4.files.edl.io · Web viewStudents exempt from physical education must have a doctor’s note/certificate on file in the office with Nurse Britta. Cell phones are not allowed in

Appling Middle SchoolE3 – Excellence – Everybody – Every Day!

Parent/Student Handbook2018 – 2019

3700 Appling RoadBartlett, TN 38133Phone #: 373-1410

Fax #: 373-1360

https://ams.bartlettschools.org/https://www.bartlettschools.org/

A Message from the Principal - Dr. Mack

Welcome to Appling Middle School, Home of the Wildcats. We are so excited to have you join our Wildcat Family. Get ready for an exciting middle school adventure. Our way won’t always be your way, but we exist to support our students. We are about education and giving 100% to the students each day so that when they leave us they are ready for the next phase

E3 – Excellence, Everybody, Every Day! 1

https://www.bartlettschools.org/

https://ams.bartlettschools.org/

of their educational journey.

Our families play a pivotal role in the success of our students and our school. We encourage every student and our families to be actively involved in all things Appling. Parents, we encourage you to join our PTO as they diligently support the work of the school, our instructional program, and our teachers.

Thank you in advance for your support this upcoming school year.

Keshia Y. McMickensPrincipal, Appling Middle School

AMS Staff Information:Dr. Keshia McMickens: PrincipalMr. Thomas Lukas: Asst. PrincipalMrs. Hilda Taylor: Asst. PrincipalMr. John Williams: Instructional FacilitatorMrs. Amy Pintchuck: Guidance CounselorMrs. Tameka Nelson: Guidance CounselorMrs. Monteen Denton: Front Office ClericalMrs. Susan Schafer: Attendance ClericalMrs. Patti Pair: DEC ClericalMrs. Vicki Climer: Financial ClericalMrs. Britta Schweizer: School NurseMrs. Mae Wooten: Cafeteria Manager


Staff members and all teachers can be reached via e-mail or by calling the front office to leave a message. We diligently try to respond to all phone calls and e-mails within 24 hours. Please do not leave voice messages on the main school number. That is not a valid voicemail and the messages are in space. If you don’t hear a recorded voice message by a specific person, please don’t leave a message as the mailbox has not been set up.

General Information for Students/Parents

ADDRESS/CONTACT INFORMATIONAfter student’s initial registration, changes in student addresses, phone numbers, emergency contact info, etc. must be submitted in writing to the office. It is imperative that we have accurate demographic information for the parents and emergency contacts for each student so that we are able to contact someone in the event of an emergency. You may also contact our attendance operator, Mrs. Schafer to update your demographic information at any time during the school year.

ATTENDANCE/TRUANCYStudents cannot learn if they are not at school. Please know that when a student is sick, they are responsible for any work they have missed. Please follow teacher webpages to keep up with class work and assignments. Doctors’ notes should be submitted to the homeroom teacher on the day students return to school for the absence to be excused. Notes may be e-mailed to our attendance operator and the homeroom teacher on the day students return. Notes not submitted


within 2 days will not be accepted. Students whose absence is unexcused may receive a 0 for any missed/graded work. **Tardies affect students’ attendance. Students with 5 unexcused tardies or 20 minutes or more per tardy will have an unexcused absence. Please refer to BCS Attendance Policy #6047 on the BCS website for additional details.

ATHLETICSAppling sponsors basketball, football, and volleyball teams. We also have a cheer squad, cross-country team, dance team, golf team, swim team, and a track team. Our basketball, football, and volleyball teams compete against other middle schools in the municipal school districts. There are combined middle school baseball, lacrosse and softball teams. Parent volunteers, at the discretion of the school administrative team and the district, may coach other athletic teams.

Students who participate in these groups have indicated a desire to contribute their time and energy for the good of themselves, the team, and the school. We expect our athletes to be outstanding representatives of Appling wherever they go. Behavior and academic performance must be exemplary. Failing grades and conduct below an S is not acceptable for our student athletes.

The coaches’ first and then administrators, if necessary, will deal with any issues related to athletics. You should always share concerns with the coach first, as the administrators will typically refer you back to the coach for each sport. All students are encouraged to attend school athletic events and support our teams.

**Students who have been absent from school are not allowed to attend school related events that occur on that same day.** Attendance has its privileges

AWARDS/RECOGNITIONSSo that students may be duly recognized for outstanding achievements, awards are presented for report card honors each nine-weeks. Students on the Principal’s Honor Roll are recognized for A’s in all subject areas and all MAPS classes. Academic Honor Roll students are recognized for having more A’s than B’s in all subject areas and all MAPS classes. The conduct requirement for both honor rolls is nothing less than an S for all subject areas and MAPS classes.

