Administrators: Mr. Eric Stancell, Principal Mrs. Krystal Greenfield, Assistant Principal Mr. Bruce Daye, Assistant-to-the-Principal School Goals: - To maintain a strong academic program for all students and to challenge each student to reach his or her full potential - To provide, achieve, and maintain a safe, well-disciplined nurturing atmosphere - To incorporate technology in all aspects of school life - To promote school pride and spirit by providing extracurricular activities for all students - To increase parental involvement in school activities Welcome to Bayard Middle School. You are in an exciting phase of your life. You have new and different opportunities as well new responsibilities and challenges. The Bayard Middle School staff and administrators are prepared to help you make the most of those challenges. We are pleased to have this opportunity to welcome you to our school and share with you some of the things that we believe make Bayard a special place to grow and learn. We believe that: Each and every student can and will learn if he/she is given opportunities, challenges, and incentives. To this end you will be exposed to a strong educational program as well as a variety of exploratory and related programs. Students should take an active role in their education. Therefore, you should come to school on time and bring books, paper, pencils, and the other materials that you will need. You should set aside at least one and one-half hours a night to study and do homework. Teachers and students work best when they are members of a team. You will be assigned a team of teachers. Your team teachers will provide support and guidance, and will work with you and your family to help you achieve your academic goals. You should have a safe, supportive learning environment. You should respect others and you should be given respect in return. You should look for peaceful solutions to problems and strive to do your part in creating a positive school climate. There is something about each of us that make us special and unique. A variety of after-school clubs and programs are provided so that you can explore and develop your skills and talents. All students are encouraged to participate in the after-school programs. Bayard students are the very best! We believe your experience at Bayard is going to be both interesting and exciting. It is our hope that you will put forth your very best effort and will make this a special and rewarding experience. 2
INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS As a student at Bayard member of a team. All the assigned to a group of subjects (English Language Science). You are with your during each day. The other Arts or Enrichment classes. Middle School you are a students on your team are teachers who teach your base Arts, Math, Social Studies, and team teachers three blocks block you are in Expressive Health and Physical Education Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students are required to participate in health for one marking period and physical education for one marking period. While enrolled in physical education classes, students will be assigned a locker and a lock. Students must keep their personal belongings safe by keeping them in the locker with the lock secured. Please do not share lockers or share your combination number with other students. Expressive Arts Among the Expressive Arts courses you might be assigned are Business, Computer Applications, Art, and Family & Consumer Science. Most Expressive Arts courses last one marking period. Spanish Students may elect an in-depth study of Spanish. Students who successfully complete the courses may earn a high school elective credit. Students who enroll in Spanish should be achieving at a high level. AVID AVID is an elective class designed to increase school-wide learning and performance. It is part of our College Readiness System at Bayard. The mission of AVID is to ensure that all students are capable of completing a college preparatory path: All students will succeed in rigorous curriculum, All students will increase their enrollment in four-year colleges, and All students will become educated and responsible participants and leaders in a democratic society. Cultural Relevant Positive Behavior Support PBS is a program that uses incentives to encourage appropriate behaviors from students. Students will have the opportunity to earn selected rewards by demonstrating acceptable behaviors both in the classroom and the overall school community. Students are encouraged to earn as many coupons as possible in order to maximize their opportunities to benefit from the program. Music Program Students may choose to participate in the band, strings/orchestra, or chorus. The choral program includes chorale and mixed chorus. The band program includes concert and jazz bands. The strings program offers instruction in violin, cello, etc. These three groups present several performances throughout the year both at our school and in our community. Field Trips 3
