Student Conduct

All students at Hall Middle School are entitled to an education in a positive environment that is safe and conducive to learning. Our staff is committed to providing a supportive atmosphere where each student can attain his/her fullest potential. High standards of behavior are expected at Hall Middle School, not only on campus and in the classrooms, but also at all school functions. Students not complying with these standards will be disciplined depending on the severity of the infraction. Equally important is the recognition given to students for appropriate behavior and good citizenship. Some of these have been explained previously and represent the cornerstone of our efforts to secure a safe and orderly environment which promotes student self-esteem and academic achievement.

Through the Character Counts program we are committed to helping teachers, parents, students and the community learn ways to treat each other better.

The “Six Pillars of Character” include:

• RESPONSIBILITY
• TRUSTWORTHINESS
• CITIZENSHIP
• CARING
• FAIRNESS
• RESPECT

These “Six Pillars of Character” are helpful guides for all of us to use when making decisions. This year our Binder Reminder incorporates CHARACTER COUNTS! and is filled with quotes, tips and examples of ways in which we can all be better people. In addition, the following behaviors are a necessary part of attending Hall Middle:

• Be prompt and regular in attendance
• Follow assigned schedules
• Arrive at class with the appropriate materials and be prepared to participate fully
• Follow classroom procedures
• Use equipment and supplies properly

A student who is remiss in the performance of any of these behaviors will be reminded of the appropriate, expected behavior. Refusal will result in immediate disciplinary action which may include recess or lunch detention, community service, or suspension.

Academic Honesty Policy: the following actions are violations of the Academic Honesty Policy:

1. Claiming credit for work that is not your own. Examples: copying someone else’s homework, assignments, test answers, or downloading work from the Internet.
2. Allowing others to claim credit for your work. Examples: allowing others to view or copy your homework, assignments, test answers, etc.
3. Submitting work substantially done by someone else (parent, tutor, sibling, etc.)
4. Plagiarism: Copying or paraphrasing, in whole or in part, published works or the ideas of others without proper citation. Downloading of documents without citing the source is plagiarism. Examples: copying and pasting the words of someone else without proper citation, using the ideas of someone else without giving credit.
5. Using, or having in view, notes or other unauthorized material including technology during a test or other assessment.
6. Being involved in unauthorized communication during a test or other assessment.
7. Submission of work for one class that has already been accepted for credit in another class or school without prior authorization.
8. Accessing or providing unauthorized material prior to assessment, including revealing test information. Example: Sharing information about questions on a test with students who have not yet taken it or receiving information about a test from students who have taken it.
9. Forgery Example: signing documents intended to be signed by your parents.

Consequences: Students who violate the Academic Honesty Policy will be subject to the following consequences:

First Incident: Student receives a zero on the submitted work or test. Parent notification. Incident recorded in student’s disciplinary file. Grade level teachers may also request a conference with student, parent, teacher and principal

Additional Incidents: In addition to the above, may include: Detention School community service Exclusion from class Suspension Failing grade in the course Conference with student, parent, teacher and principal

Bicycle Rules: All bikes must be locked in the rack or the privilege of bringing a bike to school may be rescinded. Bikes may not be ridden on school grounds. Students riding bikes must walk their bikes between the street and the bike racks before and after school. In accordance with state law, a helmet must be worn at all times while riding a bike to and from school.

Cell Phones: Cell phones may not be used at school. They must be turned off and kept in a locker during the day. Fifth grade students must keep their phones in the backpack during the day. Phones may be used immediately after school. The first violation of the cell phone policy will result in a detention and the phone being kept in the office for a full-day day. Subsequent violations may result in suspension for defiance.

Closed Campus: Hall is a closed campus. Students may not leave the school grounds at any time during the day.

Detention: Students who earn detentions serve them during lunchtime, participating in campus beautification. Failure to serve detention will result in double detention.

Dress Code: Extremes in dress and grooming are not appropriate, especially if they distract from our primary purpose of learning. Students are expected to dress in a neat and appropriate manner. Bare midriffs, bare shoulders, sleepwear, short shorts, and tops with spaghetti straps are not allowed. Underwear, including boxer shorts must not be visible. Clothing and hats may not have any drug, alcohol or weapon references; and may not represent any gang affiliation or contain imagery of a sexual nature. Bandanas of any color may not be worn at any time. Shoes must be worn at all times. Hats may not be worn indoors.

Playground/Field Expectations: Students are expected to play safely with one another. Students may not push, pull, trip, kick or tackle one another. Students must keep their hands to themselves at all times. On the play structure, students must not spin other students or stand on the spinning disk.

Prohibited Items: Items that are a distraction to the educational program are to be left at home. These include, but are not limited to, radios, tape cassette and CD players, Walkmans, iPods, cameras, laser pointers, recording devices, glass bottles, sling shots, water guns, balloons, walkie-talkies, and fireworks of any type. These items will be confiscated and held in the office and will be returned to the parents only. Students may not listen to iPods on campus at any time. Gum is not allowed at school at any time including during after school or extra curricular activities.

Scooter Rules: The same rules apply for scooters as for bicycles with one exception: scooters must be folded and walked from the street and kept in a student’s locker. Motorized scooters are not allowed.

Skateboard and Rollerblade Rules: Students will be permitted to use skateboards or rollerblades to ride to or from school only if they receive written permission from their parents and adhere to specific rules. Rollerblading or riding a skateboard to school is a restricted privilege. If students do not adhere to the rules related to skateboarding and rollerblading, the privilege will be revoked. Permission forms are available in the main office.

Suspension: Under Education Code, section 48900, the following are grounds for suspension: causing, attempting to cause, or threatening to cause physical injury to another person; possessing a dangerous object; possessing or being under the influence of alcohol or any other drug; vandalism, theft, possession or use of tobacco; sexual harassment; obscenity or habitual profanity; defiance of school authority; disruption of school activities.