Acts For Which Students May Be Disciplined

A basic element of effective prevention of misconduct is the setting of divisionwide school rules which are implemented consistently. Students may be disciplined for conduct incompatible with a K-12 educational environment, for conduct specifically in violation of Prince William County School Board policies and regulations, certain provisions of state and federal law, those offenses summarized below, or other conduct that has a negative impact on the operation of the school, the health, safety, or security of students, staff, or school property, or the educational opportunities of other students. Equitable and consistent implementation of rules and regulations shall occur across school sites and within all student groups.

The principal has the authority to set the appropriate consequences for infractions, which may range from counseling to a referral for further disciplinary action (long-term suspension, placement in a nontraditional setting, or recommendation for expulsion) by the Student Management and Alternative Programs Department, or the School Board depending on the severity of the infraction. The student’s age and grade level, the circumstances surrounding the infraction, and other relevant factors will be considered when determining the appropriate corrective measure.

In making certain disciplinary decisions, PWCS takes into account the presence of aggravating circumstances. As defined by the VDOE, aggravating circumstances include:

• Misconduct that caused serious harm (including but not limited to physical, emotional, and psychological harm) to another person(s) or posed a credible threat of serious harm to another person(s), as determined by a threat assessment;
• The student’s presence in the school poses an ongoing and unreasonable risk to the safety of the school, its students, staff, or others in the school; or
• The student engaged in a serious offense that was persistent and unresponsive to targeted interventions as documented through an established intervention process. Virginia Code requires that the above also include consideration of the student’s disciplinary history.

Please see Leveled Responses to Student Misconduct for guidance on possible interventions and disciplinary consequences for violations of the COB.

Acts for which a student may be disciplined include, but are not limited to:

Abuse of Car/Vehicle Privileges

Cars and other vehicles may be brought onto school grounds only with permission of the administration and must be operated safely in compliance with school rules and state and local laws. The owner and/or operator of any car or other vehicle that is located on or operated on school property consents, by virtue of such operation and/or location of the car or vehicle on school property, to the search of such a vehicle when reasonable suspicion exists that prohibited items as described in Regulation 737-1, “Searches and Seizures,” may be inside it. Violators are subject to corrective action at school, which may include loss of driving privileges on school grounds, out-of-school suspension, further disciplinary action, and applicable legal penalties.

Assault

An intentional act that puts another person in reasonable fear of imminent harmful or offensive contact.

Assault and/or Battery of a School Division Employee

The assault and/or battery (as defined here) of any school division employee, including substitutes, is strictly prohibited.

Battery

When a person intentionally causes harmful or offensive contact with another person.

Bullying

Bullying means any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim, to include victims of a group that is protected from discrimination under the Virginia Human Rights Act (§ 2.2-3900 et seq.), and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. Bullying includes cyberbullying. Bullying does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict. Students should immediately report all incidents of bullying to a teacher, counselor, or administrator using the “Complaint of Bullying” form, verbally, or through other means of communication. Students are strongly encouraged to report bullying.

Retaliation against a student who reports bullying or participates in an investigation regarding bullying is strictly prohibited and will be addressed by corrective action, up to and including further disciplinary action.

Cyberbullying is a form of bullying that involves the transmission, receipt, or display of electronic messages and/or images. Cyberbullying refers to any threats by one student toward another, typically through emails, texts, or websites (e.g., blogs and social media sites). Electronic communications that support deliberate, hostile, hurtful messages intended to harm others is a form of bullying. Cyberbullying includes such things as sending mean, vulgar, or threatening messages or images, posting sensitive, private information about another person, pretending to be someone else to make that person look bad, and using defamatory online personal polling websites.

Cyberbullying that occurs at schools, on school property, at school-related activities, during virtual instruction, or within the community and impacts or disrupts the learning environment or school operations will not be tolerated. Likewise, any cyberbullying that occurs using PWCS computers, devices, systems, or networks, or on personal devices while using PWCS systems or networks (regardless of location) is strictly prohibited. Such misconduct is a violation of Regulation 295-1, “Computer Systems and Network Services – PWCS Responsible Use and Internet Safety Policy,” and Regulation 733-1, “Bullying of Students.”

