Cell Phones
Cell phones are not to be visible at any time during the school day. Students may possess but not use cellular phones and other electronic signaling devices during the instructional day. All devices must remain turned off during the instructional school day. Students are prohibited from using an electronic signaling device(s) including, but not limited to: cellular or digital phones, including those with the capability to capture/transmit digital images and/or photographs; pagers; beepers; and personal digital assistants, e.g., palm pilots, sidekicks, and Blackberries, during the instructional day or at a school activity without written permission from the school administration. No student shall be prohibited from possessing or using an electronic signaling device that is determined by a licensed physician or surgeon to be essential for the student’s health and the use of which are limited to health-related purposes.
Cheating
What Cheating Looks Like:
Cheating is deemed to have occurred when a teacher has sufficient evidence of:
· The taking of the work, words, ideas, and/or effort of another and presenting it as one’s own. (E.g. peers and parents).
· Providing one’s own work to be copied by another student.
· Failure to use quotation marks and cite references when copying more than five words from any source, including textbooks, library books, internet and newspapers.
· Exhibiting any inappropriate behavior during a test, such as talking, copying answers, looking at another student’s test paper, etc.
· Using a calculator unless the directions expressly allow the use of them.
· Recording incorrect scores when grading another students work.
· Pressuring another student to record an incorrect score.
· Use of concealed cheat sheets including paper, electronic or other.
Valley View Middle School does not distinguish between “degrees” of seriousness; cheating is cheating regardless of the weight of the assignment.
Students are expected to conduct themselves honestly and with integrity in their work. All forms of cheating and plagiarism are prohibited. Behavior that is unacceptable includes, but is not limited to: Copying another student’s homework; Working with another student on a project that is meant to be done individually;, Looking at or copying another student’s test or quiz answers; Allowing another student to look at or copy answers from your test or quiz; Using any other method to get/give test or quiz answers; Taking a test or quiz in part or in whole to use or to give others; Copying information from a source without proper attribution; Taking a written paper from another student, publications, or Internet. Deliberate recording of inaccurate score/time/grade on student work; Running shorter distances than required without teacher’s permission; Wearing another student’s PE uniform; Falsifying parent signature for any purpose.
Violation of rules results in: 1st offense: Loss of grade earned on assignment/Referral and lunch detention 2nd offense: One day, in house suspension/Saturday school, Loss of grade on assignment 3rd offense: 1-3 days suspension/Saturday school, Loss of grade on assignment.
Class Changes
There are no class changes unless there has been an administrative error in scheduling. Administration reserves the right to change students’ class assignment due to class balancing
Detention
A student may be detained in school for disciplinary or other reasons for up to one hour after the close of the maximum school day. Parent notification is required prior to imposing a detention of more than fifteen minutes after school. Twenty-four hour notice must be given for detentions longer than fifteen minutes after school. Exceptions may be made with parents' consent. Transportation arrangements must be made by the student and parent when given 24 hour detention notice.
A student's refusal to attend an assigned detention may result in assignment to Saturday School or a suspension from school.
THE DELIVERY OF A WRITTEN NOTICE OF DETENTION OR SATURDAY SCHOOL TO THE STUDENT SHALL CONSTITUTE PARENT NOTIFICATION.
Discipline
Valley View Middle School strives to maintain an atmosphere in school and at school activities that enhances the potential for success of every member of that school community. Valley View’s commitment to learning includes the concept that, in order to learn, students must be guaranteed an environment that is safe, classrooms where mutual respect is the underlying principle and where rules are publicized, explained and enforced. The school’s rules derive from the goals of respect for self, for property, and for others. In enforcing the rules of the school, the District, the State, and the staff of Valley View believe that students must understand that their actions do have consequences. As students become responsible for their own behavior, they develop the self-discipline needed for good citizenship.
To ensure the success of students in a school environment; teachers, administrators, and parents must work cooperatively. Teachers and administrators will be responsible for modeling and teaching students the behavioral standards desired in the classroom and in the school. Parent support is essential to school staffs’ efforts to ensure that students respect and follow the rules and regulations of the school. Students are responsible for appropriate behavior, regular school attendance, and continued striving for academic excellence.
