About

The JMS student population fluctuates between 700 and 800 students yearly. 

JMS serves breakfast and lunch. 

Students walk, bike, bus, and carpool to school.  Parents dropping off their child should do so on the north side.  There will be traffic for both JES and JMS. For traffic flow, view the videos: JMS to JES or JES to JMS. Students riding their bicycles to school can park them in the bike racks located at the main doors on the north side.

We will conduct private tours.  Please contact the office at 812-482-6454.

Supply lists can be found here. 

Accelerated classes are offered in each grade level.  For more information, please contact our guidance office.  

STUDENT DRESS CODE POLICY

Principles for good grooming and proper dress are necessary to set an atmosphere conducive to improving the learning situation.  It is primarily the parents’ responsibility to ensure that their children are applying these principles.  The guidelines listed are not to imply that this is the complete list and may include any item deemed inappropriate and/or in bad taste by the school administration.  If a student/parent/guardian has a question about a particular item, please contact the school administration BEFORE wearing the item

1.       Clothing, jewelry, or any article that advertises alcohol or tobacco, promotes drug usage, has obscenities, is sexually explicit, or has sexual implications is not permitted.

2.       Shorts are permitted when announced by the office and must be appropriate length.

3.       Pants with rips should not show skin above the wrist area.

4.       Shirts must have sleeves and cover the mid-section, shoulders and under arms.

5.       Coats should be stored in the student’s locker during the school day.

6.       Hats/caps, bandannas, sunglasses, and headwear are not permitted.  Hoods may not cover any part of the head during the school day.

7.       Tattoos must be covered at all times. Writing on the skin is not permitted.

8.       Skirts may be worn at an appropriate length

9.       For safety reasons, shoes that have a back to them must be worn at all times.  Plastic or rubber “flip-flops” are not appropriate for school.

10.   Bags and backpacks may be carried to and from school and to 8^th period only.

11.   Any clothing or appearance (including hair, makeup, jewelry, piercings, nails, etc…) that is deemed to be distracting to the learning process may be subject to discipline.

12.   No gum or candy allowed in the building unless permitted by a faculty or staff member

 The administration reserves the right to use other situations of distraction or issues of safety to disallow items in these categories as needed.

Call (812) 481-4863 by 10am.

A written excuse or phone call from parent is required if a child arrives late to school.

Only after a child’s 3^rd day of absence may office staff request homework from teachers.  At that time, a parent should call the office before 8:30 a.m. to request homework.

As stated in the handbook, written permission is needed for a child’s early dismissal from school.  Students should bring notes for early dismissal to the office between 7:30 & 8 a.m. to receive permission to leave class for necessary appointments.

A note is not necessary.  Please be sure your child is aware of after school transportation arrangements before coming to school so phone calls are not necessary.

Students may not use school phones to receive phone calls or make calls to parents.  Cell phones must be turned off and stored in locker.  Students may not use cell phones during school hours.

Before 4:00pm, if you drop off or pick up your child, please use the north side.  The south side (circle drive) of building is used for buses only between 7:00am and 4:00pm.

There is a strict policy on administration of medication to students at school-- prescription or any over-the counter medicine.  Doctor’s written orders for prescriptions, parent’s written instructions,  and all medicines in the original container and properly labeled are requirements.  Please see policy for specifications.

Please notify the school of any changes to your address, phone numbers, or email contact information. 

Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools

Student Responsible Use Guidelines for Technology

Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools makes a variety of communications and information technologies available to students through computer/network/Internet access. These technologies, when properly used, promote educational excellence in the District by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. Illegal, unethical or inappropriate use of these technologies can have dramatic consequences, harming the District, its students and its employees. These Responsible Use Guidelines are intended to minimize the likelihood of such harm by educating District students and setting standards which will serve to protect the District. The District firmly believes that digital resources, information and interaction available on the computer/network/Internet far outweigh any disadvantages.

Mandatory Review. To educate students on proper computer/network/Internet use and conduct, students are required to review these guidelines at the beginning of each school year. All District students shall be required to acknowledge receipt and understanding of all guidelines governing use of the system and shall agree in writing to allow monitoring of their use and to comply with such guidelines. The parent or legal guardian of a student user is required to acknowledge receipt and understanding of the District’s Student Responsible Use Guidelines for Technology (hereinafter referred to as the Responsible Use Guidelines as part of their review of the Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct handbook. Employees supervising students who use the District’s system must provide training emphasizing its appropriate use.                                                                 

Definition of District Technology System. The District’s computer systems and networks (system) are any configuration of hardware and software. The system includes but is not limited to the following:

-       Telephones, cellular telephones, and voicemail technologies;

-       Email accounts;

-       Servers;                                                                                 

-       Computer hardware and peripherals;

-       Software including operating system software and application software;

-       Digitized information including stored text, data files, email, digital images, and video and audio files;

-       Internally or externally accessed databases, applications, or tools (Internet- or District-server based);

-       District-provided Internet access;

-       District-filtered Wi-Fi; and

-       New technologies as they become available.

Acceptable Use. Computer/Network/Internet access will be used to enhance learning consistent with the District’s educational goals. The District requires legal, ethical and appropriate computer/network/Internet use.

Privilege. Access to the District’s computer/network/Internet is a privilege, not a right.

Access to Computer/Network/Internet. Access to the District’s electronic communications system, including the Internet, shall be made available to students for instructional purposes. Each District computer and Wi-Fi has filtering software that blocks access to visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic, inappropriate for students, or harmful to minors, as defined by the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Filtered Internet access is provided to students as defined by CIPA.

