STUDENT SAFETY
The following section of this Handbook contains The Oakley Union Elementary
School Districts standards and expectations for student safety. Led by the
Oakley Union Elementary School District Board of Education, our school staff
takes their responsibility very seriously. The safety of every student at
school is of utmost importance. Everything will be done to help ensure that
every child’s education is presented in a safe and enjoyable environment. We
encourage and reward good citizenship, and we discourage and discipline poor
citizenship. Our number one priority is to ensure that every student at
Delta Vista Middle School feels safe and comfortable each and every school
day.
CONSEQUENCES FOR INAPPROPRIATE OR DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR
Students who choose to break any classroom or school rule may face one or
more of the following consequences:
• Classroom consequences
• Detention, before/after school and/or at lunch
• Referral to the office
• In School Suspension Room (ISSR); (automatically puts student on the
No Act list for up to 6 weeks)
• Friday School; (automatically puts student on the No Act list for up
to 6 weeks)
• Placement on the No Activities List
• Home suspension; (automatically puts student on the No Act list for 6
weeks)
• Shortened or Modified Schedule (eliminates student from all school
activities)
• Recommendation to the Board of Education for expulsion
CLASSROOM CONSEQUENCES
Classroom consequences are at the discretion of each individual teacher, and
they will be in agreement with the best practices of the District.
Consequences may include any of the following: Time-out; Rotation to another
class; Detention; ISSR; or Referral to the office.
LUNCH DETENTION
Students who earn lunch detention are required to be in the ISSR room four
minutes after the start of the lunch period. Students who are assigned lunch
detention should bring a lunch from home or plan on buying a school hot
lunch. Students on free or reduced lunch will be provided their same
service. Students who purchase the school lunch will be escorted to the
lunchroom. The snack cart is generally not available for students serving
lunch detention.
REFERRAL TO THE OFFICE
When students receive referrals, they must meet with the assistant principal
or principal. Each case will be handled independently based on the
circumstances of the situation. Once a student receives a referral, he/she
will have an entry on their discipline screen and it will become part of
their cumulative discipline history.
IN SCHOOL SUSPENSION ROOM
Students may be placed in the In School Suspension Room (ISSR) for any
violation of school or classroom rules. Duration ranges from one class
period to one or more entire school days. Parents will be notified by phone
or note by the classroom teacher and/or administration. Students must
complete any and all class work or they will be required to complete work
supplied by the ISSR teacher. Unless assigned, students may not enter the
ISSR room. Students who do enter, or disrupt without being assigned will be
required to stay for the duration of the period or day at the discretion of
the teacher.
SUSPENSION
In some cases, the consequence for breaking a school rule results in
suspension. If a student is suspended, he/she is not allowed on or around
school campus at anytime during the duration of the suspension. It is
important to note that teachers do NOT have to provide work for a student who
has been suspended from school. While suspended, students may not be on ANY
school campus, or attend ANY school-sponsored function. In addition, time on
the no activities list may not be worked off if the suspension is a second
suspension and/or more than 3 days.
NO ACTIVITIES LIST
Students may be placed on the No Activities list for any of the following
reasons: A discipline referral to the office; school fines that exceeds
$5.00 (i.e., Library, Cafeteria, etc.); or more than one 1 in effort for any
class during the trimester. Students on the No Activities List may NOT
participate in, or attend any after school sports, non-academic assemblies,
dances, school field trips, or special events. Students who are placed on the
No Activities List for behavior problems other than a multi-day suspension
can earn their way off through community service. For every two hours of
community service performed, the student will earn one week off of the No
Activities List. Students may perform community service with any NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION or in special cases may earn off time by doing service on our
campus. In the event that a student has been suspended from school for
multiple days, he/she will not be able to earn any time off the No Activities
List. Students who are on the No Activities List for any 1’s in effort will
be automatically taken off the No Activities List if there are no 1’s in the
next reporting period. If at progress report time there are any 1’s, the
student will remain on the No Activities List until the next official report
card. Once library/cafeteria fines are paid in full, the student will be
taken off of the No Activities List.
ACADEMIC/BEHAVIOR CONTRACTS
Students that have not met the expected behavior or academic demands that are
placed on all middle school students may be placed on Academic/Behavior
Contracts. This contract is a binding agreement between the student, Delta
Vista Middle School, and the Oakley Union Elementary School District. If the
terms set in this contract are not met, the student may face the possible
recommendation to the Oakley Union Elementary School Board for expulsion.
