Franklin Middle School

2016 - 2017

Parent Handbook

“Knights Shine with Pride!”

Franklin Township Public Schools

Franklin Middle School

415 Francis Street

Somerset, New Jersey 08873

Phone#: (732) 249-6410 Fax#:(732) 246-0770

Dr. Reginald O. Davenport Ms. Karen Adams Mrs. Torrie Rumph-Hurd Principal 7th Grade Assistant Principal 8th Grade Assistant Principal

November 2016

Franklin Middle School Parents/Guardians:

Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed your summer, had an opportunity to relax and are ready for a new school year. The staff is focused on creating a student-centered environment where academic excellence is promoted. Everyone at Franklin Middle School is dedicated to helpingall students excel and assisting them in discovering their talents and interests.

This parent handbook has been developed to promote transparency regarding the expectations of the FMS practices, protocols and other important information. The FMS handbook has various school policies, emergency contact information, as well as important dates of events. Please take a few minutes to read the contents contained in the handbook carefully and referback to it periodically throughout the coming school year. The handbook provides procedures and expectations for you to review with your child so he or she can be successful at Franklin Middle School.

On behalf of the Franklin Middle School administrative team, we look forward to working with you and your student to make his or her experience at FMS productive and successful. If you have any questions regarding the handbook, feel free to contact any administrator for assistance.

Sincerely,

Dr. Reginald Davenport

“Excellence, Opportunity, and Affirmation for Every Child”

Franklin Middle School’s

Vision Statement

All stakeholders of Franklin Middle School are committed to fostering a safe learning environment for a diverse population, where responsibility and respect are valued. As a school community, we will provide encouragement to our students with supports for the varying social and emotional needs of our students.

FMS Mission Statement

The schools’ mission for the 2016 – 2017 school year is to:

  • Implement a standards-based curriculum in a student centered teaching format for Language Arts, Mathematics, ESL/Bilingual and Special Education classes.
  • Maintain the positive school culture/climate via the Positive Behavior Support In Schools Program along with celebrations/recognitions for students and staff.
  • Maintain a safe and secure school-learning environment.
  • Continue to use data to drive instruction, scheduling, and building level programs.
  • Continue to improve services for special education students through specialized reading programs and a variety of in-class support models.
  • Continue to increase the academic rigor of all content disciplines aligned to the new Core Curriculum Content Standards.
  • Continue to implement a push-in model for Academic Support, ESL/Bilingual, Special Education, Language Arts and Math classes.

FMS Beliefs

1. Student learning is the primary goal of the school and the focus of all decisions affecting the school.

2. A clean, safe, nurturing environment is essential for learning.

3. Students should be challenged to realize their potential as independent thinkers, problem solvers, life-long learners, and responsible decision makers.

4. All children are valued individuals with varied learning styles needing a range of current, effective teaching strategies.

5. An understanding of cultural diversity increases a student’s ability to actively participate in our global community.

Contact Information

Administration

Dr. Reginald Davenport, Principal

732-249-6410 Ext. 200

Torrie Rumph-Hurd, 8th Grade Vice-Principal

732-249-6410 Ext. 204

Karen Adams, 7th Grade Vice-Principal

732-249-6410 Ext. 265

Debra Osman, Dean of Students

732-249-6410 ext.305

Justin Miller, Dean of Students

732-249-6410 ext.224

Guidance / Child Study Team / Nurse
Quiyon Peters – (A-G)

732-249-6410 Ext.322 / Vangie Vargas - (A-Co)

732-249-6410 Ext. 330 / Kim McNee

732-249-6410 Ext. 247
Precious Acolatse – (H-Pa)

732-249-6410 Ext. 323 / Lois Cody - (Co-H)

732-249-6410 Ext. 326 / Penni Kenny

732-249-6410 Ext. 246
Surbhi Alaigh – (Pe-Z)

732-249-6410 Ext. 324 / Pamela Venckus- (I-Peg)

732-249-6410 Ext. 329
Mary-Jo Matinho (Pet-Z)

732-249-6410 Ext. 327

Contact information for teachers can be found on the Franklin Township Public Schools website at franklinboe.org.

School-Wide Rules and Expectations

Expectations/Procedures for School

  • Be on time for school!
  • Accept directions from all staff members, not just your teachers.
  • Dress comfortably, but appropriately for a school setting.
  • For safety reasons, stay to the right while walking in the hallways.
  • Keep noise to a minimum while in the hallways. No loud sounds or screaming!
  • A pass is required when in the halls except during the change of classes.
  • Do not share your locker combination with anyone.
  • Electronic devices cannot be used in school between 7:00am-2:30pm (I.e. Cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, walkmans, cameras, video games, etc.).
  • Hats must be removed when entering the building and kept off while in the building.
  • All food must remain in the cafeteria.
  • Absence notes need to be turned into your homeroom teacher.

