EMERGENCY INFORMATION

Because it may be necessary for the school to quickly contact parents/guardians due to an emergency, it is necessary for the school to have the following information on file:

Name, address, and phone number of another adult whom the school can contact in case a parent/guardian cannot be reached.

If you have an unlisted phone number, it is necessary that you make the number available so that you can be reached in case of an emergency. The school will respect the privacy and security of your unlisted number.

If there are any changes to the required information during the school year, please advise the school so that we can keep accurate and up-to-date files which will enable us to contact you in an emergency.

SCHOOL HOURS

Normal school hours are 7:30 AM to 2:09 PM. Students who ride the bus arrive on school grounds after 7:00 a.m. Students who walk or are brought by parents are encouraged to arrive no earlier than 7:00 a.m. Students will be allowed into the building upon arrival. Students may enter the cafeteria or the gymuntil the 7:20 bell rings. Students are NOT ALLOWED in classrooms without the permission and attendance of a faculty member. Unless participating in after school activities, students are NOT allowed in the building after 2:30 PM. Students who remain and are not involved in a school related activity will be required to call a parent for a ride and must remain in the front foyer until picked up by a parent/guardian or until the late bus arrives.

TARDY - LATE TO SCHOOL

Punctuality is important to help students benefit from school instruction. Students with circumstances not covered in the following rules should contact the assistant principal in writing.

Tardies will be tabulated by trimester.

ABSENCES

Whenever a student is to be absent/tardy, parents/guardians are asked to contact the school at 439-1399. If no verbal contact occurs, a note containing a parental signature and the date of absence must be presented to the office on the first day back in school. Failure to provide a note will result in the student considered absent, unexcused.

The staff at Marshwood Middle School believes that classroom instruction is crucial to the learning process and that there is no substitute for regular school attendance. Our policy allows 24 days of unexcused absences. To facilitate regular attendance, the following attendance policy will be utilized:

**Students who have 24 or more total unexcused absences may not be recommended for promotion.**

An unexcused absence may be defined as; but not limited to:

1. Any absence without prior administrative knowledge and/or parent permission.

2. Absence because of work, baby-sitting or other personal activity.

An excused absence shall be defined as:

1. Absence because of illness. Children with contagious diseases may be readmitted if they return with a note from a physician, a municipal health officer or after examination by the school nurse.

2. Death in the immediate family.

3. Absence because of non-operating school buses or because of severe inclement weather.

4. Religious holidays.

5. Emergency family situations.

6. Appointments with health professionals which cannot be scheduled outside the school day.

An accountable absence is an excused absence which may be granted by the school principal. An example might be a trip of an educational nature with the student’s parents.

Appeal Process:

1. A written request for wavier must be submitted to the administration.

2. Supporting documentation for all absences must be available.

3. The administration may grant a waiver for absences after reviewing all available information.

4. The request to meet with the administration must be submitted within 10 days of the notification that the number of allowable absences for the year has been exceeded.

DISMISSALS

Students who are ill may ONLY be dismissed from school on the recommendation of the school nurse or front office staff. All students who are dismissed MUST be signed out in the front office by a parent or guardian. Students who are ill WILL NOT contact parents without permission from the school nurse or front office staff.

STUDENT RETENTION (Policies JE/JH/JHA/IKE)

Student retention in MSAD #35 is considered as an alternative to promotion when this action is a positive step which will benefit the student. Retention is usually considered in the primary grades for those students whose academic performance or social readiness demonstrates the need to spend another year at the same grade level.

The retention process will include discussions which will involve a child study team made up of the child’s parents, classroom teacher, guidance counselor, and an administrator. This team will consider alternative learning strategies and individualized instructional approaches which may improve student performance. If the student continues to exhibit frustration and lack of progress, this team will consider a retention program for the following year.

Nurse (put policy)

The school nurse is available to students daily. If a student is not feeling well, he/she should inform the classroom teacher and ask to be excused to go to the nurse’s office. Students will be released from school for medical reasons only with permission from the parent/guardian or from the person designated on the student’s emergency form.

