General Behavior Guidelines

* Under NJ state statute and Board of Education policy, it is forbidden to bring knives, weapons, controlled dangerous substances (such as tobacco, illegal drugs, and alcohol), and incendiary devices (such as firecrackers and smoke bombs) to school. School authorities are required to report to the police department any incident involving these items.

*Students are not permitted to have, matches, lighters, aerosol sprays of any kind, cologne, shoes containing wheels, or any other item deemed inappropriate or disruptive by administration in school, on school property, or on any school bus including field trips.

*Students are prohibited from fighting, gambling, using obscene language and gestures, possessing dangerous or inappropriate objects, and substances including tobacco, drugs, alcohol, weapons and explosives.

*Students are not permitted to chew gum at any time.

*Students are not permitted to bring guests to WRMS without prior written permission from the Principal or Assistant Principal.

*Students are not permitted to take unauthorized pictures of students, staff members, or school officials. Only school issued cameras may be used for yearbook purposes. This should only occur under the direction of a staff member.

*Students are expected to keep the school neat and clean. Pride in the school and the property belonging to it will produce a better school in which to work and learn. The physical condition of the campus reflects the character of the student body.

*Any school property lost or damaged by a pupil must be paid for by the student. Accidental damage is one thing; but malicious destruction of school property will be dealt with severely. Significant fines may result in a “freeze” of the student’s academic record.

*Textbooks are the property of the Board of Education for students’ use. These books must be returned at the close of the school year in good condition. In the event of unreasonable wear, a fine will be assessed. Any lost book must be paid for based on the current cost of replacement. It is the student’s responsibility to have all books covered at all times. Students’ names must be placed in the appropriate place on the stamp in the book.

*All parents or guardians and visitors are required to report to the main office upon entering the school to sign in (and out). Everyone must use the buzzer system to enter. Visitors must obtain a visitor pass. WRMS believes in a strong partnership with parents and community. However, to facilitate the smooth operation of the school and for the safety of student and staff, it is requested that parents and other visitors make appointments, in advance, to visit teachers, counselors, the school nurse and administration.

*School-sponsored activities and other events are provided for students so that they may better enrich the experience had at Westwood Regional Middle School. It is expected that all students will conduct themselves in accordance with school policies at all times while participating in or attending such events.

Behavioral expectations include, but are not limited to the following:

1. no one will be permitted to loiter outside the gym during parties/dances or outside the auditorium during stage presentations (intermissions not included).

2. no one will be permitted to loiter in parked cars or parking lots.

3. individuals causing disturbances will be removed.

4. individuals drinking alcoholic beverages, using illegal drugs, or under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs will be removed from the activity and may be subject to prosecution. This applies to activities held out of school as well (i.e., field trips).

5. students who are placed on suspension may not participate in or attend school sponsored activities during the period of time their suspension is in effect.

6. when no school-sponsored activities are scheduled, no one is permitted to be on school grounds except those individuals who have permission to be there.

Parents have the primary responsibility for determining appropriate dress and grooming for their children. Of paramount importance in the Dress Code is the health and safety of the students and the avoidance of distractions to the educational process. All students are expected to conform to acceptable standards of dress during the hours of regular school attendance and each individual should have the privilege and right to choose his or her own dress, except for the following:

1. extremely low cut and tightfitting clothes, bare midriffs, short shorts, exposed undergarments, and/or suggestive clothing;

2. strapless shirts or shirts worn off the shoulder;

3. skirts and dresses that end higher than mid-thigh (i.e. must be longer than the end of the fingertips when arms are straight at the sides);

4. cut-off tee shirts or see-through mesh shirts;

5. clothing that is overly soiled, torn, worn, or defaced;

6. anti-religious, anti-racial, or obscene dress;

7. clothing, apparel, and/or accessories that are inappropriate, offensive, obscene, or indicate affiliation with any gang, depict violence, profanity or are sexually explicit;

8. bathing suits;

9. nonprescription sunglasses, glazed, or tinted glasses, except as prescribed by the student’s doctor;

10. hats or bandannas;

11. other attire deemed inappropriate by the administration;

12. face paint, masks or hoods.