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Atlanta Middle School Handbook Atlanta Independent School District Atlanta Middle School Handbook 2020-2021 ​ Atlanta Middle School Preface Welcome to Atlanta Middle School. The coming year offers many opportunities and challenges for each student. You are encouraged to take advantage of each opportunity that is offered. Get involved in all worthwhile activities of the school. Do your part to make this school a good place to get an education. As you strive to take full advantage of the school year, you may need some guidance to help you. With that in mind, this handbook was prepared for you. In case of conflict between Board policy or the Student Code of Conduct and any provisions of student handbooks, the provisions of Board policy or the Student Code of Conduct that were most recently adopted by the Board are to be followed. We strongly recommend that parents review the entire handbook with their children and keep it as a reference during the school year. If you or your child has questions about any of the material in this handbook, please contact a teacher, counselor, or the principal. Also, please complete and return the parental acknowledgement and consent/opt out forms so that we have a record of your choices. The faculty and administration extends to you best wishes for a very successful school year. Parents Are Encouraged to Visit Our School Conferences with teachers can best be set up during the teacher planning period/conference period by calling 903-796-7928 and setting up the appointment. ALL VISITORS MUST CHECK IN AT THE MAIN OFFICE UPON ARRIVAL FOR A CONFERENCE OR FOR ANY OTHER REASON. VISITORS MAY NOT COME ON ANY PART OF THE CAMPUS BEFORE CHECKING IN AT THE OFFICE. AMS FIGHT SONG: We are the rabbits, yes we are, We are here to win this game. Though others try with all their might, We won’t give up without a fight. Fight, fight, fight, fight, fight. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Honor the Texas Flag “Honor the Texas flag: I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.” Directory Atlanta Middle School 903-796-7928 Atlanta Middle School Fax 903-796-7290 Atlanta Middle School Band Hall EXT. 4060 Atlanta Middle School Cafeteria 903-799-1007 Atlanta Superintendent of Schools 903-796-4194 Colby Boyce, Principal Kara Delay, School Nurse Misty Williams, Assistant Principal Connie Wall, Campus Secretary Amy Holland, Counselor Diane Davis, Receptionist ​ Shauna Lee, Media Specialist Logan Puckett, Assistant Principal Secretary Bobbie Wiley, Registrar 1 Atlanta Independent School District Atlanta Middle School Handbook 2020-2021 ​ Atlanta Middle School General Information Atlanta Middle School Advanced Placement Policy For Grades 6, 7 and 8 Selection Process th th th Advanced courses offered in 6 ,​ 7 ​ and 8 ​ will use the following criteria: 80% or above on the individual ​ ​ ​ course averages for the subject they are requesting, Meets or Masters performance level on STAAR Test, attendance, and behavior to evaluate student placement into advanced courses. Algebra I will also require students to take an algebra aptitude test provided by the school to see the students readiness for the course. If a student does not qualify for an advanced class, his/her parents may request a conference to discuss placement with the principal, the student service advisor, and/or the subject department chair. If the ​ ​ ​ student is placed in the course, they will start the class on probation. th th th Maintenance Criteria- 6 ​ Grade, 7 ​ and 8 ​ ​ ​ Every three weeks, all advanced placement students’ averages will be checked. If a student has an average below 80% in any advanced class, the following actions will be taken: st 1. The 1 ​ time a student’s grade is below the required average, a note will be sent home as a ​ warning, and the student will be placed on probation. 2. During the probation period a student’s grade is below the required average; the student may be removed from the advanced course and placed in a regular class. th th Maintenance Criteria- 7 ​ and 8 ​ Grade ​ ​ Every three weeks, all advanced placement students’ averages will be checked. If a student has an average below 80% in any advanced class, the following actions will be taken: st 1. The 1 ​ time a student’s grade is below the required average, a note will be sent home as a ​ warning, and the student will be placed on probation. nd 2. The 2 ​ time a student’s grade is below the required average; the student may be removed from ​ the advanced course and placed in a regular class. Notes: ● The three times do not have to be in consecutive three-week periods. ● If a student FAILS a six-week grading period, he/she will automatically be removed from the advanced class. ● No student will be removed from an advanced class during the 6th six-weeks grading period. Attendance Regular school attendance is essential for the student to make the most of his or her education. To benefit from teacher- led activities, to build each day’s learning on that of the previous day, to grow as an individual, and for exposure to the activities that make learning come alive students need to be in class every school day. Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student’s mastery of the instructional materials; therefore, the student and parent should make every effort to avoid unnecessary absences. We agree with this Parent Connection quote: “Children can copy notes or make up an ​ assignment, but they can never get back what’s most important; the discussions, the questions, the explanations by the teacher and the thinking that makes learning come alive when they are absent.” 2 Atlanta Independent School District Atlanta Middle School Handbook 2020-2021 ​ Absences Your progress in school depends greatly on punctuality and regularity of attendance. Personal sickness, sickness or death in the family, emergencies or unusual causes (acceptable to the Principal) are the only acceptable reasons for absence. When parents are in doubt, they should contact the Principal before the absence occurs. If a student is absent for ten or more days or parts of days within a six month period in the same school year, or if a student is absent on three or more days or parts of days within a four week period the student’s parent is subject to prosecution under the Compulsory Attendance Law. Even if absences are deemed excused, a student must attend school for at least 90% of the days class is offered. For a student to receive a perfect attendance award they must be in attendance from bell to bell. If a ​ ​ student is checked out during the day and does not return with an excused absence from the doctor/dentist, this will count as missing part of a day. Excused/Unexcused Absences/Parent Notes The principal or his/her designee shall determine if an absence is excused. If there is a doubt, the parent should check with the Principal before the absence occurs. STUDENTS SHOULD NOT MISS MORE THAN 9 DAYS DURING A SEMESTER. Any student not in attendance for at least 90% of the instructional days of the semester shall be referred to the attendance committee to determine whether or not credit for the year will be granted. Students may turn in their missed work within three (3) days after ​ returning to school. PARENT NOTES SHOULD BE TURNED IN TO THE OFFICE UPON RETURN TO SCHOOL OR WITHIN THREE (3) DAYS AFTER THE STUDENT RETURNS TO SCHOOL. (Parent notes will be accepted for 5 absences per semester) Compulsory Attendance In Texas, a child between the ages of 6 and 18, depending on when the child’s birthday falls, is required to attend school unless otherwise exempted by law. School employees must investigate and report violations of the state compulsory attendance law. To receive credit in a class, a student must attend 90 percent of the days the class is offered. A student who attends fewer than 90 percent of the days the class is offered cannot receive credit for the class unless the attendance committee finds that the absences are the result of extenuating circumstances. 3 Atlanta Independent School District Atlanta Middle School Handbook 2020-2021 ​ The District accepts the following as extenuating circumstances for the purpose of granting credit for a class: 1. An excused absence based on personal sickness, sickness or death in the family, quarantine, weather or road conditions making travel dangerous, any other unusual cause acceptable to the Superintendent or Principal. 2. Days of suspension. 3. Participation in court proceedings or child abuse/neglect investigation. 4. A migrant student’s late enrollment or early withdrawal. 5. Days missed as a runaway. 6. Completion of a competency-based program for at-risk students. 7. Late enrollment or early withdrawal of a student under Texas Youth Commission. 8. Teen parent absences to care for his or her child. 9. Participation in a substance abuse rehabilitation program. 10. Homelessness, as defined in federal law. If the attendance committee finds there are no extenuating circumstances for the absence or if the student does not meet the conditions set by the committee to earn or regain credit, the student will not receive credit for the class. If a petition for credit is denied, the student or parent may appeal the decision to the Board of Trustees by completing a written request to the Superintendent.

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