After School Detention.................................................... 9

Asbestos Report............................................................ 24

Athletics............................................................................. 8

Attendance........................................................................ 4

Behavior Expectations.................................................. 11

Behavior Intervention Center......................................... 9

Book Bags......................................................................... 7

Bus Riders........................................................................ 4

Cafeteria............................................................................ 7

Calendar............................................................................ 3

Car Riders......................................................................... 4

Cheating Policy................................................................ 9

Civil Rights Compliance Plan....................................... 1

Contraband....................................................................... 7

Daily Schedule................................................................. 3

Dismissal.......................................................................... 3

Early Sign Out................................................................... 3

Field Trips/Activities......................................................... 5

Grading Scale................................................................... 2

Guidance........................................................................... 6

Hall Pass........................................................................ 21

Health Center................................................................... 6

Home/School Relationships......................................... 5

Homework......................................................................... 3

Library/Media Center....................................................... 7

Lockers.............................................................................. 6

Lost and Found................................................................ 7

Make Up Work.................................................................. 5

Medication......................................................................... 6

Mission Statement........................................................... 2

Out of School Suspension........................................... 10

Peer Mediation................................................................. 6

Principal’s Message....................................................... 2

Renaissance Reading (AR)........................................ 13

Reward Plus................................................................... 12

Student Dress and Appearance................................... 8

Student Movement........................................................... 8

Tardies............................................................................... 3

Telephone Usage............................................................ 7

Textbooks.......................................................................... 7

Time-Out Procedures..................................................... 9

Valuables.......................................................................... 7

Visitors............................................................................... 6

MISSION STATEMENT

The Burns Middle School community will strive to promote a variety of successful educational experiences in a positive, motivating environment to support the on-going educational development of our youth.

E – Eager to

A – Achieve,

G – Grow and

L – Learn in

E – Every

S – Situation

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

On behalf of our faculty and staff, it is a pleasure to welcome each of you to Burns Middle School. Our goal is excellence in education. Striving to reach this goal must be a cooperative effort on the part of the students, teachers, administrators, parents and community. As you continue your education, I hope that each of you will find everyone here to be interested in and helpful with your total growth and development. We feel that this period of your educational, physical, and social development is very important to your success in life.

This part of your life is a time of change. We want to help you as much as possible to manage all the change that will be occurring in your life in a positive way. We encourage you to study hard and to make new friends. Our best advice is to become involved in the total school program.

In order to meet the needs of our students as fully as possible, it is essential that the home and the school make every effort to communicate openly and frequently. When parents are involved in their students’ education, and good communication is taking place with the teacher, the students will benefit.

GRADING SCALE

Grading Scale and Quality Points

Numerical
Grade
Letter
Grade
Quality
Points

99-100
        A+
4.00

95-98
       A
4.00

93-94
        A-
3.68

91-92
        B+
3.38

87-90
       B
3.00

85-86
        B-
2.68

83-84
        C+
2.38

79-82
       C
2.00

77-78
        C-
1.68

75-76
        D+
1.38

72-74
       D
1.00

70-71
        D-
1.00

Below 70
        F
0.00

Report cards are issued at the end of each nine weeks grading period. Progress reports are issued every three weeks. See the calendar on page 3 for dates of progress reports.

HOMEWORK

Students are assigned homework at the direction of their individual teachers. Students who are absent for multiple days should call the school and arrange for missed work to be collected. Please give 24 hour notice to allow teachers time to collect assignments.

