Los Alisos Middle School

Student Code of Conduct

Handbook

2017/2018

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Letter to Parents

Philosophy of Discipline

Practicing the Six P’s:

Be Positive!

Respect

Academic Attitude

Be Polite!

HALLWAY BEHAVIOR

LANGUAGE

INAPPROPRIATE CONTACT

Be Proud!

CARING

DRESS CODE EXPECTATIONS...... 5

Mandatory School Uniform Policy

HONESTY...... 6

Be Productive!

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

COMPUTER USE

DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR

MEDICATIONS

PROHIBITED ITEMS

RESTRICTED USE ITEMS

CELLULAR PHONES

ILLEGAL ITEMS

Be Prompt!

ATTENDANCE

Be Prepared!

PREPARATION FOR SCHOOL AND CLASS

Consequences

DETENTION

SATURDAY SCHOOL ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM

Programs, Incentives, and Recognition

AVID

P.E. Program

AWARDS AND INCENTIVES

Certificates

Eighth Grade Activities

Extra Activities

Additional Information

Bicycles

Identification Cards

School Property

Los alisos MIDDLE SCHOOL BEHAVIOR RUBRIC

Code of Behavior Parent/Student Agreement……………………………………………………………...... 15

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A Letter to Parents and Students

from Your Principal

August 17, 2017

Dear Parents:

At Los Alisos Middle School, we believe that our students are entitled to learn and grow in an atmosphere of safety and mutual respect. Our staff, the Los Alisos PTSA, and our students have worked together to establish guidelines that will help students understand expectations and make positive choices. Our continuing character education initiatives, which include Project Wisdom, Positive Action, and the 6 P’s will further, educate students in these areas.

Dear Students:

As you get older you need to learn how to solve problems, make decisions and accept responsibility for your choices and actions. Through discussions and activities throughout the year that focus on character education and the 6 P’s, we will help you achieve success in these areas. In this document, you will find a discussion of the 6 P’s, which we have developed to help guide your choices, and a Code of Behavior which lists specific rules to help make our school run smoothly. You will also find rules about the appropriate use of technology. Make sure you read this document carefully. The rules at middle school are different from elementary school. We encourage you to discuss the Code of Behavior with your teachers and your parents. If you are unsure of how to handle a situation, ASK AN ADULT.

Please read and discuss the importance of this booklet together. Sign the attached pledge at the end of the booklet indicating your commitment to this process, and return it to your Homeroom teacher.

We believe that our relationship with students and families should be based on cooperation. We look forward to working together to create the best possible learning environment for all of our students. If we can answer any questions or you have any suggestions, please call us at (562) 210-3495.

Sincerely,

Dr. Majid Salehi

Dr Majid Salehi

Principal

“College is not a dream. It’s a Plan.”

Los Alisos Middle School

Philosophy of Discipline

The members of the Los Alisos Community want our school to be a source of pride for all those associated with it. The number one priority at Los Alisos is academic excellence. It is our expectation that students who attend Los Alisos plan to go to college. Our mission is to provide students with a quality education in a safe, secure and nurturing learning environment. Student self-discipline is essential to that goal.

Discipline at Los Alisos is based on developing positive relationships among students, teachers, parents and administrators. We have developed the Six P’s (Positive, Polite, Proud, Productive, Prompt and Prepared) to guide our students as they learn to be more self-directed and self-disciplined. We hope to help students achieve these goals by encouraging them to become capable, connected, contributing members of our school community.

At times, students may fail to behave responsibly. When this happens, our staff will act to provide the support, guidance or consequences needed to encourage them to make better choices in the future.

Practicing the Six P’s:

A Guide to Success at Los Alisos Middle School

Los Alisos Middle School staff is here to provide you with the opportunity to get the best education possible for your future. The result, however, is in your hands. Be positive, polite, proud, productive, prompt, and prepared, and you are guaranteed a successful school year.

  • POSITIVE: You have to maintain a POSITIVE attitude. Everyone around you knows you have potential and wants you to recognize it. Your teachers work hard to help you achieve success. Keeping the right attitude will help you keep things in perspective.
  • POLITE: Be POLITE to everyone around you. Saying “May I?” “Please,” and “Thank you,” is much more powerful than you may think.
  • PROUD: Be PROUD of who you are and from where you came. Take pride in the things you do well. Know and show that you’ve done your very best every day and that no one can tell you otherwise. Make decisions that will keep you proud of yourself. Avoid those persons that will not make you proud.
  • PRODUCTIVE: Set your goals and work towards achieving them. Be PRODUCTIVE. Go the extra mile; earn the extra point. In the end, you’ll thank yourself for the effort.
  • PROMPT: Success at Los Alisos will occur if you are PROMPT, on time, all the time, to school, classes and other events.
  • PREPARED: It is simple. Have what you need when you need it, so you can learn everything you can. Being PREPARED includes having materials, assignments and the right attitude toward learning.

