2008 - 2009
Kristie
Stutsman
PRINCIPAL
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Telephone:
574-295-4815
Fax: 574-295-4812
Website:
www.elkhart.k12.in.us/westside/
The mission of
Work
with students, families and the community as we
Strive
for academic excellence in a safe environment,
Maximizing
individual potential, as we help students to
Succeed
as responsible citizens.
This
agenda belongs to:
NAME_________________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS_____________________________________________________________________________________
CITY/TOWN________________________________________________________________ ZIP________________
PHONE________________________________________________________________________________________
INTRODUCTION
We welcome you to
We wish you all the
best while at
THE SCHOOL DAY
Students are allowed to enter through the North entrance at 7:15. 8th grade students wait in the gym, 7th grade students wait in the multi-purpose room. Students may eat breakfast from 7:15 – 7:25. At 7:25 students are dismissed to their lockers. Classes begin at 7:35. Dismissal is at 3:00 everyday. If weather conditions are such that school closings or delays are necessary, listen to local television and radio stations for this announcement.
TARDY PROCEDURE
Definition of Tardy:
A student is tardy to school when they arrive after 7:35 am. If a student is
tardy to school he/she is to report to the office. While there, he/she will:
1.
Receive a
tardy pass to class.
2.
Receive a
consequence (lunch detention, up through the 3rd offense,
after-school detention for 4 or more)
3.
Give the tardy
pass to his/her teacher.
In cases of late
buses, students are to report to the main office before going to class. Excused
passes will be provided.
TARDY LOCKOUTS
When the bell rings
for each period to begin, all teachers will close and lock their classroom doors.
Any student in the hallway at that time will be swept to the student center
(8th grade) or to the area outside the office (7th grade) to be assigned a
lunch detention. Administrators and teachers will conduct these sweeps. Any
students arriving after the tardy bell without a pass will need to report to
the sweep area to be assigned lunch detention. Students who fail to go to lunch
detention will be assigned to a Tuesday after-school detention. Students caught
repeatedly in lockouts will receive a more severe consequence, such as after
school detention or in-school suspension.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
It is expected that each student will be on time each day to school and to their classes. If absent, a parent must phone the school (295-4768 press 999) or send a note within 24 hours of the student’s return to school. Please include your child’s last name and the date of absence in this communication. When coming to school late due to an appointment, written verification within 24 hours will excuse the absence. A school excuse from the doctor’s office or the billing statement will serve as written verification.
Absences from school
may be one of the following three kinds:
1. EXCUSABLE: Students
will be given an excused absence for the following:
PERSONAL ILLNESS Parent must
notify school of student illness; or doctor’s note
DEATH IN THE FAMILY - Death in the immediate family or
relative living in the home.
PAGE - Service as a Page in the Indiana General Assembly or
any other activity provided by state law.
COURT - appointments or probation hearings when officially
verified is not an absence.
REQUIRED RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES
ABSENCES
WHICH ARE PRE-ARRANGED AND APPROVED BY THE PRINCIPAL - Approval must be obtained
through the office two weeks prior to the absence.
2. UNEXCUSABLE: When students are absent from school without parent notification and without prior approval from the principal. The principal or his designee shall determine whether opportunities shall be given for the student to make up work missed during such absence.
3. TRUANCY: Students absent from school without the knowledge
of their parents and students leaving the classroom, building, or school
grounds at anytime without the permission of school personnel are considered
truant. Ordinarily, no credit is given
for make-up work.
FAMILY TRIPS/VACATION APPROVAL
All trips or vacations during the school time need to be approved by the school office at least 10 school days prior to the trip. Parents will need to fill out and sign the form. The student then takes it around to their teachers for their signature. PLEASE ALLOW PLENTY OF TIME FOR THE ENTIRE PROCESS.
ABSENCES OF CONCERN FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
“Absences of concern” include all truancies, non-verified absences, unexcused absences and absences which continue to concern the school principal/designee.
Students who
accumulate four absences of concern in a 12 month period in any
LEVEL 1. FORMAL NOTIFICATION
TO PARENTS
If a student accumulates four (4) absences of concern, the parents or guardian will be formally notified by letter. Upon receipt of the letter it becomes the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to contact the school to discuss the attendance of his/her child.
