Student Conduct

It is highly recommended that all bags, backpacks or gym bags be clear.

Student conduct at any school-sponsored activities is subject to the same disciplinary actions as during the regular school day. In addition, students may be denied participation or admittance to extra-curricular activities or school-sponsored events if they have engaged in inappropriate conduct at school, an extra-curricular activity, or school-sponsored event. Students not in attendance on the day of a school-sponsored event may be denied participation or admittance to the school sponsored event. LMS Administration reserves the right to admit or deny anyone at their sole discretion.

Transportation to and from school sponsored events is the parent’s sole responsibility unless otherwise stated. Students walking home from school-sponsored events must be prearranged with admin or sponsor ahead of time.

NOTE: Security cameras are in use on our campus, and all individuals entering our campus are subject to being recorded by this system at all times.

Students who ride Hendry County School buses are expected to have appropriate behavior and follow all rules of the Hendry County Schools Transportation Department. All students are expected to be polite, respectful, and cooperative with all school bus drivers and assistants. Misconduct on the bus may result in loss of privilege to ride the bus and/or other corrective measures. Bus registration forms are required to be filled out and returned to each bus driver.

LaBelle Middle School serves breakfast and lunch daily. Breakfast is served 30 minutes prior to the start of first period. Each student will have a 30 minute lunch with multiple menu choices. Students are expected to behave in a courteous way and use good manners in the cafeteria or alternative seating will be provided.

The following rules should be followed regarding lunch:

• Students will walk with their teacher and line up at the cafeteria door until they are admitted into the cafeteria.
• NO FOOD OR DRINK is allowed ANYWHERE except the cafeteria or outdoor eating areas, unless in a closed lunch container. All drinks brought onto campus must be in a clear container or in an original, sealed container. Cafeteria food must be consumed in the cafeteria.
• Students must line up single file in one of the serving lines in the order that they entered. Passing students or “butting” is not allowed.
• Only five students at a time are allowed inside the serving area.
• Students are expected to walk in an orderly fashion and leave furniture where they find it.
• NO SAVING SEATS, NO SWITCHING SEATS allowed in the cafeteria.
• Food will not be delivered to students for consumption in the cafeteria. Students not eating the food served in the cafeteria are expected to bring their food from home in a lunch container. Exceptions will only be made with prior approval of an administrator.

Cheating is an offense subject to disciplinary actions as outlined in the School District  Student Code of Conduct and may result in disciplinary consequences as well as a  grade of ‘0’ for that assignment.

Hendry County School District and its employees will NOT conduct business with those who use obscenities or otherwise speak in a demanding, loud, insulting, or threatening manner.

PLEASE NOTE: The administration reserves the right to make decisions regarding the integrity, safety, and educational purpose of our common mission.

Students shall not have any item considered contraband on campus at any time whether during school hours or while attending a school-sponsored event. Contraband includes, but is not limited to: gum, slime, playdough or similar items, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, vape pens or similar devices, illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia, pepper spray (or similar items), lighters/matches, hats, sunglasses, electronic devices such as iPods, CD players, Gameboys, laser pointers, Sharpies or similar permanent markers, chalk, stickers or any item that could be disruptive to school functions. The possession of contraband during the school day will result in disciplinary action based upon the seriousness of the possessed contraband. This may include confiscation. School personnel have the discretion to enforce these policies on campus and school sponsored events as appropriate. Any item that could cause a disruption to the educational process or block isles or walkways within classrooms should not be brought to school (large gifts, teddy bears, balloons or similar items). Items deemed to be unnecessary for students to take into classrooms will be held in the front office until the end of the day. Deliveries to students (flowers, pizzas, cakes, gifts, balloons, etc.) will not be accepted. (With the exception of school related items such as school ID, band instrument, clothes, textbooks, etc.)

• Possession of a weapon or illegal substance will result in serious disciplinary action and referral to the appropriate law enforcement agency. (See the Hendry County Student Code of Conduct)

The media center is open every day at 7:05 am. Three (3) library books may be checked out for two weeks, with one renewal privilege of two additional weeks if needed. The materials must be brought to the media center in order to be renewed. Lost or damaged materials need to be paid for or arrangements for payments made with the media specialist. In the interim, students may check out one (1) item at a time. Failure to return or arrange payment for lost or damaged items, and/or continued irresponsibility for borrowed materials, may result in the loss of privileges.

Upon arrival, students are expected to go directly to breakfast if they choose. After breakfast, or if not having breakfast, students are to report directly to their first period class and wait there until it is time to enter the classroom. Students found walking around campus will be considered to be in an unauthorized area and may be referred for disciplinary action.

LaBelle Middle School utilizes a progressive discipline plan which includes Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Appropriate behavior is encouraged through a variety of rewards and incentives. Several measures are in place to assist students in identifying and correcting inappropriate behavior such as social skills lessons. This allows students ample opportunities to adjust their behavior before resorting to sending the student to the office.

We strive to promote a friendly yet business like atmosphere, as such, public displays of affection are not appropriate.

The principal or his/her designee has the right, under Florida Law, to search any student property, locker, purse, pocket, book bag, automobile, etc., with or without notice to the student or parent.

Textbooks are assigned to students through the media center. Students are responsible for each textbook or other equipment assigned to them. Students will pay for lost or damaged textbooks and equipment, including library books, before report cards will be released.

Students who are found to be in any unauthorized area at any time during the school day, or after school dismissal, will be subject to disciplinary measures. An unauthorized area is any area of the school that is marked off limits, where a student would not go following the course of their regularly scheduled classes, or anywhere that a student does not have specific permission to be, or is in an area not supervised. A student is in an unauthorized area if they are in an area not stated on the pass from the classroom teacher listed on the student’s schedule for that particular time.

Wireless Communication Devices (including cell phones) will be considered contraband if they are HEARD or SEEN in the classroom and the student will be sent to the office to turn in their cellphone. The cellphone will then need to be picked up by a parent/guardian. All cellphones must be powered off, remain off and in the student’s backpack upon arrival to campus. Personal cell phone use by students, in order to initiate a check out of school or retrieve forgotten items, is not allowed. Students should direct those types of requests to the teacher. Use of WCDs speaker and camera is not allowed at any time.

Student use of cell phones to record any activities on campus, including but not limited to fights or other inappropriate behavior, is prohibited. Cell phones used for this purpose may be confiscated during the course of the investigation.