Code of Conduct

Our goal is to educate our students in a climate that is safe and allows all students to achieve and develop to their greatest potential. Every student has a right to an education without disruption or interference from other students. All students must accept responsibility for their actions. Fuquay-Varina Middle is a Positive Behavior Intervention & Support (PBIS) School, which features a systematic process for dealing with challenging behavior that may detract from learning. This is achieved through development of school-wide positive behavior support plans; professional development on best practices; and, providing assistance in developing individualized plans for specific students. The district PBIS mission is “to empower teachers and other adults with the skills needed to improve overall classroom and school climate to achieve higher academic performance for all students.” At FVMS, our expectation of students in relation to PBIS centers on Bengal PRIDE. Staff members reward students for demonstrating positive behavior.

Student Code of Conduct and disciplinary action applies to Remote/Distance Learning as well as on-campus learning. See the PRIDE Matrix for more details.

Honor Code

Students are expected to do their best work and not copy the work of others. Students may only sign their name on work if it is truly theirs. Cheating, forgery, and plagiarism are unacceptable and violations of the student code of conduct.

Disciplinary Action

A student who misbehaves or violates classroom, school and/or school system policies (in both on and off campus school activities, such as athletic events and remote/distance learning) will be disciplined. Teachers and/or teams provide disciplinary interventions for violations of classroom, school or school system policies. These interventions may include, but are not limited to, student conference, parental contact, parent conference, work detail, behavior contract, loss of privileges (such as games and dances), in-team alternative, class period “chill-out, and detentions. Repeated offenses will be referred to administration for more severe disciplinary action that may include in-school (ISS) out-of-school (OSS) suspensions and Alternative Learning Center (ALC).

Certain behaviors may result in an immediate referral to administration.

The WCPSS Parent & Student Handbook explains the policies, rules, and regulations that govern all students in the Wake County Public School System. This handbook is given to students at the beginning of school. Students and parents should take the time to become familiar with the contents of the WCPSS student parent handbook, and in particular, the following board policies:

Code of Student Conduct Search and Seizure

Inappropriate Student Behavior Discipline

Harassment Misconduct on a School Bus

Sexual Harassment Student Internet Access

Disruption of School Integrity

Gang & Gang Related Activity Trespassing

Fighting/Physical Aggression or Assault Weapons and Dangerous Instruments

Narcotics, Alcoholic Beverages, Controlled Substances, Wireless Communications and Laser Pointers

Chemicals, and Drug Paraphernalia

Violation of the above policies may result in:

A. teacher intervention with parental contact and/or conference

B. referral to administrator and one of the following: expulsion, out-of-school suspension (short or long-term), in-school suspension, after school detention (ASD), lunch detention, restitution, work duty and parent conference

In addition to violations of WCPSS policy that result in suspension, a student may be suspended (ISS – In School Suspension, ALC – Alternative Learning Center, or OSS – Out of School Suspension) for any of the following violations:

A. failure to report to lunch detention, ASD, buddy teacher, or other assigned consequence

B. failure to comply with a directive from an administrator, teacher, staff, etc. (for example, not giving up your head covering, cell phone, etc.)

C. behavior requiring removal from a class by an administrator

D. cheating/forgery/falsification

E. disruptions that may lead to a physical altercation

F. harassment/bullying/minor and major threats

G. skipping class (by FVMS standards, this means missing more than 10 minutes of class)

H. theft

BUS TRANSPORTATION AND BEHAVIOR

School transportation service is a privilege, not a right. The same standard of conduct that applies to school and classrooms applies to buses and bus stops. Students are expected to follow all school and school system policies when using our school transportation services. Only in extreme emergencies may a student get on/depart at another stop on their route; they must submit this request in writing in advance to school administration (requests provided to administration the afternoon of the requested change may not be honored). The school requires this request be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of any change.

Inappropriate behavior on a bus can distract the driver and jeopardize safety. Students need to take extra concern to make sure bus travel is safe. We expect the following from bus riders:

A. Follow all directions of your driver.

B. Get on and off your bus at your designated stop. WCPSS policy states that students may not ride home with friends.

C. Sit in your assigned seat and remain seated while the bus is moving.

D. Keep all body parts inside the windows.

E. Stand a safe distance from the road while waiting for your bus.

F. Be on time for your bus.

G. Do not transport animals, large projects, or instruments that cannot fit on a student’s lap on the bus. No seating space shall be taken or aisle blocked with any personal items.

H. Be silent at railroad crossings.

I. Do not distract the driver with unnecessary conversation.

J. Wait for the driver’s signal to load/unload and walk in front of the bus.

Students will lose bus privileges for inappropriate behavior on a bus or at a bus stop and may also be disciplined per the school and school system policies. Generally, bus disciplinary action is handled in the following manner. However, the consequence may not follow this order based on specific circumstances, such as a physical altercation or an administrator previously getting onto the bus or riding the bus as a warning.

First offense Warning to 1 to 2 days off the bus

Second offense 3 to 5 days off the bus

Third offense 5 to 7 days off the bus

Fourth offense 7 to 10 days off the bus

Fifth offense Off the bus for the remainder of the school year

No matter what the problem, a bus is expected to be complete its route. A bus will run even if a delay is more than one hour. Tardiness because of a late bus is always excused and makeup work is allowed. For questions or concerns about transportation, contact Transportation Services at 919-805-3030. Wake County Public Schools’ website/transportation tab offers additional information, including stop requests and updates of late buses, issues, etc.