Saddle Brook Middle School Code of Conduct

Expectations

Good behavior is a cooperative effort and a matter of common sense. If a student were to adopt the policy that the main purpose of school is education and strive toward that goal, disciplinary problems would be non-existent. However, part of growing up is to make mistakes at times. Students must understand that failure to meet their responsibilities will carry consequences.

Emphasis must always be given to helping students develop the necessary self-discipline that will allow them to be productive students and citizens. They must be reminded that their actions always reflect on themselves, their family, their school, and their community.

Students must always exercise self-discipline to the extent that they do not interfere with the rights of others. Any form of behavior or conduct which is disruptive not only prevents individual learning but almost always interferes with the learning opportunities of others and, therefore, cannot be tolerated. Students must also exercise self-discipline in the halls, stairwells, and on school grounds. When passing through the halls and stairwells, students should stay to the right. 

The administration recognizes its responsibility and right to take reasonable disciplinary action for student behavior and/or conduct that is contrary to school rules or that is judged inappropriate by the administration. 

Students must respect all school rules and regulations and show this respect by following the requests or directives of any staff member. At all times students are expected to cooperate and be courteous to all members of the school community. These rules and regulations also extend to all school-related functions both on and off the property and are in effect while students are en route to and from school. 

NJ Statutes Governing Student Discipline 

18A:37-1. Submission of pupils to authority. Pupils in the public schools shall comply with the rules established in pursuance of law for the government of such schools, pursue the prescribed course of study and submit to the authority of the teachers and others in authority over them. 

18A:37-2. Causes for suspension or expulsion of pupils. Any pupil who is guilty of continued and willful disobedience, or of open defiance of the authority of any teacher or person having authority over him, or of the habitual use of profanity or of obscene language, or who shall cut, deface or otherwise injure any school property, shall be liable to punishment and to suspension or expulsion from school. 

Conduct which shall constitute good cause for suspension, or expulsion of a pupil guilty of such conduct shall include, but not be limited to, any of the following: 

1. Continued and willful disobedience; 

2. Open defiance of the authority of any teacher or person having authority over him; 

3. Conduct of such character as to constitute a continuing danger to the physical well-being of other pupils; 

4. Physical assault upon another pupil;

5. Taking, or attempting to take, personal property or money from another pupil, or from his presence, by means of force or fear;

6. Willfully causing, or attempting to cause, substantial damage to school property

7. Participation in an authorized occupancy by any group of pupils or others of any part of any school or other building owned by any school district, and failure to leave such school or other facilities promptly after having been directed to do so by the principal or other person in charge of such building or facility;

8. Incitement which is intended to and does result in unauthorized occupation by any group of pupils or others of any part of a school or other facility owned by any school district; 

9. Incitement which is intended to and does result in truancy by other pupils;

10. Knowing possession or knowing consumption without legal authority of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances on school premises, or being under the influence of intoxicating liquor or controlled dangerous substances while on school premises;

11. Harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

Detentions and Suspension

Lunch Detention

Supervised lunch detention will be held ONLY for students who are out of dress code, for misconduct in the cafeteria, for misconduct in class prior to their lunch period, or per faculty discretion.

▪ Students will be notified of Lunch Detention by the Principal or designee. 

▪ Students will be given the first 10 minutes of the period to pick up their lunch from the cafeteria. Students should present their passes to the lunch monitor so they do not have to wait in the lunch line. 

▪ Students will complete the Detention Reflection Form

▪ Students are to eat lunch and complete work silently.

Administrative Detention 

During all full-day schedules, detention will be held Tuesday - Friday from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 pm.

▪ Students are to silently complete work during the duration of their detention.

▪ Middle School students will receive 24 hours notice before serving detention 

Students serving Administrative detention will be eligible to participate in school activities upon completion of the detention.  Scheduled athletic, social, or personal commitments do not excuse a student from Administrative detention.

Friday Detention 

Friday detention runs from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Failure to provide a medical doctor’s note for missing Friday detention will result in suspension. Students will still be responsible for making up the Friday detention.

Students serving Friday detention will be eligible to participate in school activities upon completion of the detention.  Scheduled athletic, social, or personal commitments do not excuse a student from Friday detention.

