Non-Negotiable Expectations According to Lovejoy Middle School & Clayton County School System

1. Non-Negotiable Expectations According to Lovejoy Middle School & Clayton County School System

2. Objectives PS:A1 Acquire Self-knowledge PS:A1.1 Develop positive attitudes toward self as a unique and worthy person PS:A1.4 Understand change is a part of growth PS:A1.5 Identify and express feelings PS:A1.6 Distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate behavior PS:A1.7 Recognize personal boundaries, rights and privacy needs PS:A1.8 Understand the need for self-control and how to practice it PS:A1.9 Demonstrate cooperative behavior in groups PS:A1.10 Identify personal strengths and assets PS:A1.11 Identify and discuss changing personal and social roles

3. The following information comes directly from your Clayton County Schools Student HandbookIt is Very Important That You Pay Attention andMake Sure You Understand the InformationBeing Provided

4. Consequences of your Actions Students found to have engaged in acts of physical violence resulting in physical harm to another person while on the school bus shall be suspended and brought before the Tribunal.

5. Student Code of Conduct Teachers are expected to maintain order and discipline in the classroom and to deal with minor infractions. When offenses are repetitious, or of a serious nature, the violator will be referred to the administrator’s office. Teachers have the authority to remove students from classrooms in accordance with Georgia law and district procedures.

6. Conduct Students learn best and teachers provide the best instruction in an orderly environment. Violence will not be tolerated at school or at any school-sponsored event. Extracurricular activities on or away from the campus are considered an important part of the educational endeavors of the school. Conduct during these events will be consistent with school policies. • No individual or situation will be permitted to interfere with the learning environment in the classroom. • The authority within the classroom is the teacher. Students are expected to respect and to accept this authority. • Any teacher observing misbehavior on the part of any student, whether at school or at a school-sponsored activity, is asked to correct the situation immediately.

7. Behavior in the Halls • Students should show proper respect for one another by not • exhibiting affection in the halls. • Students will keep to the right when walking in the hallways. • Running in the halls is not permitted. Do not block the flow of traffic in the hallways and do not block the entrances to doorways, stairwells, or classrooms. • Be considerate of others in the halls and classrooms. • LOUD SPEAKING, USE OF PROFANITY OR • DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR IS NOT ALLOWED. • Students will not be permitted • to loiter inside or outside of the • building.

8. Chronically Disruptive Students A chronically disruptive student is defined as one who exhibits a pattern of behavioral characteristics that interferes with the learning process of students around him or her and that are likely to recur. When a student is identified as chronically disruptive, the school should take the following steps: • Document the chronically disruptive behavior in a Student Support Team (SST). • Invite the parents to observe the student in the classroom situation. • Request that one or both parents/guardians attend a conference to devise a behavior intervention plan. The conference should include an administrator and teacher. • Notify all teachers of the new plan. • The administrator may refer a student to a disciplinary hearing or tribunal for a charge of chronic discipline after ample time has been given to determine effectiveness of the intervention plan.

9. Gang Related Activity The Clayton County Board of Education is dedicated to preventing the influence and activities of gangs in school. Definition For the purposes of this rule, a “gang” is defined as any group or association of three or more persons, whether formal or informal, which encourages , solicits, promotes, urges, counsels, furthers, advocates, condones, assists, causes, advises, procures or abets any illegal or disruptive activity or behavior of any kind, whether on or off school campuses or school property.

10. Gang Related Activity • No student shall: • • Display or wear gang articles, paraphernalia, or clothing. • Recruit or solicit membership in any gang or gang related • organization. • • Write or practice writing gang names, symbols, or any • other gang graffiti on any school property or school • related materials such as folders, notebooks, or paper. • • Hold oneself out as a member of a gang. • • Use hand signals, graffiti, or the presence of any • apparel, jewelry, accessory, or manner of grooming • which, by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark, • symbol, or any other attribute indicates or implies • membership or affiliation with a gang.

11. Fighting Students will receive disciplinary action for fights occurring on school grounds. If necessary, the police may be called to assist. The court having proper jurisdiction may levy fees or fines ranging from $100.00 to $1000.00.