Our PTO recognizes students earning Principal’s Honor Roll and at times Academic Honor Roll with rewards. This change of only


recognizing students will all A’s was precipitated by the change in our grading scale. Citizenship and Perfect Attendance certificates are also awarded each nine-weeks.

Students are also rewarded in the form of WHAT Bucks as part of our behavior system. Teachers and other staff members will reward students with WHAT bucks for positive behaviors. Students are allowed to spend their WHAT bucks on rewards at our WHAT Buck store. They can purchase game tickets, treats, bookstore items, free seating at lunch, etc. with their WHAT bucks.

BACKPACKSEach student should have a backpack with a padded pocket for laptop storage. Students should also have protective sleeves/covers for their laptops as well. Drinks/liquids should not be carried in student backpacks as it may spill on the laptops.

BAND/CHOIR/STRINGSStudents in band, chorus, and strings are expected to purchase or rent their instruments and/or uniforms and to attend all performances as part of their grade. Students who sign up for band/chorus/strings have made a commitment for the entire school year. These classes also come with financial obligations. Speak with each individual director for each group if you have questions/concerns regarding fees. Our schedule does not allow for mid-year changes in MAPS.

BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL CAREAfter school care is provided at the school by the YMCA. Please know that before school care is at the discretion of YMCA and is based upon enrollment numbers. Students enrolled in before/after school care are expected to adhere to our school rules and act accordingly. Issues with after school care are to be addressed with after school care directly. Students enrolled in After School Care are expected to follow the rules and regulations of Y-Care. However, student’s misbehavior may result in school level consequences.

BREAKFASTBreakfast will be served each morning. The cost of breakfast is $1.50. Students are not allowed to enter the cafeteria in the mornings unless they are having breakfast. Breakfast is served from 6:40 – 6:55 a.m. Students must be in the line for breakfast before 6:50 a.m. each morning in order to eat. This does not apply for students who are on late buses. Breakfast is not a time for students to hang out. The breakfast monitors reserve the right to dismiss students from breakfast


for behavior as warranted.

BULLYING/CONFLICTOur Appling family takes allegations of bullying seriously. What we have found is that many times when these allegations are made, bullying is not taking place, it’s conflict between the students. To report alleged instances of bullying, students or parents need to first make the teacher aware or contact one of our school counselors – Ms. Pintchuck or Mrs. Nelson. Remember, we cannot solve issues when we are not aware that they exist. We need for our students to advocate for themselves and others when they see something happen that isn’t right. We are a family and we must take care of each other.

CAF E’ ETIQUETTE 1. Clean up after themselves. They will dump their trays

and be sure that the floor underneath their table is clean each day.

2. Take the trays up to the window. Teachers will designate someone each week to do this. It should not be the same student each week.

3. Control their voices and not yell. Conversation is reserved for the students at their table, not the table in front of, behind, or across from them.

4. Get everything they need when they go through the line.

5. Raise their hand for permission to get up.6. Never throw/toss food.7. Sit at their assigned table.8. Students are not to sit on the tables.9. Students are not to cut line.10. Students may not take restroom breaks while at

lunch, unless it is an emergency. Please be sure you take your class before lunch begins.

11. Once students get to the area by the lockers both coming and going to lunch, all talking stops. This will be a designated “Quiet Zone”.

CALLS/MESSAGES/DELIVERIESPlease note the updated guidelines that our staff will follow this year for calling students to the office.

1. Only in extreme emergencies will messages be given to students or students be called out of class for a message. This disrupts instruction for all students in the classroom.

2. Forgotten items such as lunches, folders, band or orchestra instruments, computers, etc. will be given to students during class change times. We will not disrupt a class to call a student


to the office because they forgot something. We will also not allow students to call home for forgotten items such as money, lunch boxes, laptops, P.E. clothes, etc. once they are here at school.

3. We discourage delivery of items for birthdays (balloons, flowers, etc.). If we have deliveries for students, the delivery will remain in the office until dismissal time when students will be called to pick their deliveries up.

CELL PHONESCell phones are to be powered off during the school day. Before students enter the building, cell phones should be turned off. During school hours cell phones are to be stored in students’ lockers, purses, or back packs and turned off. Cell phones should not be on a student’s person (pockets, clothing, etc.). Cell phones are not to be taken to P.E. at any time. Confiscated cell phones may be picked up by a parent or guardian during office hours of 6:45 a.m. – 1:40 p.m. Please note the change in pick-up times. Cell phones not picked up by a parent/guardian by 1:40 each day will be locked up overnight.

