Weapons, Violent Acts, and Fighting
The Board of Education has adopted a Zero Tolerance Policy on weapon, violent acts and repeated fighting. This policy applies to middle level and high school students. Students who violate this policy will be suspended and recommended for expulsion. Students are subject to arrest if having or using the weapon violates the law. Weapons include guns, knives, BB guns, replica guns, explosives, fireworks or any object that is used in a threatening or harmful manner. Carrying any kind of knife (for example, a pocket knife or butter knife) is not allowed. Any object used in a threatening manner will be considered a weapon even if its normal use is not as a weapon. The policy also means that students who are involved in repeated fights that cause physical injury will be recommended for expulsion.
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs
The district prohibits alcohol, tobacco and other drug use on all school campuses, at sponsored events and going to and from school or school-sponsored events. Students found to be selling or furnishing controlled/prohibited substances, or in possession of an amount of a controlled/prohibited substance determined to be for more than personal use, will be recommended for expulsion on the first offense. For possession or use of a controlled/prohibited substance, expulsion will be recommended on the third offense. If a student is found in possession of tobacco, he/she will be recommended for expulsion on the fourth offense.
School district personnel will also counsel disciplined students by way of early intervention. Counseling may include:
- Individual group instruction or tutoring
- Conferences with parents or guardians
- Referral to another community agency
- Regularly scheduled appointments with school counselor
If a student violates an intervention contract, the student will be suspended. If the student violates the contract a second time, the student may be reassigned to another program or school.
All parents or guardians and students must sign the Zero Tolerance acknowledgment form provided at initial enrollment and at registration each school year.
The Board of Education has approved the following Zero Tolerance Policy:
- Use, possession or brandishing of a weapon will result in a recommendation for expulsion. A weapon is defined as but not limited to, a firearm, pistol replica, and starter pistol. Stun gun, BB gun or pellet gun, a knife of any size or type, a dirk, dagger, razor, slingshot, any explosives or fireworks. Any object used in a dangerous manner will also be considered a weapon.
- Repeated incidents of fighting, violent acts, or causing serious injury to another person will result in a recommendation for expulsion.
- Attempting to commit or committing a sexual assault and committing a sexual battery.
- Our district has a NO ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, or other DRUG USE POLICY. If a student is found to be selling, furnishing, or possessing an amount determined to be for more than personal use of controlled/prohibited substances, the student will be recommended for expulsion on your first offense. For possession or use, expulsion will be recommended on the third offense, except for tobacco offenses; if a student is found in possession of tobacco he or she will be recommended for expulsion on the fourth offense.
- In addition to discipline, if a student is found to have violated the law he or she may be arrested and taken to a juvenile detention facility.
- Expulsion from San Diego Unified will result in the loss of privileges to attend school or extracurricular activities. A student may be placed in an alternative school or program.
- The Zero Tolerance Policy requires a recommendation for expulsion if the offense occurs on school campus or at a school activity, whether on or off campus.
- Expulsion may be recommended for an offense that occurs during lunch period, off- campus, and during, or while going to or from a school sponsored activity.
The Zero Tolerance Policy is designed to make school a safe environment and to provide an appropriate learning environment for students. There can be no acceptable reason for violating these rules. Board approved procedures regarding students discipline are contained in district Administrative Procedure 6290 and are available online and at your school site.
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Zero Tolerance Policy