Plainview-Elgin-Millville Community Schools
Independent School District #2899
7-12 Handbook
Complete Version
2016-2017
Student Handbook
2016-2017
Thiswas approved by the Plainview-Elgin-MillvilleSchool Boardat the May 2016 meeting. Any future changes will be posted on the PEM web site ( and printed in the PAW Print.
Table of Contents
School Directory...... …...4
Time Schedule...... 4
Mission Statement...... …..5
Section I General Information
Change of Address...... …..6
Tornado Protection...... …..6
Fire Drills...... ……..6
Emergency Closings...... ….6
School Lunches...... ……6
Bulletin Boards...... …...7
Telephones...... …….7
Textbooks...... ……..7
Visitors...... ……...7
Withdrawal from School...... …7
Student Records/Data Privacy...... 7-8
Pledge of Allegiance………………………………………………………...8
Section II Communications
Announcements...... …..8
Reports Cards, Midterm Notices, Incompletes...... 8
Honor Roll...... …….9
Grading System...... ……9
Graduation Requirements...... 9-10
Graduation and Diploma Eligibility………………………………………..9-10
Schedule Change Policy……………………………………………………10-11
Honor Students...... …...11
Guidance Department...... …11
Section III Student Guidelines
Fighting on School Grounds...... 12
Attendance Policies and Procedures...... 12-13-14
Leaving the Building Procedures / Check-Out Procedures...... 14
Tardiness...... ……..15
Truancy...... ……..15
Detention, LOP, and In School Suspension...... 15-16
Discipline Policy……………………………………………………………16-17-18
Dress Code………………………………………………………………….18-19-20
Graduation Dress Code Guidelines………………………………………..20
Beverages in Classrooms……………………………………………...... 20
Media Center Regulations…………………………………………………20
Computer Lab Regulations………………………………………………...20
District Technology Acceptable Use Policy……………………………….21
Lockers……………………………………………………………………..21
Personal Property…………………………………………………………..22
Lost and Found…………………………………………………………….22
Meetings after School Hours……………………………………………...22
Lunch Hour Rules…………………………………………………………..22
Student Vehicles…………………………………………………………...23
Purchase Orders……………………………………………………………23
Activity Eligibility…………………………………………………………23
Academic Honesty…………………………………………………………23-24
Academic Policy…………………………………………………………...24-25
Leadership Positions………………………………………………………..25
Chemical Use Policy……………………………………………………….26
Tobacco/Alcohol/Drugs……………………………………………………26
Study Hall Procedures……………………………………………………..26
Candy and Pop…………………………………………………………….26
Headphones, Radios, Pagers, Cell Phones………………………………...26
Backpacks………………………………………………………………..27
School Dances…………………………………………………………….27
Pop and Vending Machines……………………………………………….27
IV. Student Activities
MSHSL Information………………………………………………………27
MSHSL Eligibility Regulation……………………………………………27-28
Spectator Conduct…………………………………………………………28
Academic Letter……………………………………………………………28
Organizations and Activities………………………………………………28-29
Athletics…………………………………………………………………....30
Group Insurance Plan……………………………………………………....30
V. Policies
Student Guide to Sexual Harassment……………………………………...30-31
Harassment and Violence Policy………………………………………….30-31
Religious, Racial and Sexual Harassment and Violence Defined………...30-31
Reporting Procedures……………………………………………………...31
School District Action……………………………………………………..31
Bullying Prohibition Policy………………………………………………..31-35
Hazing Prohibition…………………………………………………………36-38
PEM Schools General 9-12 Policies……………………………………….38-43
School Bus Discipline Policy………………………………………………43-51
Testing Out of Class………………………………………………………...51-52
Staff E-mail address indexis located at the back of this handbook.
