Student Behavior

Student Responsibilities
The majority of our middle school students are able to function on a daily basis in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect for others. However, rules must be established for those few individuals who are unable to behave themselves in an appropriate manner.  The following section of this handbook is designed to establish guidelines of student conduct and dress.  The disciplinary measures that will be applied, should these guidelines not be followed, are listed in this section.

Standard of Conduct
Mutual respect is expected between all members of this school.  Students are expected to be respectful to all members of the staff (teacher, administrator, substitute teacher, secretary, custodian, teacher-aide, lunchroom personnel, student teacher or visitor) and to each of their classmates.

Learning is the focus of an effective school program. Purposeful disruption of the teaching learning process prevents the rights of other students to learn. Any disruptions will not be tolerated.

Students are not permitted to leave their assigned classroom without permission from a school staff or faculty member.  All students must possess a hall pass when in the hallways during class hours.

The 4-minute passing time between classes allows adequate time to move between classrooms.  Students are expected to be seated in the classrooms prior to the tardy bell.

• No food or beverages may be consumed on the bus.
• Students must obey the instructions of the bus driver at all times
• Students must remain seated and facing forward
• Students are not allowed to make loud or distracting noises.
• Students should not push, move about or annoy others.
• Students will be assigned a seat on the bus.

Our office does not have the authority to permit bus riders to transfer from their assigned bus to another bus even if there is a signed note from a parent. Bus riders must remain with their assigned bus. Students are not permitted to "switch" buses from their original District bus assignment. Students who walk do not have permission to ride buses at any time.

Assembly Conduct
Assemblies are provided to entertain, inform, and recognize students. The guidelines for school conduct are to be observed during these assemblies. When an assembly is scheduled, students are to report to their scheduled class and wait for their class to be called to the assembly. Students will proceed with their class to the assembly and sit in their assigned spot with their teacher. After the assembly, students should remain in their seats until they are dismissed.

Lunch Conduct

• Each student must remain seated at his/her assigned table for the entire lunch period.
• Students should raise their hand for permission to use the washroom during lunch period.
• If a student would like to study during lunch period, books and notes may be brought to lunch.  Students will not be allowed to leave lunch to go back to their lockers.
• Students should clean their table and floor area when they are through eating.
• The lunchroom supervisors should be obeyed at all times.
• Glass bottles are not allowed.
• All food and drink must stay in the Commons.
• Fountain drinks are not permitted in the Commons and are not to be dropped off at the office with lunches.
• Lunches dropped off should be labeled and placed in the student’s team bin, which is located in the waiting room.

Standards of Dress
Since school is a place for business, a student’s general appearance should not distract or be unreasonable, immodest, or unkempt. Parents are asked to monitor student appearance so that it will comply with state health and safety standards.  Dress standards should be observed at any school or district sponsored event.

• All clothing should be clean and appropriate.
• Articles of clothing which display obscene or suggestive phrases may not be worn.  Spandex may not be worn as outerwear.
• Clothing which shows disrespect for any race, creed, color or nationality is not permitted.
• Clothing that displays antisocial, immoral or illegal behavior is not permitted.
• Halter-tops, tank tops, tube tops, strapless, or low-cut clothing may not be worn.
• Bare midriffs are not permitted due to short tops and low pants.
• Undergarments should not be visible.
• Clothing with holes, rips, or tears, as a fashion statement is not permitted.
• Clothing or accessories which promote alcohol, drugs, tobacco products or which promotes violence or death may not be worn.
• Headwear or outerwear may not be worn inside the building. Exceptions will be made for religious purposes.
• Students should not wear jewelry or clothing that presents a safety or health hazard.
• Occult (Satanic/devil worship) clothing, gang symbols or other related items may not be worn.
• Oversized clothing (baggy clothing) that may endanger student safety is not permitted.
• Clothing or accessories that disrupt the educational process is not permitted.  
• Shorts and skirts must be appropriate and modest. (Fingertip length is a reasonable guide.)
• Students may not wear any clothing, accessories, jewelry, or any particular colors that imply “gang” affiliation.
DISCIPLINARY MEASURES
Violation of the standards of conduct and dress may be subject to a form of disciplinary action. These actions include written assignments, detentions, suspensions or expulsions.

Detention
A detention is normally not the first line of correction. The teachers on the student's team may use verbal warnings or other intervention strategies. Our goal is to correct any problems and help the child realize that actions have consequences when a student disregards guidelines.

Detentions may be issued for, but not limited to the following reasons:


• Academic misconduct
• Clas disruptions
• Disrespect
• Excessive tardiness
• Offensive language
• Physical abuse
• Vandalism
• Verbal intimidation
• Violation of safety


Teaching Teams may assign detentions for continued, repeated acts of irresponsibility such as chewing gum, coming to class unprepared, or other lesser actions which evolve into a disregard for authority, whether it be in the classroom, lunchroom, field trip, or assembly.


Detentions may take the following forms, depending upon the circumstances surrounding the incident and the student's overall record of cooperation:



• a written assignment which focuses on the problem
• a before- school extra session of study
• an after- school extra session of study
• a "time-out" session within the child's school day, such as during lunchtime or during times of student options.


Suspensions
Even without receiving any detentions a student may be suspended, following due process, from classes, and all associated activities for serious misconduct or repeated acts of misbehavior. Such acts include but are not limited to the following:

• Bullying another student
• Fighting, or serious, intentional physical abuse or harm to others.
• Gambling
• Gang symbols or other gang related items.
• Insubordination or disrespect towards an adult.
• Possession, use, or display of any dangerous weapon either real or an imitation.
• Profanity or profane gestures
• Pulling a fire alarm or tampering with fire safety equipment.
• Repeated acts of misconduct or misbehavior, which may or may not merit a suspension, but which illustrate the student’s disregard for regulations.
• Repeated interference with the educational process.
• Serious insubordination or disrespect of an adult authority
• Theft or vandalism of property belonging to the school, school personnel or others.
• Trafficking or advertising any unknown or otherwise harmless substance as a drug.
• Use, possession, sale, or distribution of alcoholic beverages.
• Use, possession, sale, or distribution of any drug, narcotic, illegal substance or related device.
• Use or possession of fireworks or explosive devices or look-alike objects.
• Use, possession, sale, or distribution of tobacco.
• Use of any cellular radio telecommunication devise (e.g. cellular phone) on school property during school hours, except in the event of an emergency.
• Verbal intimidation, which may include, but are not limited to slurs of a religious, ethnic, racial or sexual nature.
After a suspension, the student may, at the principal’s discretion, be excluded from certain extra-curricular activities.


Property Search
School authorities may request the assistance of law enforcement officials for the purpose of conducting inspections and searches of lockers, desks, parking lot, and other school property and equipment owned or controlled by the school for illegal drugs, weapons, or other illegal or dangerous substances or materials. This procedure may include the use of specially trained dogs.

Expulsion
Expulsion is the exclusion from school for a period of time greater than ten days. Only the Board of Education may exercise this serious disciplinary option.

Firearms / Weapons
District 140 has a strict policy regarding students who bring firearms to school or have firearms in their possession while in school. This also includes look-alike weapons or objects used as a weapon. These students are subject to severe penalties, including expulsion.