Possession or Use of Weapons or Look Alike Weapons in School

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> Possession or use of weapons or look alike weapons in school

Possession or use of weapons in school
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Peoria teach and uphold the sanctity of human life. Virtues such as respect for others, peacemaking, and self-discipline are foundations of Catholic education. Furthermore, a safe academic and social environment is essential for learning and Christian formation. The possession of weapons not only disrupts the school’s learning environment, it fundamentally violates the sanctity of human life by threatening the very health and safety of teachers and students. Therefore, diocesan schools have a zero tolerance towards weapons.

It is strictly forbidden for any student to possess, use, attempt to use, manufacture, distribute, purchase, trade or sell (or seek the sale or trade of) any weapon on school premises or at any school-related activity or function, including but not limited to travel to and from school and/or school related functions. Possession means having a weapon on one’s person or in an area subject to the student’s control such as desks, lockers, backpacks, and vehicles. Any student possessing, using, attempting to use, manufacturing, distributing, purchasing, trading or selling (or seeking the sale or trade of) weapons at school or any school-related function shall, at the discretion of the pastor and principal, be subject to immediate expulsion.

Weapons are defined as any object, device or instrument that has been designated, created, adapted, or used for the purpose of intimidating, threatening, and/or inflicting physical injury (including but not limited to anything which resembles such items). Weapons include:

• Any firearm or ammunition (pistols, rifles, shotguns)

• Air guns, pellet guns, BB guns, blowguns, slingshots, etc.

• Look alike, stun guns, toy guns or other weapons, and replicas of weapons

• Any knife or blade including switch blades, pocket knives, stilettos, swords, daggers, box cutters, razor blades, etc.

• Any club or club like object including billies, bats, blackjacks, and other bludgeons

• Metal knuckles, fused rings, or objects designed to produce similar effects

• Martial arts devices including nunchakus, klackers, kung fu sticks, batons, chains, etc.

• Projectiles including shurikens and similar pointed starlike objects, arrows, darts, etc.

• Mace, teargas, pepper spray or other propellants

• Explosive devices including fireworks, firecrackers, poppers, cap devices, etc.

• Poisons

• Armbands, bracelets, etc. having spikes, points, or studs

• Objects which have been modified to act as or resemble a weapon.

• Any article (laser pointers, belts, combs, pencils, scissors, etc) used to intimidate, threaten, and/or inflict bodily injury

Any student found to be in the possession of a weapon shall be immediately suspended from school. The weapon will be confiscated and police officials contacted. Upon notification of the student’s parents and administrative review, the student shall be expelled from school.

In cases where there are substantial mitigating circumstances, the pastor may impose a suspension rather than an expulsion after consultation with the Superintendent of Schools (especially with students in grades K-3).

In the event that a student finds a weapon at school or at a school-related function, the student shall immediately notify a teacher, coach, or administrator about the weapon’s location. In such cases, the student shall not be regarded as possessing a weapon. Teachers or students who require a facsimile of a weapon for a legitimate school/class project must first obtain approval from the principal prior to bringing the item into school.

Diocesan schools reserve the right to dismiss any student anytime whatsoever for conduct, whether inside or outside of school, that is detrimental to the reputation of the school and/or the continued well-being and safety of students.

Catholic Diocese of Peoria Policy

Adopted 4/04

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Possession or use of weapons or look alike weapons in school

• The weapon shall be immediately confiscated by the school administration. Proper discretion shall be used in confiscating weapons from students, taking into consideration such factors as the age of the student, the circumstances surrounding the event, and the potential danger posed by the student. If there is any potential risk to the safety of students and/or staff, school authorities shall call 911 and wait for law enforcement officers to disarm the student.

• The Superintendent of Schools shall be contacted promptly and informed about the situation. The Superintendent will discuss the required procedures to be followed.

• The student shall immediately be suspended pending the completion of an administrative review of the events.

• The students’ parents or legal guardians will be notified of the incident and asked to come to the school to remove their student from the building.

• The police will be contacted, and the weapon turned over to their custody. Depending upon the nature of the incident, criminal charges may be filed.

• The principal will conduct a complete investigation into the incident. All involved parties shall be interviewed and any pertinent information shall be documented in writing.

• A meeting will be held with the principal, pastor, student, and parents. If the principal’s investigation verified that the student possessed the weapon or look alike weapon, the student shall be expelled from school.

• In the event of mitigating circumstances, the pastor may elect a disciplinary action other than expulsion, especially for students in Gr. K-3. The pastor may consider circumstances such as:

• Is the violation merely technical in nature (e.g. squirt guns)?

• Was the weapon displayed or used in a threatening manner?

• Has the weapon caused harm, injury, destruction or damage?

• Is the weapon commonly used by people for purposes other than used as a weapon (e.g. table knife)?

• Did verbal threats precede the possession of the weapon?

• Does the student have a prior disciplinary record of physical violence, aggression, causing injury or damage, and/or making threats to others?

• The decision of the canonical pastor shall be final (cf. D-114). Any appeal of the decision must be submitted in writing directly to the Superintendent of Schools. A review of the decision will only consider whether it violates the applicable policy.

• Parents may withdraw their child from the school at any point during the process. If the decision is made to withdraw, the official transfer form shall indicate that the student is not in good standing due to a pending disciplinary action.

• If a student who has been expelled for a weapons violation applies for readmission in a subsequent school year, the school shall require an assessment by a mental health professional and/or professional counseling prior to reinstatement.

• Upon advance written approval from the principal, a student, or school visitor may possess a weapon and/or look alike for the following reasons:

• Possession and/or use is required as part of an authorized class or course.

• Possession is part of an authorized school and/or class display or presentation

• Possession and/or use is part of an official ceremony (e.g. honor guards, Knights of Columbus , etc.)

• Possession is authorized as a stage prop

• Possession and/or use is part of an authorized interscholastic sports activity

Prior to granting such approval, the principal shall require a written outline documenting how student safety will be guarded throughout the duration of the project, display, presentation, or activity.

Office of Catholic Schools
Administrative Regulation

Issued: 4/04

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