THE RCS MIDDLE SCHOOL CODE

Table of Contents

Topic Page No.

Table of Contents 1

R-C-S Middle School Expectations 2

Expectations of Students 2
Expectations of Parents 2
Expectations of Teachers and Staff 2
Expectations of Administrators 2

How Parents Can Help Their Children Succeed In School 3

Homework 3

Proper Heading and Writing Assignments 3

Middle School Teams 3

The Daily Schedule 3

Bell Schedule 4

Tenth Period 4

Grouping 4

The Middle School Course Offerings 4

The Building Leadership Team 4

Extracurricular Activities 4

Guidance 5

The Health Office 5

The Cafeteria 5

Trading Post 6

Lockers 6

Parent/Teacher/Student Organization (PTSO) 6

School Closing 6

Busing 6

Attendance Procedures 7

Bringing Valuables to School 7

Grading Policy 8

Final Exams 8

Dress Code 8

Backpacks 8

Gum 8

Permanent Markers 8

Planners and Passes 8

Discipline Code 9

ü Level I Infractions 9

ü Level II Infractions 10

ü Level III Infractions 10

v Disciplinary Options 10

Bullying Policy 11

Weapons 11

Disciplinary Guidelines 11

Restricted List Guidelines 12

Detention Guidelines 12

In School Suspension (ISS) 12

Off Campus Placement (OCP) 13

Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) 13

STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK

This student/parent handbook describes what the expectations are within the Middle School and provides additional important information. We hope you find the handbook informative.

R-C-S MIDDLE SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS

The following expectations illustrate the guidelines that students, parents, teachers, staff, and administration should follow.

Expectations of Students

To read the handbook and discuss with parents
To follow all school and classroom rules
To be to school and each class on time
To be in the classroom and seated when the bell rings (not in the doorway or in the hallway)
To treat all members of the school community with respect
To come to school and class prepared to be a learner
To be an active member in the life of the school and the school improvement effort
To complete the work assigned
To have their child to school on time

Expectations of Parents/Guardians

To become familiar with policies and procedures at the Middle School and in their child’s classroom(s)
To keep in contact with the teachers and staff about their child’s academic performance, behavior, and attendance
To treat all members of the school community with respect
To encourage their students to follow the rules and keep the Middle School safe
To support and uphold the policies and procedures at the Middle School
To be an active member in the life of the school and the school improvement effort
To model appropriate behavior

Expectations of Teachers and Staff

To share his/her classroom expectations with students and parents at the beginning of the year
To keep in contact with parents/guardians regarding their child’s academic performance and behavior
To be present in the halls during passing times, in the cafeteria, and during recess to ensure that R-C-S Middle School is safe and orderly
To support and uphold the policies and procedures at the Middle School
To treat all students fairly and consistently
To treat all members of the school community with respect
To provide the students with differentiated and integrated instruction and to ensure the delivery of the curriculum and standards
To be an active member in the life of the school and the school improvement effort
To model appropriate behavior

Expectations of Administrators

To treat all students fairly and consistently
To treat all members of the school community with respect
To support and uphold the policies and procedures at the Middle School
To support the teachers' efforts to provide differentiated and integrated instruction and to ensure the delivery of the curriculum and standards
To be an active member in the life of the school and the school improvement effort
To encourage parent/teacher communication and parent involvement in the school
To model appropriate behavior

HOW PARENTS CAN HELP THEIR CHILDREN SUCCEED IN SCHOOL

Give your child his/her own place to keep books, and to do their homework.
Keep track of assignments.
Give your child a special place for the items he/she must take to school each morning.
Read and discuss your child’s schoolwork.
Relate subjects with your child to everyday life situations.
Encourage your child to read and write.
Communicate with your child.

Homework

When you reinforce at home material presented in the classroom, the result is improvement of learning. Homework is an extension of the classroom and can serve any one of the following purposes:

· to review what the student learned in school.

· to practice a new skill.

· to prepare for an upcoming lesson or quiz.

· to develop independent study skills.

· to research and learn about a topic.

· to conduct an experiment.

The classroom teacher regularly evaluates homework assignments. Students who are absent from class are responsible for missed work.

Proper Heading and Writing Assignments

All students are required to use the approved heading for work in all classes. Expectations for writing assignments are the same for all teachers in the school. We display the proper heading and writing expectations in every classroom.

MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAMS

The RCS Middle School is committed to the concept of teacher teams. Each child is assigned to a particular team. Students come to identify with their team and generally develop a sense of belonging, which creates pride and security. The team structure also allows teachers to know the students better as individuals and provide integrated and interdisciplinary instruction.

Core teachers [English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language meet each day to plan interdisciplinary activities, discuss student progress, or meet with individual students. This allows teachers to tailor their program to meet the individual needs of their students. Teachers of exploratory courses (Art, Computers, Family & Consumer Sciences, Health, Music, Physical Education, and Technology) often consult with core teachers about individual student progress or to collaboratively plan interdisciplinary activities. The Middle School’s theme is Exploration. The team names reflect the theme of "space exploration" and they are named after some of the space shuttles. They are as follows:

6th Grade Teams: Apollo and Gemini

7th Grade Teams: Columbia and Discovery

THE DAILY SCHEDULE

Students arrive at the school between 7:15 A.M. - 7:30 A.M. Parents should not drop off their child(ren) before this time. Sixth graders report to the library or LGR, depending on their team. Seventh and eighth graders wait in the cafeteria until released to their homerooms at 7:30 A.M. Period 1 begins at 7:30 A.M. and teachers take attendance at this time.

Bell Schedule

Period 1 7:35 A.M.— 8:23 A.M. Period 6 11:18 A.M. – 11:58 A.M.

Period 2 8:26 A.M.— 9:06 A.M. Period 7 12:01 P.M. – 12:41 P.M.

Period 3 9:09 A.M.— 9:49 A.M. Period 8 12:44 P.M.— 1:24 P.M.

Period 4 9:52 A.M.—10:32 A.M. Period 9 1:27 P.M.— 2:07 P.M.

Period 5 10:35 A.M.—11:15 A.M. Period 10 2:10 P.M.— 2:45 P.M. (except Fridays)

Tenth Period (2:10 P.M. – 2:45 P.M.) is part of the school day. School does not end until 5:00 P. M. Students are encouraged to receive extra assistance from their teachers during this period, and to participate in at least one of the many extracurricular activities. Teachers often require a student stay to complete homework assignments, to get extra help, or to work on a project. Students may also arrange to meet with a teacher for extra assistance.

GROUPING

R-C-S Middle School uses mixed‑ability groupings in most settings. Classroom activities are adapted to provide challenging experiences for students who are academically talented, as well as to give additional practice for those who need more time to master basic skills. Flexible grouping is utilized at times within the classroom to address particular skills.

Accelerated Math and Honors Science are available at 7^th and 8^th grade. Those who qualify for Accelerated Math in 7^th grade will continue, in most cases, with the Mathematics 9 course in 8^th grade, if the student still meets the criteria. Students who score below a certain reference point on standardized tests will receive Academic Intervention Services (AIS). This may include remedial math, remedial reading, or other services. AIS is additional instruction and/or student services which supplement the instruction provided in the general educational program and assists students in meeting the NYS Learning Standards.

THE MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE OFFERINGS

The students, throughout their Middle School years, receive instruction in AIS/Skills, Art, English Language Arts (ELA), Family and Consumer Sciences, Extended Core ELA, Foreign Language (French or Spanish), Health, Library Skills, Music, Mathematics, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies, and Technology.

THE BUILDING LEADERSHIP TEAM

The Building Leadership Team (BLT) is comprised of building administration, representatives of teaching and non-teaching personnel (who have been elected by their peers), parents, and students.

All are welcome to attend the monthly meetings, which are held in the Middle School. The dates are listed on the district calendar.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

A number of clubs and activities are available for students at RCS Middle School. These include intramural sports, modified sports program, Aerobics Club, Art Club, Drama Club, FCCLA (Family Career Community Leaders of America), French Club, Gym Show, Hiking Club, Math Club, Club, School Newspaper, NYS Portfolio Project Club, Photography Club, Science Club, Ski Club, Spanish Club, Stamp Club, Stock Market Club, Trading Post, TV/Multi-Media Production Club, and Yearbook. Students are elected to Student Council. Others may be selected for the Jazz Ensemble or Select Chorus, or to serve as Peer Mediators or Natural Helpers.

Research indicates that students who participate in extracurricular activities have fewer problems in school. All students are encouraged to participate in at least one extracurricular activity, keeping in mind that academics take precedence over these activities. Most of the clubs and organizations meet regularly during 10th period.

GUIDANCE (756‑5200, Ext. 3016)

The Guidance Center is the place to go for help with everyday problems or to “cool down.” The Guidance program at the Middle School includes school counselors, social workers, and school psychologists. Students can drop in during lunch/recess or may be referred by teachers. The Guidance Staff works with students individually or in groups. The counselors also go to classes to teach about planning for high school, career planning, bullying, and other important topics. The Guidance Staff meets regularly with core teachers, exploratory teachers, and administrators to address individual needs of students. They also serve on the Committee on Special Education and act as a liaison between home and school. Parents are encouraged to keep in touch with their school counselor.

THE HEALTH OFFICE (756‑5200, Ext. 3021)

The health office is located on the first floor near the main office, and is staffed by a full‑time registered nurse and a health office assistant who is shared with the high school. Parents should inform the health office of any pertinent medical information concerning their child.

Annual screenings of height, weight, vision, hearing, and scoliosis are performed according to State Education Department guidelines. Physical examinations for 7^th grade students and sports are performed by the school physician in October and May.

Illnesses and injuries that occur in school are seen in the health office. Parents are notified upon the occurrence of an injury that might warrant a physician’s attention.

No prescription or over-the-counter medications can be given in school without written authorization from the student’s health care provider and a parent. Students may not transport medication to or from school on the bus.

Hepatitis B immunization is required by New York State Education Law for admission to 7^th grade. Please contact the Health Office for any questions about your child’s immunization status.

THE CAFETERIA (Automated)

RCS Middle School has an automated student ID system in the cafeteria for breakfast and lunch that will make it easier for your child to purchase a meal using this pre-pay system.

v How It Works

Ø Payment

o Make a check out to RCS School Lunch Fund, including student’s name on check and indicating breakfast, lunch or both.

o One check must be made out for each student in the family

o Students can bring checks to school or parents may mail checks to: School Lunch Fund, 2025 Route 9W, Ravena, NY 12143

Ø Student’s Accounts - Please note student ID cards were distributed last year and new ID cards will be distributed after school pictures are taken this year. If for some reason your child has lost their card, they may use their student ID number. If they cannot remember their number, the Cafeteria Staff will be happy to assist them.

o Student’s will scan their ID cards and the cost of the meal will be automatically deducted from the student’s account

o If students do not have their ID card with them, they need only give the Cafeteria worker their ID to access their account.

Regardless of whether meals are prepaid or not, students will be asked to scan their student ID’s. This allows students who receive free or reduced price meals to do so anonymously and provides a safe way for parents to have their students buy meals without having to carry money.

Breakfast is available for anyone who would like to purchase breakfast foods. Students who arrive at school near the beginning of first period are allowed 10 minutes to eat his/her breakfast. Any abuse of the breakfast time may result in breakfast restrictions.

Hot meals, sandwiches, and snacks are available for purchase at lunchtime. All food and drink should remain in the cafeteria. No glass containers are allowed in school.

Parents who believe their child(ren) qualify for free or reduced‑price lunches should contact the School Lunch Manager, George Dardani at 756‑5200 ext. 2037 and complete the necessary application.

TRADING POST

The Middle School has a school store known as the "Trading Post.” It is located near the nurse's office on the same hallway as the Main Office. The Trading Post is staffed by Middle School staff, parent volunteers, and students. It provides the students with the opportunity to make a school-to-work connection. The Trading Post offers a variety of school supplies and other products. The hours of operation are posted.

LOCKERS

The school needs to and has the right to have access to all lockers; only school‑issued locks are allowed. Non-school issued locks will be removed. School officials reserve the right to check lockers at anytime. Locker assignments will be issued on the student's schedule. Homeroom teachers will have a list of his/her students' locker information. If locks are stolen, damaged, or lost, a $3.00 fee will be required for a new one. Students are urged not to reveal his/her locker combination to anyone, not even to his/her best friends.

PARENT/TEACHER/STUDENT ORGANIZATION (PTSO)

The RCS Middle School PTSO provides a valuable service to the students and staff of the Middle School. Volunteers are welcome and needed in a variety of areas. If you are interested in volunteering, please call the PTSO President.

SCHOOL CLOSINGS

If bad weather or emergencies close or delay school, it will be announced on local radio and TV stations and also on our school website www.rcscsd.org.

BUSING (756‑5241)

Riding a school bus is a privilege, not a right. Students are expected to behave with courtesy and respect for one another and for the bus driver at all times. Bus rules and regulations are outlined at the beginning of the year by the bus driver. Breaking these rules will result in disciplinary action, which may include a suspension from riding the bus.

Any questions regarding bus transportation should be directed to the Director of Transportation.

Passes authorizing a student to ride a different bus will not be issued on Fridays or on any early dismissal day.

Please remember… It is against the law to pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing. Violators will be reported.

ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES

The Board of Education of the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District believes that attendance is a critical factor in academic achievement and school success. Consistent school attendance, academic success, and school completion have a positive correlation. Therefore, the RCS Board of Education establishes a minimum standards Attendance Policy.

A student in the RCS School District receiving credit for a course, or promoted to the next grade level, must fulfill the necessary academic requirements of the course or grade level and comply with an attendance requirement. All RCS students must be in attendance a minimum of 85% of the days school is in session. Students in grades K-12, who accumulate unexcused absences greater than 15% (28 days for a full year course) or for students in grades 6-12 who accumulate unexcused absences greater than 15% of a semester course (14 days) or 15% of a quarter course (7 days) of the number of days the school is in session, may lose course credit and/or be required to repeat the course/grade.

Under New York State Education Law, Section 3205, parents are responsible for the regular attendance of their children for instruction. To ensure regular attendance, the RCS Central School District requires, that upon return to school from an absence, a written excuse be submitted. This excuse must be submitted to the homeroom teacher or main office when the child returns or preferably within three days of the child’s return to school. The excuse should state the student’s name, reason(s) for his or her absence, days or dates of absence, and the signature of the parent/guardian.

Make up work may include missed class time, class work, tests and projects. A student absent for a day must complete any assigned make up work within 3 days of the student’s return to school or make arrangements with the teacher within three days to make up the class work. A grade of zero will be entered as the grade for work not made up. A student absent for an extended period of time must make up the missed work within a reasonable amount of time, as determined by the teacher.

A note from the parent/guardian explaining the absence must be presented upon the student’s return to school. Failure to do so requires that absence to be counted towards the 28 day maximum absence requirement.

A pattern of excessive absences or consecutive days of absence may require a note from a doctor stating the reason(s) for the absence.

Regular attendance is essential for success in school. Vacations should be planned for school recesses. Attempts will be made to contact parents when students are absent. Frequent absences will be addressed by the middle school social worker, school counselor, and/or administration.

Students who are tardy to school three times in a marking period will be sent a note from the school informing them of this fact. On the fifth tardy, the child will receive a late detention for that occurrence and every tardy thereafter for the remainder of the quarter. A parent must sign their child into school when the child comes to school late (after 7:30 A.M.).

BRINGING VALUABLES TO SCHOOL

Electronic devices are not permitted unless the student has been given permission by a teacher for a specific occasion. Electronic devices include, but are not limited to: walkmans, iPods, MP3 players, CD players, cameras, cell phones, paging devices, laser pointers, tape recorders and walkie-talkies. These items will be confiscated and can be picked up at the school by the student’s parent. Parents should discuss with their child(ren) that valuable items should be kept at home. The school will not be responsible for lost or stolen items (this includes jewelry, money, CDs, etc.). Students should make sure their regular and gym lockers are secured at all times. They should NOT preset the combination on their locks.

