Student Possessions and Responsibilities for Materials

Care of Textbooks

Textbooks and workbooks are loaned to students on condition that the student will pay for any loss or damage beyond ordinary wear.  If a student lends a book or has a book stolen, the student loaning or owning the book must assume the responsibility of paying for the text.

 

Personal Possessions

Students must leave cell phones, radios, tape players, CD players, game boys, & other items of value at home, unless they arrange with the teacher in advance.  Students take responsibility for loss of property.

Middle School students may not bring book bags, backpacks or other personal belongings that do not fit into their lockers.  An exception will be made for students involved in co-curricular activities and have gear that doesn’t fit within a school locker.

 

Bicycles

The school provides racks for parking bikes.  We ask students to lock bikes to the racks while at school.  Accessories are discouraged.  Bicycle racks are off-limits during the school day.  Students who are crossing through campus on bikes must walk the bike to the departure point. Parents are asked to remember the bike helmet law and be sure students wear helmets when riding his/her bicycle.

 

Electronic Devices Policy

No Electronic Devices: There should be NO electronic devices seen or heard in the school from 8:00am to 2:40 PM. (This could include, but is not limited to – Cell phones, any type of music with head set, blackberry’s, MP3 players, I-Pod’s etc.) We understand that your son or daughter might bring a cell phone to school for certain reasons. If they need to make a call during the school day for any reason they need to go to the main office to make that call. If a child has the cell phone out during the school day the teacher or support staff will take the phone and take it to the main office. First offense- Child may retrieve the phone after school that day. Second offense – Parent or guardian must come and pick the phone up personally. Third offense – Phone will be taken for 1 week and parent will need to pick the phone up after a conference with the principal.

 Parent-Teacher Communications                                                    

 

E-Mail Contact with Teachers

E-Mail Directory:

            Parents who wish to communicate with teachers through e-mail are encouraged to do so. 

Parents with a concern or issue may set up a meeting with a teacher through e-mail, but in general concerns need to be addressed directly.

 

Web Site-  Sublimity School has a web site- www.sublimitykids.com.  You will find the newsletter, lunch menu, information about Wildcat Pride and the Math Wizard.  There is also a place for you to report your child’s absences. 

 

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled in November and April.  We also encourage you to schedule conferences at any point during the school year when you see a need.  Our staff is eager to keep you informed of your child’s progress.  We will keep you informed through occasional notes, phone calls, and other announcements.

 

School Meal Program

 

Breakfast Program

Breakfast is served each morning for students.  Children wishing to eat breakfast at school should arrive by 7:30 a.m. to allow them time to finish their breakfast before the bell rings at 8:00 a.m.

 

Lunch Program

Under the National School Lunch Program students are offered as many as five entrée choices per day as well as a variety of fruits, vegetables, bread items, and milk.  Sublimity School has a computerized meal tracking system.  Each student is issued a “cafeteria account” into which parents deposit money.  The accounts track when each student eats and how much money is in their account.  Food service staff will remind students when the account is getting low on money.

Students will be able to purchase lunches on a daily basis, however we encourage students and parents to purchase lunches by the week or by the month. Buying by the week or month, preferably by check, eliminates the need for students to carry money each day, and moves the lunch lines much quicker.  The computer system will allow a maximum of $3.00 in charges and then it will not accept the student’s number.  A menu will be sent home with the monthly newsletter.

 

                                                                       

Free or Reduced Price Break and Lunch

Free or reduced price breakfast and lunches are available to students who qualify under federal guidelines. No distinction is made between eligible students and those who pay full price for lunch.  The same information is available for the free milk program, which is only for Kindergarten students.   Applications are available in the office.

Breakfast:	Lunches:
Reduced   $.30	Reduced           $.40
Full            $.75	1-5                   $1.50
Adult        $1.00	6-8                   $1.65

 

Restriction on the Distribution of Home-prepared Foods

In the interest of your child’s health and safety, and due to the laws governing hepatitis, we require that any beverage or food items provided to a class activity be store bought and in the original container.

 

Transportation

Bus Procedures

The school district provides bus transportation for students.  Information about boundaries and bus routes will be available from the school office.  Morning and afternoon bus numbers may differ. 

 

The bus driver is in charge of the bus.  Students are required to follow the instruction of the driver.  While students are waiting for the bus, the staff on duty is in charge.

 

Written permission from parents, is required before students may ride a different bus or get off at a different stop than regularly assigned.  The permission slip must be given to the person on duty at the time of dismissal.

 

 

 

Parent Volunteer Opportunities

Guidelines for Chaperoning Field Trips

We really appreciate help with chaperoning field trips.  We believe students can learn from experiences outside the classrooms, and want to provide as many experiences as possible.  Safety is always our first concern, and having extra hands and eyes ensure that the students are safe.  Students on field trips are under the supervision of school staff and chaperones.  Parents who wish to travel separately to a field trip site must clear it with the principal prior to the field trip. 

 

To create the best experience possible, we ask that chaperones follow these guidelines:

 

1.  Adults only- please do not ask to bring other children.

2.  Ride on the bus to and from the field trip- we also need your help on the bus.

3.  Share the experience with your child- research shows that parent involvement=success.

4.  You are not asked to discipline students- discipline is the teachers responsibility.

5.  Be positive with the students, helping them to be on-task and safe.

 

An Employee/Volunteer Background Information form must be completed and returned to the school.  New forms must be completed each year and cleared through the NSSD Office prior to volunteering or chaperoning school events.

 

 

Classroom Volunteers

We encourage parents to help at school.  Volunteers are required to complete an Employee/Volunteer Background form each year.  Please check at the office for the forms.  You will not be able to help in the classroom or chaperone a field trip until the criminal history check has been completed, this may take up to two weeks. 

 

Parent-Teacher Club

Sublimity School has an outstanding Parent-Teacher Club.  This group meets one time each month; the meetings are generally announced on the reader board.  The major fundraiser for the year is the annual Bingo Night and Dinner Auction held each year.  Money raised has been spent on the school’s new computer labs, on teacher computers, playground equipment and many other meaningful projects. 

 

 

Child Health and Safety

                                                           

Hearing Screening

ORS 581-022-0705 requires that all children in grades kindergarten, first, and second be screened for potential hearing loss.  To comply with this law, the Willamette Education Service District’s audiology team, under the supervision of a licensed audiologist, will provide hearing screening for all children in kindergarten through third grade.  This process consists of an initial screening for all children in those grades during the months of September and October and follow up screening for children who fail the initial screening in November and December.

 

The district will provide parents of children who fail either the initial or follow up screenings with information about obtaining a further evaluation.  Permission will be obtained prior to any evaluation occurring beyond the initial and follow up.  Hearing screening dates are set one year in advance and therefore it is important that parents who do not wish to have their child screened contact the building principal within the first two weeks of the new school year.  If you have any questions about the service please call the school office.

 

Administering Medicines to Students

There are times when parents request that students take prescription and/or over-the-counter medications at school.  According to School District Policy JHCD, the parent must give the school written instruction on the “Medication Permit” form. 

 

Parents must meet the following requirements in order for medication to be administered by school personnel.

 

Prescription or over-the counter medication requirement:

Parent’s or physician’s written instructions on “Medication Permit” form to include name of medication, dosage, time interval, and method of administration, and Medication in original container with the container labeled clearly showing the student’s and doctor’s name and instructions (either on label or separate communication from the physician).

All medications (prescription and over-the-counter) will be kept in the office in a secure location unless a student must carry medication on his/her person during the school day.   A written statement signed by the physician must be provided to allow a student to carry medication during the school day.  Students will be responsible to remember when a medication is scheduled to be administered. Designated school personnel will administer medication to students.  Office personnel will record the date, time, amount, and name of person administering each medication. At the end of each school year, all unused medication will be disposed of or returned to students.

 

 

Note:  Medication will no longer be accepted except in their original containers. 

Student Recognition and Awards

 

At Sublimity School, we believe in creating a motivating environment for students.  Programs exist at both the Elementary and Middle School levels to recognize student performance that exemplifies our values.  Our values are our effort, our enthusiasm, what we learn, and how we treat others.  Our programs will strive to support these values.

