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Student & Parent
Handbook 2008-2009 A
Message from the Administration
On behalf of the administration and faculty, we welcome
you to With student success as our primary focus, we desire to encourage and empower all students to strive for their highest academic, physical, emotional, and social potential, preparing them for continuing levels of education, training, and civic responsibility. Table of Contents
I. CommunicationParent-Teacher OrganizationThe purpose of this
organization is to bring the home and the school into a closer
relationship so that parents and teachers can cooperate more
intelligently in the training of our children. The membership of this
organization shall consist of the people interested in pursuing the
goals of the organization. One very important purpose of the SMS PTO is
to recruit parent and community volunteers to help with every phase of
life at
We encourage parents to
visit
Student
MessagesWe will be unable to
deliver messages to students, except in cases of an emergency. We
understand that parents may feel the need to get in touch with students
during the school day, but we cannot stop the instruction of the other
students in the class for any reason other than an emergency. The
nature of the emergency must be specified to a school official before
classroom activities will be interrupted. After school arrangements,
meeting places, pick-up times, etc. should be made between the child
and the parent before the student arrives at school in the morning.
Office phones at SMS are
for school business purposes only. Students will not be permitted to
make phone calls by land line or cell phone during the school day
unless it is an emergency. Also, students will not be called to the
office to receive incoming phone calls.
A Focus on Learning We believe
classwork and homework are
important tools to learning because they are valuable aids in helping
students make the most of their experience in school. We
do however understand that time constraints, family situations, and
proper balance to one’s life factor in to assignments and homework.
At
All
students will receive instruction in
language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, physical
education, art, music, computer technology, and guidance. Special
courses include band, accelerated mathematics, and Algebra 1.
Enrichment opportunities will also be provided in every subject area
with school, county, regional, and nationwide competitions and/or
activities. The school-wide instructional program
is enhanced through a full inclusion program designed to serve special
education populations (e.g. learning disabled, gifted, Comprehensive
Developmental Classroom students and Social Developmental Classroom
students) in the least restrictive environment where all students can
benefit. Physical Education is a required portion of a well-balanced
educational program. Students are expected to participate in all
physical activities unless excused by a doctor’s note. Seventh and
eighth grade students are expected to dress out in the appropriate
clothing and shoes. Students not dressing out will be given a written
assignment to be completed during class time. Band is an elective
subject offered to students in grades six through eight. Enrollment is
for the full year. Each student will provide his own instrument. If a
lease-purchase agreement is desired, please contact one of the band
instructors for details.
Guidance is an integral part
of the total
middle school program. Guidance will come from the homeroom teachers,
the administration, and the guidance department. The
primary function is to provide a comprehensive guidance program for all
students and to specifically provide activities to meet the needs of
the individual student. Teachers, administrators, and counselors will
be available to meet with teachers, students, and parents to provide
support and enhance the educational opportunities for the student.
The SMS
Library is located in the center of
the academic wing of our building and is the focal point of the
academic learning environment. The library is fully equipped
technologically with computers and projection units. It
is fully equipped facility designed to support and expand the academic
programs while also providing enjoyable recreational reading material
for all students. The library is available for both individual student
research and class research projects. Books may be checked out on a
two-week basis. Students must have a library pass from the teacher if
coming without a class. If a library book is lost or damaged, the
student who checked it out is responsible for paying for it. Grade
cards will not be issued nor cumulative records sent to a new
destination until all student obligations are cleared.
All grades
at SMS will participate in
educational field trips. The same good manners, dress code, and rules
of conduct that apply at school will be expected of students
participating on field trips. Expenses for these trips will be the
responsibility of each student. Information concerning the purpose of
the trip, place to be visited, cost, chaperones, etc., will be sent to
parents in a timely manner. Students participating in field trips must
turn in a signed permission slip from parents. Phone calls for
permission will not be accepted.
