OMS Parent Student Handbook - Tiered Interventions

Overlook Middle School

Parent-Student Handbook

Tiered Interventions

Tiered Interventions to Address Behavior

Five levels of disciplinary violations are noted. However, the listing of these violations cannot anticipate every eventuality and disciplinary options will vary depending on the severity of the behavior and at the administration’s discretion. Community building may be implemented as part of the disciplinary action. Please note that administration partners/consults with School Resource Officers, Counsellors and Classroom Teachers to determine the best course of action.

Details of actions will be determined by the principal or their designee.

Level

Possible Behavior(s):

Possible intervention(s) or equivalent:

Level I

Accumulation of tardies; refusal to sign detention; public display of affection; loitering; dress code violations; unprepared for class and failure to be in assigned area; not meeting expectations on the behavior matrix

Reinforce expectations and behavior
Redirect
Behavior Chart
Repair opportunity
Reflection
Assigned seating
Detention(s)
Parent Contact
Working Lunch

Level II

Failure to attend assigned teacher or administrative detention; disruptive or inappropriate behavior in class or out of class; repeated dress code violations; technology misuse; forgery; false identification; unprepared for class(multiple offenses); continued public displays of affection and horseplay; name calling; repeatedly not meeting expectations on the behavior matrix

All Level I AND
Peer mediation
Online or in-person learning modules/lessons targeting expected behavior
Parent conference
Behavior Contract
Working Lunch
Bus suspension (1 - 10 days)
In or out of school suspension (1-5 days)

Level III

Leaving or returning to school grounds without permission; vulgar, obscene or defamatory language, materials and/or gestures; name calling; accumulation of minor infractions; insubordination, technology misuse:

All Level I & II AND

In or out of school suspension(1-5 days)

SRO notification/involvement

Level IV

Gross disrespect to persons of authority by word or action; harassment; technology misuse; trespassing on school property:

All Level I, II & III AND

In or out of school suspension (1-10 days)

Referral to the superintendent

SRO notification/involvement

Level V

Vandalism; theft; extortion; hazing; possession, use of, or attendance after the use of alcohol, drugs, drug paraphernalia, e-cigarettes, vaporizing device or tobacco (see Chemical Health Policy), use or possession of counterfeit drugs or medication, technology misuse, weapons or incendiary devices; pulling of false fire alarms; threats of violence; bomb threats; assault; threats; fighting; or any other illegal acts:

All Level I, II, III & IV AND

Restitution

SRO Notification/Involvement

In or Out of School suspension (1-10 days)

Referral to Superintendent

Punishment will incorporate penalties outlined in Level IV at the discretion of an administrator as well as referral to the School Committee by the Superintendent with all legal requirements prescribed, including exclusion from school.

Suspension

Suspension from school is a denial of a student’s privilege to attend school and school activities for a specified period of time. It is a step taken for Level II, Level III, Level IV and Level V infractions or when other disciplinary actions have proven ineffective in correcting the student’s inappropriate behavior. A student may be suspended from school by the school administration for a period of up to 10 school days. The school administrator will notify the parent or guardian via a written report setting forth the reasons for the suspension and to arrange a hearing.

A suspended student may not attend any school-sponsored activity or function for the duration of his/her suspension.

Alternative Remedies for Disciplinary Consequences

Prior to issuing any disciplinary consequences pursuant to G.L. c. 71, § 37H ¾ and not subject to G.L. c. 71, §§ 37H and 37H ½, as discussed below, the Principal or designee will consider alternative remedies to such consequences. This policy applies only to short-term or long-term suspensions, emergency removals or in-school suspensions, or expulsions that are not issued under G.L. c. 71, §§ 37H and 37H ½. This policy does not apply to disciplinary consequences issued under G.L. c. 71, §§ 37H and 37H ½, which include: assault of educational staff, possession of controlled substances or a dangerous weapon on school grounds, and felony charges or conviction.

The Principal or designee will consider methods to re-engage the student in the learning process when deciding disciplinary consequences for the student. Specifically, the Principal or designee will consider and use alternative remedies including but not limited to mediation, conflict resolution, restorative justice, and collaborative problem solving. The use and results of such alternative remedies will be documented in writing. The Principal or designee will consider, use to the extent possible, and document in writing such alternative remedies before the Principal or designee may suspend or expel a student. The Principal will also implement school or district models to re-engage students in the learning process, including positive behavioral interventions and supports models and trauma sensitive learning models. The Principal or designee will not implement such models in direct response to a specific incident.

In the event alternative remedies are not feasible, the Principal or designee will document specific reasons as to why such alternative remedies are not suitable or counter-productive, or in situations where the student’s continued presence in school would pose a specific, documentable concern about the infliction of serious bodily injury or other serious harm on another while in school.