FMS Bus Expectations

All students are expected to:

  • Arrive at their bus stop 10 minutes before scheduled arrival time.
  • Board quickly and sit in assigned seat with feet and belongings free of the aisle.
  • Fasten seatbelt and leave it fastened until they arrive at their final destination.
  • Keep the windows on the curbside closed while the bus is parked at the school.
  • Show a valid FMS ID in order to board the bus in the afternoonat 2:30pm and for the 4:00pm late bus. Any student without it will not be allowed to board the bus and will need to contact a parent to make arrangements to be picked up.

Consequences for receiving Bus Misconduct Notices

  • First Notice - warning
  • Second Notice – 2-5 day transportation denial & re-entry conference
  • Third Notice - 7-10 day transportation denial & re-entry conference
  • Fourth Notice - 30 day transportation denial & re-entry conference or transportation denial for the remainder of school year.
  • Please see the District Student Code of Conduct for a detailed list of all bus rules and consequences.

Positive Behavior Supportin Schools Program

  • Motivates students to show respect in school.
  • Identifies students who are not acting appropriately in school and provides interventions to support them.
  • Rewards students for continued positive behaviors through the Knight Store, raffles and other incentives.

Student I.D.

Each student will receive a current 2016 - 2017student identification card, which will include the student’s picture and a bar coded number. This card will be used for all school activities including purchasing lunch, boarding the school bus, attending field trips, entering school dances and serve as the student’s library card. Student ID must be worn at all times. There is a $3.00 cost to have a student ID replaced and $2.00 for a replacement lanyard.

Student Responsibilities

Students attend and participate in the school program so that they may develop to their fullest potential. Students are reminded that their behavior throughout the entire school year may determine their privileges to participate in extra-curricular activities and school sponsored activities and trips.Students receiving in-school support (ISS) and out-of-school suspension (OSS) place their privileges of participating in extra-curriculum activities and school sponsored trips in serious jeopardy.

Students have the responsibility to:

  1. Help to create and maintain a safe and orderly school environment that is conducive to teaching and learning;
  2. To be prepared for and to participate in each class, to meet performance standards, to have the necessary class materials, to complete class work and homework accurately and on time, and to prepare for quizzes, tests and examinations;
  3. Know and comply with all school rules and regulations relating to student conduct and achievement;
  4. Come to school each day on time and ready to learn;
  5. Comply with all instructions from all school employees in a positive and respectful manner;
  6. Dress in accordance with the dress code for school and school related functions;
  7. Accept responsibility for their actions;
  8. Utilize school resources to develop appropriate problem solving skills;
  9. Reflect respect and consideration for the personal and property rights of others;
  10. Understand the need for cooperation with all members of the school community;
  11. Demonstrate academic honesty and integrity, whether completing individual or group educational assignments, and crediting sources when it is necessary to use words, ideas, or thoughts that are not their own.

General Information

Important Dates for FMS

1st Day of School – September 1st

Back to School Night – September 29th

Fall Parent/Teacher Conference – October 6th (evening conferences), October 5th & 7th (day conference)

Spring Parent/Teacher Conference – March 2nd(evening conference)March 3rd

(day conference)

End of Marking Periods and Report Card Distribution

Grades 7 - 12 End of Quarter Report Card Distribution

1st quarter – 11/09/2016 11/28/2016

2ndquarter – 01/30/2017 02/13/2017

3rdquarter – 04/06/2017 04/26/2017

4th quarter – 06/16/2017 07/01/2017

Materials Needed

Students are to arrive to school each day with the materials needed to be successful in all their classes. It is suggested that each student have the following materials:

Book Bag

Composition notebooks (4)

Three-Ring Binders w/ paper (2)

Pencils / Pens

Colored Pencils / Crayons

Texas Instrument 30XIIS Calculator

Book Covers / Book Socks

Double Pocket Folders (4)

Habitual failure to come to school prepared for classes will have an affect on the student’s grade. If there is a problem purchasing needed materials, parents may contact the appropriate assistant principal.

Textbooks

Textbooks are issued to all students. BOOKS MUST HAVE COVERS TO PROTECT THEM AT ALL TIMES. At the end of the school year, or upon transfer, all books checked out in your name must be returned to your teachers. Lost or stolen textbooks must be reported to the teacher and the administration immediately. Fees for lost/stolen textbooks will be assigned to the family if the items are not found. School grades or official school records are not released or forwarded until full clearance is given for lost or damaged books.

Telephone Use

The office phones can only be used for emergency purposes. Students will not be called from class for telephone calls, but emergency messages will be delivered to them as quickly as possible.

Safety and Security

  • 10 Safety Officers
  • 1 G.R.E.A.T Officer
  • 1 School Resource Officer
  • 25 security cameras in and out of the building
  • Flip phones to record incidents
  • Hallway duties
  • Bathroom procedures (Sign-in and Sign-out of Bathroom & Must have an School ID)
  • Hall passes required
  • Students must wear their school ID daily

1

Franklin Middle School Bell Schedule
[DDR1]2016 - 2017
7th Grade / 7th Grade / 8th Grade / 8th Grade
L1 Lunch / L2 Lunch / L3 Lunch / L4 Lunch
HR / 7:25 – 7:40 / HR / 7:25 – 7:40 / HR / 7:25 – 7:40 / HR / 7:25 – 7:40
1 / 7:40-8:19 / 1 / 7:40-8:19 / 1 / 7:40-8:19 / 1 / 7:40-8:19
Passing / 8:19-8:22 / Passing / 8:19-8:22 / Passing / 8:19-8:22 / Passing / 8:19-8:22
2 / 8:22-9:01 / 2 / 8:22-9:01 / 2 / 8:22-9:01 / 2 / 8:22-9:01
Passing / 9:01-9:04 / Passing / 9:01-9:04 / Passing / 9:01-9:04 / Passing / 9:01-9:04
3 / 9:04-9:43 / 3 / 9:04-9:43 / 3 / 9:04-9:43 / 3 / 9:04-9:43
Passing / 9:43-9:46 / Passing / 9:43-9:46 / Passing / 9:43-9:46 / Passing / 9:43-9:46
4 / 9:46-10:25 / 4 / 9:46-10:25 / 4 / 9:46-10:25 / 4 / 9:46-10:25
Passing / 10:25-10:28 / Passing / 10:25-10:28 / Passing / 10:25-10:28 / Passing / 10:25-10:28
L1 / 10:28-10:55 / 5 / 10:28-11:07 / 5 / 10:28-11:07 / 5 / 10:28-11:07
Passing / 10:55-10:58 / Passing / 11:07-11:10 / Passing / 11:07-11:10 / Passing / 11:07-11:10
6A / 10:58-11:37 / L2 / 11:10-11:37 / 6 / 11:10-11:49 / 6 / 11:10-11:49
Passing / 11:37-11:40 / Passing / 11:37-11:40 / Passing / 11:49-11:52 / Passing / 11:49-11:52
7 / 11:40-12:19 / 7 / 11:40-12:19 / L3 / 11:52-12:19 / 7A / 11:52-12:31
Passing / 12:19-12:22 / Passing / 12:19-12:22 / Passing / 12:19-12:22 / Passing / 12:31-12:34
8 / 12:22-1:01 / 8 / 12:22-1:01 / 8 / 12:22-1:01 / L4 / 12:34-1:01
Passing / 1:01-1:04 / Passing / 1:01-1:04 / Passing / 1:01-1:04 / Passing / 1:01-1:04
9 / 1:04-1:43 / 9 / 1:04-1:43 / 9 / 1:04-1:43 / 9 / 1:04-1:43
Passing / 1:43-1:46 / Passing / 1:43-1:46 / Passing / 1:43-1:46 / Passing / 1:43-1:46
10 / 1:46-2:25 / 10 / 1:46-2:25 / 10 / 1:46-2:25 / 10 / 1:46-2:25

School Schedule

7:00 Doors open (When the temp is below 40 degrees)

7:19 Bell rings to release students from the bus

7:25 Bell rings to indicate the beginning of homeroom

7:25-7:40 Breakfast in homeroom

7:40 Bell rings to indicate the beginning of period 1

2:25 Bell rings to end the day

Tips For Student Success
  • Teachers are more than willing to give students extra help in their classes. Encourage your child to ask for help.
  • On weekdays, keep phone calls and TV watching at a minimum. All students are expected to read for 30 minutes every night.
  • Homework should be written in the FMS School Planner for each subject. Remember homework affects grades! Please review the homework with your child.
  • Provide a quiet place to study for tests.
  • Suggested locker times are: before and after homeroom, before and after lunch, and at the end of the day.
  • Encourage your child to join at least one school club and extra-curricular activity – remember busy students are successful students!
  • Keep a large calendar with important deadlines and events for long range planning.
  • Make an appointment to see your child’s school counselor when necessary.
  • Emphasize how standardized tests(PARCC) are important and will impact your child’s scheduling of classes for next year.

