Middle School Handbook

Home Involvement

There are many ways in which parents can help their children be successful. These include consistently checking and verifying assignments, helping create an environment conducive to study, and encouraging the student to view themselves as responsible for their own success. Parents can also help by ensuring that their student gets adequate sleep, the most positive morning preparation time possible, and good nutrition (especially in the morning). Students who arrive physically and mentally prepared to learn will get the most out of the time they spend at school.

Assignment Books / Planners

Every student will receive a CLS student planner and is required to use it daily. Students are required to write down all their assignments as they are displayed on the whiteboard as well as Gradelink. Homeroom teachers will check that students have written their assignments during closing homeroom period.

Homework Philosophy

Homework helps develop responsibility and good study habits. It also reinforces the practice skills and information learned during the school day which increases retention. The assignments are either started in class or have been reviewed thoroughly. While this is a good time to work with your child and observe their skill and problem solving techniques, please also encourage your child to work independently and help them learn to manage their time and resources in the most effective ways possible. By doing so, you will equip them with skills that last a lifetime. There is great effort made to make sure that the amount of homework is not excessive. Students are expected to study subjects a little bit every night (spelling/vocab words, Spanish vocabulary, reviewing concepts in different content areas).

Homework Schedule

Homework may be assigned five days a week. However, whenever possible, students will be given time to work on assignments in class. Students are responsible for copying all assignments into their planner and taking the necessary items home with them. The average student should expect no more than 1 hour of homework daily. At the beginning of the year there may be more homework, but as students become more efficient with class time that will decrease. Many subjects like Math, English, Spelling, and Vocabulary have a predictable homework pattern.

Homework Requirements

Homework must (1) be completed and turned in on time, (2) have the student’s name and subject assignment on the top left hand corner of the page, (3) be neat and legible, (4) be in pencil, blue ink, or black ink, and (5) be completed on 8 ½ by 11 inch paper with four smooth edges (not torn out of a spiral bound notebook or composition book). Homework that does not meet these requirements will need to be redone to receive credit.

Assignments That Are Late, Incomplete, Missing, Illegible, or Does Not Show Work, or Directions Were Not Followed

All homework is due to the appropriate teacher-designated location by 8:30 A.M. If the work is completed, but turned in after 8:30, students will receive a check on the behavior chart. A detention will be issued if they receive three checks for late or incomplete work; this includes computer-generated assignments. It is the student’s responsibility to print his/her assignments, not the teacher’s.

If an assignment is missing, incomplete, illegible, or does not show necessary work, or directions were not followed, the student will receive a 0% for the assignment. The student will have until 8:30 A.M. of the next school day to complete the assignment to the teacher’s satisfaction and resubmit for 50% of graded wor The student may stay after school to work on the assignment or take it home and complete. If the assignment is not turned in by the time designated by the teacher, it will remain at 0% and cannot be turned in for points at a later time. This means that there will be NO GRADE ADJUSTMENTS AFTER CLASS TIME OF THE NEXT SCHOOL DAY. Upon submitting the third late assignment, a detention will be issued. After the sixth late assignment, a detention and an academic referral form will be issued. After the ninth late assignment (All within the same quarter), the student will serve an in-house suspension.

Keeping this in mind, we also understand life happens. If you as the parent determine that extenuating events have prevented your child from completing his/her assignment, it is the parents’ responsibility to contact the teacher. This communication can take place via email, voicemail, or sending in a note regarding the missing work. The student will then receive an extension with a firm deadline.

If we do not receive communication from you in place of the assignment:

It is the student’s responsibility to complete the assignment and turn the work into the teacher who assigned it.
The work will be docked according to the above standards.

As a staff, we pray that these procedures will help students, families, and staff communicate in a positive and productive way in our very full lives.

Detentions / Academic and Conduct Referral Forms

Detentions are served Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 3:15. The location and the duration of the detention to be served will be written on the detention form. If the detention form is not signed and/or returned the next school day, an additional 15 minutes will be issued. If the student fails to serve the detention, an in-house suspension notice will be issued. Detentions must be served prior to participation in any afterschool activities. A parent or guardian must pick up the student at the conclusion of the detention from the class unless the student has a School Release Form on file, or he/she is going to School Age Care. Students may receive academic referral forms for homework with grades of D or F due to poor effort, and/or multiple late assignments. Recurring detentions OR referrals may also result in probation or serious disciplinary consequences such as suspensions, so please work with your student to ensure that all homework is turned in on time. Three Academic Referral Forms over the course of a QUARTER may result in suspension.

Conduct Referral Forms are given for serious or chronic behavior difficulties, or when the student doesn’t respond to other interventions such as prompting, teacher conference, detention, or other classroom-based measures. Three Conduct Referral Forms over the course of the SCHOOL YEAR may result in suspension.

Athletics

Students’ participation on school sports teams or intramural sports are based on the following:

Students must maintain a weekly C (70%-79%) average and no F’s (59%-0%).
Detentions must be served prior to participation in sports games or practices.
Students must be present at school the entire day of the game or practice.
Students must be in good academic standing with no missing assignments.

Grading Scale

A+ = 100+ A = 94-99 A- = 90-93 B+ = 88-89 B = 84-87 B- = 80-83

C+ = 78-79 C = 74-77 C- = 70-73 D+ = 68-69 D = 64-67 D- = 60-63 F = 0-59

Verifying Student Progress

All middle school student grades are accessible at http://www.gradelink.com/ . The site allows you to check on missing assignments, grades, overall percentages, and more. Paper progress reports can be generated by the teacher upon written request by the parent. Mid-quarter progress reports are not generated for Junior High students. If a student is having problems in class and needs to be placed on probation, appropriate notification and paperwork will be sent out on the mid-quarter dates.

Attendance

You must have an excused absence note in order for credit to be given on absent work, quizzes, or tests. Students may not be absent for more than 10 days per semester (excluding pre-approved independent study). Students who are absent more than 10 days per semester will be referred to the principal. This may result in a reduction of the student’s grades, retention at grade level, or being dropped from enrollment. More than three unexcused absences or five unexcused tardies in a quarter will result in detention for grades 6-8. Two detentions or conduct referrals due to unexcused tardies in one quarter may result in suspension.

Excused absences/tardies include:

Dental/doctor appointment, verified by D.D.S. or M.D. slip/pass
Illness, verified by note
Funerals
Extended absences with prior teacher and office approval (1 week prior to absence)
Personal ONLY IF APPROVED by the school office

Make-Up Work

Students are responsible for all work missed while absent/tardy. Students are given one day for each day absent to make-up work, after that the assignments are late. It is the student’s responsibility to check Gradelink, the school website, and/or contact classmates to obtain assignments missed during his/her absence. If the student needs to verify missed assignments with teacher, it must be done after school, not during class. No credit will be given for work during an unexcused tardy or absence. In the event of a planned absence, the student needs to give the teachers 3 days advanced notice in writing, or no credit will be given for work or tests that are missed. Long-term projects/assignments have firm due dates! (We use Google Docs so assignments can be submitted from anywhere). Any long-term project/assignment is due on the due date regardless of attendance. In the case that a student is absent on the due date of a long-term project/assignment, the assignment must be submitted electronically or in person no later than 8:30 a.m. on the day that it is due, or it will be viewed as a late assignment.

Class Success Tips

Start assignments and finish on time
Be organized
Follow the dress code
Label your supplies
Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself
Respect the rights and feelings of others
Have a positive and cooperative attitude
Use positive and constructive language
Respect your own and others’ property
Think, Try, and Participate

Honor Roll (Grades 6-8)

In order to qualify for Honor Roll, a student must have the following percentage average:

* 89-94% for Honor Roll * 95-100% for Principal’s Honor Roll

In the following areas:

Religion
Memory Work
Math
Science
Literature
English / Writing
Spelling / Vocabulary
History
Spanish
Computer
Conduct
Music, Art

There can be no grades lower than C (70-79%) or Effort grades marked with N for Needs Improvement or U for Unsatisfactory in any subject. (Includes PE, Computer, etc.)
Students must complete 80% of AR (Accelerated Reader) goal in order to qualify for Honor Roll

Minimum Graduation Requirements

Every quarter, 8th graders must maintain a total grade point average of 70% in all honor roll subjects.

Any student receiving a lower average must have a graduation status conference with all middle school teachers and the principal.

If any student has more than one graduation status conference, they will not be able to participate in events like the Mini-Olympics, Disneyland field trip, or the Graduation Dance. Restrictions from activities will be made at the discretion of the graduation status conference committee members.

If an 8th grade student receives an F (59% or lower) as a final grade during any quarter, they must complete an alternate project /assignment/exam to show that they have met the standards covered in that subject that quarter. The F will not be changed on the report card, but an acknowledgement of demonstrating competency in the standards will be noted in the comment section of the report card. It is the parent/student’s responsibility to get the project from the teacher.

Dress Code (Free Dress Days)

Please ensure that your student comes to school dressed within the dress code. Violations of dress code will result in detention Conduct Referral Forms. Please especially be aware of the following common difficulty areas on free dress days. Please keep these in mind as you select clothing and hair styles for the coming school year for free dress days. (See parent handbook for complete list of guidelines)

No studs or hanging straps or chains from pants.
Girls may not show skin at the midriff when their hands are straight over their heads.
Girls’ shorts and skirts must be no more than 3 inches above the knee.
Tops are to be of a modest cut. No tank tops – tops must have at least a cap sleeve
Girls may not wear oversized earrings or excess makeup.
All shoes must have a back strap and a closed toe.
Shirts may not have inappropriate mottos, pictures, or symbols, including music groups of any kind.
Boys’ hair must be cut such that it does not fall below the eyebrows or the collar.
No hats/hoods may be worn inside the classroom.
Hair may not be dyed an unnatural color or pattern.
Ear-spacers or anything that appears to be an unorthodox piercing is strictly prohibited.
No jeggings / leggings unless they are under a skirt or dress

The dress code is intended to minimized distractions and problems in the academic environment. All rules regarding what is modest, in excess, oversized, unnatural, or extreme are interpreted by the teacher.

On all other days, students are expected to be in their school uniform. If a student violates the dress code/uniform policies, the student will be sent to the office for a change of clothes. All work missed will be unexcused and will therefore receive a zero.

Academic Honesty

Any student caught cheating or facilitating cheating will be given an automatic one day suspension. Parents will be notified via a letter from the principal and that suspension notification will be placed in the student’s academic record. Private high school applications now come with a standard form asking to list the number of suspensions and detentions in addition to the causes for each.

During the suspension (which will occur the next school day) all assigned work must be completed but no credit will be given. Every assignment will be awarded a grade of 0 points. Any work turned in that is below grade level standards will be redone until it meets the expectations of the teacher even though no credit will be awarded for the work.

Cheating includes but is not limited to: copying other’s work without their knowledge, plagiarism, copying another’s work with their permission, whispering or communicating answers to another student during quizzes or tests, working collaboratively on an assignment where the teachers have expressly said that the work is to be done individually.

In addition, students must turn in all homework due that day to their homeroom teacher at 8:45 AM the day that it is due.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of using another person’s ideas or expressions without acknowledging the source. You are plagiarizing if you do the following:

1. Use someone else’s ideas or examples without giving credit.

2. Use a slightly changed statement as your own, putting your own words here and there and not giving credit.

3. Fail to use quotation marks around exact sentences, phrases or even words that belong to another person.

4. Cite facts and statistics that someone else has put together.

5. Present evidence or testimony taken from someone else’s argument.

Plagiarism is often unintentional. You have probably done a report or research paper at some time in which you chose a topic, checked out several sources, and copied several sentences from each source. You might have been unaware that you were committing plagiarism. However, now that you are a middle school student writing an essay or research paper, you must be aware that anytime you use someone else’s thought, words, or phraseology without giving credit in your paper = plagiarism. Any offense will result in the student receiving no credit for the assignment and a suspension.

Why is it WRONG?

It is Lying to God, yourself, and your teachers. You also deny yourself the opportunity to learn and practice skills that may be needed in your future careers. You also deny yourself to opportunity to receive honest feedback on how to improve your skills and performance.
You invite teachers and parents to question your integrity and performance in general.
You commit fraud on teachers who are evaluating your work.
You deprive another author due credit for his or her work.
You show disrespect for your peers who have done their own work.

Messages/Drop-offs

Messages and drop-offs to the classroom are disruptive to the educational process. CLCS does not deliver messages from parents to students. Therefore, we encourage parents to communicate with their children before school begins. Messages will only be conveyed to students in the case of an emergency. If an item is dropped off to the office, it is the student’s responsibility to retrieve the item during lunch or after school.

Appropriate Use of Educational Time by the Student

Christ Lutheran middle school students are given a nutritional break and recess during the course of the day. It is essential that students use these breaks wisely to handle matters such as hydration and restroom use. Students are allowed to use water bottles with caps/lids in class. Only water is permitted in the classroom. Students are responsible for instructional material and assignments covered during any absence from the classroom.

Parent/Teacher Conferences/Communications

In middle school, we see the student as a pivotal point to ensure expectations are communicated. In grades 7 & 8, if there are any questions regarding grades, conduct, or peer relations, the student has the responsibility to set up a meeting with the teacher. This meeting is student driven. The teacher and student will discuss the issue and it is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the outcome of the meeting with the parent. If further discussion is required, the student needs to set-up a parent/student/teacher meeting.

I CONTROL MY SUCCESS, BECAUSE I CONTROL THE AMOUNT OF EFFORT I USE!

Standards for Written Work – Your checklist for success!

Neatness:

All assignments must be completed neatly. All final written assignments such as reports, essays, and research papers should be typed. Math assignments must be completed in pencil. Class work/Homework assignments and class notes may be in pencil, blue or black pen.

Format:

Your first and last name, number, subject, page number, question numbers, and date must be in the top right corner of the paper.
MLA format will be followed for all typed final writing assignments.
Assignments must be completed on 81/2 by 11 inch college rule paper unless other format directions are given.

Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation:

Proofread all work – capitalizing the beginnings of sentences and using end punctuation to avoid run-on sentences and sentence fragments.
Proofread work to check spelling and subject / verb agreement.
Double check all final drafts because it takes extra effort, dedication, and perseverance to be successful in life!

Thoroughness:

All problems or questions must be completed in every assignment or the work is incomplete. Expect that you may have difficulty with some of your work – we want you to PROBLEM SOLVE and that takes patience and deeper thinking.
Math work must show ALL sequential steps in solving the problem as demonstrated by your teacher. Please box the solutions to the problems.
Please ask specific questions during class work time. Teachers are also happy to help either after school or at 8:30 – before school. (Not at 8:45 as that is when the work is due!)

Correct usage in these areas is expected in all written work. You may be required to redo your work if the errors are excessive due to lack of effort.

Departmentalization

Ms. Jenkins: 6^th Homeroom, 6& 7^th ELA, Middle School History

Ms. Kim: 7^th Homeroom, 6 & 7^th Math, Middle School Science

Mr. Royuk: 8^th Homeroom, 8^thMath & ELA, Middle School Religion

Physical Education: TBA

Ms. Turnbull: Art

Mr. Gray: Computer

Ms. Stuler: Music