Cyberbullying that occurs off school grounds and/or does not involve the use of PWCS computers, devices, systems, or networks may also result in disciplinary action if it causes or is likely to cause a material disruption to the operation of the school(s) or the school division, threatens the safety or mental/physical well-being of students or staff, or threatens the safety of school buildings or school property.

Report bullying incidents online.

Cell Phones

Students must comply with staff directives or be subject to disciplinary actions if their use of their cell phones disrupts the school’s educational environment.

Cheating and Plagiarism

Students are to neither give nor receive assistance (written, orally, or otherwise) on tests, examinations, final evaluations, or class assignments that are to be graded as the work of a single individual. Cheating includes the giving or receiving of a computer file, program, part of a program, or other computer-based information without specific teacher direction or approval. Cheating encompasses any violation of rules where the violation involves dishonesty.

The parent will be contacted, and the student will receive an intervention or consequence for academic violations. Schools shall incorporate the use of an honor pledge in their efforts to emphasize the importance of honesty.

Plagiarism is a form of cheating. Students are responsible for giving due recognition of sources from which material is quoted, summarized, or paraphrased, as well as to persons from whom assistance has been received. Submitting the intellectual work of another author or student as one’s own, e.g., copy and pasted, copy and pasted with minor adjustments, or without explicit permission from the author, constitutes cheating.

Dishonesty

Students shall not make false accusations against staff or other students and shall not give false information that may be harmful to others or interfere with the duties of staff. Students who make such false reports may be disciplined.

Disobedience/Disrespect

No student shall disregard or disobey any reasonable request made by a school staff member. Any student who directs profanity, threats, or other forms of verbal abuse toward a school staff member shall be subject to OSS and considered for further disciplinary action.

Disruption

No student while on school property, at a school-sponsored activity, or on school buses shall behave in a disorderly manner or in any other way that interrupts or disturbs the orderly operation of the school. Conduct occurring off school grounds that disrupts the school, the educational process, or the rights of the students or staff may also result in corrective action at school.

Drug and Alcohol Possession, Use, and Distribution

Rules addressing student possession, use, and distribution of prohibited substances are outlined in the section titled Prohibited Substances.

Electronic Device Misuse

During the school day or at school-sponsored events and activities, students may not record audio or video footage intended to be, or actually are, used or distributed to cause harm to other students or adults, or which may cause a disruption to the instructional process. Violators are subject to confiscation of the device and/or other corrective action. School division staff do not assume responsibility for the security of communication and/or electronic devices that are brought onto school property. While on school property, at any school-related activities, or while traveling to or from school or any school-related activities, students shall neither take nor display video graphics or still images of a person who is undressed or partially undressed. Students may utilize electronic entertainment devices, including cellphones, while in PWCS vehicles or during transport for PWCS activities or services, provided that these items are not a distraction to the bus driver and/or do not compromise safety. In addition, the use of these devices should not distract from or disrupt activities.

Possession or use of technology capable of skimming/scanning data on credit cards, key FOBs, or other cards/devices that use RFID storage (or similar technology to store data) is prohibited on school property.

Endangering Others

Student conduct that may put others in danger will not be permitted. This includes but is not limited to, violations of fire regulations (e.g., blocking or wedging a corridor door open), making false fire reports, lighting matches, lighting any flame not an approved part of classroom instruction, use of incendiary or explosive materials, and threats or attempts to bomb, burn, or destroy, in any manner, school property or the property of school personnel or students, or allowing access through unauthorized entrances.

Students are strictly prohibited from bypassing safety screening technology by opening exterior doors that are not monitored. Such actions pose a risk to the safety and security of the school environment and are considered a violation of the Code of Behavior.

Failure to Report Violations

To maintain safety and security in our schools, students are responsible for reporting serious violations of the COB to teachers, administrators, other appropriate staff, or the PWCS “Say Something” Anonymous Reporting System. Serious violations include failure to report conduct or behavior which results, or may reasonably be foreseen to result, in injury to the person, health, or welfare of students or staff, or damage to property. Failure to report violations may result in corrective action.