Students
experiencing situations with poor
grades, who have been suspended out of school, placed at the
Alternative School or
Programs will be scheduled
during the school
year with some being educational and others for entertainment. Students
and parents will be notified of any cost. Recognition and awards
programs for achievement, leadership, and improvement will also be
scheduled during the school year.
Students
are encouraged to be a part of a
group or activity. Students with a group or
activity have a great opportunity to feel a part of the school and
enhance their chances for success.
Athletics is an area where
many of our
students find an opportunity to excel, thus developing physical
involvement in their success as a student. Opportunities
abound throughout the year for participating in athletics.
Regular attendance at school and promptness for classes are necessary if each student is to benefit from the programs and instruction offered at SMS. Each student should strive for a perfect attendance record. State law requires a student to attend school for three hours and thirty minutes to be counted present for that day. The Sevier County Board of Education passed a new attendance policy at the April 2000 Meeting that will impact students in grades 6 - 8. The following is a summary of the current policy: Absences and tardies will be classified as either excused or unexcused as determined by the principal or his/her designee using the following criteria as set forth by the Board. Excused absences and tardies result from the following: 1.
Personal
illness;
2. Illness of immediate family member; 3. Death in the family; 4. Extreme weather conditions; 5. Religious observances; 6. School bus failures; 7. Circumstances which in the judgment of the principal create emergencies over which the student has no control. Please note that other absences and tardies will be unexcused. Absences Each semester
students are allowed to
provide 4 parent notes for absences. These notes may cover up to
3 consecutive days missed. After 4 parent notes are used,
students must provide a doctor’s note in order for absences to be
excused. The State School Compulsory Attendance
Law, TN annotated 49-6-3006, requires the school system to file a
juvenile truancy petition once a student accrues 5 unexcused absences
from school. Please note that the attendance record
does not start over with the spring semester, it is a year-long record.
Students
participating in school-sponsored activities will not be counted
absent. All missed class work or tests must be made up when a student
has an excused absence or is out of class on a school-sponsored
activity. When a student’s absence is unexcused, the student will be
allowed to make up tests missed. Regular class work will not be made up
and the student will receive a zero for that work.
Family Vacations A total of
five (5) school days per school year may be excused by the building
level administration for a family vacation prior to the student going
on vacation. Approval will be dependent upon student’s attendance
and academic record. Longer periods of time must be requested and
approved by the Superintendent of Sevier County Schools. Please do not
request a vacation during the week of TCAP.
Daily Schedule & Tardies The school
day at SMS begins at 8:05 a.m. and ends at 3:05 p.m.
Students who arrive before 7:50 a.m. must go directly to the gym.
Students will be dismissed from the gym at 7:52 to report to homerooms.
No student should arrive at school before 7:15 a.m. The doors will not
open and there will be no teacher on duty to supervise students. The
front doors will open at 7:15. If a student is late for school and
arrives after 8:05 a.m., he or she must bring a note signed by the
parent including a phone number where the parent can be reached. Unexcused
tardies will result in disciplinary action.
Excused Tardies Tardies will
be excused for the following reasons: personal
illness, illness of family member, death in the family, extreme weather
conditions, religious observances, school bus failure, and other
circumstances which the principal deems as an emergency over which the
student has no control. *Medical notes may be
required for illness.
Unexcused Tardies Students are
allowed 4 unexcused tardies per semester. Examples
of unexcused tardies include oversleeping, car trouble, power outage,
missing the school bus, etc.
The SMS Tardy Policy is: 1. Four
unexcused tardies per semester - parent notification by school
personnel.
2. After four unexcused tardies a student will have 1 day of ISS each time they are tardy. Early Dismissal If it is necessary for a
student to leave school early, a parent or an adult listed on the
authorization card must come in the office to check the student out.
Classes missed will be excused for the same reasons as full day excused
absence. Any student absent for an excusable reason is responsible for
completing work missed as a result of leaving early. No student
is to be picked up after 2:30 P.M. unless he/she has a doctor’s
appointment in order to be fair to all parents who wait due to traffic.
