SCOTIA-GLENVILLE CENTRAL SCHOOLS

Scotia, New York 12302

 

 

SCOTIA-GLENVILLE

MIDDLE SCHOOL

 

 

 

 

 

Code of Conduct

 

 

 

 

           

Revised 7/07

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

 

Purpose/Introduction                                                              1

Definitions                                                                              2

Essential Partners                                                                   2

Prohibited Student Conduct                                                   4

 

Behaviors

Arrival and Homeroom                                                           5

Absence                                                                                  5

Attendance                                                                              5

Academic Misconduct                                                            6

Back Work/Homework                                                           7

Backpacks/Book Bags                                                            7

Buses                                                                                      7

Bus Conduct                                                                           7

Cafeteria                                                                                  8

Cafeteria Guidelines                                                                8

Care of Building                                                                      8

Classes                                                                                    9

Classroom Tardiness                                                              9

Corridor Conduct                                                                    9

Disorderly Conduct                                                                9

Disruptive Conduct                                                                9

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco Products, Substance Abuse           9

Events Guideline                                                                     10

Extracurricular Activities                                                        10

Fighting                                                                                   10

Fire/Evacuation Drills                                                             11

Fireworks                                                                                11

Guests                                                                                     11

Harassment/Bullying                                                              11

Insubordination                                                                       11

Lockers/Locks                                                                         12

Medication Policies                                                                12

Money, Audio Equipment and Other Valuables                    13

Out of Doors/Gym Recreation                                               13

Parties                                                                                     13

Safety, Morals, Health or Welfare                                          13

Searches                                                                                  14

Selling Items                                                                            17

Snow Restrictions                                                                   17

Stairway and Corridor Traffic                                                17

Statement of Dress                                                                 17

 

Student Dress Code                                                                17

Students with Disabilities                                                       18

Study Halls                                                                             18

Substitute Referrals                                                                19

Telephone                                                                               19

Throwing Objects                                                                   19

Vandalism                                                                               19

Violent Behavior                                                                     19

Weapons                                                                                 19

After School and Dismissal                                                    20

Reporting Violations                                                               20

Disciplinary Penalties, Procedures and Referrals                   21

Alternative Instruction                                                           28

Visitors to the School                                                             28

Public Conduct on School Property                                       29

Corporal Punishment                                                              31

Dissemination and Review of Code of Conduct                     31

 

Student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities                     33

Roles in the Discipline Process                                          35

 

                        Appendix A Ð Discipline of Students with Disabilities

                        Appendix B Ð Homework Guidelines

                        Appendix C Ð Athletic Code of Conduct

                        Appendix D Ð Acceptable Telecommunications Use Policy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURPOSE

 

These rules and guidelines are designed to promote good behavior and a positive learning environment. Teachers and all other staff are here to assist students in this endeavor as they strive to achieve their full potential.

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

 

The Board of Education is committed to providing a safe and orderly school environment where students may receive and district personnel may deliver quality educational services without disruption or interference. Responsible behavior by students, teachers, other district personnel, parents and other visitors is essential to achieving this goal.

 

The district has a long-standing set of expectations for conduct on school property and at school functions.  These expectations are based on the principles of civility, mutual respect, citizenship, character, tolerance, honesty and integrity.

 

The Board recognizes the need to clearly define these expectations for acceptable conduct on school property, identify the possible consequences of unacceptable conduct, and to ensure that discipline, when necessary, is administered promptly and fairly. To this end, the Board adopts this code of conduct ("code").

 

Unless otherwise indicated, this code applies to all students, school personnel, parents and other visitors when on school property or attending a school function.

 

 

Definitions

 

For purposes of this code, the following definitions apply:

 

"Disruptive student" means a student under the age of 21 who is substantially disruptive of the educational process or substantially interferes with the teacher's authority over the classroom.

 

"Parent" means parent, guardian or person in parental relation to a student.

