DISCIPLINARY POLICY
The following disciplinary violations are serious and will be responded to by a staff member or school administrator with one or several of the consequences appropriate to the listed violation. Disciplinary actions may be imposed at any point in the range of consequences listed and are not always at the minimum level. In addition to the consequences below, each infraction may incur an In School Intervention (ISI). When possible, the school staff will attempt to help the student by exploring every alternative available in avoiding behaviors that require disciplinary responses within the school system before the maximum penalty is imposed.
Listed below are the minimum/maximum actions taken by the school.
I. Mandatory Recommendation for Expulsion Mandatory Police Referral |
|
II. Discretionary School-based Consequences & Possible Police Referral |
||
Offense |
Minimum Action |
Maximum Action |
Bullying (1) |
|
|
Harassment/Intimidation (2) |
|
|
Burglary (3) |
|
|
Computer use/abuse (4) |
|
|
Coats/backpacks worn/carried (5) |
|
|
Cutting class (6) |
|
|
Destruction of public property |
|
|
Extortion (7) |
|
|
Fire setting |
|
|
Gambling (8) |
|
|
Gang-related incident |
|
|
Food/beverages consumed in class (9) |
|
|
Hate/violence |
|
|
Hazing (10) |
|
|
Inappropriate dress (11)
|
|
|
Leaving classroom without permission (12) |
|
|
Physical attack on a student |
|
|
Physical attack on a staff member |
|
|
Possession of a knife (13) |
|
|
Possession and use of an electronic device (14) |
|
|
Possession of a weapon or look-alike weapon (15) |
|
|
Possession or use of intoxicants |
|
|
Running in hallways |
|
|
Sale or distribution of any product or service (16) |
|
|
Sexual activity (consensual) |
|
|
Sexual harassment (17) |
|
|
Sexual offenses |
|
|
Inappropriate headgear (18) |
|
|
Theft |
|
|
Threat (verbal, electronic, or written) |
|
|
Inappropriate vending machine use (19) |
|
|
Verbal abuse of a student (20) |
|
|
Verbal abuse of a staff member (20) |
|
|
Insubordination (21) |
|
|
Disruption of class (22) |
|
|
Smoking |
|
|
False fire alarms/ unauthorized handling of fire equipment |
|
|
Truancy, cutting school, or leaving school grounds |
|
|
Profanity or obscenity |
|
|
Improper conduct during school-sponsored activities |
|
|
Inappropriate public display of affection (23) |
|
|
- Bullying is defined as intentional negative actions on the part of one or more students, repeatedly and over time that interfere with a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the school’s educational program. It can be motivated by an actual or perceived personal characteristic; such as, race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or disability. It can occur on school property, at a school activity/event, on a school bus, or cyberspace; and it subsequently disrupts the orderly operation of a school.
- Harassment/Intimidation is defined as the act of troubling, worrying, or tormenting another person who wants to be left alone.
- Burglary is defined as breaking and entering of a building or occupied structure with the intent to commit a crime therein.
- Computer use/abuse: All students are required to abide by the rules and guidelines set forth by the Montgomery County Public School regulation IGT-RA when using school computers.
- Coats and backpacks must be stored in lockers during the school day and not be worn or carried to classes.
- Cutting class is defined as missing more than 15 minutes of class without an excuse or leaving class without permission.
- Extortion is defined as any attempt by a student to secure money or property, either explicit or suggested, through the threat of physical harm. Minimum action – Suspension Maximum action – Recommendation for expulsion.
- Gambling is defined as betting money on the outcome of a game, contest, or other event. In accordance with state law, gambling is prohibited and illegal.
- Food and drink are only consumed in the cafeteria unless students are in a special teacher-sponsored activity.
- Hazing is defined as an act which recklessly or intentionally subjects a student or mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule for the purpose of initiation into an organization. Minimum action – Conference Maximum action – Recommendation for expulsion.
- Students are expected to dress in an appropriate manner that is neither offensive or distracting. Footwear must be worn at all times. Muscle shirts with large arm holes, clothing which implies or advertises drugs, alcohol, or their use, and clothing that is deemed sexually suggestive are specifically prohibited. Heavy chains worn on wallets or as decoration are specifically prohibited. Skirts and dresses, with or without slits, higher than mid-thigh are prohibited. The waistband of pants must be worn at the waist with no undergarments showing. Suspenders or a belt must be worn with over-sized pants to keep them up around the waist. Students who wear short-shorts higher than mid-thigh must wear spandex. The spandex may be no higher than mid-thigh. Halter tops, short shirts that expose bare midriffs, bare-backed tops, revealing (semi-sheer) tops, and swimming apparel are not appropriate school attire. No pajamas or sleeping attire are permitted. This includes slippers. Any other clothing not addressed above, which is deemed inappropriate, will be addressed accordingly.
- Out-of-class accountability: Students traveling outside of a classroom during instructional hours must be able to present a signed, dated, timed pass to all inquiring staff members.
- Possession of a knife: Intentional possession of a knife requires police referral.
- Electronic device are defined as Ipods or MP3 players, electronic games, portable communication devices and any other non-educational electronic devices.
- Possession of weapons (including, but not limited to, firearm facsimiles, B-B guns, pellet guns, paint ball buns, and other firearm “look-alike weapons).
- Sale or distribution of any product or service is prohibited without administrative approval (solicitation for charitable causes is acceptable with administrative approval).
- Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcomed sexual advances or inappropriate verbal, written, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment committed against students or staff is inappropriate behavior and violates MCPS regulation ACF-RA. This includes “playful” pulling down of other’s pants.
- Students may not wear hats, headbands, head gear or any other headgear (except for recognized religious or medical reasons).
- Hallway vending machines are only to be used by students after the completion of the school day.
- Verbal abuse is defined as teasing, name-calling, using improper, immoral, indecent or abusive language which detracts from a positive educational environment.
- Insubordination is defined as the failure to follow directions of a staff member.
- Disruption
of class can be defined as throwing objects, incessant talking/nonverbal
distraction, which
detracts from a teaching/learning environment. - Inappropriate public display of affection is defined as kissing, hugging, intimately suggestive gestures, etc.
In-School Intervention (ISI)
During an ISI, a student is removed from the educational setting for disciplinary reasons and instructional services are provided.
Failure to Serve Assigned Administrative/teacher Detention
If the student fails to serve a teacher-assigned detention, the detention is doubled and parents are notified. If the student fails to serve the reassigned detentions, parents are notified and the student will be referred to an administrator.
Interscholastic Sports
Students spectating and/or participating in interscholastic sports must conduct themselves in the manner specified in the GMS Team Handbook for soccer, basketball, and softball. Students in violation of interscholastic rules and regulations will not be able to participate in practices and/or games as specified in the Team Handbook. Areas of address are as follows: Attendance – Behavior Academics – Team rules – CHARACTER COUNTS! Pillars.
Tardy/Hall Sweeps
Tardies will be monitored and tracked by individual teachers. Hall sweeps will be conducted and monitored by the administration.
- First tardy/hall sweep: Warning
- Second tardy/hall sweep: Parent contact
- Third tardy/hall sweep: Parent contact and detention
After the third tardy/hall sweep and the student has served the detention; the student will start again with a clean slate. At the beginning of each quarter, the student will start with a clean slate.