Norms for behavior are necessary in school, just as in any other organization in our society; to bring order and create an atmosphere in which students can best learn and succeed.  Since students learn best in a climate that is safe, secure, and respectful, we need to ensure that such an environment exists at Random Lake Middle School.  The staff at RLMS work consistently to create a safe environment for all students to enjoy.  

PBIS BEHAVIOR FRAMEWORK

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a problem-solving framework that aims to encourage appropriate behavior through teaching and reinforcing positive behaviors. PBIS offers a range of interventions that can be applied to individual students in need and/or addresses school climate as a whole in order to improve behavior problems and provide positive alternatives. Students who meet behavior goals will participate in a variety of positive group activities aimed at creating a healthy and respectful school environment. Additionally, when students are “caught” showing positive leadership, kindness, and respectful behaviors they can earn a Ram Buck. These bucks can be turned in for a chance to win various awards each quarter.

Student expectations in our RLMS community matrix are the norms for behavior  that all students are expected to follow throughout the school day.  These expectations are posted throughout the building as positive reminders to our students.  

RLMS Community Behavior Matrix

The basis for these expectations is:

• Respect all staff, students, and visitors

• Respect individual and school property

• Take responsibility for your own actions

• Allow teachers the right to teach and students the right to learn

• Take pride in yourself, your work, your school, and your community

• Come to school ready to learn

• Provide an atmosphere free of harassment and negative behavior

Each teacher establishes student expectations in his/her individual classrooms. Teachers will discuss classroom expectations with students at the start of the year.

INTERVIEWS AND SEARCHES BY SCHOOL PERSONNEL

Occasionally, administration may find it necessary to call the Police Department for assistance in handling a student who is out of control or has broken a law. Law Enforcement may search your locker if they have a warrant or “reasonable suspicion” that you have unlawful items in your locker. Police are permitted to interview you in school without your parent’s consent. However, the administration will inform parents of the interview. You have the same rights you would have outside of the school.

FIGHTING

No student shall participate in, encourage, or instigate any fighting at school or at a school function.  Also, no student will threaten, coerce, intimidate or annoy, either singly or in groups, any other students or staff member.  “Play fighting” is considered fighting.  Students who become involved in this type of conduct may be immediately sent to the office and are subject to suspension, and possibly a referral to the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department, depending on the extent of the involvement.

BREAKAGE/DESTRUCTION OF SCHOOL PROPERTY

If a student inadvertently or accidently damages, destroys, or loses property belonging to the School District of Random Lake, the student may be required to pay all costs involved in the repair or replacement of material items. In the event that school property is damaged, destroyed, or lost intentionally due to misbehavior or mischief, the student will be required to pay all damages and be subject to disciplinary procedures as per school policy.

PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION

School is a place to learn. Kissing and fondling is prohibited on school grounds, at school functions, or on buses. Holding hands is permitted.

RESPECT TOWARD STAFF

Students are expected to show respect and courtesy toward all staff members.  Students will also follow any directions from a staff member.  Any derogatory, negative, or inappropriate comments directed at or toward staff will not be tolerated.  This includes swearing.  Students who show disrespect toward Random Lake School staff may receive a detention, suspension, and/or a referral to the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department, depending upon the severity of the act.

SCHOOL LOCKER POLICY

The School District of Random Lake retains ownership and possessory control of all pupil lockers.  A locker will be assigned to each student at the beginning of the school year. Locks are not mandatory but highly encouraged, as the school cannot be held responsible for items missing or stolen from an unlocked locker. Students are not to share lockers with friends and should not share their locker combinations with others. Pupil lockers are subject to search as determined necessary or appropriate without consent of the pupil assigned the locker, and without obtaining a search warrant.  Pupil lockers may be searched by school administrators, teachers, police liaison officers, custodial and maintenance employees, and other individuals as approved by the principal or superintendent per board policy 5771.

VIDEOTAPING/PHOTOGRAPHY

The School District of Random Lake reserves the right to videotape any area of the building or grounds, with the exception of restrooms and locker rooms, for the purpose of maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment.  Students wishing to record, photograph, or video a teacher, class, or other students, must receive their permission before doing so. If you do not want your child to be photographed/videotaped for school purposes (class project, school webpage, sports, etc..) please notify the office in writing at the beginning of the school year so your wishes can be honored.