Fighting

Students are responsible for settling confrontations that may arise in a peaceful manner and without the use of violence. When students feel that they are unable to settle disagreements peacefully, they should seek assistance from school personnel, such as a teacher, counselor, principal, social worker, etc. Fighting will result in corrective action, which may include suspension or further disciplinary action. Students are also subject to corrective action for behavior they may not consider to be serious or threatening (“horseplay,” “playing around,” etc.) when that behavior may cause injury, discomfort, or disruption.

Gambling

Gambling on school property is strictly prohibited. Gambling is defined as the betting of money or valuables on the outcome of a game, contest, or event.

Gang or Gang-Related Activity

Gang activity, recruitment, and expressions of gang membership will not be tolerated. Gang-related actions, speech, gestures, clothing, symbols, or other signs of gang membership or gang activity are prohibited at school and school-related activities. Any student involved in gang-related behavior at school is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including a referral to SMAPD for further disciplinary action.

Group Assault

Group assault in school, at school-related activities, or on the way to and from school is strictly prohibited. Any student who participates in a group assault that results in disruption or disturbance at school or school-related activities is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion. Any two or more students with the intent of doing harm to persons, property, or the school environment may be considered a group under this rule.

Harassment

Repeatedly annoying or attacking a student or group of students, or personnel, creating an intimidating or hostile educational or work environment for any reason. Harassment demeans, threatens, intimidates, or harms an individual or group in such a way as to cause anxiety or fear for safety. Harassment that targets the victim on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including lactation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis by law shall be investigated following procedures outlined in Regulation 738-1, “Resolution of Allegations Against Students of Sexual Misconduct,” Regulation 738-3, “Resolution of Allegations Against Students of Discrimination or Harassment,” or Regulation 738-4, “Nondiscrimination Against Students on the Basis of Disability,” as applicable. Imposition of discipline for conduct that constitutes Title IX Sexual Harassment shall follow the procedures set forth in Regulation 738-1, not the procedures outlined in the Code of Behavior.

Report discrimination or harassment online.

Hazing

Students shall not engage in behavior that recklessly or intentionally endangers the health or safety of others or inflicts bodily injury on a student in connection with initiation, affiliation, or admission into a club, group, organization, or student body. Violators are subject to disciplinary action, and possible criminal consequences. Virginia Code § 18.2-56 imposes a Class 1 misdemeanor penalty for hazing violations meaning confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.

Improper Touching

Improper touching is intentional, unwanted physical contact with a student or staff member that does not fall within the definitions of physical assault or sexual assault under Title IX. (See the definition of Sex-Based Harassment below.) Improper touching may or may not be sexual in nature. Improper touching that occurs on school property or at a school-sponsored activity is prohibited.

Indecent Material

No student shall possess, wear/display, produce, or distribute indecent (vulgar, obscene, profane, patently offensive) materials including, but not limited to, clothing, posters, stickers, written/printed materials, CDs, DVDs, and computer-based materials.

Laser Pointers

Students shall not have laser pointers or other laser devices at school, on school buses, or at school-related activities without the permission of a school administrator or faculty member. Violators are subject to corrective measures and may have the pointer/device confiscated.

Lewd Behavior

Lewd behavior, such as obscene or vulgar conduct or conduct that is offensive to the standards of decency, is strictly prohibited.

Littering

Students shall help maintain a clean and healthful school environment by properly disposing of trash while in the cafeteria, classrooms, hallways, and elsewhere in the school and on school grounds, buses, bus stops, and at school-related activities.

