A. STUDENT BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

B. SAFE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

4. Weapons (see Board Policies 7:190—Student Behavior, 7:200—Suspension Procedures, and 7:210—Expulsion Procedures):

1. 1. 1. Possession/use/delivery/distribution/sale of weapons to include any firearm, include air or spring gun, knife, fireworks, ammunition, explosives, martial arts weapons or destructive devices, pepper spray/mace or any look-alike for any variety of weapons or other devices defined by the criminal code is strictly prohibited and will be cause for a 10-day out-of-school suspension from school and recommendation for expulsion from school. The police department will be notified. The following weapon violations may result in up to a two (2) calendar year expulsion, except that the expulsion period may be modified by the Superintendent, and the Superintendent’s determination may be modified by the Board of Education on a case by case basis.
      2. Possession, use, control, or transfer of any gun, rifle, shotgun
      3. weapon as defined by Section 921 of Title 18, United States Code, firearm as defined in Section 1.1 of the Firearm Owners Identification Act, or use of a weapon as defined in Section 24-1 of the Criminal Code
      4. Any other object if used or attempted to be used to cause bodily harm
      5. “Look a likes” of any weapon as defined in this Section
      6. Pursuant to the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, 430 ILCS 66/1 et seq., ALL persons on school property, including students, teachers, other District staff members, parents, volunteers, and other District visitors are prohibited from carrying a firearm into or onto any school building, real property, or parking area under the control of the School District, unless specifically permitted by State or federal law. This prohibition applies to all firearms, including concealed firearms for which a person has a concealed carry license.

5. Violence and Harassment

Pursuant to Board Policy 7:20—Harassment of Students Prohibited and State and local law, the District strives to maintain an orderly and appropriate learning and working environment where safety prevails. To these ends, the Board of Education of District 204 attempts to ensure students, teachers, administrators, school personnel and third parties, regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, are respected and not subjected to violence, threats, harassment, intimidation, demeaning verbal abuse, or otherwise confrontational or inappropriate behaviors that disrupt the school’s educational atmosphere.

a. Definitions

1. 1. 1. 1. “School personnel” includes all employees, teachers, administrators, school board members, agents, volunteers, chaperones, contractors, and other persons subject to the supervision and control of the District.
         2. “Students” includes District 204 students as well as students from other districts who are present on school grounds, at a school-sponsored activity, or at any activity that bears a reasonable relationship to school.
         3. “Third parties” include persons, other than school personnel and students, who are on school grounds, at a school-sponsored activity, or at any activity that bears a reasonable relationship to school. Third parties may include parents.
         4. Prohibited Conduct - District 204 prohibits school personnel, students, and third parties from engaging in any of the following conduct:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Any and all harassment, including, but not limited to, racial, religious, and/or sexual harassment;
            2. Violence and/or threats of violence;
            3. Intimidation;
            4. Cyber bullying;
            5. Demeaning verbal abuse; and/or inappropriate confrontational behavior

b. Reporting

Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of prohibited conduct as defined in this policy (i.e., harassment, violence or threats of violence, intimidation, demeaning verbal abuse and/or inappropriate confrontational behavior by school personnel, students or third parties) should report the conduct immediately to the campus Assistant Principal. If the Assistant Principal is the alleged perpetrator, the report should be made to the campus Associate Principal. Any person with knowledge or belief of conduct which may constitute prohibited conduct is required to report the conduct immediately to the campus Assistant Principal, or if the Assistant Principal is the alleged perpetrator, to the campus Associate Principal. Any school personnel or student who fails to report prohibited conduct may be subject to disciplinary action. The District encourages reporting parties to use the report form available in all administrative offices on both campuses, but oral reports shall be considered complaints as well. The investigation will be conducted in a manner that protects the confidentiality of those involved to the greatest extent possible, consistent with the District’s obligation to investigate, take appropriate actions, and comply with any discovery or disclosure obligations. School personnel involved in an investigation are expected to refrain from discussing it with others. The Superintendent shall be informed of every complaint or report made pursuant to this policy.

c. Investigation

Upon receipt of a report of complaint alleging prohibited conduct, District 204 shall promptly investigate all allegations. The investigation may be conducted by district officials or third parties designed by the District. Concurrent with the investigation, the District may take immediate action to protect the complainant, students, school personnel and/or third parties.

