Accidents
All accidents must be
reported immediately to your teacher or the House Administrator's
office.
After School
Events/Activities
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 the conclusion of all events.
Bus changes, room changes, and program information are provided via
daily announcements. It is the students' responsibility to
cooperate with teachers during the morning and afternoon
announcements. It is important for each student to be able to hear
the information being announced daily.
Assemblies and Activities
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 the following day.
Attendance
Florida State Law requires students to attend school every day.
Attending school each day is a very important part in determining
your success. 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 missed and 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.
Personal illness
Serious illness of immediate family
Death of a relative
Emergency medical or dental appointment
Absences approved in advance
Authorized religious holiday
Truancy (skipping)
Suspension
Missing the school bus
Shopping
Hunting, Fishing, etc.
Vacation
Baby sitting
Hair appointment
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.
Before School
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.
-
Sixth Graders -
cafeteria
-
Seventh Graders -
multi purpose room
-
Eighth Graders
- behind the
gymnasium
During inclement weather the seventh graders
meet on the first floor hallway. The consequence for being in the
building without permission is detention.
Book bags
Students will only be allowed to
carry transparent or mesh book bags,
large purses, tote bags, or draw string back packs
on campus.
Class Change
Teachers will escort students in a line to their next class
according to their team transition schedule.
Conferences
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.
Conduct
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.
Early Dismissals
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.
Extracurricular Activities
Want
to make friends and develop school spirit?
Participate in school clubs and sports! The following
is a
list of some opportunities for you:
Art
Band
Baseball
Basketball
Cheerleading
Drama
Honor
Society Newspaper
Soccer Softball
Student Council
Swimming
Track
Volleyball
Field Trips
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.
Fire Drills
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.
Flowers or Gifts
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.
Grades
You will receive a report card four times during the school year.
Grades will be based on your academic progress and achievement.
90-100 A Outstanding
Progress
80 - 89
B Above Average Progress
70 – 79 C
Average Progress
60 – 69 D Lowest Acceptable Progress
0 - 59 F Failure
Guidance Department
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
Counseling.
Student assessment.
Educational planning and development.
Orientation (adjusting to the school).
Outside referrals to other agencies.
Personal - social development.
Assisting with career development and planning.
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.
Gum
No
gum is allowed on school grounds. Offenders will receive a
disciplinary referral.
Hall Passes
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
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.
Illness
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.
Informational Changes
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.
Inside School Suspension
Program
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.
Insurance
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.
Library Fines
Students are responsible for paying fines for books returned
late and paying for all lost/damaged library books.
Library Services
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.
Loitering
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.
Lost and Found
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.
Lunch Time
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:
Walk to and from the cafeteria in a quiet and orderly manner with
your teacher.
Have your PIN number and correct change ready.
Stay in line while waiting to get lunch.
Leave your table clean; dispose of all trash in the proper
receptacles.
Refrain from "Horseplay" and talk in a normal voice.
Stay in your seat. You may not get out of your seat unless you have
permission.
Food/drinks purchased in the cafeteria must be consumed in the
cafeteria.
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.
Fighting in the cafeteria will result in an
automatic five (5) days suspension.
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.
Medication
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.
Nurse
The
school nurse visits Highlands on a weekly basis.
Appointments and referrals are handled through the Guidance Office.
Open House
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.
Phone Calls
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.
Progress/Scholarship
Reports
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.
Restrooms
If there is an emergency restroom need during class, you must go to
the House Administrator with a signed agenda book.
Schedule Changes
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:
A student is mis-scheduled as a result of inadequate or erroneous
information.
Administrative action is necessary as a result of
class loads, loss of a teacher, etc.
An additional course is needed to meet
promotional requirements.
Staff Authority
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.
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.
Tardy Policy
Tardiness to School
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.
Tardiness will be excused
for the following reasons only:
1.
Late school bus.
2.
Illness substantiated by a written excuse from parent/doctor.
3.
Official legal document.
4.
Circumstances approved by the principal.
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.
Tardiness to Class
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
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.
Textbooks
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.
Transportation
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.
Bus
You are expected to ride the bus to which
you have been assigned and to get on and off at your assigned bus
stop. You will not be allowed to ride another bus to go home with a
friend except in serious family emergency situations. A note must be
sent to your House Administrator on the date of the emergency prior
to first period. This is your responsibility. Drivers will not allow
students to ride an unassigned bus or to get off at a different stop
without parent and administrative approval. The school bus code is
in effect at all times (refer to the Code of Student Conduct).
Students who violate bus rules are subject to a Bus Referral. You
must obey all instructions given by the driver. Riding a bus is a
privilege and can be revoked. Keep the following rules in mind while
on the bus:
1. Enter the bus
in an orderly manner.
2. Take a seat
as quickly as possible.
3.
Remain seated in a forward-
facing position.
4. Avoid making loud noises.
5. Keep voices
at a low level.
Driving
No middle school students will be allowed to operate a motor vehicle
on school property
Skateboards and Rollerblades
Because of liability concerns, skateboards and
rollerblades are not allowed on school property at any time.
Tips For You to Succeed
·Have a responsible attitude
and show your wildcat pride.
·Always respect adults and fellow students.
Take time to be a friend. Get involved in school activities.
·Dress to succeed.
·Succeeding is your responsibility!
Vandalism and Property Damage
School buildings and equipment
cost the taxpayers a lot of money to construct, purchase, and
maintain. Students who destroy or vandalize school property will be
required to pay for losses or damages. If a student willfully
destroys school property, suspension and subsequent expulsion may be
necessary. If a student damages property by accident, he or she
should report the damage to a teacher or the office immediately.
Visitors
All visitors are required to
report directly to the Main Office and sign in with the secretary
before going to other parts of the school. A visitor's badge will be
issued and must be worn while on the school campus. Visitors are not
permitted to visit teachers or other school personnel during the
regular workday without special permission of the principal.
Arrangements may be made in certain cases to see teachers during
their planning time with prior approval. Former students are not
allowed to visit teachers during the school day.