Parent Concerns

If a parent has a concern regarding their child, they must follow the following levels of communication to have their concerns properly addressed. The levels of communication are as follows:

First Level: Teacher

Second Level: Parent, teacher and student meeting

Third Level: Grade-Level Dean of Discipline, Guidance Counselor

Fourth Level: Grade-Level Administrator

Fifth Level: Principal

School Services @ FMS

Teacher Office Hours 2:40-3:20 – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

  • All teachers stay after school once a week to provide extra help for students.
  • Students must sign-up with their teacher prior to staying after school for office hours.

Guidance Department

  • 3 Counselors
  • 1 Student Assistant Coordinator

Child Study Team

  • Learning Consultant (1)
  • Psychologist (2)
  • Speech Therapist (2)
  • Behaviorist (1)

Mentoring Programs

  • Girl Circle
  • Franklin Youth Initiative Boys Council
  • Boys Mentoring Program

Police Department

  • G.R.E.A.T Program
  • School Resource Officer

Positive Behavior Supportin Schools Program

  • Universal Team-School wide behavior program
  • Secondary-Support Team-Check In and Check Out program for individual students
  • Tertiary Support Team-Functional Behavioral Assessments done for individual students

Athletics @ FMS

Athletic Program

AAA Program – Athletic Counselor will monitor all scholar/athletes’ grades and progress.

All sport teams will have two mandatory study halls with FMS teachers per week during their season.

Contact:

Mr. Kenneth Margolin, Director of Physical Education, Health & Athletics 732-302-4200 Ext. 6403

Rebekah Solomon, Supervisor of Health and Physical Education @ FHS 732-302-4200 ext 6447

@ FMS 732- 249-6410 ext 221

Fall Sports / Winter Sports / Spring Sports
Football / Girls Basketball / Girls Track & Field
Girls Soccer / Boys Basketball / Boys Track & Field
Boys Soccer / Wrestling / Softball
Girls Cross-Country / Baseball
Boys Cross-Country
Field Hockey

Activities/Clubs @ FMS

2:40-4:00pm

Yearbook Club Environmental Club

Robotics Student Council

Newspaper Club Diversity Club

Jazz Ensemble FBLA- Mid Level

Art Club Wind Ensemble

Intramurals Yoga Club

Gospel Choir Chess Club

National Junior Honor Society RIME

Chamber Ensemble Sign Language

Play Production

Attendance Procedures

Attendance Policy

School achievement begins with regular attendance. Parents/guardians must ensure that all school-age children in their care arrive to school on time every day. Additionally, school personnel must communicate any attendance problems or concerns to parents/guardians in a timely manner. Please note: Parents must keep the school informed of any phone number changes or address changes as they occur (See attached Emergency Contact Form).

It is important to remember that parents/guardians should call the attendance line 732-249-6410 x700 to report each absence from school by 7:30 the morning of the absence. It is of the utmost importance that a written and signed note for 1-2 days absent or medical documentation for 3 or more consecutive days absent be submitted within five (5) days of the student’s return to school in order to consider the period of absence as excused.

Under New Jersey law and regulation, individual Boards of Education may determine categories of absences which the District will consider “excused”. Franklin Township Board of Education Policy 5113 on absences is available on the district web site. Any absence that does not fall into one of the categories listed in the policy is considered “unexcused.”

Absences for family travel or vacations, performance of household or babysitting duties, and other daytime activities unrelated to the school program are considered “unexcused” absences. Parental permission is no longer considered an excused absence.

When a student accumulates four (4), eight (8), and ten (10) days of unexcused absences, parents/guardians will be notified. It is hoped that through communicating and working together, the parent/guardian, student and the school will be able to develop and implement effective strategies that will result in improved student attendance and academic achievement.

It should be noted that students who accumulate ten (10) unexcused absences or who show a pattern of truancy will be referred to the Family Crisis Intervention Unit. Additional unexcused absences or truancy will result in referral to the Franklin Township Municipal Court.

Students who have an excused absence have the privilege of making up any missed work. However, it can be assumed that class participation cannot be made up. For all absences, the student must approach his or her individual teachers to request make-up assignments.Students who cut class or who are truant from school will not be permitted to make up class work they missed.

Student Tardiness

Students who enter the building after 7:25am are considered late for school. Late students must report to the sign-in table located in front of the auditorium for each day late to school. The following action will be taken at the number of lateness indicated below:

  • Three lates – call to parent and office detention. For each additional late, up to 10 office detentions will be assigned.
  • Six lates-letter to parent/student and conference with guidance counselor.
  • Ten lates-letter to parent and mandatory parent conference with CODA. Thestudent will receive ISS until conference is held. Afterward, for each day late, one day of ISS will be served.

Student Absences

Student absences from school require a written explanation from the parent/guardian within (5) five school days of return. This written notification must include an explanation of the absence(s) and the parents/guardian’s name and telephone number. The following action will be taken at the number of unexcused absences indicated below: