Sherwood High School
General
Although defined in a number of different ways, discipline, in this handbook, will deal with incidents and infractions in the school which disrupt the instructional program. The following steps of classroom disciplinary procedures should be observed:
Step #1. Ask yourself in a case you designate as disciplinary, "What do I usually do?" In other words, examine your own behavior. Are you sarcastic? Are you a screamer? Do you threaten or ignore?
Step #2. Ask yourself if your system works. Obviously, if it works, keep on doing it. If it doesn't work, then you should consult your resource teacher and supervising administrator for assistance in developing an effective strategy.
Step #3. Examine your class and classroom to see if there is anything that a student who creates disciplinary problems can do which will allow him/her to see himself/herself as productive.
In these first three steps, which contain a resolution to help students, there is the suggestion that attitude change may be necessary on the part of both student and teacher. If you cannot agree that steps one through three is necessary, then the other steps will not work.
Step #4. When a student does not comply with your rules, a quiet correction should be the first step in the case of broken rules or disruption. In other words, you are treating the student as if this is the first time that an incident has occurred. If this works, fine; if not, try to stick with the actual behavior of what was done and not the why. If an agreement can be reached that a rule was broken and a solution can be quietly reached, then you have been successful. If the student does not agree to resolve the problem, more steps must come.
You are trying to establish that the student must take the responsibility for doing something wrong and that you are trying to correct that. If he accepts the correction, no further steps are necessary.
Step #5. A conference with the student is the next step. It should be handled as informally as possible the first time. In essence, you are agreeing with the student that "we have to work it out". Repeat the rules, try to come to an agreement to face the issue and follow the rules. The experienced teacher is able to do this quietly and many would take the student to a conference room, a seminar room, or office to accomplish this step.
Step #6. Continued disruption may result in your establishing a place where a student can cool off. If this can be accomplished within the room, this is preferable. If it cannot be accomplished, then you have no alternative but to send the student to the office.
Referrals
If it becomes necessary for you to refer a student to the office, use MCPS Form 555-1, (referral slip). Fill out the form completely. Send all copies of this form to the appropriate personnel 1) security officer 2) ISS 3) administrator. (administrator or security personnel). One copy will be returned to you within 24 hours and one will be kept in the office. Be specific in following procedures outlined here so that no student can claim that he was just sent "out". Do not simply tell a student to "get out".
Direct the student to report to main office. Teacher contact with the administrator must be made as soon as possible to determine that the student did report to the office and to find out what action was taken.
Standard disciplinary procedures for the teacher include conferring with the student, imposition of in-house discipline such as detention or clean-up, phone contact with parents, and teacher-parent conferences.
Disciplinary action taken will depend on the nature of the incident and the frequency of referrals. Any decision made by a security team member, the student support specialist, or an assistant principal with which you do not agree may be appealed to the principal.
Although the referral procedures above refer to the classroom, teachers are responsible for students in or out of class. Students are responsible to teachers whether they are in their class or not. Violations of regulations which occur outside the classroom will be referred immediately on form 555-1 with as much information filled out as possible. Describe appearance, clothing or any distinguishing features. Students involved in serious violations (fights, possession of drugs, assault on staff members, etc.) should be brought to the office immediately.
Both MCPS Policy JGA-RA and MCEA Board of Education Agreement provides for the use of physical restraint by a teacher in an
extraordinary case of breach of discipline or to restrain a disruptive pupil providing the force used is reasonable under the
circumstances. The teacher should inform the principal of such action and should make an accurate written account of such within 24 hours if possible.
Trespassers
Problems involving outsiders in the building should be eliminated if the provisions of MCPS Regulation COA are followed. The regulation states that all visitors must report immediately to the main office.
Any person following this regulation will be screened and told to leave or given a pass. Visitor's passes will be issued to students from other schools only if by advanced written permission with a sponsor and approved by an administrator.
Requirements for the arrest of trespassers include one warning, documentation of warning with a witness and the willingness to swear out a warrant of arrest. The principal is responsible for the arrest warrant.
Staff members who see strangers in the building should ask if they need help. If the visitor has not been to the office, then inform the person to report to the office immediately. Then go to the nearest telephone and alert the office of the description of the person involved and your assessment of the situation.
