BLECKLEY COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL



Bleckley County Middle School

Student Handbook

2020-2021

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Inspiring and Empowering students for Lifelong Success

Bleckley County Middle School

590 Highway 26 East

Cochran, Georgia 31014

(478) 934-7270

Fax (478) 934-6502

Mrs. Carla Thrower

Principal

cthrower@

Mrs. Liz Dykes

Assistant Principal

ldykes@

Mrs. Holly Collins

Counselor

hcollins@

Mrs. Melanie Long

Secretary

mlong@

Mrs. Stephanie Mathis

Bookkeeper

smathis@

Mrs. Kelly Herrington

Attendance Clerk

kherrington@

SCHOOL MOTTO

“Expect Excellence”

BLECKLEY COUNTY MISSION STATEMENT

Inspiring and Empowering students for Lifelong Success

OUR PURPOSE

Our students are the heart of Bleckley County Middle School. The administration, faculty, and staff are committed to providing our students with opportunities to grow in all areas. We recognize individual differences and needs, and we seek to provide for these through a comprehensive curriculum. A variety of extracurricular activities is offered to promote social growth and to allow students to explore interests and discover talents. Our athletic program allows students to challenge themselves physically while facilitating the further development of character traits such as sportsmanship. We believe that the school, the students, the parents, and the community must share the responsibility for the total education of a child. Working together, our students will complete middle school empowered with abilities that will lead to success in high school and beyond.

PURPOSE OF HANDBOOK

• The purpose of the student handbook is to communicate our expectations for students. The student and his/her parents and/or guardians should read this information carefully. The information in this handbook has been carefully developed by the BCMS Leadership Team.

• The student handbook has been approved by the Bleckley County Board of Education.

Letter from Your Principal

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Welcome to Bleckley County Middle School! We are proud to announce that we have been recognized as a 2019-2020 Capturing Kids Heart National Showcase School. This is a great honor for our faculty and students. This is a result of hard work and focusing on building relationships with students. According to Flip Flippen, “If you have a child’s heart, you have a child’s mind.” Bleckley County Middle School’s faculty and staff believes this statement wholeheartedly. We experience success by working together and building relationships.

This year, you will find many opportunities for growth. Your teachers have planned a challenging classroom experience to help you grow academically and emotionally. The athletic and extra-curricular opportunities available at BCMS will allow you to grow physically while also developing new skills and talents. Middle School brings the opportunity to grow socially as well. The friendships that you make can last a lifetime. I challenge you to embrace this school year with an open mind and an opportunity to grow.

I look forward to serving as your principal. The faculty, staff, and I are here to help you in any way we can. We are committed to providing you with the most excellent educational experiences possible. I hope that you will find this year to be your best year yet! If you have any questions or concerns please call (934-7270) or email me at cthrower@.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Carla Thrower

BCMS Principal

Literacy

Strong literacy skills lead to success in school and in life. Your teachers will plan lessons in every class that will incorporate reading and writing activities. The ELA teachers from BCMS and BCHS established the following rules that will help guide your writing. As you write, just remember to “CAP-IN”!

STUDENT SAFETY, DRILLS, AND ALARMS

The safety of our students is very important to the faculty and staff at BCMS. We will have periodic safety drills in an effort to teach students how to react in emergency situations. Some of the drills involve evacuating the building while others address safety issues within the building. Faculty and students will be informed the morning of scheduled emergency practice drills. We encourage parents to discuss with their child the importance of safety skills and reacting appropriately in an emergency situation. If the parent has any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the student’s teachers.

• The fire alarm will sound until buildings are cleared. Teachers and students will move to the open areas outside of the buildings. Quiet and orderly drills are required. All teachers of a room and building will be responsible for closing doors and windows.

• In case of a tornado drill or alarm, keep calm --- DON'T PANIC! Instructions will be given upon receipt from the principal. Quickly, but quietly move into the hallway. Students should sit on the floor near the wall with their heads between their legs. PE classes will go into the dressing rooms and do the same as above. Students, teachers, and lunchroom personnel will go to the serving area and sit facing the wall away from the windows.

• Student behavior: These drills are exercises in saving lives, and drills must be taken seriously.

• A code blue will be alerted in the event of the presence of an unresponsive person. The emergency team will respond to provide assistance, and 911 will be called. The AED devices are located in the office mail room and the gym lobby. Stop the Bleed kits are distributed in twelve different locations on campus. The rooms are designated by the red dot located on the teacher’s room number.

ACADEMICS AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Students will receive instruction in Reading/ Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies on a daily basis. Middle school students will also have two Connection classes per semester. These classes will meet on alternating days. Connection classes offered include: Technology, Physical Education, Weightlifting, Art, Chorus/Drama, Agricultural Education, Band, Bible and Reading Connections.

BAND

Band classes of instrumental music are offered at BCMS in grades 6, 7, and 8. Band registration is handled through the band director and administrators or counselor. Each student must provide his/her own instrument. Beginning band students start instruction in the sixth grade year. Seventh and eighth grade band students participate in various school performances. Students are enrolled in the band course for the entire school year. Any student may be removed from the band or denied the privilege of participating in performances, parades, field trips, extracurricular activities, etc. at the discretion of the band director and principal if the student is in violation of school or band policies.

