SHS Security: Disruptive Students

It is the intent of the Kennewick School District to provide safe, productive, and positive learning environments for students. This includes eliminating disruptive behavior so that all students can learn. Disruptive student behavior is defined as a student whose behavior, either physical or verbal, inhibits the learning process. This type of behavior may lead to physical violence, either on the part of the disruptive child or a person who is offended by those actions. Disruptive behavior will not be condones in the classroom, in other areas of the campus, or at other related school activities. To ensure the rights of the children to a safe, productive, and positive learning environment; the following procedures have been established.

1. Reporting the Disruptive Student Behavior. The teacher or school personnel will report to the principal or assistant principal incidents of disruptive behavior in the classroom or in other school environments. The teacher, principal, or school personnel will provide written documentation of each incident. The parent/guardian will be contacted by the teacher, principal, or school personnel; and the content of the written report will be shared with the parent/guardian. For each incident a written report will be compiled and contact with the parent/guardian will be made.

2. Remedial Discipline Plan. After a student’s fourth documented disruptive incident, the teacher and the principal or assistant principal will assess the situation and develop a remedial behavior plan that addresses the disruptive behavior. The teacher, assistant principal, parents, and other school personnel as needed will meet to develop a remedial discipline plan. The plan will be completed using the District Remedial Discipline Plan Form (Behavioral Contract). The purpose of this meeting will be to address the reasons for the student’s disruptive behavior and to cooperatively establish goals, objectives, and timelines to modify such behavior. It will include the consequences in the event that the student violates the plan. The parent/guardian will receive a copy of the plan. The Remedial Discipline Plan Form will be signed by the teacher, student, administrator(s), and parents. If the student is in special education, a Multiple Disciplinary Team (MDT) will meet to review the students Individual Education Plan (IEP) and develop a specific disciplinary plan.

3. Out-of-Classroom Alternative Plan. If the remedial disciplinary plan is violated by a student, the teacher and principal will meet to determine if it is in the best interest of the other members of the classroom that the student be removed and placed on an out-of-classroom alternative plan. The principal will initiate a meeting with the parent/guardian to review the situation and to cooperatively develop an alternative placement plan that will include goals, objectives, and a timeline for changing the disruptive behavior. If the student is in special education, the principal will convene a MDT that will review the student’s IEP and develop an out-of-classroom alternative plan. The alternative plan may include alternative programs available within the District and may include grouping disruptive students in self-contained classrooms.

4. Expulsion from the Kennewick School District. If the out-of-classroom alternative plan is violated by the student, the procedures for expulsion from the Kennewick School District will be initiated. One of the options for the hearing officer is the development of a behavior modification plan for the expelled student, which if successfully completed, will allow the expelled student to work his/her way back into school. The behavior modification plan would be developed cooperatively with the parents and could involve professional counseling and other services that would be the financial responsibility of the parents. Upon successful completion of the behavior modification program, the student would be allowed to re-enroll and the beginning of the next semester. If the student is in special education, the MDT will be convened to modify the IEP to include a homebound program.

NOTE: The Disruptive Student Policy will be superseded by other policies such as the Weapons Policy (Policy No. 3300) and the AODA Policy (Policy No. 3418) if the circumstances warrant such action

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Nonviolence, the Southridge Way
Southridge has an unprecedented record for nonviolence. We are grateful to all the students and staff who have made fighting practically nonexistent here and who encourage mediation, conflict resolution and communication when tempers flare. Students deserve a peaceful learning environment so we are now stepping to the next level of improvement.

Students who choose to fight at Southridge will be suspended for ten (10) days. During that time, assignments will be sent home and test make-ups will be allowed upon the student’s return. Additionally, they will be required to complete a comprehensive package of materials concerning the topic of youth violence. This package includes readings, essays, short answer questions, self-surveys and other activities. Students will also be encouraged to show evidence of a meeting with a counselor, member of the clergy, social worker or other significant adult to discuss their behavior. Those who claim they were assaulted may have the time reduced if they agree to file an assault report with the Kennewick Police.

We are taking this tough stance on fighting because the stakes are too high to take any chances in our violent society. We want violent students to face their issues and get help. We love all our students too much to allow any of them to walk in fear. Believe it, you can walk away from a fight.