Excusing Students from Class
TEACHERS MAY NOT EXCUSE STUDENTS FROM ANY OTHER TEACHER'S CLASS WITHOUT THAT TEACHER GIVING PRIOR PERMISSION. Faculty members will require regular attendance and not allow students to leave rooms without passes. The agenda book or a teacher issued pass should be used. Teachers may not dismiss students early and must remain alert through the school day to see that attendance procedures are followed. Students should be excused ONLY for legitimate reasons and are to be directed to specific locations. They must return with a note signed by the staff member to whom they have reported.
The school is responsible for maintaining a safe, healthful learning environment and for ensuring equitable treatment of students. The purpose of a discipline code is to serve those ends and to provide notice to parents, students, and staff of their respective responsibilities and rights.
School Regulations - Students are expected to attend school and classes regularly, arrive on time, bring required materials, and fulfill to the best of their abilities the course objectives. They should understand and observe the rules of the school and recognize that there are channels through which rules or conditions can be studied or questioned and realize that they must use those channels.
Students should be courteous and respectful at all times to staff members and substitute teachers.
Appropriate Dress - Students should come to school properly attired so as not to distract themselves or others. Clothing that is lewd, vulgar, obscene, revealing, or sexual in nature is not permitted. County and State health department codes require, by law, that all staff and students wear shoes at all times while on school grounds.
Any clothing displaying or advocating drug and alcohol use, sexual and/or racial connotations, or other references likely to cause disruption are not permitted. Tank tops, crop tops, tube tops, spaghetti strap tops, backless tops, exposed midriffs, or visible undergarments are not permitted. Students wearing such clothing will be required to change or turn the clothing inside out.
Head Apparel - Hats, (baseball caps/visors) will be the only headgear allowed in classes at the discretion of the individual teacher. BANDANAS, HOODS, AND SUNGLASSES WILL NOT BE WORN INSIDE THE BUILDING.
STUDENTS MUST HAVE THEIR AGENDA BOOKS TO BE IN THE HALLS when classes are scheduled.
Courteous behavior is expected in the hallways at all times. Running, loud talking, boisterousness, or other disruptive or unsafe behavior is not permitted.
IPods, walkmen, electronic games, calculators programmed with and used for games, and any other such personal belongings may be used only before the first bell, during lunch and after the last bell. Cellular telephones must be turned off and out of sight during the normal school hours. Such items will be confiscated by school staff if used inappropriately during regular school hours.
For the sake of safety, ball playing is prohibited except under the direction of a teacher. Throwing snowballs is absolutely prohibited.
To prevent fires, canvas or other material should not be used as floor protection or in decorating until it has been flame-proofed. Use of flammable decorations, such as streamers or leaves, is prohibited.
All pupils, teachers, and visitors, upon entering and participating in vocational or technological labs, or chemical or combined chemical-physical laboratories are required to wear eye cover goggles.
Fireworks are prohibited by state law.
At athletic events, good sportsmanship prohibits booing. Students should be quiet during critical plays, such as basketball foul shots, or when a player is injured. Musical instruments and noisemakers, other than those in the Pep Band or another scheduled organization, are not permitted during an indoor activity.
Organized programs will be permitted only during intermissions.
Any band or other half-time presentation should not delay the beginning of the second half.
Food and drinks are not permitted in the gym. The use of alcoholic beverages at school events is against Maryland State Law. Police will be summoned.
The school bus operator is in charge of the bus and the passengers. The operator is responsible for the safety of pupils and for their conduct on the bus. Riding the bus is a privilege that can be denied temporarily or permanently if a pupil's behavior creates a problem on the school bus.
Smoking or other use of tobacco products is not permitted on school property.
Levels of Disciplinary Action
Consequences for infractions shall be based on the severity of the infraction and prior disciplinary actions. Consequences as listed in the student handbook are not progressive but will be applied as appropriate.
1. Conference: The teacher or administrator will confer with the student and may contact parents by phone. In addition, a meeting may be required with
a teacher, student, counselor, pupil personnel worker, parent, administrator, police, or other appropriate person.
2. Detention: Teachers or administrators may require that students remain after the regular school day for detention. Students will be given 24 hours'
notice, which the student or parent may waive. Transportation home is the responsibility of the student.
- It is the responsibility of the student to notify parents of the assigned detention.
- Student involvement in extracurricular or work activity shall not postpone detentions. Should a conflict arise with work or any school-sponsored activity, the assigned detention shall take precedence.
