Discipline Procedures & School Norms

At Harpeth Middle School we use a tiered approach to behavior and consequences.

Behaviors are broken into 2 main categories for our discipline model.

Minor Infractions: the teacher will complete a referral that will be given 5-10 points by administration depending on the severity of the infraction.

Major Infractions: the teacher will complete a referral that will be given 15-20 points by administration depending on the severity of the infraction.

The following are the infractions included but not limited to each category.

Minor Infractions (5-10 points)

• Cell Phone (see electronic device section in school norms for discipline procedures)
• Dress Code
• Bullying
• Defiance
• Disrespect
• Disruption
• Energy Drinks
• Inappropriate Language
• Minor Property Damage/Misuse
• Misuse of Technology
• Physical Contact/Aggression
• Wireless Headphones, Smartwatches

Major Infractions (15-20 points)

• Bullying/Harassment (Verbal, Sexual, Race, Religion)
• Disrespect (Blatant or Excessive, Defiance, Insubordination, Cheating, Ongoing Pattern)
• Disruption (Yelling excessively, Pattern of Teacher not being able to teach or students learn, excessive tardy)
• Property Damage/Misuse (Excessive, Permanent, Vandalism, Theft)
• Physical Contact (Fighting, Inappropriate Physical Contact, Intent to Harm)
• Technology Violation (Inappropriate Websites)
• Use/Possession of Tobacco/Vape, Drugs, Weapons

**Please refer to the No Fighting and No Vaping section of the School Norms, for further discipline procedures **

Zero Tolerance & Major Offenses

Weapons, Drugs, Alcohol, Verbal or Electronic Threats, and Assault on an employee

Infraction Points Accumulation

Disciplinary infractions may/will result in an accumulation of disciplinary points which will be restarted at the beginning of each quarter. Below are the disciplinary measures that may/will be issued to students based upon point accumulation.

Students who accumulate disciplinary points may be subject to In-School Suspension (ISS) or Out-of-School Suspension (OSS). Parents and students may use one-point reduction (up to a maximum of 10 points) per semester.

Students who accumulate disciplinary points may be subject to In-School Suspension (ISS) or Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) accompanied by Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons. As an alternative, students may choose to complete a one-week school service project or parent meeting and class participation with SEL lessons. Once a point reduction option is selected, the student may only choose ISS/OSS with SEL lessons for the remainder of the semester if further disciplinary points are accumulated.

• 15 Points: Minimum 1 Day of Lunch Detention to be served in the ISS Room with a Reflection Sheet
• 30 Points: Minimum 1 Day of In School Suspension (ISS) with SEL Lessons
• 40 Points: Minimum 2 Days of In School Suspension (ISS) with SEL Lessons
  • A parent meeting will be called, and the student will be placed on a behavior plan/contract
• 50 Points: Minimum 2 Days of In School Suspension (ISS) with SEL Lessons
  • Student will be referred to Centerstone or another Counseling Service
• 60 Points: Minimum 1 Day of Out of School Suspension (OSS) with SEL Lessons
  • Parent is required to bring student to school after length of suspension for meeting with teachers and administration
  • May result in guardian attending the school day with student
• 70 Points: Minimum 3 Days of Out of School Suspension (OSS) with SEL Lessons
  • Parent is required to bring student to school after length of suspension for meeting with teachers and administration
• 80 Points: Minimum 5 Days of Out of School Suspension (OSS) with SEL Lessons
  • Parent is required to bring student to school after length of suspension for meeting with teachers and administration
• 90 Points: Minimum 5 Days of Out of School Suspension (OSS) with SEL Lessons
  • Student will be referred to the Student Disciplinary Hearing Authority (SDHA)

Disciplinary points in excess of 120 points in a semester may result in referral to Student Disciplinary Hearing Authority (SDHA).

• No fighting
  • Fighting, bullying threats, and verbal confrontation are disruptive to the learning environment. Students who are involved in any of these activities will be subject to disciplinary action. Students that believe they are being provoked into a fight should notify school personnel.
  • 1^st Offense
    • 3 Days of OSS
    • Parent meeting will be held
  • 2^nd Offense
    • 4 Days of OSS
    • Parent meeting will be held
  • 3^rd Offense 
    • 5 Days of OSS
    • Parent meeting will be held
  • 4^th Offense
    • 5 Days of OSS
    • SDHA referral
• No smoking, vaping or electronic smoking, or chewing tobacco or snuff. Nor be in possession of lighters or matches.
  • Possession of Tobacco Products/E-Cigarettes/Vaping Materials
  • Students shall not use or possess any tobacco products, nor smoking/vaping devices at school or any school function where they officially represent the school. Possession or use of any form of tobacco is in violation of Board policy.
  • 1st Offense
    • Any student under the age of 21 who possesses tobacco products may be issued a citation and attend court
    • 2 Days of ISS and no extracurricular activities that day
  • 2nd Offense
    • Any student under the age of 21 who possesses tobacco products may be issued a citation and attend court
    • 2 Days of OSS
    • Parent meeting will be held
  • 3rd Offense
    • Any student under the age of 21 who possesses tobacco products may be issued a citation and attend court
    • 3 Days of OSS
    • Parent meeting will be held
    • Must watch a “Dangers of Vaping” video with SRO
  • 4^th Offense
    • Any student under the age of 21 who possesses tobacco products may be issued a citation and attend court
    • SDHA referral
• No possession, use, consumption, sale, distribution, or evidence of the use of alcohol or restricted drugs, including vaping devices
• The student will not be disrespectful to any authoritative figure or his/her peers
• Refrain from the use of obscene or profane language
• No running, horseplay, or other unsafe behaviors will be permitted.
• Hallway behaviors should be quiet, and students should walk on the right side of the hallway
• Knives or fishhooks should not be brought to school. This includes those that are on a student’s belt or hat
• Public Displays of Affection (PDA) include but are not limited to holding hands, kissing, and hugging and are not permitted.
• Students who abuse or misuse school property or the property of another individual shall pay in full for all damages.
• The school is not responsible for personal items that are lost, broken, or stolen.
• Students are not permitted to bring energy drinks on school grounds. These beverages do not meet the health regulations required for the school system. They are banned for student consumption.
• To help prevent spills and keep our school clean, all student drink containers must meet the following requirements:
  • Must be completely sealable (any cup with a straw must have a snap-shut lid)
  • No straw caps or open-top cups
  • No disposable or fast food-style cups
  • Please fill containers with water only
• Students are encouraged not to bring large amounts of money, electronic game systems, cameras, trading cards, toys, etc. to school. The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or broken items.
• Shanking or mooning (pulling one’s own pants down or another student’s pants down) is not allowed. These acts are subject to ISS.
• Any student misuse of school internet service or searches for inappropriate content using their school issued device or other electronic devices will result in ISS.
• Prohibited Areas: Locker Rooms at HMS is only accessible to students with the coach’s permission. Students are not permitted in the gym, back hallway area, or unused classroom spaces without direct adult supervision. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in immediate consequences of discipline.
• Instigating, encouraging, or facilitating the violation(s) of a school rule may result in punishments equal to that of the primary offender(s).

Backpacks and Purses

• Backpacks and purses are expected to be placed in lockers every morning for the entire school day.
• All athletic bags must stay in the locker room or designated area during the school day.
• All personal belongings are subject to search.