Although the Board discourages the administration of medication to students during the school day when other options exist, it recognizes that in some instances a student’s chronic or short-term illness, injury, or disabling condition may require the administration of medication during the school day.

All parental requests to administer medication to their student must be accompanied by a written order from the student’s heath care provider substantiating the fact that the administration of a particular medication during the school day is necessary for the student’s health and attendance in school.

CODE OF CONDUCT (Policies JIDCA)

Our goal at Marshwood Middle School is to provide a safe and orderly atmosphere for all of our students. Our mission is to help students learn about their behavior, their choices, and their impact on others by accepting responsibility for their actions and decisions. Our staff is responsible for establishing and maintaining behavior expectations for the students of Marshwood Middle School. The administration/staff has the authority to apply consequences when these expectations are not met. The ultimate responsibility for student behavior rests with the student. In order to ensure an environment conducive to the educational process, students are expected to:

Students may not:

Food and drink are not allowed in the computer room or gym at any time.

DRUGS/ALCOHOL/TOBACCO (Policies JLCD/ADC/JICH/ADC)

The use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco or look-alike substances by students of Marshwood Middle School is a violation of Maine State Law and district policy. Students found in possession or use of these substances, or who attend school functions under the influence of these substances, will face disciplinary actions. These actions may include, but are not limited to the following:

Students who possess the above mentioned substances with the intent to sell or transfer shall incur the following consequences:

WEAPONS

The possession of weapons on school grounds is a violation of Maine State Law, Title 11, Sect 1001. Included in this category are:

Students found in possession of these items will have the item(s) confiscated and face suspension or expulsion. Local law enforcement officials will also be notified and criminal proceedings could result.

BOMB THREAT (Policy EBCC)

The School Board recognizes that bomb threats are a significant concern to MSAD #35. Whether real and carried out or intended as a prank or for some other purpose, a bomb threat represents a potential danger to the safety and welfare of students and staff and to the integrity of school property.

Any bomb threat will be regarded as an extremely serious matter and treated accordingly. The Board directs the Superintendent to react promptly and appropriately to information concerning bomb threats and to initiate or recommend suitable disciplinary action.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT (Policy AC)

The District recognized the right of each student to perform in an atmosphere which is free of intimidation, ridicule, hostility, and offensiveness. In order to insure such an atmosphere, the District should not engage in harassment of students and students should not harass other students, where harassment is based upon race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin or handicap. Actions of this nature are a violation of this District policy and also constitute ILLEGAL discrimination under state and federal laws.

HARASSMENT and Sexual Harassment (Policies JICF/ACAA)

Both students and staff have a right to an educational atmosphere which is free of ridicule, hostility, and offensiveness. District policy prohibits harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, or disability. Such conduct is a violation of Board policy and may constitute illegal discrimination under state and federal laws.

Harassment includes but is not limited to verbal abuse based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, ancestry or national origin, age or disability. Harassment that rises to the level of physical assault, batter and/or abuse is also addressed in the Board policy JICIA: Weapons, Violence and School Safety.

Sexual harassment includes but is not limited to unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or pressure to engage in sexual activity, physical contact of a sexual nature, gestures, comments, or other physical, written or verbal conduct that is gender-based that interferes with a student’s education. School employees, fellow students, volunteers and visitors to the school, and other persons with whom students may interact in order to pursue school activities are required to refrain from such conduct.

Students who are being harassed physically or who are being threatened or intimidated need to report the incident to an adult. These are circumstances where adults need to intervene immediately to ensure safety. In situations where

safety is not an issue, students who are being verbally harassed should:

1. Ask the harasser to stop. Inform him/her that the behavior is unwelcome, offensive, in poor taste, or highly inappropriate. Students who are not comfortable telling the harasser to stop should see the guidance counselor.

2. If the harassment continues, report the incident to an adult.

3. If the harassment has not stopped, report the incident to the principal or assistant principal, who shall take immediate action.