PLAINVIEW-ELGIN-MILLVILLECOMMUNITYSCHOOL
Superintendent …………………Bill Ihrke – 534-3651 Ext. 5555
Athletic Director…………Scott Flattum – 534-1813
District Office ……………534-3651
Community Ed (Plainview)…...Katie Pepin 534-2225
1
GRADE 7-8
GRADE 9-12
1
1
Grade 7-8 offices……………………….……876-2521
Principal – Clark Olstad – Ext. 2222
Secretary– Tracy Blum – Ext. 3000
Attendance – Tracy Blum – Ext. 3000
Counselor/ Social Worker - Darlene Gilbeck876-2521
J.R.HIGH SCHOOL DAILY SCHEDULE
8:05 – 8:55First Hour
8:58 – 9:48Second Hour
9:51 – 10:41Third Hour
10:44 – 11:34Fourth Hour
11:37 – 12:028th Gr. Lunch
12:05 – 12:558th Gr. 5th Hr. Class
11:37 – 12:277th Gr. 5th Hr. Class
12:30 – 12:557th Gr. Lunch
12:58 – 1:28Sixth Hour
1:31 – 2:097A Period
2:12 – 2:507B Period
Grade 9-12 offices……………….…………….534-3128
Principal – Nate Walbruch – Ext 4444
Secretary – Janet McGuire – Ext. 4000
Athletic Office…………………………...…….534-1813
Athletic Director – Scott Flattum
Secretary -TBA – Ext. 4001
Counseling Office…………………..…………534-3128
Trish Shindelar – Ext. 4003
Danielle Larson-NoelExt 4005
Terri Ashworth - Secretary – Ext. 4002
Nurses Office………………………………….534-3342
Renee Gusa– Ext. 5005
HIGH SCHOOL DAILY SCHEDULE
8:00Warning Bell
8:05 – 8:55First Hour
9:00 – 9:50Second Hour
9:55 – 10:45Third Hour
10:50 – 11:40 Fourth Hour
11:40 – 12:10 Lunch for students in 5B
11:45 – 12:35 Fifth A
12:10 – 1:00 Fifth B
12:35 – 1:05 Lunch for students in 5A
1:05 – 1:55Sixth Hour
2:00 – 2:50Seventh Hour
1
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Welcome to Plainview-Elgin-MillvilleCommunitySchool. This handbook has been prepared for your convenience by the administration and staff members of PEM High School and its contents were approved by the School Board at its meeting May 2014. The rules, regulations, procedures and articles described have been established to create the best possible atmosphere for the education of all students. They are based on respect for the rights of others and the individual responsibility to perform his/her job in the best way possible. We are all members of this school community. Take pride in your school by respecting others and being responsible for your actions.
This handbook can be used as a resource for you and your parents when ever you have a question concerning school policies and/or procedures. Please read it and keep it so that you may refer to it whenever necessary.
“The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or disability.”
This handbook may be changed or amended during the school year. Changes will be posted in the office of the principal and on the school's web site. If you have any questions about a provision, please contact the principal.
MISSION STATEMENT
- PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to establish a clear statement of the purpose for which the school district exists. - GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
The school board believes that a mission statement should be adopted. The mission statement should be based on the beliefs and values of the community, should direct any change effort, and should be the basis on which decisions are made. The school board, on behalf of and with extensive participation by the community, should develop a consensus among its members regarding the nature of the enterprise the school board governs, the purposes it serves, the constituencies it should consider, including student representation, and the results it intends to produce. - VISION, MISSION, BELIEF STATEMENTS
VISION
Empowering all learners for life.
MISSION
Create a challenging, caring and structured educational environment that empowers all learners to achieve their full potential in society.
BELIEFS
We believe:
• Education is the combined responsibility of students, families, teachers and community.
• An education should provide students with the necessary knowledge, values and skills to solve problems, think creatively, and communicate effectively in an ever-changing society.
• Accepting and valuing diversity is essential to the growth of both the individual and our society.
• Each individual is responsible for his/her own decisions, actions and resulting consequences.
• Self respect, respect for others, and respect for the learning environment are all critical elements in creating a positive educational experience.
• Everyone has the right and the responsibility to learn to her/his own potential.
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. CHANGE OF ADDRESS
In case of a serious illness or injury, it is imperative that we notify your parents or guardians immediately. To do this we must know where they can be contacted. Always report a change of address or telephone number promptly to the high school principal’s office.
2. TORNADO PROTECTION
Should area officials give a tornado warning while you are in the school building the following procedure will be followed:
- Signal – three (3) rings of the bell system.
- When this signal is given all students accompany your teachers to the designated area.
- Remain calm in these areas and wait for further information. DO NOT LEAVE THE AREA until you have been given directions that all is clear.
3. FIRE DRILLS
The law requires us to conduct fire drills periodically throughout the year. You will be informed of the evacuation route to be used in each room. Please observe the following instructions:
- Be alert.
- Students should leave the building as quickly as possible without running.
- The first student out of the door will be responsible for holding the doors open for the rest of the students.
- Students should move to the sidewalks so that you will not be closer than 50 feet to the building.
- Students should return to the building as soon as the all-clear signal is sounded.
