Belle Vernon Area Middle School

Belle Vernon Area Middle School

2015—2016

“Addicted 2 Success”

500 Perry Avenue

Belle Vernon, PA 15012

724-808-2500 x 3500

This Student Agenda Book Belongs To:

Name ______

Address ______

City ______Phone ______

Homeroom # ______Teacher ______

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page 3Principals Message

Page 4 Alma Mater, Board of School Directors and Superintendent

Page 5 School Calendar

Page 6-7 Attendance

Page 7-8 Educational Trips, Tardiness, Make-Up Work, Bus Transfer

Page 9 Staying After School, School Closings, Arrival Time, Hall Traffic

Page 10 Books, Lockers, School Telephones, Cafeteria Procedures

Page 11 Accidents, Illness At School, Health Services

Page 12 PE Excuse, Showing Of Affection, Back Pack, Weapons Policy

Page 13 Dress Code, Harassment-Bullying

Page 14 Sexual Harassment Tobacco/Drug/Alcohol Policy, Cheating

Page 15 Electronic/Cell Devices, Student Valuables, Search and Seizure

Page 16 Fighting, Materials Delivered to School, Early Dismissal

Dismissal to Rest Room, Fire Drills, Homework

Page 17-19 Grading Scale, Extracurricular Requirements, Unsatisfactory Report, Services, Special Education Awareness Notice

Page 20 Homeless Policy, Student Assistance Program (SAP)

Page 21 Guidance and Counseling, Psychological Services

Page 21-24 Discipline Policy, Levels of Misconduct

Page 24 Assemblies, Fund-Raiser

Page 25-26 Dances

Page 27-29 Bus Rules, Library

Page 29 Awards, Publication of Student Photo

Page 30 Internet Usage

Page 31 Agenda Book, Disclaimer Policy, Surveillance, Guardian Review

Page 32 BVAMS Philosophy, Title IX and Section 504

Page 33 Left Blank

Page 34 Dance Permission Parent Signature Page

Page 35 Bell Schedule

Page36 Pest Management

Page 37 Notification of Pest Management

Principal’s Message

2015-2016

Principal’s Message:

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone to the Belle Vernon Area Middle School. As Principal of this school I see a tremendous opportunity for our children to prepare for their future. Above all, we want a safe nurturing environment for all children. We all agree expectations should be high for all children, parents, teachers, and administrators. We realize that extraordinary efforts are required to insure all students are achieving at high levels and are prepared for the transition to high school. We have a dedicated staff with a passion for teaching students at this age level, willing to address the needs of all students. Our children will start to take ownership for their education and realize the importance for learning. We all agree that "pretty good" is not good enough for our children. We want every child to realize their fullest potential and will not accept nothing but their BEST work.

Our theme for this school year:“Addicted 2 Success”

I am looking forward to working with everyone for another successful school year. All of us at BVA will join forces to see our children succeed in the 21st century.

ALMA MATER

Our Alma Mater

We’ll be true to thee

To valor and integrity

We pledge our loyalty.

Hail mighty Leopards

Our hearts remain

In steadfast love for Gold and White

Our memories not in vain.

