Fort Couch Middle School / 2015-2016
515 Fort Couch Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241-2099
(412) 833-1600 ext. 3000
Welcome
Welcome to Fort Couch Middle School. We are sure this handbook will be valuable as you and your child embark on the journey through Fort Couch. Fort Couch has a rich tradition of academic and extra-curricular innovation for the middle level student. Fort Couch Middle School has been recognized by the Pittsburgh Business Times as one the highest performing middle school in terms of state assessments. In addition, Fort Couch Middle School has been re-designated again as a Pennsylvania Middle Schools Association “Schools to Watch” Recipient and was again given a National Blue Ribbon Award.
The educational program at Fort Couch has been developed with a clear understanding of the students’ academic, physical, emotional and social characteristics and needs. Additionally, the curriculum and activities allow students to explore and begin to develop their creativity, strengths, and passions. The Fort Couch staff works hard to build connections with students and parents to ensure quality relationships and partnerships.
Ultimately, the mission of the school is to provide the best educational opportunities to all students. The programs of the school aim to be responsive to the needs of all students through various options while striving to achieve and surpass district, state, and national learning standards. The future for students, parents, and staff is full of exciting and challenging opportunities. Enjoy your time at Fort Couch Middle School!
Best wishes,
Joseph F. DeMar Erin Peterson
Principal Assistant Principal
Fort Couch Middle School Philosophy
Our strength as an educational community stems from students, teachers, parents, staff, administrators, and Upper St. Clair citizens working together with a common mission - educational excellence. The entire Fort Couch community strives to create a secure environment where each student, treated with trust and respect, can assume responsibility for his or her own education.
The student is the center of Fort Couch Middle School. Our staff is trained to effectively deal with the sweeping social, emotional, and physical needs of this transitional period. This includes understanding the wide array of mental and physical changes that occur and how they influence readiness to learn.
Students are encouraged to take the “risks” necessary for individual growth. Our curriculum is designed to develop the communication and critical thinking skills needed for success in life. By paying close attention to the whole student, we are able to free young minds for academic challenge and ignite a lifelong adventure in learning.
Fort Couch Middle School advocates a positive atmosphere where each student can achieve to the fullest, and each individual feels like a unique, but integral, part of the overall school community.
Upper St. Clair School District Administration
Superintendent……………………… Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole
Assistant/Deputy Superintendent…... Dr. Sharon K. Suritsky
Assistant Superintendent…………..….…Dr. John T. Rozzo
Upper St. Clair School Board Members
President…………………………...... Mr. Frank J. Kerber
Vice President……………………….....Mrs. Buffy Z. Hasco
Members: Mrs. Amy L. Billerbeck, Mrs. Barbara L. Bolas, Mr. Harry F. Kunselman, Mr. Louis P. Mafrice, Jr., Mr. Louis M. Oliverio, Mrs. Angela B. Petersen, Mrs. Rebecca A. Stern
Student Bill of Rights
You, as a student of the Upper St. Clair Middle School Program, have the right to . . .
Grow intellectually by exposing yourself to ideas and concepts that challenge your ability to think, reason, and make decisions;
Mature emotionally while interacting in an environment that nurtures awareness and an understanding of yourself;
Become a whole person by learning from people who have made a commitment to your education and special needs;
Develop socially by modeling accepted social attitudes and social skills;
Grow physically by being an active participant in curricular and extracurricular activities that develop your body and sense of fair play;
Express yourself creatively by sharing your talents and abilities in the Arts;
Allow yourself to be helped through a challenging period in your growth by people with a sincere understanding of your feelings;
Understand your fears knowing that your concerns are natural and shared by everyone;
Seek help when you need it in order to gain a better understanding of your schoolwork;
Be yourself because you are a special person.
Student Responsibilities
Student responsibilities include regular school attendance, conscientious effort in classroom work, and conformance to school rules and regulations. Most of all, students share with the administration and faculty a responsibility to develop a climate within the school that is conducive to wholesome learning and living.
