STUDENT HANDBOOK
2009 - 2010
OUR SCHOOL IS A PLACE TO LEARN AND GROW TO AND ENJOY BEING WITH TEACHERS AND FRIENDS. WE WILL HELP YOU TO DO YOUR VERY BEST!
SCHOOL SONG: May we never slack, for the red and the black. And may we ever live for you, with love and praise, we’ll e’re be true! With hearts firm and strong, we will join in the throng, and cheer for our sons and daughters, loyal to B.M.S. - B.M.S!
: Good attendance builds good work habits. Therefore, we ask your cooperation in seeing that your child is regular in attendance and on time. If your child will not be attending school due to illness, vacation, etc., or will be arriving late, please call the BMS office by 8:30 a.m. You may request homework for the days absent and the teachers will have them ready for you by 3:00 p.m. in the office. A note written by the parents/guardians is required for the student whose absence has not been previously excused. The students’ absence will remain unexcused until the school hears from the parent.
Teachers will enter on their computers a list of students absent from their class each period. If a student has not prearranged their absence they will be counted as unexcused until we hear from their guardian. An excused absence will allow students one day for each day of absence to make-up work unless the absence has been for a long period of time and caused by illness or injury. The building administrator will determine if there should be a longer period of time granted. An unexcused absence allows no make-up work and a zero is given for each period missed.
VOICE MAIL: Our telephone system has the capability of Voice Mail for the office, administrators, and staff. If you call after or before school hours you will hear the recording that will allow you to leave a message to the office or a teacher. During school hours you may leave a message for a teacher or administrator on their voice mail if you desire. Messages to students will be delivered during lunch and/or after school.
TARDINESS: School begins at 7:55. Students not present in class at that time are counted tardy or absent. They will go to the office to get a late slip – either excused or unexcused. Since most of the children are either bussed or brought to school by their parents, the adults often cause tardiness. Tardiness is generally disruptive to the rest of the class. Please don’t cause your child to get off on the wrong foot. Students who have an unexcused tardy to classes will be handled as follows:
1st Tardy - warning by teacher: 2nd Tardy – 15 minutes with teacher after school; 3rd Tardy – 30 minutes with teacher after school; 4th Tardy –Office detention.
: Even though it is recommended that medical appointments be made after school when possible, students may leave school during the day because of illness, doctor/dentist appointments or family emergencies. If you need to take your child out of school during school hours, you MUST check him/her out through the office. For the safety of each child, the parent must visit the office to sign the check out form. Students can sign themselves in, but a parent must sign them OUT. We will not release a student to anyone other than parent(s) or legal guardian(s) without written permission from the parent(s)/guardian(s). Students are not permitted to wait outside or walk home during the day.
LEAVING FOR LUNCH: Due to the fact that Burlington Middle School has a closed campus policy, a parent or guardian must sign out their own child when they take them out to lunch.
DROPPING OFF AND PICKING UP STUDENTS: We have had numerous incidents before and after school when students have come close to being hit by cars. Because of this we ask that you observe the following precautions:
As you drive anywhere around the school, please go slow and watch for children.
: As citizens of Burlington Middle School you are expected to be clean and well groomed.
DRESS CODE: A safe and disciplined learning environment is essential to a quality educational program. District wide standards on student attire are intended to help students concentrate on schoolwork, reduce discipline problems, and improve school order and safety. The Board recognizes that students have a right to express themselves through dress and personal appearance; however, students shall not wear apparel that is deemed disruptive or potentially disruptive to the classroom environment or to the maintenance of a safe and orderly school.
Any student deemed in violation of the dress code shall be required to change into appropriate clothing or make arrangements to have appropriate clothing brought to school immediately. In this case, there shall be no further penalty.
On the second offense, the student shall remain in the administrative office or be placed in in-school suspension for the day and do schoolwork and a conference with parents/guardians shall be held with the second offense considered unexcused.
On the third offense, the student may be subject to suspension or other disciplinary action as outlined in the school discipline code.
UNACCEPTABLE ITEMS:
The following items are deemed disruptive to the classroom environment or to the maintenance of a safe and orderly school and are not acceptable in school buildings, on school grounds, or at school activities:
Exceptions:
Appropriate athletic clothing may be worn in physical education classes. Clothing normally worn when participating in school-sponsored extra curricular or sports activities may be worn to school when approved by the sponsor or coach.
Building principals, in conjunction with the school accountability committee, may develop and adopt school-specific dress codes that are consistent with this policy.
