PRIDE, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, & COMPASSION

While the Falmouth Public Schools is committed to this proactive approach, whenever concerns about student conduct arise, school administrators will aim to respond restoratively. When further action is warranted, school administrators will respond as outlined in the following section and within the allowable boundaries of the framework of federal and state law.

Steps for Restoring Relationships and Responding to Behaviors 

Restorative practices are all about building community and strengthening relationships among all members of a school and learning community. These practices start with the idea that when we feel like we belong and are supported, we respect others and become accountable to the success of the community as well as for ourselves. Schools can foster this sense of community through classroom discussions, collaborative learning, or community meetings. These efforts help those with the school and learning community better understand each other and to know what empathy and belonging are and feel like. Educators and staff are caring adults and can model and influence community building and restorative practices. 

A responsive intervention process spans across a continuum of four steps:

Step 1: Prevention & Skill Building - At this step, students will be guided in the development of social and emotional capacity, building relationships, and helping to improve school climate.

Step 2: Conflict Management & Focused Intervention - At this step, students will receive instruction in and support with being able to manage and resolve conflict as well as engage in meetings with peers and adults to repair positive relationships. 

Step 3: Repairing Harm & Intensive Intervention - At this step, students who have caused repeated behaviors or harm will re-engage in instruction focused on conflict management and receive more intensive support for restoring a positive presence in the learning environment and school community.

Step 4: Administrative Response & Serious Intervention - At this step, students will engage directly with an administrator and may receive disciplinary consequences.

Infractions

The following table outlines infractions across four levels as well as possible interventions and consequences:

Responses

Consequences

*Students who demonstrate behavior that meets the expectations of Pride, Respect, Responsibility, and Compassion will be considered for leveling down for disciplinary consequences

Assault and Battery/Bodily Harm

1. Assaults/Fights: Causes or attempts to cause physical injury or harm to another person, or intentionally acts in a manner that could reasonably place another person in danger of physical damage or harm. (See also MGL c. 71 § 37H.)
2. Food fight: Throws food or other objects in the school cafeteria and/or creates a disruptive environment.
3. Throwing objects (including snowballs): Throws an object out of school windows or on school grounds, throws inappropriate objects on the school grounds.

Possession of Firearms, Dangerous Weapons, Dangerous Objects

1. Weapons: possesses, uses, handles, sells, or transmits any firearms or other weapons on school property or at any school activities. (See also MGL c. 71 § 37H.)
   
   
2. Firearms: Firearms of any sort are not allowed on school grounds. The definition of firearms includes any pistol, revolver, rifle, or smoothbore arm from which a shot, bullet, or pellet can be discharged by whatever means. (See also MGL c. 269 § 10.)
   
   
3. Fireworks: possesses, uses, or causes to explode any fireworks or chemical. (See also MGL c. 148 § 39.) 

Controlled Substances, Alcohol, Tobacco/Nicotine, Electronic Cigarettes

1. Alcohol or Drugs: Knowingly possesses, uses, sells, transports or attends school under the influence of drugs or other related controlled substances. Included as a prohibited practice in this policy is possession of drug paraphernalia, including but not limited to pipes, roach clips, rolling papers, etc. (See also MGL c. 71 § 37H.)
   
   Use by a student of a drug authorized by a medical prescription from a registered physician in accordance with the instruction for use as prescribed shall not be considered a violation. Being in the “knowing presence” where alcohol or drugs are being consumed, under the influence of alcohol, transporting, distribution, and/or selling is punishable as a major offense. It is required that a student remove themselves from areas or situations where drugs or alcohol are present or in use. The student’s condition will be assessed by the school administrative personnel at the time of the incident and is contestable only at that point in time.
   
   Students suspended for alcohol or drug offenses will not be permitted to attend any school functions for the remainder of the year. Students may appeal this portion of the suspension consequence to the Principal no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the event.  The determination of the Principal is final.
   
   
2. Smoking/Tobacco/Nicotine Use: Possession and/or use of any of the following is prohibited on school grounds and/or at school-sponsored events: Controlled substances, illegal drugs, tobacco/nicotine, alcohol, and any and all related products and/or paraphernalia, including but not limited to alcohol in any form including alcohol in food and/or candy products, any controlled substance or drug not prescribed by a physician for a student, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, bongs, lighters, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, vape pens, Juuls, Suorins, vaporizers, hookah pens, drip tips, dabs, dab pens, wax pens, vape pods, vape chargers, vape batteries, vape extractors, vape cartridges, vape atomizers, vape cartomizers, vape clearomizers, vape tank systems, marijuana, rolling papers, pipes, clips, marijuana/cannabis oil, hash oil, hemp oil, THC oil, CBD oil, edibles, chemicals, drips, e-juice, e-oils, e-juice and e-oil containers, vials and bottles, and anything with trace controlled substance, illegal drug, tobacco/nicotine, and/or alcohol residue.

