Bennett County Junior High Handbook 2016-2017

Bennett County Junior High Handbook 2016-2017

Warrior PRIDE

Participate, Respect, Integrity, Diligence, Engage

Vision

Empowering Our Students to Reach Their Full Potential

Mission

We, the staff of the Bennett County Junior High, are committed to the maximum achievement of all students, taking them from where they are, to where they need to be to succeed at the next educational level.

Goals

·  To encourage the pursuit of excellence, among students and teachers

·  To develop a sense of responsibility for self and respect for others

·  To provide a curriculum that will give our students the skills necessary to be effective learners and responsible citizens

·  To create an atmosphere in which students can develop self-concept

·  To foster communication and cooperation between teachers, students, parents and other members of the community

·  To provide all students with opportunities to explore a variety of interests

Contact Information

Bennett County Junior High Office 605-685-6343

Bennett County High School Office 605-685-6330

Martin Grade School Office 605-685-6717

Bennett County Business Office 605-685-6112

Bennett County Bus Barn 605-685-6109

401 1st Avenue P.O. Box 580 Martin, SD 57551

Administration

Stacy Halverson Superintendent

Amie Kuxhaus Martin Grade School Principal

Belinda Ready Junior High Principal

Nick Redden High School Principal

Karen Coyle Business Manager

Jolene Robinson Business Manager

Bob Toczek Transportation Director

Stacy Allen Special Education Director

School Board Members

Mike Olson - Chairman

Kevin Hodson – Vice Chairman

Todd Alexander

Scott Huber

Tiffany Petrak

Bennett County Junior High Educational Staff

Gary Alexander / English / Language Arts /
Katie Buchy / Math /
Mary Jo Fairhead / Health / Science /
Jeanene
Fuchs / Reading / Language Arts Read 180 /
Donna.
McKay / Counselor / Family and Consumer Science /
Anthony
Muilenberger / Physical Education /
Amy
O’Neill / Paraprofessional /
Sunny
Pierson / Social Studies /
Tina
Sigman / ISS /
Laney
Waln / Math / Special Education Technology /
Jennifer Zickrick / Grades 7-12 Career Counselor /

Dear Students, Parents/Guardians and Community,

We would like to welcome everyone to a new and exciting school year! Bennett County Junior High staff wants to provide an exceptional education to all of our students. Our goal is not only to provide the academic rigor necessary for success. This year we will be introduction the concept of CUSTOMIZED LEARNING to our students. We will work with the students and parents to provide the best possible education to meet the needs of EACH student.

By working together, we believe that we can make learning a fun-filled and positive experience for everyone involved. When home, school and community join efforts to create an environment that fosters academic excellence, while providing care and support, each student can be successful. Communication is key in this process and that is the prime reason for this handbook. It contains the kind of information that we think will be valuable to you in helping us make this education experience worthwhile and rewarding for each of our Bennett County Junior High students.

We look forward to working with you this school year and watching our students grow academically and socially. If we can be of assistance to you in any way, please contact me at 685-6343 or stop in at the office at the Bennett County Junior High.

Sincerely,

BelindaReady

1

THE SCHOOL DAY (8:00-4:00)

Students may enter the building at 7:35 and go to the Little Gym. Breakfast will be available until 7:50 for $1.75. (This program will be dependent on participation.) Students should be out of the gym and hallways by 8:00, ready to begin class. Students will be allowed a three-minute passing between each class. Students tardy at the start of the day need to report to the HIGH SCHOOL office for a tardy slip.

Students are to leave the school grounds at 4:00 unless they are participating in athletic events, tutoring or one of the after school clubs.

WEATHER DELAYED STARTS

If school is delayed due to weather, school will start at 10:00. Buses will run exactly two hours later than the scheduled pickup time. Classes will start with the First Period Class.

“NO SCHOOL” ANNOUNCEMENTS

If school is closed because of severe weather conditions, radio and television stations will broadcast closure information. SCHOOL REACH will be activated for phone notification. (Please make sure your phone numbers stay current so you can be contacted.)

SNOW MAKE-UP DAYS

Certain Friday’s have been scheduled as possible days to make up days missed due to weather. The attached calendar has those dates.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

In the classroom, our teachers are ready and working to give all students the knowledge and skills needed for success in high school, college, careers and life. We believe that a combination of excellent teaching, strong standards, and active student and family participation, combine into a path for success.

Curriculum development is an ongoing project with staff reviewing materials, connecting the Common Core Curriculum Standards and assessments to student learning. Questions about curriculum can be addressed with the teachers or Mrs. Ready.

Since we are committed to providing our students with a rigorous education, we will implement the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and the South Dakota Standards. These standards lay out what students should know and be able to do in Kindergarten through Twelfth grade. The Common Core Curriculum Standards can be found at http://sd.doe.ed.

The curriculum encompasses learning experiences to meet the needs, abilities, interests and emerging self-image of each pupil. The curriculum will be broad in scope and provide a wide range of rate, readiness and potential for learning through a balanced instructional program. Through Customized Learning the Junior High staff will be able to work toward the needs of each student.

Supplemental materials are used at each grade level to meet the needs of each student and the standards being addressed.

ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY for TECHNOLOGY USAGE

(Separate documents)

All students and parents must sign prior to student use of their laptops and any school computers.

ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG USE BY STUDENTS

School Board Policy NEPH Code: JFCH

ASSEMBLY PROGRAMS

Occasionally, assembly programs will be presented to the student body. During these programs, students will be expected to conduct themselves appropriately as members of the audience.

ASSESSMENTS

Formative assessments are given to students enabling teachers to guide their instruction. Summative assessments are used to show mastery of content and skills.

Teachers meet each month to review student data and plan instruction.

You may receive a flyer from the school prior to some tests that may be administered explaining the test. Students in Seventh and eighth grade students e take the AIMSWEB test throughout the school year to provide guidance in reading and math instruction. Other assessments that occur may include STAR Reading, STAR Math, AIMSweb math, AIMSweb reading, and other curriculum specific tests. Students in Grades 7 and 8 are required by SD Law to take the Smarter Balanced assessment annually each spring. Dates and information about this test will be sent home prior to the testing dates. Results to Smarter Balance will be made available to all parents as soon as the results become available. Parents are welcome to come in for any explanations or clarification.

ATTENDANCE

The greatest contributor to students’ success is good attendance. A student’s contribution to and achievement in class are directly related to their attendance in school. The entire process of education requires a regular continuity of instruction, classroom participation, learning experiences, and individual study to reach the goal of maximum educational benefits for each student. Both students and parents must understand that students miss a vital portion of their education when they are absent from school. Irregularity in attendance may have a serious effect on a student’s progress in school.

All absences, tardies, and truancies become part of a student’s transcript/permanent record. Schools in your post-high school plans and future employers are very interested in attendance and tardy records at school. Regular attendance is necessary in order for all students to be successful in the classroom and in life. While it is true that written work can be completed for makeup, classroom instruction or presentations, discussions, and student-teacher interaction can never be made up.

The compulsory attendance law of South Dakota requires children who have not reached the age of 18 attend school regularly. The BCJH recognizes that attendance and punctuality are shared responsibilities of the parents, school and most important, the students.

Parents must notify the school to clear absences in writing or by a phone call. Tardy slips need to be picked up at the office prior to returning to class. Parents will be notified when a student has been tardy and / or absent for FIVE DAYS, TEN DAYS, FIFTEEN DAYS, AND TWENTY DAYS. If a parent does not call the school, stop in, or send a written note regarding their child’s absence for that day, the absence will be unexcused.

Notification of student absence by parent/guardian.

Excused Absence: Parents may request that their children be excused from school for the following reasons. Any absence other than an excused absence is considered unexcused.

Personal illness. In instances of chronic or irregular absence reportedly due to illness, the school administration may request a physician’s statement certifying such absences as to be justifiable. If the student fails to provide the proper medical excuse, the absence will become unexcused and subject to that particular policy.

Family emergencies (death, serious illness).

Medical, dental, and legal appointments that are necessary and cannot be made on non-school days. If the school requests, written verification must be provided by the physician’s office, dentist’s office, or court services’ office stating the time and length of the appointment.

