Student‐Parent Handbook 2016‐2017
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Welcome to MESMS
Marie H orowitz, Principal
914 2438100 x12500
[email protected]
Scott Shiland, Asst. Principal @MESMSHorowitz Danielle Schiano, Asst. Principal 914 2438100 x12524 914 2438100 x12524
[email protected] [email protected]
@ShilandScott
@SchianoMESMS
Mission Statement Mildred E. Strang Middle School (MESMS) is a community of diverse learners that strives for excellence, fosters creative discovery, and nurtures the mind, body, and character of each child. We educate the whole child while supporting their academic and socialemotional development. Our students are given opportunities and encouragement to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become responsible, contributing members of the school, local and global communities. School Website: District Website : mesms.yorktown.org y orktown.org
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Table Of Contents (Click links below to be directed to specific page)
Welcome to MESM S………………………………………………………….….…...….………..….p. 1 Mission Statement …………………………………………………………………….…...…….…...p. 2 Directory ………………………………………………………………………....…….…………........p. 3 ● MESMS Team Directory & Websites ● Parent Portal and Student Portal Bell & Delayed Opening Schedule ………………………………….………...……...…...……....p. 4 MESMS Teams ………………………………………………………………………………..……….p. 5 ● Classes Offered for All Grade Levels ● MidTerm, Final Exams & Other Assessments Students Rights & Responsibilities ……………………………………………………...…….....p. 6 Arrival & Dismissal Procedures ………………………………………………………...……….p. 68 ● Arrival ● Dismissal ● Early Departure ● Transportation & Bus Expectations ● School Grounds Attendance Policy ……………………………………………………………………………….…...p. 9 ● Excused Pupil Absences, Tardiness and Early Departures ● Obtaining Homework Due to Absence School Visits and Appointments ………………………………………………………………....p. 10 ● Parent Conferences MESMS L ockers …………………………………………………………………………………..…p. 10 ● Academic Lockers ● Gym Lockers Dress Code ………………………………………………………………………………………...…p. 11 Cafeteria and Recess ………………………………………………………………………….……p. 12 ● Messages, Lunches, etc. ● Lost Items Library Media Center ……………………………………………………………...……….……p. 1213 ● Technology ● Media Opt Out Form Health Office/School Nurse ……………………………………………………...…………….p. 1314 ● Medication in School ● Physical Education Participation ● High School Sports After School & Extra Curricular Activities /Clubs…………………………...……………..p. 1516 ● Fundraising ● Field Trips ● Evening Events Guidance & Support Staff …………………………………………………...…………………….p. 16 ● Guidance Office ● Bully Prevention Grades ……………………………………………………………………………………...…………p. 17 Emergency Drills ………………………………………………………………………...………….p. 17 Student Expectations …………………………………………………………………...……...p. 1718 ● Dignity For All Students Act (DASA) ● Discipline A Final Note ……………………………………………………………………………………....…..p. 19
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Directory The main telephone number for Mildred E. Strang Middle School is 9142438100. MESMS Team Directory & Websites Parent Portal a nd S tudent Portal Main Office Option 3 Mrs. Marie E. Horowitz
Principal
[email protected]
Ms. Joanne Assalone
Principal’s Secretary
[email protected]
Ms. Danielle Brower
Secretary
[email protected]
Assistant Principals’ Office – Option 8 Mr. Scott W. Shiland
Assistant Principal
[email protected]
Ms. Danielle Schiano
Assistant Principal
[email protected]
Mrs. Cheryl Martin
Secretary
[email protected]
Guidance Office – Option 4 Dr. Tricia Clauser
Psychologist
[email protected]
Mrs. Lissette GonzalezSforza
Psychologist
[email protected]
Mrs. Lynn Golio
Guidance Counselor, Gr. 6
[email protected]
Mrs. Paula Ward
Guidance Counselor, Gr. 7
[email protected]
Mrs. Joanne Silverman
Guidance Counselor, Gr. 8
[email protected]
Mrs. Penelope BrabhamJones Mrs. Andrea Tschinkel Mrs. Darlene Sclavounos
School Social Worker Secretary Secretary
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Nurse’s Office – Option 2 Mrs. Lisa Epstein
Nurse
[email protected]
Attendance – Option 1 Mrs. Janette Weiss
Attendance
[email protected]
Library – Ext. 12800 Dr. Donna Baratta
Library Media Specialist
[email protected]
Student Assistance Services – Option 6 TBD
Bully Prevention Counselor
[email protected]
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Bell & Delayed Opening Schedule 20162017
Buses arrive at approx. 7:40 am
Buses depart approx. 2:15 pm
Delayed Opening
Sometimes, weather conditions change after a first announcement is made, so please go to the District’s website w ww.yorktown.org or sign up for alerts by following @ YCSDalerts o r @MESMSHorowitz o n Twitter.
