Gus Garcia Middle School

Transcription

1 Gus Garcia Middle School Student Handbook

2 PBIS Management Plan Basic Information Gus Garcia Middle School is charged with developing a school-wide behavior management plan based on the PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions & Support) model. Purpose is to promote positive behavior and diminish inappropriate student behaviors. The plan should set expectations, teach, monitor, and reward positive behavior rather than rely on punishment. Gus Garcia Middle School Goals 1) Out-of-school Suspensions: Decrease the number of students with out of school suspensions by 10% by the end of the school year. 2) Referrals: Decrease the number of student discipline referrals by 10% by the end of the school year. No more than 900 referrals. 3) Attendance: Increase average daily attendance to 93.8% for the school year. 4) Bullying: 100 percent of Gus Garcia Middle School students and staff will receive training on bullying prevention through guidance and counseling lessons presented by the school counselors. At minimum, training will be provided for all staff via the Safe Schools website. 100 percent of Gus Garcia students and staff will sign the Anti-Bully Pledge card. Rules/Expectations: Settings/Activities of Focus in Common Areas: 1) C 1) Cafeteria, Cafeteria Cleanliness Plan 2) H 2) Hallway 3) A 3) Classroom 4) R Defined by each 4) Restroom 5) G 5) Dismissal common area! 6) E 7) R 8) S Charger Reward System Charger Bucks are awarded for positive behavior school wide. Staff members will place their last name and room number on backs of the Charger Bucks to ensure there authenticity. Teacher should award to increase student participation and involvement. Student writes name in ink on the Charger Buck(s) immediately upon receipt. Charge Bucks can be redeemed for incentives that can be redeemed at the Charger Store or other rewards to be determined later.

3 GUS GARCIA MIDDLE SCHOOL DISCIPLINE INTERVENTION PLAN Gus Garcia Middle School is dedicated to the purpose of developing minds and building skills for the present and future lives of our students. This purpose continues in the belief that the individual teacher is the most dynamic force in the educational process. Effective teacher and student relationships are essential in establishing and maintaining a positive climate for learning. Discipline helps aid the process of maturing and becoming a productive member of society. Students are expected to conduct themselves properly, in a manner prescribed by the teacher, and they must comply with applicable policies of the school. Middle school students are in unique developmental stages of growth. Middle school students have a need for fairness and consistency both at home and at school. Gus Garcia provides behavioral consistency from teacher to teacher throughout the school day. This consistency extends beyond the classroom and includes all areas of the school environment; such as hallways, cafeteria, library, school grounds, and extracurricular activities. Establishing classroom discipline is a teacher s responsibility. However, ultimately the only behavior a teacher can control is his/her own. For this reason, it is important for teachers to serve as positive role models at all times. Classroom teachers are not limited to one campus-wide discipline management plan, but are allowed flexibility in developing classroom management systems matching their styles and preferences. Teachers are required to post classroom rules, to provide orientation for students, to consistently enforce the rules, and to inform parents of student progress. Teachers should use (but are not limited to) the following intervention strategies when addressing student discipline: (and prior to sending them to the office with a referral) Verbal Corrections/Classroom Management Teacher-Student conference with parent phone call documented Teacher-Assigned detention with parent phone call documented Teacher-Parent-Student conference Staffing with parent, student, counselor and/or administrator as deemed appropriate Office Referral including documentation of interventions If a student becomes disruptive in the classroom and needs to be removed, the teacher should do the following: 1. Ask the student to step outside the classroom for a private, brief teacher/student conference 2. Call the front office and ask for an administrator Teachers are expected to appropriately document all intervention strategies implemented.

4 Students will not be allowed to wear pullover hoodies. Jackets must have zippers. Hoods my not be worn at any time. All backpacks, purses and bags must be mesh or see through plastic. Small purse may be carried not to exceed 4 inches by 4 inches.

