Welcome to Adirondack Middle School

This should prove to be an exciting time of your life as you begin to make choices that will help determine the direction you will be taking in future years. We encourage you to explore the many extracurricular programs that are available to you. These programs, combined with the outstanding academic programs you will be taking, will provide you with a strong foundation. Remember, to reach your maximum potential, you must give your best effort to whatever you do.

This agenda allows you to stay organized and gives you the privilege of going from one place to another with a teacher’s signature. In addition, it offers other important facts and helpful hints to stay organized. Please keep your agenda all together as it will not be valid if pages are torn out. Agendas can be purchased in the Main Office for a small fee if you should misplace yours.

Throughout the school year take pride in your school. Be responsible young adults and stay committed to respecting school property and keeping our school looking brand new.

Best to all of you for a successful school year!

Mark Trabucco

Middle School Principal

This Agenda belongs to:

NAME______

ADDRESS______

CITY/TOWN______ZIP CODE ______

PHONE______

ADIRONDACK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

MIDDLE SCHOOL

ADMINISTRATION

Mark Trabucco Middle School Principal 942-9200 ext. 4500

Wendy Foye Director of CSE 942-9200 ext.1820

Cynthia Lauzon Director of Athletics 942-9200 ext. 5543

STUDENT SERVICES

Sandra Mercer Middle School Nurse 942-9200 ext. 4540

Matt Boliver Psychologist 942-9200 ext. 4523

Dominick Stewart Social Worker 942-9200 ext. 4201

Sheryl Hutton Mountain View 942-9200 ext. 5500

DIRECTORS

Robert Healt Director of Facilities 942-9200 ext. 5602

Emily Thomas Library 942-9200 ext. 5550

Bruce Sessions Custodial Services 942-9200 ext. 5530

Renee Rounds Food Service 942-9200 ext. 5556

DEPARTMENT CHAIRPERSONS

Ken Leahy Occupational Education 942-9200 ext. 5500

Ryan O’Neil Fine Arts 942-9200 ext. 5500

Cinnamon Marchione Science 942-9200 ext. 4500

Lorna DeSantis Language Arts 942-9200 ext. 5500

Suzanne Hollinden Social Studies 942-9200 ext. 5500

Kathy Nahor Mathematics 942-9200 ext. 4500

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FACILITY PROCEDURES...... 4

School Hours, School Closings, Announcements, Fire Drills,

Lockers, Assemblies, Student Charges, Library ...... 4-6

Nurse’s Office, Medication in School ...... 6

Cafeteria, Food, Parties, Passes, Lost & Found, Maintenance of Bldg.,

Study Halls...... 6-7

Restricted list, Restricted areas of campus, Telephone...... 7

ACADEMIC...... 7

Graduation Requirements, Success, Load, Schedules, Programs

Progress Reports, Report Cards...... 7-8

Honor Roll, Grades, Homework, Guidance...... 8-9

Make-up Work, Incomplete Grades...... 9

ATTENDANCE...... 9

Tardiness, Absence, Early Dismissals...... 10

Extracurricular Activities, Leaving School without Permission, Tardiness to

Class and/or School, Leaving School early, Truancy...... 10-11

DRESS CODE...... 11

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

Discipline, Detention, Suspension (ISS,OSS), Student Conduct,

Harassment...... 11-12

Bullying, Student Infractions (A-D)...... 12-17

TOBACCO, DRUGS AND ALCOHOL...... 17-19

Drugs & Alcohol Searches, Drugs & Alcohol on Premises, Safety

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES...... 19-21

10TH Period, School Dances, Student Fund Raising, Home Athletic

Events, National Honor Society

TRANSPORTATION...... 21

Transportation to School Activities, General Bus & Transportation Rules21-22

Cameras on Buses...... 22

DISCRIMINATION...... 22

Anti-Discrimination Practice...... 22

SPECIAL EDUCATION...... 23

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND (NCLB)...... 23

DIGNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS ACT...... 23-25

STUDENT BILL OF RIGHTS & RESPONSBILITIES...... 25-30

DISCLAIMER...... 30

ADIRONDACK CSD USE OF EXTERNAL DEVICE GUIDELINES...... 30

FACILITY PROCEDURES

SCHOOL HOURS

The normal school day is from 8:00 A.M. to 3:25 P.M. Students who are not involved in activities or who have no obligation (either self-initiated or teacher-initiated) the 10thperiod, will leave the school at 2:38 P.M. Any student remaining at school after 2:45 P.M. must be under the supervision of a faculty member.

