2015-2016

School Year

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION

Principal...... Mr. Schiechl

Assistant Principal...... Mrs. Etier

SCHOOL HOURS

The building opens for use at 8:00 A.M. and closes at 3:45 P.M. Students are not to be on campus until 7:45. You can view our school calendar and other Mattson activities by visiting to our web site:

SCHOOL TELEPHONES

Attendance Office...... (253)373-7671

Counseling (8th grade)...... (253)373-6259

Counseling (7th grade)...... (253)373-6257

Main Office...... (253)373-7670

Cashier...... (253)373-6253

Nurse...... (253)373-6261

Dear Parents and Students:

Welcome to Mattson Middle School! We expect the 2015-2016 school year to be outstanding and long remembered. As you begin this year, make the commitment to do the best that you can do. The entire staff is here to help you achieve your goals. Be sure to get involved in one or more of the school's extra curricular activities. With a positive attitude and enthusiastic school spirit, you will be successful and have a great year!

Mr. SchiechlMrs. Etier

PrincipalAssistant Principal

Commitment to Excellence

Kent School District

A leader in educational achievement

Mattson’s Expectations for Success

We believe that each and every student here at Mattson is capable of great things. As such, we expect:

  1. All students are expected to meet high academic standards. Teachers will work with you if you are having difficulties. However, it is up to you to communicate your needs to your teachers so that they can provide the best help possible.
  1. Students are expected to be at school every day. If you need to be absent, for any reason, you are responsible for bringing a note to the attendance office within 48 hours of the absence. You are also responsible for obtaining and making up any missed work or assignments. Excessive absences and late arrivals, whether excused or unexcused, will impact your grade.
  1. All students to extend their learning by completing nightly homework. Parents can engage their children in schoolwork and be an active part of their children’s education by helping ensure homework completion and understanding.
  1. All students to actively seek productive ways to resolve problems and conflicts. Whether the issue is with a teacher or a student we expect our students to reach out to a trusted adult for assistance in solving issues. We expect all students to use school appropriate problem solving strategies.
  1. All students to use the technology provided to enhance their learning. Yes, it is fun to have your very own computer and it will be tempting to use your laptop for gaming and social networking. However, we expect every student to act in a responsible manner and only use the laptop for education purposes.
  1. Your success depends on three essential components: student effort, parent involvement, and school support.

ASB EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

President – Kylie Fast

Vice President – Summer Chavez

Secretary – Kevin Doan

Treasurer – Justin Englund

Senators (8th) – Maddy VanGaver & Angelo Herrera

Senators (7th) – Tyler Walk & Ashton White

ASB CARD PRIVILEGES
Your ASB card will cost $15.00 and is an excellent value! Your card will contain your name, picture and bus route (if you ride the bus). The ASB card indicates that you are an official member of the Mattson Middle School Student Body. The card allows you to take part in clubs and activities sponsored by the ASB. You can purchase your ASB card in the Student Center before school and at lunch. / STUDENT FEES
ASB Card………………………$15.00
Replacement………………...$5.00
Yearbook w/ASB………………$28.00
W/O ASB……………………$30.00
Art/Shop/FCS Fee………$15.00/Semester
Science Lab Fee……………….$10.00/Year
PE Uniform……………………$17.00
XXL………………………...$21.00
PE Sweatshirt…………………$15.00
XXL………………………...$18.00

GENERAL INFORMATION

ABSENT FROM SCHOOL

  1. Bring a note from parent/guardian excusing the absence or have parent or guardian call the Attendance Office within 48 hours. Failure to do so may result in discipline.
  2. Report to the Attendance Office BEFORE school.
  3. Receive an Admit Slip from the Attendance Office.
  4. Have teachers sign – leave the slip with your last teacher.

*Excessive absences may impact your grade!

ADMINISTRATORS

If you have concerns about safety or other issues regarding your success at Mattson, you can make an appointment to see an administrator by going to the Main Office or by sending an appropriate email using your Outlook account. Administrators will also address questions and concerns about building policy, dress code and behavior expectations.

ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION POLICY

In order to participate in athletics at Mattson, athletes must be passing in at least four subjects in the previous quarter and have a GPA of at least 2.0. If they are failing in three or more subjects or do not have a GPA of 2.0, they are ineligible until the 6th week of the season. After five weeks the student will have a grade check and if he or she is passing four subjects they will become eligible in the 6th week. To keep all of Mattson’s teams eligible, it is important that the athletes and parents all understand the following: Students are not to be given special treatment or privileges on a regular basis to enable them to participate in any non-school activities or athletic activities; such as reduced practice times, special workouts, late arrivals or early dismissals. Parents, it is very important to understand that your son or daughter is required to arrive at practice on time or leave early from practice to participate in any non-school athletic activity. There cannot be any exceptions to this rule. This rule was put into practice to insure that athletes are properly conditioned for competition.

Athletes may not leave Mattson turnouts to attend Snow Club or any non-school related activity.

Parents must pick their son or daughter up within 15 minutes of the end of practice.

The athletic program consists of four seasons as follows: 1st Quarter – football and girls’ volleyball, 2nd Quarter – boys’ basketball and gymnastics, 3rd Quarter – girls’ basketball and wrestling, and 4th Quarter – co-ed track.

BACKPACKS

Each student at Mattson is assigned a locker; backpacks are to be stored in their locker. Students may bring a backpack to transport their books and supplies to and from school but it is to remain in their locker during the day. A backpack is anything that is worn on the back or off the shoulder that’s purpose is to carry books, binder, etc.

BICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS, ETC.

There will be no riding of bicycles, skateboards, scooters, shoe skates, etc. on school property. Students must walk these items on campus and lock them in the bike cage or put them in their locker during the school day.

CASHIER

Fees may be paid in the Main Office before school and during the lunch period. Please make checks payable to MATTSON MIDDLE SCHOOL.

CHEERLEADERS PARTICIPATION POLICY

Cheerleaders will be expected to MAINTAIN AT LEAST A “C” IN ALL CLASSES, and grade checks will be done periodically to ensure that this standard is being met. This is not the same as maintaining a 2.0 GPA. You must have no lower that a “C” in all classes. Any member failing to meet this standard will be put on probation until she brings the cheer coach a progress report showing that her grades are up to standards.

A cheerleader on probation will be excused from practice by the advisor until a “C” grade is met. A probationary member is not eligible to perform at any school event or wear her uniform until off probation.

CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

We have several clubs and activities for students to participate in. Some of them include: Builder’s Club, Hiking Club, Cheerleaders, S.A.V.E., Spirit Club, STANG Crew, Student Activities Council and Snow Club. Listen to the daily bulletin for announcements as to when these groups meet.

COUNSELORS

MattsonMiddle School has counseling services available to students throughout the school day. We have one full time and two half time school counselors. The school counselors assist students with a variety of issues that may include: peer and family relationships, academic planning and success, career exploration, and decision making. The counselors are available to help with any issue that a student or parent may need assistance with; no issue is too big or too small. All discussions are kept confidential unless student safety is a concern. Referrals to community agencies are available. The school counselors also maintain a lending library of resources addressing personal and academic topics. Parents and students are welcome to borrow these resources. If you would like an appointment with your counselor, fill out an appointment slip in the Attendance Office, put the slip in the box on the door of your counselor’s office, and your counselor will call you in as soon as possible.

DOCTOR OR DENTAL APPOINTMENTS

  1. Bring a note from parent/guardian requesting permission to leave school at a certain time.
  2. Report to the Attendance Office before school begins.
  3. Receive an Early Dismissal Slip from the Attendance Office. A parent or guardian must pick students up in the Attendance Office.
  4. Show the slip to class teacher – report to the Attendance Office to wait for parent or guardian.
  5. Upon returning to school, check in at the Attendance Office.

FINE POLICY

During your years at Mattson, you will be using many items which belong to the school. These include tools, books, instruments and many other kinds of materials. If you lose or damage school equipment, you will be fined a fair repair or replacement value. Please note that if you are using school equipment or materials and they are stolen from you, it is still your responsibility to pay for them. Textbooks are one of the big items you must look after; cover them, do not mark in them and do not leave them lying about. Teachers are authorized to assess fines for uncovered textbooks. Fines are recorded on a Student Fine slip. The original is given to the student or mailed home to the parent and a copy is kept by the ASB Cashier until the fine is paid. Fines should be paid immediately upon receipt of notice. Fines not paid during the school year will result in grades and school records being held at Mattson until all fines are clear. Participation in sports and clubs will not be permitted.

LATE ARRIVAL POLICY

  1. Bring a note from parent or guardian stating the reason for late arrival to the Attendance Office within 48 hours. Failure to do so will result in discipline.
  2. Receive an Admit Slip from the office and report to class.
  3. Excessive late arrivals may impact your grade. (Students who accumulate 10 late arrivals to school per semester, excused or not, will risk the possibility of lower grades, including failure and loss of credit.)

LOST AND FOUND

Please note that the school is NOT responsible for your lost or stolen articles. We advise you not to bring items of value to school. Also, mark with a permanent marking pen your clothing, coats and such. This enables us to return lost items to you. Valuable items must be described by the student before they will be returned. The lost and found barrel is in the Attendance Office. Lockers are not secured areas. The school is not responsible for items lost or stolen (this includes textbooks). Lost and found items from the P.E. lockers are brought to the Attendance Office at the end of the school year. ALL lost and found items not claimed by the end of June are given to a local charity.

LUNCH BREAK RULES

  1. Students will accept the responsibility for handling their own garbage, recycling their own trays and cleaning up their own spills, etc.
  2. Students will behave in an orderly, reasonable manner. Running, shouting, throwing objects, crowding into lines, having others purchase your lunch, being disrespectful to staff or other students, or taking food out of the cafeteria is not allowed.
  3. Students are to remain in the cafeteria or in the courtyard until the bell rings for the ending of first or second lunch.
  4. ALL FOOD AND DRINK IS TO BE CONSUMED IN THE CAFETERIA. FOOD AND DRINK ARE NOT TO BE TAKEN INTO THE HALLS OR CLASSROOMS. CLOSED CONTAINERS MAY BE TAKEN TO YOUR LOCKER FOR CONSUMPTION AT A LATER TIME. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE ANY FOOD IN YOUR LOCKER OVERNIGHT. BECAUSE WE HAVE OUTDOOR HALLWAYS ANY FOOD LEFT IN LOCKERS ATTRACTS RODENTS.
  5. Lockers may be used before and after the lunch period, but not during lunch.
  6. The consequences for violations of the above guidelines for LUNCHROOM BEHAVIOR will result in lunch detention or other disciplinary actions.

NURSEThe schedule of the school nurse is posted on her office door. Any student may see her by making an appointment through the Attendance Office. Students who become ill should always communicate this to a staff member so that assistance can be provided. No student is to leave campus without first checking out through the Attendance Office. Do not report to the nurse between classes unless it is an extreme emergency. Always go to class first, so your teacher will know where you are.

PREARRANGED ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL

In addition to illness, family emergencies, doctor or dentist appointments and authorized school activities cleared in advance, school district policy allows for occasional excused absences on the part of an individual student if deemed appropriate by the school principal. The principal or his designee will authorize an absence for prearranged family trips only after the following guidelines have been met:

  1. The request must be made by the parent or guardian in writing to the attendance administrator at least one week prior to the trip.
  2. The request shall explain the nature and purpose of the trip.
  3. Teachers may request that make-up work be completed prior to the trip. Otherwise, all make-up work must be completed after the student returns.
  4. The student must take the notification of absence form to each teacher prior to the trip.
  5. If the absence occurs at the end of a semester, all course requirements must be completed prior to leaving school.
  6. Even if the absence is considered excused, it may adversely affect a student’s grade and/or credit.
  7. Parents who remove their student from school for trips without one week notice may expect that the absence will be unexcused.

SKYWARD FAMILY ACCESS

Skyward Family Access allows parents or guardians to look in the teacher’s grade book. All the assignments and scores are listed for the student. Parents and students will be able to monitor the assignments that have been turned in, points received for the assignment, and the cumulative quarter grade. In addition, the teacher can include general and/or individualized notes for parents to read. The Skyward system is secure. No one else will see the student’s grade information. In order to view the grade information, parents or guardians or students must login with their personal login and password. Parents with students in other schools can see their other students’ information. If a computer with Internet access is not available, you can use a computer at the public library or here at Mattson to access this information. To access your grades, go to the Mattson Website at click on Grades Online.

TEXTBOOKS

Books are provided by the school for many classes. The textbooks are your responsibility, which means you should handle them with care and be prepared to pay for any damage that occurs while issued to you. Textbooks should be covered at all times.

THREE-RING BINDERS

One of our goals at Mattson includes helping students become organized. We strongly encourage all students to maintain a three-ring binder with dividers.

TRANSPORTATION RULES

Remember that according to state law the bus driver is in charge of the bus and passengers. You must obey the driver promptly and willingly or you may lose your bus riding privileges. Good bus behavior is based mainly upon respect for others and safety. Please note that all school rules apply on the buses. Once you arrive to school on the bus, students are to remain on campus. Students are not allowed to take a bus other than their assigned bus unless parents have obtained prior approval from the transportation office (253-373-7442).

SCHOOL CLIMATE

HARASSMENT

Mattson has a zero tolerance for harassment. It is the Kent School District Policy that all students should be able to attend and learn in a school setting that is free from all forms of discrimination: creed, race, age, color, religion, sex, handicap or national origin. Harassment refers to behavior which is not welcome, is personally offensive and creates uneasiness. Any student who experiences conduct of this sort, or who feels that his or her school environment has become a hostile environment, should report the matter to their teacher or school administration immediately. Harassment is prohibited in the workplace or school and may result in suspension. Some specific examples of behavior considered to be sexual harassment (but not limited to):