Offenses Off of School Grounds

Actions outside of school that have a detrimental impact on the school building, programs, students, or staff will not be tolerated. The School Board and PWCS staff are committed to maintaining the schools as safe and healthy places in which to learn, free from the impact of violence, weapons, gang activity, substance abuse, and other harmful influences. Students are subject to corrective measures at school, up to and including further disciplinary actions, for offenses that occur in the community or at other locations off of school grounds if those offenses result or may foreseeably result in material disruption to the operation of the school, the educational process, or impact the rights, safety, or welfare of students, staff, or school property. Under Virginia law, a student may be suspended or expelled if found guilty in court for the manufacture, sale, gift, distribution, or possession of drugs, even if the offense is not connected with school. Furthermore, Virginia law provides that a student may be reassigned or placed in an alternative education program (alternative school, evening school, online resources, etc.) upon notice that the student has been charged with certain school-reportable criminal offenses, including offenses relating to weapons, alcohol/drugs, intentional injury to another person, or if convicted or found not innocent of other school-reportable offenses, as set forth in Regulation 681-1, “Nontraditional Education Programs.” Conviction or adjudication of certain school-reportable criminal charges may result in reassignment, long-term suspension, or expulsion. Students may also be reassigned, placed in nontraditional education programs, suspended, or expelled when they have committed a serious offense or repeated offenses in violation of School Board policies and regulations.

Prohibited Substances

The rules governing those substances prohibited by PWCS are summarized in this section. Please refer to Regulation 735-1, “Prohibited Substances,” for all information pertaining to this subject.

In accordance with Virginia Code § 22.1-277.08, the School Board shall, but is not required to, expel any student determined to have brought a controlled substance, imitation controlled substance, or marijuana, as defined in Virginia Code § 18.2-247, onto school property or to a school-sponsored activity. Students who violate the law shall be referred to local authorities for appropriate action in the criminal justice or juvenile delinquency system. However, the principal, School Board, and/or Superintendent or designee (the director of SMAPD or a SMAPD hearing officer) shall have the authority to modify the type of disciplinary action when special circumstances exist based on the facts of a particular situation. Special circumstances include, but are not limited to, the statutory criteria outlined in Virginia Code § 22.1-277.06, as described in Regulation 745-1, “Long-Term Suspension or Expulsion of Students.”

The list of prohibited substances and paraphernalia for which a student may be expelled under the rules of PWCS is broader than the list of prohibited substances for which the law mandates expulsion. Even if the prohibited substances or related paraphernalia do not fall within the class of substances prohibited by law, a student shall be subject to expulsion if the student is involved in the possession, use, receipt or attempted receipt, purchase or attempted purchase, or distribution or attempted distribution, of prohibited substances or paraphernalia, unless the principal or Superintendent’s designee, (the director of SMAPD or a SMAPD hearing officer) or the School Board finds that special circumstances justify a lesser disciplinary action, or no action at all, based on the facts of a particular situation. In some cases, there may be a question about whether or not the possession, use, or distribution of a substance or object is a violation. The nature and appearance of the substance or related paraphernalia, its purpose, and how it was used, or intended to be used, shall be considered when making decisions about disciplinary action.

• Duty to Report Prohibited Substances – All PWCS employees and students are required to notify the principal, assistant principal, a community resource officer, security personnel, teacher, or other school employee immediately if they have reason to believe that there are, or are likely to be, prohibited substances or related paraphernalia in school, on school grounds, on school buses, at bus stops, on the way to or from school, or at any school-related activity. Students who have such knowledge but fail to report the presence or anticipated presence of prohibited substances or related paraphernalia may themselves be subject to disciplinary action. The principal or the principal’s designee shall retain commensurate authority to immediately act within school division policy to ensure student's and staff's safety and welfare. The resources of the school division and local police department shall be available to assist the principal in this action.

• Consequences of a Prohibited Substance Violation – Any student accused of committing a prohibited substance violation shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion, as described above. Principals, or their designated representatives, may offer substance abuse offenders and their parents the opportunity to voluntarily participate in the New Horizons Program at the high school level.

A substance abuse suspension shall also result in an immediate suspension for a minimum of 30 calendar days from participation in all school activities (teams, clubs, and all other school-sponsored activities), including practice. Whether suspended from school or not, coaches and/or sponsors, with the approval of the school administration, may suspend students from participation in school-sponsored activities for violations of the rules of the team, club, or activity regarding prohibited substances. This includes violation of rules regarding prohibited substances committed off school grounds and outside the school day. The student may also be subject to disciplinary probation for 90 calendar days during which time principals may require subsequent follow-up with the substance abuse prevention staff.

Profanity

No student shall use vulgar, lewd, patently offensive, or indecent language or gestures.

