The majority of student misconduct is minor and is managed by teachers and school counselors. Staff collect data to make decisions and implement interventions as necessary. Utilizing the Multi Tiered System of Support (MTSS), we collectively problem-solve to ensure that all students get the
support they require across the tiers to be successful at GBE. To learn more about MTSS access the FCPS Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) public webpage.

Administrators manage and investigate any major violations of the Students Rights and Responsibilities. Please read and review the SR&R with your student by accessing the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) public webpage.

Families can review videos sharing more about SR&R by accessing FCPS SR&R Videos for Families.

All parents and guardians must return the SR&R signature sheet by September 30, 2022.  A copy of the signature sheet can be found here.

FCPS officials work to help each student understand school rules and how their misconduct may affect others. In most situations, teachers and administrators first use responses that take place at school before considering out-of-school suspension.

• These responses may include:
• Use of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
• Reteach desired behavior
• Restructure classroom practices based upon needs
• Address social skills and emotional skills that may contribute to behavior
• Private admonition and counseling by the teacher
• Counseling by another member of the staff
• Parent/Teacher/Administrator/Student conference
• Change in seating
• Restorative practices or conference
• Behavior contract/chart
• After-school detention
• Lunch detention
• Temporary removal of privileges such as parking, senior privileges, teams, clubs, and otherschool-sponsoredactivities
• Temporary removal from class
• Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)/Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) In chronic or very serious situations, such as bringing a gun, distribution, repeated possession, or use of drugs on school grounds, the principal must submit a referral to the Division Superintendent. The principal may also make a referral to the Division Superintendent for other serious offenses, depending on the circumstances of the situation. The principal also includesinformation about the student’s past grades, attendance, behavior, and information provided by teachers, counselors, and others who know the student. By law, certain types of behavior are strictly prohibited and require that the principal make a referral to the Division Superintendent who will determine if additional disciplinary consequences should be imposed. The following procedures apply when a student is involved in serious misconduct which may result in a suspension up to 10 days, with a referral to the Division Superintendent:
  • The principal will take action to stop the incident, including calling the police or SRO when necessary to ensure student and staff safety.
  • The principal will attempt to contact the parents as soon as possible and before questioning the student.
  • Students will have a chance to talk with the principal about what happened. The SRO is not present while the principal speaks to students, unless there is a safety concern. The principal will not ask the student for a written statement or continue with questioning the student before notifying a parent. After notifying parents, the principal may ask the student to write down what happened in their own words. The student will be told that they do not have to write this statement.
• The principal will give parents information to help them understand the nature of the offense and the discipline process.
• Students and parents who disagree with staff decisions may present complaints to teachers, counselors, school administrators, and the region assistant superintendent.
• Parents may appeal all disciplinary decisions that would cause the student to be kept out of school. Police Involvement:
  • FCPS and local law enforcement agencies have a signed agreement that outlines the role and responsibilities of SROs in the schools. This agreement can be found on the FCPS Memorandum of Understanding Between FCPS and the Fairfax County Police Department webpage.
  • For some serious, dangerous situations, the law requires that the principal immediately notify the police.
  • An SRO may be called by an administrator to provide security, protection, or handling of contraband.
  • If the principal is not required by law to immediately notify the police, but believes a law may have been broken, they will attempt to notify parents before calling the SRO or the police.
  • Unless there is an immediate risk of danger, the SRO shall take immediate steps to contact the parent before any questioning of a student.  Full information about each of the following procedures is found in Regulation 2601.36P, located in the Appendix.

A principal may remove a student from school for up to ten days (short-term suspension) or recommend to the Division Superintendent that the student be removed for more than ten days (long-term suspension), when a student violates school rules. During suspension from school, the student may not participate in teams, clubs, and other school- sponsored activities, and may also be required to attend an intervention seminar. The student will be assigned work to be completed. The
parent will be asked to come to school and get the assignments, or to make arrangements for another student to pick up the work. Completed assignments should be returned to school for grading. A staff member may call to see how the student is doing.  A student whose presence poses a continuing danger or disruption may be removed from schoolimmediately. The student and parent will receive notice and have an opportunity to respond as soon as possible.

When a student commits a serious violation, the principal may submit a referral to the Division Superintendent to determine whether the student will remain at their school, be long-term suspended, reassigned to a different school or program, or recommended to the School Board expulsion. When a referral to the Division Superintendent is made, the parents and student have a right to participate in a hearing before the Division Superintendent’s hearing officers, who will determine the disciplinary outcome.  When a student is suspended from school pending their hearing, the student is assigned a teacher who will act as a case manager to help the student stay on track with assignments. Other direct support may also be provided.

A student who commits serious and/or repeated school- related offenses, or who is charged with certain serious crimes related to an alleged community-based incident may be reassigned to a different school or program, including to an alternative educational setting. Before a student can be reassigned, the parents and student have a right to participate in a hearing before the Division Superintendent’s hearing officers, who will determine the disciplinary outcome. Parents may appeal the hearing officer’s reassignment decision to the School Board, which will review the appeal on the written record. When FCPS reassigns a student with an IEP for disciplinary reasons, in which the reassignment would result in a change of placement, the IEP team will convene to discuss the student’s IEP or implementation of the student’s IEP at the new location. Because the least restrictive environment (LRE) of a student with a disability is not to be predetermined, it is the duty of the IEP team to discuss, propose, and decide upon the LRE, consistent with the disciplinary decision. Accordingly, the IEP team will consider the views of all members of the meeting.

A student may be referred to a nontraditional FCPS program that provides intensive supports to students with behavioral and academic difficulties, or a history of absenteeism.  These programs help students set their own goals and provide a range of academic supports, counseling, behavior management, and related services. The student and parents have the opportunity to tour the programs and talk with staff members about the alternative learning choices available. If the student has significant mental health or substance abuse problems, the principal may also give parents information about appropriate programs offered in the community where school services are also available. A teacher, the counselor, or principal may recommend that the parent consider an alternative program and will help make the referral for voluntary placement if agreed upon.

Students who bring certain weapons or illegal drugs to school must be expelled under Virginia law unless special circumstances are found. Principals may also refer students to the Division Superintendent for other serious violations. Before a student can be expelled, the parents and student have a right to participate in a hearing before the Division Superintendent and the School Board, where it is determined whether there are special circumstances and whether a different consequence
might be more appropriate. If expelled, a student is not permitted to attend any school in FCPS for 365 calendar days, unless the School Board permits the student to attend an alternative educational setting during the expulsion. Expelled students may petition for readmission after one year.

A student who has been suspended or referred to the Division Superintendent may have ongoing consequences when the student returns to school. Probationary conditions, community service, drug testing, and restitution are among the measures designed to provide an opportunity for the student to demonstrate that they are taking positive steps as a returning member of the school community.