All schools must have a certain set of rules and
regulations to govern student behavior.
These rules reflect a balance between the responsibilities and rights of
the individual and the responsibilities and rights of the school. These rules also reflect the need to promote
an environment conducive to learning, and the need for mutual respect and
cooperation among all segments of the school community. These rules are known as the School
Discipline Policy.
PHILOSOPHY
Col. E. Brooke Lee Middle School is committed to
equitable and considerate treatment of all members of the school community and
the maintenance of a safe and comfortable learning environment. Students at this age level are learning to deal
with many physical, emotional, social and educational changes. They rely on clear guidelines to help them
make appropriate behavior choices.
If a student makes an inappropriate choice that is in
violation of the Lee discipline policy, every attempt is made to immediately
address the behavior. Such action is
taken in order to minimize the need for serious consequences and the possible
loss of instructional time. The adults
at Lee set high expectations for appropriate student conduct and work
diligently to assist students in meeting these expectations.
We expect students to learn from initial contacts and
to adjust their behavior accordingly.
Continuing inappropriate behavior results in more serious
consequences. Students are held
responsible for their actions, decisions and behaviors. Major infractions may result in the immediate
imposition of more serious consequences.
Students are required to understand the policy and to
display appropriate behaviors without the need for serious interventions. Each parent or guardian is encouraged to read
and discuss this policy with his/her child.
If there are questions or concerns, please contact the students teacher,
team leader, counselor or administrator.
LEVELS OF
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
When problems first arise, they will be resolved at the
least restrictive or lowest level of disciplinary action. At all levels, consequences for violations of
the school policy will be fair, appropriate, and consistent with the local
school and county-wide disciplinary standards.
Listed below is on outline of consequences from the least to the most
serious:
1.
Staff-student
conference
2.
Time out
3.
Detention at staff
discretion
4.
parent
notification by staff member
5.
Referral to team
for strategies
6.
Counselor
intervention
7.
Parent conference
8.
Administrative
referral (written notification to the administration of a violation of school
rules)
9.
Detention or other
consequences such as community service or financial restitution. Parent notified of after school detention.
10.
Exclusion - Temporary
removal from class and/or school. Parent
notified by phone
11.
Suspension The
principal may suspend a students right to attend school for a specified number
of days. (In accordance with the rules
and regulations of the MCPS school board, the principal may suspend for just
cause for not more than 10 school days.
Additionally, a referral may be made to the Police/Fire Marshal.)
12.
Expulsion from E.
Brooke Lee Middle School and
DEFINITIONS
Conference This is a meeting held with the student and one or
more of the following persons: teacher, counselor, parent/guardian,
administrator, and pupil personnel worker.
Time out A period of time where a student is out of his/her
assigned class (either in the hallway or in another teachers classroom). This time out of class is without penalty and
for the express purpose of allowing the student to reflect on an inappropriate
behavior, regain his/her focus and willingness to behave in accordance with the
classroom teachers expectations.
Detention Students can be assigned to serve detention before
or after school or during lunch by a teacher or administrator. Teachers who assign detention during the
students lunch period must allow students to get their lunch first and then
bring it to the teachers classroom to eat during the detention. Teachers who assign after-school detention will
have the students serve detention in the teachers classroom. Students are given one days notice when
detention is assigned so that transportation can be arranged. If arrangements with parent can be made, the
one-day notice rule can be waived.
After-school detention assigned by an administrator will be scheduled in
the main office from
Exclusion Exclusion means temporary removal of a student from
a class, an activity, or school attendance for a specified period of time. During this time period, the student will be
placed under the supervision of another teacher, administrator, safety and
security personnel, or guardian.
Suspension Students who receive an out-of-school suspension are
not permitted to be on any MCPS property and are not permitted to attend or participate
in any school related activity during the time of the suspension without prior
permission of the principal. The
prohibition includes both home and away events. Students are responsible to see teachers
about making up missed assignments. A
student may be suspended up to ten days from their home school. Suspensions beyond ten days can be
implemented by the area field office and/or the Deputy Superintendent of
Schools.
Police/Fire
Marshal Referral - Violation of MCPS
rules that is also a criminal offense.