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MESMS Teams The Middle School is organized around groups (or “teams”) of students. Students on each team work generally with the same teachers in each of the subject areas of English, Social Studies, Science, and Math. Teaming is done so that you can get to know other students better, so you can have a “home base,” and so that teachers can share experiences and plan together. Your teachers meet several times a week to talk about your team’s progress. All teams and departments plan together to ensure that students will have a successful educational experience at MESMS. This year, we have nine teams: Teams Y, O, and E Grade 6 Teams R, K, and H Grade 7 Teams T, N, and W Grade 8
Schedule for 6th grade
Schedule for 7th & 8th grade
English, Math, Science, and Social Studies every day. English, Math, Science, and Social Studies every day. They also may have: ● CORE/Skills/AIS * ● Physical Education ● Health ● General Music/Art/Encore ● Band/ Orchestra/ Chorus/General Music ● Music Lessons (during academic subjects) ● Home and Career Skills ● Technology
They may also have: ● Encore/Skills/AIS * ● Technology ● Band/Orchestra/Chorus/General Music ● Health ● Music Lessons (during academic subjects) ● Physical Education ● Art ● Foreign Language ● Home and Career Skills
You will receive a class schedule that will give you more information about each course that you take. If you have questions, please speak to your teacher or guidance a counselor.
MidTerm and Final Exams All students in grades 6, 7 and 8 may have department exams and/or assessments in any subject area.
Other Assessments Additional testing, including diagnostic and standardized tests such as STAR Renaissance, may be given by staff members during the school year. Formalized testing by our school psychologist or the Learning Center staff is done after contact with the student and parents/guardians. *Please Note : S tudents who receive Academic Intervention Services (AIS) * are scheduled for a period of instruction in the area of need; this may impact their participation in “special” area classes for a minimum of one quarter.
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Students Rights & Responsibilities You have the right to be excited and proud of the great opportunities that are available to students at Mildred E. Strang Middle School. Of course, we expect, and will insist upon, good behavior around our school and on the school bus. That means that we expect that you will be treated respectfully and that you will be respectful and courteous to everyone faculty, secretaries, and custodians, CTAs /TAs, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, and other students. Y ou are responsible for your behavior and attitude toward others. Students have the responsibility to immediately report to staff members any issue or incident that concerns the health, safety, or wellbeing of any member of the school community. We also expect you to keep our school looking good to help clean up and be respectful of school property and other people’s property. Our Student Behavior and Eligibility Policies and this Handbook are components of the District Code of Conduct that applies to all students in school, on school property, at school sponsored activities, etc. A complete copy of the District Code of Conduct is available at www.yorktown.org . Please be familiar with, and follow all the expectations and policies stated in the Yorktown Central School District Code of Conduct, Dignity for All Students Act (School Board Policy #0115) and the Harassment Policy (School Board Policy #0110).
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures The safety and wellbeing of your children are our top priority. Students must not accept a ride in a private vehicle driven by anyone other than their own parent or guardian. A note must be written by a parent/guardian giving permission for a student to drive with another adult. These notes must be submitted to the Main Lobby Desk before Period 1. Please follow the procedures listed below when dropping off or picking up children at the Middle School.
Arrival If you are driving your child to school, please arrive between 7:40 a.m. and 7:50 a.m. and use the “Arrival” traffic pattern (see diagram below) and the crosswalk.
Dismissal If you are picking your child up at dismissal (2:00 p.m.) use the “Departure” traffic pattern (below) and crosswalk. Please never pass a school bus with its lights flashing nor drive in front of the school when the buses are picking up or dropping off our students.
Early Departure ● If there is a need for an early dismissal from school, bring a note from your parent/guardian to the Attendance Office in the morning (by 7:50 a.m.). We cannot permit you to be excused from school without a note, fax or email. At the time you are being excused, please report to the Attendance Office and wait until your parent/guardian arrives to sign you out. ● The missed instructional time may need to be made up during lunch/recess time, after school or as assigned by a building administrator.
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Early Departure continued... ● If you need to pick your child up early from school, you MUST do so before 1:50 pm. After 1:50 pm, parent/guardians must wait for the buses to be dismissed before entering the building to sign out their child. ● You must park in the parking lot and come into the Lobby to sign your child out. Please adhere to signin procedures for the building. ● During the school day the Granite Springs Road entrance is closed. Please Note: T here is no vehicular traffic allowed on the driveway in front of the Middle School from 7:30 am 7:50 am during bus arrival or from 1:45 pm 2:15 pm during bus dismissal. ● If you are planning on picking up child the authorized adult will need to enter the school to sign out the student after showing a NYS License or state issued ID. ● Please observe all parking regulations as the area is patrolled by the Yorktown Police Department. It is illegal to park in the school’s fire lane, marked by the red curb, for any reason, AT ANY TIME.
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Transportation & Bus Expectations Students must ride their assigned buses only and should board or leave buses at their assigned bus stop. For the safety of our students, bus passes may be issued when a note from a parent/guardian is presented for e mergency c ircumstances. A bus note must be submitted to the Attendance Desk by Period 1. If approved, a bus pass must be picked up during your lunch period. In the event of an emergency situation, a parent/guardian can call the school and request an emergency bus pass for the student. The request must be followed up with a written note of permission, faxed, emailed, or brought to the office, before the bus pass will be issued. Appropriate behavior is expected on the bus at all times. Misbehavior may result in consequences such as suspension of bus privileges. Refer to the M ESMS Student Behavior and Eligibility Policy for more information. Expectations will be reviewed on the first day of school and throughout the year.
Please Note: S ince Route 202 is such a busy road, we strongly discourage walking or riding a bike to and/or from school. I f you miss your bus, you should report to the Main Office for help. Do not walk home. You are NOT allowed to walk home at dismissal unless you have submitted a signed note of permission from your parents/guardians. The note must include the date(s) your parents/guardians authorize you to walk/ride home. It should be turned in to the Attendance Desk by Period 1 to be kept on file.
School Grounds Students are expected to take their assigned buses home at dismissal. For their safety, students are not allowed to go to the High School area, be in our parking lot, outside the school, or in the woods at any time without permission from the office. MESMS students are not allowed to stay after school anywhere on school grounds unless they have arranged to stay with a YCSD teacher for extra help or are participating in a staff supervised Middle School extracurricular activity. Failure to abide by this policy may result in disciplinary consequences. *Skateboards, bicycles, sneakers with wheels, hover boards etc. are not permitted on school grounds, nor carried on the bus, at any time.
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Attendance Policy Continuity of instruction is very important and every attempt should be made for you to attend a full day of school and arrive on time. School is in session 7:50 am 2:00 pm each day. If you are late to school, report to the Attendance Office for a pass. Arriving late disrupts your learning and that of your classmates. Even leaving before the end of class disrupts your instruction. The missed instructional time may need to be made up during lunch/recess time, after school or as assigned by a building administrator. You are strongly encouraged to call the Attendance Office at 2438100, Option 1, before 7:40 am to inform us that your child will not be attending school. You may also leave a voicemail. The Attendance Office will try to contact those families that have not called to determine the cause of the absence. Your cooperation in abiding with this expectation will help us immensely in our effort to prevent truancies. A written note/letter is required by law for any absence, and must be signed by a parent/guardian and sent to school each time a student is tardy or absent (s ee below for absences or latenesses that are considered excused ). The note/letter should be brought to the attendance office the day the student returns to school. It should include the reason for the tardiness or absence, the length of time and date(s) involved, and the signature of a parent or guardian.
Excused Pupil Absences, Tardiness and Early Departures The following reasons for student absences from schools are recognized as valid by the Board of Education: 1. death in the family 2. impassable road or weather making travel unsafe 3. religious observance 4. sickness requiring attendance at a medical clinic or doctor’s office 5. approved schoolsponsored trips 6. quarantine 7. required court appearances
The building principal shall have the discretion to designate an absence, late arrival or early departure as “excused”, if the cause of the absence is not among those enumerated above.
A copy of YCSD Policy Manual can be accessed on http://www.yorktown.org/ for the complete Comprehensive Attendance Policy (5100).
Obtaining Homework Due to Absence If your child is absent for one day, your child should contact a classmate, check the Team and/or teacher’s websites and/or Google Classroom for assignments. Please access MESMS Team Directory and Teacher Websites here. If your child is absent for two or more days, parents/guardians can contact the Guidance Office by 9:00 am on the second day to receive assignments and worksheets, etc. for your child. Assignments requested by parents/guardians, and submitted by teachers are normally available in the Main Office after 2:30 pm on the day they are requested. We will try our best to fill requests for assignments within this time period.
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School Visits and Appointments We need your cooperation as we work with your children. Your presence and involvement is always welcomed. However, we do request that when you want to meet with a staff member that you call ahead to schedule an appointment. Please call 2438100 and follow the prompts for the appropriate office to contact your child’s teacher.
Parent Conferences Parent/Guardian Conferences with our teachers are scheduled on the district calendar each year. Additionally, conferences to discuss important issues or concerns may be scheduled at other times during the school year. See the M ESMS 20162017 calendar o n the district website for exact dates. When you come to MESMS, please be prepared to show your driver’s license or other valid ID. This is a safety procedure. You must sign in and out at the reception desk located in the Main Lobby. A visitor’s badge will be issued to you during your stay and must be returned when signing out.
MESMS Lockers
Academic Lockers During the first week of classes, each student will be assigned a hallway locker by his/her teacher. Lockers are for your coats, jackets and schoolrelated items such as books, school supplies, lunch bags, backpacks, and notebooks. Any other miscellaneous items should be left at home. If backpacks are used to carry books to and from school, they must be kept in lockers during the school day. When you receive your school combination lock don’t share the combination with any other students. Only MESMS issued combination locks will be used. Be certain to close your combination lock to secure your locker each time you use it. R emember lockers are for your use but remain the property of the school district. A locker may be opened by a school official and checked at any time. At the end of the year, the locker should be left in the same condition as it was found. If your locker is not working, go the Assistant Principals’ Office for help.
Gym Lockers You will also receive a gym locker assignment and combination from your Physical Education teacher. Please secure your locker by closing the combination lock before leaving the lockerroom. Again, DO NOT bring valuables or money to your PE class or the locker room. You are responsible for your personal property. Mark your sneakers, clothing and any personal items with your last name.
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Dress Code In our school, you will find many different styles of dress. We respect your rights as an individual to choose the fashions that appeal to you. However, as part of the District’s Code of Conduct we will prohibit dress that interferes with the learning process or is inappropriate for reasons of health or safety. If you wear inappropriate clothing, your parents/guardians may be called and you will be asked to change your clothes before returning to class. T he following guidelines apply to all of our students throughout the school day. ● Clothing cannot include items that are vulgar, obscene, libelous, discriminatory, or disrespectful to others. Clothing cannot promote or endorse the use of alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, and/or encourage illegal or violent activities. ● Extremely brief, revealing garments such as tube tops, haltertops, one shoulder tops, backless dresses or tops, blouses with spaghetti straps, mesh shirts or seethrough garments, cutoffs, and “muscle shirt” tank tops are not appropriate and cannot be worn in school. Blouse or shoulder straps must be at least t wo inches wide. ● Undergarments and midriffs must be covered at all times. ● Skirts and shorts must be at least midthigh or approximately 56 inch inseam in length, and the student must ensure that undergarments are covered. ● Shirts or blouses must be long enough to reach the waistline of the pants, shorts, or skirt being worn. ● Sports caps, hats or bandanas, hoods, sunglasses may not be worn in school. ● Footwear must be worn at all times. Footwear must not be a safety hazard for the student. ● Coats and outerwear must be placed in the locker and may not be worn during the school day. These guidelines reflect the spirit and purpose of our clothing policy which is to be able to ensure the wellbeing and safety of our students and staff in a fair and consistent manner. We want a safe, responsible and respectful school environment in which students focus on their studies. Please Note: Students who do not abide by the policy a s stated in our MESMS Student Behavior and Eligibility Policy and these guidelines will be sent to the office to receive a warning. The student will be required to modify his/her appearance by changing or covering the item of clothing for the first occurrence before he/she can return to class. ● If t he student does not have a change of clothing, the student will need to call his/her parent/guardian to bring a change of clothing to school. ● Disciplinary consequences may be imposed if the student does not abide by the policy and guidelines.
