Student Handbook 2019-2020
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STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 UNSTON IDDLE CHOOL G M S Home of the Horne ts 2700 S. Lang Street Arlington, Virginia 22206 http://www.apsva.us/gunston/ Dr. Lori A. Wiggins Principal Office Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. School Hours: 7:50 a.m. to 2:24 p.m. Main Office: (703) 228–6900 Student Handbook 2019-2020 1 Dear Gunston Students! This handbook is created for you, so that you will understand the important resources, rules and regulations, which help make Gunston Middle School a positive, rewarding, and safe place to learn. Middle school is a time of great growth; emotional, mental, and physical. It is important that you read this handbook; it will help guide you in making good decisions and taking responsibility for your own learning and for your behavior. Expectations at Gunston is based on developing positive relationships among students, teachers, parents, and administrators. We take PRIDE (Preparation, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Excellence) in our academic journey. Gunston PRIDE is used to guide you as you learn to be more self-directed and self-disciplined. We are here to help you maintain these goals by encouraging you to be a positive member of our school community. Read this handbook carefully, and be sure you understand everything it says about student attendance, behavior and available school resources. If you have any questions about information in this handbook, be sure to ask your teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, or other staff members for support. Wishing you a GREAT school year, Lori Wiggins, Ed.D. Principal Student Handbook 2019-2020 2 Table of Contents SCHOOL PERSONNEL ………………………………………………….……………………………………………... 4 PROGRAMS AT GUNSTON……………………………………………………………………………………………..5 TRADITIONAL PROGRAM SPANISH IMMERSION PROGRAM MONTESSORI PROGRAM EXTRA–CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ………………………………………………………………………………...5 AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES CHECK-IN (EXTENDED DAY) COMMUNITY CENTER PROCEDURES FOR AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES …...………………………………………………………….. 6 INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS PROGRAM …………………………………………………………………………. 6 SPORT PHYSICALS DAILY ROUTINES ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..7 ARRIVAL TO SCHOOL BUS CONDUCT ATTENDANCE EXCUSED ABSENCES EARLY DISMISSALS BICYCLES & SKATEBOARDS CAFETERIA ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..8 CELLULAR PHONES/ELECTRONIC DEVICES COMPUTER USE COUNSELING SERVICES ……………………………………………………………………………………………..9 CLINIC PROCEDURES MEDICATIONS GUNSTON LIBRARY HAZARDOUS WEATHER & EMERGENCY PROCEDURES HOMEWORK EXPECTATIONS HOMEWORK HELP …………………………………………………………………………………………………..10 LOCKERS LOST AND FOUND PE POLICIES RECYCLING REPORT CARDS/GRADING PROGRESS HONOR ROLL SCHOOL VISITORS .…………………………………………………………………………………………………..11 TEACHER ADVISORY PROGRAM A GUIDE TO SUCCESS PRIDE HALLWAY BEHAVIOR APPROPRIATE PHYSICAL CONTACT KIND AND CARING HONESTY .………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12 DRESS CODE PROHIBITED ITEMS ILLEGAL ITEMS BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS ……………………………………………………………………………………… 13 Student Handbook 2019-2020 3 SCHOOL PERSONNEL OFFICE LOCATIONS Principal Dr. Lori Wiggins Main Office th Assistant 6 Grade Principal Mr. Carl Seward W136 th Assistant 7 Grade Principal Mr. Shana Curtis 101C th Assistant 8 Grade Principal Mr. Marcelo Flores GW13 Director of Counseling Ms. Briana Milton G23 Registrar Ms. Cynthia Sturdivant G23 Facilities Manager Mrs. Kathy Harris-Thomas Facilities Office Activities Director Mr. Luis Matos G47 Instructional Technology Ms. Carissa ElChehabi 123B Coordinator Principal’s Admin. Assistant Mr. Geovanny Bares Main Office School Treasurer Ms. Brittany Dennis Main Office Administrative Assistants Ms. Tamika Rector Main Office Ms. Andrea Villarroel Main Office Mr. Adriano Borruto Facilities Office Counselors: Sixth Grade Ms. Lindsay Carr G21B Seventh Grade Mr. Eric Jefferson G21C Eighth Grade Ms. Sharon Kolody G23B HILT Counselor Mrs. Marlene Cordero G23C Montessori Counselor Mrs. Samantha King G21A & Programing Cohort Counselor Ms. Coretta Brown 123F Student Handbook 2019-2020 4 PROGRAMS AT GUNSTON ● Electives ● P. E. Gunston is home to three academic programs: the Traditional Middle School MONTESSORI PROGRAM Program, the Spanish Partial Immersion Language Program, and the Montessori The Arlington County Middle School Middle Years Program. All three programs Montessori Program offered at Gunston is a provide academic excellence in a continuation of the elementary program challenging and nurturing environment. offered at Drew Elementary School. TRADITIONAL PROGRAM The program is designed to continue the educational methods based on the work of Gunston offers a variety of traditional Maria