Miller Middle School Parent/Student Handbook                Revised Spring 2008

 

*We reserve the right to make changes/additions to this handbook at anytime.  Sufficient notification will be given prior to implementation of any change or addition.

 

District Policy and State Statutes will prevail over any part of this handbook.

 

2008-2009 Student/Parent Handbook

Miller Middle School

Home of the Angels

2608 Junction St.  Durango, CO 81301

Office (970) 247-1418   Fax (970) 385-1191

Office Hours 7:45a.m. – 4:00p.m.

 

Mission Statement:  (draft) Every student will meet or exceed district/state expectations in a safe, caring environment that provides academic, social, emotional and physical support through the consistent implementation of researched based practices and programming.

 

Middle School Philosophy:  Exemplary middle schools are designed to meet the emotional, social and physical needs of adolescents while providing a challenging curriculum in a safe, caring environment.  They are characterized by interdisciplinary teaming, effective advisory/counseling programs, varied instructional strategies, exploratory programs, flexible scheduling and provide effective transition from an elementary school to high school.

 

MILLER MIDDLE SCHOOL CORE VALUES

Culture

The responsibility for academic success is in the hands of student, parents, teachers, administrators and the Miller School Community working together as a team.

Climate

Academics

 

To the Parent/Guardian:

On behalf of the staff, we would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to Miller Middle School, MMS.  Whether this is your first experience, or if we have seen you before, please take a few minutes and review this handbook.  There are many valuable pieces of information, and hopefully it will answer any questions you may have.  If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.  This handbook has general information about the high expectations at MMS.  The Durango 9-R School District Family/Student Handbook also contains valuable information.

 

To the Student:

Welcome to MMS.  We are excited to have the opportunity to work with you and your family to successfully accomplish your educational goals as you proceed through your middle school years.  It is imperative that you read and follow the guidelines in this handbook.  You are responsible for all your actions. You can benefit from everything MMS has to offer by being actively involved in your education. If you encounter any difficulties, please seek out members of our highly trained staff for help. We are here to make your middle school experience as challenging and successful as possible.

 

Mr. Bruce Hankins, Principal                                                           Ms. Karen Lunceford, Assistant Principal

 

 

 

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL VISION STATEMENT

Durango School District 9-R in its constant search for more effective ways to ensure the very best growth and learning experiences for the student has spent the last several years doing extensive research into concepts and methods explicitly directed toward providing an educational program that addresses the needs for middle level students. The middle school provides a transition from elementary school to high school and is special because this is a unique time for students.  The goals are to meet the needs of students in these areas:

 

The Board of Education, administration, and staff are committed to implementing an exemplary middle school program.  We believe it is the best way to assure a productive, quality educational experience for “our” children.

 

ABUSE/NEGLECT: The responsibility of school officials or school employees or other involved persons is to report, in good faith, actual, potential or suspected child abuse or neglect.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT LANGUAGE ARTS AND MATH: Students are placed in this program based upon test scores, teacher recommendations, student grades and work products, and parent approval.  Applications and writing samples are required and will be completed by May.  Final decisions on placement may not be made until August when CSAP results are received.

ATTENDANCE: School attendance is critical to the overall success of your child.  Every effort should be made to make sure your child attends school every day.  However, in the rare occasion a student must miss school, parents should notify the school attendance office by calling 247-1418 ext. 2502.  A student must satisfy two basic requirements in order to earn class credits: acceptable class work and good attendance.  Consistent attendance allows students to get the most from their educational experiences.  Therefore, absences should be kept to a minimum. Miller has a 24-hour answering service, so calls can be received at anytime.  Failure to provide an explanation for a student’s absence within three days will result in an unexcused absence.  Four unexcused absences in a quarter, six in a semester, or ten in a year will result in an attendance contract with the school.  The school will contact parents for absence verification.  If contact is not made with the parents, a note stating the reason for the absence will be required upon the student’s return to school. Please make medical, dental and other appointments after school if at all possible.

If you need to schedule an appointment during the day, please send a note to the attendance office requesting an excused absence.  Parent/guardian must come in to the office to check the student out. 

