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LCMS SCHOOL PHILOSPHY
It is the philosophy of LCMS to provide opportunities for students to grow and develop to their own unique capabilities and abilities. We recognize that all students are in the process of becoming better functioning, mature human beings. The school program attempts to provide for personal growth in a variety of ways and to help the individual develop responsiveness to the feelings, needs, and rights of peers and adults. In addition, we attempt to develop in the individual a feeling of responsibility for his/her actions within a group as well as the actions of the group.
It is our objective for students to leave LCMS with the attitude, habits, and work skills that will be useful in high school and beyond upon which they can build.
LCMS SCHOOL DISCIPLINE AND BEHAVIOR
School discipline is a simple matter of courtesy, manners, and attitudes on the part of the students. All staff members have equal authority. Insubordination will not be permitted. Students are expected to do what is asked of them while under jurisdiction of any staff member. If they believe they have been unjustly disciplined, the problem may be discussed privately, respectfully with the teacher or principal. Students are expected to be in school to learn, follow the rules, and conduct themselves accordingly.
Livingston County Schools Code of Acceptable Behavior and Discipline
In addition to our school specific procedures and policies, our school family is also expected to adhere to the district’s code of acceptable behavior. This entire document may be found on-line at www.livingston.kyschools.us . Hover on the “District Information” tab across the top, and then click on the “District Code of Conduct” link. Hard copies may be requested from the school or district office. This code is part of the Board’s policy on student behavior and discipline. CAUTION: After this code is distributed for the school year, changes to Board policy, including those affecting provisions of this Code, may be necessary due to new or revised statutes, regulations, and case law. A complete copy of the policy manual is available for inspection at the Central Office and online at http://policy.ksba.org/L09/. LCMS may impose more strict policies than the Board.
Livingston County Schools Board Policies and Information
In addition to our school specific procedures and policies, our school family is also expected to follow the district’s policies and guidelines. The Board policy manual may be found on-line at www.livingston.kyschools.us . Look on the left of the page under the “Quick Links” column, hover on “Board of Education,” click on “Board Policy Manual.”
Livingston County Middle School’s SBDM Policies and Information
This entire document may be found on-line at www.livingston.kyschools.us. Click on the LCMS link at the top of the page. Look on the left of the LCMS page under the “Quick Links” column; hover on “SBDM Information,” click on “SBDM Council Policies.”
RULES FOR ALL STUDENTS
1. Do as requested the first time asked by a staff member.
2. Keep hands, feet, objects, and inappropriate comments to self.
3. Students are to create only safe situations that will protect self and others. They shall contribute to orderly school functioning.
4. Students are to be properly respectful in all aspects of their behavior (including to people, property, clothing, etc.).
5. Students are to be in their assigned seat and prepared for class before the tardy bell rings.
6. Students will be dressed appropriately and respectfully.
7. Students in the building at any time will be under the DIRECT (staff eyes on) supervision of a school EMPLOYEE at ALL times. Students found unsupervised at ANY TIME will be disciplined.
LCMS Dress Code*
· No visible body piercing except for ears. Students will be required to take out nose, lip, brow, etc. rings. Please do not pierce anything during the school year other than ears.
· No suggestive or revealing clothing (spaghetti straps, short crop tops, tank tops, cut-outs, halter tops, sheer/mesh fabrics, muscle shirts, inappropriate jeans/pants, etc.).
· Sleeveless tops/dresses may be worn, provided the strap of the garment is at least as wide as the width of a credit card.
· All necklines are to be no lower than credit card length from base of neck (all the way around the neck).
· The hem of skirts and shorts should be no greater than the length of a credit card above the knee (360 degrees around). ***This is regardless of whether tights or leggings are worn underneath.***
· No yoga pants, leggings, jeggings, tights, etc. may be worn unless a long shirt is worn over them that is at least credit card length above the knee all the way around
· Clothes should fit properly (not overly tight nor overly baggy).
· No visible skin above the knee (no holes in pants).
· No visible undergarments at any time.
· No inappropriate clothing (includes sexual references, liquor/drug/tobacco advertisements, inappropriate language or gestures, excessive violence, potentially harmful accessories, innuendos, etc.).
