Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts

Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts' mission is to provide a strong core middle school curriculum enhanced the arts, to create a community of diverse and dynamic lifelong learners.

Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts Student Guidelines 2011-2012

Welcome
Federal Law Compliance

Section I – General Information

Emergency Medical Information
Medications                   
Hearing, Head Lice and Vision Screening
Fines
Electronic Equipment
Excluded/Forbidden Items on Campus
Cell Phones
Food Service
Act of God Days and Delays
Visitors
Lost and Found
Agenda
Mentor/Mentee
Teachers
Conferences

Section II – Academics

Report Cards
Retention Guidelines

Section III – Student Activities

Athletic Eligibility

Section IV – Student Conduct

Attendance Policy

Definitions/Procedures for Attendance
Tardy Policy
Student/Common Area Expectations
Dress Code
Hall Passes

Section V – Transportation

Bus Regulations

Section VI – iPromise Compacts/Worksheets

iPromise Compact (Parent/Student)

        

Hello and welcome to Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts! We want to provide support for every child during “The Middle School Experience” to ensure that it is a successful, fun and enjoyable time. A comprehensive behavior/discipline code will be given to students at the beginning of the year addressing situations which may arise where disciplinary action may be necessary to maintain a safe and orderly educational environment.

Federal Law Compliance
Maple St. Magnet School for the Arts, hereby, agrees to comply with federal law and Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education policy that guarantees that no person shall be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, marital status, or handicap.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents, guardians and students over 18 years of age the right to inspect and review the student’s educational records within 45 days of the request for access.  They may ask the school to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading.

FERPA requires that Maple St. Magnet School for the Arts, with certain exceptions, obtain written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from a student’s education records.  Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can be disclosed without prior written consent.  A parent or guardian may notify the school principal in writing of any directory information that should not be disclosed within ten days of receipt of this handbook.

Section I – General Information

Emergency Medical Information
Each student must turn in an emergency medical information sheet to the school office.  It is imperative that we are aware of allergies and any other medical condition that your child experiences. We also must have a phone number where a parent or relative can be reached in case of an emergency.

Medications
Medications that must be taken at school have to be stored in the office and must be in the original prescription container, this also includes all over the counter medications.  Parents/guardians must complete the proper paperwork in the office and have it filled out by their physician or care provider in order for any medications to be dispensed at school.  All over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol, cough drops, aspirin, or nasal decongestants are included in this policy by law.  Michigan law prohibits students from taking any medications at school without the proper authorization.

Hearing, Head Lice and Vision Screening
Students are periodically screened for hearing, head lice, scoliosis and vision difficulties.

Fines
Students are expected to care for school issued materials and to return these in reasonable condition.  Students will be expected to pay replacement costs for materials lost or damaged beyond repair (textbooks, Library books, etc.).

Electronic Equipment*
Pagers are not allowed on school property or buses. Radios, electronic toys, computer games, portable sound systems, video/audio cameras, recording devices, CELL PHONES, and other electronic equipment are not allowed to be used in school during school hours unless authorized by school personnel.  They are a disruption to the educational process and a safety concern. They will be confiscated.

Items Not to Be Used/Permitted on School Grounds
Spray paint
Weapons of any kind
Laser pointers
Drugs/Tobacco products
Sharpie markers
Skateboards/Scooters

Cell Phones
Cell phones are not permitted to be used in school or on school property during school hours. Students have access to phones in the office or classroom during these hours. Students riding to and from school on school buses are not permitted to use their cell phones while on the bus. Students riding buses for school/sports activities may use their cell phone under the supervision of their coach/advisor. First time violators will have their phone confiscated and held at the school for one calendar week from the date of the infraction. A second violation will result in the phone being confiscated for the remainder of the first semester/school year, if second offense occurs in second semester. All confiscated phones will be stored under lock and key, logged in with student name, and date of offense. Please read this procedure with your student/parent to ensure understanding and compliance.
        
Food Service
Breakfast and lunch are served daily. All students will use their student ID number in the cafeteria at the point of purchase. To apply for free and reduced-price meals, fill out a form in the school office, or click here to find out how you can apply online and how you can pay with MealPay Plus.

Snow/Weather Days and Delays
At times it may be necessary to cancel classes due to weather related conditions. All announcements will be made on WKZO AM (590) radio, WWMT-TV (Channel 3) television www.wwmt.com, and on the main  page of the Kalamazoo Public Schools website. Please do not call the school.

Visitors
Parents are always welcome visitors to our school. Due to safety considerations all visitors must sign in at the security desk at the southwest entrance on the Maple Street side of the building. Any visitor in the building must obtain a visitor’s badge to wear while in the building. Substitute teachers will also obtain a visiting teachers badge. Anyone found in the building without the visitor’s badge will be asked to report directly to the office. When retrieving a student for an appointment, the office will call student to the security desk. The school administrator has the right to regulate visitation in the building.

Lost and Found
All items considered lost and turned in to the office will be available for pick up. If you feel that you have lost an item at school, please check the lost and found in the office/cafeteria.

Agenda
Each student receives an agenda book when they enter the middle school. This book is to be used to record homework assignments and to plan ahead for projects, etc. This book is required in EVERY class and should be considered the ticket in and out of the room. This book is direct link between the classroom teacher and you, the parent, and this should be reviewed daily with your child to check on any homework assignments, or if a teacher sends home a note. While this agenda may be personalized, this agenda must remain in good repair. Mutilated/lost agendas will need to be replaced at a cost of $5.00 to the owner.

Mentor/Mentee
Middle school students may sign up for a mentor and be part of the mentee program. This mentor will meet with the child to assist him or her with problems, advice, homework assistance etc. Parents may call the school to meet with their child’s mentor.

Teachers
Should you desire a conference with a teacher/team you may call the office to arrange a meeting. You may also leave teachers a voice mail at their designated extension.

Conferences
Parent/Teacher conferences are held twice a year, in early October and again in March. Attendance at these offerings is a great way to make connections with your students’ teachers, problem-solve any difficulties, and build a strong relationship with the school. Attendance is not mandatory, but strongly recommended.

Section II – Academics

Report Cards

Students will receive an academic grade for each class one-week after the end of the marking period.  The scholastic grades of A, B, C, D denote a passing grade. An Incomplete (I) grade may be given if circumstances prevent a student from completing their work. This work must be completed and turned in no later than two weeks after the grading period ends. At the midway point of each marking period a progress report will be issued to each student. You may also access your child’s grades at anytime using the Pinnacle Grade Program and the Parent Internet Viewer, and your designated PIN number. Report cards may be kept by the office if a child has a fine for a lost textbook, sports equipment, locks, or other items.

Retention Guidelines

The staff of Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts is committed to each student's success.  Teachers and Administrators will utilize various forms of intervention(s) for students who are having difficulty in school as well as maintaining communication with parents/guardians.*These will include but are not limited to:
• Interim reports for students achieving below average will be sent home at marking period mid-term
• Regular grade level teaming meetings will take place to discuss strategies for a child who may be having difficulty
• Altering schedule to provide academic supports during school day
• After school/extended day programming/tutoring
• Saturdays at Maple Street
• Summer school options

*Should a student fail two core subject classes two of the three marking periods in both semesters, they will face retention.

Section III – Student Activities

Athletic Eligibility

Athletic competition is an extension of the classroom on many levels, and as such we keep in proper perspective that students are student athletes.  Academic success must be the priority!  Therefore, students must maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average to participate on an athletic team.  This grade point system carries over from one season to the next including spring to fall seasons.
Student must have been present in school the entire school day to participate in any activity, unless excused by an administrator.
A student may not participate if he/she is suspended from school.
This is not a comprehensive list of eligibility requirements. Other rules will apply. See coaches/athletic office for any other requirements or to answer any questions.

Section IV – Student Conduct

Attendance Policy

Students enrolled in the Kalamazoo Public Schools are expected to be in attendance each day that school is in session, except in cases of illness or other situations of a personal nature which are unavoidable and would be interpreted as excused absences.  Michigan State Law requires school attendance through age 16 and regular daily attendance is essential to a student’s successful educational experience.  Frequent absence or repeated tardiness will be grounds for the school to take action to resolve the problem in order to ensure the student’s academic success.

Definitions/Procedures for Attendance
All students are expected to attend school on all scheduled days. Likewise, all students are expected to attend all scheduled classes.  A student’s absence will be considered excused for:  1) personal/family illness, 2) death in the family, 3) extended hospitalization, 4) severe road/weather conditions, 5) religious observations, 6)attendance at a health clinic or doctor’s office/chronic medical condition confirmed by a physician, 7) a mandated court appearance.  Excused absences must be documented  in writing by a physician/parent/guardian and submitted to the school before or upon the student’s return to school.
Excessive unexcused absences shall be considered to be 3 days in a trimester for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. 

Administrative procedures have been established to deal with situations of excessive absence and tardiness. These procedures include notification to the student verbally at 5 days of unexcused absence, and referral to the Home-School Interventionist.  If a student reaches 8 days of unexcused absences, a letter notifying the parents will be sent and the school will be obligated to notify the court system.  Anytime a child misses school, it is expected that the parent will contact the school in written or verbal form.

Class Schedule
    
     6th Grade                   7th Grade                                8th Grade

7:35-8:35 1st Hour    7:35-8:35 1st Hour            7:35-8:35 1st Hour
8:39-9:39 2nd Hour    8:39-9:39 2nd Hour            8:39-9:39 2nd Hour
9:43-10:43 3rd Hour    9:43-10:43 3rd Hour            9:43-10:43 3rd Hour
10:43-11:11 Lunch   10:47-11:44 4th Hour           10:47-11:47 4th Hour
11:15-12:15 4th Hour   11:44-12:12 Lunch           11:51-12:47 5th Hour
12:19-1:19 5th Hour    12:16-1:16 5th Hour            12:47-1:15 Lunch
1:23-2:20 6th Hour    1:20-2:20 8th Hour            1:19-2:20 6th Hour

Tardy Policy

It is expected all children arrive at school on time in the morning and report to class on time. Unexcused tardiness will result in the student having to sign in at the security desk, being issued an unexcused pass to class. The third occurrence of tardiness to school will result in an Administrative After-School detention.  Arrangements must be made with the principal if the detention can’t be served during that time. If the child fails to serve the detention, one out-of-school suspension will be assigned.  Some tardies may be excused at the administrator’s discretion. All tardiness is considered unexcused and includes, but is not limited to:

Overslept

Skipping a class and was late

Missed the bus

Forgot to bring a note from parent

Alarm didn’t go off

Parent running late/Car trouble

Metro bus was late

“Catching” ride with late person
   
These are guidelines. Situations may arise where disciplinary action may be necessary to maintain the educational environment. 

Student Expectations / Common Area Expectations

Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts is a Positive Behavior and Literacy Support school, and as such has adopted the acronym GO PRO! to guide and teach our building’s expectations for student behavior in every area of the student’s day here with us. From the classroom to the cafeteria, bathrooms to extra-curricular events, behaviors and expectations will be taught, role played and reinforced throughout the school year, and beyond. The following expectations are spelled out by the letters:

Give 100%  Be Organized    Be Prompt     Be Respectful Take Ownership

Dress Code

Each student has the right to dress in ways which represent his/her individuality.  However, student dress should not and cannot disrupt the educational process. The following is a general guideline that needs to be followed for all school events. Students who mistakenly dress outside these guidelines may choose to correct the wardrobe faux pax themselves or with the help of staff or their parent(s). Other items may be included in this list at the administrator’s discretion:

1. Shoes, sandals, flip-flops must be worn at all times.
2. No slippers may be worn, unless prescribed for certain events (spirit days, classroom activities, etc.).
3. Coats/outerwear/heavy Hoodies are not to be worn in building/classrooms; must be placed in lockers at the beginning of the day (before 1st Hour)!
4. All shorts and skirts must come to the end of the fingers when arms are fully (straight) extended down.
5. Clothing designed to be worn as an undergarment or swimwear is inappropriate for school as a stand-alone garment (camisoles, tank top t-shirts, bras).
6. No spaghetti strap shirts/tops are allowed without covering or wearing a shirt underneath/over them that has sleeves.
7. Pants must be worn at the waistline.  “Sagging” does not promote a “professional” college-going culture, and will not be allowed.  Zip ties will be issued and expected to be worn while on school grounds.
8. Bottoms made of flannel, “satin”, or fleece, designed to be worn as pajamas or “loungewear” will not be allowed unless approved for wear on designated spirit days.
9. Clothing which promotes gang activity, drugs, alcoholic beverages, inappropriate language or messages will not be allowed.
10. No hats, visors, “doo-rags,” bandanas, head wraps, or scarves may be worn in the school building or hanging from pockets.
11. No half shirts, midriffs, or shirts that don’t cover the stomach completely may be worn.  Tops and bottoms need to “overlap” at all times.
12. Shirts must be short enough or tucked in so that pants pockets are visible at all times.
13. Book bags, backpacks, or purses are not allowed in classrooms, and must be stored in lockers during the school day (7:35-2:20).
14. No body piercing can have chains etc. hanging from them.
15. No dog or wallet chains, or spiked collars or bracelets, may be worn.

Hall Passes
Leaving the classroom during instructional time detracts from your ability to learn, and may distract others as well.  We understand that there are times when this is necessary, while acknowledging it is still a privilege.  Maple Street operates under the “10/10 Rule”, which means that no hall passes will be issued the first 10 minutes or last 10 minutes of any hour.  If a student must leave the classroom for any purpose, the teacher must issue a hall pass.  All passes must be returned to the teacher who originally issued them.  Students shall be required to sign out of the class for any reason.  One person of each gender may leave the room at a time.  Offenders will face detention or further disciplinary action.  Administration reserves the right to restrict travel of students who abuse this privilege.  All school handbooks provide pages for hall passes.

Section V – Transportation

Bus Regulations

Bus transportation to and from school is provided for all students, including a cross-town bus for city students.  Riding the bus is a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked at any time that the student’s behavior creates a safety issue.  If you have any questions concerning transportation you may contact the office (269.337.0730) or the Transportation Department (269.337.0500).  If you have a problem with a specific bus driver, please speak first with the transportation department supervisor.

Section VI—iPromise Compacts (Parent/Student)/Worksheets

iPromise Compact (Student)
Place Initials Next to Each Statement

-iPromise to come to school each day prepared to learn and contribute to the positive culture and climate of the Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts, recognizing that behaving in any other way is taking away from my education and the education of others.
-iPromise to demonstrate self-motivation and self-control in the classroom, the hallways, the cafeteria, and all areas of community life here at Maple Street.  I recognize that part of being a good citizen is to first control myself, and then model that positive behavior for others. 
-iPromise to set goals for myself academically and socially so that each day that I am here at Maple Street I am striving to be better, not accepting that staying the same is “OK”.
-iPromise that I will make academics my primary focus, and that I control my academic goals and -iPromise to use my time wisely, and invest in those things that will help me reach my goals, set a good example for others, and help me stay out of trouble and in the classroom. 
-iPromise these things on (date)____________________ so that the Kalamazoo Promise becomes the reality in my life!

Sincerely, __________________________________________

iPromise Compact (Parent)

- iPromise to take seriously my role in the continual development of my child as a student and a citizen of the Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts and the city of Kalamazoo as a whole. 
-iPromise to review the academic and behavioral/social expectations with my child prior to the end of the first week of school. 
-iPromise to, throughout the year (2008-2009), support and assist the Maple Street staff in consistently administering and teaching these expectations. 
-iPromise to practice these expectations with my child throughout this year when they are not in school; reading with and to my child, reinforcing good manners, time management, the establishment of healthy consistent routines for homework, bedtime, leisure time, etc.
- iPromise to seek out resources to assist my child in their ability to meet and exceed the expectations of KPS, the city of Kalamazoo, and society as a whole, realizing I don’t have all the answers. 
-iPromise to role play and practice social/emotional skills with my child as often as possible at home, in social situations, and anywhere I can help reinforce my (our) student becoming better and better each and every day. 
-iPromise to commit myself on (date) ________________to seeing that the Kalamazoo Promise becomes the reality in my child’s life!

Sincerely, ___________________________________________