The maintenance of discipline in the school is essential to an effective learning climate and is the responsibility of students, teachers, administrators, and parents.  Student conduct that disrupts the school environment or violates the rights of others will not be tolerated. 

Students are expected to follow all school, classroom, and Zoom rules without being reminded. When students engage in behaviors that disrupt the classroom or distract others from learning, they could be sent to an alternative location in the school learning community to continue their work independently.  Students might also be referred to their team leader or a grade level administrator so that a behavior intervention process can be initiated.

In addition to exclusion from any extracurricular activities (e.g. teams, class activities, assemblies, etc.) as a result of chronically violating school rules or failing to meet school expectations.

BUS CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE

Riding on the bus is a privilege, not a right.  If a student cannot assume the responsibility that goes with this privilege, then the option to ride the bus will be taken away. The following are expectations for behavior on the school bus:

Students must obey and respect the bus driver at all times. 

In addition, students are expected to:

1. Use caution in walking to and from the bus stop.  Refrain from darting into the street to catch a bus that is pulling away from the stop.

2. Behave appropriately at the bus stop and respect the property of their neighbors.

3. Stand back from the bus until the doors are open. Get onto and off of the bus in an orderly fashion, without pushing or shoving.

4. Keep all body parts inside the bus and remain seated when the bus is in motion.

5. Refrain from loud talking, laughter, screaming or any noise that can startle and distract the bus driver.

6. Refrain from shouting out of the window.

7. Discard trash in appropriate locations.

8. Remember that all school rules apply at the bus stop and walking to/from the bus stop. Refrain from vandalism, fighting, horseplay or any bullying behaviors. 

9. Adhere to assigned seating.

Consequences for disciplinary referrals from the bus driver are:

First referral – Administrative/security team intervenes, and parents are contacted. 

Second referral - Administrative detention is assigned, and parents are contacted.

Third referral -Up to one week off the bus and parent conference.

Fourth referral - Loss of bus privileges for an extended period of time and parent conference. 

For serious infractions, students will lose their bus privileges immediately.  The driver may request removal of a student from the bus for disciplinary reasons if the student's behavior is a threat to the safety of other students.  The driver will report all violations of safety regulations as well as any behavior problems to the school 

principal at the first opportunity.  The principal has the authority to deny any student the privilege of riding a school bus for cause.  Parents will be notified by telephone whenever a student's riding privilege is suspended.

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS

In general, students are expected to:

1. Show self-respect and demonstrate respect and civility to other students, staff and adults.

2. Arrive at school in enough time to be in TAP on time (by 8:15 a.m.).

3. Arrive to classes on time, prepared to work.

4. Use appropriate language.

5. Keep their hands to themselves—students should not touch other students.

6. Respect personal and school property.

7. Treat all visitors with respect.

8. Obey state laws -- the following items and activities are prohibited: cigarettes, e-cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, fireworks, hazardous objects, laser pointers, incendiary devices and gambling.

In the halls/on school grounds, students are expected to:

1. Walk, not run.  Students should always walk on the right side of the hallway.

2. Go directly to their destination.

3. Use hall passes and show them to any adult upon request.

4. Refrain from sitting on outside railings or standing on the brick wall surrounding the landscaping at the building’s entrance.

5. Give a correct name when asked by a staff member or bus driver.

6. Refrain from any acts of physical aggression. Play fighting is not permitted.

On field trips or at school sponsored events, students are expected to:

1. Follow all school rules, including dress code.

2. Obey school personnel and chaperones.

3. Represent Rosa Parks Middle School in an appropriate manner.

BACKPACKS 

Backpacks may be brought to and from school, but they must be kept in lockers during the school day.  Students may not carry book bags into classrooms, cafeteria, Media Center, or other general areas. Jackets, coats, and hats must be kept in lockers during the school day. Students are expected to dress appropriately (wearing long sleeves, sweaters or pants) for cold weather.

CELL PHONES

Middle school students may possess cell phones on MCPS property and at MCPS-sponsored activities. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the device is turned off and out of sight during the school day. Students must turn off and refrain from using their phones once they enter the school building in the morning (this includes while they wait in the cafeteria, Media Center or gym for school to begin) until the end of the official instructional day. Violations of this policy may result in confiscation of the phone, which will be kept until a parent/guardian picks it up, or until the end of the school year, whichever comes first. RPMS is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen cell phones.

ELECTRONIC DEVISES 

Cameras, handheld electronic games, and other such devices are not permitted in school. Some students choose to listen to iPods or MP3 players on their way to and from school, however iPods, MP3 players and all headphones must be off and out of sight once students walk into the school building and during the entire school day. Prohibited electronic devices will be confiscated and kept until parents pick them up or until the end of the school year, whichever comes first. Students who bring electronic devices to school do so at their own risk.  The school is not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen electronic devices.  