SCHOOL CALENDAR 2007-08

August 16-24.................................................. Planning Days

August 27........................................... First Day for Students

September 3............................................. Labor Day Holiday

September 17............................................ Progress Reports

September 28...................................... Teacher Planning Day

October 9................................................... Progress Reports

October 29.......................................... Teacher Planning Day

October 31....................................... End of First Nine Weeks

November 7........................................... Report Cards Issued

November 12...................................... Veteran’s Day Holiday

November 21-23................................... Thanksgiving Holiday

November 27............................................. Progress Reports

December 18............................................. Progress Reports

December 21-January 1.......................... Christmas Holidays

January 2..................................... Students Return to School

January 18. End of Second Nine Weeks/End of 1^st Semester

January 21................................... Martin Luther King Holiday

January 22-23................................... Teacher Planning Days

January 28............................................ Report Cards Issued

February 13............................................... Progress Reports

February 22........................................ Teacher Planning Day

March 6...................................................... Progress Reports

March 24-28................................................. Spring Vacation

April 3............................................. End of Third Nine Weeks

April 7.................................................. Teacher Planning Day

April 10.................................................. Report Cards Issued

April 25..................................................... Annual Leave Day

April 28...................................................... Progress Reports

May 19....................................................... Progress Reports

May 26................................................. Memorial Day Holiday

June 10....... End of Fourth Nine Weeks/End of 2^nd Semester

June 10............................................... Last Day for Students

June 11-12........................................ Teacher Planning Days

Inclement Weather Make-Up Days

February 22

April 7

March 28

March 27

April 25

BMS DAILY SCHEDULE

The doors to Burns Middle School open at 7:30 a.m. Classes begin PROMPTLY at 8:00 and end at 3:00. The first bell will ring at 7:55, with the tardy bell ringing at 8:00. All students should be in homeroom by 8:00. Anyone not in homeroom when the tardy bell sounds will be considered tardy.

TARDIES

Being “on time” for the beginning of the school day and remaining for the entire day are expectations for students at Burns Middle School. All students should be in homeroom by 8:00, anyone not in homeroom when the tardy bell sounds will be considered tardy. When students are tardy to school, the parent must come into the school to sign-in their student in the office.

Three unexcused tardies and/or early sign outs will result in After School Detention. Excessive tardies could result in In School Suspension or Out of School Suspension.

EARLY SIGN OUT

Any student leaving school at any time, for any reason, prior to dismissal time, must sign out in the office.

Students may be signed out by parents. Parents must come in the office and sign the sign-out sheet.

Students to be signed out by a non-parent must have parent verification before office approval is given. Students who know in advance that they will be signing out should bring a note from home giving the reason for leaving early, the time they will be leaving, the name of the person who will be picking them up and a phone number where the parent can be reached.

Three unexcused tardies and/or early sign outs will result in After School Detention. Excessive tardies could result in In School Suspension or Out of School Suspension.

DISMISSAL FROM SCHOOL

First bus load and car riders are dismissed at 3:00 p.m. Students should exit the building promptly and not re-enter.

Second bus load will be dismissed by announcement.

Students practicing with an athletic team, serving after school detention, or staying for tutoring should be dismissed with the second bus load.

All students should be off campus by 3:30 p.m.

CAR RIDERS

Students arriving in cars should have parents or other drivers to drive to the west entrance, circle the teacher’s parking lot, and unload riders in the front of the building. Pull all the way up as directed by staff before unloading.

Single lane traffic only due to safety.

The doors are open to students at 7:30 a.m. Students are to report to the Commons Area (cafeteria) in the mornings upon arrival and remain there until they are dismissed at 7:45 a.m.

Students that arrive after the 8:00 tardy bell should report to the office to sign in.

Students who ride in cars in the afternoon will be dismissed with the first bus group and should exit the front of the school building promptly. All students should be picked up by 3:30.

For safety reasons, students will not be allowed to load into cars in the parking area. Pull all the way up as directed by staff. Do not stop in front of the doors if there is room to pull up further.

Car riders should wait at the front of the building until their ride pulls forward.

BUS RIDERS

Students are expected to behave in an appropriate manner to ensure the safe transportation of all students.

Bus riders will be unloaded on the east end of the building beginning at 7:45 a.m.

Bus riders will use the hall located to the left of the gym to exit the building in the afternoon.

Students riding second bus load should remain in the last block class until the announcement to dismiss is heard.

Students who need to ride a bus other than the bus assigned must have written permission from the principal’s office. Bus passes should be obtained in the morning upon arrival to school. Students must have a written note from their parent. No bus passes will be taken over the phone.

ATTENDANCE REGULATIONS

Attendance in school is crucial to educational achievement and school success. The principal must assure adherence to attendance rules and regulations and notify parents of their responsibility under the Compulsory Attendance Law. Teachers must monitor and report student absences on a daily and class period basis and follow all rules and regulations concerning attendance.

Daily Attendance: To be counted present, a student must be in attendance at least one-half of the student’s school day. This includes attendance at official school activities at a place other than school, with the approval of the principal or designee.