Guidelines/Procedures for Administrative Detention
(1) Students will report to the assigned detention room and be seated by 2:15 p.m.
(2) Students must bring school work (class assignments, texts, etc.) to do independently.
(3) Students are not permitted to talk to each other during the detention.
(4) Students will remain in the detention until dismissed by the person in charge.
3. Temporary Removal from Class: A student, for cause, may be removed temporarily from a given class and referred to the appropriate administrator.
Removal exceeding one day can occur only after consultation between the teacher and the appropriate administrator. The student removed from class
will report to the main office. Students referred to the office from a class will not return to that class on that day.
4. School Service: When appropriate, a student may be assigned to perform service to the school. Duties may include assisting building personnel in
cleaning and maintaining the building.
5. Exclusion: A student may be removed from a single class or all classes for one or two days. Parents will be notified.
6. Suspension: In accordance with the rules and regulations of MCPS, the principal may suspend a student for cause for one and not more than ten
school days. Suspension may be assigned to in or out of school depending upon the circumstances.
- The student will be given notice of the reasons for suspension, an explanation of the evidence, and an opportunity to present his/her side of the story.
b. Students who are suspended from school may not participate in any school-sponsored activities and are not permitted on school grounds during the
period of suspension.
c. parents will be notified. The student and/or parent has the right to appeal the suspension.
7. Police Referral: A student who violates the law shall be reported to the Montgomery County Police or, if appropriate, to the fire marshal.
8. Recommended Expulsion: In accordance with MCPS Regulation JGA-RB, a student may be excluded from all Montgomery County Public Schools.
9. Financial Reimbursement: A student may be required to reimburse individuals or MCPS for damage to or destruction of property.
10. Restoration of Property: Students may be required to restore furniture or an area that they have damaged to a clean and/or safe condition.
11. Search and Seizure: (MCPS Reg. JGB)
- Any principal, assistant principal, or authorized security officer of a public high school may conduct a reasonable search
of a student or the student's property, if he/she has reasonable belief that the student is in possession of an
item, the possession of which constitutes a criminal offense under the laws of the State of Maryland. The search must be conducted in the
presence of a third party of majority age.
- Any principal, assistant principal, or authorized security officer of a public high school may conduct a search of every part of the physical plant of
the school and, upon reasonable belief, students' lockers and automobiles.
c. Students out of location on school property and students leaving school property without permission constitutes reasonable belief for a self-search.
- Loss of Parking Permit - Student parking is a privilege. Any student who violates parking rules or school rules may lose their privilege to park on school property.
Disciplinary Infractions
Violation
Abuse, physical: Physical assault of a staff member or another student on school grounds, or in connection with a school activity.
Minimum: suspension, police referral, financial reimbursement
Maximum: recommended expulsion
Abuse, verbal or threat: Intimidation or insult of staff member or student. Using language that demeans one's race, sex or ethnicity.
Minimum: student-conference, detention police referral
Maximum: suspension
Alcohol abuse/distribution: Drinking or having in one's possession any in-toxicating beverage while on school premises, on any school-sponsored activity, or in vehicles owned or
operated by students during the school day. Exhibiting by behavior or odor recent ingestion of alcoholic beverage.
Minimum: student-conference, suspension
Maximum: police referral, recommended expulsion
Bomb Facsimile Possession or Threat: Possession of or threat to use a bomb or explosive device.
Maximum: police referral, recommended expulsion, Restoration of property
Cheating (Academic Dishonesty): Using someone else's work and passing it off as one's own. Copying from forbidden notes, material or other student's papers during a test. Talking during a test.
Minimum: student-conference, temporary removal from class, loss of credit for the assignment
Maximum: exclusion, suspension
Class Cutting: Absence from class without excuse
Minimum: student-conference, detention
Maximum: exclusion, suspension
Communication Devices: Use and activation of pagers/beepers, telephones, or other portable communication devices during the school day.
Minimum: conference, suspension, police referral
Maximum: Expulsion
Computers, inappropriate use: Computer hacking, playing unapproved games, theft and/or misuse of equipment, or marketing copyrighted materials.
Users are responsible for their own individual accounts. Any violation that can be traced to an individual account name will be treated as the sole responsibility of the account owner.
