Bethel Junior High

Student Handbook

ATTENDANCE OFFICE

~Attendance Clerk – 683-7292

At Bethel Jr. High all students are expected to attend every class daily. Daily attendance is one of the keys to a student’s educational success. Every class taught at BJH requires a student’s active and continuous involvement in order to develop skills and learn the material presented in each subject. Most classroom experiences cannot be duplicated on an individual basis; an absent student loses the experience of lecture, discussion, group work and participation forever.

a. Daily Attendance (Policy 3122)

Parents are responsible for sending their children to school as required by RCW28A.225.010; to make sure their children are in school on time each day; to encourage their children to come to school with a mental attitude which fosters learning; to communicate accurately with the school concerning the reasons for their child’s absence.

Students are responsible for attending school regularly and remaining in school until they are officially excused. Any student whose absence is not excused shall be the focus of remedial efforts and subject to progressively severe disciplinary actions.

b. Prearranged Absences (Policy 3119)

Students whose parents desire them to be absent from school for a full day or more should prearrange their absence. If the activity is not of educational value, the principal may deny approval of a prearranged absence.

Students must bring a note to the attendance desk to receive a prearranged absence form. Students must take this form to each teacher for their initials, and then return the form to the attendance office. This must be done at least one day before the planned absence.

Students will make up all work and tests as determined by their teachers. It shall be the responsibility of the student to check with their teachers about work that is to be made-up and when the work is due to be turned in.

c. Make-up Work (Policy 3118)

Students will have one day of make-up time for every one day of an excused absence up to a total of five absences before they receive and ‘I’ letter grade for each missed assignment. “In participation type classes a student’s grade may be affected because of the student’s inability to make up the activities conducted during a class period.” (Bethel School Board Policy 3122) The classroom teacher may lengthen the amount of time allotted for make up work. A school administrator is the only one who can shorten the make up time period based on some unusual circumstance.

d. Attendance and Activities

Any student participating in an after school or evening activity is expected to attend classes on the day of the scheduled activity. For weekend activities, attendance in classes the previous Friday is required. Failure to comply with these attendance regulations may result in a student being declared ineligible and not allowed to participate. Any exceptions require coach, advisor or administrator approval.

e. Excused Absences

Parents are asked to call the Attendance Office 683-7292 in the morning if their child will not be attending school that day.

Excused absences are defined as illness, family emergencies, bereavement, professional appointments, participation in authorized school related activities, and opportunities of extraordinary educational value outside of school. To be excused, absences must have a note from the parent/guardian within three days of the absence. The note should be taken to the clerk at the attendance window when the student returns to school.

Washington state law (Becca Bill) requires the school district to file a petition with the courts when a student acquires five unexcused absences in a month or ten in a year.

f. Unexcused Absences

Sleeping late and/or missing the bus are considered an unexcused absence or tardy.

Unexcused absences are considered truancy and have consequences including disciplinary action.

g. Tardiness

Arriving late to class shows disrespect for the teacher and the students who are already in the process of learning. Students are allowed four minutes of passing time. Being on time to class means being in your seat prepared for class with your materials out before the bell rings. Students not meeting this expectation will be considered tardy.

If you arrive late to school, report to the attendance clerk in the main office when you arrive. You must bring a note explaining why you are late to school.

h. Early Dismissal

To be dismissed early from school for a medical, dental or other appointment, you must bring a note from home. Give the note to the attendance clerk at the attendance window when you arrive at school in the morning. When a student leaves school for an appointment their parent must sign them out in the main office at the time of their departure.

i. Home work for extended absences

If you are absent for three or more days, homework may be requested by calling the counseling center. It will take 24 hours to gather the homework for you. Students may have their homework picked up at the end of the school day of the day following their request.

DRESS CODE

As prescribed in Bethel School District Policy 3224, dress and appearance must not present health or safety problems or cause disruption. The purpose of adopting a dress code policy is not to infringe on any individual student’s right to freedom of expression, but rather to encourage students to “dress for success” and come to school properly prepared for participating in the educational process.

Bethel Jr. High students will be required to change out of unacceptable clothing. If appropriate clothing cannot be obtained, students will be excluded from class until it can be obtained. Repeated dress code violations or lack of cooperation may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension from school.

The following regulations set limits on what is permissible:

§ Bizarre or immodest dress or grooming which disrupts the teaching-learning atmosphere will not be allowed. Pajamas are not acceptable clothing for school.

§ Clothing may not be a distraction to the learning environment or create a safety hazard. No pins, chains, pacifiers (or pacifier candies) or pointed objects may be worn at any time. Due to safety precautions, all jewelry must be removed for physical education and sports.

§ No gang related clothing. This includes bandanas, sagging, display of gang colors, or other clothing which my imply gang membership or affiliation.

§ Markings or insignia on clothing, jewelry or the body must not be obscene, offensive, suggestive, or advocate disruptive or illegal activity. Clothing may not advertise, promote or suggest alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. Automatic 10 day suspension.