Please be specific about name of doctor, time, location, etc. your child will be given an off campus pass which must be carried with him/her and returned to the attendance office as soon as the child returns to campus (even if it is the next day). Students’ parents must check their student out of the office.

Daily phone calls will be made for student whose parents have not provided a written or oral excuse.

PRE-ARRANGED ABSENCES: If you can anticipate that your child will have to miss school please obtain a pre-arranged absence form from the Attendance Office.  The pre-arranged absence form, completed and signed by teachers and parents, must be submitted to the assistant principal at least two days before the intended day of absence.  The completed form needs to be returned to the Attendance Office.  A copy stays in the attendance office and parents’ receive a copy with teacher responses.

Except for unforeseen medical or family emergencies, students will be limited to 5 days of pre-arranged absences per quarter grading period.

AUDITORIUM EXPECTATIONS: Periodically, we will have assemblies, presentations and events in the auditorium. The auditorium should be viewed as a special place where proper behavior and manners will be exhibited.  The following guidelines will help insure this expectation:

1. All classes will sit with the escorting teacher, either team or exploratory.

  1. Students will go to the bathroom and get a drink before entering.  If you must leave, you will not be permitted to reenter.
  2. Students will be dismissed by class.
  3. Any misbehavior will result in the immediate removal from the auditorium and may result in further disciplinary actions.
  4. Students will be respectful of the performance and applaud at appropriate times without “cat-calls.”
  5. There should be no talking during the performance.

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS: It is the goal of Durango School district 9-R milled schools to create safe and positive environments that allow productive learning to occur.  The following rights are based on common sense, courtesy, consideration of safety, and respect for the rights of others.

                THE RIGHT TO A POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT: Everyone has the responsibility and the right to learn, and no one has the right to interfere with learning.  Students have the obligation to be prepared to learn.  This includes being at school regularly and on time completing assignments.

                THE RIGHT TO BE RESPECTED:                 Teachers’ and students’ dignity, welfare, and material possessions shall be respected.

                THE RIGHT TO LEARN IN A SAFE, POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT: Fighting, threatening behavior, and possessions of any type of weapon will not be tolerated. Drugs and alcohol are not allowed in the schools.

If a student chooses to ignore behavior expectations, the teacher will work with the student to modify behavior, contact parents, meet with the parent, student, and counselor to improve behavior.  In case of serious infractions or if misbehavior continues, the student will be referred to the administration.

BULLYING/RETALIATION: Bullying is defined as being intentional, repeated, hurtful acts, words, or other behaviors, such as name-calling, teasing, threats, or excluding, committed by one or more individuals against the student or others.  Retaliation toward any student, for reporting school-related safety or disciplinary issues will be subject to severe disciplinary action.  It is imperative that bullying/retaliation incidents be reported to school officials.

BUSSES: Bus routes are set up by the Transportation Department.  For information call 247-5335. Students living a mile or more from school have bus-riding privileges.  Buses normally run fairly close to schedule, but are subject to weather and road conditions. On rare occasions, due to severe weather conditions, specific routes or schools may have to be closed.  Students affected are excused from classes.

*Miller students must ride a bus from Miller to the High School to board a transfer bus home.  Students are not allowed to walk from Miller to the High School to board any bus.  Students may be denied bus privileges if they are caught walking.

CAFETERIA: Lunch is a social event and we encourage students to visit while they are eating.  It is our expectation that students will exhibit “proper manners,” and be polite during lunch.  The following expectations will be followed:

  1. Remain in the same seat during the entire lunch period.  You may get up to dump your tray or buy a       

snack, but you must return to the same seat.

2.   Clean up the entire area where you are seated.

  1. Use your inside voice.
  2. Walk in the cafeteria.
  3. You must have permission to go to the restroom.
  4. Remain seated until your table is dismissed and students must immediately leave the cafeteria.  You must have a pass to leave the cafeteria to return to a classroom.

CLASSROOM PRESENTATIONS: Any presentation in a classroom involving questionable items/topics i.e. guns, bow and arrow, spears, knives, swords, etc., MUST BE approved by the administration.  Security measures will be put in place prior to bringing the item to school.

