INTRODUCTION
The policies and procedures contained in
this handbook are the result of a concerted effort by the faculty and the
administration. This information has
been carefully prepared and presented so that it will be of value to students
and parents of
The mission of
VISION
STATEMENT:
We at
School Beliefs
We believe:
ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance is a most important
factor in the establishment of a good scholastic record. Work missed through absence from school is
difficult to make up. There is no
substitute for actual participation in the daily classroom discussion and
work. Every student is expected to be in
school each period of every day.
Under state guidelines absences are
recorded by period. When seven hours of absences are accumulated, the student
is considered to have missed one full day of school.
Absences shall be classified as either
excused or unexcused as determined by the principal or his/her designee.
Excused absences shall include:
All other absences shall be considered
unexcused. When five unexcused absences
are accumulated, the county attendance officer will be notified. After each absence the student must present a
written excuse, signed by the parent or guardian, stating the reason for the
absence. This excuse will be checked in
the office and signed by the principal or designee, who will mark “excused” or
“unexcused.” Students who have “excused”
absences must make up all work missed within 5 days of the student’s return to
school. Failure to do so will result in
zeroes for missed work.
After ten (10) consecutive or fifteen (15) reported absences (excused or
unexcused) by a student during any semester, an attendance committee appointed
by the principal will conduct a hearing to determine if any extenuating
circumstances exist or verifying that the student has met attendance
requirements that will allow him/her to pass the course, be promoted, or be
retained.
School Tardiness
Any student arriving at school after the
tardy bell has rung must report to the principal for an admittance slip. All students who are not in their rooms with pencil, paper, and
book when the bell rings to begin class will be considered tardy.
Class Tardiness
Each time a student is tardy he/she will
receive 3 demerits. Habitual offenders will receive additional punishment from
the administration.
Leaving School
Students must have written parental/guardian
permission to leave school with an adult other than his/her own parents/guardian.These persons names should be on the student
registration form.
Before leaving school, the student must
present the note to the office personnel and sign out.
Transportation To
and From School
No student should come to or leave school
other than by his/her regular mode of transportation unless permission is given
by the parents with the approval of the office. Students may not drive to
school or park on the school parking lot.
Bus Conduct
When a student boards the bus he/she
becomes the responsibility of the school system. Such responsibility shall end
when a child is delivered to the regular bus stop at the close of the day.
The school bus is an extension of school
activity; therefore, students shall conduct themselves on the bus in a manner
consistent with the established standards for safety and classroom behavior.
Students are under the supervision and
control of the bus driver while on his bus and all reasonable directions given
by him/her shall be followed.
The principal of the students transported
shall be informed by the bus driver of any serious discipline problem and may
be called upon to assist if necessary. A student may be denied the privilege of
riding the bus if determined by the principal that his behavior is such as to
cause the disruption on the bus, or when he disobeys state or local rules and
regulations pertaining to student transportation.
Bus drivers will observe disciplinary
procedure in dealing with student misbehaviors. All bus riders will receive a
group explanation of this procedure and a copy of this policy.
The suspension of a student from riding
the school bus shall follow the same procedures as for any other school
suspension.
Any student who gets off the bus at any
point between pick-up and school must present the bus driver with a note of
authorization from the parent or the principal of the school that the student
attends.
Any student who wishes to ride a bus other
than his/her designated bus must have written parental permission and the
approval of the principal or his/her designee.
Students who transfer from bus to bus
while enroute to and from school, shall be expected
to abide by the discipline policies adopted by the Board and rules adopted by
the staff of the terminal school.
The following list of rules should be
displayed at the front of the bus and all riders are expected to obey each one.
Dress Code
Students will be expected to keep
themselves well-groomed and neatly dressed at all times. Any form of dress or
hair style which is considered contrary to good hygiene or which is distractive
or disruptive in appearance and detrimental to the purpose or conduct of the
school, will not be permitted.
Tank tops, spaghetti straps, cut-off
shirts, tube tops, halters, mini-skirts and similar items of clothing are not
permitted. Shorts should be at least finger tip length. Dresses must comply with
the same rule. Clothing must be worn in a manner in which undergarments do not
show. Pants must be pulled above the hips. Pants and shirts must meet.
