• Brewster Central School District
    Code of Conduct 2022-2023


    IV.  Definitions

    1. For purposes of this Code, the following definitions apply.

      1. “Behavior” is the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially towards others. It is expected that students, staff, and visitors will conduct themselves in such a way that is in line with this Code.

      2. "Disruptive student" means an elementary or secondary student under the age of 21 who is substantially disruptive of the educational process or substantially interferes with the teacher's authority over the classroom. (Definition of "disruptive student" from §3214(2-a)(b).)

      3. “Gender” means actual or perceived sex and shall include a person’s gender identity or expression. (Definition of “gender” comes from §11 (6).)

      4. “Gender expression” is the manner in which a person represents or expresses gender to others, often through behavior, clothing, hairstyle, activities, voice or mannerisms.

      5. “Gender identity” is one’s self-conception as being male or female, as distinguished from actual biological sex or sex assigned at birth.

      6. "Parent" means parent, guardian, caregiver or person in parental relation to a student.

      7. “Relationships” are the way in which two or more people regard and behave toward each other.

      8. “Respect” is an act of treating everyone in the school community with dignity. This is demonstrated by: treating others with kindness and care, being polite and using manners, expressing thoughts and opinions in ways that are polite and courteous, using a polite tone of voice and body language, listening to others who are speaking to you, keeping one’s hands to one’s self and not violating others’ personal space.

      9. “Responsibility” is an obligation to behave in accordance with social norms and being held accountable for one’s actions.

      10. “Restorative Practices” are a response to student actions that violate the dignity, safety, or well-being of others by connecting the person responsible for the harm with those who have been harmed, in order to reach a resolution that guides, and assists the person responsible for the harm in accepting responsibility, apologizing for the harm, making meaningful reparation and improving the relationship between parties.

      11. "School property" means in or within any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground, parking lot or land contained within the real property boundary line of a public elementary or secondary school, or in or on a school bus, as defined in Vehicle and Traffic Law §142.

      12. "School function" means any school-sponsored extracurricular event or activity.

      13. “Sexual orientation” means actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality.

      14. "Violent student" means a student under the age of 21 who:
        1. Commits an act of violence upon a school employee.
        2. 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.
        3. Possess, while on school property or at a school function, a weapon such as a gun, knife, explosive or incendiary bomb, or other dangerous instrument capable of causing physical injury or death.
        4. Displays, while on school property or at a school function, what appears to be a weapon.
        5. Threatens, while on school property or at a school function, to use a weapon.
        6. 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.
        7. Knowingly and intentionally damages or destroys School District property.

      15. "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, slingshot, metal knuckle knife, box cutters, cane sword, electronic dart gun, Kung Fu star, electronic stun gun, pepper spray or other noxious spray, explosive or incendiary bomb, or other device, instrument, material or substance that can cause physical injury or death when used to cause physical injury or death.