PHILLIP A. SHARP MIDDLE SCHOOL
35 Wright Road
Butler, Kentucky 41006
Telephone: 859-472-7000 Fax: 859-472-7011 www.Pendleton.kyschools.us
1
1
WELCOME
to PHILLIP A. SHARP MIDDLE SCHOOL
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to Phillip A. Sharp Middle School. We sincerely hope that each of you will find your experience here to be rewarding, exciting, and enjoyable. The staff of our school sincerely hopes that you are willing to accept the responsibility that goes along with being a middle school student.
Our school represents high expectations and a cooperative effort for success. You should do your part by attending school regularly, studying, being prepared for school, participating in school activities, accepting responsibility, and demonstrating self-discipline and respect for yourself and others.
We are looking forward to the school year. Let’s all work together to make our school one in which we can be proud.
PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION IN THIS BOOKLET AND SHARE IT WITH YOUR PARENTS/GUARDIANS.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
We, the faculty of Phillip A. Sharp Middle School, believe that every child should be regarded with respect, dignity, and equality. The Pendleton County School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, marital status, sex, or handicap in employment, educational programs, or activities as set forth in Title IX, Title VI, and Section 504. Each student shall be given equal educational learning opportunities.
We believe that the school should teach the basic skills of reading, writing, spelling, and arithmetic according to the student’s highest capacity to learn.
We believe that the school is responsible for presenting stimulating opportunities for developing future possibilities within each individual for intellectual growth and creativity by offering alternative programs other than basic skills, to all students.
We believe we should prepare our students to believe in our democratic form of government and teach them how to participate in the functioning of these democratic principles in society in order that these young people may mature into creative citizens of their country.
We believe the faculty and staff have the responsibility to teach each student and ourselves the great value of self-discipline, mentally, morally, physically, and socially, so that the student can prepare himself/herself adequately for the tasks that he/she chooses to assume in life, and for those that are required of him/her by the society of which he/she is a part.
We believe that it is the faculty’s responsibility to develop a cheerful environment for all students where they can grow in dignity and self-respect and where each child can learn to show respect for his/her peers and for all others with whom he/she must interact in society.
PROCEDURES for SOLVING
PROBLEMS in the SCHOOL
Step 1: Take your question to the person closest to the problem.
No matter where the problem is, take your concern there first. Whether on the field, the bus, or in the classroom, the fastest way to the solution is usually found with the staff who are most directly involved.
It is better to know your school personnel before a problem occurs. Know who your children’s teachers, bus drivers and coaches are and know how to get in contact with them.
If you must meet with a teacher, when you call to schedule an appointment, let the teacher know in advance what the nature of your concern is.
The problem that you and your child face may be the result of an oversight or misunderstanding that can easily be corrected once it is brought to the attention of the staff member. Give that person a chance to fix the problem first.
If the problem is not resolved…
Step 2: Take your concern to the next level.
Within each building, the principal is responsible for the supervision of the staff. The Director of Transportation is responsible for the bus drivers. Each of these is an example of the next level that you should contact if your problem remains unresolved.
In addition, note that they will be able to help you if you let them know the steps that you have already taken to resolve the issue. However, since they will not have ready access to the information they made need, it will require additional time to help you.
If the problem still is not resolved…
Step 3: Talk with the Superintendent of Schools
Once you believe you have exhausted all efforts but still aren’t satisfied, the superintendent is the next place to go.
Please be aware that the superintendent wants to make sure your issue is resolved, but maintains a busy schedule with multiple appointments on his calendar. Because of this fact, a meeting with the Superintendent will most likely require some advanced planning.
Step 4: Contact your School Board Members
School board members are elected to represent the interest of all students and parents. You should always feel free to express your opinion to them; however, they do not have direct authority for day to day school operations. Board members will always listen to your problems, but will generally send everyone through proper channels.
A board member should only be contacted…
· after other means to solve the problem have been tried.
· when procedures or policies are not enforced at all.
A board member may take the following actions:
· Have informal discussion with the Superintendent or other administrators.
· Request a policy review by the Board
· Propose new policies for consideration.
GUIDANCE
The purpose of the guidance program is to help each individual student achieve his/her highest growth mentally, emotionally, and socially. We try to do this in several ways:
· Helping the new student feel at home in our school with new teachers and friends in a different setting
· Individual conferences whenever a student, a parent, a teacher, or the counselor deems it necessary
· A testing program designed to help the student learn as much as possible about his/her capabilities
· The counselor welcomes the opportunity to talk things over with any student, parent, or teacher
Procedures for seeing the counselor
· Self-referral sign-up in the counselor’s office during homeroom or break-time.
· Teacher referral.
· Parent referral.
This is to prevent time loss from academic classes; however, in some instances there may be emergencies.
PARENT REQUEST
for TEACHER ASSIGNMENTS
If a parent wishes to issue a request for a particular teacher for the following school year, this request must be developed in writing and sent by either e-mail or mail to Counselor, Faye Thornton. Requests must be submitted March 15-April 30 to be considered by the Scheduling Committee. Please provide reasons for your request. The administration retains the right to make final decisions in regards to all student placements. Requests that are made after the deadline will not be considered.
Each year Professional Learning Communities will meet to review data to determine student placement into advanced classes.
NORTH FAMILY
RESOURCE/YOUTH SERVICES CENTER
NFR/YS Centers were created to enhance students’ abilities to succeed in school by assisting children and families to meet needs that impact on the education process. This is done by providing services in the Center and in the schools, and by linking families to agencies in the community. Services provided by this Center are available to all children, parents, and families of students at Sharp Middle School. Services range from assistance with basic school supplies to drug and alcohol abuse counseling. If you have a question or a need, please call 859-472-5518 or stop by the office located in Sharp Middle School, from 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Ask for Darlene Wright, Coordinator, or Joan Wright, Administrative Assistant.
FREE and REDUCED MEAL POLICY
The Pendleton County School System agrees to serve meals free or at a reduced price to children from families whose income is at or below federal guidelines. This also includes foster children and kinship families. Applications for this program are available at the school. Processing may take seven (7) to ten (10) days before eligibility is determined.
Students, Adults, Staff, and Teachers are encouraged to pay in advance for food purchases.
Breakfast cost $1.50 for all schools.
Lunch at the elementary schools - $2.00
Lunch at the middle and high school - $2.25
Reduced meals – breakfast (.30) lunch is (.40)
Adult: Breakfast ($2.00) and Lunch ($3.25).
Once the charges have reached $12.00
· Student will be notified by a school official prior to being placed on the alternative meal program.
· Will attempt to notify parents by phone and/or mail.
· Parents may choose to pay in full or by payment schedule.
· At NO TIME will anyone be allowed to charge Ala Carte/Extra items, this includes milk.
· If your child currently owes a balance to the school cafeteria, the alternative meal will apply when a $12.00 or more charge is reached.
Contact the Food Service office to take care of these charges, set up a signed payment plan or you may fill out a new lunch application. (859)363-4330. If the family is experiencing financial difficulty, you may also contact the Family Resource Center at 859/654-3355, Extension 7201 or 859/472-5518.
Adults, Teacher, and Staff may pay for meals in advance or at the time of purchase. Adults, Teachers and Staff will NOT be allowed to charge any meal.
Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch may qualify for a school fee waiver. Applications for a fee waiver may be filed through the guidance office.
ATTENDANCE
School Starting Time: 8:00 AM
School Ending Time: 3:00 PM
There are 420 minutes in the school day.
· A student who misses between 1 and 146 minutes shall be considered tardy.
· A student who misses between 147 and 352 minutes shall be considered half day absent.
· A student who misses between 353 and 420 minutes shall be considered all day absent.
Arrive Late
Tardy 8:01 AM thru 10:26 AM
Half Day 10:27AM thru 1:52 PM
All Day 1:53 PM thru 3:00 PM
Leave Early
All 8:01 AM thru 9:07 AM
Half Day 9:08 AM thru 12:33 PM
Tardy 12:34 PM thru 3:00 PM
All students are expected to attend regularly and be on time for their classes. This will insure they receive the maximum benefits from their educational experiences and develop habits of punctuality, self-discipline, and responsibility. School attendance and academic performance are related. The regulations below are designed to improve academic performance of the students through regular attendance. Recording of absences and tardies shall be made in compliance with the requirements of 702 KAR 007:125.
Enrollment of Students
All resident students must register in the school of their enrollment within three (3) school days of the opening of the school year.
Verification of Absence Required
Failure to present verification of each absence will result in the absence being listed as unexcused.
When a student returns to school after any absence, a signed statement from the parent or guardian stating the reason for the absence(s) is required. A physician’s statement may also be presented to validate the absence. The physician’s statement is to excuse only the absence of the student being treated by the doctor. This statement must be submitted within five (5) school days of the student’s return to school or the absence shall be deemed unexcused.
Physician’s Statement
A physician’s statement must include (1)) time and date of the appointment, (2) when the student is able to return to school, and (3) the physician’s signature.
Excused Absences
Excused absences as defined below will be permitted up to (7) days per school year by written statement from the student’s parent or guardian or a physician’s statement.
An excused absence or tardiness is defined as follows:
1. Death or severe illness in the pupil’s immediate family; “immediate family” being mother, father, sister, brother, or grandparents.
2. Illness of the pupil: “illness” being defined as a health hazard making school attendance a threat to the health of the student or others at school. A doctor’s statement is required after the 5th consecutive absence.
3. Court appearance as a result of a subpoena.
4. Work required in assisting parent’s livelihood (to be included in the seven accumulated excused absences).
5. Religious holidays and practices.
6. One (1) day for attendance at the Kentucky State Fair.
7. Documented military leave.
8. One (1) day prior to departure of parent/guardian called to active military duty.
9. One (1) day upon the departure of parent/guardian from active military duty.
10. Visitation for up to ten (10) days with the student’s parent, de facto custodian, or person with legal custody who, while on active military duty stationed outside of the country, is granted rest and recuperation leave.
11. Other valid reasons as determined by the principal, including trips qualifying as educational enhancement opportunities.
Students shall be granted an excused absence for up to ten (10) school days to pursue an educational enhancement opportunity determined by the Principal to be significant educational value. This opportunity may include, but not be limited to, participation in a foreign exchange program or an intensive instructional, experimental, or performance program in one (1) of the core curriculum subjects of English, science, mathematics, social studies, foreign language, and the arts.
Unless the Principal determines that extenuating circumstances exist, request for date(s) falling within the State or District testing periods shall not be granted.
The Principal’s determination may be appealed to the Superintendent/designee whose decision may then be appealed to the Board under its grievance policy and procedures.
Students receiving an excused absence under this section shall have the opportunity to make up school work missed and shall not have their class grades adversely affected for the lack of class attendance or class participation due to the excused absence.
Absences of extraordinary circumstances which do not fall within the above guidelines must have prior approval from the Principal to be recorded as an excused absence.
Make-up Work
Students will be permitted to make up work missed during excused absences. For each day the student is absent, he/she will receive a day to complete make-up work.