VIOLENT, AGGRESSIVE, AND/OR THREATENING BEHAVIOR

Violence, aggressive,  and/or threatening behavior on school premises, buses, or any school event will not be tolerated. This will be dealt with immediately and appropriate action will be taken. Violent, aggressive, and/or threatening behavior may or may not involve dangerous weapons. This behavior includes, but is not limited to, disorderly conduct, battery, mayhem, aggravated battery, injury by conduct regardless of life and harassment. The school will treat these actions very seriously and has implemented school rules on violence, aggressive, and/or threatening behavior that could result in a student being expelled from school.  Students who endanger the property, health, and/or safety of ANY student, school employee or school board member of the district, regardless of whether the pupil’s conduct or action take place on or off school grounds, will be handled under the following guidelines. (Wisconsin Statutes 120.13 (1)(c) )

CLASSROOM DISRUPTIONS

The school district is committed to maintaining an orderly academic climate.  Teachers are expected to create a positive learning climate for students in the classrooms and to maintain proper order.  Students are expected to behave in the classroom in such a manner that allows teachers to effectively carry out their lesson plans and for students to participate in classroom learning activities.  Students are also expected to abide by all expectations of behavior established by the Board of Education, administration and their classroom teachers.

Student behavior that is dangerous, disruptive or unruly or that interferes with the teacher’s ability to teach, or the ability for other students to learn, will not be tolerated.  Any student who engages in such behavior, may be subject to removal from class.  In addition, the student may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with established Board policies, state laws and school rules.

Temporary Removal From Classroom:  If a student engages in dangerous, disruptive, unruly behavior that interferes with the teacher’s ability to teach, or the ability for other students to learn may be sent to the office from a classroom.  A student may be removed for disruptions that are considered office managed level behaviors (see RLMS Major/Minor rubric).   IF REMOVED, THE STUDENT IS TO REPORT TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE IMMEDIATELY.  To be reinstated in the class, the student must confer with a school administrator and the teacher if appropriate.  If a student is removed from class and a referral is submitted to the office a parent phone call is required by the teacher.

CLASSROOM CODE OF CONDUCT 

Board policy 5500 - Student conduct on or adjacent to school premises, on school vehicles, and at school-related events and activities shall be governed by the rules and provisions of the Student Code of Classroom Conduct. In addition, student conduct on internet-based social media outlets, when such conduct forms a sufficient connection to school or staff, is governed by the Code of Conduct. This Code of Classroom Conduct shall include the following items:

1. specification of what constitutes dangerous, disruptive, or unruly behavior that interferes with the ability of the teacher to teach effectively, which therefore permits the teacher to remove the student from class;
   

2. other student conduct that may be used by a teacher as a basis to remove a student from class; and
   

3. procedures for notifying the parent of a student's removal and procedures for placement of a student that has been removed from class.

The District is committed to maintaining an orderly academic climate.  Teachers are expected to create a positive learning climate for students in their classrooms and to maintain proper order.  Students are expected to behave in the classroom in such a manner that allows teachers to effectively carry out their lesson plans and students to participate in classroom learning activities.  Students are also expected to abide by all rules of behavior established by the Board, administration and their classroom teachers.

Student behavior that is dangerous, disruptive or unruly or that interferes with the teacher’s ability to teach effectively will not be tolerated.  Any student who engages in such behavior may be subject to removal from class and placement as outlined below.  In addition, the student may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with established Board policies, state laws and school rules.

This code of classroom conduct applies to all students in grades K-12.

Student Removal from Class

A teacher may remove a student from class for the following reasons: dangerous, disruptive or unruly behavior or behavior that interferes with the ability of the teacher to teach effectively.  This type of behavior includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• possession or use of a weapon or other item that might cause bodily harm to persons in the classroom

• being under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances or controlled substance analogs, or otherwise in violation of district student alcohol and other drug policies

• behavior that interferes with a person's work or school performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive classroom environment

• fighting

• taunting, baiting, inciting and/or encouraging a fight or disruption

• disruption and intimidation caused by gang or group symbols or gestures, gang or group posturing to provoke altercations or confrontations

• pushing or striking a student or staff member

• obstruction of classroom activities or other intentional action taken to attempt to prevent the teacher from exercising his/her assigned duties

• interfering with the orderly operation of the classroom by using, threatening to use or encouraging others to use violence, force, coercion, threats, intimidation, fear or disruptive means

• restricting another person's freedom to properly utilize classroom facilities or equipment

• repeated classroom interruptions, confronting staff argumentatively, making loud noises or refusing to follow directions

• throwing objects in the classroom

• excessive or disruptive talking

• behavior that causes the teacher or other students fear of physical or psychological harm

• physical confrontations or verbal/physical threats

• use of tobacco products

A student with a disability may be removed from class and placed in an alternative educational setting only to the extent authorized by state and federal laws and regulations.