· No pajama pants.
· Jeans and pants are to be worn at the waist (no sagging).
· No bandanas, hats, berets, sunglasses, or headwear unless under special activities or days.
· No make up, face/body painting, tattoos, hair color, or hair style that would be a distraction to other students.
The principal may develop and enforce specific rules of conduct & dress for the school as needs arise.
*When students are in violation of dress code, no one asserts that the dress is inappropriate. We just are letting the child know that s/he is NOT following our SCHOOL dress code. If students are in violation of the dress code, they will be written-up and asked to change if clothes are available from FRYSC. If the student refuses our offered clothing or none is available, s/he will be placed in AC until a parent brings a change of clothing. Parents may only be called for a change of clothing the first time. For the 2nd dress code offense, student will be required to change into clothes from FRYSC if available and in AC for 2 days. For the 3rd offense, punishment will follow minor discipline protocol.
SPECIFIC OFFENSE INFORMATION
Alcohol (09.4231)
No pupil shall possess, use, be under the influence of, sell, or transfer any alcoholic beverage on or about school property, at the location of a school-sponsored activity, or en route to or from school or a school-sponsored activity. Violation of this policy may constitute reason for suspension or expulsion. In addition, violations may result in notification of appropriate officials (School Resource Officer-SRO, etc.).
Tobacco Products
Students shall not be permitted to use or possess any tobacco products on property owned or operated by the board, inside board-owned vehicles, on the way to and from school, or during school-sponsored trips and activities. Students who violate these prohibitions while under the supervision of the school shall be subject to penalties set forth in the local code of acceptable behavior and discipline. The school will contact the SRO (School Resource Officer) to issue a uniform citation.
Drugs and Other Controlled Substances (09.4233)
No pupil shall possess, use, be under the influence of, sell, or transfer any controlled drug substance or any substance which looks like a controlled substance, on or about school property, at any location of a school-sponsored activity. Controlled substance means any substance or immediate precursor listed in Chapter 218A of the Kentucky Revised Statues or any other substance which may be added by the Kentucky Department of Human Resources under regulations pursuant to KRS 218A.020. Drug violations may constitute reason for suspension or expulsion. In addition, violations may result in notification of appropriate legal officials.
Authorized Medication
A student is not allowed to have any medication whatsoever on his/her person. All medication, prescription and over the counter, must be brought to the office or Cardinal Clinic by a parent or guardian. An over the counter medication administration permission slip can be filled out by a parent/guardian. All prescription medication must have a prescription medication consent form that is filled out by the prescribing doctor. If a Consent for Health Services has been filled out by the parent/guardian, the school may give the medication to the student at the prescribed time. Students should take all medication at home if at all possible.
Awareness Program
The FRYSC and school staff (during the first two weeks of school with Up-Front Expectations) will establish a drug-free/alcohol-free awareness program for all students which shall include notice of the following:
· The dangers of drug/alcohol abuse in the schools (health class, Red Ribbon Week activities, etc.);
· The district’s policies and related procedures on drug-free schools;
· The requirement for mandatory compliance with the district’s established standards of conduct
· Information about available drug/alcohol counseling programs and available rehabilitation/student assistance programs; and
· Penalties and citations that may be imposed upon students for drug/alcohol abuse violations.
· S.T.O.P. Tipline- to report risky or potentially dangerous behavior; see the district webpage under Quick Links “S.T.O.P. Tipline.” http://www.kycss.org/stop/stop.php?district=Livingston.County.School.District
Weapons (09.424)
Unlawful possession of a weapon on school property in Kentucky is a felony punishable by a maximum of five (5) years in prison and a ten thousand dollar ($10,000) fine: KRS 527.010 (2) KRS 500.080. Students are never allowed to bring a weapon to school. The Board urges parents/guardians and other citizens to make sure that students do not have inappropriate access to weapons.
Both Board policy and the law prohibit the carrying, bringing, using or possessing of any weapon or dangerous instrument in any school building, on school grounds, in any school vehicle, or at any school-sponsored activity. Except for authorized law enforcement officials, the Board specifically prohibits the carrying of concealed weapons on school property.