Class Attendance: To be counted present, a student must be in attendance at least one-half of the student’s class period.

Students who arrive at school after the school day begins are to report to the office.

Excused Absences
The following constitute valid excuses for the temporary non-attendance of a child at school, provided satisfactory evidence of the excuse is provided to the principal or designee:

1. When the absence results from illness or injury which prevents the student from being physically able to attend school. When cumulative absences exceed ten (10) days, a statement from a physician is required to excuse an illness. Students with documented chronic or serious acute health problems will be exempt from this requirement for excused absences resulting from the health problems.

2. When isolation or quarantine of the student is ordered by the Cleveland County Health Department or by the State Board of Health.

3. When the absence results from the death of a member of the immediate family of the student. The immediate family of a student includes, but is not necessarily limited to, grandparents, parents, and siblings.

4. When the absence results from the student’s medical, dental or other appointment with a health care provider. A written excuse should be presented with a doctor’s signature or stamp. When possible, such appointments should be scheduled during non-school hours.

5. When the student is a party to or under subpoena as a witness in the proceedings of a court or administrative tribunal.

6. When the student or the student’s parent/guardian or custodian adheres to a religion whose tenets require or suggest the observance of a religious event. The parent/guardian or custodian must seek prior approval of the principal for such absences, and the approval should be granted unless the religious observance or the cumulative effect of religious observances is of such duration as to interfere with the education of the student.

7. When the student obtains the principal’s prior approval for participation in a valid educational opportunity, such as travel. An Educational Opportunities form must be completed and approved by the grade level principal before excused approval is granted. The Educational Opportunities form may be obtained in the front office.

Unexcused Absences
All absences for reasons other than those identified under the section entitled “Excused Absences” will be deemed unexcused. An absence also will be deemed unexcused unless the student’s parent/guardian or custodian provides written documentation of the reason(s) for the absence to the principal’s designee within two (2) school days of the student’s return to school. A student who is suspended for misconduct will not be considered absent without excuse for the purposes of this policy, although such absences will be considered unexcused for the purpose of make-up work and co-curricular activity eligibility. However, students suspended for ten (10) days or less will have the opportunity to take any quarterly, semester or grading period examinations missed during the suspension period.

Three (3) unexcused tardies to school or unexcused early dismissals from school will constitute an unexcused absence.

Middle School - Students who exceed the number of absences listed below shall receive no credit for the semester or year and may face retention in the same grade.

2007-08 - 8 days per semester (16 days per year)

MAKE-UP WORK

When any absence occurs, whether excused or unexcused, the student is expected to make up missed work. Students are entitled to make up work from an excused absence without receiving penalties to their marks or grades. Each school shall determine whether teachers may assess a reasonable academic penalty for work that is late due to an unexcused absence.

Students are responsible for securing and arranging make-up work from their teachers. Teachers shall help students accept this responsibility by providing information and assistance concerning missed assignments. The teacher will determine when work is to be made up.

FIELD TRIPS/ACTIVITIES

All students must have a signed official field trip permission from in order to participate in school sponsored field trips. Handwritten notes and verbal permission will not be accepted. Students who choose not to participate in a school sponsored outing are expected to be in school for that day. Students participating in or attending school activities are subject to all school rules and are subject to disciplinary action.

HOME/SCHOOL RELATIONSHIPS

Communication between the home and school is a key to student success. Parents are encouraged to maintain regular contact with the school through attendance at parent conferences, attendance at PTO meetings, by checking the student planner, and by monitoring progress reports and report cards. Teachers are encouraged to communicate with parents through student planners, phone calls, parent conferences, progress reports, and report cards. The school also uses a phone calling system to keep parents informed about upcoming events.

Teachers are available for phone calls and conferences during the grade level planning time. Please feel free to contact teachers or the appropriate counselor to schedule a parent conference.

6^th grade Counselor – Angela Jenks, ext. 210

7^th grade Counselor – Ron McCollum, ext. 208

8^th grade Counselor – Shelby Myers, ext. 219

VISITORS

All visitors must come to the office to register, gain approval, and receive a visitor’s pass before visiting within the building or on school grounds. Parents/guardians who request to observe in a classroom must have prior approval from the principal or the grade level assistant principal. Students are not to bring guests or visitors to school without permission. Violators of this policy may be subject to trespassing laws and penalties.