DAILY SCHEDULE

Period
Warning Bell / Time
8:00 A.M.
1 / 8:03 – 8:48
2 / 8:51 – 9:33
3 / 9:36 – 10:18
4 / 10:21 – 11:03
5 / 11:06 – 11:48
6 / 11:39 – 12:21
7 / 12:24 – 1:06
8 / 1:09 – 1:51
9 / 1:54 – 2:38
10 ( * ) / 2:45 – 3:25

( * ) 10th period will only meet on Monday – Wednesday and designated Thursdays.

SCHOOL CLOSINGS

In the event of weather conditions which might interfere with the running of buses or the operation of the school, parents and students may obtain information by listening to the morning broadcasts of radio stations WBRV, WIBX, WADR, WTLB or WRNY. Also, television station WKTV (Channel 2) will scroll the information across the bottom of the screen. Our automated emergency system is also used to communicate to parents/guardians.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcements for the public address system should be prepared on the forms in the Main Office and presented to the respective school’s principal for approval. Announcements will be made at the beginning of 2ndperiod.

FIRE DRILLS

Twelve fire drills are required by law during each school year, eight of these by December 1st. Students are expected to leave and re-enter the building quickly and quietly. These drills are for safety and must be done in a serious manner. Directions for exit routes will be posted in each room. Leave the building when the fire alarm sounds. Re-enter when instructed to do so.

BOOKBAGS/BACKPACKS

ALLbookbags/backpacks MUSTbe left in student lockers during the day. No bookbags/backpacks will be allowed in classrooms.

LOCKERS

Hallway Lockers – Each student will be assigned a locker. Safeguard your own property by keeping your locker combination to yourself. Be sure your locker is closed and locked before you leave it. Students are not allowed to share their locker with another student(s). Students are responsible for any damages including: graffiti, bending tabs, tampering with locks or applying stickers, etc. If you have a problem with your hallway locker, please go to the main office to report the problem.

Physical Education Lockers – Lockers with separate locks are in the boys’ and girls’ locker rooms. These will be assigned by the physical education teacher. If you have a problem with your physical education locker, see your physical education teacher. Due to the previous thefts in the physical education locker rooms, it is essential to keep all of your possessions locked. Do not bring and/or leave valuables and cash unsecured in the locker room.

If your locker is damaged, you will be responsible for the cost of fixing the locker.

ASSEMBLIES

Assemblies have a two-fold purpose. The first is to educate and expose students to new and different material, the second is to entertain. Lack of interest in a given program is no excuse for misbehavior or rudeness. Likewise enthusiasm is no excuse for rowdy or raucous behavior.

Failure to behave appropriately may result in removal from that and subsequent assembly programs and other disciplinary action may be taken in accordance with school policies and procedures. This disciplinary action may be anywhere from reprimand to suspension depending upon the nature of the offense.

The following procedures will govern assemblies:

  1. Students will enter and leave for assemblies when instructed.
  2. Upon entering the auditorium, students will observe the following:
  3. Students will sit in the assigned section.
  4. Behavior will be orderly.
  5. Talking will be at a minimum in a subdued manner.
  1. During the program:
  1. Students are to be courteous at all times.
  2. Rowdy behavior will not be allowed.
  3. Students should show appreciation for the efforts of presenters.
  1. Leaving auditorium:
  1. Conduct will be the same as when entering.

STUDENT CHARGES

At the close of the school year, parents will be notified, in writing, about any student charges incurred during the school year. These charges may include lost/damaged textbooks, damages to school property, cafeteria charges and other similar school charges/fees. Final report card grades will be withheld until all charges have been paid to the district. All charges can be paid at the middle school main office. Inquiries can be made by calling 942-9200 ext. 4500.

