Malachi Wilkerson Middle School
116 11th Court West
Birmingham, Alabama 35204
205-231-2740
Parent/Student Handbook
2016 - 2017
“Where Teaching and Learning is our Core Business”
Mrs. Davida H. Johnson
Principal
Ms. Connie White
Assistant Principal
Wilkerson’s School Song
Wilkerson our dear old school
Again we sing to thee.
We will always hail thy name,
With pride and loyalty.
Wilkerson, Wilkerson
(Your) teaching tried and true;
we’ll forever hold them near
in everything we do.
Wilkerson, Sweet mater dear,
Oh, how we love thee school
(Thy) precepts we will not forget
nor thy golden rule.
Hallowed halls, stately walls
(Thy) colors bright and bold
Far or near we’ll stand and cheer
All hail the green and gold.
By Dr. Earnest L. Colvin
FACULTY AND STAFF:
Principal Davida H. Johnson
Assistant PrincipalConnie White
CounselorPatrick Fuller
Bookkeeper/SecretaryNaomi Green
Assistant Clerk Brenda Perry
Sixth GradeClaressia Boone
Keonna Greene
Teri Shearer
Franchell Thomas
Seventh Grade Garrett Becker
Jason Dunning
Jerry Strickland
Brittani Wilder
Eighth Grade Andrea Johnson Melissa Oneal Tanaha Sharp
LaQuita M. Holmes
Special Education Kevin Holston
Sharonda Brye-Jones
Media Specialist Susan Courington
Band Lebarron McWhorter
Family Consumer Science Edna Hill
Physical Education Robert E. Williams
Head Custodian Michael Cox
Custodial Assistant Reginald Craig (sub.)
Read 180 Tamica Simpson
Drama Vacant
School Nurse Sherri Eichhorn
CNP Manager Eliza Means
CNP Assistant Katasha Rhodes
Joseph Moye
Itinerant Instructional Assistants Shundra Davis
Phyllis Williams
Malachi WilkersonMiddle School’s Beliefs…
- Students’ learning needs should be the primary focus of all decisions impacting the work of the school.
- Students learn best when they are actively engaged in the learning process.
- The family, school, and community working together is crucial to the development for students.
- Mutual respect, responsibility, and caring create the best learning environment for students.
- All individuals are accountable for the choices they make and for understanding that with each choice comes responsibilities and consequences.
- High expectations, quality teaching, and positive attitudes promote higher levels of achievement.
- Learning in the 21st century is a life-long process which promotes and improves the quality of life and is essential for continuous growth.
Our Mission, Vision and Core Values
Our Mission
The mission ofMalachi Wilkerson Middle Schoolis to guide all students to achieve excellence in a safe, secure and nurturing environment.
Our Vision
Malachi Wilkerson Middle Schoolwill be a recognized leader in public education, meeting the needs of a diverse student population prepared to succeed in a global society.
Our Core Values
Diversity
Integrity
Respect
Excellence
Compassion
Teamwork
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE:
Dear Parents,
What a pleasure and honor it is for me to serve you as the principal of Malachi Wilkerson Middle School! I look forward to working with you this school year. I know the entire staff of Wilkerson MiddleSchool is excited and eager to get the school year off to a great start.
Please take the time to review this handbook in conjunction with our Student Code of Conduct. The enclosed information will answer many questions you may have about our school and the various policies we will follow at Wilkerson Middle School. If you have any additional questions after reading this handbook, please do not hesitate to contact me. We are here as servant leaders ensuring that “teaching and learning” is our primary focus. Without you, there would be no Wilkerson Middle School.
I thank all of you for the strong support you showand have shown in making our school one of the premier school’s in our district. We ask that you commit to continuing that support this school year by staying in touch with your child’s teacher and offering suggestions in our wishing well at the main entrance of the school. Educating children requires teachers and parents working together in a supportive and friendly manner. We can accomplish so much more when we work together as a team. Have a wonderful year!
Believe. Create. Succeed.
Davida H. Johnson, Ed.S.
Principal
The Parent Role
As a parent or guardian, it is critical that you are familiar with the contents of this handbook so that you can support your son or daughter in following the rules and policies of Wilkerson Middle School. Working together, we can be a strong influence on students’ academic success by modeling adult working relationships based upon courtesy, honesty and respect for one another.
Expectations
We expect for any visitor that enters our school to be respectful of school policy and procedures. We hold our students to a higher standard; therefore, all visitors that enter our building will maintain professionalism even in the midst of adversity. For those that do not adhere to school policy and procedures and display unwarranted behavior, you will be bannedfrom the school for the remaining of this academic school year.
Absences
Students who are ill, running a fever, or have any contagious condition must not attend school. After an absence, the student must bring a written excuse stating the reason for the absence and the excuse must be signed and dated by the parent or legal guardian. Prior permission must be obtained for absences other than illness. When students are absent, parents may request assignments by emailing the teacher, calling the main office, or checking the teacher’s webpage on the school’s website. Requested work may be picked up at the end of the school day.