Student Access. Computer/Network/Internet access is provided to all students unless parents or guardians request in writing to the campus principal that access be denied. Student Internet access will be under the direction and guidance of a District staff member.                                                                                                                              

Students 13 or younger. For students under the age of 13, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) requires additional parental permission for educational software tools. Parents wishing to deny access to these educational tools must do so in writing to the campus principal indicating their child should be denied access to these tools. Examples of these tools are wikis, blogs, and informational websites.

Security. A student who gains access to any inappropriate or harmful material is expected to discontinue the access and to report the incident to the supervising staff member. Any student identified as a security risk or as having violated the Responsible Use Guidelines may be denied access to the District’s system. Other consequences may also be assigned. A student who knowingly brings prohibited materials into the school’s electronic environment will be subject to suspension of access and/or revocation of privileges on the District’s system and will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Board-approved Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct.                                       

Content/Third-Party Supplied Information. Students and parents of students with access to the District’s system should be aware that use of the system may provide access to other electronic communication systems in the global electronic network that may contain inaccurate and/or objectionable material.

Subject to Monitoring. All District computer/network/Internet usage shall not be considered confidential and is subject to monitoring by designated staff at any time to ensure appropriate use. Students should not use the computer system to send, receive or store any information, including email messages, that they consider personal or confidential and wish to keep private. All electronic files, including email messages, transmitted through or stored in the computer system will be treated no differently than any other electronic file. The District reserves the right to access, review, copy, modify, delete or disclose such files for any purpose. Students should treat the computer system like a shared or common file system with the expectation that electronic files, sent, received or stored anywhere in the computer system, will be available for review by any authorized representative of the District for any purpose. Personal telecommunication devices are subject to examination in accordance with disciplinary guidelines if there is reason to believe that the Responsible Use Guidelines have been violated.

Student Computer/Network/Internet Responsibilities

District students are bound by all portions of the Responsible Use Guidelines. A student who knowingly violates any portion of the Responsible Use Guidelines will be subject to suspension of access and/or revocation of privileges on the District’s system and will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Board-approved Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct.

Use of Social Networking/Digital Tools. Students may participate in District-approved social media learning environments related to curricular projects or school activities and use digital tools, such as, but not limited to, mobile devices, blogs, discussion forums, RSS feeds, podcasts, wikis, and on-line meeting sessions. The use of blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other digital tools are considered an extension of the classroom. Verbal or written language that is considered inappropriate in the classroom is also inappropriate in all uses of blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other District-approved digital tools.

Use of System Resources. Students are asked to purge email or outdated files on a regular basis. Password Confidentiality. Students are required to maintain password confidentiality by not sharing their password with others. Students may not use another person’s system account.

Reporting Security Problem. If knowledge of inappropriate material or a security problem on the computer/network/Internet is identified, the student should immediately notify the supervising staff member. The security problem should not be shared with others.

Inappropriate Use

Inappropriate use includes, but is not limited to, those uses that violate the law, that are specifically named as violations in this document, that violate the rules of network etiquette, or that hamper the integrity or security of this computer/network/Internet system or any components that are connected to it. The following actions are considered inappropriate uses, are prohibited, and will result in revocation of the student’s access to the computer/network/Internet.

Violations of Law. Transmission of any material in violation of any federal or state law is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to:

threatening, harassing, defamatory or obscene material; copyrighted material; plagiarized material;

material protected by trade secret; or blog posts, Web posts, or discussion forum/replies posted to the Internet which violate federal or state law.

Tampering with or theft of components from District systems may be regarded as criminal activity under applicable state and federal laws. Any attempt to break the law through the use of a District computer/network/Internet account may result in prosecution against the offender by the proper authorities. If such an event should occur, the District will fully comply with the authorities to provide any information necessary for legal action.

Modification of Computer. Modifying or changing computer settings and/or internal or external configurations without appropriate permission is prohibited.

Transmitting Confidential Information. Students may not redistribute or forward confidential information without proper authorization. Confidential information should never be transmitted, redistributed or forwarded to outside individuals who are not expressly authorized to receive the information. Revealing personal information about oneself such as, but not limited to, home addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, birthdates or of others is prohibited.

Commercial Use. Use of the system for any type of income-generating activity is prohibited. Advertising the sale of products, whether commercial or personal is prohibited.

Use of the system for promoting activities or events for individuals or organizations not directly affiliated with or sanctioned by the District is prohibited.

Vandalism/Mischief. Any malicious attempt to harm or destroy District equipment, materials or data; or the malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user of the District’s system, or any of the agencies or other networks to which the District has access is prohibited. Deliberate attempts to degrade or disrupt system performance are violations of District policy and administrative regulations and may constitute criminal activity under applicable state and federal laws. Such prohibited activity includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creating of computer viruses.

Vandalism as defined above is prohibited and will result in the cancellation of system use privileges. Students committing vandalism will be required to provide restitution for costs associated with system restoration and may be subject to other appropriate consequences. [See the Board-approved Discipline Management Plan and the Student Code of Conduct.]

Intellectual Property. Students must always respect copyrights and trademarks of third-parties and their ownership claims in images, text, video and audio material, software, information and inventions. The copy, use, or transfer of others’ materials without appropriate authorization is not allowed.

Copyright Violations. Downloading or using copyrighted information without following approved District procedures is prohibited.

Plagiarism. Fraudulently altering or copying documents or files authored by another individual is prohibited.

Impersonation. Attempts to log on to the computer/network/Internet impersonating a system administrator or District employee, student, or individual other than oneself, will result in revocation of the student’s access to computer/network/Internet.