4. The principal, assistant principal, or the student may report the incidents to the Affirmative Action Officer, who shall take immediate action to resolve the situation. In addition, the person who has allegedly been harassed shall be advised of the various options available to him/her: Title IX civil action, formal request for discipline by the SAD #35 Superintendent and/or School Board or by filing a complaint with the Human Rights Commission or with the Directors of the United States Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C.

Students who have harassed another student will be subject to the following:

In the event that school is cancelled due to weather or other circumstances, all assigned discipline will be cancelled as well and made up on the next scheduled school day.

Marshwood Middle School Bullying Discipline Rubric

CAFETERIA EXPECTATIONS

Each learning community is responsible for cleaning the area before departure.

EXPECTATIONS FOR OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES

Violations that will be reported to the administration immediately include but are not limited to:

Consequences include but are not limited to:

DRESS CODE (Policy JICA)

The majority of our students need no advice on their dress appearance because they use common sense. However, it is occasionally necessary to notify students that their clothing or appearance is causing a disturbance or is a distraction to teachers and other students in the school. Decency, good taste, and the normal standards of the learning community are to be maintained in dress and grooming by all students. Any dress, body or face piercing, hair style or color that is considered contrary to good hygiene, distractive or disruptive in appearance, or detrimental to the educational environment or the public image of the school will not be permitted.

More specifically:

1. Coats or jackets will not be worn after students enter the building for the day. They are kept in assigned areas or student lockers.

2. Clothing should not be skin tight or revealingly tight.

3. Shirts with sexual, obscene, profane, drug, tobacco or alcohol related or suggestive, derogatory or gang related imprints may not be worn at school.

4. Clothing should not reveal underwear/undergarments.

5. See-through outfits, bare midriffs, tube tops, halters, and open backs are not allowed.

6. Midriffs must not show when arms are raised.

7. Necklines that show cleavage may not be worn.

8. Shoulder straps of sleeveless clothing must be at least the width of a dollar bill.

9. Clothing should be in good repair. Holes above mid-thigh are not acceptable.

10. Hats, scarves, stocking caps, visors, dew rags and other head coverings may not be worn during the school day.

11. Shorts and skirts may be worn to school as long as they meet an acceptable length standard. Shorts and skirts must be no shorter than the longest finger of the hand when arms are relaxed at the student’s side.

12. Pajamas and/or slippers are not to be worn.

13. Sunglasses are not to be worn inside the building except when prescribed by a doctor.

14. Chains and clothing that are excessively long and present a safety issue are not to be worn.

A student in violation of the above rules will be asked to change if appropriate clothes are available at school, call a parent for appropriate clothing or will be sent home to change. Determining if dress is appropriate shall be at the discretion of the administrators. Students who choose to violate the dress code will be subject to disciplinary action.

Certain areas including, but not limited to physical education, home economics, science labs, etc. have more specific safety rules to which students must adhere.

STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITIES (Policy JJJ)

A wide range of after school activities is offered. We encourage students to take part in them. However, any student not in attendance during the regular school day, who has been suspended (either in school or out of school) MAY NOT participate in any school sponsored activity for that day. Additional guidelines for students participating in the inter-scholastic athletic programs will be distributed to learning community members by individual coaches.

LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES are students to leave school grounds without the knowledge and permission of school personnel. This regulation applies to students during the day, while waiting for the late bus, and school sponsored activities (dances, athletics). If a student leaves school grounds without permission while under the supervision of the school, parents and local law enforcement officials will be notified. Students will face suspension.

Students will not be permitted to cross Rte. 236 and/or leave to go to the Grapevine.

PLAGIARISM

In the event that it is suspected that a student did not complete his/her own work, any of the following consequences may take place:

Student will receive a zero on the assigned work.

Parents will be notified.

Student may redo the assigned work if the teacher is agreeable.

STUDENTS RECORDS AND RELEASE OF INFORMATION (Policy JRA)

The school must make every effort to keep the student’s record confidential and out of the hands of those who would use it for other than legitimate purposes.