DISCIPLINE POLICY/CONSEQUENCES
Because Valley View Middle School engages in progressive discipline, the administration reserves the right to exercise discretion in assigning consequences. After a student is suspended it is the teacher’s discretion to provide homework and class work. It is also at their discretion to accept work and/or allow make up for tests and quizzes for credit towards grades. These shall include but are not limited to:
|
ATTENDANCE |
CONSEQUENCES |
|
Class cuts |
Make up class time after school and/or a Saturday School (administrative detention for each period cut) |
| Whole Day Cuts | Six hours of detention after school or two Saturday Schools |
| No show for teacher detention | Administrative detention plus the completion of the teacher’s detention |
| No show or punitive dismissal from administrative detention | Additional administrative detention plus the original detention and/or Saturday School |
| No show or punitive dismissal from Saturday School | Original Saturday School plus additional administrative detention |
| Excessive tardies | First and second tardies: teacher discretion including warning and/or calling parents. Tardy sweep performed weekly that result in lunch detention, Friday Detention, and/or Saturday School. |
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR |
CONSEQUENCES |
| Class disruption/school disruption | Lunch detention and/or administrative detention, class-school suspension, Saturday School, support call |
| Note writing | Lunch detention, possible administrative detention or suspension, support call |
| Cheating/academic dishonesty | See Cheating (above) |
| Forgery, tampering or falsification of notes | Administrative detention, parent notification, and/or Saturday School |
| Open defiance/not following directions | Administrative detention, 2 day lunch detention, parent notification, Saturday School and/or 1-5 days school suspension. Counseled and warned this is not an option., support call |
| Eating in classroom or chewing gum | Two day lunch detention, campus cleanup (scrape gum or clean campus); Friday Detention, Saturday School/cleaning campus |
WEAPONS OR DRUGS |
CONSEQUENCES |
| Possession/selling/furnishing a firearm at school or at a school activity | School suspension, principal’s conference police referral, and recommendation for expulsion |
| Brandishing a knife at another person | School suspension, principal’s conference, police referral, and recommendation for expulsion |
| Unlawfully selling a controlled substance (drugs, alcohol, or any other controlled substance) | School suspension, principal’s conference, police referral, and recommendation for expulsion |
| Possession of any knife, explosive, or dangerous object of no reasonable use to student (includes BB guns and look-alike guns) or other injurious objects (includes fire-crackers/poppers) | School suspension, principal’s conference, police referral, and recommendation for expulsion |
| Possession, use, furnishing, or attending school under the influence of illegal drugs identified substances | School suspension, principal’s conference, police referral, and/or recommendation for expulsion and referral to Alcohol/Drug Abuse workshop |
| Use or possession of tobacco or substances | Parent notification, referral to Tobacco nicotine products Abuse Workshop |
| Failure to attend Alcohol/Drug Abuse or Tobacco Abuse Workshop | 1-5 days school suspension and/or administrative detention |
| Unlawfully possessed/offered/arranged/negotiated to sell any drug paraphernalia | 1-5 days school suspension, parent conference, police report, and/or recommendation for expulsion |
| Possession/use of stink bombs or similar paraphernalia | 1-5 days school suspension and possible police report |
| Possession of lighter or matches | 1 -5 day school suspension; fire school class attendance |
SCHOOL GROUNDS CONDUCT |
CONSEQUENCES |
| Committing/attempting sexual assault or battery | School suspension, principal’s conference, police referral, and recommendation for expulsion |
| Harassment, (verbal, rumors, physical,sexual, visual), threatening a student, intimidation. Consequences will result depending upon severity and frequency. | Administrative detention and possible 1-5 days school suspension, parent notification, police report and possible expulsion, possible in-school suspension. |
| Horseplay/physical contact initiated by one person, school disruption (play hitting, slapping, kicking, pushing, throwing objects) (depending upon severity and frequency) | Lunch detention, possible administrative detention, school suspension and/or Saturday School. |
| Fighting** | 1-5 days school suspension, Saturday School, severe infraction results in police notification and/or district hearing/expulsion |
| Profanity or abusive language, oral or written (depending on the severity and frequency) | Lunch detention, and/or administrative detention, class-school suspension, Saturday School |