Suspension

Students may be denied the right to attend school for a period of time pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:37-2, N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.2, and 6A:16-7.3, and District Policy 5610.

Students assigned to suspension are responsible for all classwork. Teachers will provide work for the student which the student must complete during his or her suspension. For any out-of-school suspension, a parental conference is necessary before reentry.

Any suspension will remain in effect until the beginning of the next school day. All students assigned in-school and/or out-of-school suspension are prohibited from participating in all school-based activities, including athletic events, practices, co-curricular activities and possibly work assignments for those students participating in Option II. Students suspended out of school are not permitted on school grounds until the next regular school day after the completion of the suspension. 

Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying 

The Board of Education, in compliance with New Jersey statutes, prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying. A safe and civil environment in the school is necessary for pupils to learn and achieve high academic standards. Harassment, intimidation, or bullying, like other disruptive or violent behaviors, is conduct that disrupts both a pupil’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate its pupils in a safe environment; and since pupils learn by example, school administrators, faculty, staff, and volunteers should be commended for demonstrating appropriate behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate harassment, intimidation or bullying. Please refer to BOE policy #5512(click here)  for more information about the district’s anti-bullying policy and regulations. 

Drug/Alcohol-Free Environment 

Saddle Brook Middle School faculty and administration is committed to maintaining a learning environment free from drugs and alcohol The Saddle Brook Board of Education’s Drugs and Alcohol Policy #5530 can be found here. Our goal is to protect students who do not abuse drugs/alcohol as well as provide help to those who do. Students may not possess, distribute, or consume drugs/alcohol in any form while at school, on school grounds, or attending school-sponsored events. Students may be subject to medical examination (NJSA 18:A:40-4.1.), suspension, and other disciplinary sanctions. 

Accordingly, the Board will establish policies and procedures in operating programs to support the social, emotional, and physical development of students in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:40A-1 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 6A:16-4.1 et seq. 

Lockers, desks, and property of the District may be searched by school officials anytime. Personal belongings may be searched if a school official has reasonable suspicion that a student is in possession of alcohol or drugs. Saddle Brook High School works closely with local and county law enforcement agencies BOE Policy #9320, (click here)  to conduct periodic unannounced sweeps with drug-detecting canines. 

As per Saddle Brook Board of Education Policy 5530 Students who are found to be in possession or under the influence of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or other illegal substances on school grounds will face penalties outlined in the Saddle Brook Middle School Code of Conduct. Any student found in possession of or suspected of being under the influence of a controlled substance will be immediately sent for drug and alcohol screening. Parents and guardians are responsible for picking up their child for this screening. In the event a parent or guardian does not pick up the student, an ambulance will be called to escort the student to the hospital. A student who was sent out for a drug/alcohol screen will not be permitted to return to school without clearance from a medical professional. Additionally, students found in possession of a controlled substance, with or without the intent to distribute, will receive a summons from the Saddle Brook Township Court where they may receive a fine. Students who repeatedly violate the Drug and Alcohol policy may be referred to a therapeutic facility temporarily or permanently 

Academic Dishonesty

Saddle Brook Middle School does not condone any form of academic dishonesty or misconduct, intentional or unintentional. Students are responsible for their authentic work, and may not participate in plagiarism, fabrication, deception, cheating, sabotage, impersonation, or any other attempt to misrepresent their academic achievement or intellectual property. The use of any artificial intelligence engine, with the exception of spell or grammar checking software, is considered Academic Dishonesty.  Academic dishonesty in ANY form is a serious offense. Saddle Brook Middle School administration will address academic dishonesty as a flagrant violation of school rules and district policy. Each instance of academic dishonesty will be thoroughly reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the nature of the incident, consequences could include resubmission and/or loss of credit on an assignment, parent conference, detention, suspension, or other disciplinary measures deemed appropriate by the school administration. For students in Honor Societies, academic dishonesty could result in removal from the organization. Further information can be found under Saddle Brook Board of Education Policy 5701.

Care of School Property 

Students will show respect for school property (textbooks, calculators, desks, lockers, and any other school property), by keeping this property in good condition and refrain from inflicting damage. Damage to school property is subject to a monetary fine, disciplinary action, and potential police charges.