 

"School property" means in or within any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground, parking lot or land contained within the real property boundary line of a public elementary or secondary school, or in or on a school bus, as defined in Vehicle and Traffic Law ¤142.

 

"School function" means any school-sponsored extra-curricular event or activity.

 

"Violent student" means a student under the age of 21 who:

 

1.   Commits an act of violence upon a school employee, or attempts to do so.

2.   Commits, while on school property or at a school function, an act of violence upon another student or any other person lawfully on school property or at the school function, or attempts to do so.

3.   Possesses, while on school property or at a school function, a weapon.

4.   Displays, while on school property or at a school function, what appears to be a weapon.

5.   Threatens, while on school property or at a school function, to use a weapon.

6.   Knowingly and intentionally damages or destroys the personal property of any school employee or any person lawfully on school property or at a school function.

7.   Knowingly and intentionally damages or destroys school district property.

 

"Weapon" means a firearm as defined in 18 USC ¤921 for purposes of the Gun-Free Schools Act. "Weapon" also means, but is not limited to, any other gun, BB gun, pistol, revolver, shotgun, rifle, machine gun, disguised gun, dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto, switchblade knife, gravity knife, brass knuckles, sling shot, metal knuckle knife, box cutters, cane sword, electronic dart gun, Kung Fu star, electronic stun gun, pepper spray or other noxious spray, explosive or incendiary bomb, or other device, instrument, material or substance that can cause physical injury or death when used to cause physical injury or death.

 

 

Essential Partners

 

A.        Parents

All parents are expected to:

recognize that the education of their child(ren) is a joint responsibility of the parents and the school community.

send their children to school ready to participate and learn.

3.         ensure their children attend school regularly and on time.

4.         ensure absences are excused.

insist their children be dressed and groomed in a manner consistent with the student dress code.

help their children understand that in a democratic society appropriate rules are required to maintain a safe, orderly environment.

7.         know school rules and help their children understand them.

8.              convey to their children a supportive attitude toward education and the district.

9.              build good relationships with teachers, other parents and their children's friends.

10.       help their children deal effectively with peer pressure.

11.       inform school officials of changes in the home situation that may affect student conduct or performance.

12.       provide a place for study and ensure homework assignments are completed.

13.       help them understand their new responsibilities as middle school students.

 

B.        Teachers

All district teachers are expected to:

1.         Maintain a climate of mutual respect and dignity, which will strengthen students' self-concept and promote confidence to learn.

2.         Be prepared to teach.

3.         Demonstrate interest in teaching and concern for student achievement.

4.         Know school policies and rules, and enforce them in a fair and consistent manner.

5.         Communicate to students and parents:

            a.  Course objectives and requirements

            b.  Marking/grading procedures

            c.  Assignment deadlines

d.  Expectations for students

            e.  Classroom discipline plan.

6.         Communicate regularly with students, parents and other teachers concerning growth and achievement.

 

C.        Guidance Counselors

1.         Assist students in coping with peer pressure and emerging personal, social and emotional problems.

2.         Initiate teacher/student/counselor conferences and parent/teacher/student/counselor conferences, as necessary, as a way to resolve problems.

3.         Regularly review with students their educational progress and career plans.

4.         Provide information to assist students with career planning.

5.         Encourage students to benefit from the curriculum and extracurricular programs.

 

D.        Principals

1.         Promote a safe, orderly and stimulating school environment, supporting active teaching and learning.

2.         Ensure that students and staff have the opportunity to communicate regularly with the Principal and approach the Principal for redress of grievances.

3          Evaluate on a regular basis all instructional programs.

4.         Support the development of and student participation in appropriate extracurricular activities.

5.         Be responsible for enforcing the code of conduct and ensuring that all cases are resolved promptly and fairly.

 

E.         Superintendent

1.         Promote a safe, orderly and stimulating school environment, supporting active teaching and learning.

2.         Review with district administrators the policies of the Board of education and state and federal laws relating to school operations and management.