Sunglasses are not to be worn in the
building. Hats and caps are not to be worn in the building. Clothes or jewelry
which advertise alcohol, tobacco, or drugs, or display obscene or inappropriate
language may not be worn during school or at any school event.
Students who do not adhere to the school
dress code will call their parents or guardian to bring appropriate clothing.
If parent or guardian cannot be reached, the offending student will spend the
remainder of the school day in ISS.
OFFICE PROCEDURES
Visitors
All visitors must register at the office upon
entering the building. Parents are welcome to visit the building and classes;
however students will not be permitted to bring guests to school.
Telephone
The office telephone is for business
purposes only. Callers will be requested to leave a message since students will
not be taken from classes for a routine call. Only emergency calls will be
delivered during a class period.
Textbooks
The State of
The following reimbursement schedule shall
be used as a guide for collecting fines for lost or destroyed books.
Age of Book
Amount Collected
1 –2 years
100% of replacement cost
3 –4 years
75% of replacement cost
5 or more years 50% of replacement cost
The Board shall approve and periodically
review a schedule of fines for damaged books. In cases where the book is
damaged to the extent it is no longer useable, the amount collected shall
conform to the reimbursement schedule for lost books.
School Illness
When a student becomes ill during school
he/she will report to the office and arrangements can be made for the student
to go home. If a student needs to take medicine during school, he/she has to
get forms from the office to carry home. The students must fill out and return
them to the office before medication can be given.
When a child comes to the office
complaining of feeling ill, we take his/her temperature. If the child does not
have a temperature and is not throwing-up, we ask the child to stay in the
office for a while to see if the illness or pain gets better. Should the child
get to feeling better he/she will go back to class. If he does not get to
feeling better shortly, we will call home for someone to pick the child up.
MEDICATIONS
Medications must be brought into the
school by an adult. A student may not bring the medication. Medications must be
in a prescription bottle and the label must contain:
Non-prescription medications must be in
its original container.
Lost and Found
All found articles will be turned in to
the office. Lost articles must be reported as soon as possible. At the end of
the school year, all unclaimed articles will be discarded.
SCHOOL LUNCHES
A student may bring his/her
lunch/breakfast or buy it in the cafeteria. A well-balanced meal is prepared
each day by the lunchroom staff under the standards of the Federal Lunch
Program.
Students must pick up at least three items
(excluding punch) to receive a reimbursable meal. If he/she does not have a
reimbursable meal he/she will have to pay for each individual item. Juices are
sold with each meal for an additional 25 cents.
Lunch money will be collected on Monday during homeroom in
the classroom. All checks must be written for the exact amount due for lunches
and will be placed in the student’s lunch account.
Students who have siblings within the
school may pay with one lunch check. Students can place extra money in their
accounts for ice cream, juice, extra food, or pay for extra days. Students are
allowed to charge for one day only.
Breakfast is served each day from
Breakfast prices are:
Reduced - .30 cents visitors – 2.00
Full
pay – 1.00
Teachers
and staff –1.25
Lunch prices are:
Reduced
- .40 cents
Full
pay – 1.50
Teachers
& staff – 2.25
Juice
- .25 cents
Ice
cream - .50 cents
Visitors
– 3.00
Free and reduced lunches are available for
students who qualify. Applications for these must be made to the principal. All
students must pick up a free/reduced lunch application. All applications must be
returned in 10 days from the day school starts.
Free and Reduced Lunches:
According to the US Government Guidelines
Students applying for free or reduced lunches must have applications submitted
to the Lunchroom within 10 days of the start of school. If these applications
have not been received
within the designated time period, students must pay full price (1.50) for
lunches and (1.00) for breakfast.
All Ala Carte items will increase due to
increase in food prices.
Everyone will go to the cafeteria during
their lunch time, even if they are not eating. No one will be allowed to remain
in the hall or classroom during lunch.
No food will be allowed in the classrooms.
