South Meadow School 2021-2022 Student Handbook DRAFT 108 Hancock Rd., Peterborough NH, 03458 Principal: Tim Conway Expectation of Our School Community 1 OUR SCHOOL MOTTO 1 BELIEF STATEMENTS 1 Acknowledgement of South Meadow Middle School Handbook 2 Letter from the Principal 3 Letter from the Superintendent 4 Meet the Staff of SMS 5 School Calendar 6 South Meadow Information 7 Admission Requirements 7 Transfers – Entering 7 Transfers – Exiting 7 Immunization/Health Physical Requirements 7 Daily Bell Schedule 8 Absenteeism 8 Tardy/Early Dismissal 9 PickUp Patrol 9 Academics 9 Athletics - Eligibility Requirements 11 Athletics - Interscholastic 11 Arrival to School 12 Late Arrivals 12 Dismissal 12 DRAFTWalker Routine 12 Bathrooms 12 Nurse 12 Bicycles 13 Books and Equipment 13 Chromebooks 13 Office Phones for Calls at School 14 Cell Phones / Electronics / Wifi 14 Teacher permission 14 Recess 14 Co-Curricular Activities and Interscholastic Athletics 15 Community Service Requirements 15 Dress Code 15 Expanding Horizon Program (EHP) 16 Health 16 Latex Policy 17 Library Learning Commons 17 Intervention 17 Lockers and Personal Property 17 Breakfast 17 Lunch 17 Parent Portal 18 Philosophy of Assessment 18 Report Cards and Honor Roll 18 Honor Roll 18 Honors High Honors (Principal’s Club) 19 High School Algebra Class 19 Incomplete 19 Minimum Grading 19 Student Placement (Promotion/Retention) * See page 12 Policy IKE 19 School Counseling Program 20 School Parent Support Network 20 Skateboards / Rollerblades / Rollerskates 20 Snow / Weather Policy 20 Social Events 21 Extended Learning Opportunities 21 Student Behavior / Social Decorum 21 Bus Information - STA ConVal (924-9211) 21 Care of School Facilities 22 Courtesy 22 Gum 22 DRAFTInappropriate Language 22 Vandalism 22 Student Code of Conduct 22 School Discipline Guidelines and Procedures 23 Potential List of Interventions and Consequences 23 Level I Behaviors and Responses 24 Level II Behaviors and Responses 25 Level III Behaviors and Responses 26 Level IV Targeted Intervention High Level 28 VIOLATIONS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE 29 Suicide Prevention Resources 31 NH Resources and Trainings 31 National Resources to Support Suicide Prevention and Postvention in Schools 31 School District Contacts 32 VIDEO SURVEILLANCE 32 VISITORS 32 Appendix. Contoocook Valley School District Policies 33 AC – NON-DISCRIMINATION 33 EBCE – SCHOOL CLOSINGS 33 ECAF — AUDIO AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE ON SCHOOL BUSES 34 EEAA — VIDEO SURVEILLANCE ON SCHOOL PROPERTY 35 EEAEC & JICC — STUDENT CONDUCT ON SCHOOL BUSES 36 EFAA — MEAL CHARGING 36 IHBH — EXTENDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES 39 IHCD & LEB — ADVANCED COURSEWORK 41 IKA — GRADING SYSTEM 41 IKFB — GRADUATION REGALIA 41 IMBC — ALTERNATIVE CREDIT OPTIONS 42 JCA — CHANGE OF SCHOOL OR ASSIGNMENT 43 JEDB — STUDENT RELEASE PRECAUTIONS 44 JG — ASSIGNMENT OF STUDENTS TO CLASSES AND GRADE LEVELS 44 JH — ATTENDANCE, ABSENTEEISM, AND TRUANCY 45 JI — STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 46 JIA — STUDENT DUE PROCESS RIGHTS 47 JIC – STUDENT CONDUCT 47 JICA — STUDENT DRESS CODE 48 JICD – STUDENT DISCIPLINE AND DUE PROCESS (Will be added once approved by the Board.) 48 JICDD — STUDENT DISCIPLINE 48 JICDDA — SIMPLE ASSAULTS: PARENTAL NOTIFICATION POLICY 48 DRAFTJICF — GANG ACTIVITY 49 JICFA — HAZING 49 JICG & GBED – TOBACCO PRODUCTS BAN USE AND POSSESSION IN AND ON SCHOOL FACILITIES AND GROUNDS 50 JICHB — ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE 51 JICI — DANGEROUS WEAPONS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY 52 JICK — PUPIL SAFETY AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION 53 JIH — STUDENT SEARCHES AND THEIR PROPERTY 56 JIHB — SEARCHES OF STUDENT AUTOMOBILES ON SCHOOL PROPERTY 57 JJA — STUDENT ACTIVITIES & ORGANIZATIONS 57 JLCC — HEAD LICE POLICY 58 JLCC-R — HEAD LICE CHECKLIST FOR HOME 58 JLDBB – SUICIDE PREVENTION AND RESPONSE 59 JLCD — ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION IN SCHOOLS 60 JLCF — WELLNESS POLICY 62 JRA — STUDENT RECORDS, PRIVACY, FAMILY AND ADULT STUDENT RIGHTS 63 KED — GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE (SECTION 504) 67 DRAFT Expectation of Our School Community OUR SCHOOL MOTTO “A caring, cooperative, respectful community of learners.” BELIEF STATEMENTS We believe that South Meadow School has the distinct responsibility of providing learning experiences which enable students, as they approach and begin adolescence, to develop and clarify their ideas about the world and their place in it. ● We believe that family involvement is critical to a student's successful educational experience. ● We believe that in all of our endeavors, students, staff and parents must actively strive to create a caring, cooperative, and respectful community. ● We believe all students are capable of learning and should be held to high expectations. ● We believe all students should be academically challenged. ● We believe that students will develop and integrate knowledge, valuable skills, responsible attitudes and cooperative behavior. ● We believe that learning is a lifelong process. ● We believe that students should learn to use technology efficiently in a variety of real life situations. ● We believe the curriculum should be integrated wherever possible. DRAFT● We believe service to the community is beneficial to all students. 