Code of 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 or nicotine materials, including without limitation, electronic cigarettes. This also includes lighters, matches and any other device that could produce a flame.
2. Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, or selling alcoholic beverages. Students who are under the influence of an alcoholic beverage are not permitted to attend school or school functions and are treated as though they had alcohol in their possession.
3. Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, selling, or offering for sale:
   1. Any illegal drug or controlled substance, or cannabis (including medical cannabis, marijuana, and hashish).
   2. Any anabolic steroid unless it is being administered in accordance with a physician’s or licensed practitioner’s prescription.
   3. 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.
   4. 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. The use or possession of medical cannabis, even by a student for whom medical cannabis has been prescribed, is prohibited.
   5. Any inhalant, 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.
   6. Any substance inhaled, injected, smoked, consumed, or otherwise ingested or absorbed with the intention of causing a physiological or psychological change in the body, including without limitation, pure caffeine in tablet or powdered form.
   7. “Look-alike” or counterfeit drugs, including a substance that is not prohibited by this policy but one: (a) that a student believes to be, or represents to be, an illegal drug or controlled substance, or other substance that is prohibited by this policy; 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, or other substance that is prohibited by this policy.
   8. 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 Table of Contents 19 in violation of the “weapons” section of this policy.
5. Using or possessing an electronic paging device. Using a cellular telephone, video recording device, or other electronic device in any manner that disrupts the educational environment or violates the rights of others, including using the device to take photographs in locker rooms or bathrooms, cheat, or otherwise violate student conduct rules. 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, or cellular phone. Unless otherwise banned under this policy or by the building principal, all 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.
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, altering report cards, and wrongfully obtaining test copies or scores.
9. Engaging in hazing or any kind of bullying or aggressive behavior that does physical or psychological harm to a staff person or another student, or any urging other students to engage in such conduct. Prohibited conduct includes, without limitation, any use of violence, intimidation, force, noise, coercion, threats, stalking, harassment, sexual harassment, public humiliation, theft or destruction of property, retaliation, hazing, bullying, bullying using a school computer or a school computer network, or other comparable conduct. Teen dating violence, as described in Board policy 7:185, Teen Dating Violence Prohibited, is prohibited.
10. Engaging in any sexual activity, including without limitation, offensive touching, sexual harassment, indecent exposure (including mooning), and sexual assault.
11. Teen dating violence, as described in Board policy 7:185, Teen Dating Violence Prohibited.
12. Entering school property or a school facility without proper authorization.
13. In the absence of a reasonable belief that an emergency exists, calling emergency responders (such as calling 911); signaling or setting off alarms or signals indicating the presence of an emergency; or indicating the presence of a bomb or explosive device on school grounds, school bus, or at any school activity.
14. Causing or attempting to cause damage to, or stealing or attempting to steal, school property or another person’s personal property.
15. Being absent without a recognized excuse; State law and Board policy regarding truancy control will be used with chronic and habitual truants.
16. Being involved with any public school fraternity, sorority, or secret society, by: (a) being a member; (b) promising to join; (c) pledging to become a member; or (d) soliciting any other person to join, promise to join, or be pledged to become a member.
17. Being involved in gangs or gang-related activities, including displaying gang symbols or paraphernalia.
18. Violating any criminal law, including but not limited to, assault, battery, arson, theft, gambling, eavesdropping, vandalism, and hazing.
19. Making an explicit threat on an internet website against a school employee, a student, or any school-related personnel if the internet 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.
20. Operating an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or drone for any purpose on school grounds or at any school event unless granted permission by the Superintendent or designee.
21. 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.

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 where 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 or backpack; (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.

Efforts, including the use of positive interventions and supports, shall be made to deter students, while at school or a school-related event, from engaging in aggressive behavior Table of Contents 20 that may reasonably produce physical or physiological harm to someone else. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the parent(s)/guardian(s) of a student who engages in aggressive behavior are 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 other time;
2. Off school grounds at a school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event which 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.

