Highlands Middle School

Highlands-Dreaming, Preparing, Achieving

Standards
Safety-Net Programs
A Word From The House Administrators

POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Accidents
After School Events/Activities
Attendance
Before School
Bookbags Insurance
Library Fines
Library Services
Lockers
Loitering

Class Change
Conferences
Conduct
Detention
Dress Code Lost and Found
Lunch Time
Medication
Nurse
Open House

Early Dismissals
Extracurricular Activities
Field Trips
Fire Drills Phone Calls
Progress/Scholarship Reports
Restrooms
Schedule Changes

Flowers or Gifts
Grades
Guidance Department
Gum
Hall Passes Staff Authority
Suspension
Tardy Policy
Team-Up Program
Textbooks

Homework
Illness
Informational Changes
Inside School Suspension Program Transportation
Tips For You to Succeed
Vandalism and Property Damage
Visitors

Accidents

All accidents must be reported immediately to your teacher or the House Administrator's office.

Students are expected to follow the Code of Student Conduct for any school function. Students must be in attendance at school in order to attend any school function after school. Students are expected to make arrangements to be picked up at conclusion of events.

Announcements

It is the students' responsibility to cooperate with teachers during the morning and afternoon announcements (via the intercom or television). It is important for each student to be able to hear the information being announced. Be silent and listen.

A student will report to his/her scheduled class for roll call before he/she attends an assembly or other school sponsored activity. A student failing to report to class will be marked absent and will need a readmit for the following day.

Florida State Law requires you to attend school every day. Attending school each day is a very important part in determining your success at school. Remind your parents to contact the school attendance office if you will be absent for more than two days. Upon returning to school, it is your responsibility to contact your teachers about any class work you missed and your make-up assignments. The day you return to school, bring a note from your parents to the attendance office before school. You will be given a readmit to carry for two days. Leave the readmit with your last period teacher on the second day. Students without a note will not need to report to the attendance office for a readmit. Failure to bring an excuse note will result in an unexcused absence. Teachers are not required to give full credit for work missed during an unexcused absence.

The consequences for losing a readmit or leaving a readmit in a classroom are that you must get a duplicate before school on the following day. Readmits will only be issued before school. It is the student's responsibility to bring the readmit with him/her to each class.

Students should not be on campus before 8:45 A.M. unless, they are in a supervised activity. Students may enter the building when the warning bell rings. Before this time, each grade level has an assigned location.

During inclement weather, the seventh and eighth graders meet on the first floor hallway. The consequences for being in the building without permission are that you are assigned a detention

Teachers will instruct students when to go to the next class. Students are not to go to lockers or walk the halls. Teachers will escort students in a line to their next class.

Parent/guardian-teacher conferences are encouraged for the purpose of giving each person a better understanding of the student's needs. Parents may request a conference with the teacher by sending a note or calling the House Administrator's Office, and a mutually agreeable time will be assigned. Conferences with the principal, vice-principal, or assistant principals may be scheduled by contacting the offices. However, if the conference concerns a child's work or teacher, the parent/guardian should have a conference with the teacher first.

Highlands Middle School has high standards of conduct and requires a great deal from our students. We expect consideration of others, good manners, and appropriate student behavior so that each day will be pleasant and productive. The teachers and staff at Highlands care for and respect their students and we expect students to respect each adult who works in our school and to obey teachers, assistants, and administrative personnel. Parents will be contacted when support is needed in these efforts. The Duval County Code of Student Conduct clearly defines the behavior expected of students and prescribes consequences when misbehavior occurs. All students will be given a copy and must sign an acknowledgment of receipt of the Code of Conduct, which will be explained. The Code of Conduct will be strictly enforced using discipline measures such as: after school detention, Saturday detention, and inside and outside school suspension. County policy clearly states that students must not bring any weapons to school. This includes toy replicas of weapons.

Students are not to bring any disruptive items to school such as water guns, radios, walkmans/CD's, tape recorders, toys, stuffed animals, cameras, etc. If taken these items will be returned to parents.

County policy also states that the principal shall discipline a student for willful disobedience, open defiance of authority, use of profane or obscene language and/or conduct, leaving the school grounds without permission, physical altercations, other serious misconduct or repeated misconduct of a less serious nature. For more detailed information, please read the Duval County Code of Student Conduct.

