Handbook

CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

The purpose of the Poplar Grove Middle School Code of Student Conduct is to clearly and deliberately communicate to all Middle School students our rules and expectations and to maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning. In keeping with the guidelines set forth by the Franklin Special School District Board of Education (FSSD Board Policy 6.313), consequences are detailed in the Consequence Chart.

It shall be the policy of the Franklin Special School District Board of Education that school authorities adopt rules and regulations regarding student conduct consistent with the concept of assertive discipline in order to maintain discipline and an atmosphere conducive to learning in the school. It is expected that all staff members adhere to the discipline policy and procedures adopted by each local school. All students are to respect and obey such school rules and regulations while under the supervision of principals, assistant principals, teachers, substitute teachers and teacher assistants. These rules and regulations shall be fairly enforced on all school property, on any school-provided transportation, and at all school-sponsored activities. Failure to comply will necessarily result in appropriate disciplinary action.

FSSD's code of conduct as provided herein separates serious from trivial misbehavior by dividing offenses into four levels of misconduct, each with a different discipline procedure.

The following levels of misbehavior and disciplinary procedures and options are designed to protect all members of the educational community in the exercise of their rights and duties and to maintain a safe learning environment where orderly learning is possible and encouraged. These misbehaviors apply to student conduct on school buses, on school property, and while students are on school sponsored outings.

MISBEHAVIORS: LEVEL I

Minor misbehavior on the part of the student which impedes orderly classroom, school, playground, or hall procedures or interferes with the orderly operation of the school, but which can usually be handled by an individual staff member (teacher, para-professional, substitute teacher, student teacher).

Examples (not an exclusive listing):

• School or class tardiness (unexcused/habitual)
• Unacceptable language
• Classroom disturbances
• Lack of classroom materials
• Cheating and/or lying
• Non-defiant failure to do assignments or carry out directions
• Wearing while on the grounds of a public school during the regular school day, clothing that exposes underwear or body parts in an indecent manner that disrupts the learning environment
• Victimization of any student (Harassment (Sexual, Racial, Ethnic, Religious), Bullying
• Cyber-bullying, and/or Hazing)

Disciplinary Procedures:

1. Staff member intervenes immediately.
2. Staff member determines what offense was committed and its severity.
3. Staff member determines who committed the offense and if he/she understands the nature of the offense.
4. Staff member employs appropriate disciplinary options.
5. The record of the offense and disciplinary action shall be maintained by staff member.

Disciplinary Options (not an exclusive listing):

• Verbal reprimand
• Parent/guardian conference
• Detention
• Special Assignment
• Restricting activities
• Assigning work details
• Counseling
• Withdrawal of privileges
• Issuance of demerits
• Strict supervised study
• In-school suspension

MISBEHAVIORS: LEVEL II

This level includes misbehavior whose frequency or seriousness tends to disrupt the learning climate of the school. These misbehaviors do not represent a direct threat to the health and safety of others but have educational consequences serious enough to require corrective action on the part of administrator/designee.

Examples (not an exclusive listing):

• Continuation of unmodified Level I behaviors
• School or class truancy
• Leaving school without permission
• Using forged notes, excuses, admit slips, and corridor passes
• Disruptive classroom behavior
• Disrespect or insubordination
• Use of profanity
• Obscenity
• Sexual misconduct
• Intimidation
• Committing any act of civil wrong or crime
• Victimization of any student (Harassment (Sexual, Racial, Ethnic, Religious), Bullying, Cyber-bullying, and/or Hazing)
• Use, possession, sale, and/or distribution of tobacco products in any form, electronic/battery operated devices, vapor products, and all other associated paraphernalia during the regular school day while on school campus or on school-provided transportation (includes all student participants in all educational and/or extra-curricular functions)

Disciplinary Procedures:

1. The student is referred to the administrator/designee for appropriate disciplinary action.
2. The administrator/designee communicates with the student and teacher.
3. The administrator/designee hears the accusation made by the teacher and allows the student the opportunity to explain his/her conduct.
4. The administrator/designee takes appropriate disciplinary action and notifies the teacher of the action.
5. The record of offense and disciplinary action shall be maintained by the school administrator.

