Jump to a section of the Middle School Student Handbook
Printable WORD version
Printable PDF version
Welcome to Hallsville R-IV Middle School. The faculty, staff, and administrators have worked hard in preparation for the school year in order to provide students with the best possible education. The policies and procedures contained in this student handbook will be followed and it is in your best interest to be familiar with them. The ultimate purpose of education is to help each student become an effective citizen and gain the skills necessary to be successful in the workplace. To develop and accept the responsibilities and obligations of good citizenship will help each one of you to participate in the world of tomorrow. We encourage you to participate in the many activities offered and reap the rewards that are part of the formula for success in a very complex world.
SCHOOL INFORMATION Top
| The official address is as follows: | |
| Hallsville R-IV Middle School | Phone: (573) 696-5512 |
| 421 East Highway 124 | FAX: (573) 696-7238 |
| Hallsville, Missouri 65255 | Web Site: www.hallsville.org |
REGISTRATION Top
Before being enrolled into the Hallsville R-IV School District, students and parents are required to verify and sign a variety of documents. These include, but are not limited to, Permission to Video/Computer Access Agreement, Code of Conduct, Parent Information, and Locker Agreement. Once completed, these forms will remain on file as indicated until such time the student leaves the district or changes need to be made. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to make the necessary changes and inform the Hallsville R-IV School District immediately.
SCHOOL HOURS Top
Supervision by staff begins at 8:00 a.m.; therefore, students are not to be on school grounds until that time. This includes the parking lot. The principal must approve requests by parents for an earlier arrival time. Students are to be off school grounds by 3:30 p.m. unless they are under the direct supervision of a teacher.
EARLY OUT WEDNESDAYS Top
With full implememtation of No Child Left Behind staring us in the face; the issues of school improvement and standards-based education are in the forefront of our plans for the future. The Hallsville R-IV School District recently celebrated the honor of Accreditation with Distinction by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and our intent is to earn that recognition on a yearly basis. With that in mind, our faculty and staff will be involved in a school-improvement initiative known as Missouri Professional Learning Communities for the next few years and we have made commitments in next year's calendar to support this effort.
We will release students at 1:50pm each Wednesday this year in an effort to provide time committed to this very important task. We realize that this move might creaqte a burden for some parents who are concerned about the safety of their child during this extra time out of school. I would encourage you to use this time for medical appointments, haircuts, or any other personal need that may help use this time wisely. If that is not possible, we will offer an after school tutoring program for students who may have no where to go during this time.
PRESCRIPTION AND OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION Top
Students are not allowed to possess or distribute prescription or over-the-counter medication unless approved by the principal and nurse. The school nurse must administer medication prescribed by a physician. Violations will be addressed within the discipline section of this handbook.
LEAVING SCHOOL/PARKING LOT Top
Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds at any time during the school day without a permit from the office or school nurse. Failure to follow the proper procedure will be considered truancy.
Middle school students who ride to school in an automobile must immediately leave the parking lot and enter the building. No other middle school students are to be in the parking lot without permission at any time.
MIDDLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY Top
Any student who is absent from a class or classes more than 10 days during a semester will be considered for retention. If a student is participating in a school related activity, the absence from class will not count toward the 10 day maximum of allowable absences. In the event a student is suspended more than once for disciplinary reasons, the first suspension that puts the student over the ten days will not be considered as exceeding the allowable days permitted but will put the student at the maximum days allowable. A second suspension will be considered as having exceeded the number of absences allowed.
Exceptions not counted against the ten days of absence allowed per semester are as follows:
- Excused by a physician
- Involved in authorized school business
- Attending a funeral of immediate family members
- Involvement in court/legal proceedings
INCENTIVE TRIP REQUIREMENTS Top
There will be an incentive trip after the end of each quarter for those students who:
- Have one (1) absence or less (excused or unexcused), and a C+ or better in all classes (including exploratories).
Or - Have two (2) absences or less (excused or unexcused), a C+ or better in all classes (including exploratories), and a 3 or 4 on the previous year’s MAP test.
STUDENT SCHEDULE CHANGE POLICY Top
Students will be given five (5) days from the first day of class each semester to request a schedule change. The request must be accompanied by a sound educational reason and written permission from the parents.
PROGRESS REPORTS Top
Progress Reports are issued on a 3 week basis. The reports will be handed to students during advisory every other Friday for grades of a C or below. Parents are encouraged to contact faculty members if they have questions concerning the reports.
