DISCIPLINARY PROTOCOLS

Detention:

the time a student is assigned to stay after school for infractions of the student code of conduct. Detentions may be assigned by a teacher or administrator. Teacher-assigned detentions are served with teachers. Administrative detentions are served in Room 161 and become part of a student’s disciplinary record.

• For a period of thirty minutes after school (2:30-3:00pm), the student is required to be academically occupied.
• All detentions must be served when assigned.
• Employment, athletic events or practices, club meetings, performances, rehearsals or other after school commitments do NOT exempt students from completing their assigned detentions.

Suspension:

the time that a student’s right to attend school is temporarily revoked. Suspensions may be internal or external. Internal suspension is served in Room 161. External suspension is served away from school grounds.

• Students suspended from school for disciplinary reasons will be given the opportunity to make-up all announced academic work such as papers, quizzes, tests, readings.
• Students who are suspended from school for disciplinary reasons and who miss labs or other work unique to the classroom experience may be given readings or other independent assignments as a substitute for the classroom learning.
• Students on internal or external suspension may not participate in any school-sponsored activity (athletic practice or event, club meeting, rehearsal or performance) during the term of suspension.
• Students on external suspension may not be on school grounds unless participating in a scheduled administrative appointment.
• A suspension which begins prior to the lunch block will be counted as beginning that day; a suspension which begins during or after the lunch block will be counted as beginning the next school day. Snow days or other school cancellations will not count toward serving a suspension.

Dean/administrator responsibilities in cases involving suspension:

• Due process procedures
• Contact parent/guardian regarding disciplinary consequences
• Process referral form and re-entry plan
• Notification of student’s guidance counselor, teachers, administrators, liaison, athletic director or club advisor as necessary regarding the terms of the suspension
• Request that academic assignments be forwarded to the main office for parent/guardian to pick-up in cases of external suspension, or to the Dean’s Office in cases of internal suspension
• Schedule a re-entry meeting to include student, parent/guardian, dean, guidance counselor and other appropriate staff
• Arrange for translation at meetings for students and/or parents/guardians whose primary language is not English.
• Guidance counselor responsibilities in cases involving suspension:
• Follow up with teachers to verify that assignments have been brought to the main office or Dean’s Office
• Notify parent/guardian regarding availability of assignments in cases of external suspension.

Teacher responsibilities in cases involving suspension:

• Promptly provide academic assignments to the main office for parent/guardian to pick-up in cases of external suspension, or to the Dean’s Office in cases of internal suspension.

Suspension re-entry procedures:

• Students suspended for five days or longer must have a re-entry meeting before being readmitted to school at the end of the suspension. Students suspended for less than five days may be required to have a re-entry meeting.
• If the suspension is drug/alcohol-related, students are required to complete five meetings with the student assistance counselor.
• Students returning from suspension may also be required to participate in monitoring meetings, counseling, community service and/or other activities related to improving behavior and becoming contributing members of the school community.

Expulsion: permanent exclusion from school.

• A student found to have committed multiple infractions that earn 5 or more days of suspension according to the Code of Conduct may be subject to long-term suspension and/or expulsion.
• A student found to have been in possession of a controlled substance or a dangerous weapon, or to have assaulted a member of the school staff may be subject to long-term suspension and/or expulsion (see the text of MGL Chapter 71, Section 37H in the District section of handbook).
• A student charged with a felony which occurred off school grounds may be subject to long-term suspension and/or expulsion if the principal determines that "the student’s continued presence in school would have a substantial detrimental effect on the general welfare of the school" (see the text of MGL Chapter 71, Section 37H1/2 in the District section of handbook).