School officials shall limit the number and duration of expulsions and out-of-school suspensions to the greatest extent practicable, and, where practicable and reasonable, shall consider forms of non-exclusionary discipline before using out-of-school suspensions or expulsions. Potential disciplinary measures include, without limitation, any of the following:

1.  Notifying parent(s)/guardian(s)
2. Disciplinary conference.
3. Withholding of privileges.
4. Temporary removal from the classroom.
5. Return of property or restitution for lost, stolen, or damaged property.
6. In-school suspension, the building principal or designee shall ensure that the student is properly supervised.
7. After-school study or Saturday study, provided the student's parent(s)/guardian(s) have been notified. If transportation arrangements cannot be agreed upon, an alternative disciplinary measure must be used. The student must be supervised by the detaining teacher or the building principal or designee.
8. Community service with local public and nonprofit agencies that enhances community efforts to meet human, educational, environmental, or public safety needs. The District will not provide transportation. School administration shall use this option only as an alternative to another disciplinary measure giving the student and/or parent/guardian the choice.
9. Seizure of contraband; confiscation and temporary retention of personal property that was used to violate this policy or school disciplinary rules.
10. Suspension of bus riding privileges in accordance with Board policy 7:220, Bus Conduct.
11. Out-of-school suspension from school and all school activities in accordance with Board policy 7:200, Suspension Procedures. A student who has been suspended may also be restricted from being on school grounds and at school activities.
12. Expulsion from school and all school activities for a definite time period not to exceed two calendar years in accordance with Board Policy 7:210, Expulsion Procedures. A student who has been expelled may also be restricted from being on school grounds and at school activities.
13. Transfer to an alternative program if the student is expelled or otherwise qualifies for the transfer under State law. The transfer shall be in the manner provided in Article 13A or 13B of the School Code.
14. Notifying juvenile authorities or other law enforcement whenever the conduct involves criminal activity, including but not limited to, illegal drugs (controlled substances), “look-alikes,” alcohol, or weapons or in other circumstances as authorized by the reciprocal reporting agreement between the District and local law enforcement agencies.

The above list of disciplinary measures is a range of options that will not always be applicable in every case. In some circumstances, it may not be possible to avoid suspending or expelling a student because behavioral interventions, other than a suspension and expulsion, will not be appropriate and available, and the only reasonable and practical way to resolve the threat and/or address the disruption is a suspension or expulsion.

Suspensions, including those from the school bus, will be administered in the following manner according to School Board Policy 7:200.

In School Suspension

The Superintendent or designee is authorized to maintain an in-school suspension program. The program shall include, at Table of Contents 21 a minimum, each of the following:

1. . Before assigning a student to in-school suspension, the charges will be explained and the student will be given an opportunity to respond to the charges.
2. Students are supervised by licensed school personnel.
3. Students are given the opportunity to complete classroom work during the in-school suspension for equivalent academic credit.

Out-of-School Suspension

The Superintendent or designee shall implement suspension procedures that provide, at a minimum, for each of the following:

1. A conference during which the charges will be explained and the student will be given an opportunity to respond to the charges before he or she may be suspended.
2. A pre-suspension conference is not required, and the student can be immediately suspended when the student’s presence poses a continuing danger to persons or property or an ongoing threat of disruption to the educational process. In such cases, the notice and conference shall follow as soon as practicable.
3. An attempted phone call to the student’s parent(s)/ guardian(s).
4. A written notice of the suspension to the parent(s)/ guardian(s) and the student, which shall:
   • Provide notice to the parent(s)/guardian(s) of their child’s right to a review of the suspension;
   • Include information about an opportunity to make up work missed during the suspension for equivalent academic credit;
   • Detail the specific act of gross disobedience or misconduct resulting in the decision to suspend;
   • Provide rationale or an explanation of how the chosen number of suspension days will address the threat or disruption posed by the student or his or her act of gross disobedience or misconduct; and
   • Depending upon the length of the out-of-school suspension, include the following applicable information:
     • For a suspension of three school days or less, an explanation that the student’s continuing presence in school would either pose:
       • A threat to school safety, or
       • A disruption to other students’ learning opportunities.
     • For a suspension of four or more school days, an explanation:
       • That other appropriate and available behavioral and disciplinary interventions have been exhausted,
       • As to whether school officials attempted other interventions or determined that no other interventions were available for the student, and
       • That 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 operation of the school.
       • For a suspension of five or more school days, the information listed in section 4.e.ii., above, along with documentation by the Superintendent or designee determining what, if any, appropriate and available support services will be provided to the student during the length of his or her suspension.
5. A summary of the notice, including the reason for the suspension and the suspension length, must be given to the Board by the Superintendent or designee.
6. Upon request of the parent(s)/guardian(s), a review of the suspension shall be conducted by the Board or a hearing officer appointed by the Board. At the review, the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) may appear and discuss the suspension with the Board or its hearing officer and may be represented by counsel. Whenever there is evidence that mental illness may be the cause for the suspension, the Superintendent or designee shall invite a representative from the Department of Human Services to consult with the Board. After presentation of the evidence or receipt of the hearing officer’s report, the Board shall take such action as it finds appropriate. If the suspension is upheld, the Board’s written suspension decision shall specifically detail items (a) and (e) in number 4, above.

