Student Conduct Expectations

 Tiger Pride is being Safe, Respectful, and Responsible!

CharacterStrong is a character education and social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum that will be used throughout the Bandon School District.  We are committed to helping our students grow into successful members of our community and take pride in providing an example of excellence.

5 Key Areas of Focus: 

• Emotion Understanding and Regulation: How we feel and how we act.

• Empathy and Compassion: What we understand and how we care.

• Values and Purpose: Who we are and what we do.

• Goals and Habits: The dreams we have and the actions to get there.

• Leadership and Teamwork: Developing agency and working together.

How it works: 

• Students will work with CharacterStrong curriculum during their Advisory Period, provided by their 1st period teacher.  All students will be working towards similar character goals throughout the building and will be recognized in assemblies, as well as individually by school staff.

• CharacterStrong is predicated on the importance of relationships, respect, and grace.  As such, we will center all redirection communication from a place of respect.  School staff will first provide a verbal redirection and attempt to solve any behavior issues within the classroom.  When that is not possible, we will use the HLMS Reset as a supportive environment for students providing a disruption to the learning environment.  Behavior conversations and consequences will be determined in conjunction with our Behavior Specialist.  See the HLMS Reset section for more information.

Harbor Lights is committed to meeting the unique needs of all students.  We have an Alternative Work Center (AWC), formerly known as the Reset Room, available to all students for a myriad of uses.  The AWC is staffed with a Student Support Specialist EA and our Behavior Specialist to provide a space for students to take a break, work through low-level interpersonal challenges, have adult support in creating plans for success around behavior, or work in a quieter setting with fewer distractions.  This space also serves as the home of our Lunch Detention and In School Suspension consequences, although the bulk of the work done in that space is focused on academic support and problem-solving the interpersonal struggles that are often part of the middle school experience.  Our Behavior Specialist and Student Support Specialist are trained in restorative practices and trauma-informed school systems, working in partnership with students and parents to help set students on a positive path in their educational journey.   Students who require more intense intervention are referred to the appropriate staff member, including the BSD School Nurse, the HLMS Mental Health Therapist, or the Principal.  If you have any questions or would like more information about our support services and/or how to help meet the needs of your child, please contact our office at 541-347-4415.

Bandon School District, in partnership with Coos Health and Wellness, has a full-time school-based mental health therapist in each building available to provide counseling and other supports to help students regulate and manage their emotions in addition to depression, anxiety, stress, and other challenges.  Our focus is on increasing student's ability to learn and participate fully in their educational goals.  Services are available to all BSD students free of charge and require parent/guardian consent for all students in elementary and middle school.  By Oregon law, youth 14 years and older can consent to their own care including mental health care, but we involve parents/guardians unless it is unsafe to do so.  If you have any questions or would like more information about our counseling services and/or how to help meet the needs of your child, please contact our office at 541-347-4415.

Our goal at HLMS is to provide an environment free of all forms of harassment.  Sexual harassment, sexual intimidation, bullying, cyberbullying, general harassment, intimidating, and hazing of any form has a detrimental effect on the lives and/or education of students and employees.  Therefore, it is the policy of Bandon School District to maintain learning and working environments free from all types of discrimination including all forms of harassment and intimidation.  The complete Sexual Harassment Policy and Bullying Policy are available for review in the school office and on the school district web page.  These policies cover all forms of harassment (including with electronic devices).  Our building administrator and Title IX Coordinator should be contacted for issues related to harassment/bullying.  

Among the student rights and responsibilities guaranteed by state and federal laws are the following:

1. Civil rights including the rights to equal educational opportunity and freedom from discrimination; the responsibility not to discriminate against others.

2. The right to attend free public schools; the responsibility to attend school regularly and to observe school rules essential for permitting others to learn at school.

3. The right to due process of law with respect to decisions which the student believes injure his/her rights.

4. The right to free inquiry and expression; the responsibility to observe reasonable rules regarding these rights.

5. The right to assemble informally; the responsibility to not disrupt the orderly operation of the educational process, nor infringe upon the rights of others.

6. The right to privacy, which includes privacy in respect to the student’s education records; the responsibility to respect others’ right to privacy.

