SKYVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL 2015­2016 Student Handbook 

Joe Slavin PRINCIPAL

Karen Wollak

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Brett Latterell Jennifer Miley Olivia Verick INSRUCTIONAL COACH GUIDANCE COUNSELOR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR

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GENERAL INFORMATION - SKYVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL ACADEMIC DISHONESTY Academic honesty is a core value at Skyview Middle School. It is expected that all students will be academically honest at all times, and will avoid the following: Plagiarism:

● Submitting words, ideas, images, or data of another person’s as one’s own in any academic writing or other project.

● Example: Copying and pasting any part of a pre-existing paper from the Internet or any other source, and presenting it as your own.

● Example: Using another person’s ideas or data--even when not word for word--without giving that person credit for their work in the form of a bibliographical citation.

Cheating:

● Using unauthorized aids during a final assessment (example: test or quiz) ● Submission of another student’s material already graded for credit ● Stealing another student’s completed material and turning it in for credit ● Copying another student’s practice work ● Copying off of someone else’s test and/or quiz; or passing answers from a test or quiz

to another student AFTER SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS All students are expected to leave school and be off of the school grounds by 2:25 everyday. The exceptions are if students are being supervised by staff for the following: participating in athletics, working with teachers, TOPS, Hawk Academy, choir/band, etc. Common violations of this school rule are students:

● Waiting for a friend or sibling who is being supervised - ex. I am going to John’s house after his basketball practice.

● Staying to watch an athletic game or practice to support a friend(s). ○ Exception - If the student has a note from his/her parent and is being

supervised by another parent ex. John Doe has my permission to stay after school to watch the boys basketball game and will be supervised by Sally Smith.

● Playing on the elementary playground or elementary basketball court. ● Hanging-out with friends and riding the activity bus home.

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ATTENDANCE Attending school is not only the law; it is also an investment in a successful future! Skyview staff members believe strongly that if a student is absent from school, he or she misses out on an opportunity to develop academically and socially. We are asking all students to attend school regularly, and all parents/guardians to support us in that effort. Parents/Guardians: If your son/daughter is going to be absent from school, please call the Skyview Middle School Attendance Line at 651-702-8022 on the morning of the absence - preferably by 7:30 a.m. In the message please include your student’s first and last name, grade, and a reason for the absence. Excused Absences An excused absence is an absence for reasons acceptable to school administration. The following are examples of excused absences:

● Serious illness of student causing the student to remain at home or to be sent home by the school nurse.

● Death in the family ● Family emergency ● Religious observance ● Medical and dental appointments ● Students who know that they will be gone for more than three days need to

bring note of explanation to the attendance office for approval. Students are responsible for letting teachers know of the absence. Missed class work may be given before or after the absence.

Unexcused Absences An unexcused absence is an absence for reasons not acceptable to school administration. These absences may occur with or without the knowledge of the student’s parent/guardian. The following are examples of unexcused absences:

● Oversleeping ● Skipping school ● Missing the bus ● Babysitting ● Transportation problems ● Weather

In the event that absenteeism becomes habitual, the student’s circumstances will be reviewed. When warranted, the student and parent/guardian will receive a notice informing them of the need to provide a doctor’s letter with each absence. A parent/guardian’s letter will no longer be acceptable.