No student has the right to interfere with the education of his/her fellow students. It is the responsibility of each student to respect the rights of teachers, students, administrators, and all others who are involved in the educational process.
Students should express their ideas and opinions in a respectful manner.
It is the responsibility of the students to conform to the following:
· Be aware of all rules and regulations for student behavior and conduct themselves in accord with them. Students should assume that until a rule is waived, altered or repealed in writing, it is in effect.
· Volunteer information in matters relating to the health, safety, and welfare of the school community and the protection of school property.
· Dress and groom to meet fair standards of safety and health and not to cause substantial disruption to the educational processes.
· Assist the school staff in operating a safe school for all students enrolled therein.
· Comply with Commonwealth and local laws.
· Exercise proper care when using public facilities and equipment.
· Attend school daily and be on time for all classes and other school functions.
· Make up work when absent from school.
· Pursue and attempt to complete satisfactorily the courses of study prescribed by Commonwealth and local school authorities.
· Report accurately and refrain from using indecent or obscene language in student newspapers or publications.
Time Schedule for 2015-2016
Begin / End / Class8:30 / 8:40 / Homeroom
8:43 / 9:29 / Period 1
9:32 / 10:18 / Period 2
10:21 / 11:07 / Period 3
11:10 / 11:40 / Grade 8 Lunch
11:10 / 11:47 / Grade 7 Panther Time
11:50 / 12:20 / Grade 7 Lunch
11:43 / 12:20 / Grade 8 Panther Time
12:23 / 1:09 / Period 4
1:12 / 1:58 / Period 5
2:01 / 2:47 / Period 6
2:50 / 3:20 / Period 7 (Resource Time)
*Students will go to their lockers and out to the buses at
3:20 P.M.
Fort Couch Middle School operates on a six-day cycle in order to efficiently use resources and maximize student-learning opportunities. Core academic classes meet daily. Expressive Arts, Physical Education, World Language, and Guidance meet at various times throughout the six-day cycle.
Teaming
Teaming is the foundation of Fort Couch Middle School. All students are assigned to one of the six teams. All teams are composed of a science, math, social studies, and English language arts teacher. In addition to these core classes, students will have a world language, expressive arts, guidance, and physical education class. Students will also take part in the advisory program.
General Information
Address Change: Any student having a temporary or permanent address change during the school year should notify the Fort Couch office.
The School Day
The school day at Fort Couch is from 8:30 A.M. until 3:20 P.M., Monday through Friday. Students should not be in the building before 8:00 A.M. or after 3:30 P.M. unless requested by a teacher, participating in a supervised activity, arriving on an early bus, or waiting for a late bus.
Library - The Library is open from 8:15 A.M. to 3:20 P.M. if the librarian is available. A note will be posted on the library door should the hours change.
Nutrition Center - The Nutrition Center is open for students beginning at 8:00 A.M. Breakfast can be purchased. All students should remain in the Nutrition Center until 8:25 A.M.
Absences
Regular attendance in school is vital to a student’s success. The State of Pennsylvania requires that all students between the ages of eight and seventeen attend school regularly. If a student has been absent, it is required by State law that the student brings a note from his/her parents to explain the student’s absence. the note should include the student’s full name, date of absence, phone number, reason for absence and parental signature. When the student returns to school, the excuse should be given to the Attendance Secretary. The student will receive a receipt verifying that an excuse was submitted. The student’s household will receive an automated phone call, reminding the parents of the absence. IF AN EXCUSE IS NOT TURNED IN WITHIN THREE DAYS UPON RETURNING TO SCHOOL, THE ABSENCE IS CONSIDERED UNEXCUSED. NO EXCUSE WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THREE DAYS.