CLOSED CAMPUS: Miller Middle School has a closed campus policy.  Once students arrive on campus, they must remain until the end of the day or are properly signed out.  Anyone entering the building must check into the office before going to classrooms or attending lunch with students.

COMMUNICATIONS: The staff and administration will make every effort to communicate with parents/guardians through the following: phone calls, parent/teacher conferences, progress notices, grade reports, open houses, special events, and newsletters.  Parents are highly encouraged to contact staff members or the administration with any suggestions or concerns.

COUNSELING: The school counselor’s meet with students, parents, and teachers regarding academic, personal, social, and/or career and future planning concerns.  Please contact the counselor if you have any such concerns.  Student confidentiality is upheld unless a student is at-risk of hurting themselves or others or if someone is hurting them.  If parents do not want their student to speak with the counselor the office must be notified in advance.

CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE CODE: The Durango School District 9-R Student Conduct and Discipline Code is published in its entirety in the District Parent/Student Handbook. Please refer to that publication, which will be given to all parents and students at registration.  A copy will also be available in every school office and in the district administrative office.  This booklet will serve as the official discipline handbook and all students, parents, and teachers will be expected to follow its guidelines.

We believe it is the responsibility of the District and its employees to encourage growth in student self-discipline in positive ways through:

DANCES: All school rules will apply to dances.  Additionally, the following guidelines will apply:

  1. Clothing must be in good taste and meet school dress code.  The principal may grant exceptions to this.
  2. No food or beverage may be brought into the dance.
  3. No backpacks or handbags will be allowed.
  4. Inappropriate contact, provocative dancing or running will not be allowed and will result in time out or the student being sent home.
  5. Students who violate rules will be placed in time-out or asked to leave and are subject to further disciplinary actions.
  6. Students who leave the building may not return to the dance and shall make arrangements to leave campus immediately.
  7. Students who have had two office disciplinary referrals, suspension or expulsion during the period between dances may not attend dances during the quarter the disciplinary action was taken.
  8. MMS eligibility guidelines will apply to dances.
  9. Only students currently enrolled at MMS may attend dances.
  10. If a student is absent the day of the dance, they may not attend.

DRESS CODE AND ITEMS NOT PERMITTED: Students are expected to come to school dressed appropriately.  School officials reserve the right to notify parents that a change of clothing is required if the student is to remain in school for the remainder of the day.  Dress Code will apply to all school sponsored events.  Specific examples of our dress code are cited below:

  1. Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times, i.e., no Roller Shoes or bedroom slippers allowed in school.
  2. Pajama tops or bottoms are only allowed on designated days.
  3. Shorts and skirts must be at or below fingertips when arms are placed at your side and not revealing

(no short-shorts).  Leggings may be worn under skirts and shorts; however, skirts and shorts must be the appropriate length.  Leggings may not be worn as a substitute for pants.

  1. Hats, visors, bandanas, and sunglasses are not to be worn in the building.
  2. Clothing must be in good condition.
  3. Clothing which indicates membership or affiliation with any gang will not be allowed.
  4. Clothing must be properly buttoned/zipped/tied at all times.
  5. Clothing must be appropriately worn and not too revealing, i.e., bare midriffs, bare shoulders, bare backs, low-cut shirts or blouses (shirt fronts may be cut no lower than from top of armpit to top of armpit), muscle shirts, spaghetti straps, transparent clothing are all unacceptable. 
  6. Clothing with lettering and/or pictures depicting drugs, sex, violence, nudity, profanity, vulgarity, offensive terminology, or which is distracting to the educational process will not be allowed.
  7. No body piercing or pierced jewelry, which creates a safety issue or detracts from the learning environment i.e. tongues, lips, nose, eyebrows, etc., will be allowed at school.
  8. Spikes or sagging pants will not be allowed, chains with links larger than ¼” are not allowed.
  9. Cosmetic contact lens’ that are distractive to the educational process will not be allowed. If skateboards or roller-blades are used for transportation to and from school, they must be stored in lockers/classroom during the day and cannot be ridden on campus or may be confiscated.

 

Dress Code Violation Consequences

1st Violation: Student will be asked to correct the dress code violation.

2nd Violation: Student will be asked to change the clothing item.

