Morris School District
MORRIS SCHOOL DISTRICT
Morristown, New Jersey 07960

Policy
File Code: 5144
Monitored:
Mandated:
Other Reasons
DISCIPLINE/PUNISHMENT

The Board of Education believes that an effective instructional program requires an orderly school environment and the effectiveness of the educational program is, in part, reflected in the behavior of pupils.

The Board of Education believes that the best discipline is self-imposed and that pupils should learn to assume responsibility for their own behavior and the consequences of their actions.

The Board of Education requires each pupil of this district to adhere to the rules and regulations established by the administration and to submit to such disciplinary measures as are appropriately assigned for infraction of those rules. Such rules shall require that pupils:
  1. Conform to reasonable standards of socially acceptable behavior;

  2. Respect the person and property of others;

  3. Preserve the degree of order necessary to the educational program in which they are engaged;

  4. Respect the right of others;

  5. Obey constituted authority and respond to those who hold that authority.
The superintendent shall provide to pupils and their parents/guardians the rules of this district regarding conduct and the sanctions which may be imposed for breach of those rules. Such sanctions may include warnings, detention, suspension and expulsion. Parents/guardians shall be informed immediately of negative behavior on the part of their child.

The Superintendent shall report to the board such infractions of this code of discipline as shall be required by the Board of Education.

All teaching staff members are responsible for maintaining good order in the school. Any teaching staff member may question any pupil about misconduct in the school at any time and in any place. No staff member shall administer corporal punishment to a pupil nor use more force than necessary to:
  1. Quell a disturbance which threatens physical injury to others;

  2. Obtain possession of weapons or other dangerous objects which a pupil has in his/her control;

  3. Defend himself/herself;

  4. Protect persons or property
In imposing consequences for misbehavior no school official shall penalize an entire group for the misbehavior of an individual/s.

Good discipline must be everyone's concern. Rules and regulations pertaining to pupil conduct in the classrooms and about the school must be enforced by everyone with equal diligence. Inconsistency in the application of such rules adversely influences all staff and pupils in their work.

Date: April 14, 1986
Revised: June 14, 1993
December 10, 2001 First Reading
January 14, 2002 Approved

Legal References:
N.J.S.A. 18A:6-1 Corporal punishment of pupils
N.J.S.A. 18A:11-1 General mandatory powers and duties
N.J.S.A. 18A:25-2 Authority over pupils
N.J.S.A. 18A:37-1 Submission of pupils to authority
N.J.S.A. 18A:37-2 Causes for suspension or expulsion of pupils
N.J.S.A. 18A:37-4 Suspension of pupils by teacher or principal
N.J.S.A. 18A:37-5 Continuation of suspension, reinstatement or expulsion
N.J.A.C. 6:8-6.2(b)3vii Evaluation and certification (curriculum and 3viii instruction element)
N.J.A.C. 6:28-2.8 Disciplinary action

New Jersey State Board of Education Resolution, September 3, 1980, encourages development of local written policy on pupil conduct.

New Jersey State Board of Education Resolution, September 4, 1985, urges boards to consider expectations for pupil behavior developed by statewide advisory panel, and to developer and adopt appropriate expectations of behavior for district pupils.
 

Morris School District | 31 Hazel Street | Morristown, New Jersey | Phone: 973-292-2300
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