GUM   

Chewing gum can be a distraction and a potential source of litter.  Gum chewing can also interfere with performance-based classroom activities that involve playing an instrument, speaking, singing, acting or conducting a lab. Gum is not permitted in science classrooms. Chewing gum can also pose a risk during physical education activities. Students must follow individual teachers’ classroom rules without question as they relate to whether gum chewing is permitted.  Students are expected to know the expectations of each of their teachers, and students should not have to be constantly reminded to discard gum in classes where gum is not permitted.  Students who pop, blow bubbles or otherwise disrupt learning with their gum will be told to discard it. Students who do not discard gum appropriately will be assigned a service detention to clean desks, lockers, white boards, etc. Under no circumstances are students permitted to buy or sell gum or candy from peers at school.

PROHIBITED ARTICLES

Toys, as well as any other items that disrupt learning or present a safety hazard, are not permitted.  These items include, but are not limited to Tech Decks, water pistols, yo-yos, spitballs, stink bombs/spray, poppers, bandanas, dice, fidget spinners, trading cards and playing cards. Laser pointers are not permitted in school.  If a student uses a laser pointer, it will be considered a dangerous item. Inappropriate use of a laser pointer could result in a student's exclusion from class. Any prohibited article will be confiscated and returned only to parents. 

RPMS will not be responsible for any prohibited items that are lost, damaged or stolen.

Dress Code

Clothing or tattoos which are distracting or disruptive to the educational environment are prohibited.  Rosa Parks Middle School defines articles of clothing and tattoos that are offensive or disruptive as the following: sexually suggestive, racially offensive, ethnically offensive; promotes alcohol, drugs, weapons, or gang activity. Any jewelry that promotes alcohol, drugs, and/or weapons are prohibited. Items such as chained wallets, baseball caps, hoods, bandanas, short shorts/skirts, around the neck and strapless halter tops, off the shoulder tops, crop tops (revealing the midriff); any garments that are see-through and/or reveal underwear or any portion of the buttocks; or pants that reveal boxers/briefs are strictly prohibited. Students wearing offensive articles will be asked to turn them inside out, change into their P.E. clothes, or other clothes provided by the team leader or administrator, or call home for a change of clothes. 

PHYSICAL EDUCATION DRESS CODE

Students are required to change their clothes in order to participate in physical education. Failure to do can impact a student’s grade. Parents are strongly encouraged to purchase an official RPMS PE uniform for their children.  Uniforms will be available for purchase online.

If students are not in uniform, they are required to wear plain, athletic t-shirts that are white or gray, along with gray or black shorts. Students must be easily identifiable in PE class, and they must be in clothing that is appropriate for physical activity. Sweatpants and sweatshirts can be worn in colder weather.

All students must wear tennis shoes for PE for their safety.  Flip flops, boots, sliders and sandals are strictly prohibited.  In addition, students are not permitted to wear tank tops or shorts that do not cover the buttocks, as these items are too tight and too revealing for PE.

Concert Dress Code

Any student participating in a school concert must wear the following:

1. All black: pants, skirts, dresses, and / or tops

2. Dark socks or stockings

3. Black shoes (completely black sneakers in new condition are acceptable, as are any type of “dressy” shoes)

A student who does not wear the appropriate concert dress will not be permitted to participate.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

Students may not bring large quantities of cash to school. Lending or borrowing money by students at school is strictly prohibited.  Students should not borrow money for drinks, cookies, etc. from other students. Students may not buy from or sell articles of any kind to other students at school except for school-approved merchandise used for fundraisers.

Hall Passes and Signing out of Class and Lunchroom 

Students are required to have a hall pass and to sign out when leaving the classroom or the lunchroom for any reason.  Name, date, time, teacher's signature and destination need to be on the hall pass. 

DISCIPLINARY INFRACTIONS

Each teacher, grade level, or department will determine consequences for the following infractions. However, when a staff member makes the professional judgment that any of the following inappropriate behaviors interfere with the safety of another individual, the staff person will contact and/or send the student to the administrator immediately.

Disrespectful Behavior

Definition:  Student's lack of consideration for the feelings, honor, and esteem of others, including all adults and students.

Disruptive Behavior

Definition:  Student behavior that disturbs or interrupts the normal teaching and learning process.

Lack of Preparedness for Class, Inattentive or Off-Task Behavior

Definition: Student fails to come to class with necessary materials, sleeps in class or engages in other behavior that prevents his or her full attention to the assigned task.

Class Tardiness Definition: A student’s failure to be in class when it begins.

Students will be referred to an administrator immediately for the following disciplinary infractions.

Bullying, Harassment or Intimidation

Definition:  Intentional conduct, including verbal, physical, or written conduct or an intentional electronic communication that creates a hostile educational environment by substantially interfering with a student’s educational benefits, opportunities, or performance, or with a student’s physical, psychological well-being, or overall safety.

To report a bullying incident, MCPS Form 230-35 (Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Form) should be completed and submitted to a counselor or administrator.

