The following are examples of offenses for which students may be disciplined. The specific disciplinary action will be determined according to the severity of the offense and the circumstances surrounding it. Note: The district reserves the right to recommend more severe discipline based on the nature of the violation.
Tier 1 Discipline offenses are generally MINOR acts and may represent a failure to demonstrate universally defined expectations or social skills.
Tier 2 Discipline is used for MODERATE acts of misconduct. Following appropriate teacher intervention, students may be referred to an administrator. These include acts directed against people or property that do not seriously endanger the health or safety of others and serious disruptions of school order. Unique, serious, or multiple offenses may result in the offense being considered a Level 3 offense.
Tier 3 Discipline offenses are serious and MAJOR acts of misconduct that place students or staff at risk of emotional or physical harm which may include threats to the health, safety, and/or property of others, and other acts of serious and repeated misconduct. Consequences may include out-of-school suspension and a disciplinary hearing referral or Title IX Grievance Process (as applicable) with a recommendation for further actions such as long-term suspension, expulsion, and/or assignment to an alternative education program. Behaviors that implicate Title IX regulations (as implemented) will be managed as discussed in Title IX guidelines.
Leveled Interventions
Level 1: Educator, staff directed interventions
Level 2: Administrator, principal directed interventions
Level 3: Alternative consequences and programs. Requires collaboration with other departmental leaders and approval by grade level Single Point of Contact. All out of school Suspensions require approval by the Office of School Culture.
Level 4: Long term suspension and expulsion. All out of school Suspensions require approval by the Office of School Culture. Behavior resulting in potential expulsion will be considered by the Disciplinary Hearing Panel (designated arm of the Board of Education).
Abusive Language (level 1) Verbal messages that use words in an inappropriate way and may include, but are not limited to, name-calling, and profanity.
Alcohol (level 2-4) Possession and use of alcohol and/or non-alcoholic products is prohibited. Alcohol, also known by its chemical name ethanol, is a psychoactive drug that is the active ingredient in drinks such as beer, wine, and distilled spirits (hard liquor). It is considered a recreational substance, causing the characteristic effects of alcohol intoxication ("drunkenness").
Arson (level 2-4) The deliberate burning, or attempted burning, of any building or property belonging to, rented by, or on loan to the school district or property belonging to any person.
Physical Assault (Student to Student: Level 1-4): causing or attempting to cause physical harm to another through intentional use of force or violence.
Physical Assault (Student to Employee, Volunteer, or Contractor: Level 1-4): causing or attempting to cause physical harm to another through intentional use of force or violence.
Bomb Threat (level 1-4) Making a bomb threat or similar threat directed at a school building, other school property, or a school-related event.
Bullying (level 1-3) is defined as any repeated written, verbal, or physical acts, including cyber bullying [i.e. any electronic communication, including, but not limited to, electronically transmitted acts, such as internet, telephone or cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), or wireless hand held device] that, without regard to its subject matter or motivating animus, is intended or that a reasonable person would know is likely to harm one (1) or more students either directly or indirectly by doing any of the following:
- Substantially interfering with educational opportunities, benefits, or programs of one (1) or more students;
- Adversely affecting the ability of a student to participate in, or benefit from, the school district’s educational programs or activities by placing the student in reasonable fear of physical harm or by causing substantial emotional distress;
- Having an actual and substantial detrimental effect on a student’s physical or mental health; and/or
- Causing substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school.
Bullying can be physical, verbal, psychological, or a combination of all three. Some examples of bullying are:
- Physical: hitting, kicking, spitting, pushing, pulling; taking and/or damaging personal belongings, extorting money, blocking or impeding student movement, unwelcome physical contact.
- Verbal: taunting, malicious teasing, insulting, name-calling, making threats.
- Psychological: spreading rumors, manipulating social relationships, coercion, or engaging in social exclusion/shunning, extortion, or intimidation. This may occur in a number of different ways, including but not limited to, notes, emails, social media postings, and graffiti.
- Cyber bullying: any electronic communication, including, but not limited to, electronically transmitted acts, such as internet, telephone or cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), or wireless hand held device.
- Ethnic/Racial Harassment or Intimidation: The malicious and intentional act of harassing or intimidating another person due to that individual’s color, ethnic origin, or race.