Minimum: conference, detention, teacher, removal from class, school services, search & seizure
Maximum: exclusion from class, suspension, police referral, restoration of property
Disruption or Dangerous Behaviors: Any behavior which disrupts or interrupts the normal teaching-learning process. Hallway behavior as well as throwing objects to include snowballs is included. Minimum: conference, detention, removal from class, exclusion from class
Maximum: suspension, recommended expulsion
Dress (inappropriate): Wearing offensive and/or distracting clothing. Failure to wear shoes.
Minimum: conference, detention, removal from class
Maximum: suspension
Drugs (Prescription and Over-the-counter) Substances not allowed in School: Any substance, legal drugs, medicines, herbal remedies, dietary supplements, etc. are not allowed in school except under the controlled distribution by the school nurse in cooperation with parents and medical authorities. Use or distribution of such drugs outside the distribution by the school nurse is prohibited. Students present at the time of use or distribution of such substances will incur the same consequences.
Minimum: conference, detention, removal from class, school services, exclusion from class
Maximum: suspension, police referral, recommended expulsion, search & seizure
Drugs (Illegal): The distribution, possession or uses of illegal drugs or related paraphernalia are prohibited on school property or any school activity. Students present at the time that these illegal drug-related activities occur (including any buildings, parking lots, athletic fields, or vehicles) will receive the same consequences.
Minimum: suspension, police referral
Maximum: recommended expulsion
Extortion: The frightening or threatening of another person in an attempt to secure money or property.
Minimum: suspension, police referral
Maximum: recommended expulsion
Failure to leave school grounds when scheduled: Remaining in school with abbreviated schedule, and failing to leave school grounds immediately following the last class, or refusing to leave a school activity as scheduled.
Minimum: conference, detention, exclusion from class
Maximum: suspension
Failure to serve assigned detention: Failure to serve a detention doubles the number of detentions. Parents are notified on the first offense and subsequent offenses.
Minimum: exclusion from class
Maximum: suspension
Fighting/Play Fighting: Exchange of blows between students. Disruptive behavior that appears to be the act of fighting.
Minimum: exclusion from class
Maximum: suspension, police referral
Fire Alarm: Setting off false alarms or misusing the fire alarm system
Minimum: suspension
Maximum: recommended expulsion
Fireworks/Incendiary Devices: Possessing or using any incendiary device
Minimum: suspension, police referral
Maximum: recommended expulsion, financial reimbursement, restoration to property, search & seizure
Forgery: The signing of a note for parent or staff member excusing a student's absence from school or class.
Minimum: conference, detention, removal from class
Maximum: suspension
Gambling: Betting money or other benefits on a game, contest, or other event.
Minimum: conference, exclusion from class
Maximum: suspension
Hall Passes: Being in the hall during class time without a pass. Leaving class without permission.
Minimum: conference, detention, exclusion from class
Maximum: suspension
Harassment, Sexual: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other inappropriate verbal, written, or physical conduct of a sexual
nature.
Minimum: conference, detention, temporary removal from class, exclusion from class
Maximum: suspension, police referral, recommended expulsion
Inappropriate behaviors at school events: Conduct which disturbs, distracts, or endangers participants’ audience.
Minimum: exclusion,
Maximum: suspension, police referral
Loss of privilege to attend school activities
Inappropriate Items: Water pistols, skate boards, radios, tape recorders, tape decks,
Minimum: conference, detention, school services
Maximum: exclusion, suspension
Confiscation, parents may retrieve item
Identification: Refusal to identify oneself, to move, or to report to any area designated by a staff member.
Minimum: conference, detention
Maximum: suspension
Insubordination: Refusal to comply with reasonable request of staff
Minimum: conference, detention, temporary removal from class, exclusion
Maximum: suspension, recommended for expulsion
Intimidation: Frightening or threatening another person with bodily or property harm, pushing, bumping or tripping with intent to frighten or threaten.
Minimum: conference, exclusion
Maximum: suspension, police referral
Lasers: The use of all class one, two, three, and four lasers is not permitted by students on school property.
Minimum: conference, detention, exclusion
Maximum: suspension
Confiscation, parent may claim item
Leaving school grounds: Departure from school grounds without permission during school hours.
Minimum: conference, detention, exclusion
Maximum: suspension, search & seizure
Littering: Carelessly or deliberately scattering trash, including cleaning up lunch trash.
Minimum: conference, detention, school services
Maximum: suspension
Media Center Security System (abuse of): Removing sensitizers from media center materials; circumventing the system, taking out materials that cannot be checked out.
