Code of Student Conduct

CMS Code of Student Conduct

Harper Middle College High School 

Student Conduct Policies and Procedures

Classroom Behavior: 

Students are expected to follow the rules that individual teachers have established for student conduct.  All behavior guidelines at Harper Middle College comply with the CMS Code of Conduct as specified in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.  No student should disturb the learning of others or disrupt orderly classroom process. 

Truancy: 

No student should be absent without a valid excuse.  Truancy is an unauthorized absence.

Unauthorized/Unsupervised Areas: 

Students are not allowed in any unauthorized area of campus during the school day.  Students may visit several areas of the CPCC campus including the library, the CyberStation, the Student Life/Activities center, the bookstore, CMS designated classrooms, small lounges in the hallways, etc.  If a student is unclear about whether an area is off-limits, they should speak to someone in the main office. 

Leaving School Property without Permission: 

Once students have arrived at school for the day, by bus, walking or car, they are not permitted to leave or return without properly signing out or signing in (see sign-in/sign-out policy).  Students may not leave school property for any reason without proper authorization.

Exiting Campus after School: 

Safety and security issues necessitate that we exit school and the campus in an orderly and timely manner.  Upon dismissal, all students are required to report to the appropriate areas to leave campus.

Parking: 

CPCC Harper campus maintains an open parking policy.  Students taking courses at other CPCC campuses will require a parking pass.  Students needing a parking pass should see Mr. Cohens in the main office.  No students should engage in inappropriate driving maneuvers on the school site.  Violations of this nature may also result in suspension from school.  Additionally, improperly parked vehicles are also subject to towing at the owner's expense. 

Profanity: 

Profanity is unacceptable under any circumstances and will not be tolerated.  Students should be referred to the principal and teachers should contact the student's parent. 

Failure to Comply: 

Any instance involving student failure to comply with a reasonable request from any staff member will result in administrative consequences.

Student Fighting: 

Fighting will not be tolerated at Harper Middle College High School.  Any students involved in fighting are subject to suspension from school. 

Vandalism: 

Any act to damage or attempt to damage school equipment/property or property of another student is considered vandalism.  Students will pay for repairs and replace or correct defacement. They will also be subject to further disciplinary action. 

Cheating/Misrepresentation/Forgery and False Notes: 

Students involved in cheating and/or misrepresentation on tests and assignments will receive consequences.  This could include referral to the principal, administrative conference, parent contact by the teacher and the principal, the student receives a zero (0), and the student completes an integrity contract.

Disruptive or Disrespectful Behavior

Behavior of this nature, including profanity, will not be tolerated.  Offenders are subject to suspension.  Repeated classroom disruptions or disrespectful behavior will result in administrative consequences. 

Public Displays of Affection

Students are to refrain from any public displays of affection. 

Sexual Harassment/Bullying

Sexual harassment and bullying are a violation of an individual's human rights.  Persons involved in these activities will be suspended and/or arrested and recommended for exclusion. Students who violate a bullying contract or no contact contract will receive consequences outlined in the CMS Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited at school and at all school functions.

Cell Phones/Earbuds/Airpods, Laser Pointers, Electronic Devices or Games

Students are allowed to use their cell phones to text in the morning, during class change and lunch, and after school.  During class time, students are allowed to use cell phones as directed by their teacher.  Repeated violations of this policy could result in confiscation of the cell phone and further consequences outlined in the CMS Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.

Harper Middle College High School or Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is not liable for any lost or stolen property belonging to students or their families. The owner assumes all risk when items of value are brought on campus.  The school highly recommends that all valuables are left at home and not brought to school.

Playing Cards, Dice, Gambling Type Devices or Games

These types of items are prohibited at school.  Participation in these activities, including matching or pitching coins, may result in suspension, up to and including, exclusion.

Alcohol and Drugs

Students at Harper Middle College High School will not use, purchase, sell, distribute, be under the influence of or possess any kind of alcoholic beverage or any kind of controlled substance as defined by state law.  Possession of drug paraphernalia will result in notification of parents and further disciplinary action, including short terms and long-term suspension. Possession, coming on school grounds or being at any school activity after consumption, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at school or a school related activity will result in administrative consequences outlined in the CMS Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. 

Student Dress/Attire

The dress and grooming of students shall contribute to the health and safety of the individual and promote an orderly educational environment.

