Student Conduct Expectations and School Response to Student Conduct

Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports (PBIS)

Marshfield High School believes that optimal behavior and academic achievement can be attained by promoting positive behaviors through creating clear expectations which encourage respect, responsibility, and commitment to achieve. 

A part of our PBIS program is to recognize students who demonstrate positive behaviors and are role models to other students. Students are given “Tiger Stripe” slips by high school staff as a recognition for acting responsibly, being respectful, or committing to achieve. Students are able to turn these slips in at the office for a prize and two students are drawn for a larger prize each month, with a drawing for a grand prize at the end of the school year. 

MHS also implemented the “Top Tiger” recognition program. Each week two students are nominated by their teachers for this award. The criteria to be a Top Tiger is one of these: 1) student shows outstanding academic achievement, 2) student has overcome an obstacle and is working toward a successful school year, 3) student shows great respect and compassion for fellow students and staff, or 4) student is a leader in a positive, healthy lifestyle. 

The nominated students are recognized each week and have their photo taken and displayed in the main office. The Top Tigers also receive a gift card or a special parking spot for the week, have their names read over the public address system, and a congratulatory letter is sent home. Another form of recognizing students in a positive way is 

through teacher nominations for class of the week. Classes that are productive and engaged can be nominated by their teachers for school recognition. 

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Disciplinary Considerations

Students are expected to adhere to Board Policies, Administrative Guidelines, and this Handbook at school, on school property, at school-sponsored events, and on school transportation. Failure to do so, may result in disciplinary action being taken. The Principal is responsible for ensuring that appropriate discipline is being applied and circumstances for the behavior are being considered. In all cases, the school shall attempt to make discipline prompt and equitable and to have the consequence match the severity of the incident. 

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In-School/Informal Discipline

In-school discipline includes but is not limited to detention, in-school restriction, and in-school suspension. Detentions may be assigned before school, during school, or after school. Such forms of discipline may be issued to any student who has violated any section of the Code of Conduct. Depending on the significance of the behavior, teachers and or administrator may enforce informal disciplinarily measures such as but not limited to student conferencing, rewriting assignments and change of seating. The Principal or designee is responsible for issuing in- school discipline. The Principal or designee shall inform the student of the reasons for the discipline. The Principal or designee shall provide the student’s parent/guardian with notice of the decision. In-school discipline decisions may be appealed in accordance with the procedures set forth in the “Appeals” section below concerning in-school discipline. The Principal or designee is responsible for issuing in-school discipline. The Principal or designee shall inform the student of the reasons for the discipline. The Principal or designee shall provide the student’s parent/guardian with notice of the decision. In-school discipline decisions may be appealed in accordance with the procedures set forth in the “Appeals” section below concerning in-school discipline. 

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Investigations

Honesty and cooperation will be expected from students who are part of an investigation being conducted by administration and/or staff. Students who are not honest, withhold information or provide information that is not factual that impedes an investigation may be subject to disciplinary action. 

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Classroom Ejections

Marshfield High School uses the Discipline Referral System to deal with high school students who are ejected from class. This system uses a progressive three step disciplinary approach which affords the student due process and informs the parent(s). 

Step 1 - Upon the initial ejection from a classroom by a high school teacher, the student is directed to the main office to meet with an administrator. The student will remain in the office for the remainder of the class period after the initial meeting with this administrator. Before any other disciplinary action is taken, the classroom teacher will complete a Discipline Referral Report (DRR) and submit it to the appropriate administrator. After receipt of the completed DRR, the student will be recalled (if DRR not available) to the appropriate administrator’s office to discuss the DRR. The student has the right to disagree with what the teacher has written on the DRR and can do so by completing the student office visit recording form. The administrator will inform the student of the succeeding steps involved in the three-step process, warn the student about their classroom behavior(s), provide some strategies for correcting behavior(s), and make phone contact (if appropriate) and/or send a letter and copy of the DRR to the parent or guardian if consequences are assigned. The parent will be informed of the succeeding steps in the Discipline Referral System should further ejections occur. 

Step 2 - If the student is ejected from the same classroom a second time, a required parent conference will take place prior to the student’s return to class. The required parent conference will include the student, parent, teacher of the class and an administrator. The teacher will complete a second DRR and the student will again be afforded the opportunity to discuss it and provide a written statement. Parents will be contacted to arrange a conference at their earliest convenience. The student will report to the bmain office during class time until the conference has taken place. During the parent conference, the parent and student will be informed of the third and final step in the Discipline Referral System. For special education students the case manager will be included in the parent conference. The IEP Committee may be convened as a result of this conference. 