LEVEL 2. LEGAL NOTICE
If subsequent to the completion of Level 1 notification, the student accumulates a total of seven (7) absences of concern, a legal notice will be sent by registered mail to the parent/guardian and copied to Juvenile Probation and/or the Department of Child Services (DCS).
LEVEL 3. CONTINUING ABSENCES
OF CONCERN
If subsequent to the
completion of Level 2 notification, the student accumulates continuing absences
of concern, an Attendance Hearing will be scheduled with the parent/guardian,
student (when appropriate), hearing officer, school administrator, and any
other concerned individual. The hearing officer
will discuss the attendance concerns with the student, parent/guardian, school
administrator, Juvenile Probation and/or DCS.
He/she will also notify the parent/guardian and student that continued
absences will result in a referral to Juvenile Probation or DCS. Failure to attend the Attendance Hearing will
result in advancement to Level 4.
LEVEL 4. PROBATION DEPARTMENT
OF CHILD SERVICES
If subsequent to the completion of Level 3 hearing, the student accumulates continuing absences of concern, the school will file a violation of legal notice with the Probation office or DCS. The parent/legal guardian and school representative will receive notification of a mandatory meeting to be held with the Probation Officer or DCS.
LEVEL 5. JUVENILE COURT
If subsequent to the completion of the Level 4 meeting, the student accumulates continuing absences of concern, the school will notify the Probation Officer or DCS that court intervention is indicated.
DRIVING LICENSE INELIGIBILITY
Under the terms of Indiana Code 20-33-2-11, formerly 20-8.1-3-17.2, a student who has been determined to be an habitual truant, which shall for the purpose of this paragraph, be defined as having unexcused absences from school for more than ten days in one school year, may not be issued an operator’s license or a learner’s permit to drive a motor vehicle or motorcycle until the student is at least 18 years of age, subject to the right of annual review of the invalidation. An operator’s license or learner’s permit may be invalidated if an habitual truant is less than 18 years old.
STUDENT DISCIPLINE AND CONDUCT
Students will
receive in the August mailing Guidelines for Good School Order, Middle School
Rules and Student-Parent-Guide. Discipline meetings with the teachers and
administrators will take place through classes in the beginning of the school
year to further communicate these guidelines. These guidelines are established
in order to maintain a safe and positive environment at
EXPECTATIONS OF ALL STUDENTS
GENERAL RULES
1. Students are expected to follow the directions of all staff members.
2. Students must be respectful of the rights and
property of
3. Students must be on time and prepared for
school/classes.
4. Students must keep hands, feet, all objects and
comments to themselves.
5. Disrespect, profanity, vulgar language, and
obscene gestures towards other students, adults, teachers other school
personnel will not be tolerated.
6. Food and drinks are for the cafeteria only.
7. Items not related to education (i.e. laser
pens, toys, CD or tape players, electronic games, etc.) are not permitted. Cell phones are to be off and out of sight
once students enter the building. If a
student does not abide by this rule their cell phone may be confiscated and
will only be returned to a parent/guardian.
8. Inappropriate physical or sexual contact will
not be tolerated.
9. Students are expected to follow all Guidelines
for Good School Order and Middle School Rules.
Students are expected to inform staff members of known infractions of
rules.
HALLWAY RULES
1. Students are to walk on the right hand side in the hallway at all times.
2. Students may use only the locker assigned to
them.
3. Students are to go to class using the shortest
route.
4. Any students in the hallway during class time
must have a pass or their passport.
CAFETERIA RULES
1. Students will always need their I.D. to purchase their lunch. Students with a temporary I.D. are served last and are not allowed to purchase ala carte items.
2. Money/ check for purchasing lunch needs to be
unfolded and ready before approaching the cashier.
3. Checks need to note the students first and last
name.
4. No books, trappers, bags or coats are allowed
in the serving line. Leave these items on the shelf in the cafeteria.
5. No eating of food is permitted in the serving
or checkout lines.
6. No cutting or budging in line will be
permitted.
PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGIES
If you have a problem or disagreement with another student follow the plan below:
1. While
following the Guidelines for Good School Order, attempt to solve the problem on
your own. If this does not work, go on to step 2.
