Behavior

Behavior Expectations 

Expectations for student behavior, and consequences for violating those expectations, are detailed in the FMHS Behavior Matrix
& Definitions.

At the classroom level, teachers will involve students in creating a Social Contract. If students violate the social contract, teachers will address the behavior according to their individual classroom management plans.

If students repetitively violate classroom rules or have a major behavior concern, then teachers will refer the student to the main office. Administrators meet with students one-on-one in an effort to best determine the incident's antecedent, and the student's specific behavior of concern, and then use the following Behavior Matrix to determine the appropriate consequence. Additionally, and depending on the situation, FMHS administrators may incorporate an opportunity for the student to restore a relationship, reflect on their behavior, and/or learn from their behavior when addressing behavior concerns.

At the core of our philosophy of school discipline lies a commitment to fostering an environment where accountability, respect, and safety are paramount. We believe that by instilling these values in our students, we can create a harmonious and conducive learning atmosphere that allows everyone to thrive. Our approach to discipline centers around teaching responsibility, promoting empathy, and ensuring the well-being of all individuals within our educational community.

Dress & Grooming

Students are expected to be responsible in dress and grooming. Appropriate and correct dress is essential to a quality educational program and should not distract from the learning environment for the student or school. Students shall not wear apparel that is deemed actually or potentially disruptive to the classroom environment or to maintaining a safe and orderly school.

• If a student is dressed inappropriately, the administration reserves the right to ask the student to change into more suitable attire.
• Any student deemed in violation of the dress code may be required to change into appropriate clothing or decide to have appropriate clothing brought to school immediately. If a student has been asked to change inappropriate clothing, and they do not have appropriate clothing on campus for him/her to change into, the office may provide appropriate clothing for the student, if the article of clothing is the right size for the student, and the student may be sent back to class.

If the student cannot promptly obtain appropriate clothing, the student may be placed in an alternate setting, removed from the classroom for the day and do schoolwork. Further and/or repeated offenses, may result in suspension or other disciplinary action as outlined in the school discipline code.

The following is a guide to student dress. These guidelines are not inclusive, as the administration retains the right and duty to determine appropriate and correct student dress in all cases. Unacceptable student clothing includes but is not limited to:

1. Shirts must cover most of the chest, back, and midriff with only allowing 3 fingers width of midriff showing.
2. Pants, skirts, and shorts must be worn at the waist and should be of appropriate length (no shorter than mid-thigh).
3. Specific dress code guidelines may apply for school events such as dances, ceremonies, or spirit days. These guidelines will be communicated in advance.
4. Sunglasses, headbands, handkerchiefs, hoods, or any similar items are not tolerated.
5. Clothing, paraphernalia, grooming, jewelry, accessories (including gloves) or body adornments, i.e. tattoos, that contain any advertisement, symbols, words, slogans, patches, or pictures that refer to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or weapons; give indication of or refer to a sexual nature; by virtue of color, arrangement, trademark or attribute signify gang membership or advocate gang or gang involvement, drug use, violence, or disruptive behavior; display obscene, vulgar, lewd, or libelous words or pictures; promote any activity prohibited by the student code of conduct or disrupt the educational environment.
6. Articles of clothing not specified but which violate the spirit and intent of this dress code and/or create a safety concern.
7. Footwear consisting of heels that place the student’s health and well-being at risk.

Staff and administration will handle additional situations and interpretations on an individual basis. Exceptions:

Appropriate athletic clothing may be worn in physical education classes. Clothing normally worn when participating in school-sponsored extracurricular or sports activities (such as cheerleading uniforms and the like) may be worn to school when approved by the sponsor or coach.

Electronic Devices 

Cell phones/electronic devices may serve as an outstanding instructional tool and learning resource if used appropriately. We encourage our staff members and our students to use electronics and other 21st century devices to supplement instruction and learning. However, it has been proven that students who are on cell phones or other electronic devices when it is not part of the instructional lesson are not fully engaged in learning. To preserve the teaching and learning environment, this document is to clarify the cell phone/electronic devices policy for Fort Morgan High School.

The policy is:
Student use of cell phones or other electronic devices during the school day is a privilege. Adherence to the guidelines below is essential to maintaining an appropriate academic environment and the integrity of the classroom. Abuse of this privilege will result in consequences beginning with confiscation of device, parent conference, suspension of loss of other privileges such as participation in school trips, internships, proms and potentially graduation exercises.

Cell phones and all functions within the cell phone (i.e., cameras and all other applications) are prohibited in the following areas unless expressly permitted by a staff member for educational purposes: Classrooms, Science Labs, Restrooms, all Physical Education Areas, and all School Office areas.