Step 3 - Continued ejections from the same classroom may result in the student being permanently removed from the class with a failing grade recorded for the semester (or year if the student is unable to resolve their schedule for the second semester). The student will be referred to the Counseling Department to be placed in a study hall/class depending upon the time of the school year. The parent will be informed of the action by telephone or letter. The classroom teacher will complete the DRR. For special education students the case manager will convene a meeting of the IEP team to review/revise the IEP. 

Reasons for removal from a high school class: 

The following are recommended reasons for removal of a student from a high school classroom but not limited to: 

1) Repeated refusal to follow classroom rules/guidelines. 

2) Verbally threatening a teacher or another student. 

3} Sexual harassment of a teacher or another student. 

4) Possession/use of tobacco products or vape devices or look-a-likes. 

5) Possession/use of alcohol, illegal drugs or a controlled substances or look-a-like substances. 

6) Possession/use of illegal drug paraphernalia. 

7) Possession/use of a weapon, explosive materials, look-a-like weapons or other objects used or designed to inflict bodily harm or to intimidate. 

8) Suspicion by teachers that students in their classrooms are under the influence of an illegal drug, alcohol or a mood-altering substance. 

9) Use of abusive and/or profane language. 

10) Theft and/or destruction of personal and/or school district property. 

11). Any act/behavior which endangers the health and safety of others present in the classroom. 

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Insubordination

Students are expected to follow the reasonable directions and requests of all staff including teachers, custodians, cooks, secretaries, aides, coaches, bus drivers and administration: i.e. ignoring the reasonable directions of a staff member, confronting a staff member, being disrespectful, or arguing with any staff member is unacceptable. 

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Suspension and Expulsion

*Parents and students are encouraged to read the full text of Board Policies 5605, 5610, 5610.02, 5611 related to Suspension and Expulsion, available on the District web site or by contacting the school main office.

A.   Suspension

1.   Duration and Grounds for Suspension

The principal or a person designated by the principal may suspend a student for up to five (5) school days or, if a notice of expulsion hearing has been sent, for up to fifteen (15) consecutive school days or ten (10 consecutive school days if the student is eligible for special education services under Chapter 115, Wis. Stats., if the suspension is reasonably justified and based upon any of the following misconduct:

a)   Non-compliance with school or School Board rules;
b)   Knowingly conveying any threat or false information concerning an attempt or alleged attempt being made or to be made to destroy any school property by means of explosives;
c)    Conduct by the student while at school or while under the supervision of a school authority that endangers the property, health or safety of others;
d)   Conduct while not at school or while not under the supervision of a school authority that endangers the property, health or safety of others at school or under the supervision of a school authority;
e)   Conduct while not at school or while not under the supervision of a school authority that endangers the property, health or safety or any employee or School Board member of the school district in which the student is enrolled.
f)   Under paragraphs c, d, and e above, conduct that endangers a person or property includes making a threat to the health or safety of a person or making a threat to damage property.

The following behaviors or actions that occur on school property, at school events, or through electronic media are SUSPENDABLE/ EXPELLABLE offenses:

• Fighting or unwanted physical contact
• Possession of alcohol
• Possession of tobacco products including vaporizers whether or not they contain nicotine
• Being under the influence of a drug/alcohol
• Ingesting any prescription medication in a non-prescribed manner will be considered a conduct violation.
• Behavior that disrupts the learning environment
• Swearing and use of obscene, indecent, lewd or profane language
• Viewing inappropriate and/or pornographic websites with personal or school electronic devices
• Insubordination/not doing what you are told to do by a staff member in this building.
• Criminal damage to property
• Bus misconduct
• Failing to follow school rules
• Committing an illegal act (misdemeanor or felony)
• Unauthorized possession, selling, or delivering of prescription drugs or look-a-like substances
• Possession, selling, or delivering of illegal non-prescription drugs or look-a-like substances
• Possession, selling, delivering, or being under the influence of alcohol
• Possession/use of illegal drug paraphernalia
• Possession of a weapon or look-a-like weapon on school property
• Endangering the safety of others
• A chronic lack of following school rules
• Theft of school property or personal property.
• Possession of fireworks or other explosives incendiary devices to include cigarette lighters
• Possession or misuse of laser pointers/pen

The Superintendent, or any principal or teacher designated by the Superintendent shall suspend a student if the student possessed a firearm while at school or while under the supervision of a school authority.
The suspension period applies to “school days”. Thus, a suspension period does not include weekend days or vacation days.