Illegally Accessing or Hacking Violations. Intentional or unauthorized access or attempted access of any portion of the District’s computer systems, networks, or private databases to view, obtain, manipulate, or transmit information, programs, or codes is prohibited.

File/Data Violations. Deleting, examining, copying, or modifying files and/or data belonging to other users, without their permission is prohibited.

System Interference/Alteration. Deliberate attempts to exceed, evade or change resource quotas are prohibited. The deliberate causing of network congestion through mass consumption of system resources is prohibited.

Email and Communication Tools

Email and other digital tools such as, but not limited to blogs and wikis, are tools used to communicate within the District. The use of these communication tools should be limited to instructional, school-related activities, or administrative needs.

    All students in grades 6-12 will be issued email accounts. Students should check email frequently, delete unwanted messages promptly, and stay within the email server space allocations. Email attachments are limited to 2MB or smaller. Internet access to personal email accounts is not allowed.

     Students should keep the following points in mind:

Perceived Representation. Using school-related email addresses, blogs, wikis, and other communication tools might cause some recipients or other readers of the email to assume that the student’s comments represent the District or school, whether or not that was the student’s intention.

Privacy. Email, blogs, wikis, and other communication within these tools should not be considered a private, personal form of communication. Private information, such as home addresses, phone numbers, last names, pictures, or email addresses, should not be divulged. To avoid disclosing email addresses that are protected, all email communications to multiple recipients should be sent using the blind carbon copy (bcc) feature.

Inappropriate Language. Using obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, or disrespectful language in emails blogs, wikis, or other communication tools is prohibited. Sending messages that could cause danger or disruption, personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks are prohibited.

Political Lobbying. Consistent with State ethics laws, District resources and equipment, including, but not limited to, emails, blogs, wikis, or other communication tools must not be used to conduct any political activities, including political advertising or lobbying. This includes using District email, blogs, wikis, or other communication tools to create, distribute, forward, or reply to messages, from either internal or external sources, which expressly or implicitly support or oppose a candidate for nomination or election to either a public office or an office of a political party or support or oppose an officeholder, a political party, or a measure (a ballot proposition). These guidelines prohibit direct communications as well as the transmission or forwarding of emails, hyperlinks, or other external references within emails, blogs, or wikis regarding any political advertising.

Forgery. Forgery or attempted forgery of email messages is prohibited. Attempts to read, delete, copy or modify the email of other system users, deliberate interference with the ability of other system users to send/receive email, or the use of another person’s user ID and/or password is prohibited.

Junk Mail/Chain Letters. Generally, students should refrain from forwarding emails which do not relate to the educational purposes of the District. Chain letters or other emails intended for forwarding or distributing to others is prohibited. Creating, distributing or forwarding any annoying or unnecessary message to a large number of people (spamming) is also prohibited.

Student Email Accounts and Electronic Communication Tools

Electronic communication is an important skill for 21st Century students. By providing this tool, the District is equipping students with the skills necessary for success in the business. Students in grades 6 - 12 are given access to a District student email account. This account is set up with the student’s user ID. Students must abide by the guidelines established at Email and Communication Tools. Student email accounts will be available for use by students in grades 6-12 while they are currently enrolled in the District. Parents wishing to deny access to District email must do so in writing to the campus principal. As appropriate, project email accounts may be granted for educational activities for students in grades K-5 at the request of the classroom teacher. Student email accounts may be provided directly by the District, through the content management system of an approved online course, or through a District-approved provider.

Consequences of Agreement Violation

Any attempt to violate the provisions of this agreement may result in revocation of the student’s access to the computer/network/Internet, regardless of the success or failure of the attempt. In addition, school disciplinary and/or appropriate legal action may be taken.

Denial, Revocation, or Suspension of Access Privileges. With just cause, the System Administrator and/or building principal, may deny, revoke, or suspend computer/network/Internet access as required, pending an investigation.

Warning

Sites accessible via the computer/network/Internet may contain material that is illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or controversial. Each District computer with Internet access has filtering software that blocks access to visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic, inappropriate for students, or harmful to minors, as defined by the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act. The District makes every effort to limit access to objectionable material; however, controlling all such materials on the computer/network/Internet is impossible, even with filtering in place. With global access to computers and people, a risk exists that students may access material that may not be of educational value in the school setting.

Disclaimer

The District’s system is provided on an “as is, as available” basis. The District does not make any warranties, whether expressed or implied, including, without limitation, those of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any services provided by the system and any information or software contained therein. The District does not guarantee that the functions or services performed by, or that the information or software contained on the system will meet the system user’s requirements, or that the system will be uninterrupted or error free, or that defects will be corrected. Opinions, advice, services, and all other information expressed by system users, information providers, service providers, or other third-party individuals in the system are those of the providers and not the District. The District will cooperate fully with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation concerning or relating to misuse of the District’s electronic communications system.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR JASPER MIDDLE SCHOOL

STUDENT ATHLETES

Revised May 2, 2013

RULES FOR STUDENT ATHLETES

The Rules of the Indiana High School Athletic Association contain the following provision applicable to all Indiana High School Athletes:               

Rule C-8-1:  “Contestants’ conduct, in and out of school, shall be such as:

a.       Not to reflect discredit upon their school or the Association.

b.       Not to create a disruptive influence on the discipline, good order, moral or educational environment of the School."

Participation in any athletic program at Jasper Middle School is not a right, but is a privilege to be earned and maintained.  Any student may, for proper cause, be excluded by the school administration from participating in school athletic events.