| Ethnic/racial type slurs or hate violence | 1-5 days school suspension, administrative detention, parent notification, and/or Saturday school. Administrative alternative assignment. |
| Obscene act, vulgarity, or habitual profanity | 1-5 days school suspension, administrative detention, parent notification, and/or Saturday School |
| Caused or attempted to cause damage to school or personal property. | Replacement or restitution for cost of property or repair and/or 1-5 days school suspension, Saturday School, possible police report — depending on severity |
| Inappropriate use of internet/online electronic resources | Loss of use for an indefinite period of time and/or administrative detention, parent notification and depending on severity — police notification; suspension 1 – 5 days |
| Caused serious physical injury to another person | School suspension, principal’s conference, police referral, and recommendation for expulsion |
| Extortion or robbery on school grounds of private or school property | School suspension, principal’s conference, police referral, and recommendation for expulsion |
| Assault or battery upon a school employee | School suspension, principal’s conference, police referral, and recommendation for expulsion |
| Theft or possession of stolen or lost property | Parent conference, possible police notification, possible suspension, or possible recommendation for expulsion |
| Littering | Campus cleanup (lunch and/or after school) possible Saturday School |
| Suspended student on school grounds during school or at school-sponsored activity | Extended school suspension and police report |
| Possession/use of electronic devices such as cell phones, radios, CD/MP3 players, iPods, and pagers. |
1st violation = confiscation for remainder of day 2nd violation=confiscation and parent pick-up 3rd violation=administrative detention and confiscation for remainder of semester |
| Violation of dress code |
1st violation=opportunity to change into appropriate clothing parent called to bring clothes 2nd violation=administrative detention and/or lunch detention/Saturday School |
| Skateboards, rollerblades, scooters, footballs, and sports equipment on school grounds. | NOT ALLOWED AT SCHOOL Confiscation/parent pick up |
| Public display of affection | Warning and/or lunch detention, parent notification, administrative detention |
| Excessive support calls | Suspension, parent conference, loss of activities at all levels |
**Students who do not follow staff direction during a fight situation will be subject to disciplinary action.
REMINDER
Participation in extra-curricular/school-sponsored activities is a privilege at Valley View Middle School and is given as a reward to students who demonstrate proper conduct and academic achievement. In order for students to participate in extra-curricular/school-sponsored activities, the following conditions must be met: Students cannot be on Academic Probation (GPA of less than 2.0 on their last report card or their last progress report). These students will be on probation until the next report card or progress report, whichever comes first. Students with less than a 2.0 GPA at the end of the fourth quarter will be on probation until the next progress report in the first quarter of the following school year. Students cannot be on Disciplinary Probation — to be determined by the Administrators.
POLICE REPORTS: The school staff works closely with the local police departments. Cases involving theft, assaults, weapons, threats to staff members, and illegal substances, etc., are reported to the Pleasant Hill Police Department. Parents are always notified when police reports are made involving their children.
Dress Code
Students and parents need to be aware of the importance of appropriate dress and its effect upon the learning environment. While each student’s mode of dress and grooming is a manifestation of personal style and individuality, a student’s choices may affect the educational program of the school or the health and safety of others and often dictates his/her attitude and behavior while at school. Appearance and dress must be within the limits of safety, cleanliness, decency and appropriateness for school and should not interfere with any aspect of the total school program. A student whose attire is not appropriate for school will be asked to change. An attempt will be made to contact the student’s guardian for a change of clothes. If this is not possible, the student will change into clothes provided by an administrator. The dress and grooming requirements while at school or any school activity are as follows:
Ø Clothing and jewelry that are disruptive to the education process, including but not limited to objectionable, vulgar and/or obscene language, logos or pictures, and suggestive statements or slogans that depict gangs, violence, sex, drugs, cigarettes and alcohol, are strictly prohibited.
Ø The wearing, carrying, or displaying of slogans, initials, colors, or attire that is known as being identified with a gang or is gang-like are not allowed.
