2007-2008 Student Handbook
Safford Middle School
734 11th St.
Safford, AZ 85546
Main Office: (928) 348-7040
Fax: (928) 348-7041
www.saffordusd.k12.az.us
Name: ______
Grade: ______
Core: ______
How to Succeed at Safford Middle School
v Come to school every day unless you are sick.
v Be on time to classes.
v Always give your full attention to the teacher and other staff members when they are talking to you.
v Follow directions the first time they are given.
v Be kind toward others in what you say and do about them and to them.
v If you are having problems with anyone talk to a teacher or staff member about it right away. We will keep it confidential and help you solve it.
v Finish all assignments as soon as you can; before class is over as much as possible.
v If something does not make sense ask the teacher or other staff about it.
v Never bring anything illegal or against school rules to school. This includes tobacco, lighters, prescription medications, laser lights, permanent markers, drugs, knives, weapons etc.
v If you get detention serve it within 24 hours.
v Make sure you are following the dress code before you leave for school.
v Be on your best behavior on the bus.
v Leave electronic items at home (cell phones, I-Pods, etc.).
v Use your planner to write down assignments and to find information in the help pages. (See pages 33-43.)
v Be friendly with your friends and others, greet, talk, visit, but always keep your hands, feet, books, and other objects to yourself.
v Always tell the truth. At first it may seem hard to do, but in the long run it will be easier.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION/GENERAL INFORMATION
1 — How to Succeed at Safford Middle School
2 — Map of Campus
3 — Table of Contents
5 — Calendar
6 — Bell Schedules
7 — Seventh Grade Detention Schedule
8 — Introduction, School Colors and Mascot, General Information
9 — Philosophy and Goals, Middle Level Philosophy, Equal Educational Opportunities
OFFICE AND SUPPORT SERVICES
10 — Announcements, Bus Route Policies, Cafeteria/Breakfast/Lunchtime
11 — Closure of School, Counseling, Education Act For Disabled Children, Electronic
Information Services (E.I.S.) Computer Use Agreement, Emergency Drills
12 — FERPA
13 — Illness or Injury, Insurance, Lockers, Lost and Found, Media Center, Medications
14 — Newsletters, Nurse, Pictures, Release of Records, Schedule Change (Parent request)
15 — Section 504, Speech Therapist, Staying After School
ACADEMICS
15 — Awards
16 — Conferences, Gifted Students Programs, Homework
17 — Honor Roll, Makeup Work, Progress Reports, Promotion To High School
18 — Promotion and Retention, Report Cards
STUDENT/PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES
18 — Arrival and Dismissal, Attendance/Absence Procedures and Requirements, Changes in
Student Information
19 — Complaints About Staff, Deliveries, Doctor and Dentist
Appointments, Electronic Devices, Fees, Fines
20 — Immunizations, No Contact School, Motor Vehicles Parent Volunteers, Phone Calls,
Tardiness, Textbooks, Visitors
21 — Withdrawal of Students
CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE
21 — Scope and Authority, Alcohol and Drugs, Athletic and Performance Event Conduct,
Bicycles/Skateboards/Roller Blades, Bus Conduct
2 — Disciplinary Actions
23 — Fighting, Food and Drinks, Gum, Hazing, Inhalants
24 — Leaving Campus, Litter Policy, Note Writing, Passes, Public
Display of Affection (PDA), Searches, Smoking, Soliciting and Posting
25 — Student Dress Code, Substitute Teachers, Telephones,
Valuables, Vandalism, Walking to and From School
CHART OF MAJOR OFFENSES AND SUGGESTED CONSEQUENCES
26 — Abuse of Staff; Alcohol, Drugs, Inhalants, and Drug Paraphernalia;
Assault/Sexual Assault; Fighting
27 — Bus Violations; Copying/Forgery Cheating; Destruction of
Property/Vandalism; Disruptive/Uncooperative Conduct;
Dress Code/Public Display of Affection
28 — Electronic Devices; Emergency Alarms/Arson; Gambling;
Gang Association Symbols
29 — Harassment, Threats, Verbal Abuse, Hazing; Insubordination,
Defiance; Theft/Extortion; Tobacco
30 — Trespassing/Unauthorized Entry/Unauthorized Sales;
Truancy/Skipping Class; Violation of Federal, State, Local
or School Policies and Rules; Vulgarity, Profanity,
Obscenity, Disrespect, Defamation; Weapons, Explosive
Devices, Dangerous Instruments/Endangerment;
Reasonable Standard of Right and Wrong; Cumulative