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Cafeteria and Recess Our cafeteria follows the District Wellness Policy . Students have a variety of items they can choose from in the cafeteria, or they may bring their own lunch from home. Hot and cold food choices are offered daily as well as items at the snack counter. Students should eat only the food that they have purchased from the cafeteria or that they have brought from home. Students must not share food or beverages at any time with any other students for health and safety reasons. Please Note: F ood and drinks requested by a staff member for a class event must include a list of ingredients and follow the District Wellness Policy. You may sit with your friends during lunch, but once you decide with whom you are sitting, that will be your designated table. Each student should throw out his/her trash and help keep the area clean. Please cooperate and help to keep the cafeteria clean. Students may not bring food or drinks on the playground or in the hallways. You may go outside for recess a fter you eat. When you go outside, there will be equipment provided for your use. Hardball, tackle football, wrestling, and games that involve excessive physical contact are not allowed. Administrators have the right to suspend activities if students are not abiding by the rules. During the winter, most students remain in the cafeteria. You may be able to go to the Library Media Center, or work with a specific teacher during the lunch period, but only if you get a pass a head of time .
Messages/Forgotten items at home Emergency messages for your child should be brought to or called into the Main Office. Please give us some lead time as it is sometimes difficult to locate a child during dismissal time. Projects, “forgotten” homework, gym clothes and lunches can be left in the Main Lobby and the office staff will assist in getting these items to your child. Please refrain from texting or calling your child on his/her cell phone during the school day.
Lost Items If you find that you are missing something, check the “lost and found” collection in the hallway near the cafeteria. If the item is still missing, please inform a staff member. Be sure to check the lost and found as soon as possible because items that are not claimed within two weeks are usually donated to charity. Y ou are responsible for your books, supplies, and materials so make certain that you mark them with your name.
Library Media Center The Library Media Center is usually open all day. You must have a pass from your teacher to use the Library Media Center during class. For lunch time, you must sign up with the librarian upon arrival in the morning to receive a pass for that day. P lease do not cut through the Library Media Center between or during classes. The Library Media Center has books and other materials that you may borrow for class projects or your own interests. Naturally, you are responsible for all materials you use and for any damage or loss.
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Technology Access to district technology is a privilege, and we expect our students to use all technology in a safe and appropriate manner. All district technology and accounts are to be used for school related purposes. Use of district technology is monitored by the district and there is no expectation of privacy. The responsibility for appropriate use of the district technology rests on the user, whether student, staff member or guest. Therefore, the district requires that users act responsibly by reading and following the YCSD Responsible Use for Technology Policy and any regulations. To access a copy of Prohibited Uses and complete policy information for the Yorktown Central School District Responsible Use For Technology Policy please access Y CSD Responsible Use Policy#425 . Please Note: Cell phones, smart phones, smart watches, e book readers, Tablets, MP3 players, digital cameras, video games, or electronic devices, etc. are not to be used in school or on school property during the school day unless authorized in accordance with school policy.
