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Student Handbook
  

DISTRICT WIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL DRESS CODE POLICY

Dress Code rules apply during school hours and at all school events or school-sponsored activities.

Students’ dress and grooming shall be appropriate, clean and neat. Dress which is disturbing and distracting in school is inappropriate. Clothes and appearance must be safe and not disruptive to the educational process.

  • Skirts, skorts and shorts must reach and extend below the fingertips.
  • Topcoats may not be worn in the classroom. No more than one lightweight outer garment with pockets may be worn. All others must be placed in lockers.
  • All pants must be worn at waist. No sagging or low riding.
  • No see-through type clothing is to be worn.
  • Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times. No flip-flops or house shoes.
  • Inappropriate head coverings such as bandanas, scarves, sweatbands, caps, do-rags or hairnets are not to be worn or seen during school time or school functions.
  • Undershirts and tank tops, if worn, must be worn with another “cover-up” shirt. Shoulders, back, chest and midriff must be covered.
  • Torn clothing is prohibited.
  • Clothing that advertises substances which are illegal for teens (drugs, alcohol, tobacco products) or language or writing that is otherwise inappropriate (sex, profanity) may not be worn.
  • Tattoos that display drugs, sex, alcohol, or tobacco products must not be seen at any time.
  • Pajamas are not to be worn in school at any time.
  • The local school and the District reserve the right to modify this policy as necessary and reserve the right to determine what might be disruptive and unsafe.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

The only time that the school provides supervision in the buildings and on the grounds is between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and during official school events and programs that occur before and after school. No students should arrive at school before 8:30. Students should leave the building immediately after 3:45 dismissal; no student should remain in the building or on campus after 3:55 unless accompanied by a teacher. Any deviation from this requires approval of the principal. Students’ whose rides are unavoidable late, must come to the covered walk/foyer area to wait for their rides.

ATHLETICS/AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Any 7th or 8th grade student who meets the age, health and academic requirements is eligible to participate in any sport offered by Dupont-Tyler. The sports offered to the students are: boys and girls basketball, soccer, track, girls volleyball, boys wrestling and football. Athletic practices are held immediately after school and will end no later than 6:00 p.m. Parents are responsible for transporting these students home immediately after practice and to and from games. All students are encouraged to stay for “home” interscholastic athletic events; a small admission charge will be made for all athletic events. Parents are responsible for transporting these students home immediately following the conclusion of these events; parents and students must make transportation plans prior to the student’s coming to school. Parents must be prompt.

ATTENDANCE

A student who is absent from school for the day or who is dismissed prior to 12:15 p.m., must bring a written note from a parent or guardian on the day he/she returns to school if it is to be excused. This note, stating the student’s name, date(s) of absence, reason for absence, and parent/guardian signature must be given to the homeroom teacher.

  • Students must attend all classes on a regular and punctual basis
  • Parents are responsible for their child’s attendance

Excused Absences:

  • Personal illness of the student (Medical evidence may be required.)
  • Court appearance of the student ( A summons is required)
  • Religious holiday
  • Death in the immediate family
  • Approved school activity
  • Attendance at a center under Health & Rehabilitative Services

There is a renewed emphasis being placed on student daily attendance at school and the school being “graded” based on each student’s daily attendance. Tardies, missing class periods, partial days, and/or checking out early from school will be monitored on a regular basis. Students and parents are encouraged to schedule appointments, vacations, trips, etc., at a time so that children can remain in school each day, all day.

Student’s Responsibilities:

  • Bring a note from home stating the reason for the absence. (Attach other evidence as described under “Excused absences.”)
  • Give the written excuse to the homeroom teacher upon his/her return to school.
  • Obtain an admit to class to show all teachers whose classes were missed due to the absence.
  • Ask for and make up missed assignments.
  • Understand that he/she may not attend activities and functions on the day he/she is absent.

The metro 5th through 8th grade attendance policy requires that students with 5 unexcused absences during a school year be referred to the attendance worker.

Leaving Campus:

  • Once a student arrives on campus he/she cannot leave the campus for any reason without permission from the office.
  • Permission to leave campus will be granted only by parental request made in person or in writing to the appropriate school personnel
  • Students must be signed out in the front office before leaving school and signed in upon returning to school.
  • If a student is to leave campus with someone other than the legal guardian, the legal guardian must give the name of the person to the office and this name must be on file prior to the child being released to the individual.

FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CHILD, A PICTURE ID MAY BE REQUIRED BEFORE A CHILD CAN LEAVE THE CAMPUS WITH PARENT OR ANYONE OTHER THAN THE LEGAL GUARDIAN, FOR CUSTODIAL SITUATIONS, A COPY OF THE LEGAL CUSTODIAL PAPERS MUST BE ON FILE IN THE SCHOOL GUIDANCE OFFICE.

It is vital that parents/guardians continuously update student information regarding address, work phone, home phone, and emergency phone/contact!

BUS POLICY

Student’s Responsibility:

  • Understand that riding a bus is a privilege; not a right.
  • Follow the rules set forth by the bus driver.

A student may ride a different bus other than the one assigned if there is an emergency or to occasionally ride home with another student.

  • Each student must have from a parent/guardian written permission containing the request with dates, the parent/guardian’s name and phone number, and the number of the requested bus.
  • Both students should bring their request first thing in the morning to the main office, where the parent is called to verify the note.
  • After the verification process is complete, students can pick their notes up at lunch to present to the bus driver of the requested bus.

CAFETERIA

In the cafeteria, our students:

  • Go through one line, one time
  • Sit five students to a table, as assigned
  • Talk quietly to people at the table;
  • Stay seated
  • Use good table manners
  • Clean their own spaces and stack and dispose of trays or trash
  • Keep hands and feet to themselves
  • Raise hand when help is needed
  • Obtain a pass from a cafeteria monitor to leave the cafeteria during lunch
  • Leave only when dismissed

If any of the rules are broken disciplinary action will be taken

Throwing food in the cafeteria will result in one-day ISS. The same cafeteria rules apply for breakfast.

CELL PHONE POLICY

A student may possess a cellular telephone in school, on school property, at after school events, and at school-related functions, provided that during school hours and on the school bus the cell phone remains off and is concealed.

Possession of a cellular telephone by a student is a privilege, which may be forfeited by any student who fails to abide by the terms of the policy.

If a student is caught using their cell phone, which includes text messaging, during school hours or if the cell phone rings, the phone will be confiscated and returned to the parent. On the second offense the phone will be confiscated and not returned.

CONFERENCES AND COUNSELING

Parents wishing to consult with a teacher or a group of teachers must contact the guidance office for an appointment to be conducted during the teachers’ planning period, at the close of school, or before school. Counseling and guidance services are available to the students in the guidance office. Students, and parents concerned about their student, are encouraged to request/call for an appointment.

DELIVERIES TO STUDENTS

No deliveries to students of non-school-related personal items such as flowers or balloons will be given to students during school hours. The student may pick up such items after dismissal.

DISRUPTIVE INFLUENCES

Radios, IPODS, MP3 players, CD players, cameras, sports cards, dice, pointers, toys of any kind which may disrupt the classroom may not be brought to school; such items will be taken by the teacher and held for an appropriate length of time. As such items are not allowed on campus, the school is therefore not responsible if said items are stolen. Pagers may not be brought to school. Any items confiscated that are weapons or items used as weapons will be turned over to the police department and will not be returned.

DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

Receiving, possessing, using, giving, selling or being under the influence of any illicit drug or narcotic is prohibited. Expulsion from any Metro School, except a program for such offenders and notification of police for charges, are the penalties for this offense.

Receiving, having, giving, selling or being under the influence of alcohol will result in –suspension for first offense, and Referral to Coordinator of Student Discipline for second offense. The police will be notified for charges.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

In case of snow, ice, or other dangerous conditions, students and their parents are urged to listen to the radio or watch television for information on school closing or changes in school hours

The Superintendent’s office will notify area radio and television stations immediately when a decision is made to alter the regular school schedule in any way.

FOR SALE TO STUDENTS

Weekly lunch tickets, bought, or reduced, may be obtained from the cafeteria manager.

No items may be brought to school by students for resale; this includes candy, cookies, and other items offered as fund-raising activities for all outside groups even though they may be composed of DuPont (Tyler) students or families.

GRADES AND REPORT CARDS

The report card issued to each student every six weeks is the school’s method of reporting academic progress, attendance, and conduct, to the home. Parents are encouraged to call the school if these fail to reach home. At midpoint each six weeks, deficiency reports will be mailed to those whose averages are below 70 at that time. .