CLASSROOM VISITATIONS

Parents and other adult members of the M.S.A.D. #35 community are welcome and encouraged to visit Marshwood Middle School. Certain procedures, however, must be followed in order to maintain a safe and orderly environment for learning. Visitation requests will be received by the Principal’s Office and then forwarded to the teacher or learning community who will contact the prospective visitor and arrange a mutually agreeable time.

STUDENTS FROM OTHER SCHOOLS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO VISIT THE SCHOOL DURING THE ACADEMIC DAY unless authorized by the administration.

BOOKS AND SCHOOL PROPERTY

Students are provided a variety of school materials during the year and they are responsible for caring properly for those items. Textbooks assigned to a student MUST be covered. Any student who loses destroys, or damages textbooks, laptops or other school property shall pay the replacement cost of such materials.

LOCKERS

Each student is provided with a locker at the start of the school year. The lockers DO NOT HAVE LOCKS and should not be considered safe. PERSONAL LOCKS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED DUE TO THE ADMINISTRATION’S RIGHT TO QUICKLY ACCESS LOCKERS. The school administration may open and inspect a student’s locker if reasonable suspicion exists that the locker contains items or materials which are illegal or hazardous to students or staff. Students should plan their day wisely since they may not be allowed to go to their locker at the end of each class. Each learning community will develop their own locker policies.

The Students may obtain a school issued lock in the office by paying a $5.00 fee which will be refunded upon return of the lock.

Lockers are school property and the school retains the right to periodically inspect them for health and safety reasons. (Policy JIH)

PERSONAL PROPERTY

Electronic devices such as: radios, cell phones, iPods, MP3s, CD players, and electronic games and large sums of money or other valuable personal property items should not be brought to school unless for a specific classroom purpose. The school shall not be responsible for damage or loss of personal property brought to school. CD players, cameras or tape recorders shall NOT be in use by students during the school day (including lunch period). Students who repeatedly violate this policy may have their property confiscated and could face disciplinary action. In addition use of cell phones is prohibited on school property during school hours. Students who use cell phones during school time will have their phones confiscated and returned only to a parent or guardian.

Students who ride bicycles to school are to park them in the rack provided. Bicycles should be locked for safe keeping.

TELEPHONES

Phones in the office may be used by students only on a “necessary” basis. Students wishing to use the phone must obtain a phone pass from a teacher and be granted permission by the office staff. We ask that these calls be made during advisory or lunch time when possible. Except in cases of extreme emergency, students and teachers will not be interrupted during class time for phone calls.

FIRE DRILLS/LOCK DOWN DRILLS

Fire drills will be held several times during the year to allow students to become familiar with the quickest route out of the building from their assigned classrooms. If the fire alarm is sounded, students should quickly and QUIETLY exit the building by the pre-planned route from the room they are in. Once outside, students WILL remain with their class group to allow teachers to take attendance. Students who exit the building near paved, driveway areas should not stand on the roadway but should move to the lawn to avoid emergency vehicles which may respond.

FOOD - DRINK IN THE CLASSROOM

All food and drinks are to be kept in the school cafeteria unless specific permission has been given by the classroom teacher to eat/drink in the classroom. FOOD AND DRINKS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE COMPUTER ROOM OR GYM AT ANY TIME.

SCHOOL DANCES

School dances will be held during the year and will normally run from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM. ONLY STUDENTS WHO ATTEND MARHSWOOD JUNIOR HIGH MAY ATTEND. NO GUESTS ARE ALLOWED. Tickets will be purchased during lunch periods the week of the dance and ABSOLUTELY NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR. If a student is not in school the day of a dance, or arrives after 8:30 a.m. with an unexcused tardy, that student cannot attend the dance. Once a student enters the dance, they will not be allowed to leave unless accompanied by a parent/guardian. School dress code applies to school dances. No public displays of affection will be allowed.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework assignments may vary depending on subject and teacher, but students can expect nightly assignments along with long range assignments, research projects, and written reports. (Policy IKB)