Expulsions will be administered in the following manner according to School Board Policy 7:210.

The Superintendent or designee shall implement expulsion procedures that provide, at a minimum, for the following:

1. Before a student may be expelled, the student and his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) shall be provided a written request to appear at a hearing to determine whether the student should be expelled. The request shall be sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. The request shall:
   • Include the time, date, and place for the hearing.
   • Briefly describe what will happen during the hearing.
   • Detail the specific act of gross disobedience or misconduct resulting in the decision to recommend expulsion.
   • List the student’s prior suspension(s).
   • State that the School Code allows the School Board to expel a student for a definite period of time not to exceed two calendar years, as determined on a case-by-case basis.
   • Ask that the student or parent(s)/guardian(s) or attorney inform the Superintendent or Board Attorney if the student will be represented by an attorney and, if so, the attorney’s name and contact information.
2. Unless the student and parent(s)/guardian(s) indicate that they do not want a hearing or fail to appear at the designated time and place, the hearing will proceed. It shall be conducted by the Board or a hearing officer appointed by it. If a hearing officer is appointed, he or she shall report to the Board the evidence presented at the hearing and the Board shall take such final action as it finds appropriate. Whenever there is evidence that mental illness may be the cause for the recommended expulsion, the Superintendent or designee shall invite a representative from the Department of Human Services to consult with the Board.
3. During the expulsion hearing, the Board or hearing officer shall hear evidence concerning whether the student is guilty of the gross disobedience or misconduct as charged. School officials must provide: (1) testimony of any other interventions attempted and exhausted or of their determination that no other appropriate and available interventions were available for the student, and (2) evidence of the threat or disruption posed by the student. The student and his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) may be represented by counsel, offer evidence, present witnesses, cross-examine witnesses who testified, and otherwise present reasons why the student should not be expelled. After presentation of the evidence or receipt of the hearing officer’s report, the Board shall decide the issue of guilt and take such action as it finds appropriate.
4. If the Board acts to expel the student, its written expulsion decision shall:
   • Detail the specific reason why removing the student from his or her learning environment is in the best interest of the school.
   • Provide a rationale for the specific duration of the recommended expulsion.
   • Document how school officials determined that all behavioral and disciplinary interventions have been exhausted by specifying which interventions were attempted or whether school officials determined that no other appropriate and available interventions existed for the student.
   • Document how the student’s continuing presence in school would (1) pose a threat to the safety of other students, staff, or members of the school community, or (2) substantially disrupt, impede, or interfere with the operation of the school.
5. Upon expulsion, the district may refer the student to appropriate and available support services.