The principal or his/her designee may assign after school detention or a Saturday detention as a disciplinary action. The detained student will be given a letter or referral notifying his/her parent/guardian and giving them the required twenty-four hour notification so they can make arrangements for the student's transportation. The student must stay when these days are assigned or be subject to suspension. A student's teacher may assign morning or afternoon detentions, and failure to stay will result in a referral.

Student behavior is influenced by proper dress and grooming; therefore, dress and grooming are of concern to school administrators and teachers. The Duval County School System recognizes that parents are basically responsible for their child's dress and general appearance and have established the following guidelines to aid parents and students in selecting the proper attire for the school year. In addition to the County policy, there are also rules pertaining to dress at Highlands Middle School.

1. The personal appearance of students shall be appropriate to the school setting.

2. The wearing of overly tight, distracting, extreme, or inappropriate apparel is not permitted. Exposed midriff revealing and bareback clothes shall not be worn.

3. Hats, caps, sweatbands, bandannas, or any other head coverings will not be worn. Such items shall not be brought to school. (Students whose religious beliefs require that they wear a head covering are exempt from this rule.) At Highlands Middle School the headwear listed is prohibited on campus! If worn and confiscated, such headwear will be returned only to the student's parent.

4. Shoes or sandals must be worn at all times. (Slaps, thongs, or shoes with no backstrap are not acceptable or safe footwear.)

5. Shirts must be worn with trousers, walking shorts, or skirts and must be tucked in. Only sweatshirts and sweaters with a banded waist may be worn outside. Tank tops or undershirts are not to be worn as outer garments. Cut-offs, holes, unhemmed clothing, see-through net shirts, or garments revealing underwear are not appropriate clothes.

6. Shorts and skirts must be at or below midway the thigh. No short shorts are permitted. Bathing trunks, jogging shorts, and bicycle shorts are not acceptable attire.

7. Shirts or shorts with inappropriate logos (with reference to alcohol, drugs, sex, tobacco, gambling, etc.) are not to be worn. Clothing with handwritten messages and symbols are not permitted.

8. Clothing displaying advertisements for products with reference to sexually explicit nature (phrases or symbols), drugs, alcohol or tobacco will not be permitted.

9. Hairstyles shall be appropriate and consistent with good grooming. Painted hair or shaved haircuts with obscene symbols or language are not allowed. Preparatory hair grooming is not permissible, i.e. hair curlers, bandannas, or caps.

10.To be consistent with good hygienic practices, daily cleanliness of the physical person and clothing is necessary.

11.Special costumes may be worn when recommended by the activity sponsor and approved by the Principal.

1 Clothing may not be worn "backwards" or "inside-out". Jeans or pants waistbands will be worn at waist level - not low on the hips.

14 For our Female Wildcats, halter tops, see through blouses, spaghetti straps, or tank tops (even "layered"), are not allowed.

16.Suspenders may be worn - over the shoulders -not hanging down. Overall straps are to be worn over both shoulders.

expensive athletic shoes and expensive jackets to school. Security of lockers is difficult to maintain.

19.If the pants do not fit at the waist, the student must wear a belt. Belts must be buckled in the front. Any excess belt hanging from the buckle must be looped through the belt loops.

Willful violation of this dress code will result in a Class I discipline referral. This policy on personal appearance is meant to enable the students of Highlands to dress casually but reasonably. It is the responsibility of all school personnel to report violations of this policy to the appropriate House Administrator for action. Nothing in this policy shall be constituted to pre-empt the authority of the Principal to act contrary to statements contained herein.

Parents are to sign students out of school in the attendance office. Students may not sign themselves out of school or meet parents in the parking lot.

Parents should send a note with the student when picking the student up early. This will help the school make provisions to have the student in the office when the parent arrives. Students who are to be dismissed during the afternoon must be picked up by 3:45 P.M.

From time to time students participate in various field trips that supplement and enrich the approved curriculum. You must follow established guidelines and have written parental consent for participation. Verbal consent over the telephone cannot be accepted. Students who are suspended are not permitted to attend field trips. Field trips are regarded as an extension of the school day and as such, the Duval County Code of Student Conduct is enforced.

During the first week of school, each teacher will discuss fife drill procedures and will post the procedures on the bulletin board in each room. When the fife alarm is heard, students will follow the instructions given and walk in a single file line. For safety reasons. no talking is permitted during fire drills or during an alarm, until students have returned to the classroom safely. Teachers have been instructed to send any offender of this rule on a referral for severe disciplinary action. Fire drills are very important and serious exercises for safety, which may save YOUR life.

No flowers or gifts will be accepted in the office for students. All deliveries for students will be returned to the florist or gift shop.

