Hallsville R-IV School District

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STUDENT HANDBOOK
2011-2012

WELCOME TO HALLSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Hallsville Middle School is a child-centered and standards-driven learning community. We offer a vast array of programs, policies, and practices that are tailored to maximize the learning potential of every student. The Hallsville Middle School is united in developing the whole student. All students will be challenged to develop their unique talents in a nurturing atmosphere of high expectations and personal support.

In a safe, well-disciplined and motivating environment, every student will be given unlimited opportunities to participate, learn, and succeed. Developmentally appropriate curricula will ensure that every student acquires the knowledge, skills, self-confidence, and character necessary for productive citizenship in an ever-changing and complex society.

As independent, life-long learners, all Hallsville Middle School students will be able to think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively, cooperate with others, make wise decisions, and experience personal fulfillment. To that end, we must forge a strong partnership between the home, school, and community to ensure the intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development of every student.

Clinton Hague
Hallsville Middle School Principal

 

Dear Parent or Guardian:

Our district is required to inform you of certain information that you, according to The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110), have the right to know.
Upon your request, our district is required to provide to you in a timely manner, the following information:

• Whether the teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.

• Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived.

• Whether your child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

• What baccalaureate degree major the teacher has and any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of the certification.

In addition to the information that parents may request, districts must provide to each individual parent –

• Information on the achievement level of the parent’s child in each of the state academic assessments as required under this part; and

• Timely notice that the parent’s child has been assigned, or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by, a teacher who is not highly qualified.

 

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Directory Information: 
Schools may disclose, without consent, "directory" information including: a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. However, parents may request that the school not disclose directory information about them.   This means that should a parent revoke Directory information, the student’s name will not appear in any newspaper article, printed in any school program, appear on any district web page, or announced at any school event (including, but not limited to sports, plays, and award ceremonies).  Parents have 15 days from the beginning of school or date of enrollment to revoke directory information.  This request must be provided in writing and will be considered valid for the remainder of the current school year.
Hallsville R-IV Public Schools
Hallsville, Missouri

 

PUBLIC NOTICE

All responsible public agencies are required to locate, evaluate, and identify children with disabilities who are under the jurisdiction of the agency, regardless of the severity of the disability, including children attending private schools, highly mobile children, such as migrant and homeless children, and children who are suspected of having a disability and in need of special education even though they are advancing from grade to grade.  The Hallsville R-IV School District assures that it will provide a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) to all eligible children with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21 under its jurisdiction.  Disabilities include autism, deaf/blindness, emotional disorders, hearing impairment and deafness, mental retardation, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairments, specific learning disabilities, speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, visual impairment/blindness and young child with a developmental delay.

The Hallsville R-IV School District assures that it will provide information and referral services necessary to assist the State in the implementation of early intervention services for infants and toddlers eligible for the Missouri First Steps program.

The Hallsville R-IV School District assures that personally identifiable information collected, used, or maintained by the agency for the purposes of identification, evaluation, placement or provision of FAPE of children with disabilities may be inspected and/or reviewed by their parents/guardians.  Parents/guardians may request amendment to the educational record if the parent/guardian believes the record is inaccurate, misleading, or violates the privacy or other rights of their child.  Parents have the right to file complaints with the U.S. Department of Education or the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education concerning alleged failures by the district to meet the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

The Hallsville R-IV School District has developed a Local Compliance Plan for the implementation of State Regulations for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  This plan contains the agency’s policies and procedures regarding storage, disclosure to third parties, retention and destruction of personally identifiable information and the agency’s assurances that services are provided in compliance with the General Education Provision Act (GEPA).  This plan may be reviewed Monday – Friday (8:00 am – 3:30 pm) in the office of the Director of Special Services, Ms. Emily Day.  Alternative times are available by request (696-5512, ext 622).

This notice will be provided in native languages as appropriate.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

Applicants for admission or employment, students, parents of elementary and secondary school students, employees, sources of referral and applicants for employment, and all professional organizations that have entered into agreements with our School District are hereby notified that our School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities. 

