CAFETERIA RULES: Students are expected to take pride in the condition of the cafeteria. There are seven lunch periods each day. To enable everyone to dine in a clean, healthy atmosphere, students must remove all debris from their dining area prior to dismissal from their lunch mod. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

STUDENTS MAY NOT ENTER THE CAFETERIA UNLESS IT IS THEIR SCHEDULED AREA. STUDENTS MAY ONLY PURCHASE FOOD OR BEVERAGES FROM THE CAFETERIA DURING THEIR SCHEDULED LUNCH PERIOD.

DRESS CODE: The Board of Education has adopted a mandatory standard dress policy for all students grades Pre-K-12. These standards will be in effect beginning the first day of school. Students are expected to wear the designated standard of dress daily. Students may not wear personal choice attire items. Any student who needs support in purchasing the required clothing should contact the Guidance Office for assistance. The standards include the following stipulations:

MTHS 2004-2005 REVISED STUDENT STANDARD OF DRESS

ACCEPTABLE--SHIRTS/SWEATERS/SWEATSHIRTS

• All tops must be solid tan, blue, black, gray, orange or white
• Collared golf shirts, Dress shirts or Turtlenecks, long or short sleeved
• Loosely fitted and midriff must be covered.
• Dress shirts must be buttoned above the chest line
• Crew or V necked sweaters or sweatshirts in appropriate colors over collared shirts
• Shirt length must extend no longer than hip area
• Undershirts must be tucked in and be one of the approved colors
• Optional logos must be an approved Middle Township school logo.

UNACCEPTABLE...SHIRTS/SWEATERS/SWEATSHIRTS

• Tee shirts
• Tank tops
• Thin strapped tops
• Tube tops
• Mesh or fishnet styles
• Spandex-type materials
• Clothing with exposes the back, chest, shoulders or midriff
• Low cut Henley style shirts
• Sheer, see through or shiny nylon material
• denim or denim-like material
• hooded garments
• jackets, coats, windbreakers, warm up jackets, hats, gloves and any other type of outerwear may not be worn in the classrooms, hallways or the cafeteria during the regular school day

ACCEPTABLE...PANTS/SHORTS/SKIRTS/DRESSES

• COLORS: Black, navy or tan
• “Docker” style pants
• Dress pants
• Capri length pants
• Bermuda or walking shorts or skirts
• Pants, shorts, dresses jumpers or skirts must be no shorter than mid-thigh (no slits), no longer than floor length
• Pant cuffs must be within the heel to toe of student’s footwear
• Pants must be approximately sized and worn at the waist
• Dresses and jumpers in code colors and no shorter than mid-thigh

UNACCEPTABLE...PANTS/SHORTS/SKIRTS/DRESSES

• Sheer, see through or shiny nylon material
• denim or denim-like material
• cargo-style pants, outside pockets
• painter pants
• overalls
• hip-huggers
• jean-type pants with rivets
• chains or metal belts
• tight fitting, “stretch” type material
• sweatpants
• pajama bottoms
• drawstring at the bottom of the pant leg

ACCEPTABLE-FOOTWEAR/TIGHTS

• Sneakers
• Dress shoes
• Dress sandals
• Solid colored pantyhose or tights

UNACCEPTABLE-FOOTWEAR/TIGHTS

• Bedroom slippers
• Flip flops
• Shower shoes
• Fishnet stockings

MTHS DRESS CODE ALSO INCLUDES:

1. Students are urged to be neat and clean, realizing that regardless of styles "good grooming" represents a personal quality that we should all possess.
2. Hats or other types of headgear including headscarves, wave caps, visors and bandannas, must be removed upon entering the building. They may not be carried during the school day. This applies to both men and women.
3. Sunglasses and/or contact lenses which obscure the pupils may not be worn in school.
4. Patches, jewelry or articles of clothing that contain wording or pictures that make a derogatory statement, exploit drugs or alcohol, have sexual or political connotations or in any other way, in the opinion of the administration, reflect an inappropriate message or poor taste, cannot be worn.
5. Tights or similar type of leg wear cannot be worn with a waist-length top.
6. Undergarments, including undershirts, may not be visible.
7. Heavy chains, clothing or any other items with pointed metal studs that may be deemed hazardous in any way are not permitted in school. This includes, but is not limited to, wallet chains, bracelets, belts, chokers, rings, etc.
8. The administration reserves the right to make such changes in the dress code as style may dictate.