3rd Violation: Student will be sent to the office for a phone call home to parents to bring different clothing.

4th Violation: Student will receive a disciplinary referral with appropriate consequences.

**School administration reserves the right to make a final determination regarding dress code violations.

 

  1. Electronic Devices: The following items are not allowed to be seen on the school campus and will be confiscated:

 

ELIGIBILITY: Miller Middle School students must meet the following academic requirements to participate in any school sponsored/sanctioned extra-curricular activity:

Students must have a “C” or higher in every class.  Any cumulative grade lower than 70% will result in the student being ineligible to participate in any Miller sponsored sport or extra curricular activity occurring during the subsequent calendar week (Monday-Saturday). Saturday School referrals are to be completed by staff on Friday. Eligibility sign-off will be available in the office.  Teachers will sign-off on Mondays. Students must attend school for the entire day in order to be eligible to participate in any Miller sponsored sport or extra

curricular activity on that day, including practice and contests and after-school activities. For excused absences including medical or legal appointments, students must be in attendance for at least half a day in order to participate.

ENROLLMENT AND BOUNDARIES: Generally, students attending Needham, Animas Valley, and Riverview Elementary Schools will attend Miller Middle School.

For more complete information, please contact the attendance office, 247-1418 ext. 2502 or the Student  

Services office, 247-5411 ext. 2502.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: The objective of the activities program, both exploratory and interscholastic, is to provide quality programs for any interested student.  Through these programs, students will learn skills, demonstrate sportsmanship, teamwork, and fair play, improve physical conditioning, and develop self-discipline.  Middle school sports programs offer a no-cut policy for all interested 7th and 8th grade students.

Student athletes must maintain high behavioral and academic standards in order to be eligible to represent their middle school in athletic competition.  Accordingly, each week during the athlete’s season, an eligibility list will be maintained and an athlete will be marked ineligible if he/she fails to meet criteria established by individual school policy.

Sixth grade students may take part in city recreation programs and school intramurals.  Seventh and eighth grade boys may compete in football, wrestling, basketball and track.  Seventh and eighth grade girls may compete in volleyball, football, wrestling, basketball and track.  League interscholastic sports begin in seventh grade with practice before or after school, and games are scheduled Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays.

Students are encouraged to participate in all the extracurricular opportunities, but must remain eligible to do so.  The basic policy is that a student cannot be failing any class or be demonstrating citizenship problems in two or more classes.  Procedural details will be given to students who wish to participate in a sport or activity.

FEES: A registration fee of $35 will be charged at the time of registration.  It includes locker rental, planner, and student activity fees.  Special fees ranging from $1-$15 may be charged in elective classes for materials that become the property of the students.  Lists of fees are included in the course description booklet and/or the registration packet.

Students have the opportunity to purchase a Miller P.E. uniform (T-shirt and shorts) for $15.

FIELDTRIP POLICIES: For any off-campus, school-sponsored activity, students must travel to the event with the school sponsor in the school-approved vehicle.  Students may travel home with their parent/guardian, ONLY, with a signed parent/guardian note and with approval of the sponsor.

Fieldtrips are planned for educational purposes to meet classroom objectives or incentives that reward students for positive behavior or academic success. These objectives might include specific curricular activities, i.e. movies, day fieldtrips, overnight camp trips, museums, etc.

Field trips are a privilege.  The decision to withhold individual student’s involvement may be based on: grades, attendance or behavior.  All field trip decisions are subject to review by individual teams and administrators. In deciding to attend a fieldtrip, the student accepts full responsibility for his/her actions while on the trip.  Students will be held to the same rules they follow when regular class is in session.  Parents may be required to pick up students from the fieldtrip if behavioral offenses occur.

FOOD SERVICES: Hot lunch and salad bar are offered on a daily basis. Returning students and 6th grade students that were enrolled in the District in the 06-07 calendar year have an existing PIN# to use in the cafeteria to purchase their lunch. New students can receive their PIN# from the Cafeteria Manager. Applications for the free and reduced lunch program are available through the school office, the cafeteria, or the central office located at 201 E. 12th St. These applications must be completed each year and are kept confidential.

