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Behavior intervention committee proposes clarifying, restorative-focused handbook and policy edits
Summary
The behavior intervention committee recommended updates to student-handbook sections and related policies to clarify recording and device rules, add immigration status to nondiscrimination language, and emphasize restorative intervention.
The DuPage High School District 88 behavior intervention committee presented annual recommended edits to the student handbook and related board policies at the May 5 meeting. The recommendations are grounded in the Illinois Principals Association model handbook guidance, local practice updates and stakeholder feedback from staff, parents and leadership teams.
Why it matters: Handbook and policy language defines expectations for student behavior, staff reporting duties, and disciplinary procedures. The committee's changes aim to align district documents with current practice, clarify responsibilities, and emphasize intervention and restorative approaches.
Key recommended changes presented: - Section 2 (general handbook language): local clarifications and removal of superfluous text; wording added to reflect intervention/restorative practices rather than exclusively punitive consequences; updated references to PLC practices and personnel clarifications. - Section 6 (student conduct and disciplinary procedures): additions from Illinois Principals Association guidance on restricted behaviors; clarified expectations for audio and video recording (covering devices that capture both audio and video); more realistic cell-phone guidance aligned with building practice (devices "off and away" during academic class time, allowed during passing periods or lunch with teacher discretion); renaming some references from "in-school suspension" to "in-school intervention" to reflect restorative approach; expanded language on look-alike weapons beyond only firearm look-alikes. - Section 9: structural reorganization, relocation of content under appropriate headings and removal of obsolete language. - Board policy 7.180 and 7.190: nondiscrimination policy updated to explicitly include immigration status; staff reporting responsibilities clarified (staff required to report bullying incidents while community members are encouraged to report); updated language regarding recording and device use to align with handbook changes.
Process and stakeholder input: the committee met with teaching staff, pupil-personnel services staff, parents (parent advisory councils), school leadership teams (Addison Trail and Willowbrook) and a committee made up of parents, students, staff and board members. Committee members reported robust discussion and collaborative input from stakeholders.
Next steps: staff will incorporate the recommended edits into the handbook and policy language and return for board review and adoption in a future meeting packet.
Source: presentation by district staff and behavior intervention committee to the board; recommended edits were described in slideshow materials provided in the meeting packet.
