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East Maine School District 63

Empowering all students to succeed in a changing world

Discipline and Conduct

The school is the student's workplace. So that all students and faculty members can work harmoniously together, the following expectations for student behavior are necessary.

  1. D63 students are expected to treat everyone with respect and dignity at all times and under all circumstances.
  2. D63 students are expected to be on time for classes, be prepared with materials and assignments, and to pursue their learning activities at the highest level of accomplishment of which they are able.
  3. D63 students are expected to solve their problems with others in a mature manner, such as seeking assistance from a staff member and/or using conflict resolution techniques and strategies rather than fighting, threats, and/or intimidation, which are behaviors that are specifically identified as infractions in these guidelines.
  4. D63 students are expected to treat their building, grounds, and the entire contents of the school with respect and care in a manner that demonstrates they are preserving these physical gifts for the children that follow them in the future.

School Dress Code

Students are expected to wear clothing in a neat, clean, and well-fitting manner while on school property and/or in attendance at school-sponsored activities. Students are to use discretion in their dress and are not permitted to wear apparel that causes a substantial disruption in the school environment. 

Students may not wear clothing that is obscene, lewd, or vulgar, advertises a product or service not permitted to minors by law, and/or is disruptive or unsafe. Dress and grooming must be appropriate for the learning situation rather than distracting to others in the educational process. 

At any time during the day, when a student is found to be wearing inappropriate clothing, the following consequences may result:

  1. The student will, if possible, change into appropriate clothing. Clothing displaying inappropriate advertising may be worn inside?out for that day only.
  2. The student’s parent/guardian will be called to either bring the student a change of clothing or take the student home to change.
  3. If the parent/guardian is unavailable, the student will be required to remain in the office area for the remainder of that day. 
  4. If there is any doubt about dress and appearance, the building principal will make the final decision.
  5. A student whose dress causes a substantial disruption of the orderly process of school functions or endangers the health or safety of the student, other students, staff, or others may be subject to discipline.

Copies of all School District policies on student behavior are available online through Diligent Community.

Prohibited Student Conduct

Students may be disciplined for gross disobedience or misconduct, including but not limited to the following:

  • Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, selling or offering tobacco or nicotine materials, including electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes, vape pens or other vaping related products.
  • Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, or selling alcoholic beverages. Students who are under the influence of an alcoholic beverage are not permitted to attend school or school functions and are treated as though they had alcohol in their possession.
  • Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, selling or offering for sale: 
    • Any illegal drug, controlled substance, or cannabis (including marijuana, hashish, and medical cannabis unless the student is authorized to be administered a medical cannabis infused product under Ashley’s Law).
    • Any anabolic steroid unless it is being administered in accordance with a physician’s or licensed practitioner’s prescription.
    • Any performance-enhancing substance on the Illinois High School Association’s most current banned substance list unless administered in accordance with a physician’s or licensed practitioner’s prescription.
    • Any prescription drug when not prescribed for the student by a physician or licensed practitioner, or when used in a manner inconsistent with the prescription or prescribing physician’s or licensed practitioner’s instructions. The use or possession of medical cannabis, even by a student for whom medical cannabis has been prescribed, is prohibited unless the student is authorized to be administered a medical cannabis infused product under Ashley’s Law.
    • Any inhalant, regardless of whether it contains an illegal drug or controlled substance: (a) that a student believes is, or represents to be capable of, causing intoxication, hallucination, excitement, or dulling of the brain or nervous system; or (b) about which the student engaged in behavior that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student intended the inhalant to cause intoxication, hallucination, excitement, or dulling of the brain or nervous system. The prohibition in this section does not apply to a student’s use of asthma or other legally prescribed inhalant medications.
    • “Look-alike” or counterfeit drugs, including a substance that is not prohibited by this policy, but one: (a) that a student believes to be, or represents to be, an illegal drug, controlled substance, or other substance that is prohibited by this policy; or (b) about which a student engaged in behavior that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student expressly or impliedly represented to be an illegal drug, controlled substance or other substance that is prohibited by this policy.
    • Drug paraphernalia, including devices that are or can be used to: (a) ingest, inhale, or inject cannabis or controlled substances into the body; and (b) grow, process, store, or conceal cannabis or controlled substances.
    • Any substance inhaled, injected, smoked, consumed or otherwise ingested or absorbed with the intention of causing a physiological or psychological change in the body, including without limitation, pure caffeine in a tablet or powdered form.

Students who are under the influence of any prohibited substance are not permitted to attend school or school functions and are treated as though they have the prohibited substance, as applicable, in their possession.

  • Using, possessing, controlling or transferring a “weapon” or violating the procedures listed below under the Weapons Prohibition section of this handbook procedure.
  • Using or possessing an electronic paging device.
  • Using a cellular telephone, smartphone, smartwatch, video recording device, personal digital assistant (PDA), or similar electronic device in any manner that disrupts the educational environment or violates the rights of others, including using the device to take photographs in locker rooms or bathrooms, cheat, or otherwise violate student conduct rules. Unless otherwise banned under this policy or by the building principal, all cellular phones, smartphones and other electronic devices must be kept powered-off and and kept in the students locker during the regular school day unless: (a) the supervising teacher grants permission; (b) use of the device is provided in a student’s individualized education program (IEP); (c) or it is needed in an emergency that threatens the safety of students, staff, or other individuals.
  • Using or possessing a laser pointer unless under a staff member’s direct supervision and in the context of instruction.
  • Disobeying rules of student conduct or directives from staff members or school officials. Examples of disobeying staff directives include refusing a staff member’s request to stop, present school identification or submit to a search.
  • Engaging in academic dishonesty, including cheating, intentionally plagiarizing, wrongfully giving or receiving help during an academic examination, altering report cards and wrongfully obtaining test copies or scores.
  • Engaging in bullying, hazing or any kind of aggressive behavior/gestures that does physical or psychological harm to a staff person or another student or encouraging other students to engage in such behavior. Prohibited conduct specifically includes, without limitation, any use of violence, intimidation, force, noise, coercion, threats, stalking, harassment, sexual harassment, public humiliation, theft or destruction of property, retaliation, hazing, bullying, bullying using a school computer or a school computer network or other comparable conduct.
  • Engaging in any sexual activity, including without limitation, offensive touching, sexual harassment, indecent exposure (including mooning) and sexual assault.
  • Engaging in teen dating violence.
  • Causing or attempting to cause damage to, stealing, or attempting to steal, school property or another person’s personal property.
  • Entering school property or a school facility without proper authorization.
  • In the absence of a reasonable belief that an emergency exists, calling emergency responders (calling 9-1-1); signaling or setting off alarms or signals indicating the presence of an emergency; or indicating the presence of a bomb or explosive device on school grounds, school bus or at any school activity.
  • Being absent without a recognized excuse.
  • Being involved with any public school fraternity, sorority, or secret society.
  • Being involved in a gang or engaging in gang-like activities, including displaying gang symbols or paraphernalia.
  • Violating any criminal law, including but not limited to, assault, battery, arson, theft, gambling, eavesdropping, vandalism and hazing.
  • Engaging in any activity, on or off campus, that interferes with, disrupts, or adversely affects the school environment, school operations, or an educational function, including but not limited to, conduct that may reasonably be considered to: (a) be a threat or an attempted intimidation of a staff member; or (b) endanger the health or safety of students, staff, or school property.
  • Making an explicit threat on an Internet website against a school employee, a student, or any school-related personnel if the Internet website through which the threat was made is a site that was accessible within the school at the time the threat was made or was available to third parties who worked or studied within the school grounds at the time the threat was made, and the threat could be reasonably interpreted as threatening to the safety and security of the threatened individual because of his or her duties or employment status or status as a student inside the school.
  • Operating an unarmed aircraft system (AUS) or drone for any purpose on school grounds or at any school event unless granted permission by the building principal.
  • Sexting, which, for purposes of this procedure, is the act of creating, sending, sharing, viewing, receiving, or possessing sexually explicit messages, images, or videos electronically, regardless of whether they are authentic or computer-generated, through the use of a computer, electronic communication device, or cellular phone. Sexting also includes creating, sending, sharing, viewing, receiving, or possessing indecent visual depictions, non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images, and non-consensual dissemination of sexually explicit digitized depictions, as defined in State law.