Bullying on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, military status, unfavorable discharge status from the military service, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender-related identity or expression, ancestry, age, religion, physical or mental disability, order of protection status, status of being homeless, or actual or potential marital or parental status, including pregnancy, association with a person or group with one or more of the aforementioned actual or perceived characteristics, or any other distinguishing characteristic is prohibited in each of the following situations:

1. During any school-sponsored education program or activity.
2. While in school, on school property, on school buses or other school vehicles, at designated school bus stops waiting for the school bus, or at school-sponsored or school-sanctioned events or activities.
3. Through the transmission of information from a school computer, a school computer network, or other similar electronic school equipment.
4. Through the transmission of information from a computer Table of Contents 23 that is accessed at a nonschool-related location, activity, function, or program or from the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by the school district or school if the bullying causes a substantial disruption to the educational process or orderly operation of a school. This paragraph (item #4) applies only when a school administrator or teacher receives a report that bullying through this means has occurred; it does not require staff members to monitor any nonschool-related activity, function, or program.

Definitions from Section 27-23.7 of the School Code (105 ILCS 5/27-23.7)

Bullying includes cyber-bullying and means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a student or students that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:

1. Placing the student or students in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s or students’ person or property;
2. Causing a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s or students’ physical or mental health;
3. Substantially interfering with the student’s or students’ academic performance; or
4. Substantially interfering with the student’s or students’ ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

Cyber-bullying means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, including without limitation any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic system, photo-electronic system, or photo optical system, including without limitation electronic mail, Internet communications, instant messages, or facsimile communications.

Cyber-bullying includes the creation of a webpage or weblog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person or the knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages if the creation or impersonation creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying.

Cyber-bullying also includes the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons if the distribution or posting creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying

Restorative measures means a continuum of school-based alternatives to exclusionary discipline, such as suspensions and expulsions, that: (i) are adapted to the particular needs of the school and community, (ii) contribute to maintaining school safety, (iii) protect the integrity of a positive and productive learning climate, (iv) teach students the personal and interpersonal skills they will need to be successful in school and society, (v) serve to build and restore relationships among students, families, schools, and communities, and (vi) reduce the likelihood of future disruption by balancing accountability with an understanding of students’ behavioral health needs in order to keep students in school.

School personnel means persons employed by, on contract with, or who volunteer in a school district, including without limitation school and school district administrators, teachers, school social workers, school psychologists, school nurses, cafeteria workers, custodians, bus drivers, and school resource officers.

The Superintendent or designee shall 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. This plan must be consistent with the requirements listed below; each numbered requirement, 1-12, corresponds with the same number in the list of required policy components in 105 ILCS 5/27-23.7(b) 1-12.

1. The District uses the definition of bullying as provided in this policy.
2. Bullying is contrary to State law and the policy of this district. However, nothing in the district’s bullying prevention and response plan is intended to infringe upon any right to exercise free expression or the free exercise of religion or religiously based views protected under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution or under Section 3 of Article I of the Illinois Constitution.
3. Students are encouraged to immediately report bullying. A report may be made orally 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 reports are also accepted

Complaint Managers:

• Jennifer Suarez Bautista, bautistaj@d62.org
• Kathleen Kelly Colgan, kellycolgank@d62.org
• Adam Denenberg, denenberga@d62.org
• Dr. Bradley Stein, steinb@d62.org

Nondiscrimination Coordinator:

• Kathleen Kelly Colgan, kellycolgank@d62.org
• 847-824-1136 777 East Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016

4. Consistent with federal and State laws and rules governing student privacy rights, the Superintendent or designee shall promptly inform the parent(s)/guardian(s) of every student involved in an alleged incident of bullying and discuss, as appropriate, the availability of social work services, counseling, school psychological services, other interventions, and restorative measures

5. The Superintendent or designee shall promptly investigate and address reports of bullying, by, among other things:

• Making all reasonable efforts to complete the investigation within 10 school days after the date the report of a bullying incident was received and taking into consideration additional relevant information received during the course of the investigation about the reported bullying incident.
• Involving appropriate school support personnel and other staff persons with knowledge, experience, and training on bullying prevention, as deemed appropriate, in the investigation process.
• Notifying the Building Principal or school administrator or designee of the reported incident of bullying as soon as possible after the report is received.
• Consistent with federal and State laws and rules governing student privacy rights, providing parents/ guardians of the students who are parties to the investigation information about the investigation and an opportunity to meet with the Building Principal or school administrator or his or her designee to discuss the investigation, the findings of the investigation, and the actions taken to address the reported incident of bullying.

The Superintendent or designee shall investigate whether a reported incident of bullying is within the permissible scope of the district’s jurisdiction and shall require that the district provide the victim with information regarding services that are available within the district and community, such as counseling, support services, and other programs.

6. The Superintendent or designee shall use interventions to address bullying, that may include, but are not limited to, school social work services, restorative measures, social-emotional skill building, counseling, school psychological services, and community-based services.

7.  A reprisal or retaliation against any person who reports an act of bullying is prohibited. A student’s act of reprisal or retaliation will be treated as bullying for purposes of determining any consequences or other appropriate remedial actions.

8. A student will not be punished for reporting bullying or supplying information, even if the district’s investigation concludes that no bullying occurred. However, knowingly making a false accusation or providing knowingly false information will be treated as bullying for purposes of determining any consequences or other appropriate remedial actions.

9. The district’s bullying prevention and response plan must be based on the engagement of a range of school stakeholders, including students and parents/guardians.

10. The Superintendent or designee shall post this policy on the district’s internet website, if any, and include it in the Student Handbook, and, where applicable, post it where other policies, rules, and standards of conduct are currently posted. The policy must also be distributed annually to parents/guardians, students, and school personnel, including new employees when hired.

The Superintendent or designee shall fully implement the Board policies, including without limitation, the following:

• 2:260, Uniform Grievance Procedure. A student may use this policy to complain about bullying.
• 6:60, Curriculum Content. Bullying prevention and character instruction is provided in all grades in accordance with State law
• 6:65, Student Social and Emotional Development. Student social and emotional development is incorporated into the district’s educational program as required by State law.
• 6:235, Access to Electronic Networks. This policy states that the use of the district’s electronic networks is limited to: (1) support of education and/or research, or (2) a legitimate business use.
• 7:20, Harassment of Students Prohibited. This policy prohibits any person from harassing, intimidating, or bullying a student based on an actual or perceived characteristic (the list of characteristics in 7:20 is the same as the list in Policy 7:180).
• 7:185, Teen Dating Violence Prohibited. This policy prohibits teen dating violence on school property, at school-sponsored activities, and in vehicles used for school-provided transportation.
• 7:190, Student Behavior. This policy prohibits, and provides consequences for, hazing, bullying, or other aggressive behaviors, or urging other students to engage in such conduct.
• 7:310, Restrictions on Publications. This policy prohibits students from and provides consequences for creating, distributing and/or accessing at school any publication that:
  1. Will cause substantial disruption of the proper and orderly operation and discipline of the school or school activities;
  2. Violates the rights of others, including but not limited to material that is libelous, invades the privacy of others, or infringes on a copyright;
  3. Is socially inappropriate or inappropriate due to maturity level of students, including but not limited to material that is obscene, pornographic or pervasively lewd or vulgar, or contains indecent and vulgar language, or sexting as defined by School Board policy and Student Handbooks;
  4. Is reasonably viewed as promoting illegal drug use; or
  5. Is distributed in kindergarten through eighth grade and is primarily prepared by non-students, unless it is being used for school purposes. Nothing herein shall be interpreted to prevent the inclusion of material from outside sources or the citation to such sources as long as the material to be distributed or accessed is primarily prepared by students.

Accessing or distributing on-campus includes accessing or distributing on school property or at school-related activities. A student engages in gross disobedience and misconduct and may be disciplined for:

1. Accessing or distributing forbidden material
2. For writing, creating or publishing such material intending for it to be accessed or distributed at school.

Additionally, the Superintendent or designee will assist the Board with its evaluation and assessment of this policy’s outcomes and effectiveness. The Superintendent or designee will fully inform staff members of the district’s goal to prevent students from engaging in bullying and measures being used to accomplish it.

The Superintendent, or any designee as permitted in the School Code, is authorized to suspend a student from riding the school bus for up to 10 consecutive school days for engaging in gross disobedience or misconduct, including but not limited to, the following:

1. Prohibited student conduct as defined in School Board policy, 7:190, Student Behavior.
2. Willful injury or threat of injury to a bus driver or to another rider.
3. Willful and/or repeated defacement of the bus.
4. Repeated use of profanity.
5. Repeated willful disobedience of a directive from a bus driver or other supervisor.
6. Such other behavior as the Superintendent or designee deems to threaten the safe operation of the bus and/or its occupants.