Ø Pants must be worn securely at the waistline or top of the hipline. Sagging pants that drag on the floor or prevent normal walking are a safety hazard and may not be worn. Parents will be notified to bring a change of clothing, or student will be asked to wear P. E. shorts.
Ø Clothing must be clean and in good repair at all times.
Ø Shorts and skirts are to be worn 4" below the inner seam line and should completely and comfortably cover the upper thigh area. All clothing must meet the “tip of third finger” rule.
Ø Undergarments of any kind should not be visible and shall not be worn as outerwear. Clothing must conceal undergarments at all times. See-through or mesh fabrics, spaghetti straps, straps that untie or halter-tops may not be worn. Off-the-shoulder or low cut, revealing tops of any kind, bare midriff outfits, sleeveless and/or low cut undershirts, muscle shirts, and swimsuits are prohibited. Tank tops may be worn if they have at least a 1”shoulder strap. Students may not wear a jacket over an inappropriate shirt/blouse/tank to cover up.
Ø Chains and hanging belts (i.e. wallet chains, bracelets & collars with spikes) are not allowed.
Ø Shoes must be worn at all times for safe participation in school activities. All footwear including sandals must have a secured back. Flip flops, slippers, high platforms or high heels are prohibited. Soft soled athletic or tennis shoes must be worn for PE.
Ø Head coverings, such as hats, scarves, bandanas, etc. are not allowed. Students may wear sweatshirts or jackets with hoods on cold or rainy days. Hoods must be removed when entering a classroom or any school building. Only plain white hats may be worn.
Ø Regulation P.E. head coverings, any plain white hats, may be worn during outside activity time, as protection from the sun.
Ø No sunglasses may be worn in the classroom unless so ordered by a doctor. When in the classroom, sunglasses cannot be worn on the head and must be in backpacks.
Students are expected to practice good personal hygiene at all times.
Emergencies
FIRE DRILLS
· Fire drill instructions are posted in each classroom.
· The fire drill signal is a staccato horn that sounds repeatedly at ten second intervals.
· Immediately stop work and evacuate as instructed.
· Leave your books on the top of your desk and walk rapidly and quietly to the designated exit.
· Your teacher will take roll when you are safely grouped away from the building.
· Stay with your class. Maintain quiet during all parts of the drill.
EARTHQUAKE DRILLS
All of the directions for fire drills apply with two exceptions:
· Take cover when directed to do so.
· Teachers should bring the classroom first-aid backpack when exiting the room.
INTRUDER ALERT
If in classroom: LOCK DOWN
· Lock doors and windows
· Close blinds and curtains
· Turn off lights and equipment
· Turn off all cell phones
· Move away from doors
· Drop and Cover
· Hide out of sight of the window
· Teacher will take roll
· Remain in position until released by uniformed Police
· Stay very quiet
· Do not use cell phones
If NOT in classroom: LOCK DOWN DRILL
· Run and find shelter anywhere you can on or off campus
(Rec. Center, Police Station)
· Lock and/or barricade doors and windows
· Hide under or behind furniture
· Stay very quiet
NOTE: During fire, intruder and earthquake drills, you will contribute to the potential safety of your fellow students by maintaining good order during all phases of the drills.
Field Trips
Field trips away from school are part of our program. Pupils planning to accompany their classes on any trips away from school must present a signed parent permission slip to the instructor prior to the day of the trip. Permission slips are provided by the instructors. VALLEY VIEW’S BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS ARE IN FORCE ON ALL FIELD TRIPS.
First Aid
Space for sick or injured students in the office is limited to emergency first aid procedures only. It is imperative that the school be able to contact a parent or other responsible adult immediately who is authorized to pick up the student for medical aid. Parents are responsible to keep emergency card information accurate and to notify the office of changes in a student's medical condition. First Aid nursing services are not available at Valley View
Hall Passes
Students in the halls during class time must have passes signed by Valley View staff that includes: name, destination, date and time. Students who are on the NO PASS list may not leave class unless escorted by staff.