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If a student is absent without lawful excuse on three or more full or partial days they are considered truant and will meet with a school administrator. If a student has 5 unexcused absences the school is legally required to notify the parent or guardian that the student is considered “continuing truant.” A letter will be sent to the parent or guardian and a copy of the letter will be submitted to the appropriate county agency. If the child has 7 unexcused absences they are then considered “habitually truant.” The school is required to report to the appropriate county agency that the student is in violation of the compulsory attendance laws. Unexcused Tardy Administration will handle unexcused tardies to school. The classroom teacher will handle and keep records of student unexcused tardiness to class. Teachers will work with the students and may assign consequences. An office referral may be written if a student is tardy 4 or more times in a trimester, at this point consequences will be given. Student Permission to Leave the Building Students planning on leaving the building during the school day need to bring a note to the Building Receptionist BEFORE school. The note must be signed by a parent/guardian, and should state the time the student needs to be excused. Parents/Guardians must come into the building to sign-out their student. BULLYING (Policy 528) A safe and civil environment is needed for students to learn and maintain high academic standards and to promote healthy human relationships. Bullying, like other violent or disruptive behavior, is conduct that interferes with a student’s ability to learn and teachers’ ability to educate students. It is the school district’s intent to prevent bullying and to take action to investigate, respond, remediate, and discipline those acts of bullying which have not been successfully prevented. An act of bullying, by either an individual student or a group of students, is expressly prohibited on school district property, or at school-related activities. “Bullying” means any written or verbal expression, physical act or gesture, or pattern thereof, by a student that is intended to cause or is perceived as causing distress to one or more students and which substantially interferes with another student’s educational benefits, opportunities, or performance. Bullying includes, but is not limited to; conduct by a student against another student that a reasonable person under the circumstances knows or should know has the effect of:

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1. harming a student or a group of students 2. damaging a student’s property or a groups of students property 3. placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to person or property 4. creating a hostile educational environment for a student or group of students 5. intimidating a student or group of students Consequences for students who commit prohibited acts of bullying may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension and/or expulsion. Skyview’s Anti-Bullying Rules: 1. We will not bully others. 2. We will try to help students who are bullied. 3. We will try to include students who are left out. 4. If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home BUS TRANSPORTATION Riding the bus is a privilege, not a right for all students who are residents of District #622 and live one mile or more from school. It is expected that students will conduct themselves in a respectful manner and not compromise the safety of others on the bus. Expectations for all bus riders

➔ Be courteous at the bus stop ➔ Enter the bus in an orderly fashion, sit down, and remain seated for the entire trip ➔ Do not move from seat to seat, put your feet on the seats, or engage in any horseplay ➔ Be respectful of other students and the driver. Do not use foul language ➔ Do not harass anyone verbally or physically ➔ Do not eat or drink on the bus unless the driver gives you permission ➔ Cooperate respectfully with the driver. Comply with the drivers requests without

arguing ➔ Transporting any potentially dangerous objects, including weapons, is prohibited ➔ Keep all body parts inside the bus. Do not throw objects out the bus window ➔ Do not vandalize the bus in any way ➔ Do not stand or walk in a bus while it is in motion ➔ Do not distract the driver in any way. Your safety and the safety of others in in the

hands of the driver Consequences for Breaking Bus Rules Students who demonstrate inappropriate behavior on the bus or at a bus stop will be referred to school administrators. Administration will handle each case on an individual basis and may assign the following consequences: verbal warning, assigned bus seat, discussion with parent, and loss of riding privileges.

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Riding Another Bus Students requesting to ride a bus other than the one to which they are assigned, must bring a handwritten note from home that is dated and signed by a parent/guardian, stating the reason for the necessity to ride a different bus for that day. This note must be brought to the cafeteria during lunch period. Some buses are at capacity and may not allow additional riders. Activity Buses After school activity buses are available Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and will leave Skyview Middle School at 3:30 p.m. Students who are waiting for the bus must receive a bus pass from a coach or teacher in order to board. Passes are only available to students who stayed after school for a supervised activity. Those students who do not have a pass will not be allowed to ride! CAFETERIA EXPECTATIONS Breakfast is available each morning from 7:25 - 7:40 a.m. Lunch is served to all students at scheduled times beginning around 11:00 a.m. It is expected that all students follow all school and district policies while in the cafeteria. Students who break school rules in the cafeteria such as, but not limited to: running, throwing food, leaving food on table/floor, not following monitor directions will be subject to consequences such as assigned seating, cafeteria clean-up, or lunch detention. CELL PHONES, LASER PENS, OTHER NUISANCE ITEMS Objects brought to school, which create a disturbance or unnecessary disruption, are considered nuisance items. These items have no place in school and will be confiscated by school personnel. Pagers, laser pens, rubber bands, squirt guns, cellular phones, iPods, and CD players are examples of nuisance items. CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS Teachers at Skyview Middle School will be teaching students The Skyview Way...I KNOW, I CAN, I DO and what this will look like, feel like, and sound like throughout the building. I KNOW, I CAN, I DO will be taught with all students at the beginning of the school year and reinforced throughout the year with emphasis after breaks and the beginning of each trimester. Students who do not follow The Skyview Way...I KNOW, I CAN, I DO will be subject to an intervention. Examples of teacher interventions may include, but are not limited to:

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warnings, TAB, TAB Out, parent phone calls, seat changes, team meetings, parent meetings, and referrals to the office. When a teacher has attempted several unsuccessful interventions to correct inappropriate behavior, including a telephone call to the student’s parent, the student will be sent to the office with a disciplinary referral and a phone call home. COMPUTER USAGE Computer use is a privilege. A wide variety of software, access to the Internet, and personal network storage space is available on school computers. It is the responsibility of each user to handle the hardware and software in such a way as not to limit or deny access to others. Programs installed on hard drives are licensed to the District and are not to be removed, copied, or modified in any way. Students may not add to or tamper with any computer programs, hard drives, or systems. Users may not access or attempt to access systems, the Internet, and/or data for which they are not authorized. It is understood that data is the possession of the person with access rights (student network folder). For someone else to access the data is an invasion of privacy and will be considered theft. Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action including reduced or restricted access to computers, suspension, or legal action when deemed appropriate. Loss of computer privileges includes, before, during, and after school. Class lessons and projects requiring computer use will, out of necessity, need to be completed at home. All technology use must be school related. The Internet is not to be used for games, inappropriate searches, or personal email. Care should be demonstrated when printing so as not to waste resources. DRESS CODE Student clothing and grooming has a direct impact on the health and safety of students and can affect the learning process. School dress should be appropriate to the school environment and must comply with state health laws. Grooming and dress that creates a disruption in the classroom or prevents students and teachers from doing their best work must be avoided. Students that are in violation of dress code will be asked to make changes before resuming the school day. Use the following guidelines for student dress at school:

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● The torso midriff/stomach area must be completely covered – no crop or cut-off tops. ● Tops must have thick straps (three finger rule). Spaghetti straps, halter tops and tube

tops are not allowed. ● Cleavage must be covered. ● Sagging pants are not allowed. Pants need to be pulled up so as not to expose

boxers/underwear. ● Shorts and skirts must pass the fingertip rule; meaning when a student stands

upright with hands to the side, shorts or skirts should be at or below their fingertips. ● Outdoor jackets, coats, headwear, or backpacks are to be left in the lockers and not

worn to class. ● Hats, scarves, sweatshirt hoods or other head coverings may not be worn in the

building from 7:30-2:15 except for medical or religious reasons. ● Students may not wear any clothing with inappropriate language or pictures, gang

attire, or messages promoting or advertising the use of chemicals or alcohol.

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ELECTRONIC DEVICES/EAR BUDS Cell phones, iPads/tablets, iPods/MP3’s, and ear buds may be brought to school for direct academic purposes and are considered a privilege. All electronic devices and accessories (including earbuds & headphones) must be put away (i.e. locker) by 7:40 a.m. and put on silent mode during the school day. Students may check their devices during passing times and during lunch. Exceptions: When appropriate, teachers may allow students to take these items out for classroom use and may use them in the cafeteria during lunch. Students who use electronic devices in classrooms/learning areas or hallways during an unauthorized time may have their device confiscated. This may include, but not limited to:

● Headphones/earbuds around neck ● Phones/iPods ringing or alert tones ● Texting, taking pictures, playing games ● Refusal to put electronic device away

