STUDENT CODE OF ETHICS

One attends school to learn.  Everybody learns better when comfortable in his or her environment.  You have responsibility to your peers and the adults who work at your school to watch out for wrongdoings and help prevent them if you can.  Reporting to someone in authority will be kept confidential.  Beware of how you treat others; it could come back to you in the end.  Treat others with the respect that you deserve and want for yourself.

MIDDLE SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Shenendehowa Middle Schools is to create small communities for learning which ensure success for all students.  To achieve this goal, students, staff, families and the community will work together to make decisions about the positive experiences of our middle school students.

MIDDLE SCHOOL RIGHTS

 AND

EXPECTATIONS

The Middle School Contract

“When individuals in the middle school community respect each other, they agree to work together to support each other in their learning.”            

             (Mary Henton,  Adventure in the Classroom,  1996.)

Each member of the middle school community has the basic right to an education.  Everyone must feel physically and emotionally safe in the middle school environment.  This includes school buses, school grounds, hallways, classrooms, cafeterias and all school sponsored events.  To accomplish this, clear and consistent expectations are stated in the form of a contract.  Ultimately, the goal is to have individuals make responsible decisions and be accountable

for their actions.  The social and emotional needs of each middle school student play such significant roles in his/her

life that they are the core of any middle school philosophy.

The Middle School Contract clearly establishes our expectations and is a vehicle for affective teaching.  It provides students and staff with positive learning and behavior strategies which allow them to become self-managing.  Parents, teachers, staff and administrators serve as role models, facilitators and partners in this process.  This collaborative approach empowers all to cooperate fully.  Where respect and success are nurtured, a student-centered team environment is achieved.

The Middle School Contract asks all members of the middle school community to commit to four expectations.

BE HERE     

                BE ON TIME

                COME PREPARED

                PARTICIPATE FULLY

                TRY YOUR BEST

BE SAFE

                PHYSICAL SAFETY

·         Follow directions

·         Promote a non-violent environment

EMOTIONAL SAFETY

·         Be tolerant of individual difference

·         Respect others’ work and effort

·         Encourage others to succeed

·         Be kind

BE RESPONSIBLE

                BE HONEST WITH OTHERS AND YOURSELF

                BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE GOALS

                YOU SET

                ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS AND WORDS

                BE ACCEPTING OF OTHERS AND THEIR DIFFERENCES

SET GOALS

                DETERMINE WHAT YOU CAN AND WILL ACHIEVE

                SUPPORT EACH OTHER TO MEET SET  GOALS

                MAKE ADJUSTMENTS

                CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESSES

For students unable to

·  Be here

·  Be safe

·  Be responsible or

·  Set goals

Consequences are included as an integral part of

the Middle School Contract.

BE HERE

 LASER LIGHTS, WALKMANS, CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Walkman or cell phones should not be visible in school.   Any electronic items that interfere with instruction or presents safety issues will be confiscated and turned over to the main office.  Parents should pick up the items from the office.  Disciplinary actions may also apply.

MAGIC, PLAYING and/or ANY OTHER CARDS, SKATEBOARDS AND ITEMS DISRUPTIVE TO THE

EDUCATIONAL PROCESS

These items disrupt the educational process and are not permitted in school.  They will be confiscated and stored in the office.  Parents must pick them up from the office.

STUDENT DRESS

Students are responsible for wearing clothing and accessories which are not offensive, disruptive to the educational process nor a danger to themselves or others. You have a responsibility to keep yourself and your clothing clean.  Students will not be permitted to wear clothing which depicts drugs, alcohol, sex or violence.

HATS/WALKMANS

Hats or other headgear such as bandanas are not to be worn in the building during the school day.  Please show respect for the building by adhering to this policy.  Students who choose not to follow this rule will have their hats confiscated and turned over to the office.  Parents must make arrangements to pick up the confiscated item from the office.

TARDINESS / CUTTING CLASS / TRUANCY

These will result in detention plus possible suspension.

CLASS BEHAVIOR

Any activities which disrupt the educational process may result in detention or suspension.

CAFETERIA BEHAVIOR

All students have the right to a peaceful, enjoyable lunch.  Anyone who disrupts this right will be subject to disciplinary consequences.  Students are required to throw their garbage away and clear their own table area.

BUS BEHAVIOR

The school bus is essentially an extension of the school.  All of the rules of the Middle School Code of Conduct apply on the bus.  Additionally, there are specific bus rules which apply such as remaining seated while the bus is moving. 

Students who fail to abide by the rules of the bus will receive disciplinary referrals to the office which may result in consequences similar to classroom referrals. Seat assignments and loss of bus privileges may also be included in the disciplinary action.

BE SAFE

HAZARDOUS HORSEPLAY

Any behavior that jeopardizes the safety of others, including “just fooling around”, may result in detention or suspension.

HARASSMENT

Harassment occurs when one or more students use power over another to make that person feel insecure, fearful, or unworthy.  Harassment is against the law.  It singles out a person through inappropriate sexual, racial / ethnic, religious, verbal, or physical comments / actions.

Ignoring harassment seldom ends it.  If you are being harassed, it is important that you make your feelings clear.  For example, say “Please don’t touch me,” or “Stop saying that about me,” or “Give me back my notebook.”  If the harassment continues, report it immediately to any staff member in the building.