Accidents
Parents will be notified of accidents requiring immediate attention. Parents must provide the teacher and the school office with a list ofcurrent emergency phone numbers.
Arrival of Students
School begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. each day. Students who arrive at school before 7:20 a.m.will not be allowed in the building. Students who arrive between 7:55 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. should go directly to their classrooms. The building opens for breakfast at 7:20 a.m. Students who are not eating breakfast will report to the gymnasium for supervised study and reading. Reminder:Students who arrive before 7:20 a.m.will be unsupervised outside the building.
Assemblies
Assemblies are held throughout the school year. Students are expected to exhibit courteous behavior at assemblies. Any student that behaves inappropriately will be subject to immediate disciplinary actions. Parents are always welcome to attend. Watch for announcements concerning planned assembly programs.
Attendance
The importance of regular attendance cannot be over-emphasized. Goodattendance has a direct effect on a student’s learning and grades. Students who have perfect attendance for the whole school year are given special recognition during our end-of-the-year Recognition Programs. Students that have excessive tardies or absences will be referred to Early Warning Court.
Awards
Students will be recognized throughout the school year for the following:
Principal Award, Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance, Citizenship, Most Improved, Extra-Curricular Activities, and Highest G.P.A. in core subjects.
Breakfast
Breakfast is served from 7:20 a.m. until 7:50 a.m. Students who arrive at7:50 a.m. or after will not be served breakfast. If you wish for your child to eat breakfast at the school, please make sure they arrive by 7:40 a.m.
Checkouts
There are no student checkouts after 2:30 p.m. Parents are not admitted into the building after 2:30 p.m. unless there is an emergency. This is in place to protect the students’ instructional time. If you have an appointment scheduled for your child or need to get your child from school before 3:00 p.m., you must check them out before 2:30 p.m.
Concerns / Complaints
It is important to follow the proper protocol if you have any concerns regarding an issue at Wilkerson Middle School.
First Step:Please contact your child’s homeroom teacher regarding the concern. If the concern is with someone other than the child’s teacher, please contact that individual. Allow him/her reasonable time to respond.
Second Step: If you feel your concern was not addressed in the first step, please call the office to schedule an appointment or phone conference with the principal or assistant principal. The school administration requests you attempt to resolve the concern before contacting the office. The principal or assistant principal will meet with you and any other individuals involvedin resolving the issue.
Third Step: After you have made all efforts to resolve your concern at the school level through the above process, your next level is the Director ofSchools (Zone 2). The Director is a liaison between the local school and the superintendent. Please be prepared to inform the Director of your efforts to address the problem at the school level. The number for the Director’s office is 231-4600.
Discipline Policy
Please refer to the Birmingham City Schools’ Student Code of Conductto familiarize yourself and your child with the behavior expectations your child is held to by the Birmingham Board of Education and Wilkerson Middle School. Any behavior or actions disrupting or interfering with the educational process is considered a discipline problem. The principal and assistant principal will follow the guidelines specified in the suggested disciplinary actions listed in the Student Code of Conduct
Students who continuously commit minor violations or Class II Offenses will be subject to 1 to 3 days suspension. A mandatory parent conference regarding a child’s continuous violation of Class I Offenses will be held before the student is suspended. All students will be provided due process. In the event that an infraction does not warrant a suspension, Parent Shadowing will be mandatory.
We appreciate your support and cooperation in helping us maintain an orderly and peaceful learning environment for all of our students.
Dismissal
Students are dismissed each school day at 3:00 p.m. unless it is an Early Dismissal Day at which time students are dismissed at 1:00 p.m. Childrenmust be picked up by 3:15 p.m. Parents will be called for those students remaining at school after 3:30 p.m. If you are a repeat offender, the police department will be contacted and a child negligence report will be made.
Students are not allowed back in the building after they have been dismissed at 3:00 p.m. Please encourage your child to get needed items from their classrooms before they leave.
Please send anychanges in the manner in which a student will go home in writing to your child’s teacher. Please plan ahead and insert this information into the child’s school folder. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding regarding this matter.
All students who are car riders are escorted out of the building by their teachers. It is the teacher’s responsibility to make sure their students are picked up by the proper individual. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please contact your child’s teacher.
Emergencies
It is important that the office be able to contact you as quickly as possible during the school day in case of an emergency. Please make sure that all telephone numbers and emergency contact persons are kept up-to-date with the school office and your child’s teacher. If it is impossible to reach you or someone listed as an emergency contact person, the school will call 911 and your child will be transported for treatment while we continue to try to contact you.
