AF Amistad High School Family Handbook 2017-2018 | 58 As used in this section, a firearm as defined in 18 UCS § 921 means (a) any weapon that will, is designed to, or may be readily converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, (b) the frame or receiver or any such weapon, (c) a firearm muffler or silencer, or (d) any destructive device (any explosive, incendiary, poisonous gas, bomb, rocket, missile, mine, grenade or similar device), or (e) any weapon other than a shotgun or shotgun shell particularly suited for sporting purposes (that will or may be converted to expel a projectile by explosive or other propellant having a barrel with a bore of more than ½ inch in diameter). “Deadly Weapon” means any weapon, whether loaded or unloaded, from which a shot may be discharged, or a switchblade knife, gravity knife, billy, blackjack, bludgeon or metal knuckles. “Deadly Weapon” does not include a pocketknife with a blade of less than 1½ inches in length. “Dangerous Instrument” means any instrument, article or substance which, under the circumstances in which it is used or attempted or threatened to be used, is capable of causing death or serious physical injury, and includes a “vehicle”. “Martial Arts Weapon” means a nunchaku, kama, kasari-fundo, octagon sai, tonfa or Chinese star. Discipline of Scholars with Special Needs Scholars with disabilities may be disciplined in accordance with the disciplinary procedural safeguards set forth in federal law, including the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, state law, and corresponding regulations. Disciplinary procedural safeguards are also extended to scholars suspected of having a disability. A scholar is suspected of having a disability if prior to the conduct, either: o The parent of the child expressed concerns in writing to the child’s teacher or a school administrator that the child may need special education and related services; o The parent of the child requested an evaluation for special education services, or; o The teacher of the child, or other school personnel, have expressed specific concerns about a pattern of behavior that may be caused by disability directly to the special services leader, or other supervisory personnel. The school must follow the same procedures when disciplining scholars with suspected disabilities as it follows for scholars with IEPs or Section 504 plans, unless: 1. The parent did not allow the student to be evaluated; 2. The parent refused special education services, or; 3. The student was evaluated and determined not to qualify as a student with a disability. One of these disciplinary procedural safeguards is the requirement to convene a Manifestation Determination Review (MDR). An MDR is a process to determine if a student’s violation of the school’s code of conduct is the result of the student’s disability. An MDR must occur within 10 school days of a violation of the school’s code of conduct which results in a change of