When a student violates the prohibition on weapons, the Principal shall immediately make a report to the Superintendent, who shall determine if charges for expulsion are to be brought before the Board. Unless the Board chooses to consider charges on a case-by-case basis, the penalty for students bringing a firearm or other deadly weapon, destructive device, or booby trap device to school or onto the school campus/property under jurisdiction of the District, shall be expulsion for a minimum of twelve (12) months. (The Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994 and KRS 158.150)
District employees must also report to law enforcement officials if they know or have reasonable cause to believe that conduct has occurred that constitutes the carrying, possession, or use of a deadly weapon on the school premises, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored or sanctioned event.
Assault on Students/School Personnel
Any pupil who assaults another pupil shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary and/or legal action, including suspension or expulsion. Any pupil who assaults or verbally abuses any school personnel shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary and/or legal action.
Disrupting the Educational process (09.426)
Behavior which is disruptive of the educational process shall not be tolerated and shall subject the offending pupil to appropriate disciplinary action and possible legal action. For purpose of this section, behavior which disrupts the educational process, shall include, but not be limited to:
· Conduct which threatens the health, safety, or welfare of others; Conduct which may potentially damage property;
· Illegal activity; or Conduct which interferes with or hinders the orderly administration of the school and school-related activities.
Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Policy
Harassment is intimidation by threats of or actual physical violence; the creation, by whatever means, or a climate of hostility or intimidation by threats of or actual physical violence; the creation, by whatever means, of a climate of hostility or intimidation, or the use of language, conduct, or symbols in such manner as to be commonly understood to convey hatred, contempt, or prejudice or to have the effect of insulting or stigmatizing an individual.
Harassment due to an individual’s race, color, national origin, age, religion, marital status, political beliefs, gender, or disability is prohibited.
Employees who engage in harassment of another employee or a student on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, marital status, political beliefs, sex, or disability shall be subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to, termination of employment.
Students who engage in harassment of an employee or another student on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, marital status, political beliefs, sex, or disability shall be subject to disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, suspension or expulsion.
Simple verbal discussions with the appropriate personnel are encouraged. If you are unhappy with the outcome of those endeavors, forms to report harassment/discrimination are available in the front office and from the school counselor. More information is contained in Board Policy 09.42811
Bullying Bill: HOUSE BILL 91- KRS 158.156
House Bill 91 was enacted during the 2008 legislative Session. The law was referred to during the legislative process as the “Golden Rule Bill” or the “Bullying Bill”, but the law is actually much broader than that—it focuses on students who are victims of felony offenses specified under KRS Chapter 508. HB 91 requires any school employee (or an employee of the board of education), who has reasonable cause to believe a student has been the victim of one of these offenses, to make a written or oral report to the principal of the school attended by the student/victim. Through the provisions of HB 91, it will be possible for school and district employees to report serious safe-school incidents, including bullying (rising to the level of a felony offense), to the principal so that quick and effective actions can take place to ensure the safety and well-being of all students.
School employees will receive training in the identification, documentation, and reporting of violations of the discipline code including the felony offenses found in KRS Chapter 508. These felony offenses include first degree assault, second degree assault, third degree assault, assault under extreme emotional disturbance, first degree wanton endangerment, first degree terroristic threatening, second degree terroristic threatening, first degree criminal abuse, second degree criminal abuse, first degree stalking, and disarming a police officer. A complete definition of these felony offenses can be found at www.lrc.ky.gov/KRS/508-00/CHAPTER.htm
Students who believe they are a victim of the felony offenses outlined in Chapter 508 or misdemeanor harassment, harassing communications, bullying, or hazing offenses as outlined in the code of conduct, should make a verbal or written report to any teacher or administrator in their school. Information on bullying as well as a Bully Reporting Form can be found on the district website at http://www.livingston.kyschools.us/. To report bullying, we prefer in person, verbal reports to an adult or texts/calls to the principal. However, we do have a S.T.O.P. Tipline if you prefer to use it. See our home page for the link or the website http://www.kycss.org/stop/stop.php?district=Livingston.County.School.District