HALL LOCKERS: Students will be assigned a locker during registration. Students should purchase one lock for their PE locker that has a serial number on the back for identification. Hall lockers have permanently installed locks for the students. Always keep your locker locked and never share the combination with anyone else. School officials may check lockers at any time.
Students are allowed to decorate the inside of their lockers with removable paper, etc. Remember the lockers are small so do the best you can and try not to overstuff them! If you abuse/tamper with your lock or locker the privilege of locker use may be suspended.
ASSEMBLIES: Assemblies are provided for educational value as well as entertainment for our students. Students should act politely. You are personally responsible for the impression made by our school to outside guests.
ACTIVITIES / ATHLETIC EVENTS: Students are encouraged to attend after-school activities and contests. Whether you are a participant or a spectator, please show that you are a good sport at all times!
Any student that is involved in extra-curricular activities (band, music trips, athletic events, academic events, etc.) and has homework or tests for the class period that they will miss, needs to make arrangements to get their assignments turned in or their tests taken before going on their trip.
School parties and dances are a good way to get to know your classmates better. Only students of BMS may attend. All school rules apply. Students are expected to stay in the building. You should plan to stay for the entire dance or party time. If you want to leave before the event is over, your parent must come into the building and pick you up and tell one of the chaperones that you are leaving. After you leave you may not return. Please remember that if you do something that is against the rules, the chaperone has the right to have your parents come to pick you up early.
BMS ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible to participate in any BMS sporting event or extracurricular activity you must have passing grades. If you have two F’s you will not be able to participate during the following week (Monday through Saturday). Ineligibility notices will be mailed to parents on Thursdays. You should check with your coach or teacher if you have any questions on your eligibility. A student/athlete may regain his/her eligibility with the beginning of a new quarter.
Go.edu – PARENTS-ON-LINE: Our computer system has the capability of a parents on-line account where parents/guardians are able to go on-line to check their students’ grades, assignments, attendance, and discipline. The accounts are set up through the middle school office.
MAKE UP WORK: It is your responsibility to make up any work you miss because of an absence or tardiness. On the day you come back you must check with each teacher about doing the assignment you missed.
Students with pre-arranged absences (school sponsored events) are required to get their work turned in before leaving. You have one day to make up the missed assignments for each day of school you are absent.
STUDENTS WITH MISSING DAILY ASSIGNMENTS: Students with missing daily assignments will spend their lunch/recess time in a remediation class to complete their missing daily assignments.
MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL: If you must take medications at school you have two choices: (1) Your parent may come to school and give the medication to you; (2) Your parent may get a medication form from the school and have your doctor indicate the drug, dose, and time to be given. Be sure the doctor signs the form. We also need a pharmacy-labeled bottle containing the medication and instructions on how it is to be given.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP YOUR CHILD’S EMERGENCY CARD INFORMATION CURRENT WITH THE OFFICE. Most injuries that occur at school require minimal assistance administered in the school office. In the event of more serious accidents, we will first attempt to reach the parents at home or work. If we are unable to reach you, we will call the emergency numbers you provide for your child.
DISCIPLINE: The teacher will handle Discipline in each classroom.
Students may receive up to 80% credit of work missed due to In School Suspension and Out of School Suspension.
Burlington School District RE-6J has developed and adopted a written Student Discipline Policy that B.M.S. students are expected to accept and follow. BMS has initiated a positive school wide discipline plan that all staff members will review with students at the beginning of the school year and expect all students to follow. Students are expected to follow the 4 R’s: Responsibility, Respect Others, Respect Self, and Respect Environment.
MINOR RULE VIOLATIONS
LEVEL ONE VIOLATIONS:
Minor rule violations: Running in the building, uncooperative behavior, rough play, littering, class disruption, non-directed profanity, put-downs, inappropriate display of affection, wearing hat in building, violation of dress code, gum chewing.
LEVEL ONE CONSEQUENCES – INCLUDES, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
Verbal correction, loss of privilege of recess, etc., clean-up duty – hallway, cafeteria, scraping gum, etc., time out, detention, parent notification, send to principal, send to
Another teachers’ room, conference with principal.
LEVEL TWO VIOLATIONS:
Serious Rule Violations: 3rd level one violation, cheating, verbal abuse, fighting – automatic suspension – 2 day, tardy – warning in conjunction with – unexcused absence, bullying,
Disrespect, insubordination – refer to page 4 of the handbook, stealing – automatic 2 day suspension, truancy – warning, repeated Conduct Referrals.
LEVEL TWO CONSEQUENCES – INCLUDES, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
Immediate verbal correction/in conjunction with, disciplinary notice, parent notification/
Conference, logical consequence – detention, In-School Suspension, Out of School
Suspension, 4th Conduct – 1 Day In-School-Suspension, Refer to page 4 of the Handbook
For insubordination consequences.
LEVEL THREE VIOLATIONS:
Critical Rule Violations: Repeated Level Two Violations, harassment, possession of a weapon,
Possession under influence of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal substance, assault/battery, vandalism, arson, terroristic threats – expulsion, no tolerance, extortion, theft, physical verbal abuse, offensive profanity, truancy.
LEVEL THREE CONSEQUENCES – INCLUDES, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
Behavioral contract, restitution, parental escort, suspension (In or Out), expulsion.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MOVE UP LEVELS IF APPROPRIATE.
If a student has accumulated a total of 3 Conduct Referrals from his/her teachers, the fourth referral will result in a one-day in-school suspension. Each subsequent Conduct Referral that is issued will add one more day of in-school suspension and parental conferences.
BMS LUNCH POLICIES: You may buy your lunch or bring a sack lunch to school. You may not go off school grounds during lunch unless YOUR parent picks you up and brings you back within the allotted lunchtime. You must have your parent check you out at the office before you leave the building and you must check back in at the office when you return.
FAST FOOD POLICY – Burlington Middle School has a closed campus and as a result a majority of our students depend on the school lunch program for their meals. We feel that allowing “Fast Foods” to be brought onto school grounds not only causes disruptions but also provides competition to the school lunch program. Therefore, we would appreciate your cooperation and support in not bringing “Fast Foods” to school during the day.
LUNCH PAYMENT – Hot lunches are available at BMS. CREDITS ARE PURCHASED IN THE OFFICE. You will be notified when your credits are used up. You will only be allowed to charge three lunches. After that you will need to bring a sack lunch. Please encourage your child to check on the credits he/she has and to keep up to date on your account. All parents will be provided an eligibility application for free and reduced lunches at registration. There will be NO charges allowed in May. Please feel free to join your child for lunch!
LUNCH ROOM – When it is time for your lunch, please line up by the south door of the kitchen. Please treat other people, as you would like to be treated in the line. You are asked to return all trays and silverware to the window on the north side of the kitchen. Please clean your eating area and throw your trash into the cans. You cannot take food items outside the lunchroom.
AFTER YOU EAT: Students will go outside on nice days or to the gym during bad weather.
WHEN YOU ARE OUTSIDE: Please follow these rules:
WHEN YOU ARE IN THE GYM – Please follow these rules:
BMS VISITORS: PARENTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME AT BMS! Please come visit classrooms or eat lunch with us! It is very important that we know who is in the building at all times so we ask you to always stop by the office and check in when you come to the building.
If you do visit classes during class time, please remember the teacher’s attention is on the instruction of students. It is not the best time to attempt to discuss your child’s progress or answer specific questions. Feel free to arrange these discussions before or after school.
Only students that are enrolled at BMS will be allowed to attend classes.
BMS PARENT VOLUNTEERS: We are very proud to have very supportive parents at BMS. There are many areas in which parent involvement is encouraged. At the beginning of year at registration we have a sign-up sheet, which includes many activities throughout the year that you can sign up for and be a part of our BMS volunteers.
SCHOOL TELEPHONE: Students wanting to use the classroom/office telephones will need permission from their teacher. Please be sure that your child knows what their “after school” arrangements are before they leave home in the morning. We try to limit phone usage after school as this is the time of day that the staff needs to use the phone lines to return calls, receive calls, etc. Also, be sure your child knows your plan for inclement weather. It does change during the day, and they should know the “back-up” plan ahead of time. We do not allow students to call to make arrangements to go home with friends. They need to plan for that ahead of time. We sincerely appreciate your help in this matter. If you need to get an IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO YOUR CHILD, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE BY 3:00 P.M. IF YOU WOULD LIKE US TO DELIVER THE MESSAGE BY THE END OF THE DAY. Except in case of emergency, however, teachers and students are not called to the telephone during school hours. Messages for teachers will be recorded in their voice mail. The teacher will then return the calls. PHONE: 346-5440.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES: Formal Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held twice during the school year. We hold conferences in our gymnasium and cafeteria area on a first come, first served basis.
STUDENT WITHDRAWALS: Please be sure to let us know as soon as possible if you will be moving from our school district. It is important that your child return all district-owned books and materials. Early notification will enable your child’s new school to receive his/her records promptly. We have a withdrawal form that your child will need to take with him/her to their new school. Parents/Guardians must sign this withdrawal form. If you have any questions, please feel free to call our school office.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF SPORTSMANSHIP
THE PLAYER
THE COACH