 

            Wildcat Pride  (Grades 1-5)

The elementary Wildcat Pride program is open to all students.  The program provides a set of expectations or goals to help students make good decisions and recognize those students who consistently do so.  Students may apply by asking their teacher for a Wildcat Pride form, which they must then fill out with their teacher.  If their behavior meets the criteria in the form, they will then be able to go and seek the other adult signatures needed to complete application. 

 

Once students have attained all of the signatures, they will then be recognized as Wildcat Pride at the next Wildcat Pride Assembly.  Assemblies are held each month.  In addition, each student will receive a Wildcat Pride bracelet, and will be accorded privileges in their individual classrooms based on their good behavior.

 

Students of the Month (Middle School Grades 6-8)

Each month the middle school staff will select one boy and girl from each grade who will be the Students of the Month. Each month a particular quality will be focused on, with the students who best exemplify that quality being selected.  Students will have their picture taken and posted on the bulletin board in the front hallway for the year and will be taken to lunch with the Principal and one teacher. 

 

Wildcat Pride (Middle School Grades 6-8)

Students at the middle school may be awarded a Wildcat Pride citation when the staff member catches them doing something positive. These may be turned in at the middle school office for a soft drink or a candy bar.  Copies of each certificate will be posted on a bulletin board and remain up for the entire year.

Honor Roll (Middle School Grades 6-8)

 

Academic Honors (Middle School Grades 6-8)

Sublimity students who are successful in their studies will be honored each quarter by being named to Sublimity School’s Honor Roll and Honorable Mention.  Students will receive a certificate and their photograph will be posted in the school’s hallway.

 

Honor Roll:  will include those students with a 3.5 GPA or higher.

Honorable Mention:  those students 3.0 or higher.

Middle School Co-Curricular Program & Activities

Athletics

Students at Sublimity Middle School shall have the ability to participate in several district programs.  Sublimity School will offer its own girl’s volleyball, girl’s basketball, boy’s basketball and track and field teams.  In addition, students may participate on district-wide teams for football, baseball, softball, wrestling and dance team.

 

North Santiam School District 29J charges fees for participation in co-curricular programs.  The fee for the 2007-08 school year is $35 per sport per student, with no family cap.  The fees will be charged for those sports or activities, which are currently aligned with the Oregon Schools Activities Association (i.e. football, softball, dance team, etc.)  Activities, which are directly related to classroom requirement (i.e. band, drama, student council, etc.)  shall not be assessed a fee.

 

No student will be barred from athletic participation in the extracurricular athletic program offered by NSSD 29J due to financial hardship caused by payment of an athletic fee, if all the other eligibility requirements are met.  However, due to the expense to taxpayers for district athletic programs, it is expected that students wishing to participate in extracurricular programs will make every effort to pay the athletic fee for participation in sports.  Parents requesting assistance for an athletic fee should contact the school principal at 769-2459. 

 

 

Student Council

Each spring the incoming middle school students are invited to run for Associated Student Body Offices for the following year. This group will be responsible for student events and activities within the middle school for the entire school year.  The student council shall vote on and approve all expenditures of student-fundraised money.  The council will meet at regularly scheduled times throughout the school year, and will serve as a decision-making body that represents all students’ interests.

 

Music Offerings

Middle school students will have the opportunity to participate in band as a part of the elective schedule offered during the last period of the day.  In addition, students wishing to join the middle school choir (Select Singers) can participate.  While band is offered during the elective period, choir will be offered either during lunch or before school, as the schedule permits.

Dances

Student dances shall be held throughout the school year.  Attendance at dances will be limited to 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade students.  Students who wish to bring a guest may pick up a guest pass at the school office.  The request must be turned into the building principal no later than noon on the day before the dance.  In order to attend, the guest must be a 7^th or 8^th grade student who is currently enrolled and in good standing at his or her own school.  Students who attend dances must remain on the premises until the dance is over or a parent picks them up.

 

 

Middle School Elective Program

Sublimity Middle School endeavors to provide a broad academic experience.  While the strength of Sublimity Middle School remains its commitment to core academic subjects during the day, this year the middle school is pleased to offer a broad variety of electives.  While some student choice is planned, student numbers, academic requirements, and other limitations will dictate some class membership.

 

Elective courses will be nine weeks long and students will receive a grade for the course at the end of the quarter. 

Student Code of Conduct

 

Each school is a small community, and the rules of the school must be followed to enjoy the citizenship of the community.  The primary obligation for developing self-discipline, responsibility and respect for other people rests with the student.  School employees will work cooperatively with the student and the parents in the student’s development so that he or she may succeed in school. 

 

Each student and adult at Sublimity School will:

 

1.      Do what is right.

2.      Do the very best that they can.

3.      Treat others, as they would like to be treated.                                                                                                                                                                           

 

Elementary School Behavior Management:

 

The staff in the elementary building utilizes positive reinforcement of acceptable behaviors and appropriate consequences for misbehaviors.  The teachers and assistants closely monitor students both inside the classrooms and on the playground.  An open line of communication with parents is an integral component of the elementary school plan.

 

Each teacher reinforces responsible behavior with a variety of techniques and motivators.  Examples include but are not limited to:  points which accumulate toward reward goals, positive notes (or calls) to parents, complements, hugs, high fives, and a wide array of token reinforcers.  These may be individual or whole class incentives.  Contract and charts may be used to record specific academic or behavioral goals.  Less than acceptable behaviors result in one or more of the following consequences:  calls (or notes) home, time out, discussion and completion of a problem solving form (with possible behavior plan put in place), or loss of privileges.  Extreme or repetitive offences warrant a referral (see attached) to the office and a call home.

 

 

Middle School Behavior Management:

 

The goals of the middle school behavior management plan are to have students take responsibility for their behavior and to know they have choices.  To mutually benefit students and staff, behavior management at Sublimity Middle School is a two-part process, which establishes consistent limitations, and consequences clearly understood by students and parents and reinforces with appropriate action when students do and do not respond to those expectations.

 

For the specific behavior policy for middle school students, please see Addendum at the end of the handbook entitled “Middle School Behavior Management”.

 

Harassment Policy

Harassment will not be tolerated on school property or at school-sponsored activities and

Shall be cause for appropriate disciplinary action.  Harassment includes, but is not limited to harassment on the basis of race, religion, sex, national origin, disability, parental or marital status, age, or physical appearance. Harassment by parents, vendors, and others who come into our school is also prohibited.  Incidences of probable harassment should be immediately reported to building principals.  Allegations of harassment will be promptly and reasonable investigated by the District.  For additional information refer to policy JBN/GBN- Harassment.  Forms for written complaints of harassment are included in the handbook and/or may be picked up at any school office.

Complaints

Complaints are handled and resolved as close to their origin as possible.  The Board advises the public in policy KL-Public Complaints that proper channeling of complaints involving instruction, discipline, and/or learning material is as follows:

1.      Teacher

2.      School Principal

3.      Superintendent

4.      Board

 

Any complaints about district personnel will be investigated by the administration before consideration and action by the Board.  The Board will not hear charges against employees in open session.  All complaints must be filed under the policies and producers as listed.  For additional information refer to policy KL-Public Complaints, KLB-Instructional Materials, and KLD-Personnel.  Complaints forms are included in the handbook and/or may be picked up at any school office.

Dress Code

Students attending school are expected to be neat and clean in appearance, and be appropriately dressed for any activity.  The following are not acceptable for school:

 

1.      Sagging pants will not be allowed.  The crotch of pants must be above fingertip level

when hands are held at sides of body.  Pants need to be worn at the hipbone or higher and must fit the waist or hip area where worn.  Oversized pants are not acceptable.

 

2.      No shirts can be buttoned with one button just at the collar.

 

3.  Belts are to be worn in the belt loops.  No part of the belt should be hanging below the waist.

 

4. Overcoats and outside coats are not to be worn in class.  Please keep them in your locker during the day. We encourage students to keep sweatshirts or sweaters at school for wearing when they are cold.

 

5.  Hats can be worn to school but need to be put in lockers and remain there until school is dismissed.   On Fridays that are designated as hat days students may wear hats.

 

6.  Overalls must have the straps fastened on the shoulders.

 

7.      Pajamas are not to be worn to school except on designated “pajama days.”

 

8.  Underwear is not to be visible and sufficient clothing is required to ensure it is not.

 

9.  Backless dresses, tank tops, tube tops, tops or dresses with spaghetti straps, T-shirts or blouses that expose the midriff, halters or cutoffs, Spandex, T-shirts or other items with pictures, phrases or captions which are objectionable and/or not in good taste.

 

10.  Shoes or sandals are to be worn at all times.

 

11. Shorts and skirts must come below the fingertips of the student’s downwardly stretched arm.          

 

12.  In the event dress and/or grooming is considered potentially disruptive to the                          learning process, the student will be asked to change into appropriate clothing.

Note: This list is subject to revisions throughout the school year.  Notifications of any changes will be made to students and parents.

  

                                                                              

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

 

For a copy of this information or a full version of the District’s Electronic Communications Systems policy & AR, go to district’s website at www.nsantiam.k12.or.us  Click on NSSD Policies, and follow the direction from there to view policy code: IIBGA-AR      

 

General Use Prohibition/Guidelines/Etiquette

Operation of the district’s system relies upon the proper conduct and appropriate use of system users. Students, staff and others granted system access are responsible for adhering to the following prohibitions and guidelines, which require legal, ethical and efficient utilization of the district’s system.  You are responsible for making sure your login and password work at the beginning of the school year; failing to do so will not be an excuse for incomplete homework or testing.

 

Prohibitions:  Conduct

A.     Attempts to degrade, alter, disrupt or vandalize the district’s equipment, software, materials or data or those of any other use of the district’s system or any of the agencies or other networks connected to the district’s system. 

B.     Attempts to evade, change or exceed resource quotas or disk usage quotas;

C.     Attempts to send, intentionally access or download any text file or picture or engage in any communication that includes material which may be interpreted as:

1.       Harmful to minors;

2.       Obscene or child pornography as defined by law or indecent, vulgar, profane or lewd as determined  by  the district;

3.       A product or service not permitted to minors by law;

4.       Harassment, intimidation, menacing, threatening or constitutes insulting or fighting

       words, the very expression of which injures or harasses others;

5.       A likelihood that, either because of its content or the manner of distribution, it will cause a material or substantial disruption of the proper and orderly operation of the school or school activity;

6.  Defamatory, libelous, reckless or maliciously false, potentially giving rise to civil liability, constituting or promoting discrimination, a criminal offense or otherwise violates any law, rule, regulation, Board policy and/or administrative regulation.

 

Guidelines/Etiquette:   Users

A.     Respect other people’s time and cyberspace. Use real-time conference features, such as talk/chat/Internet relay chat only as approved by the system coordinator or teacher. Avoid downloading excessively large files. Remain on the system long enough to get needed information then exit the system. Act as though every byte sent costs somebody time and money, because it does;

B.     Communicate only with such users and/or sites as may be authorized by the district; 

C.     Report violations of the District’s policy and administrative regulations or security problems to the supervising teacher, system coordinator, or administrator, as appropriate.

 

Violations/Consequences:  Students

1.    Students who violate general system user prohibitions shall be subject to discipline up to and including expulsion and/or revocation of district system access up to and including permanent loss of privileges;

2.    Violations of law will be reported to law enforcement officials; and

3.  Disciplinary action may be appealed by parents, students and/or a representative in accordance with established District procedures.

 

           

Sublimity Middle School

Behavior Management and Discipline Policy

 

Discipline:  “To Teach”

 

The overriding goal of the Sublimity Middle School Discipline Policy is to create an environment where student learning occurs.  Students will learn about themselves as they suffer consequences and grow through the experience.   Even more important is that the enforcement of the following policy will create an environment that is safe, orderly and allows all students to learn.           