Personal family request (weddings, funerals, special family events, vacations). The school reserves the right to determine whether or not an absence is excused. If the family/student does not wish to state the reason for the absence, the student will automatically be assessed for and unexcused absence.

Inclement weather or poor road conditions. On days of bad weather, parents will have to use their own discretion in sending their children to school. Road and weather conditions may vary from one end of the school district to the other.

Special circumstances upon approval by the administration.

**Students involved in school-sponsored activities and class trips during the school day will not be counted absent from school.

Unexcused Absence

An unexcused absence will result in suspension from after school activities for that day.

Perfect Attendance

Perfect attendance will be awarded to students who are present in school 100% of the day. Students who are tardy or leave before 4:00 will not be awarded with perfect attendance.

If a student accumulates more than twenty (20) absences in a year and a review of their academics shows the student behind, they may be retained. The parent or guardian may appeal the retention, with an initial meeting with the classroom teacher(s), building principal and superintendent. The Bennett County School Board will make the FINAL decision in the appeal.

Daily attendance of students is required per school board policy, state law, and the No Child Left Behind Act. Following are a few state statutes and a summary that deal with school attendance.

13-27-1  Parents and guardians of children, ages 6 –18, are responsible for making sure students regularly attend school. This statute mandates compulsory attendance for children ages 6-18.

13-27-11 Parents/guardians that fail to send children, ages 6-18, are guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor for

the first offense. For each subsequent offense, the parent/guardian is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

13-27-14 School Boards are authorized to appoint Truancy Officers to enforce the compulsory attendance

laws.

Additional statutes dealing with Compulsory Attendance: 13-27-16; 13-27-19; 13-27-12; 13-27-15; 13-27-17; 13-27-18; and 13-27-20.

BACKPACKS

Backpacks, bookbags, etc. should be labeled and need to be stored in the lockers during the school day.

BEHAVIORAL GUIDELINES = PBIS Implementation

Bennett County Junior High protects the right to an education without interference. This constitutes distractions - including but not limited to material items as well as willful or overt disruptions that the school believe distracts from the learning environment. Disciplinary options will vary depending on the severity of the behavior and at the Principal’s discretion. The Bennett County Junior High Student Behavior Expectations guide is attached.

Students are expected to demonstrate good citizenship according to the guidelines below:

In the classroom students will follow the teacher’s classroom rules. As every teacher approaches discipline differently, each teacher will communicate precisely how students are expected to behave in each classroom situation. Consequences for misbehavior will be handled by the teacher in a manner consistent with the philosophy and guidelines of the Bennett County Junior High.

In the halls, lunchrooms, outside areas and buses students will behave in a way that respects the physical safety and emotional security of themselves and others. Areas around the school will be kept clean by picking up after yourselves.

At school sponsored events students must remain in the area designated for that activity by the teacher/sponsor. Students are expected to exhibit proper behavior, students not demonstrating common courtesy, or engaging in disruptive or unsportsmanlike behavior may be removed from the event.

In bus waiting, on school grounds and observable property (before and after school) students should wait in designated areas. Butting in line, shoving, disrespectful contact and comments, dangerous behavior or open disrespect and insubordination will not be tolerated. Once at school, students may not leave without administrative approval. Students are expected to help keep the school grounds clean.

BEHAVIOR MATRIX – The complete guide is included in the back of this plan.Please review this document with your child.

The Bennett County Junior High will be implementing PBIS this school year. Parents and community members will be invited to join students and staff as we work through the implementation of this process.

BUS RIDING PRIVILEGES

Riding a school bus is a privilege and should be treated as such. Students riding buses are expected to follow the guidelines established by the bus driver. These rules are posted in each bus. Any student who does not behave appropriately on the bus may lose bus privileges for a period of time or for the entire year. If seat belts are in the suburban or bus, they are TO BE WORN BY ALL students and the driver. Bus drivers are authorized to assign seats if needed to ensure the safety of all riders. Refusal to obey the driver may cause disruptions that could result in injury to the driver and passengers.