In accordance with Title IX, the Boone Central School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, marital status, or age in its educational programs or employment practices. For administrative procedures relating to grievance under Title IX contact the Superintendent of Schools at 402-395-2134.
BOONE CENTRAL SCHOOLS MISSION STATEMENT
THE MISSION OF THE BOONE CENTRAL SCHOOLS,
TOGETHER WITH FAMILY AND COMMUNITY,
IS TO PREPARE ALL STUDENTS FOR A LIFE OF
LEARNING.
BELIEF STATEMENTS
WE BELIEVE . . .
ALL STUDENTS CAN LEARN.
LEARNING IS A LIFELONG PROCESS.
STUDENTS NEED TO DEVELOP SKILLS TO CRITICALLY, CREATIVELY, AND ETHICALLY MAKE DECISIONS AND SOLVE PROBLEMS.
STUDENTS NEED A VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO ACQUIRE AND APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS.
STUDENTS NEED TO DEVELOP SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND RESPECT FOR ALL PEOPLE
STUDENTS NEED TO SHARE RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEARNING AND TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR EDUCATION.
STUDENTS NEED TO BE CHALLENGED TO DEVELOP THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.
STUDENTS NEED A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT, WHICH ENCOURAGES ACTIVE LEARNING.
STUDENTS DESERVE AN ENVIRONMENT WHICH IS CONDUCIVE TO AESTHETIC, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
EDUCATION IS A PARTNERSHIP AMONG SCHOOL, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY.
BOONE CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT
THE MISSION OF BOONE CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FAMILY AND COMMUNITY, IS TO PREPARE AND CHALLENGE ALL STUDENTS FOR THEIR FUTURE LEARNING THROUGH A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL PRCESSES.
(This mission statement and belief statements which follow are an expansion of the district mission statement listed above. We, at the middle school, are hopeful that this mission statement better expresses the unique purpose of the middle school.)
BELIEF STATEMENTS
WE BELIEVE . . .
ALL STUDENTS CAN LEARN AND BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE LEARNING PROCESS.
ALL STUDENTS NEED TO BE CHALLENGED TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL BASED ON THEIR TALENTS.
ALL STUDENTS CAN BE RESPECTFUL OF FACULTY, STAFF, OTHER STUDENTS, AND THE FACILITY.
PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES
I. PHILOSOPHY
THE BOONE CENTRAL SCHOOLS ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE OPPORTUNITY AND MOTIVATION FOR THE HIGHEST QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS. THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF OUR SCHOOL SHALL BE THE OFFERING OF SIGNIFICANT COURSES AND ACTIVITIES THAT WILL ENABLE STUDENTS TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS, TAKING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN SOCIETY AND THE WORLD AND ITS AFFAIRS.
II. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
1. OFFER EACH INDIVIDUAL THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP COMPETENCE IN THE BASIC SKILLS OF COMMUNICATIONS, COMPUTATIONS, AND KNOWLEDGE OF BASIC FACTS CONCERNING THE ENVIRONMENT, HISTORY, AND SOCIETY.
2. OFFER EACH INDIVIDUAL THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP HIGHER ORDER THINKING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS BY MEANS OF ADEQUATE PREPARATION IN THE LIBERAL ARTS AND THROUGH APPROPRIATE AND PROGRESSIVE USE OF TECHNOLOGY.
3. OFFER EACH INDIVIDUAL THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THE ABILITY TO FUNCTION IN A TECHNOLOGICAL WORLD BY BECOMING KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT COMPUTERS, BY DEVELOPING SKILLS TO OPERATE COMPUTERS, AND BY EXPERIENCING WAYS TO USE COMPUTERS.
4. OFFER EACH INDIVIDUAL THE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND CULTURES.
5. INSPIRE IN EACH INDIVIDUAL THE ABILITY AND DESIRE TO CONTINUE LEARNING THROUGHOUT LIFE.
6. ENCOURAGE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF POLITICAL SOCIETY AND DEMOCRACY IN ORDER TO FOSTER ACTIVE PARTICIPATION THEREIN.
7. ENCOURAGE THE CREATIVE POTENTIAL OF EACH INDIVIDUAL THROUGH EXPOSURE TO THE FINE ARTS AND HUMANITIES.
8. ENCOURAGE HEALTHY COMPETITION THROUGH STUDENT ACTIVITIES.
9. ENCOURAGE A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF AND AID THE DEVELOPMENT OF GOOD HEALTH HABITS.
10. OFFER EACH INDIVIDUAL THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CAREER EXPLORATION AND ECONOMIC AWARENESS.
