General Policies & Procedures
Mission Statement
The mission of Morgan County School District RE-3 is to inspire creative thinking, high achievement, and lifelong learning.
Administrative Protocol
CONVERSATIONS INVOLVING SENSITIVE MATTERS
The administration of Fort Morgan Middle School makes every effort to handle difficult situations appropriately, and to not make any individual feel unnecessarily uncomfortable, un-easy, or awkward.
If a student approaches an Administrator to discuss a topic that the Administrator determines is of a sexual or sensitive nature, that Administrator will conclude the discussion until a second Administrator or Counselor of the same gender as the student is available to be present for the discussion. Administrators will take steps to ensure that such discussions are minimally obtrusive and conducted in accordance with Board policy and applicable law. Teachers will report any such conversations to building administration immediately.
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS
Under Colorado law, Administrators may be required to report incidents of a criminal nature to
the school resource officer.
Advance Program
This program exists as a support program and disciplinary alternative. It is located in the southwest corner of Lincoln School and features a computer-based learning system (Edgenuity), tutors, counselor and teacher. Referrals are made through the FMMS Administration.
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs
There is no tolerance for students who either possess or consume alcohol or drugs or possess drug paraphernalia at school, on school grounds, or at school activities. We cooperate with the police in enforcing all state and local laws. Whenever a student violates school and/or district policies relative to alcohol and drug use, expect very serious repercussions. Law enforcement officials will be contacted in any drug possession or use at school.
Students using or in possession of tobacco products or paraphernalia will be suspended and face other possible consequences. Possession and the use of tobacco products is not part of the school curriculum and are illegal for people under the age of 18. Paraphernalia includes (but not limited to) matches, pipes, lighters, hookah pens, e-cigarettes, tobacco storage devices, vape pens, THC edibles, and CBD oil. Law enforcement officials will be contacted in the event of a tobacco possession.
Asbestos Notification
Please see District Policy information on our website - fortmorgank12.com
Bad Weather Consideration
Please see District Policy information on our website - fortmorgank12.com
Behavior Expectations
POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS & SUPPORT (P.B.I.S) PROGRAM
Improving student academic and behavior outcomes is about ensuring all students have access to the most effective and accurately implemented instructional and behavioral practices and interventions possible. PBIS provides an operational framework for achieving these outcomes. More importantly PBIS is NOT a curriculum, intervention, or practice, but IS a decision-making framework that guides selection, integration, and implementation of the best evidence-based academic and behavioral practices for improving important academic and behavior outcomes for all students.
Expectations: Integrity; Effort; Respect; Responsibility
Mission Statement: I am a person of integrity at Fort Morgan Middle School because I
demonstrate effort, respect, and responsibility.
Bullying
FMMS will not tolerate any form of “Bully Behavior”. The textbook definition of bullying is: A person is being bullied or victimized when he/she is exposed repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more persons. This a partial list of bully behaviors. It is by no means to be a complete list:
- Shoving or pushing in a way to cause harm or intending to cause harm to others.
- Name calling, words including vulgar words or racial slurs and others intended to cause harm.
- Verbal threats, things like: “You watch your back” or “I’ll get you after school.”
- Physical abuse, hitting, kicking, punching of people who cannot or will not fight back.
- Rumor spreading, “messenger behavior” or spreading information to promote conflict and bully behavior.
- Note writing and slam books, writing statements that are untrue or intended to hurt others and cause conflict.
- Internet bullying through social media.
Candy and Snacks
Students are not permitted to chew, eat, distribute, candy, sunflower seeds, pop, flavored water, and/or other similar items on school grounds. This is an effort to keep carpets, furniture, lockers, and facilities presentable and clean. Items in possession by students will be confiscated and thrown away by staff. Teachers may permit students to have such items for special classroom activities, but only with preapproval of the Principal.
Change of Address
Students are requested to report a change of address, telephone number, or change of family status to the main office. The office needs to keep an accurate record of each student.
Child Abuse Law
Please see District Policy information on our website - fortmorgank12.com
Children Leaving the Building
When you must leave the campus anytime during school hours, including lunch, you must check out in the attendance office. If you do not check out, whether the absence is excused by your parent/guardian, the absence will not be excused.
Commitments to Excellence
Please see District Policy information on our website - fortmorgank12.com
Community Service/Restitution
Service work within the school is utilized as a disciplinary tool. Students are assigned responsibilities related to building cleanliness or improvement that offer the opportunity to produce a positive result for the student’s effort.
Detention
One of the discipline tools at Fort Morgan Middle School is a detention system. Students may earn detention time for violating school or team rules. Detention is served in the team areas with assigned staff members. Students that ride the bus are allowed 24 hours’ notice before serving. Any student failing to serve detention time will have 30 minutes of additional time added to his/her total. Refusal to serve detention time can ultimately lead to the alteration of a student’s schedule.