d. Early Identification – Aggressive Behavior

Any school staff member, who identifies a student as having demonstrated aggressive behavior, or behaviors that put the student at risk for aggressive behavior, shall refer the student to the building administrator. Lyons Township High School complies with the provisions set forth in the School Safety Act regarding the creation of a Threat Assessment Team and Threat Assessment protocols. The building administrator shall notify the student’s parents/guardian of the referral and shall attempt to schedule a parent-teacher conference to discuss the referral, the findings of the Threat Assessment team and to recommend such available intervention procedures as are deemed reasonably appropriate.

e. Re-Engagement of Returning Students

The Superintendent or designee shall maintain a process to facilitate the re-engagement of students who are returning from an out-of-school suspension, expulsion, or an alternative school setting (see Board Policies 7:200—Suspension Procedures and 7:210—Expulsion Procedures). The goal of re-engagement shall be to support the student’s ability to be successful in school following a period of exclusionary discipline and shall include the opportunity for students who have been suspended to complete or make up work for equivalent academic credit.

f. Corrective Action

District 204 shall take appropriate disciplinary action against school personnel, students, and third parties found to have violated this policy. Disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to, warning, suspension, exclusion, expulsion, transfer, remediation, termination or discharge. District action for violations of this policy shall be consistent with applicable Board of Education policies, collective bargaining agreements, and Illinois federal law. District 204 shall immediately report potential criminal activity to appropriate law enforcement personnel, and may file a criminal complaint against any person violating this policy. In addition, District 204 may initiate a civil action against any person violating this policy.

g. Retaliation

District 204 prohibits retaliation against a person because the person has opposed what he or she believes in good faith to be prohibited conduct, or because he or she has made a report, filed a complaint, testified, assisted or participated in an investigation, proceeding or hearing regarding prohibited conduct. Retaliation includes any form of intimidation, reprisal or harassment. Any person engaging in retaliatory conduct shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge, suspension/expulsion, and/or exclusion.

h. Annual Reviews and Updating

District 204 shall review this policy annually in order to ensure it is consistent with the current Board of Education policies, collective bargaining agreements within the District, and Illinois and federal law, and in an effort to continue to ensure no school personnel, students or third parties are subjected to harassment, violence or threats of violence, intimidation, demeaning verbal abuse and/or inappropriate confrontational behavior.

i. Sexual Harassment

1. 1. 1. 1. Sexual harassment of students is prohibited (see Board Policies 2:260—Uniform Grievance Procedure, 2:265—Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure, 7:20—Harassment of Students Prohibited, 7:180—Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment, 7:10—Equal Educational Opportunities, 7:185—Teen Dating Violence Prohibited, and 7:190—Student Behavior).
         2. For all reports or complaints alleging “Title IX Sexual Harassment” as defined in the District’s Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Process, the Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Process pursuant to Board Policy 2:265—Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure will be used to process the report or complaint. Processing a report or complaint under the Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Process does not preclude processing some or all allegations of a report or complaint under other policies and procedures, to the extent allowed by Title IX and other laws. 
         3. For all other reports or complaints of sexual harassment other than Title IX Sexual Harassment, the following process will be used (see Board Policy 7:20—Harassment of Students Prohibited):

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Students are encouraged to report claims or incidents of sexual harassment to the Nondiscrimination Coordinator, Building Principal, Associate Principals, Assistant Principals, a Complaint Manager, or any employee with whom the student is comfortable speaking. A student may choose to report to a person of the student’s same gender. Complaints will be kept confidential to the extent practicable, subject to the District’s duty to investigate and maintain an educational environment that is productive, respectful, and free of unlawful discrimination, including harassment.
            2. For any report or complaint alleging sexual harassment that, if true, would implicate Title IX, the Nondiscrimination Coordinator or designee will determine whether action under Board Policy 2:265—Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure   will be initiated.
            3. For any other alleged sexual harassment that does not require action under Board Policy 2:265 , the Nondiscrimination Coordinator or Complaint Manager or designee will consider whether an investigation under Board Policy 2:260—Uniform Grievance Procedure; 7:180—Prevention of and Response to bullying; and/or 7:190—Student Behavior should be initiated, regardless of whether a written report or complaint is filed.

C. ACCESS TO STUDENT SOCIAL NETWORKING PASSWORDS AND WEBSITES

School authorities may request a student or his or her parent or guardian to provide a password or other related account information in order to gain access to the student’s account or profile on a social networking website if school authorities have reasonable cause to believe that a student’s account on a social networking website contains evidence that a student has violated a school disciplinary rule or procedure.

