Consequences Guidelines
Circumstances may exist that could result in the stated discipline procedures being less than outlined below, or extended. This may include, but is not limited to, the involvement of local or state authorities and an expulsion hearing before the Lower Merion Board of School Directors. This guideline chart has been developed to aid in the understanding of Policy 235.
| Infraction (Examples) | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Bullying (District Policy 249) | Warning | Suspension |
| Bus Infraction | Warning | Loss of transportation privileges |
| Cheating | Detention | Suspension |
| Cutting Class(10 minutes or greater) | Detention | Suspension |
| Detention (Failure to report) | Additional Detention | Suspension |
| Disrespect | Warning | Suspension |
| Fighting | Suspension | Board Expulsion |
| Harassing-Intimidating other students | Detention-Essay | Suspension |
| Hate Speech | Warning | Suspension |
| Forgery | Detention-Essay | Suspension |
| Harassment-Threatening-Intimidating an adult | Suspension | Board Expulsion |
| Horseplay | Warning | Suspension |
| Inappropriate conduct | Warning | Suspension |
| Inappropriate conduct after school | Restriction from after school activities | Suspension of all after school privileges |
| Inciting/Instigating others | Detention | Suspension |
| Insubordination | Warning | Suspension |
| Plagiarism | Detention | Suspension |
| Possession/use of cell phones, iPods, mp3 players, or other electronic devices | Warning-Confiscation | Detention-Confiscation |
| Possession, Use and/or Distribution of Controlled Substances, Alcohol, Tobacco or Inhalants | Suspension | Board Expulsion |
| Presence in unauthorized areas of school grounds | Warning | Suspension |
| Threat – verbal, written and/or gestures | Suspension | Board Expulsion |
| Theft | Restitution & Suspension | Extension of Suspension |
| Vandalism | Restitution & Suspension | Extension of Suspension |
| Violation of Sexual Harassment Policy (District Policy 246) | Suspension | Extension of Suspension |
| Violation of Student Dress Code | Warning | Detention |
| Violation of LMSD Net: Student Uses, Rights, and Responsibilities (District Policy 134) | Detention-Essay | Suspension & Loss of LMSD Net privileges |
| Weapons (includes water guns, look-a-like guns, ammunition, knives, and items used as weapons) | Suspension | Board Expulsion |
There are two types of detentions assigned as consequence if necessary: Lunch Detention and After School Detention. Students may receive a teacher or administrative lunch detention based on the infraction to be served during the school day. After school detentions are served from 3:15 – 4:25 PM and are supervised by a teacher. Students may ride the 4:30 buses home after detention. During detention, students are expected to answer a series of reflective/restorative questions with the aim of having students avoid repeating their infraction/behavior in the future. Parents will be notified of all after school detentions. Students are expected to attend detentions when they are assigned. Students who fail to attend detentions may be assigned two detentions for each missed detention, per offense. Continued failure to attend detention may result in suspension and/or restriction from extra-curricular activities.