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 

  1. Evidence of intent to distribute or distribution of controlled dangerous substances 
  2. Possession of bombs, or facsimile, or bomb threat 
  3. Possession of firearms, including starter guns 
  4. Violent physical attack on a student or staff member 
  5. Weapons used to cause bodily harm/injury 
 

  

II.  Discretionary School-based Consequences & Possible Police Referral 

Offense

Minimum Action

Maximum Action

Bullying (1) 

  • Parent conference
 
  • ISI/Suspension/Recommendation for expulsion
 

Harassment/Intimidation (2) 

  • Parent conference
 
  • ISI/Suspension/Recommendation for expulsion
 

Burglary (3) 

  • ISI/Suspension
 
  • Police Referral
  • Recommendation for expulsion
 

Computer use/abuse (4) 

  • Loss of computer privileges
    • Restitution
     
 
  • Police Referral
  • ISI/Suspension/Recommendation for expulsion
 

Coats/backpacks worn/carried (5) 

  • Request for removal
 
  • Confiscation
  • Parent Notification/Conference
 

Cutting class (6) 

  • Administrative detention
  • Parent conference
 
  • Pupil personnel referral
 

Destruction of public property

  • Parent conference
  • Restitution
 
  • Police Referral
  • ISI/Suspension/Recommendation for expulsion
 

Extortion (7) 

  • ISI/Suspension
 
  • Recommendation for expulsion
 

Fire setting

  • Police referral
  • ISI/Suspension
  • Restitution
 
  • Recommendation for expulsion
 

Gambling (8) 

  • Warning
 
  • Suspension
 

Gang-related incident

  • Police referral
  • Parent conference
 
  • Police referral
  • ISI/Suspension/Recommendation for expulsion
 

Food/beverages consumed in class (9) 

  • Warning
 
  • Confiscation
  • Detention
 

Hate/violence

  • Police referral
  • Parent conference
 
  • Police referral
  • ISI/Suspension/Recommendation for expulsion
 

Hazing (10) 

  • Parent conference
 
  • ISI/Suspension/Recommendation for expulsion
 

Inappropriate dress (11) 

 

  • Change of clothing
 
  • ISI/Suspension
 

Leaving classroom without permission (12) 

  • Parent conference
    • Escort back to class of origin
     
 
  • ISI/Suspension
 

Physical attack on a student

  • Parent conference
 
  • ISI/Suspension/Recommendation for expulsion
 

Physical attack on a staff member

  • Parent conference
 
  • ISI/Suspension/Recommendation for expulsion
 

Possession of a knife (13) 

  • Parent conference
 
  • Police referral
  • ISI/Suspension/Recommendation for expulsion
 

Possession and use of an electronic device (14) 

  • Warning
 
  • Confiscation
  • Parent notification/conference
 

Possession of a weapon or look-alike weapon (15) 

  • Parent conference
 
  • Police referral
  • ISI/Suspension/Recommendation for expulsion
 

Possession or use of intoxicants

  • Police referral
  • Suspension
 
  • Police referral
  • ISI/Suspension/Recommendation for expulsion
 

Running in hallways

  • Verbal Warning
 
  • Detention
  • Parent notification/conference
 

Sale or distribution of any product or service (16) 

  • Administrative conference
 
  • ISI/Suspension
 

Sexual activity (consensual)

  • Parent conference
 
  • ISI/Suspension/Recommendation for expulsion
 

Sexual harassment (17) 

  • Parent conference
 
  • ISI/Suspension/Recommendation for expulsion
 

Sexual offenses

  • Police referral
  • Suspension
 
  • Police referral
  • ISI/Suspension/Recommendation for expulsion
 

Inappropriate headgear (18) 

  • Request for removal
 
  • Confiscation
  • Parent notification/conference
 

Theft

  • Restitution
  • Parent conference
  • ISI/Suspension
 
  • Police referral
  • Recommendation for expulsion
 

Threat (verbal, electronic, or written)

  • Parent conference
 
  • Recommendation for expulsion
 

Inappropriate vending machine use (19) 

  • Warning
 
  • Loss of vending machine privileges
  • Administrative referral
 

Verbal abuse of a student (20) 

  • Parent conference
 
  • Administrative conference
  • ISI/Suspension
 

Verbal abuse of a staff member (20) 

  • Parent conference
  • ISI/Suspension
 
  • Police referral
  • Recommendation for expulsion
 

Insubordination (21) 

  • Detention
  • Parent notification/ conference
  • Parent shadowing
 
  • ISI/Suspension
 

Disruption of class (22) 

  • Warning
 
  • ISI/Suspension
 

Smoking

  • Parent notification/ conference
 
  • ISI/Suspension
 

False fire alarms/ unauthorized handling of fire equipment

  • Suspension
  • Fire marshal referral
  • Fine levied by fire marshal
 
  • ISI/Suspension
  • Recommendation for expulsion
 

Truancy, cutting school, or leaving school grounds

  • Administrative detention
 
  • Pupil personnel referral
 

Profanity or obscenity

  • Parent notification/ conference
 
  • ISI/Suspension
 

Improper conduct during school-sponsored activities

  • Removal from activity
 
  • ISI/Suspension
 

Inappropriate public display of affection (23) 

  • Warning
  • Parent notification/ conference
 
  • ISI/Suspension
 

  

  1. 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. 
  2. Harassment/Intimidation is defined as the act of troubling, worrying, or tormenting another person who wants to be left alone.
  3. Burglary is defined as breaking and entering of a building or occupied structure with the intent to commit a crime therein.
  4. 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.
  5. Coats and backpacks must be stored in lockers during the school day and not be worn or carried to classes.
  6. Cutting class is defined as missing more than 15 minutes of class without an excuse or leaving class without permission.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. Food and drink are only consumed in the cafeteria unless students are in a special teacher-sponsored activity.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. Possession of a knife: Intentional possession of a knife requires police referral.
  14. Electronic device are defined as Ipods or MP3 players, electronic games, portable communication devices and any other non-educational electronic devices.
  15. Possession of weapons (including, but not limited to, firearm facsimiles, B-B guns, pellet guns, paint ball buns, and other firearm “look-alike weapons).
  16. Sale or distribution of any product or service is prohibited without administrative approval (solicitation for charitable causes is acceptable with administrative approval).
  17. 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. 
  18. Students may not wear hats, headbands, head gear or any other headgear (except for recognized religious or medical reasons).
  19. Hallway vending machines are only to be used by students after the completion of the school day.
  20. Verbal abuse is defined as teasing, name-calling, using improper, immoral, indecent or abusive language which detracts from a positive educational environment.
  21. Insubordination is defined as the failure to follow directions of a staff member.
  22. Disruption of class can be defined as throwing objects, incessant talking/nonverbal distraction, which
    detracts from a teaching/learning environment.
  23. 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.