Philip Simmons Middle School 2065 Seven Sticks Dr
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Philip Simmons Middle School 2065 Seven Sticks Dr. Wando, South Carolina 29492 (843) -471-2590 (Phone) (843) -471-2599 (Fax) Website: www.bcsdschools.net/psm Student Handbook 2019-2020 School Year Charla Groves, Principal Chris Thurman, Assistant Principal Berkeley County School District Empower All Students for Success 1 Administrative Team and PSM Support Staff Principal Charla Groves Assistant Principal Chris Thurman Guidance Director Dionne Singleton Instructional Coach Flashette Johnson Media Specialist Frances Blakeney School Secretary/Bookkeeper Audrea Jackson Student Records Clerk Melissa McCorkle School Nurse Madeline Smith Cafeteria Manager Lynn Tollison Head Custodian Rosalyn Farmer School Hours: Students Enter: 7:20 AM Instruction Begins: 7:40 AM Dismissal: 2:35 PM Half-Day Dismissal: 11:00 AM *2- Hour Weather Delay: 9:45 AM *3-Hour Weather Delay: 10:45 AM *Bus routes will also start on the corresponding delay. 2 A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL Welcome to Philip Simmons Middle (PSM) – Home of the Iron Horses! We are so excited that you are part of the Philip Simmons’ family. The start of this new school year is filled with many new opportunities and experiences for all scholars. Our teachers and staff have been designing and planning lessons that will engage scholars in meaningful learning experiences. We are committed to provide each scholar with our personal best every day. Our wish is that each scholar and his/her parent/guardian do the same! As a team we can accomplish our mission and attain our goals. Parents and community members are encouraged to get involved in all aspects of our educational program. We invite everyone to participate in the school decision-making process through conferences, PTSA membership, joining the School Improvement Council, surveys, or our volunteer program. We find that the home-school-community relationship is essential to our success as a school. Student safety is of the utmost importance to us. This Student Handbook is intended to help you stay informed with school and district policies or procedures. Let this be a starting point to talk to your scholar about school and what he/she is learning. As partners, we will provide an excellent education for all our children. As Philip Simmons used his forge to create works of art throughout our beautiful city, we will use the middle school experience as an opportunity to forge the future success of each scholar! Together, we can make a lasting impact on his/her life. 3 BERKELEY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT P. O. Box 608/229 East Main Street Moncks Corner, SC 29461 Phone: 843-899-8600 Superintendent: Dr. Eddie Ingram District Vision Statement Empower all students for success. District Mission Statement In partnership with our community, ignite in every student a passion for world-class knowledge and skills through dynamic instruction and personalized educational opportunities. • Please note the Vision and Mission Statements well be revised during the fall of 2019. Action Concept Statements Based on Shared Values • We will operate above board with honesty and integrity in all things to build trust. • We will move together with courage as a team to shift the paradigm of education forward. • We will make our children our first priority through love and respect, treating them as one of our own family. • We will show faith in our teachers and administrators to quip our children with a 21st century education. Value Driven Goals and Commitments • The BCSD will create a safe environment for all students, teachers, and staff. • The BCSD will teach children to read, write, and do math on grade level. • The BCSD will empower every child to reach their maximum potential and not view them solely as a data point. • The BCSD will act intentionally with transparency and integrity to earn and maintain public trust. • The BCSD will work to strengthen a culture of inclusion where diversity is not a mere buzz word. • The BCSD is committed in the capacity to which each of us is called to put the interests of students above our own. TITLE IX STATEMENT Berkeley County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status in the provision of education opportunities or employment opportunities and benefits in compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 4 2019-2020 BCSD Student Instructional Calendar Aug. 16 Fri. Freshman Orientation for HS Aug. 19 Mon. First Day for Students Sept. 2 Mon. Labor Day - Schools/Offices Closed Sept. 11 Weds. Late in for HS only Sept. 25 Weds. Early Release (Elem/MS) Sept. 26 Thurs. Progress Report Oct. 2 Weds. Late in for HS only Oct. 21 Mon. End of Q1/45th Day Oct. 25 Fri. Teacher Workday/Inclement Weather Make-up eLearning Day Oct. 30 Weds. Early Release (Elem/MS) Oct. 31 Thurs. Report Cards Nov. 6 Weds. Late in for HS only Nov. 20 Weds. Early Release (Elem/MS) Nov. 21 Thurs. Progress Reports Nov. 27-29 W-Fri. Fall Break - Schools/Offices Closed Dec. 11 Weds. Early Release (Elem/MS) Dec. 20 Fri. ½ day all students/End of Q2 Dec. 23 - Jan. 3 Winter Break – Schools Closed Jan. 6 Mon. Teacher Workday Jan. 7 Tues. Students Return Jan. 13 Thurs. 