SCHOOL MEALS Top
Lunch times are as follows:
Regular Schedule Days: |
Early Out Wednesdays: |
| 6th/8th Grade 11:46-12:11 | 11:40-12:05 |
| 7 th Grade 12:11-12:36 | 12:05-12:30 |
Please note: Students are NOT allowed to carry a negative lunch account balance. If there are not sufficient funds to cover the cost of a meal, the student will be served a peanut butter sandwich and milk until such time that funds are deposited into their account.
VISITING THE SCHOOL Top
Visitors to the school are required to sign in at the Principal’s office and obtain a visitors pass. The school does strive to keep class disruption at a minimum to ensure the educational process is not interrupted. Visitors may enter only at the main entrances since all other outside doors are locked for security reasons.
BELL SCHEDULETop
| . 1 st Hour: 2 nd Hour: 3 rd Hour: 4 th Hour: Lunch/Advisory 6 th Hour: 7 th Hour: 8 th Hour: |
Regular Schedule Days: 8:14-9:04 9:08-9:58 10:02-10:52 10:56-11:46 (see above) 12:36-1:26 1:30-2:20 2:24-3:14 |
Early Out Wednesdays: 8:14-8:52 8:56-9:34 9:38-10:16 10:20-10:58 11:02-11:40 Lunch/Advisory (see above) 12:30-1:08 1:12-1:50 |
STUDENT CONDUCT AND MATTERS OF DISCIPLINE Top
The District has the authority to control student conduct which is prejudicial to good order and discipline in the schools as provided by state law. School officials are authorized to hold students accountable for misconduct in school, on school property, during school sponsored activities and for conduct away from school or in non-school activities which affect school discipline.
The discipline code (Regulation 2610) is intended to be illustrative but not an exclusive listing of acts of misconduct and the consequences for each. Misconduct which is not specifically listed in this regulation may be deemed to warrant discipline up to and including expulsion following provision of all due process procedures. In addition, the disciplinary consequence listed for each offense may be increased or decreased by the Administration or the Board of Education due to mitigating or aggravating circumstances.
Consequences can be broken down into four categories:
Firstly, there are conferences. These are discussions between the student, the teacher, the principal, and the parent. Not every conference will include all the previously listed parties, but the process of correction often begins here.
Secondly, there are detentions. These detentions can be teacher assigned or principal assigned. They can be either before school, during lunch, or after school. The detention assignments are at the discretion of the teacher and/or the principal. It should be noted that upon the fifth assigned detention, the student is required to report to the principal’s office for ISS. (An explanation of ISS follows).
Thirdly, there are In SchoolSuspensions (ISS). ISS will be assigned on the first available day as determined by the principal and ISS Instructor. Students are required to bring enough work to keep them busy for the entire time. Students will also be required to perform various activities to help maintain the procedures and appearance of the school. These activities may include, but are not limited to, cleaning the cafeteria after lunch, removing graffiti, painting, etc.
Any difficulty while in ISS, or for matters more serious than what the detention will accommodate, the third and last category of consequences is reserved for Out of School Suspension ( OSS). A student can be put out of school by the grade level principal for as few as one (1) day and for as many as ten (10) consecutive school days. During a period of OSS the student is not authorized to attend school, be on school property, or participate in any school-sponsored activities. Also, during the period of OSS, the student is not allowed to make up any missed work. All course work assigned will be recorded as zeros in teacher grade books. OSS is the most severe disciplinary maneuver leveraged against a student with the exception of being formally expelled from school by an act of the Board of Education. Any suspension from school for more than ten (10) consecutive school days will come from the Superintendent of Schools. Parents/Guardians of students suspended for more than ten (10) school days may make a written request for a hearing before the Board of Education. This request will be addressed to the Superintendent who will review all matters concerning the suspension and refer the request for a Board hearing.
With that said, let it be known that the wise and prudent student will never proceed past a conference with his/her teacher or principal. It only gets worse from there.
Examples of Rules Violations and Corresponding Consequences Top
- Alcohol – Possession of, attendance under the influence of, or the sale or distribution of alcohol.
I. Possession of or under influence of alcohol
First Offense: 1-10 days OSS, notification of Law Enforcement officials, and documentation in student’s discipline record.
Subsequent Offense: Expulsion, notification to Law Enforcement officials and documentation in student’s discipline record.
II. Sale of Alcohol
First Offense: 1-180 days OSS, expulsion, possible notification to Law Enforcement officials, and documentation in student’s discipline record
- Arson – Intentionally causing or attempting to cause a fire or explosion.
First Offense: 11-180 days of OSS, possible expulsion from school. Law Enforcement notified and student records amended to reflect the act.
Subsequent Offense: Expulsion from school. Law Enforcement notified and documentation in student’s discipline record.