If a student is suspended from riding the bus for gross disobedience or misconduct on a bus, the School Board may suspend the student from riding the school bus for a period in excess of 10 days for safety reasons. The district’s regular suspension procedures shall be used to suspend a student’s privilege to ride a school bus. See School Board Policy 7:200 for more information on suspension procedures.

Electronic visual and audio recordings may be used on school buses to monitor conduct and to promote and maintain a safe environment for students and employees when transportation is provided for any school related activity. Notice of electronic recordings will be displayed inside and outside of the bus. Students are prohibited from tampering with electronic recording devices.

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 shall 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.

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

The Superintendent or designee may grant an exception to this policy, upon the prior request of an adult supervisor, for students in drama, cooking, martial arts, and similar programs, whether or not school-sponsored, provided the item is not equipped, nor intended, to do bodily harm.

This policy’s prohibitions concerning weapons apply regardless of whether: (1) a student is licensed to carry a concealed firearm, or (2) the Board permits visitors, who are licensed to carry a concealed firearm, to store a firearm in a locked vehicle in a school parking area. See Policy 7:190 for more information.

In order 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” include school liaison police officers.

The Superintendent may request the assistance of law enforcement officials to conduct inspections and Table of Contents 26 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.

When feasible, the search should be conducted as follows:

1. Outside the view of others, including students;
2. In the presence of a school administrator or adult witness; and
3. By a certificated employee or liaison police officer of the same sex as the student.

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

1. School officials may not request or require a student or his or her 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.
2. 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 disciplinary rule or policy. In the course of an investigation, the student may be required to share the content that is reported in order to allow school officials to make a factual determination.

Students are expected to come to school clean, well groomed, and dressed in a manner appropriate for a school environment. Students shall have the right to dress and groom themselves according to their personal taste as long as such dress and grooming do not present health or safety hazards or disrupt the educational process.

Parents are expected to assume responsibility for their children’s attire. This support and cooperation is vital in order to enhance the learning environment. In accordance with Public Act 102- 0360, the school dress code does not include or apply to hairstyles, including hairstyles associated with race, ethnicity, or hair texture.

• Students shall not be permitted to wear or display items of clothing, jewelry, or other symbols associated with or related to gangs or gang activities in school buildings.
• Students are expected to wear opaque clothing that covers them from shoulder to mid-thigh.
• Inappropriate or offensive sayings or pictures on clothing is not allowed.
• Hats, caps, and head coverings (with the exception of those worn for religious, cultural and/or medical reasons) are not allowed to be worn inside the school building.
• Special attire is not required for physical education classes at the elementary level. However, middle school students need to wear a P.E. uniform.

Public Act 102-0267 establishes a list of characteristics of students deemed at increased risk of suicide in the section requiring school districts to have a policy on youth suicide awareness and prevention.

District 62 is required to provide suicide prevention information, included in Student Handbooks and student identification cards, for grades 6 through 8.

Students will also be provided contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Crisis Text Line on the back of each student identification card issued by the school district.

Student safety and comfort at school is a top District 62 priority. If you have concerns that your student or another District 62 student may be experiencing bullying or any other behavior that makes him/her uncomfortable, we encourage you to let an administrator know. We will listen any time and will ensure that appropriate next steps are taken.

1. A District employee conditions the provision of an aid, benefit, or service on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct; or
2. Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the District’s educational program or activity; or
3. Sexual assault as defined in 20 U.S.C. §1092(f)(6)(A)(v), dating violence as defined in 34 U.S.C. §12291(a)(10), domestic violence as defined in 34 U.S.C. §12291(a)(8), or stalking as defined in 34 U.S.C. §12291(a)(30).

Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to, touching, crude jokes or pictures, discussions of sexual experiences, teasing related to sexual characteristics, spreading rumors related to a person’s alleged sexual activities, rape, sexual battery, sexual abuse, and sexual coercion.