Code of Conduct and Other Policies

Code of Student Conduct

For the full text of the Code of Student Conduct in English and several other languages, visit the OCPS Code of Student Conduct website.


  Other Policies

Attendance

1) A regular and punctual pattern of attendance is expected of all students enrolled in Discovery Middle School. There is a direct relationship between school attendance and grades, citizenship, and success in school. Parents may contact the attendance office at 407-384-1555.

2) On a daily basis, student absences will be recorded as unexcused. Upon return to school, a written note stating the student’s name, the date(s) of absence, reason, phone number where parent or guardian can be reached, and parent/guardian signature must be submitted to the attendance office no later than 2 days from the return to school. Administration will determine if the absence is excused or unexcused based on criteria set by Orange County School Board.

3) Excused absences include:

a. Illness or injury of student

b. Illness or death in the student’s immediate family.

c. Medical appointments (Obtain a note from the medical provider).

d. Recognized religious holidays

4) Pre-arranged absences of educational value may be excused with the principal’s prior approval. Pre-arranged absence forms are available in the attendance office and must be completed by the parent or guardian prior to the absence and in sufficient time for administrative approval.

5) Students without notes will receive an unexcused absence. Failure to notify the school of an absence will be considered truancy and will result in disciplinary action.

6) Students with 5 unexcused absences within a calendar month or 10 unexcused absences within a 90 calendar day period will be referred to a Child Study Team. Meetings are held with parents of students who have a pattern of non-attendance. If attendance does not improve, the School Resource Officer will schedule an Early Truancy Intervention meeting. The SRO, Discovery personnel and school social worker, parents, and student will meet.

7) Florida law provides for the school to file a truancy petition in the judicial circuit if the school determines that a student has 15 unexcused absences within a 90 calendar day period. Students with 15 or more unexcused absences may not be issued a learner’s permit or driver’s license.

8) It is the student’s responsibility to obtain and complete any missed assignments, including quizzes and tests. The time limit for completion of make-up work is equal to the number of days absent, plus one.

9) Once a student arrives on campus he/she may not leave the campus without authorization from school personnel.

Early Check-Out

For the safety of all students, OCPS policy states that proper identification is required for a parent/guardian or others to check a student out of school. The student emergency form must list the names of individuals authorized to remove the student from school. See the attendance clerk if you must pick up your child before the end of the school day. Please make arrangements to check out students before 3:30 p.m. (2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays).

Tardies

1) Students who arrive late to school are required to sign-in through the attendance office

2) A student who is not in his/her assigned class at the beginning of each period will be considered tardy. Teams have developed consequences for tardy students. Excessive tardiness will be referred for disciplinary action.

3) Periodic tardy checks will be held by the administration to encourage all students to get to class on time.

It is important that students are seated when the tardy bell rings. Students who are chronically late to class will be assigned extra time at school in the form of a detention.

Dress Code

The dress and grooming of Orange County Public School students shall contribute to the health and safety of the individual, promote a positive educational environment, and not disrupt the educational activities and processes of the school. These minimum standards of dress and grooming apply to all students (K-12) in the public schools of Orange County, unless specific exemption is granted by the principal.

For more information, see the OCPS Code of Conduct.

Cafeteria Code of Conduct

1) Walk in the cafeteria and keep the cafeteria lines orderly (single file).

2) Follow the limit of students (6) allowed into the serving area.

3) Only 8 students are permitted to sit at a blue table; 6 students are permitted to sit at a brown table.

4) Keep tables, chairs and floors clean.

5) All food must be eaten at the table.

6) Use normal voices to talk with students at your table.

7) Students are not allowed to leave the cafeteria without permission.

8) Students must remain in their seats until dismissal.

9) Students will have assigned seats in the cafeteria. Students have an opportunity during the first week of each semester to pick which table they wish to be assigned.

a. Push chairs in at dismissal.

b. Place all trash in the proper containers. Remember to recycle.

c. Food or drink will not be allowed out of the cafeteria. For safety reasons, glass containers are not allowed on campus.

10) Students will be dismissed by tables; students are to quietly clean up their tables and the floor beneath the table while waiting to be dismissed.

11) Have I.D. card to purchase lunch.

12) Students are not to leave the cafeteria during the lunch period without permission.

 

Student Drop Off and Pick Up

For the safety of the students, parents are requested to use the Woodbury Road entrance to drop off and pick-up students. Please maintain a single file line when picking up students. No double parking is allowed. Students are not permitted to walk across the parking lot without a parent/guardian escorting them.

Bicycles

Bicycle racks are located near the flagpole and handball courts. For security, students should lock their bicycles with their own lock (no sharing please) and keep a copy of the serial number.
- All bicycles will be registered with the School Resource Officer.
- DMS is not responsible for any bicycle loss.
- Florida Law requires helmets to be worn at all times when riding a bicycle. Failure to wear a helmet could result in a fine.

Student Identification Cards

All DMS students will be issued a Discovery Identification Card at the beginning of the school year. The student is expected to bring the ID card with him/her every day. The ID card will be used in the lunchroom and in the Media Center. Parents, we need your help in making sure the card is brought to school each day. If a student loses or destroys the ID card, a replacement can be purchased for $5.

Acceptable Use Policy

The School Board has approved a Student Internet Use Policy. Students must provide a signed copy of the appropriate policy on a yearly basis to the school in order to utilize the computers at Discovery Middle School.