§ All shirts must have a shoulder strap which is at least four fingers wide and completely cover the midriff area. Extremely brief garments such as halter tops, bare midriffs, tube tops, tank tops, camisoles, spaghetti straps, and plunging necklines are not appropriate. No skin may show below four fingers from the base of the neck, front or back.

§ Pants and shorts need to fit and be worn on the hip. No sagging or bagging. No holes, rips shredding may be visible above the knees (even if they are patched)

§ No undergarments can show at any time.

§ Shorts and Skirts – no shorter than 3” above the center of the knee. If leggings are worn, shorts or skirts must still comply with the length regulations.

§ All students must wear footwear designed for public use at all times. Slippers may not be worn at school.

§ Hats, hoods, and other headgear may not be worn during the school day.

§ Sunglasses may not be worn inside the school building

§ Trench coats may not be worn at school.

§ Hair must be of a natural color only (except during school sponsored events)

HEALTH SERVICES

~Health Office – 683-7293

a. If You Feel Sick

If you feel ill, go to your class and get a pass from your teacher to go to the health room. The health clerk will check you in, take your temperature, and phone your parents if you need to go home.

Students who become ill at school and need to go home may only leave with someone listed on their emergency card. Please be sure that anyone who you may want to pick up your child from school is on that card.

If you have a contagious disease or skin condition, if your have been sick to your stomach, or if you have a fever, please stay home for at least 24 hours. Please stay home if you feel ill.

In order to administer medication at school, whether prescription or over-the-counter medication, state law requires:

a. Written instructions from a doctor.

b. Written permission from the parent.

c. Medications must come in the original container with the student’s name clearly printed on the container.

d. The permission and instructions are good for one school year.

e. A physician must specifically order medications that need to be carried by the student, such as an inhaler or Epi-Pen.

All medications, including aspirin and cold medicine, need to be turned into the health clerk.

ASB OFFICE

~ASB Office - located in the Counseling Center –

683-7282

The Bethel Junior High ASB provides many opportunities for students. Extra curricular activities, clubs and sports are funded through the ASB.

When writing checks to pay for school activities make the check payable to: Bethel Junior High.

a. Information about the ASB card:

§ The card costs $25.00.

§ Replacement cost is $5.00

§ All students participating in sports, activities or clubs must purchase an ASB card.

§ ASB cardholders receive discounts on dance tickets and field trips.

§ Yearbooks cost $5.00 less with an ASB card.

§ Local merchants provide discounts for students who present an ASB card.

§ Students must present their ASB (or ID) card for field trips and discounts.

b. Go to the ASB to:

§ Pay for your ASB card.

§ Sign-up and pay for field trips.

§ Purchase items from the school store such as balloons, shirts, pencils, paper etc.

§ Pay fines and class fees.

§ Buy dance tickets.

§ Purchase your yearbook.

c. Dances

§ Guests are not allowed at any of Bethel Junior High’s dances.

§ A DJ will provide the music.

§ Concessions will be available.

§ The dress code is the same as during the school day.

§ Suspended students may not attend dances.

§ Students on the 10-Point List may not attend dances.

§ Parents interested in chaperoning should call 253-683-7282.

§ Any student still at school within 30 minutes of the end of any dance may be suspended from attending some/all of the upcoming dances.

§ Doors close 45 min. after the dance begins.

ATHLETICS~Athletic Coordinator – Mr. Alwert –

All students at Bethel Junior High are encouraged to turn out for a sport. Below you will read the requirements to play and the time line for each sport season.

a. To turn out for a sport you must have:

v A current physical on file in the office.

v A parent/student athletic agreement form on file in the office.

v Pick-up an athletic packet that includes all required forms in the ASB Office.

v An ASB card - $25.00 per year.

v $28.00 Participation Fee per sport.

b. Sports offered by season:

First Season – Volleyball, Football, Cross Country

Second Season – Girls’ Basketball and Wrestling

Third Season – Girls’ Soccer and Boys’ Basketball

Fourth Season – Fastpitch, Baseball, and Track

c. Team Cuts

Sports are offered to all three grade levels with Varsity, Junior Varsity, and 7th grade teams. Unfortunately, on most teams only a select number can play and there will be cuts. Activity busses are available after school for participants.

FOOD PROGRAM AND CAFETERIA

There is one breakfast and two lunches at BJH. Students can purchase full lunches or ala Carte items.

a. Meal Times

Students are only to be in the cafeteria and purchasing food during their assigned dining times.

Pre-purchase of meals

Students may put money in their account during the morning breakfast. Meals may be purchased through the Child Nutrition office using Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards. You may call the CN office or visit their office Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, at 516 East 176th Street in Spanaway (the District Office). Bank debit cards cannot be used. The CN office will notify your student’s school of the number of school meals purchased.

b. Free and Reduced Lunch

Applications for free and reduced lunches are available in the counseling office. The forms must be filled out and processed by the Child Nutrition office before the services will be put in place. There is usually a 48-hour wait once the form is turned into the office. Students who receive free

or reduced lunch, receive free breakfast.

c. Lunch Time Rules and Etiquette

v Students are expected to do their part to keep the cafeteria clean and neat. Everyone is expected to clean up their own mess.