5114.1 Policy Students Disruptive Students/Inappropriate Behavior ...

5114.1 Policy
Students
Disruptive Students/Inappropriate Behavior/Discipline/Suspension/Expulsion
The Ramsey Board of Education expects students to conduct themselves with civility and respect, and will not
tolerate acts of inappropriate behavior by disruptive students. It is the belief of the Board that positive
approaches to educating students as to appropriate behavior are usually more effective. However, the Board
recognizes that it is sometimes necessary to penalize students for violations of school regulations as a means of
ensuring student safety and order.
Students attending the Ramsey Public Schools are required to conform to reasonable standards of socially
acceptable behavior; respect the person, property and rights of others; obey constituted authority; and respond to
those who hold that authority.
Further provisions shall be made to recognize, in an age/grade-level appropriate fashion, those students, whose
academic success, good conduct and self-discipline is reflective of the above noted standards.
The Superintendent or designee is therefore directed to develop rules that will facilitate the implementation of
this policy.
Ramsey Board of Education Policy Reference:
5131.51 Students/Weapons and Dangerous
Instruments
5131.52 Paging Devices, Cellular Phones
Two-Way-Radios
5131.5 Students/Vandalism/Violence
5131.6 Students/Drugs, Alcohol, and Controlled
Dangerous Substances
5131.4 Students/Activism
5113 Students/Attendance and Excuses
High School
5113.1 Students/Attendance and Excuses
Smith/Elementary
5131.1 Students/Bus Conduct
5145.4 Students/Sexual Harassment
6162.1 Instruction/Use of Technology
6162.2 Instruction/Computer/Network Usage
Legal Reference: N.J.S.A. 18A:37-15 Prohibition of Harassment
Intimidation or Bullying
N.J.A.C. 6A16-1.4 Student Code of Conduct
Policy Adopted by the
Board of Education: November 28, 1989
Revised: February 24, 1998
Revised: February 26, 2008
Revised: October 20, 2009
RAMSEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Ramsey, New Jersey

5114.1 (a) Rule
Students
Disruptive Students/Inappropriate Behavior/Discipline/Suspension/Expulsion Definition
A disruptive student is one who has difficulty establishing positive relationships with peers and adult authority
figures. The disruptive student exhibits inappropriate behavior which is in defiance of school rules and
regulations, negatively impacts the learning environment and/or jeopardizes the safety and well being of
himself/herself as well as others.
Identification
This policy shall apply to student behavior while at school; at co-curricular and extra-curricular programs; on
school grounds; during school hours when off school grounds; at school-related functions on or off campus; and
in transit to or from school or any school related function. Inappropriate behavior shall include, but not be
limited to:
Continued and willful disobedience
Open defiance of the authority of any teacher or person having authority over a student
Lying, cheating
Trespassing or unauthorized presence in areas restricted from student use
Actions that constitute a continuing danger to the physical well being of other pupils
Fighting or physical assault upon another pupil, a teacher or any school employee, or inciting others to
engage in a physical assault upon another pupil, teacher, or school employee
Hazing, harassment, or intimidation of students in a sexual, verbal, or physical manner
Use of profanity, abusive language or threatening and provocative language
Unsolicited or unwanted touching
Intimate contact
Indecent exposure
Throwing of food, paper, pens or other objects
Taking or attempting to take school or personal property from lockers, classrooms, school offices, or any
other area of school facilities and vehicles; or personal property from another pupil, whether by force or fear
Willfully causing, or attempting to cause, substantial damage to school facility/property
Tampering with, damaging, defacing, or destroying a school facility or personal property
Turning in a false fire alarm or emergency call
Taking part in any unauthorized occupancy of a District facility or trespassing on a District property and
refusing to leave promptly when directed to do so by a person in authority
Inciting others to take part in an unauthorized occupancy/trespassing

5114.1 (b) Rule
Students
Disruptive Students/Inappropriate Behavior/Discipline/Suspension/Expulsion
Identification cont.
Absence and lateness
Truancy and class cutting; leaving school property without permission
Inciting other students to truancy
Inappropriate use of electronic devices e.g. cell phones, beepers, cameras, PDA, lasers
Participating in activities relating to the sale, purchase, or distribution of gambling paraphernalia or lottery
related materials
Use of unsafe or illegal articles or drug paraphernalia
Use of any tobacco product in school buildings or on school grounds
Use, possession or sale of a controlled dangerous substance
Use, possession or sale of alcohol
Sale, use, possession of, or distribution of explosives, firecrackers, smoke bombs or similar materials
Arson
Possession of weapons e.g. knives, blades, firearms or other articles that present a danger
Forgery of signatures and/or tampering with documents of parents, guardians, teachers or persons in loco
parentis
Inappropriate usage of software, hardware or computer networks
Any pupil who commits an assault as defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1* upon a Board member, teacher,
administrator, or other employee of the Board of Education shall be suspended from school immediately
according to procedural due process, and expulsion proceedings shall begin no later than 21 calendar days from
the date of the pupil’s suspension.
*Simple Assault - A person is guilty of assault if he/she:
1. Attempts to cause or purposely, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily
injury to another; or
2. Negligently causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon; or
3. Attempts by physical menace to put another in fear of imminent serious
bodily injury.
Simple assault is a disorderly person’s offense unless committed in a fight or scuffle entered into by mutual
consent, in which case it is a petty disorderly person’s offense.
Any student who aids, urges, or abets any other student to commit any of the offenses prohibited by school
regulations shall be subject to the same penalties as the offending student.

