DESCRIPTIONS OF OFFICE MANAGED BEHAVIORS

AIDING IN OFFENSE: Assistance or participation in a behavioral infraction.

BOMB THREATS: The making of a verbal, written, or electronic threat against the school, district, or its students or staff.
FILE: JICIA

Per Board Policy: Weapons, Violence, and School Safety, students must refrain from threats to commit violence against persons or property. Students who choose to violate this policy shall be subject to severe disciplinary consequences, including suspension, notification to Law Enforcement, and/or recommendation for expulsion, based upon the facts of the investigation.

BULLYING/HARASSMENT: The bullying/harassment of students, as described by the definitions below: FILE: ACAA, JICK, JFA, and Maine Statute 6554

Bullying/Cyberbullying includes, but is not limited to, a written, oral, or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof directed at a student or students that:

1. (1)  Has, or a reasonable person would expect it to have, the effect of:

   1. (a)  Physically harming a student or damaging a student’s property; or

   2. (b)  Placing a student in reasonable fear of physical harm or damage to the student’s property;

2. (2)  Interferes with the rights of a student by:

   1. (a)  Creating an intimidating or hostile educational environment for the student; or

   2. (b)  Interfering with the student’s academic performance or ability to participate in or benefit from the

      services, activities, or privileges provided by a school; or

3. (3)  Is based on:

(a)

(b)

A student’s actual or perceived characteristics (including race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, physical or mental disability), or any other personal distinguishing characteristics (socioeconomic status, age, physical appearance, weight, or family status) and that has the effect described above in (1) or (2); or

A student’s association with a person with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics or any other distinguishing characteristics and that has the effect described above in (1) or (2).

Cyberbullying: Bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, including, but not limited to, a transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted by the use of any electronic device, including, but not limited to, a computer, telephone, cellular telephone, text messaging device, and personal digital assistant.

Harassment: Intimidation, ridicule, and hostility based upon an individual’s race, gender, color, ancestry or national origin, marital status, age, handicap, sexual orientation, religion, or other personal characteristics.

At Mt. Ararat Middle School, we do not tolerate bullying/harassment—or retaliation for reports of bullying/harassment—in any form. Students and/or parents are asked to notify a teacher, school counselor, or administrator of reported or suspected bullying/harassment. From this initial contact, the following protocol will be put into action:

1. School Counselors will meet with the alleged target to gather facts regarding the incident(s). If bullying/harassment is suspected, School Counselors will forward the information to Administration for further review.

2. Administrators will inform parents/legal guardians of involved students that an initial investigation into a peer conflict will occur, as well as the measures being taken to ensure the immediate and long-terms safety of the student(s) involved.

3. Based on the initial investigation, and within 20 school days, Administrators will conduct a full investigation, which will include interviews with the alleged target, alleged offender, and any potential witnesses.

4. Based on the findings of the investigation, the Administration will determine whether or not the bullying/harassment is substantiated.

5. Administration will meet with the involved students to discuss the findings of the investigation and, if applicable, to determine supports for the target and consequences for the offender.

6. Administration will inform parents/legal guardians of the students involved regarding the findings of the investigation and actions to be taken which are applicable to their child

7. Administration will keep written documentation of all allegations of bullying behavior and outcomes of the investigations, and report alleged and substantiated incidents to the Superintendent.

8. Administration will communicate with local or state law enforcement agencies if it’s believed that the pursuit of criminal charges or a civil action under the Maine Civil Rights Act may be appropriate.

Interventions and consequences for cases of substantiated bullying/harassment are unique to the particular situation but may include mediation, referral to school counselor, changes to educational program, participation in a restorative initiative, alternate learning environment, suspension, or recommendation for expulsion.

BUS MISCONDUCT: Failure to follow transportation protocols. FILE: EEAB

In order to help assure safe transportation, all students are responsible for behaving appropriately. It is essential that students do not become a distraction to the driver or interfere in any way with the safety of others riding on the bus. Riding the bus is a privilege, which can be revoked.

Please comply with the following behavioral expectations for the bus:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

Follow the directions of the driver at all times.
Sit properly in the seat, face forward, and keep hands/feet out of the aisle. Maintain an appropriate noise level.
Use good language.
Respect bus property.
Do not eat food, drink, or chew gum on busses.
Keep laptops in their cases at all times while riding on the bus.
Respect the driver and other riders.
Do not yell out of bus windows. Donotstickarms,hands,orheadoutofbuswindows. Cameras/recordingdevicesmaynotbeusedonthebus.

For more information on transportation protocols and expectations, please see Board Policy: Student Conduct While Riding on School-Provided Transportation, linked above.

COMPUTER MISUSE—CRIMINAL: Use of the school-issued laptop for criminal or illegal activity. FILE: IGDB, IJNDB, IJNDB-R

DRESS CODE: Failure to follow the school dress expectations. Students are expected to dress neatly and appropriately every day.

