• STUDENTS’ RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND LIMITATIONS

    Ramsey Middle School is a community, and the rules and regulations of the school are the laws of that community. All those enjoying the rights of citizenship in the school community must also accept the responsibility of citizenship. A basic responsibility of citizenship is to respect the laws of the community. The teacher is required by law to maintain a suitable environment for learning, and administrators have the responsibility for maintaining and facilitating the educational programs. The teacher has the authority to discipline students for cause. The Principal and Assistant Principals are authorized to suspend students for cause.

    Students are expected to abide by the guidelines in the Fort Smith Public School District Student Handbook. The penalty for violations of rules and regulations range from reprimand to expulsion depending upon the circumstances regarding the violation. Progressive Discipline of secondary students will be progressive based upon a student’s disciplinary history. The following rules, regulations, and procedures are designed to protect all members of Ramsey Middle School community in the exercise of their rights and duties:

    • Cooperation with school personnel - Students must obey the reasonable instructions of any school district personnel. Failure to comply with the directions of school personnel shall be considered insubordination and subject to discipline.

    • Disruptive behavior - Conduct which interferes with the educational process is prohibited. Teachers may remove disruptive students from class until a parent conference can be held. Failure to comply with the dress code is considered disruptive behavior. The student shall not interfere with or distract another student during the period of silence. Students are to remain silent during this time period (ACT 576 of 2013).

    • Requirement to identify self - All persons must, upon request, identify themselves to school personnel in the school building, grounds, facilities, and at school sponsored events.

    • Off Campus Events - Students at school sponsored, off campus events shall be governed by school district rules and regulations, and are subject to the authority of school district personnel. Failure to obey the rules and regulations and/or failure to obey reasonable instructions of school district personnel shall result in loss of eligibility to attend school sponsored events, and may result in disciplinary actions under the regular school program. 

    • Abnormal or irrational behavior - Any student whose actions are deemed abnormal or irrational may be suspended from class and/or from school by the Principal or Assistant Principals. 

    • Search, Seizure and Monitoring - General searches of school property may be conducted at any time. Items which are deemed likely to result in disruption or interference with the educational process will be removed from the student’s possession. The school district and staff will not be responsible for the safe keeping of these items. Search and seizure are permissible when there is reasonable belief that a controlled substance, weapon, or items in violation of school policy are present (ACA 6-21-608). Student lockers are to be used to protect personal items and books and are not to be used to store or conceal illegal or prohibited items or material. Lockers remain the property of the Fort Smith Public School District and are subject to inspection by school officials for reasonable cause. Privately-owned automobiles parked on school property may be searched by a school administrator if there is reasonable suspicion that the search would produce evidence indicating the student has violated the law or school rules.  

    • Surveillance Cameras - Areas of the Ramsey Middle School campus are subject to surveillance by cameras to enhance student and employee safety.

    • School buildings and campuses (including parking lots) are subject to periodic search by the canine unit of the Fort Smith Police Department in an effort to reduce the presence of illegal and prohibited items on the campus.

    • Fort Smith schools use video surveillance to assist in security and investigations.

    • Criminal acts - The commission of, or participation in, criminal acts in school buildings, on school district properties, or at school sponsored events by students is prohibited by school regulations. Disciplinary action will be taken by school authorities against students involved in criminal acts, regardless of whether or not criminal charges result from the student’s behavior. State law requires that school district authorities notify the law enforcement authorities of any criminal acts. {ACA 6-17-113}

    • Weapons - The possession of a firearm or other weapon is prohibited on school property or at school sponsored events. Weapons may be, but are not limited to, firearms, knives, throwing stars, nunchucks, darts, air guns, ammunition, or facsimiles of these devices (water guns, cap guns, sling shots, etc.). Students in possession of weapons may be recommended for expulsion. The police will also be notified. 