Several teams and organizations arrange field trips as a part of their students' learning experience. Before each trip, your teachers will give you written information about the trip to take home to your parent(s). A permission form will be included. You must have the permission form completed and signed by your parent(s) in order to go on the trip. Your teachers might set standards for behavior and/or grades in order for you to be eligible to participate in a field trip. If they do, they will let the students know ahead of time so that you can work toward meeting those standards. SCHOOL SCHEDULE Bayard Middle School will be following a rotating block schedule this year. We will alternate between Blue days and White days. On Blue and White days all students will attend Math and ELA. The bell schedule will be the same everyday: Enrichment/Support 7:15-8:24 a.m. Block 1 8:28-9:38 a.m. Block 2 9:42-10:52 a.m. Block 3 10:56 12:46 p.m. 1 st Lunch 11:00 11:30 a.m. 2 nd Lunch 12:00 12:30 p.m. Block 4 12:50 2:00 p.m. Homeroom 2:00-2:05 p.m. ACADEMIC INFORMATION Textbooks Students will be issued several textbooks during the year. You are responsible for the books that you have been issued. If you lose or damage a textbook, you will be expected to pay for it according to the following schedule: 1 st Year 100% of cost 2 nd Year 80% of cost 3 rd Year 60% of cost 4 th Year 45% of cost Students who do not pay for lost or damaged textbooks before the end of the year may not be allowed to attend the end-of-the-year field trip and will have their report cards and records held until payment is made. Homework Homework is a very important part of your life as a student. It provides the additional practice you need in order to master a skill or fully understand a concept. You will be assigned homework at least four (4) nights each week. You are expected to complete and hand in homework assignments. Failure to do so may keep you from making good progress in a particular class and could result in a low grade. Promotion Policy In order to be recommended for promotion to the next grade, students should meet the following minimum standards: 4
You must pass language arts and two (2) of the following subjects (mathematics, science, social studies). Attend school 90% of the scheduled days. Report cards are issued to students the first-third marking periods. The last report card is mailed home by the school. Grading System Report cards are issued four times a year. Letter grades are used as follows: Letter Grade Percent A= Excellent 90-100 B= Above Average 80-89 C= Average 70-79 D- Below Average 60-69 F= Failing 59 I= Incomplete W= Withdrawal Interim Reports In the middle of each marking period your teachers will send interim reports to the parents of those students who are not working up to their ability and/or those students who are doing outstanding work. Honor Roll An honor roll is published at the end of each cycle. Requirements for each honor roll are: Distinguished Honor Roll Receive a grade of A in all courses taken during a cycle. Regular Honor Roll Receive all A's and B's in all courses taken during a cycle. A student may receive one C if he/she has also received at least one A. Criteria for Junior National Honor Society Membership A student must maintain a 3.30 academic average. The final selection is based on: participation in extra-curricular activities. exemplary behavior (no suspensions, in or out of school). teacher recommendation. completion of interest survey. letter of recommendation. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE You need to attend school regularly in order to keep up with your studies and to build good work habits. In addition, Delaware law says that you must attend school every day unless you have a legitimate reason to be absent. When you are legitimately absent, you must bring a signed note. This includes doctors, legal appointments, dental, or other professionally accepted documents. All other absences require a note from your parent(s) explaining the reason you were absent. Please understand in many cases parental notes may not be accepted as an excused absence. Give the note to your homeroom teacher; otherwise your absence will be recorded accordingly. No vacation(s) request will be approved during regularly scheduled school days. Following an excused absence you may make up all work missed, take tests, and submit any assignments that became due while you were absent. The time allowed for taking tests or turning in assignments is equal to the number of school days you missed. It is your 5
responsibility to ask your teachers for any work you have missed and to make sure the work is made up. Christina Attendance Policy The Christina School District Board of Education has adopted an attendance policy for all of the students in the Christina School District. Students must attend school at least 90% of the scheduled time in order to qualify for promotion to the next grade. All absences including illness, personal or family problems, and vacations are included. School related trips and activities are not counted absences under the attendance policy. You and your parents are responsible for monitoring your attendance. The school will keep your parents informed about your attendance through a verbal or written request, the mail, on your report card, and, sometimes, by telephone. Bus Transportation When you ride a school bus, it is important that you behave in a responsible manner so that you do not distract the driver or in any way, or jeopardize the safety of you or your fellow students. Your bus driver will give you rules and regulations that you must follow when riding the bus to and from school. Infractions are subject to the Christina Student Manuel. SPECIAL NOTE: Students must board and depart the bus at their assigned bus stops only. You may not ride a different bus or ride to a different destination unless an emergency situation exists and you have to obtain permission from a school administrator. Any student violating bus safety rules may be suspended or riding privileges revoked based on the incident. The school principal will make the decision based on the individual situation and infraction. Walking Students Students who walk to school or get a ride to school should enter and leave the building through one of two major entrances. If your parents drive you to or from school they should drop you off or pick you up at a major entrance. Any student who is a walker may be held up to 15 minutes after walkers are dismissed for outside