School Lockers/Parked Vehicles 

Students are advised that school officials may conduct searches of student property including lockers and any vehicle parked on school property if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that the search will reveal evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or rules of the school.  In accordance with the aforementioned, students are advised that lockers are subject to periodic inspection without notice. This practice is exercised with the safety and security of everyone in mind. 

Students are advised to keep locker combinations confidential in order to safeguard their personal property. The sharing of lockers is not permitted. Only school-approved locks are permitted for use in the school and should be kept on their lockers at all times.  Students should occupy only the locker assigned to them by their homeroom and physical education teachers. Tasteful decoration of lockers for special occasions is permissible (i.e., birthdays, holidays, spirit week) with prior approval from the Administration. 

Hall Passes/Chromebook Sign Out

Only one student at a time may be issued a pass out of any given class.  Each classroom will have dedicated passes for the hallway or restroom attached to a lanyard. If a student is destined for a location that is staffed, such as the main office or the nurse, then an appropriate staff member at that location will provide a signed pass with a departure time. 

Each teacher will maintain a record by period/block of students who leave their classroom, including the time of departure and return as well as the student's destination; by using our Turnstile System in Genesis. This system will monitor where the student is going and the time of return. Whenever a teacher discovers a pattern of abuse, she or he should address it by limiting the offender's pass privilege and, if necessary, by bringing the matter to the attention of the appropriate administrator. Student noncompliance with the guidelines contained herein will be considered insubordination. If pass abuse persists after a teacher's attempted intervention, then the teacher should refer the matter to the appropriate administrator.

Lost and Found 

Items can be retrieved from the front room of the Nurse’s Office. Valuable items found should be brought to the attention of the office staff. Any articles not claimed in a timely manner will be discarded on a monthly basis. 

Items Prohibited on School Grounds 

The following are prohibited in school and on school grounds at all times: animals, skateboards, water pistols, cigarettes/smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes/vape pens, fidget spinners, and any other items judged by the administration to be inappropriate for school. 

Laser Pointers are strictly prohibited in school, at school activities, and on school grounds. They will be confiscated by staff. Students will be disciplined with detentions, Friday detention, and/or suspension from school. 

Certain Organizations Declared Harmful - 18A:42-5 

Every fraternity, sorority, secret society, or organization composed in whole or in part of public school pupils, which seeks to organize and perpetuate itself by taking in members from among the pupils enrolled in such school in which they are students, upon the basis of the decision of the membership of such organization rather than from the free choice of any pupils in such school who are otherwise qualified to fill the special aims of such organization inimical to the good of the system and to the democratic principles and ideals of public education and to the public good. 

Students who access inappropriate websites on school computers or the school network will be subject to discipline outlined in our Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Policy #2361(click here) 

Unauthorized sales of any item not sanctioned by the administration are strictly prohibited. Violators will be disciplined. 

Cafeteria Rules 

A student may choose to bring his or her lunch or participate in the school lunch program. All students who receive or bring lunch from an outside vendor must eat in the cafeteria unless arrangements have been made with an adult to eat in an alternate location.

Rules: 

▪ Students are due in the lunchroom no later than 4 minutes after the 1st bell. 

▪ Cutting into the food line is prohibited.

 ▪ Backpacks are not permitted on the food line.

▪ Empty all debris from trays into the proper disposal receptacles. 

▪ No more than twelve students should sit at one table. 

▪ Pupils must return trays to the designated area. 

▪ All refuse must be cleared from the tables when finished eating. 

▪ No food or drink may be taken from the cafeteria except by students serving lunch detention or in-school suspension, students participating in any science lab or music class meeting during their lunch period, or unless authorized by an administrator. 

▪ Students will sit, if directed by a staff member, in any place designated by that staff member.

▪ No chairs may be placed at the ends of the tables since aisles must be kept clear.

▪ No places may be reserved. If a student claims a vacant place, s/he is entitled to it.

▪ All trips to the bathroom should be made before entering the cafeteria. Students will be allowed to leave the cafeteria only with the teacher’s permission to use the bathroom. Students will use the Turnstile System in Genesis to sign out.

▪ No running, singing, mass noise or any type of horseplay will be permitted.

▪Throwing food or any other object is absolutely prohibited. 

▪Students are to remain seated until the dismissal bell has been rung.

▪Leave the cafeteria by the exit closest to your seat or as otherwise directed.

Middle School students who need to leave the building for lunch must be signed out and back in by their parent/guardian. The parent/guardian must send an email to Ms. Coffey, @ bcoffey@sbpsnj.org and Ms. Malicki, @ amalick@sbpsnj.org prior to their arrival. Students who are signed out must leave and return with their parent/guardian. Please be advised that leaving for lunch is strongly discouraged.

Electronic Device Usage in the School Building

Electronic devices are defined as cell phones, tablets, smartphones, smart watches, headphones/airpods, game systems, and other items as determined by the school administration. Saddle Brook Middle School recognizes the power of these devices as an educational tool for research, survey, communication, and collaboration. Students are permitted to use electronic devices in the classroom at the discretion of the teacher and ONLY for educational purposes. Electronic device use is not permitted in the hallways. Middle School students will be required to keep all electronic devices turned off and away until the conclusion of the school day.

During class time, students are required to place their cell phones into the cell phone holder located in each classroom. Students must leave their cell phone in the holder for the duration of the class period. They may be retrieved once the class has been dismissed. Headphones and Airpods may not be used during class time. Additionally, inappropriate use of a smartwatch will result in confiscation and disciplinary action. 

Consequences for the unauthorized use of cell phones and electronic devices are outlined below in the Code of Conduct Policy #5516. Failure to comply with the Saddle Brook Middle School’s device policies may result in disciplinary action. Students who repeatedly violate the electronic device policy will lose phone/device privileges permanently. 

District One-to-One Chromebook Initiative

One of the positives to come out of the Covid-19 pandemic was the reliance on and meaningful integration educational technology. Teachers and students used technology in new and exciting ways throughout the pandemic. Middle School students will have Chromebooks provided by the district. 

Students participating in the 1:1 Initiative must adhere to the district’s Acceptable Use Policy, School Device Policy, and Code of Conduct. Violations of any Board of Education policies, administrative procedures, or school rules involving a user’s device may result in the loss of use of the device in school, disciplinary action, and/or fines. Students are responsible for keeping the device charged and in good working order. Should the device no longer be in good working order the District Technology Department must be contacted as soon as possible. It is expected that students will use these devices for academic purposes only. Unauthorized use of any device including cheating, abusive or malicious language/activities, or other prohibited behaviors will result in disciplinary action as outlined by the school administration and the Board of Education.

Dress Code 

The professional staff's primary goal is to educate students and prepare them to meet their life goals. This cannot be done effectively when inappropriate clothing creates a disruption to the educational process. Specific standards are decency, safety, good grooming, and non-interference with teaching and learning.

Standardized Dress Requirements

Students are to arrive at school wearing appropriate clothing as defined in the dress code (District Policy 5511 and District Regulation 5511). 

The following dress code has been developed in accordance with Policy and Regulation No. 5511.

General Rules

• Students are expected to be clean and well groomed in their appearance. 

• Students are expected to avoid dress and grooming that is likely to create a material and substantial disruption to the school environment.  

• Dress or grooming that jeopardizes the health or safety of the student or of other students or is injurious to school property will not be tolerated.

Prohibited Clothing and Articles 

• Low-cut, tight fitting (excluding appropriate leggings) or transparent clothes, bare midriffs, and suggestive clothing.

• Skirts, dresses, and pants that end higher than mid-thigh.

• Outdoor jackets, coats, or hats except when entering or leaving the building and when there is a defect in the heating system.

• Bare feet, unsafe footwear, cleated shoes, and footwear intended for the beach; 

• Patches and decorations that are offensive or obscene.

• Undershirts (underwear) worn without an outer shirt.

• Clothing that is overly soiled, torn, worn, or defaced.

• Clothing, apparel and/or accessories which indicate affiliation with any gang associated with criminal activity or have references to alcohol, controlled dangerous substances, or tobacco.

• Clothing containing profanity or sexual references or innuendoes. 

• Clothing which includes racial or ethnic violence.

• Hats, hoods, visors, and other headgear.

• Any clothing that is likely to create a material and substantial disruption to the school environment.

DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS

Students who violate the dress code policy may be subject to discipline as outlined in the Middle School Code of Conduct.