11. EMPHASIZE THE VALUE OF SELF-ESTEEM, INTEGRITY, DECENCY, HONESTY, AND RESPECT FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY, AS WELL AS THE DIGNITY OF ALL WORK.
12. AID IN STIMULATING A GOOD SENSE OF PRIDE IN AND SERVICE TO THE INDIVIDUAL, THE SCHOOL, THE COMMUNITY, THE NATION, AND THE WORLD.
13. CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE IN WHICH THE COMMUNITY PLAYS AN ACTIVE ROLE.
III. GOALS FOR STUDENTS
TO THE DEGREE THAT STUDENTS ARE ABLE, THEY SHOULD:
1. THINK LOGICALLY, OBJECTIVELY, AND CREATIVELY, AND BE ABLE TO ACQUIRE, ANALYZE, AND EVALUATE INFORMATION AS THE BASIS FOR MAKING DECISIONS.
2 COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY BY READING, WRITING, SPEAKING, OBSERVING AND LISTENING.
3. UNDERSTAND AND USE BASIC MATHEMATICS.
4. UNDERSTAND AND USE BASIC SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE AND PROCESSES.
5. KNOW ABOUT PEOPLE, THEIR ENVIRONMENTS, AND THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS PAST AND PRESENT.
6. UNDERSTAND AND FOLLOW PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH GOOD HEALTH, PHYSICAL FITNESS, AND PERSONAL HYGIENE.
7. FIND SATISFACTION IN AESTHETIC EXPRESSION.
8. DEVELOP HABITS, ATTITUDES, AND VALUES HELPFUL TO THEMSELVES AND OTHERS.
9. RESPECT THEMSELVES AND BE SELF-RELIANT, CONFIDENT, AND RESPONSIBLE.
10. ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS, INCLUDING THE ABILITY TO INTERACT WITH A GROUP TO SOLVE A COMMON PROBLEM.
11. KNOW HOW TO OBTAIN AND KEEP EMPLOYMENT.
12. UNDERSTAND HOW TO MANAGE MONEY AND PROPERTY.
13. UNDERSTAND HOW TO PROVIDE FOR THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELL-BEING OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILY.
14. RESPECT THE LAW AND THE RIGHTS AND OPINIONS OF OTHERS.
15. RESPECT AND CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
16. UNDERSTAND HOW TO USE DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES TO PARTICIPATE IN CIVIC AFFAIRS.
17. SET AND ACHIEVE PERSONAL AND GROUP GOALS.
18. PURSUE WORTHY LEISURE ACTIVITIES.
19. EXTEND THEIR INDIVIDUAL TALENTS AND INTERESTS THROUGH LIFELONG LEARNING.
INTRODUCTION
The Boone Central School District was first formed in 2000, a result of a merger between Albion Public Schools and Petersburg Public Schools. The 2001-2002 school year was the first time middle school students were in their own building. With a staff of 15 teachers at Boone Central Middle School, we strive to provide an educational program with a sound foundation in the basics, while continuing to provide elective programs, which prepare our students for high school.
ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF
BOARD OF EDUCATION
KAREN KAYTON PRESIDENT
LARRY TEMME VICE PRESIDENT
PATTI MEYER SECRETARY/TREASURER
TOM BRIESE, BOARD MEMBER
JOHN LARSON, BOARD MEMBER
TIM PREISTER, BOARD MEMBER
GENERAL INFORMATION
Daily Schedule
The gym is open at 7:15 A.M. for students. Breakfast will begin at 7:30 A.M. Students are not to be in the building prior to 7:15 A.M. unless they are under the direct supervision of a teacher for a special meeting or practice. Students are not to remain in the building after school, unless they are under the direct supervision of a teacher for detention/problem solving session, a meeting, or practice. Students who are waiting for elementary siblings are to wait in the lunchroom or by the principal's office. Students are not to wait in the lobby of the gym
Middle School Student Performance Goals
All students will:
* Arrive to class prepared.
* Use work time appropriately.
* Complete assigned tasks on time.
* Demonstrate respect for people and property.
* Respond appropriately to staff directives.