of school behavioral infractions reported or documented. This includes fighting, profanity directed at neighbors (adults), and all disruptive conduct that is determined to be unacceptable by the schools administrator or designee. Late To School Students must be in homeroom by 7:15 each morning. If you arrive late, you should report to the main office area to sign in and receive a pass admitting you to class. Tardiness that results from missing the bus, oversleeping, personal problems, though understandable, is not excused. Early Dismissal If a pupil must leave the building during the school day, a note from a parent must be presented to the homeroom teacher during homeroom period on the day of the early dismissal. The note should include a telephone number where your parent can be reached prior to the dismissal. Your homeroom teacher will send you to the office to get a pass that you should present to the teacher whose class you are leaving. When leaving school for the appointment, you must be signed out in the main office by a parent or guardian. Students are not permitted to leave school early without a parent or guardian. Parents must 6
show photo I.D. when picking up students. No student will be called to the office after 1:45 PM for dismissal. Emergency Closing Announcements When the situation requires that school is closed or the regular school schedule is altered, the information will be announced over the local radio stations. Please do not call the school for this information. The information will be announced on the following radio stations: WJBR 99.5 FM WRDX 94.7 FM Station Dial WNRK 1260 AM WDEL 1150 AM WILM 1450 AM SCHOOL ACTIVITIES Participating in school activities will help you to become a well-rounded person and to feel a part of your school. Several activities are available both during and after school. When activities take place after school, bus transportation is provided. Intramural Activities Intramural sports (such as football and soccer) are or two days a week. You slip signed by your parents to participate in volleyball, basketball, flag offered after school usually one will need to have a permission and medical insurance in order intramural activities. Other Activities Many other activities are available including: Yearbook Business Club Student Government FHA/HERO Math League Enrichment Clusters Science Olympiad Peer Mediators School Musical AVID Art School Store Newspaper Soccer/Basketball/Track/Cheerleading School dances and athletic contests are also scheduled during the school year. SERVICES AVAILABLE Health Services If you become ill in school, you should get a pass from your teacher to go to the nurse who will decide what should be done. Students must not leave the building because of illness unless given permission. If the nurse is not in, you should report to the main office. If you have been injured at home, the nurse cannot treat you. If your parent or doctor has applied a dressing to an injury, the nurse may not remove it. Medication Any medicine must be taken to the nurse at the beginning of the day. The nurse must have written permission from your parents to give you any medication including over-the-counter drugs. The medicine should have a label, which contains your name and address, your 7
doctor's name, the date of the prescription, prescription number, name of medication and dosage. Accidents Every accident in the school building, on the school grounds, at practice sessions, or at any athletic event sponsored by the school must be reported immediately to the person in charge and to the school office. EMERGENCY CARDS You will receive an emergency card on the first day of school. Please have your parent complete it and return it to your homeroom teacher on the second day of school. When you return your emergency card, you will be issued your locker. Every student MUST have a current emergency card in the nurse s office. STUDENT SERVICES TEAM The student services team is a group of specialists who provide services to students. Members of the team include: counselor/advisors, educational diagnostician, nurse, school psychologist, speech/hearing clinician, visiting teacher, and administrators. These staff members are here to help you achieve to the best of your ability. They can provide you with assistance in dealing with academic, social, physical or personal problems that might be keeping you from doing your best. They also will help you to develop and/or maintain a good relationship with your schoolmates and teachers. PEER COURT This year Bayard will have a peer court process that is completely voluntary to students who have a signed parent permission slip, or phone call to the appropriate Dean indicating they approve of their child entering into the peer court program for restorative outcomes administered by trained students. This process may be offered to a student who has not been a repeat offender of the same type violations. The decision by the student panel can be appealed to the principal, in writing, within 48 hours of the peer court decision. CAFETERIA The cafeteria will serve lunch starting with the first day of school. The prices are as follows: Breakfast & Lunch are Free for all Bayard students! Cafeteria Procedures You will eat your lunch team. The cafeteria with the procedures for contribute to making the by making sure you follow *Use indoor *Keep your hands and *Eat your food *Be respectful of *Leave food, straws, *Get in the end of the lines. *Bring and spend your own money. *Put all trash in a trash can. 8 with other students from your supervisors will familiarize you using the cafeteria. You will cafeteria a pleasant place to eat these guidelines: voices/talk quietly. feet to yourself. appropriately. others. and tensils in the cafeteria.