 

Misbehaviors will be divided into different levels as explained in the following pages:

 

Level I:  Minor Misbehavior

 

Includes:         First time offenses, unsafe behavior, talking without permission, off-task behavior, loud voice in hall or restrooms, gum chewing, hats in the building, inappropriate dress, lateness for class.

 

Response:       Reminding student of the rule, asking if student needs assistance, removal of student to another area for problem solving.

 

Level II:  Intermediate Misbehavior

 

            Includes:         Repeated minor offenses, insubordination, not serving detentions,

                                    Play fighting, teasing, name calling, offensive language, dangerous

                                    Playground behavior, excessive tardies.

 

Response:       Student may receive a citation up to misconduct referral, parent meeting or in-school suspension for repeated behaviors or a specific serious incident.

 

Level III:  Severe Misbehavior

 

Includes:         Openly defiant and/or disrespect of school authority making it impossible to follow the regular discipline plans of the school.

                                    Not attending an assigned detention.  Using profanity or an illegal gesture at a student or adult. 

                                    Assaulting another student.

                                    Illegally leaving campus.

                                    Vandalism of school or personal property.

                                    Skipping class

                                    Fighting

                                    Forgery

                          Gang-Related activity including suspected involvement in gang activity, flashing gang signs, and gang related activities such as recruitment.

Response:      The principal will handle Guidance and correction of severe misbehaviors.  Severe misbehavior will result in written or verbal parent contact.

 

                                    Students who engage in Level III behaviors will be handed consequences ranging from In-School Suspension up to Expulsion. 

 

Level IV:        Harassment

 

Includes          Unwanted verbal of physical conduct designed to embarrass, distress, agitate, disturb or trouble another person on the basis of race, religion, sex, national origin, disability, parental or marital status, age or physical appearance.

 

Response        Guidance and correction of harassment misbehaviors will be handled by the principal.  Harassment misbehaviors may result in verbal parent contact or a staffing and may be reported to law enforcement officials.  Consequences for the student or students will be given by the principal and may include detention up to expulsion.

 

Level V:          Weapons and Severe Misbehavior

 

Includes          Severe fights, possession of a weapon, possession or use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs, severe attendance problems, acts of violence or threatened acts of violence towards another student or staff member

 

Response        Will be handled by the building principal.  A conference with parents will occur before a student may re-enter school.  Actions may include Out of School Suspension from 1-5 days, recommendation for placement in PEAK Alternative School, or a recommendation for expulsion.     

 

Consequences Defined:

 

            Citation:

May be written by all Sublimity Middle School Staff.  Will result in detention at the following rate: 

                        1^st  Citation:  15 minutes detention

                        2^nd Citation:  30 minutes detention

                        3^rd Citation:  45 minutes detention

                        4^th Citation:  1 hour detention

                        5^th Citation:  Parent Conference and/or ISS

 

            Misconduct Referral:

May be written by staff that observes or becomes aware of an incident involving student misconduct.  Consequences resulting from a misconduct referral may range from detention up to and including Out-of-School Suspension or Expulsion.

 

In-School Suspension:

Will be assigned by the principal.  Will be assigned as soon as possible

after the school becomes aware of the behavior which warrants the consequence.

ISS will be served in the middle school office under the supervision of the office

Staff.  Work will be given by teachers for the student to work on.  Students in ISS

Will not be eligible to participate in any sporting events scheduled for the day,

Although they may practice.

 

Out-of School Suspension:

The student will remain at home for the number of days designated by the principal.

Suspended students may neither practice nor participate in games scheduled for

days during which they are suspended.  The student may not come onto campus for

Any reason on the day they are suspended.

 

Expulsion:

For extremely serious violations of school and district policy, students will be put up

For expulsion.  Students will be suspended from school pending the hearing.

Behaviors that will result in expulsion are:

                                    Severe attendance problems

                                    Possession of a weapon as defined in district policy

                                    Possession of alcohol, tobacco or drugs

 

PEAK Alternative School Placement:

Students who are expelled may be placed at the district’s Alternative Education

Program.  Students may also be placed in Alternative School if they consistently fail

to progress in the school curriculum due to attendance or lack of effort.