You will receive a report card four times during the school year. Grades will be based on your academic progress and achievement.

Guidance services are available for all students. These services are intended to help students derive the maximum benefit from educational opportunities. The emphasis of our program is in the area of preventive-developmental services, such as:

Students are encouraged to get to know your counselor Parents may schedule teacher conferences by calling the House Administrator. To speak to the counselor, call 696 - 8778.

No gum is allowed on school grounds. Offenders will receive a disciplinary referral.

Students must remain in class for the teaching and learning process to occur. Should it become necessary for a student to leave class, he/she must have his/her personal agenda book signed by the teacher with the time and destination. Upon returning to the classroom, the teacher must enter the student's arrival time in the agenda book. It is the student's responsibility to always have an agenda book. A new agenda book can be purchased in the front office for $5.00.

Homework is an essential part of the student's overall educational program. In order to become proficient in subject matter, study beyond the class period is necessary to attain the full scope of the subject. Therefore, teachers are expected to assign homework regularly, and students are expected to complete it. Every student must read a minimum of thirty minutes every night. If absent on days of an announced test or when an assignment is due, these will be due on the day of return. In case of absence, students will have the same number of days they were absent to make up work assigned while they were absent. Parents are to contact the House Administrator's office with requests for homework or classwork due to extended absences. Please allow two school days for teachers to get assignments ready. These assignments can be picked up from the front office.

A student who is ill and leaves class must report to the House Administrator with his/her agenda book signed by a teacher. Students may attempt to reach their parents/guardians by telephone; however, if a parent cannot be reached, the student must return to class.

Whenever a student's name, address, or telephone numbers change, the school should be informed immediately. The parent must furnish the school with proof of new address (i.e. light bill, phone bill, etc.). This is the only way we are permitted to change an address. This cannot be done over the telephone. The new information may be given to the Guidance Office. Guidance personnel will assure the information is forwarded to the necessary people.

The I.S.S.P. program is an alternative to suspension. Students placed in I.S.S.P. will be under teacher supervision and must study and must complete assignments or schoolwork. Assignments receive credit when accomplished. Supervised students will have two restroom breaks and lunch will be held ~ the I.S.S.P. classroom. Failure to work and follow rules will result in outside suspension.

The school system provides the opportunity for students to become insured against accidents or

hospitalization. The cost of this insurance is usually minimal compared to other health insurance. An application will be given to students the first week of school.

Medical expenses incurred as a result of an injury at school are the parents' responsibility. The school does not have insurance coverage to nay for students' personal injuries, property damage or loss.

Students are responsible for paying fines for books returned late and paying for all lost/damaged library books.

The Library opens at 8:45 A.M. for students with a pass. All students may come to the Media Center from 9:07A.M. to 9:15 A.M. without a pass. The Media Center remains open through the day until 4:25 P.M. Students may come ten minutes after school without a pass. Students are encouraged to use the Media Center as much as possible. If a student desires to use the Media Center during the day, he/she must have a blue media pass signed by the classroom teacher and must return to class before class changes.

Seventh and eighth graders may rent a hall locker for $3.00. Students must use the lock provided by the school. Do not lock expensive shoes, jackets and/or purses in lockers. Security of lockers is difficult to maintain. The school is not responsible for stolen property. P.E. locks cost $2.00 to rent. Students are not to put personal locks on P.E. lockers. All lockers are subject to search by school personnel, and you are responsible for any illegal items found in your lockers.

When school is not in session, do not loiter in the halls or on school property. You are asked to leave immediately after dismissal unless under direct supervision of a teacher or coach.

Items found in the building or on the grounds should be turned in to the House Administrator's Office. You may reclaim your lost property by identifying it. Books will be returned to your teacher. Please label all of your personal possessions and P.E. clothes. Items found in the locker rooms will be placed in the coaches' offices.

Students have 30 minutes for lunch each day. The current cost of lunch is $1.45 and milk is $.30. The following rules concerning the cafeteria should be observed:

6. Stay in your seat. You may not get out of your seat unless you have permission.

8. Students are to enter the cafeteria with their teacher and be seated immediately at their assigned tables. Students will then be dismissed to the cafeteria lines by table.