PIPSS
Performance Improvement Problem-Solving Systems (P.I.P.S.S.) is a comprehensive approach to behavior management and is designed to hold students accountable for their actions and behaviors. It is expected that all students at Boone Central Middle School will behave according to the five Student Performance Goals, listed above. If students choose to perform according to these goals, they will retain the freedom to interact with teachers and students with minimal supervision. However, if students choose not to perform according to these basic expectations, they can be assured that teachers, parent(s)/guardian(s), and administration will systematically increase home-school support until student performance is improved or an appropriate educational environment has been identified.
Agendas
At the beginning of the school year, students are given an agenda to record their assignments and to use as their hallway pass. Students must have their agendas with them at all times. Failure to have a signed pass in the agenda when in the hallway will result in a strike. Agendas will be checked periodically in BC Time. Students who have agendas up-to-date are eligible for a prize at the end of each month. The cost to replace an agenda is $8.00.
Lunch Break
Students in grade 6-7 will eat lunch from 11:31 - 12:01. Students in grade 7-8 will eat lunch from 12:18-12:48. The campus is closed for students in grades 6-7-8 during lunch. Requests for students to leave campus at lunch must be approved in advance. Upon returning to school, the student should sign in and then report to the gym.
Lunch ProgramBreakfast and lunch are federally funded programs. All meals are to be paid for in advance. Students are given a code, which will be entered for breakfast and for lunch. Money is placed into a family account. This money may be used to purchase breakfast and lunch. It may not be used for a-la-carte purchases. No charging of meals will be allowed, unless prior approval is given by someone in the main office. Free and reduced priced meals are available to those who qualify. All food programs are subject to price changes due to inflation and federal subsidies. All food items must be eaten in the lunchroom, including a-la-carte.
All who eat breakfast and/or lunch are to return all dishes, empty milk cartons, used napkins, etc. to the proper window and dispose of them.
The main building is off limits during the lunch period. During periods of cold or inclement weather, students are to congregate in the gym area after they finish eating. If students wish to play games or be on the gym floor at lunchtime, they must remove their shoes. Students may NOT go to the locker rooms at lunch or breakfast times unless they have permission from the supervisor on duty. At lunchtime, during periods of nice weather, students are allowed outside on the playground, south of the main building.
Messages, Announcements, and Daily Bulletin
The daily bulletin is distributed to all classrooms around 9:15 A.M. on Mondays. On all other days, the bulletin is sent via email. The bulletin contains school announcements of importance to students in general. All announcements must be submitted by 8:30 A.M. in order for them to be put in the bulletin. Teachers are to read the announcements during third period. Copies are also posted on the bulletin board and on the north wall in the gym. Students are responsible for information published in the daily bulletin. Announcements of clubs and organizations must first have written approval of the sponsor before they will be included in the daily bulletin. Personal messages are not included in the daily bulletin. Any item, which is to be posted on the bulletin board, must be cleared by the principal or her designee. Students will not be called from class for telephone messages.
Severe Weather Dismissal
At times when weather is too severe for school to be held, school closing information will be broadcast over several area television and radio stations including: KCAU-TV Ch. 8 Sioux City/Albion, KOLN-TV Ch. 10 Lincoln, KFAB 1110 AM Omaha, WJAG/KEXL 780 AM/106.7 FM Norfolk, KZ 100 100.3 FM Central City, KJSK/KLIR 90 AM/101.1 FM Columbus, and KNEN 94.7 FM Norfolk. When school is dismissed early because of severe weather, activity practices are canceled. If the weather clears by evening, regularly scheduled events may be held.
School Visitors
Parents are always welcome to visit school. Please call ahead so that we can arrange for an informative visit. Requests for friends to visit school are seldom granted as even in the most ideal circumstances they detract from the learning process. All visitors should report to the office and sign in.
Lost and Found
Items, which are found, should be turned in to the principal's office where they may be claimed by the owner. Unclaimed items will periodically be turned over to a charitable organization for distribution to the needy.
Candy, Pop, and Food
Candy, pop, and food are not to be brought to school to be consumed in the hallways or classrooms. Food items purchased in the lunchroom are to be eaten in the lunchroom. Only a-la-carte items may be eaten in the gym. No food may be eaten in the locker rooms. Pop and juice, purchased from the machines before or after school, are to be consumed in the gym or removed from the building. Special requests for pop or food items in the classroom must be granted by the principal.