Retaliation

Retaliation is strictly prohibited and occurs when action is taken against a person for making a report of misconduct or for participating in any investigation into a report of misconduct. Retaliation includes threatening, intimidating, harassing, coercing, or any other conduct that would discourage someone from reporting an offense or participating in an investigation.

Sex-Based Harassment

Sexual-based harassment under Title IX (“Sex-Based Harassment”) is misconduct on the basis of sex that meets one of the following conditions:

• A PWCS employee provides or offers to provide aid, benefit, or service to an individual in exchange for the individual’s participation in sexual conduct.
• A student or staff member is subjected to unwelcome conduct that is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that the individual is denied equal access to a PWCS educational program or activity.
• Dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking as defined by the U.S. Code and Regulation 738-1.

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination, including harassment, in schools. Sex-Based Harassment allegations are addressed under Regulation 738-1, “Resolution of Allegations Against Students of Sexual Misconduct.” Conduct of a sexual nature that negatively impacts a student, staff member, or the educational process but does not meet this definition of Sex-Based Harassment may also be subject to discipline under the COB. Students who believe they have been sexually harassed or the targets of mistreatment based on sex or sex-stereotyping are encouraged to report the matter to the school principal or the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Compliance Department at TitleIXEquity@pwcs.edu or 571-374-6839.

Report discrimination or harassment online.

Smoking and Vaping

All PWCS schools are smoke-free environments. Smoking and vaping are not permitted in any PWCS building at any time. Students, regardless of age, are not permitted to smoke or be in possession of tobacco products, nicotine vapor paraphernalia, cigarettes, matches, lighters, or other electronic smoking devices, on school buses, in school buildings, on school property, or at an on-site or off-site school-sponsored activity.

Students involved in the possession or use of tobacco or nicotine vapor products shall receive penalties ranging from Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) to other effective options assigned by the principal as appropriate deterrents for individual students. These options may include OSS, in-school suspension (ISS), detention, school/community projects, and charges filed with local authorities. Educational programs are available at the middle and high school levels to help students better understand the negative health consequences associated with smoking and nicotine use.

Stalking

Stalking is a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others or suffer substantial emotional distress. Stalking behavior may include, but is not limited to, making repeated and unwanted contact with the person through phone calls, mail, emails, texts, or social media; following the person; making threats to the victim, either directly or indirectly; and damaging or threatening to damage the person’s property.

Supporting Misconduct

Students who, by their presence and/or actions, encourage disruption, fights, or other violations of the COB are subject to disciplinary action. This includes, but is not limited to, bystanders who refuse to move or to follow other directions of school staff during disruptions, fights, etc.

Technology Misuse

Computers, computer networks, and other electronic technology shall be used only for valid educational purposes and only with the approval of a school staff member. When using electronic technology in the school, students are required to abide by the COB and adhere to the standards defined by PWCS Policy 295, “Standards for Computer Systems and Network Services,” Regulation 295-1, “Computer Systems and Network Services – PWCS Responsible Use and Internet Safety Policy,” and Regulation 295-2, “Website Development and Implementation.”

These policies and regulations are available online at PWCS Policies and Regulations.

Unacceptable uses of technology include, but are not limited to:

• Violating the privacy rights of others.
• Using, producing, distributing, or receiving profanity, obscenity, or material that bullies, harasses, offends, threatens, or degrades others. This includes cyberbullying, a form of bullying that involves the transmission, receipt, or display of electronic messages or images.
• Producing, transmitting, possessing, and/or sharing images, messages, or other material of a sexual nature using a wireless communication device.
• Copying commercial software in violation of copyright law.
• Using technology for financial gain or commercial or illegal activity.
• Using technology for product advertisement or political endorsement.
• Repost personal communications without the author’s prior consent.
• Using technology in violation of other rules and regulations of the COB.
• Use of technology off school property which has a material effect on the operation or general welfare of the school division, impacts the integrity of the educational process, threatens the safety and welfare of students, staff, or school property, occurs when the student is under the school’s authority or otherwise invades the rights of students or staff.

Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action, loss of technology-use privileges, and penalties under law. Willful irresponsibility may be viewed as malicious and may lead to corrective action or criminal penalties. Deliberate attempts to degrade or disrupt technology system performance will be viewed as criminal activity under applicable state and federal law.

