Tamaqua Area Middle School Guidelines

1. TAMAQUA AREA MIDDLE SCHOOL 2018-2019 AUGUST 27, 2018

2. 1st Day Student Folders – Forms • Photo Permission • Free/Reduced Lunch Forms • Emergency Forms • Handbook and Policies • Medication • Transportation Letter • Demerit Letter • FERPA and Privacy • RETURN ASAP!!!!

3. Schedules • Conflicts – Ask your teacher or office. • Cycles – 5 Specials for 6th,7th , and 8th Grade.

4. Academics • Homework counts toward the overall grade!!!! • STUDENT PLANNERS – Keep with you at all times. • Subjects: Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Language Arts, Reading, Physical Education, Art, Music, Tech Ed, and Health.

5. School Day • Doors open at 7:00 AM • Lockers from 7:30 AM until 7:35 AM • Students must be IN homeroom by the conclusion of the bell. • Tardy students must report to the office for a late pass. • Drop/Pick up spot.

6. Breakfast • Breakfast is available daily for everyone from 7:00AM-7:30AM. • If you are Free/Reduced approved you qualify for F/R Breakfast.

7. Bell Schedule • 9 period day • 5 – 42 minute Class Periods • 1 – 42 minute Specials Period • 1 – 42 minute Lunch • 1 – 42 minute AR Period • 1 – 42 minute Homework or Activity Period

8. Tardy to School & Class • Each student is allowed three tardies for the year. Detention will result for each additional tardy. • Excessive tardy mornings may result in citations.

9. Homework & Participation • Failing to do either may result in parent contact and possible disciplinary action. • Academic Detentions

10. Planners • Assignments must be recorded daily. Parents must sign weekly. • Keep them neat and organized. Do not remove pages or destroy.

11. Accelerated Reader - AR • Each student is required to read AR in their study hall until they meet the point requirements. • Periods 1 – 8 – Read AR. • Period 9 – Complete homework or read AR! • Books from home until AR is ready.

12. Accelerated Reader - AR • Any student that would like to use an electronic device such as a nook, kindle, ipad, etc., must submit a note from their parent granting permission. • Any student found to be using the device for anything other than AR will have the privilege removed.

13. Progress Reports • Progress reports indicating unsatisfactory academic progress may be mailed/emailed to parents or guardians at any time. • MMS Student Portal – Allows parents to monitor grades daily.

14. Emergency Pass/Lavatory Procedure • The lavatory is to be used between classes. • Emergency Pass to Nurse or Office Pass from Mr. Czapla. • Student Planner Insert. • Keep moving, no groups.

15. Dismissal • Normal dismissal is 2:25PM • Buses depart from the back of the school beginning at approximately 2:30 PM • Walkers depart from the main lobby of the school at dismissal. • Students must exit the building by 2:30 PM unless they have permission from a teacher. • Pick-ups – The back road is closed from 2:15 until the buses depart.

16. Attendance • Parents are asked to call the school to report a child’s absence. • Absence notes must be returned within 2 school days. Absences without proper excuses are unlawful days, which could result in citations. • The student is responsible to communicate with the teacher concerning missed assignments ASAP.

17. Attendance • After 10 days of absence, a student must provide a Dr.’s note for each additional day or face citations. • Excused absences for educational trips fall within the 10 day limit. • There is a 30 Day maximum on excused absences. • Consequences • Citations, C&Y Referral, Truancy Court, and loss of driving privilege.

18. Dress Code • Policy is online www.tamaqua.k12.pa.us • Piercings, Logos, Skirts, Boots, and Purses • Backpacks must be clear, not mesh, not pics or designs. • Students must change for physical education. • Clothing is available in the Office. • Hair Coloring

19. Electronic Devices • Cell phones, Cameras, MP3 Players, Game Systems must be turned off and left in your locker. • Any pictures taken of school activities placed on the Internet make you subject to disciplinary action with Police Referral.

20. Lockers • It is your responsibility to keep them clean. • Do not leave clothing, food, or drinks in your locker. • Do not share your locker combinations.

21. Textbooks • You will be held financially responsible for any damage. • All textbooks must be covered for their protection.

22. Bus and Cafeteria Behavior • Any inappropriate behavior in the cafeteria or on the bus can lead to a loss of privileges and a police referral. • Loss for Bus Transportation. • Café Detention.

23. Café Procedures Students report to the café and remain at their assigned table until a faculty member calls their table. Students are only permitted to carry a $5.00 negative balance. Once every student has been served lunch, snacks may be purchased with teacher permission.

24. Café Procedures • Upon completion of your meal, garbage and trays are to be returned to the appropriate areas. • Students must obtain permission from the faculty member on duty to leave the café. • At the appropriate time, students will be dismissed by the faculty and staff in charge.

25. Discipline • Review the Student/Parent Handbook www.tamaqua.k12.pa.us

26. Policies • Bullying, Harassment, and Hazing • Electronic Devices: Ipod, mp3, phones, and cameras. • Searches • Threats • Drug and Alcohol • Tobacco • Weapons • Attendance • Dress Code

27. Internet & Cyberbullying • Any inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and will result in discipline and police referral. • Texting, IM, Facebook, MySpace, Emails, etc. • Court Ruling House Bill No. 229

28. Consequences for Misbehavior • Verbal Reprimand • Parent Communication • Classroom Detention, Detention, Saturday Detention, Lunch Detention, and OSS. • The student will be given 24 hr notice before he/she is expected to serve detention. Parents are responsible for transportation. • Follow the classroom rules established by your teacher.

29. Consequences for Misbehavior • A discipline form will be completed with a copy given to the student to take home. An additional copy will be mailed home to the parent/guardian. • A student serving an out-of-school suspension will not be permitted on school property and is expected to complete assignments. • (T&R) Detentions 2:30 – 3:30 • Saturday Detentions 8:00 – 11:00

30. Guidance • Mrs. Brickler – Guidance Counselor

31. Communication • Students are encouraged to ask questions if they are having difficulty in class. • Students are encouraged to request assistance from the teachers during class, during study periods or after school.

32. Extracurricular Activities • Band, Chorus, Math Counts, Yearbook, Lego Club, Academic Clubs, National Junior Honor Society, and Student Council. • Interscholastic sport teams are sponsored in basketball, wrestling, cross country, football, cheerleading, and track & field.

33. EMERGENCY DRILLS • For the safety of all, remain quiet and listen to your teacher. • Weather, Evacuation, Fire, and Lockdown.

34. Raider Run • 2009-2017 - $65,000 • Grade 6 – 8 Field Trips, Café TVs, Activity Days, Technology. • $50 – Gift Cards

35. TAMS IS A GREAT SCHOOL!!!! • MIDDLE STATES ACCREDITATION • ACCELERATED READER PROGRAM • FUN ACTIVITIES • CLUBS • ACADEMICS • ATTENDANCE • DISCIPLINE

36. 2018-2019 EXPECTATIONS • ACADEMICS • ATTENDANCE • BEHAVIOR