Skyview staff may confiscate electronic devices/headphones from students who are not following school or classroom rules. Confiscated items will be returned to the student at the end of the hour or school day OR parents/guardians may need to come in and pick up the device. Repeated offenses will result in a referral to the office. IMPORTANT: Students who bring any type of electronic device/accessories to school do so at their own risk and should always secure unsupervised items in their main locker, gym locker, or band locker (if assigned). Skyview Middle School will not be responsible for lost or stolen items. EMERGENCY DRILLS (fire/lockdown/tornado) Emergency drills take place throughout the school year. Each year we are required to have five fire drills, five lockdown drills and one tornado drill. It is important that students become familiar with the correct procedure to follow in each of their classrooms. Emergency procedures will be taught to students during advisory time throughout the school year. EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (Athletics/Theater/Swing Choir/Jazz Band) Skyview Middle School has a comprehensive athletic program that has been designed primarily for seventh and eighth grade students. We compete mainly with other schools in

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the Metro East Conference (metroeastconference.org). The program encompasses all major sports during the entire year. All seventh and eighth graders are encouraged to participate; there are no tryouts. Everyone makes the team and everyone plays. When considering whether or not to participate, please keep the following in mind:

1. Athletic physicals and permission slips are required. 2. Participation fee is required. 3. Concussion form is required. 4. Good conduct to, from, and during sporting events, as well as during practices is not only expected, it’s required.

Regular attendance, appropriate classroom behavior, and satisfactory academic standards must be maintained in order to ensure full participation. Seventh and eighth grade students may participate on the high school cross country, swimming, and gymnastics teams. Seventh and eighth grade students can become involved in the athletic activities listed below. Sixth graders may participate in tennis, wrestling, and track.

Boys Girls Fall: Soccer, Football Fall: Soccer, Volleyball, Tennis Winter: Basketball, Wrestling Winter: Basketball Spring: Baseball, Track, Tennis Spring: Track, Softball

Extracurricular Guidelines & Academics Students participating in extracurricular activities must always abide by the rules, use good judgment, and earn the privilege of representing Skyview. Behavior contrary to this may result in the student losing his/her extracurricular privilege for an amount of time determined by the administration, athletic director and or coach. Students must be making satisfactory progress in ALL subject areas. Students will be declared ineligible until proof of satisfactory progress has been reestablished. Grades A student will be eligible to participate providing he/she is passing with C’s or better in all classes. Coaches will e-mail teachers a list of participating students every two weeks. Teachers will check the list and notify the coach of any academic deficiencies in which the following may occur:

● The student may practice but not play in any games until the student is passing classes

● The student may be required to attend Hawk Academy until passing ● Any student who receives a failing grade for the trimester will be placed on a

two-week probation. At the end of two weeks, the student may participate if the grades are acceptable. If the student’s grades are still failing, the student will be ineligible for the remainder of the season.

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School Discipline If a student is assigned to ISS or given an out of school suspension, that student will not be allowed to practice or play in contests on the days he/she is in the alternate setting. The AD or coach has the authority to recommend removal of students from extracurricular activities for behavior if he/she thinks the removal is in the best interest of the individual, team, student body, or school. Final authority for removal lies with the principal. Attendance The student must be in attendance at school the day of the athletic practice or contest in which they are participating. Other

● The school district does not carry health or dental insurance on student athletes. Injury protection needs to be provided through a family insurance plan.

● A physical exam form is required to be on file prior to participation. Physical are good for three years.

● The fee established by ISD 622 must be paid before participating in extracurricular activities.

FOOD & BEVERAGES Candy, pop, and other food items are to be consumed in the cafeteria at breakfast and lunchtime only. All food items must be kept in lockers before and after lunchtime. No liquids, except water, are ever permitted in carpeted areas. Students with food or beverages on the carpeted areas will have items confiscated and thrown away. GUEST TEACHERS Guest teachers are frequently working in the building. They provide a tremendous service taking the place of teachers who are absent. They deserve the same respect given to the regular classroom teacher. It is our responsibility to welcome these professionals to our school, and to help them feel positive and productive about their teaching experience at Skyview Middle. Consequences can be assigned to students for misbehavior with a guest teacher. GUIDANCE & COUNSELING SERVICES Students are assigned a counselor who is prepared to work with students, parents, and teachers. Counselors assist in the development of educational plans, communication and conflict management skills, as well as career goals and plans. Students may make an

