QUFSD Student Behavior Intervention Procedures

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In order to keep students connected to the learning environment and school community, the school’s primary response to problematic student behavior will be to utilize non-exclusionary interventions and supports. 

The vast majority of student behavior interventions and supports should be provided at the classroom level by teachers. Behaviors that cannot be supported exclusively by teachers should receive more targeted or intensive interventions. 

Low-intensity non-exclusionary interventions and supports as outlined on Page 2 should be attempted in most cases prior to moving to more targeted or intensive supports or interventions. The lowest level of corrective action appropriate will be considered in order to improve behavior and maintain a productive learning environment for students. This progression of support fosters a positive school and community atmosphere and nurtures an environment for all students to grow as productive citizens. 

Specific circumstances involving student behavior issues may require additional corrective action through the use of limit-setters. Limit-setting actions may include strategies such as discipline, removal from class, subject, or activity, suspension, and permanent suspension. Staff will determine the need for more targeted or intensive supports and interventions through data-based decisions and are responsible.

Examples of Non-Exclusionary Interventions and Supports 

Level 1

LOW INTENSITY INTERVENTION

MODERATE INTENSITY INTERVENTION

HIGH INTENSITY INTERVENTION

Brief timeout/reset

Class meeting/discussion 

Personal reflection 

Student apology 

Change of environment (seat change) 

Confiscation of inappropriate items (returned at the end of the day)

Time out from reinforcement

Parent/guardian 

notification/conference

Warning  

Corrective Teaching

Meeting with school counselor

Peer mediation

Restorative conference 

Contract 

Confiscation of inappropriate items (returned to parent/guardian)

Detention

Mild/moderate privileges suspended

Restorative Project  (adult directed) 

Community service

Formal behavior contract 

Mentoring

Positive behavioral support plan

Referral to outside agency 

Confiscation of illegal items (not returned to student and/or parent/guardian) 

Major privileges suspended

Level 2

Any actions from the prior level (s) may be imposed: In school suspension/office area

Level 3

Any actions from the prior level (s) may be imposed: Short or long term suspension 

Level 4

Any actions from the prior level (s) may be imposed: Permanent Suspension

The Queensbury Union Free School District has identified the following problem behaviors that may result in corrective action. These behaviors/activities are prohibited on campus, on school transportation, at all school-sponsored activities, and off campus when the behavior is connected to, or affects the school environment.

Behavior 

Definition of Behavior

SRO may be called

Maximum Level 

Abusive language inappropriate language 

Profanity

Student delivers verbal messages that include swearing, name calling, or use of words in an inappropriate way

3

Inappropriate language (minor)

Student engages in low intensity instance of inappropriate language

1

Alcohol

Student is in possession of or is using alcohol

Student gave or shared alcohol

Student sold or delivered alcohol

The above includes any substance represented as alcohol 

Yes

3

Arson

Lighting a fire, causing any fire to be started, or setting fire to school property

Yes

4

Bomb threat/False Alarm

Student delivers a message of possible explosive materials being on-campus, near campus, and/or pending explosion

Yes

4

Bullying

The delivery of direct or technology-based messages that involved intimidation, teasing, taunting, threats, or name calling. See handbook for further definition and guidance.

Yes

3

Combustables

Student is/was in possession of substances/objects readily capable of causing bodily harm and/or property damage (matches, lighters, firecrackers, gasoline, lighter fluid).

Yes 

4

Defiance

Student engages in refusal to follow directions or talks back to school staff. 

Yes

3

Defiance (minor)

Minor- student engages in brief or low-intensity failure to follow directions or talks back. 

1

Disrespect

Student delivers socially rude or dismissive messages to adults or students. 

3

Disrespect (minor)

Minor- student engages in brief or low-intensity failure to follow directions or talks back. 

1

Disruption

Student engages in behavior causing an interruption in a class or activity. Disruption includes a sustained loud talk. Yelling, or screaming; noise with materials; horseplay or roughhouse; and/or sustained out-of-seat behavior. 

3

Disruption (minor)

Student engages in low-intensity, but inappropriate disruption. 

1

Dress code violation

Student wears clothing that does not fit within the dress code guidelines practiced by the school/district 

1

Drugs and/or paraphernalia

Student is in possession of or using drugs/alcohol/ substances. 

Student gave or shared drugs/alcohol/substances or legal prescription drugs. 

Student sold or delivered drugs/alcohol/substances or legal prescription drugs.

The above includes any substance represented as a drug/alcohol/substances.

Construction/possession of drug paraphernalia including, but not limited to, pipes and syringes.

Yes

4

Fighting

Student is involved in mutual participation in an incident involving physical violence. Discipline need not be the same for each student involved in a single fight.

Yes

4

Forgery/Theft/

Plagiarism

Student is involved by being in possession of, having passed on, or being responsible for removing someone else’s property; or the student has signed a person’s name without that person’s permission, or claims someone else’s work as their own.

Yes

2

Gang affiliation display

Student uses gesture, dress, and/or speech to display affiliation with a gang

Yes

3

Harassment

The delivery of disrespectful messages in any format related to gender, ethnicity, sex, race, religion, disability, physical features, or other circumstances. 

Yes

4

Inappropriate display of affection

Student engages in inappropriate, consensual (as defined by school) verbal and/or physical gestures/contact, of a sexual nature to another student/adult. 

3

Inappropriate location/out of bounds area

Student is in an area that is outside of school boundaries (as defined by school).

2

Lying/cheating

Student delivers message that is untrue and/or deliberately violates rules.

2

Other behavior

Student engages in problem behavior not listed.

Yes

4

Physical Aggression

Assault, student engages in actions involving serious physical contact where injury may occur (e.g., hitting, punching, hitting with an object, kicking, hair pulling, scratching, etc.). Minor-Student engages in non-serious, but inappropriate physical contact.

Yes

4

Property damage/vandalism

Student participates in an activity that results in destruction or disfigurement of property. Minor-Student engages in low-intensity misuse of property.

Yes

3

Recording 

Student participates in recording others with an intent to share unsafe/unwanted material. 

Yes

3

Skipping class

Student leaves or misses class without permission.

1

Tardy

Student is late (as defined by the school) to class or the start of the school day.

1

Technology violation

Student engages in serious and inappropriate (as defined by school) use of cell phone, pager, music/video players, camera, and/or computer. Minor-Student engages in non-serious, but inappropriate (as defined by school) use of cell phone, pager, music/video players, camera, and/or computer.

Yes

3

Threat

Any person, singly or in concert with others, is prohibited to intimidate by threat of force or violence any administrator, teacher, classified employee, or student of any common school who is in the peaceful discharge or conduct of his or her duties or studies. 

Yes

4

Tobacco/Vape

Student is in possession of or is using tobacco or nicotine products and/or delivery devices. This includes products and devices that produce the same flavor or physical effect of nicotine substances.

Yes

3

Weapons

Student is in possession of knives and guns (real or look alike), or other objects readily capable of causing bodily harm.

Yes 

4