2. Talk with a teacher or staff member as soon as
possible. If this does not work, go on to step 3.
3. Go to the office and speak with your
counselor/social worker. If you still feel the issue is not settled, go to step
4.
4. Speak with the Administration.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
All persons associated with the Elkhart Community Schools community including, but not limited to, the Board, the administration, the staff, and the students are expected to conduct themselves at all times so as to provide an atmosphere free from sexual harassment. Any person who engages in sexual harassment while acting as member of the school community will be in violation of this policy. All matters involving sexual harassment complaints shall remain confidential to the fullest extent possible.
Definition of Sexual
Harassment: unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other
verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature may constitute sexual harassment
where:
1. Submission to such conduct is made either
explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a person’s employment or participation
in an educational function, or
2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by
an individual is used as the basis for employment or decisions affecting such
individual’s education, or
3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of
unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or educational performance
or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or educational
environment.
The Hearing Officer:
The Director of
Employee and Student Relations of the Elkhart Community Schools shall serve as
the hearing officer vested with the authority and responsibility of processing
all sexual harassment complaints in accordance with the procedure set out
below.
Any member of the
Elkhart Community Schools community who believes that he/she has been subjected
to sexual harassment is to report the incident(s) to any Elkhart Community
Schools administrator. The administrator
is to contact the hearing officer.
Any questions
regarding this policy should be directed to a building administrator.
BICYCLES AND PEDESTRIAN OVERPASS
A pedestrian
overpass has been constructed to facilitate safe crossing of
1. Be sure your bicycle is locked. We recommend investing
in a heavy-duty bicycle lock.
2. Never leave your bicycle overnight. Be sure your bicycle is registered.
3. Bicycles are not to be brought any closer to
the building than the bicycle racks.
COUNSELORS
SOCIAL WORKER
EMERGENCY DRILLS
Frequent emergency drills are necessary if we are to be prepared to protect ourselves in case of an emergency. We ask that there be no talking during the emergency drill. We have fire extinguishers placed throughout the building and they should not be handled at any time except in case of fire. The teacher in charge will explain the route of exit from any classroom. Types of emergency drills include: fire drills, storm drills and lockdown drills.
GRADES
You will receive a grade report of your achievement in each subject at the end of 12 school weeks (or three times a year). At the end of each three weeks teachers will send home a progress report documenting student progress during each grading period.
The grading system
is as follows:
A Excellent D Low N No Grade Given
B Good F Failure
C Average I Incomplete
Parents
and students may access student grades via the Elkhart Community Schools web
page by logging on to http://elkhart.k12.in.us
and logging in with the student ID and PIN number. PIN numbers will be distributed early in the
school year.
HONOR ROLL
At the end of each
grading period the names of students who have made the honor roll will be
announced and/or posted. All grades of
all subjects a student is taking are averaged, and if the average is equal to
or more than 3.50, then the student has earned a place on the principal’s honor
roll. To further acknowledge scholastic
achievements, recognition of students attaining a 3.00 average will be given
honor roll status. The following are the
letter scores:
A – Four Points D
– One Point
B - Three Points F
- No Points
C - Two Points I
- Incomplete-No Points
Faculty members will
include the following factors in arriving at a grade for a student. The nature of the subject and the goals of
the course will determine the importance given any one item.
1. Scores on quizzes and tests.
2. Participation in class discussion and
activities.
3. Completion of daily assignments and projects.
4. Development of mental and physical skills.
5. Effort of the student to complete the
assignment.
6. Individual differences and capabilities.
HOMEWORK
The amount of homework usually increases as you go through middle school. The amount of work you will need to do also depends upon, the subjects you are taking, the number of times you have been absent and your ability and achievement in a given subject. When you are absent, you are responsible for getting missed assignments from each teacher. It is the student’s responsibility to turn in the work at the agreed upon time.
All students will
have homework. Your progress and grade in each class depends on your budget of
time in study periods and at home. Don’t
fall behind because you think something can be put off to a later date -- then
the due date is tomorrow and you forgot!
When a student is absent from school for 2
consecutive days, parents may request homework assignments for their
student. A parent needs to notify the
office of the request for assignments on the second day of absence by 7:30 AM.