5 SCHOOL ID POLICY The purpose of this policy is to ensure safety and security on Gus Garcia Middle School's campus and to prepare students for high school. All Gus Garcia Middle School students will be issued an ID and are required to wear a student ID at all times. Wearing a student ID allows us to identify students in a timely manner, and will assist us to identify unauthorized guests. These steps will be instituted to ensure the safety of all students and staff at school. We are asking for your help in making our campus a safe place for our students to learn. 1. All students must wear their own current ID. The ID is part of the dress code. 2. The ID must be worn on the school issued lanyard, around the neck and be visible to oncoming persons. 3. ID's cannot be worn on the shirt sleeve, pants, or bottom of shirt. 4. If a student is wearing a jacket, the ID must be worn on the outside of the jacket so that it is visible at all times. 5. The FRONT AND BACK of the ID needs to be plain. No stickers, markings, additional photos are allowed on the ID. 6. If IDs are damaged, defaced, and/or cut, and they distract from the general information, use of, or the photo itself, students will need to replace it. 7. A $5 fee for each additional ID card will be assessed if a new ID is printed. 8. Students on campus without an ID will automatically be printed a new ID and charged the $5 fee CONSEQUENCES OF NOT WEARING STUDENT ID 1st Violation: Verbal Warning 2nd Violation: Written Reminder Stage 1 Referral and Parent Notification 3rd Violation: Lunch Detention 4th Violation: After-school detention 5th Violation: In School Suspension - 1 Day 6th Violation: In School Suspension - 2 Days 7th Violation: In School Suspension 3 Days

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7 PASSES Students will have an opportunity to use the restroom, get water, or go to other areas within the school, but they are required to have a pass. Students who are not in class, for any reason, lose valuable instruction time. Therefore be selective when allowing a student to leave your classroom. Students will be required to sign the Sign-Out / Sign-In Log every time they leave. It is the duty and responsibility of the teacher to monitor and replace the log on a daily basis. Teacher will submit their logs for administrative review every two weeks during your respective grade-level planning. Restroom/Water Passes: Each student will be given 1 sheet of Charger Passes per nine weeks that will be kept in their binder. Each sheet has 3 passes per class. Students can be excused for the restroom and water 3 times per 9 weeks per teacher. Teachers must sign the Charger Pass in the student s binder. The student will then sign the Sign-Out / Sign-In Log, put on the orange vest and leave the room. The use of the orange vest is ONLY used when the student is out of the class to go to the restroom or to get water. Students are not to be released from class to use the restroom or to get water during the first and last 5 minutes of class. However, teachers are to use discretion with a student who expresses they have a physical need during the first and last 15 minutes of class. Students that do not have a pass will be escorted back to your room for a pass. Hall Passes: Each teacher will be given General Charger Passes. Students leaving the classroom on a medical, library, counselor or office must have a General Charger Pass, and must also sign the Sign-Out/Sign-In Log. Students are not to be released from class to use the restroom or to get water during the first and last 5 minutes of class. However, teachers are to use discretion with a student who expresses they have a physical need during the first and last 5 minutes of class. Students that do not have a pass will be escorted back to your room for a pass. GUS GARCIA MIDDLE SCHOOL FIRST SEMESTER 1 ST NINE WEEKS CHARGER PASS Student Name: FIRST PERIOD Date: Teacher: SECOND PERIOD Date: Teacher: THIRD PERIOD Date: Teacher: FIRST PERIOD Date: Teacher: SECOND PERIOD Date: Teacher: THIRD PERIOD Date: Teacher: FIRST PERIOD Date: Teacher: SECOND PERIOD Date: Teacher: THIRD PERIOD Date: Teacher:

8 THE SCHOOL DAY Instructional time for students is 8:15 A.M. 3:45 P.M. Breakfast is served in the classroom at 7:55 a.m. For the safety of the students, we ask that you do not drop your children before 7:45 a.m. Breakfast will not be served until 7:55 a.m. You are responsible for your child s care and safety prior to 7:45 a.m. YOUR CHILD S SAFETY IS OUR CONCERN! All students must be picked up promptly at after unless they are enrolled in an after school program such as athletics or tutorials. Teachers and other staff will be on duty from 3:45 3:55 p.m. daily. Student Information Updated student information on file is important for your child. If you move or change your phone number during the school year, it is your responsibility to call the school and inform the data input clerk or send a note with your child. Your employment and emergency contact information is very important too. Only those individuals listed on the emergency card and the authorization list will be allowed to pick up students. All visitors wishing to visit the campus or pick up students must have picture identification. Use of the Office Telephone As with any business, the telephone in the office is vital to the operation of the school. Therefore, we must limit the number of people who use the telephone in the office. Because of this, students will be allowed to use the telephone only in an emergency. Make arrangements with your child in the morning when special instructions are necessary. Due to the number of students and hectic office schedules, we cannot guarantee phone messages. If there will be any change in the routine of your child s day please make arrangements before he/she leaves your home. Many times students use the phone to ask for permission to go somewhere (not school related) after school. This is not considered an emergency. In a case like this, the student will not be allowed to use the phone. Deliveries to Students Due to the number of students and hectic office schedules, we cannot guarantee immediate delivery of homework, books, etc. Balloons and other gift items will not be delivered, but can be picked up after school.. Student Attendance Daily attendance is essential for success in school. Parents must ensure that their children maintain perfect attendance throughout the school year. Students with perfect attendance for the year (no absences and no tardies) will receive awards. Incentives will be given throughout the year for perfect attendance. Students who are absent are required to bring an absence note from the parent (only 5 parents notes will be accepted per semester) or a written note from the doctor within 2 days after returning to school. Students will receive a warning letter on their 3 rd unexcused absence. The school reserves the right to require doctor s notes for absences, particularly in cases of excessive absences. As stated is E.I.S.D. Policy, truancy can be filed after a student s fourth unexcused absence/partial day absence. For more specific information, please refer to the District Discipline Management Plan and Attendance Guidelines. Parent conferences will be held to discuss student absences.

