Santiago Policies & Student Expectations

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

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.

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

To ensure your student’s safety and academic success, please review our standard procedures for absences, late arrivals, and early check-outs.

Absences & Scheduled Time Away

Standard Absences (Illness or Appointments)

If your student is going to be absent, please call our dedicated absence line at 714-628-5681. When you call, please state the student’s name and the reason for the absence.

*Important Note on Medical Visits: If your student is absent due to a doctor or dentist appointment, please request a medical note from their provider. Have your student bring this note directly to the main office when they return to school to officially clear the absence.

Short-Term Independent Study (Planned Absences)

Is your student planning to be away from school for family travel, athletic competitions, medical needs, or other personal commitments? We want to ensure they don’t miss a beat in their learning!

If your child will be absent for a short period, you can take advantage of our Short-Term Independent Study option. This allows students to stay on track with their curriculum and maintain their attendance record while they are away.

• How to get started: Contact Ms. Lloyd as soon as you know your planned dates. Early notice gives our team the time needed to gather all necessary assignments and learning materials for a smooth transition.
• Contact Information: Ms. Lloyd | Email: alloyd@orangeusd.org

Late Arrivals (Tardies)

Our school day begins promptly at 8:00 AM. If your student is running late, please follow these guidelines based on their arrival time:

• Arriving before 8:05 AM: Any student not in class by the 8:00 AM bell must check in at the attendance window to receive a tardy slip. Teachers will not allow students into the classroom late without this slip.
• Arriving more than 5 minutes late (After 8:05 AM): A parent or guardian must come into the main office to physically sign the student in. If the delay was due to a medical appointment, please bring the doctor or dentist note to the office at this time.

Early Pick-Ups

If you need to pull your student out of school before the regular dismissal bell, please come directly to the front office.

• ID Requirement: You must bring a valid government-issued photo ID to sign your student out.
• Authorized Contacts Only: For student safety, we cannot release students to anyone who is not explicitly listed on your emergency contact list, or to anyone who fails to present a valid ID.

Picking Up During Lunch? Please expect delays if you are checking your student out during their lunch period, as students are spread out across a large campus. To avoid waiting, we highly recommend contacting the office in advance so our team can pull your students from class before their lunch period begins.

Celebrating Academic Excellence: The RAD Honor Roll

At Santiago Charter Middle School, we believe in fostering Respect, Accountability, and Determination (RAD) in everything we do. The purpose of the RAD Honor Roll is to motivate and reward outstanding academic achievement, encouraging every student to strive for the highest goals they are capable of reaching.

We are proud to recognize our students' hard work through two levels of achievement:

• Honor Roll (3.0 – 3.49 GPA): Earned by students maintaining strong academics with no "N" or "U" grades in citizenship.
• High Honor Roll (3.5+ GPA): Earned by students achieving top-tier academics with no "N" or "U" grades in citizenship.

Recognition & Rewards:

All Honor Roll and High Honor Roll students will be proudly acknowledged and celebrated at our RAD assemblies.

Additionally, students who achieve High Honor Roll status will earn an exclusive RAD t-shirt, which they can wear on Fridays in lieu of their standard uniform top!

8th Grade Promotion & Academic Eligibility Policy

Santiago Charter Middle School believes that promotion to high school is an earned privilege that demonstrates academic readiness. Operating under the authority of our approved charter and in alignment with the broader directives of the Orange Unified School District, the following criteria govern 8th-grade academic promotion and participation in the year-end party and ceremony.

Academic Units & Credit Requirements

OUSD BP 6146.5 mandates that a student must complete the "prescribed course of study" to earn a diploma of promotion. As a trimester-based program, Santiago quantifies this course of study using a unit-tracking model:

• Students must successfully complete and pass a minimum of 42 out of 48 total units across their 7th and 8th-grade years to be eligible for academic promotion.
• In accordance with OUSD BP 5123, which bases grade-level progression on minimum levels of proficiency in core content standards, a Santiago student cannot fail the same core subject area twice during their time at the school (e.g., failing English Language Arts for two different trimesters). 

Interventions: Friday School

OUSD BP 5123 explicitly states that teachers must identify students at risk of retention as early in the school year as possible, and that the District shall offer "an appropriate program of remedial instruction to assist the student in meeting grade-level expectations."

• The Santiago Intervention: Any 8th-grade student identified via trimester marking periods as "in danger of non-promotion" due to failing grades or low unit accumulation is required to attend Friday School sessions.
• Purpose: This local intervention serves as Santiago’s primary mechanism for fulfilling the district-required supplemental and remedial instruction. It provides a structured, supervised environment for students to receive direct support, complete missing assignments, and pull their grades up to passing levels.

Credit Recovery & Summer School

• Summer Placement: In alignment with OUSD BP 5123(b), which authorizes summer learning programs and supplemental instruction for students with academic deficiencies, students who do not meet the 42-unit threshold or who fail critical core classes will be invited and expected to attend Summer School.
• Transcript Policy: While Summer School is designed to bridge foundational gaps and help students recover necessary credits/skills for high school readiness, it does not erase the original "F" grade from the student's middle school academic transcript.

Ceremony & End-of-Year Activity Eligibility

Per OUSD BP 6146.5 and its accompanying administrative regulations (AR 5127 regarding Graduation Ceremonies and Activities), participation in promotional events is a privilege reserved for students meeting basic district and school standards.

• To walk the stage at the 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony and participate in end-of-year celebratory party, a Santiago student must successfully clear the 42-unit requirement, and clear all outstanding school debts (unreturned textbooks, library fines, or loaner technology equipment).

 

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

• 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.

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

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.

Homework & Classwork Policies 

Because our school operates on a block schedule, many students have ample time to complete their assignments within the designated class timeframe. However, for special projects, advanced classes or when in-class time is not used wisely, students should expect homework. 

On average, 7th graders can expect about 1 hour of homework per night, and 8th graders can expect about 1.5 hours. 

• Expectations: Students are expected to complete and submit all homework assignments on time.
• Teacher Policies: Specific policies regarding grading, late work, or non-completion of assignments are outlined in the individual teacher management plans distributed at the beginning of the school year. 
• 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.

At Santiago Charter Middle School, we prioritize the safety and well-being of a students. To ensure proper support and safety for students who require the use of mobility aids such as crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, walking boots, or braces, the following policy is in effect:

Santiago School Policy: Use of Mobility Aids on Campus

En Santiago Charter Middle School, priorizamos la seguridad y el bienestar de todos los estudiantes. Para garantizar el apoyo adecuado y la seguridad de los estudiantes que requieren el uso de ayudas para la movilidad, tales como muletas, andadores, silas de ruedas, botas para caminar, o aparatos ortopédicos, la siguiente política está en vigor:

Política de la Escuela de Santiago: Uso de Ayudas a de Movilidad en el Campus