Student Conduct and Behavior

Students are expected to observe the basic rules of common courtesy and show respect for the rights of others at all times.  Teachers have the right and obligation to teach; students have the right and obligation to learn.  Mutual respect will protect the rights of each and help both you and the teachers meet your obligations.  A disruptive student cannot be allowed to impair the rights of others to receive a quality education. The infractions of school discipline listed below are grouped according to the seriousness of the offense. These levels have been drawn from past records and from known situations. It is not intended to be exclusive or all-inclusive. All types of infractions may not be included and so modifications will be made, if necessary, at the discretion of the administration. In all instances discretion of interpretation is left to the individual principal to modify penalties suggested whenever extenuating circumstances seem to be present in order that justice may be tempered with mercy and understanding. The intent of the sanctions for infractions is to secure a measure of fairness and consistency for all students within the school while at the same time allowing for judgment based upon the maturity of the child in question.  Any crime committed at Hastings Middle School will be reported to the school resource officer and/or to the appropriate agencies.

Level I:  Classroom Teacher
Cheating in any fashion
Distraction in class
Monitoring of the Dress Code
Failure to return a warning card, report card or other required parental signature
Lack of preparation for class
Late for class
Littering
Card playing, games, and/or toys
Electronic devices which may include cell phones, compact discs including headphones, and beepers
Homework issues
Swearing or using unacceptable language not directed at other persons
Excessive talking
Gum, candy, seeds, beverages, or other snack foods
Bullying/harassment

Level II:  Administrative Detention
Referral to office from classroom teacher
Immediate safety issue/concern
Horseplay (Unnecessary use of force)
Loitering
Non-report to Team Detention
Not following cafeteria rules and regulations
Public display of affection
Severe defiance and disrespect
Throwing of objects including snowballs
Using someone else's agenda to leave the room or letting someone else use your agenda to leave a room
Bullying/harassment

Level III:  Five Hours of Administrative Detentions
Abusive or vulgar remarks directed at a fellow student
Forgery
Leaving school grounds without permission
Unauthorized absence from class
Bullying/harassment

Level IV:  Step/Immediate Suspension
Bullying/harassment
Continual violation of school rules
Fighting/assault
Malicious damage of or marking of school property (monetary restitution and clean up will be the responsibility of the student)
Profanity to a staff member
Smoking
Stealing of any kind

Level V: Immediate Suspension and/or Expulsion
Possession and/or distribution of tobacco products including lighters/matches
Possession and/or distribution of alcohol or illegal drugs
Possession and/ or distribution of weapons of any kind
Possession and/or distribution of prescription drugs, over the counter drugs, or inhalants
Verbal and/or physical assault on school personnel or fellow students
Saturday sessions may be assigned in lieu of any of these consequences.

Any student affected by any of these sanctions/suspensions may request the opportunity to make up missed work in accordance with the school policy for make-up work.  The student may not be on school grounds while the sanction is in effect.

Dress Code

Students must be neat and clean in their appearance.  Clothes, shoes, and hairstyles should be in good taste so as not to be disruptive to the education process and thereby distract from a student’s or other students’ ability to learn.  In the interest of maintaining the required school climate essential to meaningful teaching and learning, the Principal or designee may prohibit dress that is inappropriate due to health, safety, and/or disruptive to the educational process, and/or contrary to the school’s philosophy and the prevailing school and community norms of decency, courtesy and propriety. 
The following items are not allowed:

• Tops with revealing necklines, without backs, or tops that expose midriffs
• Halter tops, basketball tank top jerseys, muscle shirts, and tank tops with straps less than two inches wide
• Underwear exposed in any form (i.e. pants worn below the waist)
• Pajamas, slippers and other sleep related attire
• Shorts and/or skirts that are excessively short, defined as anything shorter than your fingertips when standing at attention
• Clothing, jewelry, or any other apparel which depicts or expresses obscene, vulgar, profane, or suggestive images or words
• Clothing which implicitly promotes or advocates drugs, alcohol, tobacco or sex
• Tattered clothing and/or clothing with holes that expose areas of the body that should be covered under other provisions
• Any attire that is thought to reflect a gang affiliation or resembles that of any gang
• Shoes which can damage flooring and carpeting,  
• Accessories that may cause a safety concern (i.e. chains, biker’s chains, safety pins, etc.)
• Studded belts
• Hats, sweatbands, and/or bandannas
• Hoods 
• Any outerwear

This list is not intended to be all-inclusive.  Fads and styles change quickly and require the judgment of the school administration and staff in areas of health, safety, and disruptions of the learning process.