Violations
EXTRA CURRICULAR
31 — Assemblies, Athletic Competition, Athletic Eligibility, Field Trips, Fund Raising,
Intramurals
32 — Science/Academic/Art Fair, Socials, Student Government
STUDENT STUDY/TEST TAKING HELPS
33 — Safford Middle School Writing Expectations
34 — AIMS Test-Taking Strategies
35 — 8th Grade AIMS Mathematics Reference Sheet
36 — Test Taking Strategies for Math
37 — Test Taking Strategies for Reading
38 — Student-friendly 6 Trait Writing Rubric
FORMS
44 — Administering Medicine To Students
46 — Requirements for Participation in Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony Verification
48 — Safford Middle School Handbook Verification Form
CALENDAR FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 2007-2008 /Aug 8 / First Day Of Classes / Jan 28 / Progress Reports/ Site Council Meeting (5:00 pm)
Aug 16 / Open House 6:30 pm / Feb 6 / Early Release/Collaboration Day (out at 11:35 am)
Aug 27 / Site Council Meeting (5:00 pm) / Feb 8 / Social 3-5 pm
Aug 31
Sep 3 / No School
Labor Day-No School / Feb 18 / President’s Day – No School
Sep 4 / Progress Reports / Feb 21 / Early Release (out at 11:15 am)
Parent/Teacher Conferences – 3:30-6:30 pm
Sep 5 / Early Release/Collaboration Day (out at 11:35 am) / Feb 25 / Site Council Meeting (5:00 pm)
Sep 14 / Social 4-6 pm / Mar 5 / Early Release/Collaboration Day (out at 11:35 am)
Sep 24 / Progress Reports; Site Council Meeting (5:00 pm) / Mar 7 / End third quarter
Oct 3 / Early Release/Collaboration Day (out at 11:35 am) / Mar 10-14 / Spring Break – No School
Oct 12
Oct 15 / Fair Day-No School
No School / Mar 19 / Report Cards Mailed Home
Oct 19 / End of 1st Quarter / Mar 21 / No School
Oct 25 / Early Release (out at 11:15 am)
Parent/Teacher Conferences - 3:30-6:30 pm / Mar 31 / Site Council Meeting (5:00 pm)
Oct 26 / Social and/or Fall Festival 4-6 pm / Apr 2 / Early Release/Collaboration Day (out at 11:35 am)
Oct 29 / Site Council Meeting (5:00 pm) / Apr 7 / Progress Reports
Nov 7 / Early Release/Collaboration Day (out at 11:35 am) / Apr 7-18 / AIMS Testing Window
Nov 12 / Veteran’s Day – No School / Apr 24 / Academic/Arts Fair (6:00-8:00 pm)
Nov 13 / Progress Reports / April 25 and 28 / No School
Nov 21 / Early Release (out at 11:15 am) / Apr 29 / Progress Reports
Nov 22-23 / Thanksgiving Break – No School / May 7 / Early Release/Collaboration Day (out at 11:35)
Nov 26 / Site Council Meeting (5:00 pm) / May 15 / Academic Awards Night (7:00 – 8:00 pm)
Dec 3 / Progress Reports / May 13 / 6th Grade Orientation (2:00)
Dec 5 / Early Release/Collaboration Day (out at 11:35 am) / May 16 / Social 4-7 pm
Dec 14 / Social 3-5 pm / May 19 / Yearbook Signing Assembly
Dec 21 / Early Release (11:15 am); End of 2nd Quarter; End of 1st Semester / May 20 / Sunsplash Reward Trip (6:30 am -6:30 pm)
Dec 24 – Jan 4 / Christmas Break – No School / May 21 / 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony (5:30 pm)
Jan 7 / School Resumes / May 22 / SMS Reward Party (8:00-11:15);
Early Release (11:15) Last Day of School; End of Semester
Jan 11 / Report Cards Mailed Home / May 29 / Report Cards Mailed Home
Jan 21 / MLK Day – No School
SAFFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL BELL SCHEDULE
(60 minute periods with 5 min. extra 1st Period for announcements; 29 min lunchtime)
7TH GRADE / 8TH GRADE
Detention / 7:05-7:37 / 7:05-7:37
1ST Period / 7:40-8:45 / 7:40-8:45
2nd Period Reading SET / 8:48-9:13 / 8:48-9:13
3rd Period / 9:16-10:16 / 9:16-10:16
4th Period / 10:19-11:19 / 10:19-11:19
5th Period (1st Lunch) / 11:19-11:48 / 11:22-12:22
6th Period (2nd Lunch) / 11:51-12:51 / 12:22-12:51
7th Period / 12:54-1:54 / 12:54-1:54
8th Period Math/PASS SET / 1:57-2:22 / 1:57-2:22
Detention / 2:25-3:00 / 2:25-3:00
EARLY RELEASE COLLABORATION DAY SCHEDULE
(28 minute periods with 5 min. extra 1st Period for announcements; 22 min. lunchtime)7TH GRADE / 8TH GRADE
Detention / 7:05-7:37 / Detention / 7:05-7:37
1st Period / 7:40-8:13 / 1st Period / 7:40-8:13
2nd Period Reading SET / 8:16-8:41 / 2nd Period Reading SET / 8:16-8:41
3rd Period / 8:44-9:12 / 3rd Period / 8:44-9:12
4th Period / 9:15-9:43 /
4th Period
/ 9:15-9:436th Period / 9:46-10:14 / 5th Period / 9:46-10:14
8th Period Math SET / 10:17-10:42 / 8th Period Math SET / 10:17-10:42
Lunch (5th Period) / 10:42-11:04 / 7th Period / 10:45-11:13
7th Period
/ 11:07-11:35 /Lunch (6th Period)
/ 11:13-11:35ASSEMBLY BELL SCHEDULE
