Expectations for Student Conduct
Raider Behavior Expectations
Black Mountain Middle School is a strong, interconnected community where every student has space to thrive as a human being as well as a scholar. We support students in their growth, as they develop their understanding of the impact of their behavior on their peers, their community, and their environment. When challenges arise, we facilitate understanding of the harm caused, and support students in taking restorative action to repair relationships and contribute positively to the community. Our approach is guided by our Core Values:
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- Respect: fostering consideration for oneself, others, property, and the entire learning community, ensuring a safe and dignified space for all.
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- Responsibility: encouraging accountability for actions and contributions to the learning environment
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- Hard Work: instilling perseverance, a growth mindset, and a commitment to academic and personal excellence
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- Kindness: promoting empathy, compassion, and inclusion in all interactions
Schoolwide Rules
1. Respect the rights and property of others.
2. Maintain a safe and clean environment.
3. Follow directions from all educators on campus.
4. Demonstrate integrity and adhere to Academic Honesty standards.
5. Speak with respectful language appropriate to a school/workplace.
6. Respect boundaries and practice safe, positive, and platonic physical interactions. (No public displays of physical affection OR physical aggression).
7. Adhere to established dress code standards.
8. Arrive promptly to classrooms, ready to learn when the bell rings.
9. Walk through the halls and courtyards of the main campus. Run only on the blacktop and fields.
2. Maintain a safe and clean environment.
3. Follow directions from all educators on campus.
4. Demonstrate integrity and adhere to Academic Honesty standards.
5. Speak with respectful language appropriate to a school/workplace.
6. Respect boundaries and practice safe, positive, and platonic physical interactions. (No public displays of physical affection OR physical aggression).
7. Adhere to established dress code standards.
8. Arrive promptly to classrooms, ready to learn when the bell rings.
9. Walk through the halls and courtyards of the main campus. Run only on the blacktop and fields.
Classroom Discipline Policies
Teachers have standard classroom discipline plans in their classrooms stating classroom rules and consequences for positive and negative behavior. Each teacher at the beginning of the school year reviews this plan with students.
Participation in Activities
Black Mountain Middle School plans a variety of co-curricular and extracurricular activities. We encourage students to engage in these opportunities to enhance their personal connection and sense of belonging at school. Such activities include, but are not limited to, assemblies, dances, club events, field trips, and end of year. Participation is a privilege.
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- Students must attend school on the day of an after school activity in order to participate in the activity.
- Students may lose the opportunity to participate in specific events as part of a behavior plan determined by the administration in addressing a safety concern.
- Students may be removed from any activity at the discretion of the planning team and in consultation with the Administration.
Students demonstrating unsatisfactory or unsafe behavior may be considered ineligible for any activity at any time by administration. Individual student eligibility may undergo review at any time at administrators’ discretion.
Camera/Photography Policy
Students are NOT permitted to take photos or videos on campus, unless part of approved curricular activities. Students using cell phone cameras will have their device confiscated and may incur disciplinary consequences. The device will be held in the Office for parents to pick up.
Cell Phone/Smart Watch/Electronic Device Policy
In order to maintain a safe learning environment focused on effective use of instructional time, and in accordance with California Assembly Bill 3216:
Students may only use cell phones before and after school hours.
- Students’ phones must remain silent, still, and put away at all times during school hours.
- Students’ phones and earbuds/airpods must remain concealed during the entire school day, including breaks, lunches, passing periods, field trips and on school buses.
- Family members who need to communicate emergency information to a student during the school day must call the Office, and we will facilitate necessary communication as needed. If caregivers text a student during the school day, they should not expect a reply until after dismissal.
- Cell phone use during the school day will result in confiscation of the phone. It will be held in the Office for the remainder of the school day.
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- Violation 1-2: The student may pick up the phone from the Office after dismissal.
- Violation 3-5: The parent/guardian must pick up the phone after dismissal.
- After 5 violations, the student will lose the privilege of carrying a phone on campus for the remainder of the year. It may be stored in the office during the school day, or left at home.
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- Owner maintains financial responsibility for loss or damage to the cell phone or electronic device. The school and the district accept no responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged items.
Clean Campus
All individuals on campus are responsible for maintaining a clean and comfortable environment. Students who neglect to dispose of their trash appropriately will be expected to clean it up. Where students have recurring challenges with disposing of their trash, there may be escalating consequences, including clean-up duty and other restorative actions.
Fighting at School and/or Promoting a Fight
A student who is physically aggressive toward another student is not safe on campus and consequences may include suspension in accordance with California Ed Code. Local law enforcement authorities may also be informed.
Students who provoke other students to fight may also receive disciplinary consequences; such encouragement may include students “cheering”, filming or pressuring another student to fight. If a student sees a fight about to erupt or in progress, the student should immediately seek help from a staff member.
Students who provoke other students to fight may also receive disciplinary consequences; such encouragement may include students “cheering”, filming or pressuring another student to fight. If a student sees a fight about to erupt or in progress, the student should immediately seek help from a staff member.
