RESPONSIBLE THINKING PROCESS (RTP)/DISCIPLINE POLICY

It is important that parents, staff and students work together to maintain a positive educational atmosphere. Our goal is that each student learns to be responsible for his or her actions. Teachers have the right to teach, and students have the right to learn, in a safe and orderly environment!

The Responsible Thinking Process (RTP) is a discipline process that teaches students how to think through what they are doing in relationship to the rules of wherever they are (i.e., classroom, cafeteria, playground, hallways, etc.). The key component of this process is its’ focus on teaching students how to achieve their goals without getting in the way of others that are trying to do the same thing. It teaches students how take responsibility for their actions by developing their ability to think for themselves, while respecting the right of others. The Responsible Thinking Classroom (RTC) is where students are referred when they continue to violate the rights of others. In RTC, students work on a plan to learn how to achieve what they want without interfering with the rights of others. If a student chooses to disrupt the learning process in the classroom, the teacher will initiate a series of questions that are designed to allow students to think about what they want in relationship to the rules of the classroom. If the student continues to be disruptive, then he/she has made the choice to go to RTC.

The discipline strategy of our school is not based on a “punitive” philosophy, but rather the consequences assigned are designed to motivate students to make better choices in the future. If it becomes apparent that simply the use of the RTC (multiple occasions out of a teacher’s class) has not been effective, an after school or weekend commitment of the student will be required.

The following is an overview of the disciplinary strategy. The consequences below are cumulative for each marking period.

The Responsible Thinking Classroom (RTP) will be used for:

RTP Procedures:

1. Student completes plan and discusses with the teacher.

2. Student gets the plan signed by the parent. (All plans must be signed by the parent and the teacher).

3. Student returns plan before 1st hour to RTC basket in the office.

4. If plan is not returned, the office will call home. *On the 5th visit to the RTC, the student will complete a plan and also receive Friday detention.

Tardies:

1st hour – Report to the office:

1. Excused – obtain pass to class.

2. Unexcused:  First time the office initiates RTP, “what are you doing…..etc)
                         Second & subsequent – the office assigns behavioral warning slip and sends student to 1st hour.

2nd  through 8th hours

1. 1st time….teacher initiates RTP

2. 2nd & subsequent times…..Behavioral Warning Slip

Behavioral Warning Slips:

On the 3rd warning slip, the student will receive a Friday detention.

Detentions:  Friday, after school, 3:05– 4:05

Issued:  Immediately by the office

1. Use of profanity and blatant disrespect of teachers.

2. On the 5th visit to RTC 

3. On 3rd behavioral warning slip 

Saturday School:

Saturday, 8:00 – 11:00AM

1. On the 9th behavioral warning slip

2. On the 3rd detention

Students who receive 10 warning slips and/or a fourth detention will also be assigned a one day in-school suspension and be placed on co-curricular probation for 30 calendar days.

Major discipline problems will be dealt with immediately and parents will be contacted (i.e. use of tobacco product, fighting, disrespectful conduct, etc.).

Office referrals that COULD result in extra commitments, suspension or expulsion:

1. Skipped Class

2. Cheating on any Assignments

3. Insolent and Disrespectful

4. Fighting

5. Possession of Lighters/Matches etc.

6. Possession of Tobacco/Weapons, etc

7. Smoking in or around the school building

8. Threatening/Bodily Harm

9. Skipped School

10. Use or Possession of Alcohol/Illegal Drugs

11. Vandalism/Stealing

12. Gang Symbol, Clothing or Paraphernalia

13. Downloading inappropriate material from computer – loss of privileges and suspension 1 day

*Weapons: students in possession or use of knives, guns, or other objects which can do bodily harm may be expelled from school for at least 180 days and the incident will be reported to the police.

STUDENT DISCIPLINE AND DUE PROCESS

The principal may impose discipline including Short-Term suspension (from one up to ten days). In such situations, the student shall be given the following due process rights:

If an out of school suspension is warranted, the principal shall attempt to contact the parent by phone prior to the beginning of the suspension and shall send written notification home with the student. This written notification shall include the parental rights to appeal as outlined in Board Policy and the associated Administrative Guidelines.

In cases of Long-Term suspensions (more than 10 days) or expulsion, the principal shall refer the case to the Superintendent with the appropriate documentation.

APPEAL OF SHORT-TERM SUSPENSION

FIRE DRILLS

Fire drills, at regular intervals, are required by law and are an important safety precaution. It is essential that when the first signal is given, everyone obeys promptly and clears the building as soon as possible. Cards are posted in each room to assist your proper movement. The teacher in the classroom will give students instructions. Students are to walk fast but not run; are to stay clear of the building and driveway; and are to remain with the teacher for attendance procedures.

