CODE OF CONDUCT

The purpose of education is to help each student acquire knowledge, develop intellectual skills and enlarge his/her capacity for rational thinking. This is to prepare the student to become an effective citizen and find his or her place in society. Being fully aware of and then accepting the responsibilities and obligations of good citizenship is critical for an optimum learning environment in school and prepares students to constructively participate in the world of tomorrow.

This Code of Conduct defines the essentials of honorable behavior for all students.

The Code of Conduct applies to all school sanctioned activities.

Any questions regarding the Code of Conduct can be directed to the Assistant Principal.

School Goals

We believe that each child is an individual within the school community.

We believe in high expectations, clearly defined boundaries, and the right of every student to learn in a safe and comfortable environment.

We believe that school is a place where confidence and self-motivation are fostered.

We believe that home, community, and school should work together to produce compassionate and responsible students who are accountable for their actions.

We believe in having an environment of respect for self, respect for others and respect for authority.

General Rules

• Students are to show respect to each other and all adults in the school.
• Evening performances are for parents/guardians and guests of the performers. Students who attend evening performances must be accompanied and seated with their own parent/guardian.
• Students are to report to homeroom by 8:03 am. If a student is late, he/she must report to the Student Services Office to sign in. Lateness will be unexcused, unless accompanied by a note from a doctor's or dentist's office. If lateness is unexcused, the appropriate consequence will apply. (See Tardiness to School)
• Students are to report to academic support on time. If a student needs to see another teacher at this time, a pass must be obtained from that teacher and given to the academic support teacher.
• Students are not permitted to chew gum at any time.
• Students are not permitted to have cell phones, radios, walkmans, skateboards, roller blades, etc. in school, on school property, or on the bus. Students who ride their bikes to school must walk their bikes while on school property.
• Students who are absent or serving detention or suspended from school are not permitted to participate in any after school activity or attend evening performances. Students arriving to school later than 11:30 am, for any reason, will not be permitted to participate in any after school activity or attend evening performances.. Students leaving school, for any reason, prior to 11:30 am will not be permitted to participate in any after school activity or attend evening performances.
• Students are prohibited from fighting, gambling or using obscene language and gestures, possessing dangerous or inappropriate objects, and substances including tobacco, drugs, alcohol, weapons and explosives.
• Students are not permitted to bring guests to visit Cavallini without prior written permission from the principal or assistant principal. These guests may visit from 8:30-11:30.
• Students are prohibited from selling items for outside clubs or organizations.
• When attending field trips, students are required to dress appropriately and travel on school transportation only.

Examples of Unacceptable Behavior:

• Smoking, or possessing cigarettes, tobacco products, or smoking materials (e.g., matches, lighters, rolling paper), possession of alcohol or drugs.
• engaging in criminal actions such as assault, extortion, theft, robbery, arson, initiating a false fire alarm or bomb scare, or tampering with or damaging school property of staff or students. (Note: Parents or guardians are financially liable for the cost of repairs or replacement of damaged property.)
• any form of academic dishonesty including any form of academic dishonesty pertaining to the Accelerated Reader program and vocabulary lists, or misuse of computer technology, and the Internet. Plagarism may result in the loss of credit for that assignment
• possession and/or use of a firearm or other potential weapon.
• failure to return school books, materials, uniforms, etc.
• demonstrating any behavior or possessing any item which does or could endanger the health, safety, or welfare of any member of the school community.

Harassment

The Upper Saddle River School district maintains a policy against harassment of any kind - sexual, racial, ethnic, religious, etc. The harassment or coercion of any person is not permitted.

All complaints should be reported to one of the following individuals:

• a teacher
• a guidance counselor
• the assistant principal
• the principal

Complaints will be handled according to the procedure outlined in the Board of Education Policy.