Please do not ask our front office to be lenient on the
policy
unless one has proof of a doctor’s appointment and please keep in mind
that learning is our focus and it is very hard to learn when one is
missing valuable instructional time.
Afternoon Dismissal Afternoon dismissal begins
at 3:05 p.m. Students who ride first load buses will go to the back
parking lot and load at that time. Parents will pick up students who
are car riders at the front entrance to the building. Students who have
parent permission to walk will also be dismissed at 3:05. At 3:15 p.m.
second load bus riders will be dismissed from the team areas to report
to the commons area to wait for buses. Students not picked up by
parents (car riders) will report to the commons area where
parent/guardians can pick them up.
School Closing & Severe Weather Announcements concerning
the closing of schools in
Make-Up Work Pertaining to Absences Students who have been
absent from school with an excused absence are allowed to make up any
work missed during this time. Board policy grants
one school day for each excused absence to make up work beginning with
the day the student returns to school. It is the
student’s responsibility to see each teacher and request needed
assignments. Parents may request needed assignments
for students who have been absent for more than 3 days. These
assignments may be picked up in the school office after 3:15 with prior
arrangements having been made with the student’s teachers before 9:15
A.M.
Education is a process of growing and learning to live in society as a contributing, participating member. Discipline is the development of self-control, character, responsibility, restraint, fair play, and consideration for the feelings and welfare of others. Good manners (consideration for the other person) encompass both of these ideals. School rules and regulations are based upon General Policies 1.
All
SMS Staff members have not only the right, but also the responsibility
and duty to reprimand or correct a student whom is misbehaving.
Disrespect by students toward any staff member will not be tolerated.
We believe students should show respect to all staff members at all
times.
2. Students should be present and on time each school day. Daily attendance and punctuality are essential for good work and progress. 3. In class, good citizenship means students always do assignments, bring materials to class, and in general, conduct themselves in an acceptable manner. 4. Boy-girl relationships are a natural part of growing up. However, we feel that obvious or open displays of affection (kissing, handholding, arms around each other, etc.) are not appropriate in the school, buses, school grounds, or field trips. 5. Obscene/vulgar language/gestures will not be allowed. Name-calling is unacceptable. 6. Damage, destruction, or defacing of school property at SMS will not be tolerated. 7. Chewing gum is not permitted on campus. 8. CD players, radios, tape recorders, cameras, collectable cards, tapes, CD’s, cell phones, laser pointers and other valuable possessions should not be brought to school except with special permission and for a special purpose. Students are not permitted to bring items to sell at school. 9. Students may not drive any motorized vehicle to school. 10. Students cannot take part in any after-school activity if they were absent from school, in ISS, ALC, or suspended. 11. Skateboards or roller blades are not to be brought to school at anytime. 12. The school prohibits bullying and sexual harassment. Bullying and sexual harassment conduct includes any unwelcome physical or verbal confrontation of an unwelcome or sexual nature. 13. The school understands that if a student is a victim of a violent crime at school, parents will be notified and the child has the right to attend another grade-appropriate public school in the county. The Sevier County School System recognizes the effect, which student dress and grooming have upon student behavior and commitment to learning. Attire considered disruptive to health or safety is not appropriate. The following rules concerning dress and grooming are mandatory in grades 6-12, beginning with the 1999-2000 school year. Bottom Wear Bottom wear must be size
appropriate for the wearer with no sagging or bagging,
and must be worn securely at and around the waist so as not to reveal
undergarments and to prevent pant legs from touching the floor.
Wide-legged pants which expose less than one fourth of the top of the
foot, large pockets, cargo pockets, spandex, or leggings shall not be
allowed. Skirts, shorts, or skorts must be no shorter in length than
four (4) inches above the knee in grades 6-8. Slits must be no higher
than four (4) inches above the knee in grades 6-8. This
pertains to clothing even when worn with stocking |