GUM

DuPont Tyler is a gum free school. We ask students not to bring or chew gum at school.

HALL PASS

Any student in the hall is expected to have a note signed by a teacher of the class in session giving him permission to be out of that class for a short amount of time on a specific and necessary errand.

HOMEWORK

Students may have homework each day. Parents can monitor their child’s homework on a daily basis by phoning the team’s “Homework Line”. Homework, class work and tests will all contribute to the student’s grade. The homework hot line phone numbers will be sent home the first week of school.

IN-SCHOOL-SUSPENSION

ISS is a discipline alternative that allows the student to attend school, complete all his work and receive credit for it. Students assigned to ISS remain in the same room all day, take restroom breaks as a group and eat lunch in the room; they must conform to the strict regimen enforced by the teacher.

JEWELRY/EXPENSIVE PERSONAL ITEMS

Students who wear jewelry to school must keep it on them at all times. Such items as coats, shoes, and purses should never be loaned, left in a locker or left at school overnight. The school is not responsible for misplaced or stolen items.

LOCKERS

Students are issued lockers by their homeroom teachers as near their classroom as possible. The student to whom the locker is issued is responsible for the contents of the locker; therefore lockers and combinations are never to be shared. Lockers which students are encouraged to lock with their own locks are also available in the gym. Money, jewelry and other expensive items are never to be left in any locker. Lockers are the property of the Board of Education, and can be searched periodically and randomly.

LOST AND FOUND

Items found in non-classroom areas of the building or grounds will be turned into the lost and found in the custodian area. Items found in the classrooms may be claimed in that room. Lost textbooks will be returned to the owner if identified or to a teacher if student ownership cannot be determined.

MAKE-UP WORK

Make-up work for absences is the responsibility of the student. When a student is absent, he/she should phone the team’s “Homework Line” after 5:00 p.m. each day to get his/her assignments. The student should ask the teacher if there is any additional work to be made up on the day he/she returns from the absence, and if it is not completed would result in the lowering of the grade.

For an absence that is expected to last three days or more, the parent may phone the guidance office, who will collect and make the homework available in guidance 24 hours after the request is made. This request should be made only when the student will be able to do school work while absent.

MEDICATION

Whenever possible, medications should be administered at home. When a student starts on a new medication, the first does should be given at home to assess the student’s reaction to the medication. Students who need to take any medication during the school day must have an authorization form signed by both the parent and the physician on file in the school office for the current school year. This authorization requirement includes all prescription and over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol, Advil, antibiotics, long term and short medications, etc. A new authorization must be obtained for each school year. A separate form must be completed for each medication.

All medication to be taken by students at school will be kept in a locked medicine cabinet in the office; medication must be in the original containers, clearly labeled with the student’s name. The student and office personnel administrating the medication will sign a log indicating the time and date the medicine was administered.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Parents are encouraged to stay involved with their middle school children by volunteering and join in with other parents in the PTO. The PTO traditionally begins its year with an open house early in September and ends with installation of officers in May at the spring concert; two other meetings are held. PTO activities have included these: PTO Board Meetings, news letters, sponsoring dances, and fund-raising.

STUDENT CONDUCT

Students are expected to conduct themselves so that they may not interfere with their own education or the education of others. Proper conduct is defined by teachers, administrators and other responsible adults at DuPont Tyler local practices and rules – written, stated, and/or practiced – implement the “Student Conduct, Rights, Responsibilities, Rules Due Process Procedures” of the Board of Education.

Displaying consideration for others and their feelings, treating others with the respect the student would like directed toward him/her, respecting the property of others, and practicing self-restraint (both verbal and physical) will result in positive individual and school-wide discipline – bus stop, bus, hall, classroom, auditorium, grounds, restroom, gym etc. Failure to follow rules will result in disciplinary measures which may include reprimand, counseling, parent conferences, in-school-suspension, writing assignments, suspensions out of school, police citation or arrest, and/or disciplinary hearing.

Students who influence or cause others to disobey or disrupt will also be disciplined.