5114.1 (c) Rule
Students
Disruptive Students/Inappropriate Behavior/Discipline/Suspension/Expulsion Reporting
Any school employee, pupil or volunteer who has witnessed a disruptive student/inappropriate behavior must
report the incident, either verbally or in writing (including via e-mail) to a building administrator immediately
following the incident.
The Ramsey Board of Education will not tolerate any act of reprisal or retaliation against any person who
reports an act of inappropriate behavior. The building administrator shall determine the consequence and
appropriate remedial action for a person who engages in reprisal or retaliation, after consideration of the nature
and circumstances of the act.
Any person who falsely accuses someone of a violation of this policy/rule shall, after review, face disciplinary
action by the district and/or local law enforcement authorities.
Staff Responsibilities
Grade level appropriate discussions and training shall take place which specifies appropriate behavior and
expectations for students. Staff members are encouraged to become trained in skills and strategies for
developing student self-discipline and to apply best practices for positive behavioral interventions. Staff
members who observe or become aware of an act of inappropriate behavior are to take immediate, appropriate
steps to intervene unless intervention would be a threat to the staff members’ or students’ safety. The incident
must immediately be reported to the building administrator/designee.
Investigation
Strategies
A. Upon learning about an incident of disruptive/inappropriate behavior
The building administrator/designee shall thoroughly and discreetly investigate the incident in a
timely fashion.
B. This investigation may include but not be limited to:
a. Interviews with students, school staff and parents
b. A review of school academic records/discipline records
c. If deemed appropriate, communication with law enforcement and
identification of parent and/or family issues
d. The principal/designee will communicate allegations,
investigation findings and consequences to the parent (s) of the offending
student (s) as is pertinent to their respective child while adhering to rules of
confidentiality and privacy.

5114.1 (d) Rule
Students
Disruptive Students/Inappropriate Behavior/Discipline/Suspension/Expulsion
Procedures
A. Grades K-5 Level Procedures
The investigation may include but not be limited to the following steps:
a. The principal/designee will meet with appropriate personnel for the purpose
of developing an investigation action plan. Appropriate personnel may
include but not be limited to: teachers; Child Study Team members; school
nurse; members of law enforcement; aides and/or other building support
personnel.
b. The action plan shall include the interviewing of the alleged offending
student (s).
c. Parties identified through the investigation to be witnesses or to have
knowledge of the reported behavior (s) shall be interviewed within
investigation timelines.
d. Once the investigation is completed, the principal/designee in charge of the
investigation shall determine what consequence (s) and intervention (s) will be
applied. These measures will be consistent with the District policy.
e. Parents of the offended student (s) may be contacted and apprised of the incident and
status of the investigation as is pertinent to their respective child while adhering to
rules of confidentiality and privacy.
f. Parents of the offending student (s) may be contacted and apprised of the incident,
status of the investigation, and related consequences as is pertinent to their respective
child while adhering to rules of confidentiality and privacy.
Procedures
B. Grades 6-12 Level Procedures
The investigation may include but not be limited to the following steps:
a. The principal/designee will develop an investigation action plan which may
include input from appropriate personnel. Appropriate personnel may
include but not be limited to: teachers; Child Study Team members;
guidance counselors, school nurse; members of law enforcement; aides
and/or other building support personnel.
b. The action plan shall include the interviewing of the alleged offending
student (s).
c. Parties identified through the investigation to be witnesses or to have
knowledge of the reported behavior (s) shall be interviewed within
investigation timelines.
d. Once the investigation is completed, the principal/designee in charge of the
investigation shall determine what consequence (s) and interventions (s) will be
applied. These measures will be consistent with District policy.