Harassment
The Board of Education of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District has adopted a policy prohibiting unlawful sexual harassment of or by any student. Please read the following definition of the policy and the procedure for filing a complaint.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Definition: Prohibited sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: (Education Code 212.5)
1. Submission to the conduct is explicitly or implicitly made a term or condition or a student’s employment, or academic status, or progress.
2. Submission to or rejection of the conduct by a student is used as the basis for academic or employment affecting the student.
3. The conduct has the purpose or effect of having a negative impact on the student’s academic or work performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational work environment of the student.
4. Submission to or rejection of the conduct by the student is used as the basis for any decision affecting the student regarding benefits and services, honors, programs, or activities available at or through the school.
EXAMPLES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to:
1. Unwelcome leering, sexual flirtations or propositions.
2. Sexual slurs, epithets, threats, verbal abuse, derogatory comments, or sexually degrading descriptions.
3. Graphic verbal comments about an individual’s body, or overly personal conversation.
4. Sexual jokes, stories, drawings, pictures, or gestures.
5. Spreading sexual rumors.
6. Teasing or sexual remarks about students enrolled in a predominately single-sex class.
7. Touching a student’s body or clothes in a sexual way.
8. Purposefully limiting a student’s access to education tools.
9. Cornering or blocking normal movements.
10. Displaying sexually suggestive objects in the educational environment.
11. Any act of retaliation against an individual who reports a violation of the district’s sexual harassment policy or who participates in the investigation of a sexual harassment complaint.
Sexual harassment by any student is forbidden and will result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
COMPLAINT PROCESS
Any student who believes he or she has been subjected to sexual harassment prohibited by Board Policy 5145.7 should immediately report incidents of sexual harassment to the principal or other school administrator. Any student who feels that he or she is being harassed may file a written complaint in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Uniform Complaint Procedures described in Board of Education Policy 1312.1. Each complaint of sexual harassment shall be promptly investigated in a way that respects the privacy of all parties concerned. For more information regarding this policy, please call the Student Services Office, 682-8000, ext. 4069.
Homework
Parents are expected to take an active role in supporting the academic, attendance and discipline policies of the school and the individual teachers. Parents are encouraged to call the classroom teacher periodically to inquire about their child’s progress/homework. Homework is an integral part of the school program. Students will have homework in English, Social Studies, Math, and Science on a regular basis. The parent is expected to monitor and supervise the child’s homework assignments. Parents are also asked to read the school newsletters and any other memos or bulletins sent home from the school. Valuable information regarding events, progress reports, and report cards is announced in these communications.
All Valley View students have access to their grades via Homelink, an online grade-book used by the MDUSD. Once families have activated their Homelink account, students and parents are able to view grades for all of their classes throughout the school year.
Internet Use
Students must have a Parental Approval Form signed by a parent on file in order to use the library or computer lab Internet stations. Student Body Cards must be presented when the Internet is used. There will be severe consequences for inappropriate Internet use.
Leadership Class
This is a class of Leadership students that includes the Student Cabinet and Congress. The students plan and direct all student activities, such as committee work, school projects, dances, staff activities, and community projects. Selection for this class is made in the spring. Students must apply and are selected by the Leadership teacher, the current Student Body President, and must have an administrator’s approval. The officers are as follows: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Commissioner of School Spirit, Commissioner of Athletics, Rallies Commissioner, Dance Commissioner, Campus Commissioner, Historian, and two 6th grade Commissioners.
Library Use
The library is open at lunch for students who show ID cards at the desk. Students without ID cards will not be admitted. All library resources, Accelerated Reader testing, computer and internet use are available during lunch and during the regular library hours.
Lost and Found
Items assumed lost shall be turned into the office. Unclaimed clothing is stored in the MU room and is available for inspection by students before and after school and during lunch. Smaller personal items and textbooks are usually kept in the office until claimed.
Lunches
Students may bring lunch or purchase it from the cafeteria or the a la carte lines. Computers are now in the cafeteria and students may prepay for breakfast, lunch or a la carte items on the lunch line only. Students eating in the cafeteria should remain seated while eating. Other students are to eat in designated areas. No food or drink is to be taken to the blacktop. Valley View is a closed campus.