Lunch Fee Schedule:

Reduce Price:                      Meals                     Weekly                Monthly

·         Breakfast                    .30                              1.50                              6.00

·         Lunch                         .40                              2.00                              8.00

Full Pay:

·         Breakfast                    .80                              4.00                             16.00

·         Lunch                 2.00                 10.00                 40.00

Adult:

·         Breakfast            1.50

·         Lunch                 3.00

Please remember there is a no charge policy in the cafeteria.  Snack sales are cash only and prepayments are strongly recommended.

GANGS: Gangs are defined as any group of two or more persons who advocate or regularly engage in drug use, violence, illegal acts, disruptive behavior, or other similar acts and behaviors.  Gangs are prohibited on the Miller campus.

HABITUALLY DISRUPTIVE STUDENTS: Students who are continually disruptive to the educational process shall be placed on a Behavior Contract.  This plan will include expectations to improve behavior.  If a student is suspended out-of-school three times for incidents of a similar nature, they may be recommended for expulsion.

HALLS: Students should show pride in their school.  If you drop trash or gum, please pick it up.  Additionally,  there will be no running or horseplay in the halls.  Such activities may result in a team and/or office referral.  All students are expected to be where they should be.

HALL PASSES: Hall passes are required any time a student is not in their assigned class and not under direct supervision of a staff member.  The pass should include student’s name, destination, time and teacher’s signature.  Students in the hall without a pass may be referred to the office.  Teachers may use generic passes when student go to a routine area such as the restroom or lockers.

HEALTH SERVICES: The health office is staffed daily by school nurses or health aides.  Some of the health services offered to students are the following: vision, hearing, blood pressure, and growth measurement screenings; health assessment and intervention for students with chronic health conditions; health counseling and general health promotion. Please contact us if your child has a chronic health condition or if you would like additional information about the program.

Immunizations: All students must comply with the Colorado Immunization Law.  You must furnish the school with records of your child’s immunizations at the time of registration. The minimum immunization

requirements are available from the health office in each school.  In accordance with Colorado State Law, students may be denied attendance at school until records of required immunizations are provided.

Infectious Diseases: The education of students who have an infectious disease shall be determined on an individual basis and in accordance with district policy and procedures.

Medications: Colorado Law for Medication at School and Durango School District 9-R policy requires that if you would like school personnel to give medications including all over the counter medications such as Tylenol, Advil, Sudafed, etc., you must provide the Health Office with:

1.       Written permission from parent/guardian

2.       Written instructions from your Physician

3.       The medication.  Both prescription and over the counter medication need to be provided to the school.  It must be in the original, labeled container with the student’s name on it.

Forms for Physician permission are available through the Health Office.

HOMEWORK: Since homework is an effective way to help students learn the discipline of completing tasks, doing them well, and handing them in on time, homework assignments can be expected on a regular basis.  If the homework amount seems too light or too heavy, please contact your child’s team teacher.  Helping your child learn to set aside a regular, uninterrupted one-hour study time each day is one of the best gifts you can give him/her.  Parents may call the school and access the voice mail of the student’s team to arrange for homework.

It is the responsibility of the student to promptly make up all assignments missed during absences. Students shall be given one day for each day of absence in which to complete the assignments and return them to their teachers. Students who have been suspended have the option of making up work and tests for 100% credit.

HONOR ROLL: Students who achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher, with no grade of “D” or “F” will be honored at the end of each quarter.

INSURANCE: If insurance coverage is not provided for students by a family insurance policy, we advise participating in the insurance plan provided through the school.  The school does not sell the insurance. It is handled through an insurance company and is provided for all students on a voluntary basis.  Please see the health office if you questions or concerns regarding insurance coverage for your child.  It is the responsibility of every student to report all accidents occurring on school ground to the health office as soon as possible.  Questions about the claim should be referred directly to your insurance company.

LOCKERS: Students lockers are the property of the school district.  Students may use these lockers as a convenience. Lockers do not belong to the students. Periodic general inspections of lockers may be conducted by school administration for any reason at any time, without notice, without student consent, and without a search warrant.  Students are encouraged, in the interest of neatness and concern for others, to keep locker clean. STUDENTS SHOULD NOT LEAVE MONEY OR VALUABLE ITEMS IN SCHOOL LOCKERS. This includes P.E. lockers. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Students are required to use school provided locks. They are not to share lockers or their combinations with other students.

