STUDENT HANDBOOK 2017-2018 GUNSTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Home of the Hornets 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 2017-2018 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: Positivity, 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 G-R-E-A-T school year, Dr. Lori A. Wiggins, Principal Student Handbook 2017-2018 Page 1 Table of Contents SCHOOL PERSONEL …………………………………………………….……………………………………………………. 3 PROGRAMS AT GUNSTON ...................................................................................................................................................... 5 TRADITIONAL PROGRAM …………………………………………………………………………………………………..5 SPANISH MMERSION PROGRAM ........................................................................................................................................ 5 MONTESSORI PROGRAM ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 EXTRA–CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ..................................................................................................................................... 5 AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ............................................................................................................................................... 5 CHECK-IN (EXTENDED DAY) ................................................................................................................................................. 5 COMMUNITY CENTER .......................................................................................................................................................... 5 PROCEDURES FOR AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ........................................................................................................... 6 INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS PROGRAM ........................................................................................................................... 6 SPORT PHYSICALS ................................................................................................................................................................ 6 DAILY ROUTINES ...................................................................................................................................................................... 7 ARRIVAL TO SCHOOL… ......................................................................................................................................................... 7 BUS CONDUCT……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7 ATTENDANCE ........................................................................................................................................................................ 7 EXCUSED ABSENCES ................................................................................................................................................................... 7 EARLY DISMISSALS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7 BICYCLES & SKATEBOARDS .............................................................................................................................................. 7 CAFETERIA ............................................................................................................................................................................. 7 CELLULAR PHONES/ELECTRONIC DEVICES ................................................................................................................... 8 COMPUTER USE ..................................................................................................................................................................... 8 COUNSELING SERVICES ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 CLINIC PROCEDURES ........................................................................................................................................................... 8 MEDICATIONS ....................................................................................................................................................................... 9 GUNSTON LIBRARY .............................................................................................................................................................. 9 HAZARDOUS WEATHER & EMERGENCY PROCEDURES ............................................................................................... 9 HOMEWORK EXPECTATIONS ............................................................................................................................................. 9 HOMEWORK HELP ................................................................................................................................................................ 9 LOCKERS ............................................................................................................................................................................... 80 LOST AND FOUND ............................................................................................................................................................... 10 PE POLICIES .......................................................................................................................................................................... 10 RECYCLING .......................................................................................................................................................................... 10 REPORT CARDS/GRADING PROGRESS ............................................................................................................................ 10 HONOR ROLL ........................................................................................................................................................................ 10 SCHOOL VISITORS .............................................................................................................................................................. 10 NO STUDENT VISITORS ...................................................................................................................................................... 10 TEACHER ADVISORY PROGRAM ..................................................................................................................................... 10 BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS ................................................................................................................................................ 10 A GUIDE TO SUCCESS AT .................................................................................................................................................... 11 HALLWAY BEHAVIOR ........................................................................................................................................................ 12 APPROPRIATE PHYSICAL CONTACT ............................................................................................................................... 12 KIND AND ARING .................................................................................................................................................................... 12 DRESS CODE ......................................................................................................................................................................... 12 HONESTY .............................................................................................................................................................................. 12 PROHIBITED ITEMS ............................................................................................................................................................. 13 ILLEGAL ITEMS ................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Student Handbook 2017-2018 Page 2 SCHOOL PERSONNEL OFFICE LOCATIONS Principal Dr. Lori Wiggins Main Office Assistant 6th Grade Principal Ms. Shana Curtis W136 Assistant