Benjamin Franklin Middle School Student/Parent Handbook 2016-2017 | Page 50

Depending on the circumstances, the age, and the prior disciplinary record of the students
involved, and the outcome of parent/guardian conferences, the administrator(s) may
substitute a combination of extended detention, the assignment of a major project, and/or
some form of community service as an alternative to an out-of-school suspension for
fighting or other serious misconduct.
Level IV:
Behaviors which are criminal in nature and directly affect the safety or well-being of staff
or students fall into this category. Possession, sale, distribution and/or use of alcoholic
beverages or drugs or drug paraphernalia; assault; verbal and physical harassment of
students or a staff member, bomb threats, threatening telephone calls to the school or to the
home of a staff member, bringing or having a weapon in school, bringing fireworks or any
explosive device into the building, major vandalism, and pulling false fire alarms come
under Level IV. Immediate suspension from school followed by parent/guardian
conferences and a consequence determined during the conference is required. Local
authorities may be involved. Severe cases may require action by the Board of Education
up to and including expulsion. Incidents involving drugs, weapons, planned or threatened
violence, and sexual offenses must be reported to the local police.
Loss of School Privileges
Students who willfully and continually persist in misconduct or tardiness may lose school
privileges. The student and the student’s parents will be notified in writing.
Students, who lose school privileges, are prohibited from attending all extracurricular
activities (anything beyond school hours including, but not limited to, dances, trips,
and concerts). Any exceptions are at the discretion of school administration. Loss of
school privileges may be reduced upon successful completion of a probationary
period as determined by school administration. Please note that students may have
their privileges revoked at the discretion of school administration. Any student
violating loss of school privileges is subject to additional disciplinary action.
Suspension Or Expulsion
Reasons for suspensions or expulsions
New Jersey law provides guidance with regard to the reasons for which a student may be
suspended or expelled from school. A student may be suspended or expelled for good
cause which shall include, but is not limited to:
 Continued and willful disobedience, or defiance of authority;
 Conduct, determined by the principal, which constitutes a continuing danger to the
physical well-being of other students;
 The habitual use of profanity or obscene language;
 Vandalism of school property;
 The physical assault, robbery, or attempted robbery of other students or staff;
 Participation in or inciting demonstrations involving the unauthorized occupancy of
school buildings;
 Inciting truancy by other students;
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