ScioMiddleSchool Student Handbook Welcome to Scio Middle School! Scio Middle School serves approximately 150 or more students, from Scio and the surrounding area, in grades 6, 7 and 8. Our small school atmosphere lends itself to a feeling of safety and camaraderie among the students. The faculty is well acquainted with our students and opportunities for parent involvement are strongly encouraged. Students can excel academically, physically, and socially evidenced by completing assignments and assessments, self-advocating, and building and maintaining relationships. Respect is a guiding principle in every aspect of student life. Students are expected to treat themselves, others, and the environment with respect. Students will be successful at Scio Middle School by maintaining a pattern of consistent on time attendance and taking care of themselves so they are healthy and ready to learn. Parents are encouraged to become part of our school by serving on committees and by volunteering to help with social, academic, and athletic programs. If parents or students have concerns or questions they are encouraged to speak with the appropriate staff member or the administration. An open house is held early in the fall, while parent conferences are held following the first and third quarters. Staff members are always available by appointment before and after school. We hope each student has an enjoyable and successful school year! _______________________________________________________________________ Twice yearly, the handbook will be reviewed and signed by the parents and students. The handbook is arranged in alphabetical order and includes a rubric of expectations, a matrix of consequences, and the school’s bell schedule. Signatures will be checked and initialed by the student’s Study Skills teacher and count as a study skills assignment. I have reviewed the Student Body Handbook. Quarter 1 (Sep.) Student Signature Parent Signature Teacher Int. I have reviewed the Student Body handbook. Quarter 3 (Jan.) Student Signature Parent Signature Teacher Int. --( i )--- ScioMiddleSchool Academic Policies Students are expected to complete and turn in all assigned class/home work. If a student misses school, they will have an equal number of days plus one, to make up the work. Official progress reports are mailed to the student’s home in the middle of each grading period. Teachers have agreed to have their grades up to date by the end of the school day on Tuesday. Extra-Curricular Activities Athletics and Extra Curricular Activities are an important part of student life. All students are encouraged to participate. A sports fee of $40 per sport is charged, with a family maximum of $125.00 per year. Fall Sports: Football, Cross-country, and Volleyball Winter Sports: Wrestling, Girls’ Basketball, and Boys’ Basketball Spring Sports: Track & Field, Boys’ Baseball, and Girls’ Softball Band: The band program has many activities throughout the year. Those activities occur on and off campus and/or outside of the school day. Student Body Council: The Student Body Council meets daily. Students may miss class on occasion to organize school events. All students participating in school sponsored extra-curricular activities will be held to a behavior contract. By signing the extra-curricular behavior contract one time, students are bound to the parameters therein. Attendance Policy and General Statement State law requires that all students maintain regular attendance. Regular Attendance is defined as missing no more than 10 sequential academic school days and/or having fewer than 8 half days in a four-week period. Parents are asked to call to report a child’s absence and to send a note upon the child’s return. Absences may be deemed excused or unexcused at the administration’s discretion. In the case of multiple day absences, parents are strongly encouraged to view the SMS Staff Page for teacher lesson plans and assignments and view the Parent Portal for specific assignment information. If there are still questions after the teacher webpages and Parent Portal have been viewed, please call the school secretary. Excessive Absences Students are responsible for maintaining regular attendance in all of their assigned classes. Students are also responsible for being aware of the number of absences they accumulate in a Grading Period. A warning letter will be sent home after the 8th non-school related absence. With the 10th non-school related absence, an official notification as having excessive absences will be sent home. This letter will describe the legal consequences that may result from an excessive number of absences. Contact will be made with the LBL ESD attendance officer for further legal action with any additional non-school related absences. Prearranged Absences Students who know they will be absent should make arrangements for a prearranged excuse at least two academic days in advance of the absence. This will allow the student to know what they will be missing in each of their classes by contacting the teacher directly. Homework Requests for an extended absence of 3 days or more must be made no less than one week in advance. Tests will be taken upon the student’s return to school. Teachers may assign alternate work for homework requests. Work given to fulfill homework requests must be submitted on the first day of a student’s return to school in order for the work to receive full credit. Teachers will work to fill all homework requests. Students will have extended time to complete work for -----( ii )----- ScioMiddleSchool unfilled homework requests. Uncollected homework requests that are made available at least 24 hours prior to the student absence will be counted as late and/or missing. Homework and Absences An excused absence from class allows the student to make-up missed work from an absence. However, the student must request their homework from their teachers the day they return or they may forfeit the opportunity to make up the missed work. Arrangements may be made with an agreement between the student and the teacher for an extended period of time in special circumstances. Checking in/Checking out Class hours are from 8:10 AM – 3:10 PM. Students arriving to campus any time after 8:10 AM must check in at the office. Students leaving campus any time before 3:10 PM must be checked out by a parent at the office. NO STUDENT MAY LEAVE THE SCHOOL GROUNDS DURING CLASS HOURS WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE OFFICE. Students who are regularly scheduled off campus must check in and out at the office as they arrive or depart. Failure to follow any of the checking in/checking out procedures will result in the consequence of an unexplained absence. Attendance Definitions and Actions 1. Absence- If a student is not present in a classroom for more than 10 minutes they are considered as absent. According to the law, if a student has an excessive number of absences, a significant number of unexplained or unexcused absences, and/or irregular attendance, the school must report the student to the LBL ESD attendance officer for further action. 2. School Related Absence- The student is absent because of a field trip, athletic event, or some other school sponsored event or activity. A prearranged absence may be required for the student to participate. This absence will always be excused. While these absences are recorded on progress reports and report cards they are not recorded on transcripts. 3. Non-School Related Absence- The student is absent because of a reason that is not school related. Upon returning to school from this type of absence, all students must provide a note with an explanation for their non-school related absence. The absence will then be considered as either excused or unexcused. If a note is not provided, the absence may be considered a truancy and subject to disciplinary action. Because of the nature of many activities, there are some kinds of assignments that may not be possible to be made up. 4. Explained Absence- The student returns to school with a note stating the date, duration and a specific reason for the absence. Notes are to be turned in to the office no later than 3 school days after returning to school. The note needs to be signed by a parent, guardian or the student (if the student is 18 years or older). Failing to do this, the absence may be considered a truancy and subject to disciplinary action. If already in attendance and marked absent, the student will be excused with a note from a teacher, counselor, or office. 5. Excused Absence-To be legally excused, the absence’s reason should meet one of the following 8 state-defined criteria: 5.1. Illness of student (student is contagious or too ill to benefit from school attendance). 5.2. Illness of an immediate family member and the student's presence at home is necessary. 5.3. Emergency situations that require the student's absence. 5.4. Field trips and school approved activities. -----( iii )----- ScioMiddleSchool 5.5. Medical, Professional, Legal, or Court appointments. Confirmation of appointments may be required. 5.6. Other reasons deemed appropriate by the school administrator when satisfactory arrangements have been made in advance of the absence. 5.7. Student returns to class from a meeting with another teacher, counselor, or office. 5.8. Ultimately, as allowed by state law, the final decision as to whether an absence will be excused or not will be determined by the school administration. 6. Unexcused Absence- The student is not in school for any reason other than the state- defined criteria listed above and the parent or guardian knows of the absence. However, the reason provided by the signed note for the absence is not one that would grant the student an excused absence (ex.