- Sexual Harassment or Intimidation*: Unwelcome sexual advances, teasing, jokes, remarks, or questions, either verbal or physical, toward another person because of his/her sex or sexual orientation. Also includes a request for sexual favors or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature where such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a student’s educational performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.
The Lansing School District prohibits unlawful sexual harassment. This prohibition covers sexual misconduct towards students by students, District staff, Board members or school vendors, at school or at a school-sponsored event or activity.
Any student who believes he/she has been a subject of prohibited sexual harassments should immediately report to a principal, teacher or one of the District’s Compliance Officers (see page 5). Parents may also report these concerns.
Students or employees found to have engaged in acts of sexual misconduct-which includes unwelcome or coerced sexual acts or conduct of a sexual nature-will be promptly disciplined. Discipline may include, if circumstances warrant, suspension or expulsion of a student and suspension or termination of an employee.
Cheating/Plagiarism (level 1) Falsely presenting work as your own original work or providing others with test responses or work to copy. The quality of the work will not be a consideration in determining disciplinary action.
Disruptive Behavior (level 1-2) Any conduct in or around the school, including the classroom, which is dangerous or disruptive and threatens the safety of students, staff, or others, including that of the disorderly individual. This is to include but is not limited to: throwing snowballs, stones, or other objects; blocking security cameras; pushing; shoving; shouting; or running in the halls; and instigating, watching or escalating offenses for which students will be disciplined. Being a bystander in a bullying situation or at a fight could be considered disorderly conduct.
Dysregulated Emotional/Mental Health (level 1-2) Behavior resulting from emotional or mental health challenges, sensory or regulation difficulties, or other personal struggles that leads to strong emotions for sustained periods of time (at least 15 minutes) and disrupts the learning environment. These emotional outbursts or dysregulated behaviors significantly interfere with the student’s ability to engage appropriately in school activities and may pose a risk to their own or others' safety and well-being.
Ethnic/Racial Harassment or Intimidation (level 1-3) The malicious and intentional act of harassing or intimidating another person due to that individual’s color, ethnic origin or race.
Explosives/Incendiary Devices (level 2-4) Sale, possession, or use of explosives or incendiary devices including bombs and fireworks.
Extortion/Robbery (level 1-4) Obtaining money or property (something of value) from an unwilling person by either physical force or intimidation.
False Alarms/911 Calls (level 2-3) Falsely activating the fire alarm system and/or maliciously dialing the 911 Emergency Center in any school building or on school property.
False Claims of Sexual Assault or Harassment (level 2-3)* Students intentionally making a false report, submitting a false Formal Complaint, or making a false statement or submitting false information during a Title IX grievance process is considered an offense violation of the Student Handbook. For such offenses, students may be held accountable pursuant to the Discipline/Intervention Matrix.
Fighting (level 2-6) Physical contact involving the exchange of strikes (including but not limited to punches, hits, kicks, slaps) with another person driven by anger and or aggression.
Forgery (level 1) Using or writing the name or identity of another person for purposes of gain, or falsifying times, dates, grades, addresses, or other information, including school forms.
Gambling (level 1) Gambling is unlawful and will be subject to suspension. Gambling is accepting money or any valuable thing contingent on an uncertain event.
Gang Activity (level 1-4) Displaying gang paraphernalia or exhibiting behaviors or gestures that symbolize gang membership; initiating, advocating or promoting activities that threaten the safety or well-being of others or participating in activities intended to intimidate others; involvement in behaviors intended as initiation activities.
Hazing (level 1-3) Subjecting others to ridicule or abuse which creates a risk of physical, mental, or emotional harm that must be tolerated to become a member of a class, organization, or group. Willingness of the person seeking initiation into the group will not be considered in determining disciplinary action.
Insubordination (level 1-2) The failure to obey, comply with, or carry out a reasonable directive from any school employee (principal, teacher, secretary, custodian, cafeteria worker, security staff, assistant, or bus driver).
Intimidation/Stalking/Threats (level 1-4) Placing another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or other conduct, but without displaying a weapon or subjecting the victim to actual physical attack. Also includes any behavior (written, verbal, or physical) that has the purpose or effect of interfering with a student’s educational performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.
Malicious Destruction of Property/Vandalism (level 1-2) The deliberate destruction or defacing of property belonging to, rented by, or on loan to the school system or property (including automobiles) of people employed by the school or in attendance at the school.
