SMS - School Law & Discipline

SCHOOL LAW & DISCIPLINE

Students and teachers have a right to a safe campus where mutual respect exists and learning is the primary objective. The administration at Salida Middle School is committed to sustaining this climate through a system of positive recognition programs, student assistance interventions, and a variety of disciplinary consequences.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION: Disciplinary action shall be taken for violations of the Salida Union School District's Conduct Code. Students are responsible for bringing forms home for parent notification and signature. Three levels of action shall be addressed by the administration. They are:

LEVEL 1: Includes, but not limited to, gum, cheating, defiance, violation of dress code, disruptive or inappropriate behavior, possession of electronic devices without teacher approval, gang apparel, hazing, water balloons or water fights, hall and campus citations. Recommended Disciplinary Action, but not limited to: verbal and written reprimands, and / or assignments to detention. If student receives a subsequent Level 1 referral for the same infraction, Level 2 consequences will result.

LEVEL 2: Includes, but not limited to SECOND Level 1 violation, *VERIFIED use of tobacco, harassment or intimidation (includes racial or ethnic hazing), *sexual harassment, insubordination, forging school correspondence, *fighting, *physical or verbal assault on another student, damage or destruction of school property, defiance of proper authority, truancy, *profanity to staff, disruptive or dangerous objects (knife, matches, laser pointers, "stink bombs", paint balls, etc.).
Recommended Disciplinary Action, but not limited to: T.A.S.K., Saturday School, or suspension for up to five days. (Ed. Code 48900, Sub-Sections C & K, Penal Code, Section 148.1, 4.) *Offenses warranting immediate suspension from school.

LEVEL 3: Includes but not limited to SECOND Level 2 violation, VERIFIED theft, violation of city or state law; use, sale or possession of alcohol or drug substances, verbal or physical assault on a staff member. Recommended Disciplinary Action, but not limited to: 3-10 day suspension and/or expulsion conference with superintendent. Ed. Code 48900, Sub-Section A, B, C, D & Ed. Code 48915.)

OFFENSES: Defiance, disruption, gum chewing, dress code, cheating, forging school correspondence, gambling, gang symbols / identification or writing, hazing, profanity, obscene language, or various campus ticket infractions.

CONSEQUENCES FOR THE OFFENSES LISTED ABOVE:
1st Offense: Warning to student and / or alternative consequences (ie: detention, etc.)
2nd Offense: T.A.S.K., Saturday School or suspension.
3rd (+) Offense: Two - Five (2-5) days of suspension. Recommendation for alternative educational placement.

CHEATING ON ASSIGNMENTS OR TESTS:
1st Offense: Detention and/or referral to office. "F" on assignment / test. Parents notified.
2nd Offense: Two (2) day suspension. "F" on assignment / test.
3rd (+) Offense: Three (3) to five (5) day suspension. "F" on assignment / test.

OFFENSES WARRANTING IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION FROM SCHOOL:
A number of offenses warrant IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION from school for two (2) to five (5) days on the first offense.
They include: vandalism
damage or theft of school or personal property
possession of tobacco
fighting, intimidating, or threatening others (includes mutual combat, assault and battery)
possession, use or under the influence of a controlled substance
possession of dangerous objects, i.e., matches, firecrackers, pills, knives, guns or look-alikes, etc.
sexual harassment (includes, but not limited to):
* uninvited physical and verbal advances of a sexual nature * continual or repeated abuse of a sexual nature (verbal; graphic displays, etc.)
* uninvited sexual teasing, jokes, remarks, questions, threats or insinuations
1st Offense: Two to Three (2-3) day suspension.
2nd Offense and any subsequent offense: Five (5) day suspension with possible recommendation for
alternative educational placement.

A number of violations warrant suspension on the initial infraction. In each of the following cases, students will be given a five (5) day home suspension, and the appropriate law enforcement agency will be notified: (Education Code 48900)