Discipline Policy

PBMS Non-Negotiables

Pacific Beach Middle School student expectations consist of a set of rules developed by the PBMS school community in order to make our school a better place. We call our student expectations the PBMS Non-Negotiables.

1. On time

2. Follow PBMS dress code

3. Appropriate language - No profanity or slurs

4. Appropriate technology - No cell phone or earbud usage during the school day

5. No gum

PBMS Non-Negotiable Number 1: “On Time”

Students are expected to be on time and prepared to learn, every period of every day.

Tardiness may result in a lowered citizenship grade, per each teacher’s class expectations and syllabus.
Tardiness impacts student learning, and therefore may result in a lowered academic grade.
If tardiness is not resolved under the teacher’s classroom procedures, students will be referred for counseling intervention and administrative discipline, which may include lunch detention or discipline referral.

Student absences (full day or partial day) must be cleared with a note or phone call from the parent/guardian to the attendance clerk. Uncleared absences will be considered “unexcused” or “truant” if not cleared within three days.

Excused absences include:

Personal verified illness.
Personal verified medical/dental appointment.
Funeral services of parent, sibling, grandparent, or any relative from the child’s immediate household. (Limited to one day in California and three days out of state).
Personal, verified court appearance.
Recognized religious holiday.

Unexcused absences include:

Personal or family problems, truancies, oversleeping, etc.
Public transportation delays, traffic, car troubles, etc.
Vacations or out-of-town trips not included in “excused absences.”
Babysitting or taking care of other family members.
Going to work with parents or other family members.

Leaving Campus (Truancy)

Once arriving at school, students may not leave campus before the end of the school day without parent permission (see Medical/Dental appointments, above).
Students leaving campus without authorization will be considered truant. This includes leaving campus before the first bell of the school day.
Students must sign out at the attendance office when leaving campus (see Medical/Dental appointments, above).
Students showing a pattern of truancy will be referred for counseling intervention and administrative discipline.

Contract Independent Study (CIS)

Contracts for Independent Study are permitted, but they are discouraged because extended absences are not in the student’s best interest.
Requests for CIS must be received by the attendance clerk two weeks prior to the absence.
Student work must be completed by the student and evaluated by the teachers in order to meet the terms of the contract.
Students with an IEP may not receive a CIS without an IEP meeting where the team agrees to the CIS.
Questions regarding CIS will be directed to the administration.

PBMS Non-Negotiable Number 2: “Follow PBMS Dress Code ”

Pacific Beach Middle School adopted a new dress code policy during the 2021-2022 school year. Our intent is to continue growing our positive and inclusive community by giving our students more choices in how they express themselves in the way they dress. Our expectation is that all students will dress in a way that is appropriate for a school setting or for any school-sponsored event, and that their clothing choices do not interfere with the health and safety of any other student, and do not contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere for any other student. The following policy is intended to provide guidance for students, staff, and parents.

PBMS Dress Code

Basic Principle: Students must be appropriately clothed at all times. Attire deemed inappropriate is clothing which, by nature, exposes excessive portions of the skin that may be viewed as inappropriate for an educational environment. All items in the Must Wear category below must meet this basic principle.

Students Must Wear:

A shirt or top (with fabric in the front and back to the hips, and on the sides under the arms), AND
Pants/shorts (3-inch minimum inseam)/skirts or the equivalent (for example, sweatpants, leggings, a dress) AND
Closed toe shoes

Additional Requirements:

Clothing cannot reveal visible undergarments
No accessories that could be considered dangerous or could be used as a weapon
Clothing may not depict:

o violent language or images

o language or images regarding drugs, alcohol, vaping, tobacco products, paraphernalia, or gang affiliation

o hate speech, profanity, pornography

o images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment for others.

Dress Code Accountability:

The administration reserves the right to determine what constitutes appropriate dress. Students who did not follow our PBMS Dress Code guidelines outlined above will be provided with three (3) options:

They will be asked to put on their own alternative clothing, if already available at school, to be dressed more to code for the remainder of the day.
They will be provided with temporary school clothing to be dressed more to code for the remainder of the day.
If necessary, parents may be called during the school day to bring alternative clothing for the student to wear for the remainder of the day.

PBMS Non-Negotiable Number 3: “Appropriate Language - No Profanity or Slurs”

Students may only use language that is acceptable and appropriate to an educational setting.
Obscene and vulgar language including racial, ethnic and sexist slurs is unacceptable.
Language and terms that show disrespect for a person’s self-identity is unacceptable.
Obscene and vulgar gestures and symbols are also unacceptable.