IDENTIFICATION CARDS (I.D.’S) /LANYARDS
Students MUST wear an identification card during the school day and at school activities. (Students in PE are exempt while in their PE uniform.) The first I.D. card and lanyard will be issued free of charge. All replacement cards cost $3.00. Students are expected to wear the lanyard and ID around their neck with the ID clearly visible. Students not wearing an ID are to be sent to the office. If the student loses or damages either their ID or the lanyard then the student will need to purchase a replacement. Students without an I.D. are issued a lunch detention for the first two offenses. A student without an ID for the third time and beyond will be issued an after-school detention. Students may not deface their ID card in any way. The front of the ID must be clear of any markings or stickers. Student picture MUST be visible.
LIBRARY INFORMATION
The
Certain pass procedures
from classes and study periods are necessary. It is assumed that
LOCKERS
All students will be issued a locker, located in your team area. Each student is responsible for his/her locker and may not use any other locker. If you forget your combination see your counselor for assistance. If you are having problems with a locker please report the problem to the office as soon as possible. Loss of a lock (gym type) will result in a charge of $3.50 to replace lost lock.
Rules about lockers
are:
1. Lockers are assigned by the counselors.
2. Locker combinations are not shared with others.
3. Lockers are to be kept as neat as possible.
4. Lockers are not to be marked or written on.
5. Lockers are not to be over-crowded.
6. Pictures are not to be hung or glued in
lockers.
7. Extra locks are not to be put on lockers.
8. The assistant principal or counselors may
change the locker assignment.
9. Do not use your feet to close your locker.
10. A student using a locker that is the
property of the Elkhart Community schools is presumed to have no expectations
of privacy in that locker or its contents.
A principal or designee, in accordance with the rules of the Elkhart
Community Schools, may search a locker and its contents at any time.
NURSE
Medications sent to school must be kept in the nurse’s office, be in their original container, and have a note from the parent or guardian on how it is to be given. This includes prescription and non-prescription medications. A doctor’s note will be requested if the parent’s instructions are different than the instructions on the bottle. Medications cannot be sent home with students and must be picked up by the parent. The only exceptions to this are eye or eardrops, asthma inhalers, or diabetic medications.
Asthma inhalers
prescribed by a student’s doctor can be carried by the student if the school
office has a consent signed by the parent and doctor that the child is
knowledgeable and responsible to carry and take as directed.
If your child is ill,
he/she must be temperature free for 24 hours (under 100.0 degrees) before
returning to school.
If your child goes to the doctor or other health care professional during the
school day, they must get a school excuse from the doctor’s office that states
when he/she was seen by the doctor. This
includes orthodontic, dental, physical therapy or mental health counselor. If there are
activity restrictions, especially for gym classes, using crutches,
or needing to use the elevator, a doctor’s note must be given to the school
nurse to keep in the student’s health file.
Special Medical Conditions – Please call the nurse if you have information that would be helpful
to the nurse, or have questions, concerns or changes in the health information
of your child.
Emergency card information including home, work, cell phone and pager numbers for contacting
parents or anyone allowed to pick up your child from school must be kept
current in the school office. Please
call any changes into the school office.
ILLNESS AT SCHOOL:
If the student becomes sick or injured after arriving at school, he/she should come to the office and request to
see the nurse. If the nurse is not
available, the principal or his/her designee will see the student and contact
the parent if needed. It is the parent
or guardian’s responsibility to make transportation arrangements for the
student to be picked up at school.
Wellness
Wellness is required
for every student, except those that have filed a doctor’s certificate
indicating that they are unable to take wellness. (A note from the parent will
allow the student to have limited activity for one day
only in wellness class.) Some regulations are necessary in order to
maximize the use of our school facilities.
The following regulations are to be observed in the use of the
gymnasium.
1. Objects are not to be thrown against walls or
ceilings of the gym or locker rooms.
2. All gym classes are to use the shortest exit
distance when going outside for physical education.
3. Gym shoes must be worn when participating in
any activity on the gym floor.
4. All students are required to wear athletic clothing
(not the clothes they wear to school) consisting of the following: a plain white t-shirt able to be tucked in,
red or black shorts / sweatpants (shorts must be finger tip length and
appropriate in size), and tennis shoes appropriate for the gym floor. Clothes for wellness class may be purchased
at the school bookstore.