For purposes of these rules, the term “possession” includes having control, custody, or care, currently or in the past, of an object or substance, including situations in which the item is: (a) on the student’s person; (b) contained in another item belonging to, or under the control of, the student, such as in the student’s clothing, backpack, or automobile; (c) in a school’s student locker, desk, or other school property; (d) at any location on school property or at a school-sponsored event; or (e) in the case of drugs and alcohol, substances ingested by the person.

Efforts, including the use of positive interventions and supports shall be made to deter students, while at school or a school-related event, from engaging in aggressive behavior that may reasonably produce physical or psychological harm to someone else.

No disciplinary action shall be taken against any student that is based totally or in part on the refusal of the student’s parent/guardian to administer or consent to the administration of psychotropic or psychostimulant medication to the student.

When and Where Conduct Rules Apply

The grounds for disciplinary action also apply whenever the student’s conduct is reasonably related to school or school activities, including but not limited to:

  1. On, or within sight of, school grounds before, during, or after school hours or at any time;
  2. Off school grounds at a school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event that bears a reasonable relationship to school;
  3. Traveling to or from school or a school activity, function, or event; 
  4. Anywhere, if the conduct interferes with, disrupts, or adversely affects the school environment, school operations, or an educational function, including but not limited to, conduct that may reasonably be considered to: (a) be a threat or an attempted intimidation of a staff member; or (b) endanger the health or safety of students, staff, or school property; or
  5. During periods of remote learning.

Disciplinary Measures

School officials shall limit the number and duration of expulsions and out-of-school suspensions to the greatest extent practicable, and, where practicable and reasonable, shall consider forms of non-exclusionary discipline before using out-of-school suspensions or expulsions. School personnel shall not advise or encourage students to drop out of school voluntarily due to behavioral or academic difficulties. Potential disciplinary measures include, without limitation, any of the following measures:

  1. Notifying parents/guardians.
  2. Disciplinary conference.
  3. Withholding of privileges.
  4. Temporary removal from the classroom.
  5. Return of property or restitution for lost, stolen or damaged property.
  6. In-school suspension.
  7. After-school study provided the student’s parent/guardian has been notified. (If transportation arrangements cannot be made in advance, an alternative disciplinary measure will be assigned to the student.)
  8. Community service.
  9. Seizure of contraband; confiscation and temporary retention of the personal property that was used to violate school rules.
  10. Suspension of bus riding privileges.
  11. Suspension from school and all school activities for up to 10 days. A suspended student is prohibited from being on school grounds.
  12. Expulsion from school and all school activities for a definite time period not to exceed 2 calendar years. An expelled student is prohibited from being on school grounds.
  13. Transfer to an alternative program if the student is expelled or otherwise qualifies for transfer under State law.
  14. Notifying juvenile authorities or other law enforcement whenever the conduct involves criminal activity, such as, illegal drugs (controlled substances), “look-alikes,” alcohol or weapons or in other circumstances as authorized by the reciprocal reporting agreement between the District and local law enforcement agencies.

The above list of disciplinary measures is a range of options that will not always be applicable in every case. In some circumstances, it may not be possible to avoid suspending or expelling a student because behavioral interventions, other than a suspension or expulsion, will not be appropriate and available, and the only reasonable and practical way to resolve the threat and/or address the disruption is a suspension or expulsion.

Isolated Time Out, Time Out and Physical Restraint

Isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint shall only be used if the student’s behavior presents an imminent danger of serious physical harm to the student or others and other less restrictive and intrusive measures were tried and proven ineffective in stopping it. The school may not use isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint as discipline or punishment, convenience for staff, retaliation, a substitute for appropriate educational or behavioral support, a routine safety matter, or to prevent property damage in the absence of imminent danger of serious physical harm to the student or others. The use of prone restraint is prohibited.

Corporal Punishment

Corporal punishment is prohibited in all circumstances. Corporal punishment is defined as a discipline method in which a person deliberately inflicts pain upon a student in response to the student's unacceptable behavior or inappropriate language, with an aim or set an example for others. It includes slapping, paddling, or prolonged maintenance of students in physically painful positions, or intentional infliction of bodily harm. Corporal punishment does not include reasonable force as permitted by State law.

Weapons Prohibition

A student who is determined to have brought one of the following objects to school, any school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event that bears a reasonable relationship to school shall be expelled for a period of not less than one year but not more than 2 calendar years:

(1) A firearm, meaning any gun, rifle, shotgun, weapon as defined by Section 921 of Title 18 of the United States Code, firearm as defined in Section 1.1 of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act, or firearm as defined in Section 24-1 of the Criminal Code of 1961. The expulsion period may be modified by the superintendent, and the superintendent’s determination may be modified by the board on a case-by-case basis.

(2) A knife, brass knuckles or other knuckle weapon regardless of its composition, a billy club, or any other object if used or attempted to be used to cause bodily harm, including “look alikes” of any firearm as defined above.
The expulsion requirement may be modified by the superintendent, and the superintendent’s determination may be modified by the board on a case-by-case basis.

Gang & Gang Activity Prohibited

“Gang” is defined as any group, club or organization of two or more persons whose purposes include the commission of illegal acts. No student on or about school property or at any school activity or whenever the student’s conduct is reasonably related to a school activity, shall: (1) wear, possess, use, distribute, display, or sell any clothing, jewelry, paraphernalia or other items which reasonably could be regarded as gang symbols; commit any act or omission, or use either verbal or non?verbal gestures, or handshakes showing membership or affiliation in a gang; or (2) use any speech or commit any act or omission in furtherance of the interest of any gang or gang activity, including, but not limited to, soliciting others for membership in any gangs; (3) request any person to pay protection or otherwise intimidate, harass or threaten any person; (4) commit any other illegal act or other violation of district policies, (5) or incite other students to act with physical violence upon any other person.