No glass bottles will be allowed in the
building.
CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE
Students at
Violations which could result in
suspension from school are:
1.
Possession of illegal drugs.
2.
Possession of firearms, guns,
pistols, knives, or pepper spray.
3.
Marking, defacing, willfully
or maliciously damaging school property or property belonging to school
personnel.
4.
Actions inciting,
advertising, or counseling others to engage in any act disruptive to regular
school activities.
5.
Theft of property belonging
to students or personnel.
6.
Disorderly school bus
conduct.
7.
Disrespectful attitude or
behavior toward any personnel assigned to
8.
No electronic toys that could
disrupt learning, are allowed (radios, computer games,
walkmans, etc.).
9.
Fighting.
10.
The use of gang writing,
graffiti, signing, or clothing is strictly forbidden at school and will be
punished by suspension or alternative school.
Students will
receive zeros for all school work missed during a suspension from school.
Smoking
Students will not be allowed to smoke at school
under any circumstances. Possession or use of tobacco products at school will
result in automatic suspension.
Drugs and Alcohol
Any student who intentionally sells,
gives, possesses, uses, or is under the influence of illicit drugs, narcotics, or
alcohol in or on school property, including buses, shall be suspended from
school and reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for possible
legal action.
Vandalism and
Property Damage
Our school building and equipment cost the
taxpayers money. Students who destroy or vandalize school property will be
required to pay for damages. Students should not sit on desk tops.
In-School Suspension
When misbehavior is not considered sever
enough to require out-of-school suspension the school administration may choose
in-school suspension (ISS) as a corrective measure. The following rules are
used for ISS:
After School
Detention
When a student earns demerits he/she must
stay for after school detention. After school detention is on Tuesdays from
Detention is not a study hall. It is used
as a method of discipline for those who have earned at least 10 demerits. Rules
for after school detention are as follows:
1.
Students must be in their
seats and quiet by
2.
Students may not talk to
other students while in detention.
3.
Students may not talk to the
teacher while in detention.
4.
Students may not leave the
room for any reason.
5.
Students will sit with their
feet in front of their desks.
6.
Students must have all
necessary supplies. (paper, pencil, books, etc.)
7.
Students must stay mentally
busy the entire period. (No sleeping)
8.
If a student does not obey these
rules, he/she will be given paper and pencil by the teacher and will be
required to write the remainder of the period.
9.
If a student shows disrespect
or fails to follow the teachers instruction, he/she
will see the principal next morning for further disciplinary action.
Boy/Girl Relationships
What may be appropriate in other places
may not be appropriate at school. Boyfriends and girlfriends should keep their
hands off each other.
Teacher Titles
All students must use the appropriate
titles for teachers. Teachers must be referred to as Mr., Mrs., or Miss, plus
the surname. Athletic persons may be called Coach plus surname. A student
reference to a teacher’s given name or nickname is strictly forbidden.
Changing Classes
At every change of classes there will be
large numbers of students going from one room to another. In order to keep the
noise and confusion at a minimum, students are asked to stay to the right side
of the hall and to be especially quiet and courteous. Show respect for your
fellow students and make the change as quickly and quietly as possible.
Hall Passes
Students are not permitted in the hall
during class periods unless accompanied by a teacher or in possession of a hall
pass. Students who are in the hall without a hall pass will receive 3 demerits.
Habitual offenders will receive additional punishment from the administration.
Each teacher will keep a sign-out sheet which will be turned in to the office
each Friday.
Assemblies
Assemblies are held periodically. These
programs are both informative and entertaining. In order for these programs to
be enjoyed by all, the following conduct should be observed:
1.
Students should be attentive
and courteous.
2.
Whistling and booing will not
be allowed.
3.
Students are not allowed to
leave until dismissed by the principal.
4.
Students who talk are guilty
of disorderly conduct.
5.
Students will sit with their
class and their teacher for that period.
PROGRESS REPORTS
Report Cards are sent home at the end of
each nine week grading period. A progress report will be sent to the parents in
the middle of the grading period. Report cards are designed to portray as true
a picture as possible of student progress in school.