Books and Other School Property
Textbooks, library materials, and other school property loaned for student use are to be returned in the same condition as when received, less allowance for reasonable wear and tear. Students will be assessed replacement cost for lost or damaged schoolbooks or other property. Books, etc. are not to be left in the gym, lunchroom, hallways, stage area, or locker rooms. Book bags on wheels will NOT be allowed.In addition, book bags/backpacks are not allowed in classrooms and must be put in assigned lockers upon arrival to school.
Student Dress
Dress should be modest and in good taste. One's dress, personal appearance, and cleanliness, like one's behavior, should reflect sensitivity to and a respect for others. The fact that a school will permit a wide variety in school clothes does not mean that all styles are equally appropriate. Clothing containing vulgar language, obscenities, suggestive or inappropriate subject matter is prohibited. Printed wording or pictures on clothing advertising or promoting tobacco, alcohol, or drugs will not be permitted. A student's midriff will not be visible at any time. The test will consist of the following: No midriff will be showing when both arms are extended above the head. All garments with spaghetti, single, or no straps are not allowed unless an appropriate cover up is worn. Violators will be disciplined. Hats, caps, hoods, or bandannas are not to be worn in the building. The final decision on the appropriateness of dress rests with the principal. Sunglasses are to be removed upon entering the building, unless they are required for medical reasons.
Public Display of Affection
Public display of affection is considered inappropriate. Students who publicly display their affections (holding hands, arms around each other, kissing, etc.) at school will be notified immediately to stop the display. Failure to do so will result in a problem solving for not responding appropriately to a staff directive.
Student Lockers
Students are furnished lockers, which remain the property of the school district. Students are held responsible for the care, cleanliness, and condition of their assigned lock and locker. Costs of repair or replacement can be assessed to students as warranted. Class funds may be used for general maintenance in the locker and locker area. Lockers are subject to routine, periodic checks for condition and cleanliness. Food or liquids should never be stored in lockers. Valuables or money should never be brought to school and certainly never be kept in lockers.
Driver Education
State-Approved Driver Education is offered every summer at Boone Central Schools with registration beginning in late February. The class consists of thirty hours of classroom instruction and five hours of behind the wheel driving. The cost of the class will be $250.00 for resident students with the first payment of $100.00 due on or before April 1. (These fees are subject to change.) The number of students who can be served is limited and enrollment is on a first-come, first-serve basis with resident students receiving priority. Refunds will only be given if there is someone on the waiting list to replace the cancellation, and if it occurs before the first class session.
School Transportation
School buses, vans, and school cars are to be kept clean and free of all trash and litter. Following each trip, students and sponsors are responsible for picking up any trash and checking for lost or misplaced items.
Bus/Van Check-off Policy
Participants are expected to ride home on the bus/van, but under unique circumstances participants may ride home from a game with their parent(s) or another faculty sponsor. In all cases when participants do not ride home on the bus/van, prior arrangements must be made by making a personal request, in writing, to the activity director or the coach/sponsor in charge and then signing the checkout sheet with the coach/sponsor at the activity.
The sponsors/coaches believe it is desirable to keep the team or group together after the activity, as unity and camaraderie are developed by being together in victory and defeat. Also part of being a member of a team or group is commitment, and part of that commitment includes the time spent together riding to and from activities. Please be aware of the sponsors/coaches' wishes when deciding to check your son or daughter off the bus/van and support them in their desire to help build team or group unity. The sponsors/coaches are also concerned with the safety of participants when not riding with parents or another faculty sponsor. Please understand that if students do not ride home with parent(s) or another faculty sponsor, any future requests to do so will be denied. Bus drivers will no longer be able to check anyone off the bus.
Media Center Services
The media center is available for personal reading, research, and special study. The media center computers are available for student use during the school day and have Internet capabilities. The media specialist establishes which materials may be removed from the library and due dates for their return. Students are to return all materials promptly as materials are limited, and others are likely to be waiting for them to be returned. The media specialist also establishes a system of fines for late materials and charges for damaged or lost materials. Use of computers or Internet for non-school purposes or other inappropriate uses will cause the student to lose access to those resources.
GRADES, ACADEMIC RECOGNITION, ETC.
Grading Scale
Boone Central Middle School uses a grading scale with grades recorded in percentages.