Re-Engagement of Returning Students

The building principal or designee shall meet with a student returning to school from an out-of-school suspension, expulsion or alternative school setting. The goal of this meeting shall be to support the student’s ability to be successful in school following a period of exclusion and shall include an opportunity for students who have been suspended to complete or make-up missed work for equivalent academic credit.

Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, & Harassment

Bullying, intimidation, and harassment diminish a student’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate. Preventing students from engaging in these disruptive behaviors and providing all students equal access to a safe, non-hostile learning environment are important district and school goals.

Bullying on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, sex, sexual orientation, gender orientation, gender-related identity or expression, ancestry, age, religion, physical or mental disability, physical appearance, socioeconomic status, academic status, order of protection status, homelessness, actual or marital status, parenting status, pregnancy, parenting status, association with a person or group with one or more of the aforementioned actual or perceived characteristics, or any other distinguishing characteristic is prohibited in each of the following situations:

  1. During any school-sponsored education program or activity.
  2. While in school, on school property, on school buses or other school vehicles, at designated school bus stops waiting for the school bus, or at school-sponsored or school-sanctioned events or activities.
  3. Through the transmission of information from a school computer, a school computer network, or other similar electronic school equipment.
  4. Through the transmission of information from a computer that is accessed at a non-school-related location, activity, function, or program or from the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by the school district or school if the bullying causes a substantial disruption to the educational process or orderly operation of a school.

Bullying includes cyber-bullying and means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a student or students that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:

  1. Placing the student or students in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s or students’ person or property;
  2. Causing a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s or students’ physical or mental health;
  3. Substantially interfering with the student’s or students’ academic performance; or
  4. Substantially interfering with the student’s or students’ ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

Cyberbullying means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, including without limitation any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic system, photo-electronic system, or photo-optical system, including without limitation electronic mail, Internet communications, instant messages, or facsimile communications. Cyberbullying includes (1) the creation of a webpage or weblog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person or the knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages if the creation or impersonation creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying: (2) the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons if the distribution or posting creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying: and (3) the posting or distribution of an unauthorized digital replica by electronic means of the posting or distribution creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying.

Bullying may take various forms, including without limitation one or more of the following: harassment, threats, intimidation, stalking, physical violence, sexual harassment, sexual violence, posting or distributing sexually explicit images, theft, public humiliation, destruction of property, or retaliation for asserting or alleging an act of bullying. This list is meant to be illustrative and non-exhaustive.

Students are encouraged to immediately report bullying. A report may be made orally or in writing to the building principal, nondiscrimination coordinator, district complaint manager or any staff member with whom the student is comfortable speaking. All school staff members are available for help with a bully or to make a report about bullying. Anyone, including staff members and parents/guardians, who has information about actual or threatened bullying is encouraged to report it to the district complaint manager or any staff member. Anonymous reports are also accepted by phone call or in writing.

Nondiscrimination Coordinator: 
Dr. Shawn Schleizer, Superintendent
Address:  10150 Dee Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016    
Telephone:  847.299.1900

Complaint Managers:
Dr. Jake Chung, Assistant Superintendent 
Kristina Oprishenko, Special Education Facilitator, Anti-Bullying Specialist
Address:  10150 Dee Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016    
Telephone:  847.299.1900

A  reprisal or retaliation against any person who reports an act of bullying is prohibited. A student’s act of reprisal or retaliation will be treated as bullying for purposes of determining any consequences or other appropriate remedial actions.

A student will not be punished for reporting bullying or supplying information, even if the school’s investigation concludes that no bullying occurred. However, knowingly making a false accusation or providing knowingly false information will be treated as bullying for purposes of determining any consequences or other appropriate remedial actions.

Students and parents/guardians are also encouraged to read the following school district policies:7:20, Harassment of Students Prohibited and7:180, Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation and Harassment.

Consistent with federal and State laws and rules governing student privacy rights, the school shall make diligent efforts to notify a parent or guardian within 24-hours after the school’s administration is made aware of a student’s involvement in an alleged bullying incident. The term “bullying incident” includes individual instances of bullying, as well as all threats, suggestions, or instances of self-harm determined to be a result of bullying. Notification to a parent or guardian shall include, as appropriate, the availability of social work services, counseling, school psychological services, other interventions, and restorative measures.

Discrimination and Harassment on the Basis of Race, Color, and National Origin Prohibited

Discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, or national origin negatively affects a student’s ability to learn and an employee’s ability to work. Providing an educational and workplace environment free from such discrimination and harassment is an important District and School goal. The District and School do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, or national origin in any of its education programs or activities and comply with federal and State non-discrimination laws.

Examples of Prohibited Conduct

Examples of conduct that may constitute discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin include: disciplining students more harshly and frequently because of their race, color, or national origin; denying students access to high-rigor academic courses, extracurricular activities, or other educational opportunities based on their race, color, or national origin; denying language services or other educational opportunities to English learners; and assigning students special education services based on a student's race, color, or national origin.

Harassment is a form of prohibited discrimination. Examples of conduct that may constitute harassment on the basis of race, color, or national origin include: the use of racial, ethnic or ancestral slurs or stereotypes; taunts; name-calling; offensive or derogatory remarks about a person's actual or perceived race, color, or national origin; the display of racially-offensive symbols; racially-motivated physical threats and attacks; or other hateful conduct.

Making a Report or Complaint; Investigation Process

Individuals are encouraged to promptly report claims or incidences of discrimination or harassment based on race, color, or national origin to the Nondiscrimination Coordinator, a Complaint Manager, or any employee with whom the student is comfortable speaking. Reports will be processed under the District’s Uniform Grievance Procedure.

Reports and complaints of discrimination or harassment will be confidential to the greatest 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.

Federal and State Agencies

If the District fails to take necessary corrective action to stop harassment based on race, color, or national origin, further relief may be available through the Illinois Dept. of Human Rights (IDHR) or the U.S. Dept. of Education's Office for Civil Rights. To contact IDHR, go to: https://dhr.illinois.gov/about-us/contact-idhr.html or call (312) 814-6200 (Chicago) or (217) 785-5100 (Springfield).

Prevention and Response Program

The District maintains a prevention and response program to respond to complaints of discrimination based on race, color, and national origin, including harassment, and retaliation. The program includes procedures for responding to complaints which:

  1. Reduce or remove, to the extent practicable, barriers to reporting discrimination, harassment, and retaliation;
  2. Permit any person who reports or is the victim of an incident of alleged discrimination, harassment, or retaliation to be accompanied when making a report by a support individual of the person's choice who complies with the District's policies and rules;
  3. Permit anonymous reporting, except that an anonymous report may not be the sole basis of any disciplinary action;
  4. Offer remedial interventions or take such disciplinary action as may be appropriate on a case-by-case basis;
  5. Offer, but do not require or unduly influence, a person who reports or is the victim of an incident of harassment or retaliation the option to resolve allegations directly with the accused; and
  6. Protects a person who reports or is the victim of an incident of harassment or retaliation from suffering adverse consequences as a result of a report of, investigation of, or a response to the incident.