DRESS CODE

Middle School promotes standards of “Dressing for Success”. Common sense is the standard for dress and appearance. Students are expected to dress in a fashion that is conducive to a positive learning environment, is not disruptive or distracting to the educational process, and meets health and safety standards.

1. All students must wear some type of shoes or sandals at all time.

2. Coats, hats, jackets, and backpacks are to be put in the student’s locker upon arrival and should remain there until leaving the building for the day.

3. An adequate covering of the body is required. Clothing that is too tight, too revealing, or too large is not allowed.  Tops that reveal cleavage and/or do not cover the shoulder are not allowed.  All shorts must be at least finger-tip length.  Mini-skirts/dresses, bare midriffs, strapless or thin straps, see-through clothing, sagging pants, pants that expose undergarments, or drag on the floor are not appropriate.

4. Clothing and jewelry bearing demeaning messages, insignias, or logos identifying alcoholic beverages, tobacco, narcotics, obscene, profane, vulgar, of a sexual nature or other socially inappropriate message demeaning to any race, religion, sex or ethnic group or which advocate the violation of the law are not permitted. 

5. Chains, sharp protruding objects, safety pins as clothing, or other potentially dangerous items are unacceptable.

6. Items which can pose as a distraction such as hats, sunglasses, visors, headbands, do-rags, or other items, which can be the object of “keep away” games, are banned.

7. In addition, BRMS prohibits the presence of any apparel, jewelry, accessory, notebook or manner of grooming which, by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark or any attribute, denotes membership in gangs and/or which advocates drug use, violence or disruptive behavior.

Consequences for wearing inappropriate items can include:

As with any policy, inclusion of all possible situations is difficult. Please remember, the BRMS staff may sometimes have to use its discretion regarding student dress.

HALL REGULATIONS

Students are to:

1. be especially quiet while in halls during a class period

2. have a pass to enter the halls while classes are in session

3. not loiter

4. avoid forming a line across the halls at drinking fountains

5. keep halls clean.

HOMEWORK MAKE‑UP POLICY

When a student has been absent from school and has received an excused absence, the student assumes the responsibility for getting the information from the teachers.  He/she also assumes the responsibility for turning the completed assignments in to the teacher.  Students are given one day for each day absent to complete assignment.

LOCKERS

Lockers will be issued to each individual student.  Students are strongly encouraged to not share their combination with anyone.  The security of lockers is dependent upon the student’s ability to keep the combination to themselves.

Locker inspections are held periodically to encourage neatness, cleanliness, and good housekeeping.

Gym lockers and locks are issued from the physical education offices.

**Note:  Big Rapids Middle School is the owner of all student lockers and reserves the right upon reasonable suspicion to search any locker without permission.  Any additional locks placed on a locker by a student will be removed.

LOST & FOUND

Students should report any loss to their teacher, the counselor or the principal.  Students having any sizable amount of money or other valuables are urged to leave them in the office for safe keeping. There is a lost and found box in the main office.

LUNCH  PERIOD

Students are expected to cooperate in the lunchroom by observing established rules created to ensure a clean, safe and orderly environment.  Lunch supervisors will discuss rules at the start of the school year.

Students who choose not to cooperate during lunch may be required to serve as clean-up helpers, spend some time in the RTC, or lose their lunchroom privileges.

MEDICATION ADMINISTERED IN SCHOOL

1. Before any prescription medications or treatments can be administered at school, the building must have on file both of the following:

   1. written authorization/consent from the parent/guardian including authorization for the student to self-administer if so desired. No student is allowed to possess and/or self-administer prescription medication(s) or treatment; (this includes carrying medication to and from school) unless ordered by a doctor.
   2. prescription information from the physician, including approval for the student to self-administer if requested by the parent.

2. Only medications in their original containers labeled with the date, student's name, name of the prescription, exact dosage, and doctor's names may be administered by school personnel.
3. School personnel are to administer medication or treatment only in the presence of another adult.
4. All medications are to be kept in a locked storage area of the office.
5. A log of each prescribed medication for each student shall be maintained which will note the staff person giving the medication, the date and time of day.  This log shall be kept in the locked storage area along with authorization forms and medications.

NON-PRESCRIPTION/Over the Counter (OTC) Medications:

1. Students in grades K-8 are NOT allowed to possess and/or self-administer OTC medications.
2. OTC medications for students in grades K-8 must be kept in the school office and administered by school personnel.
3. Written authorization/consent of the parent/guardian for administering an OTC medication must also be on file in the office and contain the name of the student, the name of the medication, the dosage, and time of day to administer.