GUIDANCE

The purpose of the guidance program is to help each individual student achieve his/her highest growth mentally, emotionally, and socially. We try to do this in several ways:

Helping a new student feel at home in our school with new teachers and friends in a different setting.

Conferencing whenever a student, a teacher, a parent, or the counselor deems it necessary.

Discussing items of concern with any student, parent, or teacher.

PEER MEDIATION

Peer mediations are conducted by appointments to solve conflicts between students. These may be scheduled through grade-level counselors, principal, or assistant principals.

HEALTH CENTER

A full-time school nurse provides health services to students who have parental permission to be served. If a student has a health problem, such as allergies, emotional problems, heart conditions, hearing or vision problems or conditions that require taking medicine at school, the parent is responsible for reporting these conditions to the school. Except in cases of emergency, students who request to go to the Health Center must have written permission from the classroom teacher.

MEDICATION

Written permission is required for students to take any medication (including aspirin, allergy medicine, antibiotics, Tylenol, etc…) at school. Parents and their doctor will be asked to sign a form authorizing the student to take any medicine. A permission form may be obtained in the office or from the Health Center. The parent must bring all medications to the office immediately upon arriving at school. The school nurse or designee will administer the medication. Students must go to the Health Center at the appropriate time to take any required dosages.

Under no circumstances will students be permitted to share medications of any kind (aspirin, cold remedies, throat lozenges, etc…) with other students.

LOCKERS

All lockers made available for student use on the school premises, including lockers located in the hallways and in physical education, are the property of the school. These lockers are made available to students for storing school supplies and personal items necessary for use at school.

The lockers are not to be used to store contraband. The student’s use of the locker does not diminish the school ownership or control of the locker. Only homeroom teachers assign lockers to students. Students who experience difficulty with a locker and need repairs should report the information to their homeroom teacher. All PE lockers are assigned by the physical education teacher. PE locks should be locked at all times. Lost PE locks are the responsibility of the student.

Locker combinations are issued to each student. Refrain from giving your combination to other students. Each student is accountable for the contents of his/her locker; therefore, students are NOT to share lockers. Students should not write on or in their lockers or deface them in any way.

The school retains the right to inspect the lockers and their contents to ensure that they are being used in accordance with their intended purpose. Inspections will be held to eliminate safety hazards, maintain sanitary conditions, attempt to locate lost or stolen material and prevent use of the locker to store dangerous or prohibited materials such as weapons, illegal drugs, or alcohol. Materials in lockers are to be removed by the last school day of the year or on day of withdrawal from school.

CONTRABAND

Any items including, but not necessarily limited to, cellular telephones, pagers or beepers, CD players, headphones, MP3 players, I-Pods or any camera, brought to school that are not necessary for schoolwork, will be confiscated. These items will only be returned to the student’s parent or guardian.

VALUABLES

The school is not responsible for lost or stolen valuables. Students are cautioned not to bring large amounts of money to school. Students should secure all valuables in their assigned locker, especially during PE.

LOST AND FOUND

Students who find articles in their classroom are asked to take them to their teacher. Items found in the halls, cafeteria, library, or outside should be taken to the main office. If you lose a personal item, please check with the office to see if it has been turned in. “Found” articles not claimed at the end of four weeks may be discarded.

TEXTBOOKS

Textbooks are furnished by the state and are issued at the beginning of the school year or semester. It is the responsibility of the student to keep textbooks in their possession and to keep them in good condition. Students are required to pay for lost books and for damage greater than that of normal use. Any lost books must be paid for before another one will be issued. New textbooks now cost the school between $20.00 and $60.00 each. Due to the nature of some courses, textbooks are not issued in all subject areas.

MEDIA CENTER

The media center is a valuable resource for students and offers a wide selection of books, periodicals, online databases, and reference materials.

The media center opens to students at 7:40 a.m. Students who need to check out books or take a Renaissance Reading (AR) tests from 7:40-8:20 should obtain a pass from their homeroom teacher.

Students who need to complete class assignments requiring a computer during homeroom should report to room 158 with a pass from their homeroom teacher.

Students may use the library during lunch with teacher permission.

Students may use the media center during class time with a pass from their teacher. Students are expected to come directly from the classroom to the media center and return directly to the classroom when they leave the media center.

