James Monroe Middle School Discipline Policy

TARDIES

It is your responsibility to be on time to class.  If you are not on time to class, in general, the following steps will be followed:

·         3 tardies in a class = the teacher will notify the parent

·         4 tardies in a class = 3 lunch detentions will be assigned through an office referral

·         5 tardies in a class = 5 lunch detentions will be assigned through an office referral

·         6 tardies in a class = 3 days in TIPS is assigned (in school suspension)

The process begins again each semester. 

MINOR BEHAVIOR OFFENSES

The following types of behaviors may result in a discipline referral being submitted to the administration.

·         repeatedly breaking classroom rules (first/second contract)

·         disrupting a classroom  

·         violation of uniform/dress code

·         throwing objects (e.g. papers, erasers, etc. that are not an extreme safety hazard)

·         running in classrooms, hallways, or sidewalks

·         being in hallways or at lockers during non-designated times

·         horse playing

·         displaying affection in public

·         disrupting lunch room or assembly

·         bringing personal items from home (radios, CD players, toys, roller blades, skateboards, scooters, laser pointers, cologne/perfume, etc. – item will be held by teacher or in office until end of day)

·         possessing beepers or cellular phones (items will be held in office until picked up by parent)

·         having food, drinks, candy, etc. in non-designated area (administrator will use discretion in issuing consequences)

·         chewing gum - when second contract is broken a referral is sent to the office

1st offense – assigned 3 days lunch duty with custodian

2nd offense – assigned next step due in minor consequence sequence

The minor misbehaviors listed below may result in a referral without first issuing a contract:

·         failing to return contracts, parent letters, progress reports, etc. after reasonable reminders and chances have been given

·         unauthorized selling (inventory will be confiscated)

·         misbehavior for a substitute teacher (if first offense, administrator may assign a two page written report based on list of student responsibilities in this handbook)

CONSEQUENCES FOR MINOR BEHAVIOR OFFENSES

1st offense - 3 days of lunch detention

2nd offense - 5 days of lunch detention

3rd offense - 3 days of TIPS & parent notification

4th offense - begins consequence hierarchy at 2nd offense level for Medium Offenses

Other consequences might include written assignments and/or lunch duty with a custodian, or other consequences the administrator and/or teacher feel are appropriate based on their knowledge of a situation.       

LUNCH DETENTION RULES:

Students must report on time to room designated for all days assigned and sign in.

Students are encouraged to bring sack lunch or directed to purchase a main lunch tray from the cafeteria.

No candy, carbonated drinks, or snack foods may be eaten in detention.

Students on free or reduced price lunches will be allowed to get them.

No talking during detention.

Must remain seated.

Must bring work or independent reading.

NOTE:  Failure to comply with lunch detention rules will result in additional consequences at the discretion of the lunch detention staff or the administration.  Generally one day additional detention will be given for each day missed UP TO two days.  On the third missed detention, the administrator will assign 3 days of TIPS/In-School suspension.

MEDIUM BEHAVIOR OFFENSES

Medium behavior offenses result in a referral (without a 1st/2nd contract) and include:

·         obscene language, materials, gestures or behavior

·         attendance problems/ditching (on or off campus)

·         defiant or disrespectful behavior

·         bullying (threatening, extorting)

·         excessive horseplay

·         throwing objects (e.g. rocks, sharp items, etc. that pose an extreme safety hazard)

·         deceitful behavior (forgery, lying, cheating, etc. – restitution will be arranged)

CONSEQUENCES FOR MEDIUM BEHAVIOR OFFENSES

1st offense - 3 days TIPS, parent notification, & contract

2nd offense - 3 days TIPS, parent notification, & contract

3rd offense - 5 days TIPS, parent notification, & contract

4th offense - short term home suspension (not to exceed 10 days at once)

MAJOR BEHAVIOR OFFENSES

Major offenses result in a referral (without a 1st/2nd contract) and include:                           