RENTAL FEES
School fees for the use of materials in classes are collected in the office. When the full amount of the rental is paid a receipt is issued to the student. Partial payments are accepted.
All books are the
property of the Elkhart Community Schools and pupils will be held responsible
for the care of the books. If lost or
mutilated, a charge will be assessed.
SCHOOL DISMISSAL
SCHOOL DRESS
As students of the Elkhart Secondary Schools progress from early adolescence toward adulthood, they desire to develop their total personality reflecting fine character, pleasant relationships among themselves and teachers and the increasing ability to use good judgment in all their decisions.
Since
clothing worn represents ones estimate of him/herself and respect for others,
our fundamental yardstick suggests the following:
A. Cleanliness and good grooming promote dignity,
self-respect, and respect for others.
B. Student dress will not conflict with good taste
or with the health and safety of the student.
C. Students should dress and groom themselves in
such a way that it would not be extreme and attract unusual attention.
D. Student appearance should be appropriate
for school and promote the desire to learn.
SCHOOL DRESS CODE
Dress at
The following items
are deemed disruptive to the classroom environment or to the maintenance of a
safe and orderly school and are not acceptable in school buildings, on school grounds,
or at school activities.
1. Shorts, dresses, skirts, skorts
or other similar clothing shorter than mid-thigh when the student is seated.
2. Sunglasses and/or hats worn inside the
building.
3. Coats worn inside the building.
4. Inappropriately sheer, tight or low-cut
clothing (e.g. midriffs, halter tops, backless clothing, tube tops, garments
made of fishnet, mesh or similar material, muscle tops, tank tops, etc.) that
bare or expose traditionally private parts of the body including, but not
limited to, the stomach, buttocks, back and breasts when seated or standing.
5. Inappropriately sized pants that are not
secured around the waist or pants with any holes in them.
6. Any clothing, paraphernalia, grooming, jewelry,
hair coloring, accessories, or body adornments that are or contain any
advertisement, symbols, words, slogans, patches, or pictures that:
a. Refer to drugs, tobacco, alcohol, or weapons
b. Are of a sexual nature
c. By virtue of color, arrangement, trademark, or
other attribute denote membership in gangs which advocate drug use, violence,
or disruptive behavior
d. Are obscene, profane, vulgar, lewd, or legally
libelous
e. Threaten the safety or welfare of any person
f. Promote any activity prohibited by the
Guidelines for Good School Order or School Rules
g. Otherwise disrupt the teaching-learning process
ELIGIBILITY FOR SPORTS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
A student must qualify in each of the following to be eligible to participate in any sport.
1. He or she must be a full time student in
2. Two grades checks will be done each
season. Any student failing to pass two
or more subjects will be ineligible until the next grade check. The activities director will check
eligibility at the end of each grade check.
The activities director will inform the coach of any ineligible players the day after the grades
are distributed.
3. Must be certified by your family doctor in order
to participate in practice or games.
4. Must meet the following requirements.
A seventh grade student who is or shall be
15 years of age prior to or on the scheduled date of the finals in a sport
shall be ineligible for the sport. An eighth grade student who is or shall be
16 years of age prior to or on the scheduled date of the finals in a sport
shall be ineligible for that sport.
5. The coach of any sport is responsible for
seeing that all players are eligible at all times.
6. An athlete represents
7. Spectators have the same responsibilities as
the athlete at
TRAINING RULES:
All rules regarding behavior and/or training rules as outlined in IHSAA regulations apply. These are on file and posted in the Athletic Office and the coaches are informed of their meaning.
As the use of
alcohol, tobacco and other drugs is regarded as detrimental to your health, we
want all athletes to establish habits that can be considered a good example for
others to follow. Therefore, the
following forms of discipline will result according to the offense.
1. On the first offense any athlete and/or
cheerleader reported and/or seen drinking alcoholic beverages, smoking tobacco
or in possession of either, shall be excluded from sports practice and
participation in contests or from participation as cheerleader. Being reported means by coaches,
administrators, or self-incrimination.
