G U I D A N C E |
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. |
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Examples of Non-Exclusionary Interventions and Supports |
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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 |
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Level 2 |
Any actions from the prior level (s) may be imposed: In school suspension/office area |
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Level 3 |
Any actions from the prior level (s) may be imposed: Short or long term suspension |
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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 |
Any egregious or repeated behavioral violation is cause for the District to consider a more intensive corrective action than suggested in this document. Further, the use of the term Maximum Level is for informational purposes only; appropriate corrective action is an individualized determination based upon the particular facts of the incident and compliance with Board policies and regulations.