- Assault – (Refer to Policy and Regulation 2673 – Reporting of Violent Behavior)
I. Assault of a Student or Staff Member – Use of physical force with the intent to do bodily harm.
First Offense: ISS, 1-180 days OSS, or expulsion. Law Enforcement notified, and documentation in the student’s discipline record.
Subsequent Offense: 11-180 days OSS or expulsion. Law Enforcement officials will be notified and documentation in student’s discipline record will occur.
II. Fighting – Physically striking another in a mutual contact as differentiated from an assault.
First Offense: Principal/Student Conference, ISS, or 1-180 days OSS. Law enforcement notified, and documentation in student’s discipline record.
Subsequent Offense: ISS, 1-180 days of OSS, or expulsion. Law enforcement notified and documentation in student’s discipline record.
- Bus Misconduct - Any offense committed by a student on a District-owned or contracted bus shall be punished in the same manner as if the offense had been committed at the student’s assigned school. In addition, bus riding privileges may be suspended or revoked.
- Defiance of Authority – Refusal to obey directions or defiance of staff authority
First Offense: Verbal reprimand, special assignment, behavioral contract, withdrawal of privileges, time-out, demerits, or detention.
Subsequent Offenses: Conference with parents, counseling.
- Disruptive Behavior – Conduct which has the intentional effect of disturbing education or the safe transportation of a student.
First Offense: Principal/Student Conference, ISS, or 1-180 days OSS.
Subsequent Offense: ISS, or 1-180 days OSS, or expulsion and possible documentation in the student’s discipline record.
- Dress Code Violations – Disruptive or inappropriate clothing, including clothing that advertises drugs or alcohol or that has printing of a sexual or obscene nature.
First Offense: Parent will be contacted and student will change into appropriate clothing.
Second Offense: 1 day suspension.
Subsequent Offenses: 3 day suspension.
- Drugs/Controlled Substance
I. Possession or presence under the influence of a controlled substance or substance represented to be a controlled substance while at school, on the school playground, on the school parking lot, on a school bus or at a school activity, whether on or off school property.
First Offense: Notification of Law Enforcement officials, school suspension, and documentation in student’s discipline record.
Subsequent Offense: Expulsion, notification of Law Enforcement officials, documentation in student’s discipline record.
II. Sale of a controlled substance or substance represented to be a controlled substance while at school or at any of the locations described above.
First Offense: 1-180 days OSS, expulsion, notification of Law Enforcement officials, and documentation in student’s discipline record.
- Prescription Medication – Possession or distribution of prescription medication.
I. Possession of a prescription medication without a valid prescription for such medication on school premises, on a school bus or at a school activity, whether on or off school property.
First Offense: Notification to law enforcement officials, school suspension, and documentation in student’s discipline record.
Subsequent Offense: Expulsion, notification to law enforcement officials, and documentation in student’s discipline record.
II. Distribution of prescription medication to any individual who does not have a valid prescription for such medication on school premises or on a school bus.
First Offense: Notification to law enforcement officials, school suspension, and documentation in a student’s discipline record.
Subsequent Offense: Expulsion, notification to law enforcement officials, and documentation in student’s discipline record
. - Electronic Games/Radios/CD/Tape Players – Any type of electronic or computer games, radios and tape recorders are not to be brought to school without specific permission from the principal.
First and Subsequent Offense: Item will be confiscated and retained by the building level principal until picked up by the parent.
- Extortion - Verbal threats or physical conduct designed to obtain money or other valuables.
First Offense: Principal/Student conference, ISS, or 1-10 days OSS.
Subsequent Offense: ISS, 1-180 days OSS, possible expulsion from school and documentation in student’s discipline record.
- False Alarms – Tampering with emergency equipment, setting off false alarms, or making false reports.
First Offense: Principal/Student conference, ISS, 1-180 days OSS, possible expulsion and documentation in student’s discipline record.
Subsequent Offense: ISS, 1-180 days OSS, expulsion and documentation in student’s discipline record.
- Firearms and Weapons (Refer to Policy and Regulation 2620 – Firearms and Weapons in School)
Possession of a firearm or weapon
First Offense: One (1) calendar year suspension or expulsion, notification to law enforcement officials, and documentation in student’s discipline record.
- Harassment – Any communication (written or verbal) or actions regarding an individual’s race, color, sex, national origin, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or perceived sexual orientation, or gender. (Refer to policy 2130 – Harassment).
First Offense: Principal/Student conference, ISS, 1-180 days OSS, expulsion, notification of Law Enforcement officials, and documentation in student’s discipline record.
Subsequent Offense: ISS, 1-180 days OSS, expulsion, notification of Law Enforcement officials, documentation in student’s discipline record.