4. EMERGENCY CLOSINGS
School Cancellations Due to Inclement Weather—Tune your radio or TV to:
KTTC CHANNEL 10
WCCO CHANNEL 4
KARE CHANNEL 11
KSTP CHANNEL 5
FOX 9 / KMSP
KROC 106.9 FM
With our School Messengersystem, parents can also be notified via a phone call and/or email.
5. SCHOOL LUNCHES
The complete program explaining all of the available options is printed in the Paw Print. Monthly lunch schedules will be posted throughout the school or students may request a copy from the high school office. Menus can also be found in the monthly Paw Print that is sent to all homes. Student meals are $2.10for a regular lunch and $2.35for salad/specialty bar lunches. The State of Minnesota requires that students with lactose intolerant dietary needs can no longer receive juice as a substitute for their milk. If a parent sends a note requesting an alternative to milk, the student will be provided with lactose reduced milk. These written requests need to be sent directly to the Food Service Director and it will be arranged to have lactose reduced milk on hand. In the rare case that your child has an actual milk allergy (he/she is allergic to the protein found in milk, cheese, and all dairy products) a note from your child’s doctor stating that he/she has a milk allergy is needed, and the Food Service will provide an alternate beverage and make arrangements to make sure that your child does not get cheese items with their meal.
6. BULLETIN BOARDS
A number of bulletin boards exist in various areas of the schools for the convenience of the student body. Information relative to classes, social functions, and extra-curricular activities are posted on a regular basis. All information posted in these areas must first be given approval by the principal’s office.
7. TELEPHONES
The principal’s office will accept calls for students from parents or guardians during the school hours only in case of an emergency. Students will be notified by the office if they need to call home. Courtesy phones are located in the principal’sand activities office for student use.
8. TEXTBOOKS
All textbooks and many supplies are furnished to you free of charge. However, you will be expected to pay for loss or undue wear on books and supplies due to carelessness or neglect. All textbooks must be covered. Book covers are available in the principal’s office for a small fee. You will also be expected to buy notebooks or folders in which to keep loose papers, as jamming them into textbooks will definitely result in damage to the text binding.
9. VISITORS
Visitors are welcome in our school classes if permission has been granted in advance by the principal’s office. Visitor badges may be picked up in the principal’s office. Students are asked to fill out a form that states the day and the name of the visitor they wish to bring. This must be done at least one day in advance. They must also receive permission from each classroom teacher that they have. The form is then brought to the office for final approval of the principal. Visitor badges may be picked up in the principal’s office when the visitor signs in at the principal’s office.
10. WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL
If you are planning to withdraw from PEM Community School you must obtain a withdraw form from the principal’s officeand meet with a counselor. Your classroom teacher, librarian, gym teacher, counseling office and principal’s office must sign it when you have returned all school properties. Submit this sheet to the principal's office and receive your withdrawal notice to be presented at your next school.*Both a student and parent signature are required for withdrawal.
11. STUDENT RECORDS/DATA PRIVACY
Parents/guardians have the right to inspect and review educational records of their children in the presence of school officials according to the federal family education and privacy rights. The school district may presume that either parent has access to the educational records of the student unless the school district has been provided with evidence that there is a legally binding instrument, state law or court ordering governing such matters such as divorce, separation of custody, which provides to the contrary. Parents/guardians can also request to amend or reword if information is found to be inaccurate. A parent/guardian wishing to challenge the content of the school record shall make a written application to the principal.
PEM Schools has adopted a student records policy as required by state and federal laws. The policy requires that certain information be classified as “Directory Information” and be available to the public unless parents or students eighteen years of age or older request in writing that such information not be released. Requests must be submitted to the district office.
Directory information includes:
- Student Name
- Student Address
- Student Telephone Number
- Student Date of Birth
- Student Bender
- Student Activity Participation
- Student Weight and Height
- Student Attendance Record
- Student Grade Level Completion
- Student Athletic and Academic Achievement Awards
12. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
By state law public schools are required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. PEM students recite the Pledge every morning during the reading of the student bulletin. Students who do not wish to participate in reciting the Pledge may elect not to do so and other students must respect another person’s right to make that choice.
II. COMMUNICATIONS
- ANNOUNCEMENTS
Information for students may be placed in the daily bulletin. Students may submit announcements to this bulletin with the consent of the principal and/or advisor by8:20a.m. on the day it is to be used. If you have an announcement concerning a school organization or activity it must have the signature of an advisor before it will be included in the daily bulletin.
2. REPORT CARDS, MONITORING NOTICES, INCOMPLETES
PEM uses the A, B, C, D and F marking system to report grades to students and parents. The cards are distributed four times yearly. Students will be given their grade sheet by individual teachers at three weeks and six weeks. Incompletes are sometimes given in emergency cases. Students are responsible for seeing that incompletes are made up within two weeks or the incomplete will be recorded as an "F". Incompletes will be considered passing until grades are turned in.
