09. Behavior Guidelines

The following actions will result in one or more of the following consequences: counselor referral, principal referral, detention time, restitution, in-school suspension (ISS), short-term out-of-school suspension (OSS), long-term out-of-school suspension, expulsion or notification of juvenile and law enforcement authorities. Students guilty of any of the following could face consequences including suspension or expulsion:

A. Willful violation of any published regulation for student conduct adopted or approved by the board of education.

B. Conduct that substantially disrupts, impedes or interferes with the operation of any public school.

C. Conduct that endangers the safety of others or which substantially impinges upon or invades the rights of others at school, on school property or at a school-supervised activity.

D. Conduct that, if the pupil is an adult, constitutes the commission of a felony or, if the pupil is a juvenile, would constitute the commission of a felony if committed by an adult.

E. Conduct at school, on school property, or at a school-supervised activity that constitutes the commission of a misdemeanor or, if the pupil is a juvenile, would constitute the commission of a misdemeanor if committed by an adult.

F. Disobedience of an order of a teacher, peace officer, school security officer or other school authority when such disobedience can reasonably be anticipated to result in disorder, disruption or interference with the operation of any public school or substantial and material impingement upon or invasion of the rights of others.

G. Possession of a weapon.

Minor Infractions
Inappropriate behavior that will be addressed by the teacher or supervisor unless of a severity to be deemed a Major Infraction
includes, but is not limited to:

● Inappropriate classroom, hallway or lunchroom behavior

● Minor verbal, physical, visual or sexual harassment

● Inappropriate language or gestures

● Public display of affection

● Dress code violation

● Violation of classroom procedures and/or rules

● Cheating ● Dishonesty (lying)

● Poor attendance, including tardies

● Violation of electronic policy

● Inappropriate location

● *Disrespect to students or adults

● Cell phone violation

● Misuse of AI tools

● Failure to comply

● Disruptive behavior

Major Infractions

Inappropriate behavior which may result in a referral to the office includes, but is not limited to:

● Any chronic minor behavior

● *Aggressive behavior (confrontations, threats, intimidation, pushing)

● *Bullying

● Harassment - sexual, racial, or disability harassment

● Sexting - defined as sending, sharing, posting, viewing, or possessing pictures or video, text messages, emails, or other material of a sexually explicit nature in electronic or any other form on a cell phone or electronic device

● *Possession of and/or discharging any flammable substance

● *Severe disrespect to adults

● *Possession of any knife

● *Theft or possession of stolen property

● Failure to submit to preliminary drug/alcohol screening assessments

● Inappropriate location (on or off campus)

● Filing a false report (Deceit or lying that impedes a school investigation or daily operations of school)

● *Displaying gang graffiti or signs with the intent to intimidate

● *Possession of a real or simulated weapon

● *Possession, use or distribution of tobacco products, alcohol, illegal or simulated drugs, or drug paraphernalia at school, on or in school property, or at school-sponsored activities or events

● *Battery or fighting

● Any activity that leads to police involvement

● Cell phone violation (improper violates of phone usage: i.e. in locker rooms, or bathrooms, inappropriate recordings shared with anyone or posted)

● Violation of individual student contracts

● Destruction, defacing, vandalism of school buildings or school/student/employee property

● Academic dishonesty involving hacking school email

● Extensive (excessive) failure to comply

*Indicate an activity that may result in an automatic In School Suspension (ISS) or Out of School Suspension (OSS).

The decision about consequences will be determined by the building administrators. Consequences may include, but are not limited to: detentions, Wednesday morning school, loss of property, individual behavior contracts, suspensions, and/or expulsion. The frequency and severity of major offenses by a student will determine if/when a long-term hearing will be scheduled in order to decide the status of the student at Emporia Middle School.