Vinton-Shellsburg

                                      Middle School

Student Handbook

2011 – 2012

Office:  319-436-4728 x-9401

Fax:  319-472-4014

www.vinton-shellsburg.k12.ia.us

For On-line Parent Access:

You can have access to your student’s grades,

attendance and lunch account through our website. 

Contact the school office to set up a user name and password.

This handbook belongs to:

NAME              ____________________________________________________________

ADDRESS       ____________________________________________________________

CITY/TOWN    ___________________________________ ZIP ______________

PHONE            ____________________________________________________________

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

It is with great pleasure that we take this opportunity to welcome you to Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School.  We are extremely proud of the programs we offer our students, and we encourage you to make the most of your time with us.  This handbook has been developed by our faculty and administration to help you and your parents learn as much as possible about school policies and procedures and the services we offer.

Whether you are joining us as a sixth grader, or have been with us before, I’d strongly encourage you to become an active member of Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School.  In addition to an excellent academic foundation, we offer many activities and sports to help students become well-rounded, mature young adults.  Our “Commitment to Excellence” is our promise to you and our expectation of every student.

We look forward to this school year with great excitement and hope all of our students will have a rewarding and successful year.

Once again, welcome!

Shelly Petersen

Principal

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Superintendent’s Office . 436-4728 x-9102

Principal’s Office ………. 436-4728 x-9401

Guidance Counselor …… 436-4728 x-9405

Transportation Office …. 472-3118

Activities Director ……… 436-4728 x-9303

Faculty e-mail:  access through the VSMS website (see previous page), click on “Access I-mail”

DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District is to improve the quality of lives and assist individuals in becoming contributing members of society through the accumulation and application of knowledge.

ACADEMICS

VINTON-SHELLSBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY:

The mission of mid-level education in the Vinton-Shellsburg School District is to provide a safe, positive, nurturing environment that maximizes intellectual and social growth and promotes self-esteem, mutual respect and responsibility in the young adolescent. 

Parents: The Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School staff is dedicated to making your child’s middle school years successful.  By working together we can provide your student with challenging and rewarding educational opportunities.  Our doors are always open and we encourage you to contact us at any time if you have questions or concerns.

Students: Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School’s purpose is to provide you with a quality education.  Achieving this goal requires the cooperation of everyone in the building.  Every effort will be made to provide a favorable climate for learning, and you have a big responsibility for creating and maintaining that environment.  You need to treat your classmates and teachers with respect and you need to work hard to keep up with the assignments your teachers give you.  If you have questions about anything, make sure you ask until you get an answer.  By working together -- students, parents and staff -- we can make this a great year.

Teachers: You, as parents and students, can expect our teachers to care about each student as an individual, listen to a logical explanation, and be of assistance to each student.

GRADING SCALE

A …………………………………............90-100%

B ………………………………………………80-89%

C ……………………………………………..70-79%

D ……………………………………….…….60-69%

F …………………………………………  Below 60%

GENERAL SCHOOL INFORMATION

STUDENT SERVICES:

GUIDANCE:  Students are encouraged to visit with the counselor for personal guidance and for information on grades, study help and testing programs.  The counselor is available to discuss any home, school or social concern.

NURSE’S OFFICE:  The school nurse’s office exists for emergency situations and as a waiting area for ill students who are going home.  If a student must take medication while at school, she or he must bring it to the nurse’s office along with specific instructions signed by the prescribing physician.  Students are not permitted to possess any drugs at any time at school.  If the nurse is not available, go to the office for assistance.

LMC:  Books, magazines, newspapers, maps and other reference materials are provided for you in the LMC.  Please check out all materials you wish to take with you at the circulation desk.  Treat these materials with respect; you are responsible for them when they are checked out to you.  Return them by the date due so others may use them.  Students may visit the LMC between classes or during the day with a pass.  Browsing passes are available from teachers or study hall supervisors. 

TRANSPORTATION:  Students who ride school transportation at any time must maintain appropriate behavior and follow the driver’s rules.  A student who fails to maintain appropriate conduct on the bus, waiting for the bus, or walking to or from the bus stop may lose the privilege of riding the bus and/or face disciplinary action.

LUNCH/LMC/ACTIVITY CARDS:   All students will be given a photo ID, which should be used to purchase lunch and check-out materials from the LMC.  Also, if a student purchases an activity pass we will affix a colored dot to the student’s card.  All lunch account deposits should be taken to the office before lunch time.  Replacement cards may be purchased for $5.00.