Lunch Rules
1. Always walk.
2. Patiently wait your turn in lunch lines.
3. Use good table manners; leave the area clean and neat.
4. Respect boundaries.
5. Keep food and drink inside assigned areas.
6. Respect and follow directions of Food and Nutrition educators, Noon Supervisors, and all adults on campus.
2. Patiently wait your turn in lunch lines.
3. Use good table manners; leave the area clean and neat.
4. Respect boundaries.
5. Keep food and drink inside assigned areas.
6. Respect and follow directions of Food and Nutrition educators, Noon Supervisors, and all adults on campus.
Gambling
Gambling in any form is prohibited. Any form of gambling on campus will result in disciplinary consequences.
Businesses
Students may not sell any items on campus without prior administrative approval.
Publications
Any printed material distributed on campus must be approved by the administration in advance.
Personal Items
Our school and district are not responsible for lost or stolen personal items including laptop computers, phones, air pods, etc.
Illegal Substances
Illegal substances are forbidden on campus. Students found in possession of, using, or transferring drugs, alcohol, or controlled substances are subject to discipline consequences up to and including suspension and expulsion according to PUSD Board Policy and CA Ed Code. Local law enforcement will be informed.
Profanity, Vulgarity, or Obscenity
Use of profanity, vulgarity, negative name calling or obscenities is offensive and is not tolerated during the school day or during school related activities. This language is contrary to Raider Respect. Such language may result in disciplinary consequences.
Prohibited Items
Weapons of any kind, any item that could be mistaken for a weapon, utility or pocket knives, laser pointers, glass bottles, gum, aerosol paints, and liquid correcting fluid, permanent marker or paint pens, including Posca, Krink or Sharpie brands, are all prohibited on campus. Such items will be confiscated and held for guardian pick-up. Carrying an object that threatens school safety is subject to disciplinary consequences.
Smoking
State law prohibits students from possessing, smoking or using tobacco or nicotine products on school grounds or while under the supervision of school authorities. Lighters, matches, e-cigarettes, and vape pens are prohibited; students in possession are subject to disciplinary consequences.
Theft, Vandalism, and Property Damage
Theft, vandalism, and property destruction of any kind are contrary to Raider Respect and Responsibility, and are not tolerated on campus. Disciplinary action will be taken and restitution may be required. Parent/Guardians are legally responsible to pay for any losses due to proven theft or damage of public property caused by the student.
Hazing
California State Law strictly forbids hazing or any form of initiation which is degrading. No student shall conspire to engage in hazing, participate in hazing, or commit any act that causes or is likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to any fellow student or other person. Persons violating this policy shall be subject to district discipline, misdemeanor penalties and forfeiture of entitlements.
Academic Honesty
Poway Unified School District’s Board of Education believes that academic honesty and personal integrity are fundamental components of a student’ educational experience. Students, parents/guardians, staff and administrators shall be responsible for creating and maintaining a positive school climate that supports and encourages honesty. The expectation of all Black Mountain students is for their work to be completed independently unless a teacher directs otherwise.
The Board expects students will demonstrate acts of academic honesty at all times. Acts of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, the following:
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- Cheating on tests/quizzes
- Fabrication/falsification
- Forgery
- Unauthorized collaboration
- Plagiarism
- Theft or Alteration of materials or equipment
The Board intends that the District data network, internet, and other online resources provided be used to support the instructional program and further student learning. Users of the District’s computing and network resources are required to use such resources responsibly, ethically, and in compliance with usage agreements outlined in PUSD Technology Use Policy.
PUSD Board Guidelines for Academic Honesty Violations for Middle School
At the middle school level, violations are cumulative and do not start over at the beginning of each grade level. Consequences may include, but are not limited to:
At the middle school level, violations are cumulative and do not start over at the beginning of each grade level. Consequences may include, but are not limited to:
1st Offense:
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- Teacher makes voice contact with parent
- Referral to Assistant Principal
- Zero on assignment/test, as determined by the classroom teacher
- Unsatisfactory Work Habits grade for remainder of that grading period, as determined by the classroom teacher
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2nd Offense:
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- Teacher makes voice contact with parent
- Referral to Assistant Principal
- Zero on assignment/test, as determined by the classroom teacher
- Unsatisfactory Work Habits grade for remainder of that grading period, as determined by the classroom teacher
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3rd Offense:
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- Teacher makes voice contact with parent
- Referral to Assistant Principal
- Zero on assignment/test, as determined by the classroom teacher
- Unsatisfactory Work Habits grade for remainder of that grading period, as determined by the classroom teacher.
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Hate Speech and Harassment
Poway Unified School District and the State of California define hate motivated behavior as actions or statements that are hostile or threatening toward another person based on their:
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- Race / Ethnicity
- National Origin
- Immigration Status
- Sexual Orientation
- Culture
- Age
- Disability
- Religious Beliefs
- Gender
- Physical Condition
How to know if it is Hate Motivated Behavior?
