Student Discipline
We expect our students to demonstrate a high degree of self-discipline. The consequences for misbehavior will be administered when misbehavior occurs. While the reason or excuse for the misbehavior may appear to be legitimate to the student, it will have no bearing on the application of consequences. In regard to due process, the referred student will be read the referral and given an opportunity to comment. If the student denies the misbehavior, the principal will re-confirm the facts with the referring staff member and act according to the best evidence. It is the policy of the Arcadia Valley Middle School to report crimes committed at school to the appropriate law enforcement agencies and to cooperate with the law enforcement officials as requested.

Abuse of another student either physically or verbally:
1st referral: 1 to 3 days of Saturday School
2nd referral: 3 days OSS
3rd referral: 5-10 days OSS and/or referred to the Juvenile Officer
4th referral: Referral to the Superintendent.

Activity disruptions: (assemblies, ball games, etc.)
1st referral: Suspended from attendance at activities for the semester. 2nd referral: Suspended from attendance at activities for the remainder of the year.

Alcohol and drug possession, use, or distribution and/or sales:
1st referral: Suspended from school for a period not to exceed 10 days.
Referral to an appropriate counseling agency.
Student and parent/guardian will meet with superintendent to determine additional suspension or expulsion.
Referral to law enforcement officials.

Arson:
1st referral: 11-180 days out-of-school suspension or expulsion and notification of law enforcement officials.

Assault on another student:
A. Attempting to cause injury to another person; placing a person in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury.
First Offense: in-school suspension, 1-180 days out-of-school suspension, or expulsion, possible notification to law enforcement officials, and documentation in the student's discipline record.
Subsequent Offense: 11-180 days out-of -school suspension or expulsion, possible notification to law enforcement officials, and documentation in student's discipline record.

B. Attempting to kill or cause serious physical injury to another.
First Offense: Expulsion, notification to law enforcement officials, and documentation in student's discipline record.

Bringing non-essential items to school: (skateboards, water guns, radios, lasers, etc.)
1st referral: Confiscation of items until end of day.
2nd referral: Confiscation of items until parent picks them up from the principal's office.

Bus referral:
1st referral: Student and principal will have conference and student will be assigned a seat.
2nd referral: Loss of riding privileges for one day.
3rd referral: Loss of riding privileges for three days.
4th referral: Loss of riding privileges progressing from one week to two weeks, to end of semester.

Cheating on assignments and/or tests:
1st referral: Zero on work and ASD.
2nd referral: Zero on work, 2 ASD, and parent conference Disrespectful conduct or speech toward a staff member 1st referral: Principal/Student Conference, ASD, or 1-10 days OSS. 2nd referral: Saturday School or 5-10 days OSS. 3rd referral: Referral to the Superintendent. Disrespect toward another student 1st referral: Student conference with principal. 2nd referral: 1-3 days ASD.

Extortion: Intimidating for the purpose of, or with the intent of, obtaining money or anything of value.
1st referral: 1-5 days OSS 2nd referral: 5-10 days OSS
3rd referral: Referral to the Superintendent.

Fighting:
Mutual combat in which both parties contribute to the conflict either physically or verbally.
1st referral: 3 days OSS and notification of appropriate law enforcement officials
2nd referral: 5 days OSS/notification of appropriate law enforcement officials and alternative school placement.
3rd referral: 10 days OSS and/or referral to the Superintendent

Gang Affiliation: To display or infer gang affiliation by colors, speech, or symbolism.
1st referral: Student and Parent Conference with principal
2nd referral: 1-10 days OSS.

Harassment:
Comments made by students toward staff or other students of a violent or threatening nature will be taken very seriously. We are responsible for our words as well as our actions. In all cases involving threats, the student will be removed from school until the seriousness of the comments may be evaluated.
1st referral: Notification of proper legal authorities/1-3 days OSS/Parent Conference
2nd referral: 3-5 days OSS and/or placement in Alternative School
3rd referral: 5-10 days OSS/placement in Alternative School for a minimum of 45 days and/or referral to the Superintendent

Horseplay:
1st referral: Conference with the principal
2nd referral: 1-3 days ASD
3rd referral: 1-3 days Saturday School
4th referral: 1-3 days OSS

Inappropriate dress:
Read section on dress in handbook to define inappropriate. 1st referral: Conference with principal/student asked to modify clothing. If not possible, student will be sent home to change.

In off-limits area:
1st referral: Conference with the principal
2nd referral: 1-3 days ASD
3rd referral: 1-3 days Saturday School
4th referral: 1-3 days OSS

Leaving school grounds without properly checking out:
1st referral: Conference with the principal and/or 1-3 days ASD
2nd referral: 1-3 days Saturday School 3rd referral: 1-3 days OSS Profanity

To use obscene remarks or gestures:
1st referral: Conference with the principal and/or 1-3 days ASD
2nd referral: 1-3 days Saturday School
3rd referral: 1-3 days OSS Racial slurs

To speak in a manner to defame a person's race, religion, or ethnic origin:
1st referral: Conference with the principal and/or 1-3 days OSS
2nd referral: 3-5 days OSS and/or assignment to Level 1 of Alternative School

Skipping school:
To be absent from school without the knowledge of parent/guardian
1st referral: Saturday School
2nd referral: 2 days of Saturday School and/or Juvenile Officer contact

Stealing:
1st referral: Conference with the principal, restitution, 1-3 days of OSS
2nd referral: Notification of proper legal authorities, restitution, 1-90 days of OSS

Tardy to class or school:
3 tardies: 1 day ASD
4 tardies: 2 days ASD
5 tardies Saturday School and/or a parent conference.

Throwing objects:
1st referral: ASD/recess detention/or cleaning lunch room for one week
2nd referral: Saturday school and/or cleaning lunch room for one month

Tobacco use or possession:
1st referral: Saturday School and report on effects of the use of tobacco
2nd referral: 1-3 days of OSS and/or referral to outside agency

Vandalism:
1. Vandalism resulting in damage of less than $10 will result in restitution and 1 week of public service.
2. Damage greater than $10 but less than $100 will result in restitution and 2 weeks of service.
3. Damage greater than $100 will result in restitution and 1-90 days OSS, depending on severity.

Weapon display or use:
1. Students are forbidden to bring into school or onto school grounds or property any item that is ordinarily considered to be a weapon or that is a look-alike weapon.
2. Possession of such will result in confiscation of the item and immediate suspension from school and/or referral to the Superintendent.

It is impossible to establish a behavior policy that is all encompassing. Subsequently, the principal has the authority to change, add to, or delete items in order to operate the school efficiently. Misbehavior that occur that are not specifically covered within the discipline policy will be assigned appropriate consequences, giving adequate consideration to the possibility that the students involved might not have known that their behavior was unacceptable. If the Principal should determine that the discipline policy is not serving the best interest of an individual student, then he/she shall have the authority to act in the best interest of the student. Such will be unique and specific for each individual case, and precedents will not be established.