Felony or Felony Delinquency Charges

1. Student has been charged with a felony (or with a felony delinquency for a student under 18); and the Principal, determines and states in writing that the student’s continued presence in school would have a substantial detrimental effect on the general welfare of the school. This offense may result in a suspension pending adjudication of charges. The student may appeal such a decision to the Superintendent. (MGL c. 71 § 37H1/2).
   
   
2. Student has been convicted of a felony (or upon an adjudication or admission in court of guilt for a felony or felony delinquency); and the Principal determines and states in writing that the student’s continued presence in school would have a substantial detrimental effect on the general welfare of the school. This offense may result in expulsion. The student may appeal such a decision to the Superintendent. (MGL c. 71 § 37H1/2)

The Lawrence School cooperates fully with law enforcement agencies regarding felony or other criminal investigations.

Harassment and/or Violation of Civil Rights

1. Intimidation: Presents any form of behavior that interferes with another person’s sense of safety, dignity, comfort, or productivity in the school environment, such as:
   1. name-calling (verbal/written), teasing, mimicking, slurs, or other derogatory remarks;
   2. offensive graffiti, symbols, posters, pictures, cartoons / caricatures notes, book covers, or designs on clothing;
   3. phone calls, e-mails, text messaging, and/or instant messages;
   4. touching of a person or a person’s clothing;
   5. words, pranks, or actions which provoke feelings of embarrassment, hurt, or humiliation;
   6. stalking;
   7. discrimination

1. Threats: suggests verbally and/or physically an intent to harm another person.
   
   
2. Harassment: engages in behavior, unwelcome by the recipient, which threatens a person and impairs the learning process, impinging upon the safe climate of the school. Harassing behaviors include, but are not limited to, behaviors that relate to a person’s: gender, race, color, ethnicity/national origin, religion, age, handicap / disability, sexual orientation, physical appearance, physical/mental capacity. (Please see more specific information on the Lawrence School policy on harassment and discrimination in this handbook.)
   
   
3. Hate Crime: commits any criminal act coupled with overt actions motivated by bigotry and bias including, but not limited to, a threatened, attempted, or completed overt act motivated at least in part, by racial, religious, ethnic, handicap or sexual orientation prejudice, or which otherwise deprives another person of their constitutional rights by threats, intimidation or coercion, or which seeks to interfere with or disrupt a person’s exercise of constitutional rights through harassment or intimidation.
   
   
4. Hazing: willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Hazing carries possible penalties as described below. The following sections from the Massachusetts General Laws concern the crime of hazing: MGL c. 269 § 17, 18 & 19.
   
   
5. Penalties will range in nature from parent/guardian conferences up to, and including, exclusion. All hazing allegations will be reported to the police.
•  

Dishonesty, Stealing, and Vandalism

1. Theft of school/student property: Takes school property or the property of another person, with or without force, coercion, intimidation, or threat of violence.
   
   
2. Vandalism: Cuts, defaces, marks up, or otherwise injures in any way, any part of the school property, books or equipment.
   
   
3. Inappropriate use of technology: misuses computers or software programs; installs, downloads, and/or prints inappropriate or obscene materials, intentionally misuses another student or staff person’s identification number or password. (See Responsible Use Policy.)
   
   
4. Cheating/Plagiarism: copies prepared material and present it as one’s own copies another student’s work during a test, plagiarizes in term papers or gives false information to teachers.
   
   
5. Forging Notes or False Phone Calls: forges or falsifies notes, corridor passes, or other authorizing documents. Impersonates a parent/guardian in writing or by any electronic method for the purposes of circumventing school rules.

Disruption to the School Environment

1. Bomb Scares: Calls in a false bomb report. This action is a felony punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for up to twenty years and by a fine of up to ten thousand dollars (MGL c. 269 § 14A). Persons making such report will be suspended and referred to police.
   
   
2. Failure to Identify, Defiance of Authority, Insubordination: Refuses to comply with lawful orders of administrators, teachers or other authorized school personnel while properly under their authority or supervision; refuses to identify oneself or gives a false name or identity when asked by any faculty/staff member.
   
   
3. Fire Alarms: pulls a fire alarm when no fire or other emergency exists. Massachusetts Law provides for imprisonment in a jail or House of Correction for up to one year, or for a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) for anyone who causes to be made a false alarm of fire (MGL. c. 269 §13). Anyone apprehended making a false alarm on school property will be suspended and referred to the authorities for court action.
   
   
4. Gambling: gambles and/or sells or distributes gaming cards, football cards, and other gambling materials. All gambling is prohibited on school grounds or at school functions.
   
   
5. Leaving School Building Without Permission: leaves the school grounds before the end of the school day without written permission from the Assistant Principal or Principal.
   
   
6. Present in an Unauthorized Area: is physically present in an area that is off limits to students.
   
   
7. Profanity, Vulgar Language, Obscene Behavior: uses profanity, vulgarity, obscene behavior or obscenities directed at another student or member of the staff upon school premises or at school related events.
   
   
8. Failure to Cooperate During a School Emergency: does not conform to established rules regarding leaving the school building or remaining in an assigned location during any emergency or drill for such emergency.

Repeated Violations of the Code of Conduct

Repeatedly commits one or more of the offenses described in Sections 1 through 7 above. Consequences for repeated and flagrant violations of the Code of Conduct may result in long-term suspension but not until all other consequences and remedial strategies have been attempted. These consequences and strategies may include, but are not limited to, verbal or written warnings, counseling, parent/guardian conferences, restitution, and restrictions from school activities, behavior contracts, weekly progress/ behavior reports, peer mediation, detention, late detention, and short-term suspension. (See also MGL c. 71, 37H3/4.)

Lawrence School has implemented a positive behavior model that defines behavior expectations related to our school's motto of "Pride, Respect, Responsibility & Compassion."

Classroom

Pride - Have pride in your work, keep the classroom neat and clean, put forth your best effort, aim for your personal best.

Respect - Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself, talk when permitted, use polite language.

Responsibility - Follow instructions of the adult in charge, use materials properly, come prepared with all materials, be on time, actively participate/stay on task.

Compassion - Use kind words, treat others the way you want to be treated, be open minded of differences.

Hallways

Pride - Have pride in your school's appearance, keep hallways neat and clean, keep hands off lockers, displays and walls.

Respect - Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself, walk quietly on the right side of the hall, use quiet voices, use polite language.

Responsibility - Travel with a pass, go directly to your destination, use lockers at designated times.

Compassion - Use kind words, lend a hand, treat others the way you want to be treated.

Cafeteria

Pride - Help keep your eating area neat and clean, keep hands off displays and walls.

Respect - Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself, respect others and their property, use appropriate volume when socializing, use polite language.

Responsibility - Walk quietly when entering and exiting the cafeteria, get a pass to leave the cafeteria, follow instructions of the adults in charge, throw garbage and recyclables in appropriate containers.

Compassion - Use appropriate table manners, lend a hand, treat others the way you want to be treated, share your table with others, enjoy connecting with your peers.

Bathrooms

Pride - Keep hands and writing utensils off stalls and walls, keep bathroom neat and clean.

Respect - Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself, respect privacy, use quiet voices, use polite language.

Responsibility - Flush, wash your hands with soap, report problems to an adult, throw garbage in appropriate containers, use the bathroom for intended purposes.

Compassion - Use appropriate bathroom manners, leave the bathroom in good condition for others.

Auditorium

Pride - Keep the auditorium neat and clean, no food or drinks, keep writing utensils and other objects off the seats.

Respect - Talk when permitted, clap at appropriate times, be an active listener

Responsibility - Enter the auditorium and quickly find your seat with your group, follow instructions of the adults in charge.

Compassion - Support the group delivering the presentation/performance, be open minded of differences

Bus

Pride - Keep the bus neat and clean, no food or drinks, aim for your personal best.

Respect - Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself, respect the privacy of others, use quiet voices, follow adult directions.

Responsibility - Sit facing forward in seat, remain seated while bus is in motion, keep hands and other objects inside the window.

Compassion - Use kind words, lend a hand, treat others the way you want to be treated, be open minded of differences.

In accordance with student discipline laws and regulations, effective July 1, 2014, enacted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts pursuant to Chapter 222 of the Acts of 2012 (An Act Relative to Student Access to Educational Services and Exclusion from School), the Falmouth Public Schools  has modified its student discipline procedures and guidelines so as to be in compliance with Chapter 222, MGL c. 71, § 37H, §37H1⁄2 and §37H3⁄4, MGL c. 76, §1, §1B, §18, and §21, and 603 CMR 53.00 (adopted by the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on April 29, 2014).

Since your teachers are responsible for keeping order and handling misbehavior in the classroom, they will discuss with you their classroom expectations and the rules, which they have established so that effective teaching and learning can take place. When your behavior violates these rules, a teacher may attempt to bring behavior in line with a warning that identifies the behavior and a request that you correct it.