Enforcement

Any District employee who is determined, after an investigation, to have engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy will be subject to remedial action and/or disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.

Any District student who is determined, after an investigation, to have engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy will be subject to remedial action and/or disciplinary action, including but not limited to, suspension and expulsion, consistent with the student discipline information in this handbook.

Any third party who is determined, after an investigation, to have engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy will be addressed in accordance with the authority of the Board in the context of the relationship of the third party to the District, e.g., vendor, parent, invitee, etc. Any person making a knowingly false accusation regarding prohibited conduct will likewise be subject to remedial and/or disciplinary action.

Retaliation Prohibited

Retaliation against any person for bringing complaints, participating in the complaint process, or otherwise providing information about discrimination or harassment based on race, color, or national origin is prohibited.

Individuals should report allegations of retaliation to the Building Principal, an administrator, the Nondiscrimination Coordinator, and/or a Complaint Manager.

Harassment Prohibited

No person, including a school district employee, agent, or student, shall harass, intimidate, or bully a student on the basis of actual or perceived race; color; national origin; military status; unfavorable discharge status from military service; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity ; gender-related identity or expression; ancestry; age; religion; physical or mental disability; order of protection status; status of being homeless; actual or potential marital or parental status, including pregnancy; physical appearance; socioeconomic status; academic status; association with a person or group with one or more of the aforementioned actual or perceived characteristics; or any other distinguishing characteristic. The District will not tolerate harassing, intimidating conduct, or bullying whether verbal, physical, sexual, or visual, that affects the tangible benefits of education, that unreasonably interferes with a student’s educational performance, or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment. Examples of prohibited conduct include name-calling, using derogatory slurs, stalking, sexual violence, causing psychological harm, threatening or causing physical harm, threatened or actual destruction of property, or wearing or possessing items depicting or implying hatred or prejudice of one of the characteristics stated above.  

Sexual Harassment Prohibited (Title IX)

Sexual harassment as defined in Title IX (Title IX Sexual Harassment) is prohibited. Any person, including a District employee or agent, or student, engages in Title IX Sexual Harassment when that person engages in conduct on the basis of an individual’s sex that satisfies one or more of the following:

  1. A District employee conditions the provision of an aid, benefit, or service on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct; or
  2. Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the District’s educational program or activity; or
  3. Sexual assault as defined in or stalking as defined in District policy and federal law.

Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to, touching, rape, sexual battery, sexual abuse, sexual coercion, crude jokes or pictures, discussions of sexual experiences, teasing related to sexual characteristics, and spreading rumors related to a person’s alleged sexual activities.

Teen Dating Violence Prohibited

Engaging in teen dating violence that takes place at school, on school property, at school-sponsored activities, or in vehicles used for school-provided transportation is prohibited. For purposes of this policy, the term teen dating violence occurs whenever a student who is 13 to 19 years of age uses or threatens to use physical, mental, or emotional abuse to control an individual in the dating relationship; or uses or threatens to use sexual violence in the dating relationship.

Making a Report or Complaint

Students are encouraged to promptly report claims or incidents of bullying, intimidation, harassment, sexual harassment, or any other prohibited conduct to the Nondiscrimination Coordinator, Title IX Coordinator, Building Principal, Assistant Building Principal, Dean of Students, a Complaint Manager, or any employee with whom the student is comfortable speaking

Nondiscrimination Coordinator: 
Dr. Shawn Schleizer, Superintendent

Title IX Coordinator
Dr. Jake Chung, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources

Complaint Managers:
Dr. Jake Chung, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
Erin Sterling, Director of Multilingual Services
10150 Dee Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016
847.299.1900

Any person making a knowingly false accusation regarding prohibited conduct will likewise be subject to discipline.

Investigation Process

All complaints will be investigated by the District in accordance with state and federal law and corresponding District policies.

Enforcement

Any District employee who is determined, after an investigation, to have engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy will be subject to remedial action and/or disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.

Any District student who is determined, after an investigation, to have engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy will be subject to remedial action and/or disciplinary action, including but not limited to, suspension and expulsion, consistent with the student discipline information in this handbook.

Any third party who is determined, after an investigation, to have engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy will be addressed in accordance with the authority of the Board in the context of the relationship of the third party to the District, e.g., vendor, parent/guardian, invitee, etc. Any person making a knowingly false accusation regarding prohibited conduct will likewise be subject to remedial and/or disciplinary action.

Retaliation Prohibited

Retaliation against any person for bringing complaints, participating in the complaint process, or otherwise providing information about discrimination or harassment based on race, color, or national origin is prohibited.

Individuals should report allegations of retaliation to the Building Principal, an administrator, the Nondiscrimination Coordinator, and/or a Complaint Manager.

Cafeteria Rules

  1. Students shall not save seats for other students.
  2. Students shall walk to lunch and shall be orderly and quiet during lunch.
  3. Trays not returned. No food shall leave the cafeteria.
  4. Loud talking, yelling, screaming, and other disruptions are prohibited.
  5. Students shall not throw food, milk cartons, or other items.
  6. Students shall not trade food.
  7. Students shall follow the instructions of the lunchroom aides and show proper respect toward all cafeteria personnel.
  8. Students shall remain seated while in the cafeteria except to return to the lunch line or return trays.
  9. Students shall immediately become silent when staff or presenters make announcements in the cafeteria.
  10. Students shall report spills and broken containers to cafeteria staff immediately.
  11. Students shall be dismissed from the cafeteria by the lunchroom supervisor.

Misbehavior will result in disciplinary action according to the school’s disciplinary procedures.

Field Trips

Field trips are a privilege for students. Students must abide by all school policies during transportation and during field-trip activities, and shall treat all field-trip locations as though they are school grounds. Failure to abide by school rules and/or location rules during a field trip may subject the student to discipline. All students who wish to attend a field trip must receive written permission from a parent or guardian with authority to give permission. Students may be prohibited from attending field trips for any of the following reasons:

  • Failure to receive appropriate permission from parent/guardian or teacher;
  • Failure to complete appropriate coursework;
  • Behavioral or safety concerns;
  • Denial of permission from administration;
  • Other reasons as determined by the school.

School officials may conduct an investigation or require a student to cooperate in an investigation if there is specific information about activity on the student’s account on a social networking website that violates a school disciplinary rule or policy. In the course of an investigation, the student may be required to share the content that is reported in order to allow school officials to make a factual determination.

School officials may not request or require a student or his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) to provide a password or other related account information to gain access to the student’s account or profile on a social networking website. Search and Seizure 7:140

The Superintendent or his designee, with input from a parent?teacher advisory committee, shall prepare disciplinary rules implementing the District's disciplinary policies. These disciplinary rules shall be presented annually to the Board for its review and approval.

  • The school is the student's workplace. So that all students and faculty members can work harmoniously together, the following expectations for student behavior are necessary.