When a student is removed from class, the teacher shall send the student to the building principal or designee and inform him/her of the reason for the student's removal from class.  A written explanation of the reasons shall be given to the principal or designee within 24 hours of the student's removal from class.  The principal shall inform the student of the reason(s) for the removal from class and shall allow the student the opportunity to present his/her version of the situation.  The parent/guardian of a minor student shall be notified of the student's removal from class either through letter, email or phone call home.

PLACEMENT PROCEDURES

The building principal or designee shall place a student who has been removed from a class by a teacher in one of the following alternative educational settings:

• An alternative education program approved by the Board.  State law defines this as an instructional program approved by the school board that utilizes successful alternative or adaptive school structures and teaching techniques and that is incorporated into existing, traditional classrooms or regularly scheduled curricular programs or that is offered in place of regularly scheduled curricular programs.

• Another class in the school or another appropriate place in the school.

• Another instructional setting.

• The class from which the student was removed if, after weighing the interests of the removed student, the other students in the class and the teacher, the principal or designee determines that readmission to the class is the best or only alternative.

• When making a placement decision, the principal or his/her designee shall consider many factors, including, but not limited to, the reason the student was removed from class, the student's previous behavior and disciplinary record, the student's individual needs, and the placement alternatives available to the student.

• All placement decisions shall be made consistent with Board policies and in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations.

• If the removal from class is for two (2) days or less the placement will be made by the principal.  He/She will consult with others as he/she determines necessary.

• If the removal is expected to extend beyond two (2) days, the principal will consult with the teacher, the student’s parents/guardians, if available, and others as determined by the principal or his/her designee before making the placement decision.  If the student has an IEP, the IEP Committee may meet to discuss the student’s behavior and placement options.

HARASSMENT (Policy 5517 - STUDENT ANTI-HARASSMENT)

 Prohibited Harassment - It is the policy of the Board to maintain an educational environment that is free from all forms of harassment, including sexual harassment. This commitment applies to all District operations, programs, and activities. All students, administrators, teachers, staff, and all other school personnel share responsibility for avoiding, discouraging, and reporting any form of harassment. This policy applies to conduct occurring in any manner or setting over which the Board can exercise control, including on school property, or at another location if such conduct occurs during an activity sponsored by the Board.

Harassment is not acceptable. Name calling, teasing, note writing, intimidating, stalking/following, hanging around, or blocking a person’s path, etc… are all considered harassment. Cyber bullying may also be covered under this area if occurring during school time or school functions. Disciplinary action will take place if warranted. Per school board policy and discipline guidelines, consequences may be issued if behavior persists. Please see either your school principal or school counselor if you feel you are being harassed.

BULLYING

Bullying is prohibited by Board Policy 5517.01 – Bullying. It is defined as deliberate or intentional behavior using words or actions, intended to cause fear, intimidation, or harm. Bullying may be a repeated behavior and involves an imbalance of power. Furthermore, it may be serious enough to negatively impact a student’s educational, physical, or emotional well-being. Bullying need not be based on any Protected Class. Bullying behavior rises to the level of harassment when the prohibited conduct is based upon the student’s sex (including transgender status, change of sex, or gender identity), race color, national origin, religion, creed, ancestry, marital or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability, or any other characteristic protected by Federal or State civil rights. Complaints brought under this policy that are more appropriately handled under the Bullying policy shall be referred for investigation consistent with the procedures in that policy.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

The School District of Random Lake prohibits sexual harassment under any circumstance!

Definition: Sexual harassment has been defined by the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission as follows:

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or academic status, (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting such individual, or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect or unreasonably interfering with an individual’s performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.

Individuals who experience sexual harassment should make it clear that such behavior is offensive to them and may process a complaint pursuant to established procedures. Sexual harassment may include actions such as:

• Sex-oriented verbal “kidding” or abuse;

• Sexual contact as defined by statutes; and

• Demand for sexual favors, accompanied by implied or overt promises or preferential treatment or threats concerning an individual’s employment or academic status

Harassment/Bullying/Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedure

The following procedure is adopted to provide for the resolution of student complaints alleging any discrimination due to harassment.

Reporting procedures are as follows:

•  Any student who believes s/he has been the victim of harassment prohibited under this policy will be encouraged to report the alleged harassment to any District employee, such as a teacher, administrator or other employees.
  

• Any parent of a student who believes the student has been the victim of harassment prohibited under this policy is encouraged to report the alleged harassment to the student’s teacher, building administrator or District Administrator.
  

• Teachers, administrators, and other school officials who have the knowledge or received notice that a student has or may have been the victim of harassment prohibited under this policy shall immediately report the alleged harassment to the Compliance Officer and the Building Principal or District Administrator.
  

