Orville A. Todd Middle School:
Code of Conduct

Introduction

The Spackenkill Union Free School District is committed to core values which permeate the institution, drive the decisions, elicit strong reactions when they are violated, and are the very last thing to be given up. The Orville A. Todd Middle School community maintains a core value, "Respect for One Another." The school community must continually strive to translate our core value into specific, positive practices and behaviors.

Every student has the right to learn and the right to be in a safe and secure environment, and pursuant to section 100.2 of the Regulation of the Commissioner of Education the students should be aware of their rights and responsibilities.

Students have a right to participate in school activities unless properly suspended from participation pursuant to the school’s Code of Conduct.

Pursuant to Education Law 3214, students have due process rights that must be observed before a suspension from school.

Students have the right to present their versions of the facts and circumstances leading to the imposition of disciplinary sanctions by appropriate staff members.

In certain cases, it should be noted that mandatory suspension will be applied to students committing egregious offenses.

Offenses for which mandatory suspensions will be applied, including but not limited to, are:

• Selling, using or possessing alcohol, drugs, other controlled substances or drug paraphernalia on school property.
• Selling, using or possessing dangerous materials or instruments including weapons, fireworks, lighters and matches (unless such materials are part of the instructional program) on school property.
• Creating a hazardous situation which endangers others. This includes, but is not limited to, setting false alarms and reporting bomb scares on school property.
• Fighting, violent behavior or activities which endanger the health and safety of students on school property.
• Insubordination that threatens the health and safety of students or others or disrupts the educational process.
• Smoking on school property.
• Repeatedly and substantially disruptive conduct.

It is essential that all stakeholders responsible for maintenance of the Orville A. Todd Middle School Code of Conduct be fully aware of the rules and guidelines in this booklet, in addition to the District Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is reviewed on the first day of school with the students by the principal. Please review the Code of Conduct as a family and return the acknowledgment form on the second day of school.

When all stakeholders adhere to the Orville A. Todd Middle School Code of Conduct, the benefits gained are an orderly school and an enjoyable environment for everyone.

General Conduct

The Todd Middle School provides quality instruction, guidance, and experiences to enhance the academic and social development of students. Adhering to the rules of general conduct will assist students to develop positive behavioral habits for life.

Respect

Respect for fellow students and all school employees is a core value that should permeate the entire school. Students will be expected to demonstrate respect for people and property. Students will show respect by:

• being honest, courteous, and polite.
• accepting the rights of others to their own opinion.
• settling differences peacefully.
• displaying good sportsmanship.
• participation in the maintenance and cleanliness of the school.
• honoring the property of others.

Respect for School Personnel

Dress

Todd Middle School students are expected to exercise sound judgment and good taste in determining what to wear to school.

Language

Todd Middle School students are expected to communicate in a respectful manner.

Cheating - Plagiarism - Forgery

Students are expected to honestly complete tests, quizzes, homework, classwork or projects.

Fighting - Excessively Rough Play

Fighting, violent behavior or activities which endanger the health and safety of students or others are prohibited.

Electronic Devices

Students are expected to come to school without electronic devices including, but not limited to, walkmen, beepers, radios, cellular phones, televisions and electronic games.

Hallways

Controlled voices and walking in hallways are essential for safety and efficient passage to and from classes; as well as before or after school.

Theft - Gambling - Extortion - Intimidation

The harassment or coercion of any person at Todd Middle School is prohibited.

Illegal Substances and Dangerous Items

School Property

Students are to respect school property and develop feelings of pride in our community institutions.

Spectator Conduct

Spectators are an important part of athletic competition, extra-curricular activities and other school functions. Spectators should conform to accepted standards of good sportsmanship and conduct at all times. Respect and consideration should be shown toward officials, coaches, players, advisers, performers, chaperones and fellow spectators.

Field Trips

The Todd Middle School Code of Conduct determines the behavior of students while on field trips.

Skateboards - Rollerblades

Attendance - Tardiness

Regular attendance and promptness are essential for success in school.

