Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School

1. Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School Student Handbook 2019-2020

2. Our student handbook is a great resource! Every B-UMS staff, student, and family member has constant access to our student handbook on our school website. We are also going to take time to review some of its highlights. It is wise to take time to review our expectations so that our school year can be a success. The following slides are intended to provide talking points only. Advisors, please use this as an overview. 

3. Attendance • We worry about you when you aren’t here! When you are absent a Blackboard (formerly Parent Link) call will be made to your family. • When you are absent, you may not participate in ANY after-school activities (sports, practices, dances, etc.). • Acceptable absences are illness, medical appointments, family emergencies and religious holidays. • Parents need to send us a note (within 2 days) to explain any absence. • If a student is absent 5 or more days, the parent must attend an attendance meeting with our Principals. We want you to be here daily so you can learn and grow!

4. Tardies/Late arrivalsEarly Dismissals/Parent pick-ups • Tardy students must sign in with Mrs. Eddy in Office B. • As much as possible, please arrange appointments for after school. • If you are going to be signed out during the school day, a designated adult (listed on your emergency card) may be permitted to sign you out. • In the event that you are to be picked up or ride home with another person, a parent note must be provided to the school. • Please read: No bus notes will be accepted during the first weeks of school. This gives the bus drivers time to finalize their routes. Also, several buses are full and do not allow extra students. First period begins at 7:57 AM First wave dismisses at 3:15 PM

5. The following are methods of reporting student progress by teachers and b-ums: Student Progress Reporting

6. Counselors use their planners all the time! Student agendas • Teachers may check agendas but will expect you to take the lead in organizing your agenda and binder. • Teachers will provide specific directions regarding what information to record and how to use your agendas. • Your agenda is your tool to stay organized – ask your Advisor if they use a planner/lists/or something else to stay organized. Advisors? A replacement agenda will be provided to a student at a cost of $4.

7. Our ICU philosophy • BUMS will be using the ICU framework. • ICU is an acronym for Intensive Care Unit. • If a student chooses not to turn in an assignment, they will be placed on the ICU list. • A student will remain on the ICU list until they turn in their completed assignment. • We will be regularly talking about our ICU philosophy. • To sum it up: staff will provide time, help, reteach, supplies and anything else you need to learn the standards! All students will have opportunities prove their knowledge! EVERY student will complete EVERY assignment this year! Zeros are not acceptable anymore.

8. Grading/Report Cards • Teachers will post grades to Live Grades on a weekly basis. • It is your responsibility to check your grades regularly. • All faculty will be checking the ICU list constantly to remind you of work you owe. • Report cards will be provided at mid-term and at the end of each quarter. • When you have academic concerns, you are encouraged to talk with your teachers at any time. Students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA to participate in extra-curricular activities.

9. Homework/Make-up Work • Classroom teachers will assign homework as they determine it to be helpful in reinforcing skills taught during class. • Make-up work will be the responsibility of the student with the full cooperation of the teacher. • Upon his/her return to school, the student and teachers will determine a schedule for making up work that has been missed. • Missing assignments will be completed. All faculty will assist you in making sure you learn curriculum standards! Use your agenda to write down assignments.

10. Athletics • Fall Sports: Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Volleyball • Winter Sports: Basketball, Wrestling • Spring Sports: Lacrosse, Softball, Track • Ongoing: Cheerleading, Archery • Coaches will have access to the ICU list! • Listen for lunch time announcements for info about tryouts, etc. Athletes must maintain a 2.0 GPA.

11. Standards of Dress • OK, let’s just get to the point here! Refrain from: • Clothing that exposes the midsection of the body • Short shorts and skirts that don’t reach the tip of the index finger when standing • Spaghetti straps, tank tops or halters, unless worn with a button-up shirt • Baggy clothing considered to be a safety hazard or exposes undergarments or mid sections • See-through mesh or fishnet clothing or clothing with cut-out places (except over appropriate clothing) • Hats, bandannas, and sunglasses, spiked jewelry or chains that could be used as weapons • Clothing depicting gang affiliation, sexual themes, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, foul language, violence, blood, knives, guns, or skulls (except the Buccaneer emblem) Students will dress in a way that causes no disturbance in the school or interferes with student learning. 

12. Standard of dress – to sum it up • Standards for personal appearance begin at home and are considered one of your prime responsibilities. Our dress code is in place for all school sponsored activities. Any items that cause a distraction to the learning will also be prohibited. • You and your clothing must be clean and appropriate. As a growing young person, you are expected to pay attention to your hygiene and dress. • Strive to look your best each day! Find a unique and appropriate way to be yourself!

13. Lockers • There will be a $10 replacement fee for combination locks that are damaged or lost. • Each student is to use only his/her assigned locker. • Keep it locked at all times! • All personal items and books when not in use are to be kept in lockers. • Electronic devices are to be turned off and locked in the lockers. • Do not give your combination to another person. • Lockers may be used only at the following times: Before first period, before and after lunch, and after last period. Each student will be assigned a locker with a combination lock provided by B-UMS. **You will want to purchase your own combo lock for your PE locker!

14. Electronic Devices • If students have electronic devices during the school day, the device will be confiscated and given to an administrator.  • First offense - A student may pick up the device from the office at the end of the day and may be given noon detention. • Second offense - a parent will be required to pick up the device and the student may be assigned detention. • Third offense - likelywill result in in-school suspension or out-of-school suspension, and the device must be picked up by the parent. (We rarely have this happen because our students learn from their mistakes! Thank you!) Must be powered off and kept in lockers unless prior permission is given (project in class, Gadget Day, etc.)

15. Etiquette • Pledge of allegiance – students will stand still while the Pledge is recited. • Language – students will avoid the use of inappropriate or foul language. • Respect – students will display kind and respectful behavior towards others. • The Golden Rule will be our guide. • Cafeteria – students will use appropriate table manners and keep our cafeteria clean. • Students will take responsibility for keeping our school clean. Students are expected to display appropriate behavior and good manners. Buccaneers SAIL! We will cover SAIL expectations soon.

16. Advisors • Now it is your turn, what are some more student expectations that need to be discussed? • If not, look at the next slide for a puzzle.

17. Can you solve the puzzle? • Question: What is a Buccaneer’s favorite food? • Clue: • And

18. Fish and Chips!!!!! Buccaneers like