ODESSA MIDDLE SCHOOL
Student Handbook 2007-2008
Sherry Billings607 S. Fifth StreetRob Waibel
PrincipalOdessa, MO 64076Assistant Principal
(816) 633-1500
FAX (816) 633-7101
WEB SITE:
Odessa R-VII School District Mission Statement
In partnership with its parents and communities, the mission of the Odessa R-VII Schools is to provide educational opportunities for all students to achieve life-long learning skills through quality academic, vocational, and social educational experiences in a safe and nurturing environment.
DAILY SCHEDULE (Grades 5-8)
7:30 – 7:55 Building Open
(Breakfast is served in cafeteria – Monday-Friday)
2:45 School Dismissed
3:15-4:15After School Detention/Tutoring
Name______
CLASS SCHEDULE
Period
12
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Dear Students and Parents:
Welcome to Odessa Middle School for the 2007-2008 school year. Mr. Waibel and I are looking forward to many opportunities to learn and share with you. Our building action plan includes two major goals. First, we will continue working to implement literacy strategies in the classroom. Second, we are focusing on strategies to improve student achievement.
Students, we encourage you to come to school on time every day, ready to give your best to learn. Your teachers, coaches and support staff members are committed to helping you to learn and do your best. We encourage you to be an active learner and show commitment to your education by participating in class and completing assignments, both inside and outside of class.
We will also focus on the “Power of I”. This means that every teacher will provide challenging assignments, opportunities, and support in completion of assignments and projects. An “I” (incomplete) grade is not acceptable, and work at the proficient level or above is expected, with grades of A, B, or C.
Our mission statement at OMS is:
At Odessa Middle School we will empower students to make life long decisions that will positively affect themselves and society through cooperative relationships and creative learning opportunities in a safe, supportive environment.
The Odessa Middle School handbook contains policies, rules, regulations, and procedures intended to coordinate with the Board of Education policies, rules, and regulations. In the event of a conflict, Board Policy applies. Use this handbook as a guide as you seek excellence in your education and “go for the gold.” There is no way to cover each and every situation or question, but this handbook will provide important information for your school year. This is your school, and we urge you to do your best. Come each day prepared to learn and to become involved in the school community.
Sincerely,
Sherry Billings, OMS PrincipalRob Waibel, OMS Assistant Principal
The Odessa R-VII School District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, sex, national origin, marital or veteran status, or the presence of a non-job related medical condition or disability. Any person having inquiries concerning Odessa R-VII School District compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX and Section 504 is directed to contact the following persons who have been designated to coordinate efforts to comply with these regulations:
Title VI & Title IX:Section 504:
Peter Rorvig Laretta Wilsie
Assistant Superintendent Director of Special Education
701 South Third Street713 South Third Street
Odessa, MO 64076 Odessa, MO 64076
816-633-5316816-633-1599
ODESSA MIDDLE SCHOOL
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
2007-2008
August 21 ...... 8th Grade Football Camp/Practice Begins
...... OMS VB Practice Begins
August 23...... Open House 4:00-7:00 P.M.
August 27...... First Day Of School
...... 6:00 P.M. S.T.E.P.
August 31...... Early Release 11:20 a.m. (No Lunch Served)
September 3...... Labor Day (NO SCHOOL)
September 6...... School Pictures
September 11...... 5:00 p.m. OMS VB vs. Holden (Away)
September 13...... 1:30 p.m. Cherrydale Fundraiser Kickoff Assembly
September 13...... 5:30 p.m. OMS FB vs. Richmond (Home)
September 17...... 5:00 p.m. OMS VB vs. Wellington (Home)
September 18...... 5:00 p.m. OMS VB vs. Harrisonville (Away)
September 20...... 5:30 p.m. OMS FB vs. Pleasant Hill (Away)
September 20...... 5:00 p.m. OMS VB vs. Grain Valley (Away)
September 22...... Carrollton Band Day (8th Grade)
September 24...... 5:00 p.m. OMS VB vs. Knob Noster (Home)
September 25...... 5:00 p.m. OMS VB vs. Oak Grove (Away)
September 27...... 5:30 p.m. OMS FB vs. Knob Noster (Away)/6:00 p.m. S.T.E.P.
September 28...... Homecoming Parade (8th Grade)
September 29...... OMS VB Tournament (Lee’s Summit) (Away)
October 1...... 5:00 p.m. OMS VB vs. Lexington (Home)
October 4...... 5:00 p.m.- OMS FB vs. Oak Grove (Home)
October 5...... NO SCHOOL- Professional Development
October 6...... Odessa Marching Invitational (8th Grade)
October 8...... 5:00 p.m. OMS VB vs. Richmond (Home)
October 9...... 5:00 p.m.- OMS FB vs. Grain Valley (Home)
October 10...... 4:00 p.m. OMS CrossCountry vs Ray-Pec Middle School (Away)
October 11...... 5:30 p.m. OMS FB (B Team) vs. Lexington (Away)
October 16...... 5:00 p.m. OMS VB vs. Higginsville (Away)
October 18...... 5:00 p.m. OMS FB vs. Harrisonville (Away)
October 18...... 5:00 p.m. OMS VB vs. Pleasant Hill (Away)
October 20...... 8:00 a.m. Oak Grove VB Tournament (Away)
October 22...... 6:00 p.m. S.T.E.P.
October 29...... End of 1st Quarter
November 6 ...... 4 p.m.-7 p.m.-Parent/Teacher Conferences
...... 4 p.m.-7 p.m.- Cherrydale Fundraiser Delivery
November 8 ...... 11:20 a.m. Early Release – 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Parent/Teacher Conferences
...... 3 p.m.-7 p.m. - Cherrydale Fundraiser Final Pickup
November 9 ...... NO SCHOOL
November 20...... 5:00 p.m. OMS Wrestling vs. Pleasant Hill (Away)
November 21...... Early Release 11:20 a.m. (No Lunch Served)
November 22-23...... Thanksgiving Vacation – NO SCHOOL
November 26...... 6:00 p.m. S.T.E.P.
...... 7:00 p.m.OMS Vocal Music Concert
November 27...... 5:00 p.m. OMS BB vs. Wellington (Away-B) (Away-G)
November 29...... 5:00 p.m. OMS BB vs. Lexington (Home-G) (Away-B)
December 1...... 9:00 a.m. OMS Wrestling Tournament at Liberty
December 3...... 5:00 p.m. OMS BB vs. Pleasant Hill (Away-B) (Home-G)
December 6...... 5:00 p.m. OMS BB vs. Grain Valley (Away-G) (Home-B)
December 8...... 9:00 a.m. OMS Wrestling Lee’s Summit Tournament
December 10...... 4:30 p.m. OMS Wrestling Quad -(Home)
December 11...... 5:00 p.m. OMS BB vs. Richmond (Away-G) (Home-B)
December 12...... 5:00 p.m. OMS Wrestling vs. Richmond (Away)
December 13...... 7:00 p.m. Band Concert
December 14...... (3:15-5:00 p.m.) OMS Mega Party
December 18...... 5:00 p.m. OMS BB vs. Holden (Away-B) (Home-G)
...... 5:00 p.m. OMS Wrestling vs. Higginsville
December 20...... 5:00 p.m. OMS BB Harrisonville (Away–G) (Home-B)
...... NOTE: AT HARRISONVILLE - B TEAM PLAYS FIRST
December 21...... Early Release 11:20 a.m. (No Lunch Served)
December 22-31...... NO SCHOOL - Winter Vacation
January 1...... NO SCHOOL
January 3...... TBA Holden A Team BB Tournament (Away Boys and Girls)
January 5...... TBA Holden A Team BB Tournament (Away Boys and Girls)
January 8...... 5:00 p.m. BB vs. Higginsville (Away-G) (Home-B)
January 11...... End of Second Quarter
January 11...... 4:00 p.m. Odessa Bulldog “B” Team BB Tournament (Home)
January 12...... 8:00 a.m. Odessa Bulldog “B” Team BB Tournament (Home)
January 15...... 5:00 p.m. OMS BB vs. Knob Noster (Away-G) (Home-B)
January 17...... 4:30 p.m. BB vs. Oak Grove (Away-G) (Home-B)
January 18...... NO SCHOOL/Work Day
January 21...... NO SCHOOL/Make-Up Day - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 28...... 6:00 p.m. S.T.E.P.
