WESTERN MIDDLE THE SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS Western Middle School 2201 West Main Street Louisville, KY 40212
Welcome to Western Middle School The School for the Arts Where Performance is Everything! The faculty and staff welcome you to a new and exciting school year at Western Middle School: The School for the Arts. This Student Handbook is intended to give you information and guidelines to help you have a most successful school year. We encourage you to read the following materials and familiarize yourself with these guidelines. Our intent is to provide each student with the optimum learning environment. Please be sure to share this information with your parents/guardians. To have a successful year, please make sure you PERFORM. Western Middle Students have Positive Attitudes Excellent Effort Respect Focused Learning Ownership of Behavior Responsibility Motivation We look forward to working with you and your family this year. It is our sincere hope that you will have a successful year at Western Middle and you enjoy your time with us. Western Middle School Staff 2
Western Middle School Main Office...485-8345 Youth Services Center 485-8760 Fax....485-8047 School Hours: 7:40 a.m. 2:20 p.m. Magnet School for the Visual and Performing Arts Students who are enrolled at Western Middle School have been accepted in the Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School through an application process. Each student has chosen an area of focus: Band, Chorus, Dance, Drama, Orchestra, or Visual Arts. Students will attend these classes each day for the entire year. Academic team teachers (Social Studies, Math, Science and Language Arts) will make arts connections to the core content and use strategies to actively engage students in their learning. Mission Statement Our mission at Western Middle Magnet School for Visual and Performing Arts is to provide students opportunities to create, perform, and interact with the arts while ensuring that students receive a rigorous education in a safe learning environment. Vision Statement Western Middle Magnet School for Visual and Performing Arts strives to become a high performing school that fosters the students creativity and imagination and enhances the students desire to excel in both academics and visual and performing arts. School Motto Where Performance is Everything! 3
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES & SAFETY Respect for other students Every student should have access to a safe, secure and orderly school that is conducive to learning. Students have the responsibility of recognizing the rights and human dignity of fellow students. It is expected that students at Western Middle School will demonstrate care and kindness towards one another. Student Responsibilities Students at Western Middle are expected to fulfill the following responsibilities. responsibilities are not met, students may be exited from the Magnet program. 1. Students are expected to keep an average 2.5 GPA or above. 2. Students are expected to have good behavior and follow school expectations. 3. Students are expected to be at school on time every day. 4. Students are expected to finish the year with a passing grade in their Arts Major. If these Lockers Each student will be provided locker space and a locker. Students MUST use the locker space assigned to them. Students must keep their lockers properly closed and locked. Students are not permitted to place stickers on the outside of lockers. Students are not to share lockers with other students. Hallway Conduct Students are to walk in hallways at all times. Students must have a hall pass. It is the student s responsibility to obtain a hall pass before leaving the classroom or offices. During transitions on team, student voice level is 0 (silence). When traveling out of the team area, student voice level is 0 (silence). Students are to respect the physical space of other students during transition times. Students are to respect the property of others and the school at all times. Book Bag Policy Any sling backpacks are allowed in classrooms during the instructional day, all other bags/totes/purses are to be stored in the student s individual locker. 4
Telecommunication and Electronic Device Policy While on school property or while attending school-sponsored or school-related activities, (on or off school property), students shall be permitted to possess personal communication devices as defined by law, and other related electronic devices, provided they observe the following conditions: During the instructional school day, no telecommunications or electronic device including headphones and/or ear buds shall be used for any reason. They are to be turned off before entering the building and may only be used when the instructional school day has ended. Any exceptions during the instructional school day must be approved by an Administrator. Telecommunication or electronic device including headphones and/or ear buds should not be visible during the instructional school day. Students are responsible for keeping up with the devices if they choose to bring them to school. The district and the school shall not be responsible for loss, theft, or destruction of devices brought onto school property. Deliberate Use: 1 st offense: Warning given, telecommunication device confiscated and returned to student at the end of the school day. 2 nd offense: Telecommunication device confiscated and parent/guardian must pick up. 3 rd offense: Telecommunication device confiscated and returned to parent/guardian after 30 school days. *Reference: Personal telecommunications device is defined in KRS 158.165 and includes, but is not limited to cellular telephones, pagers, walkie-talkies, electronic mail devices, MP3 players, ipods, and video gaming system. Extra-Curricular Activities: When absent from school Students participating in extra-curricular activities will not be allowed to participate in any activity on the day they are absent from school. Any student who has received a suspension will not be permitted to attend any function sponsored by the school and shall not be allowed on school grounds until the suspension has been completed. Injuries/Medication If you are injured while participating in any school activity, notify your instructor immediately who will address the medical needs and complete an Accident Report Form. All medications/drugs must be kept in the Main Office. NO STUDENT may be in possession of any medication/drug on school property, with the exception of students who have permission forms on file with the Main Office to carry asthma medication (i.e. inhalers). 5
DRESS CODE POLICY Student dress and personal appearance should neither disrupt nor distract from the educational environment of the school. No clothing that is considered controversial, obscene, or has representations of subjects for which we have zero tolerance (such as weapons, drugs, alcohol and sex) may be worn. All coats (outdoor wear) must be kept in lockers and may not be worn in class, hallway or common areas during instructional hours. Shoes are required at all times. House slippers, flip flops, footies, athletic slides, or any footwear that does not provide sanitary and safety protection are prohibited. All shoes must have a back or a strap on the back of the shoe. All shirts/tops/dresses must cover the shoulders and have sleeves. When raising arms above the head, the shirt/top must cover the midriff area so that no skin is showing. Shirts/tops/dresses must not be low-cut or see-through (i.e., sheer material, lace). Shorts, skirts, tunics and dresses must be an appropriate length. An appropriate length is no more than five inches above the back of the bend of the knee. Shorts, skirts, tunics and dresses may not be worn over other outerwear. All pants must be worn at the waist. Pants/Jeans may not be worn with rips/tears or frays above the knee that expose skin. If pants/jeans do expose skin above the knee, leggings MUST be worn under the pants/jeans. No pajamas may be worn at school No hats, sweatbands, bandanas, sunglasses, or scarves are permitted (scarves worn for religious reasons are the only exception to this rule). Headphones (i.e., Beats by Dre) or ear buds are not allowed on campus. Shorts and sandals are permitted up to October 31 st and after April 1 st. NO LEGGINGS ARE ALLOWED The above items are general guidelines, but not an exhaustive list of inappropriate clothing. Therefore, Administrators have final decision making authority in the enforcement and interpretation of the dress code. GENERAL INFORMATION Breakfast and Lunch Breakfast and Lunch are served daily. During the 2014-2015 School Year - Western Middle School has been approved for Community Eligibility Option (CEO) which provides meals free of charge to students. Please note that prices may be subject to change. Breakfast costs $1.85 per day; reduced cost is $.30. Lunch costs $2.35 per day; reduced cost is $.40. The free/reduced forms are mailed directly to every household in Jefferson County with schoolaged children. If you think your child might qualify for free/reduced lunch, please return the forms to Western Middle Café. A new application must be submitted each year in order to qualify for free or reduced lunch. 6
Excused Absences GENERAL INFORMATION Continued from previous page For any absence a parent should call the school office to notify them and send a note with the child explaining the absence upon their return. Excused absences include such circumstances and occasions as a death or severe illness in the student s immediate family, an illness of the student, religious holidays and practices, and other valid reasons as determined by the principal. After a total of 10 cumulative full-day absences due to illness, parents are required to present a written statement from a medical professional for additional absences during the current school year to be excused. Student Tardy Policy In order to provide a safe and orderly environment for your child we have developed the following procedures for processing tardies to school, to class and tardies leaving & returning to school. When arriving to school after the tardy bell, all students must report to the attendance office to sign in and receive an admit slip to class. If a student must leave school early, he/she must be signed out by their parent/guardian or designee located on student information sheet. Phone calls WILL NOT be accepted to allow students to leave school. No student will be allowed to walk home alone during the instructional day. Photo Identification is required from the parent/guardian or designee for the school to release a student. Visitors All visitors must report to the office upon entering the building. All visitors must sign in and out in the Main Office and wear a badge identifying them as a WMS visitor. Parents/guardians are encouraged to be involved in their child s education. If parents/guardians wish to have a conference with individual teachers/administrators concerning their child, they should call and arrange an appointment through the Main Office. Release of Students and Student Information JCPS shall release students or information concerning the student to parents, guardians, or individuals acting as a parent or guardian unless the school has been provided with evidence that there is a state law or court order governing such matters such as divorce, separation or custody, or a legally binding document which provides instruction to the contrary. Release of the student or information concerning the student coming from a single parent or a divorced/separated parent will be accomplished according to the following procedures. Unless the school has been given evidence of state law or court order concerning the status of the student: Both parents shall have equal access to any information concerning the student. Both parents shall have the right to sign out the student under their care. Students may not be released to any other individual unless the appropriate paperwork is completed and on file in the school office. Phone directives from a parent/guardian to release a student to an individual not listed on the appropriate paperwork will not be accepted. 7
Messages for Students Bus notes are not accepted over the phone. Bus notes must be handwritten by parent/guardian. Student must bring note to the office before 7:40 a.m. Be sure to include a parent contact number as an administrator will call to verify the request. Messages of an emergency nature will be directed to the appropriate staff member who will communicate with the student. Student use of the school telephone will be limited to emergencies only. Student/Family/Household Information Change Parents are required to report any changes in address and/or contact information to the school office immediately. It is important that the school be able to reach a parent in case of medical emergency. Students should inform the main office immediately if a change occurs in the following: Change in address and/or family status Change in phone numbers Change in parents /guardians employment information Change of family name Change of doctor or emergency numbers Change in authorization of student pick-up Youth Service Center The Youth Services Center is available to assist middle school students and their families. The purpose of the center is to provide services that will help all students be more effective in school. Some of the services that are available include recreational activities; summer enrichment programs; counseling; drug and alcohol intervention, family crisis and mental health counseling and referrals to health and social services. Students and parents are welcome from 7:30a.m. until 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The center is located in Room 117 of WMS. The YSC Coordinator can be reached by calling 485-8760. Student Promotion In order to pass a year-long course, a student must pass a minimum of four out of six interim grading periods (no more than two U s ). Students will be required to participate in intervention classes if they are not passing throughout the school year. In order to be promoted to the next grade, middle school students must meet all of the following criteria: 1. pass a minimum of 66 2/3 percent or greater of possible earned credits 2. pass language arts 3. pass math 4. complete a writing portfolio 8 th grade students must complete all of the above in addition to: 1. Score Apprentice level or higher on the 7 th grade state Reading assessment 2. Score Apprentice level or higher on the 7 th grade state Math assessment Students who scored Novice must complete additional coursework and demonstrate competency 8
Homework Policy At WMSFA, homework serves as an important link between home and school, keeping parents/guardians informed by reinforcing and extending school learning, experiences, and interests. All homework assignments will have one or more of the following purposes: To prepare for, reinforce, and extend concepts introduced in class To activate prior knowledge and assess student understanding To establish study habits and self-reliance To allow parents/guardians and teachers to monitor student progress Definition of Homework Homework is defined as tasks assigned to students by teachers that are intended to be completed during non-school hours. Occasionally, incomplete class work becomes homework. Generally speaking, these assignments are routine in nature. For our purposes, homework does NOT include long-term projects, research papers, tests, etc. Responsibility of the Student Record all assignments in his/her agenda. Complete homework to the best of his/her ability. Clarify with the teacher any instructions not understood. Turn in homework on the due date. Complete homework in proper form, clearly identified with name and class, legibly written, and grammatically correct. Communicate with ALL teachers to make-up any missed assignments due to absences. Arrange a proper study area, either at home or school, and manage time to accomplish assignments. This area needs to be free of distractions (television, phones, etc). Responsibility of the Parent Set a regular, uninterrupted study/homework time each day. Check the student s agenda daily. Take an active interest in homework. Watch for signs of failure or frustration. Make sure your student has the necessary supplies and assist with organization. Communicate regularly with teachers to be informed about assignments and student progress. Check progress of assignments using Parent Portal. A counselor can assist you in gaining access to this online grade book. 9
Missing Assignment Policy Students are expected to turn in homework on time. Homework that is completed on time and meets the teacher s expectations will be eligible for full credit. Students who do not turn in assignments will receive a consequence. The consequences are more severe as students move up in grade level. This is because we want to be flexible and supportive of students new to middle school, but also prepare students for the rigor of high school, where many schools do not accept any late work. Below are the grade level consequences for not turning in homework on time. 6 th grade: Students will have homework detention on Friday afternoons. During homework detention, students will work to complete the missing assignments. Students can turn the work in at the end of homework detention for a maximum grade of 90%. If they do not finish during homework detention, they may turn in the work on Monday for a maximum of 75% of the grade. 7 th grade: Students will have homework detention on Friday afternoons. During homework detention, students will work to complete the missing assignments. Students can turn the work in at the end of homework detention for a maximum of grade of 80%. If they do not finish during homework detention, they may turn in the work on Monday for a maximum grade of 50%. 8 th grade: Students will have homework detention on Friday afternoons. During homework detention, students will work to complete the missing assignments. Students can turn in work at the end of homework detention for a maximum grade of 70%. Students will not be permitted to turn in work after Friday for that week s work. Student Absence A student receiving an excused absence shall have the opportunity to make up missed schoolwork and not have his/her class grades adversely affected due to the excused absence. A student returning to school after an excused absence or suspension may request make up work within three school days of his/her return to class. The student will have the number of school days of absence or suspension plus one school day from the time he/she receives the make-up work to complete the work and submit it to the teacher. For pre-planned absences, the student is expected to approach his/her teachers prior to the absence for assignments so work is completed upon return. This includes related arts activities that cause the student to miss class. Likewise, if a student knows he/she will not be in class on the date an assignment is due, he/she is responsible for turning in the work before leaving for that event/activity. 10