Daily practice at home is required of all band students in order for them to reach their full capacity as a musician. The grade in band for the semester reflects recorded practice at home, band tests, playing skills, and other assessments as determined by the band teacher.

CLUBS AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Clubs and student organizations provide BCMS students with additional opportunities to become involved in school service projects, student government, civic organizations, to develop a sense of school pride, and to engage in meaningful interactions with other students and teachers. The clubs that students may join include: FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), FFA (Future Farmers of America), Principal Pack, Media Staff, and 4-H. All students will be involved in 4-H at school during monthly meetings. Membership in the Junior Beta Club is by invitation to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students based on academic performance during the previous school year.

****Because all clubs promote positive student behavior, attendance, punctuality to school, and school and/or community service, students may not serve in the position of President, President-Elect, Treasurer, or Secretary if more than one assignment is made to In School Suspension. Parent permission is required of all students joining clubs at BCMS.

ATHLETICS AND ATHLETIC POLICIES

Students are encouraged to participate in sports at BCMS. Activities available for students in 6th grade include: Cheerleading, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Tennis, Cross Country, Softball, Track, and Golf. In 7th and 8th grades students may try out for Track, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Golf, Basketball, Baseball, Football, Cross Country, and Cheerleading. Parents, relatives, and friends of the students are encouraged to attend all functions at school including the athletic events.

• The Bleckley County Middle School Athletic Program is designed for the benefit of the students. All staff members will make every effort to accommodate students who want to participate in the Bleckley County Middle School athletic program.

• All participants must meet the athletic guidelines and by-laws of the GHSA handbook.

• Athletes must adhere to all regulations of the school going to, coming from, and participating in athletic events. They are representatives of the school and should conduct themselves in a manner worthy of their positions.

• It is a state policy that each athlete must have passed a sufficient number of classes each previous semester to be eligible during the school year. This number is determined by the number of overall classes taken during the semester (example: four of five classes must be passed on a schedule in which five grades are recorded on the report card).

• Athletes are required to attend classes a minimum of ½ day on the day of an event in order to participate.

• It is recommended that the athlete be at all times appropriately dressed and well groomed.

• Inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated. Coaches will advise athletes about standards and behavior prior to each season.

• Any athlete involved in and/or breaking a civil law, other than a misdemeanor, will be denied the privileges of participating in sports for the current school year.

• Any athlete guilty of abusing, destroying, or stealing school property will be suspended from sports for a year and will forfeit all benefits or awards.

• Any athlete caught using, possessing, distributing, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be suspended from the sport they are participating in for the rest of the season and will forfeit awards for the season in that sport.

• All general school policies will be adhered to, and the office and/or coach will deal with all violations.

• The behavior of all athletes is subject to discipline by any member of the coaching staff.

• All athletes must ride the transportation provided by the school to all events. Parents or guardians may transport students home after the event (see below).

• NO PASS- NO PLAY Athletes’ grades will be checked weekly by their coaches. If a student athlete is failing two or more subjects then they will NOT be allowed to participate in the upcoming week’s games.

• At the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, a student who has been retained will not be allowed to participate in athletics for the next school year.

STUDENTS LEAVING SCHOOL-SPONSORED EVENTS

Students who wish to ride home from a school-sponsored trip (athletic or other) must use the following procedure:

1. Have a note signed by a parent or guardian.

2. Give the note to the coach or sponsor.

3. The coach or sponsor must see the parent or guardian before the student leaves the event.

4. The student may leave only with a parent, guardian or grandparent.

5. Exceptions to this rule must be based on hardship or emergency, and be approved by an administrator. To receive approval from an administrator, a note with parent/guardian contact information must be presented prior to the student leaving to attend/participate in the event.

SPORTSMANSHIP

Good sportsmanship is required of all students in the Middle School, whether participating as a player or a spectator.

PROGRAMS AND ASSEMBLIES

• Band concerts will be scheduled by the band director during the school year.

• Students who achieve outstanding academic performance will be recognized on Honors night. All parents are invited to attend this special program.

• Pep rallies will be held throughout the year to recognize BCMS athletes. Pep rallies will be announced in advance. Parents are invited to attend.

Good behavior is expected and required during programs and assemblies. Students are to remain quiet during assembly programs and to use appropriate manners. Members of the audience should not exit or enter the room during a performance. Students will attend all assembly programs and sit with their class section. The number and frequency of assemblies and pep rallies will be determined by the over-all student behavior.

CODE OF CONDUCT

All teachers will implement the following Code of Conduct at BCMS. The teachers and/or administration reserve the right to move to a higher level of disciplinary action on this plan at his/her discretion based on the nature of the behavior. Please refer to the section entitled Student Code of Conduct: Student Offenses and Disciplinary Actions that are prescribed by the Bleckley County Board of Education.

