Drug/Alcohol/Mood Altering Substance - shall include any alcohol or malt beverage, any drug listed in Act 64 (1972) as a controlled substance, chemical, abused substance or medication for which a prescription is required under the law and/or any substance which is intended to alter mood.
Examples of the above include but are not limited to beer, wine, liquor, marijuana, hashish, chemical solvents, glue, look-alike substances, and any capsules or pills not registered with the nurse, annotated within the student’s health record, and/or taken in accordance with the school district policy for the administration of medication to students in school.
Certain Solvents/Inhalants - Sale or Illegal Use (18 Pa C.S.A. Section 7303) - No person shall, for the purpose of causing a condition of intoxication, inebriation, excitement, stupefaction, or the dulling of his brain or nervous system, intentionally smell or inhale the fumes from any substance containing a solvent having the property or releasing toxic vapors or fumes.
Student Support Team - is a multi-disciplinary team minimally composed of the school psychologist, a school administrator, a guidance counselor, the school nurse, and two teachers. This team has been trained to understand and work on the issues of adolescent chemical use, abuse, and dependency and will play a primary role in the identification and referral process of students coming to their attention through the procedures outlined in this policy and its guidelines.
Chemical Abuse Specialist - is a certified program specialist with expertise in the area of chemical dependence and school-based assessment.
Outside Referral - referral to an education or treatment agency not operated by the school district wherein students are evaluated in an effort to determine the extent of the drug/alcohol problem and appropriate intervention techniques applied. (Example: Penn Foundation)
School District Property - shall include building, facilities, and grounds on any school or Vocational-Technical campus, school bus, school parking area, as well as any facility being used for a school function or school-sponsored trip.
School Sponsored Function - shall include any alternative educational opportunity program (i.e. co-op program) or school related activity
subject to the school’s jurisdiction.
Distributing - deliver, sell, pass, share, or give (or the intent to do the previous) any alcohol, drug, drug look-alike, or mood altering sub- stances as defined by this policy from one person to another, or to aid therein.
Sale - the exchange (or intent to exchange) of a determined amount of money or its equivalent.
Possession - possess or hold, (or intent to possess or hold) without any attempt to distribute, any alcohol, drug, drug look-alike, or mood altering substance determined to be illegal or as defined by this policy.
Use - to consume, take or partake of drugs, alcohol, or the like in any quantity.
Look-alikes - any non-controlled substance that in its overall finished dosage appearance is substantially similar in size, shape, color, marking, or packaging to a specific controlled substance.
Drug Paraphernalia - include any utensil or item which in the school’s judgment can be associated with the use/abuse of narcotic drugs, alcohol, or mood altering substances. Examples may include but are not limited to cigarette-rolling papers, roach clips, pipes, and bowls.
Cooperative Behavior - shall be defined as the willingness of a student to work with staff and school personnel in a reasonable and helpful manner, complying with requests and recommendations as outlined by the Student Support Team.
Uncooperative Behavior - is resistance or refusal- either verbal, physical, or passive - on the part of the student to comply with the reasonable request or recommendations of school personnel. Defiance, assault, deceit, and flight shall constitute examples of uncooperative student behavior. Uncooperative behavior shall also include the refusal to comply with recommendations as outlined by the Student Support Team or a licensed drug and alcohol facility.
Rules and Regulations - A student, who on school grounds during a school session, or anywhere at a school-sponsored activity, is found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia or is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or mood altering substances or who possesses, uses, dispenses, sells, or aids in the procurement of alcohol, drugs, drug look-alikes, mood altering substances, or any substance purported to be a restricted substance or over the counter drug, shall be subjected to discipline pursuant to the provisions and procedures outlined in Board Policies #218, #233, and these Administrative Guidelines.
School Probation - a specified period of time whereby a student must adhere to prescribed conditions of behavior - these conditions of probation to be presented to both student and parent in writing. A student subject to probation under this policy shall attend school but shall also be required to observe certain conditions which may include but need not be limited to:
- Prohibition of any further violation of this policy.
- Prohibition of participation in athletic, extra-curricular, social or leadership activities. This may include exclusion from commencement activities.
- Reporting at stated periods to appropriate persons for counseling.
- Participating in after school hours maintenance and/or rehabilitation programs.
- Other conditions reasonably related to insuring a correction of the misbehavior or misconduct or which probation was imposed.
Violation of any condition of probation by a student may, after a hearing, result in suspension, expulsion, more restrictive probation, or continuation of studies outside the school premises.
In-School Suspension - shall be an alternative to out-of-school suspension and may not exceed ten (10) consecutive school days unless an informal hearing with the principal is held in accordance with policy procedures relating to hearings. Refer to Policy #233.
Temporary Suspension - shall be defined as not more than three (3) consecutive school days. Refer to Policy #233.
Full Suspension - shall mean exclusion from school for a period of up to ten (10) school days. Refer to Policy #233.
Expulsion - shall be any exclusion from school for a period in excess of ten (10) school days and may be permanent expulsion from the school rolls. Refer to Policy #233.