Dress Code
All students are to wear clothing that is clean, safe, and in good repair. It should not detract or disrupt the instructional procedure of the school. Clothing which bears inappropriate words or pictures is prohibited. Caps, hats, and hoods are not to be worn in the building and may be confiscated. Clothing must cover all undergarments completely and must not be transparent. Shoes must be worn at all times in the classrooms and hallways. FMMS will become involved only if the above standards are not met; in such instances, students will be required to change their clothing. If repeated dress code violations occur, students may face more severe punitive measures. Clothes that are clearly prohibited at FMMS are as follows:
- Clothing that promotes gangs (bandannas, sagging, Eightball t-shirts, slogans such as East Side, West Side, Homies, Homeboys, shirts with clowns, jokers, Laugh now/cry later, and Dickies brand attire.)
- Clothing that promotes drugs, alcohol, tobacco, sex, or inappropriate gestures. (Sexually suggestive pictures, i.e., bikini clad girls)
- Clothing that promotes violence, i.e. guns or death, South Park shirts, skull and crossbones, etc.
- Pajamas, sleepwear, and slippers.
- Clothing that exposes the torso area, and low-cut blouses and tops (including tank tops) that expose cleavage area.
- Any top and specifically tank tops that are less than 3 inches by measure of a ruler.
- Wearing sunglasses.
- Clothes with holes or cut-outs or transparent clothing that reveals undergarments and/or waist area.
- Jewelry and accessories that include studded bracelets, collars, dog collars and chains, or inappropriate material. Lip, nose, and earrings that are deemed disruptive to the learning environment may be prohibited.
- Any oversized shirt/sweater/jacket/hoody that is deemed a safety concern or worn to conceal inappropriate clothing underneath. Students who abuse this policy may be banned from wearing this type of clothing altogether.
- Shorts that are too short are not permitted and must extend into the finger area of hand of dropped arms. It is recommended that shorts have at least a 5” inseam. Leggings, tights, yoga pants, can be worn as a part of an outfit, if the top is at an appropriate length.
- Because there are many stairs in FMMS high heels are highly discouraged simply for the safety of the student.
- Students will be asked to change, remove, or turn inside-out any clothing or accessories that are found to be offensive by professional staff and may be asked to call home for appropriate attire. Students will not be allowed into the classroom area if new clothing is not obtained.
- Students are asked not to spray paint or otherwise color their hair any unnatural color as perceived by professional staff. Hair that is colored an unnatural color and deemed to be disruptive to the educational environment will be addressed on an individual case by case basis.
**Staff and administration will handle additional situations and interpretations on an individual basis.
Eighth Grade Continuation Ceremony
FMMS believes that one of our primary purposes is to provide the educational skills to guarantee your success at Fort Morgan High School and beyond. Students who are full time students, have at least a 2.5 Cumulative Grade Point Average, and have demonstrated acceptable behavior throughout their time at FMMS will be considered to attend an 8th Grade Continuation Ceremony near the end of the academic year. The conclusion of the middle school years warrants a celebration and we, as a school, would like to publicly recognize those deserving students.
Electronic Devices
CELL PHONES / PERSONAL LISTENING DEVICES
FMMS understands parents’ wishes for their students to carry cell phones. Due to abuse of potential cell phone use during school hours – i.e., text messages during class and tests, listening to music during school hours, pictures taken in locker rooms, etc., FMMS will not allow cell phone or personal listening device use during school hours or at any time during our concerts (band, vocal, etc.) unless it is educational related. This means from the first bell of the day until the dismissal bell, all phones must be turned off and placed in student lockers. Inability to do so will result in items to be taken and kept in the office. It is considered a violation of the cell phone policy if a student calls, texts, or messages through social media during school hours.
- First Offense, a parent/guardian must pick up the phone from the office. The phone will be given back to the parent/guardian and only the parent/guardian.
- Second Offense, a parent/guardian will be required to meet with school administration to receive the phone and discuss future violations of the school policy.
- Third Offense and future offenses: a parent/guardian must pick up the phone from the office. Students will be subject to disciplinary action which can include but not limited to detention, In-School Suspension, or Out of School Suspension.
- Phones are the responsibility of the student, and FMMS is not responsible for lost or stolen cell phones.
WIRELESS EARBUDS / WIRED EARBUDS / HEADPHONES
Earbuds and headphones may be used when deemed appropriate by the teacher for instructional purposes. All other times, the earbuds and headphones are to be treated the same as the cell phone policy above.
ELECTRONIC LITERATURE DEVICES
Electronic literature devices such as Nooks and Kindles will be allowed at FMMS, and the use of the devices will be at the discretion of the teachers. These devices are to be used for educational purposes only. The devices are the responsibility of the student, and FMMS is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES
- Cameras on cell phones capable of taking and transmitting electronic images (photo, etc.) are not to be used on the FMMS campus. Violations of privacy rights using such devices will result in severe consequences and may lead to criminal charges.
- Cameras are not permitted on campus unless given pre-approval by administration.
- Laser pointers are not permitted on campus and will be confiscated.
- Any personal video game will be confiscated and will follow the same procedure as other electronic equipment/phones.
Staff members are to confiscate prohibited equipment. The same process will be followed (as listed above) for repeated infractions of this rule. If an appropriate educational need exists for a student(s) to bring such electronic device to school, the student must receive advance administrative approval. Such devices are easy to lose, damage, or have stolen. FMMS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR STOLEN DEVICES.