Located in the heart of Mumbai, India, the American School of Bombay is a coeducational, independent, IB day school from Pre-K to Grade 12.
The American School of Bombay is located in an environment where the penalties for drug use can be severe. Furthermore, ASB recognizes its responsibility to provide an environment for its students that is conducive to learning. Therefore, the use or possession of illegal drugs, the misuse of prescription drugs or possession of dangerous weapons on or off campus will not be tolerated. Theft and the carrying or use of dangerous weapons will likewise not be tolerated.
ASB believes that every child has the right to learn without fear in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. Every student is expected to be responsible for his/her own behavior, to exercise self-discipline, and to refrain from behavior that interferes with other student’s right to learn or endangers the health or well-being of others. ASB will not tolerate harassment or bullying.
It is acknowledged that bullying and/or harassment cause distress and fear. Individual children have different levels of tolerance, and all students need to understand this and the effect their behavior may have on others’ well-being. It is also recognized that while the victim’s safety and well-being are paramount, many children who engage in bullying may themselves have emotional or psychological concerns which may need to be addressed by their parents and the school.
Harassment is improper behavior that is directed at and is offensive to another student or a member of the staff and that the student knows (or ought to know) would be unwelcome. It includes objectionable conduct or comments, on a one-time or repeated basis, which demeans, belittles, or causes humiliation or embarrassment, and includes harassment based on grounds of discrimination which are prohibited - race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, physical appearance or disability.
Bullying is a form of harassment. It is improper behavior by one or more students directed at another student, is offensive, and interferes with the student’s well-being. It includes teasing, name-calling, threats, unwanted physical contact, or violence, often on a repeated basis, which demeans, belittles, humiliates, or frightens the other student. It can take place in and out of the classroom and even outside of school.
Neither the school’s network nor the internet (whether accessed on or off-campus, either during or after school hours) may be used for harassment. All forms of harassment in cyberspace, or cyberbullying are unacceptable.
Cyberbullying includes, but is not limited to, the following misuses of technology: harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, or terrorizing another person by sending or posting inappropriate and hurtful email messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images, or any form of social media.
The American School of Bombay maintains a smoke-free environment. Therefore, smoking (including vaping and e-cigarettes) is prohibited at all times by the staff, students, and adults on the school campus, at school events and on school-sponsored trips. Any infraction by a student of the rules regarding the possession or use of tobacco or vaping/ e-cigarette paraphernalia as outlined above may result in the following:
First Violation
Second Violation
Subsequent Violations
No student shall possess, use, transmit or attempt to possess, use or transmit, or be under the influence of any alcohol or drugs of any kind (except those specifically prescribed by a physician) on the ASB campus, on school-provided transport, or on any ASB-sponsored activity, doing so will jeopardize enrollment in ASB.
All students may be subject to urine tests and search of their person, possessions, or locker at any time. If a urine test or search indicates drug use or possession, the student may be subject to expulsion.
The following procedures have been established to preserve the welfare of the majority of the students and to demonstrate respect for the laws of the host country.
Expulsion may be waived and a student allowed to withdraw from school if it becomes evident that the student was a “self-referral,” or the student has co-operated by seeking and receiving approved professional help.
Whenever it is considered expedient to the welfare of ASB students who are expelled there will be notations on the transcript indicating their violation of the drug abuse rules. The above procedures do not limit the right of the school to expel whenever the nature of the violation is deemed to call for stronger measures than those outlined above.
The above procedures are intended to provide the basis for a system of withdrawal or expulsion in the circumstances defined. The Head of School will determine each individual case.
All ASB students are required to sign the form in the back of the handbook stating that they understand the school procedures including the “ASB Policy Regarding Drug, Tobacco and Alcohol Abuse and Possession of Dangerous Weapons” policy at the beginning of the year.
Any infraction of the rules is a serious matter and will result in the following:
Values Learning Plan
Out of school suspension from school and all school activities for one week, and mandatory counseling. Students who have been suspended following a single positive urine test will be readmitted only after producing evidence of having arranged for counseling sessions with an approved counselor.
Re-admittance further depends upon the student cooperating with the counselor.