D. ELECTRONIC MEDIA POLICY 

(see Board Policy 6:235—Access to Electronic Networks) - The use of personal electronic devices, including but not limited to smartphones, personal audio players, recording devices, and smart watches on school property is a privilege extended to students for purposes of educational and social enrichment in designated non-instructional areas such as the student cafeteria, study halls and hallways during passing periods. The use of electronic devices for educational purposes during instructional time will be at the sole discretion of the classroom teacher. The use of such devices is restricted to legal use as permitted by current state and federal laws and the institutional policies set forth in this policy. Any use of a personal electronic device that violates state or federal laws or the institutional policies defined in the Electronic Media Policy is strictly prohibited and is subject to the disciplinary process. The Electronic Media Policy remains in effect within all of our facilities, while on field trips or while functioning as a representative of the school (i.e. athletics and activities).

Where a quiet atmosphere is expected, such as classrooms, the counseling office, library, Discovery Center, detention or performances, use of devices is prohibited, unless explicit permission is granted. At no time, may a student record the class (audio or visual) or take a picture in any fashion unless the student has written permission from the teacher and the recording device is visible to everyone in the classroom. Video recording is not permitted on campus without written consent from the administration or for the express purpose of a classroom assignment.

Privacy is expected, at all times, in locker rooms, restrooms and the Health Office. Electronic device use in these areas is strictly prohibited.

As a result of the sophisticated nature of electronic devices, unless specifically authorized by the teacher, any student with an electronic device that is being utilized during a test or quiz will be considered cheating and will be subject to the Cheating and Plagiarism disciplinary procedures. This includes all standardized assessments (ACT, SAT, PSAT, AP, etc.) that are administered at LTHS.

Information on the District’s Technology Services, including the Acceptable Use Policy, can be found in Board Policy 6:235—Access to Electronic Networks.

Depending on the violation, the following are possible consequences for misuse: device search, loss of privilege, confiscation, notice to parents, detention, suspension or expulsion and/or notice to law enforcement authorities. If a student has lost privileges and requires use of technology resources during a class to complete course assignments, he/she may be permitted to do so with the approval of the Assistant Principal and timely notice to the Discovery Center staff. For offenses categorized as Level III or IV, approval of the Director of Technology is also required.

E. LIBRARY USAGE

(see Board Policies 6:230—Library Media Program and 6:235—Access to Electronic Networks) - The libraries at both campuses are open on school days from 7:00 am to 4:30 pm. Students may visit the library on a drop in basis before school, after school and during their lunch periods. Students using the library afterschool and needing a pass for the late bus must report no later than 3:15pm and remain until 4:25pm when late bus passes are given out. During Lunch Study Hall, students have the ability to sign up to use the library for computer access by using an online sign-up system located on the student resources tab of the LTHS website. The library is open for Lunch Study Hall students when the space is not in use by classes. The libraries strive to be a welcoming, safe place for all students and behavioral expectations are in place to ensure the space is utilized responsibly by all students. Students may be asked to return to their classes or refrain from visiting the library if attempts to redirect behavior are not adhered to.

F. FIELD TRIPS

(see Board Policy 6:240—Field Trips) – Field trips are planned by classes and other school groups as part of the student’s educational experience. No field trips will take place during the last two weeks of each semester. When a field trip involves only a partial absence, students are to attend all other classes that day which are not affected by the duration of the field trip. The school reserves the right to exclude a student from participating on a field trip. Such a decision would be determined on the basis of the student’s conduct and/or attendance in school. Students are required to ride the bus to and from the field trip.

G. LUNCHROOM EXPECTATIONS

1. 1. 1. Students must eat in the school cafeteria during their assigned lunch period.
      2. Students are to arrive to the cafeteria within 2 minutes after the bell.
      3. Students are responsible for having their own lunch or lunch money. Borrowing of food/money is prohibited.
      4. Students are to maintain cleanliness of the tables and floors, clean up spills, dispose of trash properly, and return trays to the appropriate place.
      5. Students are to treat cafeteria staff and supervisors with respect and follow their directions.
      6. Cafeteria seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis
      7. Lunch deliveries from 3rd party vendors are strictly prohibited.

The school reserves the right to assign student(s) to a specific table and/or lunch period. Students who fail to follow these expectations will be subject to disciplinary action(s).