Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 1.1 Policy Topic: Determination of Curriculum The curriculum at Edmonson County Middle School shall: assist all students in mastering Kentucky’s Core Content 4.1, Kentucky’s Common Core Academic Standards, and Program of Studies. be developed by departmental teams (with assistance from curriculum coordinator) during Professional Learning Communities and department meetings. be described in a course syllabus that is sent home with every student. The principal shall oversee implementation of this policy. The SBDM Council will approve all course offerings and/or changes that affect curriculum. Eight minutes of the Channel One News program will be counted as instructional time. Teachers shall submit weekly lesson plans reflecting that lessons support Kentucky’s Core Content 4.1, Kentucky’s Common Core Academic Standards, and Program of Studies. Teachers shall submit one (student) work sample (either open response or on-demand writing piece) to the principal and/or curriculum coordinator each 9-week grading period. Amended Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 1.2 Policy Topic: Curriculum-Pass/Fail Policy Pass/failure will be determined by a grade committee consensus. Each grade level will conduct a meeting prior to the end of school to determine the promotion/retention of each student in the specified grade for the current year. A student may be considered for retention if: he/she has a final average below 60 in two or more classes. he/she has more than 10 unexcused absences for the year. he/she demonstrates physical/social/emotional immaturity or other factors as determined by the Principal/designee on an individual basis. At the end of each 9-week grading period, all students that have obtained an average below 60 (F) will be referred to the Extended School Services program. Students will receive a report card at the end of each 9-week grading period so that parents may stay up-to-date with progress. Adopted 6-13-95 Revised 9-25-95 Amended 6-15-98 Amended Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 2.1 Policy Topic: Assignment of all instructional and non-instructional staff time The principal shall assign each staff member’s time in a manner that supports the teaching of Kentucky’s Core Content, Kentucky’s Core Academic Standards, and Program of Studies and the implementation of our Comprehensive School Improvement Plan. Amended Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 3.1 Policy Topic: Assignment of students to classes and programs within the school Students are assigned to classes and programs within the school to ensure that they will receive a quality education and school experience. Scheduling placements are based on assessments and teacher input. The counselor is responsible for assigning students to classes and programs, but the final scheduling decision will be at the discretion of the principal. Amended Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: Policy Topic: Students Checking In/Out Homeroom begins at 7:50 a.m. Any student arriving after 7:50 a.m. shall check in at the main office with the secretary. Instruction ends at 2:35 p.m. with the last dismissal bell ringing at approximately 2:40 p.m. If a student must leave school early, the parent or person who has written authorization from the parent shall report directly to the main office to call for the student. A student may not leave school grounds before the dismissal bell unless he/she is signed out through the office. Any student leaving school before 8:53 a.m. will be marked absent for the entire day. Students leaving between 8:53 a.m. and 12:11 p.m. will be counted present ½ day. Amended Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 3.3 Policy Topic: Attendance Regulations Attendance letters will be mailed after 3 unexcused days and 5 unexcused days. Referral to participate in the Truancy Diversion Program may occur when a student has 3 or more unexcused absences. The Truancy Diversion Program is a pre-court diversion program designed to keep families from entering into the formal court process. Once a student becomes habitually truant, court charges or truancy, education neglect, or unlawful transaction with a minor can result. Amended Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: Policy Topic: Student Tardy Policy Students have the responsibility to make sure that they are in class at the appropriate time. Here are the guidelines for the Tardy Policy to be followed each semester (1st and 2nd nine weeks and 3rd and 4th nine weeks): 1st unexcused tardy-verbal warning by the teacher 2nd unexcused tardy-student will be given a report by the teacher (if report is not completed on time, it will be doubled. If report is still not completed, student will be sent to the office.) 