Montessori. Instruction is offered in middle school courses in math, language an environment that encourages students to arts, science, social studies, and electives. learn independently and work at their own Students are also encouraged to participate pace. in the numerous clubs, sports and after school activities. EXTRA–CURRICULAR SPANISH PARTIAL IMMERSION ACTIVITIES The Arlington County Middle School AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES Spanish Partial Immersion Program is As a Gunston student, you are encouraged to offered at Gunston Middle School as a participate in a variety of activities offered continuation of the elementary programs after school. We offer lots of opportunities to offered at Key and Claremont Elementary support you academically, encourage your Schools. creativity, and develop your talents and leadership skills. The different after school The program is designed to continue the activities and clubs are announced at the development of Spanish language beginning of each school year. proficiency. The skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing are taught specifically After school activities are divided into two through the language arts, science, and social periods. PM 1 runs from 2:35 to 3:15 and studies content instruction. PM 2 runs from 3:25 to 4:09. Language of Instruction in Immersion: CHECK-IN (Extended Day) Courses taught in Spanish: The Extended Day program requires ● Social Studies students to check-in at the end of the school ● Science day and goes until 6:00 p.m. Students who ● Spanish Language Arts are in Check-In may also participate in any Courses taught in English: Gunston after–school activities. ● Math ● English Student Handbook 2019-2020 5 COMMUNITY CENTER graders. Tryouts are required for all sports The recreation center located in our building except Ultimate, Wrestling, Track and also provides after school activities through Swimming. the Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation. Programs are open to all SPORTS INCLUDE: Gunston students. Late buses are provided Boys’ Basketball Girls’ Basketball for students who attend activities in the Boys’ Ultimate Girls’ Ultimate recreation center. Co-ed Swimming* Boys’ Soccer Girls’ Soccer PROCEDURES FOR AFTER Co-ed Tennis Co-ed Track SCHOOL ACTIVITIES Co-ed Wrestling ● You are expected to leave the building *must know how to swim at the end of the formal school day if Practices are usually after school Monday you are not staying for after school through Thursdays from 2:35 - 4:09 p.m. activities. However, coaches will give a specific ● ALL students staying after school must practice schedule at the start of the season. be under the direct supervision of a TH SPORTS FOR 8 GRADERS staff member. Eighth graders are eligible to try out for high ● Students participating in PM1 activities school freshman football, field hockey, only, must leave the school building volleyball, JV Baseball, Crew, JV Softball and grounds by 3:15 p.m. No bus and JV Lacrosse. transportation will be provided. ● Students participating in after school SPORT PHYSICALS events and activities for both sessions In order to try-out for and participate in a sport, students must have a completed will be provided transportation at 4:20 physical form dated after May 1, 2019, on p.m. Late buses will be available on file at school. See the activities director for Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and the physical form or visit our school website, Thursdays. under activities. ● Once students leave the building, they may not re-enter unless SPORTS CALENDAR accompanied by an adult. Cheerleading September ● Special sports buses will be provided Ultimate Sept - Oct Boys’ Soccer Oct – Nov for athletes on event days. Tennis Sept – Oct Track Apr- May INTERSCHOLASTIC Girls’ Soccer Sep–Oct SPORTS PROGRAM Boys’ Basketball Jan - Feb Girls’ Basketball Oct - Dec At Gunston, you have opportunity to try out Wrestling Jan – Feb for our various competitive sport teams. The Swimming Feb – Apr th th th sports program is available to 6 , 7 , and 8 Student Handbook 2019-2020 6 ATTENDANCE DAILY ROUTINES Attending school regularly is essential to be a successful student. Attendance is taken every period of the day. Tardiness to class and frequent absences will have a negative effect upon your ARRIVAL TO SCHOOL…. achievement and grades. Students are Students riding the bus are reminded that bus responsible for making up missed work pick up starts as early as 6:40 a.m. (and for when you are absent. some students, even earlier). The regular school buses leave school at 2:34 p.m. every EXCUSED ABSENCES day; however, there are late buses provided The following are considered excused Monday – Friday at 4:20 p.m., for students absences from school (all others reasons are that stay after school for sport practices and unexcused): other school related activities. Students ● Illness, doctor or dentist appointment participating