When a student misses more than ten total days, the parents will receive written notice that a doctor’s excuse will be required for all subsequent absences. Failure to obtain a doctor’s excuse will result in an unexcused absence. Excused absences include: illness; quarantine; death in the family; impassable roads; emergencies, which will affect the child; late buses; religious holidays; previously approved educational trip/tours. Any student desiring to have an absence excused for an educational trip must complete the Educational Trip Request form. This form can be obtained from the office. The form must be turned into the Attendance Secretary in advance of the trip. If prior approval is not secured, the absence will be unexcused. Students taking this type of trip should make arrangements with their teachers in advance for make up work missed during their absence. If the teacher requires written work to be made up prior to the absence for this purpose, the student must do so. See “Homework” for missed schoolwork requests. When in doubt of the legality of an absence, parents are requested to contact school administration. The Compulsory Attendance Laws of the State of Pennsylvania will be enforced.
Late Arrivals/Tardiness: If a student is late to school after homeroom, the student is to report to the Main Office before going to class to check in and receive an admission slip. A tardy will be marked unexcused if an appropriate parental excuse is not submitted within three school days. If you are uncertain if the tardy is excusable, contact the Attendance Secretary (412) 833-1600 ext. 3004. Any student who arrives to school late, or is absent because of the delay of the school bus beyond a twenty (20) minute waiting period by the student, is regarded as tardy or absent even though the student may not be responsible for such tardiness or absence. Tardiness or absence in this respect will be classified as excused upon presentation of the proper written excuse by the parent and the review by the Transportation Department. Any student who is tardy because of a late bus should report to the Main Office to document their arrival and avoid being marked tardy.
Students will be referred to the Assistant Principal’s Office when they accumulate in excess of three unexcused tardies to class or three unexcused tardies to school. Disciplinary consequences will be assigned.
Any student who is tardy more than ten (10) days without proper medical documentation may be required to submit a doctor’s note for subsequent excused tardies. No reference, however, will be made to the nature of the absence or tardy on a permanent record.
Unexcused and Unlawful Absence-School Code 113-3440
Absences covered by excuses marked “parental neglect,” “illegal employment,” or “truancy” are called “unexcused absences.” The mere fact that a parent has sent a written excuse does not necessarily mean the absence is “excused.” Such reasons for absence as “visiting,” “away from home,” “had to go to the store,” or “overslept” are clearly due to parents not fully sensing their responsibility and should be classified as unexcused. An absence becomes an unexcused absence only when the authorized professional employee has classified the absence as such. The teacher or attendance office should investigate excuses of a doubtful nature. A claim of continued or repeated illness justifies the administration to ask for a statement from a school nurse or doctor.
Written Notice to Parents – The School District’s official notice for absence to parents shall be served by mail, by the attendance office, or secretary of the school board, as soon as a pupil has three days or their equivalent, of unexcused absences. A truancy elimination plan meeting will be requested at this time.
First Offense – The first offense becomes formal at the end of three calendar days after the serving of the notice, or upon the return of the pupil to school within the three days following the serving of the notice.
Second Offense – After the first offense, the next session during the school year that the child is unlawfully absent becomes the second offense and requires the serving of a warrant on the parent through the office of an alderman, magistrate, or justice of the peace. Each succeeding session of unlawful absence by the same pupil becomes another offense and the same procedure as outlined in this paragraph is repeated. The School District’s official notice of absence to parents is not served in second offense cases. The notice is served after the first three days of unlawful absence and is adequate for the school year. We cannot accept excuses after three days.
Early Dismissals: Parents are asked to schedule all medical and dental appointments for their children after 3:20 p.m. If this is not possible, parents must submit a note to the Main Office requesting an early dismissal. The student will receive an early dismissal form at this time. It is the responsibility of the student to remind the teacher when it is time for his/her early dismissal. The early dismissal form must be presented to the attendance office before the student leaves the building.
The parent/guardian must come into the building in the Office and sign off custody of the student.
Students should submit the appropriate documentation for early dismissals, bus passes, and absence excuses prior to the start of classes.