Hats/Hoods: Hats and hoods may be worn until a student reaches his/her locker, during motor break, and after dismissal. During the school day, hats must be stowed in student lockers.
Coats/Jackets: Coats and jackets may be worn until a student reaches his/her locker, during motor break, and after dismissal. During the school day, coats and jackets must be stowed in student lockers. Shirts/Shorts/Pants/Dresses: Shirts, shorts, pants, and dresses should be neat and school-appropriate. Clothing should fit properly and not be too long, short, or baggy. Underwear must be covered at all times. Clothing, which advertises illegal substances or obscene material, is not allowed in school.

Footwear: Footwear must be worn at all times and must be safe for walking on stairs.

Jewelry: Any sharp or pointed jewelry may not be worn in school.

Students may speak with their advisors for clarifications on the dress code expectations.

DRUG, TOBACCO, ALCOHOL: POSSESSION/USE: The possession or use of banned/illegal substances, including, but not limited to alcohol, tobacco, controlled substances, illegal drugs, intoxicants, imitation controlled substances, or paraphernalia.
FILE: JICH, JFCI

Per Board Policy:
Initial Disciplinary Procedure: Students found in possession of alcohol, controlled substances, illegal drugs, intoxicants, imitation controlled substances, or paraphernalia or showing the effects of alcohol or other drugs on school grounds or at school-sponsored functions shall be suspended by the principal or the principal’s designee for a minimum of one (1) school day to a maximum of ten (10) school days.

Further Disciplinary Action: (A) Further suspension: Failure to comply with the course of action deemed appropriate for the student. (B) Expulsion: Expulsion may be recommended (1) when the safety and well-being of the school/community are threatened; (2) for any second offense of the Substance Abuse Policy; (3) for selling or furnishing alcohol or other drugs in school or at a school function.

Referral to Appropriate Law Enforcement Agency: Violations of state and federal laws with respect to use, possession, furnishing or selling alcohol or other drugs in any case will be referred to law enforcement officials. Law enforcement decisions are beyond the scope of the school substance abuse policy.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW ADMINISTRATOR REQUEST (DEFIANCE): Refusal to follow a specific administrative request (e.g. to leave a classroom, to go to the office, to remain in a specific location, etc.).

FIGHTING: Mutual combat between two (or more) individuals OR a physical attack perpetuated by one (or more) individual(s) against another.
FILE: JICIA

Per Board Policy: Weapons, Violence, and School Safety, students must refrain from violent or threatening behavior including fighting and assault and/or battery. Students who choose to violate this policy shall be subject to severe disciplinary consequences, including suspension, notification to Law Enforcement, and/or recommendation for expulsion, based upon the facts of the investigation.

HAZING: Any action or situation, which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of a student enrolled in a public school or school personnel.
FILE: JFCF

Per Board Policy: Hazing activities of any type, either on or off school property, by any student, staff member, group or organization affiliated with M.S.A.D. No. 75, are inconsistent with the educational process and shall be prohibited at all times. Administrators, faculty members, students, and all other employees who fail to abide by this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, which may include suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate measures.

INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE/GESTURES: PEER: Use of vulgar, obscene, biased, or threatening language/gestures directed towards a classmate.

INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE/GESTURES: STAFF: Use of vulgar, obscene, biased, or threatening language/gestures directed towards a member of the school faculty or staff.

LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS: Leaving the school building or grounds without permission. MISSED OFFICE DETENTION: Missing of an assigned/scheduled office detention.

REMOVAL FROM OFFICE DETENTION: Failure to abide by the office’s rules for detention, warranting a removal from detention to the main office.

Rules for Office Detention:

1. 1)  Students will be given at least 24 hours notice prior to an assigned detention.

2. 2)  Students must arrive on time and with materials to designated detention location.

3. 3)  Students may opt to work quietly, read, draw, or sit.

4. 4)  Students may not use electronic devices, including laptops, cell phones, or gaming devices, during

   detention.

5. 5)  Students may not leave detention until dismissal.

6. 6)  Students may ride the school late-bus (with permission) or be picked up by a parent, following detention.

7. 7)  If an emergency situation necessitates rescheduling, students must let an administrator know prior to the

   scheduled detention.

VANDALISM: Willful destruction of student, staff, or building property.

WEAPONS: The use or possession of items commonly used as weapons or designed to inflict bodily harm and/or to threaten, intimidate, coerce, or harass another person OR use of any object, although not necessarily designed to be a weapon, to inflict bodily harm and/or threaten, intimidate, coerce, or harass another person.
FILE: JICIA

Per Board Policy: Weapons, Violence, and School Safety: Students must refrain from the use or possession of items commonly used as weapons and from the use of any object being utilized as a weapon. Students who choose to violate this policy shall be subject to severe disciplinary consequences, including suspension, notification to Law Enforcement, and/or recommendation for expulsion, based upon the facts of the investigation.