2.   Suspension Procedure

Prior to being suspended, on the day of the alleged infraction or as soon thereafter as is practicable, the student will be advised of the reason for the proposed suspension and given an opportunity to explain his or her conduct, except in emergency circumstances.

3.   Notice of Suspension

The parent or guardian of a suspended minor student shall be given prompt notice of the suspension and the reason for the suspension.

4.   Sending a Student Home on the day of the Suspension

Generally, the student should remain in school on the day of the suspension until school is dismissed for the day. Except as provided below, if the situation requires that the student be removed from the premises before school is dismissed, the principal shall attempt to contact the student’s parent or guardian to request the student be picked up. If the parent/guardian is unable to pick up the student, the student should remain under the school’s supervision until school is dismissed, or in the event law enforcement is involved, under law enforcement supervision. In the event a parent/guardian is unwilling to pick up child from school, administration has the discretion to extend the time of suspension.

5.    Opportunity to Complete School Work

A suspended student shall not be denied the opportunity to take any quarterly, semester or grading period examinations or to complete coursework missed during the suspension period. Such work shall be completed pursuant to the procedures established by the School Board.

6.    Reference to the Suspension in the Student’s Record

The student’s suspension from school shall be entered in the student’s record as required by the rules adopted by the School Board concerning the content of student records.

The suspended student or the student’s parent or guardian may, within five (5) school days following the commencement of the suspension, have a conference with the Superintendent or designee, who shall be someone other than a principal, administrator, or teacher in the suspended student’s school, to discuss removing reference to the suspension from the student’s records.

The Superintendent, or designee, shall make his or her finding within fifteen (15) days of the conference.

7.   Co-Curricular or Extracurricular Participation

A student’s participation in co-curricular or extracurricular activities during a suspension shall be determined on a case-by-case basis. Attendance at school activities may be revoked by administration.

B.    Expulsion

1.       Grounds for Expulsion

The School Board may expel a student only when it is satisfied that the interest of the school demands the student’s expulsion, and it finds that the student:

a)       repeatedly refused or neglected to obey the rules established by the School District;
b)       knowingly conveyed or caused to be conveyed any threat or false information concerning an attempt or alleged attempt being made or to be made to destroy any school property by means of explosives;
c)        engaged in conduct while at school or while under the supervision of a school authority that endangered the property, health or safety of others;
d)       engaged in conduct while not at school or while not under the supervision of a school authority that endangered the property, health or safety of others at school or under the supervision of a school authority or endangered the property, health or safety of any employee or School Board member of the School District in which the student is enrolled; or
e)       had repeatedly engaged in conduct while at school or while under the supervision of a school authority that disrupted the ability of school authorities to maintain order or an educational atmosphere at school or at an activity supervised by a school authority and that such conduct did not otherwise constitute grounds for expulsion.

Under this section, conduct that endangers a person or property includes threatening the health or safety of a person or threatening to damage property.

2.       Expulsion for Bringing a Firearm to School

The School Board shall expel a student from school for not less than one (1) year whenever it finds that the student brought a firearm to school or, while at school or while under the supervision of a school authority, possessed a firearm, unless the Board finds that the punishment should be reduced based upon the circumstances of the incident. Any such finding by the Board shall be in writing.

 

3.       Expulsion Hearing

Prior to expelling a student, the School Board shall provide the student with a hearing. Prior written notice of the expulsion hearing must be sent separately both to the student and the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) if the student is a minor; otherwise just to the student. The notice will comply with the requirements of State law.

4.       Expulsion Order

The Board shall reduce its decision to writing in the form of a written order. If expulsion is ordered, the order must state the length of time that the student is to be expelled. The order should also state specific findings of fact and conclusions of law in support of the decision. The student’s expulsion from school shall be entered in the student’s record as required by the rules adopted by the School Board concerning the content of student records.