·         Fighting/Battery (employing hostile contact in which at least one party has contributed to a situation by verbal action and/or bodily harm)

·         Possession and or use of tobacco

CONSEQUENCES FOR MAJOR BEHAVIOR OFFENSES

1st offense - 3 days home suspension/re-entry conference with parent/student/administrator

2nd offense - 5 days home suspension/ re-entry conference with parent/student/administrator

3rd offense - 10 days home suspension/District Hearing with District Hearing Officer to determine if student should return to Monroe

4th offense - long-term suspension (up to rest of term) through due process

SEVERE BEHAVIOR OFFENSES

 Severe offenses result in an immediate referral and include:

·         bomb threats

·         false alarms

·         vandalism

·         assault

·         gang related activities (3 or more indicators – see below)

·         possession, use, being under the influence, sale or distribution of a controlled substance (this includes look-alike items)

·         weapon possession (includes but is not limited to a knife, pocket knife, chain, or gun)

·         stealing

·         arson

CONSEQUENCES FOR SEVERE BEHAVIOR OFFENSES

1st offense - 10 day home suspension/District Hearing/ legal referral/ restitution if applicable/ parent/student/administration re-entry conference.

2nd offense - long term suspension (rest of term) /legal referral/ restitution if applicable. /parent/student/administration re-entry conference.

Please note:  If the offense results in violation of the law, APS Police and/or Albuquerque City Police will be contacted and a report of the situation will be made at which time the student and/or parent(s) may be dealing with the local authorities as well as with the school.  Students could be transported to the Juvenile Detention Center if violation warrants that action.

Also note:  A District hearing may result in a variety of outcomes.  These could include:

·         placement at the District Alternative Middle School

·         placement in a different type of alternative educational setting

·         transfer to another APS Middle School

·         home instruction

·         expulsion

A NOTE ABOUT FIREARMS POSSESSION:                                            

            Students found to be in possession of a firearm while at school or at any school related event, or at any time when the Student Behavior Handbook is in force, shall be expelled from the Albuquerque Public Schools for a minimum of one calendar year.  Students may not return from expulsion for firearms possession except at the beginning of a semester.  The district shall use the definition of firearm as defined in the federal criminal code.

CONCERNING GANG RELATED ACTIVITY:

                The first two times a school staff member observes what he/she perceives to be gang-related activity, an administrator will contact that parent and make note of the concern.  On the third perceived exhibition of gang-related activity, the administrator again will contact the parent.  The administrator will use his/her discretion in determining the appropriate level of consequence.  Blatant gang-related activity is considered a severe misbehavior and will not be tolerated.

                Gang related activity can be intimidating to students, faculty, and staff and is disruptive to the educational process.  Although this list is not all-inclusive, examples of inappropriate and unacceptable behaviors are such things as gang graffiti on school or personal property, intimidation of others, gang fights and/or initiation rituals, wearing gang attire or “colors”.

                Since gang behavior, markers, and colors are variable and subject to rapid change, school administrators and staff must exercise judgment and their individual discretion based upon current circumstances in the community.  Gang related indicators that will be considered include (but are not exclusive to):

1) the student associates with admitted or known gang members, 

2) the student wears attire consistent with gang dress,

3) the student displays gang logos, graffiti, and/or symbols on personal

     possessions,

4) the student displays gang hand signs or signals to others

5) the student talks about gang activity.

CONSEQUENCES FOR SPECIAL ED. STUDENTS

            Special education students are limited to a total of ten days home suspension, per incident, during each school year.  Once a special education student approaches or reaches 10 days suspension, an IEP meeting will be held.  At that time the IEP committee will determine future disciplinary actions for the student.

CRITICAL BEHAVIOR OFFENSES                        

            Certain severe offenses can fall into an additional category.  In cases which are of a particularly disruptive nature, due to their seriousness, or which represent a perceived or present danger to students, staff, or the orderly functioning of the school, the administration may seek permanent removal of a student from Monroe Middle School after only one incident.