The District shared the information below with principals to "help guide in the implementation and understanding of our zero tolerance policy." -- Sheila
· Any weapon or firearm case will be referred for expulsion from the District (this includes guns, BB guns, pellet guns, firearms and simulated firearms)
· Student Assault on Staff/Adult will be referred for expulsion from the District
· Multiple offender assault on another student(s) will be referred for expulsion (must be charged with aggravated assault by the Police/D.A.) Purpose is to target the identified leaders and remove to mitigate further incidents.
· Knives, cutting instruments, and box cutters/similar types will be referred for expulsion given circumstances.
· Drugs – amounts that are for distribution and if less than “5” (sic) string together the totality of the circumstances and the repeat possession/personal use for referral Level 2 and expulsion.
· We MAY suspend for 10 days. The consent decree gives us the ability to do so, but it is not to be used in every case. While the letter sets out the violations when Principals may suspend for 10 days, those areas are so broad that there needs to be further clarification. Students who commit egregious acts of violence should be suspended for 10 days. However, there are many cases of alleged assaults, that may not rise to that level and require ONLY five-day suspensions. In addition, all weapons violations do not rise to the level of needing a 10-day suspension. A kid, who brings a box cutter to school from work or in error, may need only to be suspended for five (5) days. Please follow the Discipline Procedure Manual Process.
· While a child is suspended, it is CRUCIAL that work is being sent home with them.
· Principals must hold parent conferences for students being suspended. At the parent conference, if they have determined that the violation is serious enough to warrant a 10-day suspension and an EH-21, then they need to tell the parent that they may recommend expulsion. The only people who make the decision on whether to proceed with a hearing are the Superintendent or her designee. It is premature and inaccurate for the Principals to be telling kids they are expelled. The final decision to expel can only be made by the SRC after a full hearing.
· The Principal must submit the documentation for a transfer or expulsion to the Alternative Education Region within 48 hours.
· Interim placements are to be used only when the student staying in the school creates a safety issue for the school. The default position is that pending a hearing for expulsion or a disciplinary hearing, the student remains in their regular school. It may be the case that in many cases where 10-day suspensions are recommended and expulsion or a transfer are recommended; the student does need the interim placement.
· It is crucial that the Behavior/Performance Review be completed thoroughly and accurately before discipline action is taken so that we are in compliance with “child find” provisions of the IDEA.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Grandmother: Police record for student with lighter
This word came to us from a Philly grandparent. We're checking on details and will keep you posted! -- Sheila
Just got a call from (a grandmother), Grand daughter was arrested…in handcuffs and spent 12 hours at the police station…because she used a lighter at school. She was charged as a felon at the Youth Study Center: “She did wrong, but this is ridiculous!”
Just got a call from (a grandmother), Grand daughter was arrested…in handcuffs and spent 12 hours at the police station…because she used a lighter at school. She was charged as a felon at the Youth Study Center: “She did wrong, but this is ridiculous!”
Monday, November 10, 2008
Zero Tolerance in N.E. PA
This story came to us from Honesdale, PA:
Hello! My name is Marilyn I am the mother of a wonderful 15 yr. old former high school student at Honesdale HS in Honesdale PA. On April 2,2008 my son went to school as usual but the events that followed were forever to scar him and our entire family. A student that had been caught doing grafiti in one of the school bathrooms was caught in the act, was brought to the office and he decided to say that my son had helped him,( my son has never been in trouble, has never even had a detention) my son was pulled out of class 1st period, brought to the office and sat next to the accused student, they knew each other from Math class. This student said to my son "just say that you did it and we will go to detention together" my son told him that he had not done anything and that he would have no part in this. My son was then called int o the vice principals office he denied having part in this. When they came out the vice principal told the other student that my son said he had nothing to do with the incident, at that time this student started crying and screaming and ran out trying to get out of the building he was brought back at which time he must have realized he was in a hot seat and said "OK, he did not help me but he sells drugs". ( our nightmare began!) my son was brought into the vice principals office with another teacher that was in the office helping the v. principal he was drilled frisked called names and told that if he did not admit to this that he would be brought to a judge and he would be put away. My son kept asking for me to be called they said when you tell the truth! His locker was torn apart his books were shaken( my son has an IEP, he has an anxiety disorder, no one was called from sp.ed, no nurse no police no parent! At 12:30pm I was called at home and told that my son was caught selling drugs, I flew to the school 13 miles, I asked if they had searched and where were the drugs? No drugs were found they said but he admitted to it. I could not believe it, I know better. I was scared I did not know my rights, we were told that the police would not be called (I asked) I thought they were been kind. If it was today I would have screamed to the top of my lungs and said "CALL THE COPS" When we got in the car my son explained the truth. We got a lawyer,advocates, he was given 180day expulsion, it was recinded, my son was however not allowed to return he now goes to connections academy cyber school.
Isolated, afraid here sits a now 10th grader violated by a system that is blind and obsesed with Zero Tolerance. Naturally there is more horror to this story, I don't want to bore you so I gave just the star events.
Thank-You for reading and good luck with your work, we are living proof of the damage caused by zero tolerance. Thanks again, it helps me to be able to share this life changing unfair event.
sincerely Marilyn
Hello! My name is Marilyn I am the mother of a wonderful 15 yr. old former high school student at Honesdale HS in Honesdale PA. On April 2,2008 my son went to school as usual but the events that followed were forever to scar him and our entire family. A student that had been caught doing grafiti in one of the school bathrooms was caught in the act, was brought to the office and he decided to say that my son had helped him,( my son has never been in trouble, has never even had a detention) my son was pulled out of class 1st period, brought to the office and sat next to the accused student, they knew each other from Math class. This student said to my son "just say that you did it and we will go to detention together" my son told him that he had not done anything and that he would have no part in this. My son was then called int o the vice principals office he denied having part in this. When they came out the vice principal told the other student that my son said he had nothing to do with the incident, at that time this student started crying and screaming and ran out trying to get out of the building he was brought back at which time he must have realized he was in a hot seat and said "OK, he did not help me but he sells drugs". ( our nightmare began!) my son was brought into the vice principals office with another teacher that was in the office helping the v. principal he was drilled frisked called names and told that if he did not admit to this that he would be brought to a judge and he would be put away. My son kept asking for me to be called they said when you tell the truth! His locker was torn apart his books were shaken( my son has an IEP, he has an anxiety disorder, no one was called from sp.ed, no nurse no police no parent! At 12:30pm I was called at home and told that my son was caught selling drugs, I flew to the school 13 miles, I asked if they had searched and where were the drugs? No drugs were found they said but he admitted to it. I could not believe it, I know better. I was scared I did not know my rights, we were told that the police would not be called (I asked) I thought they were been kind. If it was today I would have screamed to the top of my lungs and said "CALL THE COPS" When we got in the car my son explained the truth. We got a lawyer,advocates, he was given 180day expulsion, it was recinded, my son was however not allowed to return he now goes to connections academy cyber school.
Isolated, afraid here sits a now 10th grader violated by a system that is blind and obsesed with Zero Tolerance. Naturally there is more horror to this story, I don't want to bore you so I gave just the star events.
Thank-You for reading and good luck with your work, we are living proof of the damage caused by zero tolerance. Thanks again, it helps me to be able to share this life changing unfair event.
sincerely Marilyn
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