3rd unexcused tardy-1 Day AE 4th unexcused tardy-2 Days AE 5th unexcused tardy-3 Days AE (Parent Conference Requested) If a student has been in the office or with a teacher and is late for class, that shall be an “excused tardy” and will not count against them (student should have a note verifying this). If a teacher is holding a student or group of students in during a break and that causes them to be late, again that shall be an “excused tardy” and not count against them (teacher should give student(s) a note or inform their teachers). NOTE: Teachers should use their discretion if a student is late because of an “emergency” situation or they have a “valid reason” for being late to class. Amended Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 4.1 Policy Topic: Determination of the schedule of the school day and week The school day at Edmonson County Middle School shall consist of an 8-period day with 5-minute passing times following 2nd, 4th, and 6th periods. There will also be an 8minute break between 7th and 8th periods. The daily schedule will comply with all federal, state, and local Board regulations and will reflect a minimum of a six-hour instructional day. Amended Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 5.1 Policy Topic: Determination of School Space The school administrator will assign the designation of school space after consulting with the local SBDM council. The school administrator is to make school space decisions that will ultimately provide students the best learning opportunities. Some classes or classrooms may be pre-designated (art, music, FMD, library, computer lab, science, etc…) but these can also change based on student needs. Amended Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 5.2 Policy Topic: Gym/cafeteria rental agreement If a person wishes to rent the gym and/or cafeteria, he/she should contact the middle school administration to schedule a time and date to use the facilities. A $50 deposit will be required to rent either the gym or cafeteria. This fee will be held until after the event, when the gym and/or cafeteria are cleaned in a satisfactory manner as approved by the school administration. The principal or principal’s designee (an ECMS employee) must be in attendance for the entire time that the facilities are being used. Rental fees are as follows: 4 hours use (cafeteria)=$50 2 hours use (gym)=$25 4 hours use (auditorium)=$100 Amended Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 6.1 Policy Topic: Planning and resolution of issues regarding instructional practices Teachers at Edmonson County Middle School should use instructional practices that are research-based and that have been labeled as “best practices.” Students should be given a variety of authentic assessments, including formative and summative. Teachers should plan and incorporate at least one open response or on-demand writing assignment each 9-weeks. Amended February 23, 2005 Amended Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 6.2 Policy Topic: Classroom Movies Movies that are shown in the classroom should be educational in nature. However, when other movies are shown for “reward” purposes or for another reason, they should be rated G, PG, or PG-13. If a parent does not wish for their child to view movies, they should contact the school by sending a note or returning a reverse permission form that is sent home at the beginning of the school year so that teachers can be made aware. Amended Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 6.3 Policy Topic: Requesting Field Trips All field trips shall be approved by the school’s SBDM council and the Board of Education. Staff should consider the timing of their request in relationship to these meetings. If the trip is scheduled prior to approval at these meetings, then the trip may only proceed as planned only if approved by the principal and the Superintendent (only if time did not allow for SBDM to meet). Amended September 17, 2001 Amended March 21, 2005 Amended Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 6.4 Policy Topic: Homework Homework shall be assigned at the discretion of the teacher. Homework shall be subject-appropriate and reasonable to the grade level to which it is assigned (as determined by the SBDM council). Amended Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 7.1 Policy Topic: Dress code 1. The dress code policy is for the regular school day, as well as some school sponsored activities (i.e.: 8th grade graduation, field trips, dances, etc.). 2. All students should be clean and neat in their dress and personal appearance. 3. Any clothing or lack of clothing that is considered indecent and/or distracting will not be allowed. No pajamas are allowed. 4. Students must wear shoes. Shoes with “wheels” in them are not allowed. 5. No clothing or accessories shall be worn with pictures or writing which are considered to be in bad taste, indecent, vulgar, offensive, distracting, or promoting the use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or any illegal substance. 6. No see-through clothing, bare-midriffs, or bare backs are allowed. 7. Hats, caps, head coverings, or sunglasses should not be worn in the building while school is in session. 8. Shorts, skirts, and dresses must be no more than 6 inches from the floor when kneeling. Also, “unpatched” holes in clothing above this length are not allowed. 