5114.1 (e) Rule
Students
Disruptive Students/Inappropriate Behavior/Discipline/Suspension/Expulsion
Procedures cont.
e. Parents of the offended student (s) may be contacted and apprised of the incident and
status of the investigation as is pertinent to their respective child while adhering to
rules of confidentiality and privacy.
f. Parents of the offending student (s) may be contacted and apprised of the incident,
status of the investigation, and related consequences as is pertinent to their respective
child while adhering to rules of confidentiality and privacy.
Factors for Determining Consequences and Intervention
A. Factors for determining consequences and/or remedial actions shall include but
not be limited to:
a. Age, developmental and maturity levels of the parties involved
b. Degrees of harm
c. Surrounding circumstances
d. Nature and severity of the behavior
e. Incidences of past or continuing patterns of behavior
f. Relationships between the parties involved
g. Context in which the alleged incidents occurred
B. Factors for determining remedial measures shall include but not be limited to:
a. Life skill deficiencies
b. Social relationships
c. Strengths
d. Talents
e. Interests
f. Hobbies
g. Extra curricular activities
h. Classroom participation
i. Academic performance
j. School culture
k. School climate
l. Student-staff relationships
m. Staff classroom management
n. Staff ability to prevent and manage inflammatory situations
o. Social-emotional and behavioral supports
p. Social relationships
q. Community activities
r. Neighborhood situations
s. Family relationships/influences/situations

5114.1 (f) Rule
Students
Disruptive Students/Inappropriate Behavior/Discipline/Suspension/Expulsion
Consequences and Remediation
Consequences for a disruptive student (s)/inappropriate behavior shall depend upon the results of the
investigation and shall be progressive in nature should a student violate this policy repeated times.
A. Consequences shall include but not be limited to:
a. Reprimand/admonishment
b. Temporary/permanent removal from the classroom, activity etc.
c. Removal of privileges
d. Detentions (s)/in-school suspension assigned by administration
e. Out of school suspension
f. Referral/reporting to law enforcement
g. Legal action
h. Expulsion
B. Remedial actions shall include but not be limited to:
a. Counseling of student by in-school professionals or other recommended outside
agencies
b. Family counseling
c. Parent conferences
d. Mediation
e. Peer support groups
f. Corrective actions such as separation of students
g. Development of a student safety plan
h. Participation in Intervention and Referral Services
i. Behavioral assessment as a function of the Child Study Team
j. Behavioral management plan with closely monitored benchmarks
k. Assignment of leadership responsibilities
l. School culture change
m. School climate improvement
n. Modifications of schedules
o. Adjustment in hallway traffic
p. Increased use of monitors during unstructured time
q. Professional development for staff
r. Policy and procedure revisions

5114.1 (g) Rule
Students
Disruptive Students/Inappropriate Behavior/Discipline/Suspension/Expulsion
Consequences and Remediation cont.
Parents are key partners in setting expectations for students and changing inappropriate behaviors. Therefore,
the investigating principal/designee may share with each student’s parent(s) findings, consequences and
intervention plans pertinent to their respective child while adhering to rules of confidentiality and privacy. The
principal/designee shall keep a record of both his/her findings and remedial actions on file for future reference.
Disabled Students
Classified students are subject to the same disciplinary procedures as non-disabled students and may be
disciplined in accordance with their IEP.
Staff shall comply with all appropriate state and federal regulations and Ramsey Board of Education policy in
dealing with discipline and/or suspension of all students with disabilities.
Implementation
The Superintendent shall ensure that this policy and associated rules are applied consistently and uniformly and
that all disciplinary sanctions are carried out with necessary due process.
The Ramsey Board of Education shall review this policy/rules on a regular basis. This policy and related rules
will be explained to students and made available in written form to students, parents and staff via handouts, a
student handbook, discussion and posting on the Ramsey School District Web site.
Ramsey Board of Education Policy Reference:
5131.53 Students/Weapons and Dangerous
Instruments
5131.54 Paging Devices, Cellular Phones
Two-Way-Radios
5131.7 Students/Vandalism/Violence
5131.8 Students/Drugs, Alcohol, and Controlled
Dangerous Substances
5131.5 Students/Activism
5114 Students/Attendance and Excuses
High School
5114.1 Students/Attendance and Excuses
Smith/Elementary
5131.1 Students/Bus Conduct
5145.5 Students/Sexual Harassment
5131.55 Instruction/Use of Technology
5131.56 Instruction/Computer/Network Usage

5114.1 (h) Rule
Students
Legal Reference:
N.J.S.A. 18A:37-15 Prohibition of Harassment
Intimidation or Bullying
N.J.A.C. 6A16-1.4 Student Code of Conduct
Rule Adopted by the
Board of Education: April 26, 1990
Revised: February 24, 1998
Revised: April 21, 2005
Revised: February 26,2008
Revised: October 20, 2009
RAMSEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Ramsey, New Jersey