Violent & Aggressive Behavior

 

Students exhibiting violent or aggressive behavior or warning signs of future violent or aggressive behavior shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action including suspension, expulsion and/or referral to law enforcement authorities. At the district’s discretion and when appropriate, the student shall receive appropriate intervention designed to address the problem behavior.

 

Students shall be taught to recognize the warning signs of violent and aggressive behavior and shall report questionable behavior or potentially violent situations to appropriate school officials. All reports shall be taken seriously.

 

Acts of violence and aggression shall be documented and communicated by the staff to the building principal and the Superintendent. The immediate involvement of the parents/guardians is also essential. Law enforcement officials shall be involved if there is any violation of law.

 

An act of violence and aggression is any expression, direct or indirect, verbal or behavioral, of intent to inflict harm, injury or damage to persons or property. A threat of violence and aggression carries with it implied notions of risk of violence and a probability of harm or injury. The following behaviors are defined as violent and aggressive:

 

Possession, threat with or use of a weapon — as described in the district’s weapons policy.

 

Physical assault — the act of striking or touching a person or that person’s property with a part of the body or with any object with the intent of causing hurt or harm.

 

Verbal abuse — includes, but is not limited to, swearing, screaming, obscene gestures or threats directed, either orally (including by telephone) or in writing, at an individual, his or her family or a group.

 

Intimidation — an act intended to frighten or coerce someone into submission or obedience.

 

Extortion — the use of verbal or physical coercion in order to obtain financial or material gain from others.

 

Bullying — as described in the district’s policy on bullying prevention and education.

 

Gang activity — as described in the district’s secret societies/gang activity policy.

 

Sexual harassment — as described in the district’s sexual harassment policy.

 

Stalking — the persistent following, contacting, watching or any other such threatening actions that compromise the peace of mind or the personal safety of an individual.

 

Defiance — a serious act or instance of defying or opposing legitimate authority.

 

Discriminatory slurs — insulting, disparaging or derogatory comments made directly or by innuendo regarding a person’s race, color, ancestry, creed, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability or need for special education services.

 

Vandalism — damaging or defacing property owned by or in the rightful possession of another.

 

Terrorism — a threat to commit violence communicated with the intent to terrorize or with reckless disregard for the risk of creating such terror or to cause serious public inconvenience, such as the evacuation of a building.