I, _________________________, have received, (print student name) read, understand, and will comply with the guidelines stated in the 2013 – 2014 BPMS Student Handbook. ___________________ Student Signature __________ Date As the parent(s)/guardian(s) of _____________________, we (student name) acknowledge that our child has read and understands the policies in the 2013-2014 BPMS Student Handbook. ___________________ __________ ___________________ __________ Parent/Guardian Signature Parent/Guardian Signature Date Date 1 2 Buffalo Prairie Middle School Student and Parent Handbook Table of Contents Welcome to BPMS 4 School Calendar / Bell Schedules 5 BPMS/ DCR1 Mission & Vision Statements 6 Enrollment at BPMS 7 Daily Operations at BPMS 8 Academics 9 Promotion/Retention Policy 10 School Attendance 10 Food Service/ Safety 13 Wellness/ Health Services 14 Student Responsibilities/ Code of Conduct 17 Student Dress Code 19 Student Discipline 21 Student Activities 25 Parent Involvement 26 Additional District Policies 26-32 Transportation Handbook 33-43 3 Dallas County R-I School District Mission Statement Working together to educate tomorrow’s citizens for life-long success in an ever-changing society. Dallas County R-I School District Vision Statement Communities dedicated to the success of all students. Welcome to Buffalo Prairie Middle School We at Buffalo Prairie Middle School are proud to have you as part of our student body. The Dallas County School District would like to welcome you to middle school. Our middle school for fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders is designed for students who are changing from childhood to adolescence. We believe that we have an excellent school, and we invite you to explore the academic and co-curricular opportunities that we make available. The purpose of this handbook and the enclosures you will find herein is to help you understand the policies and procedures that we follow at Buffalo Prairie Middle School. This handbook does not cover every situation, which may occur; however, you will find answers to most of the questions that may arise. Much of this handbook and many of the enclosures are taken directly from the Board of Education Policies and Procedures Manual. The primary purpose of the policies approved by the Board of Education is to help establish and maintain a safe, friendly, and enjoyable school environment at Buffalo Prairie Middle School. A copy of the Board of Education Policies and Procedures Manual may be found in the office of the middle school principal and/or the office of the superintendent of schools. We hope you will become involved in the wide selection of activities that we will be offering this school year. Congratulations on making Buffalo Prairie Middle School your school. Remember- “THERE’S NOTHING BETTER THAN BEING A BISON.” Best Wishes for a Great School Year, Matt Nimmo Middle School Principal matt.nimmo@bisonpride.org Tim Garber Middle School Assistant Principal tim.garber@bisonpride.org Buffalo Prairie Middle School 926 W. Truman Street Buffalo, Missouri 65622 417-345-2335 4 SCHOOL CALENDAR 2013-2014 August August August August August 8-9 12-13 13 14 15 New Employee Orientation Teacher Workshops Open House 6:00 – 8:00 PM NO SCHOOL FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL September 2 NO SCHOOL: Labor Day October 11 October 17 October 18 November 1 November 27-29 FIRST QUARTER ENDS - (41 DAYS) Early Dismissal: 1:15 PM – Parent Teacher Conferences 2:00 – 4:00 PM and 5:00 – 8:00 PM NO SCHOOL: Parent Teacher Conferences – 8:00 AM- Noon No school – Professional Development for Teachers NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving Break December 20 Dec. 23 - Jan. 3 Early Dismissal 1:15 - SECOND QUARTER ENDS – (45 DAYS) NO SCHOOL: Christmas Break January 6 January 20 Classes Resume NO SCHOOL: Martin Luther King Day February 14 February 17 No School: Professional Development Day for teachers NO SCHOOL: President’s Day March 7 THIRD QUARTER ENDS – (42 DAYS) March 17 – 21 NO SCHOOL: Spring Break April 18-21 May 21 No School – Easter Break Early Dismissal – 1:15 Last Day of School FOURTH QUARTER ENDS (46 DAYS) Teacher Workday Graduation May 22 May 23 Late Start Wednesday Early Dismissal Schedule Daily Schedule 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7 th 8 th Bison Time Period Period Period 5th Grade Lunch Period 7th Grade Lunch 6th Grade Lunch 8th Grade Lunch Period Period Period Building Opens – 8:25 1st Bell – 8:40 8:05 – 8:40 8:44 – 9:31 9:35 – 10:22 10:26 – 11:13 2nd 3rd 4th 10:50 –11:13 11:17 –12:32 5th 11:17 – 11:40 11:43 – 12:06 12:09 – 12:32 12:36 – 1:23 1:27 – 2:14 2:18 – 3:05 6th 7 th 8 th No Bison Time Period Period Period 5th Grade Lunch Period 7th Grade Lunch 6th Grade Lunch 8th Grade Lunch Period Period Period 8:44 – 9:31 9:35 – 10:22 10:26 – 11:13 10:50 –11:13 11:17 –12:32 No Bison Time 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Period Period Period Period 8:05 8:42 9:19 9:56 6th Period 5th Grade Lunch 6th Grade Lunch Period 10:33 – 11:31 11:17 – 11:40 11:43 – 12:06 12:09 – 12:32 7th 12:36 – 1:23 1:27 – 2:14 2:18 – 3:05 5 8 th 7th Grade Lunch 8th Grade Lunch Period – – – – 8:38 9:15 9:52 10:29 10:42 – 11:05 11:08 – 11:31 11:35 – 12:33 11:35 – 11:58 12:10 – 12:33 12:37 – 1:15 DALLAS COUNTY R-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT AND BUFFALO PRAIRIE MIDDLE SCHOOL DALLAS COUNTY R-I SCHOOL DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Dallas County R-I School District is to work together to educate tomorrow’s citizens for lifelong success in an ever-changing global society. DALLAS COUNTY R-I SCHOOL DISTRICT VISION STATEMENT Communities dedicated to the success of all students. Philosophy We believe that everybody is somebody. This philosophy requires that there be a mutual respect of the rights of all students to learn without regard to race, creed, sex, religion, or ability. All students have the right to learn, and those that are a part of the learning environment should respect that right. Teachers will provide for individual differences within their curriculum, but the student must put forth the effort to take advantage of the teaching by actively participating in the learning process and not disrupting the learning of other students. Daily Classroom Expectations for BPMS 1. Students will be in their seats and ready to learn when the tardy bell rings. 2. Students will be prepared for class by having their supplies, books, completed homework, and planner. 3. Students will show respect toward their school and the people in the school. 4. Students will refrain from talking during active instruction and independent study. Building Goals To engender a respect for education and what it has to offer, the goals of Buffalo Prairie Middle School will be to provide students with: 1. experiences that nurture and promote a positive self-concept, self-reliance, and self-discipline in their personal life and academics 2. a balanced curriculum that includes language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education, technical education, exploratory curriculum, and fine arts 3. skills for success in goal setting, organization, critical/logical thinking, and decision making 4. social skills that will help them interact effectively, cooperatively, and respectfully 5. experiences that will develop and enhance communication skills 6. a realization of their responsibility as contributing members of society and the need for them to develop skills in interpersonal relationships 7. a structure for ongoing communication between the home and school that will promote parental involvement Communications It is important for ongoing communication between school and home among parents/guardians, teachers and administrators. A telephone call, email, newsletters, visits or a personal note is appropriate to communicate initial concerns about grades or behavior or to share successes. The principal sends out a monthly newsletter. We encourage parents to call the BPMS office at 417-345-2335 or stop by and visit with any questions or concerns. We also have a district webpage that has information regarding the district including the email addresses of our teachers. The site’s address is www.bisonpride.us. 6 ENROLLMENT AT BPMS New Students Enrolling In School - Transfer Students The following information is needed from all new students who are enrolling: 1. Up-to-date immunization record (state requirement for enrollment) 2. Grade card from previous district 3. Birth Certificate 4. Proof of residency 5. Discipline record from previous district 6. Address of the previous district with the name of the counselor or head administrator 7. Social Security Card New students to Dallas County will be placed in classes “on probation” based on the information provided by the student at entry. As soon as official records are received and evaluated, the student will be classified and placed in a class group and final classes. This placement will be based on need and Missouri and district requirements. Parents or legal guardians must accompany new students upon registration. Students who have attended Buffalo Prairie Middle School the previous year will be required to fill out enrollment forms. Every student will have the opportunity to visit with the counselors for advice and guidance involving choices for his/her program for the following year. Checking Out Of School - Withdrawal Students who must leave the Dallas County R-1 District for whatever reason will need to do the following: 1. Complete and leave a "check out" form with the office. 2. Take care of all financial obligations to the district. 3. Clean out their lockers. 4. Leave with the office their new home address and the address of the district where they will be attending Failure to follow this procedure will cause a delay in sending transcripts to the next school district. Scheduling For Classes During the spring semester, students will pre-enroll for classes for the following school year. Students will receive a packet of materials from the counselor that will include proposed course offerings and scheduling information. The counselors will discuss course options with the students and help them begin the scheduling process. Students should take this information home and discuss it with their parent or guardian. The forms must be completed, signed by the student and parent/guardians, and returned to the counselor at school. During this process, students will have an opportunity to indicate those courses in which they are interested. It is important for students to realize that this selection process for courses should be taken seriously, as the student may have to be content with a schedule composed of the selected courses. Students are expected to pick up their schedules during August enrollment along with the student handbook and locker assignment. There will be a window of time established for students who wish to change their schedule. After the student obtains a schedule, a completed schedule change form must accompany any requested change. These forms are available from the counselors’ offices. The student must obtain the signatures of the teacher whose class is being dropped, the teacher whose class is being added, and the counselor. Counselors, teachers, and administrators will evaluate reasons for requests for schedule changes by students. 7 DAILY OPERATIONS AT BPMS Daily Schedule 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5 th 6th 7 th 8 th Bison Time Period Period Period 5th Grade Lunch Period 7th Grade Lunch 6th Grade Lunch 8th Grade Lunch Period Period Period Late Start Wednesday 8:05 – 8:40 8:44 – 9:31 9:35 – 10:22 10:26 – 11:13 2nd 3rd 4th 10:50 –11:13 11:17 –12:32 5 th 11:17 – 11:40 11:43 – 12:06 12:09 – 12:32 12:36 – 1:23 1:27 – 2:14 2:18 – 3:05 Early Dismissal Schedule Building Opens – 8:25 1st Bell – 8:40 6th 7 th 8 th No Bison Time Period Period Period 5th Grade Lunch Period 7th Grade Lunch 6th Grade Lunch 8th Grade Lunch Period Period Period 8:44 – 9:31 9:35 – 10:22 10:26 – 11:13 10:50 –11:13 11:17 –12:32 No Bison Time 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Period Period Period Period 8:05 8:42 9:19 9:56 6th Period 5th Grade Lunch 6th Grade Lunch Period 10:33 – 11:31 11:17 – 11:40 11:43 – 12:06 12:09 – 12:32 7 th 12:36 – 1:23 1:27 – 2:14 2:18 – 3:05 8 th 7th Grade Lunch 8th Grade Lunch Period – – – – 8:38 9:15 9:52 10:29 10:42 – 11:05 11:08 – 11:31 11:35 – 12:33 11:35 – 11:58 12:10 – 12:33 12:37 – 1:15 Arrival at School – Building Hours The building will be opened at 7:40 a.m. each morning except on Wednesdays when we have a late start. Students should arrive at school no earlier than 7:40 a.m. unless specifically requested to do so by a teacher, or unless arrangements have been made through the school office. Students who arrive early will sit in the cafeteria or gym until the hall doors are opened at 8:00 a.m. Breakfast is served in the cafeteria between 7:40 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and 8:25-8:40 on Wednesdays. Students wishing to eat breakfast should go directly to the cafeteria for breakfast. Eating areas for all BPMS students are designated by grade level. Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students must have a tray in order to stay in the cafeteria. Upon arrival or after eating breakfast, students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades should go directly to the gym. Students who are in 5th grade will sit in their designated seating area of the cafeteria. At 8:00 a.m., students will be allowed to go to their first hour class. First hour will start at 8:05 a.m. Students will need to be in their first hour class by 8:05 a.m. or 8:45 on Wednesdays. School will be dismissed each day at 3:05 p.m. All students must leave the building by 3:30 p.m. every day unless parents have made special arrangements with the office. Arriving Late When arriving late, students need to report to the office to obtain an admit slip. Student Pickup From School Parents who wish to bring or pick up their children will need to do so in the east drop off zone. Only buses will be using the north parking area. The main entrance should be left accessible for buses only from 7:30 am to 8:15 am and 2:45 pm to 3:15 pm. After 3:20 pm parents should pick students up from the main entrance of the school. 