LIBRARY

The library will be open from 8:00 A.M. to 3:25 P.M. The library is not a study hall. It is a place to read and use reference materials in a quiet surrounding.

  1. All students using the library during the school day must have a pass except during the activity period or when accompanied by a teacher.
  2. Students electing to go to the library must remain in the facility for the entire period. Wandering from the library is not permitted.
  3. Students should speak at a low volume as to not disrupt others.
  4. All students’ questions pertaining to library reference, circulation or materials should be directed to the librarian or library aide.
  5. Students are not to do homework in the library which could otherwise be done in study halls.
  6. Students should return all materials at the close of the period. This includes magazines and newspapers.
  7. Students are asked to seat themselves after obtaining selected reading or reference materials.
  8. The number of students who may leave study halls for the library will be at the librarian’s discretion.
  9. No personal electronic devices are allowed in the library.

All students are encouraged to use this facility but at the same time are asked to be considerate of other students while doing so.

NURSE’S OFFICE

If a student is injured during the school day or at any school function, he/she is to report this immediately to the person in charge, who will in turn submit a report to the school health office. The school nurse will inspect the injured and take any necessary steps. If a student becomes ill and is too ill to attend classes, the student should request to see the nurse who will evaluate the student’s condition. At no time should a student excuse himself or herself from school. (Penalty: suspension).

MEDICATION IN SCHOOL

A New York State mandate requires that we must have written doctors and parent/guardian permission to administer any medication (this includes over the counter or prescription medication).

Students are not allowed to share or distribute any medications (prescription or over the counter) to any other individual.

Medication should be brought to the Nurse’s Office in the original container labeled with the child’s name, dosage, and doctor’s name. Please send enough medicine to last the entire week of school.

The school nurse has the forms available which the doctor and parent need to sign.

CAFETERIA

Abuse of the cafeteria facilities or improper behavior in the cafeteria will result in penalties including reprimand, detention, in-school suspension, suspension, and/or denial of cafeteria privileges.

FOOD

No food or beverages are allowed in the hallways or classrooms during the school day. All food is to be consumed in the cafeteria. The only exception to this rule is students may have a water bottle with them during the day.

PARTIES

There shall be no parties during the school day unless prior approval has been given by the principal or assistant principal.

PASSES

Students must have their agenda books signed by a teacher when leaving a class or study hall.

LOST AND FOUND

All articles lost and found should be reported to the office at once. Found articles not claimed by the end of the school year will be discarded. The Nurse’s Office will serve as a central area for all lost and/or found articles.

MAINTENANCE OF BUILDING

Students who intentionally damage school property or equipment will be required to pay for the damages, will be subject to school disciplinary action, and may be prosecuted.

STUDY HALLS

All students will be assigned a formal study hall. These are quiet study halls. Seats will be assigned and students will bring books and materials for study purposes to the study halls.

All study halls are the same as a regular class in that students may only leave for emergency purposes and then they must seek permission from and sign out with the teacher in charge. Students should not bring their own personal electronic devices (i.e.-iPod, iPad, laptop, etc.) to classes or study halls.

RESTRICTED LIST

Students who are on the restricted list will not be allowed to leave the study hall unless they have a pre-signed pass from a teacher who will work with them on course material. The following conditions may place a student on the restricted list:

  1. Failure of 2 or more courses during a marking period.
  2. Two or more grades of Incomplete.
  3. Failure of 1 course and 1 incomplete grade.

RESTRICTED AREAS OF CAMPUS

When students arrive, they must immediately enter the school and remain in the school until it is time for them to leave. No students are allowed to be outdoors unless given permission from their respective administrators to do so.

All students are to remain in their respective parts of the building unless given permission to do otherwise.

Disciplinary action will be taken against students who are found to be in unauthorized parts of the building or campus.

TELEPHONE

Phones are provided in various parts of the building to carry on the business of the school. These phones are not for personal use. Students may use an office phone in emergency situations only.

Students should not have an expectation of being released from classes or study halls to use the telephone.

ACADEMIC

CLASS SCHEDULES

Prior to the opening of school each year, students will be assigned to a class schedule. Students will be required to follow this schedule. If the schedule is in error, please notify the Guidance Office.