    • Behavior on buses - Student misbehavior could result in losing the privilege of riding the bus. Any student causing damage to a bus will be required to pay for the damage. The driver of a bus has the same authority over bus passengers that a teacher has over students in the classroom. Drivers have the responsibility to maintain conduct on their bus and will identify students who cause trouble to the Transportation Director or assistant director. The district believes all students can behave appropriately and safely while riding on a school bus. No tolerance will be shown for student behavior that interferes with drivers doing their jobs or which prevent students from having safe transportation. Students must ride the bus they are assigned to ride. Each driver will review the rules of conduct on the bus with the students riding the bus. Physical or verbal abuse of the driver by a student will result in suspension. It is a privilege to ride a Fort Smith School Bus, not a right. Students are subject to school authority while on the bus, while loading or unloading, and while waiting at the bus stop. The bus driver has the authority to assign seats and to suspend students for cause from the bus. Drivers will not tolerate obscene language, rude gestures, or misbehavior. Buses will load and unload in areas designated by the transportation department. Students waiting to ride the bus should remain in the designated area until the bus arrives. If parents have suggestions or complaints regarding school bus operation, they should contact the Supervisor of Transportation at 785-2501. Patrons should not attempt to stop the bus while it is on the route. Students are to ride the bus they are assigned to and are not allowed to have friends ride home with them. In order to facilitate the planning of bus routes, students must ride their assigned bus and stay in their assigned seat.

         The following rules must be followed by those using the bus:  

    1. Keep head and hands inside the bus at all times.
    2. No horseplay or loud talking is permitted on the bus.
    3. Do not tamper with or damage any part of the bus.
    4. Do not leave your seat or stand while the bus is in motion.
    5. Do not throw anything from the bus windows.
    6. No smoking, eating, or drinking is allowed on the bus.
    7. Bus riders are under the supervision of the driver and must follow his/her instructions.
    • Sexual harassment - Sexual harassment is against the law, deemed unacceptable conduct and will not be tolerated. It shall be a violation of this policy for any student to harass another student through conduct or communications of a sexual nature. For the purpose of this policy, “sexual harassment” is defined as any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and/ or other inappropriate verbal, visual, written, or physical conduct of a sexual nature, whenever such harassment occurs on School District property or at school-sponsored events.

      Sexual harassing behaviors may include, but are not limited to the following actions: 
    1. Verbal harassment or abuse
    2. Pressure for sexual activity
    3. Repeated remarks to a person with sexual or demeaning implications
    4. Unwelcome touching
    5. Non-verbal harassment (gifts, pictures, drawings, cartoons)
    • Retaliation prohibited - School personnel will discipline any individual who retaliates against any person who reports alleged offense or who retaliates against any person who assists in an investigation or proceeding relating to the reported offense. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, any form of intimidation, reprisal or harassment. 

    • Bullying - Bullying is against the law and will not be tolerated. “Bullying” is defined as intimidation that may include but is not limited to teasing, taunting, threatening, frightening, and/or hurting other students physically or emotionally, or influencing others to use such practices. School personnel will discipline any individual who retaliates against any person who reports bullying or who retaliates against any person who assists in an investigation or proceeding relating to a bullying complaint.  

    • Cheating - Students are expected to do their own work and to develop the qualities of honesty, integrity, and ethical behavior. Students found cheating will be given a zero on the assignment involved. The student may be referred to the office and may be assigned to ISS and the parent will be notified. Future referrals to the office for cheating will result in a zero for the assignment involved and possible suspension out of school. 

    • Public Display of Affection (PDA) - The public and open display of affection toward a student or between students on school property does not reflect a climate conducive toward learning. Displays of affection are a personal and private matter. Students are expected to abstain from PDA on school premises. Violation may lead to detention and possible suspension.  

    • Social Media - Students should be mindful of the information they post. Online behavior should reflect the same standards as those used for face-to-face communications. Deleted information may be stored and retrieved indefinitely. Information marked “private” rarely is, and may be forwarded easily. Ideas should be shared in a respectful manner. View online content, including social media, as an extension of the physical classroom or building. If it is not appropriate in the classroom or out in the open at school, it is not appropriate online.
       
    • Student Personal Property - Students are cautioned not to bring valuables or large amounts of money to school. These items include cell phones, earbuds, headphones, personal electronic devices, etc.Students, not the school, are responsible for their personal property.