Discipline Office

Discipline at Liberty Middle School

Mission Statement

To support students’ and teachers’ ability to do their best, do what’s right, and treat others the way they want to be treated in a safe and orderly learning environment. This will be achieved through building positive relationships; by rewarding positive behaviors; by implementing interventions; and by taking firm, fair, consistent, and progressive corrective action when necessary.

Team Members

Michelle Ramputi, Assistant Principal -- [email protected]

Justin Johnson, 8th Grade Student Services Manager -- justin.johnson@marion.k12.fl.us

Nathaniel Smith, 7th Grade Student Services Manager -- nathaniel.smith@marion.k12.fl.us

Matthew Corrigan, 6th Student Services Manager -- [email protected]

The Big 3

Students are expected to follow the Big 3 Expectations while on Liberty Middle School’s campus, while learning in the classroom, while riding on school transportation, and also while participating in school-sponsored activities. The Big 3 Expectations are:

• Do Your Best
• Do What’s Right
• Treat Others the Way You Want to be Treated

These expectations are taught and reinforces throughout the school year through morning announcements, teacher expectations in the classroom, and are also posted throughout campus as a reminder for students.

Please encourage your student at home to follow the Big 3 while at school. We believe that character education is an integral part of forging the leaders of tomorrow from the students of today.

DISCIPLINE POLICY:

Liberty Middle School takes pride in being a school that focuses on character education as well as academics. The positive actions of students are rewarded and as a result we have a school that often serves as a model for others to follow.

From time to time it becomes necessary to discipline children for misbehavior. Teachers are responsible for teaching and modeling the Big 3 Expectations for all students. Students are responsible for making good choices and following the Marion County Student Code of Conduct. Please review this important document with your student so that they are aware of what is expected of them at school.

Dress & Appearance

Students are expected to dress appropriately and in good taste. Clothing which is excessively revealing, baggy, a distraction to other students or teachers, or otherwise interferes with the classroom atmosphere is not appropriate and is not allowed. Writing on the body is not acceptable at Liberty Middle School. Students wearing inappropriate clothing will be offered a change of clothing. When students return the LMS clothing, they will receive their inappropriate clothing to take home. Please help us keep our students in class at all times by avoiding this infraction. The dress code is for the safety and academic wellbeing of all students. Please note the following:  No holes/rips in shorts or pants ABOVE THE KNEE. If there are holes, etc., they must be below the knee. Leggings, shorts, or tape cannot be worn underneath ripped garments to satisfy this requirement.  Skirts and shorts must be finger-tip length and fit appropriately.  Pants must be worn securely at the waist (no sagging pants).  All undergarments must be completely covered.  Shirts must be long enough to be tucked into shorts, skirt, or pants.  Shirts must cover undergarments, cleavage, and stomach area. Shirt straps must be at least three fingers wide. 6  A tee-shirt must be worn under a jersey. The following represents a few examples of clothing and accessories which are not permitted. This is not intended to be all inclusive as other clothing deemed inappropriate by the administrative staff will also be excluded from campus:  No bandannas displayed in any fashion.  No spaghetti straps, midriffs, shirts that have been cut off, halter tops, tank tops, see-through blouses, or see-through jerseys.  No low-cut blouses, dresses, backless dresses, or split skirts above finger-tip length.  No pajamas or bedroom slippers.  No jewelry or clothing which refers to sex, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, profanity, street organizations or suggestive sayings.  No hats, caps, headbands, bandannas, hair rollers, picks, combs worn in hair, dog collars, spike jewelry, sunglasses, or wallet chains.  Hoods are not to be worn.  No lycra, nylon, spandex, leggings, bicycle shorts, boxers. Leggings worn under shorts/skirts will be considered skin for the purpose of determining appropriate length. For additional information on dress and appearance, please see the Marion County Public School’s Student Code of Conduct at www.marionschools.net/domain/1019.

INTERVENTIONS:

The following interventions may be used to correct student behavior:

• Verbal correction
• Private conference with student
• Change seat
• Behavior contract
• Parent contact
• Refer to guidance
• Time out
• Conference with Dean

NOTE: Teachers are not limited to, nor required to use all steps before writing a discipline referral.

REFERRAL TO THE DISCIPLINE OFFICE

A student’s failure to respond to the attempts by the teacher and parents to change or correct misconduct will result in a discipline referral being written and the student sent to the Student Services office. Liberty Middle will follow the Marion County Code of Student Conduct when a child is sent to the office for disciplinary reasons.

NO TOLERANCE BEHAVIORS

Egregious behaviors will result in an immediate referral to the discipline office. Some examples of these behaviors include, but are not limited to:

• Fighting
• Blatant disrespect
• Drugs, weapons, alcohol
• Willful disobedience/defiance