Code of Conduct

A. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT

Our School Code of Conduct has two main goals: (1) to ensure the safety of staff and students, and (2) to create an environment conducive to learning. Our School Code of Conduct is aligned with the Stamford Public Schools Policies and Regulations, specifically “Student Conduct” policy #5131.

Our School Code of Conduct is part of a philosophy of discipline based on the premise of educating students about appropriate behavior, recognizing and rewarding appropriate behavior, having clear and predictable consequences that are applied consistently by staff, and making restitution and restoring relationships when misbehavior has occurred.

Mission Statement

We at Turn of River Middle School, in partnership with home and community, dedicate ourselves to the goal of academic, artistic, and athletic success for all students. The faculty at Turn of River welcomes the challenge of developing the Early Adolescent Child into a more independent, confident, and productive individual.

B. EXPECTATIONS FOR BEHAVIOR

Our Code of Conduct is based on the three principles of Safety, Responsibility, and Respect. If you act in accordance with these principles, you will be within the rules of the school, and more importantly, you will increase the likelihood of experiencing personal success in and satisfaction with school. Again, it’s all about: Safety, Responsibility, and Respect!

Students are expected to follow these expectations within the Code of Conduct. If you learn and follow the “TOR Expectations: Safety, Responsibility, and Respect”, you will have the secrets on how to be successful. Below we have organized the TOR Expectations into four primary school environments with specific expectations for each environment. Each year students will be taught these expectations in the natural environment. These expectations will be reviewed periodically throughout the school year.

TOR EXPECTATIONS:

Safety, Responsibility, Respect

BUS

CLASSROOM

CAFETERIA

HALLWAY / STAIRWELL

C. CONSEQUENCES OF INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

If you violate the rules of Turn of River Middle School, certain consequences will follow. The specific consequences will be determined on the basis of the severity and/or frequency of the offense. The selection of the appropriate consequence is solely at the discretion of the grade level administrator. Your parents will always be informed of the disciplinary consequence you receive.

1. Detention

You may be assigned a detention either during lunch or after school. The sole activity permitted during detention is silent study. Failure to complete a detention may result in an additional Administrative detention and possible Loss of Privileges/ or Saturday School.

2. Saturday School

You may be assigned a Saturday School. This program is an alternative consequence to an In-School Suspension and allows students the opportunity to fulfill disciplinary consequences without missing valuable class time. Saturday School is held from 9:30am – 12:30pm every other Saturday. The sole activity allowed in Saturday School is silent study. Failure to report to Saturday School or failure to follow the supervisor's directives will result in Loss of Privileges, and/or In-School Suspension. If a student misses an assigned Saturday School, he/she will be assigned 2 days of In-School Suspension. Saturday School may be rescheduled, at the discretion of the grade level administrator.

3. Loss of Privileges (LOP)

As you advance through Turn of River Middle School you may receive certain privileges, such as choice seating in the cafeteria, “no hassle” hall passes, team/school celebrations, and participation in fun events and activities. However, you will forfeit these privileges if you do not comply with school rules. Along with other privileges, students who violate the Turn of River Middle School Code of Conduct may lose the privilege of participating in extracurricular activities, such as, but not limited to, Field Days, 8^th grade Picnic, and/or Class Day Exercises.

NOTE: You must maintain a satisfactory discipline, attendance, and academic record in order to retain privileges.

4. In-School Suspension (ISS)

The length of an In-School Suspension may vary from one period to 5 school days. If you are given a full-day In-School Suspension, you must report to the In-School Suspension room no later than 8:05 a.m. and remain there until 2:55 p.m. or until your bus is called. This includes assemblies, field trips, etc. The sole activity permitted in this room is silent study. All of the provisions listed under “expectations for classroom behavior” apply to the In-School Suspension room. In addition:

1. you will be allowed to leave the room only during specified restroom breaks
2. you will have access to a limited lunch menu (no snacks or juice drinks)
3. you must complete all assigned course work.

Failure to comply with any of these provisions will result in a parent conference and an extension of the In-School Suspension, Loss of Privileges, and/or suspension.

NOTE: You are not allowed to participate in any athletic practice session or games, any co-curricular practice, rehearsal or performance, or after-school activity on the day of an In-School Suspension.

5. Suspension (OSS)

According to Stamford Public School Policies and Regulations, a student may be suspended for up to ten days for "conduct on school grounds or at a school-sponsored activity that endangers persons or property, is seriously disruptive of the educational process, or that violates a publicized policy of the Board”. (See section entitled "Student Conduct" for information on your rights in regard to suspension). If you are suspended from school, you may not be on school grounds or attend any school function for any reason unless you have made prior arrangements with your grade level administrator. You and your parents must have a conference with your grade level administrator prior to your return to class after suspension.

6. Referral to the Principal

If you should continue your inappropriate behavior despite efforts to correct it, or if you should commit a serious act that disrupts the school or endangers others, you may be referred to the Principal. The Principal will initiate a thorough review of your behavior, and may determine the advisability of your remaining in school under your current program. In addition, the Principal may assign an out of school suspension with possible recommendation for expulsion from Turn of River Middle School.

7. Expulsion

The Board of Education has the right to expel any student where the Board of Education has cause to believe that the student engaged in “conduct on school grounds or at a school-sponsored activity that endangers persons or property, is seriously disruptive of the educational process, or that violates a publicized policy of the Board”. The Principal may recommend to the Board of Education that expulsion proceedings be initiated. The Board has the authority to expel a student for up to one year.

D. SPECIFIC RULES AND CONSEQUENCES

The following listing of specific rules is not intended to be all-inclusive. You will be subject to disciplinary action any time your behavior is disruptive or inconsiderate of others. The list below is a guide; specific consequences will be assigned by the student’s grade level administrator. Please recognize that these rules apply at all times while you are on or off school grounds and/or in proximity to the school, on school-sponsored field trips, on school buses, at bus stops, and while you are traveling to and from school. You are responsible for following all rules and regulations contained in the Stamford Public School’s Policies & Regulations and this Code of Conduct.

*Note: It is expected that teachers establish and maintain appropriate standards of behavior and create a positive learning environment that shows a deep commitment to students and their success. As a way to independently address behavior issues, teachers will contact parents, assign detentions as necessary, and conference with students in order to restore relationships when misbehavior occurs.

1. Classroom Conduct/Disruptive Behavior

Behavior that interferes with instruction is considered a serious violation of the Turn of River Code of Conduct. The teacher has the right and responsibility to retain order in the classroom. The severity of the consequence will depend on the extent of this disruption.