The Don’ts of Middle School:The Don’ts of Middle School:How to Avoid Demerits and ReferralsHow to Avoid Demerits and Referrals

Middle School OrientationMiddle School Orientation

Rocky Mount Preparatory Rocky Mount Preparatory SchoolSchool

August, 2009August, 2009

Why do we have demerits?Why do we have demerits?

In our school we have rules and In our school we have rules and procedures.procedures.

Procedures are simply expectations, Procedures are simply expectations, but rules have consequences but rules have consequences attached.attached.

Demerits are how we Demerits are how we enforce the rules.enforce the rules.

Think of demerits as Think of demerits as speeding tickets on speeding tickets on the Middle School Highway!the Middle School Highway!

Demerits are for simple rules Demerits are for simple rules violations and are easy to spot.violations and are easy to spot.

Here are some typical demerit offenses:Here are some typical demerit offenses: Late to class—This is up to the Late to class—This is up to the

individual teacher, but usually if you individual teacher, but usually if you enter the room after the tardy bell, enter the room after the tardy bell, you are subject to two demerits.you are subject to two demerits.

Horseplay—This is simply Horseplay—This is simply aggressive play that might aggressive play that might lead to a fight or result lead to a fight or result in an injury (also two demerits). in an injury (also two demerits).

More Two Demerit offenses…More Two Demerit offenses… Dress Code Violations (discussed elsewhere)Dress Code Violations (discussed elsewhere) Coming to Class Unprepared (at teacher’s Coming to Class Unprepared (at teacher’s

discretion)discretion) Excessive talking—this is simply carrying on Excessive talking—this is simply carrying on

a conversation in class that is a distraction a conversation in class that is a distraction and not related to the classroom activity at and not related to the classroom activity at the time. A verbal warning is issued first.the time. A verbal warning is issued first.

Bringing food or drink to class—Note: some Bringing food or drink to class—Note: some teachers will allow plain bottled water, but teachers will allow plain bottled water, but clear this with each individual teacher.clear this with each individual teacher.

Three demerit offenses include…Three demerit offenses include…

Late to School (unexcused)—please Late to School (unexcused)—please check in at the Front Desk if you check in at the Front Desk if you arrive after 8:00 a.m. Bring the late arrive after 8:00 a.m. Bring the late slip to your teacher to be admitted to slip to your teacher to be admitted to class.class.

Public Display of Affection— Public Display of Affection— please do not hug, kiss, or please do not hug, kiss, or otherwise make inappropriate otherwise make inappropriate contact with another student. contact with another student.

More Three Demerit Offenses…More Three Demerit Offenses…

Out of Pocket—You must be accounted Out of Pocket—You must be accounted for at all times. If you are out of class for at all times. If you are out of class without permission, you are “out of without permission, you are “out of pocket” and subject to demerits.pocket” and subject to demerits.

Head on Desk or Asleep in Class— Head on Desk or Asleep in Class— You are here to learn. If you are You are here to learn. If you are having trouble getting enough having trouble getting enough sleep, please talk to a teacher sleep, please talk to a teacher so we can help. so we can help.

There is ONE Four Demerit Offense:There is ONE Four Demerit Offense:

Chewing Gum!Chewing Gum!Why is this a big Why is this a big

deal?deal? Ask our Ask our custodial staff how custodial staff how long it takes to get long it takes to get gum scraped off a gum scraped off a tile floor or a desk or tile floor or a desk or how hard it is to how hard it is to remove from carpet!remove from carpet!

Referrals are reserved for…Referrals are reserved for…

Repeat offenses that normally would Repeat offenses that normally would result in demerits.result in demerits.

Repeated disrespect or disobedience.Repeated disrespect or disobedience. Major violations of rules that Major violations of rules that

involve dishonesty.involve dishonesty. Conduct that endangers Conduct that endangers

other students.other students.

Disrespect of a teacher or another Disrespect of a teacher or another student is not tolerated!student is not tolerated!

Office Referrals are automatically givenOffice Referrals are automatically given when a student uses vulgar language or when a student uses vulgar language or

gestures directed at a teacher or another gestures directed at a teacher or another student.student.

when a student repeatedly refuses a when a student repeatedly refuses a direct instruction from a teacher or direct instruction from a teacher or shows disrespect for a teacher either shows disrespect for a teacher either verbally or non-verbally.verbally or non-verbally.

when a student makes remarks or when a student makes remarks or advances to another person of a sexual advances to another person of a sexual nature.nature.

Any action that is dishonest is Any action that is dishonest is subject to Office Referral.subject to Office Referral.

Lying, cheating, Lying, cheating, and stealing are and stealing are not tolerated! not tolerated!

If it is found that a If it is found that a student forged a student forged a parent’s signature parent’s signature on a note from on a note from home, that student home, that student will receive an will receive an Office Referral.Office Referral.

Office referrals are also given…Office referrals are also given…

For skipping class For skipping class or leaving the or leaving the school grounds.school grounds.

For smoking, For smoking, drinking, or drinking, or gambling.gambling.

For vandalism or For vandalism or defacing school defacing school property.property.

Referrals are given for any action that Referrals are given for any action that might endanger another person.might endanger another person.

Harassment of another Harassment of another student, including student, including physical acts such as physical acts such as wedgies and swirlies.wedgies and swirlies.

Possession of any item Possession of any item that may commonly that may commonly be used as a lethal be used as a lethal weapon.weapon.

Fighting or inciting Fighting or inciting another person to another person to fight.fight.

Ten Demerits in 4 ½ Weeks=Ten Demerits in 4 ½ Weeks=

Three days after Three days after school detention.school detention.

Demerits are wiped Demerits are wiped clean at the end of the clean at the end of the Progress Report Progress Report period.period.

Subsequent detentions Subsequent detentions may be longer at the may be longer at the principal’s discretion.principal’s discretion.

Referrals may result inReferrals may result in A student receiving after school detention.A student receiving after school detention. A student receiving out of school A student receiving out of school

suspension of at least one day. suspension of at least one day. Subsequent suspensions result in longer Subsequent suspensions result in longer terms of suspension.terms of suspension.

If a student receives multiple suspensions, If a student receives multiple suspensions, that student may be asked to withdraw that student may be asked to withdraw from Prep.from Prep.

We are serious about behavior issues We are serious about behavior issues here; your family chose for you to come to here; your family chose for you to come to this school, so you need to be on board!this school, so you need to be on board!

For your consideration…For your consideration…In groups of no more than four, discussIn groups of no more than four, discuss

What rules at Prep that were What rules at Prep that were discussed in this presentation discussed in this presentation do you think are most important?do you think are most important?

What rules do you disagree with? What rules do you disagree with? Why?Why?

Is there a rule that was not Is there a rule that was not presented that you believe should presented that you believe should be put in place at Prep?be put in place at Prep?

Let’s all understand…Let’s all understand…

……that rules are that rules are here for the here for the protection of all protection of all students and students and teachers. Let’s teachers. Let’s make this a make this a great year in great year in Middle School Middle School at Prep!at Prep!