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Student Policies

2025 - 2026 School Year

Click Here!

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We Are Here For You!!

Ms. L. Smith, Principal
Ms. Thompson, Assistant Principal
Ms. Moravec, School Counselor (last names A-L)
Ms. Sheffield, School Counselor (last names M-Z)
Ms. J. Smith, School Psychologist
Ms. Adkins, Student Service Secretary/Registrar
Ms. Toler, Nurse

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School Improvement Goals for HMS

Increase the number of students that score a 3 or more on MCAP Math and MCAP literacy
Reduce the number of students that receive a consequence of suspension out of school.
Create a school climate where all students know they belong

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Hammond Middle School Will:

Foster a diverse, safe, and welcoming community and learning environment
Engage students in a rigorous academic environment that meets their individual needs and interests
Nurture the joy of learning for each student
Instill critical thinking skills
Promote strong relationships among parents, teachers and students

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Let’s Dig In

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Outcomes

Students will increase their understanding of:

The HCPSS Student Code of Conduct

The Incident Reporting tool

HCPSS Policies

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Civility, Policy 1000

Unacceptable behaviors include but are not limited to:

Rude and insulting language
Persistently unreasonable demands
Displays of temper
Harassment and intimidation

Click Here!

Each student is responsible for behaving in a civil manner and for cooperating in resolving uncivil incidents.

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Attendance Procedures, Policy 9010

Attend all classes, on time every day that school is in session.
Email a note if you are late, need to leave early, or will be absent from class.
Attendance email: hmsabsence@hcpss.org

Click Here!

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Grading Procedures: Middle School, Policy 8020

Students must maintain at least a “C” average in their core academic subjects to be eligible for promotion.
A student may make up work and receive a recorded grade for work missed due to a lawful absence
Extra credit is not offered in grades 6-12
Teachers may allow students to redo work to demonstrate a satisfactory level of mastery at a minimum.

Click Here!

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Responsible Use of Technology and Social Media, Policy 8080

Middle school students must keep their cell phones/ear buds silent and away throughout the day.
No technology in bathrooms/ locker rooms
Student’s will access only those network resources for which they obtained permission.
The misuse of the school system’s computer technology causing damage will result in families paying for the damage.

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Computer Use

Students may only have their computers out with teacher permission
While in the classroom, students should only use their computers for assignments/school purposes
Students must treat their laptop with care
Students must report any damage immediately to Ms. Koehler or Ms. Livas in the media center

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Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, or Intimidation, Policy 9460

The Board of Education prohibits acts of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation because these behaviors compromise the learning environment and wellbeing of students, staff and community.

Bullying may include the following specific behaviors:
Teasing, name-calling, critical remarks, or threatening, in person, by mail or text message
Physical (such as hitting, kicking, shoving, etc.)
Spreading rumors or gossip
Cyberbullying

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CYBERBULLYING

Incidents of cyberbullying from a student’s home that impacts another student’s well being at school can be reported.
All reports of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment and intimidation will be documented and investigated.
Retaliation against any victim or bystander is strictly prohibited and progressive consequences will occur if the activity continues.

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Discrimination, Policy 1010

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Students and staff may not discriminate, intimidate, or harass any member of the HMS community because of their:

Race
Color
Nationality
Religion
Disability
Age
Gender

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Student Code of Conduct

Student behavior is the shared responsibility of the school, the student, and the home.

The county wide discipline policy applies during school hours as well as at other times and places.

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Class Disruption & Disrespect -#1 infractions

Students are expected to use situationally appropriate behaviors in the classroom.
To be considered “Class Disruption,” student’s behavior must be intentional and impede their own or others’ learning
From relationships comes respect.
Students are expected to use situationally appropriate behaviors in the classroom.
Students are expected to treat peers and staff with kindness.
Students’ behavior should not create an unsafe environment for others.

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The First Step in the Code of Conduct

“It’s ok to trip up sometimes, it’s how we learn and come back from it that matters.”

We practice progressive discipline.

Class Warning
Personal Warning
Parent/Guardian Contact
Incident Report
Level 1- 2 responses

Extended school day
Formal teacher conference with parent/guardian
Loss of privileges

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Level Responses

Offense

Range

Definition

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Let’s Explore One Together - Attendance

Why do you think regular on time class attendance is important?
Go to page 5 and look at “Absent from Class without Permission/Class Cutting”
Read the definition and level response.
Notice there are times these infractions could be handled by teachers or by administration.

