Discipline Policy

• Short-Term Suspension - up to 10 days

• Long-Term Suspension - 11 days or more

• After School Detention - In designated classes Tuesday through Thursday from 3:05 - 4:00 p.m.

• Lunch Detention—Students can be assigned to lunch detention (for the duration of the lunch block). They will have the opportunity to eat lunch while in detention.

• ISS (In-School Suspension): One or more days per week during the school day. The administrator may use ISS instead of suspension when appropriate.

• Overnight Suspension—When issued by the school administration, a student may not return to school until a parent/guardian meeting/conference with a school administrator. The conference MUST take place before the student returns to attending classes. This conference will focus on addressing the issue and resetting behavior expectations.

 

An alternative to suspension via short-term placement of a student in a specific setting within the school in which students will complete their work for classes that are missed and develop a plan to avoid future misconduct and disciplinary action(s)

 WRH ISS will strive to incorporate the following components effectively:

• A full-time, qualified staff person to supervise ISS and who is a supportive resource or mentor for students, faculty, and staff.

• Promote learning and student engagement.

• Practice opportunities to substitute inappropriate behaviors

• Provide individual instruction

• Provide structure, support, and supervision to students who would otherwise be outside the sphere of adult influence and guidance.

 

The teacher shall have a Classroom Management Plan to handle the infractions listed below, including contacting parents/guardians.

• Being inappropriate in class   

• Being unprepared for class

• Cheating 1st Offense 

• Chewing gum

• Classroom rule infractions/disruptions (minor & nonrepetitive)

• Disrespect towards other students (minor)

• Dress code warning with Amendment     

• Eating or drinking in inappropriate areas   

• Excessive talking in the classroom

• Eye rolling, sighing, ignoring, talking back   

• Failure to complete homework

• Horseplay (minor)  

• Littering       

• Mishandling of school property 

• Non-aggressive horseplay with peers, 

• Not participating in class (refusal)   

• Profanity (not directed)     

• Repeated failure to do homework

• Use of non-allowed electronic devices or approved devices at inappropriate times 

• Violating the Responsible Use Agreement (Internet Policy)

Level 1 Offenses​ are inappropriate behaviors that can usually be addressed through After-School or Lunch Detention.

• Attendance

• Dress Code

• Electronic Devices such as phones, watches, Fit Bits, etc. (excluding cigarettes/vapes)

• Gambling

• Inappropriate Affection 

• Inappropriate Internet Usage 

• Noncompliance/Insubordination

• Out of Assigned Area

• Profanity and Vulgarity 

• Tardies

Level II Offenses​ are inappropriate behaviors usually addressed through in-school interventions such as in-school suspensions rather than out-of-school suspensions. Repeated offenses, refusal of in-school consequences, or other aggravating circumstances may lead to short-term suspensions of up to five (5) days.

 

• Aggressive Behavior

• Attendance

• Failure to Report to Detention

• Possession, usage of, or sale of Electronic Cigarettes (vapes), including Tobacco Products

• Disorderly Conduct and Inciting Student Disorder Disruptive Behavior

• Extortion

• Hazing

• Inappropriate Literature Integrity

• Misconduct on a School Vehicle Prohibited Materials

• Sexual Harassment

• Student Demonstrations Threats

• Profanity and Vulgar language directed towards a staff member

• Repeated Level I Offenses

Level III Offenses: involve more serious misconduct that warrants more significant disciplinary measures, usually a short-term suspension of up to five (5) days. Aggravating factors involved in the offense may support a short-term suspension of up to ten (10) days or a recommendation for long-term suspension.

 

• Arson

• Assault on Another Student

• Assault of a School Employee

• Assault Involving a Weapon

• Alarm Systems, Tampering and Misuse

• Blatant Noncompliance/Insubordination

• Bullying

• Damage to Property

• Disorderly Conduct and Inciting Student Disorder

• Disruptive Behavior includes: 

  • Any physical or verbal action that reasonably could or does substantially disrupt, disturb, or interfere with the peace, order,

and/or discipline within the learning environment or during any school-related activity; any verbal, physical, or visual behaviors or

displays (including cell phone and /or other digital images) of a sexual nature that

creates a hostile or abusive educational environment for other students or

• Any action, comments, or written messages intended to cause others to fight or which might reasonably be expected to result in a

fight.

• In addition, no student shall possess or wear any clothing, jewelry, emblems, badges, symbols, signs, or other items which indicate a

student’s membership or desired membership or affiliation with a gang.

