Lovell Middle School
Student Handbook
Students and parents are responsible for information in this handbook. Take this handbook home and read it over with your parents. Parents, please discuss this handbook with your student so everyone understands the rules and procedures at LMS. Parents are always welcome to stop by and visit or call the principal if you have any questions or comments concerning this handbook and school rules.
EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES – To the extent possible every pupil of this school district will have equal educational opportunities and shall not be discriminated against regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or religion. No student shall on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, age or disability be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity conducted by the District specifically including, but not limited to, access and participation in course offering, athletics, counseling, employment assistance, and extra-curricular activities. The District shall comply with its policy relating to nondiscrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, age or disability.
WELCOME
We take great pride and pleasure in welcoming you to the new school year. You have the distinct honor of being a member of an excellent student body and attending one of the finest schools in the state of Wyoming. We have a dedicated and outstanding staff here to inspire and guide you throughout your middle school education. We work together as a school community to share our school pride and to help you assume the responsibility that comes with being the best. We welcome parents and community members to visit LMS to see firsthand the great school we have. School spirit and striving toward excellence makes LMS a great place to be.
LMS takes great pride in its academic achievements, athletic teams, music, and extracurricular activities. This success can be directly related to the teaching and learning at LMS. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to students and will help you in any possible way. We provide a "no cut" athletic policy to allow all students an opportunity to participate. Our band and music programs provide an entry level for every student from beginner to advanced. LMS strives for excellence from everyone in the school community. We expect every student
to take advantage of the opportunities provided and to always try your best. c.Welcome
LMS Purpose Statement: Empowering individuals for success in today’s learning and tomorrow’s challenges.
LMS Direction Statement: Committed to the pursuit of individual excellence through reflective practice, analyzing current performance, and striving for success.
Lovell Middle SCHOOl PEP SONG
Hail to our conquering heroes, Hail to our victors valient, Hail to our Middle School the leaders of the West. RAH, RAH, RAH. Hail to our Mustang spirit, Hail to our Blue and our White, Hail to our Middle School, We’ll always be the best. RAH, RAH, RAH. (Sung to the tune of “The Victors”. Lyrics by Mrs. Dickson’s 2001-2002 4thperiod Music Technology Class.)
SCHOOL COLORS/MASCOT
Blue and White/Mustang
LMS Learning Philosophy
Middle School is an important bridge between where you came from and where you are going. It can be an exciting time for you to grow and find out what you can really do. You have talents, strengths, knowledge, and skills that are unique to you. You may even have a few weaknesses or challenges. We want to help you be the best you can be, and that is going to take some practice and hard work. Derek Jeter said, “There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.” No one that ever accomplished something great did it without some failures and bumps along the way. Even Michael Jordan, one of the all-time greatest basketball players, missed more than 9000 shots, lost almost 300 games, and missed the game-winning shot 26 times in his career.
Who do you want to be? What do you want to accomplish? What will help you achieve your goals and dreams? Your Team! Your team includes a lot of people that only want the best for you. It includes your teachers, your family, and members of your community. Hopefully, you know that the most important member of your team is YOU.
Your Role:
Show Up. Work like you mean it. Persevere and never give up. Ask for help when you need it. You need to be the leader of your team. Only you can decide what is important to you, and only you can decide how hard you are willing to work to succeed. It’s OK to make mistakes along the way to learning, but it’s not OK to not try. Find a way to make learning important in your life. Remember, if it is important to you, you’ll find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.
Our Role:
We will be your support through failures, and your biggest fans when you succeed. We will challenge you to put in the effort. We will encourage you to give it your all. We will give you multiple opportunities to show us what you have learned. We will push you to be your best!
Redos and Retakes:
Albert Einstein said, “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” Middle School is a time of firsts: a time of trying new things, a time of learning, and yes, a time of making mistakes. You will have many, many opportunities to learn, make mistakes, and practice to get better, but this will take hard work on your part. Our ultimate goal is that you learn and grow. Therefore, Redos and Retakes are permitted. (See LMS Grading Procedures)
How does it work?
~ We may give you a new version of the original assignment or assessment. In some cases, the redone version might require more of you and be more demanding.
~ You may be asked to prove that relearning took place before the work can be redone. This may include redoing original assignments, doing alternate problem sets, or developing a plan for how you will prepare better this time.
~ Depending on the assignment, you may even be asked to write an explanation or comparison of the two. You may need to explain what is different, or what you learned as a result of redoing the work and/or completing additional work.
~When you take advantage of this opportunity, you will need to hand in the original assignment or assessment with the new one.
~You will need to be committed to making real improvements and striving to learn the concepts. Helen Keller said, “Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost.”
What happens when work is not turned in?
You may be required to come in before and/or after school, or at lunch, to redo any work that is not turned in. We will help you make arrangements with your parent/guardian, or even your coach, in order to safeguard your learning and provide you with multiple opportunities for success. In some cases, you may be required to come in for extra help whether you choose to redo an assignment or not. These times might be set up for relearning of essential skills and concepts that you need. Remember, it takes time and practice to get good at anything!
