Cameron Middle School Principal Assistant Principal Dean Of Students Michelle Melick Ken Hamm Cal MacKinnon 215 Elm Street Framingham, MA 01701 508-879-2290 Student-Family Handbook Framingham Public Schools 2019-2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS FPS MISSION STATEMENT AND CORE BELIEFS GENERAL SCHOOL INFORMATION COMMUNICATION SCHOOL CALENDAR AND SCHOOL CLOSURE ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION PROCESS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES VOLUNTEERING AT SCHOOL HOMEWORK STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES AND REQUIREMENTS WELLNESS POLICY BUS TRANSPORTATION STUDENT CONDUCT EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS STUDENT DISCIPLINE FPS STUDENT AND FAMILY HANDBOOK ADDENDUM FPS MISSION AND CORE BELIEFS Mission The mission of Framingham Public Schools, a system that understands and values our diversity, is to educate each student to learn and live productively as a critically thinking, responsible citizen in a multicultural, democratic society by providing academically challenging instructional programs taught by a highly-qualified and diverse staff and supported by comprehensive services in partnership with our entire community. Core Beliefs Learning is the central purpose of schools For Framingham, this means that: All students can learn. ● Learning is an active, not passive activity. ● The purpose of assessment is to improve instruction. ● All decisions are made to further the academic success of every student. ● Professional conversations/meetings focus on instructional topics. Human differences are to be respected For Framingham, this means that: ● Each person will be made to feel valued, respected and safe within the ● Framingham school community. ● Understanding and respect for diversity is an integral part of the district’s program of study. ● The staff of the Framingham schools will reflect the diversity of our community. ● The schools of Framingham will reflect the diversity of our community. Collegiality and professionalism characterize the school community For Framingham, this means that: ● Frequent, continuous, concrete and precise talk occurs about teaching and between teachers.* ● Teachers plan, prepare and evaluate teaching materials together.* ● Teachers teach each other about the practice of teaching.* ● Everyone in the Framingham school community will be actively engaged in professional growth through reflective study and professional evaluation. ● Schools actively engage parents/guardians in the child’s education. Individuals are responsible for their behavior and decisions For Framingham, this means that: ● Each individual is responsible for modeling behaviors consistent with the core beliefs of the district. ● Each individual is accountable for creating a positive and safe learning environment. ● Each individual accepts responsibility for his/her decisions. ● Professional growth is achieved through identifying personal goals, taking appropriate actions and evaluating the results of these actions. *Courtesy of Judith Warren Little, University of California ​ LETTER FROM MRS. MELICK DEAR STUDENTS AND PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF THE CAMERON COMMUNITY, WELCOME BACK TO ALL OUR SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AND A SPECIAL WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IN THE INCOMING SIXTH GRADE CLASS. CAMERON MIDDLE SCHOOL IS FORTUNATE TO HAVE A STRONG AND SUPPORTIVE FACULTY AND LOOKS TO PROVIDE ITS STUDENTS WITH AN EXTRAORDINARY EDUCATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPRECIATE AND ACCEPT CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND DIFFERENCES. CAMERON MIDDLE SCHOOL SEEKS TO CREATE A CHALLENGING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT ENCOURAGES HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESS THROUGH INSTRUCTION THAT ALLOWS FOR INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES AND LEARNING STYLES. OUR STAFF PROMOTES CREATIVITY AND INDEPENDENT THINKING, AND EMPOWERS STUDENTS TO BECOME CARING AND ACTIVE CONTRIBUTORS TO THE WORLD WHICH THEY LIVE. TOGETHER WE WORK HARD TO ENSURE THAT ALL STUDENTS ARE PREPARED ACADEMICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND SOCIALLY FOR SUCCESS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND BEYOND. RESPECT AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY ARE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS WHEN MAINTAINING A SAFE SCHOOL AND PROVIDING A QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS. THIS HANDBOOK IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT WILL BE USEFUL FOR ALL STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. PLEASE SPEND SOME TIME WITH YOUR CHILDREN CAREFULLY READING THROUGH THIS HANDBOOK. WITH THE COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SCHOOL AND HOME, IT WILL BE A WONDERFUL YEAR FOR ALL CAMERON MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. RESPECTFULLY, MICHELLE MELICK PRINCIPAL CAMERON MIDDLE SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT CAMERON MIDDLE SCHOOL PROVIDES A SAFE, POSITIVE LEARNING COMMUNITY THAT CELEBRATES INDIVIDUALITY AND STUDENT SUCCESSES. OUR GOAL IS TO PREPARE STUDENTS TO EXCEL IN A COMPLEX AND GLOBAL SOCIETY BY FOSTERING CREATIVITY, PROBLEM SOLVING, CRITICAL THINKING AND CIVIC AWARENESS. THE SCHOOL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IS GUIDED BY ONGOING ACADEMIC GOALS, WHICH MOTIVATES STUDENTS TO BECOME INDEPENDENT LEARNERS, LEADERS AND SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS. CAMERON CORE VALUES PERSEVERANCE ● Be committed to your work. ● Have patience and endurance. ● Bear difficulties calmly. ● Try and try again until you succeed. RESPECT ● Regard the rights and feelings of others. ● Listen to others. ● Use appropriate language and volume. ● Treat your environment with care. OWNERSHIP ● Take responsibility for what you say and how you act. ● Ask for help when you need it. ● Take charge of your learning. All members of the Cameron community should adhere to the Cameron values in all settings of the school GENERAL SCHOOL INFORMATION School Address Cameron Middle School 215 Elm Street Framingham, MA 01701 School Hours 8:00 am – 2:25 pm On Early Release Days students are dismissed at 11:25 AM, lunch is not served on these days. Arrival at School The school opens at 8:00 a.m. for school drop-off. We are unable to accommodate earlier drop-offs as there is no adult supervision before this time. Important Telephone Numbers Main Office - 508-879-2290 Telephone Main Office - Fax 508-788-3560 Nurse 508-782-7832 Medical Fax 508-788-0481 Principal/AP 508-879-2290 Framingham Public Schools Superintendent of Schools 508-626-9117 Transportation Office 508-626-9179 School Committee Office 508-626-9121 Parent Information Center 508-424-3420 Food Services 508-626-9109 Child Safety Safety of all students is the top priority of all staff at Cameron. All doors are locked at Cameron School, staff have specialized fobs that allow them to enter and exit the school. All staff that are outside with children, in addition to all support, administration, and office staff, carry walkie talkies with them at all times. A safety plan is reviewed with the Framingham Police every year and with all Cameron staff. Mandated Reporting It is helpful for parents to understand that school personnel are mandated reports and are legally obligated to file a Section 51A with child protective services for any suspicion of child abuse or neglect. For more information, go online to: http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXVI/Chapter119/Section School Visitors Cameron is a secure campus. All doors are locked during the school day. All visitors must use the buzzer and camera system located at the front door to enter. Everyone who enters the building must first sign-in at the main office. Visitors receive a visitor/volunteer badge to wear during their visit. This is a safety issue, and all adults, no matter how frequently they visit Cameron, are asked to follow this policy. Field Trips All field trips are decided upon and scheduled by grade level teams. All volunteers for field trips must complete a CORI check through Framingham Public Schools. At least two weeks is needed to complete the CORI check. Volunteers should go to the office for information and a form. In the past, PTO has partially funded some field trips. PTO is always willing to give scholarships to cover field trip costs for students in need. COMMUNICATION If there is a situation at home that might affect your child, please let the teacher, school counselor or administrator know. Adjustments and extra consideration can be given to your child if we understand what he/she is experiencing. Some common situations are the death or serious illness of a family member, the death of a pet, parent business travel, etc. We want to support your child, so please keep us informed. If parents are concerned with any school-related issues, they should first discuss the matter with the teacher involved. X2 Family Portal is the student information system used by the Framingham Public School System. Families will have a unique login to access their children’s information (i.e. attendance, grades, schedule, contact information, etc.). It is the parent’s responsibility to maintain accurate contact information at all times. Blackboard ConnectEd is our Community Outreach and Emergency Communication system. It allows us to contact you immediately, effectively, and efficiently by phone or email should we have the need. It is critical that you provide the school office with current contact information in September and to update the information should there be any change during the course of the school year. 6th grade: guidance counselor, Carol Brennan A-K([email protected] ) ​ ​ 7th grade: guidance counselor, Carol Brennan ([email protected]) ​ ​ Eileen Stark-Glassman L-Z ([email protected]) ​ ​ 8th grade: guidance counselor, Eileen Stark-Glassman ([email protected]) ​ ​ Additionally, Principal Michelle Melick is available ([email protected]) , ​ ​ Assistant Principal Ken Hamm is available.