Student Code of Conduct

All rules at CGMS are based upon the Brunswick County Schools Student Code of Conduct. The key rule to remember for everyone is this: Be where you are supposed to be; when you are supposed to be there; and, be doing what you are supposed to be doing. Each teacher will establish the ground rules/classroom rules for that particular class. Students will follow these rules. All teachers and staff members, anywhere on campus, have the authority and will be expected to correct any type of negative behavior to include referral to the administrators for disciplinary action. 

Each student will be given a condensed version of the Brunswick County Schools Student Code of Conduct. Board policy clearly outlines infractions and consequences. CGMS will adhere to the “code of conduct” policies.  Homeroom teachers will discuss the “Student Code of Conduct” with their students on the first days of school.   Additionally, the school administrators and SRO will discuss the discipline policies, attendance policy, dress code and associated consequences in grade level/class meetings.

Discipline measures that may be used to address CGMS rules are parent conferences, in class time outs, loss of privileges, in school suspension, out-of-school suspension, removal from a class/change of schedule/team or activity, after school detention, community service, ban from participation, and recommendation for long-term suspension or expulsion. 

2024-2025 Discipline and Bus Matrix

DRESS CODE 

Board Policy 4316:  Student Dress and Appearance - CGMS students are expected to adhere to standards of dress and appearance. Our guiding principles for the student dress code are similar to those experienced and expected in the workplace: attire that furthers health and safety of students and staff, enables the educational process, and facilitates the operations of the school.  Parents are asked to partner with the school district to monitor student attire to help adhere to the guiding principles set forth in the policy.  

A. Prohibited Items and Styles of Wear

To promote these goals, students may not wear or carry clothing, jewelry, book bags, or other personal articles that:

1. Are prohibited under any provision of the Code of Student Conduct;

2. Depict profanity, vulgarity, obscenity, or violence;

3. Promote alcoholic beverages, tobacco, the use of controlled substances, is of a sexual nature, depicts violence, is racist or harassing based on cultural or ethnic differences;

4. Threaten the health or safety of staff or students;

5. Display any items with intent to convey membership or affiliation with a gang. This includes bandanas;

6. Are reasonably likely to create a substantial disruption of the educational process or operations of the school. Specifically:

a. Students must wear school appropriate clothing that covers their skin from chest to approximately mid-thigh with opaque (non-see-through) fabric in front, back, and on the sides. (Strapless clothing is not permitted).

b. Students must wear shoes at all times except when changing for physical education or athletic practices or events or when specifically directed otherwise by a teacher or administrator. Bedroom shoes/slippers are not permitted.

c. Clothing must cover undergarments while standing or sitting.

d. Breasts, genitals, and buttocks must be covered with opaque (non-see-through) fabric.

e. Headgear – headgear (baseball hats, sombreros, hoods, etc.) and sunglasses are prohibited indoors, unless needed for religious or medical purposes. Full face coverings and Halloween-type masks are prohibited.

Before being punished, a student who is not in compliance with this policy or a school dress code will be given a reasonable period of time to make adjustments so that he or she will be in compliance.  Disciplinary consequences for a student who fails to comply after being offered this opportunity shall be consistent with Section D of policy 4300, Student Behavior Policies.  The superintendent or designee shall list in the Code of Student Conduct the specific range of consequences that may be imposed on a student for violation of the dress code.

*Revised November 23, 2021*

ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY

Per Board Policy 4311:  Use of Wireless Communication Devices, the Board recognizes that cellular phones and other wireless communication devices have become an important tool through which parents communicate with their children. Therefore, students are permitted to possess such devices on school property so long as such devices are not activated, used, displayed, or visible during the instructional day or as otherwise directed by school rules or school personnel. Wireless communication devices include, but are not limited to, cellular phones, electronic devices with internet capability, paging devices, two-way radios and similar devices.  Earbuds and headphones are not permitted without teacher approval. 