Media Opt Out Form If you do N OT want your child’s work, picture, etc. to be published, disclosed, put on the internet, etc., please read, sign, and submit to the Main Office the YCSD Opt Out Form l ocated on the District Website (Technology Department). This form must be received by Friday, September 9, 2016 .
Health Office/School Nurse Please check the MESMS Health office site t o view uptodate information on health and immunization requirements from NYS . People sometimes get injured in school. If you are hurt, injured or not feeling well tell your teacher or staff member then please go directly to the Nurse. If you need to use a cane, crutches, walker, wheelchair, or need to wear a cast or sling following an injury, you must submit documentation from your physician. Your parent/guardian must contact the School Nurse before you return to school.
Medication in School Every effort should be made to administer medication at home as it does represent a disruption in the student’s school day. However, if your physician feels that medication is necessary during the school day, please submit to the School Nurse a completed form (available in our school Heath Office) before medication is sent to school. This form must be renewed each school year as well as for a change in medication. State law does permit administration of medication during the school day only with written directions from the physician and parent/guardian . In some instances, approval by the school physician may be required. Please Note: T his includes all types of medication: over the counter drugs ( Aspirin, Tylenol, cough syrup) as well as prescription medication. Students are at no time allowed to carry medication of any kind on their person, or to take medication without an official written directive (from physician and parent/guardian) or to take medication without supervision. Please see our H ealth Office site.
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Physical Education Participation Students are expected to be prepared for and participate in physical education classes unless they are medically excused. If you cannot participate in P.E. classes because you are medically excused, you are not eligible to go outside for recess, or participate in team sports or afterschool sportsrelated activities. Please bring a note from your parent/guardian or doctor and give the note to the School Nurse when you arrive in the morning. The Nurse will give you a form for your physical education teacher that indicates the activities in which you may or may not participate. Students who are to be excused for more than three (3) consecutive classes should have a doctor’s note. Students will be given an alternate assignment from their PE teacher and must report to him or her unless directed to report elsewhere by the School nurse. Accidents sometimes occur in physical education classes because of the nature of the activity. These accidents will be kept to a minimum if students: ● use the gym, pool, physical education facilities and equipment only under the direct supervision of a physical education teacher ● follow all safety measures If you are injured or witness an accident, you must tell a teacher immediately.
High School Sports In accordance with the New York State regulation, Grade 8 students may t ry out for High school teams if: ● The student is exceptionally skilled and has the level of readiness necessary to compete on a high school team. ● The student meets all the physiological maturity, physical fitness, and athletic skill requirements of the N.Y.S. athletic placement process. ● The student meets Tanner ratings appropriate for the specified sport. ● School attendance and academic performance and effort will also be considered. ● A current physical exam has been submitted and all medical requirements have been met. ● The student maintains satisfactory school records, both in terms of academic performance and behavior/discipline issues. ● The student must be eligible to participate in school activities and events in accordance with the MESMS Student Behavior and Eligibility Policy.
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After School & Extra Curricular Activities/Clubs Extracurricular activities are a way to make new friends, explore interests, talents, and skills or just have plain old fun. There are many engaging activities or clubs that take place after school. The list below contains samples of activities scheduled during previous school years and have grown out of student and teacher interests. The list changes each year. The list is handed out at the end of September/beginning of October and will also be posted on our website at mesms.yortown.org . If you have a particular interest, please see your teacher or check the afterschool activity list for further information. Clubs usually meet after school, but check the list for exact times, days, and location of a club or activity. Activity buses leave MESMS by 3:15 p.m. for students who have stayed with staff after school. You can access the activity bus stops here. All students must be eligible to participate in accordance with the MESMS Student Behavior and Eligibility Policy guidelines in order to attend any MESMS afterschool activities or events. Some of our extracurricular activities have included: Basketball Musical Chorus Physical Education Activities Computer Art Activities Destination Imagination Voices for Healthy Choices District/Video Workshop Student Council Future Business Leaders of America VIP Club Please Note: Students should not be in the building before 7:40 am or after 2:10 pm unless you have a scheduled activity with a staff member or a teacher has asked you to be here. Students also are not to be at the High School or outside the Middle School before or after hours unless with a MESMS teacher or YCSD staff member.