Students cannot carry their phone on their person during academic class periods. Teachers will collect cell phones from students once students have entered the classroom. The cell phones will be stored in a phone caddy that is visible to the students and teacher within the classroom. Students will have access to their phone when classes are not in session – specifically during passing periods and lunch. In the case of an emergency parents can contact students either during passing periods on their cellphones or reach out to the main office and put you into contact with your student. If parents do not want their student’s phone collected by teachers, then the phone may be left at home, in the student’s vehicle on campus, or in the main office. Violation of the cell phone policy will result in consequences as outlined in FMHS’ behavior matrix for cell phone/electronic infractions.

Students using cell phones or other functions on electronic devices in any manner that disrupts the educational environment, from within or from outside the classroom, or violated the rights of others, including, but not limited to, using the device in violation of our academic honesty policy, violating school conduct rules, harassing or bullying staff or students, photographing or video recording or using their device for unlawful purposes will be subject to more severe disciplinary action, up to and including suspension and/or expulsion and may, if applicable be reported to the FMPD.

Cell Phone Rule:
The respectful, non-disruptive use of cell phones is permitted in the school cafeteria during lunch period and any other school area except those listed above. As soon as the threshold of the classroom or any prohibited area is crossed, during the school day, cell phones need to be put away and made undetectable (i.e., silenced without vibration). Violation of the cell phone rule as stated above will result in the confiscation of the device according to the following ladder of disciplinary action:

• First Offense: The device will be held in the Administration office until the end of the school day. Students may pick up their phone after school.
• Second Offense: The device will remain in the main office until the Parent picks it up. The Administrator will establish contact with a parent or guardian.
• Third Offense: An Administrator will establish parent contact and the confiscated device will remain in the main office until a detention is served and it is picked up by a parent or guardian.

It should be noted that refusal to surrender a cell phone or other electronic device when directed to do so by a school staff member, teacher or administrator is a violation of our school’s Code of Conduct. Insubordination behavior is punishable by suspension and exclusion from school events.

Food & Drink

All food deliveries should be delivered to the main office for students to pick up during passing periods or lunch. Food that is not picked up will be thrown away at the end of the school day.

Mighty Mustangs Awards

Mighty Mustang Awards were developed to recognize students who have achieved high levels of academics and attendance. Academic and attendance recognition may include an academic letter for 3.5 and above. Mighty Mustang Awards are presented at the end of the school year.

Rights of Students

Students have the right to due process concerning school rules and the execution of those rules. In any situation involving actual or potential logical consequences, students have the right to be informed of actual or potential charges being made against them, to be able to present their side of any issue or event, and to understand the reasoning inherent to the application of logical consequences. This concept of due process is fair and appropriate to the operation of the school.

The school administration understands very well that students do not like being searched. When circumstances dictate a search will occur, every effort will be made to be as unobtrusive as possible during the process. In such cases, the security needs of the school override the sensitivity of the student.

Right to Search

The principal or their designee may search a student or a student’s personal possessions on school grounds or during a school activity held off school premises if there is reasonable suspicion for believing that the student is concealing materials of which possession of are prohibited by School Board Policy or which are otherwise detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of other students or staff.

Regarding searches:

• Searches shall be made in the presence of an adult witness of the same sex as the student in question.
• Searches of the person of a student could include:
• Searches of the student’s exterior clothing including the pockets, jackets, shoes, hoodies.
• Searches conducted by use of a scanning wand.
• Any object in the possession of the student, including but not limited to a purse, briefcase, backpack, shoes, or coat.
• No strip searches or pat downs can be carried out by a school employee.
• Student desks, workspaces, lockers, vehicles parked on school property, etc. Can be searched when the person conducting the search has reasonable suspicion.
• Anything found during a search which is dangerous to others or prohibited at the school shall be seized by school staff.

At this point, it can be used as evidence in a suspension or expulsion hearing or may be turned over to law enforcement
personnel.

Tobacco, Vapor, or Other Smoking Devices

Tobacco use in all forms, vapor inhalers, or any other smoking item or device is prohibited by both board policy and state law, on school grounds, at school-sponsored activities, on student trips, and when students are being transported in school district vehicles. “Use” includes but is not limited to lighting, chewing, smoking, or inhaling any such product. School grounds include the building, the parking lots, the grass area, the sidewalks surrounding the school, and the areas used for physical education and athletics. Consequences for violations of this policy will be assigned as detailed in the FMHS Behavior Matrix.