Santiago Policies & Student Expectations

Student Expectations/On Campus Each Day

Santanas are always R.A.D.! R.A.D. stands for RESPONSIBLE, ACCOUNTABLE, & DETERMINED.

Santanas are expected to…

Treat peers and staff with respect and kindness at all times.
Remember that intimidation and harassment are not tolerated (Including spreading rumors, making fun of others, picking on others, purposefully isolating others).
Be mindful of what is posted on social media.
- Attendance:
  - Be at school and on time every day!
    - Tardy sweeps are a regular occurrence at Santiago. A student caught in a tardy sweep will earn an automatic lunch detention.
    - Frequent tardiness will result in consequences for students. The consequences include:
      - 1st, 2nd and 3rd Tardy (to ANY class) = warning
      - 4th Tardy (to ANY class) = 1 lunch detention
      - 5th Tardy (to ANY class = 2 lunch detentions
      - 6th Tardy (to ANY class) = 3 lunch detentions
      - 7th Tardy (to ANY class) = Saturday School
  - If you are absent from school, make sure to see Mrs. Keefe, at the Attendance Window, when you return to school.
- On Campus Each Day:
  - Where can I hang out before school?
    - Amphitheater
    - Cafeteria
    - Library
    - Blacktop only (not allowed on the fields)
  - Where can I hang out during Nutrition?
    - Amphitheater
    - Atrium
    - Back Patio
    - Cafeteria
    - Snack Area
    - Library
    - Blacktop only (not allowed on the fields)
  - Where can I hang out after school?
    - Library
    - Front of the school
    - Teacher’s classroom
  - How do I get from class to class?
    - Students must use the INSIDE DOORS only.
    - Remember to walk on the RIGHT side of the hallway.
- Treat peers and staff with respect and kindness at all times.
- Remember that intimidation and harassment are not tolerated (Including spreading rumors, making fun of others, picking on others, purposefully isolating others).
- Be mindful of what is posted on social media.
- - Santiago DAILY Dress Code:
    - Students are to ONLY wear Santiago polo shirts, Santiago pants, capris, & shorts.
      - Shorts cannot be altered (rolled up or hemmed)
      - Pants cannot be too tight
      - No oversized/baggy shorts or pants allowed
      - Leggings are not allowed
    - Santiago jackets or sweatshirts: Hooded sweatshirts are allowed, but students should not wear their hoods except for rainy days. (Safety Reasons)
    - Hats or beanies are not allowed.
    - A Santiago polo shirt must be worn under sweatshirts and jackets
    - Earned RAD shirts may be worn on designated days only (usually Fridays)
    - PE clothes should only be worn during PE class
    - Sports clothing (including Cheer uniforms) are for designated days only, and should not be worn unless there is a specific event.
    - Hairstyles should not be a distraction to the school day.
    - CLOSED-TOED SHOES only. No Crocs, slippers, sandals, or any other slip on shoes without laces such as the North Face slip-ons are not allowed.
    - ID Card & Lanyard are required to be worn at all times.
      - Teachers should send students to the office that do not have IDs
        
        Consequences of not having an ID:
        