Rules for Dress

• All headgear and coats are to be stored in the student's locker or cubby during the school day.
• Bare midriffs or clothing that reveals under-garments are not be permitted.
• The 'fingertip rule' - skirts/shorts should be longer than one's fingertips when the arms are held straight down (even if leggings are being worn underneath). The 'three finger rule' - straps should be wider than three fingers.
• Clothing or accessories that depict violence, profanity and are offensive, sexually explicit, suggestive or too revealing, advocate illegal or unhealthy behavior, distracting or cause a safety hazard are not permitted. Examples include: Halter tops, one shoulder shirts/blouses and/or see through clothing. Flip flops pose a safety hazard and are not appropriate for school.
• Hair curlers are inappropriate for school.

Interscholastic Sports Policy

Philosophy

Realizing that interscholastic sports make a rich contribution to the total education, Cavallini Middle School provides a diverse interscholastic sports program.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible to try out for any of the Cavallini School sports teams, a medical form and permission slip must be submitted before participating. Forms are available in the school offices or from the school nurse.

Guidelines

Cavallini athletes are subject to the Upper Saddle River Board of Education policies and the Cavallini Code of Conduct. Coaches select team members and determine eligibility for participation. Furthermore, the following interscholastic sports guidelines have been established to define team procedures and expectations. Athletes are expected to make academics their priority. Failure to perform in the classroom may impact participation.

1. Cavallini Middle School insists that good sportsmanship is paramount for coaches, participants and spectators.

2. Students must be in attendance at school to participate in a game or practice. Students arriving to school later than 11:30 am, for any reason, will not be permitted to play in a game or practice. Students leaving school, for any reason, prior to 11:30 am will not be permitted to play in a game or practice.

3. Commitment to the team is expected. Therefore, attendance at all practices and games is required, except for scheduled religious instruction. Athletes should notify coaches prior to practice or game of a conflict.

Bus Rules

• Obey and respect the bus driver.
• Enter and exit the bus in an orderly manner.
• Keep hands and objects inside windows and keep aisles clear.
• No physical contact or throwing of objects.
• Speak at a conversational level.
• Stay in your seat and use seat belts when available.
• Respect other passengers, their property and the bus.
• No obscene language/gestures.
• Ride only the bus to which you are assigned. No guests are permitted to ride on a school bus.

Assembly Rules

• Enter and exit in a quiet, orderly manner.
• Students should be courteous and considerate during the entire performance.
• No talking or physical contact during the performance.
• Remain in your seat for the duration of the assembly. Students should only leave the auditorium during emergency situations only.
• Use appropriate applause.

Computer Rules

• Follow directions of teacher in use of computer/printer.
• Do not invade another student's right to privacy by opening files on his/her disk or changing/manipulating files on his/her disk.
• Use Internet as outlined by the Internet Policy and only under the supervision of a teacher.
• Purposeful changing of system configuration is not permissible.

Fire Drill Procedures

• At the sound of the fire alarm, all students are to leave the building according to the directions posted in each room.
• Students are to pass from the building in an orderly and in a silent manner. Misconduct of any kind while leaving or returning to the building is unacceptable.
• Return to the building when the recall signal is sounded.  

Consequences

Those students who do not choose to follow the code of conduct will be subjected to the following consequences:

• Detention Students may be assigned detention for various rule infractions that may take place both in the classroom and outside the classroom. Detention may be given by any staff member at any time for infractions they feel are worthy of a detention.

  Detention may take the following forms:

  • Recess detention (classroom or office)
  • Lunch and recess detention (classroom or office)
  • After school detention (classroom or office)
  • In school detention (full day)

Suspension

Students may be suspended from school for any of the following reasons:
• Academic dishonesty
• Fighting or threatening to cause physical injury
• Damage to school and/or personal property
• Stealing/extortion
• Defiance of authority
• Possession of weapons, explosives or other dangerous or inappropriate objecrs
• Tobacco, tobacco products, lighters, matches, alcohol or drugs on campus
• Using foul language or gestures
• Harassment of any kind
• Gambling
• Leaving school, skipping class
• Behavior that is deemed unacceptable

Parents are notified of all suspensions.