Attendance
1. All students are encouraged to be in attendance and prompt in reporting
to school every day school is in session. Time away from school represents
a loss of valuable instructional time for the student. Excessive absences
and/or tardiness also result in the development of poor work habits
and may affect the student’s overall performance.
2. Each student who has been absent must present to the attendance office
a note from home explaining the reason for his/her absence. Excused
absences are granted for the following reasons: illness of the student,
death or serious illness within the student’s immediate family,
attendance at a school sponsored activity, special recognized religious
holidays observed by persons of the student’s faith, legal court
summons not a result of the student’s misconduct, and extenuating
circumstances created by emergencies over which the student has no control.
Failure to present a note of absence for reasons other than those listed
will result in an unexcused absence. If the student receives an unexcused
absence, he/she may not be allowed to receive credit for missed assignments.
3. In the event that a student has received an excused absence from
school, he/she will be allowed to make up assignments. The student will
be allowed one day for every day missed to turn in the assignments.
Each teacher will record daily assignments on Lesson Line. Students
may call the Lesson Line numbers that are given to them at the beginning
of each year for assignments, or they may get assignments when they
return to class. It is the student’s responsibility to contact
his/her teachers when he/she returns to school and to complete any missed
assignments. Parents may come to the school and pick up books from 7:30-8:00
in the morning and from 2:00-2:45 in the afternoon.
4. If a student is tardy, he/she must sign-in at the attendance office
and receive an admit slip. Tardiness will count against perfect attendance.
Students not in homeroom by 7:15 will be counted as tardy. According
to research, the beginning of the school day sets the tone for the instruction
that will follow. Children who are tardy not only miss valuable instructional
time but also establish a poor habit. Students with three or more unexcused
tardies during a semester or ten or more unexcused tardies during the
year are subject to disciplinary action.
Disciplinary Actions For Tardies Includes:
•After 3 tardies a warning letter will be forwarded to the parents
•2 additional tardies thereafter will result in an after-school
detention assignment
•Any additional tardies will result in a (1) one day In-school
suspension per tardy
5. Students should check out of school only for emergency reasons. Every
effort should be made to schedule dental appointments, medical appointments,
etc., after school hours. If a student must leave school early for some
permissible reason, the student should bring a note from the parent
to the attendance office UPON ARRIVAL ON CAMPUS to receive a check-out
slip. Teachers will dismiss students to the office at the time designated
on the check-out slip. The parent must come to the office to sign the
student out. Check-outs will count against perfect attendance.
PERFECT
ATTENDANCE
Perfect Attendance will be awarded at the end of the year to those students
who were present every school day. Please make every effort to ensure
your child’s daily attendance, and contact the principal regarding
any questions about possible exceptions.
HONOR ROLL
Students who earn all A’s, and E’s, G’s, or S’s for a nine weeks period will be awarded the Principal’s Honor Roll for that grading period. Students who earn more A’s, than B’s (with no C’s, D’s, or F’s), as well as E’s, G’s, or S’s will be awarded the Faculty Honor Roll.
One of the most important characteristics an individual can possess is that of self-discipline. While it does not appear as a subject, it supports the whole educational structure. It is this training that develops control, orderliness, and efficiency. It is the key to good conduct and proper consideration of other people. With an understanding of the purpose of discipline in a school, each student is expected to practice good citizenship and to contribute to the establishment of an appropriate environment for learning.
Dexter Middle School has adopted a NO TOLERANCE policy toward the following:
•fighting and/or threatened violence
•disrespect, insubordination, and/or defiance toward faculty and staff
School Rules
1. Students will not prevent the teacher from teaching or others from learning
2. Students will show respect for others and their possessions
3. Students will follow directions given by faculty and staff members
4. Students will keep hands, feet, and other objects to themselves
5. Students will stay in their seats and talk only with permission from teacher
6. Students will not eat, drink, or chew gum in classrooms or hallways
7. Students will follow all rules in the cafeteria as directed
The
DMS Discipline Program
REFER TO POLICY #6207 IN THE PUPIL/PARENT HANDBOOK
The faculty and administration of Dexter Middle School expect each student
to exhibit proper behavior and abide by the established school rules.
The following School-wide Discipline Plan is designed to allow opportunities
for students to correct improper behavior(s). The plan also provides
faculty and staff members opportunities to employ several preventive
and maintenance strategies to aid students in developing self-discipline
and self-management skills. The plan will be modified for appropriateness.
