General Provisions - Behavioral

Compliance with these expectations is required of participants in order to maintain their status as a member of that activity’s group, club, or team. Failure to meet these behavioral expectations described in the following paragraphs will have the indicated impact on the student’s participation in co-curricular activities.

1. Stealing, Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs:  It is the practice of BFMS that possession and/or use of tobacco, alcohol, and/or non-prescription drugs by any student are not permitted. Infractions of these rules by a participant in co-curricular activities will result in a hearing before a school administrator who will render a decision on the infraction relative to the student’s continued participation in co-curricular activities. All Rockingham School Board policies and procedures regarding these substances still apply.

First Offense - See procedure for Middle School Student Eligibility.

• Drug/Alcohol assessment or smoking cessation class.

Second Offense - See procedure for Middle School Student Eligibility.

• Drug/Alcohol assessment or smoking class required. This must be successfully completed prior to any future athletic participation.

2. Sportsmanship (for sports activities):  It is the expectation of the School Board and the School Administration that students will, at all times, exercise good sportsmanship. If a student displays unreasonable or unsportsmanlike conduct while participating in a co-curricular activity, the coach, Athletic Director or Administration will assign appropriate consequences.

3. Citizenship:  Citizenship is defined as the quality of an individual’s response to others in a community.  It is the expectation of the School Board and School Administration that students will, at all times, demonstrate behavior that reflects positive, supportive citizenship in the activity they are participating in. If a student displays unreasonable or poor citizenship while participating in a co-curricular activity, the coach, Athletic Director or Administration will assign appropriate consequences.

4. General Conduct:  At all times, student participants should conduct themselves in ways that are not detrimental to the reputation of the school, team, or activity. If a student is involved in conduct that is deemed detrimental to the reputation of the school, team, or activity, and/or if a student displays defiance/disrespect to any staff member the coach, Athletic Director or Administration will assign appropriate consequences.

5. Attendance:  Students must be on time and attend practice. Consequences for being late or not attending are assigned by the coach and the Athletic Director.

BFMS Behavioral Goals and Expectations

We are Respectful, Accountable and Supportive to Ourselves, to Everyone, and to Our School

Teamwork
Engagement
Respect
Responsibility
Integrity
Encouragement
Resilience
Spirit

Teamwork
We believe in supporting each other and working together to reach a common goal.

Engagement
We believe in giving it our all every day to accomplish our goals and encourage others to do the same.

Respect
We value each other and treat each other with an appreciation of our differences.

Responsibility
We take accountability for our actions.

Integrity 
We are honest, fair, and work hard to "do the right thing," even when others are not looking.

Encouragement
We trust and count on each other to provide support.

Resilience
We persevere through the challenges we face.

Spirit
We influence each other positively with a sense of pride in our school and community.

At BFMS learning is the major focus of our school program and activities. In order to experience a positive school climate, our school expectations of RESPECT for self, others, and property are essential. Our goal is to create and maintain a positive, safe, and nurturing learning environment, which will enhance our students’ academic, social and learning outcomes. It is our expectation for everyone in our school community to model respect even in the most difficult of circumstances. 
 

Bellows Falls Middle School believes that in order to provide an optimum educational atmosphere, all students will:

• Use words and actions that demonstrate respect for others and for themselves

• Maintain an environment which is free from the threat of emotional or physical danger

• Use words and actions that support and encourage learning 

• Arrive on time and be prepared to learn

• Maintain a clean, safe, and secure environment
  The behavior response system at BFMS is designed to assist students in making appropriate choices and taking responsibility for their own actions.  Our school wide expectations and discipline plan for all students are implemented by all BFMS employees.

• Before any disciplinary action is taken, the student will be provided with the opportunity to discuss the incident with teachers or administration.

BFMS Behavior Matrix

The following set of expectations for instructional and non-instructional areas of our school:

In All School Settings we will:

• respect ourselves by always doing your best, and work cooperatively.
• respect others by following directions, keeping hand, feet, and other objects to yourself, and share/help others.
• respect property by recycling, taking care of your belongings, and clean up after yourselves.

In the hallways we will:

• respect ourselves by traveling directly and quietly to our destination, maintain personal space, and use stair properly.
• respect others by walking on the right, travel quietly, and display our pass.
• respect property by keeping the hallways clean, picking up our trash, and respect displays and bulletin boards.

In the bathrooms we will:

• respect ourselves by getting our pass signed, flush the toilet, and washing our hands.
• respect others by honoring privacy, use quiet voices, and flush the toilet.
• respect property by keeping the bathroom clean, report problems, and conserve materials.

In the cafeteria we will:

• respect ourselves by eating our own food, use utensils and napkins, leave only with permission.
• respect others by practicing good table manners, using quiet voices, and give courtesy to all.
• respect property by cleaning our area and choosing one seat.

In the library and computer lab we will:

• respect ourselves by using time to read, study, or research, have a signed pass, keep passwords private.
• respect others by maintaining personal space, use quiet voices, and return books on time.
• respect property by treating books and equipment with care, push in chairs when leaving, and report and problems.

In the auditorium we will:

• respect ourselves by storing electronic devices, and stay in your assigned space.
• respect others by using quiet voices, give attention to the speaker, and use appropriate applause.
• respect property by sitting in chairs appropriately, and keep beverage, gum, and food out of the area.

In the Health Office we will:

• respect ourselves by coming with a signed pass, and only seek medical care when necessary.
• respect others by waiting outside for your turn, and respect others privacy.
• respect property by keeping our hands off equipment, and conserve supplies and materials.

On the bus we will: