Bell Schedule for 2007-2008

(Teacher Planning 8:20 AM – 8:50 AM)

Modified Bell Schedule on Early Release Days

Absences from School

Regular attendance is important for achievement and success in school.  Students are encouraged and expected to attend school regularly.  Personal matters should be taken care of after school hours. Medical appointments need not mean a whole day’s absence. Upon returning to school after an absence, a student must bring a note from his/her parent and report to the cafeteria twenty minutes prior to first period (8:40 – 9:00 a.m.) to receive an admit.  Students with a note from a physician or their parents will usually be issued an Excused admit.  Students without a note will be issued an Unexcused admit.  Students are to present the admit to each of their teachers during the course of the day and obtain their teachers’ initials on the admit.  Students have up to 48 hours to bring in their absentee notes, after which the absence will remain unexcused.  Absences from class due to class cuts, truancies, and suspensions will be considered unexcused absences

Remember, ten unexcused absences can result in failure to receive credit for classes. Students must bring a note from home every time they are absent from school up to ten days, otherwise, it will be marked as an unexcused absence. After the tenth day of absence, a note from a doctor or from a reliable source (other than the parent) explaining legitimate absences, will be required.

All absences from school will be unsatisfactory except for the following reasons:

•  Student illness

•  Medical appointment that cannot be scheduled when school is not in session

• Participation in a school-sponsored activity

• Death in the family

• Observance of a religious holiday or service when it is mandated for all members of a faith that such a holiday or service be observed

Attendance Review Committee

Absences from class due to class cuts, truancies, and suspensions will be considered unexcused absences.  Any student who accumulates five or more unexcused class absences in a designated semester course or 10 or more unexcused absences in an annual course will be subject to the withholding of final passing grade(s) pending a student/parent requested administrative screening and/or review of all absences by the Attendance Review Committee.

A student may appeal the withholding of a final grade by appealing to the Attendance Review Committee.  The screening committee will meet during the last two weeks of each semester to consider student-initiated appeals.  The committee may recommend to the principal:

a.  Issuance of final grades earned for the semester;

b. Temporary withholding of final grades pending, for example, completion of makeup assignments or attendance probation for the following semester or summer school;

c. Permanent withholding of the final passing grade for the entire semester or year.

Makeup Work

Students are responsible for the content of all class work missed.  Excessive absences from class and/or school may have an adverse impact on a student’s academic grades.  Upon their return, students will be responsible for requesting and completing makeup assignments in accordance with the procedures established by each teacher. The teacher shall determine the nature of the makeup assignment and its due date. It should be remembered that, due to the nature of instruction, all class work is not readily subject to makeup work.  The makeup assignment(s) may not reflect all of the material that a student would have received had the student been in attendance.  A student who does not make up all assignments will receive a lower grade.

Discipline for Truant Students

Southwood Middle School has established itself as one of the top middle schools in Miami-Dade County in attendance.  We are extremely proud of this excellent standard and will make every effort to maintain it. School officials and parents have the legal obligation and responsibility to encourage and monitor students’ attendance.  Therefore, students who are truant will be disciplined in the following manner:

  1.      Detention – Held after school.  Parents are notified and must provide transportation for their child

  2.      School Center for Special Instruction (SCSI) – Parents are notified when a student is assigned to indoor suspension

  3.      Parent Conferences – Usually held with administrator, counselor, and parents

  4.      Suspension

  5.      Recommendation for Alternative School Placement - Parents will be notified if students are recommended for placement

  6.      Court letter via Children and Family Services

Tardiness

When students are tardy to school, they must report to the attendance counter (north side of the office) for an admit to class on the day they are tardy.  Tardy students should have a note of explanation from a physician or their parent must enter with them or it will not be considered permissible.  Students arriving late on school buses are given permissible passes.  However, car trouble or a missed bus is not a permissible reason for tardiness.  For unexcused tardies, students will be issued an after-school detention. Parents are to provide transportation, if necessary.  No student will be admitted to first period late without an excused tardy, a detention slip, an admit, or a late bus pass.  Students must be in their classrooms when the tardy bell rings.  Students who are tardy to class will face disciplinary action, which may include detention, cut in conduct grades, or assignment to indoor suspension.

Hall Passes

When students are not under the direct supervision of the teacher, they are to have a yellow hall pass with their name, date, time, destination, and teacher signature.  Students who come to the main office, use the telephone, enter the building early or late, or leave the cafeteria, must have a hall pass. Remember to always walk—not run—in the halls.

Early Dismissals

There are times when it is necessary for students to leave school prior to the regular dismissal time.  When it becomes necessary for the student to be dismissed early, a parent or guardian MUST come to the office (with a valid picture ID) before 3:10 p.m. and sign a “Permit To Leave School” form. The school will NOT release a student if a parent calls the school or sends a note.  Upon returning to school, the student will present the “Permit To Leave School” form to those teachers whose classes were not attended.  Students will only be released to those individuals whose names are listed on the Emergency Contact Card in the section titled “Release of Student from School” and by permission of the parent.  This policy is intended for the safety of the student.

 EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

At the beginning of each school year, every student is issued two Emergency Contact Cards.  Parents are to complete both cards and have their child return them to his/her teacher.  These cards must be returned immediately, since the school needs to be able to contact parents in the event of an emergency.  Furthermore, students will not be released to anyone whose name is not listed on the “Release of Student from School” section of this card.  When a student’s telephone number and/or address changes, the parent is to notify the attendance secretary so that the new address and/or phone number can be corrected in the school records.

 GRADING POLICY AND INFORMATION

Report cards are issued every nine weeks.  The final grade in an annual course will reflect an average of four nine-week grades, a semester examination grade, and a final examination grade computed on the following percentages:

• 20% for each of the four nine-week grades;

• 10% for the mid-year examination; and

• 10% for the final examination.

The final grade in a semester course will reflect an average of two nine-week grades and a final examination grade computed on the following percentages:

•  40% for each of the two nine-week grades; and

• 20% for the final examination.

Scholastic grades are based upon a student’s academic achievement.

Effort grades are based upon the degree to which a student works up to his/her ability.

Conduct grades are based upon behavior when under supervision of the teacher or other official school personnel.

Tests

The schedule for major tests throughout the year is as follows:

• Mondays - Electives

• Tuesdays - Language Arts

• Wednesdays - Social Studies

• Thursdays - Science

• Fridays - Math

Quizzes and other tests are not restricted to the major test day schedule.

Report Cards

Report Cards will be distributed to the students during the Months of: October, January, March, and May.

 Interim Progress Reports

Parents will be notified in writing at any time during a grading period when it is apparent that the student may fail or is performing unsatisfactorily in any course.  The student will be given the Unsatisfactory Notice to take home to the Parent.  This notice is to be signed by the parent and returned to the teacher.

Honor Roll

Principal’s Honor Roll: Academic average 4.0 or above, all 1s in Effort, Conduct average 4.0

Superior Honor Roll: Academic average 3.6 or above, all 1s and 2s in Effort, Conduct average 3.6 or above (no grade below a B)

Regular Honor Roll: Academic average 3.0 or above (no grade below a B), all 1s and 2s in Effort, Conduct average 3.0 or above.

 DISCIPLINE

Southwood is very proud of the good reputation that we enjoy for providing a safe learning environment.  Our disciplinary rules are founded upon the need for safety and consideration of others and the implementation of the Miami-Dade County Public School’s Code of Student Conduct. Some examples include NO gum chewing anywhere in the building, NO slam books, proper conduct during fire drills, and the 10/10 rule that does not allow students to be outside in the hallways during the first and last 10 minutes of each class. Infractions to our policies may result in the assignment of a detention, exclusions from class, indoor or outdoor suspension, referral to opportunity school, and/or expulsion from school, as follows:

• Detention:  After-school detentions are one method used to help improve a student’s behavior.  Detentions are served in the teacher’s classroom or at an administratively designated detention center.  Students will be given 24 hour notice in order to inform their parents and make the necessary arrangements for transportation.  Please note: Requests for rescheduling a detention must be made before the detention is due to be served.

• Exclusion from class:  A student who is excluded from class may be sent to another teacher’s classroom or SCSI for the period.  He/she is expected to make up all written assignments missed during the exclusion period.

• Indoor Suspension (School Center for Special Instruction):  A student placed in SCSI will have the opportunity to earn credit and/or academic grades under the supervision of a certified teacher.

• Outdoor Suspension:  A student who is placed on outdoor suspension is expected to make up all written assignments missed during the suspension period. Remember, it is the student’s responsibility to request and complete makeup assignments in accordance with the procedures established by each teacher.

DRESS CODE

 

Students are expected to come to school with proper attention given to personal cleanliness, grooming, and neatness.  Our dress code is designed to provide students with maximum flexibility in personal attire, while assuring a reasonable standard appropriate for middle school students.  Violation of the dress code will result in disciplinary action.  To that end, students MAY NOT wear the following items to school at any time:

•     Clothing which constitutes a distraction in the learning environment, creates a disruption in normal school activities or is a safety or health hazard.

