STUDENT DISCIPLINE
The primary purpose of discipline in a school setting is to aid an individual in developing a social conscience and to help a student be able to see the value of acceptable behavior. Pupils in the public schools shall comply with the rules established in pursuance of law for the government of such schools, pursue the prescribed course of study and submit to the authority of teachers and others in authority over them. The following regulations and Demerit System have been developed to ensure a fair, appropriate, and consistent system of discipline:
1. Teachers may assign individual detention. The detention must be assigned so that bus transportation is available. Twenty-four hours notice must be given to the student. The reason for detention, the place, and the time must be specified when the detention is assigned.
2. Only the Principal or the Assistant Principal in Charge of Discipline will assign demerits for violations of school policy and procedures.
3. Students will be notified whenever demerits are assigned, including their total demerits to date. Demerits will be cumulative throughout the current school year.
4. Whenever a student accumulates five (5) or more demerits, parents will be notified by letter. The accumulation of eleven (11) or more demerits will result in a 1-day suspension. When a student accumulates five (5) or more additional demerits, parents will again be notified by letter of the possibility of another suspension. The accumulation of eleven (11) demerits beyond a first suspension will result in a second suspension for two days. Subsequent accumulations of eleven (11) or more demerits beyond the previous suspension will result in additional suspensions. A third suspension will be for three (3) days duration, a fourth for four (4) days and a fifth for five (5) days. Administrative/ parent conferences will follow all suspensions. A fifth suspension will result in a meeting with the principal.
5. One (1) and two (2) day suspensions will be "in-school suspensions." The disposition of three (3), four (4), and five(5) day suspensions will be determined by the appropriate administrator. Students on in-school suspension will spend their school day(s) in a Suspension Room supervised by a teacher. While on in-school suspension, students will be expected to work on assignments for each of their courses. Failure to complete these assignments will result in a failing grade for the period of suspension.
6. Students found in possession of, using, or under the influence of alcoholic beverages and/or narcotics will be referred to the police and given a five(5) day "out of school suspension."
7. Possession or use of any type of weapon or articles that may be used as weapons will result in disciplinary action by the school and referral to the local authorities.
8. Demerits for offenses not on the following list are subject to the discretion of the Principal and Assistant Principal.
9. In instances where State or local laws or ordinances are violated, the matter will be referred to the local police. This will be in conjunction with any corrective action taken in school.
10. A student caught cheating will be given a zero and reported to the appropriate Assistant Principal. A student's first offense will result in a letter being sent to the parents stating the offense and fact that if the cheating should reoccur, a parent conference will be held.
11. Any student who has accumulated demerits may earn three (3) merits by not receiving any demerits for forty-five (45) consecutive school days.
12. Students arriving late to school must report to the Attendance Office before attending class. Unexcused tardiness will result in the following:
a. First and Second offense will be recorded.
b. Third offense will result in one(l) hour of Central Detention.
Demerit System
| Offense | Demerits |
| Continued tardiness to class after warning and detention | 2 |
| Failure to report to Attendance Office when tardy | 2 |
| Failure to report to detention (central or teacher) | 3 + make-up detention |
| Marring school property | 3 + restitution, if appplicable |
| Being in an unassigned area without authorization | 3-5 |
| Leaving class, Study Hall, or assigned area without permission | 3-5 |
| Misconduct in Cafeteria (e.g., leaving trays, littering, banging trays or utensils, taking food out of the area, etc.) | 3-5 |
| Misconduct outside of classroom (e.g., running, littering, public display of affection, abusing lockers, eating in an unauthorized areea, etc.) | 3-5 |
| Use of profane or obscene language (non-direct) | 3-5 |
| Disrespect to a teacher | 5 |
| Leaving school grounds without permission | 5 |
| Miscount during class, assembly, Sudy Hall, or any oter school-sponsored activity | 5 |
| Misusing or altering a pass | 5 |
| Unauthorized absence from class, Sudy Hall, or assigned area | 5 |
| Incidents of bias or sexual harassment | 5-11 |
| Failure to comply with a reasonable request made by a staff member | 6 |
| Disorderly conduct and/or fighting | 7-11 |
| Detonation or possession of fireworks or smoke or "stink" bombs | 11 |
| Open defiance or willful disobedience of a teacher's authority | 11 |
| Possession or use of a weapon | 11 |
| Smoking in school or on school grounds (includes holding or throwing away a lit or unlit cigarette) | 11 |
| Taking or attempting to take property by force or fear | 11 |
| Theft of personal or school property | 11 |
| Truancy | 11 |
| Use of profance or obscene language directed at a teacher or staff member | 11 |
| Willful destruction of school property | 11 + restitution |
Suspension And Expulsion
No student eligible for attendance at the schools of this District shall be excluded from school unless the student's activity materially and substantially interferes with the maintenance of a safe and orderly educational environment conducive to learning or in the operation of school. A student may be suspended for up to five (5) days for infractions of school regulations, and beyond five (5) days when approved by the Superintendent of Schools, with the exception that it may not go beyond the second regular Board meeting except by action of the Board. Each suspended student shall be afforded an informal hearing as soon as possible after the suspension. A student may be presented to the Board for expulsion for materially and substantially interfering with the maintenance of good order in the schools, willful and continuous refusal to abide by the reasonable rules and regulations of the school and/or persons in authority in the schools, or protection of the physical and/or emotional safety and well-being of students in the school. In expelling a student, the District must fulfill all the requirements of due process and recognize the rights of students as guaranteed by the statutes of the State of New Jersey.
Alcohol, Drugs & Tobacco
1. Students enrolled in the Hanover Park Regional High School District Public Schools are forbidden to possess or use alcoholic beverages, and to possess, use (unless prescribed physician) or induce others to use illegal drugs or narcotics at any time while they are at a school function, under the jurisdiction of the school, or on school property or be under the influence of any of these above while attending school or school functions. The penalty for any of these infractions is a five day suspension from school off-campus, plus filing of juvenile or criminal charges with police. Upon first suspension, the parent and/or guardian and/or adult student will be notified in writing that a second violation will subject the student to a Principal's hearing and recommendation for expulsion.
2. Students are also forbidden the use of tobacco in all forms while on school property at any time during the school day, and before, during and after school activities.
3. Arrangements for pupil medication must be made with the school nurse. Formal written requests from the parent/guardian and a physician must be received before a pupil is to receive any prescription and/or "over the counter" medications. Pupil self-administration of medication for potentially life-threatening illnesses, e.g., asthma or bee sting reaction, is permitted and must also be arranged in advance for each school year.
Possession or Use of Weapons and Dangerous Instruments
Board of Education policy prohibits the possession, use, handling or exchange of any object(s) that can be reasonably considered a weapon and/or dangerous instrument at any time in school buildings, on school grounds, at school functions or activities, on school sanctioned transportation or while en route to and from school functions or activities. Violators will be subject to immediate suspension for a minimum of five days, possible expulsion proceedings, and referral to local authorities for appropriate legal action.
Possession of Use of Remotely Activated Paging Devices
State statutes prohibit possession or use of remotely activated paging devices by students while on school property or in attendance at school functions. Violators shall be guilty of a disorderly persons offense, turned over to the police, and have the device confiscated.
Personal and Locker/Desk Search
The Board of Education reserves the right to authorize the Principal or his designee to search a student when the Principal has reasonable cause to believe that a crime is being or has been committed or he has reasonable cause to believe that a search is necessary to aid in maintaining school discipline and safety. All lockers and desks are and shall remain the property of the Board, which reserves the right to authorize its employees to inspect a student's locker and desk when such an employee has reasonable cause to believe that the locker or desk is impropriety for the storage of contraband, a substance or object, the possession of which is illegal, or any material which poses a hazard to the safety and good order of the schools. Periodic and general inspections of all lockers will be conducted by the school administration to make certain the health, safety, and welfare of the building's occupants are not threatened by the use of the lockers as a depository for illegal or hazardous substances or objects.