Student Handbook - Hoosic Valley Central School

Such conduct shall include but is not limited to threats, intimidation, or abuse based on a
person’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious
practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex; provided nothing in this subdivision shall
be construed to prohibit a denial of admission into, or exclusion from, a course of instruction
based on a persons’ gender that would be permissible under Education Law sections 3201-a or
2854(2)(a) and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681, et seq.), or
to prohibit, as discrimination based on disability, actions that would be permissible under
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
“Sexual Orientation” means actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality
(Education Law §11[5]).
“Gender” means actual or perceived sex and shall include a person’s gender identity and
expression (Education Law §11[6]).
“Emotional Harm” that takes place in the context of “harassment or bullying” means harm to a
student’s emotional wellbeing through creation of a hostile school environment that is so severe
or pervasive as to unreasonably and substantially interfere with a student’s education.
"Violent Student" means a student under the age of 21 whom:
a) Commits an act of violence upon a school employee, or attempts to do so.
b) Commits, while on school property or at a school function, an act of violence upon
another student or any other person lawfully on school property or at the school function,
or attempts to do so.
c) Possess, while on school property or at a school function, a weapon.
d) Displays, while on school property or at a school function, what appears to be a weapon.
e) Threatens, while on school property or at a school function, to use a weapon.
f) Knowingly and intentionally damages or destroys the personal property of any school
employee or any person lawfully on school property or at a school function.
g) Knowingly and intentionally damages or destroys school district property.
"Weapon" means a firearm as defined in 18 USC §921 for purposes of the Gun-Free Schools Act.
It also means any other gun, BB gun, pistol, revolver, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, disguised
gun, dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto, switchblade knife, gravity knife, brass knuckles, sling shot,
metal knuckle knife, box cutters, cane sword, electronic dart gun, Kung Fu star, electronic stun
gun, pepper spray or other noxious spray, incendiary bomb, ammunition, imitation ammunition
or exploding substances, or other device, instrument, material or substance that can cause
physical injury or death when used to cause physical injury or death.
“Controlled Substance” means a drug or other substance identified in certain provisions of the
federal Controlled Substances Act specified in both federal and state law and regulations
applicable to this policy.
“Illegal Drugs” means a controlled substance except for those legally possessed or used under
the supervision of a licensed health-care professional or that is legally possessed or used under
any other authority under the Controlled Substances Act or any other federal law. Illegal drugs
include but are not limited to alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, cocaine, LSD, PCP, amphetamines,
heroin, steroids, synthetic and look-alike drugs.
“Synthetic Drugs” (whether illegal or labeled for human consumption) are designed to mimic the
intended effects and usages of substances which are chemically similar to those controlled by
state and local law.
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Hoosic Valley Central School District