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS (Policy JJJ)

Participation in school sponsored activities (sports, student government, etc.) hinge on academic success. An Eligibility Form (available in the office) must be completed before participating in the activity (inc. try-outs). A physical examination (and copy provided the nurse) is required every 365 days in order to participate in interscholastic athletics. Eligibility will be reviewed at report card time and a student must be passing four subjects to participate. Participation in first term activities of the next school year depends on the third trimester grades of the previous year. Participants will also be reviewed at progress report time. If academic progress is questionable, the teaching learning community will be consulted to determine if a student should be allowed to continue to participate. Failure to maintain behavioral standards may also result in removal from activities. These standards may be reviewed at any time. If a student is deemed to fall in this category, he/she will be removed from the activity until positive progress is made.

BUS POLICY (Policy EEA)

M.S.A.D. #35 provides bus transportation to and from school. The use of this transportation is dependent upon the student’s ability to follow the rules established by the driver. Failure to abide by the rules set by the bus driver WILL result in disciplinary action and loss of bus privileges for repeated offenses.

Each student who utilizes bus transportation is assigned a specific bus. Students WILL NOT ride a different bus unless they have permission from the director of transportation. Students will ride their assigned bus from THEIR designated pick-up point to school and from school to THEIR drop off point. No special stops will be made unless pre-approved by the director of transportation. Passes will ONLY be issued after receiving a written request from the parent/guardian. Students may be denied riding on a different bus if space is not available. Failure to abide by the rules of the driver, in this instance, will also result in disciplinary action.

BUS CONDUCT AND SAFETY (Policy JICC)

M.S.A.D. #35 provides transportation for its students to and from school. The school busses operated by S.A.D. #35 meet the legal requirements of both state and federal governments. The availability of bus transportation is dependent on the student following the rules set by the drivers. Those students who cannot abide by the following rules or who are consistently cited by the bus driver will lose the opportunity to use district transportation.

Meeting the Bus

Riding the Bus

The bus driver is IN CHARGE of the bus. Their requests/instructions will be adhered to immediately. Failure to follow their directions will result in referral to the office and possible loss of bus privileges depending on the frequency or severity of the infraction(s).

Leaving the Bus

Remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop. If a student must cross the road once he/she gets off the bus, he/she shall go to the right hand front of the bus and wait until the driver directs he/she to cross.

Late Bus

A late bus leaves the Junior High at approximately 3:55 P.M. and goes to the High School where buses take students to various locations in Eliot and South Berwick. This bus is for students who have remained after school for teacher assistance, detentions, or participation in after school activities. Students MUST have a late bus pass to ride the bus. This pass can ONLY be given to the student by the teacher for whom the student stayed. Any student who departs school grounds at the end of a teacher supervised activity, and who is in possession of a late bus pass, will be denied use of the late bus and will be banned from further use of the late bus. Other disciplinary actions for this infraction can be anticipated.

Disciplinary Action Procedures for Bus Referrals

Failure to abide by the rules set forth by the drivers is subject to disciplinary action. In the event of misconduct, the driver will report the incident to the building administrator in writing, using the approved Bus Referral Form. An administrator will review the incident and may issue a warning, assign a detention, or suspend bus privileges depending on the frequency/severity of the incident. The parent/guardian shall receive a copy of the referral along with the driver making the referral. The first suspension of bus privileges shall not, in most cases, exceed three (3) days.

Similar procedures will be followed for second or subsequent incidents of misconduct, except that the period of suspension may be up to five (5) days at the discretion of the administrator handling the incident. Suspensions exceeding five days shall be imposed only in extreme cases. A bus driver WILL NOT put a student off in mid-route due to disciplinary issues. FOLLOWING THE RULES OF GOOD BEHAVIOR WILL PREVENT IMPLEMENTATION OF DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF BUS PRIVILEGES.

(This procedure incorporates all elements of District Policy EEAC adopted July 2, 1975)