SCHOOL RULES

Students will refrain from any action that would produce distraction from the learning environment or create a hazard for themselves, others and/or school property. Due respect and courtesy to all others is expected.

Lucia Mar has adopted Board Policy 5443, 4802 prohibiting use of all tobacco products at all times on all district facilities, on all district property, and in all district vehicles. This policy applies to students, district employees, visitors, spectators at school events, and all other persons authorized to be on district property. All individuals on district premises shall adhere to the policy. The campus is equipped with surveillance cameras to enforce safety and security. 

Below is a list of specific rules that all students at Paulding Middle School must follow:

1. Food and drinks, other than water, are not allowed in the classrooms and may only be consumed in the designated lunch or snack areas. 

2. Gum, sunflower seeds, sharpies and glass bottles are not allowed on campus.

3. Only “roll-on” products are allowed. Spray or pump colognes and deodorants are not allowed on campus.

4. Bluetooth speakers, radios, tape recorders, cassette/disk players, and curling irons are not allowed on the school campus. 

5. Students are not to sit on or slide down railings at any time.

6. No food, including candy, is to be sold at school by students.

7. Students are permitted to hold hands while on campus. “Platonic hugs” of not more than 1-2 seconds are allowed. Kissing and other forms of contact are not allowed.

8. Imitation firearms are forbidden at school.  Defined as any BB device, toy gun, replica of a firearm or other device that is substantially similar in overall appearance to an existing firearm as to lead a reasonable person to perceive that the device is a firearm.   It is a misdemeanor to brandish or remove any safety markings or colorations designated to make it a toy.                                                                                                             

9. No student shall possess a laser pointer or any other dangerous device that could cause harm on school premises unless possession of said device is for a valid instructional or other school-related purpose.

10. A student and a student’s possessions are also subject to search by the principal, assistant principal, or principal’s designee if reasonable grounds exist to suspect that the search will yield evidence of the student’s violation of the law or school rules governing student conduct.

VAPING DEVICES AND DRUGS

The District may use dogs for the purpose of searching the buildings, lockers, vehicles, parking lots and personal possessions of persons on campus to determine the possible presence of drugs, alcohol and/or other items that are forbidden by law or policy. 

To maintain a safe and healthy learning environment, Paulding Middle School prohibits students from bringing the following items onto school grounds, at school-sponsored events, and on school transportation:

• All vape-related devices, including but not limited to e-cigarettes, vape pens, and mods.

• Any device that resembles a vaping device, regardless of its actual function (e.g., certain USB chargers or battery packs that are designed similarly to vape products).

• Chargeable devices that could be used to power vaping devices, including external battery packs if not school-issued or school-approved.

• Liquid refillable devices, including containers of vape liquid ("e-juice"), oils, or other substances intended for inhalation.

• Students found in possession of prohibited devices will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include confiscation of the item, parental notification, detention, or other consequences.

APPEARANCE STANDARDS / DRESS CODE

All students must pay attention to personal cleanliness, health, neatness, safety, and appropriate clothing for school activities. In all cases, students' dress, personal items (including jewelry, backpacks, and other personal items) should be clean and MUST NOT:

• Advertise or promote violence, weapons, drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. and grooming 

• Leave any part of the torso uncovered or show undergarments (no tube tops, crop tops, see-through clothing, sagged pants, etc).

• Display or suggest sexual, racial, profane, or obscene language, or pictures that show crude or vulgar gestures. 

• Create a safety hazard for themselves or others.

For safety and hygiene reasons, students are required to wear appropriate footwear at all times while on school grounds. The following guidelines apply:

• Shoes must be worn: Students must wear shoes. Going barefoot is not permitted.

• Safe and supportive: Footwear should be safe and provide adequate support for walking, running, and participating in school activities.

• PE Class: Students are required to have athletic footwear and must be closed-toed.

• Prohibited Footwear: The following types of footwear are not considered appropriate for school:

  • Shoes with wheels

  • Slippers (including indoor slippers)

  • Any footwear that poses a safety hazard

The school administration reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of footwear. Students who are not wearing appropriate shoes may be restricted from participating in certain activities or asked to contact a parent/guardian to bring appropriate footwear.

