New Buffalo Middle School 2020-21 Student / Parent Handbook Dear Parents and Students, On behalf of the teaching faculty and staff, we are pleased to welcome you to New Buffalo Secondary School. Our primary focus is to provide an effective learning experience for all students who attend our school. It is important for us to support students in their effort to earn a quality education. From the core academics to innovative electives and extra curricular programs, New Buffalo Secondary School offers challenges and opportunities for each student. We operate through collaboration and cooperation of caring parents, teachers, staff, families and community. Our partnership is vital for the success that we wish for each student. The information in this handbook is designed to familiarize students and parents with key school policies and procedures. We encourage you to read through the handbook carefully now and refer to it as needed throughout the school year. You are asked to sign the last page of this handbook and other appendices, and return them to your first period teacher. Whether you are returning this fall or joining us as a new student, it is my hope that your 2019- 20 school year is a great learning experience filled with positive school experiences. I believe that you will find New Buffalo Secondary School to be an excellent environment to advance your educational and personal development. Have a positive and rewarding school year. It’s a great day to be a Bison! Approved by the Board of Education – May 2020 1 Message from the Superintendent Dear Parents and Students: Greetings and welcome to a new school year. Student handbooks answer most of the day-to-day questions students and parents have regarding school operations. Occasionally, there are issues not covered in the handbook. If this is ever the case, you can refer to our School Board Policy and/or administrative guidelines. We encourage parents and students to refer to these whenever questions arise that the handbook does not cover. You can access Board Policy guidelines and forms as follows: 1. Log onto www.nbas.org 2. Click on the district information link. 3. Click on the Board of Education link. (Hyper) 4. Click on the Board Policy link. (Hyper) School Board Members, administrators, all employees, and students are expected to follow Board policy. Should you have any questions regarding Board policy, accessing the website, or any other questions related to New Buffalo Area Schools, please email me ([email protected]). We also encourage you to visit our website regularly for district news and calendar events. Teachers and academic departments will be adding their own web- pages and you will be able to register for automatic updates. I am very excited to be a New Buffalo Bison! We have a wonderful, caring staff who will do whatever possible for you to succeed. I am looking forward to a great 2019-20 school year! Sincerely, Dr. Jeff Leslie Administrative Team: Wayne Butler High School Principal 469-6004 2 Lindsey Diebolt Middle School Principal 469-6002 Lisa Price Guidance Counselor 469-6006 Shannon Woerdehoff Social Worker 469-6007 Matt Johnson Athletic Director 469-6051 Ed Lijewski Tech Director / Transportation 469-6016 Devinnie Wysocki H.S. Secretary 469-6001 Beth Arvanitis M.S. Secretary 469-6003 Jacob Stella IT Coordinator 469-6020 Patty Iazzetto Food Service 469-6048 Keith Carlson Maintenance 469-6017 New Buffalo Middle School Staff Christina Baumann Band/Choir 469-6052 Luis Sanchez Spanish 469-6030 Jennifer Bauer Special Education 469-6049 Nicole Bowen Health 469-6055 Mary Cooper Science / Language Arts 469-6085 Brian Schiller Language Arts 469-6059 Amy Goff Math 469-6028 TBD Science 469-6058 Becky Hartley Social Studies / Math 469-6024 Matt Johnson PE 469-6051 Lisa Knoll Social Studies / Language Arts 469-6026 Sarah Loftis Language Arts 469-6022 Nathan Jones Math / Smart Lab 469-6029 Vance Price Science 469-6032 Nate Tripp Social Studies 469-6053 Kurt Raducha Social Studies 469-6027 Jacob Zapor Art 469-6054 Martin McGinn Math 469- New Buffalo High School Staff Christina Baumann Band/Choir 469-6052 Jennifer Bauer Special Education 469-6049 Luis Sanchez Spanish 469-6030 Nicole Bowen Health 469-6053 Suzanne Cramer Media Center 469-6031 Richard Eberly Science 469-6057 Ed Fidler Math 469-6039 TBD Science 469-6058 Robert Hughes Building Trades 449-6083 cell Amy Ingle Math 469-6047 Tina Keller Social Studies 469-6046 Linda Magro Special Education 469-6043 Nathan Jones Math 469-6044 Lisa Mollison English 469-6037 Nathan Jones Smart Lab 469-6029 Brian Schiller Radio / RTI 469-6059 Holli Sommerfeld English 469-6041 Caroline Fortunato Social Studies 469-6050 Beth Scoggin Special Education 469-6045 3 Nicholas Talbott Science 469-6056 Krista Totzke English 469-6040 Kurt