Minimum: temporary removal from class, school services, exculsion
Maximum: police referral
Parking (misuse of the privilege): Entering or driving a vehicle during the school day, including lunch time, without permission; any car parked in an unauthorized area; or parked without a permit; engaging in unsafe driving practices; speeding, recklessness, spinning wheels, laying patch, etc. Picking up other students in the car on school grounds between 7:30a.m. and 2:15 p.m.
Minimum: conference, detention, school services exclusion
Maximum: suspension, loss of parking permits towing of vehicle
Plagiarism: The use of words or ideas of another without acknowledgement.
Minimum: conference
Maximum: detention
Loss of credit for the assignment
Profanity/Obscenity: Written or oral language or drawings that offend the senses or the standards of morality of the school and the community.
Minimum: conference, detention, school services
Maximum: exclusion, suspension
Safety (Endangering safety of others): Student behavior which violates safety regulations and which may cause or does cause injury to others.
Minimum: conference, detention, temporary removal from class, exculsion
Maximum: suspension, police referral, loss of parking permit
Sexual Offense: Physical sexual attacks, inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature including indecent exposure, consensual sex, and other sexual activity not identified as sexual harassment.
Minimum: suspension, police referral
Maximum: recommended expulsion
Smoking and/or use of tobacco: Smoking or using tobacco products on school property. Students present during use or serving as lookouts will incur the same consequences.
Minimum: conference, detention, temporary removal from class, school services, exculsion
Maximum: suspension, search & seizure, loss of parking permit
Sunglasses: No sunglasses will be worn in the school building during regular hours (except for medical exemptions).
Minimum: conference, detention
Maximum: exclusion, suspension
Confiscation- parent may claim item
Tardiness: Arrival in class after the bell.
Minimum: conference, detention,
Maximum: temporary removal from class, loss of parking permit
Theft: Taking another person’ property or MCPS property while on school property.
Minimum: conference, school services, exclusion
Maximum: suspension, police referral
Trespassing: Unauthorized presence on school property of any person, and of students: (1) while under formal suspension, (2) remaining on school grounds following a partial schedule, (3) remaining after school when not engaged in a school-sponsored activity or under the supervision of a staff member, or (4) failing to maintain a consecutive schedule of classes.
Minimum: conference, detention, exclusion
Maximum: suspension, loss of parking permit
Truancy: Illegal absence from school.
Minimum: conference, detention, exclusion
Maximum: suspension, loss of parking permit
Vandalism/Tagging: Damaging or destroying the property of another student, staff member, or of the school.
Minimum: conference
Maximum: suspension, restoration of property
Electronic Devices: Used during instructional time, first offense-confiscate and return to student. Second offense - confiscate and return to parent. Third offense - confiscate return at the end of semester. Students may appropriately use them during lunch.
Minimum: conference, detention, confiscation
Maximum: exclusion, suspension
Weapons: Possession of a weapon such as a gun, knife, brass knuckles, or any object used as a weapon.
Minimum: suspension, police referral, search & seizure
Maximum: recommended expulsion, financial reimbursement
APPEALS PROCEDURE
A student has the right to seek a hearing regarding a problem or a complaint about the disciplinary action. The student has the right to have an advocate present at any step of the procedures. The appeals procedure has a number of levels. Every effort is made to reach agreement at the lowest possible level.
- Informal Conference - The student will discuss the problem with the person involved at a time agreed upon by both persons within three (3) school days of the incident. At this point a counselor conference with the student involved may be requested by the student.
- Appeal of the Decision to An Assistant - If the problem/complaint is not resolved with the persons directly involved, the student may request a review of the complaint and appeal to the grade level assistant principal.
- Within three (3) school days of receiving a complaint, the assistant principal will inform the teacher of the complaint and hold a conference with the student and teacher.
- Within two (2) school days, the assistant principal will inform the student of a decision.
- The assistant principal will also inform the student of his/her right to appeal the decision to the principal. This appeal must be written within two (2) days.
- Appeal of the Decision to the Principal
If the problem has not been resolved or if the student is not satisfied with the decision rendered by the assistant principal, he she may appeal the decision in writing to the principal.
- Within three (3) school days of receiving a written complaint, the principal will hold a conference with the student and assistant principal.
- Within two (2) school days, the principal will inform the student of a decision.
- The principal will inform the student of his/her right to appeal the decision to the area associate superintendent.