GENOA-HUGO
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Student Handbook
File: AC-E-1
Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity
In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act and Colorado law, Genoa-Hugo School District C-113 does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or need for special education services in admissions, access to, treatment, or employment in educational programs or activities which it operates.
Complaint procedures for Title IX and Section 504 have been established for students, parents, employees and members of the public. The following person(s) have been identified as the designated employee(s) to coordinate compliance activities for the district:
As referenced in exhibit ACE-E-1, specific complaints of alleged discrimination under Section 504 or the ADA (disability) should be referred to:
Superintendent
220 West 7th Street
P.O. Box 247
Hugo, CO 80821
719/743-2428
As referenced in exhibit JBA-E, specific complaints of alleged discrimination under Title IX (sex) should be referred to:
Superintendent
220 West 7th Street
P.O. Box 247
Hugo, CO 80821
719/743-2428
Complaints may also be filed with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, Colorado, 80204-3582
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Academics page 4
Grading Scale
Eligibility
Homework
Semester Tests
Retention Recommendations
Summer School
Honor Roll
Awards
Student Use of Electronic Communication Devices
Computer Network and Internet Policy
Attendance page 7
Student Responsibilities
Excused Absences
Unexcused Absences
Truancy
Tardies
Illness Policy from the School Nurse
Miscellaneous page 10
Lunch and Breakfast
Insurance and Accidents
Immunization
Medications
Library
Textbooks
Lockers
General Behavioral Expectations page 11
Behavior and Discipline page 14
Behavior & Discipline - Teacher Level
Colorado School Law - Administrative Level
Emergency Procedures page 20
Emergency Evacuation Procedures
Tornado Emergency Procedures
Athletics page 21
Athletic Rules and Procedures
Rules of Conduct
Riding School Vehicles for Activities
School Sponsored Activities page 23
Definition
Dances
Annual Middle School Field Trip
Middle School Student Council
ACADEMICS
Grading Scale: Percentages are recorded; letter grades will appear on report cards. All classes are graded using a percentage scale.
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 0-59
--Weekly progress reports for students with grades below 70% will be sent home. Parents may also contact the office to gain access to grades via online through Edustar.
--The teacher in consultation with and approval of the principal may give incomplete grades. Extenuating circumstances (long-term illness, hospitalization, etc.) will be considered on an individual basis.
Eligibility: Any student receiving an "F" in any class on a weekly progress report will be on the "eligibility list". The ineligibility week begins on Monday and goes through and includes that Sunday.
--The first eligibility list will be submitted three weeks after the beginning of each quarter. The eligibility list is turned into the office the first day of each week.
--Students on the eligibility list will not be able to participate in athletic competition and/or other interscholastic competitions (knowledge bowl, county/state spelling bees, etc.); however, the student will still be allowed to participate in practices since athletics is part of the physical education program at Genoa-Hugo School. See athletic section for more information.
--All work should be turned in by the assigned due date. Late work must be turned in at the end of the week to be considered for the next eligibility period (which is Mon. through Sun.).
Homework: You should expect to have some homework each day. The amount of homework you have will often depend upon how well you can use your classroom time.
-- Late homework will receive credit at the teacher's discretion. This includes major projects for which due dates have been established well in advance.
-- If a student knows ahead of time about their absence, they are to fill out a pre-arranged absence form.
-- After an absence, it will be the student’s responsibility to get missed work from the teacher. The office may gather missed work from the teachers if a parent or sibling is able to pick it up after school.
-- All work missed due to an excused absence can be made up for full credit during the time granted by the teacher, at least one day grace for each excused day absent.
-- All work missed due to in-school suspension must be made up and will receive credit.
-- All work missed due to an unexcused absence will be assigned a partial credit; the teacher may require the work to be completed. Out-of-school suspension qualifies as an unexcused absence.
Semester Tests: Finals may be given to middle school students at the discretion of the individual teacher.
Retention Recommendations: During the March parent/teacher conferences parents will be notified if the middle school staff is considering recommending a student for grade retention. Retention recommendation is based on unsatisfactory academic performance in CORE area classes, poor attendance, and other possible concerns. The recommendation will be followed up at the end of the school year with the staff’s final recommendation. It is found that students held back do best when teachers, parents, and students are part of this decision making process concerning educational success. Genoa-Hugo School will support the decision made by parents/guardians concerning retention of a student.
Summer School: At the end of each school year, the middle school staff recommends students for summer school in specific academic areas.
Honor Roll: All classes count toward semester honor rolls. Grade percentages are not rounded off for honor roll consideration. The honor roll will be published at the end of each semester.
The Superintendent's honor roll is composed of students who have a semester grade point average of 3.8 - 4.0. The Principal's honor roll is composed of students who have a semester grade average of 3.3 - 3.799.
Awards: The purpose of the annual Genoa-Hugo Middle School Graduation and Awards Night is to honor students publicly for their accomplishments in order to build self-esteem and confidence. As many students as possible shall be recognized in order to emphasize that all students have different talents, successes, and accomplishments. The awards program takes place during the last couple weeks of the school year in order to closely determine the results of certain class standings. Eighth graders organize and run the graduation program.
The awards program includes the following:
1. Eighth grade graduation ceremony recognizing students who have successfully completed the Middle School Program. Students failing one or more of the following courses during 8th grade will not be allowed to take part in the Middle School graduation ceremony: Language Arts, Science, Math, Social Studies, or Reading. Students who move into the district during the school year must also pass these classes during their enrollment at Genoa-Hugo.
2. Awards given for top grade point average in all academic classes in each grade, also a most improved student award for each class may be given.
3. Honor Roll awards.
4. Sportsmanship awards for each athletic program going to athletes who exemplify the definition for sportsmanship. Recognition of team members at this time is appropriate.
5. Special Awards (Music, Art, Agriculture, Computers, Science Fair, Knowledge Bowl, Citizenship, Attendance, Presidential Academic Award, etc.)
6. One girl and one boy is selected for a Citizenship Award each year. Students who have maintained an 89% average, have a 95% attendance rate, and who did not receive any type of behavior offenses are eligible for this award. Nominated students are further evaluated by their extra-curricular participation, their community involvement, and teacher recommendations.
Student Use of Electronic Communication Devices: The district recognizes that electronic communication devices can play a vital communication role during emergency situations. However, ordinary use of electronic communication devices in school situations disrupts and interferes with the educational process and is not acceptable. For purposes of this policy, “electronic communication devices” include cell phones, beepers, pagers, walkie-talkies, and any other telecommunications device that emits an audible signal, vibrates, displays a message, or otherwise summons or delivers a communication to the possessor (e.g., Blackberry, Palm Pilot, etc.) During the school day (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM) electronic communication devices must be turned off, except for during the lunch break. Electronic Communication devices may be used only during emergencies. For purposes of this policy, “emergency” shall mean an actual or imminent threat to public health or safety, which may result in loss of life, injury or property damage. Use of electronic communication devices with cameras are prohibited in locker rooms, bathrooms, or other locations where such operation may violate the privacy rights of another person.
Student Responsibility: It is the student’s responsibility to ensure the device is turned off. Violation of this policy and/or use that violates any other district policy shall result in disciplinary measures and confiscation of the electronic communication device. Confiscated devices shall be returned to the student only after a conference with the Principal and/or parent/guardian. The building principal or designee may also refer the matter to law enforcement, as appropriate. The district shall not be responsible for loss, theft or destruction of electronic communication devices brought onto school property.
Computer Network and Internet Policy:
-- The appropriate use of passwords is expected. At no time should a password be shared with anyone.
-- At no time should anyone use another’s password or use a computer that has already been logged on by someone else.
-- Tampering with the network system, computer settings, computer hardware, computer software, or files is unacceptable and may be deemed a crime that would result in contacting the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
-- Students will work in the classroom under supervision of a staff member.
-- School based e-mail accounts will be available and may be used for personal use before or after school with permission and supervision. Students are expected to use common sense and good judgment regarding what is appropriate for the school setting when using e-mail.
-- Students will not seek materials that contain profanity, obscene comments, sexually explicit pictures, expressions of bigotry, racism, or hate.
-- Students will not post hateful, threatening, or harassing messages on any internet site or through any means of electronic communication. Posting, whether originating from on or off school property, may result in disciplinary action if inappropriate messages are directed toward students, the school or school personnel.
-- Internet access will be made available to students from 8:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. as part of their regular course work. Instructors will give access to students as needed to complete assignments. Students are not allowed to use the internet for personal use during this time frame.
-- Before or after school students may use the internet for personal use with the permission and supervision of a staff member. If a student accesses an inappropriate internet site, they must notify the supervising staff member.
-- If a student is reported to administration for an internet violation, administration will determine appropriateness of the accessed site. Violations may result in contacting the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Students are expected to use common sense and good judgment regarding what is appropriate for the school setting when using the internet.
-- Students will not be allowed to use internet based e-mail or chat rooms unless under supervision.
-- Inappropriate use of computer network or internet will be dealt with under the following guidelines. Appropriate law enforcement agencies may be contacted as deemed necessary.
1st offense: Loss of all computer privileges for 1 school week.
2nd offense: Loss of all computer privileges for 2 school weeks.
3rd offense: Loss of all computer privileges for 3 school weeks.
-- School Administration reserves the right to extend loss of privileges to the next school year on any offense.
Forms for Network and Internet Use:
-- Students will not be allowed to use the computer system prior to returning the signed On-line Users’ Code of Ethics form.
-- Consequence levels may be skipped according to the severity of the offense.
-- Any account on the system or internet sites accessed may be audited at any time. Our system is as public as a locker or a desk in the school. Designated personnel may examine history files or contents of computer files at any time, of any individual.
ATTENDANCE
A significant part of the student's education is obtained from classroom participation, discussions, activities and relationships. Regular attendance is essential to maintain a good scholastic record and develop personal responsibilities that are expected in adult life. Parents will be notified after a student has reached 5 and 8 absences per semester.
Excessive absenteeism is regarded as a serious problem and will be addressed on an individual basis. When a student has accumulated excessive absences (8) a conference with the principal may be scheduled to address the problem. If attendance does not improve, additional meetings may be required to determine if academic credit should be withheld. Additional consequences for excessive absences shall include:
Detention Out-of-school suspension Meeting with parents
Academic penalties In-school suspension Counselor Referral
Possible initiation of judicial proceedings
Every child who has attained the age of six years and is under the age of seventeen is required to attend public school with such exceptions as provided by law. Every parent of a child who has attained these ages shall ensure that such child attends the public school in which such child is enrolled. (CRS 22-33-104 (5)(a))
Student Responsibilities: Attendance is primarily the responsibility of the student and the parent(s); therefore, students who are absent from school are asked to assume the following responsibilities:
-- Request that parents call the school office on the day(s) of absence and report the reason for absence. (719-743-2428) If parents do not call, a note written by the parent/guardian stating the reason for absence is required upon the student’s return to school.