Tohancock County Middle School

WELCOME

TOHANCOCK COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL

Principal – Traci Sanders

Assistant Principal – Kaye Aubrey

100 State Route 271S Lewisport, KY 42351

Telephone–270-927-6712 Fax No. –270-927-9895

Webpage:

MISSION

To provide a strong educational foundation by challenging, guiding and nurturing all students to lead productive and fulfilling lives, succeeding through a highly structured classroom environment; reaching college and career readiness goals with clear academic and behavioral expectations and an appreciation for the arts.

SUBJECT OFFERINGS

Students are required to attend classes in language arts and related classes, science,social studies, mathematics, physical education, art, music, chorus, technology,and beginning Spanish.

Procedures for Selecting Students for Accelerated Classes at HCMS

If you do not want your student enrolled in accelerated classes, please contact Mrs. Pam McCaslin at 927-6712.

Incoming 6Th grade students

1. The following criteria will ALL be considered in placement for accelerated classes in math, science, reading and language arts:

MAP scores, Identified Gifted and Talented

2. Accelerated social studies will be determined by identified GT and Reading scores.

3. Students who did not take 5th grade MAP may take placement test to determine accelerated class eligibility.

Incoming 7Th grade students

1.The following criteria will ALL be considered in placement for accelerated classes in all subject areas:

Identified Gifted and Talented, MAP scores, Teacher Recommendation.

2. Student’s who did not take 6th grade MAP tests will complete a placement test to determine accelerated class eligibility.

3. If a GT students’ MAP scores indicate a significant drop (20 points or greater) from the cut-off scores, students may not be placed in accelerated classes and the Gifted and Talented coordinator will be contacted.

Incoming 8Th grade students

1. The following criteria will ALL be considered in placement for accelerated classes in all subject areas:

Giftedand Talented, MAP scores and Teacher Recommendation

2.New incoming 8th graders will complete a placement test to determine accelerated class eligibility.

*HCMS teachers will meet every 9 weeks to review accelerated rosters. They may recommend students be moved in or out of accelerated class based on current performance.

Math Class Placement Policy

All 6th Graders will be placed in oneof the following classes:

Accelerated Math

General Math

Student placement will be based on:

MAP test score in 5thgrade

All 7th Graders will take two of the following classes:

Problem Solving

Accelerated Math

General Math

Student placement will be based on:

MAP Test Score in 6th grade

6th grade teacher recommendation

All 8th graders will be placed in one of the following classes:

Algebra I for High School Credit

Accelerated Math

General Math

Problem Solving

*Students who take Algebra I for High School Credit will also take an 8th grade math class which will be taught by the 8th grade math teacher.

Student placement will be based on:

MAP Test Score in 7th grade

Orleans Hannah Algebra Prognosis Test Score (takenin 6th7th grade)

7th grade teacher recommendation

Parents of students who are recommended to take Algebra I for High School Credit will be notified in the last nine weeks of the students’ 7th grade year. The Algebra I for High School Credit class will be taught at the high school by a high school math teacher. The students will walk over to the high school for the class. Parents will have the option to decline to enroll their student in the Algebra I for High School Credit class by an April deadline; however, students and parents are highly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. Students who take the Algebra I for High School Credit will receive high school credit for the course if they earn an A or B average in the class, and will not be allowed to retake the class as 9th graders. Students will not earn credit if they earn an average of C or below, and they will be required to take the class again as 9th graders.

Spanish I Placement Policy

1. CGPA of 3.5 or higher
2. “A” grade in language arts & teacher recommendation
3. “A” grade in 7th grade Spanish allied arts
4. “Spanish instructor recommendation
5. Map test score in 7th grade

Students will receive High School Credit for this class as long as they maintain a “B” average or higher.

Band: Sixth grade students wishing to make schedule changes in regard to band must do so by the end of the first grading period or at the end of the semester. Seventh and eighth grade students must make schedule changes within the first ten class days or at the end of the semester.

Chorus: At the sixth grade level, chorus will be required for every student as one of the Allied Arts rotation classes (along with Art, Music, PE, Spanish, Technology). However, at the seventh and eighth grade levels chorus is not a requirement, rather it is an elective.There will continue to be an after school chorus program for students who wish to continue taking band or skills but also wants to be involved in our school chorus program.

CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

The following clubs and activities are available to the students at Hancock County Middle School:

Student Council, AcademicTeams, Champions, Art Club, Band, Chorus, Basketball, Cheerleading, Track, Football, Cross Country, Intramural Volleyball, and Lego League.

HCMS STUDENT COUNCIL GUIDELINES

1.The Student Council officers and representatives are expected to be the leaders of the school. Their academic performance and behavior should, at all times, reflect the importance of their office.