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Now Let’s Explore - Academic Dishonesty

The HCPSS Student Code of Conduct defines Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism as:

Academic Dishonesty can take many forms including plagiarism and/or cheating.
Plagiarism, using the work or ideas of others, may also include the use of Artificial Intelligence writing programs without proper acknowledgment, giving the false impression of original authorship.
Cheating may include forgery, such as faking a signature of a teacher or parent; or copying the work of another person digitally or in person.
Furthermore, supplying work to be copied is the facilitation of cheating. (Policy 8120 Testing: State and Local Responsibilities and Protocols)

*Plagiarism may include but is not limited to the following types of sources: ChatGPT, textbooks, Wikipedia, other online sources, etc…

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If a teacher suspects a violation of the student code of conduct:

The teacher will

gather appropriate evidence (review of materials/resources, student statements, etc.)
explain to the student(s) the nature of the offense and the possible consequence(s) for that offense.
complete an Incident Report, assign the appropriate consequence, and contact the parent/guardian.

Consequences for violations may include:

Level 1 consequences outlined in the Student Code of Conduct
Level 2 consequences outlined in the Student Code of Conduct
Completing a comparable assignment
A grade of 0 for the assignment with the ability to re-do the assignment
A grade of 0 for the assignment without the ability to re-do comparable assignment

*When determining a consequence, consideration may be given to the severity of the incident as well as previous academic dishonesty violations.

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Let’s Explore One Together

Go to Insert a Code of Conduct issue that applies to your grade level/school community
Read the definition and level response
What do you notice about the definition?
What happens when this reaches a level/level 4 response?

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Incident Report

Identifying information
Prior staff actions & observed behavior
Description of the incident in observable terms
Student description of incident & discussion summary
Actions taken (includes referral to school administration)
Staff Signature section

Say “Sometimes a teacher will handle this scenario with a student and there is no documentation. However, sometimes the incident may require an Incident Report. An incident report is something new for this school year. It is a way for a teacher to document when (1) a violation of the student code of conduct has occurred AND (2) a consequence has been given as a result. If your teacher chooses to complete one of these forms they will ask to speak to you about it. This is to ensure you have the opportunity share your perspective of what happened. Now let’s review each section of this new form.”

Consider having paper copies out throughout the room for them to reference.

*Note - this slide displays each bullet point one at a time to allow you to pause and clarify for certain sections of the report.

Say “Identifying Information - The top portion is where you will find identifying information about the incident, including student and staff names, location, and time”

Say “Prior staff actions & observed behavior - this is where staff will note things they’ve tried to do to support students in the past and check off which violation of the code of conduct this was. Staff will also write a brief description of what happened from their perspective. It is important to note that while Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment and Intimidation are on this form, anytime a staff suspect bullying may be occuring, they will be reporting it to administration to begin a full investigation, which includes calls and letters home to parents/guardians”

Say “The student description of the incident provides students with the opportunity to share what happened from their point of view. If students need more space you are welcome to use the student statement form or another piece of paper. It also includes a space for staff to summarize their conversation with the student and includes some guiding questions to focus on. It is often best for the student and staff to talk directly to each other, but if students would rather process incidents with other support staff they may and then that staff can help them process together later”

Say “The last section of the report provides staff a place to record actions taken as well make a referral to administration if needed”

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Office Disciplinary Report

Differences between Incident Report and Office Disciplinary Report

It becomes part of your permanent school record
Administration handles office disciplinary reports
They often involve more serious consequences

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DRUGS/ TOBACCO/ALCOHOL/WEAPONS

Don’t bring/ use them!!!!
Don’t pretend to have them!!!

Click Here!

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“It’s ok

to make mistakes…

as long as

you learn from them.”

SAY - When disruptive or unsafe mistakes continue to happen, as well as when major unsafe issues occur even just one time, most likely they will result in other responses. Administrators get involved at these levels of behaviors. Typically, behaviors are recorded on Office Disciplinary Referrals. Parent/Guardian contact is made to engage the entire student support system, and an appropriate consequence is applied, which is intended to lead to behavior change and ultimately more time in class….where learning happens.