SHORTENED OR MODIFIED SCHEDULE
In some instances, students with re-occurring discipline problems may have
their schedules adjusted and even shortened. The amount of time that a
schedule is shortened would be determined based on the individual student
needs as well as the input from the parent(s) and school staff. If a student
is on a shortened schedule, he/she will not be eligible for extracurricular
activities, including all end-of-the-year activities.
EXPULSION
In on-going disciplinary or academic situations, or any serious violations of
the school and district rules a student may be expelled from the Oakley Union
Elementary School District. If a student is expelled from the district,
he/she may be referred to the Golden Gate Community Day School. Expelled
students are not allowed on or around any of the Oakley Union Elementary
School District Schools during the time of expulsion. Students could be
expelled for as long as one full school year. This is a drastic measure that
is only used when a student has demonstrated that other means of correcting
their behavior have repeatedly failed and/or their presence at school
represents a danger to themselves or others. As stated previously, some of
the offenses that will be grounds for expulsion consideration include but are
not limited to the following: possession of any dangerous object (i.e.
knives, weapons, any type of gun BB or Pellet); possession use or sale of any
controlled substance; and the accumulation of discipline referrals. It is
our hope and goal to have no students recommended to the Board for possible
expulsion.
GROUNDS FOR SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION
California State Education Code 48900
Students may be suspended or recommended for expulsion when the
Superintendent, Principal, or Assistant Principal designee determines that
the student has:
• Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to
another person. Willfully used force or violence upon the person of another,
except in self-defense. This particular item includes all fights that take
place at school. It does not matter who threw the first punch in a fight in
determining consequences. Any student that puts his/her hands on another
student in a physical manner may face possible suspension.
• Possessed, sold, or otherwise furnished any firearm, knife, explosive
or other dangerous objects.
• Unlawfully possessed, used, sold, or otherwise furnished, or been
under the influence of any controlled substance, or alcoholic beverage.
• Unlawfully offered or arranged or negotiated to sell any controlled
substance, an alcoholic beverage or an intoxicant of any kind, and then sold,
delivered or otherwise furnished to any person another liquid, substance, or
material and represented same as a controlled substance, or alcoholic
beverage or intoxicant.
• Committed or attempted to commit robbery or extortion.
• Caused or attempted to cause damage to school property or private
property.
• Stolen or attempted to steal school or private property.
• Possessed or used tobacco, or any products containing tobacco or
nicotine products, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars,
miniature cigars, clove cigarettes, or smokeless tobacco or any kind.
• Committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or
vulgarity.
• Unlawfully possessed, or unlawfully offered, arranged or negotiated
to sell any drug paraphernalia.
• Disrupted school activities or otherwise willfully defied the valid
authority of school officials.
• Knowingly received stolen school property or private property.
• Possessed an imitation firearm.
• Commit or attempted to commit a sexual assault.
• Harassed, threatened, or intimidated a pupil who is a complaining
witness in a school disciplinary action.
• Committed sexual harassment.
• Caused/attempted to cause/threatened to cause injury while
participating in hate violence.
• Made terrorist threats against school officials and/or school
property.
* It should be noted that all of the above listed subsections of Education
Code 48900 can and are enforced while a student is on their way to school, at
school or any school sponsored or related event, and while a student is on
their way home from school.
We strongly encourage all students to demonstrate classroom and school
behavior even when they are outside of school. We will discuss this all
throughout the school year and we encourage parents to continually remind
their children about appropriate behavior both inside and outside of school.
This is truly the essence of our “Panther Way.” We expect the very best from
each and every student, each and everyday.
“School is and should be your number one priority”
To be eligible for any activity after school activities (including sports,
dances and end-of-the-year activities), students are expected to attend
school.
Students who have an excused absence must attend a minimum of four (4) class
periods in order to be eligible to participate in any after school event.
Students with a partial day schedule are NOT eligible for after school
activities.
2007-2008
RULES AND REGULATIONS POLICY – 2007-2008
ACADEMIC STANDARDS
In order to participate in many of the activities before, during, and after
school, students must maintain a 2.0 rubric average or above in Academics and
Effort as it is reported on the bottom of the Report Card. In addition, if a
student earns more than one 1 in effort, he/she will be put on the “No
Activities List.” Students on the No Activities List are not able to ATTEND
or PARTICIPATE in events such as sports, clubs, dances, non-academic
assemblies, or field trips.
If a student raises his/her rubric score(s) or average before the end of the
next reporting period as shown on an official school progress report, he/she
will be taken off the No Activities List. If at progress report time the
student still has any 1’s in effort, he/she will remain on the No Activities
List until the next reporting period.