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Be Positive!

Respect

Students are encouraged to keep an “I can!” attitude. By believing in themselves, building on their strengths, and focusing on their accomplishments, Los Alisos students will develop respect for themselves and others. Students are expected to interact in a positive manner with peers and adults at all times. Students are also expected to resolve disagreements or conflicts with others in a constructive manner. Harassment, threats, bullying or teasing of any kind, both verbal and nonverbal, is a serious infringement on the right of others to learn in a safe environment and will not be tolerated.

*One program Los Alisos offers is Mediation. Mediation gives students the opportunity to talk issues out and agree upon a peaceful solution.

Academic Attitude

A major aspect of academic achievement is maintaining a positive attitude toward learning. The goal of the Los Alisos staff is to provide a challenging curriculum that will foster a successful learning environment. It is our standard that the students will maintain a positive attitude as they struggle to meet these challenges. Through this process our goal is to develop a love for learning and help students understand that knowledge is power.

Be Polite!

CAFETERIA

We expect that all students show good manners and a kind attitude while at lunch at the lunch tables. All food must remain within the red zone.

  • Leftover food items are to be put away before leaving the red zone. No eating in hallways on your way to class.
  • Students should walk towards the lunch area.
  • Students should not cut in line or save a place in the lunch line.
  • Students should finish eating their entire lunch and beverage in the lunch area.
  • Students should remove all trash from their lunch table or eating area.
  • Any left-over food must be put away before leaving the red zone.
  • Just as in other areas of the building, gum is not permitted.

HALLWAY BEHAVIOR

Students are expected to move through the halls in a polite fashion. Students will:

  • Walk in the halls at all times.
  • Keep their hands to themselves.
  • Speak using a pleasant tone “indoor voice.”
  • Respond with respect when addressed by a staff member.

LANGUAGE

Students are expected to use polite language appropriate for a learning environment. Profanity and other offensive language is not appropriate and will not be permitted.

INAPPROPRIATE CONTACT

Students are expected to be polite and respect others.

  • Students will not fight, push, kick, shove, horse around, roughhouse, play fight, or wrestle.
  • Students will not engage in public displays of affection such as kissing or hugging with any other student.

Be Proud!

CARING

Los Alisos is a wonderful place to learn, with the state of the art equipment and classrooms available. Just as students learn to care for themselves and others, they are also expected to show care towards school property and the property of others.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Los Alisos Middle School strongly believes that proper uniform attire contributes to the success of all students by promoting safety, a sense of pride and distinction. It is expected that ALLstudents at Los Alisos maintain a neat, clean, and orderly appearance. A student’s dress and general appearance should not draw undue attention, nor interfere with the learning process or the discipline in the school.

To eliminate misunderstandings regarding the dress code, the following dress standards will be enforced:

  • Clothing must be of appropriate sized and proportionate per individual.Pants must fit and be worn at waist, crotch, and ankles. They may not be taken in, cut off, stapled, or taped. Pants may not be worn sagged.
  • (no oversized shirts or jeans; no pants, skirts, or dresses that are too tight). If tights or leggings are to be worn, they must be worn under a skirt, dress or shorts.
  • Revealing or tight clothing is not permitted. This includes low cut tops, tops with spaghetti straps, muscle shirts, or clothes that reveal midriffs or exposed undergarments. This includes low cut or hip hugger pants or jeans.
  • Necklines should not show cleavage.
  • No clothing with holes, slits or splits in clothes. Bandanas, sunglasses, and hoods are not allowed.
  • No drawing on clothing or skin with markers.
  • No excessive make up or jewelry, including face piercing (eyebrows, nose lower lip, and/or tongue). Hoop earrings may not be more than one inch in diameter.
  • No clothing with any printing of words, pictures or numbers that represent or appear to represent gangs, tagging crews, violence, vulgarities, obscenities, illegal objects or activities.
  • Long shorts with knee-high socks are not to be worn.
  • Shorts- (Boys) should be no longer than two inches below the knee.
  • Skirts and shorts for girls must extend below the fingertips when arms are at the side.
  • Pants and shorts must stay up without assistance and may not reveal undergarments.
  • Professional Sport Team attire is not to be worn.
  • All belts must be worn within belt loops.

Students who violate the dress code will be subject to disciplinary consequences. Students will either be asked to wear other school-issued garments or parent/guardian will be asked to bring an appropriate change of clothes. Continued violations could result in further disciplinary action, including administrative detention and/or suspension.

Be Productive!

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Students are expected to use their time after school productively. Students who stay after school to participate in clubs, activities, or sports must be supervised by an adult at all times.

The 21st Century After-School Program: The goal of the program is to focus on academic support and enrichment. Students enrolled in the after-school program are to engage in productive activities and must follow all school rules and program expectations. While in the after-school program, students must remain on campus at all times until they are released to a parent.