12. Obscenities and ProfanityObscenities, profanities or cursing in any form, verbal or written, will not be tolerated. Suggestive, lewd or obscene pictures, photographs and drawings are forbidden. Violators of this policy will face disciplinary action andpossible suspension from school.

13. Prohibited Items Cell phones, radios, audio device players, recorders, cameras, TV’s, laser pointers, hand-held computerized toys, and other mechanical or electrical devices are not permitted at school or at any school event on or off campus unless used as a part of a planned program. Students found in possession of items that are deemed illegal, harmful, unnecessary, or disruptive to the educational process will face disciplinary action. The items will be confiscated and returned only to the parent/guardian, if appropriate. All unclaimed property will be discarded or donated to charity at the end of the year.

14. IT’S YOUR SCHOOL! YOU CAN HELP KEEP IT SAFE BY TALKING TO SCHOOL STAFF, PARENT/ GUARDIANS, OR OTHER ADULTS. GEORGIA HELPLINES (Anonymous & Toll Free) To report Weapons/Violence Call 1-811-SAY STOP To Report Abuse or Bullying Call 1-800-CHILDREN To Report Gang Activity Call: Clayton County Police Department Gang Hotline (678) 610-4747

15. Things We Hear & See at Lovejoy Middle School • I don’t like her……. • If he says one more thing to me…. • She keeps hitting me….. • He keeps trying me and I haven’t said anything to him • She keeps mean mugging me…….. • She pushed me……….

16. CHARACTER COMMITMENT CREED We, as a community committed to Character, aspire to distinguish ourselves by: Recognizing the importance of Respect for and Acceptance of Authority, Striving to always demonstrate Cooperation, Compassion, Courtesy, and Civility, Promoting Self-control, Accepting individuality with Tolerance, and personal challenges with Courage, Anticipating Accountability for our emotions, words and actions, and Cherishing the privilege of the Freedom of Conscience and Expression.

17. Ways to Resolve Conflict

19. Take A Moment • Stepping back from the whole mess gives everyone a chance to cool down and think. When you're having a problem with someone, first take some time to understand your own thoughts and feelings. • What's really the issue? • For example, do you feel like you're not getting enough respect? • What do you want? • Why?

20. Set the tone The "tone" is the mood of the talk. When you wake up in a bad mood, it can spoil the whole day, right? You want to make sure that your talk at least starts off with a good mood. Just saying "Let's work this out" can make a huge difference!

21. Agree on the problem. Take turns telling your sides of the story. You can't solve a problem if you don't really understand everything that's going on. When it's your turn, see how calm you can be. Speak softly, slowly, and firmly. No threats (like "If you don't shut up, I'll...), because they can raise the problem to a whole new level-a bad one. No need to get all excited or mad!

22. Try giving your point of view this way: "I feel ____(angry, sad, or upset) when you____ (take my stuff without permission, call me a name, or leave me out) because___ (you should ask first, it hurts my feelings, or makes me feel lonely)." This really works to get people to listen, because they don't feel like you're judging them

23. When it's the other person's turn, let them explain Listen. Don't interrupt. Try to understand where they're coming from. Show that you hear them. When people aren't getting along, each person is part of the problem — but most of us tend to blame the other person. When you've done something wrong, be ready to say you're sorry. The goal is to decide together what the real issues are. Do not pass "Go" until you do that. It's huge!

24. Think of solutions. • Take turns coming up with ways to solve the problem. Get creative. Usually, there are lots possible solutions. Next, talk about the good and bad points of each one. • Make a deal. • Then, choose a solution that you both can agree on. Pick an idea that you both think will work. Get into the specifics — talk about exactly who will do what and when you'll do it. Everyone should give something. • Stick like glue. • Keep your word and stick to what you agreed to. Give your compromise a chance. See if it sent your problem up in smoke or if the fires are still burning.

25. Know when to get help. Sometimes a problem gets really serious. If you aren't talking and you don't trust each other, you might need another person to step in. If it looks like the problem might turn into a fight, it's definitely time to get help. Someone like a teacher, parent, or administrator can help calm things down so you can safely talk out the problem with the other person. There's no formula for getting along with other people, but following these tips can help. See for yourself

27. Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become CHARACTER! Watch your character; it becomes your destiny. - Frank Outlaw