STEPS Of the DMS School-Wide Discipline Plan
Step 1: Team Detention Assignments (parent notification)
Step 2: Administrative Detention (w/referral to guidance)
Step 3: 3 days I.S.S./In-school Suspension (with parent, team, and administrative
intervention)
Step 4: 5 days I.S.S. (w/parent/team/administrative intervention)
Step 5: O.S.S.—Out-of-School Suspension 3, 5, 10 days (w/parent
and administrative readmission conference)
Step 6: O.S.S. (w/ Alternative School referral)
REWARDS
A host of activities and events have been planned to reward good behavior
and/or academic excellence. A few of the activities include an Honor
Roll Recognition Program, Pizza Parties, and Field Trips, (to recognize
those individuals each nine weeks with perfect attendance).
DRESS CODE
A student’s appearance must not distract other classmates from the important task of learning. Students shall dress in a manner that meets reasonable standards of health, cleanliness, modesty, and safety. Hats cannot be worn in the building during regular school hours.
Policy #6205
Shelby County Schools students are expected to dress and appear in a manner that meets reasonable standards of health, cleanliness, modesty, and safety. It should remain a matter of personal pride to maintain high standards of neatness and appropriateness of dress and appearance so as to reflect favorably upon yourself, your parents, and Shelby County Schools. All experiences during school years should be a part of a student’s preparation to take his/her place in society as a mature and responsible individual.
The responsibility for the appearance of the students begins with parents and the students themselves. Students’ clothing, make-up, and hair styles should reflect neatness, cleanliness, and self-respect so that the school is a desirable place in which to promote learning and character development. A student who is not attired appropriately or exhibits grooming which is detrimental and/or distractive to the school environment shall be asked to refrain from wearing the inappropriate attire in the future or shall be required to make arrangements for more suitable or appropriate dress. The principal shall make the final determination.
*SOME GUIDELINES OF UNACCEPTABLE ATTIRE ARE SET FORTH BELOW:
NOTE: These are not all inclusive
•Short shorts or spandex shorts
•Shorts, skirts, dresses, or slits in dresses more than 4 inches above the knee
•Tight tops, pants, or dresses
•Barebacked or bare midriff tops, shirts, or dresses
•Low cut apparel, tank tops, tube tops, spaghetti straps, or mesh shirts
•Any transparent clothing
•Facial jewelry (includes tongue piercing)
•Any clothing that pictures or advertises substances that are illegal by law for minors, that are violent, profane, or suggestive in nature, or indicates gang activity and involvement, or derogatory remarks of any ethnic nature.
Note: Uniforms for spirit and athletic groups must be consistent with student dress codes when worn during the instructional day.
Consequences for students found in
violation of the dress code include:
1st Occurrence: Warning—Parents contacted to bring a change of
clothing
2nd Occurrence: Detention—Parents notified to bring a change of
clothing
3rd Occurrence: ISS—Parents notified to bring a change of clothing
CLASS MATERIALS
Each student is responsible for bringing required books, paper, and writing instruments to class each day. Materials not related to school work should be left at home and may be taken from the student if brought to school. Such items may be reclaimed by the student’s parents.
TEXTBOOKS
Textbooks are issued to students for one year of use. At the end of each year, the school retains ownership of the them. Students assume the responsibility for the care, upkeep, and proper maintenance of each textbook he or she is issued. To ensure books are not damaged and rendered useless, textbooks should be covered. The condition of each book issued will be assessed at the close of the year and book fines will be issued.
BOOK BAGS
Students may use book bags to transport books, lunches, and gym clothes to and from school. However, students will not be allowed to carry book bags from class to class during the school day. Students should store their book bags in their lockers when they arrive at school and take them home when they depart the school.
HALL PASSES
Students are not permitted in the halls or corridors during class periods unless they are accompanied by school personnel or have an emergency pass.
DELIVERIES TO STUDENTS
Students are encouraged to bring books, homework, P.E. clothing, or band instruments daily to school. Delivery of commercial products (balloons, flowers, etc.) to students is prohibited.
LOCKERS
Students will be assigned a locker at the beginning of the school year. Combination locks are encouraged, and the combination must be on file with the homeroom teacher. Failure to follow the rules will result in the loss of locker privileges. Note, a student’s use of the locker does not diminish the school corporation’s ownership or control of the locker. The school corporation retains the right to inspect the locker and its contents to insure that the locker is being used in accordance with its intended purpose and to eliminate fire or other hazards, maintain sanitary conditions, attempt to locate lost or stolen material and/or to prevent use of the locker to store prohibited or dangerous materials such as weapons, illegal drugs, or alcohol.
SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS
Students may not arrive on campus until 7:00 a.m. and must be picked up no later than 2:25 p.m. No student should be in the building after 2:30 p.m. unless they are under the supervision of a teacher.