    1. D63 students are expected to treat everyone with respect and dignity at all times and under all circumstances.
    2. D63 students are expected to be on time for classes, be prepared with materials and assignments, and to pursue their learning activities at the highest level of accomplishment of which they are able.
    3. D63 students are expected to solve their problems with others in a mature manner, such as seeking assistance from a staff member and/or using conflict resolution techniques and strategies rather than fighting, threats, and/or intimidation, which are behaviors that are specifically identified as infractions in these guidelines.
    4. D63 students are expected to treat their building, grounds, and the entire contents of the school with respect and care in a manner that demonstrates they are preserving these physical gifts for the children that follow them in the future.
  • School Dress Code

    Students are expected to wear clothing in a neat, clean, and well-fitting manner while on school property and/or in attendance at school-sponsored activities. Students are to use discretion in their dress and are not permitted to wear apparel that causes a substantial disruption in the school environment. 

    Students may not wear clothing that is obscene, lewd, or vulgar, advertises a product or service not permitted to minors by law, and/or is disruptive or unsafe. Dress and grooming must be appropriate for the learning situation rather than distracting to others in the educational process. 

    At any time during the day, when a student is found to be wearing inappropriate clothing, the following consequences may result:

    1. The student will, if possible, change into appropriate clothing. Clothing displaying inappropriate advertising may be worn inside?out for that day only.
    2. The student’s parent/guardian will be called to either bring the student a change of clothing or take the student home to change.
    3. If the parent/guardian is unavailable, the student will be required to remain in the office area for the remainder of that day. 
    4. If there is any doubt about dress and appearance, the building principal will make the final decision.
    5. A student whose dress causes a substantial disruption of the orderly process of school functions or endangers the health or safety of the student, other students, staff, or others may be subject to discipline.
  • Copies of all School District policies on student behavior are available online through Diligent Community.

    Prohibited Student Conduct

    Students may be disciplined for gross disobedience or misconduct, including but not limited to the following:

    • Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, selling or offering tobacco or nicotine materials, including electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes, vape pens or other vaping related products.
    • Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, or selling alcoholic beverages. Students who are under the influence of an alcoholic beverage are not permitted to attend school or school functions and are treated as though they had alcohol in their possession.
    • Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, selling or offering for sale: 
      • Any illegal drug, controlled substance, or cannabis (including marijuana, hashish, and medical cannabis unless the student is authorized to be administered a medical cannabis infused product under Ashley’s Law).
      • Any anabolic steroid unless it is being administered in accordance with a physician’s or licensed practitioner’s prescription.
      • Any performance-enhancing substance on the Illinois High School Association’s most current banned substance list unless administered in accordance with a physician’s or licensed practitioner’s prescription.
      • Any prescription drug when not prescribed for the student by a physician or licensed practitioner, or when used in a manner inconsistent with the prescription or prescribing physician’s or licensed practitioner’s instructions. The use or possession of medical cannabis, even by a student for whom medical cannabis has been prescribed, is prohibited unless the student is authorized to be administered a medical cannabis infused product under Ashley’s Law.
      • Any inhalant, regardless of whether it contains an illegal drug or controlled substance: (a) that a student believes is, or represents to be capable of, causing intoxication, hallucination, excitement, or dulling of the brain or nervous system; or (b) about which the student engaged in behavior that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student intended the inhalant to cause intoxication, hallucination, excitement, or dulling of the brain or nervous system. The prohibition in this section does not apply to a student’s use of asthma or other legally prescribed inhalant medications.
      • “Look-alike” or counterfeit drugs, including a substance that is not prohibited by this policy, but one: (a) that a student believes to be, or represents to be, an illegal drug, controlled substance, or other substance that is prohibited by this policy; or (b) about which a student engaged in behavior that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student expressly or impliedly represented to be an illegal drug, controlled substance or other substance that is prohibited by this policy.
      • Drug paraphernalia, including devices that are or can be used to: (a) ingest, inhale, or inject cannabis or controlled substances into the body; and (b) grow, process, store, or conceal cannabis or controlled substances.
      • Any substance inhaled, injected, smoked, consumed or otherwise ingested or absorbed with the intention of causing a physiological or psychological change in the body, including without limitation, pure caffeine in a tablet or powdered form.

    Students who are under the influence of any prohibited substance are not permitted to attend school or school functions and are treated as though they have the prohibited substance, as applicable, in their possession.

    • Using, possessing, controlling or transferring a “weapon” or violating the procedures listed below under the Weapons Prohibition section of this handbook procedure.
    • Using or possessing an electronic paging device.
    • Using a cellular telephone, smartphone, smartwatch, video recording device, personal digital assistant (PDA), or similar electronic device in any manner that disrupts the educational environment or violates the rights of others, including using the device to take photographs in locker rooms or bathrooms, cheat, or otherwise violate student conduct rules. Unless otherwise banned under this policy or by the building principal, all cellular phones, smartphones and other electronic devices must be kept powered-off and and kept in the students locker during the regular school day unless: (a) the supervising teacher grants permission; (b) use of the device is provided in a student’s individualized education program (IEP); (c) or it is needed in an emergency that threatens the safety of students, staff, or other individuals.
    • Using or possessing a laser pointer unless under a staff member’s direct supervision and in the context of instruction.
    • Disobeying rules of student conduct or directives from staff members or school officials. Examples of disobeying staff directives include refusing a staff member’s request to stop, present school identification or submit to a search.
    • Engaging in academic dishonesty, including cheating, intentionally plagiarizing, wrongfully giving or receiving help during an academic examination, altering report cards and wrongfully obtaining test copies or scores.
    • Engaging in bullying, hazing or any kind of aggressive behavior/gestures that does physical or psychological harm to a staff person or another student or encouraging other students to engage in such behavior. Prohibited conduct specifically includes, without limitation, any use of violence, intimidation, force, noise, coercion, threats, stalking, harassment, sexual harassment, public humiliation, theft or destruction of property, retaliation, hazing, bullying, bullying using a school computer or a school computer network or other comparable conduct.
    • Engaging in any sexual activity, including without limitation, offensive touching, sexual harassment, indecent exposure (including mooning) and sexual assault.
    • Engaging in teen dating violence.
    • Causing or attempting to cause damage to, stealing, or attempting to steal, school property or another person’s personal property.
    • Entering school property or a school facility without proper authorization.
    • In the absence of a reasonable belief that an emergency exists, calling emergency responders (calling 9-1-1); signaling or setting off alarms or signals indicating the presence of an emergency; or indicating the presence of a bomb or explosive device on school grounds, school bus or at any school activity.
    • Being absent without a recognized excuse.
    • Being involved with any public school fraternity, sorority, or secret society.
    • Being involved in a gang or engaging in gang-like activities, including displaying gang symbols or paraphernalia.
    • Violating any criminal law, including but not limited to, assault, battery, arson, theft, gambling, eavesdropping, vandalism and hazing.
    • Engaging in any activity, on or off campus, that interferes with, disrupts, or adversely affects the school environment, school operations, or an educational function, including but not limited to, conduct that may reasonably be considered to: (a) be a threat or an attempted intimidation of a staff member; or (b) endanger the health or safety of students, staff, or school property.
    • Making an explicit threat on an Internet website against a school employee, a student, or any school-related personnel if the Internet website through which the threat was made is a site that was accessible within the school at the time the threat was made or was available to third parties who worked or studied within the school grounds at the time the threat was made, and the threat could be reasonably interpreted as threatening to the safety and security of the threatened individual because of his or her duties or employment status or status as a student inside the school.
    • Operating an unarmed aircraft system (AUS) or drone for any purpose on school grounds or at any school event unless granted permission by the building principal.
    • Sexting, which, for purposes of this procedure, is the act of creating, sending, sharing, viewing, receiving, or possessing sexually explicit messages, images, or videos electronically, regardless of whether they are authentic or computer-generated, through the use of a computer, electronic communication device, or cellular phone. Sexting also includes creating, sending, sharing, viewing, receiving, or possessing indecent visual depictions, non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images, and non-consensual dissemination of sexually explicit digitized depictions, as defined in State law.