9 Saturday School or After School Detention may be assigned to students: a. for the sixth absence/partial day absence and for every additional excused or unexcused absence. b. For the third unexcused absence/partial day absence and for every additional unexcused absence. If you know that your child will be absent for a length of time due to personal illness, notify the school a soon as possible and set up a meeting with the teacher(s) so that classwork may be sent home. It is the responsibility of the parent to ensure classwork is obtained for the child. The teacher will determine whether work will be sent home and the due dates for completion. Occasionally, your child may need to stay after school for a few days upon returning after a lengthy illness to make up missed instruction. A student who is temporarily absent due to an appointment with a health care professional may be considered in attendance if that student commences classes or returns to school on the same day of the appointment, and a doctor s note is submitted. Partial Day Absence The first bell rings at 7:55 a.m. At this time, students will line up at the designated area. Classes begin promptly at 8:15 a.m. It is District policy that partial day absences will be treated as a discipline problem. Therefore, consequences will be administered for partial day absences. Please ensure that your child arrives at school on time. Students with persistent partial day absences may not qualify for incentives such as Fabulous Friday and the Nine Weeks Discipline Dance. Students on a transfer from another school are subject to being withdrawn from school if persistent partial day absences occur. Students with more than 2 partial day absences during a nine-week period will not be considered for perfect attendance. Make-up Work Students should make up issued assignments when absent from instruction. Make-up work will be permitted within a reasonable amount of time, as agreed by teacher, parent and student. Teachers will send home a make-up work policy at the beginning of the school year. Visitors Parents/ guardians are welcomed at any time. Teachers appreciate knowing about visits in advance and at times might invite you to visit the classroom. All visitors are required to sign-in and receive security clearance and a visitor s pass at the front office. Visitors are required to wear a visitor s pass so that the staff will recognize them. We encourage you to visit our school frequently so you can be familiar with our instructional programs. ANYONE IN THE BUILDING NOT WEARING A VISITOR S PASS WILL BE ASKED TO GO TO THE OFFICE FOR A PASS OR WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE SCHOOL GROUNDS. For the safety of ALL students and school personnel, we must always know who is on campus and for what reasons. Please cooperate with us in the name of student safety. All doors will be locked from the outside at all times. Only the doors by the front office will be open for school access. Visitors to the school will be required to be buzzed into the building. This is necessary to maintain a secured environment for your children. Release of Students During the Day Students will be released at the end of the day with a staggered release. Students who have class on the second floor will be released 2 minutes before the end of the day, and those students are the first floor will be released when the bell rings. Normal end time for school is 3:45 pm, and early release day s end at 12:15 pm. If you need to pick up your child before the end of the day, we recommend that you do it as close to end of the day as possible. Parents who are picking up students during school hours must come to the office. Teachers have been directed to release students only if the office has called for the child. Students will only be released to those listed on the emergency card. Identification must be provided. We encourage you to make appointments after school. However, should you require an appointment during the day; we will need the doctor s note to excuse the absence upon returning. Instructional time is very