MEDIA CENTER: A major hallmark of a middle school student is expanding intellectual horizons. As our students become increasingly interested in the world around them, it is only natural that their reading level will expand to meet their need for more information.

The media center supports Miller’s Accelerated Reader Program; in that role of support, a variety of reading materials on all levels is provided. Some of these resources contain adult content. The media staff and teachers urge all parents to be involved with their child’s learning. If your child is reading above grade level, please take time to discuss his/her choice of literature. Be aware that he/she may be able to read books that he/she may still not fully understand.  Your role as mentor is vital.

NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT: Durango School district 9-R affirms that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, age, national origin, religious belief, sex or handicap be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity unless exempted in the final regulation of the law.

NOTE WRITING IN CLASS: Students are not to write notes to other students in class. Any notes or notebooks may be confiscated, and the material written may be cause for disciplinary action.

PARENT/TEACHER/STUDENT CONFERENCES: Positive communication between the home and the school is critical part of effectively supporting a child’s learning. Conferences will be scheduled twice a year or during the year as needed. Watch for dates in the monthly newsletter and call if you need more information.

PLAGIARISM: Students are expected to conduct themselves honestly and with integrity in their work.  All forms of cheating and plagiarism are prohibited and subject to disciplinary action.

PLANNERS: Every student will be given a planner.  Teachers will check planners on a weekly basis and notify parents if a student does not have a planner for two consecutive weeks. Parents should check planner nightly.

PROHIBITED ITEMS:  It would be impossible to list every item not allowed at school.  Please make good choices and if you have doubt, please get approval from administration before bringing it to school.  The following are examples of items not allowed on school campus: laser pointers, magnets, pagers, electronic planners (must be approved by Administration), water guns, balloons, weapons (including any type of knife), fireworks, toys, games (including calculator games), lighters, matches, chains/wallet chains, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or paraphernalia.

Possible consequences regarding confiscated items:

1st offense…Item must be picked up by student after school from the administrator.

2nd offense…Item must be picked up by parents from the administrator along with minimum of lunch detention or maximum in-school suspension.

3rd offense…Item must be picked up by parents from the administrator in addition – students will have bags/backpacks checked by administrators on a daily basis and will be assigned in-school suspension.

RECESS: When students are outside on the football field, we will have the following expectations:

1.       Students must remain within the perimeter of the track and sport court.  You must have permission to go outside of this area.

2.       Physical contact will not be tolerated.

3.       Respect other student’s space and make sure your activity will not interfere with their space.

4.       Students may sit on the benches located on the ramp, if they do not create a problem.

5.       Students may sit on the bleachers.

6.       Students must use the ramp or stairs to get to the football field.  Student will not slide down the stair rails.

RECORDS: Parents have the right to examine their child’s records. Contact the building principal for details.

RESTROOMS: Students should make every attempt to use the restroom and get a drink of water before class. If a student frequently needs to use the restroom, parents should notify teachers. Students should not be allowed to use restrooms 5 minutes after class starts or 5 minutes before class ends.

RETENTION: Students who fail two or more core subjects in two or more trimesters/quarters are candidates for retention.  Retention is considered on an individual basis by a team including parents, teachers, counselor and administration.

SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER (SRO): The goal of the School Resource Officer is to provide a safe learning environment and to help prevent/reduce school violence.  The SRO helps to improve perceptions and relations between students, staff and law enforcement officials.  He also provides classroom instruction as needed in violence prevention, safety, alcohol and drug prevention, and crime prevention.  Miller’s School Resource Office is Pete Malberg at ext. 2507.

SEARCH AND SEIZURE:                 Students have the right to privacy of person, as well as the freedom from unreasonable search and seizure of property as guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution.  

These individual right, however, are balanced by the school’s responsibility to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all students and staff.

School employees may conduct searches when they have reason to suspect that a law or school rule has been violated or that the health, safety, or welfare of students or staff may be in danger.

