INTRODUCTION
Welcome to
The Agenda is the
1. Students’ primary
organiza- tional tool for assignments,
responsibilities, and activities,
2. Communication of
student progress and behavior between home and school, and
3. Student hall passes.
Students will be required to bring their agenda to each class every
day. The agenda serves as a hall pass
and without it students will not be allowed to leave class. If an agenda is lost, it must be replaced.
Staff will often refer to the rules and regulations, procedures and calendar sections of the Agenda. The staff hopes that students have an enjoyable year at the Middle School while continuing their learning and making new friends. While at the Middle School, we will expect students to work hard and follow the rules we have set forth in this handbook. We are very proud of how well our students do both academically and behaviorally.
Please read this handbook
carefully. It contains information that both parents and students will find
helpful in making this year a success. If you have any questions or concerns,
ask any
We want to challenge students to unlock the doors to an exciting and stimulating school year. We encourage them to make a commitment to become actively involved in both their studies and other activities offered to middle school students.
SCHOOL HOURS
The Commons will open at 6:30
a.m. for students who need to arrive early. Teachers begin supervising students
at 7:05 a.m. in the Commons. Students will be allowed to go to lockers and/or
classrooms at 7:15 a.m. Classes begin at
7:30 a.m. and end at 2:40 p.m. Unless
students are involved in after school activities/ athletics, students will be
expected to leave the building by 3:00 p.m. Students are allowed to remain
after 3:00 p.m. if they are working with a staff member.
REPORTING STUDENT PROGRESS
REPORT CARDS
GRADE CHECKS
Grade reports will be e-mailed to parents after the fourth and the sixth week of each quarter. E-mail addresses should be communicated to the school during student registration. Parents needing alternate means of communicating grades should contact their child’s homeroom teacher. In addition, if parents wish to have weekly grade checks, they should contact their child’s homeroom teacher.
CSAP
The purpose of the Colorado
Student Assessment Program (CSAP) is to provide a picture of student
performance on state academic content standards for educators, policymakers and
the public, and also to provide a context for improving education. CSAP
evaluates how well schools and students meet
STUDENT RECOGNITION
HONOR ROLL
The Principal’s Honor Roll recognizes all students earning a 4.0 GPA for the semester. In addition, the Teachers’ Honor Roll recognizes student earning a 3.5-3.9 GPA for the semester. Honor rolls will be published in the school’s newsletter and students will receive a certificate for their accomplishment.
RENAISSANCE PROGRAM
The Renaissance program recognizes students achieving academic excellence or those working to improve academically. Students earning a 3.75 – 4.0 GPA for the semester receive a Gold Card. Those with a 3.0 – 3.74 GPA for the semester receive a Green Card. Any student improving their GPA by 0.5 or more receives a White Card. The school distributes cards in September and February for the previous semester. Students who earn any card receive discounts at local businesses.
POSITIVE RECOGNITION
Students receive recognition for
academic achievement and positive behavior by the staff at
BONUS BUCKS
Students earn Bonus Bucks from staff members for any good deed or achievement. The student may then spend the buck(s) in the student store.
ATTENDANCE
POLICY
By law, students must attend
classes 1056 hours per school year. Excessive absences will be monitored.
According to school board policy, the school can require doctor’s excuses for
excessive absences. Legal action may be
initiated if a student is absent four days in one month or ten days in a school
year.
Please note that tardies count against perfect attendance. In order for
appointments made during the school day not to count against a student’s
perfect attendance, we must have a note from the doctor/dentist indicating the
time of the appointment.
Absences or tardies affect both individual student progress and instruction of the class as a whole. Excessive absences will require a conference between parent, student, administration and teacher to develop an attendance plan.
PROCEDURES
Parents need to call 686-2200 before 8:00 a.m. the morning of a student’s absence. The school’s answering machine will take calls when the school office is not open. Parents may also send a note with their child when he/she returns.
If a student is tardy to class first thing in the morning, he/she must report to the Attendance Office for an admittance slip.
A student may be excused from
school early by bringing a note from his/her parent stating the authorized time
to leave a class. A student must report to the Attendance Office before school to receive an early
dismissal slip. At the time of dismissal, the student must meet their parent(s)
in the Main Office to be signed out. Upon his/her return to school, the student
must sign back into school in the office. Otherwise, once a student is on
school grounds, he/she is not to leave for any reason without permission from
the office.
ADVANCE NOTICE OF ABSENCE
If you know your child will be absent in advance, please call the Attendance Secretary at least 3 days prior to the absence for a pre-excused absence form. Work assigned prior to leaving will be due upon return. If the student is failing classes, he/she will be required to attend Saturday Tutoring.
MAKEUP WORK
When a student returns from an absence, he/she is required to see the Attendance Secretary for an Admit-Make-Up Work form. The student will be required to see all of his/her teachers the day of return and fill out the form. The make-up work will be due the next day that the class meets. This applies to both blocked and unblocked classes. If a student misses more than 2 days, teachers will assign due dates for missed work. In the case of long-term assignments assigned prior to a student’s absences, the due date will not change.
STORM INFORMATION
Weather conditions in the
If a storm arrives while school is in session, the district makes every attempt to maintain the regular school schedule. However, if an early release is announced, the school will attempt to call each parent and make the necessary arrangements. Parents are always at liberty to pick up their child early if they feel that conditions are unsafe. This qualifies as an excused absence. For more information, refer to the registration materials.
STUDENT CONDUCT
APPEARANCE
While we appreciate that clothing is a form of self-expression, please
refrain from wearing any clothing that shows disrespect towards others or is
distracting to the educational learning process.
Below are listed some, but not all, examples of inappropriate dress for school:
Tank top shirts Halter tops
Cut-off shorts Crop tops
Cut-off sweats Short skirts
Spaghetti straps Midriff tops
Flip flops Sagging pants
Unbuttoned shirts
See-through shirts/tops
Long hanging belts
Shredded or ripped clothing
Lounge/pajama bottoms
Bedroom slippers
Pants with a slogan written across
the buttocks
Shirts with inappropriate wording
and/or pictures
Hats/Caps/Sunglasses/Coats in
the building
In general: undergarments must be covered, shoes must be worn at all times, tops must cover the student’s entire torso, and skirts must be mid-thigh length or longer. Staff members have the discretion to determine if clothing is appropriate.
If a student wears inappropriate clothing to school, parents will be called to bring a change of clothing or alternate clothing will be provided by the office. If a student refuses to follow directions or becomes defiant, ISS/OSS can occur.
STUDENT BEHAVIOR AND EXPECTATIONS
To insure maximum educational benefits for all students, students have the responsibility to follow these general school rules.
1. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS OF ALL STAFF MEMBERS.
2. Treat adults and fellow students with respect, valuing the uniqueness and worth of each individual regardless of color, gender, or cultural background.
Harassment or threats against
others will not be tolerated.
3. Behave in a manner that allows
all students to learn.
4. Show respect for the property of every student and the school.
5. Avoid situations that endanger
oneself or other. No
weapons
of any kind (which includes
knives of any size) are allowed
on school grounds.
6. Be in control of all emotions and actions. Violence, fighting, obscenities, and vulgarities are detrimental to the rights, health, safety or welfare of others and are prohibited.
7. Physical displays of affection must be respectful and appropriate.
8. Walk through the halls. Running, pushing, or shoving may result in someone getting hurt.
9. Use the agenda. It serves as a pass to/from class and as a daily organizer.
10. Pay phones are available for use before and after school. If students need to contact parents during the school day, they must talk with a teacher or counselor.
Violation of school rules can lead to consequences such as detention, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, or expulsion.
DISCIPLINE CODE
INTRODUCTION
Discipline is essential to a safe environment conducive to learning. The following policies, procedures, and expectations are designed to make all students aware of the consequences for their behavior. To achieve this goal, students, parents, teachers, counselors and administrators must work together. Parents with concerns or questions should contact the school office at 686-2200.
LEVELS OF DISCIPLINE
Level I: Classroom Interventions
Most problems can be solved within the classroom. The best discipline occurs between the student and the teacher. Parents are partners with the school and must be made aware of the problems in need of resolution. Teachers will take the following prioritized actions when a student misbehaves (except in the case of severe behavior):
1) Discuss the problem with the student to review appropriate classroom behavior.