Parents are notified of unacceptable conduct on the part of their students regularly through the report card, by the student, and by phone for out-of-school suspension. Physical or sexual battery on school personnel will result in arrest and expulsion from any Metro School for one calendar year except for programs for such offenders. Profanity toward school personnel will result in suspension. Threats will result in expulsion for one semester from any Metro school except those for such offenders. Students who are suspended from school will not be allowed to attend the school dance during the semester they are suspended. Sexual harassment of a student is to be reported to a teacher, counselor, or principal who must communicate all such reports, in writing, to a principal. Expulsion from any Metro School for one calendar year except for programs for such offenders may result from violating this rule. Any retaliation toward a student who in good faith makes such a report may result in the student engaging in retaliation being suspended or excluded. Student searches will be made for cause and can be randomly made. Students walking to and from DuPont Tyler are expected to respect private and public property by remaining on sidewalks. The staff of DuPont Tyler will cooperate with property owners and police to insure that such property and/or rules regarding its use are protected/obeyed. Persistent and habitual disruption of the school process will result in discipline, which may include referral to the Coordinator of Student Discipline Referrals for exclusion from school.

STUDENT INSURANCE

Insurance will be available to all students to be purchased for either school day or twenty-four hour coverage. Even though this purchase is optional for all students, any student that plans to participate in athletics must be covered by medical insurance whether by this plan or another.

STUDENT TELEPHONING

Students will be allowed to use the telephone in their classroom for illness or an emergency. Students will be allowed to use the office phone after dismissal if parents have not arrived.

TARDIES

All students are expected to be seated in class with the proper materials before the tardy bell rings (8:45). This increases academic performance due to increased engaged time for all students, decreases chaos in the halls and disruption in the classroom due to late entering students. It is a demonstration of respect and appreciation for the learning process, self, teachers, and fellow students. Consequences are determined by the classroom teachers. If a student arrives at school later than 8:45, they must report to the office to sign in and receive a note to class. Any student who is late to school must bring a signed note from the parent or have the parent come in to state the reason for the tardiness (See “Attendance” section for excusable reasons.)

TEACHER RESPONSIBILITY

The teacher’s primary responsibility is to teach students; therefore, it is also the teacher’s responsibility to maintain classroom and school-wide discipline which allows all students to learn in a safe, productive environment. Any teacher will correct any student for misbehavior either in the building or on the grounds. Failure to respond to a teacher’s correction will result in discipline either by that teacher or by administration.

TEXTBOOKS/OTHER SCHOOL PROPERTY

Textbooks and library books are loaned to the student for use during the school year. Replacing lost or damaged books is the responsibility of the student. A textbook will not be replaced and/or textbooks will not be issued the following school year until payment has been made against the lost or damaged book. Upon being issued textbooks, the student should write his name, teacher and the year the books were issued to them in the assigned space provided in the front of each book. Textbooks must never be loaned to other students. Students who use other school property, such as a band instrument, are also responsible for its return in good condition. Restitution is expected for damage to any school property, including textbooks. Report cards will be held until all school property is returned/restored in good condition or payment is made. Report cards will also be held for any payment due for fund-raising.

TOBACCO PRODUCTS

Possession and/or use of any tobacco product is prohibited by the Board of Education policy and will result in out-of-school suspension as determined by the principal.

TRANSFERS

Any student who is moving from Dupont Tyler to another school within the school year must have his parent call on or before the student’s last day to verify the intent. On the morning of the last day, the student will need to obtain a checkout sheet from guidance to be taken around to each teacher for sign off, stating all material and books have been returned. Any textbooks and any other school owned items not returned must be paid for by the parent/guardian. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the student’s report card being held until the problem is corrected.

TRANSPORTATION

Bus transportation is provided for those students who live more than 1½ miles from school. A copy of rules for safe bus conduct is given to students who ride the bus each year. Failure to follow these rules and others established by the driver will result in discipline, including suspension from the bus when appropriate. Students who ride the school bus, as other students, remain under school rules from the time they leave home for school in the morning until they return there in the afternoon; conduct at the bus stop and on the bus is equally as important as that in the classroom. The bus rider must catch and disembark the bus at his/her designated stop only. In the event a student needs to ride a bus other than his own, he/she must bring a signed note from his/her parent/guardian with a phone number for verification to the office secretary. The permission slip will be verified through the office with the parent verbally. Students who ride their bikes to school must park them in the designated area immediately upon arriving to school.