Some offenses that can lead to immediate administrative responses include: alcohol/drugs/tobacco violations, arson/fire/explosives violations, assault and/or battery on staff, false alarms or threats, hazing, attacks on students, leaving school grounds without permission, causing serious bodily harm, stalking, trespassing violations, and weapons violations.

Consider having definitions up (page 6 and 7 of the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct) for students to review and/or for staff to review definitions if questions arise. HCPSS Student Code of Conduct

This is a good time to have students sign that they’ve reviewed the code of conduct and/or assign it as homework for parents/guardians to sign off on as well

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Policies

All relevant HCPSS student policies can be found at:

9000 Series- Student Policies

9230 Substances
9250 Weapons
9260 Search and Seizure
9280 Community/Reportable Offense
9290 Gang Activity
9460 Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, Intimidation

Administrators- if you choose to review some policies in another way or at another time, please update this slide to highlight policies you are not covering in detail. Decide when/how students will do the accompanying sign off. If it’s during this presentation, please insert your method for collecting signatures here so staff are aware of what to ask the students to do. If you have students sign off with you in a different way/time, just have this slide act as an activity to help students learn more about the policies you prioritize to highlight.

“In a few minutes, you are going to be asked to sign off on your understanding of the Code of Conduct and Policies. We will now take some time to highlight some of the policies. Here is a list of all student policies- click the link. While they are all very important, let’s read a little more about the ones listed here.”

Have all students go to the link. One consideration for the activity could be to separate class into six groups, assign them each a policy to click on and read more about. Have them focus on a description and potential consequences to share with the class. (For 9260 they could focus on when searches are permitted instead of consequences)

After groups present, allow a few minutes for questions. If there are questions you cannot answer, collect them for administration to address at another time.

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STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Students share responsibility with school staff for maintaining an environment of mutual respect and dignity in the school.
Students take an active role in making school a supportive, safe, and welcoming place for all students and staff.

Click Here!

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Lockers and Backpacks

Students are allowed to carry their laptop, charger and books for class in their backpack.
Students must put their coats, lunches, and books/supplies that are not being used in their lockers
Students must store their backpacks in their locker during lunchtime. Computers are NOT allowed in the cafeteria during lunch or out at recess

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Personal Communication Device Guidelines

Students must comply with class and school rules and all HCPSS policies

Cell phones are allowed ONLY before the arrival bell and after the dismissal bell
No cell phones or accessories (including ear buds) should be used or visible during the school day

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Respect for Yourself and Others

Be Brave. Create the kind of world you want to live in.
If you feel that you have witnessed or been bullied, report it to an adult immediately.

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Timeliness & Passes

Students must travel to their classes via the indoor hallways
Students must arrive at class on time
Students must have a pass to leave the room
Teachers may write Incident Reports, contact parents/guardians, or assign lunch time consequences for repetitive tardies
Each classroom will have 2 passes for bathroom/drink
Paper passes may be used for nurse, office, or guidance

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A Few Reminders about Sprays

Perfumed sprays are NOT allowed to be sprayed at school.
They trigger migraines
They flare asthma attacks
If you spray body sprays, deodorants, perfumes in hallways, classrooms, bathrooms the progressive discipline will be as follows.

1st offense-reminder to the student
2nd offense -parent contact
3rd offense- Administrator will hold on to the spray until dismissal
4th offense - Administrator will hold the spray until a parent coomes to get it.

Keep your perfumed sprays at home

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Lunch

Come in and be seated

Know your table #

Know your lunch pin

Line up only when your table has been called

You may go to eat outside once your table has been called
Clean up your area and you may go outside for recess when you are ready

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Recess

An adult must be outside before you exit the building
Trash needs to be thrown out before recess equipment is used.
Blacktop, kickball field and soccer field (if dry) are both open.
Good sportsmanship is required - lunch duty staff have the right to revoke any sport if good sportsmanship is not demonstrated
When the whistle blows all playing must stop, equipment returned, and line up

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Next Steps

All administrators and staff have been trained
All students will hear this presentation and sign off electronically in acknowledgement

We are sharing this presentation with parents, guardians, and families through Canvas and our Newsletter

Thank you for partnering with us to make sure this is a great year for everyone!

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How are feeling after what we’ve talked about today?

I feel excited and ready for this school year!

I am a little worried if I am ready for all of this, but I am ready to give it a try!

I feel like I need some extra support and plans now to make sure this can be a good year for me!