8 Walking To And From BPMS Please notify the school if you are allowing your child to walk to and from school. Visitors All persons, other than students who are currently enrolled at Buffalo Prairie Middle School, are required to obtain a visitor’s pass from the office before seeing any student or faculty member. Students are not allowed to bring visitors to school with them during the school day. Anytime you would like to contact a staff member, please call the principal's office at 345-2335 and set up an appointment with the secretarial staff's assistance. Staff members have a planning period every day when they can conference with parents. ACADEMICS Grading System The Dallas County R-1 School System has adopted the following grading scale: A 94 – 100% B+ 87 – 89.9% C+ 77 – 79.9% D+ 67 – 69.9% A- 90 – 93.9% B 83 – 86.9% C 73 – 76.9% D 63 – 66.9% B- 80 – 82.9% C- 70 – 72.9% D- 60 – 62.9% F 0 – 59% Progress Reports and Grade Cards Progress reports are designed to inform students and parents of a failing or near failing grade. Progress reports will be sent out every third week of each quarter or upon request from a parent. Parents should contact the classroom teacher when their son/daughter receives a deficiency notice. Grade cards are issued or mailed to students one week after the close of the first, second, and third quarters. The fourth quarter grades will be mailed out to the parent one week after school is out. Parents are requested to study the grade reports of their children. If there are questions, please contact the office and set up a conference with your child's teacher(s). Parents and students are reminded that only the semester grades are entered onto the student's permanent record. Bison Time/Advisory Bison Time/Advisory is designed to provide students the opportunity to receive assistance in a smaller class size setting. Our staff will communicate to provide individualized assistance (targeted tutoring) to students in a designated area of need. Targeted tutoring will be utilized on an as needed basis and may involve a variety of teachers assigned to help the students throughout the school year. Tutoring Tutoring is offered by individual teachers on a predetermined basis. Please check our school website (www.bisonpride.us) to determine when tutoring is being offered. After school tutoring will run from 3:15 - 4:30 p.m. (except for the days there are an early out or inclement weather.) Students must bring a note from home giving permission to stay for tutoring. If a student does not have a note to stay, he/she must follow his/her regular schedule. Tutoring is designed to assist students who are having difficulty with any subject. Zeros Aren’t Permitted (ZAP) Mandatory Tutoring ZAP is designed to meet the needs of students who are not completing their daily assignments on a regular basis. A teacher or administrator may assign students to the ZAP program when they continue to show neglect toward their academic progress. The teacher who assigns a student to the ZAP program will fill out a ZAP form and attach it to the assignment to be completed. Unless turned in prior to the ZAP, the assignment will be completed during the designated ZAP time. ZAP’s can be assigned during Bison Time or after school. Quarterly Honor Rolls A Honor Roll – Any student who receives all grades in the A range. No grade can be lower than an A-. A/B Honor Roll – Any student who receives grades in the A and B range. No grade can be lower than a B-. 9 Finals Semester finals will be given at all grade levels and in all classes. Please note that the semester grade is the average of the previous two-quarter grades. Statewide Assessments – Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) Currently, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires that students take Statewide Assessments (MAP Tests) in Math and Communication Arts (Grades 5 – 8) and in Science (Grades 5 & 8). Given each spring, these tests are designed to measure the progress of students as well as to help determine the effectiveness of our schools. Although they do not count as part of your child’s grade, the importance of these tests cannot be overstated. Student results from the prior spring testing are available to parents at Parent-Teacher conferences in the fall. Teacher Support Team A group of teachers, counselors, and administrators will meet on a monthly basis to brainstorm strategies that will work on specific individual students who are at-risk academically or socially. After the teacher has exhausted every effort to intervene in the student’s struggles, he/she will bring the student’s problems before the team to come up with a collaborative effort to resolve the situation. Promotion/Retention Policy All fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade students must pass three (3) of the four (4) core requirements: Math, Science, Communication Arts, and Social Studies in each semester, and five (5) of the seven (7) total requirements in each semester to be promoted to the next grade level. Any student who fails to meet the above requirements must successfully complete Summer School to be promoted to the next grade. Failure to successfully complete summer school will result in the student repeating the current grade. If a student fails 3 or more core classes, he/she may attend summer school, but NOT for promotion purposes; the student will be retained in the current grade (Ref: Board Policy JECC) SCHOOL ATTENDANCE Dallas County R-1 School District Attendance Policy Excellent attendance is important to the academic learning of all students. In addition, attendance habits are formed during the students’ school years and many later attendance problems can be averted with intensive family and student interventions in school. Due to the negative impact that poor attendance has on academic success, the Dallas ‘County R-1 School District takes regular school attendance very seriously. The Missouri Compulsory Attendance Law requires that “A parent, guardian or other person... having charge, control, or custody of a child between the ages of 7 and 17 years of age or 16 high school credits, shall cause the child to attend regularly some public, private, parochial, parish, home school, or a combination of such schools not less than the entire term of the school which the child attends ...” (R.S.Mo.167.031). For these reasons, principals with the assistance of building staff will closely monitor and maintain records of student attendance and implement intervention strategies and other actions as follows: 1. When a student has accumulated five (5) absences, in any class period, in any semester, the principal or designee will notify the parent in writing. 2. When a student has accumulated seven (7) absences, in any class period, in any semester, the principal or designee will notify the parent in writing. The student will not receive credit for the class with the excessive absences. In addition, the parent and student will be required to meet with the principal or designee and the school social worker to determine the reasons for the 10 absences, inform the parent and student of the consequences of poor attendance, and create a plan to improve student attendance and for tutoring to recover their absences. If a parent and student are unable or unwilling to meet with school personnel it becomes the exclusive obligation of the parent to develop a plan to increase student attendance. 3. When a student has accumulated ten (10) absences in a semester the school principal or their designee will attempt to make an appointment with the family to meet at school or during a home visit with the absent student if the parent did not attend the seven (7) absences attendance planning meeting. In addition, a certified letter will be mailed to the student’s home to notify them that on their next absence during the semester their child’s attendance record will be forwarded to the Missouri Children's Division for consideration in relation to educational neglect. 4. When a student has accumulated eleven (11) absences in a semester the school principal or their designee will contact the Mo Children's Division Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline Unit at 1-800-392-3738 with a “Hotline Call” reporting educational neglect. The school principal should maintain a record of all letters mailed and contacts made to parents in relation to a student’s attendance and their record may be shared with appropriate law enforcement agencies and the Missouri Children's Division. When a student has accumulated twelve (12) absences in a semester the school principal or their designee will notify the county prosecutor of the student’s residence of their status as chronically absent from school and will provide the prosecutor with a full record of any communication made with a parent in relation to their child’s attendance and a notice in relation to previous communication with the Missouri Children's Division concerning the case. Any or all of these steps may be skipped if the families have a prior history with the Dallas County Schools or evidence of neglect is discovered. Communication with BPMS Office About Absences We request that parents/guardians call in by 9:00 A.M. when their child will not be in school due to illness or family business. Should you need to notify the school about your child’s absence, and it is before school hours, please contact your child’s school and leave a voice message. If you have not already made contact with the school regarding your child’s absence(s), please send a note with your child listing the reason for the absence when your child returns to school. Make sure your child takes all notes to his/her building secretaries and not to his/her classroom teacher. While it is important to communicate with your child’s classroom teacher, it is just as important in cases of absences to communicate with the building secretaries, as they are the ones that document all attendance. There will be days when the building secretaries will attempt to contact parents if a call is not made to the school to verify your child’s absence. If you know in advance that your child will be missing school, please contact the principal’s office secretaries. Remember, all absences must be verified. Alert Now Dallas County R-I Schools uses an automated messaging system called Alert Now for many different purposes, one of which is to notify you of a child’s absence that has been unreported. If you wish not to utilize this service, please contact the school office. BPMS School Building Attendance and Make-up Policy Regular attendance in each class is necessary for students to reach their full potential. Students who attend school on a regular basis make better grades, have higher levels of achievement, and are better prepared to pursue their careers after high school. For the student with frequent absences, the benefit 11 of regular classroom instruction is lost, cannot entirely be regained even by extra instruction, and generally only mediocre academic success can be achieved. The entire process of education requires continuity of instruction, classroom participation, learning experiences, and study in order to reach the goal of maximum educational benefits for each individual. The Buffalo Prairie Middle School has directed the implementation of the following attendance policy: 1. This policy designates ten (10) class periods/days of absences, excused and/or unexcused, in any class each semester as the maximum allowed for normal circumstances of regular school attendance. An absence is defined as more than 15 minutes missed from a 50-minute period. 2. Parents/guardians are responsible for notifying the principal’s office when their son/daughter is to be absent from school. When a student returns to school after an absence, he/she must present a written statement signed by a parent/guardian indicating the reason for his/her absence. Presentation of a statement signed by someone other than a parent/guardian will result in a disciplinary action. The writer, if another student, is also subject to a disciplinary action. 3. Students are ultimately responsible for obtaining and completing all missing work in a timely manner (2 days for each day missed) while absent from school. 4. Class work missed due to an out-of-school suspension can only be made up by completing assignments in a homework center/recovery setting. No work will go home. 5. After a student misses a class two (2) times in one semester, the social worker or office will notify the parent of the number of absences the student has accumulated. 6. School sponsored activities for which the student has been properly pre-excused are exempt from and will not pertain to this policy. However, each student will be required to make up, in a timely manner, all work missed because of the activity. 7. In-school suspension will not count as an absence from class. Any out-of-school suspension will count as an unexcused absence in all classes, and students may not participate in or attend any extracurricular activities during that suspension. 8. A student absent from school may not be a participant or attendee in school sponsored activities unless the student checks in before noon with the proper notification or the building principal was notified prior to the absence and the student was given authorization to check in after the noon deadline. 9. Extenuating circumstances such as chronic illness or hospitalization may be cause for consideration in extending the limit of allowed absences. The parents/guardians must direct any appeal concerning attendance decisions to the principal. Records for each student’s absences will be kept in the principal’s office, and it is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to provide accurate and specific information regarding each absence. Prolonged illnesses will require a doctor’s verification. In cases of extenuating circumstances such as chronic illness or hospitalization the services of homebound might be available. Please check with the principal to see if your child qualifies. Tardy Policy – per quarter a. b. c. d. e. f. 1st tardy – Verbal Reprimand 2nd tardy – Parent contacted by teacher through email, letter home, or phone call 3rd tardy – Teacher assigned After School Detention 4th tardy – Teacher assigned After School Detention 5th tardy – Write-up - ISS 6th tardy – Write-up - ISS or suspension Sweep Regular, unscheduled sweeps of the building by teachers and administrators will be made immediately after the tardy bell has rung. If a student is found in the hallway, after the tardy bell, without a pass or note from the teacher, the sweep team will bring the student to the office. The student will be given a pink SWEEP slip that includes an immediate consequence. The consequence will be determined by the amount of tardies he/she has received that quarter. 12 Truancy Truancy is when a student: 1. leaves the campus without permission from the office. 2. comes to school but does not attend any or all classes or authorized activities. 3. is somewhere other than school when parents think the student is at school. 