The following disciplinary actions may be imposed for any violation of this Code of Conduct:

• Warning and/or Counseling with a School Administrator, or Counselor

• Loss of Privileges

• Isolation or Time Out

• Temporary Removal from Class or Activity

• Notification of Parents

• Parent Conference

• Detention

• Placement in an Alternative Education Program

• Short-term Suspension

• Referral to a Tribunal for Long-term Suspension or Expulsion

• Suspension or Expulsion from the School Bus

• Referral to Law Enforcement or Juvenile Court Officials

ACADEMIC EXTENSION AND BEHAVIOR DETENTION

A student may be assigned to academic extension based on student academic needs and/or teacher recommendations. A student may be assigned to behavior detention during their break time by individual teachers. If a student is assigned to more than 5 behavioral break detentions during a given nine week grading period, the student will be referred to the office. Once sent to the office, the following consequences will be applied:

6th Behavioral Break Detention – After School Detention

7th or greater Behavioral Break Detention – Assignment to ISS

The instructional process is of upmost importance at school. Because administrators and teachers have very high expectations of our students, cooperation is essential in the classroom and throughout all school activities. The student’s behavior will not distract from the instructional process in the classroom. Teachers will handle misbehavior according to the school’s Code of Conduct.

POLICY FOR FIGHTING

The school’s policy in regards to fighting will be the following:

*First incidence: The students will be assigned to ISS for five (5) days. The parents/guardians may be called to the school to come and pick up the students immediately following the investigation of the fight. If the parents are called to pick up students, the students will be suspended home for the remainder of that day. The students will be expected to return to school the next day to begin the ISS assignment.

*Second incidence: Any student involved in a fight or similar disturbance will be suspended home for three days. The parents/ guardians will be called to the school to come and pick up the students involved in the incident immediately following the fight. The students will be suspended home for the remainder of that day and for three additional days.

*Third or subsequence incidence: Students involved in a third or subsequent fight will be suspended home for five days. In severe cases, the School Resource Officer may file a juvenile complaint and transport the student to the local LEC.

*Depending on the severity of the fight, the administration may deem it appropriate to immediately suspend the students involved. The School Resource Office may also file a juvenile complaint and transport the student to the local LEC.

Students who are found guilty of behavior that incites a fight between others will be assigned to ISS for a minimum of 3 days.

BEHAVIOR NOT COVERED ABOVE

The school reserves the right to punish behavior, which is detrimental to good order and discipline in the schools, even though such behavior is not specified in the written rules.

DRESS CODE

We believe that all students have the right to a safe and healthy school environment. We believe that all students have the responsibility to dress appropriately and observe basic standards of cleanliness and good grooming. A student’s dress and appearance should not cause disruption, distract from the educational process or create a health or safety concern for themselves or others. Tight-fitting clothing will be considered a distraction. No article of clothing or accessory with wording or pictures related to weapons, drugs, alcohol, gangs, sex or vulgarity will be allowed.

HAIR: Hair should not obstruct vision for learning.

HATS: No hats, head coverings, bandanas or distracting head ornaments should be worn. There will be occasional hat days at school for the students.

SHIRTS & BLOUSES: Tank, crop, halter, and tube tops are not appropriate to wear to school as an outer garment. All shirts must cover the midriff (both the front and the back), cleavage, and the top of the shoulder. Sheer shirts must be worn with an appropriate tank or camisole that conceals all undergarments, including straps.

PANTS, SHORTS, SKIRTS, DRESSES, AND SKORTS: These items must be worn at the natural waist and no shorter than fingertip length. Slips or tights should be worn under dresses and skirts to prevent transparency. Tights and leggings must be covered by a loose-fitting top, skirt, or dress that is no shorter than fingertip length. No writing is allowed across the buttocks. Holes in pants must not be excessive and skin should not be seen above fingertips.

OUTERWEAR: Jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, and coats may be worn as required for comfort due to weather conditions. Hoods and gloves should be worn only for warmth when outdoors. Clothing that meets the Dress Code as described above must be worn under any item of outerwear. Students may be asked to store outerwear after arriving on campus if it causes a distraction in the school environment or hinders a child’s participation in school functions and activities.

EYEWEAR: Only prescription glasses may be worn inside the building. Sun-blocking contact lenses are not acceptable.

SHOES: Shoes must be worn at all times. Shoes cannot have more than a 2” inch heel. Wheeled shoes are not allowed.

BOOK BAGS- Book bags should be left in assigned lockers for safety measures.

WATER BOTTLES- All water bottles should be clear.

ACCESSORIES:

• Jewelry should be kept to a minimum and jewelry must not pierce the skin except the ears. Hoop earrings should not be larger than 3” inches. Jewelry or buttons with words, phrases, symbols, pictures, or graphics which are indecent, swear, suggestive, or are drug, alcohol or gang-related are not appropriate attire for school.

• The following accessories should not be worn or brought to school:

o Grills over teeth

o Blankets or wraps

o Book bags with wheels (Unless student has doctor’s note)

o Pajamas or bedroom shoes

DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS & DISCIPLINARY ACTION:

Dress code will be checked by the homeroom teacher at the beginning of each day. The student will be warned and can call for a change of clothes or change into clothes available at school.  Students who repeatedly violate the rules may be subject to additional consequences.

School-based administrators have the final authority to determine when personal appearance and dress do not meet Board and school standards and also have the authority to take appropriate action (BC Policy).

HAT DAYS

Periodic hat days will be planned. These are announced in advance, and the cost of wearing a hat is $1.00. Fish hooks may not be worn on hats or caps. As a polite gesture, students will be asked to remove hats while seated for meals.

CONFERENCES

Students and parents are encouraged to initiate conferences with teachers and administrators about attendance, behavior, class work, grades, and extracurricular activities. Conferences may be scheduled by calling the school office or sending an email to the teacher (web addresses are available on the BCMS website). Parents are encouraged to contact the teachers first about academic problems before calling the administration.

SCHOOL INSURANCE

Regular school insurance may be purchased through the school insurance company. Information concerning purchase of insurance will be provided to students during the first week of school. All students taking part in extra-curricular activities are encouraged to purchase school insurance and must present proof of insurance prior to the first practice.

VISITORS

Official business by outsiders must be authorized through the principal's office. This protects the classroom process from undue interruption. All visitors must report to the office before going to a classroom. Visitors will be given a visitor’s pass and must sign-in with the school secretary in the office upon arrival and departure.

POSTERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Students must have permission from a principal or assistant principal before placing posters and announcements in the school. Posters must be related to school-sponsored activities only.

OFF-LIMITS

The principal may designate certain areas of the campus as off-limits to students.

AFTER - SCHOOL EVENTS

• All school rules and policies apply while at after-school events.

• No loitering outside buildings.

• Students who leave the event must leave campus.

• Arrangements for students to be picked up after events must be made before students arrive to school. Students who have not been picked up within a reasonable time will be denied the opportunity to attend future events.

• Parents should pick up their student at the designated area. If someone other than a parent or guardian will pick a student up at the end of an event, the parent must send a note to the school giving permission for the student to ride home with someone other than the parent.

• Students must attend school the day of the scheduled event.

DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcements over the intercom and/or other type of media and the daily bulletin are used to announce school-sponsored activities only.

SCHOOL PROPERTY

Damage to school property shall be repaired at the expense of the wrongdoer. This policy includes school furnishings, technology, and school buses. This is your school. Help keep it clean, neat, and attractive.

MORNING and AFTERNOON PROCEDURES

• Students should not arrive to school before 7:15.

• Students arriving to school before 7:30 will report to the lunchroom to wait for the 7:30 bell or to eat breakfast. Students who arrive after the 7:30 bell will go to the lunchroom to eat breakfast or will go to their homeroom if they do not wish to eat breakfast. Students who plan to eat breakfast must be in the lunchroom by 7:40. A breakfast cart is available near the car rider entrance. The breakfast cart is for car riders only.

• Lunch money will be collected in homerooms.

• Homeroom teachers will provide instructions for students to go to their lockers.

• Parents wishing to pick up their child after 2:30 will be expected to wait in the car rider line. No student will be allowed to sign out from the office after this time unless there is an emergency. We appreciate your compliance with this rule. The end of the day is a busy time for our secretaries, and limiting traffic in the office ensures the accurate delivery of messages, etc.

• With the exception of emergency, no phone calls will be accepted to change afternoon transportation plans after 12:00 each day. All messages to change transportation plans MUST come through the office to be documented. Parents should not text their student with instructions to go home a different way.

MEDIA CENTER

Operational Procedures

• The media center will be open each school day from 7:30 A.M.-3:00 P.M.

• The media center operates on a flexible schedule during regular school hours. This schedule allows students to use the media center on their own with teacher permission throughout the school day. Teachers may send students at any time for individual work (checking out books/magazines, research, make-up work, reading, etc.). This open scheduling also allows for teachers and the media specialist to plan cooperatively to design lessons so that students may use the media center more effectively for study and activities related to all areas of the curriculum.

• The media specialist will meet with teachers when requested to schedule, plan lessons, and gather resource material for use in the classroom.

• Small groups (5-6 students) may be sent for research or other activities. Prior planning is requested so that the media personnel will be able to help students accomplish the teacher's purposes and students accomplish the teacher's purposes and to have materials assembled if needed. A time frame is requested by the media staff in order to best assist the teacher and/or student(s) needs.

Library Behavior

To maintain an atmosphere conducive to instruction and research, students are expected to work quietly in the media center.  Students who are disturbing others will be asked to leave the media center after given a warning.  Remember that the media center is not a place to send students who have misbehaved.

Circulation of Materials

• Students come to the library media center with teacher permission.

• Students must have their library pass in order to check out books/magazines. A library pass will be issued at the beginning of each 9 weeks.

• If a student has lost a library pass, he/she will be required to purchase a library pass for $1.00 before being allowed to checkout materials.

• After selecting items(s) for checkout, patrons should go to the circulation desk to have media staff checkout the materials.

• Students may have any combination of 2 items checked out:

o 1 AR book (Accelerated Reader)

o 1 Non-AR book

o 1 magazine

o All books are checked out for 14 school days and can be renewed on time.  A fine off $0.10 per day will be charged for overdue books.