GRADING POLICY

Numerical grades will be used for subjects taken in grades 6‑8. No student in a full‑year course will receive below a 50 in the first and second marking period. For the remainder of the year, students will receive their actual averages. Reports will be sent home for each student every five-calendar weeks in core and encore subject areas to indicate overall performance. These dates are listed on the school district calendar.

The grades for all subjects will be averaged together each marking period to determine honor roll standings, and all are weighted equally. Students whose averages are 89.5 or higher will be on the Honor Roll; students whose averages are 84.5‑89.4 will be on the Merit Roll.

Final Exams

Final exams count 1/9 of a student's final grade.

DRESS CODE

Inappropriate clothing, which includes ANY apparel that would be distracting or offensive to students or staff, is prohibited. School staff reserves the right to interpret the dress code policy in the Middle School and at Middle School sponsored events.

Students are to place jackets and coats in their lockers at the beginning of the school day. Brief garments are prohibited. These include, but are not limited to tube tops, net tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, plunging necklines (front or back), see through garments, short shorts/skirts/skorts. Pajamas and other loungewear are also prohibited. Underwear should be completely covered with outer clothing. Pants/slacks/jeans with any writing on the back are also prohibited. Hats, bandanas, do-rags, and sunglasses are not permitted to be worn in the Middle School. Outerwear is not to be worn to classes.

Students will have time at the end of the last period to get these items from their lockers in time to get on the bus to go home. Wallet chains are prohibited. Clothing that promotes or advertises tobacco, alcohol, and drug products, or contains sexually suggestive content is prohibited as well.

BACKPACKS

The Middle School staff has taken the position that students may not use backpacks, book bags, tote bags, etc., during the school day. These create health and safety issues for the students and staff. All of these types of items must be stored in the student's lockers once they are at school. Students will be given time at the end of the school day to collect his/her belongings from his/her locker.

GUM

The Middle School staff has taken the position that students may not chew gum in school. Gum creates a nuisance, is difficult to clean off surfaces, and is unsanitary.

FIRST OFFENSE: Warning

CONTINUOUS OFFENSES: Referrals and/or detention(s)

PERMANENT MARKERS

Students will not be allowed to use permanent markers or sharpies in the Middle School unless the student has been given permission by a teacher for a specific project.

PLANNERS AND PASSES

RCS student planners are issued to all students at the beginning of the school year. If a student must leave the room, he/she must present his/her OWN RCS planner to the teacher or aide. Use of another student’s planner is prohibited. If a student leaves the classroom, he/she must have a signed planner or pass and he/she must sign the Student Sign-out Sheet, which should be located in the classroom near the door. This includes going to the nurse's office, main office, guidance office, restroom, lockers, phone, another classroom, library, etc. If a student loses his/her planner, a replacement may be purchased at the Trading Post.

DISCIPLINE CODE

Learning best takes place in a safe, orderly, and supportive environment. The Middle School staff is dedicated to teaching for success, and believes every student is valuable, capable, and can be successful.

Being successful means doing all assigned work and following the school rules. All students are expected to show respect for themselves, for each other, for every adult in the building, and for school property.

When the school and the parents work together, the child is given a clear message that the most important people in his/her life will do whatever it takes to make him or her successful. This code and this handbook are an invitation for parents to work with the school staff to achieve this goal.

The Middle School has three deans who deal with disciplinary issues. The role of the deans involves reviewing discipline referrals completed by teachers and staff. The deans then speak to students about their infractions and decide on an appropriate course of action.

Infractions are categorized as Level I, Level II, or Level III. Level III is the most serious.

Ø Level I Infractions

Level I infractions are relatively minor infractions of established procedures. The frequency of occurrence determines the appropriate response and possible reclassification to a higher level. In most cases an individual teacher, staff member, or team will handle these inf