4. brings a parent/guardian-signed note that is forged or sets forth an invalid reason for the absence. Students who are truant will only be allowed to make-up work missed during the truancy period by staying after school in order to make-up any work missed on the day or days they were truant. Excusing Children During School Hours Children shall not be permitted to leave school during school hours until the principal and/or office staff has been in direct communication with the parents or legal guardian. Students may leave only with a person named in the parent release file in the office. The student must be signed out in the office prior to leaving. Pupils are not allowed to leave campus during the noon hour or before or after school without special permission from the office or a note from home that has been verified by the teacher and principal. Unexpected School Closings Inclement weather sometimes causes school closings; during such weather, parents and students are urged to listen to local television and/or radio media. The superintendent notifies all communication media immediately after a decision has been made to close school. In addition, the Alert Now messaging system will contact those phones that have been registered to receive message alerts. When inclement weather causes school to be let out early, parents need to let their child as well as school officials know in advance where their child needs to go in situations where parents are not at home during the day time. This information should be on file with the transportation supervisor and with each school site’s administrative office. FOOD SERVICE Middle School Breakfast and Lunch It is very important that you place your child’s lunch money in a school-provided envelope with the front completed, detailing to whom and where the money is to be credited. Students whose accounts are past due in an amount of $5.00 or more will not receive a regular hot lunch until the account is under $5.00. Each student will have a student ID card that will be utilized daily for lunches and checking out library books. The first card is provided for each student free of charge. Without a student ID card, the student will go to the end of the line to receive their lunch. The ID card will be charged to his/her account if the student does not have $5.00. Due to state regulations, pop machines will not be available during breakfast or lunch; however, juice machines and milk machines will be available during breakfast and lunch. No food or beverages (except water purchased at school) are allowed outside of the cafeteria. No food or drink should be brought in large quantities such as 2 liter bottles or in restaurant packaging. Energy drinks are not permitted at school. Free and Reduced Lunches Families may leave a completed application for free and reduced lunches in the middle school office. The middle school will make approval or denial. After the application has been turned in to the office the family will receive notification of the decision of approval or denial. If you have not received this notification within five days, please contact the office. 13 Prices for school meals as of time of printing. (Prices subject to change based on board approval) Breakfast Prices Grades 5-8 Reduced Adult Extra Milk $1.10 $ .30 $1.10 $ .30 Lunch Prices Grades 5-8 $1.90 Reduced $ .40 Adult $2.25 Extra Milk $ .30 SCHOOL SAFETY Fire Drill In case of fire or a fire drill, remember these directions and your teacher’s directions precisely: the ALARM SIGNAL will be a SERIES OF SHORT BELLS and the ALL CLEAR SIGNAL will be ONE LONG BELL. All windows and doors must be shut. DO NOT use the windows for evacuation unless your classroom door is blocked by fire. Tornado Drills In the event of a tornado or a tornado drill, the signal will be ONE LONG CONTINUOUS RING of the school bell. Students will then take protective cover in designated areas in the school building. Earthquake Drill In the event of an earthquake or an earthquake drill, students and faculty will get under their desks and assume a protective position with their hands over their heads. Intruder Drill In the event of an armed intruder or an intruder drill, the school will go into lock down mode. Specific instructions will be given by the classroom teacher. WELLNESS Health Standards The school nurse, with the consent of the principal, may require a pupil suspected of having a disease or of being able to transmit a disease to be excluded from school according to school policy for prevention and control of communicable diseases. These students may also be required to be examined by a physician and to provide a written statement of health before returning to school. Any pupil not complying may be excluded from school. Children who become ill at school should be taken to the health office, and a decision will be made there as to calling a parent, doctor, etc. The decision regarding medical treatment should always be the responsibility of the parent. Only in cases of emergency will the school make this decision. In regards to health education, the school nurse or school officials reserve the right to require documentation form a physician to be excused from P.E. Lice Policy Dallas County Schools has a NO NIT policy for head lice. Students who are infested with lice, nits, egg cases or eggshells are not allowed to attend school. 14 School Insurance Supplemental insurance is available on a voluntary basis for each student in school. This insurance provides for coverage of injury while at school-sponsored events. Students are not covered under the insurance if they drive or ride with someone to and from school. They must be on the school bus to be covered. Hygiene Hygiene should be a matter of personal pride in oneself. Poor hygiene can affect the learning process of the student and the students around him/her. If BPMS staff feels a student’s hygiene is affecting learning, the student will be given the opportunity to take a shower or be given clean clothing. HEALTH SERVICES Dallas Co. R-I School District is served by Registered Nurses. Students who become ill or are injured are to report to the nurse’s office. When the nurse is not in, the student should report to the principal’s office. The school nurse also serves as the health counselor for our school. She has a vast resource of health services that are available to our students. ADMINISTERING MEDICINES TO STUDENTS With the exception of students in special education programs, or those with Section 504 Accommodation Plans, the school district is not obligated to supply or administer medication to children. However, the Board recognizes that some students may require medication for chronic or short-term illness during the school day to enable them to remain in school and participate in their education. Therefore, the Board directs the superintendent and nurse supervisor to establish procedures for the administration of medication for any student provided the following requirements are met. The administration of medications, including over-the-counter medications, is nursing activities which must be performed by a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse. A registered professional nurse may delegate and thereby will supervise the administration of medication by unlicensed personnel who are trained by the nurse to administer medications. The school will not administer any medication not FDA approved or doses exceeding the recommended dosages as listed in the Physician’s Desk Reference even though such a dosage is prescribed by a licensed physician. Aspirin will not be administered to any student even though prescribed by a physician. Prescription Medications: • The student’s physician shall provide the school with a written request that the student be given medication during school hours. The request shall state the name of the student, name of the drug, dosage, frequency of administration, how the medication is to be given and the doctor’s name. The prescription label will be considered an equivalent of the physician’s order for short-term medication. When possible, descriptions of any adverse effects and any applicable emergency instructions will be provided. • The parent/guardian will provide a written request that the school district comply with the physician’s request to give medication. The district will not administer the first dose of any medication. • The parent/guardian will supply the medication in a properly labeled container from the pharmacy with only those doses to be given at school, and with instructions for any special need for storage, e.g...refrigeration. The medication will be delivered to the school by the parent/guardian or other responsible adult. Medication supplies should not exceed a 30-day supply. • If there is a circumstance where the parent or guardian is absolutely unable to transport the medication to school, then the student will be allowed to transport the medication to the school nurse immediately upon arrival to school. 15 Self Administration of Medications: If a student’s parents provide the school a written signed request and a physician’s statement indicating it is medically necessary for the student to carry certain medication (e.g., asthmatics’ bronchodilator), then the student will be allowed to keep the specified medication with him or her to facilitate use. In such instances, the district does not assume responsibility for the medication or the student’s use of it. If a student who is allowed to carry medication with him/her is found to be abusing the district guidelines for appropriate use, then the student shall lose the right to carry medication and discipline will be given if necessary. Emergency Medications: The school district obtains a prescription and standing order from an area physician for an emergency medication (“sting”) kit containing epinephrine and/or an antihistamine for use in the event of anaphylaxis. If symptoms of anaphylaxis occur, the medication will be administered according to the instruction and events documented. A specific order from a student’s physician for the treatment of anaphylaxis in that particular student will be followed for that student instead of the general standing order. Non-Prescription Medication - School Personnel do not provide any non-prescription medications at any time. The school district is not obligated to administer medication to students at school. Therefore, the district retains the right to reject requests for medication administration. To protect the student’s health and well-being, medications being used inappropriately or those in unlabeled or improperly labeled containers or without appropriate instructions for administrations may not be given at school. Over-the-counter medications for colds, coughs, headaches, etc., will be given for ONE-WEEK ONLY, unless prescribed by a physician when accompanied by a written request from the parent or guardian. This request MUST include the date, dosage and time medication is to be given. All medicines must be properly identified and in manufacturers’ package. All remaining medication MUST be picked up by a parent or designated adult or sent home with student one week after the final date, or it will be destroyed. The preferred method for transporting medicine to school is for a parent or guardian to deliver the medicine directly to the school nurse’s office. If a student must carry the medicine to school, they are required to deliver the medication to the school nurse’s office immediately after arriving at school. MISCELLANEOUS Administering Medication: Medication brought to school according to the school’s guidelines will be stored in a secure location and administered by the school nurse, or other personnel who have been trained by the Registered Professional Nurse in the proper technique of medication administration. The Registered Professional Nurse or building administrator may delegate medication administration to unlicensed personnel, providing that they have been properly trained in accordance with written medication policy instructions. A record of the student’s name, name of the medication, dosage, date, and a time of administration is maintained. Administration of medicine will be the responsibility of the school only if the School Board’s Student Medication Policy is followed. Questions regarding further explanation of the Student Medication Policy may be directed to the principal or the school nurse. IMMUNIZATION RECORDS Students attending Dallas Co. R-I Schools must be immunized for polio, diphtheria, measles, rubella, tetanus, pertussis, mumps, and hepatitis B series as provided by law. It is the responsibility of the parent and student to keep the school informed as to updates on records. 16 Effective beginning the 1994-95 school year new changes must be enforced in the new immunization rule for school age children according to the Missouri Department of Health. The most impacting rule is the deletion of the 15-day grace period which allows a student to be “in progress” of getting their current immunizations. Now ALL students must present proof of up-to-date immunizations on or before the first day of school. The law still requires the documentation of all Religious Exemptions to Immunizations. We can no longer require parents to identify their religion when submitting their exemption on the new form. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND CODE OF CONDUCT Student Handbooks At the beginning of the school year, students will receive a complimentary student handbook. Every middle school student will be required to have a student handbook with them at every class. The handbook will be used as a communication tool between home and school; in turn, students will be responsible for recording daily assignments. Also handbooks will contain hall passes. Without a hall pass, a student may not leave the classroom unless an emergency arises. If a student loses his/her student handbook he/she will be required to purchase a replacement handbook from the middle school office. Lockers Seventh and eighth students will each have a locker assigned to them. Each student must see to it that his or her locker is locked and that no one else knows the combination. Seventh and eighth grade students are not allowed to share a locker with anyone unless designated to do so by the office. 7th and 8th grade students who are found sharing lockers will face disciplinary action that could include the loss of locker privileges. Fifth and sixth grade students will be assigned a locker by their homeroom teacher. Food and drinks, other than those that are part of a lunch brought from home, should not be kept in the locker. No open food or drink containers should be kept in the locker. Internet and Computer Access Buffalo Prairie Middle School offers access to networked computer resources to staff and students. The operation of the Internet depends heavily on the proper conduct of its users, who must adhere to strict guidelines. If a district user violates provisions outlined in the acceptable use policy, his/her access privileges will be terminated and future access will be denied. Some violations may result in legal action. Care of Books All books, which are the property of the school, should be kept in good condition. A fine or replacement cost will be charged for a book, which is lost or damaged. Please report all lost and defaced books to the teacher and/or principal. Care of School Property Each student is held responsible for the care of school property. All students found defacing property will be reported to the office. Students will be fined according to the amount of damage he/she has done. “Injuring school property, penalty—Every person who shall willfully injure or destroy any building used as a school house, or for other educational purposes or any furniture, fixtures or apparatus thereto belonging, or who shall deface, mar or disfigure any such building, furniture, or fixtures, by writing, painting, cutting or pasting thereon any likeness, figures, words, or devices shall be fined in a sum not less than ten dollars for each offense for writing, painting, cutting or pasting on any such building, furniture or fixtures any such words, figures, likeness or device, to recover by civil proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction in the name and to the use of the school district to which the property 17 may belong; and the punishment provided in this section to be in addition to and not in lieu of the punishments for each offense.” (R.S. 1929, S.B. 1041) Missouri School Laws, Section 166.040. Lost and Found Articles found on the school grounds should be taken to the office where they must be identified before the owner may receive them. Lost and found items will be taken to Good Will at the end of each semester if items are not claimed before that date. Students are advised to leave valuable items and large amounts of money at home. Library Hours: The library will be open Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. An Open Library will be offered through the 21st Century Learner’s Grant on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday of each week from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. Access: Students may come to the library before and after school and during their scheduled lunch periods by special permission only. During the school day, students need their planner books signed by a teacher before coming to use the library. Teachers are expected to issue only one name per pass. Students must sign in at the circulation desk. Students may come for research and recreational reading. Classes scheduled in the library for research are given first priority. Students are expected to work quietly the entire period, and will be sent back to class if the library is too crowded or if students behave inappropriately. Student ID Cards: Cards are issued yearly. Student ID Cards are required for book check out. Replacement cards are available from the school office for $5.00. A student using another person’s card will lose his/her circulation privileges. Circulation: Students may check out two (2) books from the library for a period of two (2) weeks. A book may be renewed indefinitely as long as there is not a reserve on it. The student must bring the book to the library to have it renewed. Books are to be returned to the library book drop located at the circulation desk. Students with overdue materials will not be allowed to check out any materials. Overdue Materials: Students are encouraged to return materials before they become overdue. Renewing a book is allowed if the student still needs to use it. If the student fails to return the book by the date due, overdue notices will be sent via the homeroom teacher. A $0.02 fine will be charged every day that the book is overdue. Lost or Damaged Items: Students must pay the replacement cost of the lost book. Students will also be charged for damage incurred to books. BULLYING/HAZING In order to promote a safe learning environment for all student, all forms of hazing, bullying, and student intimidation are prohibited. Students participating in or encouraging inappropriate conduct will be disciplined in accordance with policy JG-R. Bullying is defined as intimidation or harassment of a student or multiple students perpetuated by individuals or groups. Bullying includes, but is not limited to: physical actions, including violence, gestures, theft, or damaging property; oral or written taunts, name calling, put-downs, threats, extortion or threats of retaliation for reporting such acts. Bullying may also include cyber bullying or cyber threats. Cyber bullying is sending or posting harmful or cruel text or images using the Internet or other digital communication devices. Cyber threats are online materials that threaten or raise concerns about violence against others, suicide or self-harm. (Dallas Co. R-I Board Policy Manual, File: JFCF) Hazing is defined as any activity that a reasonable person believes would negatively impact the mental or physical health or safety of a student or put the student in a ridiculous, humiliating, stressful or disconcerting position for the purposes of initiation, affiliation, admission, membership or maintenance of membership in any group, class, organization, club, or athletic team including, but not limited to, a grade level, student organization, or school-sponsored activity. Hazing may occur even when all students involved are willing participants. (Dallas Co. R-I Board Policy Manual, File: JFCF) 18 Students who have been subjected to hazing or bullying are instructed to promptly report such incidences to school officials. Student Dress Code The manner in which a person dresses often affects the behavior and the quality of schoolwork produced by that student. There is no rigid dress code at Dallas County Schools. Therefore, since good judgment is important, students should consider carefully how they dress before going to school each day. Dress that is abbreviated, suggestive, or otherwise improper, based on local community standards of the school district, and/or has a detrimental effect on the learning environment will not be permitted. Students disregarding these policies will be expected to change or will face disciplinary action. ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· Hats shall not be worn in the building unless allowed for special events such as hat day. Students should not wear clothing that advertises drugs, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, or sex symbols. No clothing may be worn with obscene, vulgar, or violent slogans or pictures (explicit or implied). Shorts may be worn year round. (Administrative discretion may be used). Shorts, skirts, and dresses may be no shorter than the end of the student’s fingertips when arms are placed comfortably against their sides. Absolutely no pajama pants or sagging pants may be worn. No spaghetti straps, no midriffs, and no undergarments may be showing. Tops may not have revealing necklines. No cut out sleeves with excessive openings. Pants that have sizable or revealing holes above the knees may not be worn. Cutouts or tank tops must be worn with a t-shirt underneath. The following items are not allowed: billfold chains, trench coats, bicycle shorts, spandex or other compression-type shorts. Other questions or problems, which arise, will be left to the judgment of the principal. Gym Use and Proper Gym Wear All middle school students will be required to take physical education. 7th & 8th grade students must furnish their own gym shorts, shoes and tops. Shorts and tops must be an acceptable length with no holes and no advertisement for sex symbols, alcohol or tobacco. Shoes that are worn outside are not acceptable on the gym floor. 7th & 8th grade students who fail to “dress out” for PE will face disciplinary action. BPMS PE “No Dress” Policy 1st offense – 50% daily points, Written Assignment 2nd offense – 50% daily points, Written Assignment, Parent Notification 3rd offense – 50% daily points, Written Assignment, Teacher Assigned Lunch Detention 4th offense – 50% daily points, Written Assignment, Teacher Assigned Lunch Detention & Teacher Assigned After-school Detention 5th (plus) offense – Direct Office Referral *Refusal to participate will result in an automatic office referral and 0 points/grade for the day. Use of Telephone The phone is to be used only in the case of emergencies. Plans for your child’s day need to be made before your child leaves home. Students are strongly discouraged from using the telephone. It has been proven in the past that most telephone use by students is unnecessary at school. There have been incidents of prank calls made by students on school telephones, some involving emergency numbers. Emergency messages prior to 2:30 p.m. will be delivered to the students. Students must get permission from the principal to use the office phone. Cell Phones Students will be allowed to use cell phones during school hours. Students who bring cell phones to the school must keep them in their locker until school is let out. Students who violate this rule will face 19 disciplinary action. Cell phone use during passing, class time, lunchtime, morning/breakfast time, super social, etc. will not be permitted. Toys, Radios and CD/MP3 Players /IPOD, etc. The middle school strongly discourages all toys, radios, gaming devices, and CD/MP3/IPOD players to be brought to school. Such items can be lost or broken at school. If these items are brought to school, they need to remain in the student’s locker. In general, electronic devices of any kind are NOT allowed to be used during the school day (7:40 am to 3:05 pm - this includes during breakfast and lunch). The use of electronic devices in the classroom is left up to the discretion of the teacher and/or administration. If the items are out at other times besides the designated times or a disruption is caused due to the items, the item(s) will be taken to the office and disciplinary action will follow. If unclaimed at the end of the quarter, the item(s) will be donated to charity. In the event that any of the above mentioned items are lost, stolen or broken, it is the sole responsibility of the student. Trading and Selling There will be no trading and/or selling between students of any items, personal or otherwise, such as toys, games, cards, candy, etc. This includes, but is not limited to, items being sold by non-school organizations. All Yu-Gi-Oh/Pokemon type cards are prohibited at the BPMS. Alcohol and Drugs Any student caught with alcohol or drugs during school hours or any school-sponsored activity will have as a result, a severe disciplinary action. Results may be suspension from school and activities or possible expulsion from school. Weapons Knives, guns and/or other sharp objects considered dangerous are NOT to be brought to school and will result in a severe disciplinary action. STUDENT BEHAVIORAL INCENTIVES At Buffalo Prairie Middle School, several incentive programs are offered in order to encourage students to strive for excellence. The following incentives are offered at BPMS: Super Socials/Bison Field Trips – Once each quarter BPMS will recognize students who have demonstrated exemplary student conduct. Qualifications will be based on 95% attendance, 95% completion of all assignments on time, and no detentions or suspensions for the quarter. Super Social – an all-school social for the students held from 1:30-3:05. It will be the responsibility of the office to distribute the names of the students that will be participating in the super social. Students not participating in the super social will take a book or schoolwork to a classroom in the middle school building. Bison Field Trips - Students will have an opportunity to go to fun and/or educational trips to places such as Ha Ha Tonka, The Courts, or the Dalton Conservation Area. Students not participating in the Bison Trip will follow their regular day’s schedule. Positive Office Referrals - Students are able to earn Positive Office Referrals throughout the year. Positive Office Referrals are awarded when a teacher sees a student helping another student or teacher in need or conducting a good citizenship deed. When a referral is submitted, the student will be called to the office at which time he/she will be recognized for his/her good deed. The student will receive a copy of the reward and another copy will be posted on a bulletin board in the cafeteria. Student of the Month - Each month two students will be chosen from each grade level who have exhibited behavior that is synonymous with the character education word for each month. The students will be given gift certificates to a restaurant or taken to a local restaurant as well as have their pictures published in the newspaper. 20 Student Discipline Discipline is training that enables students to make appropriate choices in a climate of trust and support, always beginning with clear concise limits followed by appropriate consequences. Good discipline is essential to promote an atmosphere conducive to learning. Positive reinforcement of appropriate behavior is an important component of good discipline. Additionally, how we as adults respond to inappropriate behavior provides a model which students follow in their interactions with others. The goal for all of our students at BPMS is self-discipline. When a student fails to demonstrate self-discipline, we will step in to correct the behavior and get the student back on the path towards self-discipline. The principal and assistant principal of the school shall be directly in charge of the discipline along with the constant assistance of all faculty members. Proper order shall be maintained at all times. It is the duty of all teachers to cooperate with and assist the administration in every way with the maintenance of proper study and organized play. Students will show proper respect to all teachers and obey their instructions. Teachers are to maintain control of students both in and out of class. Students may be suspended from school by the principal for continually breaking rules and disrupting classes. Methods of Discipline *Teacher-student conference *Deprivation of privileges of preferred activities *Time-out in the classroom *Communication with parent via email, note, telephone, and/or conference *Referral to counselor *Referral to principal *Recess Detention [5th & 6th Grade] (issued by teacher or principal) *Lunch Detention (issued by teacher or principal) *After-school Detention (issued by teacher or principal) *In-School Suspension *Out-of- School Suspension *Corporal Punishment *Change of educational placement/alternative program Direct Referral - A direct referral is a situation that falls outside of the day-to-day management of the classroom teacher and requires immediate attention of the administration at BPMS. Behaviors such as major classroom disturbances, fighting, harassment, threats, etc., will be a direct referral. The staff member should complete an electronic referral form and email the form to the office when sending the student to the office. The office will print three (3) copies- one for the student, one for the office, and one for the teacher- so all those involved will know the outcome of the situation. In the office, the middle school principal will deal with the situation as needed. The principal will work with the student to discuss the consequence, communicate with the parent and monitor completion of the consequence. Teacher Issued Detentions – Teachers in each classroom will have the authority to issue detentions to students for infractions incurred in the classroom. Behaviors such as repeated tardiness, classroom disruption, disobedience, or disrespectful behavior can warrant a detention. Each teacher will document the incident by logging the student’s name in the detention book located in the office. Lunch Detention - Certain violations such as, but not limited to, minor infractions will result in a lunch detention. After receiving their lunch, students will report to the detention classroom in a timely manner. Students who are more than ten minutes late to the lunch detention room without a pass will not be admitted and will not receive credit for time served. Students must bring something (school related) to read or work on during Lunch Detention. Students will not be permitted to talk or socialize during this time. Tuesday and Thursday After School Detentions - After school detentions are assigned in an effort to correct undesirable behavior. Students must report to detention on time. Failure or refusal to serve an assigned detention 21 will result in additional consequences from the office (which could include ISS or OSS). After school detentions are after school until 4:30 p.m. In-School Suspension - In-School Suspension occurs when a student’s behavior warrants removal from classes for a period of time, but suspension or expulsion from school is not recommended. It is an alternative to out-ofschool suspension or expulsion and is an effort by the administration to help the student remain in school. A student will be given the opportunity to complete assigned schoolwork, but if the student is unable to complete his/her classroom assignments that day, the work will be taken home for homework and must be completed and returned to the teacher the next day. All students that are assigned in-school suspension will follow the in-school suspension rules or will be suspended out-of-school. Students will serve the remainder of their in-school suspension upon their return to school. Out of School Suspension – When deemed necessary and issued according to the adopted BPMS discipline policy, students will be placed in OSS. OSS is a serious matter. It is not our goal to keep students from learning, but if a student’s self-control and behavior is so poor that it interferes with teacher’s instruction and student learning, it will be necessary to remove the disruptive student. Suspension and Expulsion According to Missouri Law - A principal may suspend a student for cause for a period not exceeding ten (10) school days. The superintendent may suspend students for ninety (90) school days. Students under suspension are not eligible to represent the school in any activity nor may a student who is suspended be on school grounds unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Any student expelled is not allowed on school grounds during the time of expulsion. After giving notice to a parent or guardian and a hearing upon the charges, the Board of Education may permanently expel a student for conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline, or which tends to impair the morals or good conduct of students. Students who are suspended are allowed to attend homework center when they return from the suspension to receive their work. It is the responsibility of the student to make up any work missed during their OSS. Students need to complete the work in a timely manner (2 days for each day missed) after returning to school. Corporal Punishment - When necessary to enforce discipline and preserve order, the principals may utilize corporal punishment for the violation of a reasonable rule. Such punishment should not be administered in anger nor should it be excessive, cruel, unusual, or malicious. Procedural due process as applied to corporal punishment is as follows: 1. Prior to any contemplated use of corporal punishment, students must be informed as to the kinds of misbehavior which may lead to such punishment, except for conduct as disruptive or anti-social in nature as to shock the conscience. Corporal punishment may never be used unless the student was informed beforehand that specific misbehavior would occasion its use. Informing students will be done through group assemblies, teacher class contact (reinforcement) and personal contact with student (awareness of policy by verbal warning). 2. Subject to these exceptions, it should never be used as a first line of punishment. Spanking, paddling, etc. will be used only after other less drastic deterrents fail. 3. A second teacher or a principal must observe the administering of corporal punishment and must be told in the presence of the student why the punishment is being given. 4. The official administering the punishment must provide the child’s parents, upon request, a written explanation of his/her reasons and the name of the second official who was present. 22 TABLE OF REFERRAL ISSUES AND CONSEQUENCES Infraction 1st Offense 2nd Offense Arson 1- 180 Day Suspension Immediate Recommendation for Expulsion Assault on a Student Drugs/Alcohol (Possession, Use, Sale, or Distribution) Drugs/Alcohol (Imitations) Extortion Immediate ISS and 1- 180 Day Suspension 10 - 180 days OSS Referral to appropriate authorities 1-10 days OSS Referral to appropriate authorities Warning/Conference ISS and/or Swats 1-10 Day Suspension Conference 1-180 Day Suspension 3rd Offense 1-5 Day OSS 1-10 Day OSS 1-10 Day OSS Intentional Destruction School/Student Property Conference ISS and/or Swats Full Payment of ALL Damage Costs 3-10 Day ISS/OSS Full Payment of ALL Damage Costs 1-180 Day Suspension Full Payment of ALL Damage Costs 1-10 Day ISS 1-180 Days OSS 1-180 Days OSS Physical Assault On A School Employee Sexual Harassment (Physical/ Verbal Contact) Theft Threatening A Student 1-10 Days ISS 1-180 Days OSS 5th Offense 1-180 Day Suspension Fighting/ Confrontational Behavior Immediate ISS One Calendar Year Suspension Recommendation for Expulsion Warning/Conference After School Detention ISS and/or Swats 1-10 Day OSS Conference ISS and/or Swats Return of Goods OR Full Restitution Immediate ISS 1-180 Day OSS 4th Offense 1-180 Day Suspension with Board Approval 1-180 Days OSS 1-180 Days OSS Recommendation for Expulsion Tobacco (Possession and/or Use) Warning/Conference Confiscation of Remaining Product 1-3 Days ISS 1-3 Days OSS 1-5 Days ISS 1-5 Days OSS Truancy/ Leaving Campus Without Permission Warning/Conference After-School Detention 1-3 Day ISS and/or Swats After School Detention Parent/Principal/Student Conference 1-5 Day ISS and/or Swats Vandalism Conference ISS and/or Swats Full Payment of ALL Damage Costs 1-10 Day ISS/OSS Full Payment of ALL Damage Costs Weapons (Possession and/or Use) 1-180 Day OSS Possible recommendation For Expulsion 23 1-5 OSS After School Detention ISS 1-10 Day OSS 180 Day Suspension Full Payment of ALL Damage Costs 1-10 Day OSS 1-180 Day OSS The following infractions are considered “severe” and will include the notification of Law Enforcement in most instances. The following infractions are considered “severe” and will include the notification of Law Enforcement in most instances. The number and severity of infractions as well as other determining factors will impact the consequence and may warrant additional actions. This decision is at the discretion of the site administrators. All of these infractions apply to on campus or school activities. TABLE OF REFERRAL ISSUES AND CONSEQUENCES (Continued) Infraction Bus Misbehavior 1st Offense ï‚· Warning/Conference ï‚· Parent Contact ï‚· Possible Bus Suspension Disparaging and/or Demeaning Language ï‚· Warning/Conference ï‚· Lunch Detention ï‚· After School Detention ï‚· ISS or OSS Disruptive Speech and/or Conduct ï‚· Warning/Conference ï‚· Lunch Detention ï‚· After School Detention ï‚· ISS and/or Swats Disrespectful Speech and/or Conduct Electronic Devices/ Cell Phones False Alarms Obscene Behavior: Profanity/Gestures /Pornographic/ Inappropriate Materials Out of Assigned Area Physical Display of Affection Dress Code Violation ï‚· Warning/Conference ï‚· Lunch Detention ï‚· After School Detention ï‚· ISS and/or Swats/ OSS ï‚· Confiscation of electronic device/ phone ï‚· Warning/conference ï‚· Conference ï‚· ISS and/or OSS ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· 2nd Offense 3rd Offense 4th Offense 1-3 Day Bus Suspension 3-6 Day Bus Suspension 6-9 Day Bus Suspension Conference Lunch Detention After School Detention ISS OSS Conference Lunch Detention After School Detention ISS and/or Swats 1-10 Day OSS Conference Lunch Detention After School Detention ISS and/or Swats 1-10 Day OSS ï‚· Parent pick up electronic device/phone ï‚· After school detention ï‚· Lunch Detention ï‚· After School Detention ï‚· ISS and/or Swats ï‚· 1-10 Day OSS ï‚· 1-180 Day Suspension ï‚· Lunch Detention ï‚· After School Detention ï‚· ISS and/or Swats ï‚· 1-10 Day OSS ï‚· 1-180 Day Suspension ï‚· ï‚· Parent pick up electronic device/phone – student can’t bring it back to school 1 day of ISS ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· Lunch Detention After School Detention ISS and/or Swats OSS ï‚· Lunch Detention ï‚· After School Detention ï‚· ISS and/or Swats ï‚· OSS ï‚· 1-180 Day Suspension ï‚· After School Detention ï‚· ISS and/or Swats ï‚· OSS ï‚· 1-180 Day Suspension ï‚· Parent pick up electronic device/phone after ISS time is completed ï‚· 3-5 days of ISS ï‚· Parent pick up after ISS/OSS time is completed ï‚· 3-5 days of ISS ï‚· 3-5 days of OSS 1-180 Day Suspension ISS and/or Swats ISS or 1-5 Day OSS ISS or 5-10 Day OSS ISS and/or 1-3 Day OSS 3-10 Day OSS 11 – 180 Day OSS with Board Approval Warning/Conference ISS and/or Swats ï‚· ï‚· Conference ISS and/or Swat ï‚· ï‚· Conference After School Detention ISS and/or Swats OSS ï‚· ï‚· Conference After School Detention ISS and/or Swats OSS ï‚· ï‚· Lunch Detention After School Detention ISS and/or Swats OSS 11 -180 Day OSS with Board Approval ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· Warning/conference ï‚· Change of clothing (from nurse’s office, student or parent provided, ect) ï‚· Possible ISS ï‚· ï‚· 1-180 Day Suspension ï‚· Warning/Conference ï‚· ISS and/or Swats ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· 5th Offense Remainder of Year Bus Suspension ï‚· Change of clothing ï‚· After school Detention ï‚· ISS 24 ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· Conference After School Detention ISS and/or Swats OSS ISS and/or Swats OSS ï‚· ï‚· Conference After School Detention ï‚· ISS and/or Swats ï‚· OSS STUDENT ACTIVITIES School Activities School sponsored or sanctioned activities (i.e. field trips, interscholastic competition, etc.) are exempt from and shall not count toward the total number of student absences. Students who will be absent from class shall check with the teacher in advance to obtain the work prior to the absence. The student will be responsible for having the work completed by the beginning of the next class or at a date to be determined by the teacher. Activities outside the regular classroom will be considered an extension of the classroom, and all rules and regulations pertaining to the discipline policy will be followed. Sportsmanship We encourage middle school students to support those teams involved in interscholastic competition. However, students who attend contests and/or participate in them must keep in mind that as a student enrolled in Buffalo Prairie Middle School they will not be allowed to discredit the team or the school. Booing, stomping the floor or bleachers, cursing, insulting remarks that are degrading to the opposing team or students and officials will not be tolerated, and the student will be removed from the building. Throwing articles and the use of noisemakers are not allowed. Clubs and Organizations It is strongly recommended that students involve themselves in a club or organization when possible. The following list includes clubs and organizations that are already in effect or are in the planning stages for middle school students: Student Council Language Arts Fair Cribbage Club National Junior Honor Society Music F.C.C.L.A Speech Club Histories Mysteries Literature Club Fitness Club 21st Century After-school Programs Band National Junior Honor Society (Selection Procedure) Membership in NJHS is both an honor and a responsibility tied to academic achievement and citizenship. The BPMS faculty council, which is chosen by the principal, selects members from a pool of applicants; the selection process is based on service, leadership, character, and citizenship components. The discussions as well as the application results utilized in the selection process are confidential. Interscholastic Activities Buffalo Prairie Middle School provides the following interscholastic activities for 7th and 8th grades: *Girls’ basketball *Boys’ basketball *Wrestling *Girls’ volleyball *Girls’ track *Girl’s Softball *Boys’ football *Boys’ track *Cross country * Cheerleading Our interscholastic teams compete in the Central Ozark Conference. The Buffalo Prairie Middle School is a member of the Missouri State High School Activities Association. Students who participate on these teams will participate under the M.S.H.S.A.A. guidelines. Some of these guidelines are as follows: 1. Students who represent a school in interscholastic activities must be creditable citizens and judged so by the proper school authority certifying a list of students for competition. Those students whose character or conduct is such as to reflect discredit upon themselves or their schools are not considered "creditable citizens." Conduct shall be satisfactory in accordance with the discipline standards. (This includes good citizenship throughout the school day.) 2. Seventh and eighth grade students participating in interscholastic activities must be currently enrolled in and regularly attending the normal courses for that grade. Students enrolled in a special education program approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must make standard progress. To be eligible for athletic participation, students in 7th and 8th grade shall have 25 no grade as an F. Students found not to be in compliance at the end of each grading period will be ineligible until the next progress report or end of the next grading period. If they are in compliance then they will regain eligibility. Special education students who fail to make "standard progress" will be under the same policy. 3. Credit earned or completed after the close of the semester shall not count as having been earned that semester, except in the case of illness verified by a physician. Credit earned in summer school shall not count for or against the student's record for eligibility purposes. 4. A student who competes in interscholastic competition must have entered school within the first ELEVEN days of the semester in which he/she is competing. 5. Seventh and eighth grade students are eligible to compete in interscholastic activities for only two semesters in each of the seventh and eighth grades beginning with the first semester of entrance in each grade. A student who is repeating a grade is not eligible. 6. Age Standards: To be eligible for competition against teams all in a particular grade classification, the student shall not have reached the following ages prior to July 1 preceding the opening of school: Grade 7 = 14, Grade 8 = 15. If a student does not meet the age standard for a particular grade classification, that student may compete on a team of a higher-grade classification. Parent Involvement The research overwhelmingly demonstrates that parent involvement in children's learning is positively related to achievement. Further, the research shows that the more intensively parents are involved in their children's learning; the more beneficial are the achievement effects. This holds true for all types of parent involvement in children's learning and for all types and ages of students. Some ways in which parents may get involved at Buffalo Prairie Middle School are: Monthly PTA MeetingsCharacter Education Awareness Classroom Volunteers Professional Learning Community Activities Parent-Teacher Conferences School/Community/Committees Super Socials Bison Trips/ Field Trips Family Nights ADDITIONAL SCHOOL POLICIES SAFE SCHOOLS LAW All areas of 160.261.8,167.161.1,167.171.3,571.010, 574.085, and 575.090 statutes in accordance with House Bills 1301 and 1298 will be followed. HARASSEMENT POLICY It is the policy of the Dallas Co. R-I School District to maintain a learning environment that is free from harassment because of an individual’s race, color, sex, national origin, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or perceived sexual orientation. It shall be a violation of district policy for any school personnel to tolerate any type of harassment at school, while attending school activities, or under the auspices of the School District. The school system will act promptly to investigate all complaints and take necessary disciplinary action. A complete copy of policy AC Harassment can be reviewed in the online or the office of the superintendent. PUBLIC NOTICE All responsible public agencies are required to locate, evaluate, and identify children with disabilities who are under the jurisdiction of the agency, regardless of the severity of the disability, including children attending private schools, highly mobile children, such as migrant homeless children, and children who are suspected of having a disability and in need of special education even though they are advancing from grade to grade. The Dallas County 26 R-I R-II School District assures that it will provide a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) to all eligible children with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21 under its jurisdiction. Disabilities include autism, deaf/blindness, emotional disorders, hearing impairment and deafness, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairments, specific learning disabilities, speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, visual impairment/blindness and young child with a developmental delay. The Dallas County R-I R-II School District assures that it will provide information and referral services necessary to assist the State in the implementation of early intervention services for infants and toddlers eligible for the Missouri First Steps program. The Dallas County R-I R-II School District assures that personally identifiable information collected, used, or maintained by the agency for the purposes of identification, evaluation, placement or provision of FAPE of children with disabilities may be inspected and/or reviewed by their parents/guardians. Parents/guardians may request amendment to the educational record if the parent/guardian believes the record is inaccurate, misleading, or violates the privacy or other rights of their child. Parents have the right to file complaints with the U.S. Department of Education or the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education concerning alleged failures by the district to meet the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The Dallas County R-I R-II School District has developed a Local Compliance Plan for the implementation of State Regulations for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This plan contains the agency’s policies and procedures regarding storage, disclosure to third parties, retention and destruction of personally identifiable information and the agency’s assurances that services are provided in compliance with the General Education Provision Act (GEPA). This plan may be reviewed at Dallas County R-I R-II School District, Special Service Office, 313 E. Ramsey Street, Buffalo, Missouri, 417-345-2222, during business hours. The school district will conduct meetings in September and December to discuss the process for private/parochial/home school students, including referral, evaluation, diagnosis, and service options. Contact the District’s Special Education Director for more information. This notice will be provided in native languages as appropriate. PUBLIC NOTICE ON STUDENT RECORDS In compliance with P.L. 90-247, the Dallas Co. R-I Schools wish to notify parents and patrons that the district maintains psychological, educational progress, diagnostic, standardized test, inventory, attendance, and medical immunization records on students enrolled. Parents may request to review the records that are kept on their children by inquiring at the principal’s office. Upon written request of an educational institution, certifying or contemplating the enrollment of the student in question, the student’s records will be forwarded to the appropriate institution after appropriate signature have been secured. For purposes such as student directories and programs relating to school events, including yearbook and newspapers, student information regarding items such as the following may be released: Name, address, grade level., telephone number, date and place of birth, pictures, dates of attendance, honors and awards received, participation in officially recognized activities, weight, and height, if members of athletic teams. If a parent does not wish such information be released, signed written notice to that effect should be provided to both the sponsor of the depicted activity, as well as the school principal before September 1 and each school year. *If you do not want Dallas County R-I School District to disclose directory information from your child’s education records without your prior written consent, you must notify the District in writing by October of the current school year. Dallas County R-I School District has designated the following information as directory information: student’s name, address, telephone listing, electronic mail address, photograph, date and place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, grade level, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, the most recent educational agency or institution attended, and degrees, honors, and awards received. Upon graduation, supplementary information no longer needed to provide educational services to the student will be destroyed. However, a permanent record containing the student’s name, address, phone number, grades, 27 attendance record, test scores, classes attended, and grade legal completed, and year completed will be retained without limitation. Parents who feel that the records are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the privacy or to the rights of students will be provided an opportunity for the correction or deletion of such data. In such a case, a request for a hearing to challenge the content of their child's school clarification, review, interpretation, or complaints may be resolved or responded to by contacting: Family Education Rights and Privacy Act Office (FERPA), Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), P.O. Box 480 Jefferson City, Missouri, 65102. NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION The Dallas County R-I School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups in compliance with school board policy AC. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Superintendent or Asst. Superintendent, 309 W. Commercial St., Buffalo, MO 65622. For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/OCR/contactus.cfm for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481. 504 PUBLIC NOTICE The Dallas County R-I School District, as a recipient of federal financial assistance from the United States Department of Education and operates a public elementary or secondary education program and/or activity, is required to undertake to identify and locate every qualified person residing in the District who is not receiving a public education; and take appropriate steps to notify disabled persons and their parents or guardians of the District’s duty. The Dallas County R-I School District assures that it will provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to each qualified disabled person in the District’s jurisdiction regardless of the nature or severity of the person’s disability. For purposes of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the provision of an appropriate education is the provision of regular or special and related aids and services that (i) are designed to meet individual educational needs of disabled persons as adequately as the needs of nondisabled persons are met and (ii) are based on adherence to procedures that satisfy the requirements of the 504 federal regulations. The Dallas County R-I School District has developed a 504 Procedures Manual for the implementation of federal regulations for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Subpart D. This Procedures Manual may be reviewed Office of Special Services during regular business hours. This notice will be provided in native languages as appropriate. HOMELESS ASSISTANCE Dallas Co. R-I Director of Special Services has been designated as Homeless Coordinator for the Dallas Co R-I School District. Her duties include “ensuring that homeless children and youth enroll and succeed in the schools within the Dallas Co. R-I School District; homeless families, children, and youth receive educational services for which they are eligible—referrals to health care services, dental services, mental health services, and other appropriate services.” The Director of Special Services will also ensure that disputes regarding the placement or education of homeless children or youth are resolved in a timely fashion. A homeless individual is defined in the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act as one whom: A. lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; or B. has a primary nighttime residence in a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter for temporary accommodation (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, and transitional housing for the mentally ill), an institution providing temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized, or a public or private place not designated for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (shelter, sleeping cars, parks, abandoned buildings, barns, etc.). 28 * May include individuals who have moved in with others and consideration of each individual case will probably be needed in order to identify those who are homeless. (Dallas Co. R-I Board Policy Manual, File: IGBCA) MIGRANT SERVICES ASSISTANCE Dallas Co. R-I Director of Special Services has been designated as Migrant Coordinator for the Dallas Co. R-I School District. Her duties include the identification of migrant students and the assessment of educational, health related and social services needed. The Migrant Coordinator will assist in developing and implementing a program to address the needs of migratory children the district in order to provide a full range of services to migrant students including applicable Title I programs, special education, gifted education, vocational education, language programs, counseling programs, elective classes, fine arts classes, etc. (Dallas Co. R-I Board Policy Manual, File: IGBCB) PROGRAMS FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS Dallas Co. R-I Director of Special Services has been designated as English Language Learner (ELL) Coordinator for the Dallas Co. R-I School District. If the inability to speak and understand the English language excludes a student from effective participation in the educational programs offered by the district, the district shall take appropriate action to rectify the English language deficiency in order to provide the student equal access to its programs. The ELL Coordinator will assist with identifying students who are English language learners (ELL) and ensuring them equal access to appropriate programs are the first steps to improving their academic achievement levels. ((Dallas Co. R-I Board Policy Manual, File: IGBH) NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND NOTICE Our district is required to inform you of certain information that you have the right to know. Upon your request, our district is required, according to The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110), to provide to you in a timely manner, the following information: *Whether the teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction. *Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived. *Whether your child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications. *What baccalaureate degree major the teacher has and any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of the certification. In addition to the information that parents may request, districts must provide to each individual parent -*Information on the achievement level of the parent’s child in each of the state academic assessments as required under this part; and *Timely notice that the parent’s child has been assigned, or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by, a teacher who is not highly qualified. Principles of Effectiveness: The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires a school district to select and develop its program or activities based on the Principles of Effectiveness for Title IV, Part A, Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities. Principle 1: Needs Assessment -- A school district shall base its program on an assessment of objective data regarding the incidence of violence, serious discipline problems, and illegal drug use in the schools and communities served. Principle 2: Performance Measures -- A school district shall base its program on performance measures aimed at ensuring the schools and communities have a safe, orderly, and drug-free learning environment. Principle 3: Scientifically Based Research -- A school district’s program and activities shall be based on scientifically based research that provides evidence that the program to be used will reduce violence and illegal drug use. Principle 4: Analysis of the Data -- A school district shall review an analysis of the data on the prevalence of risk factors, including reported cases of child abuse and domestic violence, and of protective factors, and other variables. Principle 5: Consultation with Parents -- A school district shall develop its application and administer its program or activities following meaningful and ongoing consultation with, and input from, parents. Principle 6: Program Evaluation -- A school district shall evaluate its program to assess progress towards reducing violence and illegal drug use in schools served, based on performance measures, and results shall be used to refine, improve, and strengthen the program, and shall be made available to the public. 29 Standard Complaint Resolution Procedure for No Child Left Behind This complaint resolution procedure applies to all programs administered by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). A complaint is a formal allegation that a specific federal or state law or regulation has been violated, misapplies, or misinterpreted by school district personnel or by the Department of Education personnel. Any parent or guardian, surrogate parent, teacher, administrator, school board member, or other person directly involved with an activity, program, or project operated under the general supervision of the Department may file a complaint. Such a complaint must be in writing and signed; it will provide specific details or the situation and indicate the law or regulation that is allegedly being violated, misapplied, or misinterpreted. The written, signed complaint must be filed and the resolution pursued in accordance with local district policy. See Dallas County R-I School District Board of Education Policies and Regulations KL, KLB, GBM, JFH, IGBC, IGBCA for complaint resolution. If the issue cannot be resolved at the local level, the complainant may file a complaint with the Missouri Department of Education. If there is not evidence that the parties have attempted in good faith to resolve the complaint at the local level, the Department may require the parties to do so and may provide technical assistance to facilitate such resolution. Any persons directly affected by the actions of the Department may file a similarly written complaint if they believe state or federal laws or regulations have been violated, misapplied, or misinterpreted by the Department itself. Anyone wishing more information about this procedure or how complaints are resolved may contact local district or Department personnel. NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER THE PROTECTION OF PUPIL RIGHTS AMENDMENT (PPRA) PPRA affords parents and students who are 18 or emancipated minors (“eligible students”) certain rights regarding our conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These include the right to: *Consent before students are required to submit to a survey that concerns one of more of the following protected areas (“protected information survey”) if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education (ED)1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; 2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family; 3. Sex behavior or attitudes; 4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior; 5. Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships; 6. Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers; 7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or; 8. Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility; *Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of1. Any other protected information survey, regardless or funding; 2. Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agents, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing, vision, scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under State law; 3. Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information to others; *Inspect, upon request and before administration or use1. Protected information surveys of students; 2. Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes; and 3. Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum. The Dallas Co. School District has developed and adopted policies, regarding these rights, as well as arrangements to protect student privacy in the administration of protected surveys and the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes. 30 The Dallas Co. School District will directly notify parents and eligible students of these policies at least annually at the start of each school year and after any substantive changes. The Dallas Co. School District will also directly notify parents and eligible students, such as through U.S. mail or email, at least annually at the start of each school year of the specific or approximate date of the following activities and provide an opportunity to opt a student out to participating in: • Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution. • Administration of any protected information survey not funded in whole or in part by ED. • Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as described above. Parents/eligible students who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with: Family Policy Compliance Officer U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-4605 (Dallas Co. R-I Board Policy Manual, File: JHDA) NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER FERPA FOR ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) afford parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s educational records. These rights are: 1. The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records within 45 days of the day the School receives a request for access. Parents or eligible student should submit to the School principal (or appropriate school official) a written request that identifies the records they wish to inspect. The School official will make arrangements for access and notify the parents or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. 2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes is inaccurate. Parents or eligible students may ask the School to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the School principal (or appropriate school official), clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise the of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing. 3. The right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in them student’s educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interest. A school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the School has contracted to perform a special task (such as attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the School discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks to or intends to enroll. [NOTE: FERPA requires a school district to make a reasonable attempt to notify the parent or student of the records request unless it states in its annual notification that it intends to forward records on request.] 4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the School District to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are: Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-4605 31 ASBESTOS PUBLIC NOTICE The Dallas County R-I School District has asbestos in Long Lane Elementary, Dallas County Career Center and the High School Vo-Ag building. Long Lane has asbestos floor tile and all types of adhesives. The following adhesives contain asbestos: floor tile, baseboard and carpet. The Dallas County Career Center has transit panels, floor tile, hard plaster and adhesives. The Vo-Ag building has floor tile and adhesives containing asbestos. All of the asbestos is non-friable and does not pose a health threat as long as it is not disturbed. The District has an asbestos management plan located at the District’s Maintenance Shop. If you have questions, please contact Randy Case, Asbestos Coordinator for the Dallas Co. R-I School District at 417-345-5971. 32 PARENT/STUDENT TRANSPORTATION HANDBOOK Introduction This handbook was written as an informational guide for students and parents. The transportation of 1,650 students can be accomplished in a safe and economical manner. However, this large undertaking can be thrown into havoc without guidelines for all to follow. The Dallas Co R-1 School District covers 310 square miles. The district operates 32 regular bus routes, and 1 contract route daily. The buses average 2900 miles daily. In order for students to be transported safely, discipline rules must be established and adhered to by everyone. Driving a motor vehicle takes a certain amount of skill and places one in a responsible position. Driving a school bus, that is much larger than an automobile, and transporting not just one, but a large number of students, requires even more skill and greater responsibility. Thus, better sources of fuel, driving, and routing are constantly being monitored. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education issues guidelines and makes recommendations to school districts to set up bus routes. All bus routes must meet state guidelines or state aid will be withheld. MSHP and MODOT work with the Transportation Department to determine safety, if any bus stops are in question. Drivers are required by law to obtain a commercial drivers license and have a Missouri school bus drivers permit. Drivers are required to pass a physical each year before driving a bus. Drivers are required to under go alcohol and drug testing through out the year. Drivers attend yearly meetings. These meetings cover Missouri traffic laws, first aid, and regulations and laws pertaining to school buses. With the cooperative effort of the patrons of the Dallas Co R-1 School District, students, bus drivers, and administrators, we have a safe and efficient transportation system. School Bus Routing Procedures: In determining school bus routes the following criteria will be used: A. Location of student’s residence. B. Grade and age of student. C. Type and condition of road, public or private. Buses will stay off of private drives and roads. D. The general safety of all routes in relations to hazards such as hills, intersections, bridges, sharp curves and obstructions to visibility. E. The general safety of loading and unloading stops in relation to the visibility of approaching motorists. F. Walking distance to the bus stop in relation to the age of the student. 33 Transportation Policies: 1. Buses will not leave the main traveled roadway to pick up students who live less than ½ mile from the main road. 2. In town, bus stops will be at streets and intersections unless conditions make it impractical to do so. Buses cannot stop at houses in town. 3. The Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent of Schools and the Transportation Director to designate routes and bus stops. 4. Any student who brings home an incident report form must have it signed by a parent or guardian before the student may ride again. 5. A bus route will not be changed to take children to day care and/or baby-sitter if extra miles are added to the route. If the baby-sitter and/or day care are on the route and students are picked up and dropped off there they will be assigned to that bus. 6. Buses may deviate from the main traveled roadway for a distance of less than ½ mile if there is a serious safety problem for any child walking to and from the bus. 7. The transportation department recommends that students who are Second grade or below not be dropped off unattended at the bus stops. If an older sibling walks with them, then they are considered to be attended. 8. Buses may pick up handicapped students that are unable to meet the bus due to physical or mental handicaps. 9. In “failing weather” the buses may pick up and deliver students at their homes if the road conditions permit. 10. Students may be picked up or delivered if the temperature is less than 20 degrees and road conditions are safe. Other bad weather conditions will be left up to the discretion of the superintendent of schools and or transportation director. Parents should listen to radio stations KTTS, KJEL, and local television stations to determine if there will be a variance in pick up and delivery on a certain day because of weather conditions. The school district also communicates with parents with AlertNow. 11. Buses will be routed so that they are loaded as near capacity as possible, but still taking into consideration the routes traveled and the time involved. 12. Snow routes will be established and followed as weather conditions demand. A snow route will follow roads, which are safe. Bus drivers should be contacted by the parents to determine where the students revised pick up points will be. Local television stations will carry information to notify parents when snow routes are to be in effect. 13. Any time a parent brings a student to school because the bus was unable to pick them up due to road conditions, parents will need to pick the students up or contact the bus barn and make arrangements to pickup the student on the route. Bus Turn Around If a student lives where they are the last or only pickup on a road, then the bus will need to have a safe turn around. If a turn around does not exist then the student will have to meet the bus at the closest spot on the route. Buses will not go on past a students home to find a turn around. If the parent wants the bus to use a drive other than the one owned by them, the parent will need to get permission from the landowner in writing and turn it into the transportation department. All turn arounds will be approved prior to use. 34 Drivers Responsibility to Students 1. To be on time at the scheduled location. 2. To be aware of and drive in a manner consistent with all laws and regulations. 3. To maintain the highest degree of safety at all times. 4. To maintain a businesslike, friendly relationship with all students. 5. To use reasonable and consistent discipline procedures. 6. To learn each child’s name. An express of interest will assist in gaining the confidence of riders and their parents. 7. To require good conduct and desirable attitudes from passengers. 8. To maintain a clean and comfortable vehicle. Explain to the passengers what will be expected of them and secure their cooperation. Help them understand and voluntarily follow what is generally considered to be normal and proper behavior on and around the school bus. Drivers Responsibilities to Parents 1. To be on time. 2. To exercise maximum safety practices. 3. To encourage and commend good student conduct. 4. To be courteous and cooperative with parents. 5. To be receptive to parents and students suggestions that contribute to the orderly operation of the bus. 6.) To know every student personally. 7.) To answers parents questions courteously and to provide them factual information. Do not repeat rumors and gossip. If a driver doesn’t know the answers to a parent’s questions refer him or her to the supervisor. Students Responsibilities 1. Be on time at the scheduled stop. 2. Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before attempting to get on or off the bus. 3. Go directly to his or her assigned seat, sit down and stay there until the bus comes to a complete stop at the assigned stop or school. 35 4. Do not leave books, lunches or articles on the bus. 5. Refrain from talking to the driver while the bus is in motion. 6. Obey the rules that have been established for school bus riders. Parents Responsibilities 1. Cooperate with the school by making sure students are on time and insist that students cooperate with school officials, comply with school requests, and observe the best safety practices in their own driving. 2. Instill in their own children habits of punctuality and correct behavior. 3. Know about transportation regulations and teach them to their own children. 4. Accompany small children to the bus in the morning and meet them in the afternoon, if at all possible. 5. Any student K-2 who’s parents are not home when the bus arrives, will not be left home alone, unless the school received written permission from the parent/guardian. Specifics: A. Bus Passes and day care changes. B. Change of Address. C. Change in contact information numbers: home, work, or cell. A student wishing to ride a bus other than the one he or she is assigned must: 1. Parent or guardian must send a note or visit the transportation office before 1:00 p.m. on the day that the pass is needed. The note should contain the following: Student’s name Regular bus number or animal that the student rides Grade Destination and bus number or animal Phone number to contact parent if needed 2. A bus pass, if approved, will be issued to the student who must present this pass to the bus driver. 