• Any other person with knowledge or belief that a student has or may have been the victim of harassment prohibited by this policy shall be encouraged to immediately report the alleged acts to any District employee, such as a teacher, administrator or other employee.
  

• The reporting party or Complainant shall be encouraged to use a report form available from the Principal of each building or available from the District office, but oral reports shall be considered complaints as well. Use of formal reporting forms shall not be mandated. However, all oral complaints shall be reduced to writing.
  

• To provide individuals with options for reporting harassment to an individual of the gender with which they feel most comfortable, each school's building principal shall be advised to designate both a male and a female Compliance Officer for receiving reports of harassment prohibited by this policy. At least one (1) Compliance Officer or other individual shall be available outside regular school hours to address complaints of harassment that may require immediate attention.

The Administration may modify consequences based upon the severity of the action involved.  The consequences involved in each situation will be determined on a case-by-case basis after an administrative review of the available information.

USE, POSSESSION, OR BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS

(In accordance with Board policy 5530)

The goal of this policy is to promote the maximum level of learning success for all students by working with them, their parents, and the community so all schools will be totally free of the harmful effects of alcohol and other drugs. This policy is designed to convey a strong message of zero tolerance. Students are prohibited when, on school property, in school related transportation or at a school sponsored event, from possessing alcohol, non-prescribed controlled substances or related chemicals, unauthorized prescribed medications, look-alike controlled substances, or drug paraphernalia as defined in Section 961.571, Wisconsin Statutes, and from transferring or selling any of these items.

Failure to abide by this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension or expulsion from school. Such disciplinary action shall be done in accordance with state law enforcement officials regarding prosecution under specific local, state, and federal laws.

TOBACCO and NICOTINE by STUDENTS (policy 5512)

As of April 1, 1992, any person is prohibited from using or possessing any tobacco products on school grounds (1991 Wis. Act 1995), or while participating in a school-sponsored activity.  These materials will be confiscated and not returned.  Possession or use of tobacco products on school property may result in suspension, parent notification, and possible law enforcement notification.  Tobacco products include (but not limited to) cigarettes, cigars, snuff, chew, clove cigarettes, dissolvable tobacco, and e-Cigarettes/vapes.

THE SEVERE CLAUSE

The Severe Clause is used when a Random Lake Middle School rule is broken in such a manner that a staff member considers it extreme (i.e. it may result in a longer than specified suspension, a compensatory consequence, or a combination of consequences).  In some cases, it may result in a recommendation for expulsion or a referral to legal authorities.  Rules, behaviors, or incidents not covered specifically in this handbook are at the discretion of the school administration to determine appropriateness and consequences.

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES

As an entire staff, we will attempt to be consistent and fair in our handling of discipline.  Infractions that are considered minor will be addressed by the classroom teacher, students will be given consequences from that teacher and parents will be notified.  If the problem is not resolved at this level and/or continues, the dean of students and/or building administrators will be involved via an office discipline referral.

When student behavior necessitates disciplinary action on the part of the teacher, dean of students, or building administrator, possible strategies include: conference with teacher, parent phone call/conference, detentions at lunch or afterschool, loss of privileges including extra curricular/cafeteria/hallway passing/special event participation, and in school and out-of-school suspensions.  Other consequences identified by individual teachers or building administrators depend upon the circumstances surrounding the incident.

RLMS Discipline Procedure Chart

DETENTIONS

Individual teachers may assign detentions for minor classroom infractions. The following procedures will apply to the student receiving such a detention:

• The teacher and/or school staff member will notify parents

• Detention time will be designated by the teacher and communicated to parents

• Students are expected to be prompt and work quietly for the duration of the detention

• If a student has an after school activity or sporting event, the student must serve the detention prior to participation in the after school event/sport

SUSPENSIONS

Students who are suspended have the right to make up work missed during a suspension. No student will be denied the right to take any quarterly, semester or grading period examinations that were missed during the period of suspension. The school shall specify the conditions, though, under which the student will complete this work. Any student on suspension will be suspended from any and all co-curricular school activities until they are reinstated into their classes.

EXPULSIONS

Random Lake School Board policy and state law allows for the expulsion of a student from school when deemed appropriate and in the best interest of the school district. Except when required by law, expulsion is the last resort after other alternatives have been considered. A student may be referred to the district administrator for possible expulsion when conduct seriously endangers the property, health, or safety of the school, school district employees, school board members, students, or others during school hours or at school functions. The district administrator will review the circumstances, and refer the matter to the school board for expulsion consideration if the circumstances warrant.