Inappropriate dress as determined by the administration will result in the school providing appropriate cover or having the parent bring in proper clothing to school.  Refusal to change will result in administrative action.

When an individual’s behavior, actions, and/or attire undermine or are detrimental to the learning environment, actions will be taken by school authorities to correct the problem.  In the final analysis, the administration has the right to interpret that which negates a reasonable standard of conduct and appearance, keeping in mind the health and safety of the individual.  The decision of the principal is final.

Spirit Wear

A safe and disciplined learning environment is the first requirement of a good school. Young people who are safe and secure, who learn basic American values and the essentials of good citizenship, is better students. The adoption of a school uniform policy can promote school safety, improve discipline and school spirit, and enhance the learning environment and overall student achievement.
As a result, we are planning on adopting a school uniform policy as part of an overall program to improve school safety, discipline, and achievement. Upon implementation, which we are planning for the 2nd half of the school year, parents will notified of the change in dress code policy. Students will be advised as to where appropriate “spirit wear” can be purchased as well as the code of conduct relative to the new policy. 

Cell Phones

While it is acknowledged that cell phones are a part of society, they are not a necessary part of education.  Students who bring cell phones to school are expected to turn them off and leave them in their lockers for the entire school day.  Cell phones and/or communication devices are not to be used or visible once a student enters the building in the morning and until he/she exits the building at the end of the day.  Possession of the above in the school building will result in the following actions:

First Offense:        

Phone will be taken away and given to administration.  Administrative detention will be assigned.  Parent will need to pick up phone at the main office
Second Offense:    

Phone will be taken away and given to administration.  In school suspension will be assigned.  Parent will need to pick up phone at the main office.
Third Offense: 

Phone will be taken away and given to administration.  Suspension will be given.  Parent will need to pick up phone at the main office.

Use of Electronic Devices

Electronic devices are not to be used or visible once a student enters the building in the morning and until he/she exits the building at the end of the day.  These items, turned off, must be kept in lockers at all times.
Possession of the above in the school building will result in the following actions:

First Offense: 

Item will be taken by the teacher.  Then sent to administration. Parents will need to pick the item up.
Second Offense:

Item will be taken by the teacher.  Then sent to administration.  Students will not be allowed to receive the item until the end of the school year.  Administrative detention may be assigned

Cafeteria

The cafeteria is your dining room. You are to place books in your locker before entering the cafeteria. The following rules will be in effect:

• Enter the cafeteria through the doors assigned to you.
• Please be seated at your assigned table. Wait your turn to be called up to the serving line by the cafeteria supervisor.
• Students will not be allowed to ask for, borrow, or lend money.
• Please take your place in the serving line in an orderly and courteous manner. Please do not cut in the serving line.
• Use the center double doors to enter the serving line and exit the single door to the right and left.
• Talk in a normal voice.
• The traffic light in the cafeteria will indicate to all students when the noise level is too high (yellow light) and when talking is not permitted (red light).
• The students at a table are responsible for keeping all the floor areas and the table clean. Any materials needed to clean up an accidental spillage can be provided by the custodian in the lunchroom.
• Please bring your own tray up after eating, recycle your bottles and cans, then return to your seat.
• You must have permission from a cafeteria supervisor to leave the cafeteria during lunch.
• Failure to comply with cafeteria procedures may result in eating lunch in another area, detention, in-shool suspension, or other consequences determined by administration.
• Playing of any cards, toys, etc. in the cafeteria is strictly prohibited.
• The throwing of any item in the cafeteria may result in serious disciplinary action such as in-school suspension.

Strategies and Tools for Educational Progress Step Program

The STEP Program is defined as an alternative placement to a student’s schedule of academic and social activities within the school setting. It can be assigned by Administration in lieu of an out of school suspension. For data collection and assessment purposes, it is counted as a suspension.
Students assigned to STEP will be expected to complete assigned work. They will not be allowed to participate in any extra-curricular activities or attend any school events on the day(s) of the assignment. Students who display inappropriate behavior while in STEP may receive an out-of-school suspension. Upon their return to school they will then make up their assigned STEP time.