February 6...... 3:15 p.m. OMS Spelling Bee
February 15...... NO SCHOOL-Professional Development
February 18...... NO SCHOOL - President’s Day/Make-up day
February 23...... Pageant of Bands (All Bands)
February 25...... 6:00 p.m. S.T.E.P.
March 11...... Spring Pictures
March 13...... Early Release for B.E.S.T. Conferences 11:20 a.m. (No Lunch Served)
March 19...... End of Third Quarter
March 20-21...... NO SCHOOL - Spring Break/Guaranteed Days Off
March 24...... NO SCHOOL-Professional Development/6:00 p.m. S.T.E.P.
April 3...... 4:00 p.m. OMS Track Open (Home)
April 4...... OMS Coffee House Night “Barns and Novel” (OMS Commons)
April 7-11...... Book Fair
April 8...... 4:00 p.m. OMS Track at Pleasant Hill
April 15...... 4:00 p.m. OMS Track Open (Home)
April 17...... 4:30 p.m. OMS Track at Knob Noster
April 21...... 4:00 p.m. OMS Track at Lexington
April 24...... 4:00 p.m. OMS Track Odessa Invitational (Home)
April 28...... 4:30 p.m. OMS Track Odessa Open (Home)/ 6:00 p.m. S.T.E.P.
April 29...... Spring Band Concert
May 1...... 4:00 p.m. OMS Track at Grain Valley
May 2...... Literacy Lollapalooza
May 6...... 7:00 p.m. Vocal Music Concert
May 13...... Mini-Musical
May 15...... 6:00 p.m. 4th/5th Grade Parent Night
May 16...... 7:00 p.m. 8th Grade Recognition Night
May 21...... 11:20 a.m. Early Release/End of Fourth Quarter/Last Day of School
May 26...... 6:00 p.m. S.T.E.P.
June 2-20 ...... Summer School
ATTENDANCE AND PROCEDURES
Regular attendance is the greatest asset to student achievement. There is no replacement for classroom instruction and discussion with classmates. Make-up work can help support grades, but interaction with peers and teachers is priceless! As a parent or guardian, the greatest support you can offer your child is to encourage rest and regular attendance.
Sickness of the student, sickness in the immediate family, death in the immediate family, quarantine,
should be the only legitimate excuse for absence or tardiness. When a student has been absent from school or tardy from a class, the student must obtain an admission form from the office prior to re-entering school or class. In the case of absence, the form is to be presented to the instructor of each class missed at the beginning of each class period. In the case of tardiness, the form is to be given to the instructor of the class that was involved. Last block teachers will keep the form and turn each in to the office before leaving school at the end of the day. Getting the proper form and getting the form properly signed is the responsibility of the student. A WRITTEN NOTE OR PHONE CALL FROM A PARENT OR GUARDIAN OR A DOCTOR’S NOTE IS REQUIRED TO RECEIVE AN EXCUSED ABSENCE TO RECEIVE MAKE-UP WORK. IF PROPER VERIFICATION OF THE ABSENCE IS NOT GIVEN, NO MAKE-UP OF WORK WILL BE ALLOWED.
The parent or guardian must arrange pre-arranged absences in time that make-up work can be completed prior to the absence. The student is responsible for collecting and completing work missed due to the pre-arranged absence. Students will make-up work for all absences.
Students participating in school events and excused by the administrators will not be counted absent from school. However, the absence is to be recorded by each instructor. Students should talk to teachers and make arrangements to complete assignments when possible. Assignments are due prior to missing the class on all pre-assigned work if the work is to be counted.
The school recognizes that there may be lengthy absences due to illness or unusual family circumstances. OMS administrators will be glad to work with individual families to reach an equitable solution to the problem.
The following procedures will be followed for daily attendance:
Daily Absence Reporting:
1.The parent calls the school to report absenteeism (preferably before 11 AM).
2.The school calls the parent if notification of absence is not received.
Three Days Absence Reporting:
When the student’s absences from any one class reach three (3) days in one semester or the student misses three full days, the school will send a letter to the parents, regardless of prior notification by phone or conference. The letter serves as a reminder.
Absences of More Than Six Days and
Reduction of Credit:
When the student’s absences from any one class reaches six (6) days in one semester or the student misses 6 full days, credit will not be earned in the class or classes affected.
His/her parents will receive a formal notification letter. At that time, an appeal can be made through the principal’s office by filling out the proper form and attaching a doctor’s statement in case of severe illness. Upon a denial of appeal, the student may file an appeal with the superintendent of schools. The student will be given the grade he/she has earned. The amount of credit will be reduced, not grades. Unexcused absences will not be considered for credit restoration.
Attendance accounting is required by law, the State Department of Education, and the local Board of Education. All regulations listed are for the purpose of not only meeting these policies, but also helping a student secure the finest education possible.
ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL
Upon arrival at school, students must report to either breakfast or the gym and remain until 7:50. At 7:50, students will have five minutes to visit lockers and prepare for their first class. Any student who continuously creates problems in the morning may lose privileges.
CAFETERIA
Breakfast is available to all middle school students and is served in the cafeteria from 7:30 to 7:50. Breakfast costs $ .80 for students and $1.45 adults. Extra milk is $ .25. Students should report directly to breakfast at 7:30 and leave the cafeteria when dismissed by the supervising teachers at 7:50. Those not eating a full breakfast should report directly to the gym until 7:50.
Unless price is set, the number of items chosen will determine the cost of an a la carte lunch. Lunches will be paid for daily in the cafeteria. Students are expected to display proper conduct and table manners while eating. Dishes, milk cartons, etc. are to be returned to the proper places. Lunch money must be turned in by 9:00 a.m. Lunch money received after 9:00 a.m. will be credited to lunch accounts the following day. THERE WILL BE NO BREAKFAST OR LUNCH CHARGES.
LOST AND FOUND
A lost and found container is maintained in the main office. Students either losing or finding articles should report to the main office. Please mark all items belonging to you with your name when possible. If you have lost something, check in the lost and found for the next few days. Unclaimed items will be laundered by the We Care Club and donated to the Clothes Closet.
SCHEDULE CHANGE
Students who desire to change their schedules may apply to the counselor for permission. Only those presenting reasons that are educationally sound will be granted this privilege. Schedules are not to be changed after five class meetings.
STUDENT TRANSFER
Any student transferring from this school must obtain a student checkout form from the office. This form must be signed by each of the student’s teachers stating that all books have been returned, fines paid, etc. After the form has been completed and turned in to the office, a copy of the form will be given to the student to take to the school to which he/she is transferring.
TELEPHONE
It is the goal of the office staff to serve patrons, pupils, and teachers courteously. The office telephone is in such demand that it is necessary to deliver messages instead of calling pupils to the telephone during school hours. Please limit calls to students during school hours to avoid interrupting learning. Please make after-school arrangements with your child before arrival at school.
THE TELEPHONE OUSIDE THE OFFICE WINDOW IS FOR EMERGENCY USE ONLY. STUDENTS MUST BRING CHANGE TO USE THE PAY PHONE FOR NON-EMERGENCY CALLS.