Any person having inquiries concerning our School District’s compliance with the laws and regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), the Age Discrimination Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), is directed to the Compliance Coordinator below, who has been designated by our School District to coordinate our School District’s efforts to comply with the laws and regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, the Age Discrimination Act, Section 504, and Title II of the ADA.  In addition, any inquiries concerning our School District’s Compliance with the employment provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or religious discrimination issues may also be directed to the Compliance Coordinator below. 

Our School District has established grievance procedures for persons unable to resolve problems arising under the statutes above.  The Compliance Coordinator for the applicable law, who is identified below, will provide information regarding those procedures upon request.

Any person who is unable to resolve a problem or grievance arising under Title VI, Title IX, the Age Discrimination Act, Section 504, or Title II of the ADA, may contact the Office for Civil Rights, Region VII, 8930 Ward Parkway, Suite 2037, Kansas City, MO 64114; phone (816) 268-0550.  

Compliance Coordinator for Laws Listed in this Notice:

Ms. Emily Day, Director of Special Programs
6401 E. Hwy 124
Hallsville, MO  65255
573-696-5512 ext. 622

 

Hallsville Middle School Student Handbook 2011-2012

 

WELCOME

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
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

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

Supervision by staff begins at 7:40 a.m.; therefore, students are not to be on school grounds and doors will be locked until that time. This includes the parking lot. Students are to be off school grounds by 3:30 p.m. unless they are under the direct supervision of a teacher.

PRESCRIPTION AND OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION

Students are not allowed to possess or distribute prescription or over-the-counter medication unless approved by the principal and nurse.  Any medication to be taken during school hours requires a doctor's note or prescription; this includes prescription medications, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Tums, etc.  The school does not provide over the counter medications, those should be delivered to the school nurse in the original container for your child's use. 
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

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

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:

1. Excused by a physician
2. Involved in authorized school business
3. Attending a funeral of immediate family members
4. Involvement in court/legal proceedings

 

STUDENT SCHEDULE CHANGE POLICY

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
Progress Reports are issued at mid-term and the reports will be handed to students during advisory.  Parents are encouraged to monitor grades online and contact faculty members if they have questions concerning the reports.
SCHOOL MEALS
Lunch times are as follows:
Regular Schedule Days:                                                             
1st Shift:   11:43-12:07                                                              
2nd Shift:   12:09-12:33                                                              

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
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 SCHEDULE
Regular Schedule Days:                                                             
1st Hour:   8:05-8:55                                                                 
2nd Hour:   8:59-9:49                                                                 
3rd Hour: 9:53-10:43                                                                 
4th Hour: 10:47-11:39                                                                
Lunch/Advisory (see above)                                                       
6th Hour: 12:37-1:27                                                                 
7th Hour:   1:31-2:21                                                                 
8th Hour:   2:25-3:15                                                                 

STUDENT CONDUCT AND MATTERS OF 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 or after school.  The detention assignments are at the discretion of the teacher and/or the principal.  It should be noted that if a detention is missed, the student is required to attend ISS.
Thirdly, there are In School Suspensions (ISS).  ISS will be assigned on the first available school day as determined by the principal.  Students are required to complete academic work and stay busy for the entire time; teachers will send all work for that day, and any late or missing work.
Any difficulty while in ISS, or for matters more serious than what they can accommodate, the fourth 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.  All work assigned during the suspension must be picked up by a parent or designee and is due upon the student’s return to school.  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.

Hallsville Middle School Student Dress

Clothing/Apparel that causes undue attention or distraction from the educational process.
Examples include:

Tight/Revealing Clothes

See-through Blouses/Shirts

Bare Midriff Tops

Bare Back Tops

Low cut or hip hugger pants/jeans

Exposed Undergarments

Halter Tops/Tank Tops/Spaghetti Straps/Off shoulder tops (straps must be at least 2 inches)

White cotton ribbed underwear tank tops (Unless under another shirt)

Shorts or skirts shorter than a student’s finger tips in length when fully extended at one’s side.

