Behavior Manual

The staff at Matapeake Middle School is dedicated to fostering positive academic experiences and creating an accepting environment where all children can achieve.

We will communicate with all members of the school community in a positive and accepting manner, and we expect our students to respond in a similar fashion.  We are committed to the mission of the Character Counts program, and have tied our conduct requirements to the six pillars:  Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Fairness, Responsibility, Respect, and Caring.

At Matapeake Middle School, students are expected to show courtesy and respect at all times in all places.

This means that your hands, feet, and objects should be kept to yourself.  You should talk in a calm voice at all times.  You should follow directions and use appropriate language.   You should be on time.  You should wait until you are acknowledged by the teacher before you comment.  These guidelines apply everywhere in our school and all staff members will expect you to follow these guidelines at all times.

Attendance:

There is no substitution for direct instruction.  It is our expectation that students are in school every day and on time.  We realize that there will be times when students are ill and need medical care.  Excessive absences will result in a referral to Pupil Personnel.

Getting to school every day, on time is a demonstration of Responsibility and good Citizenship.  Students need to establish good attendance habits early to demonstrate self-discipline and respect for the school community.

Disruptive / Inappropriate Dress:

            Students have the right and responsibility to choose their attire and to arrange their personal appearance in a manner that is healthy, safe, inoffensive, and not disruptive to the educational process.  Accordingly, students are prohibited from wearing clothing, hats, jewelry, or having book bags, book covers, or other articles which

• depict or imply vulgarity, obscenity, violence, tobacco, drugs, or alcohol.
• created of a material or substantial disruption to the educational process or the operation of the school or create a health or safety hazard.
• are offensive in nature.

In addition, except in individual cases approved by the principal, the following specific items are not permitted:

• hats, caps, hoods, bandanas, or other head wear.
• revealing and/or form-fitting clothing including form-fitting pants or shorts, spaghetti straps, halter tops, strapless tops, midriffs, or backless tops.
• chains, including those worn around the neck, off the back, or attached to hands or wrists.
• spiked jewelry
• pajama bottoms and/or slippers

In addition, all shorts, dresses, and skirts are to be an appropriate length (mid-thigh or longer).  Pants are to be secured around the waist for safety reasons.

When a student’s attire violates this dress code, the principal or her designee shall intervene and require that the student remove or change the item, contact the parent and, for repeated violations, initiate the appropriate response for insubordination which may include suspension from school.

Dressing appropriately is a demonstration of  Respect for self and the school environment.

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT/ CELLULAR PHONES

ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT:

Game Gear, electronic games, toys, cassette players, CD players, Ipods, portable scanners, laser pens, walkie-talkies, and/or athletic equipment such as skateboards and rollerblades are not allowed in school.  If these items are permitted on your school bus, they must go into your locker upon arrival to school and remain there for the duration of the day.

Middle school students are not permitted to possess or use portable communication devices while on Queen Anne’s County Public School property or while attending any middle school activities. School office phones are available for those students who need to contact parents.

All personal property should be labeled with the student’s name; however, the school is not responsible for lost items.

Using electronic or sports equipment appropriately is a demonstration of Respect, Good Citizenship, and Fairness.

HARASSMENT:

Students who feel they have a complaint under the Board of Education’s Harassment Policy should immediately contact the guidance counselor or building administrator.  A written report will be filed.  A substantiated charge against a student shall subject that student to disciplinary action and possible referral to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Treating others with Respect is a demonstration of tolerance and good manners, and it shows that you have respect for self.   

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES/CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

A student found to be in possession of, using, or distributing, or attempting to distribute alcohol beverages or controlled substances including illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, look-alike prescriptions, or non-prescription medication may be immediately suspended for ten (10) days from school and may be recommended to the superintendent for an extended suspension.

Prior to a student's readmission to school, the student and his/her parent(s) or guardians(s) may have to participate in a counseling program approved by the Board of Education in addition to any other requirements as defined above.  Students found to be in possession of any paraphernalia as defined in the criminal statues of Maryland shall also be suspended for ten (10) school days and may be recommended to the Superintendent for extended suspension beyond ten (10) school days. Prior to consideration for readmission the student and parent(s)/guardian(s) must agree to participate in a drug education/counseling program approved the Board of Education.

Prescription and non-prescription medication must be authorized by a physician and kept in the health room. This medication must be presented to the school nurse in its original container to be distributed to the student by the school nurse.

Students are not permitted to bring to school any form of chemical spray, aerosol spray including hair spray, deodorant, or any other inhalant.

Students are not permitted to bring whiteout, nail polish, nail polish remover, or permanent based markers (containing exiene).

Cigarettes or other tobacco related items are illegal and not to be on the school grounds.  This includes lighters and matches.

By refusing to participate in illegal and damaging habits, you are demonstrating Trustworthiness, good Citizenship, Respect for yourself and others, and Responsibility.

COMPUTER USE

Use of computers and networks for students are governed by Queen Anne's County Board of Education policies. Students are expected to act in a responsible, ethical, and legal manner obeying accepted rules of network etiquette, and federal state law.

Students will not use computer programs/internet to facilitate illegal activity, commercial or for- profit purposes, or for personal or non-school-related school work and infractions may result in a revocation of privileges.    Parent permission is required for use of the internet.

Vandalism will result in cancellation of access privileges. Vandalism is defined as any attempt to harm or destroy software, data of another user.

When you Care for the equipment and privileges you have, you re expressing gratitude for the opportunity to participate.

DETENTION OF STUDENTS AFTER SCHOOL

Teachers, with the approval of the principal, may detain students after school if such detention is deemed necessary. The parent(s)/guardian(s) shall be notified at least one day in advance of the school's intention to detain the student.

Students may be detained without the one day advance notice when this arrangement has been cleared with the parent(s)/guardian(s) by school authority.

USING YOUR AGENDA:

The purpose of the agenda book is to help the student become more organized. An organized student will be more successful at school. It is your responsibility to have this agenda in your possession at all times, especially when used as a hall pass. As you become more comfortable with completing your agenda, you will discover how much time it will save trying to remember schedules, locker combinations, assignments, and important dates and deadlines.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.        Each day, you should record the classroom objectives for every class you attend.

2.        Each day, you should record the homework that is assigned in every class you attend. 

3.        Each day, you should share the objectives and homework with a parent/guardian.

4.        Take home materials and/or information needed to complete assignments.

5.        Budget your time so that long-term assignments or projects are completed in a timely manner.

6.        Return completed work to your teacher by the requested date.

7.        Share notes between your teacher and parent/guardian.

TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.        Make clear and specific assignments

2.        Provide guided practice prior to any homework assignment

3.        Notify parents/guardians in the event that work is not completed/mastered.

PARENT / GUARDIAN RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.        Help the student schedule uninterrupted study time.

2.        Provide a quiet, well-lighted place to study.

3.        Set time aside to review the student’s homework.

4.        Communicate with the teacher when the student shows a consistent lack of understanding regarding assignments or homework.

5.        Encourage the student to seek help and ask questions.