Students may not earn more than one 1 each and every trimester in order to
remain off of the No Activities List; furthermore, it is the responsibility
of each student to know if he/she is on the No Activities List.
BICYCLES
Be Safe. When riding a bicycle to school, remember to ride on the right side
of the roadway, and obey all rules and regulations of the roadway.
WEAR YOUR HELMET (It is the law)!
All bicycles must be parked in the bike rack. You should always keep your
bike LOCKED. Remember, the school and the Oakley Union Elementary School
District is not responsible for bicycles or valuable bike parts.
Only students who have bikes at school are permitted in the bike rack.
You may ride your bike up the blacktop, but then walk it the rest of the way
to the bike rack. We encourage students to not share locks with friends.
BULLYING
Our goal at Delta Vista Middle School is to provide each and every student
with a safe and fun educational experience every day. Each year we embark
upon an anti-bullying campaign. One of the main factors keeping us from our
goal of every students feeling safe at school is students picking on other
students, which we consider bullying. We will be once again demonstrating a
policy as close to a zero tolerance policy as possible for all types of
bullying. It is unfortunate that every student does not feel good about
coming to school each day due to being picked on or teased. Our goal is to
target and discipline the antagonist to the fullest of our ability. We
encourage students to let us know if someone is giving them a hard time, or
if they witness someone else giving a student a hard time. There is no place
for this type of behavior, and we will have no tolerance for it.
“We say no to Bullying!”
Our goal at DV is to be “Bully-Free”
Listed Below are the consequences for any violation of our “No Bullying
Rules.”
Note: there are separate consequences for verbal bullying and for physical
bullying. The consequence listed next to each offense represents a suggested
minimum; the actual consequence could be more severe depending upon the
severity of the offense.
Verbal Bullying:
1st Offense: will result in a warning, and Office Notification.
2nd Offense: will result in remainder of the day in ISSR, 6 weeks No
Activities List and Parent Notification.
3rd Offense: Friday School, 6 Weeks on the No Activities List, Parent
Notification.
4th Offense: Suspension, 1 day minimum and 6 weeks on the No Activities
List.
5th Offense: Suspension, 3 days minimum and 6 weeks on the No Activities
List.
6th Offense: Suspension, 5 days and possible recommendation for expulsion.
*If a student goes 12 weeks without another offense, he/she will have one
offense removed.
Physical Bullying:
1st Offense: will result in remainder of day in ISSR, 6 weeks on the No
Activities List and Parent Notification.
2nd Offense: will result in a Friday School, 6 weeks on the No Activities
List and Parent Notification.
3rd Offense: Suspension, 1 day minimum and 6 weeks on the No Activities
List.
4th Offense: Suspension, 3 days minimum and 6 weeks on the No Activities
List.
5th Offense: Suspension, 5 days and possible recommendation for expulsion.
*We do not allow students to be removed for offenses of physical bullying.
CAMPUS HOURS
School hours are from 7:55 AM and 4:00 PM. Parents may call or visit anytime
between 7:55 AM and 4:00 PM. Students are encouraged NOT to arrive to
school prior to 7:55AM unless arriving by bus or with special permission to
work with a teacher. Students who arrive before this time are expected to
wait by the Outdoor Stage or in the Quad until the 7:55 AM bell. It should
be noted that students who do not have after school activities need to leave
campus after the 2:46 bell. We encourage parents who pick up students to do
so as close to 2:46 as possible.
CELL PHONES
We understand that in the high tech society in which we live, students have
cell phones. We have and will continue to discourage students from bringing
them to school; however, our policy does allow students to possess cell
phones. It should be noted that cell phones may not be used during the
school day. If parents feel it necessary for their children to have a cell
phone at school, we ask that it be safely placed in their backpack and turned
off. If a cell phone is seen or heard during the school day it will be
confiscated and must be picked up by an adult. If a cell phone is
confiscated more than once it cannot be picked up until the end of the school
year. The school day begins the moment a student arrives at school and ends
when they are heading home.
CLASSROOM RULES
Students must follow all individual classroom rules. Students are subject to
individual classroom consequences that may include detention, community
service, and/or removal from class for a specified amount of time. Each
classroom has basic rules and expectations that every student must follow.
It is important to note that any teacher may suspend a student from his/her
class for up to two full days. If this takes place, the parent will be
notified by the teacher prior to the student returning to school. Delta
Vista Middle School and all of its classrooms will maintain the highest
expectations of all students, as it is part of "The Panther Way."