Expulsion The principal does not have
the authority to expel a student, but has the authority to recommend expulsion Actions for which the principal must recommend
expulsion from Montgomery County Public Schools are the following: bringing a
bomb or other explosive onto school property, making a bomb threat, bringing a
weapon/firearm (loaded or otherwise) onto school property, distribution of
controlled dangerous substances (drugs), using a weapon in a manner to cause
bodily harm, and a violent physical attack on a staff member. Students who are
expelled are not permitted to attend any other school in MCPS or public school
in the state of
PROCEDURES
Procedure for
solving class problems
Students should try to resolve any class problems with the teacher of that class. If the problem is not satisfactorily resolved, the student should seek the advice and assistance of the team leader or his/her counselor.
Appeals Procedure
A student has the right to appeal the actions of
teachers and school administrators. The
following steps must be taken by the student if he/she is not satisfied with a
disciplinary action and wishes to appeal it:
If a student has attempted, without success, to have a
problem resolved, he/she may appeal the decision to the appropriate
administrator. A student may involve his
or her parent at any level in the appeal process.
First Level
The student will submit a written statement of his/her reasons for the appeal
to the appropriate grade level administrator. This appeal should be submitted
within five school days. The document
should include a description of the type of infraction, actions taken by the
teacher and the reasons why the student feels the action was improper. Students may get assistance from his/her
guidance counselor with writing an appeal. Within five school days the grade level
administrator will study the appeal and respond to the student in writing. At the time of the appeal, the administrator
has the right to determine any action that may be necessary until a response is
made.
Second Level
- If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the assistant principal,
an appeal may be written to the principal. This appeal should be submitted within five
school days. The statement should include
all pertinent factual information and remedy requested (See Students Rights and
Responsibilities Policy.)
Third Level
If the complaint has not been resolved satisfactorily at the second level,
the student may appeal to the Community Superintendents office. Refer to the Students Rights and
Responsibilities handbook for the procedures.
Procedures - Suspension
Prior to any exclusion from
classes or suspension for disciplinary reasons, student must be given an
informal hearing including:
a.
Oral or written
notice of the charges
b.
An explanation of
the evidence
c.
An opportunity to
present his/her side of the story
Every effort will be made to
notify parent(s) or guardian(s) prior to the dismissal of the student from
school
grounds. Parent/guardian will receive a letter
containing the following:
a.
The effective date
and period of suspension
b.
The reason(s) for
the suspension
c.
A statement of the
students and/or parents/guardians right of appeal
Students who are suspended are
not permitted to be on E. Brooke Lee school grounds or any MCPS property and
are not permitted to attend or
participate in any school related activity during the time of the suspension
without prior permission of the principal. The principal and/or her designee
will require a reinstatement conference with the
student and parent/guardian
following the suspension.
Procedures - Search and Seizure
The principal, assistant principal,
or authorized security officer at E. Brooke Lee Middle School may conduct a
search of a student on the school
premises if she/he has reasonable cause to believe that a student has in
his/her possession an item, the possession of which constitutes a criminal
offense under the laws of the State of
The principal, assistant principal
or authorized security officer at E. Brooke Lee Middle School may conduct
search of every part of the
physical plant of the school and, upon obtaining reasonable cause, students
lockers. (Prior announcement or publication of such a search must be made on
the day of the search.)
Any confiscated property
belonging to a student must be returned to the student or his/her parents
within a reasonable time except as required by law or consideration of safety
for students and staff.
New
Directions SHARP Suspension Program
Location:
Hours of
Operation: Mon.-Fri;
Phone: 301-592-0500
B-Sharp is a volunteer program working in partnership
with schools located within the Kennedy, Einstein and Wheaton Clusters. The program grew from a desire to reach out
and help those youth in our community who are at-risk. Referral to the B-Sharp
program is made by an administrator.
The purpose of B-Sharp is to provide students with
supervised study time in order to keep up with classroom work while on
suspension; to help students accept responsibility for his/her actions that led
to suspension; to diminish the number of repeat suspensions.
The Discipline Policy
describes infractions (behavior), a definition of the behavior, and the
consequences. The consequences describe the range of actions that may be taken
by an administrator, not necessarily in the order listed.
I.
ATTENDANCE
|
INFRACTION |
DEFINITION |
CONSEQUENCES |
|
Entering areas that are off-limits |
Entering parking lots, student/staff vehicles, and the
wooded areas during the school day is prohibited. During lunch students are not permitted in
the hall-ways without written permission from a teacher/ administrator. Students are not permitted behind the
building during |
Parent
Conference Detention Suspension Administrative
referral |
|
Leaving Class Without Permission/ Cutting Class |
Leaving the classroom without prior permission from staff |
Administrative
referral Suspension |
|
Leaving School Grounds |
Leaving school campus without parental permission or
administrative approval any time during the school day |
Detention Parent
Conference Unexcused
absence Suspension Referral to
Pupil Personnel Worker |
|
Tardiness |
Not in the classroom when the late bell rings |
Warning Conference with
student/notify parent Detention Administrative
referral |
|
Truancy |
Absent from school without permission all day |
Parent/Student
Conference Suspension Referral to
Pupil Personnel Worker Referral to
Protective Services |
II. VIOLENT/AGGRESSIVE CONDUCT
|
INFRACTION |
DEFINITION |
CONSEQUENCES |
|
Extortion |
Attempt to secure money or property through threat of
physical harm (explicit or suggested) |
Administrative/
Parent conference Suspension Police referral Recommendation
for expulsion |
|
Fighting (Physical Attack) |
Physical contact with an attempt to harm involving two or
more students |
Parent
conference Referral to
administration Suspension (up
to 10 days) Police referral Expulsion |
|
Intimidation |
Frightening/tormenting another person by verbal threats
and taunts or physical contact such as touching, tripping, bumping |
Student
conference Administrative
conference Parent contact Suspension |
|
Violent physical attack on staff
member |
Unprovoked physical
attack on a staff member |
Police referral Suspension Expulsion |
III. CONDUCT
|
INFRACTION |
DEFINITION |
CONSEQUENCES |
|
|
|
Cafeteria Behavior |
Food should be consumed in the cafeteria only. Students are responsible for cleaning up
their trash and behaving appropriately. |
Conference and
restricted use of cafeteria Detention
(cafeteria work duty) |
|
|
|
Card Playing |
Students may not play cards in any instructional area. |
Confiscation of
cards Detention Parent contact |
|
|
|
Cheating |
Attempt to improve ones performance through deceit or
fraud. Cheating involves giving
information as well as receiving it. |
Parent contact Loss of credit
on assignment (zero) Administrative
conference |
|
|
|
Forging documents |
Writing or signing a document which contains deliberately
misleading, false, or inaccurate information. This offense includes forging
parent/guardian or staff names or initials on notes. |
Administrative
referral Parent
conference Suspension |
|
|
|
Gambling |
Playing cards or dice for money, tossing coins, or
wagering on any activity is prohibited on school property. |
Parent contact Administrative
conference Suspension for
repeated infraction |
|
|
|
Hall Walking |
Being in halls without permission |
Parent contact Administrative
conference Suspension for
repeated infraction |
|
|
|
Harassment |
Any unwarranted touching, comments, visuals or graphics of
a sexual nature that creates an environment that is hurtful or intimidating
and interferes with learning is defined as sexual harassment. |
Conference Parent
notification Suspension Referral to
Human Relations Department |
|
|
|
Head Apparel |
Hats and various head coverings may not be worn inside the
building and must be stored in the locker.
They may not be carried. This
includes stocking caps, bandannas and hoods.
(Head coverings for religious reasons are permitted with a note from
parents and approval of the grade level administrator.) |
Student
conference Confiscation of
head wear Detention Suspension for
repeated offences Note: E. B. Lee claims no responsibility for lost
property as a result of confiscation. |
|
|
|
Inappropriate Clothing |
Clothing that illustrates or depicts violence, sex,
alcohol, tobacco, or messages that are explicit and/or offensive to others.