Class cutting: Willfully not attending any portion of an assigned class, leaving a class without permission.

Computer Abuse: Computers and appropriate networks are provided for students and staff for educational purposes only, as cited in IGT-RA (appropriate use of computer networks).  Infractions may be followed by loss of computer privileges and referral to an administrator. Abuse or vandalism is prohibited.  IGT-RA, along with a technology handbook, will be distributed to students at the beginning of the school year.

Destruction of Property: The action or process of destroying school or private property. This also applies to computer equipment and technology.

Extortion:  The act of attempting to secure money or property through threat of physical harm.

Forgery:  Signing another's name, falsifying a school document.

Gambling:  To play or bet on games of chance for money.

Harassment:  The act of repeatedly troubling, worrying, or tormenting another person who wants to be left alone.

Hazing: The act of subjecting a student to mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, or harassment for the purpose of initiation into an organization.

Intimidation:  The act of frightening another person by physical contact such as pushing, tripping, bumping, etc.

Obscenity and Profanity: The use of coarse or abusive language.

“Pants-ing”—pulling down a student’s pants; this is unacceptable regardless of the location—hallway, locker room, classroom, outside, etc.

Plagiarism:  Taking of another's findings, interpretations, or texts and intentionally presenting them as one's own without proper attribution.

Physical Attack: Deliberately attempting to harm another person by throwing something at him/her or by striking, kicking, pushing, or tripping the person or attempting to do so when the one attacked has not physically harmed the other.

Racial Epithet: Derogatory word or phrase characterizing a person of another ethnic group.  

Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other inappropriate verbal, written, or physical conduct of a sexual nature that takes place under any of the following circumstances:  *When submission to such conduct is made, explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of employment, instruction or participation in other school activities; *When submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used by the offender as the basis for making personnel or academic decisions affecting the individual subjected to sexual advances; and/or *When such conduct has the effect of unreasonably interfering with the individual's work and/or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or learning environment.

Smoking:  Being observed holding a lit cigarette or an e-cigarette, exhaling smoke/vapors, having a lit cigarette or an e-cigarette in his/her mouth, or found behind an obstruction from which smoke or vapors were observed.

Tardiness (Excessive): When a student repeatedly is not in the appropriate class when the bell rings, despite teacher/team interventions.

Theft:  Taking personal property that is not rightfully theirs and/or the possession of stolen property.

Vandalism:  Deliberately damaging or defacing school property.

Verbal abuse: Willfully intimidating, insulting, or using coarse or bad language about or to another person.

Weapons: Observance of firearms, knives, or any other implement that could be used in a lethal way.

Willful disobedience: Deliberately not following the instruction of an adult in school or on the school bus. Failing to identify oneself to a staff member

MCPS Student Code of Conduct

For additional information regarding inappropriate behaviors and consequences please access the link to view the full version of the MCPS Student Code of Conduct handbook: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/students/rights/

Detention

When necessary, teachers will assign a student a lunch or after-school detention.  Students are required to attend assigned after-school detentions when teachers have followed Montgomery County policy, which includes giving the parent and student a 24 hour notice.  If a student does not attend, a teacher may notify the parent, refer the student to an administrator, and double the original detention.

Students can be assigned an administrative detention before school or after school. After-school detentions run from 3:15 – 4:20 p.m. No eating, drinking, cell phone or computer use will be allowed during detention (except Zoom).  Students should use the restroom prior to the start of the detention.  Failure to show up for detention or failure to arrive on time can result in an increase in the number of detention days served.

PROCEDURES FOR SUSPENSION

Students will be suspended when they engage in behavior that is judged to be disruptive and detrimental to the school environment. 

Prior to any suspension for disciplinary reasons, students must be given an informal hearing, including:

a) An oral or written notice of the charges

b) An explanation of the evidence

c) An opportunity to present his/her side of the story.

Many colleges request students to report a record of suspension as a part of the admissions process.

STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Each student involved in a discipline action has a right to fair treatment.  In order to ensure such treatment, Rosa Parks has established procedures for the consideration of student problems and for processing of student complaints. 

Students who feel unfairly treated by a teacher should ask the teacher about an appropriate time to discuss the issue. Students can also consult with their counselors about the best way to approach the matter with the teacher.

If discussing the matter with the teacher directly does not resolve the issue, students should talk with their team leader about the problem.

Once the team leader intervenes, if the matter still is not resolved, students should request to see their grade level administrator.

If the issue continues to be unresolved, the student should request to see the principal.

A GUIDE TO A STUDENT’S RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Annually, all students will receive a copy of the MCPS Guide to A Student’s Rights & Responsibilities 

A full version can be found at:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/students/rights/

Dolphin Dollars

As an incentive for appropriate behavior, students will receive Dolphin Dollars when staff members observe them demonstrating one of our four core values: honesty, respect, responsibility or perspective.  Students can submit these dollars to their team leaders for prizes and have the opportunity to win a grand prize in the quarterly drawing.