Discipline Guidelines
The Granite Mountain Middle School faculty and staff are dedicated to the education of the whole child through the continuous growth of his/her mental, physical, and social development.
All students are responsible for knowing and obeying school policies and regulations. Arizona law is considered a part of school policy. A violation of the law is considered to be a violation of school policy.
All school policies are intended to regulate conduct of a student when the student is:
1. On school grounds or at a school sponsored event.
2. Traveling to or from school or a school sponsored event.
Students who serve in Student Council, or are members of National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), may be removed in the event that they receive a referral. It will be the decision of the administration whether a student may be placed on probation, or removed, depending on the severity of the problem.
Granite Mountain faculty, staff, and administration are striving to look for and recognize the positive efforts of students. We are much happier in the recognition of good behavior. Granite Mountain Middle School provides this recognition in many ways. We offer school-wide incentives through Grizzly pride drawings, honor roll, student of the month, and semester/yearly behavior incentives. Each team of teachers and special interest groups provide trips and incentives for a variety of reasons. Help us focus on the positive and support us when consequences are necessary. It is our desire to make middle school a worthwhile learning experience.
The following discipline policy at GMMS includes definitions of infractions, definitions of consequences, and a matrix that reflects the possible consequences related to each infraction. Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) are cited that correspond to the various infractions listed and defined in the guidelines. The guidelines were developed with reference to these statutes and other statutes that apply.
The GMMS administration reserves the right to circumvent the normal discipline matrix of interventions and proceed directly to a more severe form of discipline if it is felt that the circumstances warrant it.
PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION
In an effort to maintain appropriate school-wide behavior, students may hold hands, but the school does not allow hugging, kissing, etc.
HARASSMENT POLICY (G.2.1)
A. It is the policy of the Prescott Unified School District to maintain a learning and working environment that is free from sexual harassment. No employee or student of the district shall be subjected to sexual harassment. Please report all complaints to a counselor or building administrator.
B. Violations of this policy or procedure will be cause for disciplinary action.
THREATS AND INTIMIDATION
Threatening or intimidating remarks to another student, about another student, or concerning the well being of GMMS staff and students, will be taken very seriously. This includes, but is not limited to, threats of school violence. Consequences could include police contact, suspension, and possible expulsion.
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
When a substitute teacher is conducting a class, students should make every effort to be even more courteous and helpful than usual. Such efforts reflect good citizenship standards and a regard for your regular teacher as well. Students misbehaving or causing disruption for a substitute will receive consequences. Remember, our substitute teachers are qualified teachers and certified by the State of Arizona.
DEFINITIONS OF INFRACTIONS
ASSAULT Intentionally or recklessly causing physical injury or apprehension of physical harm towards another person (A.R.S. 13-1201 through 13-1204).
CHEATING Any dishonest or fraudulent behavior either in class or out of class.
DRESS CODE VIOLATION Any inappropriate attire stated so in the dress code or judged as such by a school official.
DISRESPECT "Discourtesy" or any behavior that shows a lack of respect.
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR Any behavior that directly or indirectly interferes with the normal operations of the school.
FAILURE TO ATTEND DETENTION Not attending detention assigned by any school official.
FIGHTING Any intentional, mutual, violent, verbal, or physical engagement between two or more students (A.R.S. 13-1201 though 13-1204).
FORGERY Signing another person's name to any document in order to defraud that person or others.
FOUL LANGUAGE Using language that is inappropriate and/or offensive to others.
GUM/CANDY ABUSE Eating candy at inappropriate times and at inappropriate locations. Gum chewing is not allowed.
HARASSMENT Repeated actions of threats, or intimidation, either verbal or nonverbal, towards a person or group of people (A.R.S. 13-1201 through 13-1204).
HORSE PLAY/RUNNING Engaging in teasing, wrestling, or other inappropriate behavior. Running on sidewalks and other inappropriate areas.
IMPROPER CARE OF EQUIPMENT/PROPERTY Failure to use items in their proper, intended ways, or being abusive/destructive.
INSUBORDINATION Failure to cooperate or follow a teacher, administrator, or any other school authority figure's directive.
NOT WORKING/UNPREPARED Failing to put forth effort in class or other required assignment, or not bringing required resources for class.
OUT OF BOUNDS Being in or around an area designated as restricted; defined as such either by time or location.
OUTSIDE WITHOUT PASS Being out of class or other designated area without proper documentation.
P. E. NON-DRESS Failure to dress as stipulated in Physical Education class requirements.
POSSESSION/USE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS Using or having dominion of any alcoholic or drug item. Paraphernalia in included (A.R.S. 13-3411 and 4-244). District policy states that students may not be in possession of prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs while at school. All medications must be checked-in through the school nurse's office for distribution.
POSSESSION/USE OF EXPLOSIVES Using or having dominion over any explosive or potentially explosive items (A.R.S. 13-3102 A.12).
POSSESSION/USE OF TOBACCO Using or having dominion of any tobacco related items (A.R.S. 13-3622).
POSSESSION/USE OF A WEAPON Using or having dominion of any item identified as a weapon or potential weapon (A.R.S. 13-3102 A.12).
SALE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS Selling or attempting to sell any item identified as alcoholic or a drug (A.R.S. 13-3411).
SEXUAL HARASSMENT Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical sexual conduct.
SPITTING Spitting in and around any sidewalks, inside buildings, or any other area deemed inappropriate.
TARDY Being late to class or other designated location prescribed by a school official.
THEFT Larceny, "taking someone else's property without permission" (A.R.S. 13-1802, 13-1804).
THREATS AND INTIMIDATION Threatening or intimidating remarks to or about another student or staff member, or concerning the well being of the staff.
TRUANCY "Ditching," failure to attend school as prescribed by law and school policy.
DEFINITIONS OF CONSEQUENCES
AFTER SCHOOL WORK PROGRAM Students perform various work duties on campus after school.
BEFORE SCHOOL WORK PROGRAM Students perform various work duties on campus before school.
BEHAVIOR CONTRACT Student is placed on a strict written contract in agreement with parents, teachers, and administrators.
EXCLUSION Student is prohibited from attending Granite Mountain pending a parent conference or other requirement.
IN SCHOOL SUSPENSION Student serves detention in school during regular school hours for a time stipulated by the administrator.
PHONE CALL HOME Phone contact made with parent or guardian by either the teacher involved, or the administrator, or both.
POLICE CONTACT Contact and referral made to the police department where deemed necessary or required by state statute.
RESTITUTION Student makes compensation, where appropriate, for damage incurred through his or her actions.
SCHOOL ON SATURDAY Student serves detention, on campus, for a period stipulated by the administrator.
TIME OUT IN ISS Student reports to the in-school suspension room for a period of time stipulated by the administrator.
LUNCH WORK PROGRAM After eating lunch, student performs various work duties assigned by the administrator.
OUT OF SCHOOL SUSPENSION Student serves detention out of school during regular school hours for a time stipulated by the administrator.
WARNING Student is cautioned of his/her behavior.
LONG-TERM SUSPENSION Student is suspended out of school for a period of time to be determined by an administrator, usually longer than 10 days.
EXPULSION Permanently removed from Prescott Unified School District.
All referrals count against students relative to incentive rewards.