We review the dress code with students during our site rules presentations, in the school daily bulletin, and through our school advisory program. When a student violates the dress code, we focus on restorative responses. Students are given a chance to correct their mistakes or get help from their parents if they are not following the dress code. For students who keep breaking the dress code or refuse to comply, we will use progressive discipline.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Sexual harassment in school is any unwelcome conduct or communication of a sexual nature which has the purpose or effect of adversely interfering with student performance, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning environment. Sexual harassment of a student by either another student or a district employee is defined as a pattern of degrading or sexual speech or actions. It may include, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Vulgar remarks.

2. Offensive sexual comments regarding a student's appearance.

3. Physical contact — touching, impeding or blocking movements.

4. Sexual propositions or advances.

5. Physical assault.

Any student who believes he or she has been harassed should promptly report the facts of the incident to the principal or the designee, or a member of the district investigative team. The team is composed of three persons and is chaired by the Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources. This list is posted in the office.

BUS REGULATIONS

The following policy regarding violations on school buses has been adopted by the School Board of Education: Authority of Driver — Sec. 1403 California Administrative Code Title 8.

Pupils transported in a school bus shall be under the authority of, and responsible directly to, the driver of the bus, and the driver shall be held responsible for the orderly conduct of the pupils while they are on the bus, or being escorted across a street, highway, or road. Continued disorderly conduct or persistent refusal to submit to the authority of the driver shall be sufficient reason for a pupil to be denied transportation. A bus driver shall not require any pupil to leave the bus in route between home and school or other destinations.

Riding a school bus is a privilege. It is recognized that violation of school bus rules can create an immediate danger to the health and safety of others. Students are considered to be under the jurisdiction of the school while being transported on the school bus, while waiting at a bus stop, and while traveling between home and the bus stop.

In order to ensure the orderly transportation of pupils, the following guidelines for student behavior at school bus stops shall be enforced.

1. Students shall follow the directions of the bus driver and rules of the school at all boarding and debarkation points.

2. Students shall avoid congregating on private property, damaging shrubbery or structures at bus stops.

3. Students should not arrive at the bus stop more than five minutes before bus time.

4. Live animals, including reptiles and insects, or glass containers may not be transported on the bus.

5. Students (K-8) wishing to ride a bus other than their regularly assigned stop must have a note from their parents and the approval of authorized school personnel. The approved note must be presented to the driver when boarding the bus. 

6. Students shall sit in assigned seats as designated by the bus driver when necessary. 

7. Video cameras may be used on school buses to monitor student behavior while traveling to and from school and school activities.

BICYCLES, SCOOTER, SKATEBOARDS, ETC

All students who bring a bicycle, scooter, or skateboard to school must have it individually locked in the proper rack. Failure to do this could result in the loss of the privilege to bring the item to school.

Students bring their bikes and skateboards at their own risk. The school is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged property.

Students are not to ride on school grounds at any time. Students are to wear proper helmets and safety equipment while riding their bicycles or boards. 

INAPPROPRIATE ITEMS- BLANKETS, STUFFED ANIMALS, TOYS, ETC. 

Items like blankets, flags, stuffed animals, toys, and other items brought from home that are not essential for assisting with schoolwork are only allowed at school during the following times: 

• During a Paulding sponsored dress up day.

• As props for a school project. 

Students that bring any of these items will be asked to place them in the office and can pick them up after school. Repeated violations of this policy may result in a parent/guardian picking up the item and disciplinary action.

DANCES AND EVENTS

Students will not be allowed to bring guests who are not enrolled at Paulding Middle School. After a student enters a dance, he or she will not be allowed to leave the event and re-enter. A student will not be allowed to leave the dance before the scheduled time unless a parent picks them up or prior arrangements have been made with the office. All school rules are in effect. Any student not following school or dance specific rules will be removed from the dance.

