Demerit System for Westmont Hilltop Middle School Dear Parents/Guardians and Students: As you may recall, page 20 of your Student Handbook indicates that our Code of Student Conduct was subjected to be changed for the upcoming school year. In this mailing, you will receive a copy and explanation of the new Code of Conduct for WHMS: The Demerit System. The Demerit System at the Middle School level was created using the School Board approved High School Demerit System as a model. Adjustments were made so that the system was developmentally appropriate for use in grades 5 through 8. Our committee of teachers and administrators spent many hours discussing the system and making various changes and tweaks until we felt that we had a developmentally sound system for middle school students. This is a program that will be new to students, parents, teachers and administrators. We need to work together to ensure the safety and appropriate behavior of the students while they are in our care. We understand that our plan may need to be adjusted as we test it out to see how it will work for our middle school. Our plan is for the committee to meet at the semester change and make any needed modifications at that point. A copy of the Demerit System is included in this packet. We are requesting that both students and parents sign a form indicating their receipt (not necessarily their agreement) of the system. Grade level assemblies will take place within the next two weeks to inform students of the Demerit System and other changes to the current middle school structure; for example, the Good Things Happen at WHMS Program has been modified, detentions will no longer be adjusted due to participation in sports or ski trips, etc. See packet for additional information. We look forward to working with you to help our students have a successful year! Educationally Yours, Nicole Kuzmiak and Thomas Mitchell
Point Totals and Consequence Menu: Point Total CONSEQUENCE 0 3 Points Verbal Warning (at the discretion of the school administrator handling the infraction) 4 Points One (1) Friday Detention 8 Points One (1) Friday Detention 12 Points One (1) In School Suspension ISS 16 Points One (1) Saturday Detention 18 Points TEACHER/PARENT INTERVENTION MEETING 20 Points Two (2) Saturday Detentions 24 Points One (1) Out of School Suspension OSS 28 Points Two (2) Out of School Suspensions OSS 32 Points Three (3) Out of School Suspensions OSS 36 Points Five (5) Out of School Suspensions OSS 37 Points Possible 10 Day Suspension and Assessment for WHSD s Alternative Education Program Infractions Menu: Bullying Bus Referral (It is Possible to Eliminate Transportation Privilege) Cheating/Plagiarism Consumption of Food or Beverage in Hallways (exception given to water bottles w/ Dr. script) Defiance of Authority/Class Disruption/Insubordination/etc. Disruption at a School Activity Dress Code Violation Engaging in any conduct or activity contrary to, or in violation of, the PA Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act including and without limitation the possession, sale or use of drugs, narcotics, or alcohol on school property or at school sponsored functions. * Fighting (Initiating or participating)* Food Fight (starting/participating) Hallways Without A Pass Horseplay in Hallways/Café/Etc. (see Bullying Rubric) Subsequent: 3 10 days off of the bus 4 Points plus Failure of Assignment Initial: Verbal Warning Subsequent: 1 point for each infraction Subsequent: 4 points Subsequent: 4 Points Subsequent: 1 4 Points Initial and Cooperative: 24 32 Points Subsequent and/or Uncooperative: 37 Points and Police Referral Initial: 4 12 Points Subsequent: 12+ Points Subsequent: 1 Point Per Occurrence Subsequent: 1+ Point Per Occurrence
Jeopardizing the Health/Safety of School Personnel or Student Body * Legal Meds in School (Tylenol/Midol/etc.) Lunch Detention (misbehavior during) Misbehavior During Emergency Drill (Fire/Weather/Etc.) Performing an Act of Violence against School Personnel or Student Body * Possession of a Cell Phone Possession of a Dangerous Weapon * Profanity Directed AT a School Employee Possession, Use or Sale of Tobacco * Possession of items prohibited on school property * Public Display of Affection Running in Halls Serious or Persistent Disruption of Class Tardy to Class Technology: Use of Technology for Purposes other than School Work Without Teacher Permission (See Acceptable Use Policy) Theft Truancy (leaving school