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MACKINNON MIDDLE SCHOOL CODE OF CONDUCT
I Will Treat Myself And Others With Respect
I Will Treat Property With Respect
I Will Act In A Safe Manner
I Will Come To School Prepared And Do
My Personal Best
I Will Be A Responsible Student
EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT CONDUCT
In order for optimal learning to take place, students should continue to develop and have the ability to demonstrate positive attitudes and display character.. The set of behavioral expectations that appears below, approved and adopted by the Board of Education, should serve to guide students in their daily living:
Students will:
Prepare themselves mentally and physically for the process of learning
- Students are nourished, rested, clean, properly dressed and groomed
- Students are free of drugs and alcohol.
- Students come to school prepared to learn.
Demonstrate respect for people and property
- Students are honest, courteous and polite.
- Students respect the property of others.
- Students accept the rights of others to their own opinions
- Students settle differences peacefully.
- Students display good sportsmanship.
- Students participate in the maintenance and cleanliness of school facilities and property.
Take responsibility for their own behavior and learning
- Students recognize that school is work, and academic development is the primary purpose.
- Students complete all homework, class work and examinations.
- Students make personal choices based on reasonable decision-making processes.
- Students accept constructive criticism and disagreement when necessary and appropriate.
- Students accept the consequences of their action
Use time and resources responsibly
- Students attend school regularly and punctually.
- Students use study periods and library time for schoolwork.
- Students use books and other materials appropriately.
Share responsibilities when working as members of a group
- Students cooperate, contribute and share in the work of a group.
- Students accept and assume leadership when appropriate.
- Students listen to the points of view of others.
Meet the unique requirements of each class
- Students participate actively in class work.
- Students follow class rules and procedures.
- Students bring to class all textbooks, clothing and other materials necessary for participation.
- Students observe rules for safe handling of class equipment and materials.
Monitor their own progress towards objectives
- Students record and maintain records of progress.
- Students utilize RealTIme student portal to monitor grades and advocate for themselves when they have questions.
- Students plan courses of study and schedules.
- Students seek assistance from school staff and peers.
- Students value the relationship of learning to everyday life.
Communicate with parents and school personnel about school related matters
- Students take time to discuss academic learning and school progress with parents and school personnel.
- Students transmit information to parents and return responses to appropriate school personnel when requested.
- Students know the appropriate people to involve when a problem occurs. Students outline with parents and teachers a clear and concise educational goal for the school year.
A student is declared ineligible for participation in co-curricular activities (e.g. school dances, school clubs, special assemblies, special field trips and athletic competition both interscholastic and intramural if he/she has:
Failed two subjects or more in the proceeding marking period/trimester or is currently failing two academic classes.
Demonstrated unsatisfactory attendance or excessive tardiness in the preceding or current marking period.
Has had a recent behavioral infraction which has made the student ineligible to participate at the discretion of the building Principal.
Has amassed specific quantities of points detailed in middle school code of conduct.
Field Trips: 6 Demerits if trip is prior to February, 12 Demerits thereafter
Sporting Events–Fall and Winter Season– 6 Demerits; Spring– 12 Demerits
Attendance at Sporting Events– 6 Demerits; Spring– 12 Demerits
Students may not participate in athletic competition or co-curricular activity that was scheduled for that afternoon or evening if he/she has been absent, suspended, or sent home due to illness.
ELIGIBILITY STANDARD FOR CO-CURRICULAR AND ATHLETIC COMPETITION
ELIGIBILITY REVIEW
Review of students on the ineligibility list will take place regularly to evaluate student progress and determine if reinstatement to eligibility status is in order. Attending programs after school that offer additional support to students is a consideration.
STUDENT DISCIPLINE CODE — Part 1
Our school's philosophy of student discipline is to instill in each student the responsibility to conduct himself/herself in a safe, orderly, respectful and courteous manner. Teachers, counselors and administrators provide continual guidance and direction in assisting students to develop acceptable behavior patterns. Student conduct is guided by a school discipline code. The code will be strictly enforced to ensure a safe, orderly and productive learning environment.
STUDENT DISCIPLINE CODE — Part 2
GENERAL BEHAVIOR
BEHAVIOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION
1. Cutting Teacher Detention Make-up detention + one (1) additional office detention
2. Vandalism/Graffiti Restitution possible Friday detention and/or in-school/out-of-school suspension and or other disciplinary action as determined by the principal. In addition, the act may be reported to the police.
3. Theft/Extortion Restitution, possible Friday detention and/or in-school/out-of-school suspension and any other disciplinary action as determined by the principal. In addition, the incident may be reported to the police.
4. Excessive rough play/scuffling Multiple Detentions/In-school suspension/Out-of school suspension (number of days depends on severity and/or frequency of the offense. Possible other disciplinary action as determined by the principal. The action may be reported verbally, and/or formally to the police.
5. Fighting/or provoking same verbal/physical intimidation Suspension from school, number of days depends on severity and/or frequency of the offense and/or any other disciplinary action as determined by the principal. The action may be reported to the police.
STUDENT DISCIPLINE CODE — Part 4
Demerit Point System
Throughout the school year, students will have the opportunity to participate in special events such as activity nights, dances, picnics, and class trips. If the nature of a student’s discipline record is at a serious level, a student may be excluded from any special event due to the number of demerits accumulated at the time of the event. A demerit point system is included in a student’s disciplinary record throughout the school year. Demerits are issued for a student’s violation of the school’s code of conduct. The demerit point system is designed for academic team and/or administrative review. A student’s demerit record can adversely affect his/her attendance on a class trip, field trip, or other upcoming school activity or event. A student must have a clean record of served detentions in order to attend an upcoming school activity or event, class trip, or field trip. The demerit point system is recorded as follows: 1 point for a teacher, office, or lunch detention; 1 point for each tardy per trimester, starting at the 3rd tardy, 2 points for deprivation of privileges; 3 points for an ISS; 4 points for an OSS.
