·         Adding “synthetic marijuana” to the list of prohibited substances

·         Adding “spring loaded pellet guns” to the list of non-statutory weapons that fall under the principal’s discretion when determining a disciplinary response.

·         Changing the definition of bullying: Physical or psychological harassment on the part of one or more students toward another by any means, including electronic communication, in the glossary of SR&R terms.

·         Adding bullying based on protected status (e.g. race, color, disability, sexual orientation) to the list of inappropriate behaviors.

·         Clarifying the use of personally owned electronic devices under the “Disruptive or Inappropriate Behavior” section.

·         Clarifying what incidents must be reported to police by principals.

·         Adding the following language to the section “Interventions Without Suspension from School”: With approval of the principal and concurrence of all involved students, students may be invited to participate in peer mediation or restorative justice practices to resolve disputes or address student behavior. This does not preclude the possibility of disciplinary action for prohibited conduct.
 

The School Board also approved the establishment of a special committee of the Board to perform a comprehensive review of the SR&R “…to recommend changes to the School Board by March 2013 that would simplify the language and substantially reduce the size of the SR&R and ensure consistency with our community’s values, School Board policies, and Virginia laws. This committee shall be composed of representatives of parents, students, school administrators, teachers, student specialists (e.g., counselors, social workers, psychologists, hearings officers or SROs), juvenile services specialists and/or such other community members as the School Board shall determine appropriate.”

 

Additional information is available at: http://www.fcps.edu/dss/ips/ssaw/SRR/

 

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Note:  For more information, contact the Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Communications and Community Outreach at 571-423-1200.