Procedures specific to search of lockers are described in the Student Lockers section above.

A search of student’s person, and/or personal effects, i.e. purse, backpack, etc., shall be undertaken if there are reasonable grounds for an administrator to suspect that the student possesses a dangerous weapon, prohibited/illegal substance, object or item that may interfere with school purposes and/or present a threat to people or property, or suspect possession of a stolen item.  Personal searches must be limited in scope to objectives of search within bounds of reason. Before conducting a search of a student’s person or the student’s personal effects, the school personnel shall request the student to voluntarily disclose the contents to be searched. If a search of a student’s person and/or personal effects is deemed necessary, it will be conducted in private.  A school administrator will conduct the search with another adult witness present.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT: The school Board is intent on following the guidelines set forth in Title VII of the Civil rights Act of 1964. All students in Durango School District 9-R shall be protected from harassment by other students or school employees.  Sexual harassment is recognized as a form of sex discrimination and thus a violation of the laws that prohibit sex discrimination. It shall be a violation of policy for any student to sexually harass other students or staff. Sexual harassment of a student is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature or any conduct that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment interfering with a student’s school performance.  Any suspected violation should be reported to a guidance counselor, teacher or administrator.

District Title IX Compliance Office: Michael Brennan, Human Resources, 247-5411 ext. 1439

SHARED SCHOOLING: Shared Schooling is an option available to families at the middle school level. The deadline for 1st and 2nd quarter classes is August 8, 2008.  Registration deadline for 3rd and 4th quarter is December 8, 2007.  Shared School grades will not appear on report cards or transcripts.  The completed forms will be included in the student’s cum file. For more information, see the Middle School Shared Schooling Guidelines available at Miller, or contact Shared School Coordinator Becky Wigton at 247-4791, ext. 3618.

SUMMER SCHOOL: Summer School is available for those students who wish to strengthen basic skills or make up a failed class in the areas of language areas, math, social studies, and science. Information will be available in the spring. Early registration is encouraged.

TARDY POLICY:  Students who are late to school must report to the Attendance Office for an admit slip and will receive either an excused or unexcused tardy.  Parents are required to excuse the late arrival by calling or writing the Attendance Office. All students are expected to be on time to class with all necessary materials. Students who are late to class unexcused will be subject to the consequences listed below and a letter of apology will be written to the class in which the student was tardy.

 

Lunch detention means lunch will be eaten at the In-School-Suspension table or in the ISS room and the entire recess will be spent in the ISS room.  A behavior packet will be filled out each time.   

TEXTBOOKS: All textbooks are provided free of charge for students’ use during the school year.  Students pay for workbooks and supplies. Textbooks should be kept clean and handled with care. Textbooks issued to students are their responsibility. If books are damaged or lost, students are responsible for paying for them. Lost books or damage fines may be processed through the District Business Office.

TRUANCY: Middle schools have a closed campus policy.  Once students arrive at school in the morning, they are expected to remain on campus until the end of the school day. Students who fail to remain at school in their assigned classes will be considered truant. Students may leave campus if their parent or guardian accompanies them.

WATER BOTTLES: Only clear water bottles will be allowed at school.

WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL: The following procedure is to be followed when withdrawing from school:

  1. The parent/guardian initiates the process by reporting to the principal’s office and picking up the withdrawal form.
  2. The student is to clean out his/her locker. The student then returns books to each teacher and has each teacher, coach (if the student was in a sport), and the librarian sign the form. This will indicate the current grade in each class as well as indicating that all books and materials have been returned, in good condition, and all fees and fines have been paid. The form must then be signed or approved by the student’s counselor and submitted to an administrator for approval.
  3. The withdrawal form is then to be returned to the attendance office. The parent/guardian will receive a copy of the form to take to his/her child’s new school.

VISITORS: Anyone entering the building must check in at the main office and obtain a visitor pass.  Parents are always welcome. Please sign in at the Main office before visiting classrooms. Students from other schools will not be granted visiting privileges without being accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Anyone asking to see an administrator or teacher must check in to the main office to make sure the time is appropriate. This will help with scheduling and to cut down on classroom interruptions.