After an absence, a student should present a note, signed and dated by a parent, explaining the absence. Students who are absent from school are not to be on school grounds, and may not attend after school activities on the day of the absence.

Code of Conduct for Specific Areas and Times
at the Orville A. Todd Middle School

During the school day at specific times and in specific places, it is necessary to have clearly defined rules and regulations because large groups of students are living and working together. Appropriate conduct based upon respect and consideration will result in a pleasant environment in these areas. Infraction of the rules will result in verbal reprimand, parental notifications, detention, or possible suspension depending on the incident.

Lockers

Hall lockers are assigned to students at the beginning of the year. Lockers are used to store and safeguard books and personal property. The following regulations should guide students use of hall lockers:

• students are expected to keep lockers clean and organized at all times
• students should keep their lockers locked at all times
• students should not disclose their locker combination to other students
• the only times that students are permitted to go to their lockers without permission from a teacher are directly before and after lunch periods, or at the beginning and end of the school day
• students should not write on lockers or place stickers on or inside lockers
• students should never force, kick, slam or damage lockers in any way. If there is a problem with a locker, the student should notify the office
• under no circumstances should students tamper with or open a locker other than their own
• students should not leave money or other valuables such as jewelry in their lockers

Office Behavior

The offices of the school are places where visitors receive their first impression of the Orville A. Todd Middle School. These are places where our core value, "Respect for One Another", is to be shown to all office staff and visitors who are conducting business there. Students are expected to exhibit good manners and courtesy at all times when visiting any office whether running an errand, or waiting to meet with staff. Good office manners include the following behavior:

• patience in waiting your turn
• sitting quietly
• not socializing with other students

Bus Conduct

Students are expected to follow the Orville A. Todd Middle School Code of Conduct on the buses. Students are to ride only their regular buses unless granted office permission to do otherwise. The driver has a tremendous responsibility for the safety of student passengers. Students should follow bus safety rules, and not distract the driver. Misbehavior on buses or at bus stops may result in suspension of bus privileges.

Health Office

No food or drinks are allowed in the Health Office unless necessary for medical purposes. No students are to go to the Health Office without a pass except in the case of severe injury or illness. Students are not to go to the Health Office between classes. Students are not to go to the Health Office toward the end of a period unless absolutely necessary. They should wait and get a pass from their next period teacher so that teachers know where they are.

Dining Hall

Rules for dining hall conduct promote a safe, orderly and pleasant environment for students to enjoy their noontime meals.

All belongings brought to the cafeteria must be stored at the entrance doorway.

Students purchasing lunch should form a single file line as directed by dining hall aides. Cutting in line is not permitted. Entry into the serving area will be guided by an aide. Students are required to wait quietly in line.

Students bringing lunch from home may purchase milk in a designated area.

Stealing from the dining hall service will be considered grounds for suspension from school.

Food may not be taken from the dining hall.

Dining hall aides and servers are to be respected and obeyed by students at all times.

Students are to sit and eat at tables of their choice. This privilege carries the student responsibility of remaining seated, and behaving in an appropriate manner. Chairs cannot be moved from a table to another table.

Talking should be conducted at a normal conversational level. Loud talking, yelling or shouting is not permitted.

Throwing of food, containers or objects of any kind will be considered a serious disciplinary matter, offenders may be suspended from school during lunch periods.

Students are responsible for cleaning their own dining areas. Students who violate dining hall rules continually may have lunch privileges suspended.

Emergency Exit Procedures

School emergencies are handled best when students understand the serious meaning of a fire drill. Surviving an actual disaster is often the difference between a well-rehearsed student and an unpracticed one. Panic is avoided when students cooperate in following the proper fire drill procedures.

A few rules will help:

• when the alarm sounds, stop working immediately and move toward the assigned exit in an orderly fashion
• in each room there is a notice indicating which exit to use in leaving the building. Your teachers will acquaint you with these directions the first few days of school
• if an exit customarily used has been blocked, proceed to the nearest usable exit, listen for instructions from your teacher, and walk quietly in a single, orderly line to the designated location

Absolute Silence is Necessary

When outside, proceed until the group is away from the building. A teacher will take attendance. Permission to go back into the building will be given by the teacher in charge.