2.The purpose of Student Council is to provide for the constructive expression of student opinion; to promote and assist in student activities; to provide opportunity for student participation in a democratic government; and to maintain good feelings between faculty, students and the community.

3.All the power of the Student Council is delegated to it by the Administration of the middle school. Accordingly, the Administration shall have the right of veto over any measure proposed by the Student Council. The Executive Council consists of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Executive Council positions are open to eighth graders. Executive Council positions are for the entire school year.

4.The remaining members of Student Council consist of four representatives from each team. The representatives have the responsibility of attending all Student Council meetings and must report back to their team during break/Seminar the minutes from the Student Council meetings on the following day. Representative positions are for one year only.

5.All members will have full voting privileges and responsibilities.

6.The election for the officers will be held in May. The election of first semester representatives will be held in October. The election for new second semester representatives will be held in January.

Campaign and Voting Procedures for Officer Positions:

A. Students wishing to run for an officer position must:

1. Secure a petition of candidacy from the sponsor and obtain 25 valid signatures of students presently attending Hancock County Middle School;

2. Secure and distribute one rating form to each of your teachers, and receive favorable teacher ratings; and

3. Must have a cumulative grade average of a C or better.

B. Upon approval of the petitions and teacher rating forms a week of campaigning will follow. The officer candidates may hang in the front hall one sponsor-approved poster to promote his/her candidacy. On Election Day each candidate will present a brief election speech to the entire student body. The speech must be pre-approved by the sponsor. No other campaign material will be utilized or distributed by the officer candidates.

C. The votes will be tabulated by the sponsor and the results of the election will beannounced to the student body as soon as possible.

Voting Procedures for Student Council Representative elections:

A. Students wishing to run for representative position must:

1. Secure a petition of candidacy from the sponsor and obtain 25 valid signaturesof students on their team;

2. Secure and distribute one rating form to each of your teachers, and receive favorable teacher ratings; and

3. Have a cumulative grade average of a C or better.

B. Students may hold the representative position for only one year.

C. Representative elections will be conducted by each team on the same day. The teams will arrange the opportunity for each representative to introduce himself/herself to the students, either in a whole team setting or by class setting. No other campaigning will be done by representative candidates.

D. The votes will be tabulated by the sponsor and the results of the election will be announced to the student body as soon as possible.

Members Code of Conduct:

A. Parliamentary Procedures will be followed at meetings.

B. Student Council members who fail to follow Parliamentary Procedures will be removedfrom the meeting. Repeated failures to comply will result in the member being dropped from Student Council.

C. Placement in the ISLA Room will result in the member missing the next Student Council meeting or function.

D. Repeated placement in the ISLA Room or any suspension from school will result indismissal of that member from Student Council.

E. Members with three unexcused absences from meetings will be dismissed from Student Council.

F. Grade checks will be conducted periodically. Members with grade averages below a C average will have two weeks to raise their grade average or they will be dismissed from Student Council.

G. A student may not again run for Student Council after being dismissed from Student Council except for 6th grade.

PRIDE CARD

A student at the middle school may earn a pride card during each nine-week grading period. The pride card is part of our incentive program to encourage and reward students for good conduct, excellent attendance, and acceptable grades. To receive a pride card, students must meet the following criteria during each 9-week period:

1.No discipline tickets.

2.No grade (conduct or academic) below a ‘C’ at the end of 9-week grading period.

3.No bus infractions.

4.Students will be allowed a total of eight (8) absences, excused and unexcused combined, before they lose their PRIDE card privileges. After the 8thabsence a student is unable to earn a pride card for the remainder of the year.

5.Hospitalization Clause – 5 days of in-hospital admission will be excused. (Emergency room visits do not qualify). Parents need to notify us in the event of a hospital stay and present documentation.

Students must show their pride card to receive the following rewards:

• First lunch group in your grade.
• Free admission to all home athletic events.
• $1.00 off any PTO dance.

Replacement of PRIDEcard for any reason is $1.00.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SCHEDULE

1. Beginning bell – 7:39 a.m.
2. Lunch will be served on the following schedule:

6thGrade Lunch Period: 10:15 – 10:40

(PRIDE cards only at 10:13)

7th Grade Lunch Period: 11:02 – 11:27

(PRIDE cards only at 11:00)

8th Grade Lunch Period: 11:49 – 12:14

(PRIDE cards only at 11:47)

1. Dismissal Bell – 2:40 p.m. for Lewisport and South Hancock bus riding students ONLY. Approximately 2:50 p.m. for Hawesville bus riders, walkers, athletes and car riders.

BOOK BAG POLICY

Book bags, athletic bags, and drawstring backpacks must be placed in lockers before the first period bell rings. They must fit in the locker. They must be kept in lockers until the end of the day dismissal bell. The only exceptionsare for those students who have physical education. P.E. students may take their book bags to lunch, to their P.E. class, and to their lockers again as P.E. dismisses each day or as approved by principal.

