• Definitions of Minors & Majors


    MINORS

    • Unprepared – homework or class work is not completed, materials are not present.
    • Inappropriate language - low intensity, the tone involved/word choice, body posture, name calling and or teasing and other related language that is meant as a put down but does not include swearing. 
    •  Non-compliance/defiance – student engages in brief or low-intensity failure to respond to adult requests; includes arguing and/or negotiating, not following directions and/or misuse of time. 
    • Minor physical contact/aggression – student engages in non-serious, but inappropriate physical contact; done in a playful manner that is not intended to cause harm.
    • Minor disruption/shouting out – may include note passing, talking out of turn, disturbing the class in any way.
    • Tattling – excessive reporting of other students’ behavior.
    • Tardy/wandering – student is late for school or does not go directly to destination.
    • Property misuse (low intensity) – student intentionally engages in misuse of property: textbooks, desk, personal or school property that can be repaired. 
    •  Dress code violation – student wears clothing that does not fit within the school dress code guidelines as practiced by the school/district.
    • Misuse of Technology – student engages in inappropriate use of cell phone, music/video player, camera, iPod, MP3 player and/or computer.
    • Lying – student delivers message that is untrue.
    • Other  - student engages in any other minor problem behaviors that do not fall within the above categories.

    MAJORS

    • Major verbal aggression – Student delivers disrespectful messages (verbal or gestural) to another person that includes threats and intimidation, obscene gestures, pictures, or written notes.  Disrespectful messages include negative comments based on race, religion, gender, age, and/or national origin; sustained or intense verbal attacks based on ethnic origin, disabilities or other personal matters.
    • Swearing/Profanity – verbal messages that include swearing, name calling or use of words in an inappropriate way.
    • Non-Compliance/Defiance (high intensity) – disruptive refusal to follow directions, refusal for an extended amount of time, talking back and/or socially rude interactions.
    • Fighting/physical aggression – Intent and/or attempt to physically contact another person where injury may occur (hitting, hitting with an object, punching, kicking, hair pulling, scratching, etc.) (danger to self or others)  
    • Extreme disruption –behavior causing an interruption in a class or activity.  Disruption includes sustained loud talk, yelling or screaming; noise with materials; horseplay or roughhousing; intentional body noises, and or sustained out-of-seat behavior.
    • Cheating/Forgery – student deliberately violates rules or has signed a person’s name without the person’s permission.
    • Truancy – student leaves class/school without permission or stays out of class/school without permission.
    • Destruction of Property/Vandalism – student deliberately impairs the usefulness of property; participates in an activity that results in substantial destruction or disfigurement of property.
    • Stealing – student is in possession of, having passed on, or being responsible for removing someone else’s property or has signed a person’s name without the person’s permission.
    • Weapons – student is in possession of knives or guns (real or look alike), or other object readily capable of causing bodily harm. 
    • Other – problem behavior causing this referral is not listed above.  Staff using this area will specify the problem behavior observed.