9. Tights, leggings or form fitting knit pants may only be worn under shorts, skirts, or dresses that fall within the dress code guidelines. This includes any tight fitting pants that look like tights, leggings, or yoga pants. 10. Sleeveless shirt arm openings must conform to person’s arm with no rib cage or undergarments visible. All tops (shirts, blouses, dresses, etc.) must measure no less than three inches at the narrowest point across the shoulders. No shirts with ripped out, cut out, or torn out sleeves will be allowed. 11. Clothing or accessories are prohibited that are commonly understood to convey hatred, contempt, prejudice, or have the effect of insulting or stigmatizing another individual. 12. Chains that are attached to purses or wallets or worn as belts are prohibited. Dog collars or large chains worn as necklaces or bracelets are also prohibited. 13. Loose, baggy clothing or clothing with large pockets deemed inappropriate or unsafe is not allowed. 14. Excessive “body piercing” is not allowed. Only one piece will be allowed on the outward/visible part of the body (face, eyebrow, nose, or mouth). The piercing cannot be “hanging” or “looped”. (Earrings are not included.) 15. If a violation of the same nature reoccurs, then the student will be assigned AE. The number of days of the AE assignment will be determined by the administration. Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 7.2 Policy Topic: Head Lice Edmonson County Middle School has the responsibility to provide a free and appropriate education for all students. In order to ensure that the school environment is appropriate for learning and free from communicable diseases and parasites like lice, periodic screenings may be held. ECMS maintains a “nit” free and “lice” free policy for all students. If lice/nits are discovered on a student, the parents/guardians will be called immediately to come and pick up their child at school. The student will be isolated from other students and will not be allowed to ride the bus home. Parents are required to bring their child back to school after treatment. The student will then be re-checked to determine if they can be readmitted to school. After readmission to school, he/she will be re-checked in approximately 1 week to ensure that they are lice/nit free. If there is a 2nd reoccurrence, the same procedures will be followed. If there is a 3rd case of infestation, a referral will be made to the Office of Protection and Permanency. School administrators will use their discretion in handling individual cases, as they deem appropriate. Adopted September 22, 2005 Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 8.1 Policy Topic: Middle School Dances 1. All middle school dances must have prior approval of the SBDM. Also the request should be sent to the SBDM at the earliest possible date. 2. All dances held at the middle school must be school-sponsored dances. (Dances that are not school-sponsored shall not be held at the middle school). 3. If a school-sponsored dance is approved by the SBDM, there should be a minimum if two (2) middle school employees in attendance, with at least one (1) being a certified employee. 4. All information that is released about the dance (announcements, flyers, letters, etc.) must contain the words “This is/is not a school sponsored event.” 5. Only middle school students (grades 7-8) will be allowed at the dances (ECMS students only unless prior approval is granted). 6. Student identification will be required, if needed. 7. Students placed in ALC will not be allowed to attend any dance while still in the ALC program. Amended May 27, 2003 Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 9.1 Policy Topic: Athletic Eligibility Definitions Team sport-Team sport means any team sport played at the middle school or high school level (i.e. basketball, football, cheerleading, academics, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, track, cross country, golf, etc.). Ineligible-a student declared ineligible may not participate in or attend a game as a team member. Student will be limited to attending practice twice a week. Academic Ineligibility A student will be declared ineligible for any team sport in which they are competing if they obtain two (2) “Fs” during that nine-week grading period. A student will be placed on probation for any team sport in which they are competing if they have a failing grade (below 60%) on their mid-grading progress report in two (2) or more subjects. (Blocked classes count as 2 periods, and regular classes count as 1 period). A student that is on probation will not be allowed to play for one week, after which the grades will again be checked. If brought up, the student shall be allowed to play. If grades have not improved, the student will not be allowed to play until grades are passing. A student ruled ineligible may regain eligibility by having passing grades in those subjects at the mid-term progress report of the next grading period. A student may regain eligibility by attending intercession or ESS. IEP students will be reviewed