PBMS Non-Negotiable Number 4: “Cell Phones & Earbuds Off and In Backpacks”

PBMS is not responsible for lost or damaged electronic devices.

Use of personal electronics is not allowed during instructional time, passing periods, or lunch time.
Personal electronic devices must be powered off (not just on “silent”) and stored out of sight during instructional time, passing period, and lunch time.
“Instructional time” includes any time on school buses and on school-sponsored activities under the supervision and control of school staff.
Students may only use personal electronic devices on campus before and after school.
Personal electronic devices used in violation of these rules may be confiscated by school staff.
Confiscated personal electronic devices must be claimed by a parent/guardian.
Repeated violations will be referred for counseling intervention and administrative discipline.

PBMS Non-Negotiable Number 5: “No Gum”

Gum is not allowed on campus at any time, including all classrooms, PE fields, outdoor areas, restrooms, and lunch areas.
Food and candy not allowed in classrooms unless specifically approved by school staff for a special event.

Severe Student Behaviors

The following rules and regulations are based on

• San Diego Unified School District Policies and Procedures

(https://www.sandiegounified.org/policies-procedures)

• California Education Code (https://www.cde.ca.gov/)

• California Penal Code

(https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codesTOCSelected.xhtml?tocCode=PEN&tocTitle=+Penal+Code+-+PEN)

Student noncompliance in the following areas will be referred for counseling intervention and administrative discipline. Some circumstances may require referral to school police.

Disruption of the Learning Environment/Defiance

• Students who defy the authority of any school staff member, or refuse to follow directions, may be referred for counseling intervention and administrative discipline.

• Defiance or disruption of instruction may result in removal from class and home contact.

• Disruption may include using, playing with, or displaying personal items which are not related to instruction in class. Electronic devices, toys, stuffed animals, and other non-instructionally-related or distracting items may be confiscated by school staff, and claimed by a parent/guardian.

• PBMS staff are not responsible for personal items brought by students to school.

Traveling To and From School

• Students are responsible for their actions while traveling to and from school. School administration holds the authority to enforce behavioral expectations before and after school as students are traveling to and from school.

• This includes the school bus or any other mode of transportation to and from school.

Loitering on Private Property

• PBMS students are expected to be polite and respectful toward our school neighbors while traveling to and from school.

• This means not hanging out in yards or driveways, and not leaving trash anywhere.

Skateboards, Scooters, Bikes

• Skateboards, scooters, bikes, and other personal transportation devices may be ridden to school. Wheeled shoes are not allowed on campus.

• California Vehicle Code requires a helmet for riders under 18 years of age. School staff will enforce this requirement when students enter school grounds.

• Skateboards, scooters and bikes must be stored in the designated location (bike racks), may not be ridden on campus, and are not allowed in class.

• Skateboards, scooters, bikes, and other personal transportation devices are brought to school at the student’s own risk.

• PBMS staff are not responsible for transportation devices brought by students to school.

School Bus

• Safety of all students on the school bus is the top priority. The bus driver is the one and only authority on the school bus. Everyone on the school bus must follow the rules and instructions communicated by the bus driver.

• Disciplinary referrals from the bus driver carry the same weight as in-school disciplinary referrals and will be handled by the school administration. Students with more than one disciplinary referral from the bus driver may lose bus-riding privileges, and the parent/guardian becomes responsible for student transportation to and from school.

Loitering on School Grounds

• While on campus, students must be in class, passing between classes, or at lunch. Students outside of class at any other time must be accountable to a school staff member, who should issue a written pass or give explicit permission.

• Any non-student (adult or minor) who is not a student must check in at the office and be approved by the administration before entering campus.

• All students must leave the PBMS campus within 5 minutes of their last scheduled class of the day.

• Students in PrimeTime, tutoring, extracurricular activities, or special events must be accountable to a school staff member, who should issue a written pass or give explicit permission.

Vandalism

• Anyone who damages school property may be required to pay legal reparations, up to $5,000.00. Vandals are subject to suspension and referral to school police.

• Students may not carry permanent markers or paints with their school supplies.

Harassment and Bullying

• PBMS students are expected to be polite and respectful toward all members of our school community.

• Students may not engage in verbal, visual, or physical conduct directed toward any individual, that has a negative impact on the individual’s state of mind. This includes statements made via text message, social media, email, or any other written or electronic medium.

• School administration holds the authority to investigate harassment and bullying incidents that are school-related but occur off-campus or outside of school hours.