1 Acknowledgement of South Meadow Middle School Handbook In an effort to conserve paper, the South Meadow Middle School Handbook is available through a link on our website https://sms.convalsd.net at the bottom of the homepage. Please read through the Handbook, sign and return this paper with your first day packet paperwork. If you would prefer to have a printed copy of the handbook, please call the office (603) 924-7105 and we will send one home with your child. I, ___________________________ parent/guardian of ________________________________ have read and understand the contents of the South Meadow Middle School Handbook. ____________________________________________ _____________________________ Signature of Parent/Guardian Date I have also read policy JRA – Student Records, Privacy, Family & Adult Student Rights in this handbook. I understand that I may opt out of allowing directory information to be shared as outlined in this policy. Please check one of the boxes below: DRAFTI opt out of allowing directory information to be shared. I agree to allow directory information to be shared in accordance with Policy JRA. _______________________________________ ___________________________ Signature of Parent/Guardian Date 2 Letter from the Principal Hello Pumas! Welcome back to School! We could not be more excited to welcome students and staff back to school. We have been working hard all summer to plan for the best school year yet at South Meadow School. We learned many new things from the past year, and we are looking to move forward as we build upon our previous experiences. It is important that everyone take the time to look through the handbook. The handbook has a large amount of information that is important for you to know. The handbook includes general information about the school, school procedures, and district policies. It is our mission to keep you informed with information throughout the school year. Up-to-date information will be sent to you throughout the year via our eNewsletters and will appear on https://sms.convalsd.net, our school district’s web page. If you have questions or concerns that DRAFTarise at any time, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher, school counselor, or myself. Together, we will have a great school year! Sincerely, Tim Conway Principal, SMS 3 Letter from the Superintendent Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year! As the Superintendent of the ConVal School District, I want to personally welcome each of you back to school. It is wonderful to have you back in person with a return to a more normalized school year. Last year was a challenge for many students, staff, and families. It may take a little time for all of us to readjust. You are fortunate that you are attending a school that recognizes that you are an individual and works to personalize your learning. You will have the opportunity to do many things that you enjoy, but I want to challenge you to try to learn something this year that is different, that stretches you as a learner and as a person. Build off the perseverance, grit, and lessons of last year. Maybe you will find that you are an actor, a chef, a photographer, an athlete, or a scholar. Try out for the team, the part, write a story, submit a work of art, or create new software or an app. Discover. Stretch. Persist. No matter the choice, there are teachers, counselors, and administrators ready and willing to help you, you need only ask- or just answer when they reach out to you. Whatever you decide, make your days here count. The ConVal School District has the desire to help every student succeed no matter the challenges that they face, so ask yourself this question “What does success mean to me?” Once you have answered that question, pursue it relentlessly by proceeding as if success is inevitable. An unknown poet once said “The start of something new, brings the hope of something great”. As the new year begins, my hope for you is that you find a new passion, one that challenges you, fulfills you, and furthers your journey as a student and the adult that you wish to be. Make it a great year! DRAFTKimberly Rizzo Saunders Superintendent of Schools 4 Meet the Staff of SMS Tim Conway– Principal Patricia Harris – School RN Dan Legro – Assistant Principal Jill Evelyn – Student Support Counselor Sherry Nixon – Administrative Assistant Amelia Joseph – Special Education Coordinator Jeanne