Estancia Middle School

ESTANCIA MIDDLE SCHOOL

FAMILY HANDBOOK

2017-2018

Middle School Office - 505-384-2003

Attendance – 505-384-2003

School-wide Positive Behavior Supports

Every student in Estancia Middle School is expected to demonstrate “Bear Pride”: being respectful, responsible, and courageous, while demonstrating citizenship and integrity. These traits are the foundation for School-wide Positive Behavior Supports that will be taught and modeled by the Estancia Middle School staff.

ESTANCIA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF EDUCATION VISION STATEMENT

The Estancia Municipal School District believes in educating ALL students

to become productive and successful citizens. Instructional programs must challenge all students to reach their potential. All other purposes are in support of this.

MISSION

The Estancia School District will provide all students a quality education.

GOALS

To improve Mathematic and Reading scores across grade/proficiency levels through:

· Tier II Interventions to close gaps in student learning

· Writing across the content areas

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Estancia Municipal Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies.

Title IX Coordinator: Section 504 Representative:

Stewart Burnett Dena McMath

Athletic Coordinator Secondary Interventionist

P.O. Box 68 P.O. Box 68

Estancia, NM 87016 Estancia, NM 87016

505-384 2002 505-384 2003

August, 2017

Dear EMS Family:

Welcome to the 2017-2018 school year and to your new facility! The Estancia Middle School Staff continues our commitment to “EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY”. We strive each day to provide a safe, engaging, relevant, rigorous and supported academic environment for each student. In return, we expect all EMS students to model our “Bear Traits” of, respect, responsibility, courageousness, citizenship, and integrity at all times and in all situations. In support of this expectation, the EMS staff commits to modeling these “Bear Traits” for students at all times and in all situations.

We encourage you to read and review this handbook as a family and to discuss its contents with one another. This handbook is an essential school document. It is as important as enrollment forms, schedule, immunization record, birth certificate and transcript to individual success at EMS, so keep it handy for easy reference. You may, however, have questions this school year that are not addressed in the handbook, so please never hesitate to ask if you any questions regarding district policy or school procedure.

We look forward to the coming school year. Individually and as a school community, we will do great things!

Respectfully,

Athena M. Trujillo Martha Ward

Estancia Secondary Schools Estancia Secondary Schools

Instructional Principal Operational Principal

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION /TOPIC PAGE#

SCHOOL GOALS 4

GRADING POLICY 4

ACADEMIC INFORMATION 5-9

ATTENDANCE POLICY 9-10

ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES 10-11

SUPPORT INFORMATION 12-13

ANTI-BULLYING POLICY 15-18

CYBERBULLYING POLICY 18

FAMILY INFORMATION 19

DISCIPLINE MATRIX 20

ISS/SATURDAY SCHOOL PROCEDURES 22

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT 23

Estancia Middle School

GOAL

To improve Mathematic and Reading scores across grade/proficiency levels through:

· Tier II Interventions to close gaps in student learning

· Writing across the content areas

GRADING POLICY

Estancia Municipal Schools Grading Policy

412.1 In compliance with New Mexico Administrative Code 6.29.1, Estancia Municipal Schools will have a standardized grading system. All grading and reporting practices will support the learning process and encourage student success. It is the policy of the Board of Education to support its professional staff in this professional duty. District wide grading and reporting practices will include the following components:

a. a written report to parents regarding the performance of their children tested with the New Mexico standards-based assessments;

b. for grades 2 – 12, a standardized alphabetic grading system, based on the 4.0 scale;

c. alignment of all district and school curriculum to the New Mexico content standards with benchmarks and performance standards; and

d. all school report card grades shall reflect standards-based academic performance.