NON-DISCRIMINATION

PROGRAM AND PROGRAM CHANGES

Class schedules are made during the spring.  Usually, students are assigned randomly to teachers and subjects offered in grades 6, 7, and 8.  A schedule may not be changed without parent and/or teacher written permission and consulting the counselor.  Please note that there are many considerations that go into scheduling and they may prohibit changes.

PROGRESS REPORTS

Student progress reports are mailed home at the mid point of the nine‑week marking period to parents.   We encourage parents to call the school for conferences with teacher(s).

RETENTION

Typically, students are promoted to the next grade each spring based on academic performance.  Factors such as academic progress measured by whether the academic standards in each subject have been met, maturity level, and attendance record are taken into account when promotion decisions are made.  However, the school administration reserves the right to retain a student in the same grade when, in their judgment, a combination of the above listed factors suggest that a student needs to have another year of growth in order to be successful at the next grade level.

There are many strategies that the Middle School staff has put into place to assist students.  Some of which are listed below:

Certainly the decision to retain a student will be made only after multiple communications between the school and parents throughout the school year.

REPORT CARDS

Students are graded on scholarship, work habits, and citizenship once every nine week marking period.  Report cards are issued to students approximately one week after the end of the marking period.

SELLING ARTICLES

In general, students are not allowed to sell items in school that are not school-sponsored fundraisers. Permission must be obtained from the building principal before any articles can be sold in the building.  If a student is selling articles without permission, the principal may confiscate these articles.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Sexual harassment is unlawful under both Michigan and federal law and is contrary to the commitment of this district to provide an effective learning environment.  Behavior which is unwelcome, which is personally offensive, which fails to respect the rights of others, or which otherwise creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment is inappropriate behavior.

SOCIAL LIFE

Activity Nights are for BRMS, St. Mary’s, and St. Peter’s students only. Guests are not allowed. Class parties or school dances are held in the cafeteria, gym, or other schoolrooms (normally on Friday). Teachers and parents supervise these events. Permission for the use of the building must be obtained. Activity Nights typically run from 7:00-9:00PM.

TEXTBOOKS/FINES

All textbooks are furnished by the school district.  When a book is issued to a student the condition of the book is recorded.  If, during the course of the year, the book is abused and the life span of the book is reduced beyond normal usage, a fine is issued. A new book will be issued to a student upon receipt of payment for the lost/damaged textbook.

TORNADO WARNINGS OR SIMILAR EMERGENCIES

Parents, please be aware of the following procedures in such an emergency:

1. Our school system will receive its notice from the Big Rapids Police Department.  We will immediately set the time that students will be sent home and start proceedings to have the buses ready.

2. We will report to radio stations WBRN and WYBR what action we have taken, and they will broadcast this information.

3. In the event schools are dismissed, any school programs scheduled for that evening will be canceled unless the all‑clear signal has been given prior to 6:00 PM.

4. Students living within the city or those not riding buses will be dismissed to go home at once.

5. Bus students will assemble in rooms assigned at time of emergency to await transportation home.

6. During this time, phone calls should not be made to the schools unless absolutely necessary.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

Our procedure during inclement weather is to inspect road conditions between 5:30AM and 6:15AM.  In the event of a two hour delay, please be aware of the following:

1. Buses will arrive at bus stops two hours later than usual.  (If the usual pick up is at 7:30AM, the delay pick up time will be 9:30AM.

2. A.M. Career Center buses will not operate.

3. Students should not be dropped off or arrive at any school before 9:45AM. (Please help us).

4. It is possible that a decision to cancel school will be made during the two hour delay.  An example would be if severe fog does not "lift" during the delay.  This decision will be made by 8:30 AM and report to the news media. Please contact Steve Hofmann at the Bus Garage (796 ‑5406) if you have any questions.

VISITORS

Any person who is not a regularly enrolled student or staff employee must report to office to check in.

Primarily because of safety concerns and supervision concerns, student visitors are not be allowed at BRMS.

CARE OF PROPERTY

Students are responsible for the care of their own personal property.  Valuables such as jewelry, money, all electronic devices (except those associated with A.D.A. assistance) CD's, cassette tapes, trading cards and other non-school items should not be brought to school.  The school may confiscate such items and return them to the student's parent.  The school is not responsible for personal property.  Cell phones are not allowed on school property.

Damage to or loss of school equipment and facilities wastes taxpayer money and undermines the school program.  Therefore, if a student does damage to or loses school property, the student or his/her parents will be required to pay for the replacement or damage.  If the damage or loss was intentional, the student will also be subject to discipline according to the Student Discipline Code.

QUALITY PRODUCT REMINDER

Adopted for use by all instructional staff by the BRPS Curriculum Council. March 26, 2003

All BRPS students will use the following editing and revising skills on work brought to a completed or published level in every subject and all classrooms: