Handbook

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   IMMS 2012-2013 
Parent/ Student Informational Handbook  

                               

     Greetings and welcome to Independence Middle Magnet School. We are happy and excited to have you as a part of our school’s family. It is our goal that this will be the greatest year of educational growth, and exposure that your child has ever experienced.

     We are implementing the Communications Magnet Theme at IMMS. Our curriculum is filled with many innovative, creative, motivating, and exciting classroom lessons, activities and projects. We believe and put into practice the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child.” It is essential and critical that you invest in your child’s education by assisting us in attaining the goals that we have set for your child’s success.

 

     This calendar/handbook has been prepared to give you important information that you will need this school year. Please

review this information and remember to check the dates so that you will know what is going on in our school. We will also send other important information to you throughout the school year.               

 

The faculty and staff at Independence Middle Magnet School are committed and dedicated to working with your child. We look forward to working with you in the best interest of your child.

                                                                                          

                                                                      Alexa M. Hookfin, Principal

                                            
 
 
Mission Statement
 
“Providing a technology-based learning environment which will prepare all students to meet the challenges of education, work, and life in a global community”
                                                        
 
 
School Hours
      The school day begins at 7:05 A.M and ends at 2:40 P.M. No school business will be conducted prior to 7:35 A.M. Breakfast begins at 7:05 A.M. and ends promptly at 7:20 A.M. Students leaving breakfast late will receive an unexcused tardy. Students who arrive after 7:35 will be deemed tardy.
 
 
 
Attendance

   Regular attendance at school is essential to learning. While we recognize that children get sick and family emergencies arise, we encourage our students to be present at school each day. The attendance policy is explained in detail in the parish handbook. You should read it carefully. However, a few key points are as follows:

  • A student missing more than 13 days in a school year or semester will automatically be retained, regardless of grades or excuses. If this policy is violated, the Pupil Progression Committee has the option to promote depending on the circumstances.
  • Perfect attendance is defined as attendance at school from beginning bell to ending bell every day. A student who is tardy or checks out early will not have perfect attendance, regardless of the reason except for school-related activities.
  • If a student arrives after 7:30 he/she is tardy.  Tardies are only excused with a medical statement from a doctor. Parents must bring their child to the office when he or she is tardy and obtain a tardy slip so the child may enter class. The first time a child is tardy and the parent does not sign him/her in, the child will receive a warning and the parent will be called. If this happens a second time, the child will be assigned one day in PAC.
  • Early check-out is considered a tardy. Only persons whose names are listed, on the student’s information card will be allowed to check students out of school. Picture identification is required for all check-outs.
  • Habitual absences and tardies will be referred to the Child Welfare and Attendance Officer and/or the 21st Judicial Court and FINS (Families in Need of Services)
  • Make –up work will only be given with a valid, written excuse. It is against state law to excuse students for vacations, trips, etc.
  • Students excluded for lice are only allowed three days of absences.
  • Students will not be allowed to check-out after 2:00 P.M. This policy ensures that all students are accounted for and notified of any changes in transportation. The safety of your child is our primary concern.
  • Whenever your child is absent, you should send a valid, written excuse explaining the specific reason(s) for the absence. Please include your signature. This should be done for each absence and must be done within ten days following the absence.
  • When an absence is excused, make-up work will be given. When an absence is not excused, make-up work will not be given.
  • Students are responsible for making up all work missed during an absence. Students will be given three days make up work.

Transportation
      All students have been assigned a bus by the transportation department. In order for students to ride another bus to a friend or relative’s house, parents must send a note and obtain permission from the office. If a child who usually rides the bus must be placed in a carpool, a note must be sent to the office notifying us. If a child must be placed on a bus instead of in carpool, a note must be sent as well. Children without notes who are requesting a change in transportation will be placed on their normal mode of transportation. Do not tell your child to wait in carpool or ride a different bus unless you send a note and permission has been granted through the office.

 

                                               
Car Riders
      Students who are car riders should not arrive on school grounds before 7:05 A.M. Students should be picked up in the afternoon between 2:40 and 3:00 P.M. Parents must come into the office to pick students up after 3:00 P.M.  Parents and students are expected to obey safety procedures when arriving to school or leaving school. Cars must proceed through the circle drive in a single file line. For safety reasons, drivers are not permitted to drive around waiting cars or buses.

 

Dress Code
      Students at IMMS are expected to adhere to the dress code and uniform policy established by the Tangipahoa Parish School system. The entire policy is included in the parish handbook. We have had some areas of confusion about what is and is not appropriate. We would like to clarify some of these areas by reviewing the following:

·        These items cannot be worn: Capri pants, cargo pants, cropped pants, or indoor jackets in colors other than white, navy, or purple. Hooded jackets may not be worn in the classroom or main building. Check policy.