TUTORING – AFTER SCHOOL
Most teachers at OMS provide after-school tutoring. After-school study center assistance and tutoring are available at each grade level to give students access to resources and help that are not available after they leave school. This is a privilege and a time to work. The above-mentioned programs run from 3:15-4:15 p.m. Starting dates and room numbers will be announced after the beginning of school.
VISITORS
Parents are welcome at any time and are especially invited to attend all assembly programs. Visitors must first report to the office when entering the building. ALL PARENTS AND VISITORS MUST OBTAIN A VISITOR’S BADGE AFTER SIGNING IN BEFORE PROCEEDING INTO THE BUILDING.
NO STUDENT VISITORS ARE ALLOWED AT ANY TIME.
EMERGENCIES
BUILDING EVACUATION
A series of short blasts on the horn will signify an alert to evacuate the building.
- Keep in single file as directed by your teacher.
- Do not run.
- Do not talk.
- Go to the area designated by teachers. Stay in this area with your teacher until it is time to return to the building.
EARTHQUAKE DRILL
Following the teacher’s command, students will:
- Immediately TAKE COVER under desks or tables, and TURN AWAY from windows.
- Remain in sheltered position for at least 60 seconds.
- Be silent and listen to instructions.
INCLIMATE WEATHER (SNOW OR ICE)
On days that school will be called off due to unsafe road conditions or weather, you will be notified on WDAF and KCMO radio stations and WDAF and KCMO TV stations beginning at 6:00 a.m. and ending 7:00 a.m.
If school is to be held and busses are to run, there will be no announcement. PLEASE DO NOT CALL TEACHERS OR ADMINISTRATORS!
TORNADO DRILL
A long blast on the horn shall signify an alert for a tornado drill. Teachers will direct students to a designated tornado safe area. Students are to follow the instructions of teachers quietly and quickly. Periodic drills will be held to encourage and enable students to be safe in an emergency situation.
How to Protect Yourself in Corridor or Classroom
- Pupils should kneel on the floor with heads as low as possible, protected by hands or books.
- Do not panic and try to run from the building.
- Remain absolutely quiet – NO TALKING.
- Remain in your proper location until you receive notice to return to your classroom.
- Listen for instructions from your teacher.
SERVICES
GUIDANCE SERVICES
Guidance services consist of administering and analyzing the testing programs and teaching units to students based on the Missouri Student Needs Assessment services. These services are designed to help the student better understand individual abilities and to provide information on school, colleges, and career planning.
The role of the guidance counselors is to help students understand and wisely use the educational, vocational, and personal opportunities for learning and future development.
HEALTH SERVICES
The Middle School is pleased to provide a full-time health aide who cooperatively works with the district’s registered nurse to promote health and wellness for students and staff. The health room is open to all students for basic first aid, for illness, control and prevention of communicable diseases, and administration of medication.
Basic first aid is administered for minor and major injuries. For serious injuries, parents/guardians will be notified of the extent of the injury and of the status of their student.
Every possible effort will be made to promote a healthy and productive educational experience for Middle School students. Occasionally, however, illness develops during school hours and a student must be excluded from school. Parents/guardians will be notified of the child’s illness and must make arrangements for their child to be picked up. Symptoms requiring exclusion from classes are fever (body temperature greater than 1000F), vomiting, diarrhea, questionable skin conditions, and head lice infestation. To assist in preventing and controlling communicable disease, it is necessary that students not return to school until he/she has been without symptoms for at least twenty-four (24) hours (without the use of medication). Any student excluded due to head lice may return to class immediately when it is determined that he/she is free of live lice and/or lice eggs (nits).
Missouri State laws govern the immunization status of all students attending public schools. Parents/guardians must provide necessary information verifying their student’s immunization status before a student may enroll or attend classes. Though it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to adequately immunize students, every effort will be made to remind parents/guardians in advance of the due date of any immunization(s) updates required for school attendance. Following state law, students who do not comply will be excluded from attending classes.