The media center is open to students until 3:25 p.m. If a student desires to use the media center for research after school, he or she must complete an “After School Media center Pass” prior to the day they plan to stay.

CAFETERIA

The cafeteria serves breakfast and lunch. Students should enter the breakfast line immediately upon entering the building if they wish to eat breakfast. At lunch there are three serving lines and students are given choices on our daily menu. Two of the lines at lunch are fast food and one is home style. Students are not permitted to bring soft drinks into the cafeteria. Drinks brought with lunch boxes must be in sealed, unopened cans. Bottled drinks cannot be brought into the school. Parents, who eat with their children, are asked to purchase their food in the cafeteria.

BOOK BAGS

Book bags are to be placed in lockers before 1^st period and remain there until students are dismissed from school. Rolling book bags are not allowed.

TELEPHONE USAGE

Teachers are not to allow students to miss class time to make a phone call, except in emergency situations. Students may use the phone in the front office (with permission of the teacher and secretary), if a true emergency exists; otherwise, no request to use the phone should be made.

ATHLETICS

Burns Middle School provides a full athletic program for all eligible 7^th and 8^th grade students. Our school is a member of the Tri-County Middle School Conference. Athletic teams fielded are dependent on sufficient student participation and availability of coaches for the respective sports. Sixth grade students are not eligible for interscholastic competition according to state athletic regulations. Seventh grade students are automatically eligible under state board of education rules for the fall semester. All eighth grade students, plus seventh graders for the spring semester, must meet academic and attendance eligibility guidelines established by the State Board of Education. These guidelines are:

Students must be in attendance at least 85% of the previous semester. In a 90-day semester, this means a prospective athlete cannot miss more than 13 total days. Students who miss extended time due to documented severe medical problems may appeal to the local board of education for a hardship waiver of the attendance requirement.

Students must pass all four academic subjects (language arts, math, science, social studies) they took in the previous semester.

For all fall semester eligibility, students must have been promoted at the end of the previous year. “Transfer” to another grade level does not constitute promotion.
Students cannot turn 15 years of age prior to October 16 in the academic year of participation. Over age athletes who meet all other requirements are eligible to participate on the junior varsity teams at the high school, even though they are attending BMS.

All student athletes must have a physical form completed, filled out, dated and signed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina. The physical form must be turned in to the coach of the sport you wish to try before participation is allowed. A student without a physical form will not be allowed to work out for any school sponsored athletic team.

A physical covers an athlete for 365 days.

All student athletes must be insured by a family or school accident policy. A limited co-pay policy is provided for all athletes; however, the limited co-pay policy provides minimal coverage, and only pays after your personal insurance coverage pays. In order to qualify for coverage, you must meet certain claim filing deadlines. If a legitimate claim is substantied, contact Mrs. Brogden at Burns Middle School for claim information.

STUDENT MOVEMENT

<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Students will be informed when to change classes by the classroom teacher.

<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Movement should be done as quickly and quietly as possible.

<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Go directly from one class to the next.

<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Keep to the right in passing through the halls.

<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Do not run in the halls.

<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Avoid gathering in the halls, which blocks student traffic.

<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>When in the halls during class, students must have a pass.

<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Unless under the supervision of a teacher, students should clear the building immediately after the dismissal bell.

<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>When attending tutoring or detention, students must go to sessions immediately after second bus group is dismissed.

STUDENT DRESS AND APPEARANCE

Students are expected to adhere to standards of dress and appearance that are compatible with a safe and effective learning environment. The Cleveland County Board of Education adopts a dress code to create a positive learning environment, teach good grooming and hygiene, instill discipline, prevent disruption, avoid safety hazards, and teach respect for authority. Presenting a bodily appearance or wearing clothing which is disruptive, provocative, revealing, profane, vulgar, offensive or obscene, or which endangers the health or safety of the student or others, is prohibited.

1. Caps, hats, bandanas, sweatbands, other head coverings or sunglasses may not be worn inside school buildings or other areas designated by the school.

2. Shirts or blouses may not be see-through and must cover the abdomen, chest, both shoulders, and back completely.

3. Pants may not be excessively baggy or drag the floor. Pants must be worn on the waist, with a belt, if necessary, to hold them up. Any type of wording or message appearing on the seat of the pants is prohibited.

