Student Expectations

Expectations for Student Behavior: S.P.I.R.I.T. 

The Richmond Middle School learning community takes the business of academic and personal growth seriously. For our community to thrive, every student and staff member strives to embody S.P.I.R.I.T, our school-wide values and expectations that outline how we act and guide our daily decisions: 

• S – Safety: Make choices that keep yourself and our community safe. 
• P – Perseverance: Keep trying even when it’s difficult. 
• I – Integrity: Do the right thing. 
• R – Respect: Show care for our community and our space. 
• I – Inclusion: Show others they belong. 
• T – Teamwork: Work together intentionally. 

 

Restorative Practices at RMS

Richmond Middle School students and staff deeply value community. We are committed to working through conflicts using a process that is fair and allows relationships to be repaired and strengthened. 

At its core, restorative practices is our framework for responding to behavior. It allows us to better understand what happened, who was impacted, and what can be done to repair harm and prevent future conflict. 

Students and staff engage with Restorative Practices daily through: 

• Restorative Language: Using constructive, problem-solving dialogue to address behavior in real-time. 
• Reflective Forms: Incorporating restorative questions on office referral forms to guide supportive discussions and meaningful outcomes. 
• Community Circles: Relationship-building circles held in homerooms and classrooms. 

Behavior Support & Discipline 

We hold high standards for behavior at RMS. When behavioral challenges arise, most are resolved through collaborative problem-solving between you and your teachers. However, students will be referred to the main office for serious, unsafe, or recurring issues. 

The following behaviors require an automatic office referral: 

• Fighting or causing physical harm to someone else 
• Unsafe, illegal, or severely disruptive behavior 
• Harassment, bullying, or discrimination 
• Persistent patterns of behavior that interfere with the learning of others 

When a student is referred to the office, both the student and the involved staff member will complete a behavioral reflection form. This ensures the student has a voice and can share their perspective. The associate principal will then facilitate a restorative discussion with the student and staff member to resolve the problem, repair any harm, and determine next steps. Families and caregivers will be notified promptly of serious or repetitive offenses. 

Dress Guidelines 

We expect that all students and staff will dress in a way that is appropriate for a school setting. Dress choices respect Richmond Middle School’s intent to guide students towards greater independence and empower students to examine the impact their actions have on themselves and others. Additionally, we support that individual self-expression is a natural and important part of human development. We believe that racial and cultural influences may inform a community member’s choice in clothing. Our dress code affirms our belief that appropriate attire is not gender specific. 

Non-Allowable Dress: 

• Clothing may not depict, advertise, or advocate the use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs/controlled substances. 
• Clothing may not depict pornography, nudity, violent or sexual acts. 
• Clothing may not use or depict hate speech targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or any other protected group. 
• Clothing must not threaten the health or safety of any other student or staff. 

Application of Dress Code Guidelines: 

If there is a question as to a student’s attire meeting the dress code, a staff member can say to the student, in a respectful and private setting, “I think that your attire is prohibited by our dress code”. The student will be expected to reconsider their attire. If a student disagrees with the enforcement of the dress code by a staff member, and/or does not alter their clothing to be in compliance, they will meet to discuss their dress with administration or guidance. 
 

Personal Communication Device Expectations 

To ensure a focused learning environment and adhere to New Hampshire state law and district policy (JICJ), we ask that all students follow these guidelines regarding personal electronic devices: 

• Cell phones and other personal devices should be turned off and stored away during the school day. We provide school-issued devices for all classwork, so personal devices are not needed for academic purposes. 
• All essential school communication, including assignments and announcements, will be conducted through official platforms like PowerSchool, Schoology or email. 
• Students with documented medical or learning needs may be granted an exception to these expectations. 

Consequences for violations of this policy will be: 

1. First Offense: Warning, Student use will be documented with the principal or associate principal's office. The communication device may be held for the remainder of the day. 

2. Second and Subsequent Offenses: The student will report to the principal or associate principal's office, and the communication device will be held for the remainder of the day. 

3. Any subsequent incidents: The administration will notify the parents or guardians of the incidents. The administration will also determine if the student will be suspended and/or referred to counseling or mental health personnel. 

SAU 70 Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and RMS Digital Citizenship Guidelines are available on the SAU website. 
 

School Bus Expectations for Behavior 

The district provides a bus service for students who live more than one and a half miles from school. Those who ride should appreciate the service. The bus driver has complete authority. Cases of improper conduct will be reported to the administration. Serious disciplinary problems may result in the suspension of riding privileges. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the parents of the student involved to see that they get to and from school safely and on time. 

Athletic Equipment & Cleats 

Sports equipment to be used after school must be stored in a homeroom or gym closet during the school day (outdoor racks will be available for skis). Cleats and ski boots may not be worn in the building. 

Bikes/Skateboards 

Students may ride to and from school but not on school property unless these items are needed in an elective. Skateboards and rollerblades should be kept in cubbies; bikes should be locked in the racks outside of school. We strongly encourage the use of helmets while riding. 

Cubbies 

Each student has a cubby in their homeroom for books, snacks, lunch, and other belongings. Students are expected to respect the privacy of cubbies belonging to others at all times. Our cubbies have neither doors nor locks. Students are responsible for cleaning out all food from cubbies on a daily basis. 

Money & Valuables 

We do everything we can to safeguard personal property, but the school cannot be responsible for lost items. Students should not bring valuables or large sums of money to school and should not leave valuables in their cubbies. 

Buying and selling of items from other students during the school day is not allowed. Food may be purchased in the cafe during breakfast, snack, and lunch - students should not sell food to each other. 

Lost and Found 

Personal belongings found around the school are placed in the Lost & Found Box in the auditorium lobby. Anything found should be brought to the office, and students should check the box soon after they lose something. Periodically, unclaimed items are donated to a local non-profit organization.