BELLE VERNON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS

2015~2016

Aaron J. Bialon, Board President

John M. Nusser, Jr., Vice President

Daniel J. Sepesky, Secretary

Edward C. Naylor, Assistant Secretary

Joe Grata, Treasurer

Kimberly Ringstad Gray, Member

Cathy J. Michener, Member

Toni-Jo Kunka, Member

Ronald Sotta, Member

Dr. John D. Wilkinson…….…Superintendent

Ira Weiss, Esquire………...…..……..… Solicitor

Eileen Navish………….….... Business Manager

2015-2016 School Calendar

Month / Date
August / 18 / Teacher In-Service
19
20 / Teacher In-Service
Teacher In-Service
24 / First Day of Instruction
September / 7 / Labor Day / NO SCHOOL
October
November / 9 / Teacher In Service / No School for Students
10 / Parent/Teacher Conference / No School for Students
11 / Veterans Day / NO SCHOOL
26 / Fall Recess / NO SCHOOL
27 / Fall Recess / NO SCHOOL
30 / Fall Recess / NO SCHOOL
December / 1
23 / Fall Recess
Last day Before Winter Recess / NO SCHOOL
January / 4 / Classes Resume
18 / Martin Luther King Jr. Day / NO SCHOOL
February / 15
16 / President’s Day
Parent Teacher Conference / NO SCHOOL 1st
Make-up day
No School for Students
March / 4 / Act 80 Day Senior Projects / No School for Students
24 / SNOW DAY / NO SCHOOL
3rd Make-up day
25 / Spring Recess / NO SCHOOL
28 / SNOW DAY / NO SCHOOL
4th Make-up day
29 / SNOW DAY / NO SCHOOL
2nd Make-up day
April
May / 20 / Act 80 Day / No School for Students
30 / Memorial Day / NO SCHOOL
June / 1 / Last Day of Instruction
2 / Teacher In Service
Rain Date for Graduation
NOTE: This calendar may be altered or extended in case of emergency closing of schools.

ATTENDANCE

Compulsory school age refers to the period of a child’s life from the time they enter school as a beginner until the age of seventeen (17) or upon their graduation from high school.

The Department of Education and all school districts within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are obligated to comply with State and Federal requirements (No Child Left Behind Act) for student attendance and truancy.

Each school district within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is responsible for monitoring and maintaining attendance records of all students.

In accordance with the Student Compulsory Attendance and Truancy Elimination Plan, all absences will be treated as unlawful until the school district receives and accepts a written excuse from a parent/guardian explaining the reason for a child’s absence. The written excuse must be submitted within three calendar days of the student’s absence. Failure to do so will result in the absence being permanently recorded as unlawful.

Students who miss ten (10) consecutive school days will be dropped from the active membership unless the school is provided with evidence that the absence is legal.

A maximum of ten (10) days of lawful absences, verified by parental notification, may be permitted during a school year. Each absence beyond a total of ten (10) days during a school year will require a written doctor’s excuse.

Excused Absences:

• Personal illness
• Quarantine of the individual or home
• Death in the family
• Educational trips, as approved by administration
• Religious holiday
• Required court appearance
• Emergencies that affect the child

Unexcused Absences:

Absences are considered unexcused and/or illegal for any reason not listed in Excused Section. Absences are considered unexcused when a student fails to provide school officials with a proper written excuse within three (3) days of his/her return to school.

The following action will be taken to notify Parents/Guardians of their child’s unlawful absences:

1. First unlawful absence– a notice of unlawful absence will be sent to the child’sparent/guardian.

2. Second unlawful absence – second notice of unlawful absence will be sent to the child’sparent/guardian.

3. Third unlawful absence – a third notice of unlawful absence will be sent via certified mail tothe child’s parent/guardian. A school/family conference will be held todiscuss the truancy.

4. If the child is unlawfully absent again at any point within the school year, an official noticeof unlawful absence will be sent to the parent/guardian and a citation will immediately besent to the Magisterial District Judge.

After this step, the District is not obligated to inform parents in writing of their child’s absences.

NOTE: ANY CHILD WHO HAS NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF THIRTEEN (13), WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND IS HABITUALLY TRUANT, WILL BE REFERRED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO THE LOCAL COUNTY CHILDREN AND YOUTH AGENCY FOR SERVICES.

If any child, of any age, continues to be truant after the above action has been taken, the following can occur:

Possible sentences for parents found to be in violation of the compulsory attendance law:

• Paying a fine of up to $300.00 for each offense plus court costs.
• Completing a parenting education program.
• In cases where the party convicted fails to pay the fine or complete the parenting education program, a subsequent sentencing to the county jail for no more than five (5) days will occur.
• In lieu of or in addition to any other sentence imposed, the parent/guardian may be required to perform community service in the school district for a period not to exceed six (6) months.

EDUCATIONAL TRIPS

Students may be legally excused from school to participate in personal tours and trips for educational reasons, as provided by school district policy.

Under the Belle Vernon Area School District Attendance Policy, student absences from school resulting from family vacations with an educational value will be granted ONE (1) TIME PER YEAR FOR NO MORE THAN FIVE (5) DAYS. If the student is absent more than allowable, the absences will be marked UNLAWFUL/UNEXCUSED.

Family Vacations/Educational trips shall be ruled excused if:

The parent/guardian provides a written request for excusal to the building principal on this form provided by the school district, which will indicate the school days to be missed, the destination of the trip, and the educational value of the trip. THE REQUEST MUST BE MADE AT LEAST FIVE (5) SCHOOL DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. The trip request will not be approved if the student requires a medical excuse for his/her absences.

If the trip exceeds five school days, the prior approval of the superintendent is required, in addition to the prior approval of the principal.

All academic work shall be completed within a time period not exceeding the number of days absent as a result of the trip.

TARDINESS

Responsibility must rest with the student to be in school on time. Morning or class tardiness is disruptive to the educational process. Students must be present in homeroom by 7:55 a.m. Students who come into the building after 7:55 a.m. are late and must report to the office before going to class. Tardiness more than three times within a nine-week period is considered excessive. Upon the fourth tardy in a nine-week period without a legitimate excuse, students will receive one detention and can bedenied schoolactivities. Students must report to their classes on time. Teachers will document class tardiness and report these incidents to the office.

ARRIVAL:

7:55 TO 10:56 TARDY

10:57 TO 12:15HALF DAY ABSENT

AFTER 12:16FULL DAY ABSENT

LEAVING:

7:55 TO 12:15HALF DAY ABSENT

AFTER 12:16EARLY DISMISSAL

MAKEUP WORK AFTER ABSENCE

There is certain minimal work that may be assigned as make-up work which the student will be required to complete. It is the student's duty to request make-up work and not the teachers' obligation to assign work.

BUS TRANSFER

USE OF AUDIO AND VIDEO EQUIPMENT

All buses serving the Belle Vernon Area School District transportation needs are subject to being both audio and video recorded in order to assist in ensuring that the students are transported in a manner that protects them, as well as the school bus operator from physical injury, verbal abuse, and threats. Such recordings, both audio and video, may be utilized in alldisciplinary and security investigations of students and adult employees of the Belle Vernon Area School District and its contracted service providers.

Students are permitted to ride only those buses assigned to them for morning and afternoon transportation. Students who must ride a bus other than assigned must present a written request from their parent/guardian to the office no later than the morning of the desired transfer. Parent(s)/guardian notes cannot be faxed.

STUDENTS STAYING AFTER SCHOOL:

Parents picking up students after school should arrive at 2:50 P.M. Students are NOT to remain on school grounds after dismissal unless involved in an authorized school activity. Any student staying after school to attend a school sponsored activity MUST have written permission from their parent/guardian. The permission note must be presented to the office no later than morning homeroom of that day.

SCHOOL CLOSINGS

Information regarding necessary school delays or cancellations is broadcast on radio station KDKA (1020 AM), Froggy 94.9, 98.3, 103.5, 104.3 FM and television stations KDKA, WPXI, and WTAE. ( The district’s website(bellevernonarea.net) will list notifications. Each family should have an alternative contingency action plan for their children in the event that an early dismissal should occur. Please be certain that you have made necessary arrangements for the care of your child should circumstances arise that will cause your child to arrive home before a parent or guardian. Students and parents will be notified (called, E-mailed) via SchoolMessenger of school cancellations and delays as soon as this information is available.

ARRIVAL TIME:

The main entrance doors will open at 7:00 AM. The rear entrance doorwill open at 7:30 AM and will be locked at 7:50 AM. Students reporting after 7:50 will have to use the main doors for entry.

HALL TRAFFIC

Upon arrival at school, students must report directly to their homeroom, or to the cafeteria, if eating breakfast. Particular attention must be paid to our traffic rules. Students must move in an orderly fashion while changing classes and use the appropriate stairs as designated. Loitering, getting drinks from fountains, stopping in restrooms, or waiting for classmates is not permitted. There will be no running at anytime, however, STUDENTS SHOULD WALK WITHOUT DELAY. During inclement weather, students should be extremely cautious while walking inside and outside the school since floors and walkways may be slippery.

BOOKS

Students are responsible for all books issued to them. Lost or destroyed books will be at the expense of the student. Students are required to bring books to classes, including study halls.