90th Day Jan. 16 Thurs. Report Cards Jan. 20 Mon. Martin Luther King Day - Schools/Offices Closed Feb. 5 Weds. Late in for HS only Feb. 13 Thurs. Progress Reports Feb. 14 Fri. District Staff Development – Schools Closed Feb. 17 Mon. President’s Day – Schools/Offices Closed Feb. 26 Weds. Early Release (Elem/MS) Mar. 4 Weds. Late in for HS only Mar. 12 Thurs. End of Q3/135th Day Mar. 13 Fri. Teacher Workday/Inclement Weather Make-up eLearning Day Mar. 19 Thurs. Report Cards Mar. 25 Weds. Early Release (Elem/MS) Apr. 10 Weds. Teacher Workday/Inclement Weather Make-up eLearning Day Apr. 13-17 M-FrI. Spring Break (Schools Closed) Apr. 30 Thurs. Progress Reports May 6 Weds. Late-in HS only May 25 Mon. Memorial Day (Schools/Offices Closed) June 1 Mon. 1/2 Day HS only June 2 Tues. 1/2 Day All Students June 3 Wed. Teacher Workday Inclement Weather Makeup Days for Students: Oct. 25, 2019; Mar. 13, 2020; Apr. 10, 2020) Board of Education Approved February 26, 2019 Note: Days may not be traded between staff development and workdays or district and school staff development days. 5 PHILIP SIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM Philip Simmons Middle School offers classes in four core curriculum areas: English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. Courses are offered at each grade level and as an accelerated course for students who meet criteria. EXPLORATORY PROGRAMS may include physical education, health, chorus, learning lab, foreign language, music, band, art, CTE (Computer Technology Education), and Gateway to Technology. ALGEBRA I and HONORS ENGLISH I are for students in the eighth grade and carry high school credit, with proper criteria met. Art I and SPANISH I are offered for students in the eighth grade and carry high school credit, with proper criteria met. CTE Selected Courses are offered in seventh and eighth grade and carry high school credit. ACADEMIC LEARNING LAB is available for all students. Computer assisted instruction features a computer lab with a library of software that provides support for all levels and grades of students. PROGRAMS for STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Our school provides a tiered approach of services for students with disabilities. A high functioning school team, along with the parents will develop a plan to determine and address the needs of students with disabilities through the use of appropriate accommodations, modifications, specially designed instruction, and related services within a continuum of placements in the school and district setting. ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES In April of 2016, South Carolina adopted a 10 point grading scale for all students in grades 9-12. For continuity within our schools, Berkeley County School District (BCSD) transitioned grade levels 3-8 to the new grading scale beginning with the 2016- 2017 school year. Students will receive a progress report at the midpoint of each quarter and a report card every nine weeks. The progress report and report card will show a student’s academic progress and accrued absences. A parent signature is required on each progress report/report card, and should be returned to the student’s homeroom teacher. Parents should monitor these reports carefully and request parent conferences with teachers as needed. ACCIDENTS All accidents on school property of the Berkeley County School District shall be reported immediately to the principal by the teacher and followed up with a written report. In case of a school bus accident, the principal, the area superintendent, school bus maintenance shop, and South Carolina Highway Patrol will be notified immediately. Parents will then be notified as soon as possible. SCHOOL HOURS/PROCEDURES The first bell rings at 7:40 AM for all grades. All students should report to their first period class no later than 7:45 AM. Students arriving after 7:45 AM are considered tardy and must report to the main office for a pass in order to be admitted to class. School hours are from 7:40 – 2:35 PM. ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL PROCEDURES Teachers are not on duty to supervise students before 7:20 AM, therefore, students are not allowed on campus prior to 7:20 AM. At 7:20 AM, students wishing to eat breakfast should report directly to the cafeteria to eat breakfast. Students are expected to eat breakfast quickly and quietly. Once students have finished breakfast, they should report directly to their assigned areas.