• All fines should be paid by the last day of school. 8th grade students will NOT be able to exempt end-of-the-year finals until all library books have been turned in and library fines have been paid.

• Magazines may be checked out for one day and renewed one time.  A fine of $0.25 per day will be charged for overdue magazines.  All fines must be paid before checking out a magazine.

• Kindles may be checked out if a student has a BCMS Kindle User’s Agreement on file in the media center. To get a copy of this agreement see Mrs. Lee in the Media Center. Kindles may be checked out for 10 school days and renewed one time. A fine of $1.00 per day will be charged for overdue Kindles. All fines must be paid before checking out a Kindle.

• Reference materials are not checked out to students due to the cost of replacement if the material is lost or damaged.

• There is a YA (Young Adult) section in the media center. Any student wishing to read from this section needs to have a YA permission form on file. See Mrs. Lee in the Media Center to get one of these forms.

RESTROOM USE

Students are not allowed to leave their classes to use restrooms except in the case of an emergency. Students who have a physical problem that would necessitate using the bathroom more often than regularly scheduled times must have a doctor's statement on file in the office at the beginning of the school year or whenever the medical problem is detected by the physician. Previous medical notes on file must be updated at the beginning of each school year.

TELEPHONE USE

The telephone in the office is for business use only. Students will not be called to the office for a phone call. The office will receive messages, which are important and deliver them to the student. MESSAGES CANNOT BE TAKEN AFTER 12:00 P.M. EACH DAY. Class time is not to be used to make phone calls. Parents and students must not text each other during the school day for messages or to change transportation plans. For the safety of students, official messages must be communicated through the office.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION DRESS

Tennis shoes are required for physical education. Students will not be allowed to participate and will receive a zero for the day if tennis shoes are not worn during PE.

ILLNESS

The school nurse will attend to any student complaining of illness. When contacted, the parent will decide either to send the student back to class or to come and pick up the student. First aid will be administered only in minor cases. In instances of serious injury, and the parents or the emergency person cannot be reached, 911 will be called. Parents or guardians will be responsible for the charges of the doctor/hospital. Your son/daughter's well-being is our number one concern.

MEDICATION

• All medication, prescribed by a doctor or otherwise, must be accompanied by a note and taken to the nurse or principal’s office. Parents are asked to send medicine in the original container. Students can pick up the medicine at the end of the day.

• The school nurse will be on campus between 7:30 A.M. and 3:00 P.M.. each day unless otherwise announced.

• Medicine will not be given after 2:00 P.M. unless prescribed by a doctor.

• Parents are advised that the following instructions should be followed regarding:

o Strep Throat: The student should complete 24 hours of antibiotic treatment and be fever free prior to returning to school.

o Sores: All contagious sores, such as, ringworm, must be covered at all times. Several over-the-counter products are available to treat contagious sores.

o Scalp lesions: All scalp lesions must be treated with oral antibiotics and require a physician’s proof of treatment prior to returning to school.

o Pink eye (Conjunctivitis): Pink eye is an infection and inflammation of the eye. Its primary symptom is bright pink or red eyes, followed by a watery or thick yellow-green drainage. A doctor must treat this and proof of treatment must be presented before a student can return to school. Prescribed eye drops must be used 48 hours prior to the student’s return to school.

o Temperature: If a student’s temperature is 100, the parent or someone on the emergency form will be notified and the student will be sent home.

o Injuries and illness: In cases of serious injuries, an attempt will be made to notify the parents or guardians. An attempt is always made to notify the parent or guardian in case of head injury. If the parent or guardians are out of town or cannot be reached, the person(s) listed on the emergency form will be contacted. WE MUST HAVE AT LEAST TWO EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS LISTED to call. Please list only people who know you and your child. Parents should inform the school of changes in contact information during the school year.

CHROMEBOOKS---- Students are responsible for proper use and handling of this device, just as they are with all other classroom technology and textbooks. In the event of loss or destruction of the Chromebook, just as with textbooks, the replacement cost is the responsibility of the family. At this time, the Chromebook replacement cost due to the school is $300. Students will be able to use their Chromebook at school as a digital resource to support and enhance learning. As with any learning tool, students are expected to comply with teacher directions at all times. Inappropriate or irresponsible use of the technology device or instructional time shall jeopardize opportunities for continued use and may result in disciplinary action. We are excited to offer a one-to-one environment in 6th-8th grades this year!

TEXTBOOKS

The subject area teacher may issue books on a free loan basis. All books are the responsibility of the student. Damages will be assessed at the end of the school year. When issued a textbook, it becomes the responsibility of the student to assure that the book does not become lost or damaged beyond normal usage. If the school furnishes for your use basic textbooks, they are your responsibility and must be returned at the end of the school year. Students who lose or misuse textbooks will be required to replace them. Students withdrawing from school must return the books and/or school equipment to the teacher who issued them. Book covers are required on all new books.

LOCKERS

Students will be assigned a locker. Lockers are considered school property.