Pajamas (including PJ bottoms)

Slippers

Holes, Slits or Splits in Clothes that expose skin in an inappropriate manner.

Hats/Head Coverings, including hoods of sweatshirts (unless medically or religiously required)

In addition: SHIRTS THAT ARE LONGER THAN A STUDENT’S FINGERTIPS WHEN FULLY
EXTENDED AT ONE’S SIDE MUST BE TUCKED IN.

Clothing/Apparel which is considered dangerous or a health hazard:
Excessively Baggy or Loose Clothes and Wallet Chains
Pants Worn Below the Hips
Barefoot – APPROPRIATE SCHOOL SHOES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES

No shirts with drug and alcohol advertisements

No obscene or offensive clothing

* Decisions made regarding student dress will be at the discretion of the principal.

Hallsville Middle School Discipline Matrix                                                               

* Decisions made regarding student discipline will be at the discretion of the principal.

OFFENSE	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH
	REFERRAL	REFERRAL	REFERRAL	REFERRAL
Fighting with fist/hands/feet	5 OSS	7 OSS	10 OSS	10 OSS
Pushing, Shoving, Disruptive Conduct	1 ISS	2 ISS	1 OSS	3 OSS
Tardies	1=Warning	2-6=Lunch Det.	7-9=ISS	10+=OSS
Public Display of Affection (Kissing/Groping)	Detention	1 ISS	2 ISS	1 OSS
Cheating is Progressive Discipline, with 0 credit	Detention	1 ISS	1 OSS	3 OSS
Skipping/Truancy will serve double the time missed	Detention	1 ISS	3-10 ISS	3-10 ISS
Out of Assigned Area of School	Detention	1 ISS	2 ISS	3 ISS
Vulgar Language Directed at Faculty or Staff	5 OSS	7 OSS	10 OSS	10 OSS
Swearing/Vulgar or Inappropriate Language	Detention	1 ISS	2 ISS	3 OSS
Disrespect to Faculty, Staff, or other Students	Detention	1 ISS	1 OSS	3 OSS
Disobedience to Faculty or Staff	Detention	1 ISS	2 ISS	3 ISS
General Harassment / Bullying	Detention	1 ISS	2 ISS	2 OSS
Threats or Extortion to Teacher	5 OSS	7 OSS	10 OSS	10 OSS
Threats of Extortion to Students	3 OSS	4 OSS	5 OSS	7 OSS
Sexual Harassment	1 ISS	1 OSS	3 OSS	5 OSS
Defiance	2 OSS	3 OSS	4 OSS	5 OSS
Boisterous Conduct or Horseplay	Detention	1 ISS	2 ISS	3 ISS
Electronic Devices are Prohibited	Student Pick Up	Parent Pick Up	Parent pick up / Det.	Parent pick up/ISS
Cafeteria Misconduct/Littering	Warning	Lunch Detention	Detention	1 ISS
Possession of Tobacco/Tobacco Products	2 OSS	3 OSS	5 OSS	7 OSS
Under the influence /Controlled Substance/ Alcohol	10 OSS and ref to Supt
Possession/Sale/Purchase/Distribution/Consumption of illegal or controlled substance or alcohol	10 OSS and ref to Supt
Assault with intent to do bodily harm	10 OSS and ref to Supt
Arson	10 OSS and ref to Supt
False Alarms	10 OSS and ref to Supt
Possession of or use of Weapons	10 OSS and ref to Supt
Physical contact that is sexually harassing	3 OSS min 10 OSS max and ref to Supt	10 OSS and ref to Supt
Vandalism/Theft (restitution is required)	1 ISS Min.	10 OSS and ref to Supt
Bus Discipline	Warning	3days off	5 Days Off	10 Days Off
Dress Code Violation	Warning	Admin	1 ISS	3 ISS