SMS Discipline Code

To protect every student’s right to a free public education, each student at SMS has the responsibility to ensure that his/her conduct does not interfere with his/her own educational process, or that of other students in the SMS community.  The disciplinary policy at SMS is guided by Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) and Restorative Practices; and is given to 1) help the student reflect on his/her poor decision making/actions and learn from their actions and choices, 2) to assign the consequence of limited privileges, 3) provide the student with an opportunity to make appropriate restitution for the behavior in question, and 4) to assist students in meeting the Cougar PRIDE expectations (Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Dependability and Empathy) in all school interactions. 

General Rules Governing Student Conduct

The following are listed to help all students clearly understand what offenses may be considered serious enough to interfere with the learning process. Again, these behaviors are listed as guidelines that may be modified pending individual circumstances. A progressive disciplinary process in conjunction with Restorative Practices will be used at the discretion of the administrators. Consequences can include (but are not limited to) written reflection, peer mediation, lunch detention, 60-minute after school detention, 90-minute after school detention, exclusion from class, Saturday School, suspension or expulsion, etc. 

MINOR OFFENSES

• Gum chewing

• Horseplay with no injury

• Out of class without a pass

• Tardy to class

• Cell phone is visible, rings, or is in use

• iPod or other technology device visible or in use

• Dress guidelines violation

• Running

• Possession of a laser pointer

• Inappropriate language not directed at someone

• Buying or selling items in school

• Minor misuse of computers/technology 

• Minor class disruption

• Property misuse (jamming locker with object)

• Minor bus infraction

• Leaving homeroom without permission

MAJOR OFFENSES

• Destruction of property/vandalism

• Sexual harassment

• Bullying/Verbal Physical Threats/Harassment

• Possession/use/sale of alcohol, inhalants, drugs or drug paraphernalia (or being under the influence at school) 

• Possession/use/sale of tobacco, electronic cigarettes, or smoking paraphernalia

• On school grounds during OSS- trespassing

• Serious bus infraction

• Cutting class/homeroom/detention

• Forgery

• Abusive language or obscene gesture to staff or student

• Serious misuse of computers/technology 

• Misbehavior in office detention/ISS

• Minor offenses that are chronic in nature (insubordination)

• Action involving physical contact where injury might occur

• Serious class disruption resulting in removal from class

• Insubordination (failure to comply with staff member’s directive)

• Leaving school without permission

• Cheating/plagiarism

• Fighting/assault

• Theft

• Possession of any device that could start a fire; possession of fireworks

• Intentional behavior that endangers others

• Possession of knife, dangerous instrument, or weapon

• Gambling

• Initiating a false alarm/threat

NOTE:  Other actions that display gross disregard for the rights or property of others and/or for the orderly educational process of the school, chronic misbehavior or certain very serious behaviors may result in suspension up to 10 days in length and/or police referral and/or recommendation for expulsion from school.  The complete suspension and expulsion policy is available at: School Discipline, BOE Policy 5114

• The discipline code assumes the availability of an in-school suspension program.  Should one not be in place or available, out-of-school suspension will be used in place of in-school suspension.  The administration may, at its discretion, substitute in-school for out-of-school or out-of-school for in-school suspension.

• This discipline code applies to all students while on school grounds, while at any school-sponsored event and, in some cases, to infractions that may have occurred off school grounds and/or not at a school-sponsored event.

• Students are not permitted to participate in after school or evening activities on the day of an in-school or out of school suspension.

• Parents will be notified of all disciplinary consequences in writing. Notices will be sent or contact will be made with parents and students (at minimum) the day before an after school detention is to be served. The notice will state the misconduct that resulted in a consequence.  Students serving detention will be permitted to ride the late bus home at 4:15PM when detention ends.  Students serving detention (until 3:30) may wait in office detention until 4:15PM if they do not have parent transportation and are planning to take the late bus home.

• School administration reserves the right to involve the Seymour Police Department when there is suspicion that a crime may have been committed. 

• School officials are authorized to search students, their effects, lockers, desks and other storage areas in accordance with Board of Education Policy #5145.12 (Searches and Seizures). 

Saturday School

Students committing certain infractions may be given Saturday School rather than in-school suspension as determined by the administration. Saturday School is conducted in the SMS Library Media Center on alternate Saturdays from 7:30 am to 11:30 am. Failure to serve an assigned 2 hour Saturday School will result in a 4-hour Saturday School. Students who do not serve a 4-hour Saturday School will serve ISS.