FRONT COVER - Norwin School District

Tobacco or Smoking Product Possession/Use
Students shall be prohibited from possessing and/or using tobacco, tobacco products (including
smokeless tobacco products) while in a school building, on school property or while traveling on school
buses. This policy will also be in effect for all school-sponsored activities.
Students smoking, chewing snuff, or in possession of any tobacco products are in violation of Act 145 of
1996 and commit a summary offense. Charges will be filed automatically with the district justice
(magistrate) for secondary students, who are subject to fines that can be assessed by the district justice.
Fines for the violation of this summary offense may be a maximum of $50. The school may also impose a
minimum of a temporary suspension.
Students smoking on a school bus have the same rules apply. Students may also lose bus-riding
privileges for this violation.
Students serving as lookouts for smokers shall be subject to a minimum of a temporary suspension.
Secondary students found in violation of this rule may also be subject to a minimum of a temporary
suspension.
Repeat offenders of any of these rules may be subject to a full suspension or expulsion.
Weapons
It is a misdemeanor of the first degree for any person to possess a weapon in the buildings or upon the
grounds of any public school in the Norwin School District. In addition, Federal Gun-Free Schools Act
and Pennsylvania Act 27 of 1995 require adherence to certain discipline and reporting requirements in
the event a student is in possession of a weapon or firearm. As such, students are prohibited from
possessing a weapon:
in any Norwin School District building
on any grounds of the Norwin School District
in any conveyance (including private) providing transportation to or from Norwin School District
at any school function, activity or event whether or not held on Norwin School District grounds
while the student is on his/her way to or from school
Definition of Terms:
Weapon - shall include but not be limited to any knife, cutting instrument, cutting tool, nunchuck
stick, brass or metal knuckles, firearm, shotgun, rifle; chemical agent such as mace,
explosive devices including but not limited to pipe bombs, and any other tool, instrument or
implement capable of inflicting serious bodily injury.
Firearm - includes actual firearms of any type whatsoever, which will or is designed to or may
readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, the frame or receiver
of any such weapon, any firearm muffler or silencer, any destructive device, pellet guns, BB
guns, and look-alike firearms, whether they be capable of operation and whether they be
loaded or unloaded. Any device which is authorized by the school for a legitimate
educational purpose (such as tools, play properties, pallet knives and the like) or any device
or object which has been given prior approval by the Principal in connection with any
educational programs or extra-curricular activity is not considered to be a weapon.
Possession - means being on the person of the student, in the student's locker, or otherwise
under his or her direct or indirect control while the student is on school property, on property
being used by the school or at any school function or activity, or at any school event held
away from the school or while the student is on his/her way to or from school.
Destructive device - shall include any bomb, grenade, and rocket having a propellant charge
of more than four (4) ounces, missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than
one-quarter ounce, mine or device similar to any such devices.
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