The Code of Conduct is designed to group and define the main objectives of the rules at Palms and the method for achieving those objectives.

Quick links:

• Attendance
• Disciplinary Action
• Environment
• Ethical Behavior and Respect for Persons or Property
• Health and Safety
• Student Dress
• Hat Policy
• Halloween Costumes

The following rules are to allow all students the opportunity to grow academically without disruption.

1. Arrive to school on time everyday.
2. Arrive to each and every class on time.
3. Students are not permitted to leave class except for medical emergencies, office summonses, or behavioral referrals. Passing periods, nutrition, and lunch are to be used to take care of personal needs.
4. Every effort should be made to be in school for a full day every day. Students must bring a note including the student's name, dates and reasons of absence, and parent signature when returning from an absence. Students are to report to the Student Services Center upon arrival at school so that they will arrive in class by 8:00 a.m.

 The following are some of the consequences for failing to live up to the Code of Conduct.

1. Lunch time detention may be assigned by school deans or school administrative staff.
2. After school detention may be assigned for 1-1/2 hours on Wednesdays. Students and parents will be notified in advance of the date, time, and place of detention. Late buses will be available to students who ordinarily ride them.
3. School clean-up, after school on selected Thursdays and lunch and/or nutrition clean-up on any day.
4. A "U" in work habits for 3 tardies to any class in any grading period.
5. Class suspension.
6. Extended school detention may be assigned for up to four hours on Saturday.
7. "In-house" suspension from all classes.
8. School suspension.

Other facts about how Palms handles discipline:

• LAUSD schools, including Palms, establish and follow discipline plans.
• Palms issues Caught Doing Something Good tickets. Students who receive them can earn prizes.
• In the Palms SUCCESS! program, students are mentored to stay on the right track. Students work with mentors (teachers and administrators) to discuss their needs and other issues at hand. There may be a summit of graduates and parents to celebrate their success.
• Bullying and other problems must be reported to the deans. If they don't know about a problem, they can't do anything about it. Students should not keep it to themselves.
• Detention classes are given on Mondays and Wednesdays for some discipline situations. Most situations are handled during the regular school day. In general, the administrators look to alternatives to suspension and OT (opportunity transfers out of Palms). The goal is to keep kids in school.
• Since January 1, 2009 schools have had the authority to suspend students who participate in cyber-bullying (using social networking websites, email, instant messaging, or other technologies for deliberate, repeated, and hostile acts toward others). Contact the counselors if you know of any cyber-bullying.

 The following rules are designed to enhance learning and leisure by creating a clean and beautiful environment.

1. Do not deface or damage school property.
2. Food and drink may be consumed only in the cafeteria, lunch area, or quad. Put trash in appropriate containers.
3. Do not throw food or other objects.
4. Gum chewing is not permitted.
5. Glass containers are not permitted.
6. The following items are forbidden at school: Skateboards, roller skates or roller blades, tennis shoes with wheels.
   
   Personal items of value (cell phones, iPods, cameras, electronic games, radios, CD players and computers, etc.) should not be brought to school since loss, theft, or damage is possible. Also such items can be distracting to the educational process and may be confiscated by school personnel. The District and Palms Middle School are not responsible for lost or stolen items (including those in lockers).
    
7. Students must observe the Cell Phones and Electronic Devices policy.

 The following rules are designed to create an atmosphere of mutual friendliness, trust and respect among students and all staff at Palms.

1. Be attentive and follow the directions of all staff at Palms.
2. Show respect towards substitute teachers.
3. Maintain a friendly attitude towards fellow students/staff.
4. Show respect at school assemblies with applause only.
5. Do not use profanities, slurs or epithets.
6. Do not represent as your own work that which is not your own, including but not limited to copying from any source. Copying the work of others is also unacceptable.
7. Do not forge notes or signatures.
8. Keep textbooks covered at all times.
9. No plagiarism from any source.

The following rules are designed to allow Palms students to enjoy a safe, secure environment for learning.