*Students who remain infraction free for one month will have a demerit removed from their record.
Students may be barred from any field trip, school activity such as an assembly for disciplinary or safety reasons. The school’s demerit point system will be reviewed regarding field trip/assembly spectator participation. Any student barred from a field trip may appeal his/her case to the teacher/trip coordinator/grade level advisor and the principal. Students who accumulate 6 demerits or more prior to the start of the 3rd cycle or 12 Demerits or more following that, may appeal. An appeal committee will hear each student’s appeal. The decision of the appeal committee is final. In some cases, as determined by administration and appropriate staff members, a student who has demonstrated behavior violations may require the student’s parent/guardian to attend the field trip to maintain close management.
Applies to all Grade Levels
Attending as a spectator at school sporting events (6 Demerits)
School dances– 6 demerits prior to start of 3rd cycle 12 Demerits total or more following start of 3rd cycle.
Grade Level Promotion
Promotion to the next grade level includes the following:
Student attendance meets district/state guidelines.
Final grade of a 70 or higher in all Academic Courses of Study.
Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Physical Education
A 69.4 or below in two or more subject areas restricts a student from participating in promotion activities.
Summer school must be fulfilled and passed when student has failed two of the previous mentioned courses for the year.
Grade 8 Promotion Activities Procedures
There are several end of the year activities that are designed to celebrate the end of eighth grade. These activities are: promotion field trip, promotion dance, end-of-year picnic, aware ceremonies and the promotion ceremony. These are offered to the students as a privilege and reward for completing Middle School. As such:
Any Grade 8 student who has demonstrated violations of the school’s student behavior code may be excluded from any or all promotion activities. The following number of demerits will be used as a benchmark to determine if a student is excluded from an activity: Promotion field trip (denial at 10 demerits); promotion dance (denial at 20 demerits); promotion team picnics (denial at 20 demerits); the all-school awards program on the last day of school (denial at 20 demerits); and promotion ceremony (denial 24 demerits). Demerits attained due to “tardies” will be assessed regarding attendance at these functions.
SEVERE CLAUSE
Incidents considered severe in nature will result in assigned multiple detentions, suspension from the lunchroom, Friday detention, and/or an in-school or out-of-school suspension. Students who receive any of these consequences are automatically declared ineligible for participation in and attending all co-curricular activities.
CUMULATIVE BEHAVIOR INCIDENTS
If a student's behavior is persistently poor, then additional measures will be taken. If a student accumulates multiple incidents within a short time frame, parental communication will be required. If subsequent improvement is not evidenced then out of school suspension will result. Parents will be notified in all cases of Friday detention, in-school suspension and out-of-school suspension.
SCHOOL DANCES/COMMUNITY ALLIANCE NIGHTS
Should the opportunity arise to have dances this year, the Student Council and Wharton Community Alliance typically sponsors dances throughout the school year. Dances are normally scheduled from 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Students should not arrive before 6:00 PM nor later than 7:00 PM (unless special arrangements have been made with the advisor or Principal), and should prearrange transportation home for 9:00PM. (Dances are currently not scheduled at this time).
The following guidelines have been established to ensure successful, problem-free dances and Alliance Nights:
All students must show signed permission slips to chaperones. Appropriate dress is required. Adhering to school dress code.
Only Wharton residents in grades 6-8 will be granted admission to the dance.
Enter and exit through the MacKinnon doors by the APR All other outside doors will be locked.
Keep all valuables on your person (i.e., money, jewelry, purse).
You will not be permitted to leave the building once you enter - if you do leave you will not be granted re-entry.
Lavatory facilities will be available for your use.
You will not be permitted to socialize in the hallways.
Treat the building and decorations with respect.
Possession or use of any tobacco product, alcohol or drug will result in dismissal from the building and suspension from school.
The police officer and chaperones are to be obeyed at all times.
Speak and act like respectable young adults.
Students who are absent or on suspension on the day or afternoon of the dances and Alliance Nights will not be permitted to attend.
All school rules are in effect at all times.
TELEPHONE AND CELL PHONE USE
OFFICE TELEPHONE
Students who have an emergency need to call home during the school day should get a pass from their teacher and report to the Office. The office telephone may be used only with expressed permission from office personnel.
CELL PHONE
Students are permitted to bring their cell phone to school; however, students are to keep their cell phones turned off and in their book bag until the conclusion of school at 3:05. Students are not allowed to record, video, text or take pictures in the school setting without permission from staff. Students caught with cell phones will have phone confiscated as well as parent notification of each offense. Students with cell phones on and out will receive progressive discipline dependent upon the use of the cell phone. Students with multiple offenses can receive multiple detentions. Use of cell phone without permission will result in the minimum of 1 Demerit. Best to have the phone off and in the locker.
TRANSFERRING FROM SCHOOL
Students who plan to transfer from school during the school year, must inform the Guidance Office at least five (5) days in advance of their withdrawal. This should be done in a letter from parents or guardian indicating the last day of attendance and the new school which the student will be attending. A transfer card will be issued after all books and other school property have been returned, and all other obligations, including lunch money owed, have been satisfied.
“ZERO TOLERANCE FOR GUNS ACT”
In 1995, the New Jersey Legislature enacted, NJSA 18A: 37-7, known as the “Zero Tolerance for Guns Act.” The law provides that any pupil convicted or adjudicated delinquent for possession of a firearm or a crime while armed with a firearm or found to knowingly possess a firearm on school property, on a school bus, or at a school sponsored function must be immediately removed from the school’s regular education program for a period of not less than one calendar year.
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