- Improper Display of Affection – Consensual kissing, fondling, or embracing.
First Offense: Principal/Student conference, ISS, or 1-180 days OSS, possible documentation in student’s discipline record.
Subsequent Offense: ISS, 1-180 days OSS, or expulsion, possible documentation in student’s discipline record.
- Improper Language:
I. Disrespectful Speech or Conduct – Verbal, written or symbolic language or gesture which is inappropriate to public settings, directed at a staff member.
First Offense: Principal/Student conference, ISS, or 1-10 days OSS.
Subsequent Offenses: ISS, 1-180 days OSS, or expulsion, and possible documentation in student’s discipline record.
II. Disruptive or Demeaning Language or Conduct – Use of hate language to demean other persons due to the race, gender, disability, national origin, or religious beliefs. This provision also includes conduct, verbal, written, or symbolic speech which materially and substantially disrupts class, school activities, transportation, or school functions.
First Offense: Principal/Student Conference, ISS, or 1-10 days OSS.
Subsequent Offenses: ISS, 1-180 days OSS, or expulsion, and possible documentation in student’s discipline record.
- Inappropriate Sexual Conduct (Refer to Policy and Regulation 2130 – Harassment)
I. Physical touching of another student in the area of the breasts, buttocks, or genitals.
First Offense: ISS, 1-180 days OSS, or expulsion, and possible documentation in student’s discipline record.
Subsequent Offenses: 11-180 days OSS, or expulsion, and documentation in student’s discipline record.
II. Use of sexually intimidating language, objects, or pictures.
First Offense: Principal/Student Conference, ISS, 1-180 days OSS, or expulsion, and possible documentation in student’s discipline record.
Subsequent Offenses: ISS, 1-180 days OSS, or expulsion, and possible documentation in student’s discipline record.
- Tardies– There will be four-minute breaks between each class with the dismissal bell, a one-minute warning bell, and a bell to begin class. Getting to class on time and prepared should be a priority for each student. Students who are tardy to class will be assigned the following consequences per semester:
1 st Tardy: Warning
2 nd-6 th Tardy: Lunch Detention
7 th-9 th Tardy: 1 day ISS
Subsequent Tardies: 1 day OSS.
- Theft – Nonconsensual taking or attempt to take the property of another.
First Offense: ISS, 1-180 days OSS, possible notification of Law Enforcement officials, and possible documentation in student’s discipline record.
Subsequent Offense: 11-180 days OSS, or expulsion, notification of Law Enforcement officials, documentation in student’s discipline record.
- Tobacco
I. Possession of tobacco or tobacco products.
First Offense: Principal/Student conference, ISS.
Subsequent Offense: ISS, 1-10 days OSS.
II. Use of tobacco or tobacco products.
First Offense: ISS, 1-3 days OSS.
Subsequent Offenses: ISS, 1-10 days OSS.
- Truancy – Absent or tardy from class or classes without authorization.
First Offense: Principal/Student conference, 1-3 days ISS.
Subsequent Offense: 3-10 days ISS.
- Vandalism – Intentional damage or attempt to damage property belonging to the staff, students or the District.
First Offense: ISS, 1-180 days OSS, or expulsion, possible notification of Law Enforcement officials, and possible documentation is student’s discipline record.
Subsequent Offense: 11-180 days OSS, or expulsion, notification of Law Enforcement officials, and documentation in student’s discipline record.
*Any offense which constitutes a “serious violation of the District’s discipline policy” as defined in Policy and Regulation 2673, Reporting of Violent Behavior, will be documented in the student’s discipline record. Top
Consequences of Disciplinary Actions on Extracurricular Activities
- Any student suspended from school for disciplinary reasons shall be ineligible to participate in any extracurricular activity or practice thereof for a period of not less than ten (10) school days after his/her return to school.
- Any student suspended from school a second time for disciplinary reasons shall be ineligible to participate in extracurricular activities for the remainder of the school year.
- Any student suspended from school because of involvement with drugs, including alcohol, shall be ineligible for participation in extracurricular activities for a period of not less than ninety (90) school days. Where applicable, the ninety (90) days of ineligibility will carry over into the following school year.
- All students, whether spectators or participants, are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. This includes showing proper respect for coaches, activity supervisors, players, opposing fans, and officials. Failure to do so shall result in disciplinary action, which may include suspension and/or loss of the right to participate in extracurricular activities.
- The above regulations apply to extracurricular activities occurring away from the school as well as in the school. Students are reminded that smoking, drinking, and all other inappropriate behaviors are expressly prohibited on any district grounds.