Disciplinary Options (not an exclusive listing):

• Parent/guardian conference/notification
• In-school suspension
• Notify law enforcement agency and/or file legal charges
• Modified probation
• Behavior modification
• Social probation
• Peer counseling
• Referral to outside agency
• Detention
• Suspension from school-sponsored activities or from riding school bus
• Restricting school related honors student is otherwise due
• Out-of-school suspension (not to exceed ten (10) days)

MISBEHAVIORS: LEVEL III

Acts directly against persons or property but whose consequences do not seriously endanger the health or safety of others in the school.

Examples (not an exclusive listing):

• Continuation of unmodified Level I and II behaviors
• Fighting (simple)
• Vandalism (minor)
• Stealing
• Threats to others
• Victimization of any student (Harassment [Sexual, Racial, Ethnic, Religious], Bullying, Cyber-bullying, and/or Hazing)
• Breaking and entering
• Committing any act involving a serious civil wrong or crime

Disciplinary Procedures:

1. The student is referred to the administrator/designee for appropriate disciplinary action.
2. The administrator/designee communicates with the student and teacher.
3. The administrator/designee hears the accusation and allows the student the opportunity to explain his/her conduct.
4. The administrator/designee takes appropriate disciplinary action.
5. The administrator/designee may refer the incident to the director of schools and make recommendations for consequences.
6. If the student’s program is to be changed, adequate notice shall be given to the student and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) of the charges against him, his/her right to appear at a hearing, and his/her right to be represented by a person of his/her choosing.
7. Any change in school assignment is appealable to the board.
8. The record of offense and disciplinary action shall be maintained by the school administrator.

Disciplinary Options (not an exclusive listing):

• Parent/guardian conference/notification
• Notify law enforcement agency and/or file legal charges
• In-school suspension
• Out-of-school suspension not to exceed ten (10) days
• Detention
• Restitution from loss, damage or stolen property
• In-school counseling
• Expulsion

MISBEHAVIORS: LEVEL IV

This level of misbehavior includes acts which result in violence to another’s person or property or which pose a threat to the safety of others in the school. These acts are so serious that they usually require administrative actions which result in the immediate removal of the student from the school, the intervention of law enforcement authorities, and/or action by the board. If a student’s action poses a threat to the safety of others in the school, a teacher, principal, school employee, or school bus driver may use reasonable force when necessary to prevent bodily harm or death to another person.

Examples (not an exclusive listing):

• Unmodified Level I, II and III behaviors
• Possessing or using a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia on school property or at any school-related function, unless the substance was obtained as the result of a valid prescription or doctor's order and being used as prescribed by the individual for whom prescribed
• Use, possession, sale, and/or distribution of drugs and/or alcohol, includes being under the influence of alcohol or drugs (i.e. any controlled substance, controlled substance analogue, or legend drug)
• Death threat (hit list)
• Extortion
• Bomb threat or false fire alarm
• Possession/use/transfer of dangerous weapons
• Assault that results in bodily injury upon any teacher, principal, administrator, any other employee of the school, or a school resource officer* or anyone who is lawfully on school property
• Aggravated assault
• Vandalism
• Theft/possession/sale of stolen property
• Arson/possession of unauthorized substances
• Use/transfer of unauthorized substances
• Victimization of any student (Harassment (Sexual, Racial, Ethnic, Religious), Bullying, Cyber-bullying, and/or Hazing)
• Electronic threat to cause bodily injury or death to another student or school employee

Disciplinary Procedures:

1. The administrator/designee confers with appropriate staff members and with the student.
2. The administrator/designee hears the accusations and allows the student the opportunity to explain his/her conduct.
3. The parent(s)/guardian(s) are notified.
4. Law enforcement officials are contacted.
5. The incident is reported, and recommendations made to the director of schools.
6. Complete and accurate reports are submitted to the director of schools.
7. The parent(s)/guardian(s) and student are offered the opportunity for a hearing before disciplinary hearing authority.