Incompletes
Incompletes given the first, second, or third quarters must be removed within three weeks of the end of the quarter. Incompletes will be considered as failing until removed. No grades of incomplete will be given at the end of the fourth quarter unless approved by the counselor and the principal. Unremoved incompletes are considered failing with no credit awarded for the class. Teachers may extend the three-week deadline if circumstances warrant an extension.
Student Records
Pursuant to State law, access to student records is limited to students, their parents or guardians, teachers, counselors, or school administrators. Confidential records may have more limited access. Written permission of the parent or guardian is required in order to access records to other parties. Records of disciplinary actions will be kept separate from a student≠s academic file and destroyed following graduation or continuous absence of three years.
Honor Roll
The honor roll is published at the end of each quarter. To earn a place on the honor roll, a full-time student must have a scholastic average of at least 94%, with no grade below 88%. Honorable mention shall be awarded students who maintain a grade average of at least 88%, with no grade below 80%. Middle school semester averages are calculated on the following courses:
Mathematics English Band PE
Social Studies Science Chorus Writing
Enrichment Art
Enrichment Science/Math
Middle school quarter averages will include the above courses, as well as the following courses which meet for one quarter each:
Life Skills
Family & Consumer Science Keyboarding/Computers
Tech Science
Art
Progress Reports and Weekly Eligibility List
Grades are prepared at the end of each nine-week period and reports prepared for parents. Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled at the end of first and third quarter. Additional conference time should be scheduled with individual teachers as needed throughout the year.
A list of students either failing or about to fail is prepared from reports submitted by teachers each Thursday, reflecting cumulative grade averages through that Wednesday. Eligibility lists are prepared weekly except for the start of a new quarter. Students are ineligible for activity participation or going with the team or group (excluding graded activities) the following week if they are failing more than one class, failing one class and about to fail another, or about to fail three classes. Eligibility weeks begin on Sunday and end on Saturday.
HONORS CONVOCATION
An honors convocation will be held each spring to honor those students who have earned special awards and recognition during the year. At this event, eighth graders will be promoted.
HEALTH PHYSICALS AND BIRTH CERTIFICATES
State law requires evidence of a physical examination completed within six months prior to the entrance into seventh grade. Physical examinations required prior to participation in athletics will satisfy this requirement. Parents may exempt their child from the general 7th grade physical examination requirement by furnishing the school with a written objection. Physical examinations are required of all students prior to athletic participation.
Official birth certificates are required of students when they enroll in the Boone Central School District for the first time.
GUIDANCE SERVICES
Guidance personnel provide students with career information, assistance with personal difficulties, course selection and planning, and individual and group consultation and referral services.
ATTENDANCE
The Board of Education and staff of the Boone Central Schools believe that regular school attendance is of crucial importance to the achievement of each student and encourage students to attend school regularly. The primary responsibility of assuring regular school attendance rests with the parents. A student≠s responsibilities to school with regards to attendance is similar to an employee≠s responsibilities to the employer. YOU ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN SCHOOL EVERY DAY THAT SCHOOL IS IN SESSION, or we must be notified of the reason for your inability to attend school and have the opportunity to approve or disapprove that request.
If you are ill, your parent/guardian is to call the middle school office (402-386-5302) by 8:45 A.M. the morning of your absence and request that you be excused.
Notes from physicians stating that you were under a doctor's care and unable to attend school may be necessary in order to avoid the possibility of making up time for excessive absenteeism later on in the year. However, these DOCTOR'S NOTES SHOULD BE PRESENTED IMMEDIATELY UPON YOUR RETURN TO SCHOOL. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ASK FOR A NOTE WHEN YOU ARE AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE. Health care providers (doctors, dentists, counselors, etc.) appointments do not excuse students for the entire day of the appointment. Only the time it takes to get to the office, see the doctor, and return to class are excused periods. If the doctor requests you stay at home, that information needs to be included in the doctor's note.
Make-up Work
Students will be given one day to complete make-up work for each day of excused absences; however, individual teachers still have the discretion of when the work will be due. This does not apply in the case of suspension, exclusions, or unexcused absences. The responsibility for obtaining assignments is that of the student. If the absence is planned and/or a school activity, then the student should make up the work in advance or as per the instruction from each individual teacher.
