STUDENT INVOLVEMENT WITH ALCOHOL, INTOXICANTS OR ILLEGAL DRUGS

 

POLICY                                                                                                            NO:             7400                        DATE: 1997-10-28                 REVISED:            2002-04-23

 

SUBJECT:          STUDENT INVOLVEMENT WITH ALCOHOL, INTOXICANTS OR ILLEGAL DRUGS

 

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The Board of School Trustees shall not tolerate any involvement with, or use of, alcohol, intoxicants or illegal drugs by students attending school during school hours or at any school function that takes place inside or outside the District geographical boundaries.  

 

 

 

SCHOOL  DISTRICT  NO.  78  (FRASER-CASCADE)

 

REGULATIONS                                                                                              NO:          7400 R                        DATE: 1997-10-28                 REVISED:            2002-04-23

 

SUBJECT:          STUDENT INVOLVEMENT WITH ALCOHOL, INTOXICANTS OR ILLEGAL DRUGS

 

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Principals shall ensure that all students are aware of the School Code of Conduct and this policy at the beginning of each school year and reminded of the policy prior to school sanctioned field or athletic trips.

 

1.         The Board of School Trustees authorizes the Administrative Officers of a school, or his/her designate, to suspend a student for up to a maximum of ten (10) days when he/she concludes that a student has been found to have been involved with, in the possession of, or under the influence of, alcohol, intoxicants or illegal drugs while attending school or in attendance at any school sponsored function.

 

2.         Definitions:

 

            i)          Involvement is defined as, possession of or use of alcohol, intoxicants or illegal drugs, sale or purchase of alcohol, intoxicants or illegal drugs, or attendance at school or any school function while under the influence of alcohol, intoxicants or illegal drugs.  It may include the suspicion of using alcohol, intoxicants or illegal drugs by association, smell or behaviour.

 

            ii)         A school function is defined as any student activity sanctioned by the school or school district.

 

3.         Procedure

 

            a)         If a suspension is deemed to be warranted, for suspensions of ten (10) days or less, the Administrative Officer, or designate, shall proceed as follows:

 

                        i)          Parents/guardians shall be contacted by telephone and/or personal interview prior to the student leaving the school or being sent home.  Parents must also be informed that they have a right to appeal the suspension in accordance with Bylaw #21 - Student Appeals.

 

                        ii)         If the parents/guardians cannot be contacted, the student is not to be sent home.

 

 

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                        iii)         A registered letter shall be sent to the parents/guardians informing them of the circumstances and duration of the suspension.   A copy shall be sent to the Superintendent of Schools.

 

                        iv)        The student shall be readmitted to school by the authorized person who imposed the suspension.  It is recommended that the student and/or parent/guardian meet with a member of the school administration prior to readmittance to school.

 

            b)         In the case where the Administrative Officer of a school, or his/her designate, recommends that a student should be suspended for more than ten (10) days, he/she may suspend the student and inform the Superintendent.

t.

 

                                   

                        (i)         For recommended suspensions of more than 10 days, the matter shall be referred to the Board of School Trustees for decision.

 

                        The Administrative Officer shall proceed as follows:

 

                        i)          Parents/guardians shall be contacted by telephone and/or personal interview prior to the student leaving the school.

 

                        ii)         A registered letter shall be sent to the parents/guardians informing them of the circumstances of the suspension and advising them that they shall be contacted by the Superintendent of Schools.  A copy of this letter shall be sent to the Superintendent.

 

                        The Superintendent shall proceed as follows:

 

                        i)          The Superintendent shall meet with the Administrative Officer to formulate a recommendation to the Board of School Trustees.

 

                        ii)         The District Review Committee or the Board of School Trustees, as required, shall meet at the earliest opportunity to consider the circumstances and recommendation.

 

                        iii)         Notice of the time and place of the meeting shall be given to all parties involved at least twenty-four hours prior to the meeting.

 

                        iv)        The attendance of the student at this meeting is mandatory.  The attendance of the parents/guardians at this meeting is encouraged but is not mandatory.

 

                        v)         After considering the information given by school personnel and the student or parents/guardians, the Board may suspend the student for a period of time deemed appropriate to the offence.  In special circumstances, when the Board feels that it is appropriate, alternatives to suspension from school may be considered.

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                        vi)        It is recommended that the student and/or parent/guardian meet with a member of the school administration prior to readmittance to school.

 

4.         A decision of the Administrative Officer may be appealed as provided for in Bylaw No. 21.

 

5.         Where appropriate, the Administrative Officer may require that the student enroll in a drug/alcohol counselling program prior to returning to school.

 

6.         The R.C.M.P. will be informed of any students involved with alcohol, intoxicants or illegal drugs and any physical evidence shall be turned over to them for disposal.

 

7.         During the period of the suspension, schools shall ensure that students have an opportunity to pick up assignments and return completed assignments for marking.