Follow the directions of your teacher AT ALL TIMES.

Responsibilities of Stakeholders

It is the ultimate goal of Todd Middle School to provide an environment that is conducive to learning. This will be achieved by a staff that provides guidance, a friendly atmosphere, and is committed to a philosophy regarding the rights, procedures and responsibilities of the students. All staff have an obligation to set fair and reasonable standards of behavior for students, and to take the necessary steps to maintain these standards.

The Todd Middle School Code of Conduct consists of reasonable rules based upon respect to produce a positive learning environment. These rules will be systematically emphasized and consistently enforced. All stakeholders are responsible for good discipline.

Responsibilities of Students

To achieve academic and social success, the students of the Orville A. Todd Middle School should familiarize themselves with the following responsibilities:

• be respectful of others at all times
• accept full responsibility for your behavior and actions
• use good judgment when stating opinions or giving ideas
• obey the rules and regulations without expecting special consideration
• be honest in dealing with others
• be prepared for class, seek help when needed and be responsible for making up all missed work and tests during an absence
• avoid missing school for unimportant and avoidable reasons
• respect school property and exert influence on others to do the same
• use the power to vote wisely
• make the best use of time and contribute willingly to group activities

Responsibilities of Parents

• become familiar with and support the implementation of the Orville A. Todd Middle School Code of Conduct enthusiastically
• be objective and supportive of the school’s decision when rules and consequences affect your child
• accept responsibility for your child’s behavior and learning
• encourage respect for school property
• encourage and model respect for all school personnel
• schedule all medical appointments and other appointments after school hours when possible
• encourage attendance at school
• make all arrangements for after school activities before the child leaves for school

Responsibilities of Administrators

• communicate the Orville A. Todd Middle School Code of Conduct to students, staff, parents and the community
• support all stakeholders in the proper implementation of the Code of Conduct
• enforce the consequences as determined by the Code of Conduct
• be role models for all stakeholders and promote dignity and respect at all times
• set aside designated days for supervised administrative detention

Responsibilities of Staff

• uphold our core value "Respect for one another"
• treat each other and students with dignity
• act as a role model for students by practicing courtesy, promptness, and professionalism in dealing with students, colleagues and parents
• accept responsibility for upholding the Code of Conduct
• monitor behavior in classroom, hallways, or group meeting areas
• apply the appropriate consequence for infractions
• support each other in upholding the Code of Conduct

Definitions

Suspension: students who are suspended from school are in the custody of their parents and are prohibited from school grounds, all sports, and after school activities on the day(s) of the suspension. Students who are suspended from school are responsible for all the academic work missed. The work should be completed during the day(s) of suspension, submitted to the appropriate teachers upon return. When returning to school from a suspension, a meeting will take place that includes the student, parent and administrator. At this time, the infraction and strategy for remediation will be discussed. Additional meetings/sessions will be held between guidance counselor or the principal and student upon his/her return to school.

Cumulative Behavior Incidents: Students exhibiting consistently poor behavior which has resulted in multiple, documented infractions of the Orville A. Todd Middle School Code of Conduct, may be prohibited from participation in sports, extra-curricular activities and school trips.

Detention: Students will be required to serve detention during lunch or after school for the following reasons:

1. Breaking rules where detention is listed as a consequence in the "Code of Conduct" handbook.
2. Continually not upholding academic responsibilities i.e. homework, assignments, etc.
3. Any other infraction of the rules that does not support our core value and interferes with the safety and learning of other students.

Parents and students will be given notice prior to detention in order to make arrangements.

Detention is from 2:30 - 3:00 p.m. Lunch time detention begins at the start of the student’s lunch.

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Notification to Parents and Eligible Students
of Rights Regarding Student Records [FERPA]