EUSTIS MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME OF THE MUSTANGS Welcome to Eustis Middle School The administration and staff would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to Eustis Middle School. This agenda has been prepared to help you understand the policies and procedures at EMS. The mission of Eustis Middle School is: To create lifelong learners one student at a time. Ultimately, each student will gain from school according to the effort he/she applies. To increase the degree of educational success, it is extremely important that teachers, parents, and administrators communicate openly and frequently concerning the progress of students. Supervision Any pupil enrolled in EMS shall be subject to the policies of the School Board, the direction of the administration and their teachers. Students will be expected to follow all the policies of the teachers, bus drivers, and any school authority while on school grounds, being transported on school buses, or attending a school supervised activity. Courteous and cooperative behavior will help everyone to maintain a welcome atmosphere at school. Student supervision will start thirty (30) minutes before the start of the school day and continue thirty (30) minutes after the school day ends. Students may participate in a supervised school tutoring program. Arrival at School Students who walk or who are car riders should plan to arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before the first bell of the day. Once the student arrives at school, he/she is not to leave campus without permission, and must stay in designated areas. Any student who leaves campus without permission is subject to disciplinary action. Attendance Students are expected to be in school each day. A death in the family, student s sickness, or serious illness in the family is the only legal reasons for school absence. If a student is absent from school, he/she must bring a note stating the student and parent s full name, and reason for the absence. It is the student s responsibility to request all make-up work from each teacher within five days for credit after an excused absence. If a parent wishes to have a student leave school before the end of the day, the parent must come in and sign the student out. Parents should be prepared to show identification. If someone other than the parent is to pick the student up, the person should be prepared to show identification and must be listed on the student s information sheet. 1
Tardiness Promptness to class is very important. Students are to be in their seats and ready to work when the bell sounds. Tardiness is considered a disruption of class and discipline will be handled by the individual teacher in an appropriate manner. Chronic tardiness will result in a referral to the office. Bus Transportation A bus driver has the same authority for student behavior as a teacher. Student behavior on the bus must be the same as it is on campus. It is a privilege to ride on a school bus. Students may not ride the bus unless they are assigned to a bus. Bus rules will be strictly enforced. Students will be suspended from the bus immediately for all serious and safety violations, as well as continuous misbehavior on the bus. If it becomes necessary for a student to ride a different bus or get off at a different stop, then the parent must write a note. The note should contain the reason for the request, contact numbers, route number and should be handed in to the discipline office during homeroom. The office will contact the parents to verify and the note must be approved by and administrator. Changes in bus assignments should be for emergency situations or for student supervision after school. The bus should not be used to transport students for weekend parties, sleepovers or extracurricular activities. Parents planning weekend events shall provide their own transportation. Hall Passes ALL students must have a teacher signed pass before leaving the classroom for any reason. Students should report to class and get a pass from their teacher before going to the main office, guidance or discipline. The main office, discipline or guidance may call a student from class, other than that the classroom teacher is the only one who gives permission for a student to miss their valuable instructional time. Administration of Medication at School It is recommended that all medication be administered outside of school hours. Ask your physician to prescribe medication that can be administered before and after school, if possible. If medication must be administered during the school day, the medication is to be brought by the parent to the school office in its original container. The parent will need to complete a form with the following information: * Name and purpose of medication * Time medication is to be administered * Specific instructions for administering * Approximate duration of medication * Parent/guardian signature granting permission to administer medication Note *The first dosage of any medication will not be administered during school hours, as there is a possibility of allergic reaction. It is against school board policy for any student to carry over-the-counter or prescription medication on his/her person. This includes: cough drops, aspirin, Midol, etc. Violation of this rule will result in a suspension. 2
Legal Searches The school principal or designee may search student lockers or other areas upon reasonable suspicion that a prohibited substance or object is contained within that area. Items such as stolen property, illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco, weapons, or objects that could be used as weapons are examples of items this law addresses. Lockers, backpacks, purses, and a student s person may be searched if the school official has reasonable suspicion that illegal, prohibited or harmful substances may be concealed. If a search of a student and/or student s personal belongings reveals stolen or illegal property, such property shall be seized and, when appropriate, turned over to law enforcement authorities. School Resource Officers Eustis Middle School has two school resource officers (SRO s) assigned to our campus. They support the administration and staff to maintain a safe and productive environment. Our deputies hold the same authority on campus that they have when patrolling our roadways. Our deputies conduct investigations, act as a resource to the community, and are first responders in medical emergencies. Accident or Illness Accidents in the school building or on the school grounds must be reported immediately to the teacher in charge or to the school office. In case of illness at school, ask the teacher for a written pass to go to the office. Students may not use their cell phones to contact parents without the knowledge of school officials. Student Valuables 1. The students, not the school, are responsible for personal property. 2. Students who wear glasses or watches must keep track of them at all times. 3. Students are cautioned not to bring large amounts of money to school. 4. Students are not to bring electronic devices, cameras, pagers, headphones, hats, visors, bandanas, etc. to school. 5. Cell phones MUST be turned off and stored during the day. Texting and calls during instructional time disrupts learning. Emergency calls are handled through the front office. Electronic Equipment Electronic devices such as CD players, IPods, MP3, laser lights, etc. are not allowed on school campus. If students are found with any of these devices in their possession, they will be assigned an appropriate consequence, and the device will be confiscated and returned only to a parent. Cell phones that are seen or heard will be considered contraband and confiscated. Eustis Middle School is not responsible for any item confiscated as a result of violation of the rules and regulations. Lockers and Locks 1. Only EMS locks may be placed on lockers. Other locks will be removed. 2. Locks may be rented for the year for $2.00. 3