There are five levels of student achievement according to the PARCC Assessment:

Level 5 Exceeded Expectations

Level 4 Met Expectations

Level 3 Approached Expectations

Level 2 Partially Met Expectations

Level 1 Did Not Yet Meet Expectations

The district’s grading system is based upon equal intervals as follows:

A or 4 = 90% - 100%

B or 3 = 80% - 89%

C or 2 = 70% - 79%

D or 1 = 60% - 69%

F or No Credit = 50% - 59%

1. Lesson and Practice Activities = 40% (e.g. classwork, homework, group activities, reviews, etc.) Assigned homework needs to be relevant, attainable, age appropriate, and structured around content with which students have a high degree of familiarity.

2. Unit and Course/Grade Level Understanding and Performance = 60% (e.g. formative and summative assessments, major performance tasks such as essays, presentations, lab experiences, projects, etc.)

ACADEMIC INFORMATION

Exceptional Programs

Estancia Middle School provides education and related services for students found eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004). Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) are developed to address specific student needs according to the support/enrichment identified for the student by the IEP team and written into the IEP.

Semester Grades

The following percentages determine semester grades

· 9 weeks grade = 40%

· Semester Exam= 20%

At the end of each semester these grades are averaged using the above percentages and a semester grade is determined.

Grade Point Average Points

The points awarded for calculating the grade point average are as follows

Grade Final % Range Grade Points

A 90-100 4.0

B 80-89 3.0

C 70-79 2.0

D 60-69 1.0

F 0-59 0.0

Progress Reports

At the 4.5 week of each nine (9) weeks, a Progress Report is mailed to each student’s family. These Progress Reports reflect the student’s academic grade/progress in each class through the mid-point of the grading period and are for family information.

Nine Weeks Report Cards

One week after the end of each nine-week grading period, a COMPUTERIZED REPORT CARD is mailed to the home of each student.

Report Card Grades of Incomplete (I)

A student has two weeks after the end of the grading period to make up any “I” on the report card because of incomplete work. An “I” is assigned when a student meets the requirements for an excused absence as defined by district attendance policy. The classification of “I” must come from an administrator. If at the end of this two week period (10 school days), the “I” grade remains, it becomes an “F”.

HONOR ROLL – The Honor Roll is announced at the end of each quarter at Estancia Middle School. Honor Roll status is based upon a student’s quarter GPA.

Honor Roll – 3.2 - 4.0 GPA (without rounding up)

Honorable Mention Honor Roll: 3.0 to 3.19 GPA (with no D’s or F’s)

REQUEST TO REVIEW STUDENT RECORDS – Parents/Guardians have the right to review a student’s cumulative folder and transcript through a request to the school counselor or principal.

MAKE UP WORK FOR SUSPENDED STUDENTS – Any student suspended from school is suspended from the entire school campus and all school events for the duration of the suspension. Students suspended long-term (more than 9 days) have no rights to daily work or credit for daily work. Students under short-term suspension (9 days or less) are allowed to turn in daily assignments and take tests, although work may be provided under alternative time schedules and in controlled environments other than the classroom.

HOMEWORK – Homework is a valuable learning tool. The purpose of homework is to practice newly acquired skills and apply knowledge. Students are responsible for keeping track of all homework due dates. Any student with an excused absence has 1 day for every day absent to make up homework; however, any teacher has the authority to grant extensions to this procedure in extenuating circumstances. Students are encouraged to inform teachers ahead of time when they know they will be absent so if teachers wish, work may be provided before the planned excused absence. Teachers do not have to provide work to any student whose absence is unexcused.

CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION IN ATHLETICS AND SCHOOL SPONSORED ACTIVITIES – Athletics and activities are an integral part of the educational process, providing students with opportunities to develop their unique characteristics and values: respect, fairness, trustworthiness, citizenship, caring, and responsibility. Extra-curricular participation is a privilege offered to students.

Administrators, teachers, coaches, sponsors, parents, and students participating in activities and athletics must model positive character values at all times, as they are representatives of the school and community of Estancia. Failure to comply may result in suspension from activities and athletics.

ELIGIBILITY FOR ATHLETICS/EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND CODE OF CONDUCT – Eligibility of students for extra-curricular activities is monitored using New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) guidelines and Estancia School Board Policy Failure to maintain eligibility results in a student’s disqualification from the event/activity. All school-sponsored activities and events are inclusive of these requirements.