individually by committee. Disciplinary Ineligibility A student is ineligible to participate in practice or a game while assigned to AE, ALC, or suspended. Any student assigned to AE and/or suspended three (3) times will be declared ineligible for any team sport for the remainder of the school year. Any student assigned to AE and/or suspended twice (2) during any one team sport’s season shall be declared ineligible for the remainder of that sport’s season. (Exception: Academic team members will receive a 4 game suspension on their second assignment since their season lasts the entire school year). A student failing to maintain a C average in conduct will remain ineligible for any activity until the next report card. Second Year Eligibility A student may obtain a second year of eligibility in any middle school team sport as long as: 1) they meet the requirements of eligibility listed in this policy, 2) all final grades on prior year’s report card were passing, 3) had less than three AE assignments and/or suspensions in the prior school year. A student will not be eligible for any high school sport while repeating a grade in the middle school. Before a student is allowed to “play up” with the high school team, there will be an agreement between the 2 principals, parents and the coaches involved. A student may utilize only one extra year of eligibility during their middle school years. Physical Examinations All students participating in a team sport (except academic team) must obtain a yearly medical physical. Amended April 28, 2003 Amended May 2, 2005 1st reading to amend January 26, 2006 Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 9.2 Policy Topic: Head coaching/sponsor requirements In order to serve as a Head Coach/Head Sponsor of an extra-curricular activity at ECMS, the following requirements shall be considered: 1. You must first be hired by the board of education as a “certified or classified” employee of the school district. 2. If the first requirement is not met, then the person being considered shall be at least 25 years of age or older. 3. If neither requirement can be met, then the SBDM may make a suggestion to the principal and superintendent on what action shall be taken, or have the Principal and/or superintendent make a decision on the matter. *However, to serve as an assistant to a head coach, the individual shall be at least 21 years of age or older. Adopted August 25, 2003 Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 9.3 Policy Topic: Playing Up A student from the 5/6 Center that is in the 6th grade may come to any open gym and try out for the ECMS team under the following provisions: 1. All ECMS students get first priority to play for ECMS and may not be cut to make room for a 6th grade player. 2. If there are not enough ECMS students to fill a roster after try outs, then the Coach may notify 5/6 Center 6th grade students to try out for the ECMS team. 3. A coach may lengthen a roster to make room for 6th grade players. Adopted October 2, 2013 Policy Number: 9.4 Policy Topic: Holdbacks Holdback is defined as holding a student back a year for sports related activities and not for academic reasons. All retentions must be for academic reasons and not sports related ones. Adopted October 2, 2013 Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 10.1 Policy Topic: Procedures, consistent with local board policy, for determining alignment with state standards, technology utilization, and program appraisal To determine alignment with state standards, the council (each year) will assign one or more teams to conduct a thorough review of the school’s growth and accountability (see below) and shall use information from that review to develop the school’s Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP). To determine use of technology, the council or a committee, will recommend appropriate technological approaches to address each priority need in the school’s CSIP. To appraise the quality of our programs, the council (at the end of each school year) shall review the observed results of each CSIP component. In addition, the review of growth and accountability (see below) each year will help to identify priority needs for future attention. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------College Readiness 16% Accountability 28% Gap 28% Growth 28% Amended Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 11.1 Policy Topic: Commitment to a parent involvement process Due to the safety of all students, all outside doors will remain locked during the school day except the door entering the lobby closest to the office and the front door of the school. A friendly staff will greet parents, and arrangements made to address their concerns. It is recommended that parents serve on all school committees. Amended Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 12.1 Policy Topic: Hiring of principal When the council learns that the school needs to hire a principal, the council will: 1. Obtain training in recruitment and interviewing techniques from the trainer of its choice. 