Middle School Handbook

The Agenda … If students lose, damage, or deface their Agendas, they must buy the next one at a cost of $5.00. The Agenda is to be treated the same as any textbook—it is school property.

Before School Students may go to their lockers and then must immediately go to the multi-purpose room unless they have a prearranged meeting with a teacher. Students may not be in the hallways before school starts except to go to their locker. Students are to be in their rooms when the bell rings at 8:20 A.M. Students who have been absent from school must get a make-up slip from the middle school office before they can be admitted into class.

Tardies  Students who are tardy to school without an excuse will be “swept.”  When the bell rings to start class, teachers will close and lock their doors to their classrooms.  Students will earn a “0” for the time missed.

The 3 rd time a student is swept in a day results in an in school suspension (ISS) the next day. The next time a student earns 3 sweeps in a day they get 2 days OSS etc. If a student is swept 3 times to the same class in a week that will result in a day of ISS. If a student gets swept from a class and a test, lab or major project was missed the student must make it up THAT SAME DAY AFTER SCHOOL with a 5% reduction in their grade.

Leaving School … Students must check out in the office and check back in before returning to class. The student will be given a “Permit to Leave the Building Pass” or a “Make-up Slip.” The student is required to show either pass or make-up slip to each teacher whose class they will miss.

New Behavior Policy The following acts will result in: teacher/student conference parent/teacher conference teacher referral, principal/parent/teacher conference removal from class detention ISS and/or suspension

Discipline Procedures 1 ST Offense: Teacher will contact the student’s parent/guardian. Student will schedule a time to meet with the teacher before or after school to discuss the problem and find possible solutions to correct the problem behavior. 2 nd Offense: Teacher will contact the student’s parent/guardian and schedule a conference to meet and discuss the problem and possible solutions. The principal may mediate the meeting. Additional consequences may be administered which include but are not limited to afterschool detention.

3 rd Offense: Teacher will write a referral and give to the principal and student will be removed from the classroom. Principal will contact the student’s parent/guardian and schedule a conference to meet to discuss the problem, possible solutions and assign consequences which may include but is not limited to afterschool detention and/or ISS. 4 th Offense: 1 to 3-days ISS. Principal will contact the student’s parent/guardian.

5 th Offense: 1 to 5-days out-of-school suspension. Parent/guardian and student will meet with the principal before the student is allowed back in school. Future Offenses: 5 to 10 days out-of-school suspension. Parent/guardian and student will meet with the principal before the student is allowed back in school. Long-term suspension will be discussed.

The following acts are illegal and will result in suspension up to ten days and possible expulsion:

Weapons Illegal drugs – possession or use or distribution of, including drug paraphernalia Prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs – abuse, or distribution, or ingestion Alcohol or tobacco products -- possession or use of either Explosives – this is to include fireworks, ammunition, matches, lighters, etc

Pornographic materials – possession, or distribution of Huffing Verbal abuse of or disrespect towards school personnel including profanity and vulgarity Physical assault Theft of school or personal property Vandalism, defacing, damaging or destroying school or personal property

Threats towards staff or assaulting staff Truancy – this includes skipping school or leaving school without permission. Any disruptive act by a student as to prevent the teacher or any student from performing their duty – South Dakota Codified Law

Physical Assault Any time another student physically assaults or strikes another student he/she will: First offense: be suspended outside of school for ten (10) days. Second offense: be expelled from school for the remainder of the school year. The student who was physically assaulted will receive 1-5 days of suspension outside of school if evidence shows the student enticed the student or fought accompanied by his/her guardian.

Dress Code Short shorts, halter tops, spaghetti strap tops, strapless tops, midriff tops and half shirts are not permissible attire for school. Student attire that reveals breasts, buttocks, belly buttons, bra straps or underwear is not acceptable. Clothing which promotes inappropriate products or activities is not permitted. Any clothing that displays abusive language, profanity, gang symbols or illegal organizations or substances is prohibited.

Jewelry that may be deemed a weapon is not allowed. This includes, but is not limited to chain- like adornments, spiked necklaces or belts. No hats or headgear. Hooded sweatshirts are allowed but the hoods may not be worn on the head. Students violating the dress code will be sent to the office to call parent/guardian, and change clothing. On the third offense the student will be sent to ISS.

Personal Items Students are not to bring electronic devices of any kind. They are not to be kept in the student’s locker. Must be turned into the office Parents will be required to pick them up from the office.

Prohibited Items … Sunflower seeds Candy Permanent markers Glue–other than white glue or sticks Correction fluid Any beverage container Perfume, Cologne, Aftershave Fingernail polish and remover Any aerosol can Rubber bands Electronic devices Cell phones

Gum Trial period the first two weeks. Gum must be disposed of properly.

Student Eligibility Students must be passing with a D- or above to be eligible to participate in extra-curricular activities. A student failing will be placed on the eligibility list for two weeks. The period of ineligibility will start on the Monday following the day the list was posted and extend to the next eligibility check. Students that are ineligible may still practice but may not participate in any events.

Grades Classroom Grading Scale A77-75 C A C B D B68-67 D B D C+Below 65 F

Lockers … Lockers are the property of the school, provided for student use for school purposes. The locker is not the students’ private property and may be opened by school authorities at any time. Lockers will be checked and inspected periodically during the school year by the principal and/or staff members.

Students must keep their lockers locked at all times. Do not under any circumstances reveal your combination to anyone else. Students may not use lockers that are not assigned to them. Students may go to their lockers before school in the morning, before and after lunchtime, after period 5, and at the end of the school day.

Exceptions are to get/or return extra clothing for P.E. or band instruments. Outside of those instances, no student should be at his/her locker or in the hall without a signed Agenda. Do not keep valuable items in your locker.

Summer School Middle school students are required to attend summer school for three weeks or forty-five hours per session if they have failed one semester of math, language arts or reading. If a student fails both semesters of math, language arts or reading, that student will be required to attend six to eight weeks of summer school or a total of ninety hours over both sessions.

TELEPHONE CALLS AND MESSAGES Students may use the phone in case of emergencies from the middle school office only. Students will be notified that they have messages in the office in the afternoon announcements.