Marijuana and other Controlled Substances (level 2-4) Sale, Use, Possession, or Distribution of legal or illegal drugs, and/or drug paraphernalia is prohibited. This policy is inclusive of, but not limited to, controlled substance infused food/drinks (edibles, and look-alike drugs). (Excludes medication taken in accordance with Administrative Regulation No. 5141.3).
Misuse of Electronic Communication Devices (ECDs) (level1) An electronic device that has the ability to transmit messages via the use of internet, data packages, or other Wi-Fi access points. Possession of ECDs is allowable within the guidelines listed on pages 18 and 19 of the Handbook.
Obscene or Lewd Behavior (level 1-3) The act of using obscene or profane language in verbal or written form, possessing pornographic pictures, performing offensive gestures or acts or engaging in conduct of a sexual nature on school property, a school bus or at a school sponsored event or activity.
Off Campus Conduct (level 1-3) Students are expected to demonstrate responsible behavior both on and off campus, as off-campus actions may affect the school environment and student well-being.
Peer Instigation (level 1-2) Violation occurs when a student encourages or influences others to engage in behaviors that disrupt the learning environment, compromise safety, or violate school expectations. This may include verbal, physical, non-verbal, or digital communication (such as social media) that negatively impacts others. The response to peer instigation is based on the severity, frequency, and impact of the behavior.
Physical Display of Affection (level 1-4) Students are expected to maintain appropriate personal boundaries and conduct themselves in a manner that supports a respectful and focused learning environment. Physical displays of affection should be appropriate for a school setting and should not interfere with the educational process or create discomfort for others.
Possession or Use of a Toy Gun/Look-Alike or a Facsimile Weapon/ Replica of a Firearm (level 1-2) Possession or use of a look-alike firearm/toy gun, or a facsimile/replica of a weapon. Examples will include but are not limited to: toy
guns, movie or stage props, starter pistols, models, replicas or any other device designed or used to imitate a firearm. These look-alike firearms/toy guns are NOT capable of firing a projectile.
Possession or Use of an Airsoft Gun (level 1-4) Possession or use of an Airsoft Gun or any firearm/ gun that fires a non-lethal projectile such as plastic pellets that are powered by gas, compressed air, or spring-loaded. Airguns/BB guns are considered weapons and are NOT included in this definition.
School Bus Safety Violations (level 1-2) School Bus Safety Violations refer to actions that interfere with the safe and orderly operation of the school bus, disrupt the ride, or do not align with the district’s bus expectations. These behaviors may include not following bus procedures, engaging in unsafe actions, or causing disruptions that affect the well-being of others. Students are expected to follow all bus guidelines to ensure a safe and respectful transportation experience. This is applicable to students who utilize the CATA bus.
Sexting and Child Pornography (level 1-6) The act of sharing or displaying lewd or nude pictures or images of self and/or other students, via social media or otherwise. Anyone who knowingly manufactures, distributes, or possesses child pornography is in violation of Michigan Penal Code (750.145c). Child pornographic material is any depiction, picture, film, slide, video, electronic visual image, computer or computer-generated image or sound recording which is of a child (under age 18) or appears to include a child engaging in a sexual act. An image may also include unexposed film or a negative.
TITLE IX policy/interim measures may be applicable to instances that occurred outside of school, and/or before and after school.
Sexual Assault (level 3-4)* The Lansing School District will immediately investigate the report and determine the extent to which there has been any violation of the district’s Student Handbook. The Lansing School District prohibits sexual contact between students at school, on a school bus, or at a school sponsored activity or event. The District will not tolerate acts against students that constitute sexual assault or sexual conduct of any nature.
Sexual Assault is legally/criminally defined as Criminal Sexual Conduct in degree’s one through four, which includes any sexual act directed against another person, forcibly and/or against that person’s will, or any non-forcible sexual act against the person’s will where the victim is incapable of giving consent and where force or coercion is used or threatened. Use of authority is a form of coercion.
*The Lansing School District takes false claims seriously. Refer to page 30 for the consequences of false claims of sexual assault or harassment.
A person age 15 or under cannot legally consent to sexual acts. The Lansing School District prohibits sexual acts regardless of age. If such conduct occurs at school, on the school bus, or at a school sponsored event or activity, a student should report the conduct both to staff of the Lansing School District (i.e., principal, teacher, public safety, or the district’s Compliance Officers) and to law enforcement. A Title IX investigation will be conducted by the district Title IX coordinator and public safety will report all sexual related acts to law enforcement for further review.
Title IX policy/interim measures may be applicable to instances that occurred outside of school, and/or before and after school.
All sexual activity or conduct between District employees and students is a violation of Board policy, is prohibited and must be reported by District employees, when known. Students are encouraged to promptly report all such conduct to the District’s Compliance Officers (see page 7), your principal or other trusted adult.
Sexual Harassment (level 1-4)* Unwelcome sexual advances, teasing, jokes, remarks, or questions, either verbal, written or use of sexually explicit gestures toward another person because of his/her sex or sexual orientation. This also includes a request for sexual favors or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature where such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a students educational performance by creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment. (Sexual intimidation is included under “Intimidation/Stalking/Threats”)
Conduct is considered unwelcome if the student did not request or invite it and considered the conduct to be undesirable or offensive. The age of the student, the nature of the conduct, and other relevant factors affect whether a student was capable of welcoming the sexual conduct.
A student’s submission to the conduct or failure to complain does not always mean that the conduct was welcomed.
Example 1: A student makes offensive sexual jokes to another student, but the student does not object to the jokes or speaks out against them. The student’s failure to object does not mean that s/he has welcomed the comments.
Example 2: Student #1 willingly blows a kiss at student #2 on one occasion at school. The next school day, while on the school bus, student #1 blows a kiss, again, to student #2 and uses sexually explicit gestures toward student #1. Student #1 smiles, but does not respond or report. Because student #1 did not respond or report, does not mean s/he has welcomed the behavior.
The Lansing School District prohibits sexual contact between students at school, on a school bus, or at a school sponsored activity or event. The District will not tolerate acts against students that constitute sexual assault or sexual conduct of any nature.
Title IX policy/interim measures may be applicable to instances that occurred outside of school, and/or before and after school.
Tampering with School Records/Materials (level 1-3) Tampering with school records and/or materials refers to any action where a student intentionally alters, removes, or conceals information that is part of a school-related inquiry or review. This behavior impacts the integrity of school procedures and violates expectations regarding honesty and responsibility. Examples may include misplacing, modifying, or deleting school-related documents or communications that are relevant to a school investigation or discipline process.
Task Avoidance/Work Refusal (level 1) Students are expected to actively participate in learning and complete assigned tasks to the best of their ability
Theft/Possession of Stolen Property (level 1-2) Unlawful taking, stealing or possession of money or property.
Tobacco or Vaping Paraphernalia (level 1-2) Possession of Tobacco or Vaping Paraphernalia is prohibited.”This policy is inclusive of, but not limited to, all tobacco products, e-cigarettes, vaping devices, e-pipes, hookah pens, and other electronic nicotine delivery devices, etc.
Unauthorized Presence/Trespassing/Loitering (level 1-3) Being in or around any area of the school when the student has no legitimate reason to be there; the act of congregating or lingering in a school building or on school property without permission of a staff member. This also includes unauthorized
presence at any school property or community location during school hours when a student has traveled to or from a Lansing School District building or activity. Any student suspended or expelled from school is prohibited from being present on any property belonging to the Lansing School District.
Violations of City Ordinances, State or Federal Law, or Criminal Acts (level 2-4) Commission of or participation in any acts prohibited by federal or state law or local ordinance when such acts affect the safe and orderly operations of the school, regardless of whether criminal charges result.
Weapons (level 3-4) Sale, Possession, or Use, carrying, using, handling, storing, or threatening with weapons or other dangerous objects in a school or on school grounds may require expulsion. Weapons are identified in three (3) categories: (1) dangerous weapons that require expulsion: (firearm, dirk, dagger, stiletto, knife with a blade in excess of three (3) inches, knife opened by mechanical device, iron bar, brass knuckles); (2) other weapons commonly used or designated to inflict bodily harm or to intimidate including, but not limited to: air guns (air guns can be lethal, and are different from airsoft guns), bb guns, blackjacks, billy clubs, bludgeons, tazers, gas- ejecting devices, knife with a blade three (3) inches or less in length, stun grenades, chains, clubs, and martial arts weapons; (3) articles designated for other purposes that are used to inflict bodily harm or to intimidate, including but not limited to: belts, box-cutters, combs, pencils, files, razors, and compasses.