2016-2017
Grade Monitoring Dates
Sept. 23
Oct. 12
1st Quarter Report Cards
Nov. 30
Dec. 21
2nd Quarter Report Cards
Feb. 10
March 1
3rd Quarter Report Cards
April 17
May 10
4th Quarter Report Cards
3. HONOR ROLL
Achievement will be computed at the end of each nine-week marking period on the basis of a point system.
Fulltime and/or part-time PSEOP students will be eligible for honor roll quarters 2 and 4 only.
4. GRADING SYSTEM
A=4.00092-100%
A-=3.66790-91%
B+=3.33388-89%
B=3.00082-87%
B-=2.66780-81%
C+=2.33378-79%
C=2.00072-77%
C-=1.66770-71%
D+=1.33368-69%
D=1.00062-67%
D-=0.66760-61%
F=0.00059% and below
P – Pass
NP – No Pass
Distributing a P or NP for grades is on an individual basis only that may include circumstances such as: Independent Study, testing out of a class (set up a meeting with a counselor for procedures),college course in progress because only semester grade awarded, and/or withdraw from course. ‘P’ is awarded for credit but does not count toward honor roll or grade point average.
- PEM High School recognizes Intermediate Algebra on grade point average and credit toward graduation beginning in eighth grade.
- Unweighted grading system.
- Approxiamately 173 student contact days for the 2016-17 school year.
- 1 Credit equals a minimum of 120 hours classroom time. 0.5 Credit equals a minimum of 60 hours classroom time. Students earning less due to attendance will not receive credit. Students are in jeapordy of losing credit after 10 absences per semester.
- All PEM HS courses count toward graduation credit, honor roll and cumulative grade point average. The only exception may be some transfer courses and advisory.
- Eligible for MHS (Minnesota Honor Society): 3.250 / 4.0
- To graduate with honors: cummulative G.P.A. of 3.540 / 4.0
- To receive an academic letter: year G.P.A. of 3.54 or above
- Entering each school year students will be reclassified if they have not had academic progress with their peer group to the following levels: Sophomore Class = minimum of 5 credits earned, Junior Class = minimum of 10 credits earned, Senior Class = Minimum of 15 credits earned.
5. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
1. Required Graduation Credits= 24.0 CR
- CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION - .75 CR
- FINE ARTS – 1.0 CR
- HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION – 1.5 CR
- LANGUAGE ARTS - 4.25 CR
- MATH - 3.0 CR
- SCIENCE – 3.0 CR
- SOCIAL SCIENCES – 3.5 CR
- ELECTIVES – 7.0 CR
2. Required MN Tests
- Reading (GR10)
- Science (GR 10 or 11 – Year life science is taken)
- Math (GR 11)
- ACT (GR 11)– optional, students may take during school (paid one time by the State of Minnesota)
3. Plainview-Elgin-Millville High School Graduation Policy and Diploma Eligibility
1. Pass all required graduation courses and credits
2. Take MN GRAD Comprehensive Assessments (MCA’s)or alternative assessments.
4.Graduation Ceremony Participation
All PEM HS Seniors may participate in graduation ceremonies and receive a PEM HS diploma upon successful completion of all required graduation credits/courses and meet state testing requirements.
The following is in place for students not meeting graduation requirements to participate in commencement:
*Students within 1.0 of the required credits may go through commencement exercises but will not receive a diploma. A diploma will be awarded upon completion of graduation requirements. A plan to complete credits is set up through the counseling office.
*Students not passing the required state testing may go through commencement exercises but will not receive a diploma until state testing is successfully completed.
4.CLASSCHANGE POLICY
1.Discuss your change with parents, advisor, and counselor.
2.Complete class change request form by the schedule change deadline. Deadlines are posted prior to the start of each semester.
3.A request to drop a high school or college course after the deadline will result in a WF (withdraw/failure) on the student transcript.
Schedule Change Deadlines
PEM HS Courses- Tuesday, SEPT 13, 2016
Advanced Placement- Tuesday, SEPT 27, 2016
Concurrent College Courses
University of MN and Southwest Minnesota State University post drop / add and withdraw dates on their websites. PEM HS will follow these same guidelines.
5.MINNESOTA HONOR SOCIETY.
- Applications are sent to all 10th -12th grade students who qualify academically with a 3.250
cumulative grade point average after quarter 2.