Field Trips
Field Trips will be planned with the principal’s approval. Parents are encouraged to allow their children to participate in these trips. Written permission from the parent or legal guardian must be obtained before a student may leave the school grounds to participate. Teachers reserve theright to ask that a parent or adult family member attend the field trip in order for a child to attend. If this is the case, the teacher must inform the parent at least two weeks prior to the scheduled field trip. Additionally, parents who chaperone may not bring younger children on field trips.
Fire, Severe Weather, and Code Red Drills
Fire drills, severe weather drills, and code red drills are conducted monthly at the school. Students are instructed on the procedures to follow in case of a drill.
Grading Policy
The following grading policy was adopted by the Birmingham Board of Education in March 2003.
The K – 12 school year is broken into four (4) nine-week grading periods. At the end of each grading period, academic marks are entered into the computer and report cards are generated for dissemination to students. The grading scales adopted by the Birmingham Board of Education are:
Grades 1 – 12:Kindergarten:
A100-90EExcellent
B89-80SSatisfactory
C79-70NNeeds Improvement
D69-60
F59 and below
Report cards will be distributed every nine weeks. Please refer to the Birmingham City Schools’ academic calendar posted on the district’s and school’s website for the dates that report cards and progress reports are sent home.
Homework
Homework assignments are made at the discretion of the teacher. The instructional level of the student is taken into consideration when determining the length and amount of homework given. All students are expected to read or be read to for at least 20 minutes every night.
Students are responsible for taking home the books and materials necessary for completing assignments. Some assignments may require technology or carry over into the weekend. Please make the necessary preparations to adhere to all required assignments.
Inclement Weather
If snow or icy conditions necessitate the closing of school for the day, an announcement will be made as early as possible on the district’s website, local television stations, radio stations, and you will receive a call from the school’s messenger system. When early dismissal is necessary due to inclement weather, the same procedure is followed.
Lunch Program
All students are provided free breakfast and lunch until further notice. Students are welcomed to bring monies to purchase snacks not included with their meals. Parents and other relatives are welcomed to join their child for lunch after obtaining a visitors pass from the office. Guest lunches are $3.50
Breakfast and lunch from fast food restaurants are not allowed. No drinks can be brought in glass bottles or containers. Also, children may not bring canned sodas to school. This is a district-wide regulation.
Students are expected to eat and act mannerly in the lunchroom. They are to leave their seat and table clean as instructed by their teacher.
Medication
No prescription medication will be administered without the written permission and instructions from the child’s physician. A form can be obtained from the school office that must be completed by the child’s doctor before we can administer prescription medication. We cannot administer any over-the-counter medications nor can the child bring it to school to self-administer. If a child requires over-the-counter medication, the parent may come to the school and administer it as needed.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Teachers have specific times that they are available for parent conferences.
Appointments should be made through the school office and requested at least 24 hours in advance. Teachers cannot take up instructional time for parent conferences. Additionally, teachers cannot conference with parents during student arrival or dismissal times.
Problem-Solving Team
The Problem-Solving Team (PST) reviews referrals for special education and makes recommendations regarding accommodations for a student who is experiencing academic difficulty and/or behavioral difficulty. Additionally, the PST determines whether or not a student is referred for testing for special education services. The Problem-Solving Team (PST) meets with individual teachers who have concerns regarding a particular student’s academic or behavioral progress. The team offers suggestions to a teacher to help improve the child’s performance and/or behavior and also determines if further action should be taken beyond regular classroom intervention. Students who already receive Special Education services are not eligible to be referred to the PST.
The PST is scheduled to meet twice a month beginning in September through April on the second and fourth Thursdays.
Parties
Birmingham City Schools Board Policy allows for one class party per year which is scheduled prior to the Christmas Break. Goodie bags may be provided by parents on Halloween and Valentine’s Day. Birthdays may be celebrated with cupcakes at lunchtime only. Please do not send flowers, balloons, or any other items that may disrupt the learning process.
School Pictures
Individual school pictures are made in the fall and spring. Proofs are sent home for parents’ inspection. Parents are under no obligation to purchase the pictures.
Notification will be sent home with students at least a week prior to the pictures.
Tardies
School begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. Students are considered tardy if they are not in the classroom by 8:05 a.m. Students coming into school after 8:05 a.m. but before 8:10 a.m. should report to class and the teacher will mark him/her tardy from the classroom.
Students coming in at or after 8:10 a.m. must be signed in by the parent or legal guardian in the main office and receive a tardy slip. Afternoon checkouts are also coded as PM Tardies. Excessive tardies will result in contact from the district’s Attendance Officer.
Telephone
The telephone may be used by students in case of an illness or emergency. Messages for students will only be delivered in case of an emergency. Please be sure that your child understands any afternoon plans or instructions before you drop him/her off at school. Any student that uses the phone without permission is subject to disciplinary actions. Please send any changes in your child’s after school pick up in writing to the teacher.