2. Hold at least one afternoon or evening meeting to receive suggestions from parents, staff, and other interested parties on what traits will make the best leader for this school. 3. Meet in open session to agree on criteria and develop interview questions that fit those criteria. Those criteria shall not in any way discriminate based on gender, ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, or any other illegal grounds. 4. Meet in closed session to review applications and references of candidates recommended by the superintendent and select persons to be interviewed who appear reasonable capable of fitting the council’s criteria. 5. Schedule an interview with each selected applicant at a time when all council members can attend a special meeting. 6. Conduct each interview in a closed session, using the interview questions. 7. Meet in closed session to discuss how well each applicant meets the criteria. 8. If necessary, request additional applicants from the superintendent and repeat steps 4-6 above. 9. Meet in open session to make the final choice of principal. 10. Notify the superintendent immediately after their choice. *After receiving notice of the council’s choice, the superintendent will complete the hiring process. Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 13.1 Policy Topic: Consultation Within two weeks of close of advertised position and receipt of list of applicants from the superintendent: The Principal (or designee) shall 1. develop a set of questions to use in all interviews. 2. interview applicants, call references, and select the top three candidates. 3. call meet of SBDM council for consultation. In absence of principal, the vicechairperson shall call meeting. The SBDM Council shall 1. receive applications for review that were submitted by the top three candidates. 2. receive any notes taken by principal concerning references and interview. 3. review all information in preparation of their recommendation. Recommendation 1. Process shall be conducted in closed session. 2. Will be by consensus. If consensus is not reached, principal shall open floor for discussion and ask for vote on two other occasions. If consensus is not possible after additional votes, the majority vote will determine committee recommendation for the position. 3. If a quorum of the council fails to attend the meeting called, the principal may either call another meeting or declare an emergency and conduct the required discussion with the members who are present. Amended Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 14.1 Policy Topic: Discipline Detention and Suspension Rules: FOUR LEVELS OF OFFENSES: Number four being the minor offenses, number one being the most serious offenses. Also listed are other offenses that are subject to suspension, expulsion, and /or legal action. Each violation of an offense will be recorded in the appropriate level and is accumulative with other violations throughout the entire school year. All violations that fall into the same offense level combine to determine the amount of detention or suspension time. Level 4 Offense: Reports will be assigned for each violation. If the student fails to complete the report in an adequate amount of the time they will face the following penalties. 1st offense……………………………….Warning/probation 2nd offense……………………………….Report and 1 day A.E. 3rd offense……………………………….Report and 2 days A.E. 4th offense……………………………….Principal’s discretion 1. No outside beverages or food will be allowed on school property from 7:30 A.M. to 2:35 P.M. unless authorized by school personnel for medical reasons or accompanying a bagged lunch. 2. Bringing games, toys and unapproved electronic devices. (Returned at parent’s request on 1 st offense) 3. Truancy to class/failure to follow correct procedures for signing in and out during the school day 4. Classroom disturbance or any action that might be considered a detriment to the learning process of other students. 5. Running, horseplay, throwing objects 6. Lunchroom disturbance Penalties will start over at the beginning of each school year. **Reports will not be assigned for failing to complete assignments. However, penalties for office referral are the same. Each subject department will determine at what point students are referred to the office for failing to complete assignments. Level 3 Offense: 1st offense…………………………………………………1 day A.E. 2nd offense………………………………………………...2 days A.E. 3rd offense…………………………………………………3 days A.E. (Parental Conference) Additional offense………………………………………..Principal’s discretion 1. Out of class without permission/skipping class 2. Horseplay/ throwing objects (to the degree that potential harm may occur) 3. Falsification of documents or signatures of school personnel and/or parents 4. Failing to follow procedure for using medication at school 5. Dress code violation (2nd office referral) 6. Failure to follow directions of school personnel 7. Close physical contact Level 2 Offense: 1st offense………………………………………………...3 days A.E. 2nd offense………………………………………………..5 days A.E. 3rd offense………………………………………………..Suspension (Principal’s discretion) 1. Bullying 2. Harassment – Verbal or physical 3. Loud/ abusive language/profanity 4. Fighting 5. Smoking and/or tobacco possession of smoking paraphernalia 6. Vandalism (Minor) 7. Misbehavior at in-school and after-school sponsored events and activities Level 1 offense: 1st offense…………………………………………………3 days suspension 2nd offense…………………………………………………5 days suspension 3rd offense…………………………………………………Long-term suspension 4th offense…………………………………………………Referral for expulsion 1. Refusal of punishment 2. Leaving school without permission 3. Vandalism (Major offense, must pay for damage) 4. Stealing 5. Willful destruction of property or grounds 6. False activation of fire alarm 7. Habitual violators 8. Disrespectful to teachers and personnel (defiance or insubordination) 9. Possession and/or use of fireworks 10. Misbehavior in A.E./failing to follow A.E. rules. ANY STUDENT WHO IS IN VIOLATION OF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SHALL BE SUBJECT TO SUSPENSION, EXPULSION, AND/OR LEGAL ACTION. 1. Possession/use of/selling of drugs, counterfeit drugs, look-alike or pretense of drug use. All drug and alcohol violations will be addressed by the local school districts Student Assistance Program Policy which is now in effect. 2. Threaten another person 3. Threaten a teacher or a bus driver 4. Extortion 5. Possession of any dangerous weapon 6. Assault and battery 7. Arson 8. Bomb threat or failure to disclose information pertaining to a bomb threat SCHOOL BUS PROBLEMS: 1st offense…………………………………Probation (Letter to parents) 2nd offense…………………………………1 day off the bus 3rd offense………………………………….3 days off the bus 4th offense………………………………….5 days off the bus 5th offense………………….…Suspension (Number of days to be determined by school admin.) When 1st offense is fighting or verbal abuse of driver, probation will be waived and the student will receive a minimum 3-day bus suspension. A.E. may be used if decided by investigating administrator. _________________________________________________________________________ School administrator may initiate disciplinary action in a particular case. All of these policy guidelines are for general misbehaviors. A disciplinary action may be altered at the discretion of the administrator depending on the severity of the offense. _______________________________________________________________________ Special Education Discipline Code: All special education students, unless otherwise indicated on their I.E.P. (Individual Education Plan) will follow the stated discipline codes. _______________________________________________________________________ A student’s A.E. assignment may be extended due to incomplete work or misbehavior. Extension will be administered at the discretion of the principal or his designee, at the end of this extension, if work or behavior is still not acceptable, the student may be considered for out-of-school suspension or recommended to the Board of Education for expulsion. _______________________________________________________________________ When a student is suspended, all parents must schedule a conference with the administration prior to the student’s reentry to school. Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 15.1 Policy Topic: Program Reviews Program Reviews will be completed by a team comprised of the following members: two (or more) teachers, curriculum coordinator, and principal. The department head (or designee) will report to the SBDM once per year regarding the designated programs (PL/VS, Arts/Humanities, and Writing). The principal will review and submit program reviews by the (May) deadline. Adopted Edmonson County Middle School SBDM Policy Policy Number: 16.1 Policy Topic: Development and Adoption of an Emergency Management Plan (EMP) 1. In accordance to the District policy and STATUTORY AUTHORITY – KRS 160.345(2)(i)9 and KRS 158.162, ECMS must develop and adopt an Emergency Management Plan. 2. This plan will serve as a guide, to explain what to do in any emergency situation. 3. This plan can be school created or adopted from an existing plan. Adopted October 2, 2013 Policy Number: 16.2 Policy Topic: Emergency Management Plan (EMP) 1. The Edmonson County Middle School will use the Edmonson County Schools Emergency Response Plan as the guideline for their EMP. 2. All classrooms must have a copy of this plan and refer to it as necessary. 3. Teachers must review this plan with their students annually (within the first 30 days of school). 4. The principal must review this plan with the staff annually (within the first 30 days of school). 5. The SBDM must be notified of any issues during the practice of any drill so that they can take action to prevent errors in the future. 6. The EMP must be reviewed annually by the SBDM, principal, first responders, as well as law enforcement and fire officials. 7. ECMS must complete all four emergency response drills in the first 30 days of school (Fire, Lockdown, Tornado/Severe Weather, and Earthquake) and again within 30 days of January 1. 8. Evacuations routes must be posted in every room of the building. Adopted October 2, 2013