Each student who elects to participate as an athlete in any Jasper Middle School athletic program agrees to and shall abide by the above IHSAA Rule C-8-1, which forms the foundation of the Code of Conduct for Jasper Middle School student athletes, and by the following rules and other rules which may be from time to time established by their individual coach(s):

1.       The school athletic career begins for all student athletes on the first day of school of their 6^th grade year, the first day of sanctioned practice their 6^th grade year, or on the day of the Jasper Middle School sponsored physicals, whichever comes first, and continues for the entire four (3) years or as long as a student athlete is a member of an athletic team.

2.       Jasper Middle School exists to educate the students of the Greater Jasper School District.  For this purpose, certain academic standards and rules of conduct, as outlined in the Jasper Middle School Student Handbook, have been established and are applicable to all students.  These would include, but not be limited to, grades, class attendance, behavior at school and school functions, and overall compliance with such standards and rules.  Violation of such student academic standards and rules, if an offense resulting in school or out of school suspension will be a violation of this Athletic Code of Conduct.

3.       Any conduct by a student athlete, which violates or is in conflict with IHSAA Rule C-8-1a, as set forth above, shall be a violation of this Code of Conduct.

4.       Each coach may establish team rules, which are applicable only to his or her team.  Violation of team rules, based upon the severity or frequency of such violation by an athlete, may constitute a violation of this Code of Conduct, or may be treated as an intra-team violation with penalties not exceeding those set forth below.  To implement the next level of the Offense structure, notice must be given to the Athletic Director.

Violation of the above Code of Conduct shall result in the imposition of a penalty.  While normally such penalty will be based upon a progressive schedule, cumulating the number of prior violations (Offenses) during the student’s enrollment, it should be noted that the progressive schedule represents the minimum penalty to be administered.  In the event of more extreme or severe violations, the progressive schedule may be ignored and a more severe penalty may be imposed, up to a total ban from participation for a single severe violation.

Under normal circumstances, the following penalty (ies) will be imposed for violations of the Code of Conduct”

FIRST OFFENSE

The student athlete shall be suspended for a minimum of 30% of the scheduled contests for that sport.  If the suspension falls near enough to the end of a sport season that the full penalty of 30% of contests cannot be assessed, the penalty shall carry over to post season tournaments, then to the next sport in which the athlete participates.

SECOND OFFENSE

The student athlete shall be suspended for a minimum of an additional 50% of the scheduled contests for that sport.  If the suspension falls near enough to the end of a season that the full penalty of 50% of the contests cannot be assessed, the penalty shall carry over to post season tournaments, then to the next sport season in which the athlete participates.  In addition to the 50% suspension the Athletic Council may further require that before the student athlete may subsequently participate in any athletic program, that athlete must complete Council approved counseling, at the student’s expense.

Computation of the number of suspended contests for the First or Second Offenses shall be based upon the total number scheduled in that particular sport, with fractional numbers being rounded up and down (i.e. 1.4 = 1; 1.5 = 2).  A chart of total allowed games for each sport shall be maintained by the Athletic Office, and a current copy is attached.

A penalty carry-over to the next sport in which the athlete participates will only apply towards the suspension if, after completion of the penalty, the athlete continues to participate in the carry-over sport through the remainder of the sport’s season.

THIRD OFFENSE

A student athlete found guilty of a third offense will be banned from competing in any sport for one calendar year (365 days) from the date of the third offense.

FOURTH OFFENSE

A student athlete found guilty of a fourth offense will be banned from school competitions in athletics during his/her enrollment at Jasper Middle School.

Should it be requested by a coach that a more substantial penalty be imposed, due to a severe violation, the Athletic Council will meet to consider the facts surrounding the violation and the effects on the school and athletic program, and that Council will decide as to whether the penalty to be imposed should be in excess of the penalty indicated in the above offense scale.

It should be noted that if an athlete is participating at two different levels of sports during the same time period (i.e. JV-Varsity), the suspension will continue until the correct number of contests are met on the higher (Varsity) level; or if the athlete is participating in two different sports at the same time, the suspension will be simultaneously applicable to each such sport at the designated percentage level; and that no athlete may practice or participate in any school sports program while suspended from school for discipline reasons.  During a period of school suspension, the suspended athlete may not participate in any sport activity or practice, but shall be required to follow all conduct rules established by the coach of the suspended sport.  IHSAA rules prohibit a suspended student from participating in sports at any other school during the suspension period.

In the event that any student or his/her parents should dispute the facts upon which a penalty is imposed, a written appeal, setting forth the disputed facts, may be submitted to the Principal of Jasper Middle School, who will conduct a meeting of the Athletic Council to consider the appeal. Based upon the contents of the written appeal, the Council may, but is not required to, request the student or parents to attend a Council meeting prior to making a determination concerning the violation.  The presumption shall be that prior violation and penalty violation are correct and the burden shall be on the appellant(s) to show to the contrary.

The Middle School Athletic Council, as referred to above, shall consist of the Middle School Principal, Asst. Principal, Athletic Director, and coach of the subject sport.

Athletic Code Substance Abuse Clause

5.       At no time is a student athlete allowed to use or be in possession of any form of alcoholic beverage, tobacco, or illegal substance or drug.  Failure to produce a negative random drug test would constitute a violation of this cause.

“Possession” is defined as having such alcoholic beverage or illegal drugs in a vehicle in which the student is driving or is a passenger, or being convicted in a court of law of the charge of illegal possession of alcohol and drugs.  The School Corporation has the legal right to randomly test for use of drugs, alcohol or tobacco by any student participating in sports or any other extra-curricular programs.”