If you see someone else being harassed, never join the harasser.  Resist any peer pressure to take part in behavior that makes someone feel inferior.  Help the person get out of the situation and encourage the person to report it to a staff member.

When harassment is reported to an adult in the middle school, immediate action will be taken.  A meeting will be held with the harasser(s) to make him/her/them aware that such behavior must stop.  If it does not, a discipline referral will be made and the parent(s) of the harasser(s) will be contacted.  If the harassment still continues, an external suspension along with a request for a district hearing will be made.

Middle School students have the right to feel safe in the classrooms, in the hallways, in the cafeteria - anywhere in the building.  Every person has value and it is important that each student feel comfortable and welcome in school.        

THREATS / INTIMIDATION

Making threats verbally, in writing, or through pictures against other students, staff, or the school is a violation of the code of conduct.  Anyone who writes or talks about hurting people at school will face serious disciplinary consequences, possibly including police intervention and a Superintendent’s Hearing. Such behavior could result in long-term suspension from school.

FIGHTING

A student who provokes or participates in a fight will be suspended from school.  Peer mediation will be offered on a voluntary basis to students involved.

OBSCENITIES,

OBSCENE GESTURES OR PREJUDICIAL STATEMENTS

Obscene and /or inappropriate language or prejudicial statements relating to race, religion, sex or culture may result in detention or suspension.

SMOKING OR POSSESSION

OF CIGARETTES, MATCHES

OR A LIGHTER

These will result in detention or suspension.

POSSESSION OF A

WEAPON OR FIREWORKS

In accordance with state and federal laws, possession of anything that resembles a gun or weapon may result in suspension, police intervention and/or a Superintendent’s Hearing.

ARSON/BOMB SCARE

Such activity will result in suspension, police intervention and/or contact with the District Office for a Superintendent’s Hearing.

BE RESPONSIBLE

UNAUTHORIZED VENDING

Students will not be permitted to sell items in school for personal profit e.g. candy, gum, etc.  Unauthorized vending will result in the confiscation of the items and possible detention.

DISRESPECT / INSUBORDINATION

Insubordination to reasonable requests and defiance of authority toward any staff member will result in detention and/or suspension.

REFUSAL TO ACCEPT

ADMINISTRATIVE DISCIPLINE

A student, who does not report for detention, will have two detentions assigned.  Failure to report for additional detentions will result in alternate or increased disciplinary measures.

FORGING A SIGNATURE

Detention or suspension will occur.

CHEATING

Cheating is wrong and will be dealt with on an individual basis.  Gowana values honesty among its staff, students

and parents.

PLAGIARISM

Part of being a responsible person is honesty with yourself and others.  Plagiarism (submitting work done in whole or part by others as if it were your own), cheating and copying homework are not responsible actions and can result in a range of disciplinary consequences.

STEALING

Theft of any kind will result in restitution by person(s) responsible. Suspension will also occur

PULLING A FALSE ALARM

Suspension, police intervention and/or a Superintendent’s Hearing will be the result.

VANDALISM

Defacing or damaging school property will result in restitution, detention or suspension and possible police intervention.

POSSESSION OF DRUGS, DRUG PARAPHERNALIA OR ALCOHOL

Suspension, police intervention and/or a Superintendent’s Hearing will occur.  Depending upon the circumstances, referral for a substance evaluation may also be made to the family.

DISCIPLINARY POLICIES/PROGRAMS

The following policies and programs may be assigned to help students who violate the Middle School Contract.  Disciplinary consequences are designed to help students learn to make choices consistent with this contract.

DISCIPLINARY RESTRICTION

Disciplinary restriction may result from a regular pattern of misbehavior as determined by the building administration.  Students involved in a serious incident may be immediately placed on disciplinary restriction for any length of time, even if it is their first or second referral.

Students who are on disciplinary restriction will not be allowed to participate in any extra-curricular activities including:

                +  clubs or organizations

                +  sports or intramurals

                +  dances

                +  movies

                +  roller skating parties

Students will lose all pass privileges (limited pre-signed passes will be honored).  They may participate in field trips with administrators’ approval only if their parent or guardian accompanies them as a chaperone and/or they must immediately surrender their honor pass.

SATURDAY DETENTION/

COMMUNITY SERVICE /

SHORT TERM EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM (STEP)

If funding is available, these program options may be used in lieu of suspension, in certain instances, at the discretion of the administration.

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURE

A “Referral for Misbehavior” form will be completed by the appropriate staff and an administrator who will meet with the student and discuss the referral.  Then, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

The form will be sent to the student’s parents and a copy will be kept on file in the office.

An administrator or designee will contact parents by telephone in the event of suspension.

A teacher or administrator may contact a parent by phone to further discuss an incident or to arrange for a parent conference.

SET GOALS

Gowana requires every student to:

ü       Bring his/her agenda to school every day and bring it to every class, including study hall.

ü       Write assignments for each class in his/her agenda on a daily basis.  Teachers write these assignments on a wall chart on a daily/weekly basis.

ü       Student schedules must be placed in the vinyl pocket located in the agenda.

ü       Students are to use passes (Hallway Passport System) whenever they leave their assigned classes.

Students and parents are encouraged to use:

ü       7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens

ü       Record of Achievement

ü       Success Tracker