In accordance with the CMS Student Handbook, the following dress code has been established for HMCHS

1. Students may not wear hats, caps, head wraps, bandanas, or other headgear, including sunglasses.  Religious headgear is acceptable.  Exceptions require administrative approval.
2. Acceptable shoes include flip-flops, sandals, sneakers, and boots. Bedroom slippers are not permitted.
3. Tank tops must have the width of two adjacent fingers in the front and back. (Racerbacks are not acceptable.)  Shirts, tank tops, blouses, etc. must cover the stomach and fall at the waist. No midriffs, even when arms are raised.
4. No pajamas or sleepwear is permitted; this also applies to half days. 
5. Clothing that has profane, offensive, derogatory, or other illegal substance terms will not be permitted. 
6. The minimum length of skirts, dresses, and shorts is mid-thigh.
7. Removing a sweater or jacket "cover-up" during the school day at any time is not appropriate, if and when the remaining clothing violates the dress code.
8. Leggings/tights/ jeggings or any similar clothing materials are only permitted with a top that reaches the thigh.
9. Pants, skirts, shorts, etc. should be worn at or above the waist with no undergarments visible.
10. Pants may not be worn with holes that expose the thigh area.  Leggings or other opaque material must be worn underneath. Fishnets or other translucent material will not be acceptable to cover holes.
11. No spaghetti straps or bare shoulders should be displayed with off-shoulder shirts. 
12. Sheer blouses are not permitted without an appropriate top underneath.
13. Deep-cut shirts/blouses, extreme V-necks, etc. are not permitted without tank top or camis underneath.
14. Halter tops, strapless shirts/dresses cannot be worn, unless they are worn with a non-transparent covering (cardigan, blazer, jacket, etc.) or they are worn underneath (t-shirts, etc.) the clothing item.
15. Knit tops or translucent coverings over any strapless clothing or any item of clothing that violates the school dress code are not appropriate. 
16. Any undergarment-related clothing (i.e. camisoles) is not permitted.

Tardy Policy and Sign-In Policy

A student will be considered absent from a class if they are tardy 45 minutes or more from that class period.  Students arriving after the first 45 minutes of any class should report to the main office and sign-in.  The student will receive a note to enter into the classroom.  Any students arriving before the first 45-minutes of class should be admitted by the teacher and sign-in on the sign-in sheet for the teacher.  The teacher should record the tardy in Powerschool.  The teacher should keep a copy of the sign-in sheet for their records. 

Sign-Out Policy

Students may be signed out through the main office only by their parent, guardian, or emergency contact person as designated on the demographics screen of Powerschool.  Parents may contact our office in writing to sign-out a student.  If the parent sends an email, the email must match the email in Powerschool.  Handwritten letters will also be honored.    Proper procedure must be followed before any student leaves campus. 

• Repeated Tardies: Below are the tiered consequences for students that are repeatedly tardy:
  1. Teacher contacts parent to indicate that the student has been tardy three times.
  2. The third tardy constitutes one absence from class.  3 tardies = 1 absence.
  1. Teacher contacts parent to indicate that the student has been tardy 6 times.
  2. Teacher contacts school counselor to indicate that the student has been tardy 6 times.
  3. Counselor sets up a parent-teacher-principal conference to discuss the excessive tardies.
  4. The student accumulates another absence.  3 tardies = 1 absence
  1. Teacher contacts parent to indicate that the student has been tardy 10 times.
  2. Teacher contacts school counselor to indicate that the student has been tardy 10 times.
  3. Counselor sets up a parent-teacher-principal conference to discuss the excessive tardies.  Student is placed on an attendance contract and monitored weekly by the counselor.
  4. The student accumulates another absence.  3 tardies = 1 absence
  1. We will consider probation and other measures to work with the student to get the student back on track or consider the student's continuation at Harper Middle College HS. 
• 3 tardies per individual class meeting.
• 6 tardies per individual class meeting.
• 10 tardies per individual class meeting.
• More than 10 tardies per individual class meeting.

Absence Rule

A student missing 11 days or more in a semester-long class for any reason (excused or unexcused) other than a principal-approved absence will receive a grade of "F" for the course based on CMS Regulation JHBB-R.

When a student is absent from school, he/she should bring a note from his/her parent, guardian, or health care professional within forty-eight (48) hours to Mr. Cohens in the main office. 

Repeated Absences:

Below are the tiered consequences for students that are repeatedly absent:

• 3 absences per individual class meeting.
• Teacher contacts parent to indicate that the student has been absent three times.
• 6 absences per individual class meeting.
• Teacher contacts parent to indicate that the student has been absent 6 times.
• Teacher contacts school counselor to indicate that the student has been absent 6 times.
• Counselor sets up a parent-teacher-principal conference to discuss the excessive absences.  Students will be placed on an attendance contract.
• 10 absences per individual class meeting.
• Teacher contacts parent to indicate that the student has been absent 10 times.
• Teacher contacts school counselor to indicate that the student has been tardy 10 times.
• Counselor sets up a parent-teacher-principal conference to discuss the excessive absences.  Student is placed on an attendance contract and probation.  The counselor will monitor the student weekly.  The parent will be notified weekly of the student's progress. 
• More than 10 absences per individual class meeting.
  1. We will consider other measures to work with the student to get the student back on track or consider the student's continuation at Harper Middle College HS.