HOMEWORK

• Homework is a very important aspect of education. The purpose of homework is to reinforce the skills taught in the classroom and to increase the knowledge of the student. Homework may consist of writing, reading, studying, or working on projects, etc. It is important to remember that although a student may not have written work to complete at night, the student is always encouraged to spend at least15 minutes reading his/her library book and review any notes or material covered during the day. Research shows these strategies improve the academic quality of student work.

• Failure to complete homework will be dealt with as a discipline problem if the student continues to neglect completion of assignments. Failure to complete homework will be dealt with according to the team’s discipline plan.

PICTURES

A photographer will come to the school each year to take individual pictures of students. Fall and spring pictures will be taken. Students and parents will be notified when pictures will be taken.

INSUFFICIENT FUNDS

In the event that the school receives a check marked insufficient funds, a letter will be written to the account holder requesting that the check be paid in full. A thirty-dollar service charge will be charged per returned check.

ATTENDANCE

• Attendance in class is a necessity. No student should be absent unless he/she is sick, there is a death in the family, he/she is summoned to court, or there is an emergency which parents can justify to school authorities. Georgia Law requires attendance of all students from 7 to 16 years of age.

• Doctor

• Definition of an Excused absence, Tardy, or Reason for leaving school early

o Illness of the student.

o Serious illness in the immediate family – father, mother, sibling, spouse, child or close relative.

o Death of some immediate family member to include grandparents.

o Special and recognized religious holidays observed by their faith.

o When absence is mandated by order of governmental agencies.

o Students will be excused from school attendance when prevented from such attendance due to conditions rendering school attendance impossible or hazardous to their health or safety.

o A student is serving as a Page for the state legislature.

o Doctor visit

• All student absences will be determined either excused or unexcused. All assignments and tests missed during an absence must be made up in order to receive credit for those assignments. After an absence, students are required to bring a note signed by a parent/guardian or a doctor’s statement explaining the reason for the absence. Excuse notes should be presented within 5 days of the absence and should be given to the homeroom teacher.

• Tests and other work missed during an absence are to be made up within five days of returning to school or as arranged by the teacher. The student is responsible for making up all missed work. If a student was present when a test or other assignment was announced, the student should be prepared to take the test or hand in the assignment on that day even if he/she was absent the day before.

• Students absent from class due to a school function will be coded.

• If a student is absent more than 4 days a nine weeks, they will not be allowed to participate in the nine week’s celebration and/or field trips for that nine weeks. If a student brings a note from the doctor indicating that the student is not to return to school until a designated time, those absences will not be held against the student.

TARDINESS/EARLY RELEASES FROM SCHOOL

• Parents or guardians must come into the office to sign students in or out of school.

• Students must be seated in their homeroom when the tardy bell rings for class. The bell to begin homeroom rings at 7:47, and the tardy bell rings at 7:50. To accommodate student travel to the farthest homeroom class, the door to car riders will be locked each morning at 7:47.

• Students should not be tardy/late to school or class. The administration will handle tardies to school, and each teacher will handle tardies to his/her class.

• Students late to school will receive a warning letter after the 5th tardy of each semester.

• After the 8th tardy, an assignment will be made to a 45-minute detention, regardless of the reason for being late (the only exception to this will be students who ride the bus and are late due to problems with the bus).

• For each additional day of tardiness (after the 8th listed above), the student will be assigned to one day of ISS.

• Consequences for tardiness are based upon each semester.

• Unless the student is sick or has a doctor’s appointment, parents are discouraged from signing students out of school early.

The Bleckley County School System’s Attendance Protocol establishes penalties and procedures for enforcing excessive tardies, early releases, and absences. Violation with the court sanctioned attendance protocol may result in referrals to the Department of Family and Children Services, Department of Juvenile Justice and/or the Superior Court. A complete copy of the protocol is available on the school district’s website or may be reviewed at each school or the Bleckley County Board of Education.

WITHDRAWALS

Parents wishing to withdraw their student from BCMS should contact the school counselor to complete the necessary paperwork. Students are expected to clear debts and return school property prior to withdrawal.

GRADE REPORTING

• Report cards will be issued to each student at the end of the nine weeks. Students will receive their report cards on the last day of school. Parents may opt out of receiving paper reports if they choose to sign a statement indicating that they prefer to track student grades online.

• All students are given the opportunity to check their grades and attendance on Wednesday of each week. This will take place during their 20 minute mandatory reading time. Students will sign indicating they have reviewed their grades.

• Powerschool ,BCMS website and BCMS Facebook page are available for parent information. Parents will receive information concerning Powerschool access during Visitation and Open House. The BCMS website and BCMS facebook page are designed to provide information and an overview of school events.

GRADING SYSTEM

Educational progress and accomplishments are evaluated and recorded in terms of numerical grades. The following criteria will be used to establish uniformity:

• Range of grades: 0-100

• Passing grades: 70-100

• Four evaluation periods of nine weeks each

• The final average in a class will consist of the average of first and second semesters for full-year classes. Final grades for connections classes will be based on the average of the grades earned during the course. An incomplete (I) will be shown on the report card, but will not be recorded on permanent records. An incomplete will automatically become 50 if the work is not made up.