Theft

Taking without permission or attempting to take without permission school property or personal property of others is expressly forbidden. All incidents involving theft or attempted theft of student prescription medications shall be reported to the principal or designee. Violators are subject to disciplinary action at school and may be referred to appropriate authorities for legal action.

Threat

A threat is a concerning communication or behavior that suggests an individual is a danger to the safety of school staff or students, either through violence or other harmful actions. A threat can be conveyed behaviorally, verbally, visually, in writing, electronically, or by any other means. It is deemed a threat whether it is directly observed by or communicated to the intended target, or indirectly observed by or communicated to a third party, and regardless of the target's awareness of the threat. Schools have threat assessment teams tasked with evaluating and addressing behaviors that may jeopardize the safety of school staff or students. PWCS threat assessment procedures are detailed in Regulation 777-1, "Threat Assessment Procedures." While the Threat Assessment process itself is not punitive, threats do breach the Code of Behavior and may lead to disciplinary actions.

Students serving an out-of-school suspension may not be on school property without the written permission of the principal.

In the event the student has a matter before SMAPD considering long-term suspension or further disciplinary action, except to attend a scheduled meeting with a parent and school officials regarding the student’s education, the student shall not be on the property or in the buildings of any PWCS school or building, school bus, or school-sponsored event without the specific prior written permission of the SMAPD. Any violation of this provision may lead to the imposition of further sanctions by the school administration or the filing of trespassing charges, or both. Should the student need to access a PWCS school or property during this time, please submit a written request to the school principal or SMAPD.

Truancy

School attendance is compulsory until age 18 unless the student has been exempted by law, has graduated, or has completed a GED® program. School attendance officers are authorized to enforce attendance requirements and to refer students and/or parents to the courts for legal action, if necessary.

Unauthorized Use of Communication Devices

The possession of communication devices by students on school grounds is a privilege, not a right. Any student who brings a communication device on school property consents to these rules and to the school division’s right to confiscate and/or search such devices as provided in these rules. Any expectation of privacy related to the use of student or staff-owned devices is negated by the failure to comply with relevant School Board policies and regulations. Students may possess wireless communication devices including, but not limited to, cell phones, tablets, and e-readers on school grounds provided that these devices are used only at the times and in the manner specified by PWCS regulations, as implemented by school principals and staff. The use of these devices may be prohibited at specific times and locations to maintain the integrity of an academic environment. Any violation of such prohibitions on or off school property may result in disciplinary action. Wireless communication devices may be used on school buses provided that the device does not distract the driver, compromise safety, or violate other school bus rules and regulations. Videotaping, recording, or photographing students or other occupants of any type where such activity invades the privacy of others or is used to harass, embarrass, humiliate, or harm others, or where in the judgment of school staff, is disruptive and/or otherwise diverts the attention from school operations and/or the learning environment and impedes upon the ability to maintain a positive climate and culture is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action. Violators are subject to confiscation of the communication device and/or other corrective action. Searches of communication devices may be conducted if the administrator has a reasonable suspicion that it is being used or has been used for conduct that is criminal or a violation of the COB. School division staff do not assume responsibility for the security of communication and/or electronic devices that are brought onto school property. While on school property, at any school-related activities, or while traveling to and from school or any school-related activities, students shall neither take nor display video graphics or still images of a person who is undressed or partially undressed. Violators may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including further disciplinary action.

Vandalism

No student shall maliciously or willfully damage, deface, or destroy school property, or the personal belongings of others. (This includes graffiti, as well as computer and other electronic vandalism.) Students are responsible for reimbursing the School Board for actual breakage or destruction of property or for the failure to return property owned by or under the control of the School Board. Disciplinary action may be taken against students who commit vandalism or fail to return property owned by or under the control of the School Board. Virginia law authorizes the School Board to take legal action to recover the cost of such damage from the parents of such students.

