Substance Abuse Policy
Definition for all Students
Any student who is found in possession of, under the influence of or consuming alcohol or other chemical substances (or students in possession of paraphernalia, i.e. lighters, pipes, juul, e-cigs, etc.), which includes over the counter medications*, on school grounds or in connection with school-sponsored events, will be subject to punishment under "Level One". Repeat offenders will be subject to punishment under “Level Two”. Students found selling or distributing alcohol or other chemical substances on school grounds or in connection with school-sponsored events are subject to punishment under "Level Two".
*Over the counter medications must be administered/supervised by the school nurse.
Procedure for enforcing the rule for all students: Students found to be violating the policy relating to chemical abuse shall be dealt with at two levels.
“LEVEL ONE”
- Counsel by administration
- Custody of evidence
- Parent and police notified, parent conference
- Suspension: up to five days for first offense
- Referral to social agency for help and counsel to be completed during suspension
- Suspension from all school activities and school privileges for up to four weeks (28 school days) from the date of the infraction (social suspension) at the discretion of Administration
- Athletic consequences
- Possible suspension of school driving and parking privileges
- The administration reserves the right to immediately start an expulsion procedure if the first offense is severe enough in nature
- End of year activities for seniors may be impacted
“LEVEL TWO”
- Counsel by Administration
- Custody of evidence
- Parent and police notified, parent conference
- Suspension for up to 10 school days
- Referral to social agency mandatory, if not previously accepted
- Start expulsion procedure
- Suspension from all school activities and school privileges for up to 12 weeks from the date of infraction (social suspension) at the discretion of the administration
- Athletic consequences
- Possible suspension of school driving and parking privileges
- End of year activities for seniors may be impacted
- If the infraction occurs at the end of the school year, the remainder of the suspension will carry over to the next school year
- Students will be subject to Modified Social Suspension: at the discretion of Administration and Coaches or Advisors, a student may be allowed to continue to practice, rehearse, or attend meetings, including tryouts or auditions, but is not allowed to participate in any games or performances until suspension has ended. Under no circumstances will students be allowed to participate while suspended.
APPEAL PROCESS
Rules and regulations concerning major discipline infractions in relation to all chemical abuse violations including athletic and extracurricular programs are as follows:
- All rules are published in the student manual. All Advisors and Coaches will make this known to their respective groups prior to each school year season. (Consent form.) Students are expected to accept their responsibility to the school, teacher or club. In all cases under this section, the student has the right to appeal the case to the board of appeals. The appeal is to be made on the infraction only, not the punishment. The procedure will be as follows:
- Within three school days of suspension, the Advisor, Administration or Coach of the circumstances with regard to the incident and the appeal process, will notify the parents of the student involved.
- To appeal, the parent must contact the school Principal, in writing, within 10 school days.