CLOSED CAMPUS
Delta Vista Middle School has a CLOSED CAMPUS; therefore, once a student
arrives on the school grounds, he/she must remain until dismissal time. If
for any reason a student must leave the school campus during the school day,
he/she must have parent permission to do so and must sign out through the
office. A staff member must speak with a parent or guardian on the phone
before a student will be released to leave school grounds unattended. Office
personnel will issue a student pass. Students are NOT permitted to leave
campus during the lunch period unless checked out by an adult listed on the
emergency card. Leaving school without notifying the office and getting
prior consent will be considered a cut and will result in an office referral.
DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION
Our belief is that displays of affection are not appropriate for middle
school students and they will not be tolerated at school, or at any school
related event. Students may hold hands at school; however, we do not condone
long embraces, or any type of kissing. Our message to the students is that
you can hold hands, but that is all.
DISRUPTIVE AND/OR INAPPROPRIATE/ILLEGAL ITEMS
PLEASE NOTE: All inappropriate items will be confiscated, and the items will
be logged-in and kept in the office. A parent or guardian may be asked to
pick up a confiscated item. All items must be picked up on or before the
last day of the school year. If an item is confiscated more than once, it
will not be returned until the last day of the school year. Items not picked
up will be donated to a charity chosen by the Oakley Union Elementary School
District and Delta Vista Middle School.
Items including but not limited to the following:
GUM Trading cards Glass containers Pagers IPODS, Cameras
Sunflower Seeds Water balloons Rubber bands Poppers Aerosol cans,
Permanent markers Matches Lighters Skateboards, Cap
guns, Alcohol/drugs, Weapons, Toy Weapons , Scooters, Spikes, Hats worn
sideways, Hats in Class, Bandanas, Toys, Lasers, Slam Books, Chains, Roller
Blades, Safety Pins, Torn or Ragged Clothes of any kind, Sunglasses in class,
Cigarettes or drug/cigarette paraphernalia, Electronic devices of any kind
Any object that has no reasonable use and may be a distraction can be
confiscated.
DANGEROUS OBJECTS
Over the past several years there has been a nationwide increase in dangerous
objects being brought to school. Dangerous objects include but are not
limited to knives of any kind; any object that could be used as a weapon, any
type of gun (toy guns, air-soft guns, BB and Pellet Guns). Not only are
these objects in violation of school rules, in most cases they are against
the law to possess. A first offense of possession of a dangerous object will
result in a minimum of a 5-day suspension and a recommendation to the School
Board for possible expulsion.
DRESS AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE
Students should come to school dressed in a manner that ensures the health,
welfare and safety of the members of the student body and enhances a positive
image of our students and our school. Students are not permitted to wear
clothing that could potentially distract from their learning, or the learning
of others.
No hairnets/Headbands, No tube tops, No hanging belts, No swimsuits, No
overly loose clothing, No overly tight clothing, No hanging chains, No bare
midriff, No short shorts/skirts, No flip-flops, No shoes w/out backs/straps,
No overly large tank tops, No alcohol advertising, No tobacco advertising, No
gang/drug suggestive, No suggestive/crude remarks, No sagging pants, clothing
or signs. All tops must have at least a one-inch wide strap. No hats worn
sideways
NOTE: Shirts that hang down below a student’s wrists must be tucked in or
they will have to be changed.
Hats may be worn at anytime that a student is not in a classroom, or in the
office, and they must be worn forward or backward only. Wearing a hat
inappropriately is grounds to have it confiscated. During lunch time only,
hats may be worn in the multi-purpose room.
All shorts, dresses, and skirts must be an appropriate length so that they do
not cause a distraction to the learning environment of the classroom.
(Hems must be between the middle of the thigh and the knee)
Students are expected to do their personal grooming at home or in the
restrooms. Makeup, nail polish, perfume, hair spray, curling irons and hair
dryers are not allowed. Students who do not comply with the dress code will
be asked to change their clothing. Students may be required to wear their PE
clothing, loaner clothing, or they may be sent home to change if their
clothing does not meet school requirements. Continued violations of the
dress code will result in disciplinary consequences.
DRUGS/ALCOHOL/TOBACCO
Delta Vista Middle School and the entire Oakley Union Elementary School
District have a very strict policy pertaining to all Drugs, Alcohol, and
Tobacco. There will be no tolerance for the possession of, the use of, the
sale of, or the furnishing of any drug, alcohol, or tobacco of any kind. A
first offense of any of these will result in a minimum of a 5-day suspension
and a recommendation to the school board for possible expulsion. In addition
to the suspension and possible expulsion, the police will have to be notified
and the student will likely be cited.