- If the victim perceives or feels it is threatening or hate motivated
- If someone who witnesses the act or hears the statement has reasonable belief that it was hate motivated.
PUSD’s Hate Behavior Policy outlines THREE different levels of unacceptable behavior.
1. Hate Violence
These behaviors include any actions that cause harm, attempting to cause harm, or threatening to cause harm based on someone’s characteristics or status. It also includes any threats of hostility that have historical significance such as burning crosses, swastikas, or images that threaten to cause harm. Racial slurs, name calling, and bigoted epithets along with a threat to cause harm are also considered Hate Violence.
Consequences may include suspension and/or expulsion as well as police notifications and arrest. Hate Violence is the most serious offense because it not only breaks school rules, it is also against the law.
2. Hate Motivated Intimidation or Harassment
These are actions, remarks or statements that create a negative or hostile learning environment but do not include physical harm or threat. Examples are name calling, racial slurs, demeaning jokes, physical or verbal harassment, offensive drawings or word(s) used in graffiti, paintings or on clothing. Hate Motivated Intimidation can also be the repeated use of insensitive language or inappropriate remarks as well as defacing or destroying posted materials or information about protected groups on campus.
These are actions, remarks or statements that create a negative or hostile learning environment but do not include physical harm or threat. Examples are name calling, racial slurs, demeaning jokes, physical or verbal harassment, offensive drawings or word(s) used in graffiti, paintings or on clothing. Hate Motivated Intimidation can also be the repeated use of insensitive language or inappropriate remarks as well as defacing or destroying posted materials or information about protected groups on campus.
Consequences depend on the seriousness and frequency of the offense and may include suspension and expulsion when other means of correction have failed to change the behavior. In cases when the victim feels they are being harassed, police notification may result in arrest.
3. Insensitive or Inappropriate Remarks and Behavior
These types of acts do not threaten or are absent of hostility. These include demeaning or degrading statements or phrases between students who are not doing it to be harmful or hateful. Consequences may include counseling, detention, parent phone calls or conferences, behavior contracts, etc. Students may be suspended for repeated offenses.
These types of acts do not threaten or are absent of hostility. These include demeaning or degrading statements or phrases between students who are not doing it to be harmful or hateful. Consequences may include counseling, detention, parent phone calls or conferences, behavior contracts, etc. Students may be suspended for repeated offenses.
What do I do if I am a victim of a Hate Motivated Behavior or Hate Harassment?
If you or someone you know is a victim of Hate Motivated Behavior or Hate Harassment, you need to REPORT it immediately to a teacher, counselor or administrator. Even if you are not the victim, it is important you report anything that is considered Hate Motivated Behavior.
If you or someone you know is a victim of Hate Motivated Behavior or Hate Harassment, you need to REPORT it immediately to a teacher, counselor or administrator. Even if you are not the victim, it is important you report anything that is considered Hate Motivated Behavior.
Sexual Harassment
PUSD recognizes that harassment on the basis of sex or gender is a violation of Federal and State discrimination laws as well as District Policy and Administrative Procedures. The District is committed to providing students with an academic environment free from sexual harassment, and will not tolerate such conduct on the part of any District employee, student, or other person at school or at a school sponsored activity. Any person with a complaint of sexual harassment suffered by a student should implement the complaint process contained in the administrative procedures.
Retaliation or reprisals for reporting any incidents of sexual harassment, making any complaints, or being involved in the investigation process, are not permitted and will not be tolerated.
PUSD strictly prohibits harassment based upon gender or sex, against any student in the education environment. Prohibited sexual harassment includes unwelcome conduct based upon sex or gender by someone who is of the opposite or same gender, a fellow student, a teacher or other employee of the District, a District administrator, or any other person, within the school, school environment or school sponsored activity. In cases when the victim feels they are being harassed, police notification may result in arrest. When other means of correction have failed to change the behavior, suspension and expulsion may result. The law defines “sexual harassment” to mean unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature, made by someone from or in the educational setting, under any of the following conditions:
- Submission to the conduct is explicitly or implicitly made a term or condition of an individual’s academic status or progress; or
- Submission, or rejection of, the conduct by the individual is used as a basis of academic decisions affecting the individual; or
- The conduct has the purpose or effect of having a negative impact upon the individual’s academic performance or of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment; or
- Submission to, or rejection of, the conduct by the individual is used as a basis for any decision affecting the individual regarding benefits and services, honors, programs or activities available at or through the educational institution.
Examples of unwelcome conduct which may be sexual harassment include, but are not limited to the following:
- Deliberate written or oral comments, gestures, or physical contacts of a sexual nature or demeaning to one’s gender which are unwelcome or interfere with school productivity;
- Implicit or explicit sexual behavior by a fellow student, District employee, or other person within the school environment which has the effect of controlling, influencing, or otherwise affecting the school environment;
- Unwelcome suggestive, vulgar, or obscene letters, notes, posters, calendars, or other visual products, or derogatory comments, slurs, and/or jokes of a sexual nature.