BUS NOTES– HCMS TRANSPORTATION CHANGES

If a student’s regular transportation or after school plans change, they must bring a note to the school office in the morning. The note must include the following information:

• Student’s name
• Date (or dates that the child will go to this place)
• Who (name of person visiting/student going home with)
• Where (complete address where student is going)
• Bus driver name and/or number

In the past we have allowed parents to call in with last minute bus changes (i.e. tell student to go to grandmothers, get off at South or North Hancock, neighbor’s etc…). The overwhelming number of calls and last minute changes has presented us with serious scheduling and safety concerns.

We are asking that you try to plan carefully and send notes with students. However, we will accept changes via phone until 1:30 pm. After this time, we will no longer accept any transportation changes via phone.

Please understand that it is very difficult to correctly coordinate last minute changes for numerous students. This change is intended to safely and accurately serve our students and eliminate confusion that last minute phone calls create.

TRANSPORTATION

Written permission from parents will be required for any student who rides or leaves school by anysource other than school buses or parents. Middle school students will not be permitted to leave school in any vehicle, other than a school bus, without written permission from parents. Written permission from parents will be required for students who ride a bicycle to school. These notes are also turned into the office each morning. Suspension from bus prohibits students from riding any school bus for any purpose.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

All students must purchase a middle school planner. Planners are $5.00 each and students should have their planner with them at all times. The planner also serves as the hall pass and includes our student handbook.Students may purchase pencils, paper and other school supplies in the school office or in vending machines in the lobby. These supplies must be purchased prior to the morning bell, during lunch period, or during break. Students should not leave class to purchase supplies.

SEARCH AND SEIZURE - LOCKERS

The school provides lockers for students to use for the storage of personal property and instructional supplies. However, the school retains joint ownership with the student. Lockers should be locked and combinations memorized.Locker assignments may be changed only after approval by the principal or team leader. The principal or assistant principal may inspect student lockers with or without student permission if there is reasonable suspicion that the locker contains stolen or illegal items or for safety reasons. Students may be required to clean their lockers periodically.

You are responsible for your possessions in or out of the lockers. If you leave any valuables unattended you do so at your own risk.

PERSONAL

The principal/designee may search the pockets, purse, bag, or wallet of a student if there is reasonable cause.

Students are expected to keep up with their personal property. Students are requested to bring to the office any item found in the school.

SCHOOL INSURANCE

School insurance is available for each student to purchase. Students that participate in any athletic event will be required to purchase school insurance or have proof of adequate family insurance before trying out or participating in these events.

FIRE AND DISASTER DRILL INFORMATION

For your protection there is a planned fire and disaster drill program for the school. The exit pattern is posted in each classroom. Fire and disaster drills will be held at regular intervals throughout the year. It is essential that everyone follow the prescribed exit patterns in case of a fire or disaster drill or a real emergency.

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips are scheduled for the benefit of the students. Due to budget constraints a fee may be charged. Certain rules as outlined by teachers that organize such field trips must be respected by students. Students that do not wish to adhere to these rules will be prohibited from participating on the next scheduled middle school field trip. If a student has been guilty of a discipline infraction that is on a level greater than Level I while on a field trip, that student will not be allowed to go on a field trip again during the school year. If a student has more than two ISLA/Saturday school assignments, or suspensions, a panel must review his/her status before the student will be allowed to participate in a field trip or assembly program. The panel will include the core teachers, student council members from the respective grade, and the principal or assistant principal.

In order to be a chaperone you need to have a state background check.All parents going on a field trip must sign the Supervision and Chaperone Guideline form provided by the teacher in charge of field trip.

The HCMS Chaperone and Supervision Guidelines can be viewed on our website under school information at:

MISCELLANEOUS

1. Students are responsible for the proper care of all books, supplies and furniture.
2. Students who lose, damage or destroy school property will be required to pay damages.
3. Students may use the office phone for emergency reasons only. Students may not use other school phones.
4. We do not accept any Valentine deliveries.
5. Messages and deliveries to students from home should be left in the front office. Students will be called out of class for significant reasons only.
6. All visitors are required to check in at the front office. Students shall not bring visitors, other than parents, to attend classes or dances with them.
7. Students must wear gym shoes while using gym floor. Please stay off gym floor unless engaged in PE class, basketball games or practice.
8. There will be no trading or selling of anything in the school unless approved by the principal.

1. Students are not allowed to chew gum in the media center or computer lab.
2. If student doesn't have a ride within thirty (30) minutes of the end of a dance, practice or other school sponsored activity, the student may not attend the next dance/event unless accompanied by parent.
3. Students cannot arrive more than 15 minutes early to an afterschool event. If they arrive early they cannot participate in the next event.(SBDM #6.00)

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