2017-2018
Parent/Student Handbook
School-wide Discipline Plan
Calendar
Montgomery Public Schools
307 S. Decatur Street 36104
Post Office Box 1991
Montgomery, AL 36102-1991
(334) 233-6700
Superintendent Reginald Eggleston
Our Mission
We will engage, educate and inspire our students to succeed in college, career and beyond.
Our Vision
MPS is a place where every student develops a love of learning, cultivates intellectual curiosity and dreams of a future full of amazing possibilities.
Montgomery County Board of Education
Melissa Snowden—President—District 5 * Robert Porterfield—Vice President—District 6
Lesa Keith—District 1 * W. Durden Dean—District 2
Eleanor Dawkins—District 3 * Mary Briers—District 4 * Arica Watkins-Smith—District 7
Important Telephone Numbers
Helping Montgomery Families Initiative…………………………………………………………………………..(334) 832-1666
Safe Schools Hotline………………………………………………………………………………………………..1-888-SAV-KIDS
MPS Homeless/Migrant Services………………………………………………………………………………….(334) 223-6901
Student Support Services…………………………………………………………………………………………..(334)223-6850
Student Social Work Services……………………………………………………………………………………….(334) 223-6851
Baldwin Arts and Academics Magnet School
Purpose and Mission
Baldwin’s purpose is to foster college-preparatory academic success, nurture artistic talent, and promote positive social development in middle school students. Our mission is to provide middle school students with challenging curriculum and learning experiences to produce motivated, conscientious and well-rounded citizens.
Dear Parents and Students:
Welcome to Baldwin Arts and Academics Magnet School. The faculty and staff are glad to have you here. I have assembled the information you need for a successful year at Baldwin in a way that, I think, will be convenient and user friendly. This document, which includes the Parent/Student Handbook, the Baldwin School-wide Discipline Plan, and a school calendar, answers many of the questions you may have about the rules and activities at Baldwin.
Whether you are a newcomer to our school or an “old timer,” we hope you will find this school year to be a memorable and exciting one. Cooperation is, of course, the key. Toward that end, we suggest that you read the handbook and discipline guide thoroughly. It will tell you exactly what we expect of you and what services and benefits you may expect from the school. We hope you take both messages to heart.
You may use the calendar all year to keep up with important school events. Please add other dates and information as we send them home. Please note, however, that dates for some school activities are subject to change.
Please sign and return the form on the last page to acknowledge receipt of this booklet. If you have any questions or concerns during the year, please call me at 269-3870 or e-mail me at .
May this year be one of the most rewarding in your school career.
Sincerely,
Jannette Wright, Principal
Faculty and Staff 2017-2018
Administration
Jannette Wright Principal
Ryan Gotkiewicz Assistant Principal
Faculty
Jennifer Alexander Visual Arts
Doug Back Classical Guitar
Beverly Ball Mathematics
Dennis Barnett Physical Education
Johnetta
Baskin-White Science
Heath Baxter Social Studies
Chloe Baxley Social Studies
Tranum Blackwell Physical Education
Kelley Calloway Mathematics
Emily Castillo Science
Meghan Castanza English
Brice Collins German
Patrick Darby Band
Andrea Dewhurst Drama
Elizabeth Doyle English
Traci Fuller Choral
Cecilia Garnier French
Celeste Granthum Mathematics
Rachel Guyette Social Studies
Rachel Han Chinese
Meredith Huddleston Classical Ballet
Barbara Jefferson Mathematics
Jesseca Johnson English
Rockie Johnston Resource
Kristen McCants Mathematics
Amanda Meeks Science
Patricia Norris Physical Education
Patricia Rivera Spanish
Ashley Robinson English
Shelby Searcy Science
Martha Sikes Social Studies
Sarah Tanner Piano
Destinee Thomas Science
Laura Walters Strings
Guidance
Michelle Azbell Counselor
Melanie Daffin Counselor
Library
Debra Mitchell Media Specialist
Support Staff
Patricia Caffey Bookkeeper
Kelci Bixenman Guidance Aide
Rachel Sims Secretary
Service Staff
Jesse Bowen Head Custodian
Nathaniel Bullard Custodian
Yolanda Hamilton Custodian
Eureka Lockley Custodian
Lunchroom
Debra Felder Food Service Manager
Parent/Student Handbook
2017-2018
Table of Contents
Parent-Student Handbook
Arrival and Dismissal from School
Articles of Value
Assistance Directory
Attendance
BASH Program
Bell Schedule
Book Bags
Bus Students
Cell Phones
Changing Magnets
Check Cashing and Change
Conferences
Discipline
Dress Code
General Behavior
Grade Point Averages
Electives—Arts
Electronic Readers
Elevator Use
Evaluation Design—Arts
Exceptional Students
Extracurricular Activities
Fees
Field Trips
Fire or Emergency Drills
Fund-raising
Guidance
Homework Policies
Illness
Lockers
Lunchroom
Make Up Work
Monthly Parent Meetings
Medical Assistance/Medication
Messages and Deliveries
National Junior Honor Society
Parent Meetings
Parent Teacher Student Association
Parties
Physical Education
Progress Reports
Report Cards
Smoking
INOW Pin Number
Magnet Requirements
Student Work Papers
Telephone Use
Textbooks
Visitors
Baldwin School-Wide Discipline Plan
Tardy Policy
Tardy to School Policy
Class A Violations of Classroom rules
Dress Code Violations
Class B
Corporal Punishment Policy
Calendars
MPS School Calendar 2017-2018
MPS Assessment Schedule 2017-2018
Arrival to and Dismissal from School
· Students are not to enter the main building before 7 A.M. unless they have a pass from a teacher. Students who arrive before 7 A.M. must report to the gym until the opening bell. No student should be on the school campus before 6:30 A.M.
· Students being dropped off on McDonough Street should ride in the back seat of the vehicle. The student should exit the car on the school side, not the street side, of the vehicle.
· When leaving, the student should enter the back seat from the school side of the vehicle. Never walk to the passenger side of the automobile to enter.
· Vans should load and unload in the Community Center parking lot. Never load and unload into the street traffic.
Parents should never urge students to cross McDonough Street to go to a vehicle parked on the opposite side of the street.
· Parents should not pick up or drop off students on Scott Street, for this is used for bus loading and unloading.
· Students are to clear the building immediately in the afternoon after being dismissed by their teachers. Students must not be on school grounds after school unless a teacher requires that a student stay after school. It is a parent’s responsibility to pick up the student on time. Please cooperate with us in after-school transportation.
· Do not leave your child waiting for you after school is dismissed. It is not safe to leave your child on McDonough Street until you get off work. Please allow your child to ride the bus, if you cannot be here by 2:15. The YMCA operates a GoodTimes program for after-school childcare in the Community Center. Contact the YMCA for information. Only students who participate in this program may stay in the gym after school. We cannot be responsible for students who are sent to the public library to wait for parents.
Articles of Value
Students should bring to school only the amount of money needed to make purchases at school. Students should not bring large bills to school. Items of value and items that disrupt school activities (i.e. toys, radios, fidget spinners, etc.) should not be brought to school unless they are part of a class assignment or project and approval has been given in advance. Such items brought to school will be taken up. Items confiscated from students will be brought to the main office where the items will be logged in under the student’s name. The items will be stored in a locked area of the main office. The items will only be returned to the student’s parent or legal guardian, and it is the student’s responsibility to inform their guardian that an item has been confiscated. Parents should call the office to arrange a time to retrieve the item. The parent will be asked to identify the item and sign for it before it can be released. Any student who persistently brings banned items to school will be disciplined in accordance with MPS Code of Student Behavior. Any items not claimed by the end of the school year will be donated to charity.
Assistance Directory—Where Do I Go For Help?
Absenteeism...... Homeroom Teacher/Administrator
Bus Transportation...... Transportation Department 285-2085
Change of Address...... ………………………Secretary
Conference Request...... Guidance/269-3083
Elevator Use...... Office
Finance...... Bookkeeper
Illness...... Class Teacher/School Nurse/Office
Lockers...... …….Assistant Principal/Custodian
Lost and Found...... Secretary/Custodian
Lunch...... Lunchroom Manager/Teacher/Administrator
Payment for Lost Books...... Teacher/Bookkeeper
Personal Problems...... Guidance Counselor
Records/Transcripts...... Guidance Counselor
Telephone Use...... ……………………Office
Textbooks...... Class Teacher
Withdrawals...... Guidance/Secretary
Office Telephone...... 269-3870
Fax...... 269-3918
Guidance Telephone...... 269-3083
Library Telephone...... 269-6113
Attendance
· It is important that students attend school each day.
· Excused absences will be considered for the following reasons: personal illness, serious illness in the family verified by a District Resource Officer, death in the immediate family not to exceed one week, observance of recognized holidays of the child’s own faith, inclement weather as designated by the superintendent, court-required appearances, emergency conditions as determined by the superintendent or principal, prior permission of the principal with request from the parent or legal guardian.
· Parents are required to send a note or doctor’s excuse to the homeroom teacher explaining ALL absences within three days after the student returns to school. A faxed or emailed note is not acceptable. A note signed by the parent does not, however, excuse the absence.
· Out of town trips and absences for reasons other than those listed for excused absences will be excused only in the case of an emergency or for the purpose of education. The principal must approve absences of this nature at least a week BEFORE the trip is taken.
· Exceptions are made for a student to keep doctor/dental appointments. The student should report back to school with a statement from the doctor’s office. Please try to make medical and dental appointments before or after school hours. The appointments are not excused unless a doctor’s statement is provided the school or homeroom teacher.
· All students must be signed out through the school office. Only the signatures of the parents or authorized guardian as indicated on the registration card will be accepted. Picture identification is required for adults signing students out of school.
· A student who is absent, tardy or checks out of school before the end of the school day does not have perfect attendance.
· Checkout procedures: Early dismissals are discouraged, but if it is necessary for a student to leave school during the day, arrangements should be made before leaving home and the procedure outlined below should be followed:
1. If a student is to check out during the day, a parent or guardian must come in the office to sign the student out. No student will be released to anyone whose name is not on the registration card. Written permission should be given by the parent/guardian or “emergency person” shown on the registration card before each check-out, except in the case of sudden illness, accident, or similar incident where telephone confirmation is the only alternative. Persons wanting to check a student out must be prepared to show pictured identification. No student is to leave school without signing out and being properly dismissed through the school office.
2. At times it becomes necessary for a student to leave school because of illness or an emergency. The student will report to the teacher with whom he/she has a class for that particular period. If, in the teacher’s judgment, a checkout is valid, the teacher will send the student to the school nurse. The nurse will determine if the child should go home. No student is to leave school without signing out and being properly dismissed through the school office. Parents or authorized adults must enter the office to check students out.
· Tardies to School and Homeroom: Students not in their homeroom in their assigned seat when the tardy bell rings are tardy to school and must be signed in by a parent or guardian. Students who arrive at school after the tardy bell are to report to the office where a tardy slip will be given after a parent signs him or her in. An excessive tardiness notice will be sent to parents on the third unexcused tardy each semester. Students will be referred to the office after four unexcused tardies to school. Check-ins are excused for the same reasons as absences.
· Tardies to Class other than Homeroom: A student is tardy to class if he/she is not in his/her assigned seat before the tardy bell rings. An excessive tardiness notice will be sent to parents on the third unexcused tardy each semester. Students will be referred to the office on the fourth unexcused tardy to any class.
BASH Program
Each student at Baldwin is strongly encouraged to purchase and maintain a Baldwin Arts and Academics Student Help (BASH) Book. Homework assignments are to be recorded daily for each class. BASH books should be purchased at the beginning of the year from the guidance office. The cost of the book is $7.00. The purpose of the BASH book is to teach organizational skills.
Bell Schedule
Daily Schedule Activity Schedule
Opening Bell 7:00 Opening Bell 7:00
Warning Bell 7:10 Warning Bell 7:10
Tardy Bell 7:12 Tardy Bell 7:12
Homeroom 7:10-7:22 Homeroom 7:10-7:17
Period 1 7:25-8:15 Activity 7:20-8:00
Period 2 8:20-9:10 Period 1 8:05-8:45
Period 3 9:15-10:05 Period 2 8:50-9:30
Period 4 10:10-11:00 Period 3 9:35-10:15
Period 5 11:05-12:25 Period 4 10:20-11:00
Period 6 12:30-1:20 Period 5 11:05-12:25
Period 7 1:25-2:15 Period 6 12:30-1:20
Period 7 1:25-2:15
Book Bags
Students may use book bags to transport books and school materials to and from school. However, due to the increasing weight of textbooks and the possible risk of injury from heavy book bags, students may not carry book bags during the school day. A book bag is defined as any bag students use to carry books and school supplies, including, but not limited to, large purses and/or nylon and cotton bags. Book bags must be small enough to fit inside the school locker. Students must make an effort to carry only the books they need for one or two classes at a time and leave others in lockers. Students are encouraged to use a “trapper keeper” style of notebook or binder for folders and other school supplies.
Bus Students
Bus students are expected to follow all Transportation Department rules and regulations and school rules while being transported to and from school. Violation of these rules may result in an office referral. The Code of Student Behavior applies to bus behavior just as it does to behavior on school campus.