BREAKFAST/LUNCH:   Breakfast will be served daily beginning at 7:45 a.m.  Students who come into the building to eat breakfast will stay in the cafeteria until 8:00.  Lunch count will be taken during morning advisor.  If you wish to purchase an additional main item, or if you choose to have a salad as your main item, you must sign up at that time.  Parents will be notified either by email or paper notice that their student’s lunch account is below $5.00.  Overdrawn lunch accounts will be frozen and become unusable when they reach -$5.00.   

LOCKERS:  Lockers are provided as a convenience.  Students are responsible for keeping their lockers clean and orderly.  No decorations are allowed on the outside of the locker.  Students are advised not to share their combination with others or switch lockers. Locker assignments, combinations, and changes will be handled through the office. 

SAFE SCHOOL HELP-LINE:  Students with information about other students in need or the presence of weapons, drugs, etc. on school property can leave an anonymous message for school officials by calling 436-4728 x-9400 (Principal) or x-9405 (Counselor).  This service is available 24 hours a day and is completely confidential.

ASSIGNMENTS ON-LINE:  The on-line assignment notebook allows students and parents access to classroom assignments 24 hours a day by going to the VSMS website (see cover page) and clicking on the appropriate links.

ON-LINE PARENT ACCESS:  You can have access to your student’s grades, attendance and lunch account through our website.  Contact the school office to set up a user name and password.

CELL PHONES & ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Cell phones and other electronic devices may be brought to school but must be turned off and kept in the student’s locker.  The school is not responsible for lost or stolen property.

Cell phones and other electronic devices may not be used for any of the following:

Use of cell phone during class for any reason

• Listening to music/playing games during class
• Taking pictures in the locker room
• Taking pictures of another person for the purpose of ridiculing the other person
• Use of cell phone or any device to cheat
• Use of cell phone or any device to harass another person.

The consequences of unacceptable use could include any/all of the following:

Device shall be confiscated

• Device will be kept in the office until the end of the school day.  The second and successive times, a student’s parent/guardian must pick it up in the Principal’s office.
• Device may be turned over to law enforcement
• Device may be subject to search
• Other discipline may include suspension from class/from activities/from school
• Parents shall be informed.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

ATTENDANCE:

Responsibility for attending class lies with the student.  Student success in school is directly tied to attendance. 

ABSENCES:  If a student is absent from class, he or she should do one of the following:

• Have his or her parent or guardian call the attendance office (436-4728 x-9401) and give the date(s) of the absence and the reason(s).  Please do this prior to 8:30 a.m. if at all possible.  Use this option for an unplanned absence such as illness.

OR

• Bring a note to the attendance office from a parent or guardian stating the date(s) of the absence and the reason(s).  Use this option for a planned absence which is upcoming, such as an appointment or vacation.

Students whose absences are excused by the principal/designee shall make up the assignments missed and receive full credit.  It shall be the responsibility of the student to initiate a work procedure with the student’s teachers to complete the assignments missed. 

Any other absences will be considered unexcused.

The County Attorney will be notified after a student receives six unexcused absences.  Pursuant to the Code of Iowa, this referral may result in either mediation or prosecution. 

If a student is absent for a total of 6 days – either excused, unexcused, or a combination thereof – his/her parents may be sent a letter of notification regarding the dates of the absences.  If the total reaches ten (10) absences, we may request a conference.  If the total reaches fifteen (15) absences, the County Attorney may be notified. 

Students who wish to participate in school-sponsored activities must attend school the full day of the activity unless permission has been given by the principal/designee for the student to be absent.

TARDINESS:  Tardiness is considered a disruptive behavior and will be treated as a discipline problem.  Five instances of tardiness (excused or unexcused) and every two thereafter will result in an office referral.  A student will be considered tardy if he/she is less than 20 minutes late to a class.  Anything over 20 minutes will be considered an absence.

HALL PASSES:  Students are not permitted in the hallways during instructional time unless they have a hall pass.

STUDENT BEHAVIOR:

School rules have been developed to encourage respect for self, others, and property. Students and staff must be guaranteed an environment that is safe.  Mutual respect is the underlying principle in the classroom, in the hallways and on school grounds.  All rules will be publicized, explained and equitably enforced.  All students are given three expectations:

Show Respect.  Respect means showing consideration for the worth of another person, for a thing, or for a belief.  You, as a student, are asked to respect other people and their property, and the authority of the teachers.

Be Prepared.  Being prepared means to put parts or ingredients together to obtain a goal, or to take special steps to be ready.  You are asked to be prepared by being on time for all classes and by having all of the necessary assignments and material for each class.

Be Responsible.  You are to be responsible for your own learning and behavior without interfering with others.  You need to be trustworthy and be able to answer for your conduct and obligations.