FRIDAY SCHOOL
During the 2007-2008 school year we will be implementing a Friday School to
deal with student discipline. Friday School will be given to students in
lieu of In School Suspension and in some cases detention for violation of
school rules. Friday School will operate from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM and it will
be held in the School Library. Some of the things that will warrant Friday
School will include but not be limited to the following: repeat offenders of
gum chewing; class tardies; class disruptions; dress code violations; and/or
failure to attend previously assigned detentions. If a student is assigned
Friday School his/her parent/guardian will be contacted and the date will be
set. If a student does not attend Friday School, he/she will receive a
referral to the In School Suspension Room. If a student does not attend
Friday School two or more times, he/she will be suspended from school.
GUM
Oakley Union Elementary School District and Delta Vista Middle School has
a “NO GUM” policy. Chewing gum is NOT allowed at anytime while on any school
campus. If a student is caught chewing gum, he/she will be given a demerit
slip for a twenty-minute lunch detention. The lunch detention will consist
of the student reporting to the detention room (7a) for a 20-minute lunch
detention. The detention slip will list the date and time that the student
will be expected to serve the detention. One part of the two-part demerit
slip will go to the student, and the other part will go to the office. If a
student does not show up for the lunch detention with their part of the
demerit slip, he/she will be given another demerit slip for more lunch
detention. Failure to serve more than once will result in an office referral
that may result in a Friday School. More than two (2) referrals for gum will
result in a Friday School.
OUT OF BOUND AREAS
Students should only be in areas where there are yard duty/teacher
personnel. Students should stay away from all areas that are not directly
supervised by an adult. Once a student arrives to campus, whether by school
transportation or private transportation, he/she is required to remain on
school grounds until the end of the school day. A student may not leave
school grounds unless an adult has checked him/her out of the office.
Leaving school grounds without being signed out is considered cutting school
and consequences will be delivered accordingly, including but not limited to
ISSR.
SALES ON CAMPUS
Students may sell fund-raising items on campus for school groups and
community organizations that have been approved by the administration in
advance. Students may not sell products for private or personal gain.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Delta Vista Middle School will not condone a student’s educational experience
being affected negatively by any behavior directed towards a student because
of his or her gender. Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances,
requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual
nature when it is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive to limit a
student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the education program, or
to create a hostile or abusive educational environment. Students should
contact any member of the administrative staff, counselor, or any teacher on
campus with concerns of this nature.
SKATEBOARDS/ROLLER BLADES/SCOOTERS/ROLLER SHOES
Skateboards, roller blades, roller shoes and scooters may NOT be on school
grounds at any time. All of us at Delta Vista Middle School believe that
skateboards, roller blades, scooters, and roller shoes do not represent a
safe way for students to get to and from school. Boards, Blades, and
Scooters that are brought to school will be confiscated and could require a
parent or guardian to have them returned. If a student has roller shoes,
he/she will need to remove the wheels while on campus.
SUGGESTED MATERIALS
To be successful in school students must come prepared to learn. To this
end, there are many supplies that will help our students to be more
successful. This year, this agenda notebook is being considered a required
text. Each day when students arrive to class, they must have their agenda
notebooks, something to write on, and something to write with. The following
is a list of items that will be useful for all students in school. The first
three items are required in all classes, whereas, the remainder are merely
suggestions.
Pencils, Pens, Paper, Ruler, Glue Stick, Colored pencils, Colored pens, In-
expensive calculator, Protractor, Compass, Binder w/folders Hole punch,
Highlighting marker, Eraser, Blunt-end scissors
TARDY POLICY
Delta Vista Middle School has a very specific tardy policy. If a student is
late to school, he/she must report to the office for a late slip before going
to his/her first period class. Teachers will not allow students into class
without a tardy slip during first period. As for the other periods of the
day, teachers will mark students tardy and for each tardy the student will be
given a demerit. Every three demerits a student will be given a lunch
detention. If a student receives more than (4) tardies in any six week
period he/she will be assigned to Friday School. The tardy policy will be in
effect for the entire year; however, at the end of each six week period the
slate is wiped clean. Failure to serve lunch detention more than once will
result in the student receiving a Friday School and time on the No Activities
List.
VALUABLES ON CAMPUS
Students are urged to keep all valuables at home. Valuables includes large
sums of money (more than $5.00), phones, expensive jewelry, cameras, radios,
CD’s/I Pod’s, and other electronic devices, which are not allowed on campus.
If a student must have these items for use at school or after school, they
should check with the office staff in advance to store them for safety
reasons. The Oakley Union School District and Delta Vista Middle School will
NOT be responsible for items lost or stolen from school campus. Please note;
if these items are brought to school, they will fall under the terms and
conditions of confiscated items.