        1st offense = warning
        
        2nd offense = 1 detention
        
        3rd offense = 2 detentions
        
        4th offense = Administrative Action
  - Santiago FREE DRESS:
    - “Free dress” days are offered throughout the school year, are considered privileges, and should not be a distraction to the school day.
    - Shirts should cover the shoulder and stomach. (No tank tops or crop tops).
    - Jeans should not be ripped or have holes.
    - No inappropriate language or logos.
    - No hats or beanies.
    - When in doubt, don’t wear it!
  - Santiago COLD WEATHER GUIDELINES:
    - Students are expected to wear Santiago uniforms at all times. When the weather gets cold or rainy, students may…
  - Wear navy, gray, white, or black long sleeves under their uniform shirt. These must be plain, with no writing or logos.
  - Wear ONLY Santiago sweatshirts or jackets (are allowed over the uniform shirt.)
  - Hoods may be worn outside on cold days. Beanies are not permitted.
  - Purchase pants through American Casual. (Students are allowed to wear the approved pants any time throughout the year.) Non-uniform pants, including sweats or leggings, on cold days are not allowed.
- Dress Code Violations:
  - If you are OUT of dress code, you will be sent to the office to change, for every offense.
  - Consequences:
    - 1st Dress Code Violation = Warning
    - 2nd Dress Code Violation = 1 detention
    - 3rd Dress Code Violation = 2 detentions
    - 4th Dress Code Violation = Parent Conference
- Cell Phones:
  - No cell phones allowed during school hours
  - Headphones of any kind are ONLY allowed to be used under teacher guidance, and should not be out during the school day. They will be confiscated if seen at inappropriate times.
  - No gaming devices
  - Should an electronic device be confiscated, the consequences will be as follows (subject to Administration’s discretion):
    - 1st offense – Student must present ID after school to sign for the device with Mr. Lee
    - 2nd offense – Parent/guardian must present ID after school to sign for the device.
    - 3rd offense – 1 hour detention/Administration may hold the device for up to 1 week; parent/guardian must present ID after school to sign for the device.
    - 4th offense - 2 detentions/Administration may hold the device for up to 2 weeks; parent/guardian must present ID after school to sign for the device.
    - 5th offense - Saturday school/Administration may hold the device for up to 4 weeks; parent/guardian must present ID after school to sign for the device.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
  - At Santiago Charter Middle School (SCMS), we believe that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a valuable tool in enhancing the educational experience. AI programs may be used to supplement or support student learning by offering additional resources or facilitating differentiated instruction; however, it is essential that AI be used responsibly and ethically. Students may use AI tools to research new concepts or receive guidance, but these tools should not be a substitute for a student's own effort. The primary role of AI is to enrich the learning process, not to complete or replace student work.
- To ensure the effective and ethical use of AI, all students are expected to adhere to the following guidelines:
  - AI tools should only be used as a means to support independent thinking and creativity, not as a shortcut to complete assignments.
  - Students must submit work that is their own, and any assistance they received from AI should be documented or referenced.
  - Teachers will provide guidance on the appropriate use of AI in their classrooms and will explicitly state their policy, including consequences, in their classroom syllabus.
  - ANY VIOLATION OF THESE POLICIES WILL RESULT IN AN AUTOMATIC SATURDAY SCHOOL AND A NOTATION IN YOUR DISCIPLINE FILE.
- At SCMS, we will continue to review and update our AI policy to keep up to date with technological growth and student educational needs, ensuring that our students receive a 21st-century education while also maintaining academic integrity and personal responsibility.
- Other General Campus Rules:
- Gum is NOT allowed on campus
- Lanyards/IDs must be worn AT ALL TIMES
- No hoods should be worn on campus (Safety concern- we need to be able to identify anyone that doesn’t belong)
- General Behavior Consequences:
  - Teacher warning
  - Teacher consequence and parent contact
  - Referral to Mr. Lee and parent contact/conference
    - Possible consequences:
      - Student/Teacher/Administration conference
      - Parent/Guardian contact or conference
      - Detention
      - Saturday School
      - Behavior Contract
      - Counseling
      - In-house suspension
      - Discipline Panel
      - Suspension
      - Placed at Santiago’s Online School
      - Police intervention
    - Under no circumstances may students possess the following items at school:
      - Weapons (guns, knives, or anything that resembles a weapon)
      - Fake replica weapons (key chains, knives, water guns, etc…)
      - Drugs or Alcohol
      - Vape pens, Nicotine pens, or Cigarettes
      - Tagging tools (including sharpies)
      - No laser pointers

Absences

What do I do if my student is absent?

Please call the absence line to report the absence (714-628-5681). Please explain the reason for the absence and name of student. If your student goes to a doctor, or dentist, please ask for a note to clear the absence. Please have your student bring the note to the office when they return to school.

What does my student do if they are late to school?

For any student that is not in class by the 8:00 bell, please check in at the attendance window to get a tardy slip. Teachers will not allow you to come into classroom late without this slip.

What do I do if my student is more than 5 minutes late to school?

Please come to the office to sign your student in. If you were at an appointment, please give us any doctors or dentist notes.

What do I do if I need to pick my student up early?

Please come to the office with your ID to sign your student out early. PLEASE NOTE Students cannot be released to people who are not on your contact list, or people without ID.

Academic Accomplishments

STRIVE program – The purpose is to motivate and reward academic achievement. It is our goal to encourage students to strive to achieve as high of grades as they are capable of earning.