    For purposes of these rules, the term “possession” includes having control, custody, or care, currently or in the past, of an object or substance, including situations in which the item is: (a) on the student’s person; (b) contained in another item belonging to, or under the control of, the student, such as in the student’s clothing, backpack, or automobile; (c) in a school’s student locker, desk, or other school property; (d) at any location on school property or at a school-sponsored event; or (e) in the case of drugs and alcohol, substances ingested by the person.

    Efforts, including the use of positive interventions and supports shall be made to deter students, while at school or a school-related event, from engaging in aggressive behavior that may reasonably produce physical or psychological harm to someone else.

    No disciplinary action shall be taken against any student that is based totally or in part on the refusal of the student’s parent/guardian to administer or consent to the administration of psychotropic or psychostimulant medication to the student.

    When and Where Conduct Rules Apply

    The grounds for disciplinary action also apply whenever the student’s conduct is reasonably related to school or school activities, including but not limited to:

    1. On, or within sight of, school grounds before, during, or after school hours or at any time;
    2. Off school grounds at a school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event that bears a reasonable relationship to school;
    3. Traveling to or from school or a school activity, function, or event; 
    4. Anywhere, if the conduct interferes with, disrupts, or adversely affects the school environment, school operations, or an educational function, including but not limited to, conduct that may reasonably be considered to: (a) be a threat or an attempted intimidation of a staff member; or (b) endanger the health or safety of students, staff, or school property; or
    5. During periods of remote learning.

    Disciplinary Measures

    School officials shall limit the number and duration of expulsions and out-of-school suspensions to the greatest extent practicable, and, where practicable and reasonable, shall consider forms of non-exclusionary discipline before using out-of-school suspensions or expulsions. School personnel shall not advise or encourage students to drop out of school voluntarily due to behavioral or academic difficulties. Potential disciplinary measures include, without limitation, any of the following measures:

    1. Notifying parents/guardians.
    2. Disciplinary conference.
    3. Withholding of privileges.
    4. Temporary removal from the classroom.
    5. Return of property or restitution for lost, stolen or damaged property.
    6. In-school suspension.
    7. After-school study provided the student’s parent/guardian has been notified. (If transportation arrangements cannot be made in advance, an alternative disciplinary measure will be assigned to the student.)
    8. Community service.
    9. Seizure of contraband; confiscation and temporary retention of the personal property that was used to violate school rules.
    10. Suspension of bus riding privileges.
    11. Suspension from school and all school activities for up to 10 days. A suspended student is prohibited from being on school grounds.
    12. Expulsion from school and all school activities for a definite time period not to exceed 2 calendar years. An expelled student is prohibited from being on school grounds.
    13. Transfer to an alternative program if the student is expelled or otherwise qualifies for transfer under State law.
    14. Notifying juvenile authorities or other law enforcement whenever the conduct involves criminal activity, such as, illegal drugs (controlled substances), “look-alikes,” alcohol or weapons or in other circumstances as authorized by the reciprocal reporting agreement between the District and local law enforcement agencies.

    The above list of disciplinary measures is a range of options that will not always be applicable in every case. In some circumstances, it may not be possible to avoid suspending or expelling a student because behavioral interventions, other than a suspension or expulsion, will not be appropriate and available, and the only reasonable and practical way to resolve the threat and/or address the disruption is a suspension or expulsion.

    Isolated Time Out, Time Out and Physical Restraint

    Isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint shall only be used if the student’s behavior presents an imminent danger of serious physical harm to the student or others and other less restrictive and intrusive measures were tried and proven ineffective in stopping it. The school may not use isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint as discipline or punishment, convenience for staff, retaliation, a substitute for appropriate educational or behavioral support, a routine safety matter, or to prevent property damage in the absence of imminent danger of serious physical harm to the student or others. The use of prone restraint is prohibited.

    Corporal Punishment

    Corporal punishment is prohibited in all circumstances. Corporal punishment is defined as a discipline method in which a person deliberately inflicts pain upon a student in response to the student's unacceptable behavior or inappropriate language, with an aim or set an example for others. It includes slapping, paddling, or prolonged maintenance of students in physically painful positions, or intentional infliction of bodily harm. Corporal punishment does not include reasonable force as permitted by State law.

    Weapons Prohibition

    A student who is determined to have brought one of the following objects to school, any school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event that bears a reasonable relationship to school shall be expelled for a period of not less than one year but not more than 2 calendar years:

    (1) A firearm, meaning any gun, rifle, shotgun, weapon as defined by Section 921 of Title 18 of the United States Code, firearm as defined in Section 1.1 of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act, or firearm as defined in Section 24-1 of the Criminal Code of 1961. The expulsion period may be modified by the superintendent, and the superintendent’s determination may be modified by the board on a case-by-case basis.

    (2) A knife, brass knuckles or other knuckle weapon regardless of its composition, a billy club, or any other object if used or attempted to be used to cause bodily harm, including “look alikes” of any firearm as defined above.
    The expulsion requirement may be modified by the superintendent, and the superintendent’s determination may be modified by the board on a case-by-case basis.

    Gang & Gang Activity Prohibited

    “Gang” is defined as any group, club or organization of two or more persons whose purposes include the commission of illegal acts. No student on or about school property or at any school activity or whenever the student’s conduct is reasonably related to a school activity, shall: (1) wear, possess, use, distribute, display, or sell any clothing, jewelry, paraphernalia or other items which reasonably could be regarded as gang symbols; commit any act or omission, or use either verbal or non?verbal gestures, or handshakes showing membership or affiliation in a gang; or (2) use any speech or commit any act or omission in furtherance of the interest of any gang or gang activity, including, but not limited to, soliciting others for membership in any gangs; (3) request any person to pay protection or otherwise intimidate, harass or threaten any person; (4) commit any other illegal act or other violation of district policies, (5) or incite other students to act with physical violence upon any other person.

    Re-Engagement of Returning Students

    The building principal or designee shall meet with a student returning to school from an out-of-school suspension, expulsion or alternative school setting. The goal of this meeting shall be to support the student’s ability to be successful in school following a period of exclusion and shall include an opportunity for students who have been suspended to complete or make-up missed work for equivalent academic credit.

  • Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, & Harassment

    Bullying, intimidation, and harassment diminish a student’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate. Preventing students from engaging in these disruptive behaviors and providing all students equal access to a safe, non-hostile learning environment are important district and school goals.

    Bullying on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, sex, sexual orientation, gender orientation, gender-related identity or expression, ancestry, age, religion, physical or mental disability, physical appearance, socioeconomic status, academic status, order of protection status, homelessness, actual or marital status, parenting status, pregnancy, parenting status, association with a person or group with one or more of the aforementioned actual or perceived characteristics, or any other distinguishing characteristic is prohibited in each of the following situations:

    1. During any school-sponsored education program or activity.
    2. While in school, on school property, on school buses or other school vehicles, at designated school bus stops waiting for the school bus, or at school-sponsored or school-sanctioned events or activities.
    3. Through the transmission of information from a school computer, a school computer network, or other similar electronic school equipment.
    4. Through the transmission of information from a computer that is accessed at a non-school-related location, activity, function, or program or from the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by the school district or school if the bullying causes a substantial disruption to the educational process or orderly operation of a school.

    Bullying includes cyber-bullying and means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a student or students that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:

    1. Placing the student or students in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s or students’ person or property;
    2. Causing a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s or students’ physical or mental health;
    3. Substantially interfering with the student’s or students’ academic performance; or
    4. Substantially interfering with the student’s or students’ ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

    Cyberbullying means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, including without limitation any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic system, photo-electronic system, or photo-optical system, including without limitation electronic mail, Internet communications, instant messages, or facsimile communications. Cyberbullying includes (1) the creation of a webpage or weblog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person or the knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages if the creation or impersonation creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying: (2) the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons if the distribution or posting creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying: and (3) the posting or distribution of an unauthorized digital replica by electronic means of the posting or distribution creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying.

    Bullying may take various forms, including without limitation one or more of the following: harassment, threats, intimidation, stalking, physical violence, sexual harassment, sexual violence, posting or distributing sexually explicit images, theft, public humiliation, destruction of property, or retaliation for asserting or alleging an act of bullying. This list is meant to be illustrative and non-exhaustive.

    Students are encouraged to immediately report bullying. A report may be made orally or in writing to the building principal, nondiscrimination coordinator, district complaint manager or any staff member with whom the student is comfortable speaking. All school staff members are available for help with a bully or to make a report about bullying. Anyone, including staff members and parents/guardians, who has information about actual or threatened bullying is encouraged to report it to the district complaint manager or any staff member. Anonymous reports are also accepted by phone call or in writing.

    Nondiscrimination Coordinator: 
    Dr. Shawn Schleizer, Superintendent
    Address:  10150 Dee Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016    
    Telephone:  847.299.1900

    Complaint Managers:
    Dr. Jake Chung, Assistant Superintendent 
    Kristina Oprishenko, Special Education Facilitator, Anti-Bullying Specialist
    Address:  10150 Dee Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016    
    Telephone:  847.299.1900

    A  reprisal or retaliation against any person who reports an act of bullying is prohibited. A student’s act of reprisal or retaliation will be treated as bullying for purposes of determining any consequences or other appropriate remedial actions.

    A student will not be punished for reporting bullying or supplying information, even if the school’s investigation concludes that no bullying occurred. However, knowingly making a false accusation or providing knowingly false information will be treated as bullying for purposes of determining any consequences or other appropriate remedial actions.

    Students and parents/guardians are also encouraged to read the following school district policies:7:20, Harassment of Students Prohibited and7:180, Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation and Harassment.

    Consistent with federal and State laws and rules governing student privacy rights, the school shall make diligent efforts to notify a parent or guardian within 24-hours after the school’s administration is made aware of a student’s involvement in an alleged bullying incident. The term “bullying incident” includes individual instances of bullying, as well as all threats, suggestions, or instances of self-harm determined to be a result of bullying. Notification to a parent or guardian shall include, as appropriate, the availability of social work services, counseling, school psychological services, other interventions, and restorative measures.

  • Discrimination and Harassment on the Basis of Race, Color, and National Origin Prohibited

    Discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, or national origin negatively affects a student’s ability to learn and an employee’s ability to work. Providing an educational and workplace environment free from such discrimination and harassment is an important District and School goal. The District and School do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, or national origin in any of its education programs or activities and comply with federal and State non-discrimination laws.

    Examples of Prohibited Conduct

    Examples of conduct that may constitute discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin include: disciplining students more harshly and frequently because of their race, color, or national origin; denying students access to high-rigor academic courses, extracurricular activities, or other educational opportunities based on their race, color, or national origin; denying language services or other educational opportunities to English learners; and assigning students special education services based on a student's race, color, or national origin.

    Harassment is a form of prohibited discrimination. Examples of conduct that may constitute harassment on the basis of race, color, or national origin include: the use of racial, ethnic or ancestral slurs or stereotypes; taunts; name-calling; offensive or derogatory remarks about a person's actual or perceived race, color, or national origin; the display of racially-offensive symbols; racially-motivated physical threats and attacks; or other hateful conduct.

    Making a Report or Complaint; Investigation Process

    Individuals are encouraged to promptly report claims or incidences of discrimination or harassment based on race, color, or national origin to the Nondiscrimination Coordinator, a Complaint Manager, or any employee with whom the student is comfortable speaking. Reports will be processed under the District’s Uniform Grievance Procedure.

    Reports and complaints of discrimination or harassment will be confidential to the greatest 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.

    Federal and State Agencies

    If the District fails to take necessary corrective action to stop harassment based on race, color, or national origin, further relief may be available through the Illinois Dept. of Human Rights (IDHR) or the U.S. Dept. of Education's Office for Civil Rights. To contact IDHR, go to: https://dhr.illinois.gov/about-us/contact-idhr.html or call (312) 814-6200 (Chicago) or (217) 785-5100 (Springfield).

    Prevention and Response Program

    The District maintains a prevention and response program to respond to complaints of discrimination based on race, color, and national origin, including harassment, and retaliation. The program includes procedures for responding to complaints which:

    1. Reduce or remove, to the extent practicable, barriers to reporting discrimination, harassment, and retaliation;
    2. Permit any person who reports or is the victim of an incident of alleged discrimination, harassment, or retaliation to be accompanied when making a report by a support individual of the person's choice who complies with the District's policies and rules;
    3. Permit anonymous reporting, except that an anonymous report may not be the sole basis of any disciplinary action;
    4. Offer remedial interventions or take such disciplinary action as may be appropriate on a case-by-case basis;
    5. Offer, but do not require or unduly influence, a person who reports or is the victim of an incident of harassment or retaliation the option to resolve allegations directly with the accused; and
    6. Protects a person who reports or is the victim of an incident of harassment or retaliation from suffering adverse consequences as a result of a report of, investigation of, or a response to the incident.

    Enforcement

    Any District employee who is determined, after an investigation, to have engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy will be subject to remedial action and/or disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.

    Any District student who is determined, after an investigation, to have engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy will be subject to remedial action and/or disciplinary action, including but not limited to, suspension and expulsion, consistent with the student discipline information in this handbook.

    Any third party who is determined, after an investigation, to have engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy will be addressed in accordance with the authority of the Board in the context of the relationship of the third party to the District, e.g., vendor, parent, invitee, etc. Any person making a knowingly false accusation regarding prohibited conduct will likewise be subject to remedial and/or disciplinary action.

    Retaliation Prohibited

    Retaliation against any person for bringing complaints, participating in the complaint process, or otherwise providing information about discrimination or harassment based on race, color, or national origin is prohibited.

    Individuals should report allegations of retaliation to the Building Principal, an administrator, the Nondiscrimination Coordinator, and/or a Complaint Manager.

  • Harassment Prohibited

    No person, including a school district employee, agent, or student, shall harass, intimidate, or bully a student on the basis of actual or perceived race; color; national origin; military status; unfavorable discharge status from military service; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity ; gender-related identity or expression; ancestry; age; religion; physical or mental disability; order of protection status; status of being homeless; actual or potential marital or parental status, including pregnancy; physical appearance; socioeconomic status; academic status; association with a person or group with one or more of the aforementioned actual or perceived characteristics; or any other distinguishing characteristic. The District will not tolerate harassing, intimidating conduct, or bullying whether verbal, physical, sexual, or visual, that affects the tangible benefits of education, that unreasonably interferes with a student’s educational performance, or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment. Examples of prohibited conduct include name-calling, using derogatory slurs, stalking, sexual violence, causing psychological harm, threatening or causing physical harm, threatened or actual destruction of property, or wearing or possessing items depicting or implying hatred or prejudice of one of the characteristics stated above.  

    Sexual Harassment Prohibited (Title IX)

    Sexual harassment as defined in Title IX (Title IX Sexual Harassment) is prohibited. Any person, including a District employee or agent, or student, engages in Title IX Sexual Harassment when that person engages in conduct on the basis of an individual’s sex that satisfies one or more of the following:

    1. A District employee conditions the provision of an aid, benefit, or service on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct; or
    2. Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the District’s educational program or activity; or
    3. Sexual assault as defined in or stalking as defined in District policy and federal law.

    Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to, touching, rape, sexual battery, sexual abuse, sexual coercion, crude jokes or pictures, discussions of sexual experiences, teasing related to sexual characteristics, and spreading rumors related to a person’s alleged sexual activities.

    Teen Dating Violence Prohibited

    Engaging in teen dating violence that takes place at school, on school property, at school-sponsored activities, or in vehicles used for school-provided transportation is prohibited. For purposes of this policy, the term teen dating violence occurs whenever a student who is 13 to 19 years of age uses or threatens to use physical, mental, or emotional abuse to control an individual in the dating relationship; or uses or threatens to use sexual violence in the dating relationship.

    Making a Report or Complaint

    Students are encouraged to promptly report claims or incidents of bullying, intimidation, harassment, sexual harassment, or any other prohibited conduct to the Nondiscrimination Coordinator, Title IX Coordinator, Building Principal, Assistant Building Principal, Dean of Students, a Complaint Manager, or any employee with whom the student is comfortable speaking

    Nondiscrimination Coordinator: 
    Dr. Shawn Schleizer, Superintendent

    Title IX Coordinator
    Dr. Jake Chung, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources

    Complaint Managers:
    Dr. Jake Chung, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
    Erin Sterling, Director of Multilingual Services
    10150 Dee Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016
    847.299.1900

    Any person making a knowingly false accusation regarding prohibited conduct will likewise be subject to discipline.

    Investigation Process

    All complaints will be investigated by the District in accordance with state and federal law and corresponding District policies.

    Enforcement

    Any District employee who is determined, after an investigation, to have engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy will be subject to remedial action and/or disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.

    Any District student who is determined, after an investigation, to have engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy will be subject to remedial action and/or disciplinary action, including but not limited to, suspension and expulsion, consistent with the student discipline information in this handbook.

    Any third party who is determined, after an investigation, to have engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy will be addressed in accordance with the authority of the Board in the context of the relationship of the third party to the District, e.g., vendor, parent/guardian, invitee, etc. Any person making a knowingly false accusation regarding prohibited conduct will likewise be subject to remedial and/or disciplinary action.

    Retaliation Prohibited

    Retaliation against any person for bringing complaints, participating in the complaint process, or otherwise providing information about discrimination or harassment based on race, color, or national origin is prohibited.

    Individuals should report allegations of retaliation to the Building Principal, an administrator, the Nondiscrimination Coordinator, and/or a Complaint Manager.

  • Cafeteria Rules

    1. Students shall not save seats for other students.
    2. Students shall walk to lunch and shall be orderly and quiet during lunch.
    3. Trays not returned. No food shall leave the cafeteria.
    4. Loud talking, yelling, screaming, and other disruptions are prohibited.
    5. Students shall not throw food, milk cartons, or other items.
    6. Students shall not trade food.
    7. Students shall follow the instructions of the lunchroom aides and show proper respect toward all cafeteria personnel.
    8. Students shall remain seated while in the cafeteria except to return to the lunch line or return trays.
    9. Students shall immediately become silent when staff or presenters make announcements in the cafeteria.
    10. Students shall report spills and broken containers to cafeteria staff immediately.
    11. Students shall be dismissed from the cafeteria by the lunchroom supervisor.

    Misbehavior will result in disciplinary action according to the school’s disciplinary procedures.

  • Field Trips

    Field trips are a privilege for students. Students must abide by all school policies during transportation and during field-trip activities, and shall treat all field-trip locations as though they are school grounds. Failure to abide by school rules and/or location rules during a field trip may subject the student to discipline. All students who wish to attend a field trip must receive written permission from a parent or guardian with authority to give permission. Students may be prohibited from attending field trips for any of the following reasons:

    • Failure to receive appropriate permission from parent/guardian or teacher;
    • Failure to complete appropriate coursework;
    • Behavioral or safety concerns;
    • Denial of permission from administration;
    • Other reasons as determined by the school.
  • School officials may conduct an investigation or require a student to cooperate in an investigation if there is specific information about activity on the student’s account on a social networking website that violates a school disciplinary rule or policy. In the course of an investigation, the student may be required to share the content that is reported in order to allow school officials to make a factual determination.

    School officials may not request or require a student or his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) to provide a password or other related account information to gain access to the student’s account or profile on a social networking website. Search and Seizure 7:140

  • The Superintendent or his designee, with input from a parent?teacher advisory committee, shall prepare disciplinary rules implementing the District's disciplinary policies. These disciplinary rules shall be presented annually to the Board for its review and approval.