- Mill Valley Middle School
- Student Conduct and Expectations
Full Return to In-Person Learning (Spring 2021)
Page Navigation
-
Student Conduct
Being Kind, Respectful, Honest, and Truthful (in-person and distance)
Students are expected to maintain a welcoming and safe learning environment for everyone. Students are to respect themselves by working hard, the adults (teachers, administrators, and staff) who work to ensure students’ well-being, and their peers, by understanding and accepting others. Any form of cyber and/or online bullying and harassment will not be tolerated.
Being Safe and Responsible (in-person and distance)
All students are expected to conduct themselves in a safe and responsible manner while in a class session, working independently, and at any time on campus. Face coverings are to be worn at all times and all students are to follow COVID-19 safety protocols set forth in this guide at all times. Face coverings must fit snug around the mouth and nose, and secured around the ears or head. Gaiters, bandanas, and masks with valves are NOT permitted. Making disrespectful comments in class, Zoom session, Google Chat, Google Hangouts Meet, or any other communication platform toward any staff or students will not be tolerated.
Arriving to Class Sessions on Time (in-person and distance)
All students are expected to attend regular class sessions as scheduled, and to login to each classroom Zoom session on time. Arriving to class sessions on time is essential to learning and academic achievement. Additionally, students are expected to know and understand all their teachers’ classroom Zoom expectations as well.
Using iPad & Technology (in-person and distance)
The 1:1 program develops learning skills of communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. All students are issued an iPad and are expected to use the device in an educational manner as directed by their teacher, and to adhere to the 1:1 iPad Program Agreement
Dressing for Learning (in-person and distance)
Mill Valley Middle School students are expected to dress appropriately for the learning environment. It is important to show respect to themselves, peers, adults, and teachers by wearing clothing that is activity appropriate and conducive to learning.
Personal Electronics During Distance Learning (in-person and distance)
All personal electronic devices are to be turned off (not silent or vibrate) at all times during the classroom Zoom session, AND stored away from the student’s home learning area.
Committing to Academic Honesty
MVMS is committed to encouraging students to assume academic responsibility for their own ethical behavior, and working to achieve their personal best. Academic honesty means not copying, plagiarizing, cheating, or using information unethically in any way. Students are expected to do their own work at all times, and understand that plagiarism and cheating will adversely affect grades.
Addressing Student Conduct
The Mill Valley Middle School administration and staff make every attempt to create a safe and positive school environment free from disruptions that interfere with teaching and learning activities. During this time, all MVMS rules, expectations, and guidelines are in effect. We expect our students to continue to be: 1) Kind and Respectful; 2) Safe and Responsible; 3) and Honest and Truthful. All MVMS policies listed in the Behavior Agreement, Student Handbook, and 1:1 iPad Program Agreement are in effect.
The Referral Process
Mill Valley Middle School staff have the authority to refer a student to the administrators for misconduct. A student may receive a discipline referral for doing something that requires his/her removal from any class instruction for their safety, the safety of others, bullying or inappropriate language during the use of technology, for the purpose of maintaining online classroom order. Referrals can be issued for any violations under the use of technology and/or online presence, including, but not limited to:
- Willingly doing something that endangers or could endanger other people
- Using obscene language or gestures
- Making remarks that are racist, homophobic or hate-motivated
- Continual disruptive misbehavior in classes after earlier attempts to redirect student have not changed inappropriate behavior
- Sharing passwords for Zoom or any online platform such apps on the iPad
Administrative Actions & Restorative Practice
Efforts are taken to educate the student about the school rule being broken and to guide the student in making better choices about his/her behavior in the future. Parents/guardians are notified when a student has been referred to the administration for incidents which result in a consequence. Interventions include, but are not limited to, the following progressive consequences:
- Student conference with the administrator via email and/or phone call, or in-person including a possible first warning.
- Restorative Assignments developed in partnership with the referring teacher that will count towards their overall grade
- Parent/student conference with the administrator via Zoom or phone call.
One of the ways we educate students about their behavior is through Restorative Practices. Our main goal is for students to change their behavior. This type of intervention is done in lieu of traditional consequences, and parents are also involved. When students are referred to the administration for the behavior, restorative practices are usually given. These practices (or consequences) may include research assignments, letters of apology, and counseling