NORTH SUMMIT MIDDLE SCHOOL
Mission Statement:

The purpose of the North Summit Middle School is to provide quality educational opportunities for students to develop intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically in a safe, caring, and positive learning environment during the transition from childhood to adolescence.

 Parents are welcomed and encouraged to come to the Middle School, but we do require that you check in at the office first. If you need to talk with teachers during the day, please call ahead and make an appointment so teachers will not be interrupted during our students’ instructional time.

 Behavior: North Summit Middle School is striving to provide an educational environment of the highest quality, an environment that is safe and orderly, and one in which all students can learn and grow. To accomplish this we must maintain proper discipline. Our plan is to modify negative behavior, not to punish. An essential element of this plan is that behavioral expectations are established and clearly understood by all students. Along with these behavioral expectations, consequences for negative behavior will be assigned. Methods of discipline will vary with individual teachers. The age of the student, seriousness of the offense, and previous behavior will be taken into consideration when consequences are assigned.

  Teachers are the first line of modifying student behavior. Parents are encouraged to contact teachers regarding problems concerning classroom behavior. In cases where problems are not resolved, or of a serious nature, the principal will become involved. As we work together, we can help a student understand the importance of correct behavior.

 Classroom Policies: The following are examples of general policies for appropriate behavior in the classroom.

Teachers may modify these policies for their unique classroom needs.

 Expectations for students:

1. Students will follow the teacher’s directions.

2. Students will show respect for others and their possessions.

3. Any activity that may harm self or others will not be allowed at school.

 School Rules and Guidelines

 Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment: Bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment will not be tolerated at North Summit Middle School. Please refer to Bullying Prevention section located in the back of the planner.

 Cyber-Bullying: Cyber-bullying will not be tolerated at North Summit School District. Cyber-bullying is defined as: the use of electronic communication device, including, but not limited to, e-mail, instant messaging, chat rooms, Snap Chat, Facebook, pagers, or cell phones (whether a personal device or the school’s internet system) to convey a message in any form (text, image, audio, or video) that is intended to deliberately harass, threaten, or intimidate someone for the purpose of placing a school employee or student in fear of physical harm or property damage.

In addition, any communication of this form that is generated off-campus but causes or threatens to cause a material and substantial disruption at school or interference with the rights of students to be secure, may also be considered cyber-bullying.

 Closed campus: North Summit Middle School is a closed campus. Students are expected to stay on campus from the time they arrive, including lunchtime, until they are dismissed. Students are not allowed in the West Wing or in the High School past the band room door. The candy room in the High School is off limits to Middle School students.

 Valuables: Do not bring toys, gadgets, roller blades, skateboards, laser pointers, CD/tape/MP3/IPOD or other electronic items to school. These items will be confiscated and returned at the end of the day to the student or parent. When an item is needed for a specific class, check it in with that teacher and check it out for the scheduled presentation. Do not bring large amounts of money to school. Students, not the school, are responsible for their personal property. If absolutely necessary, valuables can be kept in the office for safekeeping. The school is not responsible for any of these items brought to school.

 Cell Phones: If you bring a cell phone to school, it must be turned off and put away. Cell phones may be used only before and after school, or in the school office. If a student is using a cell phone at other times, it will be confiscated and taken to the office. They may get it back at the end of the day. This infraction of the rule will be logged. If a phone is confiscated 3 times, a parent will need to come to the school to retrieve it.

 Dress Policy: North Summit Middle School is a school of high standards, and our expectations for dress follows our school philosophy. The school reserves the right to

prohibit any type of apparel that may disrupt the school environment or is disrespectful

toward the faculty or students. Students who do not conform to this policy will

change into something that is appropriate.

• Shorts and skirts must hang below the fingertips when arms are held at the sides in a normal posture. Pants may not have large holes in them.

• All pants, skirts, and shorts must be worn securely around the waist. Sagging will not be permitted.

• Extreme hair color or patterns and extreme make-up are not allowed.

• Shirts need to cover the shoulders and midriff, and should not be made of transparent material. Low-cut shirts, sleeveless shirts, and tank tops will not be permitted.

• Hats, including all head coverings, and sunglasses may not be worn in school.

• Clothing that shows disrespect to the educational process by advertising sex, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, illegal activities, racial statements, or profane language may not be worn.

• Clothing, bandanas and other symbols of gang related activity will not be tolerated.

• Appropriate clothing for school does not include flannel/pajamas or slippers.

• Students are required to have a set of P.E. clothes when enrolled in P.E. They need to have a shirt and pair of shorts with their name printed on it.

• Body piercing, other than ears, and visible tattoos are not acceptable.

• Flip Flops and Heelies will not be allowed due to safety concerns.

 Medications: The school is not permitted to administer any medication to any student without a physician’s written order. If a student requires medication to be administered at school, a form must be obtained from the office and completed by the physician. Students are required to let the office know if they are bringing personal medication to school with them. Personal medications brought to school should not be given to any other student for any reason. Like any drug or medicine, students must realize that these items are a controlled substance at school and are not allowed except under a doctor’s guidance and with proper notification to the school.