Consequences for Violation of Rule #5

FIRST VIOLATION:

The student athlete shall be suspended for a minimum of 50% of the scheduled contests for that sport.  If the suspension falls near enough to the end of a sport season that the full penalty of 50% of contests cannot be assessed, the penalty shall carry over to any post season tournament, then to the next sport in which the athlete participates.

The Athletic Council will further require that before the student athlete may subsequently participate in any athletic program, that athlete must complete Council approved counseling at the student’s expense and complete 8 hours of community service at the discretion of the Athletic Council.  Should the counseling and community service be completed, the suspension will be reduced from 50% to 30% (See the chart below clarification.)  Said student will also be placed on automatic testing each time a random test series is given for the remainder of the school year at the student’s expense.

Community Service shall be defined as the following:

Supervised work that is helpful to Jasper Middle School and/or the Community in general, including, but not limited to special custodial work, special projects, speaking engagements to student/civic groups, supervised work at community entities, and other work cleared by the building principal and/or athletic director.

A student may resume practice with his/her athletic team only at the discretion of the individual coach.

SECOND VIOLATION

The student athlete shall be suspended from athletic competition for one calendar year from the date of the Athletic Council action.  A student may try out for a team or participate in any team activities until that calendar year has been completed.  Said student will also be placed on automatic testing each time a random test series is given for the remainder of the school year at the student’s expense.

THIRD VIOLATION

The student athlete shall have competition privileges revoked for the remainder of the student’s school career.

**There is no grandfather clause related to the punishment scale.  If a student has already earned one violation and commits a second infraction, he/she will be placed on the newly adopted scale for a second penalty.

ATTENDANCE

Students are expected to be in school all day on the day of a contest.  Students who are absent from school are not allowed to attend practice or contests on that same day.  On the day following a contest, students are to be present when school begins.  Any student not present for the beginning of school, on the day after a contest, is not to participate in practice.  Students who are absent with just cause may participate with permission of the athletic director, principal, or assistant principal.

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY

    Eligibility will be determined when report cards are issued.  Any student who receives a “U” or an “F” in a subject or citizenship on his/her quarterly report will have his/her eligibility subjected to an administrative review.   Any student who receives a “U” or an “F” in a subject or citizenship on his/her final (spring) nine-week report (not semester report) at the end of his/her 6^th or 7^th grade year, will also have his/her eligibility reviewed for the first nine-week grading period of his/her 7^th or 8^th grade year.

     The above will likewise apply to any student new to Jasper Middle School.  A new student’s transcript will be evaluated before eligibility will be granted.  Students in the 8^th grade that were retained in the 7^th or 8^th grade are not allowed to participate in conference games.  JMS students will abide by the age requirements as set by the Southern Indiana Junior High Athletic Conference.

COMMITMENT TO JASPER MIDDLE SCHOOL

1.  Students shall not participate on any other organized team during the school team season of that same sport.

2.  When students are participating in two different activities, both school sponsored, the student and coaches/sponsors will work out an acceptable schedule.  If an agreement cannot be reached, the student will have to make a choice between the conflicting activities.

3.  When students are participating in two different activities, one school sponsored and one not, the student will give priority to the school activity.

Jasper Middle School Drug and Alcohol Policies

Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools (GJCS) believes that maintaining an environment that is safe, free from substance use/abuse, and conducive to learning is an important goal for the school and the community.  Students are not permitted to possess, use, be under the influence of, or sell drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products on the school premises at any time, at any school-sponsored activity, or when a student is traveling to and from school.  Students violating this policy are placing themselves in jeopardy of representing GJCS in any capacity for reasons of personal safety for the individual and those around the individual.

     We recognize our responsibility to address drug and alcohol problems in the school and of our students.  We believe that parent(s), guardian(s), and the school must work together to educate, encourage, and support students in an attempt to prevent their illegal use of drugs and alcohol.  As part of our attempt to achieve the above, the schools will utilize the following policies:

     No student may provide any substance to any other student, by sale or any other means, which is represented to be a narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, alcoholic beverage, stimulant, inhalant, legend drug, depressant, or intoxicant of any kind.  This includes, but is not limited to any synthetic substance that may closely resemble any of the above substances or items.

     No student may possess, use, or be under the influence of any substance which that student has reason to believe is or which has been represented to be a narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, alcoholic beverage, stimulant, inhalant, legend drug, depressant, or intoxicant of any kind.  This includes, but is not limited to any synthetic that may closely resemble any of the above substances or items.

     Students are prohibited from possessing, using, sharing, or being under the influence of caffeine-based pills, substances containing phenylpropanolamine (PPA), or stimulants of any kind with or without a prescription.

     Any substance for which a student has a prescription or written permission from a parent must be brought to the school nurse or school administrator and be administered/taken in the nurse’s station.

INDIANA LAW

The following conduct is criminal under Indiana Code and school officials are required to report such conduct—on school grounds, or within 1,000 feet of school grounds—in writing to a law enforcement officer:

1.  Knowingly or intentionally manufacturing or delivering cocaine, a narcotic drug, or other controlled substances except marijuana, hash oil, or hashish; or possessing with intent to manufacture or deliver, the above-named substances, except marijuana, hash oil, or hashish.

2.  Knowingly or intentionally delivering any substance that is represented to be a controlled substance.

3.  Knowingly or intentionally manufacturing, advertising, distributing, or possession with intent to manufacture, advertise, or distribute a controlled substance.

4.  Knowingly or intentionally possessing a controlled substance.

5.  Knowingly or intentionally creating or delivering a counterfeit substance or possessing with intent to deliver, a counterfeit substance.