LUNCH ROOM
1. Students in the lunch room are expected to TALK QUIETLY, STAY SEATED, AND CLEAN UP. Cafeteria conduct will be monitored, and inappropriate conduct will result in disciplinary consequences which may include a silent lunch assignment.
2. Chewing gum is not allowed.
3. Lunch charges cannot be issued for milk or lunch. Lunches or lunch money which a student has forgotten should be brought to the office if delivered prior to 10:00 a.m. A student who has forgotten lunch or lunch money should check with the cafeteria monitor when he/she goes to lunch.
4. In our continued effort to better serve the parents and students at our school, we use a new computerized payment program in the cafeteria. Each student is assigned a personal account and student I.D. number. Parents have the option of prepaying weeks, months, or a year in advance. This amount is placed into the child’s own debit account and automatically deducted when he or she buys a meal or ala carte item. The school is able to capture every transaction as it happens. Therefore, at your request, we can furnish you with a detailed list of purchased amounts along with dates and amounts of prepayments for any time period.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
All students are required to wear appropriate clothing and shoes for physical education classes. A note from a physician is required in order for a student to be exempted/excused from physical education class.
MEDICATION
Please refer to Policy #6405 which outlines regulations for the administration of medication. Students may not transport nor have in their possession any prescription or non-prescription medication including aspirin. Failure to comply with this rule will result in disciplinary action.
If it is necessary for medication to be given at school, the medication will be kept in a secure place, and a staff member will administer the medication during the student’s lunch period. Please provide your doctor with the guidelines as outlined in Policy #6405. If medication must be administered at school, establish a schedule which will allow the medication to be given during the assigned lunch period.
TRANSPORTATION
To ensure safe transportation to and from school we ask that the following guidelines be observed:
1. On the registration form each student should designate his/her means of transportation for the school year. The attendance office must be notified of any change.
2. Buses will unload in the mornings (7:00) and load in the afternoon (2:10-2:15) at the designated bus drive. Students will unload and load only at the direction of a staff member. Students must ride their assigned bus and load and unload at their designated bus stop. Students may only ride the bus to which they are assigned. Riding a bus to and from school is a privilege. Bus riders are expected to behave appropriately to maintain their riding privilege. (For additional information see “Rules of Conduct for Riding School Buses” in the Shelby County Schools’ Parent-Student Handbook.)
BICYCLES
We urge you to inform your child to use safety and caution at all times. We also ask that all bike riders walk their bikes while on campus at dismissal time and arrival time. Bike riders are expected to behave appropriately to maintain their riding privilege.
WALKERS
Students should be encouraged to walk on sidewalks and use crosswalks provided. They should avoid walking in private yards. Parents should encourage their children to walk with a friend or near a group, never accepting rides with strangers!
CAR RIDERS
Parents, please remain in your vehicles and cooperate with the staff and volunteers conducting traffic within the drop off circle.
VISITORS
All parents and visitors must report to the main office to sign in and to receive a visitor’s badge. To ensure your comfort and safety while school is in regular session, students from neighboring schools will not be permitted to visit. This rule also applies to school dances held throughout the school year.
Visits to our school by parents, other adult residents, and interested educators are welcomed and encouraged. In order to protect the educational programs from undue disturbance, please make arrangements for visitation in advance through the school office. Upon arrival on campus, all visitors must register at the school office where they will receive identification badges and instructions.
The building principal is authorized to prohibit the entry of any person whose presence in the school is not required by reasons of enrollment or employment or to expel any such person whose presence in the school is not required by reasons of enrollment or employment or to expel any such person (which may include the assistance of the local law enforcement agency) when he/she has reason to believe that the presence of such person is or will become inimical to the good order to school or unfavorable to the climate of the school.
PARKING
It is imperative that fire lanes, car lanes, and bus lanes remain clear at all times. There is a teacher/staff parking lot to the right of the Raleigh LaGrange entrance of the school. The visitor parking lot is the left of the same entrance. Parking permits are required for the staff parking lot; therefore, you are encouraged to park in the visitor parking lot.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Dexter Middle School has an emergency management plan in place to include fire, tornado, and earthquake procedures. Parents and students are asked to assist in the following ways:
1. Keep the student’s personal data form in the office up-to-date.
2. In the event of an emergency, the students will be assembled on the campus. When picking up your child, park on the street. The driveways must be open for buses and emergency vehicles.
3. Please do not attempt to call the school. Telephone lines must be utilized for emergency communication. Listen to your radio for the school dismissal plan.
4. Practice emergency procedures at home.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Information will be made available throughout the year regarding clubs, activities, and special events. A parental permission slip is required for students to remain after school for all extra curricular activities.