*Make sure your area is clean. *Get permission to use the lavatory. *Remain in your assigned seat/table at all times. * Do Not Throw Food At Any Time. *Line up quickly and quietly when your group is called. INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA CENTER The IMC (or library) is available for student use before school, during the school day, and after school with the permission of the librarian and your teacher. The librarian provides orientation programs to familiarize students with procedures for using the IMC. The librarian is also available to answer your questions, help you use the computers, or assist you individually whenever you are using the library. BAYARD DISCIPLINE PHILOSOPHY We believe that: Each student at Bayard has the right to receive the best possible education in a safe, positive and productive learning environment. Each student shares in the responsibility of monitoring his/her behavior to insure that he/she has the opportunity to participate in curricular and extra-curricular learning activities in a safe, positive, and productive learning environment. Each teacher and staff member shares in the responsibility of helping students to monitor their behavior by being supportive, fair and consistent, thus creating an atmosphere where students can learn and teachers can teach in a safe, positive and productive learning environment. Each administrator shares in the responsibility of assisting teachers and students in creating a safe, positive and productive learning environment by providing timely follow-up to referrals; maintaining open communications with teachers, students, and parents; and by being fair, supportive, and consistent. Each parent/guardian at Bayard Middle School is a valuable resource and partner; therefore, communication between the home and school is essential in creating and maintaining a safe, positive, and productive learning environment. Administrator/Dean Students are assigned to administrator/dean by grade level. You will meet your administrator/dean during the fall orientation meetings. You should seek out the assistance of your dean if you are having any problems that are interfering with your schoolwork. Student Behavior Good behavior is necessary for a positive learning environment. Each student through his/her behavior contributes to the overall atmosphere of the school. Students who enter the school are expected to respect others and their property, and to behave in a way which does not hinder the learning process. Student Manual This Handbook is designed to provide practical information for parents and students about your child s school. The content in this handbook is in no way intended to supersede or to amend Christina School District policy including but not limited to the Student Manual. Parents/Guardians may obtain the Christina School District Student Manual in English or Spanish from their child s school office, or from the Christina School District website at 9
www.christinak12.org. Questions about the discipline policies of the Christina School District may be directed to our district office at 302-552-2600. Questions about the content of this Handbook should be directed to the school Principal. Thank you for working in partnership with your child s school and the Christina School District to ensure safe, secure learning environments for all students. Uniform Dress Policy Bayard has developed a uniform dress code that each student is required to respect during the school day. Each student will be provided with a description of the dress uniform by July 15 th of each school year. Bayard is an educational environment and that your main reason for being here is to learn! Therefore, clothing should be comfortable, yet modest and should not detract from learning or disrupt the orderly educational process. Bayard students dress should adhere to the following guidelines: No hats, earmuffs, bandanas, do-rags, or sunglasses are to be worn in the building (male or female). Articles of clothing with suggestive or derogatory pictures or phrases, or advertising of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs are prohibited. During Dress Down Days! Clothing (shorts) designed to be worn as undergarments may not be visible. No Jeans allowed with or without holes. Shirts that expose any part of the midriff (stomach) bare are prohibited, as are any revealing clothing. All shirts/dresses must have sleeves (males and females- no tank tops, halter tops, tube tops, sleeveless jerseys, or spaghetti straps). Slits in skirts/dresses may not be above the mid-thigh. ALL HEMLINES (dresses, skirts, shorts) must be no higher than 2 (two) inches from the top of the knee. No outerwear will be permitted to be worn in classrooms. Pants must be neat and fit properly and should be worn around the waist. They may not touch the floor. No frayed edges or visible holes are permitted. Pants may not be excessively baggy or have holes with patches. Chains are prohibited. Shoes must tie or have buckles, straps or Velcro straps. NO flip-flops, clogs, backless shoes, or high heels. If your clothes are not acceptable, you will be required to change. If you do not have other clothing, you will be removed from class until your parent/guardian brings a change of clothes. A second dress code violation will be treated as insubordination. NOTE: You are encouraged NOT to wear your extra-special and expensive clothing or jewelry to school. Cell Phones Your student is permitted to have a cell phone in school in accordance to the following guidelines: The phone must not be visibly displayed or worn within the building. Cell phones must be TURNED COMPLETELY OFF during school hours. The school is NOT RESPONSIBLE for lost, stolen, or damaged cell phones. Students bring the cell phones to school at their own risk. We will not investigate stolen cell phones or other personal electronic equipment. Students with multiple violations will be charged with defiance and not allowed to have a cell phone in the building. 10