6.  Knowingly possessing, without a valid prescription, cocaine or a narcotic drug.

7.  Knowingly possessing, without a valid prescription, a controlled substance, except marijuana or hashish.

8.  Knowingly or intentionally manufacturing, designing, keeping for sale, offering for sale, delivering, or possessing an instrument, device or other objet, that is intended to be used primarily for introducing a controlled substance into the human body, testing the strength effectiveness, or purity of a controlled substance, or enhancing the effect of a controlled substance. 

9.  Knowingly or intentionally manufacturing or delivering, or possessing, with intent to manufacture or deliver, marijuana, hash oil or hashish.

 

Violation:

Should the above occur, the following disciplinary penalties will apply:

1.             1^st Offense—recommendation of expulsion to the superintendent.  The expulsion may be waived via a Form 16 contract (*See Below) at the hearing examiner’s level if the following criteria are met by the student and the parent/guardian:

A.            Student will be suspended for up to ten school days;

B.            Student cannot return to school until he/she meets with an officially recognized substance abuse counselor, or has evidence of an appointment, for a preliminary assessment of chemical use, and is in compliance with the recommendations set forth as a result of the assessment and recommendations of school officials following the assessment.   Any costs associated with the assessment will be paid for by the student/parent/guardian.

Possible recommendations may include, but are not limited to:

a.             Conditional return to school after the five-day suspension;

b.             Assessment by outpatient drug-alcohol counselor(s) plus outpatient and/or drug education for student and/or parents via certified counselor;

d.             Inpatient treatment commensurate with the family’s ability to pay for service.

2.             2^nd Offense (Per School Building Career)—School officials will recommend expulsion to the superintendent.

**A Form 16 waiver is a vehicle for the student to return to school—either in his/her regular classes or in alternative school as decided upon by the school administration—on the condition that the student/parent/guardian signs off on the agreement to waive their due process rights.  Should further disciplinary action of any time be needed, the student loses his/her opportunity to attend school and the original expulsion takes place without a review of the case.

Dealing/Distribution

Dealing is defined as selling or sharing alcohol, or other unauthorized drugs or narcotics—natural or synthetic, actual or misrepresentation.  Distribution is defined as passing substances on to other students for holding, using, or selling.

 

First Offense Disposition:  Recommendation of expulsion to the superintendent.

 

DRUG TESTING

Substance abuse in any school is a threat to the safety and health of students, faculty, staff, and the community as a whole.  It jeopardizes the efficiency and the quality of educational programs as well as having the potential of physical harm.  The risks associated with such abuse may include the possibility of impaired judgment, diminished capacity, and deterioration of the organs of the body, addiction, and conditions that substantially inhibit a person from performing to his/her fullest ability.  The policy is not intended to be solely disciplinary or punitive in nature, for the educational opportunities offered in the various buildings will continue to direct students away from drugs and alcohol and toward a healthy, safe, and substance-free life.  It is the right of every parent/guardian to expect that each student is receiving the best education that can be provided by Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools.

DRUG TESTING PROGRAMS

     All courses, programs, and activities are an integral part of the school system.  The value for a student’s personal development must be given a high priority for the community that wants to have a total school program.  The opportunity for participation in any program, including athletics, is not an absolute right.  Participation is a privilege offered to students and necessitates that students meet high standards.  Driving to school is also a privilege granted to students under conditions that include operating a vehicle in a safe and legal manner.

     GJCS encourages all students who hold a valid driver’s license to drive on school grounds and to participate in activities and programs, but also believes that these opportunities are not an absolute right.  Privileges are offered to students who meet both the scholastic and physical conditions of eligibility.

     A condition for participation in privileged activities in GJCS shall be an agreement by the student to submit to probable cause and/or random testing for the use of drugs—natural and/or synthetic—and alcohol.  Probable cause (reasonable suspicion) drug testing will apply to all students enrolled in GJCS Schools.  The random drug testing program will be applied to students, male and female, who choose to participate in non-credit, extra-curricular activities, and/or who drive to, from, or during school hours while a student in any of the GJCS Schools that has declared that the school will participate in the corporation’s random drug-testing program approved by the GJCS Board of Education.

     Statistics on testing and results, which do not include specific student identification, shall be compiled at the end of each school ear and made available to the Central Office administration and the Board of Education, who may authorize the release of the data upon discretion of the Board of Education.

REASONABLE SUSPICION DRUG TESTING

Administrators of the GJCS are authorized by the GJCS Board of Education to require any GJCS student to submit to a chemical test of the student’s breath, saliva, or urine if the administration has “reasonable suspicion” that the student is using or is under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or any other prohibited substance while:

A.            on school grounds;

B.            off school grounds at a school activity, function, event, or any other school sponsored event;

C.            when traveling to or from school by bus or other corporation vehicles.

Reasonable Suspicion may arise from the following actions:

A.            A student’s behavior, in conjunction with physical appearance, actions, and/or odor, indicating the possibility that the student has used or is in possession of alcohol, marijuana, or any other behavior altering substance.

B.            The student possesses drug paraphernalia, alcohol, marijuana, or any controlled substance.

C.            Information communicated to an administrator by a teacher, parent, law enforcement personnel, other adult, or a student indicating a student is using, possessing, or under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or any other prohibited substance.  Any such report will be investigated by the school’s administration and will be substantiated by other physical indicator or physical appearance, if deemed necessary.  All staff will receive in-service training in the recognition of the signs of usage.

     An administrator and/or health services personnel trained to administer drug tests may conduct a test of a student’s breath, saliva, or urine.  The cost of one (1) school-initiated test will be paid for by the school corporation and utilized in purposes for school discipline.  After reasonable suspicion has been established by the administration, a student’s refusal to submit to drug testing may result in administration’s proceeding as if the test were positive.  If a parent or guardian refuses to allow any drug testing to be administered to his/her student, disciplinary action may be taken as if the test were positive.