***The second time a students’ cell phone is confiscated will result in one day of ISS. The third violation of the cell phone policy will result in two days of ISS. A fourth violation of the cell phone policy will result in 1 day of OSS. Continued violation of the cell phone policy will result in extended OSS.

***Please do not tell students to call you or text you from their cell phones during the school day. Phones should be off and students should not access/use their cell phones during school hours. Using a phone without teacher or administrator permission, even at the parent’s directive, violates our school expectations, procedures, and District Policy. When this happens, students will receive the appropriate consequence as explained above.***

CHECKOUTSTo protect the integrity of our academic program and facilitate a smooth dismissal each day, students are not allowed to be checked-out after 1:40 p.m. Checking out after 1:45 p.m. is too close to our dismissal time and disrupts instruction. Please be mindful of this throughout the school year as check-outs do impact your child’s attendance.The school can only release students to their parents, legal guardians, or those listed as emergency contacts in PowerSchool. CHICK-FIL-A BISCUITS


We will again be selling chicken biscuits on Friday’s. Biscuits will be $3.00 and they will be sold on a first come, first served basis. We will begin our biscuit sales after Labor Day. Eat more chicken

CLINIC VISITSWe are working diligently to improve our school attendance. To that end, we will be selective in allowing students to call home for minor issues. All students will be assessed by the nurse before they call home. We will always encourage them to try and remain at school unless they have a fever, have vomited, or have been injured. We need the students here, so they can learn. Please don’t tell your child to call you if they don’t feel well. This gives them your permission to call even if they could remain here at school. Please work with us on this as we strive to improve our attendance.

CONFERENCESParent/Teacher conferences are an integral part of maintaining communication between home and school. All conferences are by appointment only. Conferences with teachers may be scheduled directly through your child’s teacher via e-mail or telephone messages. The teachers will contact you to arrange a time that works for everyone. The front office staff will take a message for the teacher during instructional times. We will not call a teacher to the phone during class time.

It is our procedure that teachers return all phone calls or respond to e-mails within 24 hours. Many times, when you call and leave a message or e-mail them, the teachers have already had their planning period for the day. Twenty-four hours allows them time to address school business at school and not interrupt instruction.

Conferences with administrators need be scheduled as well. Please call the office to schedule administrative conferences. This year our focus has to be on teaching and learning. We certainly do not negate your concerns but want to focus on our students, getting each day started on the right foot for our students and staff, and being sure all is in order for success for all. To that end, please contact the office or e-mail us to schedule meetings. If you have not heard back from us within 24 hours, please contact us again to ensure that we have received your phone message or e-mail contact.PLEASE NOTE: Without an appointment, a teacher and/or administrator is not always guaranteed to be available. We are aware that urgent situations arise which will require immediate attention. When this occurs, whichever administrator is available will try to work with you. We also


recognize that every situation is not an emergency, so please work with us when possible and schedule appointments so that we can ensure adequate time to meet with you.

COURSE SELECTIONS/SCHEDULESEach Spring students complete MAPS (Music, Art, PE) forms selecting 4 options for their MAPS classes for the upcoming school year. Students normally receive their first or second choice for MAPS classes. Due to scheduling constraints and staffing, MAPS changes are not allowed. Students are assured their first, second choice, or third choice for their MAPS class based on the space available in the MAPS classes.

DANCES 1. All school dances are for Appling Middle School students only. 2. Admission to the dances is $7.00 in advance and $8.00 at the

door. Dances are scheduled on Friday nights from 6:30 P.M. until 8:30 P.M. Concessions are sold at the dances.

3. Students admitted to a dance are to remain inside the building until the dance is over. Students who have difficulty behaving during the school day may be excluded from participating in our dances.

4. School dress code and school rules must be followed at our dances.

5. Please note that students will be asked to turn in all cell phones when entering the dance. Cell phones will be collected and returned once the dance is over.

6. Inappropriate behavior during the dance will result in disciplinary actions at school the following week. Dance tickets are non-refundable.

7. Students who have been absent from school on the day of a dance will not be allowed to attend the dance that evening.

8. Students who fail to turn in their cell phones will not be allowed to attend the next dance.

9. Students not picked up on time will not be allowed to attend the next dance.

DETENTIONDetention will be held Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 2:10 P.M. until 3:10 P.M. All rules must be followed or the time spent in detention will not be counted.