• Honor Roll: There will be only one Honor Roll for Bleckley Middle School students.

• To qualify for the Honor Roll, students must have an overall average of 90 or above for the year. Students will be recognized for honor roll during the school day. The average of all connections classes combined will be averaged with the four academic class averages to determine honor roll.

• Middle School Academic Award: Eighth grade students who maintain an “A” average in each academic class throughout middle school will be presented with the Middle School Academic Award during the Honors Day program.

• Students are expected to check their grades and attendance every Wednesday during the mandatory reading time. Students will sign every week indicating that grades have been checked.

GRADE RETENTION

Refer to the Bleckley County District Website select Board Policies, then Section I: Instructional Program and locate document IHE: Promotion and Retention Policy. Students who fail two or more academic subjects during a school year or fail math and/or reading two consecutive years will be considered for retention. A recommendation for placement in the Bleckley County Success Academy for the following year may be made in order to provide the opportunity for academic recovery. The Georgia Milestones end of the grade data will be taken into consideration when determining promotion, placement and retention for the following school year.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

The primary consideration regarding whether to have school on bad weather days will be the safety of our children. Heavy rain, and on some occasions snow and ice, cause some of our primary and secondary roads to become unsafe. If a threat to health and safety exists, school will be dismissed. The superintendent makes all decisions regarding school closing and communicates them to local media outlets and via automated calls whenever possible.

LUNCHROOM

• Applications for the free and reduced lunches may be secured from the lunchroom supervisor's office and your homeroom teacher.

• Basic rules of conduct and table manners are expected for all people eating in the lunchroom.

• Students are to enter the lunchroom quietly and stay in line.

• If additional milk or water is desired, buy the milk at the lunch line.

• Everyone is expected to remove cups, trays, forks, spoons, milk cartons, and napkins from the table. If something is dropped, please pick up the item and take it to the trash containers.

• Food or drink may not be removed from the lunchroom.

• Any outside food brought into the cafeteria must be brought in a lunchbox or a paper sack with no writing on the bag. (Ex. McDonalds, DQ, etc.)

• Students are required to sit with their class at lunch unless otherwise instructed by the teachers. Students are responsible to the faculty/staff member who brings them to the lunchroom, or any faculty/staff member in the lunchroom.

• Extra entrees may be available with certain menus. Students who owe lunch money may not purchase extra food.

• Prices will be announced at the beginning of school.

• Students will not be allowed to return to the serving line after the student enters the dining area with his/her tray.

BUS LINES/CAR RIDER LINES

Students will act in an orderly manner while coming to the bus lines/car rider lines and while waiting in the bus lines/car rider lines.

HEAD LICE

Periodic checks may be made for head lice and bed bugs. Teachers will notify the office of suspected cases. In order to avoid as much embarrassment as possible, those students will be called to the office discretely to be rechecked. If nits or lice are found, the student will be sent home immediately, and parents will be notified. All nits must be removed from the hair before the student returns to school. Students should be treated for lice on the same day sent home and return to school the next day. Students must have a note from the nurse or principal before returning to class.

MINUTE OF REFLECTION

The school principal or designee will lead the school in observing a specific time at the beginning of the school day for the minute of reflection. The brief quiet time of reflection will not be more than 60 seconds and all students assembled will participate in the quiet time of reflection. The teacher of the class will be responsible for the quiet time. The time of reflection is not intended and shall not be conducted as a religious service or experience, but shall be considered as an opportunity for each student to reflect on the anticipated activities of the day.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

It is the policy of the Bleckley County Board of Education that each student in the school shall be afforded the opportunity to recite the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America during school each day. The time for the recitation for the pledge of allegiance shall be at the beginning of school and will be led by the principal or her designee over the intercom.

PERSONAL ARTICLES

• Since many articles of clothing, notebooks, books, etc. get misplaced; students should mark their personal items with some identification. Large amounts of money should not be brought to school. Purses, jewelry and other valuable items should not be left unattended.

• Radios, tape recorders, cameras, games, baseball cards, playing cards, and toys should not be brought to school. Magazines and other materials, which are not school related, should not be brought to school. These articles will be taken up and returned on the last day of school.

• Cell Phone Use Policy: Students are not allowed to use cell phones in the school building, on school property, or on school buses except as approved for after school extracurricular trips. In accordance with state law, cell phones are not allowed to be used while a school bus is in operation. A cell phone confiscated for unauthorized use for the first time will result in no return fee, but the phone can only be picked up by the student’s parent or guardian. School administrators, as set forth in their student handbooks, may charge up to a $25 fee for the return of a cell phone or other unauthorized electronic device on the second or further violation of this rule. Students should be aware that the possession of a cell phone in the classroom where a state or federal test is being administered may result in a testing irregularity, and in addition to the phone being confiscated, the test may be invalidated. The use of cell phones by students will be limited to use after school and outside the school buildings.  From time to time, it may be desirable for a student to have his/her cell phone on out of town extra or co-curricular activities. A student may, without penalty, turn his/her phone into a school administrator or group sponsor or coach at the beginning of the school day so the unit will be available following the event for the purpose of contacting parents or other authorized transportation sources. Exceptions to the above policy are made through the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Contract. This contract will be provided to parents by the teacher, and cell phone use by the student should adhere to expectations in the contract. In NO circumstance should a student use a cell phone in the restroom. All electronics; including smartwatches should be left in the student’s locker.

