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Middle School 
Middle School Handbook Middle School Curriculum Sixth Grade Course of Study: All sixth graders will be enrolled in the classes listed below. Seventh Grade Course of Study: All seventh graders will be enrolled in the classes listed below. Eighth Grade Course of Study: All eighth grades will be enrolled in the classes listed below. Admissions and Placement Academics A+ 97.5-100% Academic Honors: At the end of each semester students will be recognized for various levels of academic success. Recognition is divided into three categories as follows: Honors: 87% - 89% Achievement Award – Students will also be recognized for significant improvement each semester regardless of their grade point average. Academic Probation: At the end of each quarter a review of student grades will be made. A student will be placed on academic probation if the student's quarter average falls below 70% average in all core subjects (Math, Science, English, Social Studies, Spanish) or the student receives two or more failing grades in any class. Should this occur, a conference with the student and parents will be held to determine the criteria for the probationary contract. At the end of the quarter the student's progress will be re-evaluated and the probationary contract may be revised, or the student may be returned to good standing. A student who remains on academic probation for three consecutive quarters will be recommended to the Board of Directors for dismissal from ACS. If a student is placed on academic probation more than four times during his/her middle school years, the student will also be recommended to the Board of Directors for dismissal from ACS. Everything possible will be done to help students succeed at ACS. However, it is ultimately the student’s job to set high academic standards and do his/her best to achieve them. Academic Support: Happy Hour is where students can come to a quiet place and get work done with assistance from teachers. Happy Hour is required for those students whose previous week’s grades show that they have one failing grade or more than one D in any class. The last two weeks of each semester, this requirement is revised to the following: students with one D or F in any class will be required to attend Happy Hour. Drop-ins are welcome and encouraged. It begins at 3:15 p.m., and most students will serve Happy Hour from Monday through Thursday. There will be some instances where students will be required to serve HH on Friday as well. Final Exams: Final exams in grades 6-8 are not given, with the exception of Algebra 1 students. Final tests or projects may be given and will be graded as part of the regular marking period. Homework: Homework is an important part of the academic program at ACS and is considered an extension of the classroom. In most classes, students will be assigned regular homework and may have the opportunity to begin assignments in class. Students should expect to spend a significant amount of time each school day completing homework (see guidelines below). Parents should check the student's agenda regularly, and may consult with individual teachers about the frequency of homework. Sixth Grade Daily Average: 1.0 - 1.5 Hours Homework assignments are often long range projects with a due date set well in advance. Other assignments will include studying for upcoming tests and quizzes. Students should attend to these on a daily basis and not expect to complete them at the last minute. Students with excused absences will be given the opportunity to make up exams and oral presentations when they return to school. Students who are absent are responsible for obtaining their assignments from their teachers the day they return to school from being absent. Teachers will allow a reasonable amount of time for the completion of daily homework, generally equal to the number of days absent. Long range projects are always due on the designated day, unless prior arrangements have been made by the student and parent. Tests are generally made up the day the student returns to school. Late Assignments: Daily homework that is incomplete or not submitted on time will receive no credit and a zero (0) grade. Long term projects will be marked as follows: 25% off if not turned in at the beginning of the period; 50% off if turned in one day late; 0% if turned in two days late. If a student receives a zero (0%) on a major assignment parents will be notified and a parent/student conference may be scheduled. Teacher's Grading Policy: Teachers will evaluate student progress in a variety of ways. Students can expect teachers to use the following GENERAL criteria when determining a student's grade: Projects and/or tests 40% Student Agenda: Students are expected to come to school prepared to learn. As with most jobs, a few tools are required each day to help the student succeed. These are: binders and notebooks, books, paper, writing utensils, calculator and most important of all, the student agenda. At the beginning of the year, all students will receive an agenda for recording assignments. Because the agenda is such an important tool for success, middle school teachers will monitor that it is being used in all classes. Parents should also monitor their child's use of the agenda and can also use the agenda to communicate in writing with teachers. General Supply Needs: At the end of each year, students will be provided with a list of supplies needed for grades 6, 7 and 8. New students receive this list at the time of enrollment. This list is also made available at various parent activities or may be picked up in the office. General Information No more than 2 excused absences per month Students who qualify for a lunch pass may only be picked up by their parents or driver to have lunch in their own home. A student may become ineligible at any time during a quarter if any one of the above requirements are not met. During lunchtime students may be in a teacher’s classroom under the teacher’s supervision. Otherwise the area around the middle school lockers is off limits from 1:15 - 1:50. Lockers: Students will be assigned lockers and will purchase locks from the Business Office. To prevent problems students may not share lockers or the combination to their lock. Other helpful hints include: turn the dial of your lock after closing it, do not leave money or valuables in lockers, and report losses or problems with lockers to the Middle School Coordinator or Secondary Office immediately. Writing on or vandalizing lockers in any way is prohibited and students are expected to keep the locker area neat and clean. Except for items brought to class, students must put all belongings INSIDE the lockers. Items Not Appropriate for School: Problems arise when students bring items to school that may be hazardous or interfere with instruction. Items such as toys, cellular phones or other electronic devices distract from the learning process and are subject to theft. These items are best left at home. If they are brought to school, they are to be turned off while on campus. Any of the above items will be confiscated if found in use, or heard on campus during the school day. In addition, hats and sunglasses are not allowed to be worn in the classroom. Hats may be worn during P. E. classes. Textbooks: Textbooks and library books must be kept clean and are to be handled properly. All textbooks must have protective covers. Textbooks and library books are the direct responsibility of the student to whom they are issued. Students will be expected to pay for any lost, stolen, or damaged books. Visitors: Parents are welcome to visit our school. Parents should make arrangements with the office at least one day in advance of classroom visitations. Middle school students are not allowed to bring visitors to class. Medication: Medication can be administered to a student during the school day only at the request of the student's parents and physician. The doctor should indicate in writing the necessity for the medication to be taken. Parents must also authorize in writing that school personnel may administer or supervise medication taken by a student in the prescribed dosage. Medication should not be kept in lockers and must be stored in the Nurse's Office. Daily Bulletin: Each day a list of announcements is read to students during the first period. These daily announcements describe the upcoming activities in which students can participate. It is important that students listen carefully to the announcements every day. Counseling Services: The Middle School Counselor, Middle School Coordinator, and middle school teachers are available to help students with academic, personal or social problems. Student communications with all school staff are confidential. Students may request an appointment before school, during brunch, at lunchtime or after school. When emergencies arise, counseling services are immediately available. Parents may arrange a conference by calling the Secondary Office. Parent Support: The Parent Forum has been established to offer parents support from each other and from teachers concerning adolescent issues. At these monthly meetings, the importance of student activities are also emphasized and some parents may volunteer to lead weekly, monthly, or quarterly activities for middle school students and their families. We are looking into providing further support by starting a Parent Center where parents can have access to information which may address all questions or concerns they may have regarding parenting and education. More information will be forthcoming regarding the Parent Center. Library Media Center: Library hours are: 7:30 - 5:00 Monday through Thursday The library is a place to study, read, inquire, seek, and learn. To maintain this atmosphere for all, students are expected to work quietly. Students using the library during class times will need to request a pass from their teacher. Students using the library at other times (before school, brunch, lunch, etc.) may do so as long as appropriate conduct is observed. Book bags, backpacks, food and drink must be left at the door. Students are able to make up to 5 photo copies at no charge when they come to the library with their class. Copies made after that will be charged at the rate of 10 centavos per copy. There is a limit of 25 copies per student per visit. Books are checked out for a 2 week period and, so that there will be enough resources for all, there is a limit of 3 books per topic which can be checked out to a student. Books from the Reference section have an overnight only checkout. Periodicals may be checked out for a 3 day period with a limit of two periodicals per student. There is a 50 centavos per day fine on all overdue materials. Students with overdue or lost books lose the privilege of checking out books until the book is returned and/or the fine is paid. Students with library fines or overdues at the end of the semester will not take final exams or receive report cards until the fines are paid. Student Conduct Excellent schools, with high expectations for behavior and academic achievement, are schools that emphasize positive conduct and safety on campus. Therefore, our responsibility is to clearly define for students what behaviors are expected of them, and to model these behaviors at all times. Staff members will consistently reinforce student behaviors that demonstrate dignity and respect for others. We are proud of our middle school students and recognize that they try to conduct themselves appropriately most of the time. In order to further encourage positive behavior we have developed a code of conduct that all students and adults are expected to follow. Minor infractions include, but are not limited to: disrespectful behavior, inappropriate behavior with substitute teachers, tardies, swearing, cutting in lines, littering, talking in class, writing on desks, minor graffiti (as in the bathrooms), writing in textbooks, unsportsmanlike conduct. 1st Offense: Student will be counseled and/or receive a verbal warning from the teacher. Major infractions include, but are not limited to: fighting, cheating, truancy, vandalism, theft, forgery, public disrespect, alcohol, smoking and drug policy violations. Also any actions that put in jeopardy the safety and well-being of others. 1st Offense: Student will be referred to the principal. Disciplinary Probation Policy: Students whose attitude and actions are determined to be significantly and/or consistently detrimental to the school’s reputation and climate of the campus may be placed on Disciplinary Probation. Students placed on Disciplinary Probation will be required to demonstrate improvement during a period of time determined by the principal. If students are unable to improve/change, they will be recommended for expulsion. Alcoholic Beverages, Smoking and Drugs: We take pride in our student body and believe that the students' actions and activities reflect on the school as an institution. Tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and/or drugs are dangerous for the body and have a negative influence on student's behavior and performance. The use of any tobacco products or alcoholic beverages is not allowed on campus, on field trips, or within a one-block radius of the school. Involvement with drugs, its possession or use, either on campus or off the school campus is considered a major offense and may be punishable by expulsion on the first offense. (revised by the School Board, March, 2000) Academic Honesty: ACS students are expected to do their own work at all times. It is important that students understand what academic dishonesty (cheating) is, and how it will be handled by teachers. Cheating is: 1. Any talking or exchanging information during a quiz or exam. Any breaches of personal integrity outlined above are considered major infractions of school rules, will be taken very seriously by teachers and administrators, and will result in the student receiving no credit on the assignment or test, parent contact and conference, and referral to the principal. Dress Code: ACS is a private school which caters to the needs of students from many nationalities. The aim of our dress code is to offer students the opportunity to use good judgment while remaining sensitive to the varied points of view of many of our school families. The following guidelines are to be followed: Dress should be appropriate for school and not detract from our academic purpose. Avoid wearing articles of clothing or jewelry that advertise or promote the drug culture, alcohol, tobacco products, profane language, or other negative attitudes or aspects of society. The administration will advise students and censor articles deemed inappropriate for school. Suspension: An action taken by the principal that may range from one to ten days out of the regular school program. Suspension from a class or classes may be in-school, where the student will come to school prepared to work independently in a quiet study room from 8:20 - 3:05. The student is given all homework, tests, and quizzes to work on during this time and receives full credit for work completed. With out-of-school suspension the student is responsible for all materials covered in class but will receive no credit for assignments, quizzes, or tests collected on those days. Attendance Expectations Regular attendance is essential for student success. When students are not in attendance they miss more than just the assignment or information that was given. The rest of the class is affected negatively and they miss out on the unique contributions that the absent student would have brought to the class. In order for a student to receive credit for a class, s/he must be in attendance a minimum of 90% of school days each semester. Exceptions to this policy must be recommended by the principal and approved by the Superintendent and the Board of Education. Because students should not be present in school when to do so would endanger their health and that of others, students with excused absences will be given the opportunity to reschedule exams and oral presentations when they return to school For absences which are excused, students will be given the opportunity to make up missed daily work during a period of time assigned by the teacher. Normally this means that if a student is absent two days, two days will be given to complete missed daily work. For long term assignments, the teacher has the right to adhere to a given deadline. These expectations will be clearly stated both verbally and in writing to students at the start of each semester. For an extension of a long term deadline, parents must contact the teacher directly on or before the due date. Excused absences include illness, death in the family, family emergency, college interviews, national or international tournaments. For absences which are not emergencies, students must complete a homework sheet before missing school, in order to have the absence considered excused. Homework sheets may be picked up from the high school secretary. For absences which are unexcused, students will not be given the opportunity to make up missed work and will receive a zero for work assigned/completed during the unexcused absence. Students expecting to take extended trips should understand the following consequences. First, the school policy of 90% attendance for each semester is in effect. Second, students whose grades are not above a C in all classes will not be given excused absences. Trips and extracurricular activities should not put the student in jeopardy of falling below a C average in classes. Pre and Post Holiday Absences: In order to maximize student/teacher contact, and prevent teaching opportunities lost because of partial class attendance, there will be no excused absences without a doctor’s note for the 2 days immediately preceding and following a school holiday. Truancy: Skipping a class or classes will result in an unexcused absence. The student will also be referred to the principal for further disciplinary measures. Tardy Policy (revised by the School Board, March, 2000 and revised to be appropriate for the Middle School, May, 2001): Tardiness interrupts the instructional process and is a classroom management problem. Tardiness is defined as NOT being in your seat and ready to work BEFORE the bell rings. The first few times a student is tardy to class will result in consequences assigned by the classroom teacher. The fifth tardy in any class during a marking period will result in a referral to the principal. Students who are excessively tardy to a class may also receive consequences that include, but are not limited to, detention, parent conference, suspension, contract, or referral to the Superintendent . Students who are more than 10 minutes late to class will be marked absent for the period. Neither the teacher nor the other students will accept repeated interruptions in the class period due to students arriving late. American Cooperative School Code of Behavior The responsibility for the basic behavior development rightfully belongs with the individual and his or her parents. Parents have an obligation to assist the school in promoting and maintaining positive social and moral standards of conduct both on and off campus. Ultimately students must assume responsibility for their own behavior. They are expected to obey all rules and regulations set forth in the ACS Student's Rights and Responsibilities. 1. IT'S YOUR RIGHT: YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: 2. IT’S YOUR RIGHT: YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: 3. IT’S YOUR RIGHT: YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: 4. IT’S YOUR RIGHT: YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: 5. IT’S YOUR RIGHT: YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: 6. IT’S YOUR RIGHT: YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: 7. IT’S YOUR RIGHT: YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: 8. IT’S YOUR RIGHT: -Avoid chatting and gaming and be aware that these activities are only permitted with specific permission. Students Activities Eligibility: In order to participate in any school sponsored activity the following rules will apply: Students must maintain a 70% average in all core subjects (Math, Science, English, Social Studies, Spanish) with no "F" grades in any class. An eligibility grade check will be made at the mid-term and the end of each quarter. If a student falls below this minimum standard they are still eligible for practice or rehearsals (but not games or performances). If the game or performance is part of a class which will be graded, the teacher in charge of the class will have the final decision as to whether the student will participate or receive an omit. Illness on the day of a school activity: Students who are absent from school on the day of an activity that takes place after school hours may not participate in that activity. Current Athletic schedule: 1st semester - Boys and Girls Soccer 2nd semester - Boys and Girls Basketball Both Semesters - Cheerleading If you would like to learn more about the American Cooperative School, please contact: jwalker@acslp.org |