     Drug testing results shall be considered confidential by the GJCS.  Results may be discussed with the school’s guidance counselor or other school employees if deemed necessary by the administration in order to provide assistance to the student and/or for the safety of other students.

     Any student who attempts to alter a drug test may be further disciplined by the administration.  The student who possesses the drug test and/or who attempts to alter the results will be treated as if the test was a positive test. 

 

RANDOM DRUG TESTING

     The primary purpose of random drug testing is not intended to be disciplinary or punitive in nature, but rather is intended as an aid in discouraging or disclosing possible substance abuse problems.  It is also an extension of the educational program in regards to substance abuse.  It is our goal to help students make wise choices through education, through intervention, and through directing students away from unhealthy decisions.  The implementation of a drug-testing program will not affect the policies, practices, or rights of the GJCS in dealing with drug and alcohol use where reasonable suspicion is obtained by means other than the random sampling provided within the program.

     Each student in a GJCS building that is participating in the drug-testing program who intends to drive a vehicle on school property and/or participate in an extra-curricular activity—club, sport, or activity—will need to complete a consent form complete with the parent/guardian signature BEFORE being allowed to participate in the activity in any way, including practice.  This consent form will acknowledge participation in the random drug-testing program.  Students who fail to take care of this responsibility become automatically ineligible for the activity.  Students who are not mandated into the program may still participate in the drug-testing program if the parent/guardian so desires through the completion of the consent form, which will be made available in the principal’s office.  Failure to comply at any time with the rules and regulations of the random drug-testing program may result in exclusion from and/or the revocation of parking permit privileges and/or participation in extra-curricular activities.  Definitions:

Club:      a club is defined as any school sponsored group that meets in a non-curricular fashion either inside or outside the regular school day.  A complete list of extra-curricular clubs will be kept on file in the principal’s office for reference to this policy.  Examples of this category include, but are not limited to student council, Key Club, Foreign Language Clubs, and SOFA (art) Club.

Athletics:  an IHSAA officially recognized athletic team or group, including cheerleading and dance team, which represents the GJCS outside of the regular school curriculum.

Activities:  activities are defined as groups of students or individual student activities where GJCS are represented outside of the regular 8AM-3PM school day.  Examples of this category would be band, choir, academic teams, and drama productions.  Grades that are assigned for co-curricular participation would have to be based on classroom performance, not performance outside the school day for any individual who would be in violation the Substance Abuse policy.

COLLECTION PROCEDURES

     The selection of students to be tested will be done randomly by the toxicology service working with the school’s drug and alcohol testing program.  Each student will be assigned a number.  One (1) cross-referenced list of names and numbers will be maintained by the building principal, and will be accessible only to the principal.  A verified system of random selection will be employed to determine which students will be selected at a particular time.  IF the toxicology service does not utilize a random selection company, the building principal will utilize www.randomizer.org to select random numbers.

     GJCS will pay for drug and alcohol testing completed on the school’s dates that are established for random program testing, but is not liable for the costs of drug or alcohol testing/retesting, treatment, evaluation, or follow-up testing at any other time.  GJCS reserve the right to test for alcohol with a breath test at any time before, during, and/or immediately afterward a school-sponsored activity, athletic event, or program rather than or in addition to urine or saliva testing.

     Upon being selected for testing, a student will be required to provide a sample of his/her urine or saliva in a verifiable manner.   Purses, handbags, knapsacks, coats, sweaters, boxers, etc. will not be allowed in the collection area.  The temperature of the specimen will be checked and if abnormal a repeat specimen must be obtained at that time.  A saliva specimen will be collected in front of the school employee.   If a student cannot provide a specimen, he/she will be observed and isolated from other students until a specimen is obtained.  If the collection specimen is diluted, or if the collector has doubts as to the legitimacy of the specimen for any reason, another specimen must be obtained in an acceptable manner before the student will be allowed to participate in any activity or drive on school property.

     Any student who attempts to alter a breath test or collection specimen will be treated as though he/she has produced a positive drug test.  This includes discipline under the reasonable suspicion policy.

     The student’s drug testing number and the date shall be written by the student on the sample bottle chosen by the student.  The student and the collector shall initial the cross-reference list in order to establish that the container has the proper identification written on it.  The collector shall be responsible for turning the sample over to the testing laboratory, using the laboratory’s chain of custody procedure.

 

     Each sample will be tested for alcohol and street drugs (which may include any and all drugs listed as controlled substances under the laws of the State of Indiana.)  This will include synthetic drugs as well.  The district reserves the right to test for performance enhancing drugs such as steroids or for nicotine if deemed admissible by the administration.

     A student who is taking a prescribed medication shall inform the collector at the time of collection of this fact.  This information may require confirmation from the parent and/or a physician if requested by the administration.

     On the day of the collection, a parent/guardian will be sent a notification via US Mail that his/her son or daughter has been drawn into the random selection process and has completed a test.  The laboratory shall report the results of all testing, identified by student number, in writing to the building principal.  The students who return negative tests will be sent a letter via US Mail stating as such.  A student who returns a positive test will be notified with his/her parent/guardian in person via a conference with the principal.  A student who returns a positive test will be suspended from all activities, including practices, meetings, and/or driving (if applicable), until further notified by the principal.  At this conference, the principal will work with school support staff to work through an assessment with the student.

NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTIONS

     A needs assessment will be performed to develop a rehabilitative plan for any student producing a positive drug test.  Needs assessment participants will include at a minimum:  building administration, a school support staff member, student, and parent/guardian.  All costs for any rehabilitation outside of the school district will be incurred by the parents/guardians.  This includes any and all retests that a student will have to take and pass to be readmitted into the activity.  These costs include but are not limited to counseling services, psychiatric services and/or admission to a hospital program.  If requested, the guidance department may make information available to the student and parents/guardian about programs and services available in and around our area.

     In the case of athletics, the athletic administrator may notify the head coach if given approval by the building principal.  Similarly, sponsors of extracurricular activities and clubs may be notified at the discretion of the principal, but only when appropriate to secure the safety of other students or faculty members.  The fact of testing and the results should be made known to any other school official or employee only on a need to know basis.

     A student who tests positive on a drug screen will be suspended from his/her activity or from driving on school property for a minimum of three weeks (21 calendar days).  A student may not apply for reinstatement to the principal until he/she can produce a negative test, which will be taken at the student’s expense.  Application may be made with the principal three days prior to the 21^st day of the suspension period.  Once submitted complete with a negative drug test and a letter of entrance, the principal has three calendar days to issue the reinstatement of privilege of participation.  The reinstatement may not take place without the production of the negative test results.  The reinstatement must be produced in writing by the building principal to the student and the student’s parent/guardian.

**If a student has a second drug violation, resulting from either a failed follow-up random drug screen or a reasonable suspicion test, privileges may be restricted by the administration as outlined in any additional rules and regulations established by the Greater Jasper Schools, including rules established by the coach of a particular sport which have been approved by the athletic director.   During any period of ineligibility, the student will be required to continue participating in the random testing program as well as to participate in assigned student assistance programs as determined through the needs assessment session in order to determine the student’s ability to maintain a substance-free lifestyle.  The random drug-testing program does not override school discipline policy.

REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO A DRUG TEST

A student’s refusal to submit to random drug testing will constitute as a positive drug test.

1^st Offense:

A student’s refusal to submit to random drug test on a random drug-testing selection day will result in the administration’s taking appropriate disciplinary action as if the test were positive.  If a parent or guardian refuses to allow the random test to be administered on a testing day, disciplinary action will be taken as if the test were positive.

Participation may resume no earlier than 21 calendar days after the refusal to participate in the random drug-testing program, and then only after these two requirements are met:  a) the student provides written confirmation of a negative drug test completed by an officially licensed laboratory, and b) the parent/guardian request to the principal in writing that the student be allowed a participant in the GJCS random drug-testing program.

 

The request for reinstatement may not be submitted to the administration prior to 21 days following the refusal to submit.  The student’s request will be reviewed by the principal within three (3) days from submission.  If approved, another random drug test may be conducted during the next random drug-testing selected day.  If at that time, the student produces a negative drug test, he/she may resume participation in privileged activities.

2^nd Offense:

A student who refuses a second random drug and alcohol test on a day his/her participation is required, will be prohibited from participating in privileged activities for one (1) year from the date of the second refusal.    Reinstatement will require submission of written consent to participate in the program following the suspension.

3^rd Offense:

If a student has a third drug refusal, the student will be prohibited (career ban) from participating in all privileged activities for the remainder of his/her tenure in GJCS.  After two (2) calendar years of drug free activity, the student may request a review of his/her case by a committee composed of all building administrators, the student’s guidance counselor, and the school nurse.  A decision by the committee to reinstate must be unanimous.  Students who are reinstated may be required by the building administrator to submit to testing for drugs and alcohol on a regular basis, at the student/parent/guardian’s expense.  If at any time a subsequent positive test results, the student will be banned from all privileged activities for the remainder of their school career without any right of appeal.

Additional Random Drug Test Offenses:

2^nd Offense:

A student who produces a second random drug and alcohol test on a day his/her participation is required, will be prohibited from participating in privileged activities for one (1) year from the date of the second negative test.    Reinstatement will require submission of written consent to participate in the program following the suspension.

3^rd Offense:

If a student has a third drug offense, the student will be prohibited (career ban) from participating in all privileged activities for the remainder of his/her tenure in GJCS.  After two (2) calendar years of drug free activity, the student may request a review of his/her case by a committee composed of all building administrators, the student’s guidance counselor, and the school nurse.  A decision by the committee to reinstate must be unanimous.  Students who are reinstated may be required by the building administrator to submit to testing for drugs and alcohol on a regular basis, at the student/parent/guardian’s expense.  If at any time a subsequent positive test results, the student will be banned from all privileged activities for the remainder of their school career without any right of appeal.

**A student may be considered to violate the GJCS drug-testing program outside of school by being arrested for involvement with illegal substances or by having police reports filed indicating the student was/has been/is involved with illegal substances.  In such instances, privileges will be revoked.  The student will be tested on the next random drug test date to establish baseline levels.  If the student tests negative, he/she will be considered to have a clean drug test and may resume extra-curricular activities and/or drive on school grounds upon the completion of the twenty-one-day suspension.  However, if the student tests positive, she/he will still be considered to have one (1) prior violation and will be subject to the drug testing program’s guidelines and procedures.

SELF REPORT OPTION

In regards to the random drug-testing program, a student may choose to self-report PRIOR to being tested at the testing site.  The principal shall ask the student prior to being led if he/she would like to exercise that option.  Should a self-reporting take place, the student may return to the activity upon the following:  a) all qualifications of a positive test above, but the opportunity to return to the activity after fourteen (14) days, provided a negative test be produced upon the application for reinstatement.

IC 20-26-3

IC 20-26-5-4

IC 20-30-15-6

Linke vs. Northwestern School Corporation (763 N.E. 2^nd 972)