Violations of School, Sport, Club, and Activity Rule

In addition to the rules and regulations of the COB, students are expected to comply with rules established by their schools and with the rules of the sports, clubs, and activities in which they participate. Violators are subject to disciplinary action as described in the COB. Students may be suspended from participation in sports, clubs, or other school-sponsored activities for violations of the rules of the team or activity, even if the violation occurs off school grounds and outside the school day. This includes, but is not limited to, violations of team training rules related to the use of tobacco, nicotine vapor products, alcohol, and other drugs.

Weapons and Other Prohibited Objects

The rules governing weapons and other objects prohibited by Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) are outlined in Regulation 775-1, “Weapons and Other Prohibited Objects,” and summarized in this section. Weapons and other prohibited items are not permitted on any school property, on school buses, going to or from school, or at any school-related activity, regardless of where that activity takes place. School property means any real property owned or leased by the School Board or any vehicle owned, leased, or operated by or on behalf of the School Board. Students may also be subject to disciplinary action for weapons offenses that occur off school grounds, if the offense results in material disruption to the operation of the school, is planned in school or at school activities, occurs during a school-sponsored activity, threatens the safety and welfare of students, staff, or school property, is otherwise connected to the school, or results in an adjudication of delinquency reportable to the Division Superintendent as required by § 16.1-260, 16.1-301, and 16.1-305.1 of the “Virginia Code.”

Possession of Firearms and Other Statutory Weapons – Mandatory Expulsion

Principals shall suspend all students who possess weapons detailed below for 10 school days and shall refer the student to SMAPD for further disciplinary action. The student shall be expelled for 365 days unless a SMAPD hearing officer or the School Board determines, upon reviewing the specific facts of the case, that special circumstances warrant no disciplinary action or a different form of discipline or period of expulsion. Special circumstances may include but are not limited to, the factors set forth in subsection C of § 22.1-277.06 of the “Virginia Code.”

• Weapons in violation of the Federal Improving America’s School Act of 1994 (Part F-Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994) and § 22.1-277.07 of the “Virginia Code.”
• A firearm, destructive device, firearm muffler, firearm silencer, or pneumatic gun. Weapons in violation of § 18.2-308.1 of the “Virginia Code.”
• A stun weapon.
• Knife, except a pocketknife having a blade of less than 3 inches.
• Any dirk, bowie knife, stiletto knife, ballistic knife, machete, razor, sling bow, spring stick, metal knucks, or blackjack.
• Any flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as a nun chahka, nun chuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain.
• Any disc, of whatever configuration, having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart.
• Any weapon of like kind.

Possession of Other Weapons or Prohibited Objects – Disciplinary Consequences

The principal shall have the discretion to impose appropriate disciplinary sanctions, up to and including a 10-day suspension from school and a referral for further disciplinary action, for the possession of the following items:

• Pocket knives having blades of less than 3 inches
• Box cutters
• Pepper spray
• Ammunition
• Razor blades
• Fireworks
• Slingshots
• Other like items
• Look-alike or toy weapons

Use of Other Weapons or Prohibited Objects – Mandatory Expulsion

The use of weapons or prohibited objects described above or ordinary objects that are not typically considered to be weapons, such as, but not limited to, baseball bats, sharpened pencils, belt buckles, bicycle chains, wallet chains, and scissors, to harm, threaten or intimidate another is strictly prohibited. Principals shall suspend all students who use such weapons or objects to harm, threaten, or intimidate another in violation of this regulation for 10 school days and shall refer the student to SMAPD for further disciplinary action. A student will face expulsion unless the SMAPD hearing officer or the School Board, upon reviewing the specific facts of the case, decides that special circumstances warrant no disciplinary action or an alternative disciplinary action or term of expulsion.

Duty to Report Weapons and Prohibited Objects

All employees and students of PWCS are required to notify the principal, assistant principal, any school resource officer, security personnel, teacher, or school employee immediately if they have reason to believe that there is, or is likely to be, a weapon or prohibited object described in this regulation in school, on school property, on school buses, at bus stops, or at any school-related activity. Students who have such knowledge but fail to report the presence or anticipated presence of a weapon or prohibited object, may themselves be subject to disciplinary action. The principal (or designee) shall retain commensurate authority to immediately act within School Board policy to assure the safety and welfare of students and staff, including requests for assistance to school resources officers and local law enforcement.