4. Messages, imagery or advertisement on clothing, book bags or jewelry that promote or encourage the use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs; depict violence; are of a lewd, obscene, vulgar or sexual nature; or are disruptive are prohibited.

5. Undergarments must not be exposed.

6. Appropriate footwear is required. Bedroom shoes or slippers are not allowed.

7. Chains, spiked accessories, excessively large earrings or other heavy jewelry, and jewelry or ornaments affixed to a student’s nose, tongue, lips, cheek or eyebrow are not allowed.

8. Sleepwear is prohibited.

9. Excessively short, tight or oversize clothing is prohibited.

Shorts, dresses, and skirts must be no shorter than fingertip length with arms down at sides.

Shirts not tucked into pants can be no longer than fingertip length.

Principals shall exercise appropriate discretion in implementing this policy; including making reasonable accommodations on the basis of students’ sincerely held religious beliefs or medical conditions. Individual schools are free to specify additional examples of dress or appearance that are prohibited at that school consistent with this policy.

If a student’s dress or appearance is such that it constitutes a threat to the health or safety of others, distracts the attention of other students or staff from their work, or otherwise violates this dress code, the principal or designee may require the student to change his or her dress or appearance. A second or repeated violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action.

NO CHEATING POLICY

If a student is caught cheating on school work, he or she will be given a zero (0) as a grade for that work and a parent/guardian will be notified by the teacher. The student will be dropped to a level 3 on the Reward Plus education plan. Repeat offenders will be referred to the office for more serious discipline action.

TIME-OUT PROCEDURES

Time-Out is an intervention for disruptive students who are interfering with the teaching process and preventing their classmates from learning. It provides quick relief until the teacher has time to deal with the student one-on-one.

The student will report immediately to Time-Out and stay the remainder of that class period. The student will sit without talking and may fill out a Time-Out assessment form. At the end of the period the student will be given a pass to the next class and continue with their regular schedule. The student will be responsible for all work missed while in Time-Out. The classroom teacher will attempt to notify the parent within 24 hours of the Time-Out visit. Students will have a limited number of opportunities to go to Time-Out per term. Once students exceed the allotted number, other consequences will be assigned.

AFTER SCHOOL DETENTION

Students may be assigned teacher detention or office assigned detention as a disciplinary measure in Reward Plus. Students are given at least a 24 hour notice to arrange for transportation.

BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION CENTER

As an alternative to out-of-school suspension, students may be assigned to the Behavior Intervention Center (BIC). The center is designed to give structure and guidance so that a student can work on solutions to their discipline problems. This intervention, hopefully, will help the student get back on track and regain focus on being successful in getting a quality education.

Basic strategies will include working one-on-one with the intervention teacher and completing learning packets on discipline. After behavioral packets are completed, the teacher will hold an exit interview discussing with the student what he/she has learned from the intervention experience. The student is required to write his/her own behavior contract and submit it to the student’s teacher/team for approval.

Unsuccessful completion of assignments in the intervention center will result in OSS. A limited number of BIC intervention strategies will be assigned to the student. If intervention strategies are not successful, Davidson Alternative School will be considered. Detailed procedures and rules for successful completion of BIC will be given to the student once assigned.

OUT OF SCHOOL SUSPENSION (OSS)

Serious violations of behavior, Cleveland County Board of Education policy, and criminal law may result in automatic suspension, expulsion, and/or criminal prosecution depending on the circumstances and the judgment of the administration. (See the Cleveland County School Student Code of Conduct for Categories and Infractions.)

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT EXPECTATIONS

It is our intent to try to provide a successful educational experience in our school. The student must accept and adopt responsible behavior for this to occur. Burns Middle School has adopted school-wide expectations based on the Show-time theme. The expectations are as follows:

<![if !vml]><![endif]>

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT REWARD PLUS

Reward Plus is a system of privileges, rules and discipline that helps students motivate themselves to perform

and behave well in school.

For students who routinely perform and behave well, the system provides a way of saying thank you by giving them privileges and rewards. We often forget to recognize these students because we rely on their willingness to do well. For students who find school more difficult or for those who frequently make poor choices in performance and behavior, the system provides an incentive for doing better and these students have a goal where they will become eligible for these privileges and rewards.