• Bullying in any form will not be tolerated. Bullying can be reported to any adult on campus and through the PBMS website.

https://sandiegounified.org/about/anti-_bullying/anti_bullying_and_intimidation

Public Display of Affection

• PBMS students are expected to be polite and respectful toward all members of our school community.

• Display of affection such as kissing and body touching are not appropriate in the educational setting and will not be permitted at any time.

• PBMS has a No Hand-Holding Policy.

• Student noncompliance will be referred for counseling intervention and administrative discipline.

Sexual Harassment

• PBMS students are expected to be polite and respectful toward all members of our school community.

• The San Diego Unified School District prohibits sexual harassment, as defined in California Education Code, to mean unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

https://sandiegounified.org/about/policies_procedures/sexual_harassment

• Anyone wishing to make a complaint should report to a teacher, counselor or administrator

Fighting and Making Threats

• PBMS students are expected to be polite and respectful toward all members of our school community.

• Fighting is never allowed on campus, or when traveling to or from school (see “traveling to and from school” above).

• Threatening or intimidating others is never allowed on campus, or when traveling to or from school (see “traveling to and from school” above).

• “Play fighting” will be treated the same as intentional aggressive fighting.

Smoking, Tobacco Products, Lighters, Matches

• Possession or use of any tobacco, tobacco products, smoking devices, e-cigarettes, vaping devices and substances, hookah devices, etc. on school grounds is unlawful; matches and lighters are not allowed on school grounds, or when traveling to or from school (see “traveling to and from school” above).

• “School grounds” includes parking lots and surrounding areas.

• All school sites, school events, and district offices are designated non-smoking facilities.

Drugs and Alcohol

• Possession or use of marijuana, prescription drugs, narcotics, dangerous drugs, drug paraphernalia, vaping devices and substances, and alcohol on school grounds is unlawful (see “traveling to and from school” above).

• Prohibited activities include planning, referencing, or facilitating drug or alcohol use during the school day, or while traveling to or from school.

Possession, Display, Use of a Weapon

• No student or adult may possess a firearm, knife, explosive, or any other dangerous object on school grounds.

• Any possession, use, or display of a weapon on school grounds will result in immediate police response.

Thefts and Extortion

• No student or adult may take money or possessions of value from another person through intimidation or violence.

• No student or adult may steal or attempt to steal school property or personal property.

• Any theft on school grounds will result in immediate police response.

Consequences For Inappropriate Student Behaviors

The PBMS staff are committed to building a Restorative Community characterized by a mindset that promotes positive interactions, builds on the collective assets of students and school communities, provides an effective solution-focused approach and nurtures the skills of youths and adults. The PBMS staff maintains high expectations for student behavior, and we recognize that all students are individuals with different needs. As such, the teachers and administrative staff rely on a range of strategies to help students make positive decisions.

These strategies are supported by the California Education Code and SDUSD Administrative Procedures. Failure to comply with school policy and procedures will result in disciplinary action. The choice of disciplinary action is determined by the intent, frequency and severity of the offense. The support of parents/guardians in helping to maintain strict standards of behavior on campus is imperative.

Standard Disciplinary Actions

The following actions are reserved for first time offenses, minor behavioral violations and isolated incidents.

Direct Referral/Conferencing/Call Home
Detainment in Office/Administrative Intervention
Lunch Detention/After School Detention
Class Suspension (Up to 2 Days)
Parent Conference

Severe Disciplinary Actions

The following actions are geared towards habitual offenders, severe behavioral violations or major incidents in accordance with California Education Code (CA Ed. Code. 48900)

Home Visit/Disciplinary Contract
Class Suspension (Beyond 2 Days)
In-School Suspension (ISS – Whole Day)
Single Day Suspension
Multiple Day Suspension
Referral to School Police (Suspension with School Police Event Number)
Recommendation for Expulsion

Alternative Disciplinary Actions

These actions represent alternatives to severe, disciplinary action in accordance with code. They are to be utilized at the discretion of the site administration in the best interests of the school community.

Campus Clean up. Trash Pickup, Gum Scraping, Classroom Cleaning or Site Based Community Service (CA ED. Code 48900.6)
Parent Class or Full Day Shadowing (CA ED. Code 48900.1)
“Do Not Admit” Notice and Disciplinary Contract
Referral to Outside Agency
Individual Counseling/Mediation
Behavior Contract
Intervention Program Enrollment
Student Study Team (SST)
Class/Schedule Change
Peer Mentoring

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Discipline Policy

PBMS Non-Negotiables