Fundraising Money making or bartering, trading of property, etc…, activities are not permitted in school especially if they are for your own profit. A fundraising activity must be approved by the Principal, and the Assistant Superintendent at least thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of the activity. Students may not buy, sell, or exchange any items while in school unless authorized to do so by school staff.
Field Trips Field trips may be planned by your child’s team or departments as an enrichment of the instructional program. Your child’s participation is voluntary, but we encourage all eligible students to join in. All field trips require written parent/guardian approval, thereby ensuring you are aware of the trip. Since the health and safety of the students are of paramount importance, we ask you to stress the importance of good behavior and the need to abide by all school expectations. Finally, all medications and medical release forms for the field trip should be submitted to the Nurse at least a week before the trip.
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Evening Events The Middle School provides a certain number of evening activities. Some will be open to all Mildred E. Strang Middle School students. Others are open to certain grade levels. Some are sponsored by the school and others by the PTA. Information about the PTA programs is distributed early each school year. All the school rules apply for students at all school, PTA, and school related events or activities. Upon arrival, it is expected that students should enter the building and not hang around outside. Once the event has started, students are not allowed outside. So stay and enjoy yourself! Students who are suspended or ineligible are not permitted to attend school events or PTA activities during the minimum of one month time period. Students who fail to abide by MESMS Student Behavior and Eligibility Policy during an evening event may not attend the next event and may receive additional consequences. Please pick up your child promptly from these events. If there is an emergency, our staff will try to help you in any way. However, if late pick up becomes a safety issue, the Yorktown Police may be contacted by our staff. Thank you for your cooperation.
Guidance & Support Staff
Guidance Office You are assigned to a counselor when you enter the Middle School. At times your counselor will ask to see you alone or in a small group. If you want to see your counselor, make an appointment by talking to the guidance secretary before school, at the beginning of your lunch period, or after school. If it is an emergency, say so!! Occasionally, you might schedule an appointment that will conflict with an important class. The teacher may ask you to reschedule your guidance appointment for another time. If it is a serious emergency, explain that to your teacher. The Principal and Assistant Principals are also here to listen to you and to help. Don’t let small problems get bigger talk to someone! We are all here to help you. If you are having a problem, discuss it first with your parent/guardian and your teacher. If you need more help, go to the Guidance Office, Assistant Principals’ Office or to our School Resource Officer in Room 105A. These staff members will try to help you solve the problem. They are also in contact with your parents/guardians and your teachers to better help you. Working paper applications are located in the Middle School Guidance Office. Please follow this procedure: 1. fill out the application 2. return the completed application to the Middle School Guidance Office where you will obtain your card
Bully Prevention A Bully Prevention Specialist is available in Room 117C (or our Guidance Office) to provide support services to help prevent bullying, discrimination, harassment or cyber bullying in our school community. Services provided by this specialist include class awareness presentations, guest presentations, small group lessons, and onetoone counseling.
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Grades Information about grades and report cards is posted on the MESMS P arent Portal and the Student Portal sites. Report card grades are posted every 10 weeks at the end of each quarter. We use a numeric grading system. Teachers also post progress report grades/comments midquarter as well as they may call home to discuss your child’s progress. Don’t hesitate to speak to your teachers and your counselor if you have questions about your grades.
Parent/Guardian conferences for all Middle School students can be scheduled during the year with the classroom teacher(s) and guidance counselors. Parents/guardians can call the Guidance Office to schedule a conference with your teachers or your parents/guardians can call the Main Office to leave a message for your teacher.
Emergency Drills
Emergency drills are very important. You must follow all directions from staff members during all safety drills and if there were to be an actual emergency. Your attention and cooperation during a drill or emergency is important for your safety and the safety of others. Your teachers will share more information about a variety of state mandated emergency drills that are practiced throughout the year. Please remember that falsely pulling/causing a fire alarm is a serious criminal act and there may be police, court, and school district action against anyone who does this or who is involved or has the knowledge of such activity.
To ensure everyone’s safety: a) follow all instructions b) remain calm and quiet c) know the location of emergency exits d) walk swiftly
If you see or are aware of an emergency situation, or safety concern, you must report it to a staff member immediately. False reports must not be made and may result in serious disciplinary action.
