As a community that values the development of student’s mind, body and character, we believe MVRHS must be a drug free and substance free environment. We want students to be present and focused at school, ready to learn and develop healthy habits, and we will protect the learning environment from the disruption and distraction that drug and alcohol use creates for others. As such, and per the district Substance Usage Policy, students may not possess drugs, vaporizers or other devices and contents used to smoke, or controlled substances, unless the controlled substance is prescribed by a physician and is held/monitored by the school nurse.
Students may not be under the influence, nor may they students engage in the use of drugs or controlled substances at school, in preparation for school or at any school events.
School administration will need to take action in the following situations:
- A student is suspected of being under the influence because of behavior, appearance, or
smell. - A student enters school smelling of alcohol or drugs and seems to have engaged in
alcohol or drugs prior to coming to school - A school staff member observes a student using, or preparing to use, alcohol, drugs or
other controlled substance (including vaping) - A student is suspected of possessing or using drugs, alcohol or any controlled substance or paraphernalia (including vaporizers)
Action the school can take:
- Contact the parent to express the concern and suspicion;
- Search a student’s belongings;
- Conduct an assessment of the student—through the nurse and/or the School Resource
Officer (SRO); - Take statements from individuals to document what was observed/heard;
- Make a health and disciplinary disciplinary determination based on search and/or
assessment.
If the student is assessed/searched and it is determined that the student has recently engaged in drug/alcohol use or is in possession of drugs, alcohol, controlled substances and/or paraphernalia (including vaporizers), the school will request that the parent pick up the child and immediately take the child to his/her pediatrician physician or the emergency room for a drug screen. If a child’s parent cannot be reached, the school may call an ambulance to transport the child to the hospital if there is an urgent health concern.
Disciplinary action is not contingent on the outcome of the test, although the parents or student may present the results of the drug screen at the hearing if they wish. Disciplinary action will follow and the school will schedule a due process hearing for the following day-or as soon as otherwise possible.
In the due process hearing, the school will administer disciplinary consequences in line with the chart on page 32 of the Student Handbook. The school will also connect the family with services through IWYC/Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, or can make a referral to another entity. Student and parental follow through with this referral may be a condition for the student’s return to school.