DRESS CODE:  Clothing must be in good taste, following community and school standards.  Inappropriate attire is any clothing that disrupts the educational process, threatens the learning environment or endangers the health or safety of students or any other persons.

DRUGS, ALCOHOL, TOBACCO:  Use and/or possession of tobacco products in the school building, on school grounds, or at school events is prohibited.  In addition, the possession and/or usage of any alcoholic beverage, narcotic, controlled drug (other than prescription drugs) or intoxicant at any school activity is strictly prohibited. Failure to comply with these regulations will result in disciplinary action.

CHEATING:  Students who cheat, plagiarize or forge in connection with academic endeavor and/or school procedures are subject to disciplinary action.

FIGHTING:  Students involved in violence of any kind – before, during or after school on school property, or in an area that will reflect negatively on the school – will be suspended with parent notification.  Police may also be called.

HARASSMENT/BULLYING:  Harassment and/or bullying in any form will not be tolerated.  If violations occur, disciplinary action will be taken.  Any discrimination on the basis of race, creed, national origin, sex, age, or handicap will not be tolerated.

ON-LINE POLICY:  The use of electronic resources is supported provided that abuses do not occur.  Access is a privilege that will be denied if used inappropriately.  In addition, disciplinary and/or legal action may be taken.

SEARCH & SEIZURE:  School District authorities may search a student, student lockers, desks, work areas, etc. based on a reasonable suspicion that a Board Policy, school rule, or law has been broken.  The search shall be in a manner reasonable in scope to maintain order and discipline in the school.

STEALING, VANDALISM, DAMAGE TO PROPERTY:  Treat school and other people’s property with respect.  Any student caught stealing will be expected to return the item or pay for it.  Likewise, the guilty student should pay for any damage to school property.  (This includes damage to textbooks beyond normal wear.)  In addition to repayment, parents will be notified, disciplinary action will result, and law enforcement may be notified.

WEAPONS:   Students shall not possess any weapon (or look alike) or dangerous object.  Offensive/dangerous weapons are not allowed in school, on school grounds, or at any school-sponsored activity.  Possession and/or use of firearms will be an automatic one-year expulsion from school.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES:  Electronic devices may be brought to school and stored in the student’s locker but the school is not responsible if it is lost or stolen.

FOOD OR DRINK:  Food and drink items are to be consumed only in the cafeteria or on special occasions in the classroom if your teacher allows it.

PROFANITY:  Speaking in a profane manner and/or rude, boisterous behavior is also not tolerated at school, on school grounds, or at school-sponsored activities.

BICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS, ETC.:  Bicycles and motorbikes should be kept in the racks provided and off the sidewalks.  It is strongly suggested that you use a lock to prevent theft or unauthorized usage of your bike.  For safety reasons, skateboards and scooters are not to be ridden on school property during school business hours.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION:

If a student violates school rules, the administration may impose in-house suspension, out-of-school suspension, after-school detention, lunch detention, attendance or behavioral contracts, expulsion, parent/guardian conferences, or revocation of student privileges.

TOP TEN TIPS

(FOR HAVING A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR)

Understand that effort and attitude are everything.  What you get out of anything is directly proportional to the effort you put into it. 

RESPECT yourself and others.    RESPECT the property of others.  Everyone has the right to go to a school where they feel safe, physically and socially/ emotionally.

• Keep hands and feet to yourself.
• Keep your voice at conversational levels.
• No running in the building, except for gym. 

VSMS is a “gum-free”/trash-free building.  Pick up after yourself (and others if necessary).  All food and drink will be consumed in the cafeteria.  The juice and pop machines are on a timer.  They will not be on between 8:00 and 2:30. 

Common areas are part of the building.  You must keep your voices at a conversational level in the halls, in the auditorium, and in the cafeteria.  Yelling is for outside. 

Study halls are for working, not talking.

Communicate.  If you have questions, ask.  It’s likely others have the same question.  Teachers, the counselor, the principal, the secretaries, the custodian, the cooks, etc., are all here to help.  We want you to be successful.

You are changing.  Your friendships may be changing.  You need to understand this process and deal with it appropriately.  Talk to someone if this becomes difficult for you. 

Get involved.  School is much more fulfilling if you are involved in lots of activities.  Live life to its fullest.  Don’t miss an opportunity to learn.  It’s important that you learn to work with others and enjoy.

Attend regularly, always be on time, and always do your best.  Promptness, regular attendance, and working hard are just as important as the curriculum.

Be organized and be prepared.  Keep your locker neat and clean.  Take all of your books and materials with you to every class, every day.