If a student had a Free or Reduced Lunch last school year, he/she will have the same arrangement for the first ten days of school. Forms will be given out the first day of school and must be completed, returned to school, and approved for the service to continue for the entire year. Students who receive a Free or Reduced Lunch are to use only their own PIN number for their own lunch. Students cannot borrow, lend, or sell lunch numbers. It is the student's responsibility not to lose his/her lunch number. Students may pay for lunch or breakfast in advance from the cafeteria manager on a weekly or biweekly basis.

Students do not leave the cafeteria without permission. A cafeteria hall pass must be obtained from an administrator before leaving the cafeteria.

Forgetting to bring a lunch or lunch money to school will not constitute an emergency to call home. Students may bring a lunch packed from home in the morning, but commercial packaging of food or drinks exhibiting the advertising label from another restaurant may not be brought to the cafeteria for consumption during the school day.

If students need to take medication during school hours, parents must complete a Medication Release form. This form can be obtained from the appropriate House Administrator's Office. Medication is to be left with the grade level secretary before school. All medication is to be kept in the office until time to be administered to the student. Medication is to be in its original container from the drug store with the prescription instructions on the container. Students cannot retain any medication (i.e. pills, cough drops, or aspirin) in their possession.

The Duval County Public Schools schedules an Open House each year. Please encourage your parents to visit your school and meet your teachers. Parents are also encouraged to join the school's Parent/Teacher/Student Association (PTSA) and School Advisory Council (SAC). SAC meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month in the Conference Room at 6:00 P.M.

Students may use the phone in their House Administrator's office for emergencies only. Needing money or forgetting work are not emergencies. Parents should limit incoming calls to students only for emergencies. Messages to students can not be delivered after 3:45 P.M.

During the fifth week of each nine-week grading period, teachers will issue Progress/Scholarship reports to each student. This report acts as both a scholarship warning for students who are failing and also commends students who are achieving at or above average level. The original copy of the report is to be taken home, signed by the parent, and returned to the homeroom teacher. Weekly progress reports can be obtained on Fridays from the guidance office.

If there is an emergency restroom need during class, you must go to the House Administrator with a signed agenda book.

Students will have a maximum of 3 days at the beginning of the school year to request changes. You are reminded that classes are based on the number of students requesting a course, particularly electives. Schedule Change Forms are available from homeroom teachers. Team changes are not allowed. A student's schedule may be changed due to one of the following conditions:

1. A student is mis-scheduled as a result of inadequate or erroneous information.

2. Administrative action is necessary as a result of class loads, loss of a teacher, etc. An additional course is needed to meet promotional requirements.

Students must courteously and respectfully comply with the requests of a teacher, staff member, or administrator, in or out of the classroom. Students are expected to give their names when asked. Students failing to comply with the directions of school personnel acting in the performance of their duties shall be considered insubordinate and will be subject to immediate suspension.

If a student is suspended from school, he or she may not return to campus until the suspension period is over unless accompanied by the parent or guardian.

Permission to return to campus is granted from the House Administrator or Principal. A student may not attend school activities day or night while on suspension. Students are subject to arrest for trespassing if on campus while on suspension.

The instructional day for Highlands Middle School begins at 9:15 A.M. and ends at 4:15 P.M. Since the instructional time is a necessity for mastering course requirements, it is necessary that students be in class and prepared for instruction on time. Tardiness not only means loss of instructional time for the tardy student, but it is also disruptive to the teaching and learning activities being conducted in the classroom.

Students tardy to class before 10 A.M. should go directly to class. Students arriving after 10 A.M. must check-in at the attendance office. Ml tardy students should have a note from their parents. Unexcused tardiness to school will result in disciplinary action.

Each teacher will document student tardiness each nine weeks. Tardiness will result in disciplinary action. Students who are five minutes late will be considered skipping and will report to the House Administrator's office.

Team-Up Program provides after school tutoring with certified teachers in Math and Language Arts. Homework assistance is also available. Other activities include; leadership development, community service projects, art and crafts, nutritional activities, sports, general recreation and field trips. The program offers a dinner and transportation home for most students in our school. The program hours of operation are 4:30 - 7:30 P.M. Monday through Friday. The program is free to middle school students. Parent participation is encouraged.

Students are furnished state adopted textbooks for use during the school year. Damage to textbooks will result in fines. Lost textbooks must be paid for before a student will be issued another book. If it is found and returned, you will receive a refund.

To provide safety and supervision at all times, students who ride bicycles are to walk their bicycles on campus, park, and lock them at the bike racks. Bicycle racks are located on the side of the school next to the bus ramp. Students are reminded that the law requires helmets. Please bring a strong lock to secure the bike.

Highlands Middle School Information

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