7. The right to know the behavior standards expected; the responsibility to follow the expectations or accept the consequences.

All students are expected to follow the HLMS conduct expectations (listed below) while participating in any school activity including but not limited riding the bus to/from school, instructional time, passing periods, meal and break times, after school during dismissal, after school activities, athletics, and any time while on school property or representing HLMS in a school sponsored event.

Each teacher has a set of rules and consequences governing his/her classroom.  The rules and consequences will be shared and clearly communicated to students and their families through the course syllabus.  Serious infractions will result in disciplinary action up to and including a referral to the building administrator.  If a student’s behavior struggles are serious and/or chronic, the student may be referred to the HLMS Student Study Team (SST) for additional problem-solving and intervention opportunities including a behavior contract signed by the student and parent.  Parents will be informed of this referral to the SST and will be included in the process.  Misbehavior when a substitute is present will result in a referral and the student will be assigned detention determined by the Behavior Specialist.

Harbor Lights Middle School is a learning environment where all students are expected to learn and grow. Demonstrations of affection between 5th/6th Grade students are not acceptable at school.  Demonstrations of affection between 7th/8th Grade students are limited to hand holding at school and at all school-sponsored events. Kissing and hugging at school is inappropriate and disruptive to the educational environment. Other examples include, but are not limited to: lying on or against one another in the halls, sitting on laps, inappropriate dancing at functions, etc. Students who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary action.

• Enter the district cafeteria through the gym lobby;

• Wash or sanitize hands upon entering the cafeteria;

• Calm bodies including walking feet are expected at all times;

• Students are to take their appropriate place in line - no giving or taking a space ahead of your arrival spot in line;

• Lunch is a social time, but conversations need to be in a volume appropriate to the space; 

• When finished eating, students are to put garbage in the bins up front, leave utensils and trays at the last window, and leave the cafeteria;

• All students are responsible for keeping their area clean and helping with any messes that they create;

• Follow directions of cafeteria supervisor, cafeteria staff, and HLMS supervisory staff.  Failure to abide by the cafeteria expectations will result in work detail, loss of cafeteria privileges, and/or additional disciplinary action.

Food and beverages are to be consumed in the cafeteria before school, in common areas during break, and in the cafeteria during lunchtime.  Eating and drinking out of your locker (7th/8th) and in the hallways is only allowed during break. Food and beverage items will be confiscated if consumed in areas other than the cafeteria except for during break time.  All food-related garbage must be thrown away in a garbage can.  Failure to demonstrate responsibility with food items may result in a supervised break time in the Reset Room.  Exception: Staff may allow food in the classroom for projects or special celebrations.  Water, in an unbreakable sealed container, is encouraged in classrooms for hydration purposes.   Coffee and/or energy drinks are not allowed.  Chewing gum is not allowed.

The goal of HLMS is to promote a learning and working environment that is comfortable for students, staff, and community guests.  Our Board policy concerning student dress and grooming states, “The student’s dress and grooming shall not lead school officials to believe that such dress or grooming will disrupt, interfere with, or distract from school activities, i.e. the specific advertising of alcohol, tobacco products, illegal controlled substances, advocating violence, obscene language or suggestive phrases.”  The district prohibits any clothing or grooming that, in a staff member’s judgment, may reasonably be expected to cause disruption or interfere with normal school operations.  Students’ dress and/or grooming are expected to be in keeping with the accepted community standards.  Students who disregard the dress code may be asked to change, given consequences, sent home, and/or be placed in an alternative educational setting.  All building administrative decisions regarding student dress are final.

• Clothing will be worn as intended by the manufacturer.

• Wear shoes all day, every day. Soft-soled slippers are not allowed.  Shoes should be appropriate for the weather and expected activities.

• Cover the following body parts completely: Stomach, rear end, and cleavage. No bare shoulders are allowed without straps at least two fingers in width.  All other straps are not to be seen. 

• Bra, boxers, and underpants must not show.

• Your fingertips need to reach the bottom of your skirt, shorts, or ripped jeans when you are standing.

• Hoods and sunglasses are not to be worn in common areas of the building.  The wearing of hats, caps, or other head coverings in the classroom is subject to teachers’ classroom expectations and rules.  

• Clothes and jewelry that have violent, sexual and/or rude messages are not allowed in school; neither are clothes and jewelry with words or pictures that have to do with drugs, alcohol, weapons, or are gang-related.  

• Clothes and body parts are not to be written on.

• Students are prohibited from carrying or wearing material, devices, identifying markings, or paraphernalia that may indicate membership or support for gangs.  These regulations apply to students while attending school during the regular day and while attending school activities designated by the school administration.

• Students are prohibited from displaying any hate symbols as per the Every Student Belongs rule.  For more information on this rule, please visit https://www.oregon.gov/ode/students-and-family/equity/SchoolSafety/Pages/EveryStudentBelongs.aspx. 

HLMS maintains a closed campus; this means that once students arrive they are not allowed to go off campus without prior approval, including mornings when exiting the busses and during the lunch break.  Parents are asked to support this school rule and not give their child permission to leave the school campus.

From the time of arrival to the end of the school day the following items are not allowed to be used or carried to classes: cell phones, iPods, music devices, game systems, or any other electronic devices.  If brought to school these devices must be turned off and kept in the student’s locker.  Students are also welcome to turn in electronic devices to the office for the duration of the school day.  Please see our Technology Expectations page for more information on the potential consequences for not following this expectation.   

Items of nuisance (Sharpie pens, toys, fidget spinners, rubber bands, smart watches) are not allowed at school if they become a distraction to the student's learning.  After a verbal warning, the item may be confiscated for up to 48 hours and a referral may be written.  If there is a second incident, parents will need to pick up the item from the school office.  HLMS is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.

      If a pet is needed for a classroom presentation, arrangements should be made with the administration at least one day prior to the presentation.  You may not transport animals, skateboards or glass containers on the bus.

      Prohibited items not allowed at school at any time:  Firearms, knives, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, vapes, lighters, matches, and laser pointers.

Students are assigned a hall locker (7th and 8th only).  Lockers and combinations are not to be shared.  Lockers are to always be locked.  These lockers are for the student’s convenience but are school property, and the administration reserves the right to inspect the contents of the locker at any time.  Locker checks will be made during the school year to ensure cleanliness.  Although the school will investigate any reports of stolen property, it cannot be held responsible for items lost or taken from a locker. Students will be held responsible for damage caused to lockers.  Binders and books are not to be left in the gym, on the lunchbox bookcase near the office, by teachers’ doors, etc.  Everything is to be in your locker (6th, 7th and 8th) or in your classroom (5th) when not needed.  A request for a locker combination to be changed by the student must be approved by the administration.

Backpacks and/or bags are a convenient way of transporting books and supplies to and from school.  Students are expected to use their lockers for book storage and carry necessary materials to their classes.  Administration reserves the right to search a student’s belongings when there is reasonable suspicion.  If a problem arises with following classroom expectations, students may be required to keep their backpack in their locker. 

• LOST AND FOUND

  • Articles found in and around the school should be turned in to the main office.  Small items (like jewelry) are kept in the office while larger items (like coats, sweatshirts, etc.) are kept in the Reset Room or in our Clothes Closet.  Lost and found items that are not claimed will be kept in the Clothes Closet for distribution to students or donated to charity at the end of each semester. 

• STUDENT VALUABLES

  • Students are responsible for their personal property.  The school is not responsible for personal items you choose to bring to school. If students are found to be using personal items inappropriately the item will be confiscated and the student may be referred to the administration.

The library is a place for reading and studying.  Talking is to be at a whisper volume so as not to disturb others.  During class time, students must present a pass to the librarian to be allowed in to do work or look for books.  All books must be checked out before leaving the library.  Textbooks are checked out for the year.  Other books are checked out for a two week time period.  Books need to be returned in a timely manner.  Notices for overdue books will be sent to students regularly.   Students that have overdue books for one or more weeks may have time in the Reset Room to develop a responsibility plan to ensure the timely return of the book(s). 

Students must obtain permission from the school administration to sell or sponsor anything on school property, unless it is for a school fundraiser which received prior approval.  Students wishing to place posters or advertisements in the school must obtain permission from the administration. 

We ask parents not to have their children distribute party invitations at school.  This procedure helps eliminate many problems for students who are not invited.