LIBRARY Pursue Knowledge/Take Pride
The school library is open before school, break, lunch, and after school until 3-.00 p.m. The school library offers students access to both fiction and nonfiction books to check out for their reading pleasure. The library is also available for quiet study and research. In addition, teachers periodically bring classes to the library to check out books and use it for class projects.
LITTER Take Pnde/Together We Can
This campus is our home, and it is your home away from home. It is the responsibility of all Graham Bears to keep our home clean. All trash, including brunch and lunch garbage must be put in the garbage containers provided. Students caught littering may be given a campus beautification detail.
FOOD Take Pride/Together we can
It is the responsibility of everyone at school to keep the campus dean and free of trash. Please pick-up after yourself and place all trash in the garbage cans. Food is not allowed on the track or turf field.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism has become a growing concern with the numerous resources available through the
Internet. Consequences for plagiarism can be but are not limited to an F for the assignment, parental contact, and administrative referral. Continued acts of plagiarism can result in suspension.
INDEPENDENT STUDY
Any student who will be absent for 5 or more days should contact the Attendance Office and discuss the possibility of an Independent Study Contract. A request for an independent study must be made by a parent and done at least a week prior to the absence, except in the case of illness. An independent study contract is approved at the discretion of the school administration. A student must be in good academic standing to qualify. You may request an Independent Study contract for the following reasons:
• Illness or injury
• Educational alternative
• Vacation or personal necessity
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
Below are examples ofunexcused absences. Students may be assigned an academic recovery class after school supervised by Graham staff to make up lost work caused by the unexcused absence. After 3 unexcused absences a student is considered a truant by law.
Unexcused Absences: (examples)
Oversleeping
Transportation problems Suspension from school Concerts
Vacations
Missed Bus
Work at home [babysitting, etc.)
Leaving school without permission
Shopping
Non-school social, professional or athletic activities
TARDINESS
Being punctual is an important habit to develop. Students will be considered tardy if they are not in their seat or another teacher designated area by 7:50 a.m [9:2S on Monday). At the 7:45 bell
(9:20 a.m on Monday) all students should be on their way to class. Students arriving tardy, but before the end of GMS TV are to report directly to their first class. After GMS TV, students must first report to the Attendance Office for an admit slip before they will be allowed in class. Students must be signed in or have a note from a parent if they are over 30 minutes late.
Excessive unexcused tardies can result in a referral to the School Attendance Review Board the District Attorney's Office.
BACKPACKS Take Pride
Student backpacks must be clean and free of writing. The student's name may appear on the outside of the backpack in one place only. Students who violate this rule will have their backpacks confiscated and parents contacted.
BALLROOM 'Take pride
The Ball Room is open at break, and at lunchtime. Equipment can be checked out with a backpack.
Students are responsible for the care of the equipment they check out. All equipment must be returned in the same condition it was checked out.
BICYCLES Do no Harm/Pursue KnowIedge
All bicycles are to be locked on the bike racks inside the Bike Cage, located on the blacktop. Students must ride bicycles on the street only, and not on school grounds. Students are to walk beside their bicycles while on school grounds. Students must wear a helmet when bicycle riding, and lock it within the Bike Cage. The school is not responsible for stolen or damaged bicycles.
SKATEBOAROS /ROLLER BLADES/ SCOOTERS Do No Harm/Pursue Knowledge/ I Belong
Skateboards, roller blades, and scooters are allowed, but cannot be used on school grounds. Students must wear helmets when riding bikes, skateboards and scooters.
CELL PHONES Pursue Knowledge/Do No Harm
At the discretion of the teachers, students may be allowed to appropriately use cell phones for academic purposes. Cell phones must be turned off during the school day. (7:50-2:50 p.m) They may be used before or after school, but not any other time during the day. If a staff member hears or sees a student using a phone during the day the phone will be turned into the office. The school will not be held responsible for the theft or loss of any phone).
ELECTRONIC DEVICES Pursue Knowledge/Do No Harm
Electronic devices such as iPods, Bluetooth speakers, video games, etc. are not to be used during school hours. The school will not be held responsible for the theft or loss of these items.
LOST AND FOUND Together We Can
The lost and found is located by the staff lounge (next to the food pavilion). Lost items not claimed will be donated to a charitable organization as necessary.
PASSES I Belong
When classes are in session, a student is required to have a pass to go to the office, the bathroom or another classroom. Students must get a pass from their current teacher.
RESTROOMS Take Pride/Do No Harm
Students must sign-out from their class when leaving for the restroom and must sign back in when returning to class. For sanitary reasons the students do not use a pass to go to the restroom. Students will use the school restroom for their intended purposes. Students are responsible for keeping the restrooms clean and free of graffiti. Restrooms are subject to supervision.
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS Do No Harm/ Pursue Knowledge/ Take Pnde
Substitute teachers are guests at Graham and should be treated accordingly. They are to be treated with RESPECT at all times. Substitute teachers will enforce classroom and school rules and be expected to follow the Graham discipline policy.
TRANSPORTATION Do No Harm/ Together We Can
Drivers should be very careful and courteous when driving on campus. It is very important that drivers respect the speed limits and pedestrian rights of way. Students must use the crosswalks. Drivers, when dropping off or picking up your child, please pull all the way forward and do not leave your^car unattended. For the safety of all, please follow the instructions of the person directing traffic.
FOOD SERVICE Together We Can/ I Belong
Food Service provides food for brunch and lunch to students for a minimal cost Families can fill out an on-line form to apply for free or reduced breakfast or lunch any time during the school year. Brunch is a 10-15-minute break in the morning when breakfast items are available from the Food Service. Brunch costs $2.50. During lunch a full lunch service is available from the Food Service for the cost of $3.50. You may pay at the door for a full lunch or pay in advance by cash or check. The amount will be credited to the student's account.
Dress Code
In all instances, a student's appearance should not disrupt or distract from the learning atmosphere in the classroom or on campus.
Not allowed:
• Low-cut tops, tank tops with straps less than 2 inches wide, tube tops, mesh shirts, tops with spaghetti straps, halter tops and shirts that reveal the midriff.
• Slippers, flip flops, and thong-type shoes o Shoes that permit safe movement must be worn at all times.
» Oversized clothing i Sagging pants
• Clothing, symbols, or anything associated with gang affiliation
Clothing and accessories that contain pictures or writing which are considered vulgar, profane or sexually suggestive; which advocate racial, ethnic, or religious prejudice; or promote drugs, alcohol, tobacco, violence or any illegal activity
Symbols or writing anywhere on the body
Bandanas of any color
Pajamas
Limitations on wearing:
• The hems of shorts, skirts and dresses must be at the fist length when arms are to the side • See-through sheer tops must have appropriate shirts underneath.
• Belts are to be worn so that the excess is not dangling or hanging out of the pants
• Hats, visors, caps, hoods, and sunglasses can be worn outdoors, but not indoors
• Hats and visors are worn forward at all times
DRESS FOR SUCCESS Pursue Knowledge/ Do No Harm/ I Belong
The goal of the Graham Middle School Dress Code is to instill in students the understanding that school is their place of business. The dress code allows for individual choice, promotes safety, and at the same time discourages clique-type groups from being formed based on clothing style and/or expense. We encourage each student to take his or her education seriously, beginning with the clothes he/she wears to school.