1. Do not use language that "puts down" or "bags on" other students because of their race, religion, ethnicity, disability, size, sex or sexual orientation is prohibited. This includes activities taking place on the Internet that disrupt the school environment.
2. Keep your hands, elbows, feet, etc. to yourself. This includes "play fighting" and wrestling.
3. Fighting or threatening to do physical harm to others is not allowed.
4. Do not wear low-cut tops, tops that have a bare midriff, "short" shorts or skirts, tank tops with straps less than one inch, and other items of clothing inappropriate to middle school are not permitted. Fashion is subject to change so the appropriateness of dress may be determined by a school official.
5. Do not wear or display gang-related clothing or symbols.
6. Do not leave school grounds without permission.
7. Inappropriate attire including but not limited to alcohol, drug, tobacco advertisement, demeaning language i.e.: racial slurs, sexual orientation, promotion of violence or any attire that is disruptive to the educational process is not permitted.
8. Medications may not be brought to school unless approved by a doctor. Forms are available from the nurse. Approved medications must be kept in the Health Office.
9. Emergency card information must be kept up to date.
10. Gambling is forbidden.
11. Student visitors are not permitted.
12. Students are not allowed to congregate in the main building before school and should report to the quad or lunch area. After school dismissal, do not loiter in front of the school. If you stay after school, you must be in the Library or on the after-school playground where there is supervision.
13. The following items are forbidden at school: Large chains, alcohol, tobacco, or prescription or over-the-counter drugs, pepper spray, tear gas, stink bombs, weapons, matches, lighters or explosive devices, shock pens, shock gum, laser devises, spray paint containers, Sharpies, or other marking devices.
14. Personal selling of food or candy is prohibited at school.

The dress standards are designed to maintain a positive atmosphere for learning.

1. No hats, hoods, headscarves, headbands, wave caps or caps of any kind are permitted in the buildings. Only authorized white hats or caps are permitted outside during nutrition, lunch and physical education per state law. See hat policy below.
2. Pants must fit the waist and be worn there.
3. Closed heel and toe shoes must be worn at all times.
4. Low-cut tops, tops that have a bare midriff, "short" shorts or skirts, tank tops with straps less than one inch, and other items of clothing inappropriate to middle school are not permitted. Fashion is subject to change so the appropriateness of dress may be determined by a school official.
5. Hair rollers and curlers are not permitted.
6. Sunglasses are not permitted in the buildings.

See also: Appropriate Attire for Eighth Grade Culmination

What headwear is allowed?

• Plain white hats

What headwear is prohibited?

• Scarves
• Hoods
• Hairnets
• Other headgear

When and where can I wear approved headwear?

• Exterior areas before school
• P.E. period
• Nutrition
• Lunch
• After school

Where can I not wear headware?

• Classrooms
• Hallways
• Assembly areas

Students may wear costumes to school on Halloween (October 31) or on the Friday before Halloween if October 31 is on the weekend.  Students should not wear costumes to the Halloween Dance.

The following rules apply:

• Costumes must conform to the Palms Middle School dress code.
• Costumes may not be demeaning to any ethnic group, race, religion, nationality, handicapping condition, gender (boys as girls and vice versa), or individual (staff or student) at the school.
• Costumes may not cause a significant disruption or distraction to the school program, i.e. no revealing costumes (French maids, nightwear, bathing suits, etc.).
• No prop or equipment that is unsafe, including weapons, replica weapons, or toy weapons, are to be brought to school.
• No costumes are allowed that would completely hide the identity of the student, i.e. gorilla suit, Scream character.
• Costumes must not impair a student's vision or movement.
• All provisions regarding obscene materials or prohibited substances remain in effect.
• Masks may be worn only while participating in the parade that may be scheduled for lunchtime.
• If you are not sure, don't wear it! If you have questions, contact an Assistant Principal.

Download flyer: Halloween Dress Code

See also: Halloween Dance