Phones should be silenced once students enter the building.  Phones out and/or actively in use, or notifications that cause a class disruption could result in a step. See discipline matrix for consequences. 2022-2023 Discipline and Bus Matrix

*Students are personally and solely responsible for the security of their wireless communication devices.  The school system is not responsible for the theft, loss or damage of a cellular phone or other personal wireless communication device.*

Other Student Conduct Violations

• Policy 4315:  Disruptive Behavior - Classrooms are to be free of disruptions and all conversations are to be respectful without the use of vulgar, obscene, profane, or abusive language.

• Policy 4331: Assaults and Threats;

  1. School will be free of harassment, horseplay, inciting, and instigating. This includes “HE SAID/SHE SAID” GOSSIP. Offenses may result in ISS or OSS.

  2. Bullying, threats, sexual harassment, assaults, and fighting may result in out-of-school or long term suspension and will always be reported to the SRO for potential criminal charges.    

• Policy 4325:  Drugs and Alcohol - Possessing, using, transmitting, selling, or being under the influence of unauthorized, illegal or counterfeit (fake) drugs, or alcohol is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action, up to OSS or a long-term suspension.

• Policy 4330:  Theft, Trespassing, and Damage to Property - Any violation of this policy will result in law enforcement notification, restitution, and/or out-of-school suspension.

  1. Any student who has been suspended from Cedar Grove Middle School will be considered trespassing if he/she appears on our school campus during the suspension period without the permission of administration.

  2. Likewise, adult visitors are required to sign in at the main office and must obtain permission to be on campus. Violators will be subject to trespassing charges and/or denial to be on campus at future times.

• Policy 4320:  Tobacco Products Students - Students will be free of all tobacco products and lighters, including E-Cigs, JUULs, etc. during all school activities.  Violations will result in disciplinary action.

Code of Conduct - School Bus Misconduct

Per Board Policy 4317:  School transportation service is a privilege, not a right.  Students shall observe the directives of the bus driver and/or the safety monitor at all times while riding a school bus.

CGMS Bus Rules and Procedures:

1. Be at your bus stop at the appropriate time in the morning.

2. Follow all directives and rules of the bus driver.

3. Remain seated at all times.  Only stand up at a complete stop and you are ready to exit the bus.

4. Keep all body parts in the bus.

5. Do not throw objects on or out of the bus.

6. Use a reasonable tone and voice when talking on the bus.  

7. Foul and inappropriate language on a school bus is prohibited.

8. Students should not conduct themselves in a way that is unsafe or a distraction to the bus driver.

Consequences

Temporary or permanent removal from the bus, depending upon the severity of the incident(s).  Parents are responsible for making arrangements for students suspended from the bus to get to and from school; bus suspension does not constitute an excused absence from school.  Please read over the BCS Bus Behavior Matrix for more information.

Bullying and Harassing Behavior Prohibited

Per Policy 4329/7311: Bullying and Harassment is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.  This policy prohibits bullying and harassing behavior, or the encouragement of bullying or harassing behavior, that takes place (1) in any school building or on any school premises before, during or after school hours; (2) on any bus or other vehicle as part of any school activity; (3) at any bus stop; (4) during any school-sponsored activity or extracurricular activity; (5) at any time or place when the student, employee, or other person is subject to the authority of school personnel; or (6) at any time or place when the bullying has a direct and immediate effect on maintaining order and discipline in the schools.  Please familiarize yourself with what is considered bullying or harassing behavior, when these types of behaviors violate this policy, and how you can report these types of behaviors.  

WEAPONS, EXPLOSIVES, BOMB THREATS, AND OTHER CLEAR THREATS TO SAFETY

Under Board Policy 4333, the board will not tolerate the presence of weapons or destructive devices, bomb or terrorist threats or actions that constitute a clear threat to the safety of students and employees. Any student who violates this policy will be removed from the classroom or school environment for as long as is necessary to provide a safe and orderly environment for learning.

MEDICATION

Board Policy 6125:  Administering Medicines to Students - Any prescription medication must be kept in the nurse’s office and the office will dispense the medication as prescribed. Students are NOT permitted to carry any type of drug/medication or controlled substance in their possession at any time.