PROCEDURES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE: students are expected to wear the clothing designated under the dress code as appropriate to school daily. Students may not elect to wear personal choice attire other than the designated dress code components. Failure to comply with the dress code standard will result in the following disciplinary action:

1. FIRST OFFENSE – student will either obtain appropriate items from home or purchase one through the school store. Students will not be permitted to return to class until they are compliant with the school dress code. They will also receive an administrative 90-minute detention for their first offense.

   If they refuse to comply, the student will be sent home as an unexcused absence. They will remain absent (unexcused) until they elect to return and comply with the dress code. Students who change to the appropriate attire will be issued a warning for their first offense.

2. SECOND OFFENSE - students will again be obligated to change to appropriate attire before returning to class, and will be issued an administrative (90 minute) detention. Those who refuse to change will be sent home (unexcused) and issued a 90 minute detention
3. THIRD OFFENSE - students will change their attire and be issued a Saturday detention. Those who refuse to change will be sent home (unexcused) and issued a Saturday detention
4. ADDITIONAL OFFENSES - students will receive a suspension (2 days, 3 days, 5 days) and will be required, with their parent/guardian, to meet with the principal and, subsequently for additional offenses, with the superintendent and, ultimately the Board.

BUS RIDING RULES: The bus driver shall be in full charge of the school bus at all times and each driver is required to report any infractions to the building principal on the form provided (18A: 25-2).

1. When bus is in motion students must be seated. If seats are assigned, pupils must sit in assigned seats. Pupils are not permitted to open or close windows without the bus driver's permission.
2. All school rules apply on the bus.
3. Pupils may not leave the bus except at their regular bus stop unless they have a permission slip signed by a school official. Pupils must board and disembark at the bus stop assigned.
4. Pupils are not permitted to bring any animals, fish, birds, etc. on the bus.
5. Students who need a bus pass must submit a written request signed by a parent/guardian prior to homeroom on the day the pass is needed. Bus passes will not be issued for sending district transportation unless the student making the request is a resident of that district.
6. VIOLATION OF ANY OF THE ABOVE, OR ANY OTHER INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT, IS CAUSE FOR SUSPENSION OF RIDING PRIVILEGES.

STUDENT CONDUCT RULES

1. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that respects the rights of others, as outlined in the code of conduct on pages 6 & 7 in the handbook.
2. Attendance to all classes is compulsory unless the student is participating in a school-sponsored or approved activity. Students must arrive on time and prepared, with the proper materials (i.e. pencil, notebook, textbook, etc.). Students in Physical Education classes must remain with their assigned group in order to be considered present.
3. STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BRING VISITORS TO SCHOOL.
4. Any student in the halls during class must carry a written pass that includes the student’s name, date, time, and destination, issued and signed by a staff member or carry the designated red plastic teacher pass, fully completed.
5. Students must sign in when visiting areas such as the nurse, guidance and the office during class/study hall time in order to verify their whereabouts.
6. Students may not leave the building for lunch, or at any other time during their instructional day, unless they have signed out on an authorized early dismissal. This includes going to their vehicles in the school parking lot.
7. Students are permitted to use the pay phones in the high school before or after school or during lunch mods, with staff permission. Any student who uses the phone during classes must have a written pass from their teacher. Office phones are for staff use only.
8. Smoking is not permitted in the building, on school transportation or school grounds or at school-sponsored activities. Possession of tobacco products will receive the same consequences as smoking.
9. Students may eat and/or drink in the school cafeteria only during lunch mods. No food or beverages may be consumed elsewhere in the building, or in the cafeteria when lunch is not in session. Those students who need to drink water and/or use the lavatory frequently or have other special medical needs, must obtain a written pass from the Nurse in order to do so.
10. Students are expected to leave school at their dismissal time unless they are participating in tutoring, a school-sponsored activity or scheduled for detention. Late busses are available only for students who have remained in school for tutoring or school activities, including detention.
11. Electronic devices such as hand held electronic games, walkmans, beepers, cellular phones, “boom boxes”, etc., are not permitted in school. Such items will be confiscated and may require a parent conference in order to be returned.
12. Students are not permitted to take medication (prescription and non-prescription) in school unless supervised by the Nurse. A written parent permission letter and a labeled container that states the name of the medication, the dosage and the physician/pharmacy name must accompany any such medication.
13. Students must refrain from public displays of affection. Non-compliance will result in disciplinary action.
14. Profanity, or any other inappropriate language, will not be tolerated at any time.
15. Gambling, including dice, playing cards, etc., is never permitted on school property.

Return to Table of Contents