3. No bus passes will be issued for summer school or after school routes. A student without a bus pass will not be allowed to ride a bus other than the one they normally ride. The bus pass system is used so that in case of an emergency, administrators will know who is riding a particular bus and who to notify in case a serious problem arises. The maximum safety level for bus riding students is a main concern when designing bus routes. Additional riders place a strain on the system as crowding and riding time is affected. When one considers that the average time allotted per stop is 2 minutes, an additional 10 riders could add 20 minutes to a bus route. Also, with the buses currently operation at maximum rider capacity, the problem of safety and discomfort is heightened by the addition of extra riders. 36 A bus pass will not be issued for work or after school lessons. Only those students being provided child care (babysitter, day care centers) outside the home will be issued a bus pass. The only exception to this rule will be for those students who want to go home with a friend, if room is available on the bus that a student wants to ride. Passes will be issued on a first come basis. No one student may take home more than 2 students at one time. Sometimes a student will need to get off the regular bus some place along the route other than home. All the parent needs to do is send a note with the student or call the transportation office. The student needs to give the note to the driver; a pass is not needed in this instance. A. New students who will be riding a school bus are required to contact the transportation office before the student may start riding. Drivers are not allowed to make stops, or change the bus route unless the transportation department has approved it. So if a student moves to a place elsewhere in the district, the parents will need to contact the transportation office to set up a bus stop. B. Transfer to another route or adding a new route. If for some reason, such as overcrowding, etc., the school district decides to transfer a student to another route or create a new route. Parents will be notified one week prior to such a change taking place. The notification will include bus number and approximate time of pick up and drop off. C. Bus student illness/accident policy Although every reasonable effort is made to prevent accidents to students, it is inevitable that accidents occur. Illnesses are also unpredictable. The bus drivers are directed to take prompt action to minimize the effects of accident or illness and to provide first aid and notify the transportation office, who will in turn, notify the parent/guardian as quickly as possible, and will take what ever steps are necessary in the best interest of the student. The bus driver shall determine if an ambulance or other emergency personnel should be called. D. The driver’s report to the transportation director about any roads that they travel that become unsafe or are causing wear and tear on the bus. The state or county will be contacted. If the road is in such despair as to prohibit reasonable safe travel or cause undue damages to the bus, travel on the road will cease until in the judgment of school officials, travel can be resumed. It will be the parent/guardians responsibility to get the students to the bus or school until the road is repaired. E. School closings: When conditions such as bad weather, heating failure or any other emergency warrant closing school, announcement of school closings will be made on the local news media. The Springfield news media will be notified also. Parents and students should listen to the media for school closing information. Parents of elementary students need to notify the transportation office of any special arrangements that may need to be made in case of early dismissal. School officials are making phone calls to each other and news media and need to keep the phone lines open. As soon as a decision is made, the media will be notified, so listen to area new media. Early dismissals will be made on KTTS, KJEL, and the official school website. The school district also utilizes the AlertNow system to communicate with parents. Students using district transportation should understand that they are under the jurisdiction of the school from the time they board the bus until they are delivered to school or to their designated stop on the route. The school bus is an extension of the classroom; therefore all rules that are enforced during the school day will be enforced on the school bus. 37 The following rules apply when riding the bus: 1. The bus driver is in complete charge of the bus at all times. 2. Students must be seated and are not permitted to change seats when the bus is in motion or to any other riders seat on the bus. 3. Abusive language will not be tolerated on the bus. 4. The school bus is an extension of the school and all school rules and regulations, which pertain to student conduct in the schools, are applicable to student conduct on the bus. 5. The bus driver may assign seats at his or her discretion. 6. Students must be on time; the bus cannot wait beyond its regular schedule for those who are tardy. 7. When students do not plan to ride the bus they should notify the driver and/or the bus barn. After the bus stops three days in a row, the bus will not stop again until the bus barn is notified that the student will ride. 8. Students are not allowed to bring animals of any kind on the bus. 9. Portable radios and tape/cd players are not to be played on the bus. 10. Students waiting for the bus will be at their assigned stop and conduct themselves in an orderly manner. 11. Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before attempting to get on or off the bus. 12. Go directly to his or her assigned seat, sit down and stay there until the bus comes to a complete stop at his or her destination. 13. Do not leave books, lunches, or other articles on the bus. 14. Refrain from talking to the driver while the bus is in motion. 15. When getting off or on the bus, WALK in a single file line without pushing or shoving. 16. If a student must cross in front of the bus, stay at least (10’) in front of the bus. Remember, the driver needs to be able to see you until you are safely across the road. NEVER CROSS BEHIND THE BUS. 17. Students are not allowed to go to the mailbox until the bus has pulled away from the bus stop. 18. Students should never put their heads or arms out of the bus windows. 19. Students will be held responsible for any damage caused by them. 20. Students will not use tobacco products of any type on the bus or at the bus stop. 21. Students are not allowed to consume food or drink on the bus. 22. Students will not throw objects on the bus or out of the bus windows. 38 23. Dress code on the bus will be the same as at school. 24. Kissing, hugging, petting, other acts of unrestrained physical signs of affection will not be allowed. 25. Students will keep their voices at classroom level. 26. Students will follow directions of the driver at all times. 27. Students will not bring or have in their possession, a water gun or anything that will project water. 28. Cell phones can be a huge distraction and a safety issue on the bus. The school bus is an extension of the classroom; therefore, cell phones should be kept in backpacks or purses while on the bus. However, cell phone use on extra curricular trips will be allowed in emergency situations, and to call parents/guardians with district staff supervision. The Following Items May Not Be Brought on to the Bus: Animals Trading Cards Radios Tape/cd players Video Games Any item that is too big to be held in the students lap Balls; basketball, soccer, football, etc. Any item that has sharp or exposed edges. Weapon; gun, knife, etc. Transportation Discipline Policy: Bus discipline will be categorized into minor and major infractions. There is ZERO tolerance for discipline issues during summer school and after school bus routes. The following is a list of what is considered minor and major. The lists are not inclusive or limited to the items shown. MINOR Loud talking Littering Food or Drink on the bus Not staying seated Horse play (if not done in a malicious manner) Public display of affection Nuisance items Disrespect MAJOR Use of tobacco products Vandalism Fighting Use of Profanity Bringing weapons on the bus Indecent exposure Drugs; sale, use possession Extortion Assault against driver 39 MINIMUM CONSEQUENCES 1st offense; Driver will talk to student about the behavior 2nd offense; Driver will fill out a bus discipline report. Report will be sent to building principal who will visit with student and sent notice home to be signed by parent/guardian. (Student is on probation.) 3rd offense; Driver will fill out a bus discipline report. Report will be sent to the building principal. The student is off the bus for 1 -3 days.* 4th offense; Driver will fill out a bus discipline report. Report will be sent to the building principal. The student is off the bus for 3 days.* 5th offense; Driver will fill out a bus discipline report. Report will be sent to the building principal. The student is off the bus for 6 days.* 6th offense; Driver will fill out a bus discipline report. Report will be sent to the building principal. The student is off the bus for 9 days.* 7th offense; Driver will fill out a bus discipline report. Report will be sent to the building principal. The student is off the bus for the balance of the year.* *Notice will be sent home with discipline report to be signed by the parent/guardian. The severity of the infraction as well as other determining factors may result in additional consequences as determined by the building administrator. MAJOR OFFENSE The number of days that a student will lose riding privileges will be left up to the building principal and it will be based on the severity of the offense. A bus discipline report will be sent to the parent/guardian. If at any time, regardless of the number of notices, received, a student’s behavior directly affects the safety of the bus or its occupants, the principal may remove the student for an indefinite period of time. Field Trips Any student, who goes on a trip and wishes to ride home with a parent of friend from the event, must have a note or the parent/guardian must contact the sponsor or coach that is with the trip to obtain permission. The buses are allowed to stop on the way back to let a student off only at designated places, and only when met by a parent/guardian. Buses can only wait a maximum of 5 minutes at each stop. List of places buses can stop when returning from trips On Hwy 65 from the north, the bus can stop at the station in Louisburg. On Hwy 73 the bus can stop at Melton’s, junction 65 and 73 Hwy. On Hwy 32 from the east the bus can stop at the Long Lane store and the junction of JJ and 32 Hwy. On Hwy 38 from the south the bus can stop at the junction of H and M Hwy. On Hwy 65 from the south the bus can stop at the truck plaza, 65 and 215 Hwy. Anyone that has a question about transportation, may call the Transportation Department at 345-2899, or come by the bus barn which is located at 206 S. Spruce directly behind the high school. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Policy Number: EEAA Adopted: December 16, 1996 40 After School Bus Routes Buses will load at middle school and high school @ 6:00 p.m., then they will go to Mallory Elementary School , load and leave promptly @ 6:15. There will be no stops in town, buses can ONLY drop-off at the designated stops listed below. After school routes will NOT run on early out days. North after school bus route DD Hwy and 73 Hwy---Ground Source Systems Thomasville Rd and 65 Hwy—@ Victory Baptist Church Driveway Hwy 64 in Louisburg—Williams Grocery Store Hwy 64 & 73 @ Pumpkin Center—Melton’s Store Hwy 64 & K—Murls’ Store Hwy 64 and Leadmine Rd,(Winchester Gap) Hale’s Realty Hwy 64 and river access road before bridge in Bennett Springs South after school bus route South Ash Street & Granger Lane (Old 65 Hwy) Redtop Rd—Redtop Trailer Park Redtop Rd & Potter’s Road 65 Hwy and 215 Hwy—D Diamond Travel Plaza 38 Hwy and Candlewood Cumberland Road-South of 38 and F Hwy Intersection 38 Hwy & M Hwy H Hwy & Bannon Rd H Hwy & Falling Rock Rd 32 Hwy and Ozark Trail (by Quarry Rd) 32 Hwy and JJ Hwy Long Lane School 41 SUMMER SCHOOL DROP-OFF POINTS Country Corner Store @ H & M Hwy Cumberland Road & F Hwy (on Cumberland) Bouleware Daycare on F Hwy Ash St. & F Hwy Kountry Kids Daycare Cooper & Chestnut Spruce & McDonald 7:10 7:15 7:20 7:30 7:35 7:40 7:40 3:15 3:05 3:00 2:50 2:45 2:45 2:45 Williams Grocery in Louisburg Thomasville-Victory Baptist Church Hickory & Ramsey Mill St. Apts Buffalo Heights Apts Chisholm Trail Daycare 7:10 3:10 3:00 2:55 7:35 7:40 3:15 7:05 7:10 3:10 3:05 3:00 7:35 7:40 3:20 3:15 Bennett Springs Winchester Gap Murl’s @ K & 64 Melton’s @ 73 & 64 Hwy Ground Source 73 & DD Locust & Mill Noah’s Ark Daycare 7:00 7:10 7:15 7:25 7:30 7:35 7:35 3:20 3:15 3:05 2:55 2:45 2:40 2:40 Long Lane School JJ & 32 Hwy Three Springs Lp & K Hwy Quarry Rd & Ozark Tr @ 32 Hwy Woodland & Main Pear & Lincoln Pear & Howe Poplar & Madison Maple Leaf Daycare 6:55 7:05 7:10 7:20 7:30 7:35 7:35 7:40 7:45 3:20 3:10 3:00 2:55 2:50 2:45 2:45 2:45 2:40 Redtop Trailer Park Potters Road & Redtop Rd. D Diamond Travel Plaza (215 Hwy) Hinds Daycare Pilgrim Rd & 38 Hwy (near 65 Hwy) Countryview Estates Broken Bow Rd & Legend Rd 7:20 7:25 7:30 7:15 7:20 7:25 2:50 2:45 2:50 2:45 These are designated drop-off points. Busses do not drop off at students homes for activity or summer school routes. Bus passes are NOT issued for summer school and after school programs. There is ZERO tolerance for discipline issues for summer school and after school programs. Summer school route times are approximate and may vary due to issues that may arise at the school before busses can leave. Thank you in advance for your patience. 42 MISSOURI REVISED STATUES Chapter 569 Robbery, Arson, Burglary and Related Offenses Section 569.155 August 28, 2004 Trespass of a school bus, penalty—schools to establish student behavior policy, when. 569.155. 1. A person commits the crime of trespass of a school bus if he knowingly and unlawfully enters any part of or unlawfully operates any school bus. 2. Trespass of a school bus is a class A misdemeanor. 3. For the purposes of this section, the terms “unlawfully enter” and “unlawfully operates” refer to any entry or operation of a school bus, which is not: (1) Approved of and established in a school district’s written policy on access to school buses; or (2) Authorized by specific written approval of the school board. 4. In order to preserve the public order, any district which adopts the policies in subsection 3 of this section shall establish and enforce a student behavior policy for students on school buses. (L.2000 S.B.994) 43