Revised 6/07

A student will be raised one Reward Plus level each week by the team, if the student exhibits good behavior during the week.

LEVELS PRIVILEGES RULES
DISCIPLINE/

CONSEQUENCES

7, 6, 5

Level 7 = Straight A’s

Level 6 =

A’s and B’s

Level 5 =

A, B and C

All assemblies

Dances

Field Trips

Early Dismissal

Extracurricular Activities

Other Team Privileges

Recognition at Academic Assemblies

General School Rules (GSR)

If a student is on levels 5, 6, or 7, the student is to be dropped to level 4, then raised to the original level in one step.

Failing a class at the end of a grading period results in starting the next grading period on Level 4. After progress reports go out, if the child is passing that subject, they rise back to Level 5.

Warning

Team/Student Conference

Parental Contact (Phone)

Level Drop by TEAM decision

4

Extracurricular Activities

Field Trips With Team Approval

Assemblies with Administrative Approval

GSR

No Early Dismissal

No Dances

Warning

Team/Student Conference

Parental Contact (Phone)

Level Drop by TEAM decision

Parent Conference

Team/Teacher ASD

3

All Privileges Denied

Limited Extracurricular Activities

(Practice, but no play)

GSR

No Early Dismissal

No Dances

Limited Extracurricular Activities

No Assemblies

No Field Trips

Warning

Team/Student Conference

Parental Contact (Phone)

Team/Teacher ASD

Parent Conference

Timeout Now an Option

Level Drop by Principal Only

Office Referral if all options

     exhausted

ASD/ISS an Administrative

     option

2

All Privileges Denied

No Extracurricular Activities

GSR

No Early Dismissal

No Dances

No Extracurricular Activities

No Assemblies

No Field Trips

Warning

Team/Student Conference

Parental Contact (Phone)

Teacher Assigned Detention

Level Drop by Principal Only

Parent Conference

Office Referral (BIC/OSS)

Alternative School Candidate

1
All Privileges Denied

Same as Level 2

RENAISSANCE READING

Renaissance Reading is an important part of the Language Arts program at Burns Middle School. Renaissance Reading requires students to read at home and take computerized tests at school to earn credit for books read. The following provides information concerning the Renaissance Reading program.

<![if !supportLists]>·                     <![endif]>Renaissance Reading goals are book oriented in 6^th and 7^th grade. Eighth grade students have book goals and an additional point goal requirement.

<![if !supportLists]>·                     <![endif]>Book goals are based upon the student’s reading level and established during teacher/student reading conferences.

<![if !supportLists]>·                     <![endif]>Reading levels are determined through STAR reading ZPD ranges, Grade Equivalency Scores and Lexile Levels.

<![if !supportLists]>·                     <![endif]>Students are tested twice each year to evaluate and re-evaluate their reading level.

<![if !supportLists]>·                     <![endif]>Students must read books that are in their level range.

<![if !supportLists]>·                     <![endif]>Renaissance Reading will count 20% of the total Language Arts grade.

<![if !supportLists]>·                     <![endif]>At each grade level, there exists minimum book goal requirements, genre requirements and proficiency goals on computerized tests.

<![if !supportLists]>·                     <![endif]>Students must have their Renaissance Reading Log and book every time they visit the Media Center to take a test. If the test is located in a literature book, the student may bring the book or a note from the teacher.

<![if !supportLists]>·                     <![endif]>The book title, level and number of points should be listed in the student’s reading log when the student begins reading the book. The date should be appropriately documented.

<![if !supportLists]>·                     <![endif]>Once the student has completed the book and is ready to take the test, the teacher will initial the handbook and send the student to the Media Center.

       Student Reading Log for Renaissance Reading

Student Name:________________________

Star Reading Level ________________

Goals:     1^st Nine Weeks:_______________

2^nd Nine Weeks:___________________

Goals:     3^rd Nine Weeks:_______________

4^th Nine Weeks:____________________

Date Book Title Level Date Complete AR Percentage Genre Point Value

               Student Reading Log for Renaissance Reading

Student Name:________________________

Star Reading Level ________________

Goals:     1^st Nine Weeks:_______________

2^nd Nine Weeks:___________________

Goals:     3^rd Nine Weeks:_______________

4^th Nine Weeks:____________________