10 important to your child s educational progress. The amount of time your child spends in the classroom will affect the amount of learning acquired. Parent Conferences Teachers will request a conference to share important information concerning your child s academic, social, behavioral or emotional experiences. If you are unable to attend the scheduled conference, please call to reschedule as soon as possible. If you wish to know your child s progress in school, please feel free to call the school to request a conference with the teacher. Conferences will be scheduled during the teacher s conference period or after school. Tutorial Services Tutorial services will be provided for students who are failing or who are in danger of failing. A district may require a student whose grade in subjects for a reporting period is lower than 70% on a scale of 100% to attend tutorials in that subject during the following reporting period. Interventions may be scheduled into the regular school day or may be held after school. Each teacher is required to inform parents if a student will be attending tutorials. Progress Reports We want to keep parents informed of their children s progress at all times. Good news is more welcomed than bad news. All students will receive a progress report at the end of the third week and at the end of the sixth week of the nine weeks grading period. In addition, parents can access their child s academic status via the internet by logging in to Parent Connect. Our campus parent liaison can assist with you if need help. We feel it is important for both student and parent to know when a student is experiencing success. This will encourage students to try their best. In January, First Notice of Concern of possible retention will be sent to parents. Second Notices will be sent at the end of the 3 rd Nine Weeks. Final notices of retention are given to parents in May. Teachers are required to hold a parent conference with each notice of concern and notice of retention. You are encouraged to attend the scheduled conference in order to discuss your child s academic progress and options. We encourage parents to arrange a conference with the teacher to discuss their child s progress. Waiting until your child brings home his/her report card will be too late. Textbooks It is each student s or the parent / guardian s responsibility to return all books at the time of withdrawal or at the end of the school year. Students will be responsible for any damages to the textbook. Any student who fails to return books or pay for lost or damaged books will forfeit the right to free textbooks until records are cleared. EDUCATION CODE (C) Defacement and Damage Any defacement or damage to school property by a student will be reported to the building administrators. The student(s) responsible for such damage will be required to pay for the cost of repair or replacement and will be subject to disciplinary action. The school administrator may suspend any student found guilty of willful damage to school property. (BOARD POLICY MANUAL FNCB) This also applies to defacement or damage to public property when students are on school related field trips. Counseling Services Our counselors are available full-time to any student in need of counseling. If for some reason during the school year, you feel your child might need counseling, you may call for an appointment. The students receive classroom guidance dealing with issues such as study skills, friendship building, cooperation, conflict resolution, etc. Some students may participate in a small group or individual counseling session as well. We highly recommend your cooperation in allowing your child to participate. The students look forward to

11 participating in the smaller setting, and they learn valuable skills. Group counseling includes, but is not limited to divorce, grief / loss, anger management, etc. School Library The loan period on all books is two weeks, after which time the books should be turned back in or renewed. You do not necessarily need to keep the books for the total loan period. You may return them as soon as you are finished with them. Gus Garcia library opens every morning at 7:30 and closes at 4:00. The library does not charge students or parents for overdue books. However, books lost or damaged must be paid for before new books may be checked out. Accelerated Reader Program Gus Garcia Middle School highly encourages reading and utilizes the Accelerated Reader Program to assist with inspiring students to read. The Accelerated Reader is a computer-based reading motivational program that is currently in use by more than 14,000 schools across North America. The program is simple: The student reads a book from the Accelerated Reader book list. The child then takes a computerized test on the book, answering simple multiple-choice questions that check their recall of basic facts and events in the book. After finishing the test, the student gets a point score based on the difficulty level of the book and the number of questions they answered correctly. The computer keeps track of every student s points, which may be used for a number of fun activities and prizes at school. We would like Gus Garcia parents also to become involved in our Accelerated Reader program. There are a few simple ways you can do this: Set an example for your child by reading yourself. As a parent, you are your child s greatest role model. If your child sees you reading daily for pleasure, your child will in turn want to become a reader him or herself. Support us in our effort. See to it that your child reads at least 20-minutes each night independently if possible. Reading goals will be set with your child s ELAR teacher. Talk to your child s teacher about his or her progress each nine weeks in this program. School Nurse / Medication Our nurse will be available on a full-time basis. If your child becomes ill or has an accident, you will be notified. Be sure all emergency numbers are kept up to date. When medication needs to be administered, the parent and the doctor must sign and EISD consent form and leave the medication in the office. MEDICATION WILL BE ADMINISTERED ONLY WITH A COMPLETED CONSENT FORM. It is the student s responsibility to go by the office for his/her medication. The nurse or an office staff member will administer medication. MEDICATION CANNOT BE SENT TO SCHOOL WITH THE STUDENT. Withdrawals In order for all paperwork to be ready for a student s transfer to another school, parents are required to notify the office at least one day in advance. Your paperwork will be ready at the end of the withdrawal day. Before paperwork can be released, all textbooks and library books must be cleared. Valuable Items Students are discouraged from bringing expensive jewelry, watches, or extra money to school. The school will not be responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged items. Nuisance Items Radios, electronic games, or any other item distract instruction are to be left at home unless the teacher has requested them for a special project. If a student brings any of these items to school, the items will be taken from the student. If the student continues to bring such items, these items will be turned in to the building