Disciplinary Options (not an exclusive listing):

• Expulsion
• Alternative schools
• Other hearing authority or Board action which results in appropriate placement
• Expulsion/Remand for a period of not less than one (1) calendar year subject to modification by the director of schools on a case-by-case basis.

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES:

• A student shall not be suspended solely because charges are pending against him/her in juvenile or other court.
• An administrator/designee shall not impose successive short term suspensions that cumulatively exceed ten (10) days for the same offense.
• A teacher or other school official shall not reduce or authorize the reduction of a student’s grade because of discipline problems except in deportment or citizenship.
• A student shall not be denied the passing of a course or grade promotion solely on the basis of absences except as provided by board policy.
• A student shall not be denied the passing of a course or grade promotion solely on the basis of failure to pay any activity fee; pay a library or other school fine; or make restitution for lost or damaged school property.

The Poplar Grove Middle School administration reserves the right to adjust consequences when deemed necessary or appropriate.

GANG ACTIVITY OR ASSOCIATION Gangs, which initiate, advocate, or promote activities which threaten the safety or well being of persons or property on school grounds or which disrupt the school environment are harmful to the educational process. Incidents involving initiations, hazing, intimidations, and/or related activities of such group affiliations which are likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to students are prohibited. Any student wearing, carrying or displaying gang paraphernalia, or exhibiting behavior or gestures which symbolize gang membership, or causing and/or practicing in activities which intimidate or affect the attendance of another student shall be subject to disciplinary action.

STUDENT DISCIPLINARY HEARING AUTHORITY The Franklin Special School District in accordance with the state law has established a Disciplinary Hearing Authority (DHA) to conduct hearings for students who have been suspended for more than ten (10) school days. Copies of the policy including the appeals process and appropriate forms are available in the principal’s office.

DEFINITION OF DISCIPLINARY TERMS The meaning of the word discipline is “to teach.” It is our philosophy at Poplar Grove Middle that consequences for violations of the Code of Student Conduct align with the meaning of discipline. Encouraging students to dialogue, examine, plan and ultimately change inappropriate behavior is one of the most valuable interventions that students, teachers, administrators, and parents can accomplish collaboratively.

Office Discipline Referrals (ODR): Office Discipline referrals are sent using Skyward.

Admin Lunch Detention: Admin lunch detentions will occur in the ISS room and may only be assigned by an administrator. Students may bring their own lunch or eat lunch served by the cafeteria. Misbehaviors during admin lunch detention will result in additional consequences.

Grade Level Lunch Detention: Grade level lunch detentions may be assigned by faculty and staff, and will be held by teachers in a designated classroom.

Morning Detention: Detention assigned by a teacher or an administrator held in the designated detention room. A teacher or administrator may assign morning detention for missed work or behavior. Failure to serve morning detention will result in an ODR.

In-School Detention: A detention that requires a student to be removed from the classroom for a designated period of time during an instructional school day. Teachers will send classroom work for the student to complete for the period of time the student was out of the classroom. ISD can only be assigned by an administrator.

In-School Suspension: ISS is designed to provide a disciplinary alternative to out-of-school suspension. The student is removed from the classroom for a designated number of days.

During that time, classroom work is provided for the student. ISS can only be assigned by an administrator.

• Students must bring their own textbooks, writing materials, workbooks, and other material necessary to work on/complete course assignments. The ISS teacher will give assignments generated by a teacher to the student. Students are not permitted to go to lockers or be in the hallway (except for afternoon dismissal) during the school day.
• Students may bring lunch from home or purchase lunch from the cafeteria.
• Classroom disruption, talking, or moving about the classroom will not be tolerated.
• Students are expected to use this time for constructive school-related work and reading. Tapping pens and pencils, talking, drawing, and sleeping are prohibited. Getting up from assigned desks is prohibited. Students must sit forward, feet facing in, with head and shoulders facing the cubby.
• A student must complete his/her assigned number of days. An absence during an ISS assignment will be treated as any other absence. The ISS assignment will be continued until the original number of assigned days are completed.
• A student’s assigned ISS time will not be counted as complete unless the student conforms each day to the classroom requirements.
• Misbehavior in ISS may result in OSS.