3. Only one student per locker will be assigned. DO NOT share lockers. DO NOT give anyone your combination. 4. Lockers should be kept clean. 5. No signs, stickers, or writing are allowed on lockers. 6. The school is NOT responsible for anything missing from the lockers. 7. Lockers are the property of EMS and are subject to searches at the discretion of administration. 8. Students are allowed to go to their lockers only at times designated by their team of teachers. 9. There is a $5.00 replacement fee for lost or broken locks. 10. Book bags and backpacks are to be stored in a locker during the school day. Any bag large enough to hold a textbook will be considered a book bag. Lost and Found Please check the Lost and Found before assuming that an item has been stolen. Please put your name on all personal belongings. Lost and Found is located in the front office and on the stage in the lunchroom. Telephone Student s use of the office telephone will be limited to emergency calls only, such as illness, forgotten lunch money, or missed bus. Cell phones are to be turned off and left in the student s locker during the school day. After School Hours Students are not allowed on the school campus or in the school buildings after normal school hours unless they are supervised by a teacher or designated adult. Walkers must exit campus immediately after school dismissal. No one is to be on school grounds during holidays or weekends except when supervised by a school authority. Vandalism and Property Damage Students who vandalize or destroy school property will be required to pay for losses and damages. Students are subject to disciplinary actions if they willingly destroy school property. If you should happen to damage something by accident, you should report it to a teacher or the office immediately. Eustis Middle School School wide Discipline Procedures Eustis Middle School is proud to have your child in attendance, and strives to ensure that their learning experience is successful. In order to accomplish this task, there are necessary rules for the learning environment. At EMS, we have four rules for all of our classrooms: 1. Follow directions, the first time given 2. Stay on task 4
3. Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself 4. Arrive on time, with the appropriate materials Learning does not occur within a chaotic environment, and in order to ensure compliance with these rules, the classroom discipline plan is as follows: 1. First offense: verbal warning 2. Second offense: parent contact 3. Third offense; detention, parent contact 4. Fourth offense: detention, parent conference 5. Fifth offense: referral to discipline office Any serious and/or repeated Level 1 infractions may be considered as Level 2 infractions. Level 1 offenses committed in a more serious, harmful, or disruptive manner may be considered Level 2 infractions. Library and Textbooks Damaged or lost books or must be paid for before another book is issued or checked out. Books are expensive, please take care of them. Cafeteria All students are encouraged to use good table manners, treat fellow students with respect, and help keep the cafeteria clean and attractive. Plates, silverware, and paper products are to be properly taken care of when a meal is complete. Students who bring their lunch from home will eat in the cafeteria. NO running or line cutting will be permitted. ALL FOOD must be consumed in the cafeteria. Cafeteria misbehavior may result in the loss of A La Carte privileges, lunch isolation, work detail or assigned seating. Semester and Final Exams Semester exams are given at the end of each semester. Please do not request semester exams be given earlier than they are scheduled. Dress Code Lake County s Dress Code and Student Code of Conduct will be strictly enforced. All shirts must be tucked into pants, skirts, or shorts. Shorts, skirts or skorts must be NO SHORTER than five inches above the knee. Clothes must be fastened around the waist so that pants, shorts, or skirts do not slide down the hips. All footwear must have a strap around the heel to keep the sole safely secured to the foot. Hats, hoods, visors, and bandanas, sunglasses etc. are not to be worn on school property. Jewelry worn in pierced body parts shall be limited to the ear. 5
Students may not wear decorations, symbols, mottos or designs imprinted or attached to the body of clothing which are offensive to good taste or maintenance of good decorum. Students may not wear advertisements of commodities such as alcoholic beverages, drugs, and symbols or wording with sexual connotations, profane language or images of weapons. Students should wear adequate, modest clothing appropriate for the learning situation. Tank tops, bare midriff, see-through and backless attire, skin-tight recreational clothing, revealing cleavage, pajamas and attire that are inappropriately revealing are not permitted. Report Cards and Grades Report cards will be sent home with the student following each nine-week grading period. Progress reports will be sent home halfway through each nine-week grading period. Grades will be based on the following grading system: A= 100 90; B = 89-80; C = 79 70; D = 69 60; F = 59 0 Note to parents: At no time should you be in doubt of your child s grade. You will be notified of his/her progress through the report card and progress reports. If you still have questions or feel that there has been a misunderstanding, please call the school for an appointment with the teachers or counselor. Parents who wish to talk with a teacher about any problem should request a conference with the teacher during the teacher s planning period, before or after school. Team conferences may be set up through the team leader or guidance. Always Remember: 1. Walk at all times. 2. Always have a pass. 3. Stay on the sidewalks. 4. Always bring required materials to class. 5. Notify the office and teachers when there is a change of address and/or phone number. 6. Park all bikes in the bike rack. Please remember to lock your bike. 7. All visitors must register with the main office. 8. Appropriate language will be used at all times. 9. Respect everyone! 6