During Detention students will complete a reflective writing activity regarding the choices made resulting in detention and making more appropriate choices in the future.


Failure to serve/show up for detention will result in ISS.

DRESS CODEBCS Policy# 6040Clothing, make-up, and hairstyles should reflect neatness, cleanliness, and self-respect so that the school is a desirable place in which promotes learning and character development.

*Students who are not dressed appropriately will be allowed to call home for a change of clothes. If no one can bring them clothes, the student will spend the day in ISS. Students waiting longer than 15 minutes for a change of clothing will be sent to wait in ISS.

In order for Bartlett City Schools to maintain a safe and orderly learning environment, the minimum standards for acceptable clothing during the school day are as follows:

1. Tops of shoulders must be covered by a minimum of a 1-inch strap unless otherwise covered by an opaque top garment. Tops must also have sleeves and must completely cover the torso from the arm pits to the waist. The torso is defined as all parts of the body not including the arms, legs, neck, and head.

2. Skin and undergarments must be covered with opaque clothing from the underarm to mid-thigh. Mid-thigh is defined as the mid-point between and waist and mid-knee.

**Thus, any type of pants or skirt with holes are not acceptable when the hole is above the mid-thigh area.

3. All bottoms must be held at the waist, be appropriately sized, and of a safe length.

4. Compression-style garments may be worn so long as an opaque top garment covers the entire torso below the armpits.

5. Head apparel (such as hoods, hats, sunglasses, etc.) must not be worn inside the school building, except for religious or medical reasons.

6. Footwear is required and must be safe and appropriate for indoor and outdoor physical activity.*Tennis shoes are required for P.E. class.

7. Prohibited items include the following: large, long, and/or heavy chains; chained accessories; and sleepwear, pajamas, and/or blankets.

8. Clothing and accessories such as backpacks, patches, jewelry, and notebooks may not display (1) racial or ethnic slurs/symbols; (2) gang affiliations; (3) vulgar, subversive, or sexually


suggestive language or images; nor promote inappropriate and/or illegal products such as alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs.

9. The principal may allow exceptions in special circumstances, or for occasions such as holidays and special performances. The Principal may further prescribe dress in certain classes such as physical education, vocational education, and science labs.

10. Any student not dressed in accordance with the policy shall be directed to correct the violation or spend the remainder of the day in in-school suspension (ISS). Repeat offenses shall be subject to additional measures which include parent conferences, in- school suspension, and out-of-school suspensions as described in the District-wide discipline policy.

EMERGENCIESSchool officials will not interrupt classroom instruction to deliver a message to a student or to call a student out of class. In the case of an emergency, we will be glad to assist you in any way possible. However, daily phone calls are not allowed as students miss valuable class time when they are called to the office. Please be sure to include the names and local telephone numbers of two emergency contacts on your child’s enrollment information in Power School and also on the clinic card. It is important that this information be kept current in case an emergency occurs during the school day. If this information changes during the year, please call the school office and we will update your contact information as needed.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIESAll students must be picked up within 15 minutes of the end of the afterschool event/activity. Students who are not picked up in a timely manner will not be allowed to attend after school activities. Students must have permission to stay at after school activities. Those staying without proper permission could face disciplinary action.

HALL PASSESStudents must have a hall pass from their teacher before leaving the room. Students in the hallways must have permission from teachers/staff. Students are expected to report to homeroom upon entering the building. The only exception is if they are going to the cafeteria for breakfast. Once they leave breakfast they should report to their homeroom. They must secure a hall pass to be in the restrooms. We must have our students accounted for each morning.

HEIRARCHY FOR ADDRESSING CONCERNS


The classroom teachers are your first point of contact when you have concerns regarding all things related to the classroom (homework, problems with students during class time, etc.). The teachers should always be contacted first when there are academic concerns. They know first-hand what is going on in the classroom with the students. If you feel that they have not assisted you, contact an assistant principal. If you are not satisfied with the support provided by the above, you may contact the principal. If you still remain unsatisfied with the resolution/response you receive, you are free to contact our Bartlett City Schools’ Student Services Department. Remember, we also have two qualified counselors that can assist you with student issues related to conflict, peer relations, organization, study skills, etc. Our counselors are invaluable supports when it comes to allegations of bullying.