Extended Alternative Classroom: Extended Alternative Classroom (EAC) is designed to provide a disciplinary alternative to out-of-school suspension and to the placement at the Alternative Learning Center. This program does not completely eliminate the use of these disciplinary tools, but it does offer another opportunity for behavior modification within the home-school setting before such measures are taken. The EAC enables a student to receive all of his/her educational services, but it separates him/her from the general student population.

The program is therapeutic in nature, in that various strategies will be employed in an attempt to determine the underlying causes of the misbehavior. Based on the information acquired, suitable interventions will be explored. EAC is located at Freedom Middle School.

Alternative Learning Center: A restricted classroom serving students throughout the county who have demonstrated chronic discipline problems. Placement to ALC may be made through Juvenile Court or school administration.

Students placed in OSS/ISS/EAC/ALC are  NOT allowed  to  participate  in  or  be  present  at  school related  extracurricular activities during the same day(s)  of  their suspension .

CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT: FIELD TRIPS Poplar Grove Middle School provides field trip opportunities that are specifically designed to provide real life experiences that support concepts aligned with grade level curriculum. It is imperative that all students who participate in field trips conduct themselves in a respectful way that brings pride to Poplar Grove Middle School. The following behavioral expectations will guide each and every student’s opportunity to participate in field trips at Poplar Grove Middle School.

• Students who have exhibited chronic disruptive behavior at school may not be allowed to participate in field trip opportunities. Any student with more than 3 office discipline referrals in one academic quarter may not attend field trips during that academic quarter. This will be communicated through email and/or phone call.
• Any student who commits a zero tolerance offense will immediately be put on Field Trip Suspension and no longer has the opportunity to participate in field trips for the remainder of the academic year.
• Any student who is in ISS or absent on the day of the field trip may not be reimbursed.

BUS CONDUCT Riding the bus is considered an extension of a school activity. Students are to ride only on assigned buses and under no circumstance have friends not assigned to that bus ride with them. The Code of Student Conduct applies to all students who ride the bus (See FSSD Board Policy #6.308 for rules and regulations). In order to maintain conditions and atmosphere suitable for learning, no person shall enter onto a school bus except students assigned to that bus. Parents of students or persons with lawful and valid business on the bus must have prior approval by the supervisor of transportation and/or the director of schools.

Since the school bus is an extension of school activity, bus students shall conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the established safety standards and classroom conduct.

Bus students are under the supervision and control of the bus driver while on his/her bus. Video cameras may be used to monitor student behavior on school vehicles transporting

students to and from school or extracurricular activities. Video surveillance shall be used only to

promote the order safety and security of students, staff and property. Students shall ride only on assigned buses and under no circumstance shall friends not assigned to that bus ride with them.

To ensure a safe and orderly means of transport, the following guiding principles are established for riders:

• —Be at the bus stop prior to the arrival of the bus.
• —Wait on the sidewalk, away from the curb, until the bus comes to a complete stop and the driver opens the door.
• —Go directly to an available seat and be seated.
• —Keep aisles and exits clear.
• —Keep noise at classroom level.
• —Keep head, hands, and objects inside the bus
• —Respect the rights and property of others.
• —Obey the driver promptly and respectfully.
• —Remain seated until the bus has come to a complete stop and use the emergency door only in an emergency.
• —No profanity, chewing gum, eating or drinking on the bus.
• —No drugs, weapons, hazardous materials, or animals shall be allowed on the bus.
• —No throwing or passing objects shall be allowed on, from, or onto the bus.
• —No objects on board that cannot be held on lap.

Failure to adhere to these and other established rules and regulations will subject the student to discipline measures which may vary from a verbal reprimand to expulsion from the bus as determined by prior record, the severity of the offense, the age of the child, and frequency of the occurrence.

Bus service, like all other school activities, is the responsibility of the building principal. Therefore, all communications involve the principal or his/her designee. The parent/legal guardian is held legally responsible for any damage to the bus and/or bus equipment by his/her child.