 Media Center: Students use of the media center is a privilege. Students are expected to demonstrate appropriate behavior at all times when in the media center. Students may check out two books for a two week period. Students who keep books beyond the due date will be fined $.05 per school day overdue. Fines must be cleared before the end of each trimester. Backpacks are not allowed in the media center.

 Text Books: Required textbooks are furnished by the school, but it is the students responsibility to care for the books. Damaged or lost books and P.E. equipment must be paid for by the student. Most books cost in the $30.00 to $60.00 range.

 Lockers: Lockers will be issued in homeroom. The homeroom teacher will conduct periodic locker checks. Any student destroying his/her or any locker will be held accountable for all damage. Students need to get their supplies from their lockers during the class breaks. Students must have teachers permission to get supplies from lockers during class time. Students that trade lockers or abuse their locker will lose their locker privilege. Do not give out your locker combination to anyone.

 School Phones: The office telephones are for school business and emergency calls. The office phones may be used with a phone pass or with permission from the office secretary. Use of the office phone is a privilege and should not be abused. They are not to be used to arrange after school play time. If a parent needs to contact a student or a teacher, please call during the class breaks. Check the daily bell schedule in the planner handbook. Classroom phones are not for student use.

 Assemblies: The purpose of assemblies is to enhance the educational process and requires attentive and respectful audiences. Students should respect the performers, fellow students and the auditorium. Students should be quiet, sit in designated areas, and remain seated until you are dismissed. If you need to talk, please speak softly. Food and drinks are not allowed in the auditorium. It is never appropriate to step over chair backs, step on the seats or to deface any auditorium furnishing.

 Substitute teachers: Substitute teachers are caring individuals and have the students’ best interest in mind. They are to be given respect by all students. Every student is expected to be helpful and courteous.

 CITIZENSHIP

 Students will receive two grades in each class per trimester, an academic grade and a citizenship grade. Citizenship grades are based upon student behavior. Good citizenship involves proper behavior in school settings, proper respect for teachers, fellow students, and school buildings, and completing tasks and school work on time.

Middle school students start each trimester with an “S” in citizenship and in order to earn an “H” they need to exhibit exceptional behavior. If a student earns an “N” or a “U”, they may be asked to meet with the principal to discuss their behavior.

 Citizenship grades are:

H= Honor                                     

S= Satisfactory

N= Needs Improvement            

U= Unsatisfactory

Attendance

 North Summit Middle School believes that regular and consistent attendance by students is vital to fully take advantage of the educational programs our school offers. The attendance pattern developed in middle school carries on through high school. Students not at school will be marked as unexcused unless a parent or guardian sends a written note or calls the office excusing the absence.

 May we suggest that doctor appointments, shopping, hair appointments, vacations, etc. be made during non-school hours. When children are not in school for excessive amounts of time, the schools only recourse is referral to the Juvenile Court System and/or the Division of Family Services. (State Law No. 53A-11-103)

 Students are not allowed to leave campus, unless they are checked out by their parent. They must be checked out before leaving the school. If someone other than the parent is checking out a student, a written note with parent signature or a parent phone call to the office is needed at that time.

 Notification: We request that the parent notify the office whenever their child is absent from school. Please remember that in order for an unexcused absence to be excused a written note or a parent phone call must be received by the office staff within 5 days following the absence. Parent notification to the school will aid the teachers in preparation of make-up work or homework if requested. Parents have access to homework assignments, grade, and attendance records by phone or the Internet. If you know that you are going to be gone ahead of time, please let the office know.

 Make-up Work: Students are expected to make up work missed due to absences. Makeup work is due according to the number of days missed. For example, If a student misses two days he/she will have two days to make up the work after returning to school. For prolonged absences, the due date may be extended by the individual teacher.   A request for makeup work should go through the teacher, not the office. Parents may request make up work in advance if they know the student will be absent for an extended time, not due to illness.

Sluffing/ Truancy: If students are caught off campus and have not been excused by a parent, they will receive a sluff. Students will receive lunch detention as determined by the principal.

Tardies: Punctuality is a life long skill and must be practiced at school. Students are expected to be on time for all classes. Tardies have a huge impact on the educational programs because they interrupt the learning for the tardy student as well as the other students. Students are tardy when they are not sitting in their seat when the bell rings. Tardies will impact a student’s citizenship grade and could influence eligibility for student activities. A student who is consistently tardy will be sent to lunch detention.

 High School Eligibility

 Eighth grade students should be aware of the High Schools (State) eligibility requirements for participation in high school athletics, cheer, or drill team.

Students must have a 2.0 GPA for 2nd and 3rd trimesters.   It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of their GPA and plan for high school eligibility prior to tryouts and participation in high school events.