GIFTED EDUCATION

• The purpose of the Gifted Program is to provide an educational environment that extends competencies in areas of cognitive skills beyond the experiences of the regular classroom. Students are chosen to receive gifted level instruction through a four-dimension process. To be considered for gifted instruction, students must be nominated or meet the system’s automatic referral criteria. Anyone who has knowledge of a student’s abilities and talents may fill out a nomination form. These forms may be picked up from the student’s school in January. The purpose for the nomination is to gather information about the student (class work, test information, present and past grades, observed behaviors). Information gathered will be presented to a school-level Eligibility Committee. The Eligibility Committee will review the information and make one of three decisions:

o The student will be referred for formal evaluation.

o More information will be collected about the student.

o The information gathered is sufficient in quantity but does not support a recommendation to continue the referral process.

• Once the Eligibility Committee for formal evaluation has referred a student, a gifted teacher will administer an appropriate mental ability test. The latest achievement test scores will be collected and concurrent evaluation in the areas of creativity and motivation will take place. Formal evaluation will take place during the month of May. Once formal evaluation has been completed, the gifted program teacher will assemble the various evaluation data and notify the Eligibility Committee that the student’s name should be placed on the agenda for the next meeting of the Committee.

• A student is eligible for gifted services under one rule established by the Department of Education (Rule 160=-4-2.38). To be eligible the student must meet criteria in any three of the following areas: mental ability, achievement, creativity, and motivation.

Title II, Part A : Right to Know

Parent’s Right to Request a Teacher’s and a Paraprofessional’s Qualifications:

By law, LEAs are required to notify parents that they may request information regarding the teacher’s or the paraprofessional’s professional qualifications, including the following:

• Whether the teacher/paraprofessional has met the Georgia Professional Standards Commission’s certification requirements for the grade level and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction;

• Whether the teacher is teaching under an emergency or other provisional status through which Georgia qualifications or certification criteria have been waived;

• The college major and any graduate certification or degree held by the teacher;

• Whether the student is provided services by paraprofessionals, and if so, their qualifications.

LEAs must:

• Notify parents in multiple ways in order to ensure that all parents have the opportunity to receive the information. This may include, but is not limited to a LEA or school handbook, a letter mailed home, inclusion in a newsletter, posting on a website, and/or a school-wide email.

• Ensure the notification or document that contains the notification must include the principal’s contact information, the school or LEA name, the day, month and year of notification.

• Maintain records that document the dissemination of the Right to Know Qualifications in multiple forms to the parents of all students.

NOTICE TO PARENTS

Due to the nature of the Internet, it is neither practical nor possible for the Board of Education to enforce compliance with user rules at all times. Accordingly, parents and student must recognize that students will be required to make independent decisions and use good judgement in their use of the Internet. Therefore, parents must participate in the decision whether to allow their children access to the Internet and must communicate their own expectations to their children regarding its use.

Safe and Drug Free Schools and Community Program (SDFSCP)

As a part of Safe and Drug Free School and Community Program, students will participate in an anonymous survey. If you prefer that your child NOT participate, please contact Mrs. Holly Collins, School Counselor. A copy of the survey is available in the Board of Education Office if the parent would like to review the contents.

Throughout the school year, Interquest (Detection Canines and Drug Dog services) visits BCMS. The dog will visit random classrooms in each grade level.

The Cochran/Bleckley Community Collaborative provides resources for students and families. For more information about these services, please contact Pam Moore at the central office 478/934-4300. Throughout the school year, Interquest (Detection Canines and Drug Dog services) visits BCMS. The dog will visit random classrooms in each grade level.

STUDENTS TRANSPORTED HOME EARLY

• Middle school students may be left at their home after 3:00 P.M. whether or not a parent is present. If a student is taken home before 3:00 P.M., and the parent is not present at home, the student will be left with an adult listed on the student information sheet.

• Bleckley County buses will only transport students home in cases of emergencies during the school day. The Bleckley County School System is not responsible for transporting students after they have missed the bus in the morning or afternoon.

BELL SCHEDULE

7:30 – Bell for students to go to homeroom

7:47 – Car rider door locked to allow time to walk and arrive in homeroom on time.

7:50 – Tardy bell to homeroom rings

7:50 – 7:57 – Homeroom

8:00 – 9:05 – 1st Period

9:08 – 10:13 – 2nd Period

10:16 – 11:21 – 3rd Period

11:24 – 1:42– 4th Period (Lunch, break and mandatory reading time)

8th Grade Lunch – 11:30-11:55

7th Grade Lunch – 12:00-12:25

6th Grade Lunch – 12:30 – 12:55

1:45–3:00– 5th Period

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