Student Expectations
Dignity For All Students Act (DASA) It is very important to have a learning environment where everyone can be safe, responsible, respectful and do his/her best. All students have the responsibility to treat each other with caring and respect. No student shall be treated differently or unfairly because of actual and/or perceived differences. This includes saying hurtful words and/or doing hurtful things either in person, on a computer or other electronic device, or in any other way. Students who feel uncomfortable and/or unsafe because of the words or actions of others should immediately speak with a teacher, administrator, coach, or other adult. Our district and our school will not permit any form of discrimination and harassment of students, online or in person, based on actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex by school employees or students on school property or at schoolsponsored events and activities that take place on or off of school property. In addition, any act of discrimination or harassment outside of schoolsponsored events which can reasonably be expected to significantly and substantially disrupt the educational process may be subject to discipline.
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Discipline Your child’s teacher will review this handbook and the Student Behavior and Eligibility Policy Handbook . Please review both booklets with your child. If needed, printed copies will be available in the Main Office. This booklet is a component of the District Code of Conduct , and it describes the expectations and disciplinary policy and the eligibility policy for participating in certain Middle School activities (field trips, dances, extracurricular activities, PTA events, etc.)
Disciplinary action, when necessary, will be firm, fair, and consistent so as to be the most effective in changing student behavior. In most cases, discipline will be progressive. This means that a student’s first violation may merit a lighter penalty than subsequent violations. In determining the appropriate disciplinary action, school personnel authorized to impose disciplinary penalties will consider the following: 1. The student’s age. 2. The nature of the offense and the circumstances which led to the offense. 3. The student’s prior disciplinary record. 4. The effectiveness of other forms of discipline. 5. Information from parents/guardians, teachers and/or others, as appropriate. 6. Other extenuating circumstances. Students can receive consequences (parent/guardian call, after school detention, possible suspension, ineligibility from activities, Superintendent’s hearing, and/or police involvement) for reasons listed in the Y orktown Central School D istrict Code of Conduct, Dignity for All Students and School Board Policy concerning harassment/bullying/cyber bullying, unacceptable physical contact, (Policy #0110 and #0115) a nd M ESMS Student Behavior & Eligibility Policy Handbook. Students must be certain to fulfill any consequences that they are assigned by staff members. If a student receives lunch or afterschool detention(s) we will inform parents/guardinas. It is the student’s responsibility to discuss the consequences with his/her parent/guardian and attend the detention(s). Further actions, such as additional detentions, and/or loss of privileges to attend school activities will occur if the student does not complete the consequences. Students who are suspended from school (internal or external) may not participate in schoolsponsored activities for a minimum of one month from the date of the referral based on the incident. Please Note: S tudents may not be entitled to refunds for trips if the child is unable to attend due to disciplinary action. The Yorktown Board of Education policy related to suspension can be found on the Y CSD Code of Conduct . A student who is assigned a total of three hours or more of Office Detention (Lunch or AfterSchool) or who has received a suspension will not be allowed to participate in any schoolsponsored afterschool or evening event, PTAsponsored event, field trips, or extracurricular activity F OR A MINIMUM OF ONE MONTH FROM THE DATE OF THE MOST RECENT REFERRAL based on the incident . An Office Lunch Detention is a onehalf hour per day during the student’s lunch period and an Office AfterSchool Detention is one hour from 2:10 p.m. – 3:10 p.m. on the date assigned. Any new referrals will extend the period of exclusion. The Yorktown Board of Education policy related to suspension can be found in the on the district Web Site at www.yorktown.org . If the student in question has been classified as disabled all disciplinary procedures will be in accordance with the separate requirements of the C ode of Conduct for Disciplining Students with a Disability or presumed to have a disability. Discipline, if warranted, shall be administered consistent with said provisions of the Code and with applicable law.
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A Final Note If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, please check our MESMS website or call us! Our staff can schedule appointments to meet with you at mutually convenient times throughout the school year. Please call 2438100 to make any appointments. We look forward to a great school year!!
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