2) Teachers may write-up the Incident and assign a Staff Member Discipline such as timeout, detention, community service or conference with parents. Parents will receive notice of the Incident and the action taken.
3) On the 4th Incident, the student will be referred to the office for a Level II offense. At this time, the student will receive an In-School Suspension and a behavior contract may be written.
4) If inappropriate behavior continues, the student may move to a Remedial Discipline Plan which includes Out-Of-School Suspensions and the possibility of expulsion (Level III – IV).
Remedial Discipline Plan means a written plan developed with input from the student, his/her parents, and appropriate school staff, which is designed to provide the structure, support and specific details needed to improve and/or correct the student’s inappropriate/disruptive behavior. Following two out-of-school suspensions, a remedial discipline plan will be written. Once in place, the next suspension will be 5 – 10 days out-of-school. The fourth offense will result in 10 days of out-of-school suspension, with a recommendation for expulsion for habitually disruptive behavior. The superintendent determines the duration of an expulsion, with a maximum time of one full calendar year.
A remedial discipline plan shall include, but is not limited to, the following elements: A description of the problem behavior, a listing of previous interventions, a description of the desired behavior, responsibilities of the involved parties, and signatures of the participants.
Level II, III, IV:
Administrative Interventions
Level II infractions are behaviors that must be addressed by the administration and for which suspension shall be optional and further disciplinary action shall be at the administrator’s discretion. Level II infractions include:
· Abusive or vulgar language/gestures towards others
· Continued Level I infractions
· Disrespect toward a guest teacher
· Failure to complete a disciplinary assignment
· Fighting
· Harassment/Threatening others
· Intimidation/Bullying
· Possession of a knife (under 3”) or other potential weapon
· Possession of fireworks, smoke bombs, etc.
· Possession or distribution of defamatory materials
· School bus misconduct
· Theft
· Unauthorized leaving of campus
· Unexcused absence or truancy
· Unsafe conduct
· Vandalism
Level III infractions are behaviors that must be addressed by the administration and for which suspension shall be mandatory and further disciplinary action shall be at the administrator’s discretion. Level III infractions include:
· Any similar or related conduct to one of the following:
o Continued, willful disobedience
o Willful destruction/behavior to others
· Carrying, bringing, using, or possessing any weapon off school property
· Continued/Flagrant Level II infractions
· Damage to personal/school property
· Possession/use of tobacco, alcohol, or controlled substance on school property
o Note:
· Sexual/racial harassment
· Third degree assault
· An act prohibited by federal, state or local law
○ Note: Law enforcement officers may become involved.
Level IV infractions are behaviors that must be addressed by the administration and for which a 5 – 10 day suspension from school shall be mandatory and further disciplinary action, including recommendation for expulsion, shall be mandatory. Level IV infractions include:
· An act that would be robbery or assault (felony)
· Habitually disruptive student
· Distribution/sale of any drug, alcohol, or controlled substance
· Carrying, bringing, using or possessing a deadly weapon or facsimile
· Second offense for possession or usage of drugs, alcohol, or controlled substance
SCHOOL GUIDELINES
SUGAR-SMART ENVIRONMENT
Because we are increasingly aware of the negative impact of sugar on behavior, learning, and overall health, the only beverages and snacks sold during school hours will be sugar-smart. Please help us by NOT sending soda or candy to school with your child. When sending food and beverages for classroom parties, please select sugar-smart items.
LOCKERS
Lockers are to be kept neat and clean (inside and out). Remember, they are the property of the school and subject to inspection at any time.
The school is not responsible for stolen items. Sharing locker combinations, switching lockers, vandalism or abuse of lockers may result in loss of locker privileges and/or fines.
PERSONAL PROPERTY
Bringing personal property to school is a risk and we strongly advise against it. Personal property that is disruptive to the learning process (e.g. Gameboys, CD players, laser pointers, etc.) may be confiscated by staff or administrators.
SKATEBOARDS, SCOOTERS, ROLLER BLADES, BICYCLES
Skateboards, scooters, roller blades, and bicycles are not allowed to be ridden on campus any day of the week. However, to accommodate students who ride to/from school, the following rules have been established:
1) The school has no responsibility if theft or damage occurs to any skateboards, roller blades, scooters or bicycles.
2) Bicycles should be locked and left in the bicycle racks during the school day.
3) Students who bring skateboards, roller blades, or scooters to school MUST abide by the following rules:
a. Items must be stored in student lockers.
b. Items must remain in the locker during the school day.
4) If skateboards, roller blades scooters, or bicycles become a safety issue, they will not be permitted at school.
VISITORS
Students are not permitted to bring guests to school or school dances. Any
person who is not a student of
SCHOOL ACTIVITES
Students are encouraged to become
involved in activities offered at
STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
In order for a student to be
eligible to participate in an afternoon or evening activity, he/she must have been in attendance at
school at least four hours on the day of the activity and have an excused
absence for the periods missed. This
includes all contests, sports, dances, and parties. All dances are restricted
to only those students who are enrolled at
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ELIGIBILITY
Behavior: Appropriate
behavior is expected from all students involved in athletics/activities at
OR
Academic: A student who is failing two or more classes on a weekly basis will not be eligible to participate in any extra-curricular activity that week. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the student to seek extra help and take necessary steps to become eligible again. Coaches/Sponsors may set higher academic standards.
REWARD DAYS/FIELD TRIPS
Students are required to be passing all classes and meet behavior expectations to be eligible for reward days and field trips.
8th GRADE RECOGNITION
The Eighth Grade Recognition Ceremony and Dance is an annual event which takes place on the evening of the last day of school for eighth graders. Its purpose is to recognize those students who have demonstrated proficiency in all eighth grade classes and honor their acceptance into high school. Students who do not pass all classes during the second semester do not qualify to participate in the recognition ceremony, and therefore, are not eligible to attend the dance.
Please note that students must be in attendance at least four hours
throughout the day during the last day of school in order to participate in the
ceremony that evening.
MEDIA CENTER RULES
1) Students must
bring a signed agenda to the
2) Students must follow the rules posted in the library.
3) Students will use their student ID number to check-out books.
4) Students are financially responsible for lost or damaged books.
5) A five cent per day fine will be charged for all overdue books. Overdue magazines and overnight materials cost thirty cents a day. Students have the option to work in the library to pay off fines.
6) Photocopies of library materials are available for ten cents a page. Copyright laws must be followed.
7) A student’s overdue fines should be cleared by the end of the school year or library privileges will be suspended the following year until the record is cleared.
COMPUTER/INTERNET ACCESS
Students and parents must sign the Acceptable Use Agreement in order for students to have access to the internet. Inappropriate use of computers or internet will be dealt with according to district policy.
COUNSELING SERVICES
Counseling services are available to all students. Many problems concerning both school and one’s personal life can be helped by counseling with a competent person. Students are encouraged to seek assistance from teachers, school counselors, and administrators when these problems arise. Appointments can be made in the counseling office, the main office or through a teacher.
NOTES FOR
PARENTS
CARING ACTIVE PARENTS (CAP)
The
STUDENT DROP-OFF AREA
For the safety of our students, please respect the following drop-off/pick-up guidelines:
· When entering the area in front of the school, stay in a single right-hand lane and drive as far forward as possible before letting your child out of the car.
· Please drive slowly and carefully, watching for students who might be crossing the parking lot.
· Do not double-park for drop-off or pick-up. This creates hazards for parents trying to exit the area.
· Students should only be dropped off on the sidewalk in front of the building.
MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL
It is recommended that every effort be taken to give children medication at home. While we discourage giving medication at school, we understand that it may be necessary. If it becomes necessary for a student to take any form of medication at school, these Colorado State Law guidelines must be followed:
1. A separate written order from your physician
to the school stating the medication, dosage and times.
2. Medication properly identified and in its
original pharmacy labeled container.
3. Written permission by the parents giving the
school district direct authorization to assist with medication.
This applies to prescriptions as well as over-the-counter mediation.