Basic Requirements:

1. All participants in athletics must have a completed physical turned in to the Athletic Coordinator.

2. Students must maintain a 2.0 G.P.A. with no F’s based on 1st or 3rd nine-week grades and at the end of each semester.

3. Students must remain in good behavioral standing.

4. Students who are ineligible at the end of a grading period are ineligible for the following nine-week grading period. (This carries over to the succeeding school year if a student is ineligible at the end of the school year, except for students entering 9th grade for the first time.)

5. Students are required to attend the entire school day, or have an excused absence other than an illness, to participate in athletic practice or in an activity occurring that day. Students must attend the entire day on Friday, or have an excused absence other than illness, prior to a weekend event. Students checked out by parents for lunch must arrive at school on time for 5th period in order to practice that day, unless otherwise pre-approved by school administration. Students must submit (to the office) an appropriate doctor/dentist notice upon return from an appointment if he/she plans to attend an after-school practice that day.

6. Any student with fines or who has not turned in books or equipment is ineligible for participation in extra-curricular activities.

Further information about NMAA guidelines/rules may be viewed on the internet at www.nmact.org.

Other Guidelines:

· It is the responsibility of all EMS students and their families to understand the general regulations of Estancia Middle School set forth in this handbook and the Estancia Municipal School Board Policy Manual (available at www.estancia.k12.nm.us.)

· All students, by participating in the activities or athletic program, agree to abide by and be subject to the regulations of the NMAA.

· Good sportsmanship is a major objective during practice or contests. Administrators, teachers, coaches, sponsors, parents, and students shall treat opponents with respect; show self-discipline at all times; follow other specific rules set up by the coach/sponsor; and shall not use profane language.

· Verbally or physically accosting any administrator, teacher, coach, sponsor, parent, or student will result in immediate suspension for the remainder of the school year from all activities and athletic events.

· It is impossible to have a rule or regulation for every possible circumstance. Coaches, sponsors, and administrators shall use discretionary judgment in dealing with individual situations not

covered by a specific written regulation.

TEXTBOOKS – Textbooks are issued by title and number from the school classroom teacher. All students are responsible for the care of their books. Textbook covers are strongly suggested. If a student’s books show excessive damage when they are returned to the teacher, the student is assessed a damage or replacement fee. Fees for lost/destroyed textbooks are assessed to students at full replacement cost. It is highly encouraged that families inspect all student textbooks at the beginning of the year. If the condition is questionable, please bring the book to the office for condition clarification. Books returned must be in the same condition as when they were issued. Warning: damaged or lost textbooks are expensive to replace.

PARENT COMMUNICATION –. Parents/Guardians concerned about grades or behavior are encouraged to contact teachers through a phone call, e-mail or by setting up an appointment through the school office. Teacher e-mails may be accessed through the school web site: www.estancia.k12.nm.us under the Teacher Pages.

RETENTION/REMEDIATION POLICY

Students who are not proficient in grade level skills may be recommended to be retained by the classroom teacher.

EMS Board Policy-412.5 Promotion and Retention –

Upon satisfactory completion of local requirements and a students' demonstration of proficiency on the state standards set by the Public Education Department in grades one through seven, there are three options for promotion / retention.

412.5.1 The student is academically proficient and shall enter the next higher grade.

412.5.2 The student is not academically proficient and shall participate in remediation. Upon

certification by the School District that the student is academically proficient, he / she

shall enter the next higher grade.

412.5.3 The student is not academically proficient after completion of the remediation and upon

the recommendation of the certified school instructor and school principal shall either be:

a. retained in the same grade for no more than one school year with an

academic improvement plan developed by the student assistance team in

order to become academically proficient, at which time the student shall

enter the next higher grade; or

b. Promoted to the next grade if the parent refuses to allow the child to be

retained pursuant to paragraph a. In this case, the parent shall sign a waiver

indicating the parent’s desire that the student be promoted the next higher grade with an academic improvement plan designed to address specific