School Information → Policies and Procedures → Discipline Policy
Discipline Policy
The Silver Spring International Middle School discipline policy helps to establish an environment in which students’ basic rights are guaranteed and responsibilities are clearly understood.
Disciplinary measures help students understand, adjust, and change unacceptable conduct. It is characteristic of middle school students, as they mature, to experiment and test limits. The discipline policy is intended to set limits within which students can grow and function.
Successful and effective implementation of the behavior standards in this policy requires the partnership of parents, students, and staff to work together.
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.
The SSIMS discipline policy aligns with the MCPS Code of Conduct. All students are provided with a hard copy of the Code of Conduct each academic year.
Parent and Student Appeal Process
The following process is available to the student if he/she has an academic or non-academic dispute with a member of the school staff. While students are invited to use the appeal process, students must comply immediately with staff directions.
Level 1: Student/Parent – Staff Member (Informal) - The first step is to try and RESOLVE any dispute with a staff member by discussing the problem with that person. Most problems can be resolved in this manner. Prior to talking with the staff member, the student may wish to seek advice from their counselor.
Level 2: Student/Parent – Staff Member (Formal) - The student must present to the staff member a written request to consider an appeal of the Level 2 decision. If the student again desires to discuss and resolve the problem with the staff member, the student may bring an advocate to the meeting. As a courtesy, the student is to submit written notification of the name of the advocate to the staff member. The staff member also has the right to have an impartial observer in attendance.
The staff member will issue a written decision to the student within two school days after the meeting. An appeal to Level 3 must be initiated within two days of a Level 2 decision.
Level 3: Student/Parent – Staff Member – Assistant Principal - All written documents regarding the dispute should be submitted to the administrator 24 hours prior to the meeting. Both parties in the dispute, the student and the staff member, may invite an advocate to attend this meeting. The Assistant Principal will issue a written decision within two days of the meeting. An appeal to Level 4 must be initiated within two days of a Level 3 decision.
Level 4: Student/Parent – Staff Member – Principal - All written documents regarding the dispute should be submitted to the administrator 24 hours prior to the meeting. Both parties in the dispute, the student and the staff member, may invite an advocate to attend the meeting. The principal will issue a written decision within two days of the meeting. An appeal to the Area Office should be initiated within five days of the Level 4 decision.
Level 5: Student/Parent – Area Associate Superintendent See A Student’s Guide to Rights and Responsibilities
Staff and Administration has the authority in determining the consequences for the infractions of school policy. The infractions listed below can result in an automatic referral to an administrator for immediate action or may be handled by staff. Staff and Administration will determine the appropriate consequence based on the infraction. The following are definitions of some infractions. Note: Out of school suspensions may only be given when it is determined by the principal that a behavior is disruptive and detrimental to the operation of the school.