·        Pants must be no lighter than the lightest color on the color chart. 

·        Belts must be worn with pants that have belt loops.

·        Shorts must reach the top of the knee.  Only 5th and 6th can wear shorts.

·        Earrings can only be worn (by girls) in the lobe of the ear.  Earrings can not dangle.

·        Shoes must have a closed toe and no heel. No sandals, wedges, platforms, or heels can be worn.

·        There are no restrictions on outdoor jackets. However, they will not be worn in the building or in the classroom.

·        Turtlenecks or T-shirts must be appropriate in color, (white, navy, or purple) and can only be worn underneath the uniform shirt.

·        P.E uniforms must be worn in physical education classes.

 

When it has been determined that a student is in violation of the dress code that student will be warned. After the first warning, a parent will be called to bring appropriate clothing or take the child home. If a parent cannot be reached, the child will be placed in PAC for the day. Frequent dress code violations by the same student will result in further disciplinary actions. 
 
 
Positive Action Class
The TPSS will attempt to reduce the number of out of school suspensions by providing a Positive Action Class that provides opportunities for schools to remove students from the traditional classroom but not be sent home. The PAC program typically involves setting aside a space in the school where the students can be carefully monitored, give back to the community, and complete academic work while separated from their peers. Implementation of this program will result in the improvement of student behavior throughout the school.

 

 

The Student will:

·        Bring books, paper, pencil, pens, and other materials to PAC.

·        Not use electronic devices while assigned to PAC.

·        Not eat candy, chew gum, eat food, or have any beverages (including water) while in PAC. EXCEPTIONS:  Students will be permitted to eat lunch in PAC.

·        Complete all work assigned by the PAC teacher.

·        Adhere to the TPSS dress code while assigned to PAC.

·        Not deface school property : Such acts will be considered vandalism.

·        Follow all the school and PAC rules.

 
 
Students assigned to PAC will be allowed to ride the bus to school. Students must report to designated area after eating breakfast. The PAC monitor will then walk them to the PAC room. Any student absent from his/her assigned PAC days will have an unexcused absence for the missed day. When the student returns to school, he/she will be reassigned to PAC with additional days unless there are extenuating circumstances approved by an administrator.

Bus Regulations
  • Be on time.  The bus will not wait. 
  • Do not stand in the street while waiting for the bus. Stand a safe distance off the street and wait until the bus has stopped and the driver motions you before approaching the bus.
  • If you must cross the street to board the bus, do so very carefully. Wait for your driver’s directions and cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus after the driver signals it is okay to cross. You should also check for traffic in both directions before crossing.
  • Cooperate with the driver: your safety depends on it.
  • Remain quiet enough not to distract the driver.
  • Present written permission from your parents, approved by the Principal or Secretary to your bus driver to get on or off the bus at a stop other than your own.
  • Do not stand when a seat is available and the bus is in motion. Sit in the seat assigned to you by the driver.
  • Do not extend arms, head, or other objects out of windows or doors.
  • Do not throw objects in the bus or out of the windows or doors.
  • Do not use the emergency door except for emergencies: usually directed by the driver.
  • Do not eat or drink on the bus.
  • Do not possess or use tobacco, matches, lighters, drugs, obscene materials, weapons, or other prohibited items on the bus.
  • Do not fight on the bus.
  • Do not board the bus at the incorrect stop.
  • Do not leave the bus without permission.
  • Do not disrespect the bus driver.
  • Do not commit an immoral or vicious act.
  • Do not use profane language.
  • Do not refuse to occupy a seat.
  • Do not show willful disobedience.



Clubs
The following clubs are offered at Independence Middle Magnet School: Beta, Math, Better Boys, Better Girls, and Peer Mediation. Each club has set criteria, rules, regulations and responsibilities. Check with each club sponsor for current criteria.
 
 
Dances

All dances will be from 6pm to 9 pm. Tickets can be purchased for $5 in pre-dance ticket sales. At the door dance tickets will be $6. Students must adhere to parish uniform policy even while wearing non-uniform attire to dances. (i.e. only 5th and 6th grade students can wear knee length shorts to dances. 7th and 8th grade student’s shirts must be tucked, etc.) If a parent does not pick up their child by 9:10 p.m. the student may not attend the next dance.
 
Textbooks 

Textbooks are furnished to students by the school system on a loan basis and should be treated as borrowed property.

 

v Any damage to textbook will result in a fine. If a book has extensive damage, the full cost of a replacement will be assessed. When there is a minimal damage to a textbook that is still in adoption, and the book is usable, the teacher will note the damage in the front of the book and initial it. Damage assessment will be determined at school level by the librarian. When a student damages a book and pays the full price for it, the book still belongs to the school.

v Students who lose a textbook will be required to pay the full cost of the book before a replacement textbook is issued. If the original book is found and is in good condition, a refund will be given.

v If a student owes for lost or damaged textbooks, additional textbooks will not be issued until the debt(s) have been paid.

v Price lists may be picked up in the school’s office.

 

 

A $15.00 supply fee will be assessed on all students. The fee is used to purchase materials that enhance learning. It is preferable that the fee is paid during the first six weeks of school. If needed, arrangements may be made to pay installments. Speak to your child’s teacher concerning a plan. Students who have not paid fees will not be allowed to participate in field trips or other school activities that require money.

 

 
Food/ Candy/ Drink Sales

  Federal law forbids the sale of these items before the last 15 minutes of the lunch period. Concessions are sold daily. Students are not allowed to sell candy or snacks unless it is participation of a fundraising activity for a school sponsored club or organization.

 

 
Nurse
There is a registered nurse who comes to school two days per week.

Students must have state required shot records that are current and up to date, or they will be excluded from school.

 
 
Immunizations
Students must have state required shot records that are current and up to date, or they will be excluded from school.
 

Fees Owed from Previous Years

 

Students who have outstanding fees from last year will not be issued textbooks until their fees are paid in full.  Cumulative records and report cards will be held until the fees have been paid.  Students who have outstanding fees will not be allowed to participate in field trips or take part in other activities that require money. 

 

Notes Home

It is a student’s responsibility to take notes home.  If a student refuses to take a note home, it is the parent’s responsibility to correct the situation.  Due to the limited amount of planning time and accessibility to telephones, it is not always possible for your child’s teacher to call you in reference to notes sent home.  Please do not request that we give notes to siblings, neighbors, etc.  It deters your child from becoming responsible. 

 

Parent – Teacher Conferences
 
Communication between parents and teachers is essential to your child’s success in school.  Conference time is limited for teachers during the school day; therefore, it is important that conferences are scheduled during the teacher’s planning period.  However, we will do everything possible to accommodate your schedule.  Please remember that time before and after school is a teacher’s personal time.  It is essential to keep all contact information current in order for positive communication to occur between home and school. 
 

Classroom/ Campus Visitation

 

All visitors must sign in with the secretary in the main Office and receive a visitor’s pass using “school check in.”  Visitors are not allowed in classrooms without approval from the principal.  To further protect instructional time, we ask that items that need to be delivered to a student after class has begun, be brought to the office, and we will deliver the item(s) to the student.  Classes will not be interrupted to deliver items not related to instruction.

 

 

Field Trips
 
The faculty and staff at IMMS recognize the educational benefits of field trips.  They are designed to give students an opportunity to learn skills through a different medium.  When students are on field trips, they are under the auspices of the school.  Students will not be allowed to leave a field trip with a parent or other adult under any circumstances.  Under no circumstances will younger siblings be allowed on field trips.  Remember, students owing fees to the school will not be allowed to go on field trips.  If you choose to go on your own with your child, you will not be granted school rates nor will you be allowed to participate with the group.  Your child will be given an unexcused absence of the day of the field trip.  Parents are not allowed to ride the bus; therefore, please be prepared to drive your personal vehicle if you are going to chaperone students on the field trip. 

Homework Policy

       Homework is an intricate part of the educational process.  The purpose of homework is to provide practice of skills taught in the classroom.  Homework can also serve as informational tools for parents.  When parents take the time to look at their child’s homework, they will be aware of the skill(s) that their child is working on at school as well as allowing them to see which skill(s) their child is having difficulty with.  The high demands of the standardized LEAP and iLEAP tests have made homework more important than ever.  Students are required to do more homework in order to master a more difficult curriculum. 

 

Emergency Early Dismissal/ School Closures

        At the beginning of each school year, packets of forms are given to all students to take home for their parents to fill out.  An Early Dismissal Form is included in the packet for transportation purposes.  Homeroom teachers and the secretary keep copies of these forms.  They give information telling how parents want their child to return home if there is an emergency early dismissal.  The times of emergency early dismissals and school closures are determined by the Tangipahoa Parish School System.  Please listen to local radio, television channels, IMMS school messenger and check TPSS website for all school closing announcements due to inclement weather or other emergency situations. 

 

Student Materials

 

        Students are expected to report to school with only the appropriate materials needed for learning.  Students will be directed not to bring any personal property to school.  This includes toys, jewelry, electronics, or other items.  IMMS teachers and/or administrators will not be expected to locate or replace lost or stolen items.  Teachers may confiscate inappropriate items and send them to the office.  Parents will be required to collect confiscated items.  They will not be sent home with students.  Students should have no more than $2.00 with them at school unless they are participating in school activities that require funds.