•     Shirts with sleeves shorter than three inches, tank tops, tube tops, see-through garments, or any clothing designed to be worn as an undergarment.  Also, shirts exposing bare backs, bare shoulders, bare midriffs, or any item that reveals undergarments, regardless of the posture or position of the student.  (Jackets worn over any inappropriate clothing will not excuse the dress code violation.)

•     Shorts, skirts, culottes or skorts that is shorter than three inches above the top of the knee.

•     Urban, monster or excessively baggy jeans or jeans with a leg circumference of greater than 22 inches.

•     Biker shorts or attire made from spandex-like material.

•     Clothing with metal studs, chains, or other objects which can scratch furniture or damage property.

•     Clothing with written messages, pictures, or symbols that portray ideas that are detrimental to the health, welfare, and safety of students.

•     Clothing that promotes the use of drugs, tobacco, alcohol, sex, profanity and/or bigotry.

•     Clothing that represents gangs or gang activity (bandannas, colors, etc.).

•     Hats, stockings, kerchiefs, fuzzy or terry cloth bandannas, or any clothing worn on the head, unless for religious purposes.

•     Open-toed or open-heeled shoes, bare feet, or shoes with metal cleats or taps.

MEDIA CENTER

The Media Center is open each day before, during and after school hours.  During school hours, the Media Center is available for both class and individual use; however, students must obtain permission from their classroom teachers in order to use the Media Center and the computer lab inside.  Students may check out two (2) books at a time and keep them for two (2) weeks.  Encyclopedias and other reference materials may be checked out over night with permission from the Media Specialist.

INTERNET
POLICY

Southwood Middle School’s Acceptable Use Policy for the Internet reflects the M-DCPS Acceptable Use Policy for the Exploration and Utilization of the Internet.  The purpose of providing students and employee’s access to the Internet is to promote academic excellence in the district’s educational objectives.  This computer technology provides resource sharing, innovation, and communication that will help launch today’s schools into the information age.  Utilization of the Internet by students and employees must be in support of, and consistent with, the educational objectives of the district.  When utilizing the Internet, all users must adhere to the provisions of this rule and the standards of conduct established in the M-DCPS Code of Student Conduct (both elementary and secondary), Code of Conduct for Adult Students, the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in the State of Florida, and School Board Rule 6Gx13-4A-1.21, Responsibilities and Duties.

Responsible Users May NOT:

• Use the technology for any illegal purpose, such as plagiarism.

• Use impolite or abusive language.

• Violate the rules of common sense and etiquette.

•  Access or send inappropriate material.

• Change any computer files that do not belong to the user.

• Send or get copyrighted material without permission.

• Violate any other items specified in the M-DCPS Acceptable Use Policy.

• Share passwords/accessibility

The Internet is a world-wide group of hundreds of thousands of computer networks.  The Miami-Dade County Public School System does not control the content of these Internet networks.  At school, each student’s access and use of the Network will be under the teacher’s direction and monitored as a regular instructional activity.  However, it is not possible to prevent the possibility that some users may access material that is not consistent with the educational mission, goals, and policies of the school.  A student who deliberately accesses such material or otherwise violates this policy will be subject to disciplinary consequences.  If the rules above are not followed, student use of technology will be canceled in accordance with the M-DCPS Code of Student Conduct.  If a student intentionally damages any equipment, he/she will pay for the repair or replacement of the item(s).
 

BUS TRANSPORTATION

Transportation will be provided to those students who are within our school boundaries and live two or more miles from the school. Also, transportation will be provided to those students in the magnet program that live within the 16 transportation zones belonging to our school. These students will be expected to ride their assigned school bus each day and to board and leave the bus at their assigned stop.  Temporary bus passes will not be issued.  The bus driver will issue bus rules and students are expected to comply with these rules.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools does not provide supervision for students who wait for school buses at scheduled school bus stops.  Furthermore, it is the parent’s responsibility to provide supervision for his/her child prior to the time a school bus arrives at an assigned bus stop.

BICYCLE
COMPOUND

All bicycles must be locked in the fenced-in bike compound on the north side of the school. All bicycles must be locked individually.  The compound will only be open until 8:50 a.m. and after school (dismissal) each day.  The school will NOT be responsible for any lost or stolen bicycles or vandalism to bicycles.  As a safety precaution, bikes are to be walked—not ridden—on school grounds. Students are encouraged to exercise bicycle safety at all times

FIELD TRIPS

All students participating in school-sponsored field trips must have signed parental permission forms. Students are responsible for obtaining and completing makeup assignments according to the rules established by the classroom teacher releasing them.  Misconduct can disqualify students from field trip participation.

TEXTBOOKS

Textbooks remain the property of the State of Florida and are on loan to students.  Textbooks are provided for students to keep at home and it is expected that these books will be handled with care and remain in good condition.  Textbooks will be brought into the school several times during the year for textbook checks.  If a book is lost, damaged, or stolen, it must be paid for before a new book is issued.  Students who do not present books for book checks/returns may be subject to disciplinary action.

LOST AND FOUND

Lost and Found is located in the main office.  Students should make sure that their possessions have some means of identification on them. 
Missing items must be reported to the office IMMEDIATELY.  Items not claimed within 30 days will be disposed of.

RADIOS,
TAPE RECORDERS,
OR ANY OTHER
ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Radios, headsets, tape recorders, beepers, gameboys, CDs/CD players, or any other electronic devices are not to be brought to school. Cellphones may be brought to school, however, they must be turned off. They must not be visible and may not be used during school hours. Confiscated electronic equipment will be returned to the parent, upon his/her request.

CAFETERIA
 

Eating and drinking are permitted ONLY in the cafeteria.  All students will eat lunch at their designated table each day. Students are expected to use good manners and to remain seated when not in line.  Protocol for punctuality and permission to leave must be followed.  Students who are not in line, leave their food or trays on the table, throw food items, and create a disturbance in the cafeteria will be subject to work detail, indoor suspension or outdoor suspension.

CLINIC

Parent volunteers staff our clinic facilities.  Students who become ill during the school day may receive limited emergency first aid.  However, medication cannot be administered.  Since the clinic is not supervised by trained personnel, students who are ill will be required to return to class if a parent or other individual whose name appears on the “Release of Student from School” section on the Emergency Contact Card cannot pick them up from school.  Students on prescribed medication must have that medication (with directions) registered in the office by a parent and must come to the office to receive medication.

VISITORS

Visitors are to sign in when they enter the building. They must also immediately report to the main office where they will be given a Visitor’s pass that must be worn at all times. Any person who is not enrolled as a student at Southwood Middle School is not permitted to be in the school or on the school grounds without permission from an administrator.  School-aged house guests will not be permitted to visit the school, attend classes, or ride school buses.

MAGNET PROGRAM POLICY

The arts program consists of specialized instruction for two hours daily with the remainder of the day being devoted to academic study. The goal for all students enrolled in the Center for the Arts at Southwood Middle School is that they achieve optimum success in the overall program; therefore, students will be evaluated periodically to determine their progress in the program. If improvement is needed in academic/magnet areas, a review committee, composed of the teacher, counselor, lead teacher, and a supervising administrator, will examine and outline strategies to assist each student in achieving his/her maximum level of performance.

A student may be given a probation warning, placed on probation, and/or exited from the magnet program for any of the following reasons:

• Art grade of C, D, or F (academic and/or conduct grades)

• Grade below C in non-magnet classes (academic and/or conduct grades)

• Grade of F (academic and/or conduct) in a subject

• Inappropriate conduct in classes, rehearsals, performances or field trips

• Consistent tardiness to classes, rehearsals, or performances

• Excessive absences

• Failure to comply with rules or guidelines, e.g. homework

• Insufficient attendance at activities which are required by the teacher and/or county

The first step in the probation process is the Probation Warning, whereby the student and parent are informed that the student has not demonstrated the behaviors necessary for continued placement in the magnet program. If sufficient progress is not noted during the next grading period or any time thereafter, the student is placed on probation, and a Probation Notice will be signed by the student, parent, and teacher. During the grading period following the signing of this notice, the student must show sufficient progress to warrant continued placement in the magnet program. If this is not demonstrated at that time, or at any time thereafter, an Exiting Conference will be held with the student and parent, at which time the teacher, lead teacher, counselor, and supervising administrator will determine whether the student will be allowed to stay in the magnet program or be returned to his/her home school.

Participants for field trips, performances, and exhibitions associated with magnet program are selected based on the following criteria: 1)Arts grade of B or higher (academic and conduct); 2)Satisfactory work and conduct in non-magnet classes; 3)Appropriate conduct at all magnet-related activities; 4)Attendance and punctuality at magnet-related activities; 5)Consistent compliance with magnet/school rules and guidelines.