Being seen by any coach or administrator calls for the same penalty. This first offense will result in exclusion
from that sport until that team’s sport season is completed. The verified report by a teaching staff
member at
2. Second offense-A second infraction for the
above (smoking, drinking) means exclusion from athletic participation for one
(1) calendar year.
3. Exclusion of
any athlete or cheerleader for one year will result from knowingly possessing,
transmitting or being under the influence of an narcotic drug, hallucinogenic
drug, amphetamine, barbiturate or marijuana, or possessing, using, or
transmitting paraphernalia for the use of such substances. Use of any authorized drug as prescribed by a
registered physician shall not be in violation of this rule.
4. Any athlete or cheerleader convicted of a
felony shall be governed by law, Indiana High School Athletic Association
regulations and the Principal. Exclusion
from athletics will result. Any athlete
or cheerleader convicted of a misdemeanor shall be subject to penalty of
principal or Athletic Director or Coach.
5. Out of season offenses--if it is verified that
any athlete or cheerleader has committed any of the above offenses when not
participating in a sport, he or she will be charged with their first offense,
exclusion from his or her sport. Any
recurrences shall constitute immediate exclusion from all sports for one (1)
calendar year.
6. Lesser violations (tardies,
cutting practices, objectionable language, failing to follow coaching or
insubordinate behavior, etc) will be handled by the individual coach.
7. All regulations of the Indiana High School
Athletic Association,
8. Students must attend school on the day of
competition or performance. Exceptions
may be made for emergencies or when prior arrangements have been made with
school authorities.
MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETIC AWARDS
1. Awards will be given for participation and not for excellence or playing time.
2. To win an
award, the student must attend practices regularly, exhibit good attitude, and
be recommended by his/her coach.
(Exceptions may include injury or movement).
3. Awards will
be presented in a sequential manner as follows:
1st Award
- Certificate 4th Award - Wildcat Pin
2nd Award
- Chenille Letter 5th Award - Trophy
3rd Award
- Certificate 6th Award - Plaque
SOCIAL FUNCTIONS
Students are encouraged to attend and participate in school related social functions, which are supervised and chaperoned. Students MUST be in good standing with regard to school expectations regarding their behavior in order to attend after-school functions. However, to allow students at our school to fully enjoy these activities, certain obligations must be assumed by each student.
1. Your best manners are expected toward fellow
students, teachers and chaperones.
2. Social functions are for West Side Students
only.
3. Arrangements for transportation from the social
event must be made ahead of time.
4. Good school clothes are appropriate dress for
school events.
5. Students are expected to remain at the social
function until its conclusion. If the
student leaves the after school activity they may not return.
West
Side Passport System
_______________________________ _______
Student
Name Team
1st Trimester
Teacher Signature Date
Code Teacher
Signature Date Code
1. ____________________ _____ _____ 7. _____________________ _____
_____
2. ____________________ _____
_____ 8. _____________________ _____
_____
3. ____________________ _____
_____ 9. _____________________ _____
_____
4. ____________________ _____
_____ 10.
_____________________ _____ _____
5. ____________________ _____
_____ 11.
_____________________ _____ _____
6. ____________________ _____
_____ 12.
_____________________ _____ _____
_______________________________ _______
Student
Name Team
2nd Trimester
Teacher Signature Date
Code Teacher Signature Date Code
1. ____________________ _____
_____ 7. _____________________ _____
_____
2. ____________________ _____
_____ 8. _____________________ _____
_____
3. ____________________ _____
_____ 9. _____________________ _____
_____
4. ____________________ _____
_____ 10.
_____________________ _____ _____
5. ____________________ _____
_____ 11.
_____________________ _____ _____
6. ____________________ _____
_____ 12. _____________________ _____
_____
_______________________________ _______
Student
Name Team
3rd Trimester
Teacher Signature Date
Code
1. ____________________ _____
_____ 7. _____________________ _____
_____
2. ____________________ _____
_____ 8. _____________________ _____
_____
3. ____________________ _____
_____ 9. _____________________ _____
_____
4. ____________________ _____
_____ 10.
_____________________ _____ _____
5. ____________________ _____
_____ 11.
_____________________ _____ _____
6. ____________________ _____
_____ 12.
_____________________ _____ _____