12 administrator and the parent will be required to come in for a conference. The school will not be responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged items. Physical Education Physical education is a required course for all students in Texas public schools. Our program promotes the physical development of all students. Students must wear a proper PE uniform that will be available for purchase at school. A note must be sent to the PE teacher if a child is to be excused from activities. If a student is restricted to limited or no physical education for more than 3 days, a doctor s note is required at the time of your request. Fund Raisers Fundraisers will be held during the school year. Participation is not a requirement. However, parents are asked to support the school by allowing their child(ren) to participate. Exchange or Sale of Items Students are prohibited from exchanging or selling items. This includes lunch items. Parental Involvement Parental involvement is extremely important in promoting the success of your child. We strongly invite all parents to become actively involved in your child s education. We need parents, grandparents and community members to volunteer time in the classrooms, to help with bulletin boards and to assist in many other aspects of the school environment. We recommend that every parent volunteer at least 3 hours during the school year. All parents will be asked to volunteer in the classrooms. In order to keep your child(ren) safe, we ask that you sign in at the front desk when you arrive and sign out when you leave. If you are interested in volunteering, please see our Parent Liaison. In order to provide you with information and training on a variety of topics of interest to parents, there will be a meeting each month. Please check your newsletter for dates and times. We feel confident that you, our parents, will join us, the Gus Garcia faculty and staff, in ensuring that together we will fulfill our vision, mission and beliefs. C.P.O.C The Campus Performance Objectives Council is our site-based decision making committee. It consists of parent, staff, and community representatives. Parents are welcomed to attend meetings and to provide assistance in the development of our Campus Improvement Plan. Dates and times will be given in the Gus Garcia Newsletter. If you are interested in becoming a parent representative, please contact the school office. Title I Gus Garcia Middle School has a school-wide Title I program. Title I is a federal assistance program whose goal is a high quality education for every child. School / Parent Compact A copy of our school / parent compact will be sent home at the beginning of school. It outlines ways that students, parents, teachers and staff members can work together to benefit education. Please complete and return to your child s teacher.

13 GUS GARCIA MIDDLE SCHOOL CONFISCATED ITEM(S) FORM 7 TH 8 TH STUDENT NAME ID NUMBER GRADE The EISD student code of conduct makes references to items that are prohibited within school. However, if a student decides to bring these items to school they run the risk of them being confiscated, turn in to the office, and in some cases assessed a $15.00 fine. PROHIBITED ITEMS: Sunglasses and hairnets. Heavy chains, spike jewelry, heavy chain necklaces, wallet chains or other inappropriate types of jewelry (no rosary beads worn as necklaces outside of their shirt). EARRINGS MAY BE WORN ONLY IN THE EAR LOBES. (Spikes, cones and gauges are prohibited.) Coverings for inappropriate piercings will not be allowed.) Body piercing is NOT allowed. ELECTRONIC DEVICES as per district policy: State law allows the District to charge an administrative fee of $15.00 to return a confiscated paging device that disrupts the educational process. A paging device is a telecommunication device that emits an audible signal, vibrates, displays a message or other summons or delivers a communication to the possessor. The District does allow students to possess telecommunication devices, prohibits students from using them while on school property or while attending schoolsponsored or school-related activities on or off school property. Students who violate this policy shall be subject to disciplinary measures. District employed shall confiscate any paging devices found to be in use, or disrupts the educational process, while on school property or at a school related activity. Electronic devices include ipads (non-school use) iphones/cell phones, ipods, MP3 players, and any other musical and/or electronic devices. Electronic equipment is the sole responsibility of the student. Lost or stolen electronic equipment will not be investigated by the school. FIRST OFFENSE: VERBAL WARNING Date: Device: Parent Signature _ Student Signature SECOND OFFENSE: $15.00 ADMINISTRATIVE FEE TO BE PAID Date: Device: Parent Signature _ Student Signature