property without permission) Unlawful Harassment (Sexual Harassment) Unprepared for Class Use of Profanity Use of a Cell Phone Vandalism (Destruction of School Property)* Subsequent: 12 Points Subsequent: 1+ Points Per Occurrence Subsequent: 1+ Points Initial: 37 Points 1 Point for Each Offense Initial: 16 37 Points (Depending on Length of Blade for Knives) Subsequent: One School Year Expulsion Subsequent: 8 16 Points See Tobacco Policy in Student Handbook Subsequent: 12 Points Per Occurrence Per Occurrence Subsequent: 1 Point Per Occurrence Subsequent: 4 Points Per Occurrence 3 Tardies = 1 Demerit + loss of computer use for 1Quarter Subsequent: 4 Points Per Occurrence + loss of computer use for the rest of the year 16 Points + Restitution Initial: 12 Points Subsequent: 12 Points Initial: 16 Points Subsequent: 16+ Points Subsequent: 1+ Points Per Occurrence Initial: 3 Points Subsequent: 3+ Points Initial: 8 16 Points (depending on severity) Subsequent: 16+ Points All point values are subject to the discretion of the school administrator handling the infraction. Offenses marked with an asterisk (*) are considered serious and may be referred for adjudication pursuant to Act 26 (24 P.S. 13 1317.2) of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Act 26 offenses may also result in an investigation by local police authorities.
Definition of Various Detentions: Lunch Detentions will be used for missing/making up homework. Failure to work on/complete assignment in lunch detention will result in a zero for the assignment and loss of classroom points. Friday Detentions are held in the MS Library from 1:00pm 3:00pm. A student who has been assigned to a Friday detention and who fails to attend (without office permission) will be assigned to an additional Friday. A second failure to attend will result in assignment to Saturday detention. Repetitive disregard for Friday detention assignments may result in suspension from school. Saturday Detentions are held in the high school library (for video surveillance purposes) from 8:30AM 12:00PM. A middle school teacher will be present to monitor middle school students. Students are responsible for providing their own assignments and are responsible to work on them while in detention. Assignment to Saturday detention includes a face to face conversation with the student as well as contact to the parent/guardian for insurance of the notification. Failure to report to a Saturday detention will result in a 2 day out of school suspension for each absence. Exceptions may apply in situations of a religious holiday or a family hardship. The suspension days will count toward the attendance policy. Un served Detention Time: Any detention or suspension time remaining at the end of the school year will be made up during the summer. A student will report from 8:30 3:00PM and will be responsible for his/her lunchtime meal and transportation. Failure to serve detentions will result in a 1) suspension of up to 10 days, assessed at the beginning of the following school year and 2) a Student Activities Exclusion (inclusive of the summer break) until the end of the suspension at the beginning of the next school year. Student Activities Suspensions: Number of Suspension Days (OSS) Multiplier Period of Activities Exclusion 1 Day Out of School Suspension 3 3 School Days 2 Days Out of School Suspension 3 6 School Days 3 Days Out of School Suspension 5 15 School Days 5 Days Out of School Suspension 5 25 School Days A Student Activities Suspension applies to the following events, as a participant and/or spectator in our school. *An athletic event, inclusive of an athletic contest, scrimmage or practice. Students are also not permitted to attend as a spectator. *A club or co curricular activity sponsored in part or in full by the district: Hockey Club, Indoor Guard, Indoor Percussion, Marching Band, Any Academic Contest or Practice, SGA, HAT Sponsored Dances, Field Trips or School Affiliated Trips (Ski Trips).etc.
Incentives Program: Good Things Happen at WHMS incentive program Quarter 1: Westwood Bowling /Planet Ice Passes Lose Activity at Assignment of 4 th Point Quarter 2: In House Movie Lose Activity at Assignment of 7 th Point Quarter 3: Westwood Theatre Movie Lose Activity at Assignment of 10 th Point Quarter 4: SuperFun Day, 3A Days, Field Trips 20 Points Lose SuperFun Day 24 Points Lose 3A Day 28 Points Lose Field Trip *No Clean Slates at Quarter Points Will Accrue Throughout Year