ADMITTANCE TO SCHOOL GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS

Students are not allowed to enter the building until 8:15 unless they are participating in the breakfast program or have a signed pass from the teacher. The breakfast program starts at 8:00 A.M. Students eating breakfast should enter through the southeast door.

BICYCLES

Bicycles are to be parked in the racks provided on the north side of the school upon arrival at school and are not be used until the end of the school day. Note: Skateboards may not be ridden on school property.

BOOKS

Textbooks and workbooks are furnished by the school. Fines are charged for lost or damaged books. The amount of the fine is dependent upon the condition of the book and/or the degree of damage.

We encourage students to read library books. However, students are responsible for the books they check out of the library. Fines will be assessed for books which are overdue, damaged, or lost.

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips are planned as an educational experience for students.

At the time of registration, parents will be asked to sign a blanket permission slip for the year. Such written permission is necessary or the student will be required to remain at school.

Under certain circumstances, a student will be denied permission to participate in a field trip. Should this occur, the parent will be notified and the student will stay at school.

FUND-RAISING

School sponsors and students may raise funds for school-sponsored events after requesting and receiving written permission from the building principal. Fund-raising by students for events other than school-sponsored is not allowed.

GENERAL POLICIES, REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES

Courteous behavior is always expected of all students. Treat others as you really want to be treated. Mutual respect is the foundation for good relationships among staff and students.

• Profane, obscene and/or abusive language will not be tolerated.
• Ignoring, annoying, criticizing, gossiping, or any other unkind behavior is not acceptable.
• Chewing gum and candy are allowed with teacher approval. If students are not responsible with wrappers, etc., the privilege will be revoked.
• Respect the property rights of others. Do not touch or take things that belong to others.
• Students are responsible for the proper care and maintenance of school books and property. Lost or damaged property must be paid for.
• Whistles, horns, bells and other noise-making devices should not be brought to school or school activities.
• Squirt guns, sling shots, fire crackers, bean shooters, frogs, etc. have no place in school and are subject to confiscation by any teacher or school employee.
• Snowballing is not permitted on or near the school grounds.
• Fighting is prohibited. Responsible participants will likely face suspension.
• Electronic devices are allowed with instructor’s or administrator’s permission. Students are responsible for these items when brought to school and the school in not responsible for lost or stolen items. Cell phones may be used before school, during lunch and after school. They are liable to confiscation.
• Running in halls or classrooms is unsafe and will not be permitted.
• Students are not to wear hats in the building during the school day or at indoor school activities.
• Students are issued locks and are expected to have them on their lockers at all times. Students who choose not to use their locks run the risk of having items stolen (it happens). Students must pay for lost or stolen padlocks.

In order to provide a safe environment for all students and staff, threatening behavior directed toward others(student or staff), including statements that indicate any intent to carry out an act of violence at school, are strictly forbidden. Any alleged incident of such behavior will be investigated by building administrative staff and if founded, may lead to the filing of a police report. Joking about such things is NOT funny and will be considered inappropriate behavior.

HONOR ROLL

At the end of each trimester, a list of students receiving A’s and B’s with one “C” s being permissible in all classes (including P.E., Music, Band and Exploratory classes) is eligible for the academic recognition program.

LOCKERS & LOCKS

Each student is assigned a locker with a combination or a combination padlock. It is the responsibility of the student to:

• Keep the locker clean and orderly at all times.
• Maintain locker security by keeping the padlock locked.
• Keep the padlock combination secret. Do not share it with a friend or allow others to watch you open the locker and/or padlock.
• Do not allow other students to use your locker.
• Switching lockers is not permissible.

LOST AND FOUND

Articles found in and around the school should be turned in to the main office where the owners may claim their property by identifying. Lost and found is located on the second floor near the Guidance area.

MOPEDS AND MOTOR SCOOTERS

Parking for said vehicles shall be on the south side of the building on Judson Street. No other parking space may be used. Driving a motor vehicle to and from school is a privilege — not a right. Students who drive motor vehicles must park only in the designated areas. They may not loiter around or be in or on their vehicle nor leave the school grounds in their vehicle during the school day without permission from the administration.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical Education is considered a regular part of the school curriculum. We will excuse students from participation in PE for a two day period due to unusual illness or injury if a written note is sent by a parent. Exemption waivers for the health portion of physical education may be obtained from the office . (Board Policy 603.5)

If a student needs to be excused from PE for more than two class sessions, a doctor’s excuse is required. (Board Policy 603.6)

PROMOTION-RETENTION

Students will be promoted to the next grade unless, in the judgment of the licensed staff and the building principal, the student lacks the academic achievement, maturity, emotional stability, and social adjustment needed to advance. Should this be the case, parents will be informed of the possibility that their child will not be promoted and a conference will be scheduled to discuss permission of the principal and the parents.

SEARCH AND SEIZURE

School authorities may, without a search warrant, search a student, student lockers, desks, work areas, or student automobiles based on a reasonable suspicion under the circumstances and in a manner reasonable in scope to maintain order and discipline in the schools, promote the educational environment, and protect the safety and welfare of students and school personnel. School authorities may also seize any illegal, unauthorized or contraband materials discovered in the search.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Sexual harassment is not tolerated in the Maquoketa Schools. A brochure that explains sexual harassment for students is shared with students in the upper grades. If parents or students believe an incident of sexual harassment has occurred, please report it to the principal as soon as possible.

SOCIAL EVENTS

School-sponsored social events are open to students enrolled in the middle school only. Students who come to school social events must stay in the building once they come in. School-sponsored social events must have prior approval from the principal and be placed on the school calendar before they are announced publicly.

STUDENT DROP-OFF AND PICK UP

Administrators request that you use Locust Street and Judson Street to drop off and pick up your children.  For safety concern, we ask that the south parking lot not be used due to the number of buses and students in the area.

SUSPENSION

Board Policy 503.1 outlines the reasons for suspension of a student from school. Reasons may include:

• Damage or destruction of school property
• Assault on a school employee
• Assault on another student
• Possession of weapons or dangerous instruments
• Possession of narcotics, alcohol, or tobacco
• Use of vulgar or profane language
• Repeated failure to comply with the directions of teachers or other school personnel.

A principal may issue up to a ten day suspension from school. If additional penalties are appropriate, the superintendent may recommend further action at the next school board meeting.

TRANSFERS

If possible, the student must provide the district with proof of the student’s grade level and a copy of the student’s permanent records from the student’s prior school district. If the student is unable to provide the proof of the student’s grade level or permanent records, the principal will make the grade level determination.

VISITING STUDENTS

Student visitors will be allowed to visit school if they are accompanied by a parent or faculty member from their current school.