COMPUTER USE

Students are expected to use all computers and other technology equipment responsibly. A parental agreement must be submitted. Students are expected to:

  • Access the Internet responsibly.
  • Use educational web sites only.
  • Conserve paper.
  • Protect their privacy, including login names, passwords, and other personal information.
  • Protect themselves by staying out of chat rooms on the Internet.
  • Use email for educational purposes only.
  • Obey copyright rules.
  • Care for computer labs. Eating or drinking in the lab is strictly prohibited.

Students who violate the computer use guidelines may lose their computer privileges school-wide for a period of time.

DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR

Students are expected to contribute positively to the school learning environment. Conducting oneself in a manner that interferes with the rights of others and/or disturbs the orderly business of the school or classroom will not be tolerated.

MEDICATIONS

All medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, must be brought to school by the parent and left in the office. Misuse of medications and substances is prohibited.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

  • Skateboards.
  • Matches, lighters, and other tobacco products.
  • Laser pointer pens.
  • Items for sale not sponsored by Los Alisos Middle School.
  • Large amounts of money.
  • Electronic games, yo yo’s, rubber bands, balloons, hard balls, and cameras.

RESTRICTED USE ITEMS

The following are restricted items. They may not be visible and may not be turned on during the school day or while on campus

  • iPods or MP3 players.
  • Gum (may not be chewed in school or on the bus).
  • Collectible items such as trading cards.
  • Toys and balloons.

Articles that are hazardous to the safety of others, interfere in anyway with learning and instruction, create excessive clean-up problems, or are legally forbidden must be left at home.

CELLULAR PHONES

Cell Phones may be carried for emergency purposes. Cell phones must be turned off completely, kept in purses or backpacks. Cell phones may be confiscated if they are misused or cause disruption. Confiscated items will be released to parents only. Cell phones may only be used on campus during a 911 emergency. Los Alisos is not responsible for lost or stolen phones.

ILLEGAL ITEMS

The following items are illegal to have at school, on school grounds, or on buses:

  • Weapons (knives, pocketknives, firearms, bombs, bullets, etc.) or “look alike” weapons (any item that looks like a weapon, including toy guns and knives).
  • Alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, or “look- a-likes.”
  • Explosives or fireworks.

Students should report any information they have about such items to an adult staff member. Students who withhold information about a dangerous situation become part of the problem and may face severe consequences.

Be Prompt!

ATTENDANCE

Students are expected to attend school regularly and to arrive to school and to class on time.

  • Any absence from the school, school grounds, or class without permission will be considered atruancy.
  • Students who are absent from school for legitimate reasons, for example illness or a doctor’s appointment, must have a parent call the school (562-868-0865) and bring a note to the office the next day explaining their absence. (See NLMUSD guidelines.)
  • Students who arrive after the tardy bell rings at 8:35 are considered tardy.
  • Students who arrive to any of their classes after the late bell rings are considered tardy.
  • Arrival to class more than 10 minutes late without a legitimate pass is considered a class cut. Students will be assigned a disciplinary consequence.
  • Parents who want to check out students during the school day must go to the school office. The teacher will be called and arrangements for the student's release will be made.
  • All parents picking up students early must sign the release form confirming the part day absence. This procedure is for the student's protection because we will not release a student to anyone not specified on the emergency card without your prior permission.
  • Every tardy, including during the school day, will be assigned an after school detention. Detentions will be held daily.
  • 1st Tardy = 15 minutes
  • 2nd Tardy = 30 minutes
  • Unserved or excessive tardies will result in additional consequences.

Be Prepared!

PREPARATION FOR SCHOOL AND CLASS

Students are expected to arrive at school each day with the materials they will need to be productive that day. This includes pencils, notebooks, paper, physical education uniforms, homework, parent signatures, etc.

Consequences

At times, some students may fail to behave responsibly. When this happens, staff will act to provide the support, guidance or consequences needed to encourage them to make better choices in the future. Our Behavior Rubric which includes a list of infractions and possible consequences are provided at the end of this handbook.

DETENTION

Students assigned to detention are expected to report on time and to follow the 6 P’s as a guide for their behavior in detention. They also are not permitted to participate in any sports or after school activities until 3:30pm.

After-school Administrative Detention:

Students will:

  • Report to detention by 3:05pm and remain until 3:30pm
  • Complete letters to parents. After completing letters, students will sit silently and work. They will not be allowed to engage in conversation with other students

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SATURDAY SCHOOL ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM

Saturday School may be used as a disciplinary action. This will be used as a consequence for serious and/or chronic offenses. Failure to appear for the assigned Saturday detention will result in out of school suspension.

The Saturday School Alternative Program hours are from 7:00 am to 11:00 am. This program will be operated by Los Alisos staff members at all times. The staff members will assist the student with developing strategies to help improve their behaviors and decision-making. Students will also complete work assigned by their teachers.

Programs, Incentives, and Recognition

PROGRAMS