S = Success

T = Teamwork

R = Responsibility

I = Integrity

V = Values

E = Effort

There are rewards for all students who earn a 2.0 or better and have no Ns or Us in citizenship. Three levels of achievement are honored. Each level gives the student a card containing codes for each reward earned. Each card is valid for one trimester only. Students with more than four dress code violations and/or any D or F grades or N or U citizenship marks will not be eligible for STRIVE rewards. The three levels and their respective rewards are as follows:

Gold Card: 3.50 and above GPA

1 special STRIVE t-shirt (may be worn on Fridays only)
3 early dismissals to lunch on pre-announced days
1 free snack on pre-announced day
3 PE passes (clarified by PE teachers)
1 homework pass (clarified by individual teachers)
1 upgrade on a quiz score

Silver Card: 3.0 to 3.49 GPA

1 special STRIVE t-shirt (may be worn on Fridays only)
2 early dismissals to lunch on pre-announced days
1 free snack on pre-announced day
2 PE passes (clarified by PE teachers)
1 homework pass (clarified by individual teachers)
1 upgrade on a quiz score

Bronze Card: 2.0 to 2.99 GPA

1 early dismissals to lunch on pre-announced day
1 free snack on pre-announced day
1 PE pass (clarified by PE teachers)
1 homework pass (clarified by individual teachers)

Artificial Intelligence

SCMS Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

At Santiago Charter Middle School (SCMS), we believe that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a valuable tool in enhancing the educational experience. AI programs may be used to supplement or support student learning by offering additional resources or facilitating differentiated instruction; however, it is essential that AI be used responsibly and ethically. Students may use AI tools to research new concepts or receive guidance, but these tools should not be a substitute for a student's own effort. The primary role of AI is to enrich the learning process, not to complete or replace student work.

To ensure the effective and ethical use of AI, all students are expected to adhere to the following guidelines:

AI tools should only be used as a means to support independent thinking and creativity, not as a shortcut to complete assignments.
Students must submit work that is their own, and any assistance they received from AI should be documented or referenced.
Teachers will provide guidance on the appropriate use of AI in their classrooms and will explicitly state their policy, including consequences, in their classroom syllabus.

At SCMS, we will continue to review and update our AI policy to keep up to date with technological growth and student educational needs, ensuring that our students receive a 21st-century education while also maintaining academic integrity and personal responsibility.

SCMS Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

Bullying

Santiago's Bullying Plan consists of the following components:

Developing and implementing a shared school-wide definition of RESPECT.
Building positive RELATIONSHIPS for students and staff members.
Building RESILIENCY through increasing positive connections and developing cognitive skills.
RESPONDING effectively to negative peer actions.

Santiago has adopted the OUSD Bullying Prevention Policy and it can be viewed at OUSD Bullying Prevention

Santanas are expected to…
- Treat peers and staff with respect and kindness at all times.
- Remember that Intimidation and Harassment are not tolerated (Including spreading rumors, making fun of others, picking on others, purposefully isolating others).
- Be mindful of what is posted on social media.

Field Trip Policy

In order for students to participate in school sponsored field trips, at the time of the field trip deadline for checking grades, students must not have any classes that they are failing (receiving an F). If a student has a grade of D, it will be the teacher’s discretion (the teacher where the child has the D) as to whether or not to allow the student to attend.

Students who are in our GRIP at-risk partnership may be subject to a different criteria to attend off-campus activities that is based on improvement rather than actual classroom grade.

Health Office

Health Office

All students need to go through the health office when feeling ill. Students are not to call parents to pick them up without first seeing the health office clerk.

What do I do if my student is having major surgery and will be missing more than ten days of school?
Notify the attendance office and try to get a doctor's note prior to the surgery so that home schooling can be arranged.

What do I do if my student needs to take medicine (even Tylenol) at school?
Please fill out a Parent and Physician Request for Medication form found under Health Forms on the OUSD enrollment site. The physician must sign and give dosage instructions. A parent must deliver medicine to the school health office along with the form. Students are NOT allowed to carry any medication unless a physician order form is filled out by your physician (Epi pen or inhaler only) and a self carry form is signed by parent, student and school nurse.

What do I do if my child cannot participate in P.E?

Please send a note with your child to the health office. With a note a student may refrain from participating in PE for three days. Any time beyond three days requires a physician's note.

Questions for the health office? Please call us at 714-628-5682.

Library/Media Center

Library / Media Center – This is where students and teachers are involved in class activities as well as individual research, growth and development. Two library books may be checked out at one time for a two-week period. Textbooks are issued to students through the Media Center. Students will keep all school materials in good condition. Computers are available for student use by showing a student ID and displaying proper use and care of the computer.
Homework – On the average, 7^th graders can expect about 1½ hours and 8^th graders about 2 hours of homework every night. Students will complete all homework assignments on time. Individual teacher management plans distributed at the beginning of the year contain that teacher’s policies on homework completion or non-completion.
Requests for homework for a student absent two or more days may be made to the Attendance Office before 9 a.m. on the second day of absence.