Student Handbook 2011-2012 - Public Schools of Robeson County

System Corporal Punishment PolicyPublic Schools of Robeson County School Board policy requires that all parents should bemade aware of the policy on corporal punishment at the beginning of each school year.Please review the attached policy and should you have any questions, please do not hesitateto call the school.In order to maintain an orderly atmosphere and control student behavior, corporalpunishment is one of several options available to teachers and principal. However, corporalpunishment should be regarded as a last resort and should be employed only in cases whereother means of securing cooperation from the student have failed.Only a teacher, principal, or assistant principal may administer corporal punishment andmay do so only in the presence of a principal, assistant principal, teacher, substitute teacher,teacher aide or assistant or student teacher. The following shall apply:• The principal shall annually review the guidelines for administering corporal punishmentwith all teachers in the school and provide an opportunity for interaction to assure uniformunderstanding. Board policy regarding corporal punishment must be available to allstudents and their parents or guardians at the beginning of each school year. The studentbody shall be informed beforehand what general types of misconduct could result incorporal punishment Corporal punishment shall not be administered in the presence ofother children. Minimal procedural due process shall be accorded the student in caseswhere corporal punishment is administered. Minimal due process shall include confrontingthe student with the charges and allowing the student’s defensive responses.• Corporal punishment shall not be used unless the child has been warned that corporalpunishment may be the result of further misbehavior• Corporal punishment should not be used unless other lesser punishments have been triedfirst.• Corporal punishment shall be applied upon the buttocks only Slapping or striking a childabout the head or face is strictly forbidden, as is the vigorous shaking of a child by theshoulders.• The staff member who administered the corporal punishment shall document the reason forthe punishment, lesser punishments tried first, and the name of the second school officialwho was present. A copy of the documentation shall be given to the principal by the end ofthe school day on which the punishment was administered. A copy of the documentationshall also be mailed to the child’s parent or guardian, upon request, and to theSuperintendent within twenty-four (24) hours of administering the punishment• Notwithstanding this policy, school personnel may use reasonab1~ force to controlbehavior or to remove a person from the scene in those situations when necessary:1. To quell a disturbance threatening injury to others2. To obtain possession of weapons or other dangerous objects on the person, orwithin the controlof a student.3. For self-defense4. For the protection of persons or property5. In the exercise of lawful authority to restrain pupils and maintain order. Legal Ref GS115C-39121