vested interest. Also, materials of any kind not directly related to class work may not be distributed on the school premises without the approval of the school administration. Disseminating, posting, or in any other way communicating information unrelated to school activities is prohibited. Possession of literature which promotes any activity that is unlawful, immoral, or inappropriate is prohibited.
Reckless Endangerment - While committing an infraction of school rules, a student who intentionally or unintentionally jeopardizes the safety or well being of others will be penalized from one detention up to 10 days out-of-school suspension depending on the nature and severity of the act.
Smoking; Use of Smokeless Tobacco; Possession of Smoking Materials - Smoking in the building, on the grounds or while being transported is prohibited at all times. Tobacco in any form is not to be brought on school property and will be confiscated. Students should disassociate themselves from those who use tobacco or they too may be subject to disciplinary action. The “school grounds” is interpreted as all property owned by High School District #215, including parking lots and athletic fields.
Student I.D. Card - All students will be provided with a student identification card (ID card) upon enrolling in school. The student must wear this ID card appropriately while attending school every day. Students that attend school without an I.D. will need to purchase a temporary I.D. Student ID cards are to be used as a boarding pass for the buses. Students who do not present their ID card when boarding buses may be denied transportation. Lost, damaged, or defaced ID cards must be replaced immediately at a cost of five dollars ($5.00) to the student. All students must surrender their ID card upon request by any school personnel.
Theft - Theft or attempted theft of school property or of possessions of another individual at Thornton Fractional Township High Schools will result in suspension, possible expulsion, and remuneration for losses. In addition, the student may face prosecution by civil authorities. All thefts should be reported to Thornton Fractional Township High School Deans’ Office as soon as possible.
Weapons (Possession and/ or Use of Weapons/Look Alike Weapons and/ or Explosive(s)/
Fireworks) - Such student action will result in Out-of-School Suspension five (5) to ten (10) days with parent conference and possible recommendation for expulsion. As mandated by the Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994, possessing, using, or attempting to use dangerous weapons will result in a mandatory recommendation of expulsion for a period of at least one calendar year. Possible contact of authorities.