Expulsion

Expulsion is the result of the most serious offenses as it denies educational access at Overlook. Students violating our Chemical Health Policy, or School Reform Law 37H/37H1/2 (see Selected Applicable State and Federal Laws), or repeatedly violating school rules, disrupting the educational process, and/or harming other members of the school community, may be subject to a Principal’s hearing with a recommendation for permanent removal from the school.

Dangerous Weapons and Incendiary Devices

Possession of dangerous weapons or incendiary devices of any kind will not be tolerated at Overlook. Incendiary devices include, but are not limited to, firecrackers, smoke bombs, matches and lighters. Any object that could be used to injure another person and that has no school-related purpose for being in school or on school property or at school-sponsored or school-related events will be considered a weapon for purposes of this code. Appropriate criminal laws (MGL 37H) will be enforced in any situation where a student is found in possession of weapons. The possession of a firearm or other dangerous weapon in the school environment is an expulsion offense as well as a crime punishable by a fine of $1000.00 and/or one year imprisonment. Any student in possession of any kind of weapon will be immediately referred to the Administrative Office. The parent or guardian will be notified, and disciplinary action will be taken including a 10 day out of school suspension and a recommendation for expulsion from school. See Selected Applicable State and Federal Laws for MGL 37H, 37H 1/2 and 37H 3/4. A reminder to all students that pocket knives, box cutters or razor knives are considered dangerous weapons under the code -- do not bring them or any other knife to school. Possession and/or lighting of any incendiary device, which includes but is not limited to fire crackers, smoke and stink bombs, or the irresponsible use of matches or lighters in and around the school building will result in suspension from school.

Chemical Health Policy

During the school year, a student shall not, regardless of the quantity, use or consume, possess, buy/sell or give away any material containing alcohol, any tobacco product, or any controlled substance while under school jurisdiction.

(1) Tobacco or Tobacco Products: The use or possession of tobacco in any form is prohibited while in school, at school related functions, on school property and school buses. A student found in possession of or using tobacco products will be suspended from school a minimum of three days (see Suspension from School).

(2) Intoxicants, Alcohol and Drugs: The use of, attendance after use of, or possession of intoxicants, drugs, alcohol, e-cigarettes, vaporizing device, nicotine product, and/or any controlled substance at school functions or while under school jurisdiction is prohibited. It may result in a minimum 10-day suspension from school and/or a recommendation for expulsion from school and confiscation of intoxicants, alcohol and/or drugs (see Expulsion). Students suspended for violating this provision may be required to participate in a substance abuse education program as part of the disciplinary action taken. Details of the plan will be determined by administration. The parent or guardian will be notified; law enforcement officials will be notified and legal action may follow at the discretion of these officials. Attendance at school or school functions while "under the influence", "hung-over" or smelling of intoxicants violates the policy as "attendance after the use of" category and carries the same penalty. The possession of substances or paraphernalia that are meant to represent illegal substances also violate this policy.

Any student found to be selling or distributing any of the above on school property or while under school jurisdiction will be subject to expulsion from school.

Credible Threats

Any student who makes a credible threat toward a staff member will receive a minimum of a 10 day suspension on the first offense and parents/guardians and the police will be contacted. Subsequent offenses will result in more serious consequences that may result in exclusion or expulsion. A credible threat is defined as a statement in verbal, written, or electronic form that expresses the intent to harm another person and causes the recipient to fear for his or her safety. It is important to note that it is the victim’s perception of harm that defines the threat, not the intent of the person making the threat. A student who makes a credible threat toward another student will receive a minimum of a five (5) day suspension on the first offense and parents and the police will be contacted. Subsequent offenses will result in more serious consequences that may result in exclusion or expulsion. Any student who makes a credible threat must undergo a risk assessment prior to return to classes.

Civil Rights - Discrimination

The Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions, homelessness, age, disability, military/veteran status, and any other class or characteristice protected by law.

No student shall discriminate, by either verbal or physical action or attacks, based upon race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions, homelessness, age, disability, military/veteran status, and any other class or characteristice protected by law. Reports of such activity should be directed to the school administration and appropriate disciplinary action taken.

Some indicators that a crime was hate-motivated include:

Use of racial, ethnic, religious, sexual or anti-gay slurs;
Use of symbols of hate, such as a swastika or a burning cross;
Similar behavior by the wrongdoer towards other students from the same racial, ethnic or religious group or against students from the same sexual orientation;
The incident occurred while the victim was participating in an activity promoting a racial, ethnic/national origin, gender or sexual orientation group.