No
effort is made to compare one child with any other child. The primary purpose
is to show how well abilities are used and achievements are made. Each student
is evaluated according to his/her continuous progress in each area of
development. At the end of each grading period, students are to take the
reports home, obtain the parent’s signature and return the card immediately to
their first period teacher.
Report cards contain grades for each
subject area. A citizenship grade lower than 95 indicates
an infraction of school rules and may result in a parent-teacher conference
about a behavioral problem.
Grading System
The accepted marking system is as follows:
A.
93 to 100—Excellent
B.
85 to 92—Good
C.
75 to 84—Average
D.
70 to 74—Pass
E.
Below 69—Fail
Schedule for Report Cards
9
Week Grading Periods
2005-2006
Start End Progress Report
Reports Cards
1st Aug. 3 Sept. 30 Sept. 2 Sept. 9
Parent Teacher Conference
Sept. 20 LCHS
Parent Teacher
Conference Sept. 22 (K-8)
2nd Oct, 3 Jan. 3 Nov. 10 Jan.10
Parent Teacher Conference
Oct. 25 LC-NGA
3rd Jan. 4 Mar. 3 Feb. 3 Mar.10
Parent Teacher Conference
Jan. 12 NGA
Parent Teacher Conference
Feb.
Parent Teacher Conference
Mar. 23 LCHS
4th Mar. 6 May 22 April 14 May 22
(or mailed)
High Honor Roll
and Honor Roll
At the end of each six weeks grading
period, a high honor roll and an honor roll will be published. The high honor
roll consists of students who have attained an overall average of 95 to 100.
The honor roll consists of students who have an overall average of 90 to 94.
Junior Beta Club
6-8 grades
The Junior Beta Club is a national service
leadership club for Middle School students. It was instituted and is operated
to reward merit, encourage effort, and elevate the moral standards of school
students. Cheating will lead to removal from the Beta Club.
Parent Teacher
Conferences
Conferences between parents and teachers
are very important in the evaluation of a child’s progress in school. Two
conferences are scheduled each school year in order that parents can come to
school to talk with the teachers about their children’s work. The dates of the
two conferences appear on each student’s report card. Teachers are available
for conferences with parents at other times of the year by appointment.
Lockers 6-8 grades
Each student pays a fee for the use of a
locker and will be assigned a locker number. Students are expected to maintain
their lockers in a clean, orderly fashion throughout the school year. Lockers
should only contain materials which relate to school (books, notebooks, etc.)
School officials may inspect any locker at any time in search of school
property or contraband or for the purpose of inspecting the locker’s condition
Extracurricular
Activities
Any student who is eligible and wishes to
participate in a school sponsored sports program or other extracurricular
school activity is encouraged to do so.
Any student suspended from school is also
suspended from participation in extra-curricular activities.
Any student placed on probation by the
court system, will not be allowed to represent
In order to participate in extracurricular
activities, the student must be present in all classes the day of the activity
or secure permission from the Principal before being allowed to participate.
School rules for behavior, speech, and
dress are in effect for extracurricular activities.
Athletics 6-8
TMSAA rules and regulations are followed
for participation in all Middle School sports. Players and cheerleaders must
have passed five subjects the preceding semester and must have a good
citizenship record. Players, cheerleaders, and student spectators represent our
school. Their conduct should give others a favorable impression at all times.
Internet Access
Students may have access to the Internet
only under the supervision of a teacher and according to the Lincoln County
Board of Education policies.
Discrimination/Harassment
of Students
Students shall be provided a learning free
environment from sexual, racial, ethnic and religious
discrimination/harassment. It shall be a violation of this policy for any
employee or any student to discriminate against or harass a student through
disparaging conduct or communication that is sexual, racial, ethnic or
religious in nature. The following guidelines are set forth to protect students
from discrimination/harassment.