VISITORS TO THE BUILDING

All visitors need to check with an administrator at the main office at all times. We encourage classroom visitations, but we request that arrangements be made in advance. Teachers can require a twenty-four hour notice prior to classroom visits so that the learning environment is preserved for the students. All visitor entries to the building must be through the front door. If a teacher is not available, the administration and counselors will be happy to talk with you if they are available. No person, other than a parent, will be given permission to visit a student.

WEAPONS

Students may not process, handle, transmit, use or attempt to use firearms, knives or any other item or substance which may result in harm. Any student having a gun, knife, weapon replica or any other item used as a weapon or in a threatening manner (at school or while under school rules) will be arrested and suspended from any Metro School, except a program for such offenders, for one calendar year. Possession of any substance which results in harm will face the same penalty.

SCHOOL WIDE DISCIPLINE PLAN

FOR

DUPONT TYLER MIDDLE SCHOOL

We at DuPont Tyler Middle School have high expectations for our students. Within our School Improvement Plan, we have stated that one of our school goals will be the improvement of student behavior. Our school plan states “Students will practice respectful behavior and common courtesies attributed to a productive society”. Within this statement it is understood that students will conduct themselves in a proper manner both inside and outside of the classroom. Students are expected to be positive in their dealings with other students and refrain from hitting, kicking, tripping, putdowns, etc. Students should arrive at school and class on time prepared to learn. While at school, students will move in an orderly fashion during class changes, fire drills, security drills, tornado drills and assemblies. Students are expected to continue to conduct themselves in the same orderly manner in the cafeteria as they would in a classroom. We feel that when students conduct themselves in a positive manner, only positive results will occur.

Teachers, as classroom managers, will exhaust their individual and team plans before a student is sent to the office. Exceptions to this would be for fighting, threats or any act that involves zero tolerance issues. The office will be used as a last resort for discipline actions.

It is imperative to have a strong discipline plan in place that will foster a safe and productive environment. For any plan of action to be successful it must have the full support of everyone involved. This means that both parents and teachers must work together as a team and take an active role in the enforcement of these rules. Our goal is that all students adhere to the expectations, but if any of the infractions listed occur, the following action will be taken:

SKIPPING CLASS:

· First Offense: The student will be assigned one day ISS and parents will be informed.

· Second Offense: The student will be required to spend two (2) days in ISS and have a Parent/Teacher Conference.

· Third Offense: The student will be assigned OSS.

PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION:

By students will result in

· First Offense: The student will be given a warning.

· Second Offense: The student will be sent to ISS.

· Third Offense: The student will be assigned OSS.

INCITING A FIGHT:

Students who initiate a fight by urging students to do so will be referred to the guidance office and spend a day in ISS.

FIGHT:

In order for an incident to be determined as a fight, blows must be exchanged during an argument. Blows would include the pushing and shoving of one student by another. A student will receive suspension for fighting; the amount of days suspended will be at the principal’s discretion.

VERBAL FIGHTING:

Students will be sent to Guidance for a conference.

STUDENTS BEING DISRESPECTFUL WITH THE USE OF PROFANITY:

If a student is being disrespectful to an adult and profanity is being used, the student will

be sent to the office and suspended. The principal will determine the length of the OSS.

EXCESSIVE TARDIES:

An office referral can be written after the 5th unexcused tardy to first period. After four

(4) unexcused tardies to first period during a semester, the First period teacher MUST

call the parent and inform him/her of the following:

If your child receives a 5th tardy, they will spend a day in ISS and the office will contact

you.

If your child receives a 6th tardy, they will spend two (2) days in ISS and the office will

contact you.

If your child receives a 7th tardy during a semester, your child will be assigned OSS and a

Parent/Teacher Conference must be held.

This rule applies to all classes.

DRESS CODE:

Students who do not adhere to the Dress Code can expect the following actions:

· First Offense: The student will be sent to the office, their parents will be contacted and the student will have to change his/her clothes. If the parent cannot bring him/her suitable clothing, the student will be sent to ISS.

· Second Offense: The student will have one day ISS.

· Third Offense: The student will have one day of OSS. Upon return the student must wear their shirts tucked in every day.

DuPont Tyler is a gum free school. We ask students not to bring or chew gum at school.