(50 minute periods with 5 min. extra 1st Period for announcements; 27 min. lunchtime, 52 min. Assembly)7TH GRADE / 8TH GRADE
Detention / 7:05-7:37 / Detention / 7:05-7:37
1st Period / 7:40-8:35 / 1st Period / 7:40-8:35
2nd Period Reading SET / 8:38-9:03 / 2nd Period Reading SET / 8:38-9:03
3rd Period / 9:06-9:56 / 3rd Period / 9:06-9:56
4th Period / 9:59-10:49 /
4th Period
/ 9:59-10:495th Period (1st Lunch) / 10:49-11:16 / 5th Period / 10:52-11:42
6th Period / 11:19-12:09 / 6th Period (2nd Lunch) / 11:42-12:09
7th Period
/ 12:12-1:02 /7th Period
/ 12:12-1:028th Period Math SET
/ 1:05-1:30 /8th Period Math SET
/ 1:05-1:30Assembly
/ 1:30-2:22 /Assembly
/ 1:30-2:22Detention / 2:25-3:00 / Detention / 2:25-3:00
EARLY RELEASE PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES, DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING BREAK, DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS BREAK, AND LAST DAY OF SCHOOL SCHEDULE
(28 minute periods with 5 min. extra 1st Period for announcements)
Detention / 7:05-7:37
1st Period / 7:40-8:13
2nd Period Reading SET / 8:16-8:42
3rd Period / 8:45-9:13
4th Period / 9:16-9:44
5th for Eighth Grade/6th for Seventh Grade / 9:47-10:15
7th Period / 10:18-10:46
8th Period Math SET / 10:49-11:15
No lunch will be served on this day.
7th Grade Detention Schedule
Monday:
Mrs. Reynolds 2:25 pm – 3:00 pm
Tuesday:
Mrs. Goostree 7:05 am – 7:35 am
Mrs. Seale 2:25 pm – 3:00 pm
Wednesday:
7:05 am – 7:35 am
Thursday:
7:05 am – 7:35 am
2:25 pm – 3:00 pm
Friday:
Mr. Green 7:05 am – 7:35 am
Mr. Black 2:25 pm – 3:00 pm
You must be in detention by 2:25 pm or you will not be able to serve your detention. You must do your detention with the teacher on the duty schedule. If you owe 30 minutes you need to stay the entire 30 minutes.
INTRODUCTION
The staff of Safford Middle School would like to welcome students and their parents to the new school year. Education at Safford Middle School is designed to meet the needs of each individual student, but ultimately each individual will gain from school according to the effort they apply. To increase the degree of educational success it is imperative that teachers, parents and administrators communicate openly and frequently concerning the progress of students.
The school makes special efforts to create and promote a good relationship between the home and school. Newsletters, regular conferences and direct contact with parents are part of these efforts. Parents are encouraged to initiate their own contacts whenever necessary. All teachers have e-mail addresses and direct phone extensions.
Let’s work together. Our school has a proud tradition of academic excellence and, with your help, the present year will be one of the schools very best.
Please note: Any text, which is in bold font, means that close attention should be paid to it. Any text that is underlined indicates the new changes to the handbook for the current school year.
SCHOOL COLORS AND SCHOOL MASCOT
The Safford Middle School mascot is the ‘Bulldog’ and the school colors are royal blue and white. We encourage our students to identify with these symbols as a representation of our school pride and spirit! School color day will be held every Friday and all students and staff are encouraged to participate with a monthly incentive for the first period class with the highest percentage of participation.
GENERAL INFORMATION
This handbook is to be used by students and parents as an overview and basic policy outline of most instructional and management related concerns vital to the functioning of Safford Middle School. It will be reviewed by a designated teacher in class and then by the administration during an assembly. A more in-depth understanding of its contents may be gained by discussing concerns with the building administrator. It is hoped that this handbook will be used to assist the school and parents in promoting the best possible educational program available. It is the responsibility of the students and parents to be familiar with its contents and to follow the procedures and rules.
Please read the entire handbook, and then feel free to contact the appropriate staff member or administrator should questions arise. It is advised that this book be kept in possession of the student at all times. It will serve as their out of class pass at Safford Middle School when appropriately signed by SMS personnel.