Raducha Social Studies 469-6053 Natalie Walter PE 469-6519 Matt Bayley Spanish 469-6042 Shelley Wheeler Business 469-6036 New Buffalo Area School Board of Education Charles Heit: President John Haskins: Trustee Frank Magro: Vice President Heather Black: Treasurer Lisa Werner: Trustee Particia Newton: Trustee Roger Lijewski: Secretary 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 8 Forward 8 District Vision/Mission of the School Philosophy Objectives 9 Equal Education Opportunity 10 School Day Regular Schedule Final Exam Schedule Half-day Early Dismissal 2-hour delay 1-hour delay 11 Bonus Period Expectations 11 Student Rights and Responsibilities 12 Student Well Being/Injury and Illness SECTION I -- General Information 12 Enrolling in the School 12 Scheduling and Assignment 13 Transfer out of the District 13 Withdrawal from School 13 Immunizations 14 Control of Casual Contact Communicable Diseases 14 Control of Non-Casual Contact Communicable Diseases 15 Special Education 15 Americans with Disabilities Act -- Section 504 15 Elevators 16 Student Records 16 Student Fees, Fines and Charges 17 Student Fundraising 17 Student Valuables 17 Communicating with Teachers 17 Review of Instructional Material 17 Meal Service 19 Fire and Tornado Drills 19 Emergency Closings and Delays 20 School Messenger Alert System Information 20 Video and Audio Monitoring Systems 20 Visitors 20 Lockers and Locks 21 Use of the Media Center 21 Use of the School Equipment and Facilities 21 Lost and Found 21 Student Sales 21 Use of Medications 22 Use of Telephones 5 22 Electronic Communication Devices 23 Advertising Outside Activities SECTION II -- Academics 23 Field Trips 23 Grades 23 Grading System 24 Grading Percentage 24 Grade Point Average 24 Grading Periods 25 English Language Learners 25 Promotion, Placement, and Retention 25 Graduation Requirements Education Development Plan (EDP) 25 Recognition of Student Achievement 25 Honor Roll 25 Homework/Practice 26 Academic Essentials 26 Student Assessment SECTION III -- Student Activities 26 School-Sponsored Clubs and Activities 27 Athletics Eligibility Requirements SECTION IV -- Student Conduct 28 Absence/Attendance Policy Policy Procedures Notification to Parents Vacation Emergency Leave Tardiness Test Policy College Campus Visits 31 Code of Conduct Expected Behaviors Student Conduct Music Policy Dance Rules Dress Code Care of Property 33 Academic Integrity 34 Behavior Expectations 35 Classroom Management and Office Referrals 37 School Policy on Violence Prevention 37 Student Discipline Code 38 Discipline Code Chart and Descriptions 47 Misuse of Technology/Violation of Network 47 Hazing/Student Anti-Hazing 48 Harassment/Bullying 6 51 Discipline Procedure Informal Discipline Snap Suspension Formal Discipline Criminal acts/behavior Discipline of Students with Disabilities 53 Due Process Rights Suspension from school Expulsion from school Discipline of disabled students Suspension of co-curricular and extra curricular 54 Search and Seizure 55 Student Rights of Expression 55 Student Concerns, Suggestions and Grievances Public Complaints and Grievances Grievances Disciplinary Social, Physical, or Operational SECTION V -- Transportation 59 Bus transportation to school Bus conduct Penalties for infractions Self-transportation to school Appendix 61 Title VI, IX, 504 Grievance Form 63 Memorandum to Parents Regarding Policy on Drug Free School 63 Parents on Blood-Borne Pathogens 64 Notification to Parents of Directory Information 65 Student/Parent/Principal Contract for Elimination Guns and Weapons from Schools 67 Parent/Student Laptop Agreement and Acceptable Use Policy Network & Internet Access Agreement for Network 70 Acknowledgement of Student Handbook 7 Foreword This student handbook was developed to answer many of the commonly asked questions that you and your parents may have during the course of a school year. Because the handbook also contains information about student rights and responsibilities, each student is responsible for knowing its contents. Please take time to become familiar with the following information and keep the handbook available for your and your parents' use. It can be a valuable reference during the school year and a means to avoid confusion and misunderstanding when questions arise. Should you have any questions that are not addressed in this handbook, contact your Guidance Counselor or Principal. This handbook supersedes all prior handbooks and other written or oral statements regarding any item in this handbook. District Vision Exceptional schools, exceptional community – building success together. As educators, we are dedicated to developing the foundation for the creation and molding of young minds in preparation for becoming the leaders of tomorrow, both locally and globally.