Time Out and Physical Restraint
(Board Policy 7-190 AP4)

This administrative procedure applies to all students. Time out, isolated time out and physical restraint shall be used when a student’s behavior presents an imminent danger of serious physical harm to the student or others and other less restrictive measures have been tried and proven ineffective in stopping the imminent danger of serious physical harm. Time out, isolated time out, and/or physical restraint shall not be used as a form of punishment. The use of isolated time out and physical restraint by any staff member shall comply with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) rules, Section 1.285, “Requirements for the Use of Isolated Time Out and Physical Restraint.” 

Time Out 

”Time Out” is defined as a behavior management technique for the purpose of calming or de-escalation that involves the involuntary monitored separation of a student from classmates with a trained adult for part of the school day, only for a brief time, in a non-locked setting.

Isolated Time Out

“Isolated Time Out” means the involuntary confinement of a student alone in a time out room or other enclosure outside the classroom without a supervising adult in the time out room or enclosure. Isolated time out is allowed only under limited circumstances. If all other statutory requirements are met, isolated time out may be used only when the adult in the time out room or enclosure is in imminent danger of serious physical harm because the student is unable to cease actively engaging in extreme physical aggression. For an isolated time out, an adult who is responsible for supervising the student must remain within two feet of the enclosure. The supervising staff member must always be able to see, hear, and communicate with the student. The door shall not be locked or held to block egress. A student in isolated time out shall not be supervised using cameras, audio recording, or any other electronic monitoring device. 

Procedures Applicable to Time Out and Isolated time Out

Isolated time out or time out does not include a student-initiated or student-requested break, a student-initiated or teacher-initiated sensory break, including a sensory room containing sensory tools to assist a student to calm and de-escalate, an in-school suspension or detention, or any other appropriate disciplinary measure, including a student’s brief removal to the hallway or similar environment.

A student placed in isolated time out or timeout must have reasonable access to food, water, medication, and toileting facilities. Except in circumstances in which there is a risk of self-injury or injury to staff or others, a student in isolated time out or time out shall not have clothing removed, including, but not limited to, shoes, shoelaces, boots, or belts. The door may not be locked or blocked.

A student shall be released from isolated time out or time out immediately upon determination by the staff member that the student no longer poses an imminent danger of causing serious physical harm to the student or others. No less than once every fifteen (15) minutes, an adult trained pursuant to the School Code must assess whether the student has ceased presenting the specific behavior for which the time out was imposed.

 
Physical Restraint 

“Physical Restraint” is defined as holding a student or otherwise restricting their movements using specific, planned techniques. 

Physical restraint shall end immediately upon the administering staff member’s determination that the student is no longer in imminent danger of causing serious physical harm to self or others; or the student indicates the inability to breathe or staff supervising the student recognizes that the student may be in respiratory distress. If a restraint lasts beyond 15 minutes, a licensed educator or clinician (e.g., teachers, social workers, psychologists, and administrators with an active Illinois professional educator license) knowledgeable about physical restraint must evaluate the situation to determine whether it is appropriate to continue. This review must be documented. Furthermore, physical restraint shall not impair a student’s ability to breathe or speak normally. Prone and supine physical restraints shall not be used.

Restraint does not include momentary periods of physical restriction by direct person-to-person contact, without the aid of material or mechanical devices, accomplished with limited force and designed to: (1) prevent a student from completing an act that would result in potential physical harm to the student, or another or damage to property; or (2) remove a disruptive student who is unwilling to leave the area voluntarily.

The following also apply:

1. The circumstances under which isolated time out or physical restraint will be applied are limited to maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment. §1.280(c)(1).
2. The ISBE rules are adopted as the District’s written procedure to be followed by staff for the use of isolated time out or physical restraint. §1.280(c)(2).
3. Staff members shall inform the Building Principal whenever isolated time out or physical restraint is used and the Building Principal shall maintain the documentation required according to Section 1.285. §1.280(c)(3).
4. The Building Principal shall investigate and evaluate any incident that results in a serious injury as reported by the affected student, parent/guardian, staff member, or other individual. §1.280(c)(4).
5. The Building Principal shall compile a description of alternative strategies that will be implemented when determined advisable pursuant to Section 1.285(f)(4). §1.280(c)(5).

The Superintendent or designee shall compile an annual review of the use of isolated time out or physical restraint. The Building Principal shall report the following information to the Superintendent in order to facilitate the report’s compilation: §1.280(c)(6).