Medication
If a student must take any form of medication during school hours, parents must sign and fill out a district medication form which includes directions from the doctor for dispensing the medication. Medication must be in properly labeled containers and will be kept secure in the main office. Students must sign in and take their medication in the presence of the secretary. Medication forms are available in the office. AT NO TIME MAY STUDENTS CARRY MEDICATION ON THEIR PERSON OR IN THEIR BACKPACKS.
Moving
Please notify the Attendance Office if you move or have a change of phone number. If you plan to transfer from Valley View, your parent must come to the Attendance Office to obtain a 'drop sheet'. Students must then sign out of each class and will receive a 'check-out' grade from each class.
Non-Participation List
The non-participation list consists of students whose behavior, attendance, and/or academic achievement is unsatisfactory. Students on this list will be excluded from extracurricular activities including dances, assemblies, field trips, etc. for one or more quarters. Eighth grade students on this list may be excluded from all eighth grade end of the year activities as well as the promotion ceremonies. Students may petition to be removed from the list after demonstrating improvement.
Programs and Activities
Our Leadership class along with our administrators, teachers, and parents, coordinate many activities each year. These include: noon activities and rallies, Red Ribbon Week, special holiday events, awards programs, dances, sports activities, and field trips. In addition, Valley View offers these special programs:
· Award winning music and art
· School newspaper: The Prowler
· Comprehensive library program with computer center
· County Spelling and yearly Geography Bees
· Drug and tobacco prevention education
· CJSF and NEWSCOPE, Book Club
· Parties sponsored by Leadership and Administration as special rewards
· Anger Management intervention workshops
· After school peer tutoring, Merit Awards
NOON RECREATION: BLACKTOP ACTIVITIES
Students may check out balls and jump ropes during lunch. Ball monitors will sign out equipment at student request. Students must leave their backpacks with ball monitors and will receive them back after returning equipment. (schedule permitted)
Searches
According to Mt. Diablo Board Policy 5145.2,
searches of students' belongings may be conducted in order to protect the safety and welfare of students, employees & visitors of the school.
Student Government
Valley View has an active student body organization operating under a constitution. Elections are held yearly for the selection of congress representatives. A faculty member serves as an advisor/teacher to the organization. The Student Congress meets once a month in the Leadership classroom. A representative from each class during the Leadership period will attend the meetings.
Student Body ID Cards
Student Body ID cards are issued for registered students who have photos taken at All-in-One Day or make-up picture day. They must be presented for library use, for activities, for the cafeteria and for dance ticket discounts. There is a charge of $5.00 for a replacement of a lost card through the library.
Textbooks
Textbooks are provided by the state or school district for your use during the year. Most textbooks assigned to students may be taken home and left at home for doing homework. Lost or damaged text-books must be paid for, and we recommend that you cover all textbooks assigned to you. Textbooks are on loan to students and cannot be written or drawn in.
Transportation
BICYCLES Every student who brings a bicycle to school must have his/her own lock; no sharing is allowed. Students must keep their bicycles chained to the bike rack. Students who ride their bikes to school and chain them to the bike racks do so at their own risk. Every effort is made to protect the students' bicycles, however, the school is not responsible for loss of or damage to bicycles on campus. Bikes must be walked from the street to the bike racks. Bike riding on campus and in the parking lot is not permitted, and students who do so will risk having their bikes confiscated. Helmets must be worn by all bicycle riders according to California State law. Helmets must be kept in backpacks during the school day. The school is not responsible for loss of or damage to helmets.
Rollerblades/SKATEBOARDS/SCOOTERS
Rollerblades, skateboards and scooters are not allowed on campus. These items will be confiscated and kept in the office for parent pick up.
Visitors on Campus/Parking Permits
Parents are always welcome on campus as visitors and should sign in at the office. Visitors must obtain a parking pass and display it on the dashboard of your vehicle. All visitors are also required to obtain and display a visitor’s badge from the school office. Any requests for school-age visitors must be approved by the principal or designee. All other school-age visitors without a pass will be asked to leave.