Follow Through:
One consequence of not following through on a plan to redo work is that you have missed out on truly learning that concept; however, if you waste the time of others, there will be other consequences. A quote from Sir Walter Scott, a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet says, “I can give you a six-word formula for success: "Think things through - then follow through.”
Ultimately, we want you to have every opportunity to learn and master concepts that will help you in your life. Some students are ready for concepts as soon as they are taught. Some students may need more time to master certain skills. Eric Lindros, a Canadian professional ice hockey player said, “It's not necessarily the amount of time you spend at practice that counts; it's what you put into the practice.” We want you to give yourself the best chance possible, so you can look back and know that you gave it all you had. Peyton Manning said, “I never left the field saying I could have done more to get ready.”
Opportunities for You:
Early Morning Tutoring: Monday – Friday at 7:00 a.m.
Flextime: Monday – Thursday 2:43 - 3:21
After School Tutoring: Monday – Thursday until 4:30
Saturday School: Saturday 8:00-11:00 a.m.
Be sure to plan ahead and allow time to plan and carry out your relearning plan. Our recommendation would be to redo an assignment as soon as possible after you receive your grade. Take the initiative early to give yourself the time you’ll need to accomplish tasks.
Deadlines:
**Redone work must be turned in by the following dates to ensure time for grading by the end of each semester:
· First Semester January 4th
· Second Semester May 17th
(Please note: In some cases, special arrangements can be made to redo work that may fall between the above deadlines and the end of each semester.)
“Don’t worry about failures, worry about the chances you miss when you don’t even try.
ABSENCE POLICIES
Regular attendance is of prime importance at all levels in the educational process. All students are expected to attend school in order to maximize the effectiveness of and opportunities provided in the school’s educational program. It is the parents’ responsibility to see that their children attend school regularly. It is also the parents’ responsibility to inform the school when their child will not be in school. Absences will be excused when they are arranged for in advance with the parents’ permission and consent or notification is given by the parent to the school prior to the start of school the day following the absence.
Excused absences Any absence, which was verified by appropriate parent notification and/or permission, will be considered excused.
**Each student is allowed a maximum of 10 excused absences each semester. Once a student exceeds 10 excused absences they will be required to do makeup time, unless otherwise notified by the principal.
Unexcused absences Once a student exceeds 10 excused absences for the semester, each absence will count as an unexcused absence. Students are required to have one of the following for it to be considered excused: 1) a doctor’s excuse, 2) administrative approval for a family emergency. Any student with ten or more absences will be required to have one of the above reasons or the absence will count as an unexcused absence.
Truancy is an absence during school hours or from school property without approval from a school administrator. A truancy differs from an unexcused absence in one of two ways: 1) the absence is without parent knowledge or consent, 2) the absence is considered beyond the definition of an unexcused absence by the school administrator. A truancy counts as an unexcused absence. The procedure for a truancy is as follows:
A. First -Second-Third-Fourth Offenses
(1) After a hearing with the student, parents are notified as soon as possible.
(2) Student will be assigned Saturday School.
(3) SRO notified. Truancy report filed.
B. Fifth Offense
(1) After a hearing with the student, parents are notified as soon as possible.
(2) Student will be assigned Saturday School.
(3) SRO notified. The student is now considered habitually truant. SRO will notify the county attorney as per state law.
When the Board of Trustees determines that a child is a habitual truant, (“Habitual truant” means any child with five (5) or more unexcused absences in any one (1) school year), the Board or its attendance officer shall notify the district attorney, who shall then initiate proceedings in the interest of the child, under the Juvenile Court Act.
ABSENCE PROCEDURES
If you are absent from school, your parent or guardian should call the school office by 8:00 AM to report the absence. If they were unable to call, when the student returns to school a written excuse from the parent must be brought to the office the day of their return.
When you know you’ll be missing school in advance, please use the pre-arranged absence process described below. For a pre-arranged absence to be excused, prior administrative approval is required.
Pre-Arranged absence process: 1) A parent writes a note explaining the absence as to when, where, and how long. This must be done ONE DAY OR MORE PRIOR TO THE ABSENCE. 2) You take the note to the office and get a pre-arranged absence form. 3) You take the form to ALL your teachers. 4) The teacher assigns the work and the due date. 5) You are responsible to complete all work listed on the pre-arranged absence slip. You have two days for every day you miss to make up the work.
**STUDENT ATTENDANCE
Students who are absent from school may participate in activities and school practices if:
1. The student is absent due to illness and they are in attendance the last school period of the student’s day.
2. The student’s parent has prearranged the absence with the principal.
3. The student is absent the whole day before travel and it is an excused absence or prearranged absence ( i.e. the student is sick all day Friday they may travel on Saturday).
(This rule does not apply to any school activity that’s part of the curriculum i.e. such as music concerts, field trips, school plays, or activities such as school dances, or pep assemblies.