HOMEWORKStudents will receive homework assignments each day and are responsible for the completion of all assignments. Please help your student by providing the appropriate environment needed to complete assignments. Students who fail to complete assigned homework will be issued ZAP (Zeroes are Not Preferred) to allow them an opportunity to complete the work. Homework serves as daily practice for skills being taught in the classroom. You should expect homework nightly during the middle school years in one or more subjects. Homework is sometimes a classwork assignment that needs to be completed.

HONOR CODEWe expect our students to be honest, respectful, and demonstrate integrity in their personal and academic lives. Students are to do their own school work and assignments. Students caught cheating will receive a zero on the assignment and parents will be notified. Those students who share their work with others or let them copy will also receive a consequence for cheating (per our Honor Code). Please review our Honor Code for detailed information.

Cheating is defined as any of the following:a. Plagiarismb. Giving/receiving or attempting to give/receive test information or

test answersc. Receiving or giving work to/from othersd. Taking credit for someone else’s work or idease. Using prohibited materials to complete an assignment without

permission from the teacher

IN-SCHOOL GRADED WORK RECOVERYOver the course of the school year, the administrators will, from time to time, place students in a structured environment to complete


missing and/or incomplete graded and non-graded assignments. This allows students the opportunity to receive partial credit for their work.

Parents may not be contacted for students being placed for grade recovery because this will occur after the teachers have made attempts to contact the parents regarding this work (i.e. ZAP assignment paperwork sent home and e-mail or phone contact with parents). This is not punitive, but an opportunity for the students to receive credit for work. Please know on the front end, these students are usually sitting in the ISS room, but conduct is not impacted as it is with ISS. Again, this is not punitive, but an opportunity to recover grades and catch up on missing assignments.

LAPTOPSBartlett City Schools is in year three of its 1:1 Initiative. Students must have locks on their lockers and a padded backpack or laptop sleeve before their laptop is issued. We strongly encourage all students to have a hard-shell case, laptop sleeve, and a padded backpack for their devices. The laptops are fragile and the students are sometimes careless. The insurance fee for laptops is $50.00 for one student and then it is a sliding scale for multiple students in the family. Please note that laptop chargers are not covered by the insurance fee. Please keep all food and drinks away from the laptops. Students will not be allowed to carry laptops in their hands throughout the hallway from class to class without a protective case/sleeve. Damage to student laptops should be reported to the students’ homeroom teacher and school-based technology personnel.

LAPTOP PROCEDURESStudents are expected to adhere to the guidelines and expectations set forth in the Acceptable Use Agreement for technology. When students fail to use their laptops appropriately, the teachers will take corrective action. The first-time students are off task with their laptops and/or playing games during instructional time, they will be issued a warning.

Students who try to override the security measures will face disciplinary action starting with loosing computer privileges and beyond. The laptops are learning tools and not toys. We want them to act as responsible students and practice good digital citizenship when utilizing all technology.Student laptops may be confiscated for inappropriate use such as e-mails, inappropriate websites, etc. The district has measures in place, but the students are expected to limit their searches to appropriate material. Sometimes you may find


what you are looking for Laptop confiscation will result in disciplinary action and possibly OSS (out of school suspension).

LATE ARRIVALS/TARDIESA student coming to school late must report to the office with his/her parent to be signed in. Students are considered late if they arrive at school after announcements begin (approximately 7:02 a.m. each morning). If a parent does not sign in a student, the tardy is unexcused. The student will be given an admit slip to give to the teacher, showing if the tardy is excused or unexcused.

School begins at 7:00 A.M. Students are expected to be in their class by 7:02 a.m. for the morning announcements. Per BCS District Policy, tardies now count in a student’s attendance and are submitted for truancy. Many times, our car line gets backed up, please plan for this and leave home a bit earlier so tardiness does not harm your child’s attendance. Five (5) unexcused tardies will count as one unexcused absence. Five (5) unexcused check-outs will also count as one unexcused absence.***If you drop your child off at school after 7:02 a.m. and don’t sign them in at the front office, this is automatically an unexcused tardy.***

LOCKDOWNSThere may be times over the course of the school year, that may require us to put the building on “lockdown” for student and staff safety. Many times this may be a precautionary measure due to events in the surrounding neighborhoods/areas. In the case of a lockdown, we will follow BCS policy/procedures. This means, we will not allow parents to check students out during lockdowns. Specifically, if we are in a full lockdown, the office will not be accessible to visitors/guests and we will not be answering the telephones. Again, we will follow BCS policies/procedures. The school will always be in contact with our Central Office and they or the school will update parents as quickly as possible. We ask that you be patient on the front end and know that the safety of our students is of utmost importance to us.

LOCKERSStudent locker assignments are made the first weeks of school. To ensure the security of personal items and textbooks, lockers should be kept locked. Students are responsible for providing their own locks. The school is not responsible for items removed from an unlocked locker. Locker privileges may be revoked, if a teacher or an administrator deems it appropriate. Students must have a lock for


their locker before they will be issued a laptop.

LOST AND FOUNDPlease label students all belongings. Misplaced items will be taken to the locker room when found. There are bins in the locker rooms for lost and found items. Bins will be emptied every two weeks and the items will be donated.

LUNCHStudents will eat lunch in the cafeteria. The cost of lunch is $2.75 for a full meal. Snacks are not included in the price of lunch and will be extra. Please monitor your child’s lunch account to ensure they have money each day. Students who do not have lunch may be allowed to charge lunch. A la carte items are not permissible when a student has to charge a lunch. When students reach the charge limit, they will be given an alternate meal.

Only family members or persons who are noted in the students PowerSchool demographic/emergency contact information may have lunch with students. Only one school friend may join a student for lunch at the designated visitor table.

MAKE-UP WORKThe responsibility for make-up work rests solely on the student. Students will be given one day to make up work for each day of school missed. Students/parents should refer to the teachers’ webpage pages to get assignments for any missed days of school. Teacher webpages can be found on our school webpage: https://ams.bartlettschools.org/. You will go to About Us and Staff Directory. You will then select your child’s teacher. From their homepage, select the Lesson Plans/Homework link on the right-hand side of the page to find the homework/lesson plans for the week. Please remember students are not allowed to make-up work for unexcused absences. Missing work will be given a grade of 0 (zero) if it is not submitted within the designated time frame. MEDICATIONS An adult must bring all medication to school for the students. Students may not carry medication (prescription or otherwise) on their person at school or on the bus. The only exception is an inhaler. An Authorization to Administer Medication at School form must be completed and signed by the parent for students to receive any type of medication at school. All medication must be in its original container. Contact our school nurse, Britta Schweizer, for assistance.BCS Policy #6011.


https://ams.bartlettschools.org/

MOMENT OF SILENCEEach morning at 7:02 a.m. we begin our morning announcements. The office does not conduct business during the morning announcements. They will buzz you in and the we ask that you wait until our announcements are over. During the moment of silence, we ask for all parents, students, staff, and other visitors in the building to cease all movement and observe our moment of silence and pledge of allegiance.

NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETYTo be eligible for membership in the National Junior Honor Society, the candidate must be a member of the seventh or eighth grade. Candidates must have a scholastic grade point average of at least 3.75 on a 4.0 scale for each nine-week grading period of the current year and the previous year. The average for each nine-week grading period must be a 3.75 (no more than 1 B in the academic classes). MAPS classes are not used in the grade point average for NJHS. Candidates will then be evaluated based on excellence in service, leadership, character, and citizenship. Students who do not have an S or above in conduct are not eligible for membership in NJHS, regardless of grades.

NATIONAL JUNIOR BETA CLUBTo be eligible for membership in the National Beta Society, the candidate can be a member of the sixth, seventh, or eighth grade. Candidates must have a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for each nine-week grading period of the current year and previous year. The average for each nine-week grading period must be a 3.5 (no more than 2 B’s in the academic classes). MAPS classes are not used in the grade point average for Beta Club. Candidates will then be evaluated based on excellence in service, leadership, character, and citizenship. Students who do not have an S or above in conduct are not eligible for membership in the Beta Club, regardless of grades. Students who were inducted into Beta Club in elementary school, must qualify for membership in 6th grade. Those 5th grade memberships no longer carry over automatically.

OFFICE HOURS AND PROCEDURESOffice hours for the school are from 6:45 A.M. until 2:40 P.M. Any parent/visitor to the school must check in at the front office, show a driver’s license or valid ID to receive a visitor’s badge. Visitor badges must be worn at all times while in the building.

Please note: 1. After 2:40 p.m. you will not be able to reach anyone in the main office. Exceptions will be made when we have late buses. 2. Please don’t leave messages on the main office extension for the front desk. This mailbox is not set up


and the messages are not checked. They linger in “outer space” for lack of a better word. When you call the office to ensure you get a response, please speak with a secretary or whomever answers the phone.

PARENT CONTACTThere will be times when school personnel (teachers, staff members, or administrators) will have to contact our parents. While we make every effort to have phone contact, there may be times when we can’t reach you by phone. We understand that our parents are not accessible for one reason or another every time we call. If this is the case, after two phone call attempts, we will either leave you a voicemail or send an e-mail, if we have a valid e-mail address, asking you to contact us. Please be sure that you have up to date contact information on file throughout the year. After we e-mail you, particularly for cases regarding disciplinary infractions when disciplinary actions are warranted, they will be carried out and you will be notified via disciplinary paperwork sent home. This is a last resort for us.

PERSONAL PROPERTYNeither Appling Middle School nor Bartlett City Schools, is responsible for loss of or damage to personal property. Therefore, all students are encouraged to keep a lock on their lockers. The sharing of combinations and/or keys to student’s lockers is discouraged. Students should also be mindful of keeping/taking valuables to gym class. Again, the school and the district are not responsible for lost or stolen property. Please do not send large amounts of cash with your students because if it is lost or stolen, the money will not be replaced.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSESAll students are required to dress out for physical education classes. This is part of the class expectations and grades. Uniforms are required for P.E. class. These will be sold in the school bookstore for $20.00. Students exempt from physical education must have a doctor’s note/certificate on file in the office with Nurse Britta.

Cell phones are not allowed in P.E. class. Students must use the locker room lockers to lock up their valuables during gym class as students come and go in the locker rooms throughout class and valuables do come up missing.PROGRESS REPORTS/INTERIMSBartlett City Schools will provide report cards each nine-weeks. Report cards may be provided via e-mail if you request it during the online registration process. To inform parents of their child’s progress, interim reports are compiled midway of each nine-week grading


period.

PowerSchool will be available to retrieve and monitor grades online. PowerSchool may be accessed by students and parents. We encourage you to take a few moments to set up access accounts so that you may track your child’s academic progress throughout the year. Account/password information is usually sent home after Labor Day. If you lose your PowerSchool access information, you may e-mail your child’s homeroom teacher or the front office (Mrs. Denton) and they can assist you.

SCHOOL PROPERTYWe expect our students to respect their property, the property of others, and school property. Students should not write on walls, desks, lunch tables, or in any way deface school property. Each summer, Mr. Beasley, our plant manager, refreshes the paint in our hallways. We expect that students will refrain from peeling paint on the walls, bathroom stalls, etc. throughout the building. Students found to be destroying or defacing school property, will be dealt with according to BCS discipline policy guidelines. We want our building to look nice and it takes each of us doing our part to make this happen.

SECURITY During the school day all exterior building doors are kept locked for the safety of our students and staff. After 7:00 a.m. all students, parents, and visitors are required to exit and enter through the front entrance doors. All building visitors are required to sign in at the main office and receive a visitor’s badge. All staff members will wear BCS identification badges.

Students are to never open doors for visitors. They should alert the teacher immediately if someone is trying to enter the building.

SUPPLIESEach grade level has prepared a supply list of the major items they will need during the school year. School supply kits will be available on registration day on a first come, first served basis. Teacher may request a few additional items for their specific classes. Students are responsible for having the necessary supplies for each class daily. This is the H in our WHAT Behavior System – Have what you need to succeed. SUSPENSIONS~ISS (In School Suspension)In School Suspension takes place here at school under the supervision of the ISS Monitor, Ms. Dandridge. Students assigned to In School


Suspension will follow all rules established by the administration for ISS. Students will be given an opportunity to complete all class assignments during ISS and turn them in for a grade. Students are expected to complete all assignments given by their classroom teacher. If all work is completed, additional work may be assigned by the ISS monitor. A reflective writing assignment will be given to all students serving ISS.

Students who choose not to follow the ISS rules or do not complete their ISS assignments may be assigned additional timr in ISS or be suspended from school.

~OSS (Out of School Suspension)Students who receive OSS for inappropriate behaviors will be allowed to make up all missed work during their OSS. Before the student returns to school, a re-entry meeting with the suspending administrator, parent, and student must be held. It is the students’ responsibility to secure and turn in make-up work to each teacher.

TEXTBOOKSBartlett City Schools provide some textbooks for our students. It is very important that each student take proper measures to care for all textbooks. Social Studies textbooks will be issued as class sets for certain grade levels. Any lost or damaged textbook issued to the student will result in a textbook fine assessment at the end of the year. Please keep in mind that not every class will issue a textbook as we are a 1:1 technology district.

TRANSPORTATION POLICIES~Bus RidersAll students riding the bus must follow the established bus rules set forth by BCS. Students who fail to follow the rules may have their riding privileges suspended or revoked. Students will only be allowed to ride their assigned bus. Each student will be picked up and dropped off at their designated stop. Students may not ride the bus with friends if they are not assigned to that bus.

~Car RidersCar riders are to be dropped off and picked up in the back-parking lot. Remember, car riders are not supervised before 6:45 a.m. Please do not drop students off any earlier than 6:40 a.m. as this is a safety issue due to lack of supervision. Our teachers have designated reporting times and they are not responsible for students before 6:45 a.m. There is no car drop off in the front parking lot of the building. This area is reserved for our SPED buses to drop off students and our Functional Skills students who are car riders.


Please be patient with our car rider line drop off and afternoon pick up. When motioned by our P.E. coaches, please have your child to exit the car so that we can keep traffic moving. Say goodbye before you enter the lot. When the flow of traffic stops within the confines of the parking lot, students are to exit their vehicle. This means that they will have to walk on the sidewalk to get to the entry doors. Be sure they have jackets, umbrellas, etc. with them as they will be exposed to the elements during drop off and pick up.

~WalkersWalkers are to exit out of the appropriate doors based on their address. Walkers should cross the streets at the prompting of our crossing guards. Walkers should use the sidewalks and walk to our crossing guards to safely maneuver around traffic and maintain safety.

If students are walkers, Taco Bell, Subway, and other surrounding restaurants are not aftercare facilities. This year they will not allow students to sit/loiter without purchasing food items. This became an issue last year and the police will be monitoring the situation this year. So, please utilize after care or other means of transportation for your child to avoid conflicts that could potentially involve the BPD.

VISITORSWe welcome visitors to our building. ALL visitors and guests must sign in at the front office and receive a visitor’s badge. The visitor’s badge must be worn at all times. Lunch guest are to report immediately to the cafeteria. Students who have a visitor for lunch are allowed to have one friend join them at the designated lunch table. Lunch guests may not sit at the student tables as we are limited on space at those tables.

THE WHAT DISCIPLINE SYSTEMWHAT is the acronym for our discipline system. The WHAT system is meant to reinforce and teach what it is we expect from the students. WHAT covers student behavioral expectations in the classrooms, restrooms, hallways, cafeteria, buses, and flex areas such as during assemblies.

W – Work to the Best of Your AbilityH – Have What You Need to SucceedA – Act as a Responsible StudentT- Treat People, Property, and Time with Respect

**Action Steps for WHAT:


The number of WHAT slips yield the following consequences: 1 WHAT Slip - Written Warning

2 WHAT Slips - Note home to parent (may be an e-mail) 3 WHAT Slips - Phone call home and silent lunch

4 WHAT Slips - Detention 5 WHAT Slips - Required Parent Conference** 6 WHAT Slips - Office Referral

**Conduct is as follows for the WHAT Discipline Plan.E = 0-1 SlipsG = 2 SlipsS = 3-4 SlipsN = 5 SlipsU = 6+ slips

*If a student serves ISS based on an office referral – they automatically have a G for conduct. ISS drops the conduct one letter grade for the class of the infraction. Before or after school referrals impact HOMEROOM conduct.

TRUANCYTruancy is defined as absence from school for any portion of a day without proper permission from a parent or school official. Excessive tardiness (check-ins/check-outs) also constitutes truancy. Students who are truant will be subject to disciplinary action and/or referred to juvenile court. We need students at school and on time each day so that we can support their academic growth. Five unexcused check-ins (tardies) or five unexcused check-outs will result in 1 unexcused absence for each five occurrences.

ZAP (Zeros Aren’t Preferred)Students will be assigned to ZAP if they have missing homework and/or classwork. ZAP will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays after school from 2:10 p.m.- 3:10 p.m. Failure to report to an assigned ZAP will result in placement in ISS the next school day. Missing work is recorded as a 0 (zero) in the grade book until the work is submitted to the teacher. Work must be completed in a reasonable amount of time. Usually the time allotted for completing missing work will not exceed 1 week.


Appling Middle School Handbook Signature Page2018-2019

I, ________________________________________________, have Student Printed Name & Signature

read the Appling Middle School Handbook and understand the procedures referenced.

I, _______________________________________________, have Parent Printed Name & Signature

reviewed the handbook and understand the procedures in place for myself as a parent/guardian and my child.

Date:_____________________________________________________

*The handbook was given to each student during the first week of school. It is also available online.


Documents

4.files.edl.io · Web viewStudents exempt from physical education must have a doctor’s note/certificate on file in the office with Nurse Britta. Cell phones are not allowed in