Newton Chinese Language School (NCLS) Policy on
Student Conduct and Discipline
Passed by NCLS Board on
11/30/2006
NCLS
strives to provide all students with a quality education in a safe school
environment. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which
promotes a safe, orderly learning environment within the schools and may be
subject to disciplinary action up to and including the possibility of expulsion
for serious offenses if they fail to do so. In imposing disciplinary action,
school staff should consider the need to maintain or restore an orderly
learning environment, the overall disciplinary record of the individual
student, and the need to improve the student’s behavior where appropriate.
Because effective discipline involves the participation of staff, parents or
guardians, and students, school officials are required to contact parents or
guardians of students under age 18 for offenses of this discipline policy which
may result in students ’ suspension or expulsion.
A
student whose safety or learning at school is jeopardized by other students is
expected to report the matter to a school staff member. Retaliation in any
form against a person who makes a complaint is forbidden. Staff members who are
aware of disruptive students should take appropriate action, including
immediately reporting matters which cannot be appropriately handled in the
classroom to the school administration.
A
student, who engages in any behavior which disrupts the safe and orderly
environment of the school, is subject to discipline action. Thus, the following
are merely examples of conduct which is prohibited: causing or attempting to
cause damage to school property; causing or attempting to cause damage to
private property; fighting; use of force against an individual; violent
behaviors; smoking anywhere on campus; gambling; theft; fireworks; loitering in
unauthorized area; throwing snowballs, rocks, or other dangerous objects;
insubordination; vulgar or obscene language or gestures; littering; vandalism;
hazing; bullying; harassment; use of possession of weapons; use or possession
of alcoholic beverages, drugs, narcotics, or other controlled substances.
Discipline
which may be imposed includes but is not limited to: contact the parents by
telephone or conferences; oral or written warning; temporary or permanent
removal from classes; requiring parent(s) to sit in classes; in-school
suspension; suspension from school; expulsion. School should keep records of
discipline actions.
Students
are also reminded that conduct at school may lead to consequences beyond school
discipline. These consequences may include requirements for monetary
restitution for damage caused and town fines. In addition, when school staff
has a reasonable basis for believing that a crime has been or is being
committed by a student on school premise or at school related events, such
matters shall be reported to the police. Reportable crimes include, but are not
limited to, possession of a controlled substance or dangerous weapon, assault,
vandalism, stalking and hazing.
Zero
Tolerance to Violence
With the ever-increasing violence
in schools across the country, it is vital that the school set a zero-tolerance
to violence policy. Violent behavior that causes injuries to other people,
making life threatening threat, will be dealt with in a timely and severe way.
Procedural
Due Process
No
student shall be disciplined without being afforded appropriate due process.
Prior to discipline which does not involve exclusion from school or
school-related activities, the student should be informed of the charges
against him or her and given an opportunity to present his or her side of the
story. For discipline involving exclusion, the following procedures will be
followed.
A. Suspension and Exclusion from
School- Related Activities
Unless
a student presents a danger or substantial disruption to the educational
process, the student shall receive the following prior to a suspension or
exclusion from school- related activities: (1) oral or written notice of the
charges against the student; (2) an oral or written explanation of the facts
which form the basis for the accusation; and (3) an opportunity to present the
student's side of the story. In the case of danger or a substantial disruption,
this process will occur immediately after rather than before suspension.
B. Expulsion
Prior
to expulsion, the student shall receive (1) written notice of the charges
against him or her; (2) written notice of the underlying facts which form the
basis for the charges; (3) an opportunity for a hearing, including an
opportunity to hear the evidence against him or her, to present witnesses and
other evidence on his/ her own behalf, and representation by a parent,
attorney, and other adult. the student can also appeal
to the Board.