BEHAVIOR AND DISCIPLINE

  • Code of Student Conduct

    The CMS Student Rights, Responsibilities and Character Development Handbook is a comprehensive document that covers the CMS Code of Student Conduct, expected behavior of students while they are on the bus, at school, involved in school-sponsored activities and during the virtual learning environment. In addition, consequences for inappropriate behavior are clearly spelled out.

    All students and parents should read the Student Rights, Responsibilities and Character Development Handbook, sign the pledge form in the front of the handbook and return the form to the school. The handbook is made available to all students at the beginning of the year and can also be found online at https://www.cmsk12.org/domain/6483.

    Bullying

    Bullying and harassment are strictly prohibited in CMS. It is the policy of the Board of Education to maintain learning environments that are free from harassment and bullying (Bullying Policy & Regulation S-BULLY). This includes, but is not limited to, freedom from harassment or bullying:

    • based on an individual’s real or perceived race; color; religion; ancestry; national origin; gender; socioeconomic status; academic status; gender identity/expression; physical appearance; sexual orientation; physical, mental, developmental, or sensory disability; creed; political belief; age; linguistic or language differences; height; weight; marital status; parental status; or
    • because of an association with a person who has or is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics.

    Additional information on bullying can be found in the Student Rights, Responsibilities and Character Development Handbook. Students who feel bullied, harassed or intimidated at school by an adult or another student, or who witness such conduct should report the incident as soon as an incident is known. Anonymous reporting can be found at Say Something for grades 6-12, and at https://cms.ethix360.com/ for grades K-5. 

    Anyone involved, witnessing, or aware of bullying should report the incident using the on-line anonymous bullying platform. All bullying concerns, even concerns that were previously reported to the school administrator, should be reported using this platform. The anonymous bullying platform is located on every individual school website as well as in the Connect section of the main CMS web page. The report can be made anonymously, or the reporter can leave their name and contact information. Retaliation for making a report is strictly prohibited under the CMS Bullying Policy S-BULLY.

    To view the Policy Code: S-BULLY Bullying please visit goo.gl/xtMe84

    To view the Regulation Code: S-BULLY/R Bullying Prevention please visit goo.gl/9U8u9h

    Discipline

    CMS is committed to providing safe and orderly learning and working environments in all schools. Discipline policies establish expected standards of student behavior, procedures for addressing willful student misconduct and consequences for violations of student behavior standards. Principals attempt to address student misconduct through a full range of responses that do not remove the student from the classroom or school, including but not limited to: parental involvement, conferences, isolation or time-out, behavior improvement agreements, instruction in conflict resolution and anger management, peer mediation, counseling sessions, academic intervention, ISS, detention, referral to community agencies, community service, exclusion from graduation ceremonies or extracurricular activities, suspension from bus privileges and disciplinary reassignment.

    In-School Suspension

    In-school suspension (ISS) is a disciplinary measure used as an alternative to out-of-school suspension for minor violations of the Code of Student Conduct. ISS provides the opportunity to redirect student behavior and to restore an orderly environment that is conducive to effective teaching and learning.

    Students are required to spend the designated number of hours/days in the program as imposed by their principal or his/her designee, and absences from school will not reduce that time. Individual counseling and group counseling to help students understand the nature of problems contributing to their behavior are afforded to students who request or need these services.

    To allow the students’ regular academic work to continue, the ISS teacher will assist students in the completion of assignments from their regular teachers. The ISS teacher will coordinate with Student Services personnel to develop and provide self-assessment materials for students to complete, both individually and in small groups. There should also be supplementary materials, such as information on test-taking skills, reading improvement and math remediation for students to complete. A student identified as a child with a disability will also have access to an EC teacher when appropriate.

    Out-of-School Suspension

    There are occasions when principals must take extreme measures to deal with behaviors that are not acceptable at school and for which ISS and other responses that do not remove the student from the classroom or school are not appropriate.

    Out-of-school suspension is the disciplinary exclusion of a student from school and is imposed for the protection of the student, his/her peers and staff, or to help the principal maintain an orderly school environment. Principals are required to follow certain steps before suspending a student – which include investigating the situation, providing the opportunity for an informal hearing with the student, and providing written notice of suspension. The number of days for a suspension of 10 or fewer days is determined by the principal. 

    Suspensions of more than 10 days are imposed by the superintendent or designee.
    Under N.C.G.S. §115C-390.10, principals must recommend a 365- day suspension for students who bring firearms or destructive devices on school property.

    Discipline for Conduct Occurring Away from CMS Property

    The principal may impose discipline, including short-term suspension or recommend a long-term suspension, for violation of school behavioral rules occurring away from CMS property if the conduct has (or may be reasonably expected to have) a direct and immediate impact on the orderly and efficient operation of the schools or the safety of individuals in the school environment.

    Disciplinary Reassignment

    Students may be reassigned to an alternative school rather than suspended for more than 10 days. This assignment is not an out-of-school suspension. Therefore, the student is not entitled to a due process hearing. Parents and students may appeal a disciplinary reassignment to the Charlotte- Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education if a reassignment is imposed.

    Expulsion

    Under N.C.G.S. §115C-390.11, the Board of Education may, upon recommendation of the superintendent, expel any student 14 years of age or older whose behavior indicates that the student’s continued presence in school constitutes a clear threat to the safety of other students or employees.

    Participation in a Civil Demonstration

    Students must coordinate with school administration on the logistics of participating in a civil demonstration that occurs on school property.

    For more information on student behavior and discipline, please refer to the Student Rights, Responsibilities and Character Development Handbook.