CHANGING CLASS SCHEDULES

Permission to change class schedules or academic programs must be secured from your guidance counselor. Most of the classes in the middle school are required by NYS. However if a student chooses to add or drop an elective class (band, chorus, etc.) they should bring a note from their parent/guardian requesting such a change. A conference with the parent/guardian may also be requested. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, changes will not be made after 2 weeks into each course/semester, and during the first two weeks, there must be a solid academic reason to initiate a change.

STUDENT RECORDS

Parents have the right to request a copy of their child’s cumulative record. All requests must be in writing and we require 2 business day for fulfill any request.

PROGRESS REPORTS

There are four marking periods during the school year. Progress reports are sent five weeks prior to the end of each marking period to indicate student progress. Parents can also contact the guidance office department and individual classroom teachers.

Progress Report Dates: October 2, December 11, March 4, May 13

REPORT CARDS

Report cards are computerized and sent to the parents or guardian of each high school pupil. There are four report card periods, two each semester. The passing mark in grades 6-12 is 65%.

During the 2015-2016 academic year marking periods run as follows:

FIRST SEMESTERSECOND SEMESTER

1st: Sept. 2 - Nov. 103rd: Feb. 1 - April 6

2nd: Nov. 12 - Jan. 294th: April 7 - June 13

Parents/Guardians should receive these grade reports within two weeks after the end of the marking period. Please call the Guidance Office if you have any questions.

HONOR ROLL

To provide recognition for students who have achieved high academic standards, an honor roll is published at the end of each marking period. There are three honor groups:

  1. High Honor: above 94.5
  2. Honor: 89.5 - 94.4
  3. Merit: 84.5 - 89.4

GRADE EQUIVALENTS

When students transfer in from another school where alphabetic grades are used, we will use the other school’s grade translation table in order to assign numeric grades. If no table is sent (or if only grade ranges are sent), grades will be translated according to the following table:

A+ = 98 / B+ = 88 / C+ = 78 / D+ = 69 / F = 60
A = 95 / B = 85 / C = 75 / D = 67 / F = 60
A- = 92 / B- = 82 / C- = 72 / D- = 65 / F = 60

If a student transfers mid-semester, we will average the student’s grade from their previous school with the grade they earned here.

HOMEWORK

Homework is an integral part of school work and must be carefully prepared. The amount of homework a student will be required to do will depend upon the difficulty of the academic program and the student’s planned study time for their completion. Planned study eliminates the necessity of spending too much time in completing an assignment the day before it is due. In courses at the regents’ level and above, students should expect to receive and complete homework on a nightly basis.

GUIDANCE PROGRAM

A District plan for the 6 through 12 guidance program shall be filed in the District office and made available for public review. This plan shall be subject to annual review and revised as necessary in the following areas:

  1. Identification of guidance program objectives;
  2. Activities to accomplish the objectives;
  3. Identification of staff members and other resources to accomplish the objectives;
  4. Provisions for the annual assessment of program results.

A coordinated guidance program in grades 6 through 12 shall be developed and implemented including the following activities and services:

  1. Each student’s educational progress and career plans will be reviewed annually.
  2. Exposure and guidance at each grade level to help students learn about various careers and career planning skills.
  3. Other advisor and counseling assistance which will benefit students such as: helping students develop and implement post-secondary education and career plans; helping those students exhibiting any behavioral and adjustment problems; and encouraging parental involvement;
  4. Employment of personnel certified or licensed as school counselors.

MAKE-UP WORK AND INCOMPLETE GRADES

Students who do not complete academic work (regardless of the reason) will be required to make-up the missed work. All make-up work should be in by the end of the marking period. If a student has an Incomplete for a marking period grade, the student cannot receive credit for the course until the Incomplete is made up. Students who fail to complete and submit required projects, class work and/or research papers will receive an assigned grade of Incomplete for the marking period and the course. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain all make-up work from teachers and to remain informed of the work which needs to be completed.

ATTENDANCE

Good attendance is considered essential to a good education. Students are expected to be present and on time each day of school except when absent because of legal reasons. The basic responsibility for the regular attendance of the student lies with the student and his/her parents.