Use or Possession of Drugs, Alcohol, Mood-Altering/Controlled Substances, Tobacco Products, and Vaporizers*

*Parents and students are encouraged to read the full text of Board Policy 5512, Use of Tobacco and Nicotine by Students and 5530, Student Use or Possession of Intoxicants, Drugs, or Paraphernalia, available on the district web site or by contacting the school main office.

The Board prohibits the use, possession, concealment, or distribution of any drug and any drug-paraphernalia at any time on District property or at any District-related event. The Board recognizes that the use of tobacco products, as well as other nicotine delivery systems, such as electronic smoking devices, are a health, safety, and environmental hazard for students, staff, visitors, and school facilities. The Board is acutely aware of the serious health risks associated with the use of these products, both to users and non-users, and that their use or promotion on school grounds and at off-campus school-sponsored events is detrimental to the health and safety of students, staff, and visitors.

Students who are observed violating this policy shall be disciplined according to provisions in the student handbook. Spectators or visitors who fail to abide by the policy shall be reminded by the principal, supervisor, or designee, of the Board’s smoking and tobacco use policy. If a spectator or visitor refuses to stop smoking or using tobacco products, the individual shall be asked by the principal, supervisor, or designee to leave school premises.

Parental awareness and responsibility to ensure our schools remain alcohol, tobacco, and drug free is imperative to the district mission regarding Drug Free Schools. If parents do not accept this responsibility and are suspected of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, they may be referred to a School Resource Officer for a possible municipal citation for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

 

Students found to be in violation of the student code of conduct must complete a School District of Marshfield diversion/intervention program or service. (This may include a screening tool.) Students and parents have a right to opt out of any screening at the expense of losing eligibility to participate in any future school sponsored programs. Future eligibility is contingent on the successful completion of the recommended diversion/intervention program or service. If a student faces expulsion and agrees to participate in the recommended diversion/intervention program or service through the School District of Marshfield, the expulsion review may be held in abeyance pending successful participation in the program.

 

Participation in the program includes complying with the recommendations made by the student services team member. If the student or parent refuses participation in the School District of Marshfield’s diversion/intervention program including but not limited to screening tools, or does not complete the recommended services, then the student will be considered for expulsion. This would include possession, sales or delivery of the substances listed above.

Drug Abuse Prevention

The Board recognizes that substance misuse is a serious problem with legal, physical, and social implications for the entire school community.

As the educational institution of this community, the schools should strive to prevent substance use disorders and help those with substance abuse disorders by educational, rather than punitive, means. Students expelled for drug related incidents may be required by the Board's expulsion order to submit to drug testing as a condition of early reinstatement throughout the term of the expulsion. Non-expelled students may be subject to drug testing if the parents, student and District agree to such testing in writing. Drug testing, as ordered by the Board or agreed to by the parents/student, will be conducted by a third party and the parents/student will be responsible for the costs associated with such testing.

For purposes of this policy, "drugs" shall mean:

A.       all dangerous controlled substances as so designated and prohibited by Wisconsin statute;

B.       all derivatives of hemp. This includes Delta-8-THC, Delta-9-THC, Delta-10-THC, Delta-11-THC, THC-0, and all other forms that cause psychosis; in all forms of delivery (i.e., inhalation, ingestion, injection, etc.);

C.       all chemicals which release toxic vapors;

D.       all alcoholic beverages;

E.       any prescription or patent drug, except those for which permission to use in school has been granted pursuant to Board policy;

F.        "look-alikes" or synthetics;

G.       anabolic steroids;

H.       any other illegal substance so designated and prohibited by law.

The Board prohibits the use, possession, concealment, or distribution of any drug and any drug-paraphernalia at any time on District property or at any District-related event.

Appeals

Appeals of out-of-school suspensions and expulsions should be made in accordance with Board Policy and Administrative Guidelines. For matters concerning other disciplinary measures (e.g., in-school discipline) or summative grades, an adult student and/or a minor student’s parent/guardian may appeal the matter to the Principal. Before doing so, the adult student and/or the minor student’s parent/guardian should contact the staff involved in an attempt to resolve the issue. If no resolution is made, the adult student and/or minor student’s parent/guardian should send the appeal in writing with explanation to the Building Principal.

No staff or administrator of the District shall be permitted to retaliate against a person for requesting an appeal of any summative grade or disciplinary matter.

 

Student Records

The student’s expulsion from school shall be entered in the student’s record as required by the rules adopted by the School Board concerning the content of student records.