3.         Inform the Board about educational trends relating to student discipline.

4.         Work to create instructional programs that minimize problems of misconduct and are sensitive to student and teacher needs.

5.         Work with district administrators in enforcing the code of conduct and ensuring that all cases are resolved promptly and fairly.

 

F.         Board of Education

1.         Collaborate with student, teacher, administrator, and parent organizations, school safety personnel and other school personnel to develop a code of conduct that clearly defines expectations for the conduct of students, district personnel and visitors on school property and at school functions.

2.         Adopt and review at least annually the district's code of conduct to evaluate the code's effectiveness and the fairness and consistency of its implementation.

3.         Lead by example by conducting Board meetings in a professional, respectful, courteous manner.

 

G.        Other Staff

1.         Maintain a climate of mutual respect and dignity, which will strengthen studentÕs self concept and promote confidence to learn.

2.         Demonstrate interest in teaching and concern for student achievement.

3.         Know school policies and rules, and enforce them in a fair and consistent manner.

 

 

Prohibited Student Conduct

 

The Board of Education expects all students to conduct themselves in an appropriate and civil manner, with proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students, district personnel and other members of the school community, and for the care of school facilities and equipment.

 

The best discipline is self-imposed, and students must learn to assume and accept responsibility for their own behavior, as well as the consequences of their misbehavior.  District personnel who interact with students are expected to use disciplinary action only when necessary and to place emphasis on the students' ability to grow in self-discipline.

 

The Board recognizes the need to make its expectations for student conduct while on school property or engaged in a school function specific and clear. The rules of conduct listed below are intended to do that and focus on safety and respect for the rights and property of others.  Students who will not accept responsibility for their own behavior and who violate these school rules will be required to accept the penalties for their conduct.

 

 

 

 

Behaviors

 

 

I.   Arrival and Homeroom

 

Students should not arrive to school prior to 7:00 a.m. unless permission is granted from the main office.

 

Students arriving before 7:30 a.m. must report immediately to the designated area.  At 7:30 a.m., students will be dismissed to their lockers.  They may then report to the cafeteria, the library, or their homeroom.

 

Students walking to and from school each day should plan their route so that it is safe, respectful of property, and timely, considering weather conditions.

 

Students should not get off their bus at the Senior High and walk over to the Middle School.

 

Students arriving on buses will be unloaded at the traffic circle in front of the building and should enter the building directly.

 

Students arriving by car must be dropped off only at the designated area.

Bicycle racks are furnished for those students who choose to ride to school.  Upon arrival, the student should walk his/her bike while on school grounds and park it on the rack.  Students should lock their bikes and may not use them during the school day.  Bicycles considered to be unsafe by school authorities are to be left at home. Each student is assigned to a homeroom in the Middle School.  Students should first go to their assigned locker, get all materials and books for morning classes, and take care of all personal needs before going to homeroom.  Students must be in their seats by 7:45 a.m.  A warning will be given at 7:42 a.m. to proceed to homeroom.  Students should all be en route to homeroom by this time.

 

Absence

Parents of a student who is chronically absent (10 or more absences) without medical documentation will receive a letter inquiring about how the school can help support parents in getting their child to school.  The student and parents may be required to meet with an administrator.  If the studentÕs attendance does not improve, an Attendance (PINS Diversion) Petition will be filed with the Schenectady County Department of Probation.      

 

Attendance

All children in New York State between the ages of 6 and 16 years shall receive full-time instruction.  (Section 3205, Education Law)

 

Each registered student in Scotia-Glenville Middle School is expected to attend each day that school is in session.  Should a student be absent or tardy for any reason, it is necessary that a written excuse, signed by a parent or guardian, stating the date and reason for the absence or tardiness be brought to the homeroom teacher upon return.

 

Parents should make it a point to call the school on or before the day it is known their child will be absent or tardy.