LOCKERS

School lockers are the property of the District and are subject tocontrol by the District. Lockers may be entered by District personnel as necessary for school upkeep and maintenance and may beinspected periodically for cleanliness. Lockers may be searched, without a search warrant, upon reasonable suspicion that the locker contains contraband or that the search may reveal evidence of aviolation of law or school rule. A locker is assigned to each student. Students are accountable for any damage to their locker and may have to bear the cost for repairs. We strongly urge that students use padlocks or combination locks thereby keeping their lockers secure at all times. Locker needs are to be done in the morning before homeroom period, after the third period, and before the start of the tenth period. Students should refrain from entering lockers at unspecified times.

SCHOOL TELEPHONES

The office telephone is restricted to school personnel. In cases of illness, school personnel will make the necessary calls. Transportation arrangements for special events, etc. should be made prior to coming to school.

CAFETERIA AND LUNCH

All students are to report to the cafeteria where they will remain during the entire lunch period unless excused to go elsewhere. Students are not to stop at restrooms on their way to lunch. Lunches may be purchased on a daily basis in the cafeteria or money can be deposited into the student’s lunch account and deducted on a daily basis when the student makes a purchase. Students who exhibit unacceptable behavior in the cafeteria will be seatedelsewhere. Continued misbehavior will result in the students' parents being notified.

CAFETERIA PROCEDURES

• Each lunch period is 30 minutes.
• Students will sit in their assigned area by their last class prior to lunch.
• Students are not to enter and leave the cafeteria at will.
• No food should be taken by students from the cafeteria.
• After eating, students must remove all items that they

brought to their table.

• Uneaten food and beverage are to be discarded in the

waste container.

• Trays with tableware are to be placed in thedishwashing

area as directed by school personnel.

• Students will leave the cafeteria only when excused to

the restroom or dismissed by the supervisor.

• Students who drop their lunch trays/containers by accident will

clean the area.

ACCIDENTS

Students are to report accidents to their respective teachers. School accident insurance may be purchased at the beginning of the school term. The school district is not responsible for medical expenses of injuries suffered at the school.

ILLNESS AT SCHOOLStudents should report illness to their classroom teacher. The health room is used for emergencies only, and at the discretion of the nurse or principal. Students must have a pass from their subject teacher before reporting to the office for illness.

HEALTH SERVICES

Our school nurse provides these general health screening services:

Vision

Hearing

Height and weight

Scoliosis (6th and 7th grade)

The nurse assists the school physicians with dental and physical screenings. Except in cases of emergency, students must secure a pass from their teacher before visiting our school nurse who is in our building on a limited schedule.

EMERGENCY CARE – STANDING ORDERS

Dr. Marc Cordero, M.D., School Physician

Children’s Acetaminophen…Minor Pain/Fever

Ibuprofen…Minor Pain/Fever

Diphenhydramine HCl... Allergic Reaction

Calcium Carbonate Antacid.… Dyspepsia

Collyrium Eye Wash…Ocular Irritations

Saline Contact Solution…Contact Lenses

Hydrogen Peroxide…Antiseptic

Isopropyl Alcohol…Antimicrobial

Bactine…Antiseptic

Bacitracin Ointment…Wound Care, Antibacterial

Caladryl…Skin Irritation, Contact Dermatitis

Epi-pen Auto-injector 0.3 mg….Anaphylaxis

Silver Sulfadiazine 1% Cream…Burns

Glucagon Emergency Kit…Severe Hypoglycemia w/Unresponsiveness

Glucometer / Blood Glucose Testing…Management of Diabetes Mellitus

Glucose Tablets/Gel …Hypoglycemia

Cepacol Lozenges…Minor Sore Throat,Cough

Oral Anesthetic…Toothache, Stomatitis

Oxygen PRN @ 4 L/min…Cardiac/Respiratory Distress

AED…Cardiac Arrest

Ambulance Transport (R/WNES)…Serious Accident and/or Illness

PHYSICAL EDUCATION EXCUSE

State law requires that all students participate in physical education classes. Students excused from gym classes, having presented a legal excuse, will be required to complete written course work concerning sports information.

SHOWING OF AFFECTION