• Demonstrations:

• Fighting

• Hazing

• Inappropriate Literature and Illustrations

• Integrity:

  • Cheating - Including the actual giving or receiving of any unauthorized assistance or the actual giving or receiving of an unfair

advantage on any form of academic work. This also applies to national and state testing, i.e., End-of-Grade, End-of-Course,

SAT, PSAT.

• Plagiarism - Including the copying of the language structure, idea, and/or thought of another person or a work produced by

artificial intelligence and representing it as one's own original work.

• Falsification - Making an untrue verbal or written statement, including forgery on attendance notes, etc.

• Violating copyright laws - Including unauthorized reproduction, duplication and or use of printed or electronic work,

computer software, or other copyrighted material.

• Playing abusive or dangerous tricks or otherwise subjecting a student or personnel to personal indignity.

• Major Disrespect Toward an Adult including Profanity and Vulgarity directed towards a staff member

• Not identifying Oneself to an Adult

• Sexual Harassment

• Repeated Level II Offenses

• Theft

• Threats

• Trespassing

Level IV Offenses: offenses involve severe misconduct that supports long-term suspension. Mitigating factors related to the offense may support a reduction to short-term suspension of ten (10) days or less.

 

• Arson:

• Assault on Another Student

• Assault of a School Employee

• Assault Involving a Weapon

• Bomb Threat Or Hoax

• Gang Activity

• Illegal Drugs and Alcohol

• Prohibited Materials

• Weapons and Dangerous Instruments

  • Knives, including pocket knives, bowie knives, switchblades, box cutters, dirks and daggers;

  • Slingshots and slungshots; leaded canes; blackjacks; metal knuckles;

  • BB guns

  • Air rifles and air pistols;

  • Stun guns and other electronic shock weapons such as tasers;

  • Icepicks;

  • Razors and razor blades (except those designed and used solely for personal shaving);

  • Fireworks gun, powder, ammunition, bullets

  • Any sharp, pointed, or edged instruments except unaltered nail files, clips, and tools used solely for food preparation, instruction, and maintenance.

This type of offense compromises the safety and welfare of students and staff and requires a suspension under North Carolina law.

 

As required by law, a student who brings or possesses a firearm or destructive device on school property or at a school-sponsored event shall be suspended for 365 calendar days and referred to law enforcement.

• Firearm - For the purpose of this subsection, a firearm is (1) a weapon, including a starter gun, that will or is designed to or may be readily converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, (2) the frame or receiver of any such weapon or (3) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer. A firearm does not include an inoperable antique firearm, a BB gun, a stun gun, or an air rifle or air pistol.

• Destructive Device - For the purposes of this subsection, a destructive device is an explosive, incendiary, or poison gas (1) bomb, (2) grenade, (3) rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, (4) missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce, (5) mine, or (6) similar device.

 

Violation of this section shall result in suspension from school for 365 days unless the Superintendent modifies, in writing, the required 365-day suspension for an individual student on a case-by-case basis. The Superintendent shall not impose a 365-day suspension if the

Superintendent determines the student (1) took or received the firearm or destructive device from another person at school or found the firearm or destructive device at school, (2) delivered or reported the firearm or destructive device as soon as practicable to a law enforcement officer or school personnel, and (3) had no intent to use the firearm or destructive device in a harmful or threatening way.

 

A student may not be suspended for 365 days for weapons violation except in accordance with this subsection. Policy 4333 Weapons, Bomb Threats, Terrorist Threats, and Clear Threats to Safety.

Duplin County Schools prohibits any dress that will disrupt the educational environment and may be a hazard to its students' health, safety, and well-being. Clothing or accessories that depict gang-related activities, display words, promote the use of these products, or are profane, obscene, or sexually suggestive are strictly prohibited.  

We understand that many parents/guardians are confused when their student gets Dress Coded when you feel your student looks fine, as they aren’t dressed indecently and would fit in just fine anywhere else. 

However, our students have a dress code that they must follow at school, just like many adults have to follow a dress code at their places of employment. I wear a necktie with a dress shirt and dress pants at work. I typically wear something else outside of work. Students must follow the exact expectations. What they usually wear on the weekends or when they go off with their family or friends is separate from their school dress code. For instance, if your child wears shorts above their fingertips and gets dress-coded, we’re not saying they are indecent. We’re saying that they are not wearing what their work “school” dress code specifies. 

To eliminate 95% of dress code violations, you should make sure that your students are following this cheat sheet for dress code: 

• Pants, including shorts and skirts, should reach a student’s waist, be below their fingertips in length, and have no holes above their fingertips. Tops should completely cover the chest, midriff, and back, and sleeves must be at least two inches wide at the shoulder.