Your teachers will handle unacceptable classroom behavior in a variety of ways, including make-ups and detentions. A make-up is an assignment given for lost classroom time due to your tardiness, lack of attention, or coming to class unprepared. A classroom detention is after-school time spent with the teacher in whose classroom your misbehavior occurred. Hopefully, an understanding will result between you and your teacher so that the misbehavior will not be repeated.

If inappropriate behavior continues, you may be sent to the detention classroom. If you are sent out of class to the detention room for misbehaving, you will remain there for the duration of the class period. Within twenty-four (24) hours, the teacher will contact your parent/guardian to explain the misbehavior and submit a written report to the administration. If you are sent out of another class on the same day, you may be assigned to the In-School Suspension room for the remainder of the day. If you walk out of a class without permission, you will be assigned to the In-School Suspension room for the remainder of the day, and your parent/guardian will be contacted.

Any offense taking place inside the classroom must be documented on the approved Disciplinary Form with the teacher providing disposition, action and parent/guardian contact, and a copy of the form is to be submitted to the appropriate administrator.

Classroom Detention - Students assigned a detention by a teacher must report directly to that teacher’s room after dismissal procedures. The student should have all the appropriate materials for the detention as well as ones needed to leave school for the day. Students should serve the detention the day of the infraction unless the parent/guardian cannot be reached for notice. If the parent/guardian cannot be reached that day, the detention must be served the next day.

Administrative Detention - Students assigned an administrative detention must report directly to the after-school detention with a pen or pencil. Students are not allowed to visit their lockers before detention and must report to the detention room prepared to leave school for the day.

Administrative detention is an after-school class during which there is no communication or disruptive behavior allowed. Students will be allowed to study or read quietly. Disruptive behavior in In-School Suspension or detention result an additional day(s) of suspension or detention.

Suspension - Because it is designed to be an inconvenience to the student and to serve as a deterrent to future misbehavior, it is essential that it be served on the date assigned, rather than at the convenience of the student. Any and all excuses are unacceptable for missing a detention, unless coming from a parent/guardian by phone or in person prior to the detention to be served and accepted by the principal or designee.

A most important way of supporting the school’s effort to teach children responsibility for their behavior would be for parents/guardians to help ensure that children meet their detention obligations. A student will be given one official notice that they have been assigned a detention. If a student misses detention on the date assigned without approval of the principal or designee, they may serve an In-School-Suspension the following day. If a student is absent on the day of an assigned detention, they are expected to serve this consequence on the day they return to school. If a school detention is not held on the return day, the student will serve it on the next school-scheduled detention day.

Parents/guardians will be notified by phone of a student’s unwillingness to meet detention obligations and subsequent suspensions. It is hoped that the vast majority of students who have no difficulty in meeting detention obligations will understand the need for a strictly enforced policy. Students who demonstrate behavior that meets the expectations of Pride, Respect, Responsibility, and Compassion will be considered for leveling down for disciplinary consequences.

Due Process

Due process ensures that when disciplinary action is taken against a student, the student has the right to be treated fairly. The penalty that a student receives must be reasonably related to the regulation that the student has violated and the student is entitled to certain procedural rights when discipline is possible and in appealing disciplinary action once it is taken.

The Supreme Court has established the minimal procedural due process that must be followed before a student may be disciplined or suspended for less than ten (10) days as follows:

• The student must be informed of what rule the student has broken.
  
  
• The student will be given an explanation of why it is believed that the student has broken the rule if the student denies it.
  
  
• The student will be given a chance to tell their version of what happened.

Ordinarily these procedures are followed before a suspension takes place. However, if the student’s conduct is dangerous to other persons or threatens to disrupt school, they may be immediately. In such cases, the due process must be provided as soon as reasonable.

When a suspension for a period longer than ten (10) consecutive days, or expulsion is being considered, the student is entitled to more formal due process protections as follows:

• The student must be informed in writing of all the charges and the evidence.
  
  
• The student has the right to an impartial hearing. (The person who conducts the hearing will not be the one who seeks to impose the suspension.) The student and their (legal representative/parent/guardian) will be given adequate time to prepare for this hearing.
  
  
• The student has the right to be represented by a lawyer and/or advocate at the hearing. The student’s (legal representative/parent/guardian) has the right to confront and to cross-examine witnesses.
  
  
• The student will have the right to present a defense of their position.
  
  
• The student has the right to a written decision.

A (legal representative/parent/guardian) may appeal any decision by the Principal to suspend the student on a long-term basis, or to expel the student pursuant to MGL c.71 §37H, by sending a written request to the Superintendent within ten (10) days of the notice of suspension/expulsion.

Notwithstanding the above, the Principal may suspend or expel a student charged/convicted of a felony using the standards and procedures set forth in MGL c. 71 §37H1/2.

In all cases, the suspension/expulsion will remain in effect pending completion of the appeal.