Behavior Expectations & Responsibilities

PBIS

Our goal is to provide a safe, orderly and respectful learning environment in which all of our students may achieve success. The Principal is responsible for the orderly operation of the school and has the authority to enforce the code of conduct as well as other behaviors not covered herein, but deemed disruptive, disorderly, or dangerous. Specific expectations for appropriate student behavior are as follows:

Edgewood Middle School Behavior Matrix

EW Middle School Behavior Matrix

School Dress Code

Per Board of Education Policy 7:160, Students' dress and grooming must not disrupt the educational process; interfere with the maintenance of a positive teaching/learning climate, or compromise reasonable standards of health, safety, and decency. Procedures for handling students who dress or groom inappropriately will be developed by the Superintendent and included in the Student Handbook.

Students are expected to wear clothing in a neat, clean, and well fitting manner while on school property and/or in attendance at school sponsored activities. Students are to use discretion in their dress and are not permitted to wear apparel that causes a substantial disruption in the school environment.

  • Student dress (including accessories) may not advertise, promote, or picture alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, violent behavior, or other inappropriate images.

  • Student dress (including accessories) may not display lewd, vulgar, obscene, or offensive language or symbols, including gang symbols.

  • Hats, coats, bandannas, backpacks, and sunglasses may not be worn in the building during the school day.

  • Hair styles, dress, and accessories that pose a safety hazard are not permitted in laboratories, or during physical education.

  • The length of shorts or skirts must be appropriate for the school environment.

  • Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times.

  • If there is any doubt about dress and appearance, the building principal will make the final decision.

  • Student whose dress causes a substantial disruption of the orderly process of school functions or endangers the health or safety of the student, other students, staff or others may be subject discipline.

  • Students who wear inappropriate clothing may be asked to put on a cover-up (e.g., sweatshirt), change, wear clothing inside-out, wear gym clothing, or request a change of clothes from home.

School Property and Property of Others

Students are expected to care for school property and the property of others. School property includes but is not limited to: furniture, walls, windows, doors, floors, sidewalks, lockers, benches, and equipment. Students may not damage property with pens, pencils, paint or other instruments. Students may not tamper with fire alarms, fire extinguishers, or any electrical systems. Textbooks are the property of the school and fines are assessed for unreturned or damaged books. Students may not damage or take the personal property of others. If items are found, students are expected to take these items to the lost and found or to the office. Damaging or taking ownership of school property or the property of others is prohibited.

Articles Not Permitted in School

Articles that interfere in any way with school procedures, disrupt the educational process, or are hazards to the safety of others are not allowed at school. Such items include, but are not limited to:

  • Cigarettes and other tobacco products, including without limitation, electronic cigarettes.

  • Drugs, including over-the-counter drugs and look-alike drugs (see section on Medication Policy)

  • Alcohol

  • Weapons or look-alike items (firearms, knives, etc.)

  • Lighters or matches

  • Laser pointers

  • Aerosol cans

Possession of these items is prohibited at school and may result in detention, suspension, or expulsion. Students who use, possess, distribute, purchase, or sell an explosive, firearm, or any other object that can reasonably be considered a weapon can be expelled in accordance with Board of Education policy. If a student brings a firearm or weapon to school, the criminal justice or juvenile delinquency system will be notified.

Cell Phones

Students are allowed to bring cell phones to school but all phones must be turned off during the school day, and stored in a locked locker. Students may use their cell phones before 7:55 a.m. or after 2:40 p.m. to ensure communication with family members. School phones are not for student use, unless permission is granted for special circumstances. Infractions are subject to disciplinary action.

Costumes/Halloween

Students are welcome to dress up for Halloween but please note that student dress for Halloween is subject to our school dress code (please see pg. 10-11 in student handbook). THE FOLLOWING ARE PROHIBITED: MASKS, WEAPONS, AND LOOK-ALIKE WEAPONS. If a student's costume, face paint or hat is distracting to the educational environment and/or we cannot identify the student, we will ask the student to remove it. Students MUST report to school ready to learn, so ALL costumes need to be put on prior to arrival. Please keep in mind the social emotional component to the participation of group costumes and the exclusions that many might feel as a result. We want Halloweedn to be a fun day for all students and we appreciate your collaboration.

Disciplinary Procedures

Our goal is to provide a safe, orderly and respectful learning environment in which all of our students may achieve success. Procedures for responding to student misconduct are as follows:

Staff:

  • Staff members are responsible for establishing and communicating expectations of appropriate student conduct.

  • Staff members may take these and other actions when discipling students: review rules and expectations, provide warnings, use verbal or nonverbal redirection, remove student from the classroom, conference with the student, contact parents, assign detention(s), submit a discipline referral to the administration.

    • A disciplinary referral is submitted by staff members for student misconduct that is repetitive or significantly disruptive. The discipline referral is a legal document. Parents receive a copy of the discipline referral and other appropriate information as warranted.

Administration:

  • Administrators may take these and other actions when disciplining students: conference with student and/or parents, withhold privileges, facilitate a mediation, develop a contract or behavior management plan, contact parent, assign detention(s), assign a service project, assign a written project, assign extended afternoon or Saturday detention(s), assign an in or out of school suspension, bus suspension, and/or suspension from school activities, or notify juvenile authorities. Parents may appeal disciplinary action in accordance with Board Policy.

    • Consequences are determined by the following: the nature and severity of the offense, the student’s history within the given school year, and any special education issues which may apply.