Book Bags Students will be expected to leave backpacks and large bags in their locker in the interest of health and safety. (A large bag is anything bigger than an 8 X 11 sheet of paper.) Students will be given access to their lockers by their team of teachers. Locks and Lockers You will be assigned a locker outside your homeroom. Your locker should be used to store books, coats and other schoolrelated materials. You will be supplied with the combination code for the assigned locker. Please be careful not to pre-set your lock or to give out your combination. Lockers are NOT to be shared between students. Each student will be assigned their own locker. School lockers are the property of Christina School District. At no time does the Christina School District relinquish its exclusive control of lockers provided for the convenience of students. Periodic general inspections of the lockers may be conducted by school authorities for any reason at any time, without notice, without student consent, and without a search warrant. Hall Passes Students are not permitted in the halls during class periods without a pass, unless they are accompanied by a teacher, monitor or authorized staff member. Hallway Standards Students are asked to follow these guidelines when passing through the halls at Bayard: *Walk to the right. *Keep all outside coats in your lockers. *Talk quietly and respectfully. *Go directly to your next class. *Respect the personal space of others. *Keep your hands and feet to yourself. *Be in your classroom on time. *Follow any staff member s reasonable request. Electronic Devices Radios, Ipods, Ipads, electronic games, and other types of non-academic electronics do not belong in school. Not only do they disturb classes, but they are often lost or stolen. These and any other items that interfere with instruction will be confiscated and kept in the school office. The first time one is taken from you, your parent/guardian only must pick it up at the end of the school day. If one is taken from you a second time, you will not be allowed to have that item in school again. Subsequent Offenses of the same item will be kept in the school safe until the end of the school year and the student will be charged with defiance. SPECIAL INFORMATION Terrorist Threatening 11
School staffs and the District Administrators are taking every possible step to eliminate this problem. First, we are conducting our own investigations and cooperating with law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute the individuals involved. Under our Student Manuel, consequences may include expulsion from school. We are working with the Attorney General s Office to press criminal charges against the individuals responsible for making these threats. If a student is arrested and charged with making a bomb threat the Attorney General s Office is likely to request the following: $5,000 to $10,000 cash bail only, a full mental health evaluation and a search of the home of the perpetrator. Under the law, bomb threats are considered Terroristic Threatening and are punishable with a fine between $1,000 and $2,500, 100 hours of community service, restitution and probation. We need responsible behavior on the part of all of the students and remind you that such acts, which may appear to be pranks, have serious consequences that can affect your lives long after you leave school. Visitors According to Delaware law, all visitors must report to the main office to gain permission to be in the building. Teachers and students may not bring friends, brothers, sisters, cousins, etc. to school with them. Any person that wishes to make contact with a student needs to present a picture I.D. and must have authorization as an identified contact. Telephone Calls Telephones may be used by students only in emergencies. Students will not be called to the telephone except in emergencies. If you need to get a message to a student, please call the school office and the message will be delivered to the student. Cell phone use is prohibited in school. If it is determined a student has used their cell phone to call or text a parent, the phone will be confiscated and held for a parent to pick it up. Refusal to give a cell phone or electronic device to an administrator or staff member is considered defiance. Office staff will screen all calls for students coming into the office. Transfers or Withdrawals If you plan to transfer to another school, you should notify your administrator/dean as soon as possible. They will make arrangements for you to take a withdrawal form to your teachers who will record grades and other information for your new school. You should return the form to your administrator/dean who will make final arrangements for your transfer. Change of Address It is important that the school always have your correct address and telephone number. If you move or change your phone number, your parent should call the main office and supply the new information. Students can be excluded until the school receives a current/accurate address and/or telephone contact. HAVE A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR! 12