Pre-planned Absences
Most absences, other than sudden illness, can be planned for in advance. If you know that you will need to be absent for a medical appointment or other pre-planned activity, your parent is to call or send a note at least two days in advance, requesting that you be permitted to miss school. You will then be issued a make-up slip from the office, which must be signed by all teachers and returned before you leave. Dental and doctor appointments should be arranged for at a time other than during school, except when absolutely necessary.
Absences for School Activities
Students who are participating in activities, which cause them to miss classes, are required to have their work made up in advance as indicated by returning a "blue slip"; prior to the deadline established. Blue slips must be turned in to the office by 4:00 the day before the absence. Students not returning completed blue slips on time may not be allowed to attend the activity. Blue slip violations will result in detentions/problem-solving session.
Tardiness
School begins every day at 8:20. Every student is expected to be on time every day. If you are tardy coming to school, either upon arrival in the morning or upon returning from lunch, you are to report to the principal's office, sign in, and get a pass. If you are late for class, you have been reported as absent, and you need to clear the record when you report to the classroom teacher. With the third tardy during any semester, detention time is assigned for each unexcused tardy. An unexcused tardy for half or more of the class period counts as an unexcused absence and the whole period will have to be made up.
Buses will leave from the north side of Boone Central Elementary School/Albion at 8:00 A.M. At the end of the day, buses will leave from the north side of the Petersburg gym at 3:15 P.M. for Albion. Those students who ride the bus early in the morning, on regular routes, will be transported to Albion by 7:55. In the afternoon, students should arrive in Albion by 3:35 in order to board the bus for regular afternoon routes at 3:35.
Students participating in after school activities will be transported to Albion after the completion of all activities. The activity bus will leave Petersburg by 5:15 P.M. each day and arrive in Albion at 5:35 P.M. Once the bus arrives in Albion, parents will be responsible for the transportation of their student(s) to their home.
Missing the Bus
If students should miss the bus, there will NOT be any transportation provided by the school. Transportation to or from school for students who miss the bus in the morning or miss the bus because of detention or other disciplinary reasons will be the responsibility of the parents. If a student misses the bus frequently, and the problem persists, parents will be called in for a conference with the principal.
School Attendance - Philosophy
No amount of "make-up" time or alternative assignments can adequately take the place of regularly scheduled classroom activities, instruction and interaction. Poor attendance patterns are often symptoms of more severe problems including undiagnosed physical or psychological disorders, chemical dependency, or other equally serious situations.
A concerted effort to identify students with less than acceptable attendance patterns will be made. The school will work with students, parents, health professionals, social services and the legal system to assure acceptable attendance of all our students. Telephone contact, home visitations, and team conferences will be used as an integral part of our effort to improve attendance patterns.
Attendance Policy
State law requires that we provide a minimum of 1032 hours of instruction for middle school students. State law also requires that parents/guardians cause their children between the ages of 7-16 to attend school regularly. Students/parents in non-compliance with state statutes must be reported to our school attendance officer. The Boone County Attorney, in cooperation with the Boone County Police Department and local law enforcement, serves our school district in this capacity.
A minimum attendance requirement has been established, allowing for no more than ten days of authorized absenteeism each year. When that maximum has been reached, approval for absences for reasons other than documented illness is not routinely authorized. Special requests need to be cleared through the principal in advance.
Total school attendance will be checked periodically (at least once each quarter) during the school year. Parents of students who have missed four or more undocumented days during the first semester and/or eight or more undocumented days during the second semester will receive a letter notifying them of the situation. Once students exceed their ten allotted days, every period missed after that will result in making up time equal to that missed. If the problem persists, at fifteen days, and every day thereafter, of unauthorized absence, the attendance officer may be called to go to the house to bring the student to school. Time will be scheduled outside the regular school day to make up deficiencies caused by unauthorized absenteeism. This will include detentions and Saturday school.
Teacher team meetings and parental conferences will be called in order to assist in the identification of attendance problems and the formulation of action plans to assist in the improvement of attendance or the education of students unable to attend because of documented long-term medical problems. Doctor documentation will be requested of students after maximum levels of absenteeism have been reached.
Truancy
Truancy is never acceptable and is defined as any time a student is absent from school without the knowledge and permission of both the parent/guardian and the school. Double the time missed may be assigned to be made up during detention hall or Saturday school for truancy.
Leaving & Returning to Campus during the School Day
Before you leave school for any reason during the school day, you must first report to the principal's