Clothing that is disruptive to the educational process that exposes the
midsection or underwear. |
Student will be
required to remove, reverse, replace, or cover inappropriate clothing |
|
|
|
Inappropriate language |
Language and/or actions considered indecent, abusive,
profane, offensive, and/or obscene by the recipient or by staff members |
Verbal warning Student
Conference Phone call to
parents Detention Administrative
referral and conference Suspension |
|
|
|
Insubordination |
Refusing to obey a reasonable request or order by a staff
member (any adult staff member, i.e. teacher, secretary, building service
worker, etc.) |
Verbal warning Student
conference Phone call to
parents Detention Administrative
re-ferral and conference Suspension |
|
|
|
Littering |
Leaving any material such as food, articles, cans, or
debris in the building or on school grounds |
Disciplinary
con-ference with student Detention (work
detail) Parent
conference |
|
|
|
Loitering |
Being in or around the building or the campus without a
school related purpose |
Parent/student
conference Administrative
referral Suspension |
|
|
|
Personal property |
Electronic games, tape/CD players, skateboards, bikes,
inline skates, and other personal items |
Confiscation Student
conference Parent conference Suspension |
|
|
|
Plagiarism |
Any work submitted by a student that does not represent
his/her own effort. Materials obtained
from another source must include clear and appropriate attribution. |
Parent contact Loss of credit
on assignment (zero) Administrative
conference |
|
|
|
Portable Radios & CD Players |
Use or visibility of radios and CD players (including
Walkman type) during school hours |
Warning to
student, device must be put away. Device will be
confiscated Parent
conference Note: E.B. Lee claims no responsibility for
property lost due to confiscation |
||
|
Theft |
Taking or possession of items without the owners consent |
Suspension Police referral Restitution |
||
|
Vandalism |
Intentional destruction or defacement of any school
property, including books, supplies, facilities, and equipment |
Parent
conference Administrative
referral Suspension up
to 10 days Student will
pay for replacement or repair of school property damaged or destroyed Possible
referral to police Expulsion |
||
|
Verbal abuse |
Use of offensive or insulting language directed at staff
members or other students |
Detention Suspension |
||
|
BEHAVIOR |
DEFINITION |
CONSEQUENCES |
|
|
Alcohol |
Possession and/or consumption of alcohol or intoxicants
while on school property or while participating in a school activity |
Suspension Parent
conference Referral
for student support and/or intervention |
|
|
Arson |
Setting or helping to set a fire on school grounds |
Referral
to police/fire marshal Suspension Recommendation
for expulsion |
|
|
* Bomb/bomb threats |
Bringing a bomb or
threatening to bomb the school |
Suspension Police referral Expulsion |
|
|
*
Drug
Distribution |
Selling, giving, or
sharing a controlled dangerous substance |
Suspension Police referral Expulsion |
|
|
* Drugs, Alcohol, Placebos, and/or
other Dangerous Substances, & Paraphernalia |
Possession or use of dangerous and/or illegal substances |
Parent
conference Referral
to Administration Suspension Consideration
of expulsion Police
referral |
|
|
* Electronic Communi-cation Devices
(pagers, beepers, portable phones, and any similar technology developed) |
Using electronic communication during instructional time ( |
Confiscation Suspension |
|
|
* False Fire Alarm |
Pulling of the fire alarm without legitimate cause |
Administrative referral Parent
conference Suspension Fire Payment for
damages and/or fire department costs Recommendation
for expulsion |
|
|
* Firearms |
Bringing a firearm,
loaded or otherwise, onto school property |
Suspension Police referral Expulsion |
||
|
Laser pointers |
Possession and use of a laser pointer |
Parent
conference Confiscation Suspension |
||
|
Smoking on
School Grounds (Tobacco-free environment) |
Use of tobacco and tobacco products on school grounds at
any time |
1st
offense Letter to parent 2nd
offense - 3rd
offense - extended |
||
|
* Weapons |
Storing, possessing, or carrying of knives or other
potentially dangerous items, is prohibited on school property (Any item used
to harm another person is considered a weapon.) |
10
day suspension Recommendation
for expulsion Police
referral |
||
* MCPS Policy with standard treatment
throughout MCPS. There is no deviation
with reference to city/state laws.