If the first violation is deemed of significant magnitude (as in the sale or distribution of drugs to others), and if the violation takes place in the context of a history of other violations of school policy and rules, and/or in the event that the Head of School determines that it is in the interest of the school (as in cases where there is a clear threat of legal action by the government or where there is a clear threat to the life and safety of the students or others), the student may be expelled from the School.
Three positive urine tests spaced 30 days apart, sufficiently spaced in time that they cannot both arise from a single drug usage, will result in expulsion. A refusal to take a urine test will be construed as a positive test.
No student will knowingly take, possess or sell the property of another student, staff or faculty member without explicit permission. Theft of any kind is a significant violation of community values and school rules. Any infraction of the rules is a serious matter and will result in the following:
Even in the strongest of communities valuables are sometimes lost or stolen. While this has not been a major concern at ASB, it does happen on occasion. The school keeps records of lost or stolen items, has a clear policy and plan regarding incidents of student theft. We have put a number of security measures in place to address the issue. The most effective way to address possible theft is for students to take responsibility for their valuables. Use locks with temporary lockers for valuables during PE classes.
A student can also support this effort by:
Violent behavior and/or the threat of violence by a student using a weapon or dangerous object is a serious violation of community values and school rules and cannot be tolerated. The carrying of offensive or dangerous weapons or toy weapons to the ASB campus or while participating in any ASB-sponsored activity is prohibited.
Where not specified in the Safe Environment Section, other violations will result in the below consequences:
The student will be subject to further disciplinary measures, as outlined under “First Violation,” but also up to and including expulsion. Participation in an outside counseling, educational, or treatment program is subject to school approval but researched and paid for by the student’s family.
If the first violation is deemed of significant magnitude (as in, but not limited to, the sale or distribution of drugs to others or threatening harm with a violent weapon) and if the violation takes place in the context of a history of other violations of school policy and rules and/or if the Head of School determines that it is in the interest of the school (as in cases where there is a clear threat of legal action by the government or where there is a clear threat to the life and safety of the students or others), the student may be expelled from the school.
For a Violation of the “Drugs and Alcohol” Policy, the following will also apply: Students may reapply for admission to ASB following the period of withdrawal and upon successful completion of the treatment program. Re-admission is not guaranteed and will be made by the school administration, guidance counselor, and admissions director upon a review of the student’s progress.
Our discipline policy has been inspired by the work of Alfie Kohn and our goal is for students to reason through their actions, take ownership for what they have done, and then work towards restorative justice. Therefore, when students break rules, we take them through a process that involves them articulating how their actions violated our core values, and they then create a reflection and (possibly) a values learning plan explaining how they will make amends and ensure that restorative justice happens.
The student will complete this plan with the help and supervision of some or all of the following people: the Associate Principal or Principal, the counselor, the student’s advisor, and/or a teacher of the student’s choice. The list below represents some possible actions that would occur as part of a Values Learning Plan.
Parents are contacted to come to school to meet with the Associate Principal/Principal and pick up the student. (This meeting may involve the advisor as well.)
Suspension is the removal of a student from the class and other school activities, and it may be in or out of school. The student is responsible, during the period of suspension, for obtaining and completing the assignments given during the period of absence from class.
Expulsion is the permanent removal of a student from ASB, with no refund of tuition or fees to the family Decisions regarding probation and suspension are made by the Principal. Appeals against such decisions may be made to the Head of School per Board policy.
Disciplinary Probation is when a student is informed that one more violation of the Code of Conduct will result in serious consequences up to and including expulsion. When the magnitude of the violation is serious, or when violations persist despite counseling and/ or warning of the student and parents concerned, the Principal of the school may place the student on disciplinary probation. The Principal must inform the Head of School of such a decision.
In all cases where a student is given disciplinary probation, the student and parents must be informed in writing, both of the reason for the probation and the terms of that probation. When the Principal thinks it is necessary and appropriate, the student will be recommended for counseling.
Disciplinary probation may include restrictions on participation in extracurricular activities and/or the requirement that some class time is spent in supervised study to strengthen the student’s internalization of the rule(s) violated.
All instances of disciplinary probation must include reference to the consequences of any further violation of the rules of student conduct, and this must be shared in writing with the student and parents concerned.
