It is the belief of the Montgomery County School Board and staff that schools should be safe havens for students within the community. Montgomery County has always had, and fully intends to maintain, schools in which children and personnel are safe. To that end, the School Board supports strong, consistent disciplinary expectations of students. The School Board and administrative staff will implement the Student Code of Conduct with this purpose in mind.

The Montgomery County School Board intends for its schools to promote good citizenship and to provide an atmosphere which is safe and conducive to learning. Both good citizenship and a safe environment require that students demonstrate personal responsibility, self-discipline, and respect for themselves, for others, and for property. To reach this goal, teachers and principals will work cooperatively with children and their families.

These guidelines have been developed for elementary students in keeping with their level of understanding. The guidelines promote personal responsibility and self-discipline on the part of students. Students will follow these guidelines when going to and from school, waiting at school bus stops, riding school buses, attending school, and participating in school sponsored activities, including field trips.

1. Recognize that everyone has a right and a responsibility to learn.

2. Treat everyone with respect, both physically and verbally.

3. Follow the instructions of teachers and other adult staff.

4. Come to school, unless ill, on time and prepared to work.

5. Obey bus rules and directions given by bus drivers.

6. Complete school work on time.

7. Take care of personal property, property of others, and school property.

8. Help keep parents informed by taking information home.

9. Bring school supplies to class, but leave toys at home.

10. Obey the law. Items such as alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and weapons are not allowed on school property. Violations of the laws concerning alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and weapons will be reported to law enforcement officials. Students who bring firearms or knives to school or who use knives to threaten or hurt others will be expelled and not allowed to attend school. Students will assume these responsibilities and will help make school a safe and positive place for everyone.

Use profanity, obscene words or gestures, bullying or other vulgar or abusive words that interfere with teaching and learning or that

intentional offend or threaten another. Abusive language includes, but is not limited to, words that demean other students because of

their race, religion, gender, national origin, disability, intellectual ability or other personal characteristics.

Students involved in multiple incidents of disruption, fighting, and /or other repeated violations of the Student Code of Conduct will be considered for recommendation to the School Board for long-term suspension or expulsion. This does not preclude a recommendation by the school administration for long-term suspension or expulsion in the case of a single serious incident.

1. To cooperate with school authorities.

2. To be familiar with this listing of responsibilities and discuss them with their child.

3. To notify the school of any unusual behavior pattern or medical problem.

4. To maintain regular communication with the school and provide a current daytime phone number.

5. To assume responsibility for their child's behavior and teach compliance with school rules.

6. To monitor and require daily attendance.

1. To inform students of classroom behavior expectations.

2. To maintain discipline in the classroom.

3. To avoid ridicule and negative comparisons of students.

4. To confer with support personnel for possible solutions to discipline problems.

5. To report to the parents or guardians, when appropriate about the acceptability of a student's conduct.

6. To protect the rights of other students by removing disruptive students from their class, through referral to the

principal’s office.

7. To enforce the rules and regulations of the school and the Student Responsibilities listing.

8. To maintain regular and open communication with parents.

1. To ensure that all students, parents and guardians, and school personnel are familiar with this policy.

2. To assume responsibility for student discipline in the building and on school property.

3. To involve parents and students in the development of rules and regulations not covered by this policy.

4. To establish and implement rules and regulations for student conduct in his/her school that are consistent with the

Student Responsibilities listing.

5. To support teachers in their obligation to maintain discipline and an atmosphere conducive to learning.

6. To enforce the conduct code consistently and fairly.

7. To ensure the delivery of responsive guidance and counseling services.

8. To report to the parents or guardians, when appropriate, about the acceptability of a student's conduct and to notify parents of disciplinary actions.

9. To develop collaborative arrangements with families and agencies to secure resources to meet student needs.

By working with families to promote good citizenship, self-discipline, and personal responsibility in children,

Montgomery County Public Schools will establish a supportive environment for learning.

Students shall not possess a controlled substance, imitation controlled substance, marijuana, any substance used as an intoxicant (including alcohol), drug paraphernalia, or any substance which is represented by or to the student, or which the student believes to be a controlled substance, marijuana, illegal drug or substance used as an intoxicant. In addition, students shall not attend school while under the influence of any of these listed substances. Possession or being under the influence of

any of these substances may result in a recommendation for long-term suspension or expulsion. However, the Superintendent is authorized to determine that special circumstances exist, and to impose a ten-day suspension (five days for schools on block schedule) for the first offense for possession or being under the influence of any of these substances. A second offense will result in an automatic recommendation to the School Board for expulsion by the school administration.

Distribution, attempted distribution, or the purchase of any of the substances listed above requires the school administration to make a recommendation for long-term suspension or expulsion.

Medication prescribed for an individual student must be in compliance with the medication policy.

The principal will refer all students who violate this policy to a substance abuse intervention program prior to readmission.

Adopted: June 6, 2000

Revised: June 1, 2004