Student discrimination/harassment will not
be tolerated. Discrimination/harassment is defined as conduct, advances,
gestures or words either written or spoken of a sexual, racial, ethnic or
religious nature which:
Alleged victims of sexual, racial, ethnic
and religious discrimination/harassment shall report these incidents
immediately to a teacher, counselor or building administrator. Allegations of
discrimination/harassment shall be fully investigated by a complaint manager
(as set forth in Student Concerns, and Complaints and Grievances 6.305).
Student
Concerns and Complaints
Decisions made by school
personnel---such as aides, teachers, or assistant principals---which students
believe are unfair or in violation of pertinent policies of the Board or
individual school rules may be appealed to the school principal or a designated
representative. To appeal, students will contact the principal’s office in
their school and provide their name, the issue and the reason for their appeal
on a printed form available at the school office within two days. The appeal
will usually be decided confidentially and promptly, preferably within ten (10)
school days.
However, if the
principal does not make a decision within ten (10) school days following the
date of the complaint, students or parents may appeal at that time by
contacting the director of schools/designee at the central office. The
information provided should include the student’s name, the school and a
description of the problem.
An investigation and
decision will be made within two (2) school days and communicated to the school
principal and student by telephone. A written copy of the decision also will be
sent to the
student and the principal.
Discipline
Procedures
The following levels
of misbehavior and disciplinary procedures and options are designated to
protect all members of the educational community in the exercise of their
rights and duties.
Misbehaviors:
Level I
Minor
misbehavior on the part of the student which impedes orderly classroom
procedures or interferes with the orderly operation of the school, but which
can usually be handled by an individual staff member.
Examples (not an exclusive
listing):
Classroom
disturbances
Classroom tardiness
Cheating and lying
Abusive language
Nondefiant failure to do assignments or carry out
directions
Harassment (Sexual,
Racial, Ethnic, Religious)
Disciplinary
Procedures:
Immediate
intervention by the staff member.
Determine what
offense was committed and its severity
Determine offender
and that he/she understands the nature of the offense.
Employ appropriate
disciplinary options.
Record
of the offense and disciplinary action maintained by staff member.
Disciplinary
Options:
Verbal reprimand
Special Assignment
Restricting
activities
Assigning work
details
Counseling
Withdrawal of
privileges
Issuance of demerits
which might affect citizenship or deportment grades
Strict supervised
study
Detention
Corporal punishment
In-school suspension
Out-of-school
suspension
Misbehaviors:
Level II
Misbehavior
whose frequency or seriousness tends to disrupt the learning
climate of the school.
Included in this level are misbehaviors which do not represent a direct threat
to the health and safety of others but whose educational consequences are
serious enough to require corrective action on the part of administrative
personnel.
Examples (not an exclusive
listing):
Continuation of
unmodified Level I behaviors
School or class
tardiness
School or class
truancy
Use of tobacco in
unauthorized areas
Using forged notes
or excuses
Disruptive classroom
behavior
Harassment (Sexual,
Racial, Ethnic, Religious)
Disciplinary
Procedures:
Student is referred
to principal for appropriate disciplinary action.
Principal meets with
student and teacher.
Principal hears
accusation made by teacher, permits student the opportunity
of explaining his/her conduct, denying it or explaining any mitigating
circumstances.
Principal takes
appropriate disciplinary action and notifies teacher of action.
Record
of offense and disciplinary action maintained by principal.
Disciplinary
Options:
Teacher/schedule
change
Modified probation
Behavior
modification
Social Probation
Peer counseling
Referral to outside
agency
In-school suspension
Transfer
Detention
Suspension from
school-sponsored activities or from riding school bus
Corporal punishment
Restricting school related
honors student is otherwise due
Out-of-school
suspension not to exceed ten (10) days.
Misbehaviors:
Level III
Acts directly
against persons or property but whose consequences do not seriously endanger
the health or safety of others in the school.
Examples (not an exclusive
listing):
Continuation of
unmodified Level I and II behaviors
Fighting (simple)
Vandalism (minor)
Stealing
Threats to others
Harassment (Sexual,
Racial, Ethnic, Religious)
Disciplinary
Procedures:
Student is referred to
principal for appropriate disciplinary action.
Principal meets with student and teacher.