EXTRACURRICULAR PARTICIPATION

Grades: For students to participate/try-out on an athletic team or extra-curricular activity, the student must maintain a 2.0 GPA and have no more than one “F”. If the student's grade falls below these requirements at any time during their season, the student may remain on the team but cannot participate until the grade reaches minimum requirements. 

Attendance: Students must attend at least one class period and have no unexcused absences that day to participate. 

STATE LAWS- GROUNDS FOR SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION

A pupil shall not be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion unless the superintendent or the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has: 

Education Code 48900

1. (1)  Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person; or

     (2)  Willfully used force or violence upon the person of another, except in self- defense.

2. Possessed, sold, or otherwise furnished any firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object unless, in the case of possession of any such object, the pupil had obtained written permission to possess the item from a certificated school employee, which is concurred in by the principal or the designee of the principal. 

3. Unlawfully possessed, used, sold, or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of, any controlled substance, as defined in Section 11053 of the Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind.

4. Unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any controlled substance, as defined in Section 11053 of the Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind, and then either sold, delivered, or otherwise furnished to any person another liquid, substance, or material and represented the liquid, substance, or material as a controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant. 

5. Committed or attempted to commit robbery or extortion. 

6. Caused or attempted to cause damage to school property or private property. 

7. Stole or attempted to steal school property or private property. 

8. Possessed or used tobacco or any products containing tobacco or nicotine products, including, but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, miniature cigars, clove cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chew packets, and betel.  However, this section does not prohibit use or possession by a pupil of his or her own prescription products. 

9. Committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity. 

10. Unlawfully possessed or unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any drug paraphernalia, as defined in Section 11014.5 of the Health and Safety Code.

11. Disrupted school activities or otherwise willfully defied the valid authority of supervisors, teachers, administrators, school officials, or other school personnel engaged in the performance of their duties. 

12. Knowingly received stolen school property or private property.

13. Possessed an imitation firearm.

14. Committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault or committed a sexual battery.

15. Harassed, threatened, or intimidated a pupil who is a complaining witness or witness in a school disciplinary proceeding for the purpose of either preventing that pupil from being a witness or retaliating against pupil for being witness, or both.

16. Unlawfully offered, arranged to sell, negotiated to sell, or sold the prescription drug Soma

17. Engaged in, or attempted to engage in, hazing as defined in Section 32050

18. Engaged in an act of bullying, including, but not limited to, bullying committed by means of an electronic act, as defined in subdivisions (f) and (g) of Section 32261, directed specifically toward a pupil or school personnel.

19. A pupil shall not be suspended or expelled unless that act is related to school activity or school attendance occurring within a school in the district or occurring within any other school district. A pupil may be suspended or expelled at any time, including, but not limited to, any of the following:

    1. While on school grounds.

    2. While going to or coming from school.

    3. During the lunch period whether on or off the campus.

    4. During, or while going to or coming from, a school sponsored activity.

20. Aided or abetted the infliction or attempted infliction of physical injury to another person.

21. As used in this section, “school property,” includes, but is not limited to, electronic files and databases.

22. A superintendent or principal may use his or her discretion to provide alternatives to suspension or expulsion, including, but not limited to, counseling and management programs for a pupil subject to discipline under this section. 

Education Code 48900.2

Sexual harassment as defined in Education Code 212.5. 

Education Code 48900.3

Caused, threatened to cause, or participated in an act of "hate violence" as defined in Education Code 33032.5(e).

Education Code 48900.4

Intentionally engaged in sufficiently severe or pervasive harassment, threats, or intimidation directed against a pupil or group of pupils.

Education Code 48900.7

Terroristic threats against school officials or school property, or both.

PENALTIES

Violations of sections A-E or M-P will result in suspension from school for 1 to 5 days. In addition to this, a recommendation for expulsion from the school may be made to the school board.

Violations other than those listed may result in a suspension from school from 1 to 5 days depending on circumstances and student histories. A recommendation for expulsion may be made for repeated offenses.

Any student on “suspended expulsion” status will not be allowed to participate in any student activities for a minimum period of eight weeks from the suspended date. Any student not passing their classes or on any form of suspension will not be allowed to attend the promotional dance.