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appointment between classes or before school with the guidance secretary. Parents are also encouraged to contact the counseling office with any concerns about their child. Groups may be formed and group topics will be determined by student interest. Previous groups have included friendship, anger management, family change, etc. If you do not want your child to be included in such groups, you must send a letter to the principal. HEALTH OFFICE The health office is designed to assist students and their parents should a student become ill or sustain an injury at school. A parent should inform the health office if a student has a medical condition so that the proper medical attention can be prescribed. The health office should be informed of any health changes that could affect a student’s daily performance. No medications (including aspirin) may be given to a student by school personnel without written direction from a physician and a written request from parent/guardian. Students may not bring medication to school (either prescription or “over-the-counter” types) for the purpose of self-medication. All medications need to be stored in the health office. LOCKERS & PERSONAL PROPERTY Each student will be assigned a school locker at the beginning of the school year. Students will have their own locker combination, which should NEVER be shared with another student. The locker should be kept clean and organized. Students must ONLY use the locker to which they have been assigned.

Minnesota State Law regarding school lockers School lockers are the property of the school district. At no time does the school district relinquish its exclusive control of lockers provided for the convenience of students. School authorities for any reason may conduct inspection of the interior of lockers at any time, without notice, without student consent, and without a search warrant. The personal possessions of students within a school locker may be searched only when school authorities have a reasonable suspicion that the search will uncover evidence of a violation of law or school rules. As soon as practical after the search of a student’s personal possessions, the school authorities must provide notice of the search to students whose lockers were searched unless disclosure would impede an ongoing investigation by police or school officials.

Students are responsible for their own property. If something is missing from a student’s locker, the school is NOT responsible. Missing or stolen items should be reported to the office. Students should not bring valuables or large amounts of money to school.

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MEDIA CENTER The library will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. Most materials may be checked out for two weeks. Students may obtain a pass from a staff member to use the library’s resources. While in the library, students are expected to help maintain a quiet atmosphere that is conducive to learning. SCHOOLWIDE DISCIPLINE In order to maintain a safe learning environment for everyone in our school community, certain behaviors will result in an immediate office referral. Examples of bottom line behaviors include, but are not limited to: weapon or replica weapon or dangerous object possession, illegal substance use or possession, harassment, racial slurs, physical or verbal confrontations, insubordination, theft or property destruction, offensive behavior, threats or intimidation of students or staff and false fire alarms. When students are engaged in any form of fighting where physical contact is made or exchanged, the consequences will be ISS (in school suspension) and/or out of school suspension. The consequence also applies to a student who is retaliating to an aggressive act. These behaviors will also require a parent/guardian meeting. Types of corrective measures available include, but are not limited to:

Student conference Restitution** Parent/Guardian conference Expulsion/exclusion Removal from class* Isolated lunch Referral to police Detention Superintendent-level disciplinary action Referral to outside agency Suspension (In-School or Out-of-School) Community service In-School support services Check & Connect Disciplinary Behavior Plan Loss of privileges

*Removal from class may be to another classroom or office **Compensation or compensatory service required of a student who has damaged, taken or destroyed school or personal property. VISITORS TO THE BUILDING Skyview Middle School maintains a closed campus. Students from other schools are not allowed to attend classes. Parents/Guardians or prospective parent/guardians who would like to attend classes and/or tour the building should make arrangements with the Main Office. All visitors must check in at the Welcome Desk upon entering the building. There, you will be given a visitor’s badge that must be worn at all times in the building.

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WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURES Students transferring to another school are to stop in the guidance office to request a clearance form to be signed by teachers and school personnel. When the clearance form has been signed by all appropriate staff members and all school obligations have been taken care of, students will receive an official clearance from the guidance office.

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